A tuft of green leaves waved upon his crest , a larger tuft of brakes made an umbrageous tail , and a shawl of many colours formed his flapping wings . A truly noble bird , whose legs had the genuine strut , whose eyes shone watchfully , and whose voice had a ring that evidently struck terror into the catterpillar 's soul , if it was a catterpillar . He squirmed , he wriggled , he humped as fast as he could , trying to escape ; but all in vain . The tufted bird espied him , gave one warbling sort of crow , pounced upon him , and flapped triumphantly away . `` That early bird got such a big worm he could hardly carry him off , '' laughed Aunt Jessie , as the children shouted over the joke suggested by Mac 's nickname . `` That is one of uncle 's favourite proverbs , so I got it up for his especial benefit , '' said Rose , coming up with the two-legged worm beside her . `` Very clever ; what next ? '' asked Dr. Alec as she sat down beside him . `` The Dove boys are going to give us an ` Incident in the Life of Napoleon , ' as they call it ; the children think it very splendid , and the little fellows do it rather nicely , '' answered Mac with condescension . A tent appeared , and pacing to and fro before it was a little sentinel , who , in a brief soliloquy , informed the observers that the elements were in a great state of confusion , that he had marched some hundred miles or so that day , and that he was dying for want of sleep . Then he paused , leaned upon his gun , and seemed to doze ; dropped slowly down , overpowered with slumber , and finally lay flat , with his gun beside him , a faithless little sentinel . Enter Napoleon , cocked hat , gray coat , high boots , folded arms , grim mouth , and a melodramatic stride . Freddy Dove always covered himself with glory in this part , and `` took the stage '' with a Napoleonic attitude that brought down the house ; for the big-headed boy , with solemn , dark eyes and square brow , was `` the very moral of that rascal , Boneyparty , '' Mother Atkinson said . Some great scheme was evidently brewing in his mighty mind a trip across the Alps , a bonfire at Moscow , or a little skirmish at Waterloo perhaps , for he marched in silent majesty till suddenly a gentle snore disturbed the imperial reverie . He saw the sleeping soldier and glared upon him , saying in an awful tone , `` Ha ! asleep at his post ! Death is the penalty he must die ! '' Picking up the musket , he is about to execute summary justice , as emperors are in the habit of doing , when something in the face of the weary sentinel appears to touch him . And well it might , for a most engaging little warrior was Jack as he lay with his shako half off , his childish face trying to keep sober , and a great black moustache over his rosy mouth . It would have softened the heart of any Napoleon , and the Little Corporal proved himself a man by relenting , and saying , with a lofty gesture of forgiveness , `` Brave fellow , he is worn out ; I will let him sleep , and mount guard in his place . ''
Then , shouldering the gun , this noble being strode to and XXXXX with a dignity which thrilled the younger spectators .
Alps Atkinson Corporal Dove Mac Rose catterpillar escape fro shako