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The Hair Tree
145

After a little time Rupert remembered the bird and his promise, and said to Trevina that he supposed they should soon see him coming. for his nuts.

“You have just eight nuts left, and you have promised the eagle six,” said Trevina. “By all means give him the six you promised him, but let me entreat you to keep the remaining two. One I have here, and be sure you do not let him have the other. Remember that the moment you have parted from it, he will have as much power over you as he had over the poor Queen. He will beg you for it, but he must not have it.”

Rupert promised, and in a very short time they saw the eagle flying towards them. He flew round them in circles, and at last alighted on the prow of the boat.

“Well,” he said, fiercely, looking towards Rupert, “I see you have the seeds. Now where are my nuts?”

“Here they are,” said he, taking six from his pocket, and giving them to him. He took them in his claws and hid them in his feathers, but still he did not go.

“You have yet got one more,” he said; “what

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