MIDNIGHT MUSIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21159, 16 April 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

MIDNIGHT MUSIC.

By LOKXA FIN LAY SOX, Flat 1. \'i'l Maiiakau Road, Epsom. (Aged 13 years.) Original. " Jock ! " whispered a small voice, " Yes? " came the answer. " Oh, I'm so glad you're awake ! Did you hear it ? " "No. What, at any rate? Go to sleep. You shouldn't have come, if you wore going to get the creeps at 1 a.m.," said Jock sleepily, glancing at his luminous wrist watch. Just as ho had said.this, a queer.noise rent the air. Not exactly a howl or a cry, but . . . funny, anyway.

"Oh, what is it ?" gasped Madge. "Go to sleep!" returned her brother

Madge and Jock Withers were camping with their uncle for part of the holidays. It was Madge's first night under canvas, and as one is apt to do, she had woken up more than once. First it was the moon shining down on to her face, and now this noise. She sat up in bed, shivering, partly from cold, partly from fright, and gazed outside.

Great shadows chased each other across the grass, as the trees swayed and murmured in the background. Madgo drow back hastily and snuggled down into the bed-clothes, pulling them over her head.

" No," she told herself, " I must be firm. I shall find out what it is."

Easier said than done, especially for a person like Madge. She felt for her torch, found it and tip-toed out of the tent.

The night air was cold and somewhat crisp, Sound carried easily and suddenly came the noise again. Not exactly a howl or a cry, but • • • funny, anyway. Madge gave one look round and dashed back.

For ages she tossed and turned under her blankets. It was a hard bed to her, not what might be termed as luxurious, but if she had only known it, extremely comfortable for a camp bed. At last, weary through restless tossings, she slept. The. next time she awoke, the moon was paling, and ihe last star blinked and went out.

From afar, came the faint chirrup of some bird. Another took up the song and then another. A cock crowed, heralding the light, and a more-pork raised its voice.

Madge lay still, trying to take in the coming of dawn. She had never seen, heard or felt it like this. It was something new to her. What was that bird? Its notes rang out and echoed queerly. The tui. What was that other sound ? A sound of grass being chewed. She leaped out of bed and peered cautiouslv outride.

There in the fast-strengthening light, she beheld the form of a small animal, like a pony, only having two very large cars.

Tt, gave one look at Madge and, kicking up its heels, cantered off at a brisk pace. Then it, stopped and very distinctly gave a, sound that was not a howl or cry or yelp or neigh, but the unmistakable bray of a donkey. It came over Madgo in a rush what last night's noises had been. The echoes of a donkey's bray. Oh, a donkey I It was more likely that she was one! Jock must never know ! " Well," ho said, waking up later, "chased away the bogev man yet?"

"Oh, yes," said Madge, casually turning her face away, to hide her laughter. But .Toek trot hold of tho story later in the day, as brothers do. and poor Madgo never hoard the last of her fright.