diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:24:35 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:24:35 -0700 |
| commit | 46ac397fded117396af93a6b4eac02601a602a31 (patch) | |
| tree | 0f36a6b5989f63bc71b06353f99d569e17c828ae /4979-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '4979-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 4979-h/4979-h.htm | 3255 |
1 files changed, 3255 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/4979-h/4979-h.htm b/4979-h/4979-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..709ffac --- /dev/null +++ b/4979-h/4979-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3255 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Blacky the Crow, by Thornton W. Burgess + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Blacky the Crow, by Thornton W. Burgess + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Blacky the Crow + +Author: Thornton W. Burgess + +Release Date: March 24, 2009 [EBook #4979] +Last Updated: March 10, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKY THE CROW *** + + + + +Produced by Kent Fielden, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + BLACKY THE CROW + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Thornton W. Burgess + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> Blacky The + Crow Makes A Discovery <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. + </a> Blacky Makes Sure <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> + CHAPTER III. </a> Blacky Finds Out Who Owns The Eggs <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> The Cunning Of + Blacky <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> Blacky + Calls His Friends <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> Hooty + The Owl Doesn't Stay Still <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER + VII. </a> Blacky Tries Another Plan <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> Hooty Comes To Mrs. + Hooty's Aid <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> Blacky + Thinks Of Farmer Brown's Boy <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER + X. </a> Farmer Brown's Boy And Hooty <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> Farmer Brown's Boy Is + Tempted <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> A + Tree-Top Battle <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> Blacky + Has A Change Of Heart <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. + </a> Blacky Makes A Call <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> + CHAPTER XV. </a> Blacky Does A Little Looking About <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> Blacky Finds Other + Signs <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a> Blacky + Watches A Queer Performance <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER + XVIII. </a> Blacky Becomes Very Suspicious <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> Blacky Makes More + Discoveries <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a> Blacky + Drops A Hint <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a> At + Last Blacky Is Sure <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. + </a> Blacky Goes Home Happy <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0023"> + CHAPTER XXIII. </a> Blacky Calls Farmer Brown's Boy <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. </a> Farmer Brown's + Boy Does Some Thinking <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. + </a> Blacky Gets A Dreadful Shock <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. </a> Why The Hunter Got + No Ducks <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. </a> The + Hunter Gives Up <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII. + </a> Blacky Has A Talk With Dusky The Black + Duck <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX. </a> Blacky + Discovers An Egg <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX. </a> Blacky + Screws Up His Courage <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI. + </a> An Egg That Wouldn't Behave <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII. </a> What Blacky Did + With The Stolen Egg <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I: Blacky The Crow Makes A Discovery + </h2> + <p> + Blacky the Crow is always watching for things not intended for his sharp + eyes. The result is that he gets into no end of trouble which he could + avoid. In this respect he is just like his cousin, Sammy Jay. Between them + they see a great deal with which they have no business and which it would + be better for them not to see. + </p> + <p> + Now Blacky the Crow finds it no easy matter to pick up a living when snow + covers the Green Meadows and the Green Forest, and ice binds the Big River + and the Smiling Pool. He has to use his sharp eyes for all they are worth + in order to find enough to fill his stomach, and he will eat anything in + the way of food that he can swallow. Often he travels long distances + looking for food, but at night he always comes back to the same place in + the Green Forest, to sleep in company with others of his family. + </p> + <p> + Blacky dearly loves company, particularly at night, and about the time + jolly, round, red Mr. Sun is beginning to think about his bed behind the + Purple Hills, you will find Blacky heading for a certain part of the Green + Forest where he knows he will have neighbors of his own kind. Peter Rabbit + says that it is because Blacky's conscience troubles him so that he + doesn't dare sleep alone, but Happy Jack Squirrel says that Blacky hasn't + any conscience. You can believe just which you please, though I suspect + that neither of them really knows. + </p> + <p> + As I have said, Blacky is quite a traveler at this time of year, and + sometimes his search for food takes him to out-of-the-way places. One day + toward the very last of winter, the notion entered his black head that he + would have a look in a certain lonesome corner of the Green Forest where + once upon a time Redtail the Hawk had lived. Blacky knew well enough that + Redtail wasn't there now; he had gone south in the fell and wouldn't be + back until he was sure that Mistress Spring had arrived on the Green + Meadows and in the Green Forest. + </p> + <p> + Like the black imp he is, Blacky flew over the tree-tops, his sharp eyes + watching for something interesting below. Presently he saw ahead of him + the old nest of Red-tail. He knew all about that nest. He had visited it + before when Red-tail was away. Still it might be worth another visit. You + never can tell what you may find in old houses. Now, of course, Blacky + knew perfectly well that Redtail was miles and miles, hundreds of miles + away, and so there was nothing to fear from him. But Blacky learned ever + so long ago that there is nothing like making sure that there is no + danger. So, instead of flying straight to that old nest, he first flew + over the tree so that he could look down into it. + </p> + <p> + Right away he saw something that made him gasp and blink his eyes. It was + quite large and white, and it looked—it looked very much indeed like + an egg! Do you wonder that Blacky gasped and blinked? Here was snow on the + ground, and Rough Brother North Wind and Jack Frost had given no hint that + they were even thinking of going back to the Far North. The idea of any + one laying an egg at this time of year! Blacky flew over to a tall + pine-tree to think it over. + </p> + <p> + “Must be it was a little lump of snow,” thought he. “Yet if ever I saw an + egg, that looked like one. Jumping grasshoppers, how good an egg would + taste right now!” You know Blacky has a weakness for eggs. The more he + thought about it, the hungrier he grew. Several times he almost made up + his mind to fly straight over there and make sure, but he didn't quite + dare. If it were an egg, it must belong to somebody, and perhaps it would + be best to find out who. Suddenly Blacky shook himself. “I must be + dreaming,” said he. “There couldn't, there just couldn't be an egg at this + time of year, or in that old tumble-down nest! I'll just fly away and + forget it.” + </p> + <p> + So he flew away, but he couldn't forget it. He kept thinking of it all + day, and when he went to sleep that night he made up his mind to have + another look at that old nest. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II: Blacky Makes Sure + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “As true as ever I've cawed a caw + That was a new-laid egg I saw.” + </pre> + <p> + “What are you talking about?” demanded Sammy Jay, coming up just in time + to hear the last part of what Blacky the Crow was mumbling to himself. + </p> + <p> + “Oh nothing, Cousin, nothing at all,” replied Blacky. “I was just talking + foolishness to myself.” Sammy looked at him sharply. “You aren't feeling + sick, are you, Cousin Blacky?” he asked. “Must be something the matter + with you when you begin talking about new-laid eggs, when everything's + covered with snow and ice. Foolishness is no name for it. Whoever heard of + such a thing as a new-laid egg this time of year.” + </p> + <p> + “Nobody, I guess,” replied Blacky. “I told you I was just talking + foolishness. You see, I'm so hungry that I just got to thinking what I'd + have if I could have anything I wanted. That made me think of eggs, and I + tried to think just how I would feel if I should suddenly see a great big + egg right in front of me. I guess I must have said something about it.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess you must have. It isn't egg time yet, and it won't be for a long + time. Take my advice and just forget about impossible things. I'm going + over to Farmer Brown's corncrib. Corn may not be as good as eggs, but it + is very good and very filling. Better come along,” said Sammy. + </p> + <p> + “Not this morning, thank you. Some other time, perhaps,” replied Blacky. + </p> + <p> + He watched Sammy disappear through the trees. Then he flew to the top of + the tallest pine-tree to make sure that no one was about. When he was + quite sure that no one was watching him, he spread his wings and headed + for the most lonesome corner of the Green Forest. + </p> + <p> + “I'm foolish. I know I'm foolish,” he muttered. “But I've just got to have + another look in that old nest of Redtail the Hawk. I just can't get it out + of my head that that was an egg, a great, big, white egg, that I saw there + yesterday. It won't do any harm to have another look, anyway.” + </p> + <p> + Straight toward the tree in which was the great tumble-down nest of + Redtail the Hawk he flew, and as he drew near, he flew high, for Blacky is + too shrewd and smart to take any chances. Not that he thought that there + could be any danger there; but you never can tell, and it is always the + part of wisdom to be on the safe side. As he passed over the top of the + tree, he looked down eagerly. Just imagine how he felt when instead of + one, he saw two white things in the old nest—two white things that + looked for all the world like eggs! The day before there had been but one; + now there were two. That settled it in Blacky's mind; they were eggs! They + couldn't be anything else. + </p> + <p> + Blacky kept right on flying. Somehow he didn't dare stop just then. He was + too much excited by what he had discovered to think clearly. He had got to + have time to get his wits together. Whoever had laid those eggs was big + and strong. He felt sure of that. It must be some one a great deal bigger + than himself, and he was of no mind to get into trouble, even for a dinner + of fresh eggs. He must first find out whose they were; then he would know + better what to do. He felt sure that no one else knew about them, and he + knew that they couldn't run away. So he kept right on flying until he + reached a certain tall pine-tree where he could sit and think without + being disturbed. + </p> + <p> + “Eggs!” he muttered. “Real eggs! Now who under the sun can have moved into + Redtail's old house? And what can they mean by laying eggs before Mistress + Spring has even sent word that she has started? It's too much for me. It + certainly is too much for me.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III: Blacky Finds Out Who Owns The Eggs + </h2> + <p> + Two big white eggs in a tumbledown nest, and snow and ice everywhere! Did + ever anybody hear of such a thing before? + </p> + <p> + “Wouldn't believe it, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes,” muttered + Blacky the Crow. “Have to believe them. If I can't believe them, it's of + no use to try to believe anything in this world. As sure as I sit here, + that old nest has two eggs in it. Whoever laid them must be crazy to start + housekeeping at this time of year. I must find out whose eggs they are and + then—” + </p> + <p> + Blacky didn't finish, but there was a hungry look in his eyes that would + have told any who saw it, had there been any to see it, that he had a use + for those eggs. But there was none to see it, and he took the greatest + care that there should be none to see him when he once again started for a + certain lonesome corner of the Green Forest. + </p> + <p> + “First I'll make sure that the eggs are still there,” thought he, and flew + high above the tree tops, so that as he passed over the tree in which was + the old nest of Red-tail the Hawk, he might look down into it. To have + seen him, you would never have guessed that he was looking for anything in + particular. He seemed to be just flying over on his way to some distant + place. If the eggs were still there, he meant to come back and hide in the + top of a near-by pine-tree to watch until he was sure that he might safely + steal those eggs, or to find out whose they were. + </p> + <p> + Blacky's heart beat fast with excitement as he drew near that old + tumble-down nest. Would those two big white eggs be there? Perhaps there + would be three! The very thought made him flap his wings a little faster. + A few more wing strokes and he would be right over the tree. How he did + hope to see those eggs! He could almost see into the nest now. One stroke! + Two strokes! Three strokes! Blacky bit his tongue to keep from giving a + sharp caw of disappointment and surprise. + </p> + <p> + There were no eggs to be seen. No, Sir, there wasn't a sign of eggs in + that old nest. There wasn't because—why, do you think? There wasn't + because Blacky looked straight down on a great mass of feathers which + quite covered them from sight, and he didn't have to look twice to know + that that great mass of feathers was really a great bird, the bird to whom + those eggs belonged. + </p> + <p> + Blacky didn't turn to come back as he had planned. He kept right on, just + as if he hadn't seen anything, and as he flew he shivered a little. He + shivered at the thought of what might have happened to him if he had tried + to steal those eggs the day before and had been caught doing it. + </p> + <p> + “I'm thankful I knew enough to leave them alone,” said he. “Funny I never + once guessed whose eggs they are. I might have known that no one but Hooty + the Horned Owl would think of nesting at this time of year. And that was + Mrs. Hooty I saw on the nest just now. My, but she's big! She's bigger + than Hooty himself! Yes, Sir, it's a lucky thing I didn't try to get those + eggs yesterday. Probably both Hooty and Mrs. Hooty were sitting close by, + only they were sitting so still that I thought they were parts of the tree + they were in. Blacky, Blacky, the sooner you forget those eggs the + better.” + </p> + <p> + Some things are best forgotten As soon as they are learned. Who never + plays with fire Will surely not get burned. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV: The Cunning Of Blacky + </h2> + <p> + Now when Blacky the Crow discovered that the eggs in the old tumble-down + nest of Redtail the Hawk in a lonesome corner of the Green Forest belonged + to Hooty the Owl, he straightway made the best of resolutions; he would + simply forget all about those eggs. He would forget that he ever had seen + them, and he would stay away from that corner of the Green Forest. That + was a very wise resolution. Of all the people who live in the Green + Forest, none is fiercer or more savage than Hooty the Owl, unless it is + Mrs. Hooty. She is bigger than Hooty and certainly quite as much to be + feared by the little people. + </p> + <p> + All this Blacky knows. No one knows it better. And Blacky is not one to + poke his head into trouble with his eyes open. So he very wisely resolved + to forget all about those eggs. Now it is one thing to make a resolution + and quite another thing to live up to it, as you all know. It was easy + enough to say that he would forget, but not at all easy to forget. It + would have been different if it had been spring or early summer, when + there were plenty of other eggs to be had by any one smart enough to find + them and steal them. But now, when it was still winter (such an unheard-of + time for any one to have eggs!), and it was hard work to find enough to + keep a hungry Crow's stomach filled, the thought of those eggs would keep + popping into his head. He just couldn't seem to forget them. After a + little, he didn't try. + </p> + <p> + Now Blacky the Crow is very, very cunning. He is one of the smartest of + all the little people who fly. No one can get into more mischief and still + keep out of trouble than can Blacky the Crow. That is because he uses the + wits in that black head of his. In fact, some people are unkind enough to + say that he spends all his spare time in planning mischief. The more he + thought of those eggs, the more he wanted them, and it wasn't long before + he began to try to plan some way to get them without risking his own + precious skin. + </p> + <p> + “I can't do it alone,” thought he, “and yet if I take any one into my + secret, I'll have to share those eggs. That won't do at all, because I + want them myself. I found them, and I ought to have them.” He quite forgot + or overlooked the fact that those eggs really belonged to Hooty and Mrs. + Hooty and to no one else. “Now let me see, what can I do?” + </p> + <p> + He thought and he thought and he thought and he thought, and little by + little a plan worked out in his little black head. Then he chuckled. He + chuckled right out loud, then hurriedly looked around to see if any one + had heard him. No one had, so he chuckled again. He cocked his head on one + side and half closed his eyes, as if that plan was something he could see + and he was looking at it very hard. Then he cocked his head on the other + side and did the same thing. + </p> + <p> + “It's all right,” said he at last. “It'll give my relatives a lot of fun, + and of course they will be very grateful to me for that. It won't hurt + Hooty or Mrs. Hooty a bit, but it will make them very angry. They have + very short tempers, and people with short tempers usually forget + everything else when they are angry. We'll pay them a visit while the sun + is bright, because then perhaps they cannot see well enough to catch us, + and we'll tease them until they lose their tempers and forget all about + keeping guard over those eggs. Then I'll slip in and get one and perhaps + both of them. Without knowing that they are doing anything of the kind, my + friends and relatives will help me to get a good meal. My, how good those + eggs will taste!” + </p> + <p> + It was a very clever and cunning plan, for Blacky is a very clever and + cunning rascal, but of course it didn't deserve success because nothing + that means needless worry and trouble for others deserves to succeed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V: Blacky Calls His Friends + </h2> + <p> + When Blacky cries “Caw, caw, caw, caw!” As if he'd dislocate his jaw, His + relatives all hasten where He waits them with a crafty air. They know that + there is mischief afoot, and the Crow family is always ready for mischief. + So on this particular morning when they heard Blacky cawing at the top of + his lungs from the tallest pine-tree in the Green Forest, they hastened + over there as fast as they could fly, calling to each other excitedly and + sure that they were going to have a good time of some kind. + </p> + <p> + Blacky chuckled as he saw them coming. “Come on! Come on! Caw, caw, caw! + Hurry up and flap your wings faster. I know where Hooty the Owl is, and + we'll have no end of fun with him,” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “Caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw!” shouted all his relatives in great glee. + “Where is he? Lead us to him. We'll drive him out of the Green Forest!” + </p> + <p> + So Blacky led the way over to the most lonesome corner of the Green + Forest, straight to the tree in which Hooty the Owl was comfortably + sleeping. Blacky had taken pains to slip over early that morning and make + sure just where he was. He had discovered Hooty fast asleep, and he knew + that he would remain right where he was until dark. You know Hooty's eyes + are not meant for much use in bright light, and the brighter the light, + the more uncomfortable his eyes feel. Blacky knows this, too, and he had + chosen the very brightest part of the morning to call his relatives over + to torment poor Hooty. Jolly, round, bright Mr. Sun was shining his very + brightest, and the white snow on the ground made it seem brighter still. + Even Blacky had to blink, and he knew that poor Hooty would find it harder + still. + </p> + <p> + But one thing Blacky was very careful not to even hint of, and that was + that Mrs. Hooty was right close at hand. Mrs. Hooty is bigger and even + more fierce than Hooty, and Blacky didn't want to frighten any of the more + timid of his relatives. What he hoped down deep in his crafty heart was + that when they got to teasing and tormenting Hooty and making the great + racket which he knew they would, Mrs. Hooty would lose her temper and fly + over to join Hooty in trying to drive away the black tormentors. Then + Blacky would slip over to the nest which she had left unguarded and steal + one and perhaps both of the eggs he knew were there. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the tree where Hooty was, he was blinking his great + yellow eyes and had fluffed out all his feathers, which is a way he has + when he is angry, to make himself look twice as big as he really is. Of + course, he had heard the noisy crew coming, and he knew well enough what + to expect. As soon as they saw him, they began to scream as loud as ever + they could and to call him all manner of names. The boldest of them would + dart at him as if to pull out a mouthful of feathers, but took the + greatest care not to get too near. You see, the way Hooty hissed and + snapped his great bill was very threatening, and they knew that if once he + got hold of one of them with those big cruel claws of his, that would be + the end. + </p> + <p> + So they were content to simply scold and scream at him and fly around him, + just out of reach, and make him generally uncomfortable, and they were so + busy doing this that no one noticed that Blacky was not joining in the + fun, and no one paid any attention to the old tumble-down nest of Redtail + the Hawk only a few trees distant. So far Blacky's plans were working out + just as he had hoped. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI: Hooty The Owl Doesn't Stay Still + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Now what's the good of being smart + When others do not do their part? +</pre> + <p> + If Blacky the Crow didn't say this to himself, he thought it. He knew that + he had made a very cunning plan to get the eggs of Hooty the Owl, a plan + so shrewd and cunning that no one else in the Green Forest or on the Green + Meadows would have thought of it. There was only one weakness in it, and + that was that it depended for success on having Hooty the Owl do as he + usually did when tormented by a crowd of noisy Crows,—stay where he + was until they got tired and flew away. + </p> + <p> + Now Blacky sometimes makes a mistake that smart people are very apt to + make; he thinks that because he is so smart, other people are stupid. That + is where he proves that smart as he is, he isn't as smart as he thinks he + is. He always thought of Hooty the Owl as stupid. That is, he always + thought of him that way in daytime. At night, when he was waked out of a + sound sleep by the fierce hunting cry of Hooty, he wasn't so sure about + Hooty being stupid, and he always took care to sit perfectly still in the + darkness, lest Hooty's great ears should hear him and Hooty's great eyes, + made for seeing in the dark, should find him. No, in the night Blacky was + not at all sure that Hooty was stupid. + </p> + <p> + But in the daytime he was sure. You see, he quite forgot the fact that the + brightness of day is to Hooty what the blackness of night is to him. So, + because Hooty would simply sit still and hiss and snap his bill, instead + of trying to catch his tormentors or flying away, Blacky called him + stupid. He felt sure that Hooty would stay right where he was now, and he + hoped that Mrs. Hooty would lose her temper and leave the nest where she + was sitting on those two eggs and join Hooty to help him try to drive away + that noisy crew. + </p> + <p> + But Hooty isn't stupid. Not a bit of it. The minute he found out that + Blacky and his friends had discovered him, he thought of Mrs. Hooty and + the two precious eggs in the old nest of Redtail the Hawk close by. + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Hooty mustn't be disturbed,” thought he. “That will never do at all. + I must lead these black rascals away where they won't discover Mrs. Hooty. + I certainly must.” + </p> + <p> + So he spread his broad wings and blundered away among the trees a little + way. He didn't fly far because the instant he started to fly that whole + noisy crew with the exception of Blacky were after him. Because he + couldn't use his claws or bill while flying, they grew bold enough to pull + a few feathers out of his back. So he flew only a little way to a thick + hemlock-tree, where it wasn't easy for the Crows to get at him, and where + the light didn't hurt his eyes so much. There he rested a few minutes and + then did the same thing over again. He meant to lead those bothersome + Crows into the darkest part of the Green Forest and there—well, he + could see better there, and it might be that one of them would be careless + enough to come within reach. No, Hooty wasn't stupid. Certainly not. + </p> + <p> + Blacky awoke to that fact as he sat in the top of a tall pine-tree + silently watching. He could see Mrs. Hooty on the nest, and as the noise + of Hooty's tormentors sounded from farther and farther away, she settled + herself more comfortably and closed her eyes. Blacky could imagine that + she was smiling to herself. It was clear that she had no intention of + going to help Hooty. His splendid plan had failed just because stupid + Hooty, who wasn't stupid at all, had flown away when he ought to have sat + still. It was very provoking. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII: Blacky Tries Another Plan + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When one plan fails, just try another; + Declare you'll win some way or other. +</pre> + <p> + People who succeed are those who do not give up because they fail the + first time they try. They are the ones who, as soon as one plan fails, get + busy right away and think of another plan and try that. If the thing they + are trying to do is a good thing, sooner or later they succeed. If they + are trying to do a wrong thing, very likely all their plans fail, as they + should. + </p> + <p> + Now Blacky the Crow knows all about the value of trying and trying. He + isn't easily discouraged. Sometimes it is a pity that he isn't, because he + plans so much mischief. But the fact remains that he isn't, and he tries + and tries until he cannot think of another plan and just has to give up. + When he invited all his relatives to join him in tormenting Hooty the Owl, + he thought he had a plan that just couldn't fail. He felt sure that Mrs. + Hooty would leave her nest and help Hooty try to drive away his + tormentors. But Mrs. Hooty didn't do anything of the kind, because Hooty + was smart enough and thoughtful enough to lead his tormentors away from + the nest into the darkest part of the Green Forest where their noise + wouldn't bother Mrs. Hooty. So she just settled herself more comfortably + than ever on those eggs which Blacky had hoped she would give him a chance + to steal, and his fine plan was quite upset. + </p> + <p> + Not one of his relatives had noticed that nest. They had been too busy + teasing Hooty. This was just as Blacky had hoped. He didn't want them to + know about that nest because he was selfish and wanted to get those eggs + just for himself alone. But now he knew that the only way he could get + Mrs. Hooty off of them would be by teasing her so that she would lose her + temper and try to catch some of her tormentors. If she did that, there + would be a chance that he might slip in and get at least one of those + eggs. + </p> + <p> + He would try it. + </p> + <p> + For a few minutes he listened to the noise of his relatives growing + fainter and fainter, as Hooty led them farther and farther into the Green + Forest. Then he opened his mouth. + </p> + <p> + “Caw, caw, caw, caw!” he screamed. “Caw, caw, caw, caw! Come back, + everybody! Here is Mrs. Hooty on her nest! Caw, caw, caw, caw!” + </p> + <p> + Now as soon as they heard that, all Blacky's relatives stopped chasing and + tormenting Hooty and started back as fast as they could fly. They didn't + like the dark part of the Green Forest into which Hooty was leading them. + Besides, they wanted to see that nest. So back they came, cawing at the + top of their lungs, for they were very much excited. Some of them never + had seen a nest of Hooty's. And anyway, it would be just as much fun to + tease Mrs. Hooty as it was to tease Hooty. + </p> + <p> + “Where is the nest?” they screamed, as they came back to where Blacky was + cawing and pretending to be very much excited. + </p> + <p> + “Why,” exclaimed one, “that is the old nest of Redtail the Hawk. I know + all about that nest.” And he looked at Blacky as if he thought Blacky was + playing a joke on them. + </p> + <p> + “It was Redtail's, but it is Hooty's now. If you don't believe me, just + look in it,” retorted Blacky. + </p> + <p> + At once they all began to fly over the top of the tree where they could + look down into the nest and there, sure enough, was Mrs. Hooty, her great, + round, yellow eyes glaring up at them angrily. Such a racket! Right away + Hooty was forgotten, and the whole crowd at once began to torment Mrs. + Hooty. Only Blacky sat watchful and silent, waiting for Mrs. Hooty to lose + her temper and try to catch one of her tormentors. He had hope, a great + hope, that he would get one of those eggs. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII: Hooty Comes To Mrs. Hooty's Aid + </h2> + <p> + No one can live just for self alone. A lot of people think they can, but + they are very much mistaken. They are making one of the greatest mistakes + in the world. Every teeny, weeny act, no matter what it is, affects + somebody else. That is one of Old Mother Nature's great laws. And it is + just as true among the little people of the Green Forest and the Green + Meadows as with boys and girls and grown people. It is Old Mother Nature's + way of making each of us responsible for the good of all and of teaching + us that always we should help each other. + </p> + <p> + As you know, when Blacky the Crow called all his relatives over to the + nest where Mrs. Hooty was sitting on her eggs, they at once stopped + tormenting Hooty and left him alone in a thick hemlock-tree in the darkest + part of the Green Forest. Of course Hooty was very, very glad to be left + in peace, and he might have spent the rest of the day there sleeping in + comfort. But he didn't. No, Sir, he didn't. At first he gave a great sigh + of relief and settled himself as if he meant to stay. He listened to the + voices of those noisy Crows growing fainter and fainter and was glad. But + it was only for a few minutes. + </p> + <p> + Presently those voices stopped growing fainter. They grew more + excited-sounding than ever, and they came right from one place. Hooty knew + then that his tormentors had found the nest where Mrs. Hooty was, and that + they were tormenting her just as they had tormented him. He snapped his + bill angrily and then more angrily. + </p> + <p> + “I guess Mrs. Hooty is quite able to take care of herself,” he grumbled, + “but she ought not to be disturbed while she is sitting on those eggs. I + hate to go back there in that bright sunshine. It hurts my eyes, and I + don't like it, but I guess I'll have to go back there. Mrs. Hooty needs my + help. I'd rather stay here, but—” + </p> + <p> + He didn't finish. Instead, he spread his broad wings and flew back towards + the nest and Mrs. Hooty. His great wings made no noise, for they are made + so that he can fly without making a sound. “If I once get hold of one of + those Crows!” he muttered to himself. “If I once get hold of one of those + Crows, I'll—” He didn't say what he would do, but if you had been + near enough to hear the snap of his bill, you could have guessed the rest. + </p> + <p> + All this time the Crows were having what they called fun with Mrs. Hooty. + Nothing is true fun which makes others uncomfortable, but somehow a great + many people seem to forget this. So, while Blacky sat watching, his + relatives made a tremendous racket around Mrs. Hooty, and the more angry + she grew, the more they screamed and called her names and darted down + almost in her face, as they pretended that they were going to fight her. + They were so busy doing this, and Blacky was so busy watching them, hoping + that Mrs. Hooty would leave her nest and give him a chance to steal the + eggs he knew were under her, that no one gave Hooty a thought. + </p> + <p> + All of a sudden he was there, right in the tree close to the nest! No one + had heard a sound, but there he was, and in the claws of one foot he held + the tail feathers of one of Blacky's relatives. It was lucky, very lucky + indeed for that one that the sun was in Hooty's eyes and so he had missed + his aim. Otherwise there would have been one less Crow. + </p> + <p> + Now it is one thing to tease one lone Owl and quite another to tease two + together. Besides, there were those black tail feathers floating down to + the snow-covered ground. Quite suddenly those Crows decided that they had + had fun enough for one day, and in spite of all Blacky could do to stop + them, away they flew, cawing loudly and talking it all over noisily. + Blacky was the last to go, and his heart was sorrowful. However could he + get those eggs? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX: Blacky Thinks Of Farmer Brown's Boy + </h2> + <p> + “Such luck!” grumbled Blacky, as he flew over to his favorite tree to do a + little thinking. “Such luck! Now all my neighbors know about the nest of + Hooty the Owl, and sooner or later one of them will find out that there + are eggs in it. There is one thing about it, though, and that is that if I + can't get them, nobody can. That is to say, none of my relatives can. I've + tried every way I can think of, and those eggs are still there. My, my, + my, how I would like one of them right now!” + </p> + <p> + Then Blacky the Crow did a thing which disappointed scamps often do,—began + to blame the ones he was trying to wrong because his plans had failed. To + have heard him talking to himself, you would have supposed that those eggs + really belonged to him and that Hooty and Mrs. Hooty had cheated him out + of them. Yes, Sir, that is what you would have thought if you could have + heard him muttering to himself there in the tree-top. In his + disappointment over not getting those eggs, he was so sorry for himself + that he actually did feel that he was the one wronged,—that Hooty + and Mrs. Hooty should have let him have those eggs. + </p> + <p> + Of course, that was absolute foolishness, but he made himself believe it + just the same. At least, he pretended to believe it. And the more he + pretended, the angrier he grew. This is often the way with people who try + to wrong others. They grow angry with the ones they have tried to wrong. + When at last Blacky had to confess to himself that he could think of no + other way to get those eggs, he began to wonder if there was some way to + make trouble for Hooty and Mrs. Hooty. It was right then that he thought + of Farmer Brown's boy. Blacky's eyes snapped. He remembered how, once upon + a time, Farmer Brown's boy had delighted to rob nests. Blacky had seen him + take the eggs from the nests of Blacky's own relatives and from many other + feathered people. What he did with the eggs, Blacky had no idea. Just now + he didn't care. If Farmer Brown's boy would just happen to find Hooty's + nest, he would be sure to take those eggs, and then he, Blacky, would feel + better. He would feel that he was even with Hooty. + </p> + <p> + Right away he began to try to think of some way to bring Farmer Brown's + boy over to the lonesome corner of the Green Forest where Hooty's nest + was. If he could once get him there, he felt sure that Farmer Brown's boy + would see the nest and climb up to it, and then of course he would take + the eggs. If he couldn't have those eggs himself, the next best thing + would be to see some one else get them. + </p> + <p> + Dear me, dear me, such dreadful thoughts! I am afraid that Blacky's heart + was as black as his coat. And the worst of it was, he seemed to get a lot + of pleasure in his wicked plans. Now right down in his heart he knew that + they were wicked plans, but he tried to make excuses to himself. + </p> + <p> + “Hooty the Owl is a robber,” said he. “Everybody is afraid of him. He + lives on other people, and so far as I know he does no good in the world. + He is big and fierce, and no one loves him. The Green Forest would be + better off without him. If those eggs hatch, there will be little Owls to + be fed, and they will grow up into big fierce Owls, like their father and + mother. So if I show Farmer Brown's boy that nest and he takes those eggs, + I will be doing a kindness to my neighbors.” + </p> + <p> + So Blacky talked to himself and tried to hush the still, small voice down + inside that tried to tell him that what he was planning to do was really a + dreadful thing. And all the time he watched for Farmer Brown's boy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X: Farmer Brown's Boy And Hooty + </h2> + <p> + Farmer Brown's boy had taken it into his head to visit the Green Forest. + It was partly because he hadn't anything else to do, and it was partly + because now that it was very near the end of winter he wanted to see how + things were there and if there were any signs of the coming of spring. + Blacky the Crow saw him coming, and Blacky chuckled to himself. He had + watched every day for a week for just this thing. Now he would tell Farmer + Brown's boy about that nest of Hooty the Owl. + </p> + <p> + He flew over to the lonesome corner of the Green Forest where Hooty and + Mrs. Hooty had made their home and at once began to caw at the top of his + voice and pretend that he was terribly excited over something. + </p> + <p> + “Caw, caw, caw, caw, caw!” shouted Blacky. At once all his relatives + within hearing hurried over to join him. They knew that he was tormenting + Hooty, and they wanted to join in the fun. It wasn't long before there was + a great racket going on over in that lonesome corner of the Green Forest. + </p> + <p> + Of course Farmer Brown's boy heard it. He stopped and listened. “Now I + wonder what Blacky and his friends have found this time,” said he. + “Whenever they make a fuss like that, there is usually something to see + there. I believe I'll so over and have a look.” + </p> + <p> + So he turned in the direction of the lonesome corner of the Green Forest, + and as he drew near, he moved very carefully, so as to see all that he + could without frightening the Crows. He knew that as soon as they saw him, + they would fly away, and that might alarm the one they were tormenting, + for he knew enough of Crow ways to know that when they were making such a + noise as they were now making, they were plaguing some one. + </p> + <p> + Blacky was the first to see him because he was watching for him. But he + didn't say anything until Farmer Brown's boy was so near that he couldn't + help but see that nest and Hooty himself, sitting up very straight and + snapping his bill angrily at his tormentors. Then Blacky gave the alarm, + and at once all the Crows rose in the air and headed for the Green + Meadows, cawing at the top of their lungs. Blacky went with them a little + way. The first chance he got he dropped out of the flock and silently flew + back to a place where he could see all that might happen at the nest of + Hooty the Owl. + </p> + <p> + When Farmer Brown's boy first caught sight of the nest and saw the Crows + darting down toward it and acting so excited, he was puzzled. + </p> + <p> + “That's an old nest of Red-tail the Hawk,” thought he. “I found that last + spring. Now what can there be there to excite those Crows so?” + </p> + <p> + Then he caught sight of Hooty the Owl. “Ha, so that's it!” he exclaimed. + “Those scamps have discovered Hooty and have been having no end of fun + tormenting him. I wonder what he's doing there.” + </p> + <p> + He no longer tried to keep out of sight, but walked right up to the foot + of the tree, all the time looking up. Hooty saw him, but instead of flying + away, he snapped his bill just as he had at the Crows and hissed. + </p> + <p> + “That's funny,” thought Farmer Brown's boy. “If I didn't know that to be + the old nest of Redtail the Hawk, and if it weren't still the tail-end of + winter, I would think that was Hooty's nest.” + </p> + <p> + He walked in a circle around the tree, looking up. Suddenly he gave a + little start. Was that a tail sticking over the edge of the nest? He found + a stick and threw it up. It struck the bottom of the nest, and out flew a + great bird. It was Mrs. Hooty! Blacky the Crow chuckled. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI: Farmer Brown's Boy Is Tempted + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When you're tempted to do wrong + Is the time to prove you're strong. + Shut your eyes and clench each fist; + It will help you to resist. +</pre> + <p> + When a bird is found sitting on a nest, it is a pretty sure sign that that + nest holds something worth while. It is a sign that that bird has set up + housekeeping. So when Farmer Brown's boy discovered Mrs. Hooty sitting so + close on the old nest of Redtail the Hawk, in the most lonesome corner of + the Green Forest, he knew what it meant. Perhaps I should say that he knew + what it ought to mean. + </p> + <p> + It ought to mean that there were eggs in that nest. + </p> + <p> + But it was hard for Farmer Brown's boy to believe that. Why, spring had + not come yet! There was still snow, and the Smiling Pool was still covered + with ice. Who ever heard of birds nesting at this time of year? Certainly + not Farmer Brown's boy. And yet Hooty the Owl and Mrs. Hooty were acting + for all the world as feathered folks do act when they have eggs and are + afraid that something is going to happen to them. It was very puzzling. + </p> + <p> + “That nest was built by Red-tail the Hawk, and it hasn't even been + repaired,” muttered Farmer Brown's boy, as he stared up at it. “If Hooty + and his wife have taken it for their home, they are mighty poor + housekeepers. And if Mrs. Hooty has laid eggs this time of year, she must + be crazy. I suppose the way to find out is to climb up there. It seems + foolish, but I'm going to do it. Those Owls certainly act as if they are + mighty anxious about something, and I'm going to find out what it is.” + </p> + <p> + He looked at Hooty and Mrs. Hooty, at their hooked bills and great claws, + and decided that he would take a stout stick along with him. He had no + desire to feel these great claws. When he had found a stick to suit him, + he began to climb the tree. Hooty and Mrs. Hooty snapped their bills and + hissed fiercely. They drew nearer. Farmer Brown's boy kept a watchful eye + on them. They looked so big and fierce that he was almost tempted to give + up and leave them in peace. But he just had to find out if there was + anything in that nest, so he kept on. As he drew near it, Mrs. Hooty + swooped very near to him, and the snap of her bill made an ugly sound. He + held his stick ready to strike and kept on. + </p> + <p> + The nest was simply a great platform of sticks. When Farmer Brown's boy + reached it, he found that he could not get where he could look into it, so + he reached over and felt inside. Almost at once his fingers touched + something that made him tingle all over. It was an egg, a great big egg! + There was no doubt about it. It was just as hard for him to believe as it + had been for Blacky the Crow to believe, when he first saw those eggs. + Farmer Brown's boy's fingers closed over that egg and took it out of the + nest. Mrs. Hooty swooped very close, and Farmer Brown's boy nearly dropped + the egg as he struck at her with his stick. Then Mrs. Hooty and Hooty + seemed to lose courage and withdrew to a tree near by, where they snapped + their bills and hissed. + </p> + <p> + Then Farmer Brown's boy looked at the prize in his hand. It was a big, + dirty-white egg. His eyes shone. What a splendid prize to add to his + collection of birds' eggs! It was the first egg of the Great Horned Owl, + the largest of all Owls, that he ever had seen. + </p> + <p> + Once more he felt in the nest and found there was another egg there. “I'll + take both of them,” said he. “It's the first nest of Hooty's that I've + ever found, and perhaps I'll never find another. Gee, I'm glad I came over + here to find out what those Crows were making such a fuss about. I wonder + if I can get these down without breaking them.” + </p> + <p> + Just at that very minute he remembered something. He remembered that he + had stopped collecting eggs. He remembered that he had resolved never to + take another bird's egg. + </p> + <p> + “But this is different,” whispered the tempter. “This isn't like taking + the eggs of the little song birds.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII: A Tree-Top Battle + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + As black is black and white is white, + So wrong is wrong and right is right. +</pre> + <p> + There isn't any half way about it. A thing is wrong or it is right, and + that is all there is to it. But most people have hard work to see this + when they want very much to do a thing that the still small voice way down + inside tells them isn't right. They try to compromise. To compromise is to + do neither one thing nor the other but a little of both. But you can't do + that with right and wrong. It is a queer thing, but a half right never is + as good as a whole right, while a half wrong often, very often, is as bad + as a whole wrong. + </p> + <p> + Farmer Brown's boy, up in the tree by the nest of Hooty the Owl in the + lonesome corner of the Green Forest, was fighting a battle. No, he wasn't + fighting with Hooty or Mrs. Hooty. He was fighting a battle right inside + himself. It was a battle between right and wrong. Once upon a time he had + taken great delight in collecting the eggs of birds, in trying to see how + many kinds he could get. Then as he had come to know the little forest and + meadow people better, he had seen that taking the eggs of birds is very, + very wrong, and he had stopped stealing them. He bad declared that never + again would he steal an egg from a bird. + </p> + <p> + But never before had he found a nest of Hooty the Owl. Those two big eggs + would add ever so much to his collection. “Take 'em,” said a little voice + inside. “Hooty is a robber. You will be doing a kindness to the other + birds by taking them.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't do it,” said another little voice. “Hooty may be a robber, but he + has a place in the Green Forest, or Old Mother Nature never would have put + him here. It is just as much stealing to take his eggs as to take the eggs + of any other bird. He has just as much right to them as Jenny Wren has to + hers.” + </p> + <p> + “Take one and leave one,” said the first voice. + </p> + <p> + “That will be just as much stealing as if you took both,” said the second + voice. “Besides, you will be breaking your own word. You said that you + never would take another egg.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't promise anybody but myself,” declared Farmer Brown's boy right + out loud. At the sound of his voice, Hooty and Mrs. Hooty, sitting in the + next tree, snapped their bills and hissed louder than ever. + </p> + <p> + “A promise to yourself ought to be just as good as a promise to any one + else. I don't wonder Hooty hisses at you,” said the good little voice. + </p> + <p> + “Think how fine those eggs will look in your collection and how proud you + will be to show them to the other fellows who never have found a nest of + Hooty's,” said the first little voice. + </p> + <p> + “And think how mean and small and cheap you'll feel every time you look at + them,” added the good little voice. “You'll get a lot more fun if you + leave them to hatch out and then watch the little Owls grow up and learn + all about their ways. Just think what a stout, brave fellow Hooty is to + start housekeeping at this time of year, and how wonderful it is that Mrs. + Hooty can keep these eggs warm and when they have hatched take care of the + baby Owls before others have even begun to build their nests. Besides, + wrong is wrong and right is right, always.” + </p> + <p> + Slowly Farmer Brown's boy reached over the edge of the nest and put back + the egg. Then he began to climb down the tree. When he reached the ground + he went off a little way and watched. Almost at once Mrs. Hooty flew to + the nest and settled down on the eggs, while Hooty mounted guard close by. + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad I didn't take 'em,” said Farmer Brown's boy. “Yes, Sir, I'm glad + I didn't take 'em.” + </p> + <p> + As he turned back toward home, he saw Blacky the Crow flying over the + Green Forest, and little did he guess how he had upset Blacky's plans. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII: Blacky Has A Change Of Heart + </h2> + <p> + Blacky The Crow isn't all black. No, indeed. His coat is black, and + sometimes it seems as if his heart is all black, but this isn't so. It + certainly seemed as if his heart was all black when he tried so hard to + make trouble for Hooty the Owl. It would seem as if only a black heart + could have urged him to try so hard to steal the eggs of Hooty and Mrs. + Hooty, but this wasn't really so. You see, it didn't seem at all wrong to + try to get those eggs. Blacky was hungry, and those eggs would have given + him a good meal. He knew that Hooty wouldn't hesitate to catch him and eat + him if he had the chance, and so it seemed to him perfectly right and fair + to steal Hooty's eggs if he was smart enough to do so. And most of the + other little people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows would have + felt the same way about it. You see, it is one of the laws of Old Mother + Nature that each one must learn to look out for himself. + </p> + <p> + But when Blacky showed that nest of Hooty's to Farmer Brown's boy with the + hope that Farmer Brown's boy would steal those eggs, there was blackness + in his heart. He was doing something then which was pure meanness. He was + just trying to make trouble for Hooty, to get even because Hooty had been + too smart for him. He had sat in the top of a tall pine-tree where he + could see all that happened, and he had chuckled wickedly as he had seen + Farmer Brown's boy climb to Hooty's nest and take out an egg. He felt sure + that he would take both eggs. He hoped so, anyway. + </p> + <p> + When he saw Farmer Brown's boy put the eggs back and climb down the tree + without any, he had to blink his eyes to make sure that he saw straight. + He just couldn't believe what he saw. At first he was dreadfully + disappointed and angry. It looked very much as if he weren't going to get + even with Hooty after all. He flew over to his favorite tree to think + things over. Now sometimes it is a good thing to sit by oneself and think + things over. It gives the little small voice deep down inside a chance to + be heard. It was just that way with Blacky now. + </p> + <p> + The longer he thought, the meaner his action in calling Farmer Brown's boy + looked. It was one thing to try to steal those eggs himself, but it was + quite another matter to try to have them stolen by some one against whom + Hooty had no protection whatever. + </p> + <p> + “If it had been any one but Hooty, you would have done your best to have + kept Farmer Brown's boy away,” said the little voice inside. Blacky hung + his head. He knew that it was true. More than once, in fact many times, he + had warned other feathered folks when Farmer Brown's boy had been hunting + for their nests, and had helped to lead him away. + </p> + <p> + At last Blacky threw up his head and chuckled, and this time his chuckle + was good to hear. “I'm glad that Farmer Brown's boy didn't take those + eggs,” said he right out loud. “Yes, sir, I'm glad. I'll never do such a + thing as that again. I'm ashamed of what I did; yet I'm glad I did it. I'm + glad because I've learned some things. I've learned that Farmer Brown's + boy isn't as much to be feared as he used to be. I've learned that Hooty + isn't as stupid as I thought he was. I've learned that while it may be all + right for us people of the Green Forest to try to outwit each other we + ought to protect each other against common dangers. And I've learned + something I didn't know before, and that is that Hooty the Owl is the very + first of us to set up housekeeping. Now I think I'll go hunt for an honest + meal.” And he did. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV: Blacky Makes A Call + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Judge no one by his style of dress; + Your ignorance you thus confess. + —Blacky the Crow. +</pre> + <p> + “Caw, caw, caw, caw.” There was no need of looking to see who that was. + Peter Rabbit knew without looking. Mrs. Quack knew without looking. Just + the same, both looked up. Just alighting in the top of a tall tree was + Blacky the Crow. “Caw, caw, caw, caw,” he repeated, looking down at Peter + and Mrs. Quack and Mr. Quack and the six young Quacks. “I hope I am not + interrupting any secret gossip.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all,” Peter hastened to say. “Mrs. Quack was just telling me of + the troubles and clangers in bringing up a young family in the Far North. + How did you know the Quacks had arrived?” + </p> + <p> + Blacky chuckled hoarsely. “I didn't,” said he. “I simply thought there + might be something going on I didn't know about over here in the pond of + Paddy the Beaver, so I came over to find out. Mr. Quack, you and Mrs. + Quack are looking very fine this fall. And those handsome young Quacks, + you don't mean to tell me that they are your children!” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Quack nodded proudly. “They are,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “You don't say so!” exclaimed Blacky, as if he were very much surprised, + when all the time he wasn't surprised at all. “They are a credit to their + parents. Yes, indeed, they are a credit to their parents. Never have I + seen finer young Ducks in all my life. How glad the hunters with terrible + guns will be to see them.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Quack shivered at that, and Blacky saw it. He chuckled softly. You + know he dearly loves to make others uncomfortable. “I saw three hunters + over on the edge of the Big River early this very morning,” said he. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Quack looked more anxious than ever. Blacky's sharp eyes noted this. + </p> + <p> + “That is why I came over here,” he added kindly. “I wanted to give you + warning.” + </p> + <p> + “But you didn't know the Quacks were here!” spoke up Peter. + </p> + <p> + “True enough, Peter. True enough,” replied Blacky, his eyes twinkling. + “But I thought they might be. I had heard a rumor that those who go south + are traveling earlier than usual this fall, so I knew I might find Mr. and + Mrs. Quack over here any time now. Is it true, Mrs. Quack, that we are + going to have a long, hard, cold winter?” + </p> + <p> + “That is what they say up in the Far North,” replied Mrs. Quack. “And it + is true that Jack Frost had started down earlier than usual. That is how + it happens we are here now. But about those hunters over by the Big River, + do you suppose they will come over here?” There was an anxious note in + Mrs. Quack's voice. + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Blacky promptly. “Farmer Brown's boy won't let them. I know. + I've been watching him and he has been watching those hunters. As long as + you stay here, you will be safe. What a great world this would be if all + those two-legged creatures were like Farmer Brown's boy.” + </p> + <p> + “Wouldn't it!” cried Peter. Then he added, “I wish they were.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't wish it half as much as I do,” declared Mrs. Quack. + </p> + <p> + “Yet I can remember when he used to hunt with a terrible gun and was as + bad as the worst of them,” said Blacky. + </p> + <p> + “What changed him?” asked Mrs. Quack, looking interested. + </p> + <p> + “Just getting really acquainted with some of the little people of the + Green Forest and the Green Meadows,” replied Blacky. “He found them ready + to meet him more than halfway in friendship and that some of them really + are his best friends.” + </p> + <p> + “And now he is their best friend,” spoke up Peter. + </p> + <p> + Blacky nodded. “Right, Peter,” said he. “That is why the Quacks are safe + here and will be as long as they stay.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV: Blacky Does A Little Looking About + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Do not take the word of others + That things are or are not so + When there is a chance that you may + Find out for yourself and know. + —Blacky the Crow. +</pre> + <p> + Blacky the Crow is a shrewd fellow. He is one of the smartest and + shrewdest of all the little people in the Green Forest and on the Green + Meadows. Everybody knows it. And because of this, all his neighbors have a + great deal of respect for him, despite his mischievous ways. + </p> + <p> + Of course, Blacky had noticed that Johnny Chuck had dug his house deeper + than usual and had stuffed himself until he was fatter than ever before. + He had noticed that Jerry Muskrat was making the walls of his house + thicker than in other years, and that Paddy the Beaver was doing the same + thing to his house. You know there is very little that escapes the sharp + eyes of Blacky the Crow. + </p> + <p> + He had guessed what these things meant. “They think we are going to have a + long, hard, cold winter,” muttered Blacky to himself. “Perhaps they know, + but I want to see some signs of it for myself. They may be only guessing. + Anybody can do that, and one guess is as good as another.” + </p> + <p> + Then he found Mr. and Mrs. Quack, the Mallard Ducks, and their children in + the pond of Paddy the Beaver and remembered that they never had come down + from their home in the Far North as early in the fall as this. Mrs. Quack + explained that Jack Frost had already started south, and so they had + started earlier to keep well ahead of him. + </p> + <p> + “Looks as if there may be something in this idea of a long, hard, cold + winter,” thought Blacky, “but perhaps the Quacks are only guessing, too. I + wouldn't take their word for it any more than I would the word of Johnny + Chuck or Jerry Muskrat or Paddy the Beaver. I'll look about a little.” + </p> + <p> + So after warning the Quacks to remain in the pond of Paddy the Beaver if + they would be safe, Blacky bade them good-by and flew away. He headed + straight for the Green Meadows and Farmer Brown's cornfield. A little of + that yellow corn would make a good breakfast. + </p> + <p> + When he reached the cornfield, Blacky perched on top of a shock of corn, + for it already had been cut and put in shocks in readiness to be carted up + to Farmer Brown's barn. For a few minutes he sat there silent and + motionless, but all the time his sharp eyes were making sure that no enemy + was hiding behind one of those brown shocks. When he was quite certain + that things were as safe as they seemed, he picked out a plump ear of corn + and began to tear open the husks, so as to get at the yellow grains. + </p> + <p> + “Seems to me these husks are unusually thick,” muttered Blacky, as he tore + at them with his stout bill. “Don't remember ever having seen them as + thick as these. Wonder if it just happens to be so on this ear.” + </p> + <p> + Then, as a sudden thought popped into his black head, he left that ear and + went to another. The husks of this were as thick as those on the first. He + flew to another shock and found the husks there just the same. He tried a + third shock with the same result. + </p> + <p> + “Huh, they are all alike,” said he. Then he looked thoughtful and for a + few minutes sat perfectly still like a black statue. “They are right,” + said he at last. “Yes, Sir, they are right.” Of course he meant Johnny + Chuck and Jerry Muskrat and Paddy the Beaver and the Quacks. “I don't know + how they know it, but they are right; we are going to have a long, hard, + cold winter. I know it myself now. I've found a sign. Old Mother Nature + has wrapped this corn in extra thick husks, and of course she has done it + to protect it. She doesn't do things without a reason. We are going to + have a cold winter, or my name isn't Blacky the Crow.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI: Blacky Finds Other Signs + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A single fact may fail to prove you either right or wrong; + Confirm it with another and your proof will then be strong. + —Blacky the Crow. +</pre> + <p> + After his discovery that Old Mother Nature had wrapped all the ears of + corn in extra thick husks, Blacky had no doubt in his own mind that Johnny + Chuck and Jerry Muskrat and Paddy the Beaver and the Quacks were quite + right in feeling that the coming winter would be long, hard and cold. But + Blacky long ago learned that it isn't wise or wholly safe to depend + altogether on one thing. + </p> + <p> + “Old Mother Nature never does things by halves,” thought Blacky, as he sat + on the fence post on the Green Meadows, thinking over his discovery of the + thick husks on the corn. “She wouldn't take care to protect the corn that + way and not do as much for other things. There must be other signs, if I + am smart enough to find them.” + </p> + <p> + He lifted one black wing and began to set in order the feathers beneath + it. Suddenly he made a funny little hop straight up. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I never!” he exclaimed, as he spread his wings to regain his + balance. “I never did!” + </p> + <p> + “Is that so?” piped a squeaky little voice. “If you say you never did, I + suppose you never did, though I want the word of some one else before I + will believe it. What is it you never did?” + </p> + <p> + Blacky looked down. Peeping up at him from the brown grass were two bright + little eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Danny Meadow Mouse!” exclaimed Blacky. “I haven't seen you for a + long time. I've looked for you several times lately.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't doubt it. I don't doubt it at all,” squeaked Danny. “You'll never + see me when you are looking for me. That is, you won't if I can help it. + You won't if I see you first.” + </p> + <p> + Blacky chuckled. He knew what Danny meant. When Blacky goes looking for + Danny Meadow Mouse, it usually is in hope of having a Meadow Mouse dinner, + and he knew that Danny knew this. “I've had my breakfast,” said Blacky, + “and it isn't dinner time yet.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it you never did?” persisted Danny, in his squeaky voice. + </p> + <p> + “That was just an exclamation,” explained Blacky. “I made a discovery that + surprised me so I exclaimed right out.” + </p> + <p> + “What was it?” demanded Danny. + </p> + <p> + “It was that the feathers of my coat are coming in thicker than I ever + knew them to before. I hadn't noticed it until I started to set them in + order a minute ago.” He buried his bill in the feathers of his breast. + “Yes, sir,” said he in a muffled voice, “they are coming in thicker than I + ever knew them to before. There is a lot of down around the roots of them. + I am going to have the warmest coat I've ever had.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, don't think you are the only one,” retorted Danny. “My fur never + was so thick at this time of year as it is now, and it is the same way + with Nanny Meadow Mouse and all our children. I suppose you know what it + means.” + </p> + <p> + “What does it mean?” asked Blacky, just as if he didn't have the least + idea, although he had guessed the instant he discovered those extra + feathers. + </p> + <p> + “It means we are going to have a long, hard, cold winter, and Old Mother + Nature is preparing us for it,” replied Danny, quite as if he knew all + about it. “You'll find that everybody who doesn't go south or sleep all + winter has a thicker coat than usual. Hello! There is old Roughleg the + Hawk! He has come extra early this year. I think I'll go back to warn + Nanny.” Without another word Danny disappeared in the brown grass. Again + Blacky chuckled. “More signs,” said he to himself. “More signs. There + isn't a doubt that we are going to have a hard winter. I wonder if I can + stand it or if I'd better go a little way south, where it will be warmer.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII: Blacky Watches A Queer Performance + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + This much to me is very clear: + A thing not understood is queer. + —Blacky the Crow. +</pre> + <p> + Blacky the Crow may be right. Again he may not be. If he is right, it will + account for a lot of the queer people in the world. They are not + understood, and so they are queer. At least, that is what other people + say, and never once think that perhaps they are the queer ones for not + understanding. + </p> + <p> + But Blacky isn't like those people who are satisfied not to understand and + to think other people and things queer. He does his best to understand. He + waits and watches and uses those sharp eyes of his and those quick wits of + his until at last usually he does understand. + </p> + <p> + The day of his discovery of Old Mother Nature's signs that the coming + winter would be long, hard and cold, Blacky paid a visit to the Big River. + Long ago he discovered that many things are to be seen on or beside the + Big River, things not to be seen elsewhere. So there are few clays in + which he does not get over there. + </p> + <p> + As he drew near the Big River, he was very watchful and careful, was + Blacky, for this was the season when hunters with terrible guns were + abroad, and he had discovered that they were likely to be hiding along the + Big River, hoping to shoot Mr. or Mrs. Quack or some of their relatives. + So he was very watchful as he drew near the Big River, for he had learned + that it was dangerous to pass too near a hunter with a terrible gun. More + than once he had been shot at. But he had learned by these experiences. + Oh, yes, Blacky had learned. For one thing, he had learned to know a gun + when he saw it. For another thing, he had learned just how far away one of + these dreadful guns could be and still hurt the one it was pointed at, and + to always keep just a little farther away. Also he had learned that a man + or boy without a terrible gun is quite harmless, and he had learned that + hunters with terrible guns are tricky and sometimes hide from those they + seek to kill, so that in the dreadful hunting season it is best to look + sharply before approaching any place. + </p> + <p> + On this afternoon, as he drew near the Big River, he saw a man who seemed + to be very busy on the shore of the Big River, at a place where wild rice + and rushes grew for some distance out in the water, for just there it was + shallow far out from the shore. Blacky looked sharply for a terrible gun. + But the man had none with him and therefore was not to be feared. Blacky + boldly drew near until he was able to see what the man was doing. + </p> + <p> + Then Blacky's eyes stretched their widest and he almost cawed right out + with surprise. The man was taking yellow corn from a bag, a handful at a + time, and throwing it out in the water. Yes, Sir, that is what he was + doing, scattering nice yellow corn among the rushes and wild rice in the + water! + </p> + <p> + “That's a queer performance,” muttered Blacky, as he watched. “What is he + throwing perfectly good corn out in the water for? He isn't planting it, + for this isn't the planting season. Besides, it wouldn't grow in the + water, anyway. It is a shame to waste nice corn like that. What is he + doing it for?” + </p> + <p> + Blacky flew over to a tree some distance away and alighted in the top of + it to watch the queer performance. You know Blacky has very keen eyes and + he can see a long distance. For a while the man continued to scatter corn + and Blacky continued to wonder what he was doing it for. At last the man + went away in a boat. Blacky watched him until he was out of sight. Then he + spread his wings and slowly flew back and forth just above the rushes and + wild rice, at the place where the man had been scattering the corn. He + could see some of the yellow grains on the bottom. Presently he saw + something else. “Ha!” exclaimed Blacky. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII: Blacky Becomes Very Suspicious + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Of things you do not understand, + Beware! + They may be wholly harmless but— + Beware! + You'll find the older that you grow + That only things and folks you know + Are fully to be trusted, so + Beware! + —Blacky the Crow. +</pre> + <p> + That is one of Blacky's wise sayings, and he lives up to it. It is one + reason why he has come to be regarded by all his neighbors as one of the + smartest of all who live in the Green Forest and on the Green Meadow. He + seldom gets into any real trouble because he first makes sure there is no + trouble to get into. When he discovers something he does not understand, + he is at once distrustful of it. + </p> + <p> + As he watched a man scattering yellow corn in the water from the shore of + the Big River he at once became suspicious. He couldn't understand why a + man should throw good corn among the rushes and wild rice in the water, + and because he couldn't understand, he at once began to suspect that it + was for no good purpose. When the man left in a boat, Blacky slowly flew + over the rushes where the man had thrown the corn, and presently his sharp + eyes made a discovery that caused him to exclaim right out. + </p> + <p> + What was it Blacky had discovered? Only a few feathers. No one with eyes + less sharp than Blacky's would have noticed them. And few would have given + them a thought if they had noticed them. But Blacky knew right away that + those were feathers from a Duck. He knew that a Duck, or perhaps a flock + of Ducks, had been resting or feeding in there among those rushes, and + that in moving about they had left those two or three downy feathers. + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” exclaimed Blacky. “Mr. and Mrs. Quack or some of their relatives + have been here. It is just the kind of a place Ducks like. Also some Ducks + like corn. If they should come back here and find this corn, they would + have a feast, and they would be sure to come again. That man who scattered + the corn here didn't have a terrible gun, but that doesn't mean that he + isn't a hunter. He may come back again, and then he may have a terrible + gun. I'm suspicious of that man. I am so. I believe he put that corn here + for Ducks and I don't believe he did it out of the kindness of his heart. + If it was Farmer Brown's boy I would know that all is well; that he was + thinking of hungry Ducks, with few places where they can feed in safety, + as they make the long journey from the Far North to the Sunny South. But + it wasn't Farmer Brown's boy. I don't like the looks of it. I don't + indeed. I'll keep watch of this place and see what happens.” + </p> + <p> + All the way to his favorite perch in a certain big hemlock-tree in the + Green Forest, Blacky kept thinking about that corn and the man who had + seemed to be generous with it, and the more he thought, the more + suspicious he became. He didn't like the looks of it at all. + </p> + <p> + “I'll warn the Quacks to keep away from there. I'll do it the very first + thing in the morning,” he muttered, as he prepared to go to sleep. “If + they have any sense at all, they will stay in the pond of Paddy the + Beaver. But if they should go over to the Big River, they would be almost + sure to find that corn, and if they should once find it, they would keep + going back for more. It may be all right, but I don't like the looks of + it.” + </p> + <p> + And still full of suspicions, Blacky went to sleep. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX: Blacky Makes More Discoveries + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Little things you fail to see + May important prove to be. + —Blacky the Crow. +</pre> + <p> + One of the secrets of Blacky's success in life is the fact that he never + fails to take note of little things. Long ago he learned that little + things which in themselves seem harmless and not worth noticing may + together prove the most important things in life. So, no matter how + unimportant a thing may appear, Blacky examines it closely with those + sharp eyes of his and remembers it. + </p> + <p> + The very first thing Blacky did, as soon as he was awake the morning after + he discovered the man scattering corn in the rushes at a certain place on + the edge of the Big River, was to fly over to the pond of Paddy the Beaver + and again warn Mr. and Mrs. Quack to keep away from the Big River, if they + and their six children would remain safe. Then he got some breakfast. He + ate it in a hurry and flew straight over to the Big River to the place + where he had seen that yellow corn scattered. + </p> + <p> + Blacky wasn't wholly surprised to find Dusky the Black Duck, own cousin to + Mr. and Mrs. Quack the Mallard Ducks, with a number of his relatives in + among the rushes and wild rice at the very place where that corn had been + scattered. They seemed quite contented and in the best of spirits. Blacky + guessed why. Not a single grain of that yellow corn could Blacky see. He + knew the ways of Dusky and his relatives. He knew that they must have come + in there just at dusk the night before and at once had found that corn. He + knew that they would remain hiding there until frightened out, and that + then they would spend the day in some little pond where they would not be + likely to be disturbed or where at least no danger could approach them + without being seen in plenty of time. There they would rest all day, and + when the Black Shadows came creeping out from the Purple Hills, they would + return to that place on the Big River to feed, for that is the time when + they like best to hunt for their food. + </p> + <p> + Dusky looked up as Blacky flew over him, but Blacky said nothing, and + Dusky said nothing. But if Blacky didn't use his tongue, he did use his + eyes. He saw just on the edge of the shore what looked like a lot of small + bushes growing close together on the very edge of the water. Mixed in with + them were a lot of the brown rushes. They looked very harmless and + innocent. But Blacky knew every foot of that shore along the Big River, + and he knew that those bushes hadn't been there during the summer. He knew + that they hadn't grown there. + </p> + <p> + He flew directly over them. Just back of them were a couple of logs. Those + logs hadn't been there when he passed that way a few days before. He was + sure of it. + </p> + <p> + “Ha!” exclaimed Blacky under his breath. “Those look to me as if they + might be very handy, very handy indeed, for a hunter to sit on. Sitting + there behind those bushes, he would be hidden from any Duck who might come + in to look for nice yellow corn scattered out there among the rushes. It + doesn't look right to me. No, Sir, it doesn't look right to me. I think + I'll keep an eye on this place.” + </p> + <p> + So Blacky came back to the Big River several times that day. The second + time back he found that Dusky the Black Duck and his relatives had left. + When he returned in the afternoon, he saw the same man he had seen there + the afternoon before, and he was doing the same thing,—scattering + yellow corn out in the rushes. And as before, he went away in a boat. + </p> + <p> + “I don't like it,” muttered Blacky, shaking his black head. “I don't like + it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX: Blacky Drops A Hint + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When you see another's danger + Warn him though he be a stranger. + —Blacky the Crow. +</pre> + <p> + Every day for a week a man came in a boat to scatter corn in the rushes at + a certain point along the bank of the Big River, and every day Blacky the + Crow watched him and shook his black head and talked to himself and told + himself that he didn't like it, and that he was sure that it was for no + good purpose. Sometimes Blacky watched from a distance, and sometimes he + flew right over the man. But never once did the man have a gun with him. + </p> + <p> + Every morning, very early, Blacky flew over there, and every morning he + found Dusky the Black Duck and his flock in the rushes and wild rice at + that particular place, and he knew that they had been there all night, He + knew that they had come in there just at dusk the night before, to feast + on the yellow corn the man had scattered there in the afternoon. + </p> + <p> + “It is no business of mine what those Ducks do,” muttered Blacky to + himself, “but as surely as my tail feathers are black, something is going + to happen to some of them one of these days. That man may be fooling them, + but he isn't fooling me. Not a bit of it. He hasn't had a gun with him + once when I have seen him, but just the same he is a hunter. I feel it in + my bones. He knows those silly Ducks come in here every night for that + corn he puts out. He knows that after they have been here a few times and + nothing has frightened them, they will be so sure that it is a safe place + that they will not be the least bit suspicious. Then he will hide behind + those bushes he has placed close to the edge of the water and wait for + them with his terrible gun. That is what he will do, or my name isn't + Blacky.” + </p> + <p> + Finally Blacky decided to drop a hint to Dusky the Black Duck. So the next + morning he stopped for a call. “Good morning,” said he, as Dusky swam in + just in front of him. “I hope you are feeling as fine as you look.” + </p> + <p> + “Quack, quack,” replied Dusky. “When Blacky the Crow flatters, he hopes to + gain something. What is it this time?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a thing,” replied Blacky. “On my honor, not a thing. There is nothing + for me here, though there seems to be plenty for you and your relatives, + to judge by the fact that I find you in this same place every morning. + What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Corn,” replied Dusky in a low voice, as if afraid some one might overhear + him. “Nice yellow corn.” + </p> + <p> + “Corn!” exclaimed Blacky, as if very much astonished. “How does corn + happen to be way over here in the water?” + </p> + <p> + Dusky shook his head. “Don't ask me, for I can't tell you,” said he. “I + haven't the least idea. All I know is that every evening when we arrive, + we find it here. How it gets here, I don't know, and furthermore I don't + care. It is enough for me that it is here.” + </p> + <p> + “I've seen a man over here every afternoon,” said Blacky. “I thought he + might be a hunter.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he have a terrible gun?” asked Dusky suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “No-o,” replied Blacky. + </p> + <p> + “Then he isn't a hunter,” declared Dusky, looking much relieved. + </p> + <p> + “But perhaps one of these days he will have one and will wait for you to + come in for your dinner,” suggested Blacky. “He could hide behind these + bushes, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense,” retorted Dusky, tossing his head. “There hasn't been a sign of + danger here since we have been here. I know you, Blacky; you are jealous + because we find plenty to eat here, and you find nothing. You are trying + to scare us. But I'll tell you right now, you can't scare us away from + such splendid eating as we have had here. So there!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI: At Last Blacky Is Sure + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Who for another conquers fear + Is truly brave, it is most clear. + —Blacky the Crow. +</pre> + <p> + It was late in the afternoon, and Blacky the Crow was on his way to the + Green Forest. As usual, he went around by the Big River to see if that man + was scattering corn for the Ducks. He wasn't there. No one was to be seen + along the bank of the Big River. + </p> + <p> + “He hasn't come to-day, or else he came early and has left,” thought + Blacky. And then his sharp eyes caught sight of something that made him + turn aside and make straight for a certain tree, from the top of which he + could see all that went on for a long distance. What was it Blacky saw? It + was a boat coming down the Big River. + </p> + <p> + Blacky sat still and watched. Presently the boat turned in among the + rushes, and a moment later a man stepped out on the shore. It was the same + man Blacky had watched scatter corn in the rushes every day for a week. + There wasn't the least doubt about it, it was the same man. + </p> + <p> + “Ha, ha!” exclaimed Blacky, and nearly lost his balance in his excitement. + “Ha, ha! It is just as I thought!” You see Blacky's sharp eyes had seen + that the man was carrying something, and that something was a gun, a + terrible gun. Blacky knows a terrible gun as far as he can see it. + </p> + <p> + The hunter, for of course that is what he was, tramped along the shore + until he reached the bushes which Blacky had noticed close to the water + and which he knew had not grown there. The hunter looked out over the Big + River. Then he walked along where he had scattered corn the day before. + Not a grain was to be seen. This seemed to please him. Then he went back + to the bushes and sat down on a log behind them, his terrible gun across + his knees. + </p> + <p> + “I was sure of it,” muttered Blacky. “He is going to wait there for those + Ducks to come in, and then something dreadful will happen. What terrible + creatures these hunters are! They don't know what fairness is. No, Sir, + they don't know what fairness is. He has put food there day after day, + where Dusky the Black Duck and his flock would be sure to find it, and has + waited until they have become so sure there is no danger that they are no + longer suspicious. He knows they will feel so sure that all is safe that + they will come in without looking for danger. Then he will fire that + terrible gun and kill them without giving them any chance at all. + </p> + <p> + “Reddy Fox is a sly, clever hunter, but he wouldn't do a thing like that. + Neither would Old Man Coyote or anybody else who wears fur or feathers. + They might hide and try to catch some one by surprise. That is all right, + because each of us is supposed to be on the watch for things of that sort. + Oh, dear, what's to be done? It is time I was getting home to the Green + Forest. The Black Shadows will soon come creeping out from the Purple + Hills, and I must be safe in my hemlock-tree by then. I would be scared to + death to be out after dark. Yet those Ducks ought to be warned. Oh, dear, + what shall I do?” + </p> + <p> + Blacky peered over at the Green Forest and then over toward the Purple + Hills, behind which jolly, round, red Mr. Sun would go to bed very + shortly. He shivered as he thought of the Black Shadows that soon would + come swiftly out from the Purple Hills across the Big River and over the + Green Meadows. With them might come Hooty the Owl, and Hooty wouldn't + object in the least to a Crow dinner. He wished he was in that + hemlock-tree that very minute. Then Blacky looked at the hunter with his + terrible gun and thought of what might happen, what would be almost sure + to happen, unless those Ducks were warned. “I'll wait a little while + longer,” muttered Blacky, and tried to feel brave. But instead he + shivered. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII: Blacky Goes Home Happy + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + No greater happiness is won + Than through a deed for others done. + —Blacky the Crow. +</pre> + <p> + Blacky sat in the top of a tree near the bank of the Big River and + couldn't make up his mind what to do. He wanted to get home to the big, + thick hemlock-tree in the Green Forest before dusk, for Blacky is afraid + of the dark. That is, he is afraid to be out after dark. + </p> + <p> + “Go along home,” said a voice inside him, “there is hardly time now for + you to get there before the Black Shadows arrive. Don't waste any more + time here. What may happen to those silly Ducks is no business of yours, + and there is nothing you can do, anyway. Go along home.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait a few minutes,” said another little voice down inside him. “Don't be + a coward. You ought to warn Dusky the Black Duck and his flock that a + hunter with a terrible gun is waiting for them. Is it true that it is no + business of yours what happens to those Ducks? Think again, Blacky; think + again. It is the duty of each one who sees a common danger to warn his + neighbors. If something dreadful should happen to Dusky because you were + afraid of the dark, you never would be comfortable in your own mind. Stay + a little while and keep watch.” + </p> + <p> + Not five minutes later Blacky saw something that made him, oh, so glad he + had kept watch. It was a swiftly moving black line just above the water + far down the Big River, and it was coming up. He knew what that black line + was. He looked over at the hunter hiding behind some bushes close to the + edge of the water. The hunter was crouching with his terrible gun in his + hands and was peeping over the bushes, watching that black line. He, too, + knew what it was. It was a flock of Ducks flying. + </p> + <p> + Blacky was all ashake again, but this time it wasn't with fear of being + caught away from home in the dark; it was with excitement. He knew that + those Ducks had become so eager for more of that corn, that delicious + yellow corn which every night for a week they had found scattered in the + rushes just in front of the place where that hunter was now hiding, that + they couldn't wait for the coming of the Black Shadows. They were so sure + there was no danger that they were coming in to eat without waiting for + the Black Shadows, as they usually did. And Blacky was glad. Perhaps now + he could give them warning. + </p> + <p> + Up the middle of the Big River, flying just above the water, swept the + flock with Dusky at its head. How swiftly they flew, those nine big birds! + Blacky envied them their swift wings. On past the hidden hunter but far + out over the Big River they swept. For just a minute Blacky thought they + were going on up the river and not coming in to eat, after all. Then they + turned toward the other shore, swept around in a circle and headed + straight in toward that hidden hunter. Blacky glanced at him and saw that + he was ready to shoot. + </p> + <p> + Almost without thinking, Blacky spread his wings and started out from that + tree. “Caw, caw, caw, caw, caw!” he shrieked at the top of his lungs. + “Caw, caw, caw, caw, caw!” It was his danger cry that everybody on the + Green Meadows and in the Green Forest knows. + </p> + <p> + Instantly Dusky turned and began to climb up, up, up, the other Ducks + following him until, as they passed over the hidden hunter, they were so + high it was useless for him to shoot. He did put up his gun and aim at + them, but he didn't shoot. You see, he didn't want to frighten them so + that they would not return. Then the flock turned and started off in the + direction from which they had come, and in a few minutes they were merely + a black line disappearing far down the Big River. + </p> + <p> + Blacky headed straight for the Green Forest, chuckling as he flew. He knew + that those Ducks would not return until after dark. He had saved them this + time, and he was so happy he didn't even notice the Black Shadows. And the + hunter stood up and shook his fist at Blacky the Crow. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII: Blacky Calls Farmer Brown's Boy + </h2> + <p> + Blacky awoke in the best of spirits. Late the afternoon before he had + saved Dusky the Black Duck and his flock from a hunter with a terrible + gun. He wasn't quite sure whether he was most happy in having saved those + Ducks by warning them just in time, or in having spoiled the plans of that + hunter. He hates a hunter with a terrible gun, does Blacky. For that + matter, so do all the little people of the Green Forest and the Green + Meadows. + </p> + <p> + So Blacky started out for his breakfast in high spirits. After breakfast, + he flew over to the Big River to see if Dusky the Black Duck was feeding + in the rushes along the shore. Dusky wasn't, and Blacky guessed that he + and his flock had been so frightened by that warning that they had kept + away from there the night before. + </p> + <p> + “But they'll come back after a night or so,” muttered Blacky, as he + alighted in the top of a tree, the same tree from which he had watched the + hunter the afternoon before. “They'll come back, and so will that hunter. + If he sees me around again, he'll try to shoot me. I've done all I can do. + Anyway, Dusky ought to have sense enough to be suspicious of this place + after that warning. Hello, who is that? I do believe it is Farmer Brown's + boy. I wish he would come over here. If he should find out about that + hunter, perhaps he would do something to drive him away. I'll see if I can + call him over here.” + </p> + <p> + Blacky began to call in the way he does when he has discovered something + and wants others to know about it. “Caw, caw, caaw, caaw, caw, caw, caaw!” + screamed Blacky, as if greatly excited. + </p> + <p> + Now Farmer Brown's boy, having no work to do that morning, had started for + a tramp over the Green Meadows, hoping to see some of his little friends + in feathers and fur. He heard the excited cawing of Blacky and at once + turned in that direction. + </p> + <p> + “That black rascal has found something over on the shore of the Big + River,” said Farmer Brown's boy to himself. “I'll go over there to see + what it is. There isn't much escapes the sharp eyes of that black + busybody. He has led me to a lot of interesting things, one time and + another. There he is on the top of that tree over by the Big River.” + </p> + <p> + As Farmer Brown's boy drew near, Blacky flew down and disappeared below + the bank. Fanner Brown's boy chuckled. “Whatever it is, it is right down + there,” he muttered. + </p> + <p> + He walked forward rapidly but quietly, and presently he reached the edge + of the bank. Up flew Blacky cawing wildly, and pretending to be scared + half to death. Again Farmer Brown's boy chuckled. “You're just making + believe,” he declared. “You're trying to make me believe that I have + surprised you, when all the time you knew I was coming and have been + waiting for me. Now, what have you found over here?” + </p> + <p> + He looked eagerly along the shore, and at once he saw a row of low bushes + close to the edge of the water. He knew what it was instantly. “A Duck + blind!” he exclaimed. “A hunter has built a blind over here from which to + shoot Ducks. I wonder if he has killed any yet. I hope not.” He went down + to the blind, for that is what a Duck hunter's hiding-place is called, and + looked about. A couple of grains of corn just inside the blind caught his + eyes, and his face darkened. “That fellow has been baiting Ducks,” thought + he. “He has been putting out corn to get them to come here regularly. My, + how I hate that sort of thing! It is bad enough to hunt them fairly, but + to feed them and then kill them—ugh! I wonder if he has shot any + yet.” + </p> + <p> + He looked all about keenly, and his face cleared. He knew that if that + hunter had killed any Ducks, there would be tell-tale feathers in the + blind, and there were none. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV: Farmer Brown's Boy Does Some Thinking + </h2> + <p> + Farmer Brown's boy sat on the bank of the Big River in a brown study. That + means that he was thinking very hard. Blacky the Crow sat in the top of a + tall tree a short distance away and watched him. Blacky was silent now, + and there was a knowing look in his shrewd little eyes. In calling Farmer + Brown's boy over there, he had done all he could, and he was quite + satisfied to leave the matter to Farmer Brown's boy. + </p> + <p> + “A hunter has made that blind to shoot Black Ducks from,” thought Farmer + Brown's boy, “and he has been baiting them in here by scattering corn for + them. Black Ducks are about the smartest Ducks that fly, but if they have + been coming in here every evening and finding corn and no sign of danger, + they probably think it perfectly safe here and come straight in without + being at all suspicious. To-night, or some night soon, that hunter will be + waiting for them. + </p> + <p> + “I guess the law that permits hunting Ducks is all right, but there ought + to be a law against baiting them in. That isn't hunting. No, Sir, that + isn't hunting. If this land were my father's, I would know what to do. I + would put up a sign saying that this was private property and no shooting + was allowed. But it isn't my father's land, and that hunter has a perfect + right to shoot here. He has just as much right here as I have. I wish I + could stop him, but I don't see how I can.” + </p> + <p> + A frown puckered the freckled face of Farmer Brown's boy. You see, he was + thinking very hard, and when he does that he is very apt to frown. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose,” he muttered, “I can tear down his blind. He wouldn't know who + did it. But that wouldn't do much good; he would build another. Besides, + it wouldn't be right. He has a perfect right to make a blind here, and + having made it, it is his and I haven't any right to touch it. I won't do + a thing I haven't a right to do. That wouldn't be honest. I've got to + think of some other way of saving those Ducks.” + </p> + <p> + The frown on his freckled face grew deeper, and for a long time he sat + without moving. Suddenly his face cleared, and he jumped to his feet. He + began to chuckle. “I have it!” he exclaimed. “I'll do a little shooting + myself!” Then he chuckled again and started for home. Presently he began + to whistle, a way he has when he is in good spirits. + </p> + <p> + Blacky the Crow watched him go, and Blacky was well satisfied. He didn't + know what Farmer Brown's boy was planning to do, but he had a feeling that + he was planning to do something, and that all would be well. Perhaps + Blacky wouldn't have felt so sure could he have understood what Farmer + Brown's boy had said about doing a little shooting himself. + </p> + <p> + As it was, Blacky flew off about his own business, quite satisfied that + now all would be well, and he need worry no more about those Ducks. None + of the little people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows knew Farmer + Brown's boy better than did Blacky the Crow. None knew better than he that + Farmer Brown's boy was their best friend. “It is all right now,” chuckled + Blacky. “It is all right now.” And as the cheery whistle of Farmer Brown's + boy floated back to him on the Merry Little Breezes, he repeated it: “It + is all right now.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV: Blacky Gets A Dreadful Shock + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When friends prove false, whom may we trust? + The springs of faith are turned to dust. + —Blacky the Crow. +</pre> + <p> + Blacky the Crow was in the top of his favorite tree over near the Big + River early this afternoon. He didn't know what was going to happen, but + he felt in his bones that something was, and he meant to be on hand to + see. For a long time he sat there, seeing nothing unusual. At last he + spied a tiny figure far away across the Green Meadows. Even at that + distance he knew who it was; it was Farmer Brown's boy, and he was coming + toward the Big River. + </p> + <p> + “I thought as much,” chuckled Blacky. “He is coming over here to drive + that hunter away.” + </p> + <p> + The tiny figure grew larger. It was Farmer Brown's boy beyond a doubt. + Suddenly Blacky's eyes opened so wide that they looked as if they were in + danger of popping out of his head. He had discovered that Farmer Brown's + boy was carrying something and that that something was a gun! Yes, Sir, + Farmer Brown's boy was carrying a terrible gun! If Blacky could have + rubbed his eyes, he would have done so, just to make sure that there was + nothing the matter with them. + </p> + <p> + “A gun!” croaked Blacky. “Farmer Brown's boy with a terrible gun! What + does it mean?” + </p> + <p> + Nearer came Farmer Brown's boy, and Blacky could see that terrible gun + plainly now. Suddenly an idea popped into his head. “Perhaps he is going + to shoot that hunter!” thought Blacky, and somehow he felt better. + </p> + <p> + Farmer Brown's boy reached the Big River at a point some distance below + the blind built by the hunter. He laid his gun down on the bank and went + down to the edge of the water. The rushes grew very thick there, and for a + while Farmer Brown's boy was very busy among them. Blacky from his high + perch could watch him, and as he watched, he grew more and more puzzled. + It looked very much as if Farmer Brown's boy was building a blind much + like that of the hunter's. At last he carried an old log down there, got + his gun, and sat down just as the hunter had done in his blind the + afternoon before. He was quite hidden there, excepting from a place high + up like Blacky's perch. + </p> + <p> + “I—I—I do believe he is going to try to shoot those Ducks + himself,” gasped Blacky. “I wouldn't have believed it if any one had told + me. No, Sir, I wouldn't have believed it. I—I—can't believe it + now. Farmer Brown's boy hunting with a terrible gun! Yet I've got to + believe my own eyes.” + </p> + <p> + A noise up river caught his attention. It was the noise of oars in a boat. + There was the hunter, rowing down the Big River. Just as he had done the + day before, he came ashore above his blind and walked down to it. + </p> + <p> + “This is no place for me,” muttered Blacky. “He'll remember that I scared + those Ducks yesterday, and as likely as not he'll try to shoot me.” + </p> + <p> + Blacky spread his black wings and hurriedly left the tree-top, heading for + another tree farther back on the Green Meadows where he would be safe, but + from which he could not see as well. There he sat until the Black Shadows + warned him that it was high time for him to be getting back to the Green + Forest. + </p> + <p> + He had to hurry, for it was later than usual, and he was afraid to be out + after dark. Just as he reached the Green Forest he heard a faint “bang, + bang” from over by the Big River, and he knew that it came from the place + where Farmer Brown's boy was hiding in the rushes. + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” croaked Blacky. “Farmer Brown's boy has turned hunter.” It + was such a dreadful shock to Blacky that it was a long time before he + could go to sleep. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI: Why The Hunter Got No Ducks + </h2> + <p> + The hunter who had come down the Big River in a boat and landed near the + place where Dusky the Black Duck and his flock had found nice yellow corn + scattered in the rushes night after night saw Blacky the Crow leave the + top of a certain tree as he approached. + </p> + <p> + “It is well for you that you didn't wait for me to get nearer,” said the + hunter. “You are smart enough to know that you can't play the same trick + on me twice. You frightened those Ducks away last night, but if you try it + again, you'll be shot as surely as your coat is black.” + </p> + <p> + Then the hunter went to his blind which, you know, was the hiding-place he + had made of bushes and rushes, and behind this he sat down with his + terrible gun to wait and watch for Dusky the Black Duck and his flock. + </p> + <p> + Now you remember that farther along the shore of the Big River was Farmer + Brown's boy, hiding in a blind he had made that afternoon. The hunter + couldn't see him at all. He didn't have the least idea that any one else + was anywhere near. “With that Crow out of the way, I think I will get some + Ducks to-night,” thought the hunter and looked at his gun to make sure + that it was ready. + </p> + <p> + Over in the West, jolly, round, red Mr. Sun started to go to bed behind + the Purple Hills, and the Black Shadows came creeping out. Far down the + Big River the hunter saw a swiftly moving black line just above the water. + “Here they come,” he muttered, as he eagerly watched that black line draw + nearer. + </p> + <p> + Twice those big black birds circled around over the Big River opposite + where the hunter was crouching behind his blind. It was plain that Dusky, + their leader, remembered Blacky's warning the night before. But this time + there was no warning. Everything appeared safe. Once more the flock + circled and then headed straight for that place where they hoped to find + more corn. The hunter crouched lower. They were almost near enough for him + to shoot when “bang, bang” went a gun a short distance away. + </p> + <p> + Instantly Dusky and his flock turned and on swift wings swung off and up + the river. If ever there was a disappointed hunter, it was the one + crouching in that blind. “Somebody else is hunting, and he spoiled my shot + that time,” he muttered. “He must have a blind farther down. Probably some + other Ducks I didn't see came in to him. I wonder if he got them. Here's + hoping that next time those Ducks come in here first.” + </p> + <p> + He once more made himself comfortable and settled down for a long wait. + The Black Shadows crept out from the farther bank of the Big River. Jolly, + round red Mr. Sun had gone to bed, and the first little star was twinkling + high overhead. It was very still and peaceful. From out in the middle of + the Big River sounded a low “quack”; Dusky and his flock were swimming in + this time. Presently the hunter could see a silver line on the water, and + then he made out nine black spots. In a few minutes those Ducks would be + where he could shoot them. “Bang, bang” went that gun below him again. + With a roar of wings, Dusky and his flock were in the air and away. That + hunter stood up and said things, and they were not nice things. He knew + that those Ducks would not come back again that night, and that once more + he must go home empty-handed. But first he would find out who that other + hunter was and what luck he had had, so he tramped down the shore to where + that gun had seemed to be. He found the blind of Farmer Brown's boy, but + there was no one there. You see, as soon as he had fired his gun the last + time, Farmer Brown's boy had slipped out and away. And as he tramped + across the Green Meadows toward home with his gun, he chuckled. “He didn't + get those Ducks this time,” said Farmer Brown's boy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII: The Hunter Gives Up + </h2> + <p> + Blacky The Crow didn't know what to think. He couldn't make himself + believe that Farmer Brown's boy had really turned hunter, yet what else + could he believe? Hadn't he with his own eyes seen Farmer Brown's boy with + a terrible gun hide in rushes along the Big River and wait for Dusky the + Black Duck and his flock to come in? And hadn't he with his own ears heard + the “bang, bang” of that very gun? + </p> + <p> + The very first thing the next morning Blacky had hastened over to the + place where Farmer Brown's boy had hidden in the rushes. With sharp eyes + he looked for feathers, that would tell the tale of a Duck killed. But + there were no feathers. There wasn't a thing to show that anything so + dreadful had happened. Perhaps Farmer Brown's boy had missed when he shot + at those Ducks. Blacky shook his head and decided to say nothing to + anybody about Farmer Brown's boy and that terrible gun. + </p> + <p> + You may be sure that early in the afternoon he was perched in the top of + his favorite tree over by the Big River. His heart sank, just as on the + afternoon before, when he saw Farmer Brown's boy with his terrible gun + trudging across the Green Meadows to the Big River. Instead of going to + the same hiding place he made a new one farther down. + </p> + <p> + Then came the hunter a little earlier than usual. Instead of stopping at + his blind, he walked straight to the blind Farmer Brown's boy had first + made. Of course, there was no one there. The hunter looked both glad and + disappointed. He went back to his own blind and sat down, and while he + watched for the coming of the Ducks, he also watched that other blind to + see if the unknown hunter of the night before would appear. Of course he + didn't, and when at last the hunter saw the Ducks coming, he was sure that + this time he would get some of them. + </p> + <p> + But the same thing happened as on the night before. Just as those Ducks + were almost near enough, a gun went “bang, bang,” and away went the Ducks. + They didn't come back again, and once more a disappointed hunter went home + without any. + </p> + <p> + The next afternoon he was on hand very early. He was there before Farmer + Brown's boy arrived, and when he did come, of course the hunter saw him. + He walked down to where Farmer Brown's boy was hiding in the rushes. + “Hello!” said he. “Are you the one who was shooting here last night and + the night before?” + </p> + <p> + Farmer Brown's boy grinned. “Yes,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “What luck did you have?” asked the hunter. + </p> + <p> + “Fine,” replied Farmer Brown's boy. + </p> + <p> + “How many Ducks did you get?” asked the hunter. + </p> + <p> + Farmer Brown's boy grinned more broadly than before. “None,” said he. “I + guess I'm not a very good shot.” + </p> + <p> + “Then what did you mean by saying you had fine luck?” demanded the hunter. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” replied Farmer Brown's boy, “I had the luck to see those Ducks and + the fun of shooting,” and he grinned again. + </p> + <p> + The hunter lost patience. He tried to order Farmer Brown's boy away. But + the latter said he had as much right there as the hunter had, and the + hunter knew that this was so. Finally he gave up, and muttering angrily, + he went back to his blind. Again the gun of Farmer Brown's boy frightened + away the Ducks just as they were coming in. + </p> + <p> + The next afternoon there was no hunter nor the next, though Farmer Brown's + boy was there. The hunter had decided that it was a waste of time to hunt + there while Farmer Brown's boy was about. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII: Blacky Has A Talk With Dusky The Black Duck + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Doubt not a friend, but to the last + Grip hard on faith and hold it fast. + —Blacky the Crow. +</pre> + <p> + Every morning Blacky the Crow visited the rushes along the shore of the + Big River, hoping to find Dusky the Black Duck. He was anxious, was + Blacky. He feared that Dusky or some of his flock had been killed, and he + wanted to know. You see, he knew that Farmer Brown's boy had been shooting + over there. At last, early one morning, he found Dusky and his flock in + the rushes and wild rice. Eagerly he counted them. There were nine. Not + one was missing. Blacky sighed with relief and dropped down on the shore + close to where Dusky was taking a nap. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” said Blacky. + </p> + <p> + Dusky awoke with a start. “Hello, yourself,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I've heard a terrible gun banging over here, and I was afraid you or some + of your flock had been shot,” said Blacky. + </p> + <p> + “We haven't lost a feather,” declared Dusky. “That gun wasn't fired at us, + anyway.” + </p> + <p> + “Then who was it fired at?” demanded Blacky. + </p> + <p> + “I haven't the least idea,” replied Dusky. + </p> + <p> + “Have you seen any other Ducks about here?” inquired Blacky. + </p> + <p> + “Not one,” was Dusky's prompt reply. “If there had been any, I guess we + would have known it.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you know that when that terrible gun was fired there was another + terrible gun right over behind those bushes?” asked Blacky. + </p> + <p> + Dusky shook his head. “No,” said he, “but I learned long ago that where + there is one terrible gun there is likely to be more, and so when I heard + that one bang, I led my flock away from here in a hurry. We didn't want to + take any chances.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a lucky thing you did,” replied Blacky. “There was a hunter hiding + behind those bushes all the time. I warned you of him once.” + </p> + <p> + “That reminds me that I haven't thanked you,” said Dusky. “I knew there + was something wrong over here, but I didn't know what. So it was a hunter. + I guess it is a good thing that I heeded your warn-ing.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess it is,” retorted Blacky dryly. “Do you come here in daytime + instead of night now?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Dusky. “We come in after dark and spend the night here. + There is nothing to fear from hunters after dark. We've given up coming + here until late in the evening. And since we did that, we haven't heard a + gun.” + </p> + <p> + Blacky gossiped a while longer, then flew off to look for his breakfast; + and as he flew his heart was light. His shrewd little eyes twinkled. + </p> + <p> + “I ought to have known Farmer Brown's boy better than even to suspect + him,” thought he. “I know now why he had that terrible gun. It was to + frighten those Ducks away so that the hunter would not have a chance to + shoot them. He wasn't shooting at anything. He just fired in the air to + scare those Ducks away. I know it just as well as if I had seen him do it. + I'll never doubt Farmer Brown's boy again. And I'm glad I didn't say a + word to anybody about seeing him with a terrible gun.” + </p> + <p> + Blacky was right. Farmer Brown's boy had taken that way of making sure + that the hunter who had first baited those Ducks with yellow corn + scattered in the rushes in front of his hiding place should have no chance + to kill any of them. While appearing to be an enemy, he really had been a + friend of Dusky the Black Duck and his flock. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX: Blacky Discovers An Egg + </h2> + <p> + Blacky is fond of eggs, as you know. In this he is a great deal like other + people, Farmer Brown's boy for instance. But as Blacky cannot keep hens, + as Farmer Brown's boy does, he is obliged to steal eggs or else go + without. If you come right down to plain, everyday truth, I suppose Blacky + isn't so far wrong when he insists that he is no more of a thief than + Farmer Brown's boy. Blacky says that the eggs which the bens lay belong to + the hens, and that he, Blacky has just as much right to take them as + Farmer Brown's boy. He quite overlooks the fact that Farmer Brown's boy + feeds the biddies and takes the eggs as pay. Anyway, that is what Farmer + Brown's boy says, but I do not know whether or not the biddies understand + it that way. + </p> + <p> + So Blacky the Crow cannot see why he should not help himself to an egg + when he gets the chance. He doesn't get the chance very often to steal + eggs from the hens, because usually they lay their eggs in the henhouse, + and Blacky is too suspicious to venture inside. The eggs he does get are + mostly those of his neighbors in the Green Forest and the Old Orchard. But + once in a great while some foolish hen will make a nest outside the + henhouse somewhere, and if Blacky happens to find it the black scamp + watches every minute he can spare from other mischief for a chance to + steal an egg. + </p> + <p> + Now Blacky knows just what a rogue Farmer Brown's boy thinks he is, and + for this reason Blacky is very careful about approaching Farmer Brown or + any other man until he has made sure that he runs no risk of being shot. + Blacky knows quite as well as any one what a gun looks like. He also knows + that without a terrible gun, there is little Farmer Brown or any one else + can do to him. So when he sees Farmer Brown out in his fields, Blacky + often will fly right over him and shout “Caw, caw, caw, ca-a-w!” in the + most provoking way, and Fanner Brown's boy insists that he has seen Blacky + wink when he was doing it. + </p> + <p> + But Blacky doesn't do anything of this kind around the buildings of Farmer + Brown. You see, he has learned that there are doors and windows in + buildings, and out of one of these a terrible gun may bang at any time. + Though he has suspected that Farmer Brown's boy would not now try to harm + him, Blacky is naturally cautious and takes no chances. So when he comes + spying around Farmer Brown's house and barn, he does it when he is quite + sure that no one is about, and he makes no noise about it. First he sits + in a tall tree from which he can watch Farmer Brown's home. When he is + quite sure that the way is clear, he flies over to the Old Orchard, and + from there he inspects the barnyard, never once making a sound. If he is + quite sure that no one is about, he sometimes drops down into the henyard + and helps himself to corn, if any happens to be there. It was on one of + these silent visits that Blacky spied something which he couldn't forget. + It was a box just inside the henhouse door. In the box was some hay and in + that hay he was sure that he had seen an egg. In fact, he was sure that he + saw two eggs there. He might not have noticed them but for the fact that a + hen had jumped down from that box, making a terrible fuss. She didn't seem + frightened, but very proud. What under the sun she had to be proud about + Blacky couldn't understand, but he didn't stay to find out. The noise she + was making made him nervous. He was afraid that it would bring some one to + find out what was going on. So he spread his black wings and flew away as + silently as he had come. + </p> + <p> + As he was flying away he saw those eggs. You see, as he rose into the air, + he managed to pass that open door in such a way that he could glance in. + That one glance was enough. You know Blacky's eyes are very sharp. He saw + the hay in the box and the two eggs in the hay, and that was enough for + him. From that instant Blacky the Crow began to scheme and plan to get one + or both of those eggs. It seemed to him that he never, never, had wanted + anything quite so much, and he was sure that he would not and could not be + happy until he succeeded in getting one. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX: Blacky Screws Up His Courage + </h2> + <p> + If out of sight, then out of mind. This is a saying which you often hear. + It may be true sometimes, but it is very far from true at other times. + Take the case of Blacky. He had had only a glance into that nest just + inside the door of Farmer Brown's henhouse, but that glance had been + enough to show him two eggs there. Then, as he flew away toward the Green + Forest, those eggs were out of sight, of course. But do you think they + were out of mind? Not much! No, indeed! In fact, those eggs were very much + in Blacky's mind. He couldn't think of anything else. He flew straight to + a certain tall pine-tree in a lonely part of the Green Forest. Whenever + Blacky wants to think or to plan mischief, he seeks that particular tree, + and in the shelter of its broad branches he keeps out of sight of curious + eyes, and there he sits as still as still can be. + </p> + <p> + “I want one of those eggs,” muttered Blacky, as he settled himself in + comfort on a certain particular spot on a certain particular branch of + that tall pine-tree. Indeed, that particular branch might well be called + the “mischief branch,” for on it Blacky has thought out and planned most + of the mischief he is so famous for. “Yes, sir,” he continued, “I want one + of those eggs, and what is more, I am going to have one.” + </p> + <p> + He half closed his eyes and tipped his head back and swallowed a couple of + times, as if he already tasted one of those eggs. + </p> + <p> + “There is more in one of those eggs than in a whole nestful of Welcome + Robin's eggs. It is a very long time since I have been lucky enough to + taste a hen's egg, and now is my chance. I don't like having to go inside + that henhouse, even though it is barely inside the door. I'm suspicious of + doors. They have a way of closing most unexpectedly. I might see if I + cannot get Unc' Billy Possum to bring one of those eggs out for me. But + that plan won't do, come to think of it, because I can't trust Unc' Billy. + The old sinner is too fond of eggs himself. I would be willing to divide + with him, but he would be sure to eat his first, and I fear that it would + taste so good that he would eat the other. No. I've got to get one of + those eggs myself. It is the only way I can be sure of it. + </p> + <p> + “The thing to do is to make sure that Farmer Brown's boy and Farmer Brown + himself are nowhere about. They ought to be down in the cornfield pretty + soon. With them down there, I have only to watch my chance and slip in. It + won't take but a second. Just a little courage, Blacky, just a little + courage! Nothing in this world worth having is gained without some risk. + The thing to do is to make sure that the risk is as small as possible.” + </p> + <p> + Blacky shook out his feathers and then flew out of the tall pine-tree as + silently as he had flown into it. He headed straight toward Farmer Brown's + cornfield. When he was near enough to see all over the field, he dropped + down to the top of a fence post, and there he waited. He didn't have long + to wait. In fact, he had been there but a few minutes when he spied two + people coming down the Long Lane toward the cornfield. He looked at them + sharply, and then gave a little sigh of satisfaction. They were Farmer + Brown and Farmer Brown's boy. Presently they reached the cornfield and + turned into it. Then they went to work, and Blacky knew that so far as + they were concerned, the way was clear for him to visit the henyard. + </p> + <p> + He didn't fly straight there. Oh, my, no! Blacky is too clever to do + anything like that. He flew toward the Green Forest. When he knew that he + was out of sight of those in the cornfield, he turned and flew over to the + Old Orchard, and from the top of one of the old apple-trees he studied the + henyard and the barnyard and Farmer Brown's house and the barn, to make + absolutely sure that there was no danger near. When he was quite sure, he + silently flew down into the henyard as he had done many times before. He + pretended to be looking for scattered grains of corn, but all the time he + was edging nearer and nearer to the open door of the henhouse. At last he + could see the box with the hay in it. He walked right up to the open door + and peered inside. There was nothing to be afraid of that he could see. + Still he hesitated. He did hate to go inside that door, even for a minute, + and that is all it would take to fly up to that nest and get one of those + eggs. + </p> + <p> + Blacky closed his eyes for just a second, and when he did that he seemed + to see himself eating one of those eggs. “What are you afraid of?” he + muttered to himself as he opened his eyes. Then with a hurried look in all + directions, he flew up to the edge of the box. There lay the two eggs! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI: An Egg That Wouldn't Behave + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + If you had an egg and it wouldn't behave + Just what would you do with that egg, may I ask? + To make an egg do what it don't want to do + Strikes me like a difficult sort of a task. +</pre> + <p> + All of which is pure nonsense. Of course. Who ever heard of an egg either + behaving or misbehaving? Nobody. That is, nobody that I know, unless it be + Blacky. It is best not to mention eggs in Blacky's presence these days. + They are a forbidden topic when he is about. Blacky is apt to be a little + resentful at the mere mention of an egg. I don't know as I wholly blame + him. How would you feel if you knew you knew all there was to know about a + thing, and then found out that you didn't know anything at all? Well, that + is the way it is with Blacky the Crow. + </p> + <p> + If any one had told Blacky that he didn't know all there is to know about + eggs, he would have laughed at the idea. Wasn't he, Blacky, hatched from + an egg himself? And hadn't he, ever since he was big enough, hunted eggs + and stolen eggs and eaten eggs? If he didn't know about eggs, who did? + That is the way he would have talked before his visit to Farmer Brown's + henhouse. It is since then that it has been unwise to mention eggs. + </p> + <p> + When Blacky saw the two eggs in the nest in Farmer Brown's henhouse how + Blacky did wish that he could take both. But he couldn't. One would be all + that he could manage. He must take his choice and go away while the going + was good. Which should he take? + </p> + <p> + It often happens in this life that things which seem to be unimportant, + mere trifles in themselves, prove to be just the opposite. Now, so far as + Blacky could see, it didn't make the least difference which egg he took, + excepting that one was a little bigger than the other. As a matter of + fact, it made all the difference in the world. One was brown and very good + to look at. The other, the larger of the two, was white and also very good + to look at. In fact, Blacky thought it the better of the two to look at, + for it was very smooth and shiny. So, partly on this account, and partly + because it was the largest, Blacky chose the white egg. He seized it in + his claws and started to fly with it, but somehow he could not seem to get + a good grip on it. He fluttered to the ground just outside the door, and + there he got a better grip. Just as old Dandy-cock the Rooster, with head + down and all the feathers on his neck standing out with anger, came + charging at him, Blacky rose into the air and started over the Old Orchard + toward the Green Forest. + </p> + <p> + Never had Blacky felt more like cawing at the top of his lungs. You see, + he felt that he had been very smart, and I suspect that he also felt that + he had been very brave. He would have liked to boast a little. But he + didn't. He wisely held his tongue. It would be time enough to do his + boasting after he had reached a place of safety and had eaten that egg. He + was halfway across the Old Orchard when he felt that egg beginning to + slip. Now at best it isn't easy to carry an egg without breaking it. You + know how very careful you have to be. Just imagine how Blacky felt when + that egg began to slip. Do what he would, he couldn't get a better grip on + it. It slipped a wee bit more. Blacky started down towards the ground. But + he wasn't quick enough. Striped Chipmunk, watching Blacky from the old + stone wall, saw something white drop from Blacky's claws. He saw Blacky + dash after it and clutch at it only to miss it. Then the white thing + struck a branch of an old apple tree, bounced off and fell to the ground. + Blacky followed it. + </p> + <p> + Striped Chipmunk stole very softly through the grass to see what Blacky + was doing. Blacky was standing close beside a white thing that looked very + much like an egg. He was looking at it with the queerest expression. + </p> + <p> + Now and then he would reach out and rap it sharply with his bill, and then + look as if he didn't know what to make of it. He didn't. That egg wasn't + behaving right. It should have broken when it hit the branch of the apple + tree. Certainly it should have broken when he struck it that way with his + bill. However was he to eat that egg, if he couldn't break the shell? + Blacky didn't know. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXII: What Blacky Did With The Stolen Egg + </h2> + <p> + Blacky was puzzled. He didn't know what to make of that egg he had stolen + from Farmer Brown's henhouse. It wasn't like any egg he ever had seen or + even heard of. It was a beautiful-looking egg, and he had been sure that + it would taste as good, quite as good as it looked. Even now he wasn't + sure that if he could only taste it, it would be all that he had hoped. + But how could he taste it, when he couldn't break that shell? He never had + heard of such a shell. He doubted if anybody else ever had, either. He had + hammered at it with his stout bill until he was afraid that he would break + that, instead of the egg. The more he tried to break into it and couldn't, + the hungrier he grew, and the more certain that nothing else in all the + world could possibly taste so good. But the Old Orchard was not the place + for him to work on that egg. In the first place, it was too near Farmer + Brown's house. This made Blacky uneasy. You see, he had something of a + guilty conscience. Not that he felt at all a sense of having done wrong. + To his way of thinking, if he were smart enough to get that egg, he had + just as much right to it as any one else, particularly Farmer Brown's boy. + Yet he wasn't at all sure that Farmer Brown's boy would look at the matter + quite that way. In fact, he had a feeling that Farmer Brown's boy would + call him a thief if he should be discovered with that egg. Then, too, + there were too many sharp eyes in the Old Orchard. He wanted to get away + where he could be sure of being alone. Then if he couldn't break that + shell, no one would be the wiser. So he picked up the egg and flew + straight over to the Green Forest, and this time he managed to get there + without dropping it. + </p> + <p> + Now you would never suspect Blacky the Crow, he of the sharp wits and + crafty ways, of being amused by bright things, would you? But he is. In + fact, Blacky is quite like a little child in this matter. Anything that is + bright and shiny interests Blacky right away. If he finds anything of this + kind, he will take it away to a certain secret place, and there he will + admire it and play with it and finally hide it. If I didn't know that it + isn't so, because it couldn't possibly be so, I should think that Blacky + was some relation to certain small boys I know. Always their pockets are + filled with all sorts of useless odds and ends which they have picked up + here and there. Blacky has no pockets, so he keeps his treasures of this + kind in a secret hiding-place, a sort of treasure storehouse. He visits + this secretly every day, uncovers his treasures, and gloats over them and + plays with them, then carefully covers them up again. First Blacky took + this egg over near his home, and there he once more tried and tried and + tried to break the shell. But the shell wouldn't break, not even when + Blacky quite lost his temper and hammered at it for all he was worth. Then + he gave the thing up as a bad matter and flew up to his favorite roost in + the top of a tall pine-tree, leaving the egg on the ground. But from where + he sat on his favorite roost in the tall pine-tree he could see that + provoking egg, a little spot of shining white. When a Jolly Little Sunbeam + found it and rested on it, it was so very bright and shiny that Blacky + couldn't keep his eyes off it. + </p> + <p> + Little by little he forgot that it was an egg. At least, he forgot that he + wanted to eat it. He began to find pleasure in just looking at it. It + might not satisfy his stomach, but it certainly was very satisfying to his + eyes. He forgot to think of it as a thing to eat, but began to think of it + wholly as a thing to look at and admire. He was glad he hadn't been able + to break that shell. + </p> + <p> + Once more he spread his black wings and flew down to the egg. He cocked + his head to one side and looked at it. He cocked his head to the other + side and looked at it. He walked all around it, chuckling and saying to + himself, “Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty and all mine, mine, mine, mine! + Pretty, pretty, and all mine!” + </p> + <p> + Than he craftily looked all about to make sure that no one was watching + him. Having made quite sure, he rolled the egg over and turned it around + and admired it to his heart's content. At last he picked it up and carried + it to his treasure-house and covered it over very carefully. And there + that china nest-egg, for that is what he had stolen, is still his chief + treasure to this day, and Blacky still sometimes wonders what kind of a + hen laid such a hard-shelled egg. + </p> + <p> + Blacky has had very many other adventures, but it would take another book + to tell about all of them. That would be hardly fair to some of the other + little people who also have had adventures and want them told to you. One + of these is a beautiful little fellow who lives in the Green Forest, and + so the next book will be Whitefoot the Wood Mouse. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Blacky the Crow, by Thornton W. Burgess + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKY THE CROW *** + +***** This file should be named 4979-h.htm or 4979-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/9/7/4979/ + +Produced by Kent Fielden, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> |