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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77858 ***
+
+
+
+
+                          OLD ROUGH THE MISER.
+
+[Illustration: “And, with a few prodigious leaps, gained the stream,
+into which she sprang.”
+
+PAGE 273]
+
+
+
+
+ OLD ROUGH THE MISER.
+
+ A Fable for Children.
+
+ BY
+
+ LILY F. WESSELHOEFT,
+
+ AUTHOR OF “SPARROW THE TRAMP,” “FLIPWING THE SPY,” “THE WINDS,
+ THE WOODS, AND THE WANDERER.”
+
+ _ILLUSTRATED BY J. F. GOODRIDGE._
+
+ [Illustration]
+
+ BOSTON:
+ ROBERTS BROTHERS.
+ 1891.
+
+
+
+
+                           _Copyright, 1891_,
+                          BY ROBERTS BROTHERS.
+
+
+                            UNIVERSITY PRESS:
+                 JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+ CHAPTER                                                           PAGE
+
+     I. THE BEGINNING OF THE FEUD                                     7
+
+    II. OLD ROUGH AT HOME                                            14
+
+   III. OLD CAW’S COUNSEL                                            30
+
+    IV. THE CORNFIELD                                                45
+
+     V. THE GREAT BASSO-PROFUNDO                                     63
+
+    VI. THE YOUNG CROWS’ TRICK                                       80
+
+   VII. DECLARATION OF WAR                                           93
+
+  VIII. SWIFT PUTS BOBTILLA AND THE SQUIRRELS ON THEIR GUARD        111
+
+    IX. THE CROWS PLAN A SURPRISE FOR OLD ROUGH                     128
+
+     X. OLD ROUGH IN DANGER                                         145
+
+    XI. THE COMBAT                                                  162
+
+   XII. THE WIDOW O’WARTY’S RECEPTION                               176
+
+  XIII. THE RIVALS                                                  188
+
+   XIV. FLUFF IS LOST                                               204
+
+    XV. FLIPWING MAKES AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY                       218
+
+   XVI. OLD ROUGH EXPOUNDS A LAW OF THE WOODS,
+        AND OLD CAW FORMS A PLAN                                    236
+
+  XVII. THE BATTLE                                                  254
+
+ XVIII. THE CHAPERON                                                274
+
+   XIX. THE CHARM                                                   291
+
+    XX. THE SPELL IS BROKEN                                         308
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “At last, bleeding and maimed, they agreed to lay the
+case before the owl.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE BEGINNING OF THE FEUD.
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived on a large farm a crow, a water-rat, an
+owl, a frog, and a weasel. Large as the farm was, with its meadows,
+its fields, and many acres of woodland, it would seem as if these
+little animals might have lived in harmony, without encroaching on one
+another’s domains. Such was not the case, however; and indeed it is
+a well-known fact that the more one has the more one wants, and that
+there are some who wish to possess the earth.
+
+This is how the quarrel began. The water-rat, who lived on the edge of
+the brook, claimed the right to a cornfield near by, which the crow had
+always considered his own. The quarrel ended in a fierce fight which
+lasted many hours, neither being able to conquer the other. At last,
+bleeding and maimed, they agreed to lay the case before the owl and
+abide by his decision, for he had the reputation of being very wise.
+
+One moonlight night, the owl repaired to a large oak-tree on the edge
+of the wood; and about him assembled the crow and the water-rat, with
+various friends whom they had brought as witnesses, besides many other
+interested parties.
+
+Very solemn did Judge Owl look, as he sat with his great yellow eyes
+wide open and staring straight before him. The trial was conducted with
+great formality, each party stating his own case.
+
+First the crow called up his witnesses, field-mice and squirrels. All
+expressed the opinion that the cornfield belonged by right to the crow,
+because they had been told by their fathers and grandfathers that the
+crows had always held possession of it.
+
+After this testimony, the water-rat stated _his_ case, and summoned
+_his_ witnesses the frogs. They were of opinion that the water-rat
+should have the cornfield because he had always had it, and because he
+couldn’t live on the food the brook afforded him. Much bickering went
+on between the witnesses of both parties, until Judge Owl interposed
+thus,--
+
+“Come to order, and pay attention to what I say. I have heard both
+sides, and my mind is made up. The cornfield belongs to the crow.”
+
+Angry squeals were heard from the water-rat, and loud croaks of
+disapproval from his witnesses the frogs, who sided with him,--not from
+a conviction that he was right, but because he held control of the
+brook and threatened to keep them out of it unless they testified in
+his favor.
+
+“Silence!” commanded the judge, with an angry hoot. “The cornfield, I
+say, belongs to the crow, for corn is his natural food. What business
+has a water-rat with corn? None at all. I am told it is indigestible
+for him; and all I can say is, that if it _does_ agree with him it
+ought not to, and that it is a mistake. The brook is the place for the
+water-rat: let him stay there, and live on what he can find in it. If
+he can’t find anything, let him go without it,--that is his look out.
+Can crows live in the water? No. Consequently the cornfield belongs by
+right to the crow.
+
+“Another argument in favor of the crow is that he can fly off when
+anybody comes. Can a water-rat fly? Not that I ever heard of. There is
+still another argument, and one that is indisputable. Was there ever a
+cornfield that didn’t have a scare-crow in it? Did anybody ever hear of
+a scare-_rat_? General opinion carries the day,--the cornfield belongs
+to the crow.
+
+“Now I command you to keep the peace. As long as the water-rat persists
+in his absurd claims, there will be bloodshed and strife. I will repeat
+to you a verse from ‘The Laws of the Woods,’ that states the case as
+clearly as daylight--I should say moonlight.
+
+    “‘War and strife, grief and woe,
+    Follow you where’er you go.
+    Never more shall you know rest
+    For weary feet and aching breast,
+    Till body round and lithe and long
+    Shall vanquish body thick and strong.
+    Then shall dawn a day of peace,
+    And every strife and sorrow cease.’
+
+“Now the matter is settled, and I must be off, as I have another case
+to decide on the farther side of the wood;” and away flew Judge Owl.
+
+Exulting caws from the victorious crow and triumphant squeaks from
+the mice followed; but with an angry squeal the water-rat announced
+his determination to keep possession of the cornfield. The verse from
+the “Laws of the Woods” that the judge had read, had no meaning for
+the assembled party; nor indeed had it for the judge himself, who had
+pondered long over it, and perhaps this had something to do with his
+hasty departure.
+
+Consequently, the decision of the owl did not change matters in the
+least,--both the crow and the water-rat claimed the cornfield as
+before. The mice and squirrels sided with the crow, and the frogs with
+the water-rat; and the water-rat hated the crow even more than before,
+and vowed vengeance on the mice and squirrels for taking part against
+him.
+
+The weasel, like the owl, had no especial interest in the matter
+at stake, but kept by himself, living under stone walls or in the
+neighborhood of hen-roosts and barns,--a deadly enemy of rats and mice,
+and consequently carefully avoided by them.
+
+In this manner things went on until our story opens, several
+generations later. The scene of action is the same farm, but the
+originators of the quarrel have been long dead and forgotten, having
+transmitted the feud to their descendants.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “He soon reached the opening, before which stood a
+little field-mouse, who glanced timidly up.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+OLD ROUGH AT HOME.
+
+
+Our story opens on a dark day in summer, and in a piece of woodland so
+far removed from the busy life that stirs cities and large villages,
+that it was seldom any sound arose to break the stillness of Nature,
+except those made by the animal creation who dwelt there undisturbed by
+the depredations of mankind.
+
+At a first glance, it would seem as if not even animal life were there,
+so profound was the silence. A brook, or more properly a ditch, for so
+sluggish a stream hardly deserved the name of a brook, flowed torpidly
+through a meadow which was bordered by forest trees and thickly growing
+underbrush.
+
+At a first glance, as we said, no motion was perceptible, but a keen
+eye on the lookout for signs of life might have detected a dark object
+creeping along the soft and slimy banks of the ditch, often stopping
+to look about him and listen. It was a large water-rat, his long rough
+fur failing to make him an agreeable object, for the cruel expression
+in his keen little eyes that were placed closely together, and the
+long, sharp teeth that seemed constantly on the lookout for something
+to devour, would have deformed any face.
+
+As the water-rat proceeded cautiously on his way, as we said before, he
+stopped frequently and looked about him, sometimes casting his sharp
+eyes around to see if anybody were approaching, and at all times on
+the watch for trespassers on his domains; for the water-rat considered
+himself the proprietor of the meadow, and in a measure also of the
+forest that stretched beyond it.
+
+All at once, the old rat stopped short and examined the ground about
+him, where the prints of small feet in the mud were visible. “I thought
+so!” he exclaimed to himself; “those mischievous field-mice have been
+here again, gnawing those tender young roots that I have been keeping
+my eye on. Just let me catch them at it, and their tails will be even
+shorter than they are now. They’re even worse than the crows, for they
+are so small they can slink around without being seen.”
+
+A jeering laugh from behind startled the water-rat, and turning quickly
+he descried two young crows seated on a rock near by, and regarding him
+with countenances expressive of great amusement.
+
+“Be off, you young thieves,” snarled the old rat, angrily; “how dare
+you trespass on my premises?”
+
+For answer the young crows each inclined an ear toward the water-rat
+in a listening attitude, as if to catch his words, and then burst into
+derisive caws.
+
+“Don’t speak quite so loudly, sir,” remarked one of the crows. “I knew
+an old fellow of about your age who busted a blood-vessel, and ’twould
+be a pity to have you taken off so suddenly; you’d be a great loss to
+the neighborhood, you’re so sociable.”
+
+“And he was first cousin to the fellow who died because he tried to
+save expense by living without eating,” said the other crow.
+
+The old water-rat was too wise to continue a conversation in which he
+was sure to be worsted; so he continued on his way, followed by the
+taunts of the young crows.
+
+“How much will you take for your skin, old Rough?” called out one,
+while the other chanted,--
+
+    “There was once an old miser, who thought
+    He could live upon little or nought;
+    But one day he died,
+    And his wife sold his hide
+    For a sum much more than she ought.”
+
+“Young villains!” muttered old Rough to himself, as he scurried home,
+“I’ll pay them for this.”
+
+The water-rat stopped before a hole, and looking stealthily behind
+him, to make sure that no one was in sight, noiselessly entered his
+habitation. A long and narrow passage, in which the darkness increased
+as he progressed, led finally into a large apartment, which served
+evidently as the living and sleeping room of old Rough; for a pile of
+dried leaves and old rags in one corner apparently served as a bed.
+
+Another rat sat on this bed, evidently in the act of taking a hasty
+lunch, for so silent had been her husband’s entrance that Ruffina was
+not aware of his approach until he appeared before her; then with
+a frightened expression she hastily swallowed the mouthful she was
+masticating, and with a quick motion concealed something under the
+leaves that formed the bed.
+
+“Not so fast, madam,” exclaimed old Rough, springing to the spot where
+his wife had hidden her prize; and in a twinkling he drew forth a large
+walnut, into which Ruffina had had time only to drill a hole with her
+sharp teeth.
+
+“So, madam!” exclaimed the old rat in a harsh voice, looking from
+the nut to his trembling wife, whose eyes anxiously followed all his
+movements, “so this is the way you obey me, is it? How dared you touch
+those nuts when you knew they were not to be eaten?”
+
+“But they are last year’s nuts, and most of them are wormy and musty,”
+answered Ruffina, submissively; “and I thought you wouldn’t care.”
+
+“You thought I wouldn’t care?” squealed the old rat, bringing his teeth
+together with a snap that made his wife shiver.
+
+“I was so hungry,” pleaded Ruffina, meekly, “and the nuts are really
+spoiled.”
+
+“What!” shrieked old Rough, with a spring that brought him in front of
+his terrified wife, “have you lost the little sense you ever possessed?
+Don’t you know that I can mix those nuts in with this year’s, and pass
+them off for fresh ones? And see here, madam, I think you said just now
+that you were hungry. Don’t let me hear any more of such nonsense.
+Don’t you eat as much as I do? We must pinch and scrape, and _starve_
+if necessary, to get a little forehanded, or we shall die paupers.”
+
+“But we are not poor,” replied Ruffina, meekly. “Look at the piles of
+roots and mussels and snails over there. Every one says you are richer
+than anybody about here, and--”
+
+Poor Ruffina ended her sentence in a cry of pain, for her cruel husband
+darted suddenly upon her and fastened his long teeth in one of her ears.
+
+“If you are too stupid to comprehend my words, perhaps you can
+understand that!” exclaimed the ill-natured old miser, as his poor wife
+retreated to a corner, whining.
+
+A soft voice at the door here attracted old Rough’s attention, and
+entering the passage-way, he soon reached the opening, before which
+stood a little field-mouse, who glanced timidly up at the hard face of
+the old miser.
+
+“Well, what do you want, Bobtilla?” asked the old rat, with a grim
+smile at the discomfiture of the little field-mouse.
+
+“I came to ask if I might have one of those tender roots down by the
+dam?” said Bobtilla, timidly.
+
+“What!” exclaimed old Rough, harshly, “you have the audacity to ask me
+for one of my tender young roots?”
+
+“One of my children is ill,” squeaked Bobtilla in her mild voice, “and
+he thought he would relish one of them. He has so little appetite now
+that he can’t eat the scraps I manage to pick up.”
+
+“Oh, he can’t!” growled the old rat. “Well, what will you give me in
+exchange for my tender young root? Do you know, madam, that every one
+of those little roots brings me a pile of corn?”
+
+“I shall without doubt be able to pay you when the crops are ripe,”
+answered the little field-mouse; “but we have eaten up all our winter
+store, and shall have to scrape along as best we can till midsummer.”
+
+“The more fool you,” snarled the old water-rat. “Let me tell you,
+madam, that I don’t indulge in luxuries; if I did, I should probably
+have to go about begging as you do. No, when you come with your pile of
+corn, you shall have the tender root that your sick child craves, not
+before. Now be off. You’re a thieving set, like all the others about
+here, and I want you to keep off my premises;” and the old miser turned
+and re-entered his dwelling.
+
+Poor little Bobtilla turned sorrowfully away from the miser’s abode,
+and retraced her steps to her home. How could she go back to her sick
+child and tell him that she had returned without the tender root he so
+much desired? The more Bobtilla thought over the matter, the harder it
+seemed to her, and she cast many a longing glance toward the dam where
+the tender roots grew.
+
+“Why did the miser claim the whole meadow?” thought Bobtilla. He had
+no more right to it than she or many others. Merely by right of his
+superior strength did he claim it. Was it possible she could gnaw off a
+small piece without being detected? Bobtilla hesitated as she arrived
+opposite the dam, and glanced quickly in the direction of the tyrant’s
+abode. Far off as it was, she was certain she saw the miser sitting in
+the doorway, and trembling at the thought of the terrible revenge that
+would overtake her should she attempt to touch the coveted root, she
+reluctantly continued her way.
+
+As Bobtilla passed under the wall that led to her home, pleasant tones
+fell on her ear, and the voice being a new one, she stopped and looked
+about her. A chipmunk whom she had never before seen, sat on the top
+of the wall, holding in her little forepaws a large nut, into which she
+was drilling a hole, at the same time conversing in a cheerful voice
+with another chipmunk, who sat on the branch of a large chestnut-tree
+above her. Bobtilla, hidden behind a stone, paused to listen.
+
+“So he told you they were his trees, and that we couldn’t have any of
+the nuts when they were ripe, did he?” said the squirrel on the wall,
+examining the nut to see how deep the hole had become.
+
+“Yes, my dear,” replied the squirrel on the tree; “but I reminded him
+that the wood was a large place, and that there was room for all in it.”
+
+“What did he say to that?” asked the other squirrel, whose sharp teeth
+had now penetrated the hard shell of the nut.
+
+“Oh! he still kept up his bluster; but I think we needn’t fear him. I
+don’t know who he is, that he should give himself so many airs, but we
+can let him alone, and perhaps he will not interfere with us.”
+
+“I can tell you who he is,” squeaked Bobtilla; “he is a disagreeable
+old miser, and his name is old Rough.”
+
+The two squirrels looked about them in astonishment, for they had
+thought themselves alone, and the little field-mouse hopped onto the
+stone behind which she had been concealed.
+
+“I can tell you all about him,” she said. “You must be strangers about
+here not to know who old Rough is. I was at his house just now, to
+beg a little root of him. There are ever so many of them growing down
+by the dam, and I thought he might let me have one for my sick child;
+but he refused, because I had no corn to give him in exchange. You see
+our winter supply has gone,” continued Bobtilla, who was encouraged to
+proceed by the good-natured countenances of her listeners, “and one
+of my children is ill, and can’t eat as the rest of us do. All we had
+was a grasshopper’s leg that was hard and dry. It is of no use to try
+to soften old Rough’s heart, and I suppose I must see my child die for
+want of proper food.”
+
+The two squirrels exchanged glances, and the mother squirrel,
+Squirrella, said,--
+
+“Would your sick child relish a nut, do you think? I am quite sure
+we have a few chestnuts left, and they are quite easy to break;” and
+before Bobtilla could reply, Squirrella had disappeared in a hole in
+the wall. In an instant she was back again, carrying a chestnut in her
+mouth; and depositing it at the feet of the little field-mouse, she
+said in her motherly way,--
+
+“When he has eaten that come back for more. I know what it is to have
+sick children.
+
+“We have but just moved here,” continued Squirrella, interrupting
+Bobtilla’s profuse thanks. “We have always lived in one place, but the
+woods were being thinned out to make room for human habitations, and we
+felt the necessity for a change. One day our friend Swift the swallow
+told us of this place, so we moved here.”
+
+“This seems a very peaceful place,” said Squirrello, the squirrel on
+the tree, “and I don’t see how old Rough can hurt us if we keep out of
+his way. All of your other neighbors are harmless, aren’t they?”
+
+“Yes,” replied Bobtilla, “I believe so,--unless it is old Blinkeye.
+He is very strong and fierce, you know,--that is at night. Nobody is
+afraid of him in the daytime, for then he can’t see a thing.”
+
+“Old Blinkeye,--and what kind of a creature is he?” asked Squirrello.
+
+“A very large owl,” replied the field-mouse. “As I said before, look
+out for him at night, for then he is dangerous; but in the daytime,
+why he couldn’t harm a fly, and I wouldn’t even turn out of the way if
+I met him.”
+
+Here a slight rustling of the leaves in a tall tree near by attracted
+their attention, and, giving one hurried glance in that direction,
+Bobtilla shrieked, “Old Blinkeye!” and in spite of her assertion that
+he was perfectly harmless in the daytime, seized her chestnut, and
+darted off to her home with great speed, not once stopping to look
+behind her.
+
+The two squirrels, startled by Bobtilla’s sudden exclamation, took the
+alarm, and whisked into their hole in the wall.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “Well, young gentlemen, he began in the high, cracked
+voice of extreme age, you did well to return.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+OLD CAW’S COUNSEL.
+
+
+When the two chipmunks found themselves inside their house, they
+listened in breathless silence, their little hearts beating fast with
+fear; but as all was still, and they found they were not pursued,
+curiosity began to get the better of them, and they felt a desire to
+obtain a glimpse of the dangerous being that had inspired Bobtilla with
+such terror.
+
+Noiselessly approaching the opening of their house, Squirrello put out
+his head and glanced cautiously around. On the tall tree sat a large
+bird, such as the squirrel, who had hitherto lived on the outskirts
+of a large town, had never seen. His strong claws grasped tightly
+the bough on which he rested, and his large yellow eyes that gleamed
+through the foliage looked straight before him. The pointed tufts on
+his head and his large hooked beak gave him a vigilant and fierce
+expression, and at intervals he blinked his eyes solemnly. It was a
+great grandson of Judge Owl, who, many years before, had settled the
+dispute between the crow and the water-rat.
+
+Squirrello having made these observations from his door, turned and
+addressed his wife,--
+
+“Come, Squirrella, and look at this strange creature. We have certainly
+seen nothing like him.”
+
+Squirrella glanced toward a corner of her house, where, on a soft bed
+of leaves and moss, lay two young chipmunks fast asleep.
+
+“They are all right,” replied her husband, reassuringly, “old Blinkeye
+can’t get in here.”
+
+“How I dread the time when they are old enough to run about by
+themselves,” said Squirrella, anxiously. “I almost wish we had remained
+where we were.”
+
+“You forget the cats there,” answered her husband. “Evidently old
+Blinkeye is the only creature we need fear besides the water-rat, and
+owls are dangerous only at night.”
+
+“Then why did the field-mouse seem so alarmed at sight of him?” asked
+Squirrella.
+
+“Because she is afraid of everything. Come, my dear, don’t be as
+foolish as she is, but take a good look at this remarkable-looking
+bird, that you may avoid him in future.”
+
+Thus encouraged, Squirrella took heart and followed her husband to the
+door, and after a moment, seeing how silently and quietly the owl sat
+on his perch, she became emboldened to join her husband on the top of
+the wall, where they both remained, watching the great solemn eyes of
+the fierce Blinkeye.
+
+The two chipmunks conversed in low tones, and the owl was evidently not
+aware of their presence, for he still looked straight before him in the
+same solemn manner.
+
+A laughing and cawing was heard before long, and two noisy young crows
+lighted on a tree directly opposite the silent owl.
+
+“How are you, father Blinkeye?” asked one of the crows, familiarly. The
+owl turned his head slightly towards the voice, but maintained the same
+dignified silence.
+
+“You don’t happen to know what the parrot died of, do you, my friend?”
+asked the other crow; but as he received no answer, he continued,--
+
+“Well, he died of talking, and I thought perhaps you might have
+symptoms of the same disease.”
+
+The owl continued silent as before, and fixed his solemn yellow eyes on
+the impertinent young crows, who after a while became somewhat uneasy
+under his steadfast gaze. With a show of indifference they indulged
+in personal remarks intended to annoy the silent owl, but to all
+their impertinence the owl was apparently unmoved, and at last broke
+silence:--
+
+“Let me advise you, my young friends, for you are _very_ young in
+experience, to be a little more careful in your selection of a place
+to conceal your stolen treasures. I am astonished that such shrewd
+young fellows as you consider yourselves should have shown so little
+judgment.”
+
+“What do you mean?” asked both together.
+
+“Oh! nothing,” answered the owl, carelessly. “I thought perhaps you
+might sometime have occasion to conceal a bone or delicate scrap of
+meat your old grandfather had given you as a reward for good behavior,
+and I have _heard_ that you were not as careful as you might be in your
+selection of hiding-places.”
+
+“So you have been spying, have you?” exclaimed the younger crow,
+angrily.
+
+“I?” asked the owl, coolly. “Oh, no, I was merely repeating what I had
+heard. Old bones and scraps of meat do not attract me; I prefer _live_
+game.” And at the words, the two little chipmunks suddenly darted into
+their house, and remained there until the mischievous crows had taken
+flight, and all was still once more.
+
+“You see, my young friends,” continued the owl, “that you are better
+known than you think you are. Did you ever hear that verse about your
+family in ‘The Laws of the Woods?’ I will repeat it to you, that you
+may form some idea of the reputation you bear:--
+
+    “‘Wherever you are, and wherever you go,
+    Beware, oh beware, of the saucy crow!
+    His feathers are black and his beak is long,
+    And he has a croak instead of a song.
+    His pleasure it is to hide and to steal;
+    No creature for him does affection feel;
+    I pray you avoid him, the mischievous crow,
+    For there’s no trick that he does not know.’”
+
+“Capital!” exclaimed the two crows, bursting into caws of laughter.
+“Give us some more verses from ‘The Laws of the Woods’!”
+
+“I will,” replied the owl, severely, and still gazing fixedly on them,
+he repeated in warning notes:--
+
+    “‘War and strife, grief and woe,
+    Follow you where’er you go.
+    Never more shall you know rest
+    For weary feet and aching breast,
+    Till body round and lithe and long
+    Shall vanquish body thick and strong.
+    Then shall dawn a day of peace,
+    And every strife and sorrow cease.’”
+
+“Suppose you tell us what it means?” said the elder crow. “Who is the
+‘body round and lithe and long,’ and who the ‘body thick and strong’?”
+
+“You will find out to your sorrow before long,” replied the owl,
+solemnly; “but ‘the day of peace’ will dawn for the rest of us.”
+
+“In return for your compliment, I’ll recite for your benefit a verse
+that is a little easier to understand,” said the elder crow:--
+
+    “There was once an owl who said, ‘I
+    Really would not hurt a fly;’
+    And through the long day,
+    He sat blinking away,
+    But when the night came, oh my!”
+
+As the crow finished his verse, he and his brother flew off with great
+flapping of wings and derisive jeers, cawing out the lines as long as
+they were within hearing of the owl.
+
+When they were out of sight, the two crows looked at each other, and
+the younger said,--
+
+“How do you suppose he found out about that pig’s ear?”
+
+“I’m sure I don’t know; somebody probably watched us. One thing he said
+is true,--he always wants live food himself.”
+
+“I’ll tell you how it is,” replied the younger brother, “Old Rough is
+an acquaintance of his, and he is always prying about, and wouldn’t
+hesitate to help himself to anything he might find. Yes, we’ll have to
+find a new hiding-place.”
+
+“Hush!” said the elder brother, as they came in sight of their home;
+“don’t talk so loudly. There’s the old gentleman on the lookout, and
+old as he is, he hears quicker than any of us.”
+
+On the top of a tall fir-tree, where the branches grew thickest,
+reposed the home of the crow family,--and a most untidy and insecure
+structure it was, looking as if the materials had been flung against
+the tree and caught there; for mud and twigs, and rags and feathers
+appeared to be mixed indiscriminately, and the whole nest looked as
+though it might tumble down at any moment.
+
+In spite, however, of the insecure appearance of her home, the
+mother-crow was seated comfortably within, and several young crows were
+perched on neighboring branches, noisily cawing.
+
+On a tree near by, apart from the others, as if he wished to avoid
+their noisy cawing, sat a crow whose appearance indicated that he was
+a person of distinction in the crow family, and when the hilarity of
+the younger crows grew unusually loud, the mother sitting in the nest
+glanced uneasily towards this solitary figure, and sharply enjoined
+silence.
+
+For awhile after her admonitions, the voices became lower; but soon,
+with the exuberant spirits of youth, the young crows again forgot
+themselves, and they all cawed together as excitedly as before.
+
+As the two newcomers appeared, the old crow on the tree by himself,
+turning his head sideways, glanced at them out of one eye, but
+otherwise bestowed no attention on them.
+
+“Where have you been all day?” asked the mother-crow in a querulous
+voice. “Your father has been everywhere to hunt for you, and your
+grandfather is much displeased.”
+
+“We were looking for provisions for the family,” replied the elder
+brother, winking at the other.
+
+“A likely story!” replied his mother. “You have been idling away your
+time in some folly, I know. You never are here when you’re wanted.”
+
+The young crows knew by experience that this was the beginning of a
+long lecture, and they remained silent until their mother had ended.
+All this time the old crow had not stirred; but when the mother bird
+had ceased, he said briefly,--
+
+“Come here, I have something to say to you.”
+
+Their mother’s scoldings the young crows did not mind, for they were
+too frequent to make a deep impression, and she told them of so many
+faults at once that her reproofs lost their force; but when old Caw
+their grandfather spoke, it was always to the point, and left them in
+no doubt as to his meaning.
+
+The two young crows at once, therefore, obeyed the summons, and lighted
+on a branch opposite the old crow, who for a moment regarded them in
+silence. It was no wonder that the countenances of these reckless
+young creatures fell beneath the gaze of that shrewd old face.
+
+Old Caw, as he was familiarly called, the leader of the flock, although
+having long outlived his generation of crows, had still sufficient
+energy of character left to enable him to sustain the position of
+counsellor and leader that he had for so many years ably borne. One eye
+only remained to him, the other having been pecked out in a quarrel in
+his youth; but in that single eye was concentrated all the shrewdness
+and ability that distinguished him even among the ablest of his kind.
+
+“Well, young gentlemen,” he began, in the high cracked voice of extreme
+old age, “you did well to return when you did. The expedition starts
+shortly, for we must have two good hours before sunset.”
+
+The young crows knew that it was not to tell them this that their
+grandfather had called them and eyed them so sharply, and they looked
+at one another sheepishly. As he continued silent, they turned to leave
+him; but he called them back.
+
+“See here, my fine fellows, the next time you steal a pig’s ear from
+me, don’t be so clumsy about it. There is a right and wrong way of
+doing things, and you can’t be too particular about these little
+matters.”
+
+The young crows looked still more confused, as they learned that their
+grandfather had discovered their little theft.
+
+“Did you really think old Caw was so stupid as to hide his pig’s ear
+where you could find it so easily? No, I assure you he is too old a
+head for that. I purposely put it where you would come upon it, for I
+wanted to teach you a lesson, and sometime I will show you how to do
+such things neatly. Your education has really been neglected. However,
+it is time to be off, and here come our friends.”
+
+As he spoke, several crows appeared, flying rapidly towards them. Very
+little time was spent in preparations for starting, and when all were
+in their places, old Caw placed himself at the head of the little
+flock, and with much flapping of wings and discordant cawing, they flew
+off in the direction of the woods.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “Many a smaller bird started up in terror from its leafy
+retreat, and occasionally a squirrel or rabbit scurried into its hole.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE CORNFIELD.
+
+
+Old Caw led his flock of crows through the dense wood, and startled
+by the constant cawing that broke the stillness of the forest, many
+a smaller bird started up in terror from its leafy retreat, and
+occasionally a squirrel or rabbit scurried into its hole, to remain
+there with fast-beating hearts until the harsh noises had died away in
+the distance.
+
+As they passed over a grove of pine-trees, they met another flock
+of crows flying in an opposite direction, and a discordant cawing
+arose from both parties, the elder members of each band trying, with
+the wisdom that age brings, to silence the younger ones; but in
+this attempt they were unsuccessful, and, with a few sharp words of
+reprimand, old Caw started his party again, with the exception of his
+two pugnacious grandsons, who remained behind to settle the dispute
+with two equally persistent members of the opposing party. Before long,
+however, they were seen rapidly flying to join their flock, in high
+spirits at having settled the matter to their satisfaction.
+
+No other incident occurred to disturb the progress of old Caw’s little
+band, and soon they passed over cultivated fields and open meadows,
+the keen eye of the veteran leader taking in all the possibilities of
+the country.
+
+At last Caw halted his band on the edge of a fine maple grove, and
+they beheld before them a fertile field in which were planted crops of
+various kinds. It was the very cornfield about which, years before, the
+quarrel had arisen between the crow and the water-rat.
+
+A stone wall, with a row of maple-trees in front of it, separated the
+field from the road.
+
+“Why not light on those maple-trees, where we can see something going
+on, instead of hiding here in this out of the way place?” asked one of
+the party.
+
+“This is not Sunday,” replied old Caw, severely.
+
+“What has that to do with it?” asked a youthful member of the flock,
+while the one who had made the proposition retired abashed to the rear.
+
+“What has that to do with it?” repeated old Caw, harshly. “A good deal,
+I should say. It means that on Sunday we could sit in a row by the side
+of the road from morning till night, and not a soul would think of
+harming us; but on a week day there would be a dozen guns pointed at
+us before we had been there five minutes. I want to give you a little
+advice before we begin our work. Don’t caw so much. At the slightest
+provocation you set up such a noise that the whole neighborhood is down
+upon us, and as soon as they catch sight of us there will be an end to
+our fun. See if you can’t remember this, and make up your minds to do
+your talking when you get home. Now for business.
+
+“Do you see those little mounds over there beyond the potato patch?
+Well, that is for a late crop of corn, and every one of those mounds
+is full. You, Blackwing,” continued old Caw, addressing the young crow
+who had asked the question a short time before, “remain on the top of
+this tree, and look all around you, particularly in the direction of
+the house and barn, and if you see any one coming, give one caw to warn
+us. And the rest of you, if you hear Blackwing caw, fly up at once,
+without a sound, taking care even not to flap your wings loudly, for if
+we succeed in escaping without being seen, we can return and finish our
+work.”
+
+Blackwing at once flew to the topmost branch of the tree, and the other
+members of the flock followed old Caw into the field of newly planted
+corn. Proceeding to one of the little mounds, the leader, with two
+or three skilful movements, scratched it open, and eagerly devoured
+the yellow kernels he found there. The others followed his example,
+and soon all were busy, and making sad havoc in the cornfield. They
+remembered the admonitions of old Caw, and preserved a discreet
+silence, stalking about among the little hills in their most dignified
+manner.
+
+Suddenly a loud and continued cawing was heard from the sentinel on top
+of the tree, and up flew the marauders, cawing excitedly and flapping
+their long wings noisily, not stopping to look around until they had
+all lighted on various branches of the maple-trees, when they all
+talked and scolded together.
+
+Old Caw flew to a tall tree whence all could see him. “Stop!” he called
+out, as soon as he could be heard amid the din of excited voices;
+“don’t let me hear any more of this disgraceful proceeding. Stop this
+minute, I say!”
+
+The discordant cawing gradually resolved into a confused murmur
+of voices, a few of the boldest still keeping up a low muttering
+of discontent; but so great was the excitement, that, as the last
+murmur died away, one persistent young crow (and we regret to have to
+acknowledge that it was one of old Caw’s own grandsons) started a fresh
+complaint, and in a second the excitable creatures were all cawing
+together louder than ever.
+
+Old Caw was almost beside himself. His weak, cracked voice was drowned
+in the general tumult, and driven to desperation at the insubordination
+of his followers, he rushed fiercely at them and distributed some sharp
+pecks indiscriminately. This had the desired effect, and at last order
+was restored.
+
+“I am astonished at such outrageous behavior!” he said sternly, when he
+had regained his breath lost by this unusual exertion. “No, no more of
+it,” he added quickly, as the persistent young crow who had once before
+started the commotion opened his beak to speak. “It is _my_ business
+to settle this matter. In the first place, sir,” he continued, turning
+to Blackwing, “why did you not caw _once_, as I ordered you, instead of
+raising such a hubbub? And, indeed, why did you caw at all? For I see
+no human being in sight, and I had especial information that the men of
+the family were away from home.”
+
+Blackwing’s countenance fell under this severe reproof of his leader,
+but he hastened to defend himself.
+
+“I kept watch as you directed,” he began, “and saw nothing suspicious
+for awhile, until suddenly I beheld old Rough scurrying along as fast
+as he could come, and he stopped directly under the tree where I was
+watching. ‘This is a pretty state of things,’ he began, ‘stealing my
+corn, you pack of thieves! Be off, or I’ll know the reason why!’ I was
+naturally indignant, for I knew we had the best right to the cornfield,
+and I reminded him of it, whereupon he became vicious, and said the
+field belonged to him, and he didn’t care what the owl had decided, and
+that he intended to trade with the corn. He became so abusive that I
+lost my temper, and forgot orders and called out to you.”
+
+“Where is the old miser now?” demanded old Caw, sternly.
+
+“Oh, he slunk away as soon as I called out, and in all probability is
+hidden in some hole about here.”
+
+“I should like to see him,” exclaimed old Caw, fiercely; “it would be
+some time before he meddled in my affairs again. His cornfield indeed!
+The old fellow carries things with too high a hand; and if I don’t find
+a way to stop him, my name isn’t old Caw.”
+
+One of the flock proposed to visit the cornfield again, and others fell
+in with the proposition; but old Caw silenced them by reminding them
+that it would be impossible now, at their greatest speed, to reach home
+before sunset, so much time had been spent in useless conversation.
+
+“What harm would there be in remaining out a few minutes after dark?”
+asked one of the number.
+
+“Have you forgotten Blinkeye?” asked old Caw, gravely; and at these
+words they silently came into line, and followed their discreet leader
+without any more discussion.
+
+As soon as the flock of crows had left, a grizzled, shaggy object
+crawled out of a hole at the root of a tree, and the sharp and
+unpleasant features of old Rough appeared, an ugly grin displaying his
+long yellow teeth.
+
+“You’re very sharp, my friend Caw, I admit, but you are not so sharp as
+your humble servant. So you intend to stop me, do you, my fine fellow?
+Well, I’m ready for you. The first step toward it would be to stop
+the mouths of your followers, for thanks to their incessant jabbering
+I know all about their plans almost as soon as they do themselves.
+Now let me see what I’ll do. As I am in the neighborhood, I’ll take
+advantage of the opportunity to evict Bobtilla. Let’s see, which is the
+shortest way?” And, sitting on his haunches, the old water-rat cast
+his shrewd eyes about him. His keen sight at once showed him the right
+direction, and he started off with great speed.
+
+Before long old Rough stopped before a stone wall and looked about him.
+“It should be here,” he said to himself. “I remember I took that large
+round stone as a landmark. Yes, here it is,” and he at once went to a
+small hole that led under the wall.
+
+The opening was too small for old Rough’s large body, so in his sharp
+voice he called Bobtilla’s name.
+
+“Here I am,” squeaked the little field-mouse, mildly; and in a moment
+she appeared before her dreaded landlord, and timidly asked the cause
+of his unexpected visit.
+
+“I have come, madam,” he replied, eying her sharply, “to give you
+notice to quit these premises.”
+
+“To quit these premises?” repeated Bobtilla, in astonishment.
+
+“Yes, madam, I said to quit these premises,” replied the old miser,
+harshly.
+
+“Oh! what have I done that you should be so hard with me?” asked the
+little field-mouse, imploringly. “I have never done you or any one any
+harm.”
+
+“Have you kept your bargain, madam?” replied old Rough. “Where is the
+grain I expected to receive as rent for allowing you to remain on my
+premises?”
+
+“I have been so unfortunate,” pleaded the little mouse, in a tearful
+voice. “The winter was a hard one, and our stock of provisions was
+eaten up long ago. If you will only trust me a little while longer, the
+crops will then be ripe, and I will pay you double what I owe you!”
+
+“Don’t think to deceive me by your professions of poverty,” said the
+miser, in so loud and harsh a tone that little Bobtilla started back
+terrified. “You think to make me believe you are poor, do you? Then
+please to inform me how those chestnut shells came to be lying there,
+will you?” And he pointed to some shells that were scattered on the
+ground.
+
+“Oh! those were given me for my sick child,” exclaimed Bobtilla,
+eagerly. “He has no appetite, and when you refused me the tender root
+I asked you for, some kind chipmunks who have recently moved here took
+pity on me and gave me a chestnut.”
+
+“So, you have been complaining of me to your neighbors, have you?
+Very well, madam, since they take such an interest in you, they are
+welcome to the benefit of your society. Let me see this place vacated
+by to-morrow at this time.”
+
+“Oh! have pity on me,” said the poor little field-mouse, imploringly.
+“I can’t move my sick child so soon. Do give me a little more time, at
+least.”
+
+“Not an hour!” replied the old miser. “To-morrow at this time I shall
+return, and if I find you still here,”--he finished his sentence by
+a vicious snap of his long sharp teeth, that left Bobtilla in no
+uncertainty as to his intentions, and reduced her to a state of despair
+at the thought of the steps she should take to find a home for her
+little ones, and above all, for the sick one, whose condition gave her
+such anxiety.
+
+As for old Rough, he went toward his home, happy in the thought
+of little Bobtilla’s misery, and smiling to himself with great
+satisfaction, as he recalled her tremulous tones and tearful face, for
+never was old Rough so happy as when he had made others miserable.
+
+Crossing the meadow, he went in the direction of the brook or ditch
+that led to his habitation, for he preferred the slimy and muddy
+borders of the ditch to any other path; and when he reached it, the sun
+had been down for some time, and twilight was gradually deepening.
+
+The ditch was quite full from recent rains, and the soft mud felt cool
+and moist to his dry feet after his long journey; and so comfortable
+was he, that he proceeded very slowly, and recalled as he went the
+pleasures of the afternoon,--his success in preventing the crows from
+eating all the corn they wanted, and the misery to which he had reduced
+poor little Bobtilla. Before he knew it, darkness was upon him; but
+that he did not mind, for his keen eyes could see in the darkness as
+well as in the light.
+
+So on went old Rough, with a light heart, when suddenly a loud hoot
+sounded just above him, and with a sudden start, he saw the bold
+Blinkeye, who could see clearly in the dim light, rushing fiercely
+toward him.
+
+Large as the old water-rat was, Blinkeye was larger and stronger, and
+the old miser shuddered as he thought of those strong talons that had
+borne off so many prizes; and he remembered, too, how often he had
+laughed as he had seen the poor victims struggling in that relentless
+grasp.
+
+Nearer and nearer came the huge owl, his glittering eyes fastened on
+his prey; and old Rough, his quick eyes taking in every point of the
+situation, in a few long leaps reached a place where the ditch widened,
+and with a vigorous bound plunged into the dark and muddy water, diving
+under the surface as his pursuer darted down to seize him.
+
+The water-rat was old, and not so vigorous as in his youth; but his
+long life had taught him many useful lessons, and his experience more
+than compensated for the loss of his activity.
+
+Now began a race for life,--the old rat diving and swimming and dodging
+about in the turpid water, every inch of which he was familiar with,
+and the large owl pursuing him, and often pouncing down, only to find
+his prey had escaped him; and now came an opportunity for the old
+water-rat to display one of those strategic movements for which he was
+remarkable, and which completely deceived even the wise owl.
+
+The home of the water-rat was situated on a bank of the ditch where
+the water was deepest, and the owl felt sure that when the old miser
+left the water for his dwelling, which he would be sure to do, he could
+quickly seize him, and bear him away. The owl, however, did not know
+the precise spot of his victim’s abode, and the wily rat passed it,
+and, turning unperceived in the deep water, swam back and entered his
+dwelling, while the discomfited owl was still hunting for him some
+distance down the stream.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “While in a melancholy voice, and with a strong French
+accent, he sang the following lines.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE GREAT BASSO-PROFUNDO.
+
+
+Very great was Bobtilla’s distress after she had received the notice of
+eviction from her hard-hearted landlord, and all night she lay awake,
+trying to form some plan for the future; but each one was abandoned
+almost as soon as it was formed, for the making of a new home is a
+matter for deep reflection, the happiness and welfare of a family
+depending so entirely upon it.
+
+The spot where Bobtilla had hitherto resided, and which she was so
+cruelly compelled to leave, had many advantages of situation. It was so
+far removed from other dwellings that there was nothing to be feared
+from enemies, and as the little field-mouse was very particular about
+the society she chose for her children, she considered the seclusion a
+great advantage.
+
+The longer Bobtilla pondered on the subject, the stronger became her
+conviction that her next move must be nearer the habitations of others,
+who would protect her in case old Rough should further persecute her.
+Having satisfied her mind on this point, she fell into a deep sleep,
+from which she did not awake until the day was well advanced. Then,
+perceiving the sun shining in through the small opening of her house,
+she started up hurriedly.
+
+So deep had been the slumber of the little mouse, that during it all
+sense of the recollection of her trials had vanished, and for a moment
+she forgot the misery she had undergone before sleep came to her
+relief; but by degrees the feeling that all was not right stole over
+her, and gradually a full sense of her unfortunate situation returned.
+
+Notwithstanding her natural timidity, Bobtilla was not entirely without
+energy, and she lost no time in useless repining; so hastily putting
+her house in order, and making her children comfortable, she set out
+with all speed to consult her new friends, the chipmunks.
+
+The amiable couple heard with indignation how badly the field-mouse had
+been treated by the cruel miser, and they at once tried to think of a
+way to help her out of her difficulty.
+
+“You had better come nearer to us,” said Squirrello, when the little
+mouse had ended her sad story. “You will be farther away from old
+Rough, for he has not ventured into this neighborhood.”
+
+“Yes, and we can perhaps help you to a little food now and then,” added
+Squirrella.
+
+“You are very good to me,” replied Bobtilla, gratefully. “I’m sure I
+don’t know what I should do without you.”
+
+“Well, and why shouldn’t we be? What are we here for, if it is not to
+help one another?” asked Squirrella.
+
+“If everybody were of your mind, how easily we could live,” sighed
+Bobtilla; “but as a general thing, the strong prey on the weak, and the
+rich on the poor.”
+
+“Well, at all events that isn’t _our_ way,” replied Squirrella,
+cheerfully; “so now we will decide on a new home for you. Let me see,
+there is a nice place under that large stone just behind you. I have
+often thought it would be a good building-spot for somebody. How does
+it strike you?”
+
+“Capital!” exclaimed Bobtilla, joyfully. The kind reception she had
+met with raised her spirits wonderfully, for it meant a peaceful home,
+where old Rough would cease to persecute, and plenty of food for her
+children until she could succeed in accumulating another stock of
+provisions.
+
+So Bobtilla set to work with a will, and soon had a convenient house
+made to her satisfaction. When all was ready, she collected dried
+leaves and soft bits of moss, and made a comfortable bed for her
+children, smiling with satisfaction as she contemplated the comfort she
+had succeeded in effecting.
+
+The praise of the two chipmunks, who complimented her on her skill,
+was very satisfactory, and she hastened to return to her children,
+in order to remove them to their new abode. Before the time set by
+old Rough, the little field-mice were safely established in their new
+quarters, and eating a good supper provided by their thoughtful friends
+the chipmunks.
+
+While these events, of so much importance to Bobtilla and her family,
+were taking place, the two young crows were idling away their time, on
+the constant lookout for something with which to amuse themselves; and
+as they had not succeeded in appropriating the property of any one else
+or in doing any especial mischief, they felt that the day had not been
+a success, and time hung heavily on their hands. Alighting on a tree in
+the meadow, they cast their shrewd eyes about in all directions for any
+chance that might occur, and occasionally gave a languid caw.
+
+Sitting thus idly, the tones of a deep bass voice struck on their
+ears; and seated on the margin of the stream they beheld a large
+bull-frog gazing pensively into the water below, while in a melancholy
+voice, and with a strong French accent, he sang the following lines:--
+
+    “Not always did I feel so bad,
+    With eyes so heavy and heart so sad.
+    Since many days I do not feel
+    Desire to eat a hearty meal.
+    No longer bugs and flies I eat,
+    And grasshoppers with prickly feet.
+    Indeed it was not always so;
+    My feelings have received a blow.
+    The melting voice of her I love
+    Is now tuned for another cove.
+    That fairy form, those eyes so yellow,
+    Belong now to another fellow.”
+
+As the bull-frog ceased he sighed profoundly, and large tears rolled
+down his cheeks and splashed into the sluggish stream. The two young
+crows, rejoiced at the prospect of a diversion, flew down from the
+tree, and seated themselves on the bank of the stream opposite the
+mournful singer.
+
+“What’s up, Johnny?” they asked.
+
+With a sigh that threatened to rend his capacious bosom, Johnny the
+basso replied,--
+
+“She have deserted me. My sweetheart have left me for anozzer. I am in
+despair!”
+
+“Who, the little green frog who lives down by the dam?”
+
+“No!” replied the basso, indignantly; “it was no leetle green frog.
+My sweetheart is fine; she have one fine figure--Ah! qu’elle est
+charmante!”
+
+“It was the little green one last week,” answered the younger crow,
+dryly.
+
+The mourner took no notice, but continued his lamentations.
+
+“She have left me for anozzer. She say, our voices they not blend
+well,--I, zee great basso-profundo! She prefer a tenor, she say. I ’ate
+a tenor, he squeal like one pig!”
+
+“Who is he?” asked the elder crow.
+
+“I know not how he call hisself, but I will find him!” exclaimed the
+bull-frog, fiercely. “I will cr-crush zat tenor! He sall know what it
+is to insult zee greatest basso-profundo on zee earth. I will make zat
+tenor to tremble!”
+
+“After you have found him,” remarked the younger crow.
+
+“But I will found him, I say!” exclaimed the excited basso. “I will
+hunt zee earth for zat tenor! My great talent, my vast wealth, they
+sall succeed in finding zat wr-r-etch who have deceived me,--_me_, zee
+greatest living basso-profundo on zee earth!”
+
+“Why don’t you consult old Blinkeye?” asked the elder crow.
+
+“What you say he call hisself,--Blinkeye? I have nevare heard from him.”
+
+“Old Blinkeye is the wisest fellow about here,--knows all the laws
+of the woods by heart. Why, even my grandfather consults him, and my
+grandfather is no chicken, I can tell you.”
+
+“How know old Blinkeye anysing about my sweetheart? How will he find
+zis miser-rable tenor?”
+
+“If he doesn’t know now, he will find out. He flies about all night,
+and learns a good many secrets that way. Oh, he’s a wise old fellow, is
+Blinkeye, and fierce too. Nobody knows how old he is.”
+
+“I sink he too old. Zee mind grow weak when old age come.”
+
+“No, not a bit of it,” replied the elder crow. “Then he is so strong
+and fierce, the tenor had better look out when he catches sight of him.”
+
+“I sink perhaps your fine Blinkeye eat me up. He say to hisself, ‘Great
+basso-profundo fat and tender,--he make nice dinner. Tenor thin,--more
+bones as fat. I sink rather I eat great basso.’”
+
+“He is only fierce at night. In the daytime he is as blind as a bat,
+and sits and thinks. Then, when night comes, he flies about, and it is
+better to keep out of his way. Come, you’d better go and see him.”
+
+“Well, I go wiz you,” answered the singer, after a moment’s reflection.
+
+Accordingly off set the three, the bull-frog hopping, and the crows
+walking behind him; but the bull-frog with his long leaps made much
+greater headway than the crows with their short steps, and the latter,
+when the frog was nearly out of sight, would use their wings to reach
+him, and at last adopted a gait between walking and flying.
+
+The bull-frog was not in the habit of taking such long trips, and
+was obliged to halt occasionally; and these rests were spent in
+conversation, during which the basso recounted many valiant exploits he
+had achieved.
+
+“Zis place is not large enough for so great a singer as I,” said the
+bull-frog; “my talent is too great to rest in zis small place. One here
+has no taste; one knows not what is musique. When I lived in great
+meadow far away,--ah! there it was fine! every evening zey come, so
+many how zey could, to hear zee great basso.”
+
+“Why didn’t you stay there, Johnny?” asked the younger crow.
+
+“I was one fool,” replied the bull-frog. “I say, ‘Zese peoples zey make
+me tired wiz zere praise;’ so I say to myself, ‘My friend, you sing too
+much, your fine voice will ruin; better you move to some ozzer place,
+where zere are not so many peoples.’ So I move here.”
+
+“And a very wise move it was,” replied the elder crow. “But here we
+are, and there sits old Blinkeye.”
+
+They stopped before the owl, who sat silently on a tree, with his usual
+solemn expression. He slightly turned his head in the direction of his
+visitors, but it was evident he did not see them.
+
+“How do you find yourself to-day, Father Blinkeye?” asked the elder
+crow. “We have brought a friend to consult you on a very important
+matter.”
+
+“Who is he, and what does he want?” demanded the owl.
+
+The bull-frog hastened to introduce himself thus: “I am zee greatest
+basso-profundo on zee earth. Doubtless you have heard mention my
+great talent. I sing so deep,--zere is no basso who so deep sings. My
+_répertoire_, ah! it is _énorme_.”
+
+“What is your business with me?” inquired the owl, who remained unmoved
+by this announcement.
+
+“My sweetheart she have left me,” replied the bull-frog. “She have left
+me, _me_, zee great artist, for one tenor! I wish to find zat tenor! I
+wish to have revenge!” and he scowled fiercely at the recollection of
+his wrongs.
+
+“What do you expect me to do about it?” asked Blinkeye, coldly.
+
+“I sought zat perhaps you would have zee goodness to find zat tenor for
+me, sair.”
+
+“That isn’t in my line,” replied Blinkeye. “My business is to expound
+the laws of the woods.”
+
+“Zen will you be so kind, sair, as to tell me zee law zat will find zat
+tenor?” asked the basso, eagerly.
+
+“Let me see where that comes in,” said the owl, meditatively, and
+remained deep in thought, with one great yellow eye closed, and the
+other staring straight before him. This had such a solemn effect, that
+the basso felt sure such vast wisdom must procure for him the aid he
+desired.
+
+“Aha!” exclaimed the owl, after awhile, and slowly unclosing his eye,
+“I have it. Now listen attentively, for I don’t take the trouble of
+repeating these laws. Such a strain on my mind tires it and makes it
+dangerous for me.
+
+    “‘Tirra, rirra, high and shrill
+    Is heard throughout the meadow still;
+    And near the marshy bog is sung
+    The musical, deep-toned a-hung!
+    Take the one, and leave the other,
+    And end this weary strife and bother.’
+
+“Now leave me, that my mind may rest after such an effort,” added the
+owl.
+
+“But I know not what it mean, sair,” exclaimed the basso, in
+bewilderment. “I know no more zan before, what I am to do. Will you
+have zee goodness to explain zat law to me.”
+
+“No,” replied the owl, severely, “I will not. My business is to recite
+the law, and yours to understand it. If you don’t, that’s your loss.
+Now go.”
+
+“But, sair,--” began the basso. He did not have time to finish his
+sentence, however, for the two crows pushed and dragged him out of the
+owl’s presence, promising to explain to him on the way home the meaning
+of the law of the woods recited by the owl.
+
+“It’s as plain as can be,” said the elder crow, when they had succeeded
+in starting the basso toward home; “don’t you see? ‘Take the one and
+leave the other,’ why, of course you’ll take _the one_, and you’ll
+leave the other when you only want _the one_, won’t you?”
+
+“But zat does not tell me where I sall find zee tenor,” persisted the
+basso.
+
+    “‘Tirra, rirra, high and shrill,
+    Is heard throughout the meadow still,’--
+
+that’s the tenor of course, with his high voice, and it tells you as
+plainly as possible that you’ll find him in the meadow,” explained the
+younger crow.
+
+    “‘And near the marshy bog is sung
+    The musical, deep-toned a-hung,’--
+
+that’s _you_ of course, with your deep bass. Now do you see your way
+clearly?”
+
+This explanation appeared so very simple that the basso could but
+acknowledge it.
+
+“Zee meadow is one large place,” he said.
+
+“Oh, well! now we know he is there, we’ll find him for you, and the
+little brown frog will not be far off, you may be sure,” said the elder
+crow.
+
+Thus reassured, the bull-frog hopped briskly home, accompanied by the
+crows, who walked and flew by his side.
+
+“I sank you, Messieurs, for your kindness,” said the basso, when he
+stopped before his door, “and I sall know how to reward you. Au revoir,
+Messieurs,” and, gracefully saluting his young friends, Johnny the
+basso hopped into his hole.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “The young crows’ trick.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE YOUNG CROWS’ TRICK.
+
+
+“We shall have some fun with Johnny the basso,” said the younger crow,
+as he stopped to gobble up several fat crickets that had collected on
+a piece of decaying fruit that lay by the roadside.
+
+“An’ is it that yees would be afther taking the food from the mouths of
+a poor widder an’ her childer? Indade, an’ it’s a long time since the
+poor craturs have tasted the loike of these,” said a voice from behind;
+and suddenly turning, the crows beheld a large fat toad, who watched
+with indignation their lunch off the fat crickets.
+
+“Who are you, pray?” asked the elder crow, “and why haven’t we as much
+right to eat these crickets as you?”
+
+“It’s the Widow O’Warty I am, wid rispict to yees,” replied the
+toad, with dignity; “an’ if it’s the two foine wings of yees meself
+possissed, it’s not craping around I’d be, to take the food from poor
+widders an’ childer.”
+
+“How did we know you wanted these crickets?” asked the younger crow.
+“You are welcome to them for all we care. We prefer our food well
+seasoned.”
+
+The Widow O’Warty became pacified under this partial concession, and
+resumed the plausible manner for which she was noted.
+
+“It’s me custom,” she explained, “to sthroll out afther the light is
+quinched, in s’arch of a thrifle to ate. There do bees foine crickets
+about here, an’ that’s the troot av it.”
+
+The elder crow whispered to his brother, “Let’s pass her off on Johnny
+as the brown frog he’s lost.”
+
+“How can we, this great fat toad?” replied the other brother, in the
+same low tone.
+
+“In the dark, you goose, he wouldn’t know the difference, and we’d
+hide, and have lots of fun.”
+
+The younger crow cawed approval, the widow meanwhile eying them
+shrewdly, half suspecting that she herself was the subject of their
+whispered conversation.
+
+“See here, Widow,” began the elder crow, “you know Johnny the basso,
+don’t you?”
+
+“Is it the swate singer down by the bog ye mane?” asked the widow.
+
+“Yes, I see you know him.”
+
+“It’s the foine deep v’ice he possisses,” replied the widow; “an’ it’s
+many a night meself has listened to the swate sounds.”
+
+“He’s mashed on you, Widow,” said the elder crow; “he’s about as far
+gone as I ever saw any one.”
+
+“Be off wid yer nonsinse!” exclaimed the widow, not displeased at the
+news. “It’s fooling yees are.”
+
+“Upon my honor, Widow,” replied the elder crow, seriously; and
+addressing his brother he asked, “Didn’t we hear him singing about her
+beautiful brown skin and her fine yellow eyes?”
+
+“That we did,” answered the younger crow, promptly; “and, my eyes!
+didn’t he howl, though, when he talked about her?”
+
+“I’ll not bel’ave yees,” said the widow. “It’s making game of meself
+yees are.”
+
+“Not a bit of it, Widow,” asserted the elder crow, earnestly. “True as
+we’re sitting here, we heard him singing about his sweetheart, who had
+a brown skin and yellow eyes.”
+
+“An’ did he say ’twas the Widow O’Warty he was after m’aning?” asked
+the widow.
+
+“He didn’t exactly mention the name,” replied the younger crow,
+evasively, “but he described you so correctly that he couldn’t have
+meant anybody else. We told him we’d help him all we could.”
+
+“The Widow O’Warty is me name, an’ me abode is op_po_site us; an’ if
+he’s the gintilman I take him for, he will presint himself an’ declare
+his intintions,” said the widow, loftily.
+
+“Then you’ll not be hard on him, will you, Widow?” asked the elder crow.
+
+“Whin he has stated his intintions, it’s meself that will consider his
+proposals,” replied the widow, majestically.
+
+“Then we’ll ease his mind by telling him you will allow him to call,”
+replied the younger crow, as he and his brother flew off. When they
+were out of sight and hearing, they gave vent to the merriment they had
+been obliged to conceal from the watchful eyes of the widow, and their
+loud caws resounded through the wood.
+
+Twilight was now approaching rapidly, and the two crows flew home as
+fast as their wings could carry them.
+
+Early the next morning, the brother crows awoke, and were soon on
+their way to the dwelling of Johnny the basso. They found him sitting
+pensively on the border of the stream that flowed by his door, and
+abstractedly snapping at stray flies and bugs that came within reach
+of his long elastic tongue. Even these savory morsels were swallowed
+without any apparent enjoyment, but with a subdued and mournful
+countenance, as if he were performing some solemn rite.
+
+“How are you this morning, Johnny?” called out his two visitors, as
+they seated themselves on a low bush that grew near by.
+
+“I am miser-r-rable, my friends,” replied the bull-frog, sadly, his
+large eyes swimming in tears. “I am not able to sleep. I sink on zee
+leetle brown frog. I weep, ah! how I weep for my sweetheart!”
+
+“What should you say, Johnny, if we were to tell you we had found zee
+leetle brown frog?” asked the elder crow.
+
+“What should I say?” exclaimed the bull-frog, with a sudden change of
+manner. “I should say zat it is incredible, messieurs,--zat it is
+impossible zat you should find zee leetle brown frog in so short a
+time.”
+
+“That’s just what we have done, Johnny.”
+
+“Where is she?” exclaimed the singer, enthusiastically. “I fly to her,
+_mon ange_, _mon ange_!”
+
+“Don’t be in too great a hurry, Johnny,” said the crow, cautiously.
+“You mustn’t take her by surprise. Wait till night comes, and then you
+can go and serenade her.”
+
+“It is impossible to wait until zee night come,” replied the basso,
+excitedly; “now, zis minute, I fly to see zee leetle brown frog. But
+zee tenor? I forget zee miser-r-rable tenor who have stolen her from
+me. Where, I demand, is zis tenor?”
+
+“We haven’t found him yet,” answered the elder crow, “but we will, in
+time. He is probably not far off. You remember what the owl said,--
+
+    “‘Tirra, rirra, high and shrill,
+    Is heard throughout the meadow still.’
+
+He must still be in the meadow, you see.”
+
+“I go to fight wiz zat tenor!” exclaimed the bull-frog, furiously. “I
+will cr-r-rush zat tenor! But you have not say where is zee leetle
+brown frog.”
+
+“You see that small scrub-oak over in the field?” asked the elder crow,
+nodding his head in the direction of a small oak that grew by a stone
+wall. “Well, she lives in a hole in that wall. You will find her easily
+enough.”
+
+“I sank you, messieurs, for your kindness,” said the basso, in his most
+gracious manner. “Permit me to make my adieu zat I may compose a song,
+zat zee leetle brown frog sall find zat my voice is so fine as before.”
+
+“Good-by,” called out the crows, as they flew away, “and good luck to
+you.” They looked back as long as they were in sight, and saw that the
+basso sat motionless before his door, gazing silently into the depths
+of the stream.
+
+The mischievous crows waited with impatience for the coming of night.
+It was not their habit to be out after sundown, but so eager were they
+to witness the result of their practical joke, that they resolved to
+pass the night in the neighborhood of the Widow O’Warty’s abode, that
+they might see and hear what would happen. Accordingly, late in the
+afternoon they set out, and reached their destination soon after the
+sun had set.
+
+A large maple-tree hung its branches over the wall near by, and on one
+of these branches the young crows perched, and sitting motionless, with
+their heads sunk between their shoulders, they awaited the development
+of their plan.
+
+The eavesdroppers dared not converse, for fear of detection, and very
+hard it was for them to remain silent for so long a time, it being
+their habit to caw incessantly. Twilight soon appeared, and settled
+into darkness, and after what seemed to the listeners a long time, the
+moon rose over the tops of the forest trees, and gradually sailed into
+the sky.
+
+This was a great relief to the young mischief-loving crows, for now
+they began to discern objects, and they felt sure that the beautiful
+moonlight would tempt the basso to steal forth to his trysting-place.
+
+As the rays of the moon lighted up the wall under the tree on which the
+crows sat, they cautiously stretched forth their mischievous little
+black heads. At the door of her dwelling, in the shadow thrown by the
+scrub-oak, they discovered the matronly form of the Widow O’Warty, her
+prominent eyes shining in the moonlight.
+
+Exchanging glances of suppressed merriment, the two crows, barely
+succeeding in smothering their laughter, again allowed their heads to
+sink between their shoulders, and resumed their former solemn attitude.
+They had not much longer to wait, for soon their shrewd eyes descried
+a dark form hopping through the grass, and rapidly approaching the
+scrub-oak.
+
+When within a few feet of the widow’s door, the new-comer stopped,
+and after a few ineffectual attempts to conquer his emotion, sang the
+following verses, in a voice that at first trembled perceptibly, but
+gradually increased in strength, until the full tones of his deep bass
+resounded through the still evening air.
+
+    “The moon is on the bog,
+    The dew is on the lea;
+    The voice of every frog
+    Is calling, love, to me.
+    The noisy, gathering throng
+    Is calling on my name;
+    It clamors for a song
+    From singer of great fame.
+          A-hung!
+
+    “But the applause I hear
+    Is nothing now to me;
+    I’d give it all, my dear,
+    For one sweet croak from thee.
+    All frogs, from far and wide,
+    They linger ’round the bog,
+    They pine to be the bride
+    Of the bull-basso-frog!
+          A-hung!
+
+    “In dreams thy form I spy,
+    And in my fond arms take;
+    But all those visions fly
+    When in the morn I wake.
+    Then pray no longer hide,
+    But let me hear thy voice;
+    Come to me, lovely bride,
+    And bid my heart rejoice.
+          A-hung!”
+
+The full deep tones of the last “a-hung” had scarcely died away on the
+summer air, when the Widow O’Warty, who had, during the song, moved
+restlessly about, first on one foot and then on the other, suddenly
+gave vent to her emotions by hopping up to the singer and exclaiming in
+her shrill croak,--
+
+“Faith, an’ it’s meself that will put an ind to your suffering, me poor
+cratur!”
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “Before the crows could reply, old Rough, who had
+listened with great satisfaction to the conversation, and had by
+degrees crept unperceived to the tree, hastened to reply.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+DECLARATION OF WAR.
+
+
+At the Widow O’Warty’s words, the melancholy singer gave a sudden
+start, and when the widow herself stood before him, he gazed in
+astonishment at her stout figure; but with native French courtesy he
+quickly recovered his self-possession, and bowed with great politeness
+to the smiling toad.
+
+“An’ is it so cruel ye take me to be as to kape ye longer waiting?
+’Dade, an’ I’ll come till ye,” said the widow, tenderly, and she hopped
+briskly to the bull-frog’s side, and gazed smilingly into his face.
+
+Johnny the basso was much disconcerted at the widow’s advances, and
+for a moment he was silent. True, however, to his nature, in which was
+great courtesy toward the fair sex, he quickly suppressed the feeling
+of aversion that came over him, and answered politely,--
+
+“Madame does me infinite _honneur_, but Madame mistakes; Madame
+doubtless has many suitors, and she does me the _honneur_ to sink me
+one of them.”
+
+“Faith, an it’s not so fur out of the way ye are,” replied the widow,
+slyly.
+
+The basso found himself in an embarrassing situation. It was evident
+that this toad, whom he had never before seen, thought the words of his
+song addressed to her, and his sense of politeness made it difficult
+for him to tell her that she had made a mistake, and appropriated to
+herself sentiments that were intended for another.
+
+“Is it that Madame does me zee _honneur_ to sink zat zee words of my
+song were addressed to her?” asked the basso.
+
+“Fwhat ilse, in the name of the howly saints, would ye have me think,
+whin it’s afore me door ye sthand? _Av coorse_ I considered the worrds
+addrissed to meself.”
+
+“If it had been my good fortune to have met Madame, I could not have
+found words ardent enough to express zee grand passion wiz which Madame
+would have inspired me,” answered the basso, with great politeness.
+
+“Thin why in the worrld did ye station yeself afore me door, if the
+worrds were addrissed to another party?” asked the widow, angrily.
+
+“It is because one told me that here lived her whom I sought,--whom
+I sall always seek while I have life,” answered the bull-frog, with
+intense feeling.
+
+“Fwhat is the name av the raskill that tould ye this was not me abode?”
+asked the widow, indignantly.
+
+“Two young crows have informed me,” replied the bull-frog, “and zey
+sall give me satisfaction. Zey sall learn what it is to trifle wiz zee
+great basso.”
+
+“An’ it’s the same as tould me ye had lost your heart to meself, an’
+apprised me of your coming the night,” answered the widow.
+
+“I will seek zem in zee morning,” said the basso, fiercely. “Zey sall
+answer to me for their impertinence. _Au revoir_, Madame. Believe
+me, I sall lose no time to avenge zis insult;” and as he hopped away,
+the two young crows, no longer able to conceal their merriment at the
+success of their joke, flew away, laughing “Caw, caw, caw.”
+
+This naturally added to the basso’s vexation; but the young crows were
+soon far away, their “caw, caw, caw” being audible as long as they were
+in sight.
+
+It was at an early hour the next morning that the indignant basso set
+off to find these mischievous young crows who had caused him so much
+annoyance; and, early as it was when he reached their home, he found
+only old Caw, who was perched on his favorite tree in a meditative
+attitude, and the mother of the young crows, who was engaged in feeding
+her young family, scolding and complaining all the while.
+
+So engrossed was the mother-crow, that it was some time before the
+bull-frog succeeded in attracting her attention. As for old Caw, it
+was impossible to tell whether he was aware of what went on about
+him, for his one eye was apparently closed, and he seemed in that
+indifferent state of mind that extreme old age produces. Those who
+knew him well, however, knew that this was a trick of his to escape
+observation, and that he was never more alert than when he was
+apparently in this apathetic state.
+
+“What do you want?” asked the crow-mother, when the bull-frog had
+succeeded in attracting her attention.
+
+“Zere are two very mischievous young crows whom I seek, Madame,”
+answered the basso. “I wish to speak wiz zose young crows.”
+
+“There are not any of that description here,” replied the crow-mother,
+shortly.
+
+“Pardon me, Madame, but one has told me zat I sall find zem here,--zat
+zey are your sons.”
+
+“They told you wrong, then, for my sons are steady, hard-working
+fellows, who never did any mischief in their lives.”
+
+The old crow from his tree here gave an abrupt croak, which to the
+bull-frog sounded like an expression of surprise; but when the
+bull-frog quickly glanced at him, he found him with such a sleepy and
+imbecile expression on his pinched countenance that he concluded he
+must have been mistaken.
+
+“It cannot be that I have wrong,” said the bull-frog, firmly. “Zee
+mischievous young crows of whom I speak live here. I have seen them
+often. It was yesterday zat zese young crows played me a sad trick,--I
+wish to speak wiz zem.”
+
+“If it were yesterday, it couldn’t have been my sons, for they were at
+home all day,” answered the crow-mother, decidedly.
+
+The bull-frog, happening to glance in the direction of old Caw, caught
+sight of his one eye wide open, and the bull-frog imagined that he
+detected a particularly amused look in that expressive feature; but the
+eye closed again so sleepily and naturally that he concluded he must
+have been again mistaken.
+
+The bull-frog was far from being convinced that the mother-crow was
+telling the truth about her sons, but courtesy prevented him from
+pushing the matter further.
+
+“If Madame their mother says her sons to have been at home yesterday,
+zen I have nozzing to say,” said the bull-frog, courteously. “I have
+zee _honneur_ to wish Madame good-day;” and the discomfited singer
+ended the unsatisfactory interview.
+
+As the bull-frog hopped toward home, he revolved in his mind the best
+course to take in order to bring about a meeting with the young crows,
+for he felt sure their mother would put them on their guard against
+him; when suddenly he was surprised in his meditations by a caw
+overhead, and looking quickly up, he beheld the old crow Caw sitting on
+a branch above him.
+
+Old Caw was wide awake now, and his one eye beamed with as much
+vivacity and intelligence as that of any young crow could have been
+capable.
+
+“Stop a minute, friend Johnny,” said the old crow; “don’t be in such a
+hurry.”
+
+The bull-frog, thus addressed, stopped, breathing fast from his
+exertions, and regarded the self-possessed old crow with an angry
+countenance.
+
+“Don’t be in such a hurry; take it easy, Johnny,” said the old crow,
+coolly.
+
+“You have zee advantage of me, sair,” said the bull-frog, haughtily;
+“you appear to be familiar wiz my name. I have not zee great _honneur_
+to be acquainted wiz zee illustrious name of Monsieur.”
+
+“Oh, yes, I know you well, Johnny,--I’ve heard you croak often enough
+on moonlight nights,” replied the crow, with exasperating coolness, at
+the same time bringing his one eye to bear on the indignant bull-frog.
+
+“You insult me, sair,” exclaimed the basso, excitedly. “It is that you
+have no soul for musique. Croak, you say! You say zee greatest living
+basso on zee earth croak!”
+
+“Don’t get excited, Johnny, I didn’t intend any insult,” said the old
+crow, persuasively. “I came after you to be of service.”
+
+But the insult still rankled in the singer’s capacious bosom, and his
+great throat swelled and vibrated with wounded pride, as he repeatedly
+gave expression to his indignation.
+
+“Oh, come, Johnny, cool down and hear what I’ve got to tell you,” said
+old Caw, soothingly. “You want to find the young crows who played a
+trick on you, don’t you?”
+
+The bull-frog made a great effort to recover his self-possession, and
+with much difficulty swallowed his resentment.
+
+“Yes,” he answered, after a great inward struggle, “I wish to know
+where to find zose young crows.”
+
+“The old lady fibbed, of course,” said old Caw. “They _are_ her sons,
+and I knew they were up to some mischief, for they went away yesterday
+afternoon, after whispering and giggling together, and didn’t come home
+until this morning.”
+
+“Can you tell me where I sall find zem?” asked the basso, eagerly.
+
+“Yes, I can,” replied the old crow. “I listened when they thought I
+was asleep, and overheard their plans. They intend to hang around old
+Rough’s place until he has gone out on one of his foraging expeditions;
+and when he is out of the way, they have planned to steal into his
+hole and help themselves to a fine bit of pork-rind they saw him
+scurrying off with yesterday. You’ll find them somewhere in that
+neighborhood.”
+
+“I sank you, sair,” said the bull-frog, politely, “for your very kind
+information. I sall go at once to Monsieur Rough’s abode. Adieu,
+Monsieur Corbeau;” and with his usual impetuosity, the bull-frog
+hurried away in the direction of the old miser’s dwelling.
+
+Old Caw followed the bull-frog with his one eye as long as he was in
+sight, and then gave expression to a caw of satisfaction. “I think
+this will make me even with you for stealing my pig’s ear, you young
+thieves,” said the old crow to himself. “I made you think I hid it
+purposely, to teach you shrewdness in discovering hidden treasures, but
+it wasn’t true. Old Caw must be getting old indeed, when two young
+fools get the better of him. Yes, I think this last move of mine will
+make us even;” and having uttered these sentiments, old Caw slowly
+wended his way homeward.
+
+Meanwhile, the bull-frog, his heart set on confronting the crows with
+their treachery, proceeded as fast as his slow powers of locomotion
+enabled him to travel. At last, after a tedious journey, he reached the
+neighborhood of old Rough, and halting within a short distance of the
+miser’s abode, glanced about him.
+
+There was the old water-rat’s dwelling just above the ditch, and at a
+short distance behind it grew a fine tree, among whose branches the
+frog detected two black motionless objects.
+
+“Zee old crow had right,” said the singer, to himself, “zere are zee
+two mischievous crows.”
+
+Stopping long enough to recover his breath, and keeping his eyes on
+the two black objects in the tree, the bull-frog proceeded toward the
+tree, followed at a distance by a dark object that slid through the
+tall meadow grass, that halted as he halted, and that proceeded as he
+proceeded.
+
+This dark object that followed the bull-frog, and was so careful to
+escape detection, was old Rough, the water-rat.
+
+The bull-frog proceeded boldly to the foot of the tree and stopped,
+and the water-rat concealed himself behind a large stone not far off,
+and within convenient hearing distance. No other living creatures were
+in sight, except a swallow that flew noiselessly over the meadow,
+occasionally swooping on some unfortunate insect, and then soaring
+swiftly high into the air.
+
+“Is it zat you are zere, my fine Messieurs!” cried the bull-frog,
+fiercely, looking up at the young crows perched far above him.
+
+“Yes, friend Johnny, it is that we are here. How’s the little brown
+frog you serenaded last night?”
+
+“It is zat I wish to confront you wiz your treachery, Messieurs,”
+exclaimed the bull-frog, furious at this taunt. “I wish to tell you zat
+you are great imposters; zat you have deceived Madame La Warty; zat you
+have deceived me,--me, zee great singer, I say! But I have my great
+reputation to avenge! I have Madame La Warty’s _honneur_ to defend.”
+
+“Oh, bother! the widow doesn’t mind that,” said the younger crow. “You
+don’t mean to say she isn’t the brown frog you were looking for?”
+
+“Madame La Warty is one great fat toad, Monsieur!” exclaimed the
+bull-frog, indignantly. “Did you sink zat I, zee great singer, would
+have one toad for his sweetheart! No, sair, zat is not possible! Zee
+young, zee beautiful are for zee great basso-profundo.”
+
+“How did you expect us to know the difference?” asked the elder crow.
+“They look alike to us, any way.”
+
+The singer glared fiercely on the impudent young crow. “I sall have
+revenge,” he cried in his deepest tones; “you sall answer to me for zis
+insult. _Mon Dieu!_ he say a fat toad look like a frog!”
+
+“Well, we didn’t know,” said the younger crow. “We were told she was
+the one, and we thought we were doing you a favor to tell you. How
+could we tell you’d make such a row about it?”
+
+“Who is it zat told you Madame La Warty was zee leetle brown frog?”
+inquired the singer, fiercely.
+
+Before the crows could reply, old Rough, who had listened with great
+satisfaction to the conversation, and had by degrees crept unperceived
+to the tree, hastened to reply,--
+
+“Why don’t you tell the whole story, boys? Why not say that it was
+Bobtilla who told you? If any one is to blame it is she. You only
+repeated her words, you know.”
+
+“Yes, it was Bobtilla who told us,” asserted the young crows, boldly,
+greatly surprised at the information, but glad to throw the blame upon
+anybody’s shoulders.
+
+“Who is Bobtilla? I have not zee pleasure of her acquaintance,” said
+the bull-frog, addressing the water-rat.
+
+“A meddlesome field-mouse,” explained the miser, viciously. “She looks
+meek enough, but she is a mischievous creature, and takes delight in
+getting honest people, like our young friends here, into trouble.”
+
+“I cannot demand satisfaction of a lady,” exclaimed the bull-frog; “but
+I will challenge zee whole race of field-mice. I will exterminate zee
+race. Zey sall know what it is to insult zee great singer. It sall be
+war, until every field-mouse sall die.”
+
+“Now, Bobtilla,” said old Rough to himself, as he went toward his home,
+“we will see how much help your new friends can give you. It will not
+pay, my dear madam, to stand out against old Rough; he’s more than a
+match for you, my dear! War against the field-mice, friend Johnny! Just
+what I want. I couldn’t have arranged matters better myself. Now their
+houses will be destroyed, and what a harvest for me!” And the old miser
+squeaked with joy, as he slipped through the meadow grass, and his long
+nose moved viciously about, as it always did when he experienced any
+strong emotion.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “There is no need to tell me, kind friends, said a
+trembling little voice; and Bobtilla stood before them.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+SWIFT PUTS BOBTILLA AND THE SQUIRRELS ON THEIR GUARD.
+
+
+Old Rough was not the only listener to the conversation between the
+bull-frog and the two young crows. The chimney-swallow Swift, who
+at the time was sailing over the meadow, apparently intent only on
+securing the finest insects, had heard every word that was said.
+
+No sooner had the conversation ceased and the party separated, than the
+swallow with a few strong strokes of his long wings soared high above
+the meadow, until he looked like a little black speck. Soon, however,
+the black speck seemed to remain stationary, and then it grew larger
+and larger, as it rapidly descended, and alighting on the wall where
+the chipmunks dwelt, sat pluming its glossy feathers in a very skilful
+manner.
+
+So engrossed was the swallow in his occupation that he appeared to be
+unconscious of everything that went on about him. Even the loud cawing
+of the two young crows, who alighted on a neighboring tree, did not
+take his attention from his task, and he was evidently unaware of the
+presence of the little chipmunk Squirrello, who first peeped timidly
+out of his hole, and after a careful survey of the country, grew
+bolder, and seated himself on top of the wall.
+
+Little Bobtilla, too, from her house under the large stone, peeped
+out with her bright eyes, thinking it more prudent to remain in her
+doorway; the swallow, however, did not notice her any more than he did
+the squirrel, and continued to sit on the tree, picking apart his thick
+feathers. Before long the young crows flew away, and no sooner were
+they fairly out of sight than the swallow abruptly finished his toilet,
+and flew upon the top of the wall in front of Squirrello.
+
+“I recognized you at once, Swift,” said Squirrello; “but I thought
+by your manner that you didn’t wish to have me notice you, so I kept
+still.”
+
+“And quite right you were,” replied Swift. “The truth is that I have
+news of importance, and didn’t want those mischievous crows to hear
+it.”
+
+Squirrello came nearer to the swallow, and awaited with anxiety the
+news he had to tell. Little Bobtilla, from her doorway under the
+large stone, inclined one ear toward the swallow, and listened with
+breathless interest.
+
+“Just now,” began Swift, “I observed those two young crows who have
+just gone sitting very still on a tree that grows just behind old
+Rough’s den. They are always so noisy and restless that I knew their
+unusual silence meant mischief, so I resolved to keep about and find
+out what it meant. They hadn’t the least suspicion that I was watching
+them, for I took care to keep at a safe distance.
+
+“Before long I saw Johnny the basso hopping along, and he stopped under
+that very tree. Old Rough crept slyly after him, and hid where he could
+overhear every word that was said. As soon as Johnny found sufficient
+breath to speak, he reproached the crows for having played a trick on
+him. I lost some of the conversation, not daring to venture too near;
+but I gathered that the crows had tried to pass the Widow O’Warty off
+for some one else. Before long old Rough came forward, and threw the
+whole blame on little Bobtilla, and the crows acknowledged that it was
+she who had given them their information. Whereupon Johnny, who prides
+himself on his gallantry to the fair sex, said that since a lady was
+to blame, he couldn’t call her to account, but that he would make the
+whole race of field-mice responsible, and declared war upon the spot.
+This seemed to please old Rough greatly, for he went off chuckling and
+muttering to himself.”
+
+Poor little Bobtilla’s state of mind, as she heard these words, can
+be better imagined than described. She had, since her removal to
+the neighborhood of the chipmunks, begun to know what peace of mind
+was; and now all at once her hopes were shattered, and she felt that
+in no place would she be secure from the wrath of old Rough, which
+pursued her, go where she would. Shaking with fear, she remained in her
+doorway, too agitated to move or speak.
+
+“What an outrage!” exclaimed Squirrello, as the swallow finished
+his recital. “Why, Bobtilla is the meekest and most amiable of
+creatures,--she wouldn’t harm a fly,--and I know she never spoke a word
+to either of those mischievous crows. It is a trick of old Rough, to
+spite poor little Bobtilla.”
+
+“What is a trick of old Rough; and what has Bobtilla, of all creatures,
+to do with it?” asked Squirrella, who had heard her husband’s indignant
+tones, and now appeared on the wall beside him, to learn the cause of
+the excitement.
+
+The story was told over again to Squirrella, and her indignation was
+even greater than her husband’s.
+
+“I never heard anything so mean in all my life!” exclaimed the
+kind-hearted Squirrella. “I should think that poor little creature had
+suffered enough at old Rough’s hands, without this new persecution.
+However, I don’t see what old Rough will gain from a war between the
+mice and frogs; he will not fight himself.”
+
+“He evidently considers it for his advantage,” answered the swallow,
+“for he went off in fine spirits. If the frogs are victorious, they
+will certainly destroy every mouse-hole in the meadow and woods; and
+it’s my private opinion that old Rough will slink around during the
+battle, and steal everything he can lay his paws on.”
+
+“Fortunately we are out of the way,” said Squirrello.
+
+“I’m not so sure about that,” replied Swift. “I wouldn’t risk it. If
+I were you, I’d be on the safe side, and move farther into the woods,
+and make your home more secure. Bobtilla, too, must move, for old Rough
+would be sure to visit her house first of all.”
+
+“Dear me!” sighed Squirrella, “here we are, so comfortably settled for
+life I thought, and now we must move again. I don’t see how I can have
+the patience to go through it all again. I have heard that three moves
+are equal to a fire; I should say that two were equal to an earthquake.”
+
+“I don’t very well see what else can be done, my dear,” replied her
+husband. “You are the last one, such an anxious mother as you are, to
+feel secure while war is raging around you.”
+
+“Yes, I suppose there is nothing else to be done,” sighed Squirrella.
+
+“After we have moved, and are settled in our new home, I am sure you
+will think yourself much better off, and wish you had chosen the place
+before,” said Squirrello, who always looked on the bright side of
+affairs.
+
+“I forgot all about Bobtilla,” exclaimed Squirrella. “Poor thing, she
+thought herself so safe here,--how can I tell her the bad news?”
+
+“There is no need to tell me, kind friends,” said a trembling little
+voice; and Bobtilla stood before them. “I have heard all, and also your
+kind plans for my safety, and I can truly say that I do not feel so
+badly about myself as I do to think that out of your kindness to me,
+you must have the trouble of moving again.”
+
+“Nonsense!” answered Squirrella, briskly; “what have you to do with it?
+Do you suppose I want to live on the battle-field, as you may say? No,
+indeed; I prefer to move away where I shall not have fighting going on
+before my eyes.”
+
+“I know very well,” persisted Bobtilla, “that I am the cause of all
+this trouble, for old Rough will not let me rest as long as I have a
+home to live in; and he will persecute all those who are kind to me. I
+know him so well that I feel sure he has done me this ill turn because
+I have found new and influential friends to protect me.”
+
+“Well, after all, it doesn’t matter,” replied Squirrella, cheerfully.
+“The woods are quieter, and the air is purer there, and I am sure we
+shall be better off. So let’s decide on a spot; and the sooner we start
+about it the better.”
+
+“I have a place in my mind,” said the swallow, “and if one of you will
+come with me, you can see what you think about it.”
+
+Squirrello decided to accompany the swallow, and both set off,--the
+squirrel running along the highest boughs and jumping lightly from one
+tree to another, while little Swift soared high above him, often flying
+far out of sight, but always returning to point out the way.
+
+At last the swallow stopped before a stately old oak-tree, whose
+sturdy branches were nearly bare of leaves, but whose topmost boughs
+were still clad with green leaves, as reminders that some vitality yet
+remained to the aged tree. The sturdy roots, that had resisted many a
+tempest, protruded above the soft turf, and seemed so formed purposely,
+that they might serve as homes for little animals in search of a
+dwelling-place.
+
+“There,” said the swallow, pointing out the spot, “there is a house
+already built for you; and all you have to do is to make it soft and
+comfortable for your family.”
+
+Nothing could be more desirable for a dwelling, and Squirrello returned
+to his little wife, and related to her what he had found. Both
+together visited the new home, and Squirrella was, if possible, even
+more pleased with the place than her husband had been, her motherly
+instincts at once divining that no place in the whole world could be
+so well suited for a young family like hers. The protecting roots of
+the old tree made it safe against the depredations of enemies, and the
+long, strong branches were just right for her children to run about
+on,--so much better and safer for them than running along the stone
+wall in sight of the whole world. Also under the roots of the old tree
+was a hole that looked as if it were made expressly for Bobtilla and
+her young family.
+
+Thus the happy couple discussed their plans, and at once busied
+themselves in collecting soft, dry moss, and carrying it into their new
+house. Squirrella was so delighted with the appearance of the bed her
+children were to have, that she lay down in it, to see if it were as
+comfortable as it looked; and she declared that it surpassed her most
+sanguine expectations, and that it was utterly impossible for any bed
+in the universe to be as comfortable as her children’s was.
+
+Then Bobtilla was brought to see the place, and the timid little
+creature was greatly pleased with it, and felt that in that peaceful
+wilderness she might be freed from the persecutions of old Rough. Poor
+little Bobtilla! she was fast experiencing that the strong prey on the
+weak in the struggle for life!
+
+The little field-mouse, also, went to work, like the conscientious
+mouse she was, and dug out her house as far as she could under the
+roots of the old tree, and then made it soft and warm for her family.
+When this was done, at the suggestion of her friends the squirrels she
+skilfully concealed the entrance with moss, leaving only an opening
+large enough to squeeze her little body through.
+
+The squirrels viewed Bobtilla’s work with great satisfaction, and
+concluded that even old Rough, shrewd as he was, could never detect it
+as the abode of a family; and, indeed, all three agreed in thinking
+that no living creatures had ever been so fortunate in securing such
+choice locations and in making such comfortable homes.
+
+Then the squirrel family and the mouse family were removed to their new
+quarters, and all was peace and contentment once more.
+
+While these new homes were being prepared, the news of the impending
+war was spreading rapidly over the adjoining meadows and fields, and
+soon all knew the fact that the frogs had declared war against the
+field-mice. Everywhere, in the meadows and fields, groups of field-mice
+were collected, discussing the exciting news; and every evening on the
+borders of the ditch, and on the edges of the bog, frogs of all sizes
+and ages were heard croaking over the same topic.
+
+Among all the animals, old Rough the water-rat was the one who seemed
+to derive the most satisfaction from the prospect of war. He fairly
+gloated over the thought that the dwellings of the field-mice would be
+destroyed, and he should reap the benefit of the stock of provisions
+that the industrious little creatures had collected with so much pains.
+
+More agreeable even than this was the thought that when the war was
+ended, and their homes and property destroyed, the field-mice would
+come to him to trade for provisions, and then he could make his own
+terms.
+
+Dwelling on these pleasant themes, old Rough remembered Bobtilla, and
+he felt happier still as he reflected on the misery in store for her.
+So pleasant was it to imagine what her sufferings would be, that he
+resolved to make her a call, and witness her despair as he recounted to
+her the misery in store for her. Thus elated by this generous resolve,
+the old miser set briskly off for Bobtilla’s abode, and in due time
+found himself before her door. Not hearing any signs of life, he called
+aloud,--
+
+“Bobtilla!”
+
+Not a sound was heard in response, and old Rough wondered at this,
+for the tones of his harsh voice had never before failed to bring the
+little field-mouse trembling before him. Once more he called, and more
+loudly; but all was silent, and he walked up to the house and looked in.
+
+All was so still inside that the old miser was convinced that the
+house was empty, and he fell into a great rage as he realized that his
+victim had escaped. In his ungovernable passion he tore away the earth
+from before the entrance to the former dwelling of the field-mouse,
+and his strong paws soon disclosed the vacated home. Not a vestige of
+Bobtilla’s family remained, save the bed of leaves and moss where they
+had so lately reposed.
+
+“Won’t I make you speak though, my lady!” exclaimed the old water-rat,
+savagely.
+
+“You must find her first, my friend,” said a voice from above the wall.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “So intent were they on their sport, that they did not
+perceive two young crows who perched on the very tree at whose roots
+they lived.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE CROWS PLAN A SURPRISE FOR OLD ROUGH.
+
+
+Old Rough glanced fiercely in the direction of the speaker’s voice, and
+beheld, seated unconcernedly on a tree, the chimney-swallow, Swift.
+
+“I intend to find her, sir,” answered old Rough, viciously, his nose
+moving about rapidly in his excitement. “I can assure you it is not so
+easy to escape me as you imagine.”
+
+“How much will you bet that you find Bobtilla within a week?” asked the
+swallow.
+
+“I will find her within three days,” replied old Rough, savagely; “and
+let me tell you that her friends who interest themselves in her welfare
+had better look out!” and old Rough went toward the dwelling lately
+inhabited by the little chipmunks. In vain the old water-rat peeped
+into the hole, and glanced sharply around him,--not a trace of the
+chipmunk family was to be found.
+
+“You’ll have to leave your card; they’re evidently not at home,” said
+the swallow, coolly, as the old water-rat looked about him wrathfully.
+
+“I’ll thank you to mind your own business, sir,” responded old Rough.
+“If I thought you were at the bottom of all this, I’d--” he stopped,
+with a vicious snap of his teeth.
+
+“You’d what?” asked the swallow, calmly.
+
+“I’d take care that you never repeated the trick,” said old Rough.
+“Now that I think of it, I believe you are the swallow that was flying
+about pretending to catch insects, when my friends and I were talking
+together. Eavesdropper!”
+
+“Yes, I am the very one, just as you are the water-rat that was
+squatting down behind the big stone, you know, to overhear what the
+crows and Johnny the basso were talking about.”
+
+“And you gave warning to Bobtilla, and advised her to move!” said old
+Rough, ignoring entirely the allusion to his own eavesdropping.
+
+“Just so,” replied the swallow, calmly; “I not only advised Bobtilla
+and the squirrels to move, but I selected a spot for them where you’ll
+never find them if you hunt till you’re blind.”
+
+“I shall find them before three days have passed,” asserted the
+water-rat. “I have influence sufficient to discover them if they are on
+the face of the earth, and I can assure you that my revenge will be all
+the sweeter for having to wait.”
+
+“Yes, if time adds to the pleasure of revenge, yours will have a chance
+to grow considerably.”
+
+“And I shall not forget the little favor you have done me in trying to
+frustrate my plans,” snarled the old rat.
+
+“Don’t mention it; you are quite welcome,” responded the swallow, with
+great good-humor, as he rose into the air and soared out of sight.
+
+Old Rough remained quite still for awhile, thinking over the best
+course to pursue to recover Bobtilla, and he concluded he could not do
+it without some help. To whom should he apply? Old Blinkeye was the
+first who came to his mind as the most likely to find them out; but he
+was out of the question, for if the fierce owl discovered Bobtilla and
+the squirrels, he would most surely keep them for himself, such tender
+morsels as they would make.
+
+Next the two young crows came into the water-rat’s mind; but how could
+he trust such unreliable fellows? To be sure, it would take cleverer
+young fellows than they to dupe the wary old water-rat, but still he
+didn’t dare trust them.
+
+How about old Caw? Old as he was, his one eye could see farther than
+any other pair, and the old thief would do anything that paid well. The
+longer the miser considered the matter, the more convinced he became
+that old Caw was the one to do the business for him.
+
+All the while the water-rat had been forming this plan, if little
+Bobtilla or the squirrels had seen him, they might well have trembled
+for their safety, for a most unpleasant spectacle he presented, as he
+sat on his haunches, his small sharp eyes gleaming with malice, and his
+long nose moving incessantly.
+
+Having come to the conclusion that old Caw was the one to help him out
+of his difficulty, the old water-rat lost no time in seeking him. The
+old crow was at home; indeed he seldom ventured away from it, except in
+search of food, and then he usually made solitary expeditions into the
+woods, where he detected appetizing morsels that the younger crows had
+not discovered. Favorite haunts he frequented, where he unearthed the
+delicate tidbits he had secreted, and many a sumptuous repast he made
+on some particularly dainty bit his young grandsons had buried for
+their own especial food.
+
+To-day, however, the old crow was at home, and sitting on his favorite
+perch, his one eye closed, and his head sunk between his high
+shoulders. He was apparently unaware of the water-rat’s approach, and
+old Rough contemplated him for awhile in silence.
+
+“The old thief is as wide awake as I am,” said old Rough to himself, as
+he watched the slumbering crow. “He is looking at me out of one corner
+of his sharp old eye, and pretends to be asleep.--Hallo, friend Caw!”
+he called out, when he had grown tired of waiting.
+
+The old crow languidly opened his one eye half way, and glanced about
+in a direction opposite from where the water-rat was stationed; then he
+drowsily closed it again, and continued his nap.
+
+“Hallo, old Caw, I say!” called out the water-rat again, somewhat
+louder.
+
+“What say?” slowly demanded old Caw, again opening his eye, and
+inclining one ear toward his visitor.
+
+“Something new for the old fellow to be deaf,” muttered the old miser
+to himself. “Hallo! I said,” he shouted, as the old crow showed
+symptoms of relapsing into another nap. “Can’t you keep awake long
+enough to hear what I have to say? I’ll make it for your interest.”
+
+At these words, the old crow’s drowsiness and deafness disappeared
+together, and he assumed an attentive attitude, while the old water-rat
+began his story.
+
+“I came to ask you to discover the hiding-places of a certain
+field-mouse, one Bobtilla by name, and a pair of chipmunks who have
+gone off with her. If you’ll find out where they are, I’ll pay you well
+for it.”
+
+“What’ll you give?” asked the old crow, shrewdly, with his head on one
+side, and his half-closed eye on the rat.
+
+“I’ll put you in the way of getting a fine sheep’s pluck,” replied old
+Rough.
+
+“Yes, I know farmer Smith has just killed a sheep,” answered old Caw,
+quietly.
+
+“But you don’t know where the best part of the pluck is, the tender
+liver, that melts in your mouth,” added the water-rat.
+
+The old crow in answer gave a short caw expressive of indifference,
+and then began to show symptoms of a return to the drowsy condition in
+which the old rat had found him.
+
+“Will you trade, or not?” asked old Rough.
+
+“That depends upon how much you’re willing to give. I can’t say I’m
+hankering after the job,” answered old Caw.
+
+“I’ve just told you what I’ll give,” said old Rough, impatiently,--“a
+rich sheep’s liver, that when it’s been buried a couple of weeks will
+fairly make your mouth water.”
+
+“Not half enough,” replied Caw, calmly. “On the whole, I don’t think I
+care to undertake the job.”
+
+“What job?” called out a voice; “if it’s a paying one, I’m your crow,”
+and the two young crows alighted on the tree beside their grandfather.
+
+Having failed with the old crow, the water-rat found there was nothing
+to be done but to avail himself of the assistance of the younger
+crows; and after much haggling on both sides, the young crows decided
+to undertake the job, provided the old miser would give them the
+sheep’s liver and a fine piece of pork-rind which they knew him to
+possess. Having thus concluded the bargain, the old water-rat departed,
+well-satisfied with his morning’s work, and confident that he would
+shortly have Bobtilla and the chipmunks in his power.
+
+When he was well out of sight and hearing, old Caw addressed his
+grandsons thus,--
+
+“What induced you to undertake this thing?”
+
+“Why, the sheep’s liver and pork-rind, of course,” they replied.
+
+“When do you expect to get possession of them?” asked old Caw.
+
+“When we’ve found out where the field-mouse and squirrels are, of
+course,” replied his elder grandson.
+
+“There’s no _of course_ about it,” quietly answered old Caw. “Don’t you
+know the miser never pays his debts?”
+
+The young crows looked rather sheepish at this, but assured their
+grandfather that they would find a way to be even with the old miser if
+he didn’t pay up.
+
+“I advise you to be cautious how you play any tricks on the old
+fellow,” said old Caw, “for he’s sharper than you are. Don’t you
+suppose _I_’d have undertaken the job if I had thought it would pay?”
+
+“What would you advise us to do about it?” asked the younger grandson.
+
+“Well, since it’s in the family, I don’t mind giving you some advice,”
+replied the old crow. “Pretend you have found the places he wants, and
+then when he has gone there, go and help yourselves to the sheep’s
+liver and pork-rind. That’s the surest way I know of.”
+
+Having imparted this valuable information, old Caw was soon asleep
+in earnest, and his two grandsons sat whispering over their plans.
+Whatever conclusion they arrived at was evidently very satisfactory,
+for they chuckled gleefully over it.
+
+All this time, the objects of this wicked plotting were safe in their
+new homes, enjoying the pure air of the forest, and sporting among
+the trees and over the soft turf, never dreaming but that this state
+of security would last forever. Occasionally a bird passed over the
+tree at whose foot they were hidden, or stopped to rest on one of its
+branches, but no one offered to molest them.
+
+One day, Bobtilla was out in search of food for her family, and the
+squirrels were absent on the same errand. Their young families were
+left at home by themselves, with instructions not to leave their homes.
+
+The day was fine, and all was so quiet in the woods that it was hard
+for these active young creatures to remain cramped in their small
+quarters. One of Bobtilla’s children ventured timidly to the door, and
+peeped cautiously out. At the same moment he appeared at the opening,
+his bright little eyes fell on one of the squirrel’s children, who was
+likewise tempted to obtain a breath of fresh air.
+
+After a short conversation, they were joined by their brothers and
+sisters. A consultation ensued, in which they agreed that it was
+positively injurious to the health of all to remain longer in such
+close quarters, and that a little exercise in the pure air would be to
+their advantage, and the very thing their parents would desire for them
+under the circumstances.
+
+Having arrived at this wise conclusion, the little field-mice and their
+squirrel neighbors ventured out of their dark homes, and were soon
+frisking about in the liveliest manner,--the squirrels racing over the
+trees and stumps, and the little mice running about below. So intent
+were they on their sport, that they did not perceive two young crows,
+who perched on the very tree at whose roots they lived.
+
+“Hallo!” called out the crows, and at the sudden sound they all
+scampered into their holes.
+
+“Perhaps we can find out something from them,” said the crows to each
+other; and they remained silently on the tree.
+
+Before long one of the young squirrels, more venturesome than the rest,
+became emboldened to peep out of his house, and beheld the two young
+crows quietly seated on the tree.
+
+“What’s the trouble, sonny?” asked one of the crows; “we will not hurt
+you. Come out, and finish your game.”
+
+A whispered conversation followed inside the squirrel house, and at
+last they all ventured out again, and sat in a row on their little
+haunches, looking up curiously at their black visitors.
+
+“We are alone, and our mother told us to stay in the house,” remarked
+the squirrel who had first ventured out.
+
+“You mind well,” said the elder crow; “shows you’ve been well brought
+up.”
+
+“You see we have not been out since we moved,” continued the squirrel,
+who became communicative as soon as he found the newcomers were kindly
+disposed; “and we were tired of staying in that dark hole. It’s awfully
+hard to be so cramped up, you know.”
+
+“I should think so,” replied the crow. “Why don’t your friends come out
+again?” Then he added in a low tone to his brother, “He says they have
+moved,--you may be sure it’s the ones we’re looking for.”
+
+“They are very timid,” replied the squirrel; “and Bobtilla told them if
+they went out, old Rough would be sure to catch them.”
+
+“So they are Bobtilla’s children, are they?”
+
+“Yes,” replied the squirrel.
+
+“Well, go on with your play,” said the crows, and away they flew,
+having gained all the information they wanted, without the slightest
+effort on their part.
+
+“Now for old Rough. We’ll find him and direct him to the right spot.
+Won’t he be surprised, though?” said the younger crow; and the thought
+of what they were about to do afforded them such delight that their
+loud laughter caused them to fly in a very disorderly manner, bumping
+against each other, and conducting themselves very riotously.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “The numerous barns and sheds, well stocked with horses
+and cattle, gave evidence of the prosperity of the owner.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+OLD ROUGH IN DANGER.
+
+
+The next day, the two young crows started out at an early hour, and
+continued their flight until they approached a large farm, situated
+far back from the road. The numerous barns and sheds, well stocked
+with horses and cattle, gave evidence of the prosperity of the owner.
+Casting their sharp eyes about, the two crows selected a large
+chestnut-tree that grew in the rear of the buildings, whose dense
+foliage promised a safe hiding-place whence they could see without
+being seen.
+
+Among the topmost branches of this tree the crows perched, and their
+restless eyes wandered over the landscape in all directions. They did
+not lose sight, however, of everything that occurred on the farm.
+Evidently something of interest was about to take place, for the crows
+were very uneasy. For a short time they would sit looking about them in
+silence, when all at once one of them would give a sudden caw, which
+the other immediately answered, and then both cawed together excitedly.
+
+A large hen-house stood near by, and toward this the attention of
+the restless crows was often directed. The hens, too, were collected
+in groups in the hen-yard, and incessantly cackling, the feathers
+about their necks bristling with excitement, as if some danger were
+impending. Whatever it was that gave them such uneasiness must in some
+way have been connected with the hen-house itself, for the disturbed
+hens cast frequent glances under the building, as if some enemy were
+concealed there.
+
+The crows, too, looked frequently in the same direction, as if they
+expected something to occur in that quarter.
+
+At last one of the crows, glancing across the field, gave a sudden caw,
+and his companion answered at once. Both evidently talked it over, then
+suddenly became silent, their eyes fixed intently on a dark object
+moving cautiously along the border of the stream. It was the same
+sluggish stream that flowed by the abode of old Rough, and the dark
+object approaching was no other than the old miser himself.
+
+Old Rough proceeded very cautiously as he approached the farm building.
+Often he paused, and sitting on his haunches, looked anxiously about,
+as if he were in a locality with which he was not familiar, and where
+he must be on the alert. As he sat up to take these observations, his
+sharp eyes glanced suspiciously about, and his long nose twitched
+nervously. Satisfied that all was safe, he resumed his journey in the
+same cautious manner, taking care to keep on the edge of the stream, as
+if to take refuge there in case of a surprise.
+
+When opposite the out-buildings of the farm, he left the stream, and
+proceeded in the same wary manner in the direction of the hen-house.
+
+When the two young crows, who had watched the old water-rat’s movements
+with such interest, saw him approaching the hen-house, they quietly
+left their hiding-place, and flew off with as little noise as possible,
+as if to escape the old miser’s notice.
+
+At first the two crows flew toward the woods, and were soon lost among
+the thick forest trees; but when out of sight of the farm, they struck
+out in the direction whence old Rough had appeared, and before long
+found themselves in the neighborhood of the old water-rat’s dwelling.
+
+Evidently the plans of the young crows were arranged between them, for
+one of them alighted on the tall tree that grew near by, while the
+other at once proceeded to the old rat’s home. After delivering himself
+of several caws of derision, he recited the following verse:--
+
+    “There was once a crabbed old miser,
+    Who thought no one could be wiser;
+    But his wife once he told,
+    By two crows he’d been sold,
+    Which didn’t seem much to surprise her.”
+
+No sooner had the crow ended than his words had the desired effect
+of bringing Ruffina to the door, her long nose fairly quivering with
+excitement, and her eyes glaring angrily on the impudent young crow.
+
+“Be off, you impertinent fellow!” squeaked Ruffina, angrily; “you shall
+pay for this when my husband returns!”
+
+“Pray don’t tell him,” replied the crow, pretending to shake with fear;
+“he might hurt us, you know.”
+
+“You deserve to have your neck wrung!” retorted Ruffina; “and if Rough
+doesn’t do it, _I_ will.”
+
+The only response from the crow was a burst of laughter, that, as he
+fully intended it should, exasperated the old rat more than anything he
+could have done.
+
+At this fresh insult, Ruffina lost the small remnant of self-control
+she possessed, and charged on the crow, who walked rapidly off,
+pursued by the enraged water-rat.
+
+No sooner had Ruffina left her dwelling than the crow who had remained
+on the tree flew quickly down and disappeared inside the old miser’s
+abode.
+
+All this time Ruffina was pursuing the other crow, who walked and flew
+along the ground, allowing himself to be nearly caught, and then, with
+a few flaps of his strong wings, easily keeping out of the way.
+
+It was an easy matter for the active young crow to elude the grasp
+of the old water-rat; and exceedingly exasperating for her was it to
+feel him at one moment within reach of her paw, and the next, to see
+him, with a single stroke of his wings, pass beyond her reach. This
+game was continued until the crow saw his brother emerge from the old
+miser’s dwelling, with a fine piece of pork-rind in his bill. As soon
+as he saw this, he flew upon a large stone, and flapping his wings
+triumphantly, cawed out,--
+
+“Pray give our regards to the old gentleman, and tell him we thought
+we’d save him the trouble of bringing the pork-rind to us, so we came
+for it ourselves.” With these words he rejoined his brother, and both
+flew off to the woods, to enjoy in privacy the prize they had obtained
+so easily.
+
+We will leave the young crows perched on a tree in the midst of the
+woods, quarrelling over their ill-gotten treasure, and follow the
+fortunes of old Rough.
+
+We left the old miser at the moment when he had quitted the border of
+the stream, and had started in the direction of the farm-buildings.
+Directly toward the hen-house the water-rat made his way, stopping more
+frequently as he neared it, looking anxiously about him, and evidently
+prepared to run back at a moment’s notice.
+
+As old Rough neared the building, the timid hens retreated to the
+extreme end of their yard, their necks stretched to their fullest
+extent, their feathers ruffled with excitement, and constantly uttering
+cries of terror.
+
+When he reached the hen-house yard, the water-rat stood on his hind
+legs, and resting his forepaws on the ledge of the building, gazed
+at the terrified creatures within with a gratified expression on his
+wicked old features. At this horrible apparition, the poor hens became
+still more frightened, and gave vent to their alarm in loud and shrill
+screams.
+
+“Not to-day, my friends,--I have another engagement; but I will visit
+you later,” said the old rat, with an unpleasant leer on his ugly
+features; and dropping to the ground, he proceeded to the hen-house
+itself, and paused before it.
+
+“’Twas very fortunate for me that the crows, in their stupidity, told
+me where Bobtilla had moved, for I should never have thought of looking
+here for her. Stupid fellows, those crows! they don’t know old Rough
+very well, or they wouldn’t have expected to get the sheep’s pluck and
+pork-rind. Very shrewd in Bobtilla to choose this place. She never
+thought of it herself, that is certain; those smart squirrels must have
+put her up to it.”
+
+The old miser peered cautiously about the foundation of the hen-house.
+It was built of large stones loosely fitted together, which served as
+a support for the wooden structure. After a careful survey, old Rough
+discovered what was evidently a mouse-hole, and he looked cautiously
+in. Nothing could he see or hear, and he scraped the earth away, in
+order to enlarge the opening. He found nothing inside, however, but a
+mouse-nest that had been long deserted; so he continued his search.
+
+Nothing could the old rat discover that resembled the place the crows
+had described as Bobtilla’s new residence. At last, when he was
+becoming convinced that this must have been a trick of the mischievous
+crows to mislead him, he observed what seemed to be a rat-hole in one
+corner of the wall.
+
+“Why didn’t I see that before?” said old Rough to himself; “they said
+she had taken possession of an empty rat-hole, and just like the
+shiftless creature, too, it is. However, she shall pay for keeping me
+waiting so long;” and very cautiously the old miser approached the
+entrance and looked in.
+
+“I could probably squeeze myself in,” thought old Rough, “but it would
+be rather close quarters for one of my size to turn around in, so I’ll
+make her come out.--Bobtilla,” he called sternly, “I have something to
+say to you.”
+
+No response came to his call, and he inclined his ear to the hole. He
+could distinctly hear somebody moving about inside, and he smiled at
+the thought of the treat in store for him.
+
+“Bobtilla, I say!” called the old miser again; “will you come out, or
+do you prefer to have me come in?”
+
+No reply came to this second call, except a slight rustling from within.
+
+“I see you, madam,” called out the old rat, looking into the dark
+opening; “I advise you to come out at once, or I shall come and fetch
+you. It will be all the same to me, but perhaps not quite so agreeable
+to you.”
+
+In reply, a shrill little voice was heard from within: “Come in! here I
+am.”
+
+Enraged at this insolence, the old water-rat began to dig away the
+earth from the entrance to what he supposed was the field-mouse’s
+abode; but suddenly he stopped in his work, and gave a shrill squeal
+of terror; for instead of the timid little Bobtilla whom he intended
+to torture, a slender animal with long, brownish fur came wriggling
+fiercely toward him. It was the deadliest enemy of the rat tribe, the
+weasel, and never in all his life had old Rough found himself in such a
+dangerous situation.
+
+Casting a terrified glance about him for a refuge, the old water-rat
+darted between the stones that formed the foundation of the hen-house,
+and found himself in the open space under the floor of the building.
+
+As he glanced about him in hope of discovering some loop-hole for
+escape, old Rough saw the long, flexible body of the weasel wriggling
+through the same passage by which he had come, his sharp eyes following
+him with an expression of intense ferocity.
+
+No greater terror could the wicked old water-rat have inspired in poor
+timid Bobtilla than that he now felt for the powerful weasel, and for
+one single instant old Rough stood irresolute; but the long lithe body
+of the weasel was wriggling nearer and nearer, and the water-rat made a
+desperate rush for a hole in one corner. He was through in an instant,
+and stood panting in a dark passage-way that was, or had once been,
+the home of some rat. Several smaller passageways led in different
+directions, and old Rough rushed into the one nearest him. Groping his
+way blindly, he soon found himself in a large apartment.
+
+No living creatures were to be seen, but the dry leaves and rags
+and paper in one corner evidently had recently served as a bed for
+some one; and the old rat shuddered as he descried in one corner the
+lifeless body of a mouse, whose life-blood had evidently been recently
+drawn.
+
+The old rat shook with terror as the horrible thought dawned on him
+that he had hit upon the abode of the ferocious creature from whom he
+was trying to escape. Cruel and contemptible as was the old miser’s
+character, he was not lacking in physical courage; and turning his face
+toward the various entrances that opened from the cavern, he resolved
+to make a bold stand for his life, and awaited breathlessly the
+appearance of his enemy, for he knew he would lose no time in following
+him.
+
+Old Rough had not long to wait; but every moment seemed an age as his
+sharp eyes glanced from one to another of the several openings. Before
+long, his keen ears detected a slight noise, and he knew well what
+it meant. The weasel was approaching,--but by which entrance? With a
+fast-beating heart, old Rough waited until the gleaming teeth of his
+relentless enemy appeared, and then, with all speed, the desperate
+water-rat darted into another of the passages.
+
+Could he have made a mistake, and chosen a passage that had no exit at
+the other end? Old Rough began to fear that such was the case, for it
+seemed to him, in his agony, as if the darkness grew more dense; and
+with horror he perceived that the passage grew more and more narrow,
+until he was forced, in places, to dig with all the desperation of
+despair a space large enough for his huge body to pass.
+
+So slow had the old miser’s progress become that he lost much time,
+and he realized despairingly that his pursuer was steadily gaining on
+him; for the weasel, with his long and flexible body, could easily slip
+through crevices too small for the bulky form of the old water-rat.
+
+Yes, the weasel was gaining on him! The old rat, panting from terror
+and prodigious exertions, felt that his enemy was close behind, and
+every minute expected to feel those sharp teeth fasten on his back;
+but the old miser was resolved to sell his life as dearly as possible,
+and making a gigantic effort he tore away a projection of earth
+that obstructed his path, and found, to his great relief, that the
+passage-way once more grew wide.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “And the old miser, who now felt that the decisive
+moment had arrived, turned and faced his enemy.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE COMBAT.
+
+
+The path was indeed much wider, and the old water-rat took courage, for
+he knew from experience that these passageways always grow wide as they
+approach the exit. If he could but escape from this subterranean abode,
+he felt there was a chance for him, for he could when outside at least
+face his enemy and make a fight for his life.
+
+The weasel was still close behind; but now that the water-rat had once
+more a wide passage-way, he could make more progress, and he bounded
+rapidly forward. Realizing so fully his dangerous position, his silent
+enemy pursuing him relentlessly and surely, not one pang of conscience
+smote him for the many times he had put others in the same danger the
+weasel now placed him. If he had reflected on the matter at all, he
+would have resolved to make others suffer, in the future, what he was
+now suffering; for not one ray of pity was in the old miser’s heart.
+Self, alone, had always been the one purpose of his life, and always
+would be, as long as life remained to him.
+
+No such reflections, however, disturbed the old water-rat’s mind; his
+sole aim was to escape this ferocious enemy, that was so silently
+pursuing him. With a bound of his wicked old heart, he descried a faint
+ray of light in the distance, and, filled with new courage, redoubled
+his efforts.
+
+His unusual exertion had told heavily on the old water-rat, and in
+spite of his efforts the steady progress of the weasel, who was as
+fresh as when he started, enabled him to gain on the exhausted rat. As
+the latter emerged once more into the open space under the floor of the
+hen-house, the weasel was close upon him, and the old miser, who now
+felt that the decisive moment had arrived, turned and faced his enemy.
+
+The deadly contest began in earnest. The weasel was bent on fastening
+his long, sharp teeth in the old water-rat’s neck, that he might drain
+his blood, and the old rat, with his sharp teeth and strong paws,
+endeavored to keep him at bay.
+
+The old water-rat’s strength was fast giving way, however. Almost
+sightless from the weakness that came so fast upon him, and faint from
+loss of blood that flowed from the wounds inflicted by the sharp teeth
+of his enemy, he knew that a few moments must decide his fate. At last
+he realized that the decisive moment had indeed come, as his now feeble
+paws could no longer keep back the strong weasel; and as he felt the
+last remnant of strength depart, and saw his enemy preparing for his
+final grip, squeal after squeal of agony issued from his throat. So
+penetrating were they in their shrillness that even the fierce weasel
+arrested the final blow, and paused for an instant.
+
+During this instant a loud clamor arose from the terrified hens
+assembled in the corner of the hen-yard, and this was immediately
+followed by the loud barking of a little terrier, who at once rushed in
+the direction whence the squeals of the water-rat issued, and pushed
+his inquisitive nose in between the crevices of the stones, while with
+his strong little paws he set to work to enlarge an opening. At the
+same instant, too, the voice of the farmer was heard directly behind
+the terrier, saying, as he dislodged a large stone: “Go in and find
+’em, old boy,--go in and find ’em!”
+
+Into the breach sprang the excited terrier, and away sped the weasel
+back to the same retreat from which he had first emerged; and while
+the terrier was scratching and snuffing at the opening, the wounded
+water-rat, unnoticed by the eager terrier, managed to drag his
+exhausted body to the wall, and emerged on the outside of the hen-house.
+
+Weary and wounded as the old miser was, he succeeded in reaching a pile
+of boards that stood behind the barns, and crawling beneath them threw
+himself down on the ground thoroughly exhausted, and lay motionless. If
+the weasel could have discovered him now, he might have despatched him
+without any resistance on the old rat’s part.
+
+Long did old Rough lie under the pile of boards, until day lengthened
+into twilight, and twilight deepened into night; and then, when all
+was still and dark, the old miser arose on his stiff legs and crawled
+slowly forth from his hiding-place. Before him lay the stream which had
+so often risen to his mind as he lay hot and aching under the pile of
+boards, and toward it he now directed his steps,--not with the agility
+and alertness with which he had passed over the same ground a few hours
+before, but slowly and listlessly, dragging along his aching body.
+
+At last the soft mud on the bank of the brook was reached, and the
+weary old miser slid into the turbid stream, sighing with relief as the
+cool water came into contact with his feverish body.
+
+Refreshing and invigorating was the old water-rat’s native element,
+and under its soothing and healing influence he felt a portion of his
+old strength gradually coming back to him. At first he floated slowly
+along, abandoning himself to the pleasing sensations the cool water
+afforded him; by degrees he increased his progress, swimming with ease,
+and before long stopped before his own door. Not a feeling of gratitude
+or joy at having had his life so mercifully and unexpectedly preserved
+did the sordid old miser feel, but he dragged his wounded body into his
+den, and with an angry squeak aroused Ruffina from slumber.
+
+“Dear me, Rough!” exclaimed his wife, who was thus suddenly disturbed
+in her dreams, “what a long time you’ve been gone. I thought something
+must have happened to you.”
+
+“Much it would trouble you,” muttered the old rat. “Come, bustle around
+and bring me something to eat, for I’m precious weak from loss of
+blood.”
+
+“Good gracious!” squealed Ruffina, “what have you been about? Why, you
+are bitten all to pieces. You don’t mean to say those horrid crows did
+that?”
+
+“Stop that noise, and don’t be a fool,--if you can help it. How do you
+suppose crows could give me such wounds as these?”
+
+“Who did, then?” asked his wife, examining the sharp cuts about his
+neck and face, from which the blood still oozed.
+
+“No matter who it was. You just bustle around and bring me some of that
+pork-rind I brought home the other day,--that will set me up quicker
+than anything else.”
+
+“There isn’t any,” answered Ruffina, in a faint voice.
+
+“What!” snarled the old miser. “No pork? What do you mean?”
+
+“It’s been stolen,” explained his wife, trembling under her lord’s
+angry glances; “but I couldn’t help it. _I_ wasn’t to blame.”
+
+“You’ve eaten it up, you thief!” cried the old miser, in a rage. “How
+dared you, when I told you not so much as to look at it?”
+
+“Indeed, I didn’t touch it,” explained his wife, timidly; “I put it
+away in one corner, for fear I might be tempted to taste it; but he
+found it and carried it off.”
+
+“_He?_ Whom do you mean by _he_, you exasperating idiot? Why can’t you
+explain yourself properly? You are at no loss for words when you ought
+to keep still.”
+
+Thus adjured, Ruffina related the visit of the two young crows, and
+explained how one had enticed her away from the house, while the other
+entered it and stole the pork-rind, and she ended by repeating the
+verse the crow had addressed to her.
+
+His wife’s account of the theft seemed sufficiently plausible to the
+miser, and he now realized the extent of the young crows’ treachery.
+That they had purposely led him to the weasel’s abode, thinking he
+would never return thence, he did not for a moment doubt, and he
+resolved to inflict sure and summary vengeance upon them in return.
+
+Long after his wife was sleeping soundly, did the old water-rat lie
+awake, concocting plans to carry out his revenge, not only on the
+impudent young crows, but also on the defenceless Bobtilla and the
+officious chipmunks who had interfered in his plans. After long
+thought, a scheme occurred to him which made him smile grimly to
+himself, and mutter,--“It may be long before I can accomplish it, but I
+will bide my time.”
+
+This thought was so gratifying that the old water-rat at once betook
+himself to bed, and soon fell into a deep and refreshing slumber.
+
+We will leave old Rough to enjoy his much needed rest, and follow the
+adventures of other friends.
+
+The Widow O’Warty was quite disconcerted for a time at the trick played
+upon her by the saucy crows; but she was too good-natured to bear
+resentment long, and soon laughed at the recollection of the event.
+
+“It’s meself that injoyed the pleasure of a serenade that was intinded
+for another,” she said to herself; “an’ afther all, there’s no harrm
+done. It’s a rale gintleman is Johnny the basso, an’ a foine singer,
+an’ it’s pl’ased I should account meself to continue his acquaintance.”
+
+So a few days later, when the widow met the basso in the meadow, she
+accosted him graciously.
+
+“It’s pl’ased I am to see ye; an’ it’s proud I should account meself to
+see you at me reciption the evening,” said the smiling widow.
+
+“You do me great honor, Madame La Warty,” replied the basso,
+courteously; “at what hour will Madame permit me to visit her?”
+
+“Whin the jew is on the grass and the moon is up,” said the widow, “the
+company will assimble forninst me dwilling. Is it the swate singer
+Signor Trillo ye have mit?”
+
+“No, I have not had the _plaisir_ to meet him,” answered the basso,
+somewhat haughtily; for the name suggested a possible rival.
+
+“Is that the troot?” asked the widow. “It’s surprised I am to hear the
+same. The gintleman houlds a high station in his own counthry; indade,
+I’m tould he’s nixt removed from the king. It’s many the reciptions an’
+kittle-dhrums an’ shmoketalks the ‘tin million’ have given him, an’
+indade it’s surprised I am yees have niver mit. Two such swate singers
+should become known to each ither, an’ it’s meself that will have the
+pl’isure of introjucing yees. It’s foine the v’ices of yees will blind
+togither, for it’s a swate tenor the signor possesses.”
+
+“I do not wish to sing wiz zee tenor, Madame La Warty,” replied the
+basso, excitedly. “I ’ate ze tenor voice. He squeal, he know not what
+musique is. Zee great basso-profundo will not sing wiz your tenor,
+Madame.”
+
+“Oh, no! you are mistaken,” answered the widow, good-naturedly; “the
+signor does not squeal; it is a full rich v’ice himself has,--not sich
+a foine v’ice as yourself, to be sure,” added the widow, quickly, who
+saw the effect of her injudicious praise of the tenor, and who wished
+to retain the favor of the sensitive basso, “but a swate v’ice for a
+_tenor_, av coorse, I m’ane.”
+
+The feeling of jealousy that had taken possession of the basso’s breast
+during the widow’s praise of the tenor, made his throat swell and
+vibrate with the strength of the emotion that raged within him; but the
+effect of her last words caused the tumult within him to subside, and
+with an effort he regained his usual composure.
+
+“I sail have zee _honneur_ to wait on Madame La Warty zis evening,”
+replied the basso, politely. “I will make my adieu to Madame if she
+will permit, as I have an appointment to meet.”
+
+“Who is zis tenor, zis Signor Trillo?” said the basso to himself. “I
+do not believe zat he is one great noble. I do not believe zat he can
+sing; but I will see him,--I will laugh at zis tenor when he goes to
+sing! I, zee great basso-profundo, will sing so loud zat zey sail not
+hear one tone from zis squealing pig.”
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “The Widow O’Warty’s reception.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE WIDOW O’WARTY’S RECEPTION.
+
+
+The hour for the Widow O’Warty’s reception was approaching, and
+everything seemed favorable for a happy evening. The sun disappeared in
+the west, and the golden and red-tinted clouds reflected his parting
+rays. These deepened into a violet hue, as twilight stole gradually
+on, and then a soft gray light fell over all.
+
+This is the hour dear to all the little animals that inhabit the woods
+and fields. They seem to fear the brilliant daylight, and their timid
+natures grow bolder as night steals on.
+
+At this hour the cheerful crickets sing out more cheerfully and boldly,
+the shy tree-toads pipe their shrill song, and from every ditch and
+pond arise the melancholy tones of the emotional frog, the far-reaching
+tenor and the resounding bass.
+
+In the depths of the wood rings out more often the cheerful chirrup of
+the shy squirrel; the hedge-hog squeaks, and the little mice scurry
+along the ground. All of these sounds were heard on the evening of the
+Widow O’Warty’s reception, and as night came on these voices increased.
+
+Then, when the twilight disappeared and all grew dark, out came the
+fireflies, floating over the meadow, and often soaring over the
+tallest trees, every motion of their gauzy wings displaying the
+brilliant strips of greenish light on their little bodies.
+
+The glow-worms, too, wriggled their shining bodies through the grass,
+doing their best to light on their way the Widow O’Warty’s guests.
+
+The hostess herself sat in front of her dwelling, her affable
+countenance wreathed in smiles, as she welcomed each guest. A
+lawn-party it must be, for the widow’s house was too dark and cramped
+to contain the hosts of friends her hospitality included.
+
+Johnny the basso was one of the first to arrive, and, as he sat beside
+the hostess, she found time, between the arrivals, to acquaint him with
+the characters of her guests.
+
+“It’s a furriner ye are, an’ it’s meself that will acquaint ye wid the
+ways of me fri’nds,” she explained.
+
+A light green katydid, accompanied by her pale and delicate looking
+son, were seen approaching.
+
+“Sure, an’ if me two eyes do not dec’ave me, that swate cratur Katrina
+Diddo an’ her remarkable son are appearing to me view. Good evening,
+Ma’arm,” continued the hostess, as the two approached. “It’s proud I
+account meself to rec’ave yees.”
+
+“Thanks,” murmured the katydid, with her head poised on one side,
+and her full eyes gazing with a rapt expression far over the Widow
+O’Warty’s head into vacancy. “How extremely kind of you to draw us out
+this marvellous evening, when each slender blade of grass and each tiny
+leaflet is bathed in translucent dew, and the spirit of inspiration
+hovers above us, earth creatures as we are;” and the speaker heaved a
+sigh as she closed her eyes dreamily.
+
+“It’s _intinse_ Katrina is,” whispered the widow to the basso; “an’
+how is the swate b’y, ma’am,” she added, to the poetic katydid, whose
+dreamy eyes still looked far away into space.
+
+“Well, my dear Widow. Excelsior is as well as one can be, who hears
+the voice of genius forever calling him to higher things, and to
+deeds where we, poor earth-worms as we are, cannot follow him,--that
+ceaseless call, as the ocean beats his great heart out against a giant
+wall. Ah me! what is life!”
+
+“Ye may well remark it,” answered the widow; “it’s a mystery, is life,
+an’ that’s the troot.”
+
+“You know it? You feel it too?” exclaimed Katrina, with a sudden burst
+of intensity. “Oh! the crushing weight of that thought to a soaring
+human soul!”
+
+With a deep sigh the poetess passed on, followed closely by her
+talented son.
+
+“Zis grande poetess, I perceive she have one foreign name; I taught
+she was American,” remarked the basso, as the pair disappeared.
+
+“It’s American hersilf is,” replied the widow, confidentially, “an’
+it’s Katy Did her name is; but whin it’s famous she became, she changed
+the name of her, Katy did, as was r’asonable. It’s one of the ‘tin
+million’ Katy is,” added the widow, in a whisper.
+
+The poetess’s son, Excelsior, had not spoken a word, but had gazed
+about him in an abstracted manner during the conversation between his
+mother and the Widow O’Warty, not evincing by a look or sign that he
+had understood the conversation.
+
+“What’s zee matter wiz zat _garçon_?” asked the basso, who had been a
+silent observer.
+
+“Ye may will ask fwhat’s the matter wid the gossoon; an’ it’s mesilf
+that’s not able to acquaint you wid his complaint,” replied the widow;
+“but I suspicion that it’s on account of the head of him being too
+large for the body of him.”
+
+“What does he do, this _spirituel garçon_? Does he make poetry like his
+talented mamma?”
+
+“Indade an’ he does no sich a thing,” replied the widow, in a tone that
+expressed resentment at the question. “There is not body enough to
+contain the brain av him in the furst place; an’ thin it’s such a d’ale
+of thinking the cratur kapes up that there’s no vint for the same, an’
+the thoughts they kape revolving trou’ the brain av him, till I’m tauld
+there’s great danger av an ixplosion.”
+
+“I am sorry for zis _pauvre garçon_,” replied the basso; and he once
+more watched with interest the poetess and her remarkable son, who was
+unable to give expression to the great thoughts that seethed through
+his gigantic brain.
+
+“Della bella Wartyo,” cried a high tenor voice, as a tree-toad appeared.
+
+“Is it yourself, Signor Trillo?” answered the widow, cordially. “It’s
+rej’iced to see ye I am. I was afeard we should lose the pl’isure of
+your company this evening.”
+
+“A million thanks,” replied the tenor, effusively; “Madame is too
+gracious.”
+
+“I take pl’isure, Signor, in presinting to ye Johnny the basso, the
+swatest of singers, yourself ixcipted,” said the widow, graciously.
+
+Johnny the basso darted a scrutinizing glance at the tenor, for a
+secret misgiving seized him. Could this tenor be the identical one
+who had stolen from him the affection of the little brown frog? It
+might be so,--that this foreigner, said to be of noble birth, so much
+courted and feted by the “ten million” on account of the high position
+he was supposed to hold in his native land, had won the fancy of the
+fair brown frog. But he would not be precipitate, he would watch this
+tenor; and if his suspicions were verified, then let the tenor look to
+his safety!
+
+The tenor evidently was not disturbed by any such emotions as agitated
+the great basso, and he greeted the latter in so unembarrassed a
+manner, that the basso felt obliged to conceal his suspicions as well
+as possible, and wait for future developments.
+
+“It’s a po’me Katrina Diddo will be afther reciting to us,” said the
+widow, as the poetess came forward, and fixing her eyes on the full
+moon that stood overhead, gazed at it awhile in silence. Then, while
+the other guests waited breathlessly for the inspiration that she
+seemed invoking from that brilliant orb, Katrina, still gazing upward,
+recited the following lines:--
+
+    “Sunflower of the sky,
+      Oh! why
+    Floatest thou
+      On high?
+
+    “The lily lovest thou?
+      Now, now,
+    To her descends
+      Thy vow.
+
+    “Clothed in celestial light,
+      Bright, bright,
+    Into her flower-heart,
+      It flows at night.”
+
+“How exquisite!” murmured an ecstatic young grasshopper, who had gazed
+enraptured on the ardent poetess; “methinks I faint with the sweet
+oppression.”
+
+“Ye may will faint, that’s a fact!” replied the Widow O’Warty. “Will
+ye recite that iligant thing, ‘Among the Daffodils’? I’m tauld it’s
+accounted the finest po’me ye’ve proju’ced yit.”
+
+Whereupon the poetess, fixing her eyes on vacancy, recited the
+following verses:--
+
+    “Among the daffodils,
+    Ah me! so lonesome!
+    Bending toward flowing rills,
+    Ah me! so lonesome!
+    Heart, cease thy beating,
+    Ah me! so lonesome!
+    Hear lambkin bleating,
+    Ah me! so lonesome!
+
+    “Lambkin and daffodils,
+    Lonesome, so lonesome!
+    Ye flowerets, ye wandering rills,
+    Lonesome, so lonesome!
+    Lamb, to thy mother flee,
+    No longer lonesome,
+    Mated my heart shall be,
+    No longer lonesome.”
+
+“An’ now will ye give us the pl’isure of a song, Signor Trillo?” asked
+the hostess, when the enthusiasm that followed the poem had died away.
+
+The tenor, in his high voice, responded with the following ditty:--
+
+    “Oh! say, have you heard,
+    From yonder bog,
+    The merry refrain
+    Of the little brown frog?
+
+    “When the moon shineth down
+    On streamlet and rill,
+    You may hear in the fields,
+    The brown frog’s trill.
+
+    “And all the night long.
+    And through the day,
+    The little brown frog
+    Is singing away.
+
+    “Till my heart has grown sad
+    From the love I bring her,
+    And all for the sake
+    Of the little brown singer.”
+
+During the song, the basso felt his emotion overpowering him, and at
+its conclusion he hopped up to the singer and exclaimed fiercely,--
+
+“I wish to know, sair, who is zis leetle brown frog of whom you sing?”
+
+The tenor turned, and gazed in astonishment on the excited countenance
+of the disturbed basso.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “I don’t fancy fat bassos, replied the saucy Brownella,
+hopping to the tenor’s side.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE RIVALS.
+
+
+“I did not mention the name of the little brown frog,” answered Signor
+Trillo, haughtily.
+
+“But I desire to know zee name of zee leetle brown frog, Monsieur,”
+persisted the excited basso. “I myself know one leetle brown frog, and
+I wish to know zee name of her of whom you sing.”
+
+“That is my concern alone,” replied the tenor, in the same haughty
+manner. “The name of her whose beauty I sing shall remain deeply
+written on my heart, and the wealth of the world would not tempt me to
+disclose it.”
+
+“What depth of soul!” softly murmured Katrina, “what delicacy of
+feeling!” and all the assembled guests gazed admiringly on the
+noble-spirited tenor.
+
+“But you _sall_ disclose zee name of zee leetle brown frog!” exclaimed
+the basso, fiercely. “I seek one leetle brown frog, and I suspect,
+Monsieur, zat zis is zee one. On your _honneur_, I demand zee name of
+zee leetle brown frog.”
+
+“The honor of the fair sex is dearer to me than my own,” answered the
+tenor, “and I refuse to disclose the name of her whose praises I sing.”
+
+A murmur ran through the assembly at these chivalrous words,--the
+crickets and grasshoppers boldly sang out their admiration, the frogs
+and toads croaked approval, the fireflies rushed excitedly about,
+while the susceptible Katrina gave utterance to several sighs, as she
+murmured,--
+
+“What nobility of thought! what tenacity of purpose! Happy little brown
+frog, to inspire such wealth of affection in so intense a nature!”
+
+As the admiration of the tenor increased, disapproval of the basso’s
+conduct grew in proportion, and severe were the indignant glances cast
+upon him.
+
+“I say to you zat you _have_ no _honneur_! I say to you zat you are no
+noble in your native land! I say to you zat you are no Italien! I say
+to you zat you are one Yankee! I say to you zat you are one coward and
+one _imposteur_!” And the excitable basso paused, quite out of breath.
+
+For an instant after these audacious words there was a pause; but by
+degrees the buzz of the assembled guests grew louder and louder, until
+not a sound could be heard above the angry hum. All their indignation
+was centered on the bold basso, who had dared to insult the noble
+signor who held such a high position in his native land.
+
+“You shall retract your words, sir!” said the signor, when the voices
+of his admirers had subsided sufficiently to allow him to be heard.
+“You shall not insult a tree-toad of noble birth with impunity! You
+shall answer for this insult.”
+
+“I say to you once more zat you are _not_ of noble birth,--zat you are
+one Yankee _imposteur_, sair! You know well zat zee peoples in zis land
+feel zemselves proud to make zee acquaintance of zee great Italien
+noble; zat when he go to zem and say: ‘Behold me, I have no food to
+eat; it is not possible for so great a noble as I to work for my food;
+will you zee goodness have to give me from your abundance till I hear
+from my noble friends in Italy?’ zen all zee peoples feel theirselves
+proud to give to zee noble foreigner. Zat is how it is, I know it; and
+I say zat you are one _imposteur_, sair, and I challenge you to deny
+it, sair!”
+
+“What’s the use of all this quarrelling?” cried a gay voice, and a
+sprightly young brown frog hopped between the two disputants, and
+looked pertly about her.
+
+“Brownella!” exclaimed the basso in astonishment. “Do I see you at
+last?”
+
+“I suppose you do, if you look this way,” answered Brownella, saucily.
+
+“The lady shall decide the matter,” said Signor Trillo.
+
+“Brownella, have you forgotten the vows we plighted, the sonnets I have
+sung beneath your window?” asked the basso, tenderly.
+
+“Oh, bother!” ejaculated Brownella, with a coquettish toss of the head.
+
+“Have you forgotten how I, zee greatest basso-profundo on zee earth,
+have sat night after night in zee cold, wet bog, chanting your praises?
+Have you no remembrance of zis, I ask?”
+
+“I told you our voices didn’t blend well,” replied Brownella, pertly.
+“How absurd for a soprano and basso-profundo to try to sing together!
+We should only make a spectacle of ourselves.”
+
+“If zee hearts blend, what matter about zee voices?” asked the basso,
+fondly.
+
+“I never yet made an object of myself, and I don’t intend to begin
+now,” answered Brownella, saucily.
+
+“Will you choose, Brownella, between this basso and me?” asked the
+tenor, who had manifested great satisfaction in the brown frog’s
+replies to the basso. “Which shall it be, this fat basso, or the tenor
+with the noble pedigree?”
+
+“I don’t fancy fat bassos,” replied the saucy Brownella, hopping to the
+tenor’s side, while all the assembled guests sent up a hum of approval.
+
+There was nothing left for the basso but to accept his disappointment
+as he best could, and with great ferocity he said to the tenor, “You
+sall have occasion to show if you are one coward. I sall have zee
+pleasure to meet you, Monsieur, to-morrow evening in zee meadow by zee
+bog.”
+
+“I shall be there without fail,” replied the tenor, haughtily; and
+abruptly saluting the hostess, the basso hopped angrily away.
+
+The next night, as soon as the moon appeared, the basso proceeded to
+the bog in the meadow, to meet, in mortal combat, the tenor who had so
+deeply insulted him. Toward the faithless Brownella, he seemed to bear
+no resentment, concentrating all his wrath on the foreign singer who
+had stolen from him the affections of the little brown frog.
+
+Not long did the basso sit on the moist edge of the bog before the
+guests who had assembled the evening before at the Widow O’Warty’s
+reception began to arrive, all eager to witness the contest between the
+two great singers.
+
+The poetical Katrina and the talented Excelsior were among the early
+arrivals, the poetess improving the time that elapsed before the
+arrival of the tenor in composing a sonnet to the genius of her
+remarkable son.
+
+Why did not the tenor appear? What could his absence mean? The guests
+were beginning to ask themselves these questions, as time went on and
+the tenor failed to appear.
+
+Groups of frogs were earnestly discussing the merits of the two
+combatants, some offering wagers as to the result of the contest; here
+and there bands of crickets and grasshoppers were talking over the
+quarrel of the evening before in their shrill voices; and the fireflies
+darted about impetuously, often soaring far out of sight, and always
+returning with the information that the tenor was nowhere to be seen.
+
+At last whispers were heard suggesting that perhaps after all the tenor
+would not appear; that he was purposely keeping away.
+
+All this time the basso sat silently on the margin of the bog,
+glaring fiercely about him in every direction, hoping to catch sight
+of his adversary,--silent except for an occasional deep-voiced croak
+expressive of wrath.
+
+As the moon rose higher into the sky, and star after star came out,
+and still the tenor did not appear, the hum of voices grew louder,
+and took on an angry tone; and as is often the case with impulsive
+natures, the very ones who had the evening before been the most
+enthusiastic over the Italian tenor, now were the first to suspect him
+of intentionally staying away, and to accuse him of cowardice.
+
+The boldness of the bull-frog, as he sat silently and ferociously
+awaiting his rival’s coming, began to make an impression in his favor;
+and before long, audible remarks disparaging the tenor were heard.
+
+At this point, a fine large fire-fly was seen flying rapidly toward
+the company, and when he reached them, he sank exhausted on the moist
+grass that surrounded the bog. All looked eagerly toward him, for they
+knew he had news to tell them. As soon as he recovered his breath
+sufficiently to speak, he said,--
+
+“It’s of no use waiting any longer; he isn’t coming.”
+
+“Where is he?” was asked on all sides.
+
+“Taken himself off, nobody knows where,” answered the fire-fly, as well
+as he could for want of breath.
+
+“To think of the times I’ve hunted food for the lazy thing!” exclaimed
+a toad, angrily.
+
+“And I too!” was heard from many voices.
+
+“An’ think on the iligant reciption meself gave in his honor!”
+exclaimed the Widow O’Warty.
+
+“And the sonnets I’ve dedicated to him!” murmured Katrina Diddo,
+dejectedly.
+
+“It’s meself that always suspected he was dec’aving us,” said the widow.
+
+“So I have always said,” remarked a stout frog, who had shortly before
+been one of the tenor’s most ardent admirers. “I’ve always said he’d
+turn out to be a fraud, and now I hope you’ll believe me.”
+
+“The airs the cratur put on!” said the Widow O’Warty. “It’s aisy to
+spake about the foine relations of him whin it’s so far removed they
+are.”
+
+“And to think of the poor little brown frog!” exclaimed another; “how
+he has deceived her!”
+
+All the company, who so short a time before were enthusiastic on the
+subject of the noble foreigner, were now just as ready to denounce him.
+
+All this time the bull-frog, who had been so imposed upon, had remained
+too deeply absorbed in his own wrongs to attend to the remarks of the
+company.
+
+“Faith, an’ it’s sorry for ye I am, Johnny,” said the good-hearted
+widow, as the basso was about to take his departure. “He’s a villain,
+is Trillo, an’ that’s the troot.”
+
+“I knew it would turn out this way,” remarked to the basso the stout
+frog who had before spoken. “It won’t do to trust these foreigners too
+far. I knew you were right, when you exposed him yesterday.”
+
+“So did I,” said another of Signor Trillo’s former admirers.
+
+“I sank you for your very kind opinions,” responded the basso,
+politely; “but you will pardon me if I say zat it is razer late to
+express zese good opinions. If I do not deceive myself, it was quite
+otherwise yesterday;” and with a courteous but frigid salutation,
+Johnny the basso dived into the pool, and was not seen until he
+reappeared on the other side, when he uttered a loud and agonizing
+“a-hung!”
+
+The company looked at one another in astonishment at the cool reception
+their expressions of sympathy had met with from the great singer, and
+several murmured disapproval. The Widow O’Warty, whose good-nature
+always asserted itself, was the first to recover herself.
+
+“It’s disapp’inted he is, an’ no wonder. An’ his thrubbles are not
+over yet, I’m thinking, for a dec’ateful cratur is that Brownella; an’
+now that Trillo has taken his departure, it’s once more sthriving to
+obtain the affections of poor Johnny she’ll be.”
+
+“It’s my opinion she’ll not succeed,” observed a young frog. “I
+think he’s tired of her long ago, and I’m sure there are plenty more
+attractive than that little dark-skinned Brownella.”
+
+“She was always a saucy thing,” said the stout frog. “I always told my
+daughters to have nothing to do with her.”
+
+“She had betther kape her spickled face to home, or it’s a warm
+reception the saucy cratur will find here,” remarked the widow. “But
+what in the world is the matter, that ye must needs frighten a body
+like that?” she continued, as a bat flew so closely to her, and with so
+little noise, that she started back in alarm. “Oh! it’s yourself, is
+it, Misther Flipwing? An’ fwhat in the world’s name is the matther?”
+
+“Have you heard the news?” Flipwing asked, as he clung to the trunk of
+a tree in his favorite position, head downward.
+
+“What news do ye m’ane? Is it that the raskill Trillo has absconded,
+afther recaving the attintions of the ‘tin million?’ Yis, we’ve heard
+it; an’ it’s small astonishment the news gave meself, for it’s meself
+that suspicted from the first that he was a dec’aver.”
+
+“No, I don’t mean that,” replied the bat. “I mean about Squirrello’s
+youngster, you know.”
+
+“No, I do not know,” said the widow, eagerly. “Will ye pl’ase to
+ixplain yourself, and acquaint us wid the news!”
+
+“Well, then,” responded Flipwing, “Squirrello’s youngest has
+disappeared; either strayed away and got lost, or been entrapped. _I_’m
+in favor of the latter theory.”
+
+“The purty little thing, wid the soft and bushy tail of him!” exclaimed
+the widow; “it’s sorry for him I am.”
+
+“How did it happen?” demanded many voices.
+
+Flipwing could not satisfy their curiosity. He could only tell them
+that the little squirrel had suddenly disappeared; that his parents
+had searched everywhere in vain for him, and that they were almost
+distracted with grief at their loss.
+
+This news all heard with regret, and each determined to do his best to
+discover the fate of the lost squirrel.
+
+“Yees have all heard of the sarvices Misther Flipwing has rendered on
+former occasions,” observed the widow; “an’ wid his hilp we’ll find the
+poor b’y.”
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “So it was with some inward satisfaction that they saw
+him enter the passage-way that led into the dark cave.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+FLUFF IS LOST.
+
+
+The news brought by the bat Flipwing was correct,--the youngest of the
+squirrel family, little Fluff, was indeed missing, and great was the
+distress of his family in consequence. The first day of freedom,--that
+on which the two young crows had discovered the new dwellings of the
+field-mouse and squirrels, when the young squirrels had ventured
+out alone for the first time in their lives,--proved to be a most
+disastrous event, for it awoke in their young natures a taste for
+adventure that was most dangerous.
+
+So delightful was this new experience, that it became the custom of
+the young squirrels daily, in the absence of their parents, to venture
+out boldly, and enjoy the freedom of the woods. Bobtilla’s children,
+possessing more timid natures, dared not join their neighbors in
+their adventures, but remained quietly at home; while their fearless
+playmates, made confident by the seclusion and solitude about them,
+became constantly bolder, and each day ventured farther out.
+
+Such a vigilant old fellow as the miser Rough, who was now bent on
+discovering the new retreat of his enemies, as he chose to consider the
+harmless little field-mouse and squirrels, could not fail before long
+to find them out.
+
+One day, hidden behind a moss-covered stump, old Rough discovered the
+young squirrels frisking merrily about among the trees and over the
+rocks; and he soon learned that it was the habit of these active young
+creatures to venture out daily, as soon as their parents had departed
+in search of food, and pursue their innocent gambols.
+
+Then did the old water-rat set his wicked mind to work, and he soon
+formed a plan of revenge that afforded him perfect satisfaction.
+
+Beneath the very stump that had served as a hiding-place whence he
+could watch his unsuspecting victims, he dug a long and deep den, and
+skilfully concealed the opening with moss and leaves. To this cavern he
+conducted his wife, giving her minute directions as to her part of the
+programme.
+
+Ruffina promised to obey in every particular; and indeed a much bolder
+nature than the water-rat’s submissive wife’s might have quailed under
+the direful consequences which the old miser vowed would follow the
+slightest disregard of his directions.
+
+Thus was Ruffina installed within the den, and before the opening was
+placed a fine acorn, while just within lay several more of unusually
+fine size and quality.
+
+Meanwhile the young squirrels frisked and gambolled in their beautiful
+playground among the trees with not a suspicion of the plot laid for
+their destruction. A very venturesome squirrel was little Fluff, the
+youngest and most promising of the family, and his bold spirit led
+him into places where his more cautious brothers and sister dared not
+follow. His bright eyes were always spying out objects they never
+thought of finding, and his inquisitive little nose was constantly
+poking itself where it had no business to go.
+
+The time for which old Rough had long waited at last arrived. Fluff’s
+curious eyes espied the tempting acorn that the old miser had placed to
+entrap him, and in a moment he had it in his little forepaws, and his
+sharp teeth soon penetrated the thin shell. Selfishness was not one of
+Fluff’s faults, and he generously divided the delicate morsel with his
+companions.
+
+The acorn did not go very far, to be sure, and when the small share
+that fell to each was eaten, they looked at each other wistfully.
+
+“What a pity there are no more!” said one.
+
+“Ah, that was good,” replied another, carefully examining the empty
+shells, in the hope that some crumbs might have been overlooked.
+
+“There must be more,” asserted Fluff, positively. “It isn’t likely just
+one nut would be left here. It was dropped by mistake, and the rest,
+probably a big pile, must be near;” and Fluff’s inquisitive nose and
+bright eyes began their investigations.
+
+It was not long before the opening so ingeniously concealed by old
+Rough was brought to light, and in went Master Fluff.
+
+“See here!” he soon called out, “what did I tell you? Here are some
+more of them, and you may be sure that that dark den beyond is full.
+Come on, and help yourselves!”
+
+The more cautious brothers and sister, however, did not think it
+prudent to venture into the dark entrance to the cavern, but looked
+longingly in, while the bolder Fluff brought them some of the fine
+acorns, which, if possible, were even larger and of finer flavor than
+the one found outside.
+
+These, too, were soon eaten, and then came the natural desire for more.
+The first peep into the dark cavern, however, had been sufficient to
+keep all but Fluff at a safe distance; but this venturesome young
+squirrel soon decided on the course he intended to pursue.
+
+“I’ve made up my mind,” said Fluff, boldly, “that there are plenty more
+acorns in that dark hole, and I’m going in.”
+
+“Going in!” exclaimed his horrified companions.
+
+“Yes; what is there so strange in that?” laughed Fluff. “It’s evident
+to me that that dark cave is the hiding-place of some old miser, and on
+the way he dropped a few of his nuts. There must be a pile of them, or
+he wouldn’t have let such fine nuts lie there.”
+
+“Oh, don’t go in!” pleaded little Flossie. “Suppose some great horrid
+creature with long, sharp teeth and claws lives there!”
+
+“If I find any such thing there, I shall come right back, of course. Do
+you think I am so foolish as to allow myself to be nabbed?”
+
+But Flossie’s gentle little heart was not satisfied, and she continued
+to plead with her venturesome brother. The others, it must be
+confessed, did not oppose so many objections to Fluff’s plans as did
+his tender-hearted little sister, for they greatly desired the savory
+nuts, and Fluff had always come off with such flying colors from the
+many risks he had run, that they had great confidence in his powers;
+so it was with some inward satisfaction that they saw him enter the
+passage-way that led into the dark cave.
+
+For an instant all was still, and the little squirrels waiting outside
+huddled together, listening breathlessly for some signal from their
+brother; but all at once arose in Fluff’s well-known voice a sharp cry
+of pain, and then followed immediately repeated calls for help.
+
+The timid creatures, terrified, scampered off as fast as they could go,
+leaving their courageous brother to his fate. When at a safe distance,
+they stopped, their hearts beating wildly and their sides palpitating,
+and looked timidly back at the dark cavern into which poor Fluff had
+disappeared.
+
+Nothing was to be seen, and all was still; and soon came the dreadful
+thought,--how should they account to their parents for Fluff’s absence?
+
+Too cowardly to tell the truth, which would reveal their own
+disobedience, they resolved to assert boldly that Fluff had disappeared
+suddenly when they were at play, and they could find no traces of him.
+
+In vain did gentle Flossie plead with them to allow her to tell the
+whole truth; but she was threatened with the most dreadful consequences
+if she did not do as they wished.
+
+“I’ll set ‘Old Dead’ after you, Floss, if you tell,” said her oldest
+brother, when all other arguments had failed.
+
+Who “Old Dead” was, Flossie hadn’t the least idea; but she knew he must
+be somebody to be dreaded, for the name alone struck terror to her
+gentle soul; and even Fluff, bold as he was, had often submitted to his
+older brothers, when they threatened to summon “Old Dead.”
+
+Thus, much against her will, Flossie yielded, and promised to help her
+brothers deceive their kind parents in regard to her poor lost brother;
+and when Squirrella and Squirrello returned, the sad story was told
+them that Fluff had suddenly disappeared, and that they thought the
+fierce Blinkeye must have carried him off.
+
+“In the daytime?” asked Squirrello. “How can that be? He sleeps all day
+long.”
+
+“Any way, we heard a great noise, and thought it must be Blinkeye,”
+asserted the little squirrels, boldly.
+
+But in spite of their success in deceiving their parents, the cowardly
+little creatures were far from being satisfied with themselves; and as
+for little Flossie, she mourned more and more, as day after day passed,
+and no tidings came from her favorite brother.
+
+Poor Fluff! he was in the power of old Rough, who was keeping him a
+prisoner, in order to revenge himself on Squirrello and Squirrella
+for giving assistance to Bobtilla. Ruffina was his jailor, and heard
+without pity his prayers to be released.
+
+The old miser himself occasionally visited his captive in order to
+enjoy his misery. Poor little Fluff! One who had seen him in his days
+of freedom, with his bushy tail tilted saucily over his striped back,
+and his bright eyes glancing roguishly about, would never recognize him
+in the drooping little figure with lustreless eyes that now crouched in
+one corner of old Rough’s prison, day and night under Ruffina’s sharp
+eyes, as she sat ready to pounce upon him at the first effort he made
+to escape.
+
+Very meagre was poor Fluff’s fare, and the plump sides that once bulged
+out under his generous feed of nuts were now sunken and hollow.
+
+At first the little prisoner, relying on his swift movements, made many
+attempts to escape when he thought the attention of his watchful jailor
+was withdrawn; but he was soon undeceived, and her strong paws reminded
+him that she was as vigilant as ever.
+
+Courageous as was Fluff’s spirit, it was fast becoming subdued from
+imprisonment and starvation; but through it all came the thought that
+his loving parents would find some means to release him, and this
+thought cheered him through many a lonely hour.
+
+Little did Fluff dream, frank and fearless as he was, to what base
+methods cowardly natures can be led; and shut up in this dark cavern,
+his mind pictured his brothers and sister lurking near his prison,
+watching for an opportunity to defend him, and his parents laying plans
+for his release. Every sound made his heart beat fast with expectation,
+but each time it fell with disappointment as his hopes deceived him.
+
+While poor Fluff waited and watched for his release, his friends
+outside were busily employed in discovering traces of him. In vain did
+Squirrello and Squirrella search for some trace of their lost child,
+and Bobtilla joined in the search.
+
+That shrewd fellow, the swallow Swift, flew hither and thither, looking
+into hollow trees and dark holes; but not a clew to the missing Fluff
+did he discover.
+
+That experienced detective, Flipwing, was on the watch, too, and
+at night prowled silently about, hoping to gain some clew to the
+whereabouts of Fluff. At times some slight information, that to the
+inexperienced would seem of no value, the shrewd Flipwing would seize
+on, and by skilfully weaving together the news he had obtained, the
+hope that he had at last found a clew to the mystery would encourage
+him; but when the chain of evidence was nearly complete, a missing link
+would overthrow the whole, and Flipwing’s patient work become useless.
+
+At last, however, when the detective’s final hope had disappeared, an
+unexpected event set his heart beating with renewed courage.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “The squirrels looked as they were directed, and
+discovered the bat.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+FLIPWING MAKES AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.
+
+
+The circumstance that so much encouraged the bat Flipwing was the
+following: One morning, after an unusually tedious night had been
+spent in trying to discover some information concerning the missing
+Fluff, Flipwing had alighted on a tree in the depths of the wood, and
+clinging head downward to the rough bark had fallen instantly asleep.
+
+The sun’s rays sifting through the forest trees did not wake the
+exhausted bat, and he slept soundly until the sun stood directly
+overhead. Then his heavy slumber changed to a lighter one, interspersed
+with dreams in which the scenes of the previous night were enacted. At
+last Flipwing dreamed that his diligent search was rewarded, and the
+fate of the lost squirrel decided.
+
+So vivid was the dream that Flipwing could hardly believe it was not
+reality, and that he did not actually hear the voice of the little
+squirrel, when suddenly a particularly bright ray of sunlight fell on
+him, and he awoke.
+
+At first so deep had been his slumber, and so very natural his dream,
+that the bat could not at once understand whether he were awake or
+asleep. He looked about him, however, and soon realized that he had
+been asleep on the tree where he had alighted a few hours before. The
+atmosphere of his dream hung about him, and he still seemed to hear the
+little squirrel’s high tones.
+
+It was true that Flipwing _did_ hear a squirrel’s voice; but it was
+not the voice of Fluff, and in an instant the bat’s sharp senses were
+wide awake and on the alert. Three young squirrels were seated on a
+neighboring tree, so eager in conversation that they did not observe
+the small, dark outline of the bat clinging to the tree. Flossie and
+her two older brothers were talking together very eagerly, and after
+hearing a few words Flipwing did not allow a single sentence of the
+conversation to escape him.
+
+“Do let me tell what became of him,” pleaded Flossie; “he may be
+alive, and waiting for us to release him.”
+
+“Remember your promise, you little sneak!” answered her brother Bob;
+“you needn’t think you can go back on that.”
+
+“Fluff wouldn’t have served you so, you know he wouldn’t,” said
+Flossie, earnestly. “He’d have come right into the hole and tried to
+get you out.”
+
+“Well, we’re not quite so foolish as all that,” said Chippie, the other
+brother. “It wouldn’t have helped Fluff any to have us caught and eaten
+up too.”
+
+“Oh dear!” exclaimed Flossie, “then you think poor Fluff is killed? Oh,
+how wicked we have been not to tell!”
+
+“I don’t believe he’s killed,” replied Bob; “most likely he’s alive and
+well, and they’re only keeping him there in prison.”
+
+“Then there’s all the more reason for our telling,” said Flossie. “Just
+think of his waiting for some one to come and help him, while we are
+such cowards we don’t dare tell what happened to him!”
+
+“If you _do_ tell, Floss, ‘old Dead’ will get you sure, and I’ll call
+him,” threatened Bob, for Flossie was becoming so earnest that her
+brother felt extreme measures were needed.
+
+“I don’t care for ‘old Dead’! You can call him, for all I care. I’m
+going to tell just where poor Fluff is,” and off started Flossie with
+more energy than she had ever before displayed.
+
+So unexpected was their gentle little sister’s revolt that her
+brothers at first were too much astonished to move; but they recovered
+themselves before she had gone very far, and soon overtook her,
+handling her so roughly that the poor little creature gave a cry of
+pain.
+
+“Let her alone! Do you hear?” called out a voice, sharply.
+
+All three of the squirrels looked about them in astonishment; but not
+a trace of the speaker did they discover, and a horrible thought began
+to dawn in Chippie’s mind, that perhaps “old Dead,” on whose name they
+had so often called, had become tired of these appeals, and had at last
+come to call them to account.
+
+“Let her alone, I say!” repeated the voice; “and stop where you are, or
+it will be the worse for you.”
+
+Too terrified to move, the three young squirrels waited breathlessly
+for the possessor of the voice to disclose himself. In vain their eyes
+glanced anxiously about,--not a sign of any living creature did they
+discover.
+
+“Look up here, on this oak-tree,” called out the same voice. “There’s
+nothing to be afraid of. All I want of you is to answer a question or
+two, and then you shall go.”
+
+The squirrels looked as they were directed, and discovered the bat.
+The discovery was a great relief to them, particularly to Chippie,
+whose imagination had become quite active on the subject of “old Dead.”
+
+“Now tell me where your brother is. I promise you that nobody shall
+harm you if you tell the truth.”
+
+The two brothers were silent, and looked at each other inquiringly, as
+if they were deliberating whether they should tell all they knew. The
+bat was very quick to see what was going on in their minds.
+
+“If you tell me all,” said Flipwing, “I will not betray you; but unless
+you do, I shall go at once to your parents and repeat to them the
+conversation I have overheard.”
+
+Thus warned, Bob recited the same story he had repeated to his parents
+about Fluff’s sudden disappearance.
+
+“You are not telling me the truth,” said Flipwing, severely; “remember,
+I overheard you just now when you thought yourselves alone.”
+
+“I will tell you all about it,” said Flossie, boldly. “Fluff went into
+a dark hole after some acorns, and he didn’t come back; and he gave
+an awfully loud screech, and I know something must have hurt him very
+badly, for Fluff doesn’t make a fuss about trifles.”
+
+“Where is the hole into which your brother went, little one?” asked
+Flipwing, kindly.
+
+“Do you see that big stump over by that tall hemlock-tree?” asked
+Flossie.
+
+“I can’t see very well in the daytime, little one; but if you describe
+it, I can find it when night comes.”
+
+“There’s a big stump right over there,” said Flossie, with a nod of her
+head in the direction indicated. “It’s a _very_ big stump, and you may
+know it by the lots of moss growing on top of it. Well, under it is a
+hole. You don’t notice it at first, because it’s almost covered over
+with leaves and moss, but Fluff pushed them aside, and it’s very large
+indeed inside.”
+
+“And so Fluff disappeared inside, and that’s the last you’ve seen of
+him, is it?”
+
+“Yes,” answered Flossie, “and I should not be surprised if an awfully
+cross creature with long claws lived there.”
+
+“We’ll find out all about that, little one,” said Flipwing; “but why
+didn’t you tell all this before?”
+
+Flossie hung down her head, and the two brothers looked heartily
+ashamed of themselves.
+
+“I see how it is,” said the acute Flipwing; “you wanted to tell, and
+your brothers wouldn’t allow you to. Well, I promised not to betray you
+if you told me all; but such cowardly actions deserve to be punished,
+and I should think your consciences would keep you uneasy. I wouldn’t
+want _my_ conscience burdened with the thought that I had left a
+brother of mine in the lurch.”
+
+The two cowardly brothers did indeed look as if their consciences were
+beginning to work, for they hung their heads in a very shamefaced
+manner, and made no reply.
+
+“Now you can go,” said Flipwing, “for I wish to be alone to think;” and
+off ran the squirrels, delighted to be released. Even the two cowardly
+brothers were greatly relieved to know that the bat had taken it upon
+himself to find their lost brother.
+
+All through the day Flipwing remained silently hanging to his tree,
+and when night came he suddenly unfolded his long wings and floated
+noiselessly away.
+
+That same evening old Rough visited his prisoner, and found everything
+going on most satisfactorily. The little squirrel was as pitiful an
+object as even he could desire, his former animation gone, and his
+once plump body grown very meagre under his scanty fare. All this made
+the old miser particularly happy, and he emerged from his den with a
+repulsive grin on his grim countenance. Ruffina cautiously followed
+him; and as he emerged from the den, he turned and saw her behind him.
+
+“What are you here for? Go back to your charge,” said the old miser,
+angrily.
+
+“Do please allow me a little more to eat;” said Ruffina, meekly; “it
+is so very little that I grow weaker every day, and I often have a
+dreadful pain inside.”
+
+“More to eat!” snarled the old rat. “Are you crazy? What do you suppose
+will become of us unless we are very saving? Yes, old lady, we must
+pinch and save, unless we wish to die of want.”
+
+“I shall die of starvation unless I have more to eat,” answered
+Ruffina, made bold by sheer desperation. “You don’t allow me enough to
+keep body and soul together, and I don’t dare leave your prisoner there
+long enough to go to seek any.”
+
+“You’d better not, madam,” said the old rat, with a savage snap of his
+teeth that caused his wife to start back. “You’d better not! I allow
+you all you need to keep alive. A nice state of affairs there would be
+if you had your own way!”
+
+“But why not make ourselves comfortable, when you have so much stored
+away?” pleaded Ruffina.
+
+A sudden spring toward her by the old miser caused Ruffina to give a
+terrified squeak, and rush back into the den. Her husband looked after
+her for a moment, and then with a leer of satisfaction he departed.
+
+When he was out of sight, a little dark object emerged from a
+neighboring tree, and alighted on a bush that grew near the entrance to
+the den; it was Flipwing the spy, who from his place of concealment
+had overheard the conversation between the old miser and his wife.
+
+“Ruffina!” called Flipwing.
+
+The summons was repeated several times before the long, sharp nose of
+the wary Ruffina was seen emerging from the entrance of the den.
+
+“Oh, there you are!” said Flipwing. “I want to have a few words with
+you.”
+
+When she heard her name called, Ruffina poked her long nose farther
+out, and cast a sharp glance about her. Nobody was in sight; and she
+was about to retreat when she once more heard the same voice, and
+following the direction of the sound discovered the little bat.
+
+Now Ruffina was very timid and submissive in the presence of her lord
+and master, but when out of his presence was as bold as anybody; and so
+she answered gruffly,--
+
+“What do you want at this time of night?”
+
+“I want a little talk with you,” answered Flipwing.
+
+“Well, talk away,” said Ruffina.
+
+It was not easy for Flipwing to begin, for having seen Ruffina so timid
+with her husband, he was quite unprepared for this change of manner.
+
+“I say, it’s a shame the old man is so hard on you,” began Flipwing,
+after a moment’s pause.
+
+“What’s that to you, pray?” asked Ruffina, shortly.
+
+“I don’t like to see it,” replied Flipwing, determined not to be
+bluffed by this cool reception. “The old fellow ought to be more
+considerate of you; there are plenty of younger fellows who would
+gladly stand in his shoes.”
+
+“Nonsense!” responded Ruffina, bruskly, but in a tone that showed she
+was not displeased with this broad flattery.
+
+“Fact,” said Flipwing, “and you know it!”
+
+“I don’t know any such thing,” replied Ruffina.
+
+“You’ll not make me believe that,” said Flipwing. “Didn’t you ever see
+yourself reflected in a brook or pool?”
+
+“Well, suppose I have,--what then?”
+
+Flipwing was rather discomfited to find he had made so little headway
+in the good graces of the miser’s wife; he had imagined that a little
+flattery would make a favorable impression.
+
+“I was going to say,” remarked the bat, “that it is a pity old Rough
+keeps you so short, for a little more food would make your coat shine
+till you could see your face in it,--not but that it is handsome as it
+is, but better fare would make it more so.”
+
+“Well, what of it?” asked Ruffina.
+
+“I was about to add that I could show you where you could eat to your
+heart’s content, and take away all you could carry besides. It is but a
+short distance from here.”
+
+“No, you don’t!” exclaimed Ruffina, with a shrewd grin.
+
+“What do you mean?” asked Flipwing, innocently.
+
+“I mean, what do you expect me to do in return?”
+
+“Why, nothing,” answered the bat; “can’t you give me credit for being a
+little disinterested? I hear you complaining to your husband that you
+have not enough to eat, and he harshly refuses to grant you a larger
+allowance; what more natural than that I should tell you where you can
+find what you want? It doesn’t cost me anything,--_I_ don’t eat acorns.”
+
+“Acorns!” exclaimed Ruffina, her mouth fairly watering at the mention
+of the rich, juicy nuts. “Well, where are they?”
+
+“Do you know the two big chestnut-trees in Farmer Smith’s pasture? The
+lightning struck one of them last summer and split it. Well, under that
+one you will find a hole with some large acorns in it. I saw some
+squirrels hiding them there. You just go and help yourself.”
+
+“I can’t!” answered Ruffina. “Rough would kill me if he knew I left the
+den.”
+
+“He will not know any thing about it,” said Flipwing.
+
+“He knows everything,” replied Ruffina; “and then I couldn’t leave--”
+She stopped abruptly, for in her eagerness for the food for which she
+was suffering she had nearly allowed the secret of the prison to escape
+her.
+
+“Well, no matter,” replied Flipwing, “do as you like about it; the nuts
+are there and will keep.”
+
+“It’s of no use,” said Ruffina, decidedly; “Rough would be sure to come
+home the very moment I had left, and then--” A shiver which was more
+expressive than words ran through her emaciated frame.
+
+“I’m sorry,” replied the bat, good-naturedly, “for I don’t know when
+I’ve seen such fine specimens; they were evidently picked expressly.”
+
+“It’s very kind of you to tell me about them,” said Ruffina, “but it
+is impossible for me to go so far;” and with a shake of her head she
+slowly re-entered the den.
+
+“She’ll go,” said Flipwing to himself, “and before long too. The poor
+creature is nearly starved to death, and can’t resist the temptation.
+Well, I will watch my chance, and rescue poor Fluff, if he does not die
+of grief and starvation before;” and away flew Flipwing, well-satisfied
+with the result of his expedition.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “And then swam quietly home.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+OLD ROUGH EXPOUNDS A LAW OF THE WOODS, AND OLD CAW FORMS A PLAN.
+
+
+After old Rough had left his little prisoner, instead of going in the
+direction of his home he entered deeper into the woods. There was no
+moon, and the stars were obscured by dark clouds that drifted rapidly
+across the sky, while a stiff breeze swayed the tree-tops until they
+jostled one another roughly, and groaned and creaked. Occasionally
+a low muttering that resounded through the forest and died away in a
+faint wail was heard from the dark clouds overhead.
+
+All the small inhabitants of the woods, with the exception of a
+solitary bat that crossed and recrossed old Rough’s path, were safe
+within their snug homes, and the old water-rat went on through the
+darkness with more confidence than if the way were lighted for him.
+Occasionally he stopped and sniffed about with his long, sharp nose;
+but it was evident that important business was afoot, for he proceeded
+with as much haste as his bulky body and the uneven forest roads
+permitted.
+
+Darker grew the clouds, and more violently the tree-tops crashed
+against one another, while the heavy rolls of thunder seemed to shake
+the earth.
+
+The louder, however, the thunder growled, and the denser the darkness,
+the better pleased was old Rough as he scurried along among the
+underbrush, unmoved by the commotion about him. After a time he stopped
+and gazed at the tall trees.
+
+“It should be near here,” remarked the old rat to himself. “I am sure
+he said the big oak in front of the ledge of rocks. He’ll be sure to be
+at home on such a night as this, so I shall not have had my journey for
+nothing. Yes, there’s the ledge, and the big oak too; and unless I’m
+much mistaken, there’s the old fellow himself on the lookout as usual.
+He’s a fine looking fellow, is Blinkeye, that’s a fact; but I prefer to
+keep at a safe distance.”
+
+About half way up the old oak, where once a sturdy limb had been torn
+away by the lightning, the wood had become decayed and crumbled, and
+in the natural hollow thus formed, the owl had made his nest. There he
+sat, protected from the weather, the pointed tufts on his head erect,
+and his vigilant yellow eyes on the watch for any prey that might fall
+to him.
+
+As the water-rat neared the oak-tree, the slight rustling he made as he
+dragged his body over the leaves and grass was detected by the quick
+ears of the watchful owl.
+
+“A bad night to be out in, friend Rough,” observed the owl, as the rat
+paused under the oak-tree.
+
+“I don’t find it so,” answered Rough. “I prefer having the road to
+myself; and a little rain would suit me to a T.”
+
+There was a short pause, during which the branches crashed fiercely
+together, and a loud report from the black clouds reverberated through
+the dark forest, and in the momentary silence that followed this
+explosion of the elements was heard the pattering of large rain-drops.
+Faster and faster came the drops, and soon down came the rain in sheets.
+
+The owl drew farther within his retreat, and sat with his wings drawn
+closely to his sides, and his head held stiffly back, to avoid the
+drops that at times splashed against him. Not so the water-rat; exposed
+to the full force of the shower, in a few moments his heavy fur was
+drenched; but an expression of enjoyment stole over his countenance as
+the rain ran in little rivers down his sides, and trickled off his long
+nose.
+
+“I suppose you strolled out to enjoy this fine evening,” said Blinkeye,
+with a shrug of his shoulders, as a shower of rain-drops dashed against
+his face.
+
+“No,” answered the water-rat, frankly, “I came to see you on business.”
+
+“I’m at your service,” replied Blinkeye.
+
+“You know, of course, how that Italian fellow Trillo turned out?” said
+Rough.
+
+“Yes, I have heard he disappeared, after he had made use of his
+friends. It is just as I expected it would be.”
+
+“It served them right for being such toadies,” sneered the water-rat.
+“That cracked Katy Did (for that’s her real name, though she doesn’t
+consider it fine enough since she’s made poetry) I’m told sat up nights
+making verses about him. I’m glad he went off without paying his debts,
+to teach them a lesson.”
+
+“Teach them a lesson!” repeated Blinkeye, with a cynical laugh.
+
+“You’re right,” said the old miser, with an approving nod; “I see you
+understand animal nature. But I must come to business, for it’s getting
+late and I am some distance from home. You know the war between the
+frogs and mice that’s to take place,--you must have heard it talked
+over.”
+
+“Yes,” replied Blinkeye; “and if it’s ever to come off, I should say it
+was time to begin.”
+
+“It _will_ begin at once now. Since Johnny the basso was so put out by
+Trillo leaving him in the lurch, he’s turned his attention to the war.”
+
+“What is he up to?” asked the owl.
+
+“He’s putting things into shape. He’s been canvassing all the bogs
+about, and they say he’s got a big army together. He’s smart, is
+Johnny, and I wouldn’t give much for the mice’s chances.”
+
+“Think not?” asked Blinkeye.
+
+“No, sir,” replied old Rough, confidently. “Why, the frogs are ten to
+one of them; and a fine set of fellows they are, I can tell you. I’ve
+seen them drilling nights down by our bog. No, indeed, the mice haven’t
+a shadow of a chance.”
+
+“Frogs are not to my taste, but sleek, tender young mice--” said
+Blinkeye, with a snap of his strong beak that was very expressive.
+
+“That’s just it,” said old Rough, eagerly. “It’s for your interest and
+mine to have Johnny’s army win, and I’ve promised to help him all I
+can (in the way of advice, you know); and if I find an opportunity to
+do the mice an ill turn, I shall take advantage of it, you may be sure.”
+
+“I don’t see exactly how it is for your and my interest to have the
+frogs victorious,” said Blinkeye.
+
+“Don’t you see? Why, the mice will be obliged to retreat in confusion,
+and you will have a chance to take your pick of them.”
+
+“Oh, yes, I understand,” replied the owl, who in spite of his wise
+expression and reputation for wisdom was not nearly so acute as the old
+water-rat. “And you, what will you gain?”
+
+“I? Oh, I shall look in on their homes while they’re fighting, and
+help myself, you may be sure, to the stores I find there. The mice, as
+a general thing, are thrifty and saving; but the frogs are shiftless
+fellows, and live from hand to mouth.”
+
+“When is the battle to take place?” asked Blinkeye.
+
+“I don’t know exactly,” replied the water-rat; “but as soon as Johnny
+is ready. By the way, what is that law of the woods I’ve heard you
+repeat?”
+
+“You mean that prophecy my great-grandfather recited when the crow and
+your great-grandfather--”
+
+“Yes,” interrupted the rat, hastily, “what is it?”
+
+The owl gravely recited,--
+
+    “‘War and strife, grief and woe,
+    Follow you where’er you go.
+    Never more shall you know rest
+    For weary feet and aching breast,
+    Till body round and lithe and long
+    Shall vanquish body thick and strong.
+    Then shall dawn a day of peace,
+    And every strife and sorrow cease.’
+
+Is that what you meant?” he added.
+
+“Yes,” replied old Rough, “that’s it. It evidently refers to the battle
+that’s to come off between the frogs and the mice. Yes, ‘body round
+and lithe and long’ must refer to the frogs, for they can lengthen out
+to any extent, and ‘body thick and strong’ of course means the mice,
+though I don’t know about the strength. Yes, there’s no doubt but
+that ‘body round and lithe and long’ _will_ ‘vanquish body thick and
+strong.’”
+
+“I presume,” said Blinkeye, “the mice are preparing too?”
+
+“By no means,” replied old Rough. “I don’t believe they have the least
+notion of what a battle is,--they are timid creatures.”
+
+“I know it, afraid of their own shadows,” said Blinkeye, as a sudden
+streak of lightning flashed in his face, and made him flutter his wings
+nervously.
+
+“They keep out of the way so much that they don’t know what is going on
+in the world,” said the water-rat. “Oh, ’twill be an easy victory for
+the frogs! Whew! what was that?” he exclaimed, as a dark object rushed
+by him and nearly brushed against his nose.
+
+“Only a bat; the woods are full of them. They’re not worth the trouble
+of catching, they’re all wings,” replied the owl, coolly.
+
+“One passed me on the way here,” said the old rat; “I shouldn’t be
+surprised if it were the same one. Well, I must be off. Keep a sharp
+lookout for the engagement, for it may take place any night now.”
+
+The owl retreated farther into his den, and the old rat retraced his
+steps, slipping along on the wet ground with great ease, until he came
+to his native stream, when he plunged in, and disappearing under the
+turbid water, arose some distance farther on, and then swam quietly
+home, his long nose only visible, as it parted the surface of the
+stream, forming ripples that spread to either bank.
+
+The dark object that flew so near the old water-rat, as he was
+conversing with the owl, was, as the latter had said, a bat, and no
+other than our sharp friend Flipwing, who had followed the old miser
+to the owl’s abode, and had overheard the conversation between the
+two. Long before the old water-rat reached his den, the general of
+the mouse-forces, a brother-in-law of Bobtilla, and General Squeako
+by name, was apprised of all that was going on among the frogs; and a
+long consultation was held between him and the bat, which seemed to be
+satisfactory to both parties. Shortly before daylight, Flipwing reached
+his home, wet and tired, and instantly fell asleep.
+
+Not so the mouse-general. Sleep did not visit his eyes that night;
+but under cover of the darkness he made the rounds of his soldiers,
+trusting to no one but himself, to make sure that all was in readiness.
+
+The next morning old Caw awoke even earlier than was his usual
+habit, for the heavy showers of the night before were followed by a
+particularly fresh and invigorating atmosphere. The refreshed foliage
+glistened and quivered as the light breeze stirred it, and the rays of
+the sun caused the dew-drops on the grass to sparkle like crystals.
+
+Every bird felt the influence of the freshness that pervaded Nature,
+and their morning songs rang out more blithely, until the forest was
+alive with the sweet melody.
+
+Old Caw stretched himself, and then hopped down to the bough beneath
+him. The other members of the crow family were just beginning to stir,
+and were cawing sleepily to one another.
+
+“The early bird catches the worm,” said old Caw to himself, as he
+noiselessly spread his wings and flew away.
+
+The old crow reaped a fine harvest this morning, for driven to the
+surface by the heavy rain, many an earth-worm was seized by Caw’s
+strong beak before he could wriggle back to his hole. Grubs, too,
+reposing unsuspecting of evil on the wet earth, were snapped up by the
+voracious Caw.
+
+The shrewd old crow discovered before long that something of unusual
+importance was about to take place, for the field-mice, who were
+usually safe at home at that hour, were hurrying about, talking
+together in low tones, all conversation ceasing and groups dispersing
+as soon as he made his appearance. All this excited old Caw’s
+curiosity, and determined him to fathom the mystery.
+
+In the course of his morning’s wanderings, old Caw alighted to rest
+near the stump beneath which poor little Fluff was concealed. As he sat
+pluming his ruffled feathers, that in his old age required more care
+than in his youth when they were glossy and flexible, low tones fell
+on his ear; and in an instant the old crow’s head was turned to one
+side, with his best ear tilted toward the opening beneath the stump,
+whence the voices proceeded.
+
+Old Caw was not long in recognizing the voice of old Rough, and, in
+her occasional submissive replies, the high, squeaking one of Ruffina;
+and judging from his low tones that the old miser was desirous that
+the conversation should not be overheard, Caw approached as near as he
+dared without fear of detection, and listened with all his might.
+
+“When, did you say?” squeaked Ruffina.
+
+“I didn’t say when,” replied her husband, in the snarling tone in which
+he habitually addressed his wife. “Whenever the frogs are ready; so all
+you have to do is to hold yourself in readiness, and do as I tell you.”
+
+“But how shall I know when the battle has begun? I can’t hear anything
+in this lonely place.”
+
+“I shall let you know,” replied her husband; “and mind you follow my
+directions implicitly. You are certain you understand just what is
+expected of you, and will not spoil all by your stupidity?”
+
+“Yes,” replied Ruffina, meekly; “I’m to visit all the mouse-nests while
+the fight is going on, and bring away whatever I find there.”
+
+“Don’t speak so loudly; you’ve got a voice like a trumpet,” answered
+her husband, sharply; “and mind you don’t waste your time among the
+poor ones, but go at once to the rich mice, who have piles of grain
+stored away;” and the old rat’s small black eyes snapped with pleasure
+at the prospect, while his wife, poor hungry creature, felt her heart
+leap within her.
+
+“Remember you are not to taste of one single grain or kernel, or
+it will be the dearest morsel you ever ate,” added the old miser,
+savagely.
+
+“Yes, Rough,” answered his submissive wife.
+
+“I’ve heard all I want to know,” said old Caw to himself, as he
+silently flew away that he might not be detected by the two rats. He
+left the woods, and flew directly to the farm where old Rough, a short
+time before, had fought so desperately with the weasel.
+
+The old crow perched on an apple-tree that grew near the barnyard, and
+kept his one eye roaming about in every direction. The hens were busily
+engaged in eating their breakfast, for the inhabitants of a farm begin
+the day early. The horses in their stalls were munching their feed,
+while in the barnyard the cows stood placidly chewing their cuds during
+the process of milking.
+
+Of all these things old Caw took note, as he sat on the apple-tree,
+hidden by the foliage, and careful not to attract the attention of any
+of the farm-hands by the least motion; for nobody knew better than he
+the unpopularity of his race among farmers. He waited until the milkers
+had carried to the farm-house their pails of white, foaming milk, and
+then, after a careful survey of the premises, to make sure that nobody
+was in sight, he silently flew down from his hiding-place, and walking
+up to the hole that he knew led to the weasel’s abode, softly called
+his name.
+
+In a few moments the head of the weasel appeared, and an earnest
+conversation ensued between the two. So low were the voices of both
+pitched that not a word could have been audible to any listener; but
+the result of the interview was evidently highly satisfactory, for the
+weasel looked very happy, and the old crow flew home, cawing exultingly.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “The hitherto orderly retreat of the frogs was turned
+into an ignominious stampede.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE BATTLE.
+
+
+It was a warm, sultry night in August; the air was heavy with vapor,
+and the grass wet with dew. The large meadow through which the stream
+ran was seen through a haze from the clouds of vapor that settled down
+over it, and which the still air had not power to lift. Through this
+mist the outline of the forest that surrounded the meadow was dimly
+seen, the tall trees looking gaunt and ghostlike in the faint light.
+
+The large bog that was formed by the widening of the stream was hardly
+visible from the dense mist that stood over it, and as the great red
+moon sank behind the forest trees, darkness settled down over all,
+until the meadow looked ghostly white, enveloped in its veil of mist.
+
+A little knoll rose on one side of the meadow, and when the moon
+disappeared, and all was dark and still, little lights were seen
+flitting to and fro. Presently the mist on the meadow seemed to be
+broken by innumerable little dark objects that emerged from the edge
+of the bog, intermingled with numerous lights gleaming here and there
+through the vapor. Gradually these lines lengthened out into lines
+parallel with one another, and spread out on each side of the bog, the
+same little lights scintillating among them and lighting them on their
+way.
+
+Soon the same little sparks might have been seen darting down from
+the knoll, and running thence in various directions toward the lines
+forming in the meadow by the bog. The little knoll served as the
+headquarters of the frog-general, who sent out his aids-de-camp, the
+fireflies, with orders for his divisions of valiant soldiers who were
+issuing from the bog, armed with sharp spears of grass, wherewith to
+attack the wily enemy.
+
+Gradually the dark lines spread out in a semicircle across the meadow,
+brilliantly illuminated from time to time by the glinting of the
+fireflies, who at intervals, as if by command, emitted brilliant light,
+while answering signals flashed from the reeds in the bog to show that
+the reserves were holding themselves in readiness.
+
+As the general on the knoll directs his gaze toward the opposite wood,
+he beholds tiny blue lights, their steady glow contrasting with the
+scintillating lights of his fireflies,--the steady glow rising and
+falling and moving among the grass where the meadow merges from the
+wood.
+
+The frog-general finds his expectations verified; his preparations,
+though secretly and carefully undertaken, have been discovered by the
+enemy, the field-mice, under command of that able soldier, General
+Squeako. He had pressed the glow-worms into his service, and they were
+aiding him by their steady, phosphorescent light.
+
+Regiment after regiment of well-drilled field-mice does the
+frog-general see mustering for the fray, silently taking their
+positions, endeavoring to extend their flank, lengthening out their
+lines, which he fears will overlap his own.
+
+Fearing that his forces will be outflanked, like the cunning tactician
+that he is, the frog-general determines on a ruse. Accordingly he
+gives the order to his most valiant regiment to advance a company of
+soldiers, accompanied by torch-bearers, beyond the extreme left wing of
+the enemy, in order to make General Squeako think that there is to be
+the attack.
+
+The mouse-general, however, being aware of his old friend Johnny’s
+wily tricks, understands that this is only a ruse, and determining to
+frustrate the attempt, immediately issues the order,--
+
+“Glow-worms, shut lanterns, and columns advance upon the enemy under
+cover of darkness.”
+
+The order is obeyed with military promptness, and not a mouse in the
+ranks quails. At the same time his pickets return, confirming the
+mouse-general’s opinion that the brilliancy and hubbub raised by the
+frogs on the left wing is only a harmless band of fireflies and
+a company of soldiers, and not an attacking division supported by
+soldiers.
+
+In the mean time the pickets of the advancing mouse-columns hit upon
+those of the frogs, who, being brilliantly illuminated, afford the mice
+an opportunity to make an attack--which under cover of darkness on
+their side is accomplished with great energy and dash--upon the centre
+of the unsuspecting frog-army.
+
+The battle, now beginning in the centre, rages in earnest,--mouse
+grapples frog, and frog grapples mouse in deadly contest; biting and
+wrestling, kicking and scratching, the valiant combatants mingle in
+terrible groups.
+
+The orderly lines are broken; the agonized squeaking of the mice, and
+the dying “a-hungs” of the frogs, make night hideous. Both generals
+urge on their forces from either wing, and the carnage becomes
+universal. The orderly lines of fireflies change into disorderly clouds
+of sparks; while the rear columns of the mice, taking advantage of the
+confusion, advance to the battle-field, lighted by orderly bands of
+steady glow-worms, driving back stragglers and deserters, to strengthen
+the lines in front.
+
+For a time the fortunes of war tremble in the balance. The frogs,
+forced to give way, are driven by the valiant mice to the edge of the
+bog, and the more timid ones in the rear, thinking the battle lost,
+spring into the water; but at that moment a deep-booming “a-hung!” is
+heard amid the bull-rushes, where the valiant frog-general has removed
+his staff; a million of lights illumine the swamp, and lo! as if by
+magic, the reserves are seen issuing from the bog, swimming toward the
+shore, and reinforcing the yielding lines. They repulse by renewed
+attack the mouse-centre, through which they threaten to break.
+
+It was the water-rat who had by his advice aided the frog-reserves; and
+during the engagement the shrewd old fellow had squatted behind the
+bog, and taken in every movement of both parties. Confident that owing
+to the secrecy employed by the frogs the field-mice would be taken
+unawares and unprepared, great was his astonishment to find General
+Squeako’s division so well organized and generalled. Not a little
+uneasiness did he feel, as the contest progressed, and the field-mice
+forced the frog-army back to the bog.
+
+The mouse-forces also had their reserves waiting for the word of
+command to advance; and the word was given at the proper moment by the
+astute Squeako, the columns moving in double-quick time to the edge of
+the bog, where the battle was raging indecisively. The hitherto orderly
+retreat of the frogs was turned into an ignominious stampede. Leaping
+and plunging into the bog by thousands, the water fairly foamed. Those
+in the rear, in their frantic efforts to reach the water’s edge, jumped
+upon the struggling mass in front, crushing many, and tumbling them
+about in confusion. All those who were not incapacitated, safely dived
+into the water out of reach of the mice, who stood squeaking with joy
+and exultation on the edge of the bog.
+
+Thus ended the great battle between the mice and the frogs. Those of
+the frogs that remained alive having escaped in safety, General Squeako
+ordered a retreat, and dismissed his troops at the edge of the wood.
+
+While this terrible battle was raging, Ruffina, being apprised by her
+husband that the frogs were in readiness to move on the enemy, made
+her preparations accordingly. With great anxiety she waited until the
+decisive hour arrived, bustling about nervously meanwhile inside her
+den, and making frequent excursions to the entrance, where she turned
+her sharp eyes anxiously on the large red moon that was slowly settling
+down to the tops of the forest trees. As soon as the last spot of red
+disappeared, and the woods were enveloped in darkness, after carefully
+inspecting little Fluff, who lay curled up in his corner fast asleep,
+and making sure that his slumber was deep, Ruffina issued cautiously
+forth.
+
+The sharp-witted little bat Flipwing you may be sure was aware of
+everything that took place in the neighborhood of the little prisoner,
+whom he had pledged himself to rescue. From his hiding-place near by he
+saw the old miser’s wife depart, and, watching her movements until she
+disappeared into the woods, he at once flew down to the entrance of the
+old rat’s den, and putting his head inside the opening, gently called
+the squirrel’s name.
+
+Poor little Fluff, weakened by grief and hardships, was sleeping
+soundly, and dreaming of the happy home that was once his. In his
+dreams he was again at play with his brothers and sister, frisking over
+the tall trees, and jumping from bough to bough. It was no wonder that
+when he heard his name called, he considered it as a part of his dream,
+for Flipwing’s pleasant voice was a striking contrast to Ruffina’s
+shrill, scolding tones, and the miser’s harsh voice. So little Fluff
+slept on until the call was repeated several times.
+
+Gradually the little prisoner awoke to the reality that he was in the
+old rat’s den, and that a voice very unlike Ruffina’s or her husband’s
+was calling him.
+
+“Fluff, wake up!” he now distinctly heard; and starting to his feet, he
+was wide awake in an instant.
+
+“Who calls me?” asked the little squirrel, timidly, for the voice was a
+new one, and the hope he had at first entertained of friends coming to
+his relief had long since deserted him.
+
+“No matter who I am; you don’t know me, but I come from your friends.
+Ruffina is away, and if you are ever to escape, now is the time. So
+hurry and come out.”
+
+Fluff looked anxiously toward the place where Ruffina usually slept,
+and it was indeed empty. So severe, however, had been the little
+prisoner’s experiences since his capture, that he had lost faith in
+everybody; and now how could he tell but that this was a ruse of
+Ruffina to try him? And if he were retaken, what frightful consequences
+would ensue!
+
+Thus reasoned Fluff; and meanwhile the stranger outside was entreating
+him to come out.
+
+“You will never have another such chance,” urged the voice, “and our
+time is short; so make haste, if you value your freedom.”
+
+Although reduced to a condition of misery and despair by his
+imprisonment, as Fluff heard these words some of his old energy
+returned to him.
+
+“Nothing can be worse than my present condition,” reasoned the poor
+little squirrel, “and now that I have the chance offered me, I will
+take it;” and he crawled to the opening of the den. Although he had
+never seen the little bat before, after one look at his honest face he
+unhesitatingly followed him.
+
+The fresh air, of which he had been so long deprived, infused hope and
+courage into the little captive’s heart, and he exerted himself to
+the utmost to keep pace with his guide; but so cramped had been the
+quarters in the den that the legs once so strong and active were now
+weak and tremulous, and progress was slow and uncertain. How different
+was it from the bounds and leaps Fluff made when in imagination he
+found himself once more free!
+
+“Have patience, and we’ll soon be there,” said Flipwing, kindly, as he
+noticed the squirrel’s efforts. “We are safe now,--all the water-rats
+in the world couldn’t get you; but let me advise you not to venture so
+far from home in future.”
+
+“You may be sure of that,” replied Fluff, decidedly; “once let me reach
+home, that’s all!”
+
+Now familiar landmarks began to present themselves to the little
+squirrel,--trees over which he had run, and stumps beneath which he had
+hidden; and his tired feet grew lighter at the sight.
+
+There it was at last, the dear old tree, beneath which was the warm
+nest he never expected to see again; and giving a loud chirrup of joy,
+in sprang the lost Fluff, and in an instant was nestling against his
+mother’s soft breast.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+To return to Ruffina. As has been stated, she left the den, and entered
+the forest. The darkness that followed the setting of the moon was just
+what she desired for her expedition, and she chuckled to herself as she
+proceeded.
+
+The families of the mice-soldiers had all repaired to the edge of the
+wood, that they might watch the contest going on in the meadow, and
+their homes were deserted. This, however, made little difference to
+Ruffina, for the large water-rat was more than a match for a whole
+family of little field-mice.
+
+How Ruffina’s eyes glistened, as in the first home she entered, her
+eyes fell on stores of grain laid by for the next winter’s use!
+
+“First of all, I’ll fill myself just as full as I can,” said Ruffina,
+“for Rough will not give me anything of what I bring home,--he’ll keep
+it all to trade with;” and the half-famished creature helped herself to
+the rich food before her until she had made a heartier meal than had
+fallen to her lot since she united her fortunes to those of the old
+miser.
+
+When she could eat no more, Ruffina stopped, and was startled to find
+how little remained of the former piles of grain.
+
+“No matter,” said the water-rat to herself; “there are many more places
+as good as this, and now that I’ve had a good supper I can work all
+the faster. I’ll go next to Squeako’s,--they say he’s got more stored
+away than all the rest put together. I mustn’t forget, though, to do as
+Rough told me;” and she tore apart with her strong paws the carefully
+made beds, scattering the contents about.
+
+Very near was the den where the mouse-general lived, and that, too, was
+deserted. Quite grand and spacious were the long passageways leading
+to the main dwelling-room. Ruffina was familiar with the plan adopted
+by both rats and mice in the construction of their dwellings, and the
+home of the wealthy General Squeako did not differ from the rest,
+except that the passageways diverging from the main entrance were more
+spacious and numerous than in the homes of the poorer mice.
+
+Ruffina entered one of these passages, and proceeded at once to the
+interior of the den. Very large and high was this room; and the
+water-rat’s sharp eyes at once detected piles of grain recently stored,
+and scraps of meat and pork so tempting, that in spite of her recent
+hearty repast, she could not resist the temptation of nibbling. She
+knew, however, that her time was short; so she began at once to carry
+out the stores and deposit them in a place of safety, until the old
+miser should find time to remove them.
+
+While busily engaged in her work, Ruffina heard a slight rustling at
+the entrance of the cave. This did not disturb her, however, for she
+knew she was more than a match for the mouse-general himself, so she
+carelessly turned her head in the direction of the sound.
+
+In an instant Ruffina’s whole manner changed, and a violent trembling
+seized her. The new-comer was no timid mouse; the wary water-rat knew,
+before his head appeared, that the deadliest enemy of her tribe, the
+weasel, was before her.
+
+Completely paralyzed with fear, Ruffina stood as if in a nightmare,
+her shaking limbs rooted to the ground, as her pursuer came wriggling
+silently toward her. As if bound by a spell did the old rat stand,
+her eyes riveted on the long, flexible body and pitiless eyes of her
+enemy,--without power to stir, until he approached near enough to give
+the final spring. Then, and not till then, did the terrified water-rat
+give vent to a squeal of terror, and with a gigantic effort, leap
+toward the opening of the cavern.
+
+Directly behind the old water-rat was the weasel. She felt his
+presence, although she dared not look behind, and she knew his steady
+progress would enable him to keep pace with, or perhaps overreach,
+her nervous leaps. Once outside the cave, she stopped but for a
+second, to observe the situation, and then, true to the instinct of
+self-preservation implanted in every one of God’s creatures, she
+started for her native element, the stream!
+
+Thanks to the hearty meal she had just eaten, Ruffina was enabled to
+make a great effort. Through the white mist that enveloped the meadow,
+the irregularly gleaming sparks of the fireflies and the steady lights
+of the glow-worms, that she descried in the neighborhood of the bog,
+convinced her that the battle was raging in that quarter; and as she
+came nearer, the squeaks of wounded field-mice, and mournful “a-hungs”
+of disabled frogs, fell on her ears. All at once a loud hoot was heard,
+and she beheld the fierce Blinkeye hovering over the battle-field,
+watching for an opportunity to seize his prey.
+
+With the weasel in the rear and Blinkeye above, Ruffina felt her
+chances of escape lessening; and driven to desperation, she gathered
+together all her strength, and with a few prodigious leaps gained the
+stream, into which she sprang, and was hidden from view beneath its
+protecting waters.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “As the officer spoke, the Widow O’Warty, who had been
+sitting erect, gave a loud croak, and rolled once more upon her back.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE CHAPERON.
+
+
+While the battle was tumultuously raging, besides old Rough the miser
+there was another interested spectator, a very humble and timid
+one,--the little brown frog Brownella. Since the faithless tenor had
+departed, her life had been a lonely one, for she was deserted by
+her former friends, who so short a time before had professed such
+admiration for the distinguished foreigner; and worse than all, her
+former admirer, Johnny the basso, treated her with marked indifference.
+
+In vain did Brownella sing her most melodious songs until her voice
+was hoarse, and use all her arts to please the recreant basso; but the
+admiration she once scorned was not to be regained at will, and her
+former friend treated her advances with stony indifference.
+
+With the perverseness which is said by some to characterize her sex,
+what she had once despised, now that it was not to be had, became very
+desirable, and Brownella determined to win back the affections she had
+lost.
+
+Very imposing and grand was the military appearance of General Johnny,
+as he prepared for the coming battle; and as Brownella watched the
+frog-forces gathering in the meadow on the eventful night, such a
+longing to witness the conflict seized her, that she resolved to follow
+them and secrete herself where she could overlook the battle-field, and
+indulge in a stolen view of the valiant frog-general.
+
+Speeding toward the place of rendezvous, the little brown frog, passing
+the abode of the Widow O’Warty, found that personage seated, as was
+her custom, in her doorway, and watching with great interest the
+frog-soldiers hurrying by.
+
+“And phere is it yourself is afther going?” asked the good-natured
+widow, as the little brown frog was passing.
+
+“For a little stroll this fine warm night,” answered Brownella,
+evasively.
+
+“It’s a sthroll in the direction av the bog, I suspicion,” replied the
+widow, slyly, “to view the military.”
+
+“Well, and what if it is?” asked Brownella. “I don’t know as there is
+any law to prevent me from going there if I like.”
+
+“It’s the law of dacency that should prevint ye,” answered the widow,
+in a reproving tone. “The scane of war an’ bloodshed is not intinded
+for a young cratur like yourself. It’s bould an’ forward ye would be
+accounted.”
+
+“Oh, bother!” replied Brownella, impatiently; “who cares what it’s
+accounted! I’m going, and that settles the matter;” and off she started
+once more.
+
+“Sthop!” cried the widow. “It’s meself that cannot see a young cratur
+laying herself open to cinsure in this way. Is it a stidy, sinsible
+fri’nd ye possess, who would be willing to accompany ye?”
+
+The little brown frog reflected a moment. After all it would be
+pleasanter to have a friend with her; and who so desirable a chaperon
+as the good-natured widow, who would wish to see whatever was going on?
+So she replied that if the Widow O’Warty would go with her in that
+capacity, it would be very satisfactory.
+
+“Sich was not me intintion,” replied the widow. “Bloodshed and war
+have no charms for meself; but since it’s detarmined to go ye are,
+I conc’ave it me juty to accompany ye, an’ it’s willin’ to make a
+sacrifice I am;” and casting a glance about to see that all was right
+in her home, the chaperon hopped willingly away with her young charge.
+
+In fact, the widow was not making the sacrifice she pretended, but
+was secretly glad of an excuse to witness the battle, about which her
+curiosity was greatly excited.
+
+In due time the two friends arrived on the scene of action, the widow
+somewhat out of breath and heated, but otherwise in good condition;
+and the pair chose a position midway between the knoll which was the
+headquarters of the frog-general and the bog where he had stationed his
+reinforcements.
+
+With her little heart beating with pride and affection, Brownella
+watched the martial figure on the knoll giving his orders to his
+aids-de-camp, the fireflies; and she followed them with her eyes as the
+shining sparks flew back and forth on their commissions. Quite excited
+too did the widow become, as her eyes roamed about in all directions.
+
+Then came the mouse party, moving silently in a solid phalanx from
+the outskirts of the wood, the steady lights of the glow-worms
+scintillating among the tall meadow grass and lighting up the dusky
+forms of the mouse-soldiers.
+
+“He’s a foine gineral, is Squeako, an’ it’s an iligant appearance they
+presint,” exclaimed the widow, enthusiastically.
+
+“They are not half so nice as _our_ soldiers,” replied Brownella,
+warmly,--“great brown awkward things, with those tiresome glow-worms.
+Our fireflies are ever so much finer, flashing about like so many
+diamonds. The horrid things won’t stand a shadow of a chance against
+our well-trained soldiers.”
+
+“Me sympathies are wid the frog-forces; but me judgemint tells me that
+the throops of Gineral Squeako are will conducted, an’ we’ll know
+whin the ind comes which side is the sthrongest,” replied the widow,
+majestically.
+
+“We shall know long before then,” replied Brownella, impetuously. “Oh,
+the horrid, creeping things! how disgusting they are!”
+
+In their eagerness not to lose sight of any of the events happening
+about them, the two spectators pressed eagerly forward, forgetting in
+their excitement the dangers attending a battle-field; and when the
+conflict was at its height, their prudence completely forsook them;
+and as the dying groans of the wounded fell on their ears, they pressed
+still nearer, to ascertain if any friends were among the slain or
+wounded.
+
+At this moment, on came the frog-reinforcements from the bog, steadily
+and surely, like the well disciplined soldiers they were, right toward
+the spot where the little brown frog and her chaperon were anxiously
+scanning the features of the wounded heroes; when, all at once, came
+the order to charge, and on went the valiant frog-soldiers, their blood
+coursing hotly through their veins with the warlike spirit that was
+within them, and ferocity gleaming from every feature.
+
+Not until late did Brownella and her chaperon perceive the solid force
+bearing down upon them; and Brownella, aided by her youth and agility,
+in a few dexterous leaps gained a place of safety, as the troops swept
+by.
+
+Not so the chaperon. Too late did she become aware of the danger that
+threatened her, and seeing the ferocious expression of the thousands of
+eyes coming toward her, her presence of mind completely deserted her,
+and she sank on the spot, transfixed with terror. She opened her mouth
+to give vent to the pent-up anguish of her soul, but no sound escaped
+her; and even before the phalanx was upon her, the terrified chaperon
+rolled helplessly upon her back, where she lay convulsively kicking,
+while the feet of the charging soldiers passed over her ample form.
+
+When the troops had passed, Brownella looked anxiously about for her
+missing chaperon, and soon discovered her lying on her back, the
+convulsive motions of her legs alone showing that life remained to her.
+
+“Speak to me, dear Widow O’Warty,” cried Brownella, distractedly. “Tell
+me you are not injured!”
+
+Renewed convulsions on the widow’s part was the only answer.
+
+Placing her forepaws under the stout body of her chaperon, Brownella
+with great effort managed to roll her upon one side, where she lay
+kicking; but the widow was heavy and Brownella was slender, and with
+no amount of pushing could the little brown frog roll the solid mass
+any farther. The instant Brownella, from sheer exhaustion, removed the
+support of her slender paws, the chaperon rolled once more upon her
+broad back, where she lay convulsed as before.
+
+“It’s all my fault! she came here against her will to please me,”
+groaned Brownella, with great self-reproach. “Oh, never in the world
+shall I forgive myself! Do speak, dearest Widow O’Warty, if only to
+reproach me with my thoughtlessness!”
+
+“It’s kilt entirely I am!” moaned the widow, faintly. “Oh, me poor
+bones!”
+
+“Where are you injured?” asked the distressed Brownella. “In what place
+do you feel the most pain?”
+
+“It’s crushed from the crown of me h’id to the sowls of me f’ate I am,”
+groaned the widow, as she struggled to a sitting posture; “niver agin
+shall I be the cratur I was afore!”
+
+“What’s the matter?” croaked a voice from behind, and an officer of the
+frog-army appeared.
+
+As the officer spoke, the Widow O’Warty, who had been sitting erect,
+gave a loud croak, and rolled once more over upon her back, the
+convulsions returning with renewed energy.
+
+“She’s dead, and I’ve killed her!” shrieked the weeping Brownella.
+
+“Oh, if it was something to soostain me I had, if ’twas only a dhrop of
+wather!” moaned the widow.
+
+“Is this the old toad we ran over just now?” asked the soldier.
+
+“Yes, and you’ve killed her!” answered Brownella, distractedly.
+
+“Don’t you believe it,” said the soldier, cheerfully. “She isn’t hurt;
+she’s overcome by fright, that’s all.”
+
+“_Fright_ is it?” exclaimed the widow, suddenly reviving and assuming
+a sitting posture. “Fright is it ye mane? Indade, an’ it’s a foine way
+to be talking to a body that’s kilt;” and her large eyes glared at the
+audacious new-comer with indignation.
+
+“Oh, come, come, old lady, you’re not killed, that’s evident; but
+perhaps you are a little stunned.”
+
+“Auld lady! stunned!” repeated the widow, hysterically. “It’s not so
+auld I am but that I know an auld fool whin I see him.”
+
+The valiant officer, who had been through many a battle without
+flinching, quailed before the indignant countenance of the exasperated
+widow, and without casting a glance behind him, turned and actually
+fled!
+
+As for the widow, her wounded pride tended to infuse energy into her
+listless frame; and under its reviving influence, she forgot her
+injuries, and betook herself homeward, giving expression at intervals
+to her indignation.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+We will return to Ruffina, whom we left concealed from her enemy by the
+dark waters of her native stream. On she swam, until she reached a spot
+parallel with the den in which she had left her charge, little Fluff.
+Casting searching glances about her, to discover if her pursuer were in
+sight, and satisfying herself that all was safe, she left the water,
+and approached her abode.
+
+Entering the den, the old water-rat looked about her, to assure herself
+that all was right; but the corner in which the little squirrel’s form
+usually lay at night was empty. Ruffina passed a paw over her eyes
+to clear her vision, and looked again. No, she was not mistaken, the
+corner was indeed empty.
+
+With feverish haste Ruffina tore apart the dried leaves that had formed
+little Fluff’s bed, as if she expected to find concealed beneath them
+him whom she sought. In vain was her search, for at that very moment
+little Fluff was curled up by his mother’s side, fast asleep.
+
+Not a nook or cranny did Ruffina fail to search, and at last gave up
+the attempt as useless. Emerging from the den, she stationed herself
+before the entrance, and gazed frantically around her for some trace
+of the missing Fluff; but not a sign of him did she discern. Almost
+crazed at the thought of the swift vengeance that would follow the old
+miser’s knowledge of the defeat of his plans for robbing the mice, and
+the disappearance of his prisoner, she tried to form some plan for her
+safety.
+
+Ruffina well knew that her husband would vent on her the disappointment
+these losses would cause him, for such was his amiable custom. What
+could she say, and what could she do? As she sat trying to bring her
+bewildered thoughts into order, troops of returning mouse-soldiers
+passed her door on their way to their homes. They were eagerly
+discussing the events of the battle; and by degrees it dawned on her
+dull senses that the fate of the conflict was decided, and that the
+frogs were defeated. And Rough wanted them to beat!
+
+This thought, on top of the two other misfortunes, was the last straw
+to poor Ruffina’s already heavy burden; and with a loud squeal of
+despair she rushed wildly away, intent only on escaping from the
+vengeance of the hard old miser; and never more was she heard from.
+Let us hope that she found a safe retreat, where, far from the old
+miser’s influence, she may lead a more useful and better life.
+
+We will not dwell on such an unpleasant subject as the rage of old
+Rough when he discovered the true state of affairs. With his propensity
+for thinking the worst of everybody, he concluded that his wife had
+run off with the stores she had obtained from the mice, and was living
+on them in some safe retreat luxuriously and happily. For a time he
+searched for his missing wife; but as day after day passed and no
+Ruffina appeared, he gave up the search.
+
+These bitter disappointments did not tend to sweeten the temper of
+the old water-rat. Harder than ever did he press upon the little
+field-mice, who he considered owed him a bounty for living on his
+premises; more than ever did he exact from them, and many were the
+depredations he committed upon his neighbors of the woods and meadow.
+
+He seemed to feel that he must make these innocent creatures
+responsible for his losses, and he was more dreaded than ever before.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “Each seized an ear of the old water-rat and held him
+fast with his strong beak.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+THE CHARM.
+
+
+For a short time after her mishap on the battle-field, the Widow
+O’Warty was not in her usual good-humor; but anger with one of her
+sanguine temperament is short lived; so before long the recollection of
+her wrongs faded away, and she regained her usual amiability.
+
+The widow recalled the little brown frog’s devotion to her at the time
+she was trampled upon by those thousands of feet, the recollection of
+which would always cause a cold shiver to run down her spine; she also
+remembered Brownella’s frantic appeals to her for some sign that she
+still lived. All this was very soothing to the widow’s feelings, and
+pleasant to dwell upon.
+
+“An’ the poor little thing has throuble enough of her own,” said
+the widow to herself; “and it’s mesilf that will aid her wid me own
+ixparience.”
+
+So, acting on this resolution, the widow sought the little brown frog,
+whom she found in a most dejected condition.
+
+“It’s mesilf that will be afther giving ye the good advice,” said the
+good-natured widow, “for it’s throuble of the same kind mesilf has
+had. It’s the gineral ye want, me dear, ye can’t conc’ale it.”
+
+“But he doesn’t want me,” sobbed Brownella. “Once he couldn’t think
+enough of me; and now, although I try with all my might to please him,
+he takes every occasion to show how he despises me.”
+
+“That’s jist it,” replied the widow, seriously; and in her eagerness
+she hopped closer to the little brown frog. “Ye’re afther thrying too
+much to pl’ase him.”
+
+“How can that be?” asked Brownella; “isn’t it natural to try to please
+those we like?”
+
+“Av coorse it is,” answered the widow; “but whin it’s more ixparience
+ye have, ye’ll find that the ither sex place no value on what they
+obtain without pains. What they have throuble to get is swate to thim.”
+
+“That seems strange,” said Brownella. “I can’t understand it; but
+I believe there is truth in what you say, for when I was rude and
+avoided him, Johnny the basso followed me everywhere.”
+
+“I tould ye so,” replied the widow, triumphantly. “Now listen, till I
+relate the charrm I used with O’Warty. ’Twas tould to me by an auld
+toad who was wan of the wisest craturs that iver lived, an’ me own
+grandmither, askin’ your pardin.”
+
+“Oh! do tell me,” cried Brownella, eagerly. “I will do anything you
+say.”
+
+“Well,” began the widow in a low and mysterious tone, “come near till
+me, for not to a living sowl have I iver afore bra’thed the charrm.
+It’s a dark night ye must choose, whin neither moon nor stars are in
+the heavens; and whin ye approach the gineral’s dwilling it’s backwards
+ye must hop, and repate a charrm for the spirit of the woods:--
+
+    “‘Spirit of the wood and dell,
+    Weave for me a fairy spell.
+    Weave it strong, and weave it true,
+    Grain of sand and drop of dew,
+    Till it change my true love cold,
+    Make him love me as of old.’
+
+“Thin whin ye have arrived forninst the dwilling, it’s on the big toe
+of the right hind foot ye must sthand, an’ wid the lift front foot
+(mind it’s the _lift_), schrape up a thrifle of wather an’ mud from the
+brook, an’ throw it into the countenance of the gineral, rep’ating at
+the same time the following verse:--
+
+    “‘Splisher, splasher, on one toe,
+    Fairy spell o’er thee I throw.
+    Be once more my own true love,
+    Never more from me to rove.
+    Splisher, splasher, on one toe,
+    Fairy spell o’er thee I throw.’
+
+If ye follow the directions the charrm will work; an’ it’s good luck I
+wishes ye,” added the widow.
+
+The little brown frog was profuse in her thanks for this valuable
+secret; and while she is waiting for a dark night to carry out the
+widow’s instructions, we will follow the fortunes of other friends.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Little Fluff was so happy to be at home again that you may be sure
+he did not venture far away; and the fear that old Rough would seek
+him out and again imprison him was so strong, that for some time he
+imagined every rustling of the leaves, or sighing of the wind through
+the trees, to be the old miser coming in search of him. Gradually
+this feeling wore away, as day after day passed and old Rough did not
+appear, for Fluff was by nature bold and fearless.
+
+For some time after the little squirrel’s return, he and his brothers
+and sister did not venture off the tree beneath which their house
+stood; but by degrees they extended their playground, and raced over
+the neighboring trees, and hid among the rocks and stumps as before,
+taking care, however, not to go out of sight of home. It is hardly
+necessary to add that the old squirrels were as apprehensive as the
+younger ones, and since the dreadful day when Fluff was captured, never
+left their home unguarded, one always remaining to watch the little
+brood.
+
+One warm, sunny afternoon, Squirrella sat in her doorway watching her
+little ones at play, thinking, as they raced about, that nowhere in
+the world could four other little squirrels be found with such bright
+eyes and such bushy tails. Up and down the tallest trees ran the happy
+little ones, jumping from bough to bough and from tree to tree, an
+occasional shrill chirrup from Squirrella warning them when the leap
+was too venturesome. Every thought of old Rough was forgotten by the
+frolicsome little creatures.
+
+No one could have seen the innocent things sporting among the green
+leaves, or sitting on their little haunches, with their bright eyes
+shining with merriment and their bushy tails tilted over their striped
+backs, without thinking it would be difficult to find a more pleasing
+picture. Their brisk little chirrups, too, rang through the still woods
+in response to Squirrella’s anxious calls; and timid little Bobtilla,
+with her young family about her, appeared at _her_ door, and watched
+the frolics with great interest.
+
+The excitement of the game was at its height, and Fluff’s old
+venturesome spirit returned in full force, when a sudden impulse seized
+him to play a trick upon his companions; so he quickly slipped behind
+an old stump, where he waited, hoping soon to hear them calling to him,
+and laughing to himself all the while.
+
+Fluffs absence was soon discovered, and loudly and eagerly did his name
+resound from the shrill voices of his playmates. This was great fun for
+the mischief-loving Fluff, who kept as still as a mouse, for fear his
+hiding-place would be discovered. Before long, however, he heard his
+mother’s anxious call, and his merriment suddenly ceased; for at the
+sound of her distressed chirrup came the recollection of those dreary
+days of imprisonment in the old miser’s dark den, and he hastened to
+assure her of his safety.
+
+Fluff turned quickly to leave his hiding-place, and was about to utter
+a shrill cry of joy, when a dark shadow suddenly stood between him and
+the light, and the huge form and savage countenance of old Rough, with
+his long, sharp teeth and cruel black eyes was before him. The cry that
+was on Fluff’s lips died away; and trembling from head to foot, he
+stood transfixed by the power of that cruel face.
+
+“Aha!” squeaked the old rat, with a vicious grin. “I’ve caught you
+at last, have I? I haven’t watched you for nothing all these days, I
+can tell you. I knew a heedless little fool like you would venture
+off before long. This time, my young friend, you will not get away so
+easily; old Rough isn’t caught in the same trap twice, let me tell you.
+Come along, youngster!”
+
+As the old rat approached, Fluff found voice, and his terrified
+cries rang through the silent wood, to be answered immediately by
+the agitated calls of his anxious family, and the fainter squeaks of
+Bobtilla’s sympathetic children.
+
+“Come along, I say,” repeated old Rough, approaching the poor little
+squirrel.
+
+“I won’t!” screamed Fluff, boldly, for the answering cries came nearer
+and nearer, and what child does not believe that its mother’s love is
+capable of saving it from the most powerful enemy? Fluff had the utmost
+confidence in his mother’s power; and as her sharp cries came nearer
+and nearer, all his boldness returned, and he fearlessly faced his
+enemy.
+
+“Go away, I tell you!” cried Fluff, valiantly, “or it will be the worse
+for you when my mother catches you! Here I am, Mother, right behind
+this old stump!”
+
+“Little idiot!” snarled the old rat, “do you suppose a dozen such
+feeble creatures as your mother could intimidate me? Take that for your
+insolence in daring to oppose me!”
+
+A piercing cry rang out as the old rat’s sharp teeth penetrated Fluff’s
+tender skin. The cry was immediately answered not only by the shrill
+tones of the squirrel family, and the distressed squeaks of Bobtilla,
+but by loud and harsh caws, and the two young crows lighted behind the
+old water-rat.
+
+“Come, let the youngster alone!” demanded the elder of the crows. “Run
+home, Sonny,” he added to Fluff.
+
+“He’d better not,” snarled old Rough, savagely, “he’d better not. As
+for you, you impudent fellows, I advise you to mind your own business,
+and not interfere in what doesn’t concern you. Be off, I say!”
+
+“We’re in no hurry, thank you,” pertly answered the younger crow; “and
+as for attending to our own business, why, we haven’t any on hand just
+now, and we have plenty of time to settle this matter,--so don’t make
+yourself uneasy on our account. Come, Sonny, hurry home; your anxious
+mamma is looking for you.”
+
+Fluff needed no second bidding, but made a sudden rush by old Rough;
+the latter, however, was on the alert, and as the little squirrel
+was in the act of passing him, fastened his sharp, strong paws in
+Fluff’s furry back. In another moment his long teeth would have buried
+themselves in Fluff’s neck, had not the crows with a sudden movement
+come up behind, each seizing an ear of the old water-rat, and holding
+him fast with his strong beak.
+
+At the same moment a flock of crows, attracted by the loud squeals
+of the old water-rat, flew down and fiercely attacked him, until the
+old miser wriggled himself free of his persecutors, and darting away,
+followed by the loudly-cawing crows, he slipped into an empty hole,
+where he secreted himself until the noisy band had departed. For once
+in their lives, the two young crows had made themselves useful.
+
+This attempt to recapture the little squirrel was the absorbing topic
+of conversation among the inhabitants of the meadow and surrounding
+woods for some time to come. Indignation meetings were held, and many
+were the complaints made against the disagreeable old miser. The
+veteran Caw presided, for all felt great confidence in his sagacity if
+they did not in his honesty. These meetings grew more and more frequent
+as time wore on, and old Rough grew bolder after every success.
+
+“This state of affairs must end,” exclaimed an excited field-mouse. “We
+are tired of seeing our homes laid waste and our families houseless.”
+
+“_Houseless!_” cackled a motherly looking hen from Farmer Smith’s
+poultry-yard; “is that the worst he has done to you? What would you say
+to having your children carried off before your very eyes, as he has
+done with mine?”
+
+“And to be driven off when you are looking for food for your starving
+families?” squeaked Bobtilla’s high voice.
+
+“Talking and complaining will not mend the matter,” croaked old Caw,
+who had listened with his head shrewdly turned to one side, taking in
+every word that had been uttered, “While you have been wasting time in
+talking, I’ve been making up my mind as to the best means of stopping
+it.”
+
+“How? Tell us how!” cried many eager voices.
+
+“Since old Rough is so powerful, and carries things with such a high
+hand, meet him on his own ground, and confront him with an enemy who
+inspires him with the same terror he does you.”
+
+“Who is there he is afraid of?” asked the hen who had before made her
+complaint. “Who but Blinkeye is old Rough afraid of? And he is harmless
+by daylight, and Rough knows enough to keep out of his way at night.”
+
+“Have you forgotten the terrible fight Rough had with the weasel, who
+would have finished him, had not the farmer made his appearance when he
+did?” asked old Caw in his deepest croak.
+
+“Oh!” cackled the hen, whose feathers stood up stiff with fright at the
+remembrance of that dreadful scene; “but old Rough has not ventured
+near the premises since,--he is too shrewd for that.”
+
+“The weasel can go to him, can’t he?” croaked Caw.
+
+“To be sure,” assented all. “What a bright idea!”
+
+“The weasel can make his headquarters under the wall, not far from old
+Rough’s den, and take his own time about the matter,” said Caw.
+
+This easy solution of the question was so satisfactory that the spirits
+of the assembly rose suddenly, and all talked together in their
+excitement. The cackling of the hen, the shrill squeaking of the mice,
+and the croaks of the frogs and toads became so loud, that old Caw
+interposed.
+
+“If you want to give old Rough notice of what is going to be done, keep
+on talking, that is all; but if you want the plan to succeed, make less
+noise about it,” he said briefly.
+
+Dead silence followed these words, the truth of which was so apparent;
+and soon the friends separated, returning quietly to their homes,
+secretly satisfied that old Caw was the wisest counsellor that ever
+lived, and would prove more than a match for even old Rough.
+
+A few nights later, when the moon was hidden behind dark clouds, and
+a heavy fog had settled over the meadow, a lithe form might have been
+seen emerging from the direction of Farmer Smith’s barn, and under
+cover of darkness gliding noiselessly toward old Rough’s abode. After
+critically examining the stone wall that commanded a fine view of the
+old miser’s den, it carefully selected a suitable opening, and in the
+same noiseless manner wriggled out of sight. It was the weasel, to whom
+old Caw had given instructions.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “He trembled with terror, and gave a shrill squeak of
+agony, as the long lithe body of his enemy the weasel came into view.”]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+THE SPELL IS BROKEN.
+
+
+On the same night that the weasel took possession of his new quarters
+under the stone wall, a very different scene was being enacted in the
+neighborhood of the basso’s dwelling. Ever since the Widow O’Warty
+had given her instructions how to win back the affection of her former
+devoted friend, Brownella had watched eagerly for a night dark enough
+to carry out her design.
+
+Never, it seemed to the impulsive Brownella, did the moon night after
+night shine brighter and more persistently, and in her impatience
+she began to think that it would always be thus. After long waiting,
+however, to her great joy one night she perceived light clouds drifting
+across the sky, for a few moments obscuring the brilliant moon; but
+there she was again, shining brighter than ever, and it seemed to
+Brownella’s excited imagination as if her usually placid countenance
+wore a mocking expression, as if it would say, “I know you want me to
+keep out of sight, but I am determined not to,”--and then on she sailed
+again into the clearer sky, lighting up every corner and cranny of the
+meadow.
+
+However, Brownella was not doomed to disappointment this time, for
+before long up came cloud after cloud; and as fast as the moon emerged
+from one, into another she went, until the whole heavens were suffused,
+and not even a star was visible.
+
+Then did Brownella’s heart beat fast with joy, and also with some fear;
+for now that the moment for which she had so long waited had arrived,
+many doubts arose in her mind. What if the charm shouldn’t work?
+And what if she should neglect to follow in every respect the Widow
+O’Warty’s instructions?
+
+Agitated by her hopes and fears, Brownella hopped rapidly in the
+direction of the basso’s dwelling. When within a short distance, she
+stopped and listened. All was still; the rich bass notes that were so
+musical to her ear were hushed; for the sensitive nature of the great
+singer sympathized with Mother Nature, and when her face was shrouded
+in darkness, his own spirits were affected likewise, and he remained
+at home silent and sad.
+
+All the courage she possessed did Brownella summon to her aid, and
+carefully did she repeat to herself the lines on which her future
+happiness depended. When assured that she knew them accurately,
+Brownella turned her back upon the abode of the singer, and hopping
+backwards, repeated the following lines,--
+
+    “Spirit of the wood and dell,
+    Weave for me a fairy spell.
+    Weave it strong, and weave it true,
+    Grain of sand and drop of dew,
+    Till it change my true love cold,
+    Till he loves me as of old.”
+
+These lines did Brownella keep repeating until she reached the brook
+that flowed in front of the basso’s dwelling, and where he was now
+sitting; then, approaching him, and standing on the big toe of her
+right hind foot, with the left fore foot she scraped up some of the
+mud and water from the stream, and threw it into the face of the
+astonished basso, saying,--
+
+    “Splisher, splasher, on one toe,
+    Fairy spell o’er thee I throw.
+    Be once more my own true love,
+    Never more from me to rove.
+    Splisher, splasher, on one toe,
+    Fairy spell o’er thee I throw.”
+
+This verse was answered by a resounding “a-hung!” uttered in the
+deepest and tenderest tones of the basso-profundo’s voice, and
+Brownella knew that the charm had done its work, and that the singer’s
+heart was hers once more.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Leaving this happy pair, we will return to other scenes.
+
+Old Rough grew more miserly and ill-natured day by day. Everybody
+avoided him, and he lived alone in his den, slinking around by himself,
+adding constantly to the stores he had collected, and tyrannizing over
+all with whom he came in contact. His countenance, never agreeable,
+became every day more repulsive; his eyes seemed to grow smaller and
+nearer together, and his nose longer and sharper, while his wrinkled
+lips receded from the long, sharp teeth.
+
+Not a living creature approached the old miser, and he crouched in
+his den, gloating over the vast wealth he possessed, and concocting
+plans for gaining more. No longing for the companionship of his fellow
+creatures ever stole over him in his solitude, and still less a regret
+that he had done nothing to gain the respect and affection of any of
+his neighbors. Not even a desire that Ruffina, who had served him so
+faithfully, would return, did the sordid old fellow feel; his only wish
+in regard to her was that he might obtain possession of the provisions
+he supposed her to have carried off, and also to wreak vengeance on her
+for his various disappointments.
+
+One night old Rough was out on one of his foraging expeditions, for
+he always chose darkness for his depredations. A raw east wind was
+blowing, and a drizzling rain was falling. Not a star was to be seen,
+and only a dark mass against the sky showed in which direction the
+woods lay. This was just the weather the old water-rat enjoyed, and he
+was in particularly good spirits, for he had the day before overheard
+a conversation between the two young crows, in which they spoke of
+some very rare morsels they had concealed under a certain stone in the
+woods. So accurately did they describe the spot that Rough could have
+gone to it blindfolded; and he chuckled to himself with satisfaction
+as he thought how shrewd he was, and how inexperienced the young crows
+were.
+
+Shrewd as was the old water-rat, he little knew that the crows were
+acting under the advice of one much shrewder and slyer than he,--none
+other than the old crow Caw,--and that this conversation was merely a
+trap, into which he readily fell.
+
+“The young thieves! I should like to watch their countenances when they
+find that the treasure they hid with such care has been discovered,”
+squeaked the old rat to himself, as he slid over the meadow toward the
+wood. “This will help pay for the trick they played me in leading me
+into that rascally weasel’s hole; but I’ve a nice little plan of my
+own, youngsters, to make us even on that score. You’ll find it out in
+due time.”
+
+Thus communing with himself, old Rough proceeded on his way, often
+sitting upright and looking about him to see if all were safe, and
+frequently poking his long nose about, in hope of finding something
+that he could turn to account. In this manner he reached the wood,
+where the darkness was even denser than outside; but this was all
+the better for his purposes, and his spirits rose as he neared his
+destination.
+
+On by the homes of the squirrels and Bobtilla, and of many other little
+inhabitants of the forest, did the old rat go, and at his approach
+many a mouse out in search of food ran trembling into its hole, hardly
+daring to breathe, until the dreadful figure had passed. Only the bats
+flitted fearlessly between the dense forest trees; but they had no
+terrors for him.
+
+At last the old rat paused, and poked his long nose anxiously about.
+Had he lost his way,--he who knew every bit of woodland and meadow
+about? Or had those thievish young crows deceived him? This last
+thought was not an agreeable one, and made his small black eyes twinkle
+with malice, and his long teeth snap viciously together.
+
+As he squatted on his haunches, glancing through the darkness for some
+landmark, a slight rustling of leaves attracted his attention. “Some
+hedge-hog returning from Farmer Smith’s poultry-yard, or a clumsy
+woodchuck,” muttered old Rough.
+
+He was mistaken; it was neither of the two; he trembled with terror,
+and gave a shrill squeak of agony, as the long lithe body of his enemy
+the weasel came into view.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The next day there was great rejoicing in the meadow and woods. The
+crickets chirped their loudest; the katydids and locusts sang shriller
+than ever before; the little mice ran squeaking about fearlessly in
+the tall grass; the squirrels ran heedlessly over walls and trees,
+loudly chirruping their joy,--all small creatures were doing their
+best to express their delight that old Rough the miser would no
+longer persecute them,--for the weasel had at last vanquished the
+dreaded tyrant, and no more would they fear him. In the midst of this
+rejoicing, a flock of crows perched on the tree that grew behind old
+Rough’s former abode, and old Caw repeated with great solemnity,--
+
+    “‘War and strife, grief and woe,
+    Follow you where’er you go.
+    Never more shall you know rest
+    For weary feet and aching breast,
+    Till body round and lithe and long
+    Shall vanquish body thick and strong.
+    Then shall dawn a day of peace,
+    Then shall strife and sorrow cease.’”
+
+“Friends,” added old Caw, “the spell that has hung over the inhabitants
+of this meadow and wood for so long a time is now broken. The ‘body
+round and lithe and long’ _has_ at last ‘vanquished body thick and
+strong,’ and no more need you dread the old miser’s power.”
+
+That evening when the moon rose over the woodland, and shone down on
+the meadow, a gay throng came from bog and stream and wood. Choruses of
+frogs and crickets and locusts filled the air, while the little mice
+squeaked an accompaniment; hundreds of lively bats flitted in and out,
+and fireflies and glow-worms lighted up the gay scene; for old Rough
+the miser had disappeared forever, and the spell that had for so long
+hung over them was at last broken.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+THE WINDS, THE WOODS, AND THE WANDERER.
+
+  A FABLE FOR CHILDREN. By LILY F. WESSELHOEFT, author of “Sparrow the
+  Tramp,” and “Flipwing the Spy.” With Illustrations. 16mo. Cloth.
+  Price, $1.25.
+
+[Illustration: SPECIMEN CUT.]
+
+In the story of “The Winds, the Woods, and the Wanderer,” the author
+has endeavored to depict an artistic temperament that is misunderstood
+by the practical natures by which it is surrounded,--one that hears the
+voice of the “dear Lord God,” as the Germans have it, speaking through
+the rustling of the forest trees. This same artistic temperament the
+untutored Indian youth possessed; and the two natures were drawn
+together by the love of the beautiful that was implanted in the soul of
+each, and that interpreted to them the voices of Nature which to others
+are as a sealed book.
+
+                                               ROBERTS BROTHERS, Boston.
+
+
+
+
+  Transcriber’s note
+
+
+  Spelling and punctuation errors have been corrected.
+  Italics have been enclosed by underscores.
+  Small capitals have been capitalised.
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77858 ***
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+      Old rough the miser. | Project Gutenberg
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+<body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77858 ***</div>
+
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center p4" style="font-weight: bold;font-size: large">
+  OLD ROUGH THE MISER.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="full">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_002" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_002.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“And, with a few prodigious leaps, gained the stream, into which she sprang.”
+    <a href="#Page_273"><span class="smcap">Page 273</span></a></p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<hr class="full">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</span></p>
+
+<h1>
+  OLD ROUGH THE MISER.
+</h1>
+
+<p class="center p2" style="font-weight: bold;">
+  A Fable for Children.
+</p>
+
+<p class="center p6">
+  BY
+</p>
+
+<p class="center p2">
+  LILY F. WESSELHOEFT,
+</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-size: small;">
+  AUTHOR OF “SPARROW THE TRAMP,” “FLIPWING THE SPY,” “THE WINDS,
+  THE WOODS, AND THE WANDERER.”
+</p>
+
+<p class="center p6">
+  <i>ILLUSTRATED BY J. F. GOODRIDGE.</i>
+</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_003" style="max-width: 6.25em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_003.jpg" alt="">
+</figure>
+
+<p class="center p6">
+  BOSTON:<br>
+  ROBERTS BROTHERS.<br>
+  1891.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="full">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center p4">
+<i>Copyright, 1891</i>,<br>
+<span class="smcap">By Roberts Brothers</span>.
+</p>
+
+<p class="center p6">
+<span class="smcap">University Press:</span><br>
+<span class="smcap">John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U.S.A.</span>
+</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">
+  CONTENTS.
+</h2>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<table class="autotable">
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><span class="smcap">Chapter</span></td>
+<td class="tdl"></td>
+<td class="tdr"><span class="smcap">Page</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Beginning of the Feud</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Old Rough at Home</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Old Caw’s Counsel</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Cornfield</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Great Basso-Profundo</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Young Crows’ Trick</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Declaration of War</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_93">93</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Swift puts Bobtilla and the Squirrels on their Guard</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Crows Plan a Surprise for Old Rough</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_128">128</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">X.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Old Rough in Danger</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Combat</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_162">162</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Widow O’Warty’s Reception</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Rivals</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_188">188</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Fluff is Lost</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_204">204</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Flipwing makes an Important Discovery</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_218">218</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Old Rough Expounds a Law of the Woods, and Old Caw forms a Plan</span><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_236">236</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Battle</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_254">254</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Chaperon</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_274">274</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">XIX.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Charm</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_291">291</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">XX.</a></td>
+<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Spell is Broken</span></td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_308">308</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_007" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_007.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“At last, bleeding and maimed, they agreed to lay the case
+    before the owl.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_I">
+    CHAPTER I.
+    <br>
+    THE BEGINNING OF THE FEUD.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Once upon a time there lived on a large
+farm a crow, a water-rat, an owl, a
+frog, and a weasel. Large as the farm was,
+with its meadows, its fields, and many acres
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span>of woodland, it would seem as if these little
+animals might have lived in harmony, without
+encroaching on one another’s domains.
+Such was not the case, however; and indeed
+it is a well-known fact that the more one
+has the more one wants, and that there are
+some who wish to possess the earth.</p>
+
+<p>This is how the quarrel began. The
+water-rat, who lived on the edge of the
+brook, claimed the right to a cornfield near
+by, which the crow had always considered
+his own. The quarrel ended in a fierce
+fight which lasted many hours, neither being
+able to conquer the other. At last, bleeding
+and maimed, they agreed to lay the
+case before the owl and abide by his decision,
+for he had the reputation of being
+very wise.</p>
+
+<p>One moonlight night, the owl repaired to
+a large oak-tree on the edge of the wood;
+and about him assembled the crow and the
+water-rat, with various friends whom they
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span>had brought as witnesses, besides many
+other interested parties.</p>
+
+<p>Very solemn did Judge Owl look, as
+he sat with his great yellow eyes wide open
+and staring straight before him. The trial
+was conducted with great formality, each
+party stating his own case.</p>
+
+<p>First the crow called up his witnesses,
+field-mice and squirrels. All expressed the
+opinion that the cornfield belonged by right
+to the crow, because they had been told by
+their fathers and grandfathers that the crows
+had always held possession of it.</p>
+
+<p>After this testimony, the water-rat stated
+<i>his</i> case, and summoned <i>his</i> witnesses the
+frogs. They were of opinion that the water-rat
+should have the cornfield because he
+had always had it, and because he couldn’t
+live on the food the brook afforded him.
+Much bickering went on between the witnesses
+of both parties, until Judge Owl
+interposed thus,—</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Come to order, and pay attention to
+what I say. I have heard both sides, and
+my mind is made up. The cornfield belongs
+to the crow.”</p>
+
+<p>Angry squeals were heard from the water-rat,
+and loud croaks of disapproval from his
+witnesses the frogs, who sided with him,—not
+from a conviction that he was right, but
+because he held control of the brook and
+threatened to keep them out of it unless
+they testified in his favor.</p>
+
+<p>“Silence!” commanded the judge, with
+an angry hoot. “The cornfield, I say,
+belongs to the crow, for corn is his natural
+food. What business has a water-rat with
+corn? None at all. I am told it is indigestible
+for him; and all I can say is, that if it
+<i>does</i> agree with him it ought not to, and
+that it is a mistake. The brook is the place
+for the water-rat: let him stay there, and
+live on what he can find in it. If he can’t
+find anything, let him go without it,—that is
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span>his look out. Can crows live in the water?
+No. Consequently the cornfield belongs by
+right to the crow.</p>
+
+<p>“Another argument in favor of the crow
+is that he can fly off when anybody comes.
+Can a water-rat fly? Not that I ever heard
+of. There is still another argument, and
+one that is indisputable. Was there ever a
+cornfield that didn’t have a scare-crow in
+it? Did anybody ever hear of a scare-<i>rat</i>?
+General opinion carries the day,—the cornfield
+belongs to the crow.</p>
+
+<p>“Now I command you to keep the peace.
+As long as the water-rat persists in his
+absurd claims, there will be bloodshed and
+strife. I will repeat to you a verse from
+‘The Laws of the Woods,’ that states the
+case as clearly as daylight—I should say
+moonlight.</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent2">“‘War and strife, grief and woe,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Follow you where’er you go.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Never more shall you know rest</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">For weary feet and aching breast,</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span>      <div class="verse indent0">Till body round and lithe and long</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Shall vanquish body thick and strong.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Then shall dawn a day of peace,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And every strife and sorrow cease.’</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>“Now the matter is settled, and I must
+be off, as I have another case to decide on
+the farther side of the wood;” and away
+flew Judge Owl.</p>
+
+<p>Exulting caws from the victorious crow
+and triumphant squeaks from the mice followed;
+but with an angry squeal the water-rat
+announced his determination to keep possession
+of the cornfield. The verse from the
+“Laws of the Woods” that the judge had
+read, had no meaning for the assembled
+party; nor indeed had it for the judge
+himself, who had pondered long over it,
+and perhaps this had something to do with
+his hasty departure.</p>
+
+<p>Consequently, the decision of the owl did
+not change matters in the least,—both the
+crow and the water-rat claimed the cornfield
+as before. The mice and squirrels
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span>sided with the crow, and the frogs with the
+water-rat; and the water-rat hated the crow
+even more than before, and vowed vengeance
+on the mice and squirrels for taking part
+against him.</p>
+
+<p>The weasel, like the owl, had no especial
+interest in the matter at stake, but kept by
+himself, living under stone walls or in the
+neighborhood of hen-roosts and barns,—a
+deadly enemy of rats and mice, and consequently
+carefully avoided by them.</p>
+
+<p>In this manner things went on until our
+story opens, several generations later. The
+scene of action is the same farm, but the
+originators of the quarrel have been long
+dead and forgotten, having transmitted the
+feud to their descendants.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_014" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_014.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“He soon reached the opening, before which stood a little field-mouse,
+    who glanced timidly up.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_II">
+    CHAPTER II.
+    <br>
+    OLD ROUGH AT HOME.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Our story opens on a dark day in summer,
+and in a piece of woodland so far
+removed from the busy life that stirs cities
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span>and large villages, that it was seldom any
+sound arose to break the stillness of Nature,
+except those made by the animal creation
+who dwelt there undisturbed by the depredations
+of mankind.</p>
+
+<p>At a first glance, it would seem as if
+not even animal life were there, so profound
+was the silence. A brook, or more properly
+a ditch, for so sluggish a stream
+hardly deserved the name of a brook,
+flowed torpidly through a meadow which
+was bordered by forest trees and thickly
+growing underbrush.</p>
+
+<p>At a first glance, as we said, no motion
+was perceptible, but a keen eye on the lookout
+for signs of life might have detected a
+dark object creeping along the soft and
+slimy banks of the ditch, often stopping to
+look about him and listen. It was a large
+water-rat, his long rough fur failing to
+make him an agreeable object, for the cruel
+expression in his keen little eyes that were
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span>placed closely together, and the long, sharp
+teeth that seemed constantly on the lookout
+for something to devour, would have
+deformed any face.</p>
+
+<p>As the water-rat proceeded cautiously on
+his way, as we said before, he stopped frequently
+and looked about him, sometimes
+casting his sharp eyes around to see if anybody
+were approaching, and at all times on
+the watch for trespassers on his domains;
+for the water-rat considered himself the
+proprietor of the meadow, and in a measure
+also of the forest that stretched beyond it.</p>
+
+<p>All at once, the old rat stopped short and
+examined the ground about him, where the
+prints of small feet in the mud were visible.
+“I thought so!” he exclaimed to himself;
+“those mischievous field-mice have been
+here again, gnawing those tender young
+roots that I have been keeping my eye on.
+Just let me catch them at it, and their tails
+will be even shorter than they are now.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span>They’re even worse than the crows, for
+they are so small they can slink around
+without being seen.”</p>
+
+<p>A jeering laugh from behind startled the
+water-rat, and turning quickly he descried
+two young crows seated on a rock near by,
+and regarding him with countenances expressive
+of great amusement.</p>
+
+<p>“Be off, you young thieves,” snarled the
+old rat, angrily; “how dare you trespass on
+my premises?”</p>
+
+<p>For answer the young crows each inclined
+an ear toward the water-rat in a listening
+attitude, as if to catch his words, and then
+burst into derisive caws.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t speak quite so loudly, sir,” remarked
+one of the crows. “I knew an old
+fellow of about your age who busted a
+blood-vessel, and ’twould be a pity to have
+you taken off so suddenly; you’d be a
+great loss to the neighborhood, you’re so
+sociable.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span></p>
+
+<p>“And he was first cousin to the fellow
+who died because he tried to save expense
+by living without eating,” said the other
+crow.</p>
+
+<p>The old water-rat was too wise to continue
+a conversation in which he was sure to be
+worsted; so he continued on his way, followed
+by the taunts of the young crows.</p>
+
+<p>“How much will you take for your skin,
+old Rough?” called out one, while the other
+chanted,—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“There was once an old miser, who thought</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">He could live upon little or nought;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">But one day he died,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And his wife sold his hide</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">For a sum much more than she ought.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>“Young villains!” muttered old Rough to
+himself, as he scurried home, “I’ll pay
+them for this.”</p>
+
+<p>The water-rat stopped before a hole, and
+looking stealthily behind him, to make sure
+that no one was in sight, noiselessly entered
+his habitation. A long and narrow passage,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span>in which the darkness increased as he progressed,
+led finally into a large apartment,
+which served evidently as the living and
+sleeping room of old Rough; for a pile of
+dried leaves and old rags in one corner
+apparently served as a bed.</p>
+
+<p>Another rat sat on this bed, evidently in
+the act of taking a hasty lunch, for so silent
+had been her husband’s entrance that
+Ruffina was not aware of his approach until
+he appeared before her; then with a frightened
+expression she hastily swallowed the
+mouthful she was masticating, and with a
+quick motion concealed something under
+the leaves that formed the bed.</p>
+
+<p>“Not so fast, madam,” exclaimed old
+Rough, springing to the spot where his wife
+had hidden her prize; and in a twinkling he
+drew forth a large walnut, into which Ruffina
+had had time only to drill a hole with
+her sharp teeth.</p>
+
+<p>“So, madam!” exclaimed the old rat in a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span>harsh voice, looking from the nut to his
+trembling wife, whose eyes anxiously followed
+all his movements, “so this is the way
+you obey me, is it? How dared you touch
+those nuts when you knew they were not to
+be eaten?”</p>
+
+<p>“But they are last year’s nuts, and most
+of them are wormy and musty,” answered
+Ruffina, submissively; “and I thought you
+wouldn’t care.”</p>
+
+<p>“You thought I wouldn’t care?” squealed
+the old rat, bringing his teeth together with
+a snap that made his wife shiver.</p>
+
+<p>“I was so hungry,” pleaded Ruffina,
+meekly, “and the nuts are really spoiled.”</p>
+
+<p>“What!” shrieked old Rough, with a
+spring that brought him in front of his terrified
+wife, “have you lost the little sense you
+ever possessed? Don’t you know that I
+can mix those nuts in with this year’s, and
+pass them off for fresh ones? And see
+here, madam, I think you said just now that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span>you were hungry. Don’t let me hear any
+more of such nonsense. Don’t you eat as
+much as I do? We must pinch and
+scrape, and <i>starve</i> if necessary, to get a little
+forehanded, or we shall die paupers.”</p>
+
+<p>“But we are not poor,” replied Ruffina,
+meekly. “Look at the piles of roots and
+mussels and snails over there. Every one
+says you are richer than anybody about
+here, and—”</p>
+
+<p>Poor Ruffina ended her sentence in a cry
+of pain, for her cruel husband darted suddenly
+upon her and fastened his long teeth
+in one of her ears.</p>
+
+<p>“If you are too stupid to comprehend my
+words, perhaps you can understand that!”
+exclaimed the ill-natured old miser, as his
+poor wife retreated to a corner, whining.</p>
+
+<p>A soft voice at the door here attracted
+old Rough’s attention, and entering the
+passage-way, he soon reached the opening,
+before which stood a little field-mouse, who
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span>glanced timidly up at the hard face of the
+old miser.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, what do you want, Bobtilla?”
+asked the old rat, with a grim smile at
+the discomfiture of the little field-mouse.</p>
+
+<p>“I came to ask if I might have one of
+those tender roots down by the dam?” said
+Bobtilla, timidly.</p>
+
+<p>“What!” exclaimed old Rough, harshly,
+“you have the audacity to ask me for one
+of my tender young roots?”</p>
+
+<p>“One of my children is ill,” squeaked
+Bobtilla in her mild voice, “and he thought
+he would relish one of them. He has so
+little appetite now that he can’t eat the
+scraps I manage to pick up.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, he can’t!” growled the old rat.
+“Well, what will you give me in exchange
+for my tender young root? Do you know,
+madam, that every one of those little roots
+brings me a pile of corn?”</p>
+
+<p>“I shall without doubt be able to pay
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span>you when the crops are ripe,” answered
+the little field-mouse; “but we have eaten
+up all our winter store, and shall have to
+scrape along as best we can till midsummer.”</p>
+
+<p>“The more fool you,” snarled the old
+water-rat. “Let me tell you, madam, that
+I don’t indulge in luxuries; if I did, I
+should probably have to go about begging
+as you do. No, when you come with your
+pile of corn, you shall have the tender root
+that your sick child craves, not before. Now
+be off. You’re a thieving set, like all the
+others about here, and I want you to keep
+off my premises;” and the old miser turned
+and re-entered his dwelling.</p>
+
+<p>Poor little Bobtilla turned sorrowfully
+away from the miser’s abode, and retraced
+her steps to her home. How could she go
+back to her sick child and tell him that
+she had returned without the tender root
+he so much desired? The more Bobtilla
+thought over the matter, the harder it
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span>seemed to her, and she cast many a longing
+glance toward the dam where the
+tender roots grew.</p>
+
+<p>“Why did the miser claim the whole
+meadow?” thought Bobtilla. He had no
+more right to it than she or many others.
+Merely by right of his superior strength
+did he claim it. Was it possible she could
+gnaw off a small piece without being detected?
+Bobtilla hesitated as she arrived
+opposite the dam, and glanced quickly in
+the direction of the tyrant’s abode. Far
+off as it was, she was certain she saw the
+miser sitting in the doorway, and trembling
+at the thought of the terrible revenge that
+would overtake her should she attempt
+to touch the coveted root, she reluctantly
+continued her way.</p>
+
+<p>As Bobtilla passed under the wall that
+led to her home, pleasant tones fell on her
+ear, and the voice being a new one, she
+stopped and looked about her. A chipmunk
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span>whom she had never before seen,
+sat on the top of the wall, holding in her
+little forepaws a large nut, into which she
+was drilling a hole, at the same time conversing
+in a cheerful voice with another
+chipmunk, who sat on the branch of a large
+chestnut-tree above her. Bobtilla, hidden
+behind a stone, paused to listen.</p>
+
+<p>“So he told you they were his trees, and
+that we couldn’t have any of the nuts when
+they were ripe, did he?” said the squirrel
+on the wall, examining the nut to see how
+deep the hole had become.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, my dear,” replied the squirrel on
+the tree; “but I reminded him that the
+wood was a large place, and that there
+was room for all in it.”</p>
+
+<p>“What did he say to that?” asked the
+other squirrel, whose sharp teeth had now
+penetrated the hard shell of the nut.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! he still kept up his bluster; but I
+think we needn’t fear him. I don’t know
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span>who he is, that he should give himself so
+many airs, but we can let him alone, and
+perhaps he will not interfere with us.”</p>
+
+<p>“I can tell you who he is,” squeaked
+Bobtilla; “he is a disagreeable old miser,
+and his name is old Rough.”</p>
+
+<p>The two squirrels looked about them in
+astonishment, for they had thought themselves
+alone, and the little field-mouse
+hopped onto the stone behind which she
+had been concealed.</p>
+
+<p>“I can tell you all about him,” she said.
+“You must be strangers about here not to
+know who old Rough is. I was at his house
+just now, to beg a little root of him. There
+are ever so many of them growing down by
+the dam, and I thought he might let me
+have one for my sick child; but he refused,
+because I had no corn to give him in exchange.
+You see our winter supply has
+gone,” continued Bobtilla, who was encouraged
+to proceed by the good-natured countenances
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span>of her listeners, “and one of my
+children is ill, and can’t eat as the rest of us
+do. All we had was a grasshopper’s leg that
+was hard and dry. It is of no use to try to
+soften old Rough’s heart, and I suppose I
+must see my child die for want of proper
+food.”</p>
+
+<p>The two squirrels exchanged glances,
+and the mother squirrel, Squirrella, said,—</p>
+
+<p>“Would your sick child relish a nut, do
+you think? I am quite sure we have a few
+chestnuts left, and they are quite easy to
+break;” and before Bobtilla could reply,
+Squirrella had disappeared in a hole in the
+wall. In an instant she was back again,
+carrying a chestnut in her mouth; and depositing
+it at the feet of the little field-mouse,
+she said in her motherly way,—</p>
+
+<p>“When he has eaten that come back for
+more. I know what it is to have sick
+children.</p>
+
+<p>“We have but just moved here,” continued
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span>Squirrella, interrupting Bobtilla’s profuse
+thanks. “We have always lived in one
+place, but the woods were being thinned out
+to make room for human habitations, and
+we felt the necessity for a change. One
+day our friend Swift the swallow told us of
+this place, so we moved here.”</p>
+
+<p>“This seems a very peaceful place,” said
+Squirrello, the squirrel on the tree, “and I
+don’t see how old Rough can hurt us if we
+keep out of his way. All of your other
+neighbors are harmless, aren’t they?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” replied Bobtilla, “I believe so,—unless
+it is old Blinkeye. He is very strong
+and fierce, you know,—that is at night.
+Nobody is afraid of him in the daytime, for
+then he can’t see a thing.”</p>
+
+<p>“Old Blinkeye,—and what kind of a
+creature is he?” asked Squirrello.</p>
+
+<p>“A very large owl,” replied the field-mouse.
+“As I said before, look out for
+him at night, for then he is dangerous; but
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span>in the daytime, why he couldn’t harm a fly,
+and I wouldn’t even turn out of the way if
+I met him.”</p>
+
+<p>Here a slight rustling of the leaves in a
+tall tree near by attracted their attention,
+and, giving one hurried glance in that direction,
+Bobtilla shrieked, “Old Blinkeye!”
+and in spite of her assertion that he was
+perfectly harmless in the daytime, seized her
+chestnut, and darted off to her home with
+great speed, not once stopping to look behind
+her.</p>
+
+<p>The two squirrels, startled by Bobtilla’s
+sudden exclamation, took the alarm, and
+whisked into their hole in the wall.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_030" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_030.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“Well, young gentlemen, he began in the high, cracked voice of
+    extreme age, you did well to return.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_III">
+    CHAPTER III.
+    <br>
+    OLD CAW’S COUNSEL.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>When the two chipmunks found themselves
+inside their house, they listened
+in breathless silence, their little hearts beating
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span>fast with fear; but as all was still, and
+they found they were not pursued, curiosity
+began to get the better of them, and they
+felt a desire to obtain a glimpse of the dangerous
+being that had inspired Bobtilla with
+such terror.</p>
+
+<p>Noiselessly approaching the opening of
+their house, Squirrello put out his head and
+glanced cautiously around. On the tall tree
+sat a large bird, such as the squirrel, who
+had hitherto lived on the outskirts of a
+large town, had never seen. His strong
+claws grasped tightly the bough on which
+he rested, and his large yellow eyes that
+gleamed through the foliage looked straight
+before him. The pointed tufts on his head
+and his large hooked beak gave him a vigilant
+and fierce expression, and at intervals
+he blinked his eyes solemnly. It was a great
+grandson of Judge Owl, who, many years
+before, had settled the dispute between the
+crow and the water-rat.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span></p>
+
+<p>Squirrello having made these observations
+from his door, turned and addressed
+his wife,—</p>
+
+<p>“Come, Squirrella, and look at this
+strange creature. We have certainly seen
+nothing like him.”</p>
+
+<p>Squirrella glanced toward a corner of
+her house, where, on a soft bed of leaves
+and moss, lay two young chipmunks fast
+asleep.</p>
+
+<p>“They are all right,” replied her husband,
+reassuringly, “old Blinkeye can’t get in
+here.”</p>
+
+<p>“How I dread the time when they are
+old enough to run about by themselves,”
+said Squirrella, anxiously. “I almost wish
+we had remained where we were.”</p>
+
+<p>“You forget the cats there,” answered
+her husband. “Evidently old Blinkeye is
+the only creature we need fear besides the
+water-rat, and owls are dangerous only at
+night.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Then why did the field-mouse seem so
+alarmed at sight of him?” asked Squirrella.</p>
+
+<p>“Because she is afraid of everything.
+Come, my dear, don’t be as foolish as she is,
+but take a good look at this remarkable-looking
+bird, that you may avoid him in
+future.”</p>
+
+<p>Thus encouraged, Squirrella took heart
+and followed her husband to the door, and
+after a moment, seeing how silently and
+quietly the owl sat on his perch, she became
+emboldened to join her husband on the top
+of the wall, where they both remained,
+watching the great solemn eyes of the fierce
+Blinkeye.</p>
+
+<p>The two chipmunks conversed in low
+tones, and the owl was evidently not aware
+of their presence, for he still looked straight
+before him in the same solemn manner.</p>
+
+<p>A laughing and cawing was heard before
+long, and two noisy young crows lighted
+on a tree directly opposite the silent owl.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span></p>
+
+<p>“How are you, father Blinkeye?” asked
+one of the crows, familiarly. The owl
+turned his head slightly towards the voice,
+but maintained the same dignified silence.</p>
+
+<p>“You don’t happen to know what the
+parrot died of, do you, my friend?” asked
+the other crow; but as he received no
+answer, he continued,—</p>
+
+<p>“Well, he died of talking, and I thought
+perhaps you might have symptoms of the
+same disease.”</p>
+
+<p>The owl continued silent as before, and
+fixed his solemn yellow eyes on the impertinent
+young crows, who after a while became
+somewhat uneasy under his steadfast gaze.
+With a show of indifference they indulged
+in personal remarks intended to annoy the
+silent owl, but to all their impertinence the
+owl was apparently unmoved, and at last
+broke silence:—</p>
+
+<p>“Let me advise you, my young friends,
+for you are <i>very</i> young in experience, to be
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span>a little more careful in your selection of a
+place to conceal your stolen treasures. I
+am astonished that such shrewd young fellows
+as you consider yourselves should
+have shown so little judgment.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean?” asked both
+together.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! nothing,” answered the owl, carelessly.
+“I thought perhaps you might
+sometime have occasion to conceal a bone
+or delicate scrap of meat your old grandfather
+had given you as a reward for good
+behavior, and I have <i>heard</i> that you were
+not as careful as you might be in your selection
+of hiding-places.”</p>
+
+<p>“So you have been spying, have you?”
+exclaimed the younger crow, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>“I?” asked the owl, coolly. “Oh, no, I
+was merely repeating what I had heard. Old
+bones and scraps of meat do not attract me;
+I prefer <i>live</i> game.” And at the words, the
+two little chipmunks suddenly darted into
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span>their house, and remained there until the mischievous
+crows had taken flight, and all was
+still once more.</p>
+
+<p>“You see, my young friends,” continued
+the owl, “that you are better known than
+you think you are. Did you ever hear that
+verse about your family in ‘The Laws of
+the Woods?’ I will repeat it to you, that
+you may form some idea of the reputation
+you bear:—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent2">“‘Wherever you are, and wherever you go,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Beware, oh beware, of the saucy crow!</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">His feathers are black and his beak is long,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And he has a croak instead of a song.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">His pleasure it is to hide and to steal;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">No creature for him does affection feel;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">I pray you avoid him, the mischievous crow,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">For there’s no trick that he does not know.’”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>“Capital!” exclaimed the two crows,
+bursting into caws of laughter. “Give us
+some more verses from ‘The Laws of the
+Woods’!”</p>
+
+<p>“I will,” replied the owl, severely, and still
+gazing fixedly on them, he repeated in warning
+notes:—</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span></p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent2">“‘War and strife, grief and woe,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Follow you where’er you go.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Never more shall you know rest</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">For weary feet and aching breast,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Till body round and lithe and long</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Shall vanquish body thick and strong.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Then shall dawn a day of peace,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And every strife and sorrow cease.’”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>“Suppose you tell us what it means?”
+said the elder crow. “Who is the ‘body
+round and lithe and long,’ and who the
+‘body thick and strong’?”</p>
+
+<p>“You will find out to your sorrow before
+long,” replied the owl, solemnly; “but ‘the
+day of peace’ will dawn for the rest of us.”</p>
+
+<p>“In return for your compliment, I’ll recite
+for your benefit a verse that is a little easier
+to understand,” said the elder crow:—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“There was once an owl who said, ‘I</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Really would not hurt a fly;’</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And through the long day,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">He sat blinking away,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">But when the night came, oh my!”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>As the crow finished his verse, he and his
+brother flew off with great flapping of wings
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span>and derisive jeers, cawing out the lines as
+long as they were within hearing of the
+owl.</p>
+
+<p>When they were out of sight, the two
+crows looked at each other, and the younger
+said,—</p>
+
+<p>“How do you suppose he found out about
+that pig’s ear?”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m sure I don’t know; somebody probably
+watched us. One thing he said is
+true,—he always wants live food himself.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll tell you how it is,” replied the
+younger brother, “Old Rough is an acquaintance
+of his, and he is always prying
+about, and wouldn’t hesitate to help himself
+to anything he might find. Yes, we’ll have
+to find a new hiding-place.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hush!” said the elder brother, as they
+came in sight of their home; “don’t talk so
+loudly. There’s the old gentleman on the
+lookout, and old as he is, he hears quicker
+than any of us.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span></p>
+
+<p>On the top of a tall fir-tree, where the
+branches grew thickest, reposed the home
+of the crow family,—and a most untidy
+and insecure structure it was, looking as if
+the materials had been flung against the
+tree and caught there; for mud and twigs,
+and rags and feathers appeared to be mixed
+indiscriminately, and the whole nest looked
+as though it might tumble down at any
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>In spite, however, of the insecure appearance
+of her home, the mother-crow
+was seated comfortably within, and several
+young crows were perched on neighboring
+branches, noisily cawing.</p>
+
+<p>On a tree near by, apart from the others,
+as if he wished to avoid their noisy cawing,
+sat a crow whose appearance indicated
+that he was a person of distinction in the
+crow family, and when the hilarity of the
+younger crows grew unusually loud, the
+mother sitting in the nest glanced uneasily
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span>towards this solitary figure, and sharply
+enjoined silence.</p>
+
+<p>For awhile after her admonitions, the
+voices became lower; but soon, with the
+exuberant spirits of youth, the young crows
+again forgot themselves, and they all cawed
+together as excitedly as before.</p>
+
+<p>As the two newcomers appeared, the old
+crow on the tree by himself, turning his
+head sideways, glanced at them out of one
+eye, but otherwise bestowed no attention
+on them.</p>
+
+<p>“Where have you been all day?” asked
+the mother-crow in a querulous voice.
+“Your father has been everywhere to
+hunt for you, and your grandfather is much
+displeased.”</p>
+
+<p>“We were looking for provisions for the
+family,” replied the elder brother, winking
+at the other.</p>
+
+<p>“A likely story!” replied his mother.
+“You have been idling away your time in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span>some folly, I know. You never are here
+when you’re wanted.”</p>
+
+<p>The young crows knew by experience
+that this was the beginning of a long lecture,
+and they remained silent until their
+mother had ended. All this time the old
+crow had not stirred; but when the mother
+bird had ceased, he said briefly,—</p>
+
+<p>“Come here, I have something to say to
+you.”</p>
+
+<p>Their mother’s scoldings the young crows
+did not mind, for they were too frequent to
+make a deep impression, and she told them
+of so many faults at once that her reproofs
+lost their force; but when old Caw their
+grandfather spoke, it was always to the
+point, and left them in no doubt as to his
+meaning.</p>
+
+<p>The two young crows at once, therefore,
+obeyed the summons, and lighted on a
+branch opposite the old crow, who for a
+moment regarded them in silence. It was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span>no wonder that the countenances of these
+reckless young creatures fell beneath the
+gaze of that shrewd old face.</p>
+
+<p>Old Caw, as he was familiarly called, the
+leader of the flock, although having long
+outlived his generation of crows, had still
+sufficient energy of character left to enable
+him to sustain the position of counsellor and
+leader that he had for so many years ably
+borne. One eye only remained to him, the
+other having been pecked out in a quarrel
+in his youth; but in that single eye was
+concentrated all the shrewdness and ability
+that distinguished him even among the
+ablest of his kind.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, young gentlemen,” he began, in
+the high cracked voice of extreme old age,
+“you did well to return when you did.
+The expedition starts shortly, for we must
+have two good hours before sunset.”</p>
+
+<p>The young crows knew that it was not
+to tell them this that their grandfather had
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span>called them and eyed them so sharply, and
+they looked at one another sheepishly. As
+he continued silent, they turned to leave
+him; but he called them back.</p>
+
+<p>“See here, my fine fellows, the next
+time you steal a pig’s ear from me, don’t be
+so clumsy about it. There is a right and
+wrong way of doing things, and you can’t
+be too particular about these little matters.”</p>
+
+<p>The young crows looked still more confused,
+as they learned that their grandfather
+had discovered their little theft.</p>
+
+<p>“Did you really think old Caw was so
+stupid as to hide his pig’s ear where you
+could find it so easily? No, I assure you he
+is too old a head for that. I purposely put
+it where you would come upon it, for I
+wanted to teach you a lesson, and sometime
+I will show you how to do such
+things neatly. Your education has really
+been neglected. However, it is time to be
+off, and here come our friends.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span></p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, several crows appeared,
+flying rapidly towards them. Very little
+time was spent in preparations for starting,
+and when all were in their places, old Caw
+placed himself at the head of the little flock,
+and with much flapping of wings and discordant
+cawing, they flew off in the direction
+of the woods.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_045" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_045.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“Many a smaller bird started up in terror from its leafy retreat,
+    and occasionally a squirrel or rabbit scurried into its hole.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_IV">
+    CHAPTER IV.
+    <br>
+    THE CORNFIELD.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Old Caw led his flock of crows through
+the dense wood, and startled by the
+constant cawing that broke the stillness of
+the forest, many a smaller bird started up
+in terror from its leafy retreat, and occasionally
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span>a squirrel or rabbit scurried into
+its hole, to remain there with fast-beating
+hearts until the harsh noises had died away
+in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>As they passed over a grove of pine-trees,
+they met another flock of crows flying in
+an opposite direction, and a discordant cawing
+arose from both parties, the elder members
+of each band trying, with the wisdom
+that age brings, to silence the younger
+ones; but in this attempt they were unsuccessful,
+and, with a few sharp words of
+reprimand, old Caw started his party again,
+with the exception of his two pugnacious
+grandsons, who remained behind to settle
+the dispute with two equally persistent
+members of the opposing party. Before
+long, however, they were seen rapidly flying
+to join their flock, in high spirits at having
+settled the matter to their satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>No other incident occurred to disturb the
+progress of old Caw’s little band, and soon
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span>they passed over cultivated fields and open
+meadows, the keen eye of the veteran
+leader taking in all the possibilities of the
+country.</p>
+
+<p>At last Caw halted his band on the edge
+of a fine maple grove, and they beheld before
+them a fertile field in which were
+planted crops of various kinds. It was
+the very cornfield about which, years before,
+the quarrel had arisen between the
+crow and the water-rat.</p>
+
+<p>A stone wall, with a row of maple-trees
+in front of it, separated the field from the
+road.</p>
+
+<p>“Why not light on those maple-trees,
+where we can see something going on,
+instead of hiding here in this out of the way
+place?” asked one of the party.</p>
+
+<p>“This is not Sunday,” replied old Caw,
+severely.</p>
+
+<p>“What has that to do with it?” asked
+a youthful member of the flock, while the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span>one who had made the proposition retired
+abashed to the rear.</p>
+
+<p>“What has that to do with it?” repeated
+old Caw, harshly. “A good deal, I should
+say. It means that on Sunday we could
+sit in a row by the side of the road from
+morning till night, and not a soul would
+think of harming us; but on a week day
+there would be a dozen guns pointed at
+us before we had been there five minutes.
+I want to give you a little advice before
+we begin our work. Don’t caw so much.
+At the slightest provocation you set up
+such a noise that the whole neighborhood
+is down upon us, and as soon as they catch
+sight of us there will be an end to our fun.
+See if you can’t remember this, and make
+up your minds to do your talking when
+you get home. Now for business.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you see those little mounds over
+there beyond the potato patch? Well, that
+is for a late crop of corn, and every one of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span>those mounds is full. You, Blackwing,”
+continued old Caw, addressing the young
+crow who had asked the question a short
+time before, “remain on the top of this
+tree, and look all around you, particularly
+in the direction of the house and barn, and
+if you see any one coming, give one caw
+to warn us. And the rest of you, if you
+hear Blackwing caw, fly up at once, without
+a sound, taking care even not to flap
+your wings loudly, for if we succeed in
+escaping without being seen, we can return
+and finish our work.”</p>
+
+<p>Blackwing at once flew to the topmost
+branch of the tree, and the other members
+of the flock followed old Caw into the
+field of newly planted corn. Proceeding to
+one of the little mounds, the leader, with
+two or three skilful movements, scratched
+it open, and eagerly devoured the yellow
+kernels he found there. The others followed
+his example, and soon all were busy,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span>and making sad havoc in the cornfield.
+They remembered the admonitions of old
+Caw, and preserved a discreet silence, stalking
+about among the little hills in their
+most dignified manner.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly a loud and continued cawing
+was heard from the sentinel on top of the
+tree, and up flew the marauders, cawing
+excitedly and flapping their long wings
+noisily, not stopping to look around until
+they had all lighted on various branches
+of the maple-trees, when they all talked
+and scolded together.</p>
+
+<p>Old Caw flew to a tall tree whence all
+could see him. “Stop!” he called out, as
+soon as he could be heard amid the din of
+excited voices; “don’t let me hear any
+more of this disgraceful proceeding. Stop
+this minute, I say!”</p>
+
+<p>The discordant cawing gradually resolved
+into a confused murmur of voices, a few of
+the boldest still keeping up a low muttering
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span>of discontent; but so great was the
+excitement, that, as the last murmur died
+away, one persistent young crow (and we
+regret to have to acknowledge that it was
+one of old Caw’s own grandsons) started a
+fresh complaint, and in a second the excitable
+creatures were all cawing together
+louder than ever.</p>
+
+<p>Old Caw was almost beside himself. His
+weak, cracked voice was drowned in the
+general tumult, and driven to desperation
+at the insubordination of his followers, he
+rushed fiercely at them and distributed
+some sharp pecks indiscriminately. This
+had the desired effect, and at last order was
+restored.</p>
+
+<p>“I am astonished at such outrageous behavior!”
+he said sternly, when he had regained
+his breath lost by this unusual exertion.
+“No, no more of it,” he added
+quickly, as the persistent young crow who
+had once before started the commotion
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span>opened his beak to speak. “It is <i>my</i> business
+to settle this matter. In the first place,
+sir,” he continued, turning to Blackwing,
+“why did you not caw <i>once</i>, as I ordered
+you, instead of raising such a hubbub?
+And, indeed, why did you caw at all? For I
+see no human being in sight, and I had
+especial information that the men of the
+family were away from home.”</p>
+
+<p>Blackwing’s countenance fell under this
+severe reproof of his leader, but he hastened
+to defend himself.</p>
+
+<p>“I kept watch as you directed,” he began,
+“and saw nothing suspicious for awhile, until
+suddenly I beheld old Rough scurrying
+along as fast as he could come, and he
+stopped directly under the tree where I was
+watching. ‘This is a pretty state of
+things,’ he began, ‘stealing my corn, you
+pack of thieves! Be off, or I’ll know the
+reason why!’ I was naturally indignant, for
+I knew we had the best right to the cornfield,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span>and I reminded him of it, whereupon
+he became vicious, and said the field belonged
+to him, and he didn’t care what the
+owl had decided, and that he intended to
+trade with the corn. He became so abusive
+that I lost my temper, and forgot orders
+and called out to you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where is the old miser now?” demanded
+old Caw, sternly.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, he slunk away as soon as I called
+out, and in all probability is hidden in some
+hole about here.”</p>
+
+<p>“I should like to see him,” exclaimed old
+Caw, fiercely; “it would be some time before
+he meddled in my affairs again. His
+cornfield indeed! The old fellow carries
+things with too high a hand; and if I don’t
+find a way to stop him, my name isn’t old
+Caw.”</p>
+
+<p>One of the flock proposed to visit the
+cornfield again, and others fell in with the
+proposition; but old Caw silenced them by
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span>reminding them that it would be impossible
+now, at their greatest speed, to reach home
+before sunset, so much time had been spent
+in useless conversation.</p>
+
+<p>“What harm would there be in remaining
+out a few minutes after dark?” asked one
+of the number.</p>
+
+<p>“Have you forgotten Blinkeye?” asked
+old Caw, gravely; and at these words they
+silently came into line, and followed their
+discreet leader without any more discussion.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the flock of crows had left,
+a grizzled, shaggy object crawled out of a
+hole at the root of a tree, and the sharp
+and unpleasant features of old Rough appeared,
+an ugly grin displaying his long
+yellow teeth.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re very sharp, my friend Caw, I
+admit, but you are not so sharp as your
+humble servant. So you intend to stop
+me, do you, my fine fellow? Well, I’m
+ready for you. The first step toward it
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span>would be to stop the mouths of your followers,
+for thanks to their incessant jabbering
+I know all about their plans almost
+as soon as they do themselves. Now let me
+see what I’ll do. As I am in the neighborhood,
+I’ll take advantage of the opportunity
+to evict Bobtilla. Let’s see, which is
+the shortest way?” And, sitting on his
+haunches, the old water-rat cast his shrewd
+eyes about him. His keen sight at once
+showed him the right direction, and he
+started off with great speed.</p>
+
+<p>Before long old Rough stopped before a
+stone wall and looked about him. “It
+should be here,” he said to himself. “I
+remember I took that large round stone as a
+landmark. Yes, here it is,” and he at once
+went to a small hole that led under the
+wall.</p>
+
+<p>The opening was too small for old Rough’s
+large body, so in his sharp voice he called
+Bobtilla’s name.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Here I am,” squeaked the little field-mouse,
+mildly; and in a moment she appeared
+before her dreaded landlord, and
+timidly asked the cause of his unexpected
+visit.</p>
+
+<p>“I have come, madam,” he replied,
+eying her sharply, “to give you notice to
+quit these premises.”</p>
+
+<p>“To quit these premises?” repeated
+Bobtilla, in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, madam, I said to quit these
+premises,” replied the old miser, harshly.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! what have I done that you should
+be so hard with me?” asked the little field-mouse,
+imploringly. “I have never done
+you or any one any harm.”</p>
+
+<p>“Have you kept your bargain, madam?”
+replied old Rough. “Where is the grain
+I expected to receive as rent for allowing
+you to remain on my premises?”</p>
+
+<p>“I have been so unfortunate,” pleaded
+the little mouse, in a tearful voice. “The
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span>winter was a hard one, and our stock of
+provisions was eaten up long ago. If you
+will only trust me a little while longer, the
+crops will then be ripe, and I will pay you
+double what I owe you!”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t think to deceive me by your
+professions of poverty,” said the miser, in
+so loud and harsh a tone that little Bobtilla
+started back terrified. “You think to make
+me believe you are poor, do you? Then
+please to inform me how those chestnut
+shells came to be lying there, will you?”
+And he pointed to some shells that were
+scattered on the ground.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! those were given me for my sick
+child,” exclaimed Bobtilla, eagerly. “He
+has no appetite, and when you refused me
+the tender root I asked you for, some kind
+chipmunks who have recently moved here
+took pity on me and gave me a chestnut.”</p>
+
+<p>“So, you have been complaining of me
+to your neighbors, have you? Very well,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span>madam, since they take such an interest
+in you, they are welcome to the benefit of
+your society. Let me see this place vacated
+by to-morrow at this time.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! have pity on me,” said the poor
+little field-mouse, imploringly. “I can’t
+move my sick child so soon. Do give me
+a little more time, at least.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not an hour!” replied the old miser.
+“To-morrow at this time I shall return,
+and if I find you still here,”—he finished
+his sentence by a vicious snap of his long
+sharp teeth, that left Bobtilla in no uncertainty
+as to his intentions, and reduced
+her to a state of despair at the thought
+of the steps she should take to find a
+home for her little ones, and above all, for
+the sick one, whose condition gave her such
+anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>As for old Rough, he went toward his
+home, happy in the thought of little Bobtilla’s
+misery, and smiling to himself with
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span>great satisfaction, as he recalled her tremulous
+tones and tearful face, for never was
+old Rough so happy as when he had made
+others miserable.</p>
+
+<p>Crossing the meadow, he went in the direction
+of the brook or ditch that led to his
+habitation, for he preferred the slimy and
+muddy borders of the ditch to any other
+path; and when he reached it, the sun had
+been down for some time, and twilight was
+gradually deepening.</p>
+
+<p>The ditch was quite full from recent
+rains, and the soft mud felt cool and moist
+to his dry feet after his long journey; and
+so comfortable was he, that he proceeded
+very slowly, and recalled as he went the
+pleasures of the afternoon,—his success in
+preventing the crows from eating all the
+corn they wanted, and the misery to which
+he had reduced poor little Bobtilla. Before
+he knew it, darkness was upon him; but
+that he did not mind, for his keen eyes
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span>could see in the darkness as well as in
+the light.</p>
+
+<p>So on went old Rough, with a light heart,
+when suddenly a loud hoot sounded just
+above him, and with a sudden start, he saw
+the bold Blinkeye, who could see clearly
+in the dim light, rushing fiercely toward
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Large as the old water-rat was, Blinkeye
+was larger and stronger, and the old miser
+shuddered as he thought of those strong
+talons that had borne off so many prizes;
+and he remembered, too, how often he had
+laughed as he had seen the poor victims
+struggling in that relentless grasp.</p>
+
+<p>Nearer and nearer came the huge owl,
+his glittering eyes fastened on his prey;
+and old Rough, his quick eyes taking in
+every point of the situation, in a few long
+leaps reached a place where the ditch widened,
+and with a vigorous bound plunged
+into the dark and muddy water, diving
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span>under the surface as his pursuer darted
+down to seize him.</p>
+
+<p>The water-rat was old, and not so vigorous
+as in his youth; but his long life had
+taught him many useful lessons, and his
+experience more than compensated for the
+loss of his activity.</p>
+
+<p>Now began a race for life,—the old rat
+diving and swimming and dodging about in
+the turpid water, every inch of which he
+was familiar with, and the large owl pursuing
+him, and often pouncing down, only
+to find his prey had escaped him; and now
+came an opportunity for the old water-rat
+to display one of those strategic movements
+for which he was remarkable, and which
+completely deceived even the wise owl.</p>
+
+<p>The home of the water-rat was situated
+on a bank of the ditch where the water was
+deepest, and the owl felt sure that when
+the old miser left the water for his dwelling,
+which he would be sure to do, he could
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span>quickly seize him, and bear him away.
+The owl, however, did not know the precise
+spot of his victim’s abode, and the
+wily rat passed it, and, turning unperceived
+in the deep water, swam back and entered
+his dwelling, while the discomfited owl was
+still hunting for him some distance down
+the stream.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_063" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_063.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“While in a melancholy voice, and with a strong French accent,
+    he sang the following lines.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_V">
+    CHAPTER V.
+    <br>
+    THE GREAT BASSO-PROFUNDO.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Very great was Bobtilla’s distress after
+she had received the notice of eviction
+from her hard-hearted landlord, and
+all night she lay awake, trying to form
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span>some plan for the future; but each one
+was abandoned almost as soon as it was
+formed, for the making of a new home is
+a matter for deep reflection, the happiness
+and welfare of a family depending so entirely
+upon it.</p>
+
+<p>The spot where Bobtilla had hitherto
+resided, and which she was so cruelly compelled
+to leave, had many advantages of
+situation. It was so far removed from
+other dwellings that there was nothing to
+be feared from enemies, and as the little
+field-mouse was very particular about the
+society she chose for her children, she considered
+the seclusion a great advantage.</p>
+
+<p>The longer Bobtilla pondered on the
+subject, the stronger became her conviction
+that her next move must be nearer
+the habitations of others, who would protect
+her in case old Rough should further
+persecute her. Having satisfied her mind
+on this point, she fell into a deep sleep,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span>from which she did not awake until the
+day was well advanced. Then, perceiving
+the sun shining in through the small opening
+of her house, she started up hurriedly.</p>
+
+<p>So deep had been the slumber of the
+little mouse, that during it all sense of the
+recollection of her trials had vanished, and
+for a moment she forgot the misery she
+had undergone before sleep came to her
+relief; but by degrees the feeling that all
+was not right stole over her, and gradually
+a full sense of her unfortunate situation
+returned.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding her natural timidity,
+Bobtilla was not entirely without energy,
+and she lost no time in useless repining;
+so hastily putting her house in order, and
+making her children comfortable, she set
+out with all speed to consult her new
+friends, the chipmunks.</p>
+
+<p>The amiable couple heard with indignation
+how badly the field-mouse had been
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span>treated by the cruel miser, and they at
+once tried to think of a way to help her
+out of her difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>“You had better come nearer to us,”
+said Squirrello, when the little mouse had
+ended her sad story. “You will be farther
+away from old Rough, for he has not
+ventured into this neighborhood.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and we can perhaps help you to a
+little food now and then,” added Squirrella.</p>
+
+<p>“You are very good to me,” replied
+Bobtilla, gratefully. “I’m sure I don’t
+know what I should do without you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, and why shouldn’t we be?
+What are we here for, if it is not to help
+one another?” asked Squirrella.</p>
+
+<p>“If everybody were of your mind, how
+easily we could live,” sighed Bobtilla;
+“but as a general thing, the strong prey
+on the weak, and the rich on the poor.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, at all events that isn’t <i>our</i> way,”
+replied Squirrella, cheerfully; “so now we
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span>will decide on a new home for you. Let
+me see, there is a nice place under that
+large stone just behind you. I have often
+thought it would be a good building-spot
+for somebody. How does it strike you?”</p>
+
+<p>“Capital!” exclaimed Bobtilla, joyfully.
+The kind reception she had met with
+raised her spirits wonderfully, for it meant
+a peaceful home, where old Rough would
+cease to persecute, and plenty of food for
+her children until she could succeed in accumulating
+another stock of provisions.</p>
+
+<p>So Bobtilla set to work with a will, and
+soon had a convenient house made to her
+satisfaction. When all was ready, she collected
+dried leaves and soft bits of moss,
+and made a comfortable bed for her children,
+smiling with satisfaction as she contemplated
+the comfort she had succeeded
+in effecting.</p>
+
+<p>The praise of the two chipmunks, who
+complimented her on her skill, was very
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span>satisfactory, and she hastened to return to
+her children, in order to remove them to
+their new abode. Before the time set by
+old Rough, the little field-mice were safely
+established in their new quarters, and eating
+a good supper provided by their
+thoughtful friends the chipmunks.</p>
+
+<p>While these events, of so much importance
+to Bobtilla and her family, were taking
+place, the two young crows were idling
+away their time, on the constant lookout
+for something with which to amuse themselves;
+and as they had not succeeded in
+appropriating the property of any one else
+or in doing any especial mischief, they felt
+that the day had not been a success, and
+time hung heavily on their hands. Alighting
+on a tree in the meadow, they cast
+their shrewd eyes about in all directions
+for any chance that might occur, and occasionally
+gave a languid caw.</p>
+
+<p>Sitting thus idly, the tones of a deep
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span>bass voice struck on their ears; and seated
+on the margin of the stream they beheld
+a large bull-frog gazing pensively into the
+water below, while in a melancholy voice,
+and with a strong French accent, he sang
+the following lines:—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“Not always did I feel so bad,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">With eyes so heavy and heart so sad.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Since many days I do not feel</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Desire to eat a hearty meal.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">No longer bugs and flies I eat,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And grasshoppers with prickly feet.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Indeed it was not always so;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">My feelings have received a blow.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">The melting voice of her I love</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Is now tuned for another cove.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">That fairy form, those eyes so yellow,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Belong now to another fellow.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>As the bull-frog ceased he sighed profoundly,
+and large tears rolled down his
+cheeks and splashed into the sluggish
+stream. The two young crows, rejoiced at
+the prospect of a diversion, flew down from
+the tree, and seated themselves on the bank
+of the stream opposite the mournful singer.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span></p>
+
+<p>“What’s up, Johnny?” they asked.</p>
+
+<p>With a sigh that threatened to rend
+his capacious bosom, Johnny the basso
+replied,—</p>
+
+<p>“She have deserted me. My sweetheart
+have left me for anozzer. I am in despair!”</p>
+
+<p>“Who, the little green frog who lives
+down by the dam?”</p>
+
+<p>“No!” replied the basso, indignantly;
+“it was no leetle green frog. My sweetheart
+is fine; she have one fine figure—Ah!
+qu’elle est charmante!”</p>
+
+<p>“It was the little green one last week,”
+answered the younger crow, dryly.</p>
+
+<p>The mourner took no notice, but continued
+his lamentations.</p>
+
+<p>“She have left me for anozzer. She say,
+our voices they not blend well,—I, zee great
+basso-profundo! She prefer a tenor, she
+say. I ’ate a tenor, he squeal like one pig!”</p>
+
+<p>“Who is he?” asked the elder crow.</p>
+
+<p>“I know not how he call hisself, but I
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span>will find him!” exclaimed the bull-frog,
+fiercely. “I will cr-crush zat tenor! He
+sall know what it is to insult zee greatest
+basso-profundo on zee earth. I will make
+zat tenor to tremble!”</p>
+
+<p>“After you have found him,” remarked
+the younger crow.</p>
+
+<p>“But I will found him, I say!” exclaimed
+the excited basso. “I will hunt zee earth
+for zat tenor! My great talent, my vast
+wealth, they sall succeed in finding zat
+wr-r-etch who have deceived me,—<i>me</i>, zee
+greatest living basso-profundo on zee earth!”</p>
+
+<p>“Why don’t you consult old Blinkeye?”
+asked the elder crow.</p>
+
+<p>“What you say he call hisself,—Blinkeye?
+I have nevare heard from him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Old Blinkeye is the wisest fellow about
+here,—knows all the laws of the woods
+by heart. Why, even my grandfather consults
+him, and my grandfather is no chicken,
+I can tell you.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span></p>
+
+<p>“How know old Blinkeye anysing about
+my sweetheart? How will he find zis
+miser-rable tenor?”</p>
+
+<p>“If he doesn’t know now, he will find
+out. He flies about all night, and learns a
+good many secrets that way. Oh, he’s
+a wise old fellow, is Blinkeye, and fierce
+too. Nobody knows how old he is.”</p>
+
+<p>“I sink he too old. Zee mind grow
+weak when old age come.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, not a bit of it,” replied the elder
+crow. “Then he is so strong and fierce,
+the tenor had better look out when he
+catches sight of him.”</p>
+
+<p>“I sink perhaps your fine Blinkeye eat
+me up. He say to hisself, ‘Great basso-profundo
+fat and tender,—he make nice
+dinner. Tenor thin,—more bones as fat.
+I sink rather I eat great basso.’”</p>
+
+<p>“He is only fierce at night. In the daytime
+he is as blind as a bat, and sits and
+thinks. Then, when night comes, he flies
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span>about, and it is better to keep out of his
+way. Come, you’d better go and see him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I go wiz you,” answered the
+singer, after a moment’s reflection.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly off set the three, the bull-frog
+hopping, and the crows walking behind
+him; but the bull-frog with his long leaps
+made much greater headway than the crows
+with their short steps, and the latter, when
+the frog was nearly out of sight, would
+use their wings to reach him, and at last
+adopted a gait between walking and flying.</p>
+
+<p>The bull-frog was not in the habit of
+taking such long trips, and was obliged to
+halt occasionally; and these rests were spent
+in conversation, during which the basso
+recounted many valiant exploits he had
+achieved.</p>
+
+<p>“Zis place is not large enough for so
+great a singer as I,” said the bull-frog; “my
+talent is too great to rest in zis small place.
+One here has no taste; one knows not what
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span>is musique. When I lived in great meadow
+far away,—ah! there it was fine! every
+evening zey come, so many how zey could,
+to hear zee great basso.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why didn’t you stay there, Johnny?”
+asked the younger crow.</p>
+
+<p>“I was one fool,” replied the bull-frog.
+“I say, ‘Zese peoples zey make me tired
+wiz zere praise;’ so I say to myself, ‘My
+friend, you sing too much, your fine voice
+will ruin; better you move to some ozzer
+place, where zere are not so many peoples.’
+So I move here.”</p>
+
+<p>“And a very wise move it was,” replied
+the elder crow. “But here we are, and
+there sits old Blinkeye.”</p>
+
+<p>They stopped before the owl, who sat
+silently on a tree, with his usual solemn
+expression. He slightly turned his head
+in the direction of his visitors, but it was
+evident he did not see them.</p>
+
+<p>“How do you find yourself to-day, Father
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span>Blinkeye?” asked the elder crow. “We
+have brought a friend to consult you on a
+very important matter.”</p>
+
+<p>“Who is he, and what does he want?”
+demanded the owl.</p>
+
+<p>The bull-frog hastened to introduce himself
+thus: “I am zee greatest basso-profundo
+on zee earth. Doubtless you have
+heard mention my great talent. I sing so
+deep,—zere is no basso who so deep sings.
+My <i>répertoire</i>, ah! it is <i>énorme</i>.”</p>
+
+<p>“What is your business with me?” inquired
+the owl, who remained unmoved by
+this announcement.</p>
+
+<p>“My sweetheart she have left me,” replied
+the bull-frog. “She have left me,
+<i>me</i>, zee great artist, for one tenor! I wish
+to find zat tenor! I wish to have revenge!”
+and he scowled fiercely at the recollection of
+his wrongs.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you expect me to do about
+it?” asked Blinkeye, coldly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I sought zat perhaps you would have
+zee goodness to find zat tenor for me,
+sair.”</p>
+
+<p>“That isn’t in my line,” replied Blinkeye.
+“My business is to expound the laws
+of the woods.”</p>
+
+<p>“Zen will you be so kind, sair, as to tell
+me zee law zat will find zat tenor?” asked
+the basso, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>“Let me see where that comes in,” said
+the owl, meditatively, and remained deep
+in thought, with one great yellow eye
+closed, and the other staring straight before
+him. This had such a solemn effect,
+that the basso felt sure such vast wisdom
+must procure for him the aid he desired.</p>
+
+<p>“Aha!” exclaimed the owl, after awhile,
+and slowly unclosing his eye, “I have it.
+Now listen attentively, for I don’t take the
+trouble of repeating these laws. Such a
+strain on my mind tires it and makes it
+dangerous for me.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span></p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent2">“‘Tirra, rirra, high and shrill</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Is heard throughout the meadow still;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And near the marshy bog is sung</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">The musical, deep-toned a-hung!</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Take the one, and leave the other,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And end this weary strife and bother.’</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>“Now leave me, that my mind may rest
+after such an effort,” added the owl.</p>
+
+<p>“But I know not what it mean, sair,”
+exclaimed the basso, in bewilderment. “I
+know no more zan before, what I am to
+do. Will you have zee goodness to explain
+zat law to me.”</p>
+
+<p>“No,” replied the owl, severely, “I will
+not. My business is to recite the law, and
+yours to understand it. If you don’t, that’s
+your loss. Now go.”</p>
+
+<p>“But, sair,—” began the basso. He
+did not have time to finish his sentence,
+however, for the two crows pushed and
+dragged him out of the owl’s presence,
+promising to explain to him on the way
+home the meaning of the law of the woods
+recited by the owl.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span></p>
+
+<p>“It’s as plain as can be,” said the elder
+crow, when they had succeeded in starting
+the basso toward home; “don’t you see?
+‘Take the one and leave the other,’ why, of
+course you’ll take <i>the one</i>, and you’ll leave
+the other when you only want <i>the one</i>, won’t
+you?”</p>
+
+<p>“But zat does not tell me where I sall
+find zee tenor,” persisted the basso.</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent2">“‘Tirra, rirra, high and shrill,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Is heard throughout the meadow still,’—</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noindent">that’s the tenor of course, with his high
+voice, and it tells you as plainly as possible
+that you’ll find him in the meadow,” explained
+the younger crow.</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent2">“‘And near the marshy bog is sung</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">The musical, deep-toned a-hung,’—</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noindent">that’s <i>you</i> of course, with your deep bass.
+Now do you see your way clearly?”</p>
+
+<p>This explanation appeared so very simple
+that the basso could but acknowledge it.</p>
+
+<p>“Zee meadow is one large place,” he said.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Oh, well! now we know he is there,
+we’ll find him for you, and the little brown
+frog will not be far off, you may be sure,”
+said the elder crow.</p>
+
+<p>Thus reassured, the bull-frog hopped
+briskly home, accompanied by the crows,
+who walked and flew by his side.</p>
+
+<p>“I sank you, Messieurs, for your kindness,”
+said the basso, when he stopped before
+his door, “and I sall know how to
+reward you. Au revoir, Messieurs,” and,
+gracefully saluting his young friends,
+Johnny the basso hopped into his hole.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_080" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_080.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“The young crows’ trick.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_VI">
+    CHAPTER VI.
+    <br>
+    THE YOUNG CROWS’ TRICK.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>“We shall have some fun with Johnny
+the basso,” said the younger crow,
+as he stopped to gobble up several fat
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span>crickets that had collected on a piece of
+decaying fruit that lay by the roadside.</p>
+
+<p>“An’ is it that yees would be afther
+taking the food from the mouths of a poor
+widder an’ her childer? Indade, an’ it’s
+a long time since the poor craturs have
+tasted the loike of these,” said a voice
+from behind; and suddenly turning, the
+crows beheld a large fat toad, who watched
+with indignation their lunch off the fat
+crickets.</p>
+
+<p>“Who are you, pray?” asked the elder
+crow, “and why haven’t we as much right
+to eat these crickets as you?”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s the Widow O’Warty I am, wid
+rispict to yees,” replied the toad, with dignity;
+“an’ if it’s the two foine wings of yees
+meself possissed, it’s not craping around
+I’d be, to take the food from poor widders
+an’ childer.”</p>
+
+<p>“How did we know you wanted these
+crickets?” asked the younger crow. “You
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span>are welcome to them for all we care. We
+prefer our food well seasoned.”</p>
+
+<p>The Widow O’Warty became pacified
+under this partial concession, and resumed
+the plausible manner for which she was
+noted.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s me custom,” she explained, “to
+sthroll out afther the light is quinched, in
+s’arch of a thrifle to ate. There do bees
+foine crickets about here, an’ that’s the
+troot av it.”</p>
+
+<p>The elder crow whispered to his brother,
+“Let’s pass her off on Johnny as the brown
+frog he’s lost.”</p>
+
+<p>“How can we, this great fat toad?”
+replied the other brother, in the same low
+tone.</p>
+
+<p>“In the dark, you goose, he wouldn’t
+know the difference, and we’d hide, and
+have lots of fun.”</p>
+
+<p>The younger crow cawed approval, the
+widow meanwhile eying them shrewdly,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span>half suspecting that she herself was the
+subject of their whispered conversation.</p>
+
+<p>“See here, Widow,” began the elder
+crow, “you know Johnny the basso, don’t
+you?”</p>
+
+<p>“Is it the swate singer down by the bog
+ye mane?” asked the widow.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I see you know him.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s the foine deep v’ice he possisses,”
+replied the widow; “an’ it’s many a night
+meself has listened to the swate sounds.”</p>
+
+<p>“He’s mashed on you, Widow,” said the
+elder crow; “he’s about as far gone as I
+ever saw any one.”</p>
+
+<p>“Be off wid yer nonsinse!” exclaimed
+the widow, not displeased at the news.
+“It’s fooling yees are.”</p>
+
+<p>“Upon my honor, Widow,” replied the
+elder crow, seriously; and addressing his
+brother he asked, “Didn’t we hear him
+singing about her beautiful brown skin and
+her fine yellow eyes?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span></p>
+
+<p>“That we did,” answered the younger
+crow, promptly; “and, my eyes! didn’t
+he howl, though, when he talked about
+her?”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll not bel’ave yees,” said the widow.
+“It’s making game of meself yees are.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not a bit of it, Widow,” asserted the
+elder crow, earnestly. “True as we’re
+sitting here, we heard him singing about
+his sweetheart, who had a brown skin and
+yellow eyes.”</p>
+
+<p>“An’ did he say ’twas the Widow O’Warty
+he was after m’aning?” asked the
+widow.</p>
+
+<p>“He didn’t exactly mention the name,”
+replied the younger crow, evasively, “but
+he described you so correctly that he
+couldn’t have meant anybody else. We
+told him we’d help him all we could.”</p>
+
+<p>“The Widow O’Warty is me name, an’
+me abode is op<i>po</i>site us; an’ if he’s the
+gintilman I take him for, he will presint
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span>himself an’ declare his intintions,” said the
+widow, loftily.</p>
+
+<p>“Then you’ll not be hard on him, will
+you, Widow?” asked the elder crow.</p>
+
+<p>“Whin he has stated his intintions, it’s
+meself that will consider his proposals,”
+replied the widow, majestically.</p>
+
+<p>“Then we’ll ease his mind by telling him
+you will allow him to call,” replied the
+younger crow, as he and his brother flew
+off. When they were out of sight and
+hearing, they gave vent to the merriment
+they had been obliged to conceal from the
+watchful eyes of the widow, and their loud
+caws resounded through the wood.</p>
+
+<p>Twilight was now approaching rapidly,
+and the two crows flew home as fast as
+their wings could carry them.</p>
+
+<p>Early the next morning, the brother
+crows awoke, and were soon on their way
+to the dwelling of Johnny the basso. They
+found him sitting pensively on the border
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span>of the stream that flowed by his door, and
+abstractedly snapping at stray flies and bugs
+that came within reach of his long elastic
+tongue. Even these savory morsels were
+swallowed without any apparent enjoyment,
+but with a subdued and mournful
+countenance, as if he were performing
+some solemn rite.</p>
+
+<p>“How are you this morning, Johnny?”
+called out his two visitors, as they seated
+themselves on a low bush that grew near
+by.</p>
+
+<p>“I am miser-r-rable, my friends,” replied
+the bull-frog, sadly, his large eyes swimming
+in tears. “I am not able to sleep. I sink
+on zee leetle brown frog. I weep, ah! how
+I weep for my sweetheart!”</p>
+
+<p>“What should you say, Johnny, if we
+were to tell you we had found zee leetle
+brown frog?” asked the elder crow.</p>
+
+<p>“What should I say?” exclaimed the
+bull-frog, with a sudden change of manner.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span>“I should say zat it is incredible,
+messieurs,—zat it is impossible zat you
+should find zee leetle brown frog in so
+short a time.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s just what we have done,
+Johnny.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where is she?” exclaimed the singer,
+enthusiastically. “I fly to her, <i>mon ange</i>,
+<i>mon ange</i>!”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t be in too great a hurry, Johnny,”
+said the crow, cautiously. “You mustn’t
+take her by surprise. Wait till night
+comes, and then you can go and serenade
+her.”</p>
+
+<p>“It is impossible to wait until zee night
+come,” replied the basso, excitedly; “now,
+zis minute, I fly to see zee leetle brown
+frog. But zee tenor? I forget zee miser-r-rable
+tenor who have stolen her from
+me. Where, I demand, is zis tenor?”</p>
+
+<p>“We haven’t found him yet,” answered
+the elder crow, “but we will, in time.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span>He is probably not far off. You remember
+what the owl said,—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent2">“‘Tirra, rirra, high and shrill,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Is heard throughout the meadow still.’</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noindent">He must still be in the meadow, you see.”</p>
+
+<p>“I go to fight wiz zat tenor!” exclaimed
+the bull-frog, furiously. “I will cr-r-rush
+zat tenor! But you have not say where
+is zee leetle brown frog.”</p>
+
+<p>“You see that small scrub-oak over in
+the field?” asked the elder crow, nodding
+his head in the direction of a small
+oak that grew by a stone wall. “Well,
+she lives in a hole in that wall. You
+will find her easily enough.”</p>
+
+<p>“I sank you, messieurs, for your kindness,”
+said the basso, in his most gracious
+manner. “Permit me to make my adieu
+zat I may compose a song, zat zee leetle
+brown frog sall find zat my voice is so fine
+as before.”</p>
+
+<p>“Good-by,” called out the crows, as they
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span>flew away, “and good luck to you.” They
+looked back as long as they were in sight,
+and saw that the basso sat motionless before
+his door, gazing silently into the depths of
+the stream.</p>
+
+<p>The mischievous crows waited with impatience
+for the coming of night. It was
+not their habit to be out after sundown, but
+so eager were they to witness the result of
+their practical joke, that they resolved to
+pass the night in the neighborhood of the
+Widow O’Warty’s abode, that they might
+see and hear what would happen. Accordingly,
+late in the afternoon they set out,
+and reached their destination soon after the
+sun had set.</p>
+
+<p>A large maple-tree hung its branches
+over the wall near by, and on one of these
+branches the young crows perched, and
+sitting motionless, with their heads sunk
+between their shoulders, they awaited the
+development of their plan.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span></p>
+
+<p>The eavesdroppers dared not converse,
+for fear of detection, and very hard it was
+for them to remain silent for so long a
+time, it being their habit to caw incessantly.
+Twilight soon appeared, and settled
+into darkness, and after what seemed
+to the listeners a long time, the moon rose
+over the tops of the forest trees, and gradually
+sailed into the sky.</p>
+
+<p>This was a great relief to the young mischief-loving
+crows, for now they began to
+discern objects, and they felt sure that the
+beautiful moonlight would tempt the basso
+to steal forth to his trysting-place.</p>
+
+<p>As the rays of the moon lighted up the
+wall under the tree on which the crows sat,
+they cautiously stretched forth their mischievous
+little black heads. At the door
+of her dwelling, in the shadow thrown by
+the scrub-oak, they discovered the matronly
+form of the Widow O’Warty, her
+prominent eyes shining in the moonlight.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span></p>
+
+<p>Exchanging glances of suppressed merriment,
+the two crows, barely succeeding
+in smothering their laughter, again allowed
+their heads to sink between their shoulders,
+and resumed their former solemn
+attitude. They had not much longer to
+wait, for soon their shrewd eyes descried
+a dark form hopping through the grass,
+and rapidly approaching the scrub-oak.</p>
+
+<p>When within a few feet of the widow’s
+door, the new-comer stopped, and after a
+few ineffectual attempts to conquer his
+emotion, sang the following verses, in a
+voice that at first trembled perceptibly,
+but gradually increased in strength, until
+the full tones of his deep bass resounded
+through the still evening air.</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent0">“The moon is on the bog,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">The dew is on the lea;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">The voice of every frog</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Is calling, love, to me.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">The noisy, gathering throng</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Is calling on my name;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">It clamors for a song</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">From singer of great fame.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent6">A-hung!</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span>    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent0">“But the applause I hear</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Is nothing now to me;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">I’d give it all, my dear,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">For one sweet croak from thee.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">All frogs, from far and wide,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">They linger ’round the bog,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">They pine to be the bride</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Of the bull-basso-frog!</div>
+      <div class="verse indent6">A-hung!</div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse indent0">“In dreams thy form I spy,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And in my fond arms take;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">But all those visions fly</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">When in the morn I wake.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Then pray no longer hide,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">But let me hear thy voice;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Come to me, lovely bride,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And bid my heart rejoice.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent6">A-hung!”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>The full deep tones of the last “a-hung”
+had scarcely died away on the summer air,
+when the Widow O’Warty, who had, during
+the song, moved restlessly about, first on one
+foot and then on the other, suddenly gave
+vent to her emotions by hopping up to the
+singer and exclaiming in her shrill croak,—</p>
+
+<p>“Faith, an’ it’s meself that will put an
+ind to your suffering, me poor cratur!”</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_093" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_093.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“Before the crows could reply, old Rough, who had listened with great
+    satisfaction to the conversation, and had by degrees crept unperceived
+    to the tree, hastened to reply.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_VII">
+    CHAPTER VII.
+    <br>
+    DECLARATION OF WAR.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>At the Widow O’Warty’s words, the
+melancholy singer gave a sudden
+start, and when the widow herself stood
+before him, he gazed in astonishment at
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span>her stout figure; but with native French
+courtesy he quickly recovered his self-possession,
+and bowed with great politeness to
+the smiling toad.</p>
+
+<p>“An’ is it so cruel ye take me to be as
+to kape ye longer waiting? ’Dade, an’
+I’ll come till ye,” said the widow, tenderly,
+and she hopped briskly to the bull-frog’s
+side, and gazed smilingly into his face.</p>
+
+<p>Johnny the basso was much disconcerted
+at the widow’s advances, and for a moment
+he was silent. True, however, to his nature,
+in which was great courtesy toward the
+fair sex, he quickly suppressed the feeling
+of aversion that came over him, and
+answered politely,—</p>
+
+<p>“Madame does me infinite <i>honneur</i>, but
+Madame mistakes; Madame doubtless has
+many suitors, and she does me the <i>honneur</i>
+to sink me one of them.”</p>
+
+<p>“Faith, an it’s not so fur out of the way
+ye are,” replied the widow, slyly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span></p>
+
+<p>The basso found himself in an embarrassing
+situation. It was evident that this
+toad, whom he had never before seen,
+thought the words of his song addressed to
+her, and his sense of politeness made it
+difficult for him to tell her that she had
+made a mistake, and appropriated to herself
+sentiments that were intended for
+another.</p>
+
+<p>“Is it that Madame does me zee <i>honneur</i>
+to sink zat zee words of my song were addressed
+to her?” asked the basso.</p>
+
+<p>“Fwhat ilse, in the name of the howly
+saints, would ye have me think, whin it’s
+afore me door ye sthand? <i>Av coorse</i> I considered
+the worrds addrissed to meself.”</p>
+
+<p>“If it had been my good fortune to have
+met Madame, I could not have found words
+ardent enough to express zee grand passion
+wiz which Madame would have inspired
+me,” answered the basso, with great
+politeness.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Thin why in the worrld did ye station
+yeself afore me door, if the worrds were
+addrissed to another party?” asked the
+widow, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>“It is because one told me that here
+lived her whom I sought,—whom I sall
+always seek while I have life,” answered
+the bull-frog, with intense feeling.</p>
+
+<p>“Fwhat is the name av the raskill that
+tould ye this was not me abode?” asked
+the widow, indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>“Two young crows have informed me,”
+replied the bull-frog, “and zey sall give me
+satisfaction. Zey sall learn what it is to
+trifle wiz zee great basso.”</p>
+
+<p>“An’ it’s the same as tould me ye had
+lost your heart to meself, an’ apprised me
+of your coming the night,” answered the
+widow.</p>
+
+<p>“I will seek zem in zee morning,” said
+the basso, fiercely. “Zey sall answer to me
+for their impertinence. <i>Au revoir</i>, Madame.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span>Believe me, I sall lose no time to avenge
+zis insult;” and as he hopped away, the
+two young crows, no longer able to conceal
+their merriment at the success of their joke,
+flew away, laughing “Caw, caw, caw.”</p>
+
+<p>This naturally added to the basso’s vexation;
+but the young crows were soon far
+away, their “caw, caw, caw” being audible
+as long as they were in sight.</p>
+
+<p>It was at an early hour the next morning
+that the indignant basso set off to find these
+mischievous young crows who had caused
+him so much annoyance; and, early as it
+was when he reached their home, he found
+only old Caw, who was perched on his
+favorite tree in a meditative attitude, and
+the mother of the young crows, who was
+engaged in feeding her young family,
+scolding and complaining all the while.</p>
+
+<p>So engrossed was the mother-crow, that
+it was some time before the bull-frog succeeded
+in attracting her attention. As for
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span>old Caw, it was impossible to tell whether
+he was aware of what went on about him,
+for his one eye was apparently closed, and
+he seemed in that indifferent state of mind
+that extreme old age produces. Those who
+knew him well, however, knew that this
+was a trick of his to escape observation,
+and that he was never more alert than
+when he was apparently in this apathetic
+state.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you want?” asked the crow-mother,
+when the bull-frog had succeeded
+in attracting her attention.</p>
+
+<p>“Zere are two very mischievous young
+crows whom I seek, Madame,” answered the
+basso. “I wish to speak wiz zose young
+crows.”</p>
+
+<p>“There are not any of that description
+here,” replied the crow-mother, shortly.</p>
+
+<p>“Pardon me, Madame, but one has told
+me zat I sall find zem here,—zat zey are
+your sons.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span></p>
+
+<p>“They told you wrong, then, for my sons
+are steady, hard-working fellows, who never
+did any mischief in their lives.”</p>
+
+<p>The old crow from his tree here gave
+an abrupt croak, which to the bull-frog
+sounded like an expression of surprise;
+but when the bull-frog quickly glanced
+at him, he found him with such a sleepy
+and imbecile expression on his pinched
+countenance that he concluded he must
+have been mistaken.</p>
+
+<p>“It cannot be that I have wrong,” said
+the bull-frog, firmly. “Zee mischievous
+young crows of whom I speak live here.
+I have seen them often. It was yesterday
+zat zese young crows played me a sad
+trick,—I wish to speak wiz zem.”</p>
+
+<p>“If it were yesterday, it couldn’t have
+been my sons, for they were at home all
+day,” answered the crow-mother, decidedly.</p>
+
+<p>The bull-frog, happening to glance in
+the direction of old Caw, caught sight of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span>his one eye wide open, and the bull-frog
+imagined that he detected a particularly
+amused look in that expressive feature; but
+the eye closed again so sleepily and naturally
+that he concluded he must have been
+again mistaken.</p>
+
+<p>The bull-frog was far from being convinced
+that the mother-crow was telling the
+truth about her sons, but courtesy prevented
+him from pushing the matter further.</p>
+
+<p>“If Madame their mother says her sons
+to have been at home yesterday, zen I have
+nozzing to say,” said the bull-frog, courteously.
+“I have zee <i>honneur</i> to wish Madame
+good-day;” and the discomfited singer ended
+the unsatisfactory interview.</p>
+
+<p>As the bull-frog hopped toward home,
+he revolved in his mind the best course to
+take in order to bring about a meeting
+with the young crows, for he felt sure their
+mother would put them on their guard
+against him; when suddenly he was surprised
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span>in his meditations by a caw overhead,
+and looking quickly up, he beheld
+the old crow Caw sitting on a branch above
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Old Caw was wide awake now, and his
+one eye beamed with as much vivacity
+and intelligence as that of any young
+crow could have been capable.</p>
+
+<p>“Stop a minute, friend Johnny,” said the
+old crow; “don’t be in such a hurry.”</p>
+
+<p>The bull-frog, thus addressed, stopped,
+breathing fast from his exertions, and regarded
+the self-possessed old crow with an
+angry countenance.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t be in such a hurry; take it easy,
+Johnny,” said the old crow, coolly.</p>
+
+<p>“You have zee advantage of me, sair,”
+said the bull-frog, haughtily; “you appear
+to be familiar wiz my name. I have not
+zee great <i>honneur</i> to be acquainted wiz zee
+illustrious name of Monsieur.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes, I know you well, Johnny,—I’ve
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span>heard you croak often enough on
+moonlight nights,” replied the crow, with
+exasperating coolness, at the same time
+bringing his one eye to bear on the indignant
+bull-frog.</p>
+
+<p>“You insult me, sair,” exclaimed the
+basso, excitedly. “It is that you have no
+soul for musique. Croak, you say! You
+say zee greatest living basso on zee earth
+croak!”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t get excited, Johnny, I didn’t
+intend any insult,” said the old crow, persuasively.
+“I came after you to be of
+service.”</p>
+
+<p>But the insult still rankled in the singer’s
+capacious bosom, and his great throat
+swelled and vibrated with wounded pride,
+as he repeatedly gave expression to his
+indignation.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, come, Johnny, cool down and hear
+what I’ve got to tell you,” said old Caw,
+soothingly. “You want to find the young
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span>crows who played a trick on you, don’t
+you?”</p>
+
+<p>The bull-frog made a great effort to recover
+his self-possession, and with much
+difficulty swallowed his resentment.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” he answered, after a great inward
+struggle, “I wish to know where to find
+zose young crows.”</p>
+
+<p>“The old lady fibbed, of course,” said
+old Caw. “They <i>are</i> her sons, and I knew
+they were up to some mischief, for they
+went away yesterday afternoon, after whispering
+and giggling together, and didn’t
+come home until this morning.”</p>
+
+<p>“Can you tell me where I sall find zem?”
+asked the basso, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I can,” replied the old crow. “I
+listened when they thought I was asleep,
+and overheard their plans. They intend
+to hang around old Rough’s place until he
+has gone out on one of his foraging expeditions;
+and when he is out of the way,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span>they have planned to steal into his hole
+and help themselves to a fine bit of pork-rind
+they saw him scurrying off with yesterday.
+You’ll find them somewhere in
+that neighborhood.”</p>
+
+<p>“I sank you, sair,” said the bull-frog,
+politely, “for your very kind information.
+I sall go at once to Monsieur Rough’s abode.
+Adieu, Monsieur Corbeau;” and with his
+usual impetuosity, the bull-frog hurried
+away in the direction of the old miser’s
+dwelling.</p>
+
+<p>Old Caw followed the bull-frog with his
+one eye as long as he was in sight, and
+then gave expression to a caw of satisfaction.
+“I think this will make me even
+with you for stealing my pig’s ear, you
+young thieves,” said the old crow to himself.
+“I made you think I hid it purposely,
+to teach you shrewdness in discovering
+hidden treasures, but it wasn’t true. Old
+Caw must be getting old indeed, when two
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span>young fools get the better of him. Yes, I
+think this last move of mine will make us
+even;” and having uttered these sentiments,
+old Caw slowly wended his way
+homeward.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, the bull-frog, his heart set on
+confronting the crows with their treachery,
+proceeded as fast as his slow powers of
+locomotion enabled him to travel. At last,
+after a tedious journey, he reached the
+neighborhood of old Rough, and halting
+within a short distance of the miser’s abode,
+glanced about him.</p>
+
+<p>There was the old water-rat’s dwelling
+just above the ditch, and at a short distance
+behind it grew a fine tree, among whose
+branches the frog detected two black motionless
+objects.</p>
+
+<p>“Zee old crow had right,” said the singer,
+to himself, “zere are zee two mischievous
+crows.”</p>
+
+<p>Stopping long enough to recover his
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span>breath, and keeping his eyes on the two
+black objects in the tree, the bull-frog proceeded
+toward the tree, followed at a distance
+by a dark object that slid through
+the tall meadow grass, that halted as he
+halted, and that proceeded as he proceeded.</p>
+
+<p>This dark object that followed the bull-frog,
+and was so careful to escape detection,
+was old Rough, the water-rat.</p>
+
+<p>The bull-frog proceeded boldly to the
+foot of the tree and stopped, and the water-rat
+concealed himself behind a large stone
+not far off, and within convenient hearing
+distance. No other living creatures were
+in sight, except a swallow that flew noiselessly
+over the meadow, occasionally swooping
+on some unfortunate insect, and then
+soaring swiftly high into the air.</p>
+
+<p>“Is it zat you are zere, my fine Messieurs!”
+cried the bull-frog, fiercely, looking
+up at the young crows perched far above
+him.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Yes, friend Johnny, it is that we are
+here. How’s the little brown frog you
+serenaded last night?”</p>
+
+<p>“It is zat I wish to confront you wiz
+your treachery, Messieurs,” exclaimed the
+bull-frog, furious at this taunt. “I wish to
+tell you zat you are great imposters; zat
+you have deceived Madame La Warty; zat
+you have deceived me,—me, zee great
+singer, I say! But I have my great reputation
+to avenge! I have Madame La
+Warty’s <i>honneur</i> to defend.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, bother! the widow doesn’t mind
+that,” said the younger crow. “You don’t
+mean to say she isn’t the brown frog you
+were looking for?”</p>
+
+<p>“Madame La Warty is one great fat toad,
+Monsieur!” exclaimed the bull-frog, indignantly.
+“Did you sink zat I, zee great
+singer, would have one toad for his sweetheart!
+No, sair, zat is not possible! Zee
+young, zee beautiful are for zee great basso-profundo.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span></p>
+
+<p>“How did you expect us to know the
+difference?” asked the elder crow. “They
+look alike to us, any way.”</p>
+
+<p>The singer glared fiercely on the impudent
+young crow. “I sall have revenge,”
+he cried in his deepest tones; “you sall
+answer to me for zis insult. <i>Mon Dieu!</i> he
+say a fat toad look like a frog!”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we didn’t know,” said the younger
+crow. “We were told she was the one,
+and we thought we were doing you a favor
+to tell you. How could we tell you’d make
+such a row about it?”</p>
+
+<p>“Who is it zat told you Madame La
+Warty was zee leetle brown frog?” inquired
+the singer, fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>Before the crows could reply, old Rough,
+who had listened with great satisfaction to
+the conversation, and had by degrees crept
+unperceived to the tree, hastened to
+reply,—</p>
+
+<p>“Why don’t you tell the whole story,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span>boys? Why not say that it was Bobtilla
+who told you? If any one is to blame it is
+she. You only repeated her words, you
+know.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, it was Bobtilla who told us,” asserted
+the young crows, boldly, greatly surprised
+at the information, but glad to throw
+the blame upon anybody’s shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>“Who is Bobtilla? I have not zee
+pleasure of her acquaintance,” said the bull-frog,
+addressing the water-rat.</p>
+
+<p>“A meddlesome field-mouse,” explained
+the miser, viciously. “She looks meek
+enough, but she is a mischievous creature,
+and takes delight in getting honest people,
+like our young friends here, into trouble.”</p>
+
+<p>“I cannot demand satisfaction of a lady,”
+exclaimed the bull-frog; “but I will challenge
+zee whole race of field-mice. I will
+exterminate zee race. Zey sall know what
+it is to insult zee great singer. It sall be
+war, until every field-mouse sall die.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Now, Bobtilla,” said old Rough to himself,
+as he went toward his home, “we will
+see how much help your new friends can
+give you. It will not pay, my dear madam,
+to stand out against old Rough; he’s more
+than a match for you, my dear! War
+against the field-mice, friend Johnny! Just
+what I want. I couldn’t have arranged
+matters better myself. Now their houses
+will be destroyed, and what a harvest for
+me!” And the old miser squeaked with
+joy, as he slipped through the meadow
+grass, and his long nose moved viciously
+about, as it always did when he experienced
+any strong emotion.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_111" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_111.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“There is no need to tell me, kind friends, said a trembling
+    little voice; and Bobtilla stood before them.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_VIII">
+    CHAPTER VIII.
+    <br>
+    SWIFT PUTS BOBTILLA AND THE SQUIRRELS
+    ON THEIR GUARD.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Old Rough was not the only listener to
+the conversation between the bull-frog
+and the two young crows. The chimney-swallow
+Swift, who at the time was sailing
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span>over the meadow, apparently intent
+only on securing the finest insects, had
+heard every word that was said.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had the conversation ceased
+and the party separated, than the swallow
+with a few strong strokes of his long wings
+soared high above the meadow, until he
+looked like a little black speck. Soon, however,
+the black speck seemed to remain
+stationary, and then it grew larger and
+larger, as it rapidly descended, and alighting
+on the wall where the chipmunks dwelt,
+sat pluming its glossy feathers in a very
+skilful manner.</p>
+
+<p>So engrossed was the swallow in his occupation
+that he appeared to be unconscious
+of everything that went on about
+him. Even the loud cawing of the two
+young crows, who alighted on a neighboring
+tree, did not take his attention from his
+task, and he was evidently unaware of the
+presence of the little chipmunk Squirrello,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span>who first peeped timidly out of his hole,
+and after a careful survey of the country,
+grew bolder, and seated himself on top of
+the wall.</p>
+
+<p>Little Bobtilla, too, from her house under
+the large stone, peeped out with her bright
+eyes, thinking it more prudent to remain
+in her doorway; the swallow, however,
+did not notice her any more than he did
+the squirrel, and continued to sit on the
+tree, picking apart his thick feathers.
+Before long the young crows flew away,
+and no sooner were they fairly out of sight
+than the swallow abruptly finished his toilet,
+and flew upon the top of the wall in front of
+Squirrello.</p>
+
+<p>“I recognized you at once, Swift,” said
+Squirrello; “but I thought by your manner
+that you didn’t wish to have me notice you,
+so I kept still.”</p>
+
+<p>“And quite right you were,” replied
+Swift. “The truth is that I have news of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span>importance, and didn’t want those mischievous
+crows to hear it.”</p>
+
+<p>Squirrello came nearer to the swallow,
+and awaited with anxiety the news he had
+to tell. Little Bobtilla, from her doorway
+under the large stone, inclined one ear
+toward the swallow, and listened with
+breathless interest.</p>
+
+<p>“Just now,” began Swift, “I observed
+those two young crows who have just gone
+sitting very still on a tree that grows just
+behind old Rough’s den. They are always
+so noisy and restless that I knew their
+unusual silence meant mischief, so I resolved
+to keep about and find out what it
+meant. They hadn’t the least suspicion
+that I was watching them, for I took care
+to keep at a safe distance.</p>
+
+<p>“Before long I saw Johnny the basso
+hopping along, and he stopped under that
+very tree. Old Rough crept slyly after him,
+and hid where he could overhear every
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span>word that was said. As soon as Johnny
+found sufficient breath to speak, he reproached
+the crows for having played a
+trick on him. I lost some of the conversation,
+not daring to venture too near;
+but I gathered that the crows had tried to
+pass the Widow O’Warty off for some one
+else. Before long old Rough came forward,
+and threw the whole blame on little Bobtilla,
+and the crows acknowledged that it
+was she who had given them their information.
+Whereupon Johnny, who prides
+himself on his gallantry to the fair sex,
+said that since a lady was to blame, he
+couldn’t call her to account, but that he
+would make the whole race of field-mice
+responsible, and declared war upon the spot.
+This seemed to please old Rough greatly,
+for he went off chuckling and muttering to
+himself.”</p>
+
+<p>Poor little Bobtilla’s state of mind, as
+she heard these words, can be better imagined
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span>than described. She had, since her
+removal to the neighborhood of the chipmunks,
+begun to know what peace of mind
+was; and now all at once her hopes were
+shattered, and she felt that in no place
+would she be secure from the wrath of old
+Rough, which pursued her, go where she
+would. Shaking with fear, she remained
+in her doorway, too agitated to move or
+speak.</p>
+
+<p>“What an outrage!” exclaimed Squirrello,
+as the swallow finished his recital.
+“Why, Bobtilla is the meekest and most
+amiable of creatures,—she wouldn’t harm
+a fly,—and I know she never spoke a
+word to either of those mischievous crows.
+It is a trick of old Rough, to spite poor
+little Bobtilla.”</p>
+
+<p>“What is a trick of old Rough; and
+what has Bobtilla, of all creatures, to do
+with it?” asked Squirrella, who had heard
+her husband’s indignant tones, and now
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span>appeared on the wall beside him, to learn
+the cause of the excitement.</p>
+
+<p>The story was told over again to Squirrella,
+and her indignation was even greater
+than her husband’s.</p>
+
+<p>“I never heard anything so mean in all
+my life!” exclaimed the kind-hearted Squirrella.
+“I should think that poor little creature
+had suffered enough at old Rough’s
+hands, without this new persecution. However,
+I don’t see what old Rough will gain
+from a war between the mice and frogs;
+he will not fight himself.”</p>
+
+<p>“He evidently considers it for his advantage,”
+answered the swallow, “for he
+went off in fine spirits. If the frogs are
+victorious, they will certainly destroy every
+mouse-hole in the meadow and woods; and
+it’s my private opinion that old Rough
+will slink around during the battle, and
+steal everything he can lay his paws on.”</p>
+
+<p>“Fortunately we are out of the way,”
+said Squirrello.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I’m not so sure about that,” replied
+Swift. “I wouldn’t risk it. If I were you,
+I’d be on the safe side, and move farther
+into the woods, and make your home more
+secure. Bobtilla, too, must move, for old
+Rough would be sure to visit her house
+first of all.”</p>
+
+<p>“Dear me!” sighed Squirrella, “here we
+are, so comfortably settled for life I thought,
+and now we must move again. I don’t see
+how I can have the patience to go through
+it all again. I have heard that three moves
+are equal to a fire; I should say that two
+were equal to an earthquake.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t very well see what else can
+be done, my dear,” replied her husband.
+“You are the last one, such an anxious
+mother as you are, to feel secure while war
+is raging around you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I suppose there is nothing else to
+be done,” sighed Squirrella.</p>
+
+<p>“After we have moved, and are settled
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span>in our new home, I am sure you will think
+yourself much better off, and wish you had
+chosen the place before,” said Squirrello, who
+always looked on the bright side of affairs.</p>
+
+<p>“I forgot all about Bobtilla,” exclaimed
+Squirrella. “Poor thing, she thought herself
+so safe here,—how can I tell her the
+bad news?”</p>
+
+<p>“There is no need to tell me, kind
+friends,” said a trembling little voice; and
+Bobtilla stood before them. “I have heard
+all, and also your kind plans for my safety,
+and I can truly say that I do not feel so
+badly about myself as I do to think that
+out of your kindness to me, you must have
+the trouble of moving again.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nonsense!” answered Squirrella, briskly;
+“what have you to do with it? Do you
+suppose I want to live on the battle-field,
+as you may say? No, indeed; I prefer to
+move away where I shall not have fighting
+going on before my eyes.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I know very well,” persisted Bobtilla,
+“that I am the cause of all this trouble, for
+old Rough will not let me rest as long as I
+have a home to live in; and he will persecute
+all those who are kind to me. I
+know him so well that I feel sure he has
+done me this ill turn because I have
+found new and influential friends to protect
+me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, after all, it doesn’t matter,”
+replied Squirrella, cheerfully. “The woods
+are quieter, and the air is purer there, and
+I am sure we shall be better off. So let’s
+decide on a spot; and the sooner we start
+about it the better.”</p>
+
+<p>“I have a place in my mind,” said the
+swallow, “and if one of you will come
+with me, you can see what you think
+about it.”</p>
+
+<p>Squirrello decided to accompany the
+swallow, and both set off,—the squirrel
+running along the highest boughs and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span>jumping lightly from one tree to another,
+while little Swift soared high above him,
+often flying far out of sight, but always
+returning to point out the way.</p>
+
+<p>At last the swallow stopped before a
+stately old oak-tree, whose sturdy branches
+were nearly bare of leaves, but whose topmost
+boughs were still clad with green
+leaves, as reminders that some vitality yet
+remained to the aged tree. The sturdy
+roots, that had resisted many a tempest,
+protruded above the soft turf, and seemed
+so formed purposely, that they might serve
+as homes for little animals in search of a
+dwelling-place.</p>
+
+<p>“There,” said the swallow, pointing out
+the spot, “there is a house already built
+for you; and all you have to do is to make
+it soft and comfortable for your family.”</p>
+
+<p>Nothing could be more desirable for a
+dwelling, and Squirrello returned to his
+little wife, and related to her what he had
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span>found. Both together visited the new home,
+and Squirrella was, if possible, even more
+pleased with the place than her husband
+had been, her motherly instincts at once
+divining that no place in the whole
+world could be so well suited for a young
+family like hers. The protecting roots of
+the old tree made it safe against the depredations
+of enemies, and the long, strong
+branches were just right for her children
+to run about on,—so much better and safer
+for them than running along the stone
+wall in sight of the whole world. Also
+under the roots of the old tree was a hole
+that looked as if it were made expressly
+for Bobtilla and her young family.</p>
+
+<p>Thus the happy couple discussed their
+plans, and at once busied themselves in
+collecting soft, dry moss, and carrying it
+into their new house. Squirrella was so
+delighted with the appearance of the bed
+her children were to have, that she lay
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span>down in it, to see if it were as comfortable
+as it looked; and she declared that it surpassed
+her most sanguine expectations, and
+that it was utterly impossible for any bed in
+the universe to be as comfortable as her
+children’s was.</p>
+
+<p>Then Bobtilla was brought to see the
+place, and the timid little creature was
+greatly pleased with it, and felt that in that
+peaceful wilderness she might be freed
+from the persecutions of old Rough. Poor
+little Bobtilla! she was fast experiencing
+that the strong prey on the weak in the
+struggle for life!</p>
+
+<p>The little field-mouse, also, went to work,
+like the conscientious mouse she was, and
+dug out her house as far as she could under
+the roots of the old tree, and then made it
+soft and warm for her family. When this
+was done, at the suggestion of her friends
+the squirrels she skilfully concealed the
+entrance with moss, leaving only an opening
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span>large enough to squeeze her little body
+through.</p>
+
+<p>The squirrels viewed Bobtilla’s work with
+great satisfaction, and concluded that even
+old Rough, shrewd as he was, could never
+detect it as the abode of a family; and,
+indeed, all three agreed in thinking that
+no living creatures had ever been so fortunate
+in securing such choice locations
+and in making such comfortable homes.</p>
+
+<p>Then the squirrel family and the mouse
+family were removed to their new quarters,
+and all was peace and contentment once
+more.</p>
+
+<p>While these new homes were being prepared,
+the news of the impending war was
+spreading rapidly over the adjoining meadows
+and fields, and soon all knew the fact
+that the frogs had declared war against the
+field-mice. Everywhere, in the meadows
+and fields, groups of field-mice were collected,
+discussing the exciting news; and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span>every evening on the borders of the ditch,
+and on the edges of the bog, frogs of all
+sizes and ages were heard croaking over
+the same topic.</p>
+
+<p>Among all the animals, old Rough the
+water-rat was the one who seemed to derive
+the most satisfaction from the prospect
+of war. He fairly gloated over the thought
+that the dwellings of the field-mice would
+be destroyed, and he should reap the benefit
+of the stock of provisions that the industrious
+little creatures had collected with
+so much pains.</p>
+
+<p>More agreeable even than this was the
+thought that when the war was ended, and
+their homes and property destroyed, the
+field-mice would come to him to trade for
+provisions, and then he could make his
+own terms.</p>
+
+<p>Dwelling on these pleasant themes, old
+Rough remembered Bobtilla, and he felt
+happier still as he reflected on the misery
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span>in store for her. So pleasant was it to
+imagine what her sufferings would be, that
+he resolved to make her a call, and witness
+her despair as he recounted to her the misery
+in store for her. Thus elated by this
+generous resolve, the old miser set briskly
+off for Bobtilla’s abode, and in due time
+found himself before her door. Not hearing
+any signs of life, he called aloud,—</p>
+
+<p>“Bobtilla!”</p>
+
+<p>Not a sound was heard in response, and
+old Rough wondered at this, for the tones
+of his harsh voice had never before failed
+to bring the little field-mouse trembling before
+him. Once more he called, and more
+loudly; but all was silent, and he walked
+up to the house and looked in.</p>
+
+<p>All was so still inside that the old miser
+was convinced that the house was empty,
+and he fell into a great rage as he realized
+that his victim had escaped. In his ungovernable
+passion he tore away the earth
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span>from before the entrance to the former
+dwelling of the field-mouse, and his strong
+paws soon disclosed the vacated home. Not
+a vestige of Bobtilla’s family remained, save
+the bed of leaves and moss where they had
+so lately reposed.</p>
+
+<p>“Won’t I make you speak though,
+my lady!” exclaimed the old water-rat,
+savagely.</p>
+
+<p>“You must find her first, my friend,”
+said a voice from above the wall.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_128" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_128.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“So intent were they on their sport, that they did not perceive two
+    young crows who perched on the very tree at whose roots they lived.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_IX">
+    CHAPTER IX.
+    <br>
+    THE CROWS PLAN A SURPRISE FOR
+    OLD ROUGH.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Old Rough glanced fiercely in the direction
+of the speaker’s voice, and
+beheld, seated unconcernedly on a tree,
+the chimney-swallow, Swift.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I intend to find her, sir,” answered old
+Rough, viciously, his nose moving about
+rapidly in his excitement. “I can assure
+you it is not so easy to escape me as you
+imagine.”</p>
+
+<p>“How much will you bet that you
+find Bobtilla within a week?” asked the
+swallow.</p>
+
+<p>“I will find her within three days,” replied
+old Rough, savagely; “and let me
+tell you that her friends who interest themselves
+in her welfare had better look out!”
+and old Rough went toward the dwelling
+lately inhabited by the little chipmunks.
+In vain the old water-rat peeped into the
+hole, and glanced sharply around him,—not
+a trace of the chipmunk family was
+to be found.</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll have to leave your card; they’re
+evidently not at home,” said the swallow,
+coolly, as the old water-rat looked about
+him wrathfully.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I’ll thank you to mind your own business,
+sir,” responded old Rough. “If I
+thought you were at the bottom of all
+this, I’d—” he stopped, with a vicious
+snap of his teeth.</p>
+
+<p>“You’d what?” asked the swallow,
+calmly.</p>
+
+<p>“I’d take care that you never repeated
+the trick,” said old Rough. “Now that I
+think of it, I believe you are the swallow
+that was flying about pretending to catch
+insects, when my friends and I were talking
+together. Eavesdropper!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I am the very one, just as you
+are the water-rat that was squatting down
+behind the big stone, you know, to overhear
+what the crows and Johnny the basso
+were talking about.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you gave warning to Bobtilla, and
+advised her to move!” said old Rough,
+ignoring entirely the allusion to his own
+eavesdropping.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Just so,” replied the swallow, calmly;
+“I not only advised Bobtilla and the squirrels
+to move, but I selected a spot for them
+where you’ll never find them if you hunt
+till you’re blind.”</p>
+
+<p>“I shall find them before three days have
+passed,” asserted the water-rat. “I have
+influence sufficient to discover them if they
+are on the face of the earth, and I can
+assure you that my revenge will be all
+the sweeter for having to wait.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, if time adds to the pleasure of
+revenge, yours will have a chance to grow
+considerably.”</p>
+
+<p>“And I shall not forget the little favor
+you have done me in trying to frustrate
+my plans,” snarled the old rat.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t mention it; you are quite welcome,”
+responded the swallow, with great
+good-humor, as he rose into the air and
+soared out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>Old Rough remained quite still for
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span>awhile, thinking over the best course to
+pursue to recover Bobtilla, and he concluded
+he could not do it without some
+help. To whom should he apply? Old
+Blinkeye was the first who came to his
+mind as the most likely to find them out;
+but he was out of the question, for if the
+fierce owl discovered Bobtilla and the squirrels,
+he would most surely keep them for
+himself, such tender morsels as they would
+make.</p>
+
+<p>Next the two young crows came into the
+water-rat’s mind; but how could he trust
+such unreliable fellows? To be sure, it
+would take cleverer young fellows than
+they to dupe the wary old water-rat, but
+still he didn’t dare trust them.</p>
+
+<p>How about old Caw? Old as he was,
+his one eye could see farther than any
+other pair, and the old thief would do
+anything that paid well. The longer the
+miser considered the matter, the more convinced
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span>he became that old Caw was the
+one to do the business for him.</p>
+
+<p>All the while the water-rat had been
+forming this plan, if little Bobtilla or the
+squirrels had seen him, they might well
+have trembled for their safety, for a most
+unpleasant spectacle he presented, as he sat
+on his haunches, his small sharp eyes gleaming
+with malice, and his long nose moving
+incessantly.</p>
+
+<p>Having come to the conclusion that old
+Caw was the one to help him out of his
+difficulty, the old water-rat lost no time in
+seeking him. The old crow was at home;
+indeed he seldom ventured away from it,
+except in search of food, and then he usually
+made solitary expeditions into the woods,
+where he detected appetizing morsels that
+the younger crows had not discovered.
+Favorite haunts he frequented, where he
+unearthed the delicate tidbits he had secreted,
+and many a sumptuous repast he
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span>made on some particularly dainty bit his
+young grandsons had buried for their own
+especial food.</p>
+
+<p>To-day, however, the old crow was at
+home, and sitting on his favorite perch, his
+one eye closed, and his head sunk between
+his high shoulders. He was apparently
+unaware of the water-rat’s approach, and
+old Rough contemplated him for awhile in
+silence.</p>
+
+<p>“The old thief is as wide awake as I
+am,” said old Rough to himself, as he
+watched the slumbering crow. “He is looking
+at me out of one corner of his sharp
+old eye, and pretends to be asleep.—Hallo,
+friend Caw!” he called out, when he had
+grown tired of waiting.</p>
+
+<p>The old crow languidly opened his one
+eye half way, and glanced about in a direction
+opposite from where the water-rat
+was stationed; then he drowsily closed it
+again, and continued his nap.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Hallo, old Caw, I say!” called out the
+water-rat again, somewhat louder.</p>
+
+<p>“What say?” slowly demanded old Caw,
+again opening his eye, and inclining one
+ear toward his visitor.</p>
+
+<p>“Something new for the old fellow to be
+deaf,” muttered the old miser to himself.
+“Hallo! I said,” he shouted, as the old crow
+showed symptoms of relapsing into another
+nap. “Can’t you keep awake long enough
+to hear what I have to say? I’ll make it
+for your interest.”</p>
+
+<p>At these words, the old crow’s drowsiness
+and deafness disappeared together, and he
+assumed an attentive attitude, while the
+old water-rat began his story.</p>
+
+<p>“I came to ask you to discover the
+hiding-places of a certain field-mouse, one
+Bobtilla by name, and a pair of chipmunks
+who have gone off with her. If you’ll
+find out where they are, I’ll pay you well
+for it.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span></p>
+
+<p>“What’ll you give?” asked the old crow,
+shrewdly, with his head on one side, and his
+half-closed eye on the rat.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll put you in the way of getting a
+fine sheep’s pluck,” replied old Rough.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I know farmer Smith has just
+killed a sheep,” answered old Caw, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>“But you don’t know where the best
+part of the pluck is, the tender liver, that
+melts in your mouth,” added the water-rat.</p>
+
+<p>The old crow in answer gave a short
+caw expressive of indifference, and then
+began to show symptoms of a return to the
+drowsy condition in which the old rat had
+found him.</p>
+
+<p>“Will you trade, or not?” asked old
+Rough.</p>
+
+<p>“That depends upon how much you’re
+willing to give. I can’t say I’m hankering
+after the job,” answered old Caw.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve just told you what I’ll give,” said
+old Rough, impatiently,—“a rich sheep’s
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span>liver, that when it’s been buried a couple
+of weeks will fairly make your mouth
+water.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not half enough,” replied Caw, calmly.
+“On the whole, I don’t think I care to
+undertake the job.”</p>
+
+<p>“What job?” called out a voice; “if it’s
+a paying one, I’m your crow,” and the two
+young crows alighted on the tree beside
+their grandfather.</p>
+
+<p>Having failed with the old crow, the
+water-rat found there was nothing to be
+done but to avail himself of the assistance
+of the younger crows; and after much
+haggling on both sides, the young crows
+decided to undertake the job, provided the
+old miser would give them the sheep’s
+liver and a fine piece of pork-rind which
+they knew him to possess. Having thus
+concluded the bargain, the old water-rat
+departed, well-satisfied with his morning’s
+work, and confident that he would shortly
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span>have Bobtilla and the chipmunks in his
+power.</p>
+
+<p>When he was well out of sight and
+hearing, old Caw addressed his grandsons
+thus,—</p>
+
+<p>“What induced you to undertake this
+thing?”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, the sheep’s liver and pork-rind,
+of course,” they replied.</p>
+
+<p>“When do you expect to get possession
+of them?” asked old Caw.</p>
+
+<p>“When we’ve found out where the
+field-mouse and squirrels are, of course,”
+replied his elder grandson.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s no <i>of course</i> about it,” quietly
+answered old Caw. “Don’t you know the
+miser never pays his debts?”</p>
+
+<p>The young crows looked rather sheepish
+at this, but assured their grandfather that
+they would find a way to be even with the
+old miser if he didn’t pay up.</p>
+
+<p>“I advise you to be cautious how you
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span>play any tricks on the old fellow,” said
+old Caw, “for he’s sharper than you are.
+Don’t you suppose <i>I</i>’d have undertaken
+the job if I had thought it would pay?”</p>
+
+<p>“What would you advise us to do about
+it?” asked the younger grandson.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, since it’s in the family, I don’t
+mind giving you some advice,” replied the
+old crow. “Pretend you have found the
+places he wants, and then when he has
+gone there, go and help yourselves to the
+sheep’s liver and pork-rind. That’s the
+surest way I know of.”</p>
+
+<p>Having imparted this valuable information,
+old Caw was soon asleep in earnest,
+and his two grandsons sat whispering over
+their plans. Whatever conclusion they arrived
+at was evidently very satisfactory,
+for they chuckled gleefully over it.</p>
+
+<p>All this time, the objects of this wicked
+plotting were safe in their new homes,
+enjoying the pure air of the forest, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span>sporting among the trees and over the soft
+turf, never dreaming but that this state of
+security would last forever. Occasionally
+a bird passed over the tree at whose foot
+they were hidden, or stopped to rest on
+one of its branches, but no one offered to
+molest them.</p>
+
+<p>One day, Bobtilla was out in search of
+food for her family, and the squirrels were
+absent on the same errand. Their young
+families were left at home by themselves,
+with instructions not to leave their homes.</p>
+
+<p>The day was fine, and all was so quiet in
+the woods that it was hard for these active
+young creatures to remain cramped in their
+small quarters. One of Bobtilla’s children
+ventured timidly to the door, and peeped
+cautiously out. At the same moment he
+appeared at the opening, his bright little
+eyes fell on one of the squirrel’s children,
+who was likewise tempted to obtain a breath
+of fresh air.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span></p>
+
+<p>After a short conversation, they were
+joined by their brothers and sisters. A
+consultation ensued, in which they agreed
+that it was positively injurious to the health
+of all to remain longer in such close quarters,
+and that a little exercise in the pure
+air would be to their advantage, and the
+very thing their parents would desire for
+them under the circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>Having arrived at this wise conclusion,
+the little field-mice and their squirrel
+neighbors ventured out of their dark homes,
+and were soon frisking about in the liveliest
+manner,—the squirrels racing over
+the trees and stumps, and the little mice
+running about below. So intent were they
+on their sport, that they did not perceive
+two young crows, who perched on the very
+tree at whose roots they lived.</p>
+
+<p>“Hallo!” called out the crows, and at
+the sudden sound they all scampered into
+their holes.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps we can find out something
+from them,” said the crows to each other;
+and they remained silently on the tree.</p>
+
+<p>Before long one of the young squirrels,
+more venturesome than the rest, became
+emboldened to peep out of his house, and
+beheld the two young crows quietly seated
+on the tree.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the trouble, sonny?” asked one
+of the crows; “we will not hurt you. Come
+out, and finish your game.”</p>
+
+<p>A whispered conversation followed inside
+the squirrel house, and at last they all ventured
+out again, and sat in a row on their
+little haunches, looking up curiously at
+their black visitors.</p>
+
+<p>“We are alone, and our mother told us
+to stay in the house,” remarked the squirrel
+who had first ventured out.</p>
+
+<p>“You mind well,” said the elder crow;
+“shows you’ve been well brought up.”</p>
+
+<p>“You see we have not been out since
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span>we moved,” continued the squirrel, who became
+communicative as soon as he found
+the newcomers were kindly disposed; “and
+we were tired of staying in that dark hole.
+It’s awfully hard to be so cramped up, you
+know.”</p>
+
+<p>“I should think so,” replied the crow.
+“Why don’t your friends come out again?”
+Then he added in a low tone to his brother,
+“He says they have moved,—you may be
+sure it’s the ones we’re looking for.”</p>
+
+<p>“They are very timid,” replied the squirrel;
+“and Bobtilla told them if they went
+out, old Rough would be sure to catch
+them.”</p>
+
+<p>“So they are Bobtilla’s children, are they?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” replied the squirrel.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, go on with your play,” said the
+crows, and away they flew, having gained
+all the information they wanted, without
+the slightest effort on their part.</p>
+
+<p>“Now for old Rough. We’ll find him
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span>and direct him to the right spot. Won’t
+he be surprised, though?” said the younger
+crow; and the thought of what they were
+about to do afforded them such delight that
+their loud laughter caused them to fly in
+a very disorderly manner, bumping against
+each other, and conducting themselves very
+riotously.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_145" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_145.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“The numerous barns and sheds, well stocked with horses and
+    cattle, gave evidence of the prosperity of the owner.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_X">
+    CHAPTER X.
+    <br>
+    OLD ROUGH IN DANGER.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The next day, the two young crows
+started out at an early hour, and continued
+their flight until they approached a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span>large farm, situated far back from the road.
+The numerous barns and sheds, well stocked
+with horses and cattle, gave evidence of
+the prosperity of the owner. Casting their
+sharp eyes about, the two crows selected
+a large chestnut-tree that grew in the rear
+of the buildings, whose dense foliage promised
+a safe hiding-place whence they could
+see without being seen.</p>
+
+<p>Among the topmost branches of this tree
+the crows perched, and their restless eyes
+wandered over the landscape in all directions.
+They did not lose sight, however,
+of everything that occurred on the farm.
+Evidently something of interest was about
+to take place, for the crows were very
+uneasy. For a short time they would sit
+looking about them in silence, when all at
+once one of them would give a sudden caw,
+which the other immediately answered, and
+then both cawed together excitedly.</p>
+
+<p>A large hen-house stood near by, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span>toward this the attention of the restless
+crows was often directed. The hens, too,
+were collected in groups in the hen-yard,
+and incessantly cackling, the feathers
+about their necks bristling with excitement,
+as if some danger were impending.
+Whatever it was that gave them such uneasiness
+must in some way have been
+connected with the hen-house itself, for the
+disturbed hens cast frequent glances under
+the building, as if some enemy were concealed
+there.</p>
+
+<p>The crows, too, looked frequently in the
+same direction, as if they expected something
+to occur in that quarter.</p>
+
+<p>At last one of the crows, glancing across
+the field, gave a sudden caw, and his companion
+answered at once. Both evidently
+talked it over, then suddenly became silent,
+their eyes fixed intently on a dark object
+moving cautiously along the border of the
+stream. It was the same sluggish stream
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span>that flowed by the abode of old Rough,
+and the dark object approaching was no
+other than the old miser himself.</p>
+
+<p>Old Rough proceeded very cautiously as
+he approached the farm building. Often
+he paused, and sitting on his haunches,
+looked anxiously about, as if he were in
+a locality with which he was not familiar,
+and where he must be on the alert. As
+he sat up to take these observations, his
+sharp eyes glanced suspiciously about, and
+his long nose twitched nervously. Satisfied
+that all was safe, he resumed his journey
+in the same cautious manner, taking
+care to keep on the edge of the stream, as
+if to take refuge there in case of a surprise.</p>
+
+<p>When opposite the out-buildings of the
+farm, he left the stream, and proceeded in
+the same wary manner in the direction
+of the hen-house.</p>
+
+<p>When the two young crows, who had
+watched the old water-rat’s movements
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span>with such interest, saw him approaching
+the hen-house, they quietly left their hiding-place,
+and flew off with as little noise as
+possible, as if to escape the old miser’s
+notice.</p>
+
+<p>At first the two crows flew toward the
+woods, and were soon lost among the thick
+forest trees; but when out of sight of the
+farm, they struck out in the direction
+whence old Rough had appeared, and
+before long found themselves in the neighborhood
+of the old water-rat’s dwelling.</p>
+
+<p>Evidently the plans of the young crows
+were arranged between them, for one of
+them alighted on the tall tree that grew
+near by, while the other at once proceeded
+to the old rat’s home. After delivering
+himself of several caws of derision, he recited
+the following verse:—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“There was once a crabbed old miser,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Who thought no one could be wiser;</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">But his wife once he told,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">By two crows he’d been sold,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Which didn’t seem much to surprise her.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span></p>
+
+<p>No sooner had the crow ended than his
+words had the desired effect of bringing
+Ruffina to the door, her long nose fairly
+quivering with excitement, and her eyes
+glaring angrily on the impudent young
+crow.</p>
+
+<p>“Be off, you impertinent fellow!”
+squeaked Ruffina, angrily; “you shall pay
+for this when my husband returns!”</p>
+
+<p>“Pray don’t tell him,” replied the crow,
+pretending to shake with fear; “he might
+hurt us, you know.”</p>
+
+<p>“You deserve to have your neck
+wrung!” retorted Ruffina; “and if Rough
+doesn’t do it, <i>I</i> will.”</p>
+
+<p>The only response from the crow was a
+burst of laughter, that, as he fully intended
+it should, exasperated the old rat more
+than anything he could have done.</p>
+
+<p>At this fresh insult, Ruffina lost the
+small remnant of self-control she possessed,
+and charged on the crow, who walked
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span>rapidly off, pursued by the enraged
+water-rat.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had Ruffina left her dwelling
+than the crow who had remained on the
+tree flew quickly down and disappeared
+inside the old miser’s abode.</p>
+
+<p>All this time Ruffina was pursuing the
+other crow, who walked and flew along the
+ground, allowing himself to be nearly
+caught, and then, with a few flaps of his
+strong wings, easily keeping out of the
+way.</p>
+
+<p>It was an easy matter for the active
+young crow to elude the grasp of the old
+water-rat; and exceedingly exasperating for
+her was it to feel him at one moment
+within reach of her paw, and the next, to
+see him, with a single stroke of his wings,
+pass beyond her reach. This game was
+continued until the crow saw his brother
+emerge from the old miser’s dwelling, with
+a fine piece of pork-rind in his bill. As
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span>soon as he saw this, he flew upon a large
+stone, and flapping his wings triumphantly,
+cawed out,—</p>
+
+<p>“Pray give our regards to the old
+gentleman, and tell him we thought we’d
+save him the trouble of bringing the pork-rind
+to us, so we came for it ourselves.”
+With these words he rejoined his brother,
+and both flew off to the woods, to enjoy
+in privacy the prize they had obtained so
+easily.</p>
+
+<p>We will leave the young crows perched
+on a tree in the midst of the woods, quarrelling
+over their ill-gotten treasure, and
+follow the fortunes of old Rough.</p>
+
+<p>We left the old miser at the moment
+when he had quitted the border of the
+stream, and had started in the direction
+of the farm-buildings. Directly toward the
+hen-house the water-rat made his way,
+stopping more frequently as he neared it,
+looking anxiously about him, and evidently
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span>prepared to run back at a moment’s
+notice.</p>
+
+<p>As old Rough neared the building, the
+timid hens retreated to the extreme end of
+their yard, their necks stretched to their
+fullest extent, their feathers ruffled with
+excitement, and constantly uttering cries
+of terror.</p>
+
+<p>When he reached the hen-house yard, the
+water-rat stood on his hind legs, and resting
+his forepaws on the ledge of the building,
+gazed at the terrified creatures within with a
+gratified expression on his wicked old features.
+At this horrible apparition, the poor
+hens became still more frightened, and gave
+vent to their alarm in loud and shrill screams.</p>
+
+<p>“Not to-day, my friends,—I have another
+engagement; but I will visit you later,” said
+the old rat, with an unpleasant leer on his
+ugly features; and dropping to the ground,
+he proceeded to the hen-house itself, and
+paused before it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span></p>
+
+<p>“’Twas very fortunate for me that the
+crows, in their stupidity, told me where
+Bobtilla had moved, for I should never
+have thought of looking here for her. Stupid
+fellows, those crows! they don’t know
+old Rough very well, or they wouldn’t
+have expected to get the sheep’s pluck
+and pork-rind. Very shrewd in Bobtilla
+to choose this place. She never thought
+of it herself, that is certain; those smart
+squirrels must have put her up to it.”</p>
+
+<p>The old miser peered cautiously about
+the foundation of the hen-house. It was
+built of large stones loosely fitted together,
+which served as a support for the wooden
+structure. After a careful survey, old Rough
+discovered what was evidently a mouse-hole,
+and he looked cautiously in. Nothing could
+he see or hear, and he scraped the earth
+away, in order to enlarge the opening. He
+found nothing inside, however, but a mouse-nest
+that had been long deserted; so he continued
+his search.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span></p>
+
+<p>Nothing could the old rat discover that
+resembled the place the crows had described
+as Bobtilla’s new residence. At last, when
+he was becoming convinced that this must
+have been a trick of the mischievous crows
+to mislead him, he observed what seemed to
+be a rat-hole in one corner of the wall.</p>
+
+<p>“Why didn’t I see that before?” said
+old Rough to himself; “they said she had
+taken possession of an empty rat-hole, and
+just like the shiftless creature, too, it is.
+However, she shall pay for keeping me
+waiting so long;” and very cautiously the
+old miser approached the entrance and
+looked in.</p>
+
+<p>“I could probably squeeze myself in,”
+thought old Rough, “but it would be rather
+close quarters for one of my size to turn
+around in, so I’ll make her come out.—Bobtilla,”
+he called sternly, “I have something
+to say to you.”</p>
+
+<p>No response came to his call, and he inclined
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span>his ear to the hole. He could distinctly
+hear somebody moving about inside,
+and he smiled at the thought of the treat in
+store for him.</p>
+
+<p>“Bobtilla, I say!” called the old miser
+again; “will you come out, or do you prefer
+to have me come in?”</p>
+
+<p>No reply came to this second call, except
+a slight rustling from within.</p>
+
+<p>“I see you, madam,” called out the old
+rat, looking into the dark opening; “I advise
+you to come out at once, or I shall
+come and fetch you. It will be all the
+same to me, but perhaps not quite so agreeable
+to you.”</p>
+
+<p>In reply, a shrill little voice was heard
+from within: “Come in! here I am.”</p>
+
+<p>Enraged at this insolence, the old water-rat
+began to dig away the earth from the
+entrance to what he supposed was the field-mouse’s
+abode; but suddenly he stopped in
+his work, and gave a shrill squeal of terror;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span>for instead of the timid little Bobtilla whom
+he intended to torture, a slender animal
+with long, brownish fur came wriggling
+fiercely toward him. It was the deadliest
+enemy of the rat tribe, the weasel, and
+never in all his life had old Rough found
+himself in such a dangerous situation.</p>
+
+<p>Casting a terrified glance about him for
+a refuge, the old water-rat darted between
+the stones that formed the foundation of
+the hen-house, and found himself in the
+open space under the floor of the building.</p>
+
+<p>As he glanced about him in hope of discovering
+some loop-hole for escape, old
+Rough saw the long, flexible body of the
+weasel wriggling through the same passage
+by which he had come, his sharp eyes following
+him with an expression of intense
+ferocity.</p>
+
+<p>No greater terror could the wicked old
+water-rat have inspired in poor timid Bobtilla
+than that he now felt for the powerful
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span>weasel, and for one single instant old
+Rough stood irresolute; but the long lithe
+body of the weasel was wriggling nearer
+and nearer, and the water-rat made a desperate
+rush for a hole in one corner. He
+was through in an instant, and stood panting
+in a dark passage-way that was, or had
+once been, the home of some rat. Several
+smaller passageways led in different directions,
+and old Rough rushed into the one
+nearest him. Groping his way blindly, he
+soon found himself in a large apartment.</p>
+
+<p>No living creatures were to be seen, but
+the dry leaves and rags and paper in one
+corner evidently had recently served as a
+bed for some one; and the old rat shuddered
+as he descried in one corner the lifeless
+body of a mouse, whose life-blood had
+evidently been recently drawn.</p>
+
+<p>The old rat shook with terror as the
+horrible thought dawned on him that he
+had hit upon the abode of the ferocious
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span>creature from whom he was trying to escape.
+Cruel and contemptible as was the
+old miser’s character, he was not lacking
+in physical courage; and turning his face
+toward the various entrances that opened
+from the cavern, he resolved to make a
+bold stand for his life, and awaited breathlessly
+the appearance of his enemy, for he
+knew he would lose no time in following
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Old Rough had not long to wait; but
+every moment seemed an age as his sharp
+eyes glanced from one to another of the
+several openings. Before long, his keen
+ears detected a slight noise, and he knew
+well what it meant. The weasel was approaching,—but
+by which entrance? With
+a fast-beating heart, old Rough waited until
+the gleaming teeth of his relentless enemy
+appeared, and then, with all speed, the
+desperate water-rat darted into another of
+the passages.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span></p>
+
+<p>Could he have made a mistake, and
+chosen a passage that had no exit at the
+other end? Old Rough began to fear
+that such was the case, for it seemed to
+him, in his agony, as if the darkness grew
+more dense; and with horror he perceived
+that the passage grew more and more narrow,
+until he was forced, in places, to dig
+with all the desperation of despair a
+space large enough for his huge body to
+pass.</p>
+
+<p>So slow had the old miser’s progress
+become that he lost much time, and he
+realized despairingly that his pursuer was
+steadily gaining on him; for the weasel,
+with his long and flexible body, could easily
+slip through crevices too small for the bulky
+form of the old water-rat.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, the weasel was gaining on him!
+The old rat, panting from terror and prodigious
+exertions, felt that his enemy was
+close behind, and every minute expected
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span>to feel those sharp teeth fasten on his
+back; but the old miser was resolved
+to sell his life as dearly as possible, and
+making a gigantic effort he tore away a
+projection of earth that obstructed his
+path, and found, to his great relief, that
+the passage-way once more grew wide.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_162" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_162.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“And the old miser, who now felt that the decisive moment had
+    arrived, turned and faced his enemy.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_XI">
+    CHAPTER XI.
+    <br>
+    THE COMBAT.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The path was indeed much wider, and
+the old water-rat took courage, for he
+knew from experience that these passageways
+always grow wide as they approach
+the exit. If he could but escape from this
+subterranean abode, he felt there was a
+chance for him, for he could when outside
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span>at least face his enemy and make a
+fight for his life.</p>
+
+<p>The weasel was still close behind; but
+now that the water-rat had once more a
+wide passage-way, he could make more
+progress, and he bounded rapidly forward.
+Realizing so fully his dangerous position,
+his silent enemy pursuing him relentlessly
+and surely, not one pang of conscience
+smote him for the many times he had
+put others in the same danger the weasel
+now placed him. If he had reflected
+on the matter at all, he would have resolved
+to make others suffer, in the future,
+what he was now suffering; for not one
+ray of pity was in the old miser’s heart.
+Self, alone, had always been the one purpose
+of his life, and always would be, as
+long as life remained to him.</p>
+
+<p>No such reflections, however, disturbed
+the old water-rat’s mind; his sole aim
+was to escape this ferocious enemy, that was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span>so silently pursuing him. With a bound
+of his wicked old heart, he descried a faint
+ray of light in the distance, and, filled with
+new courage, redoubled his efforts.</p>
+
+<p>His unusual exertion had told heavily on
+the old water-rat, and in spite of his efforts
+the steady progress of the weasel, who was
+as fresh as when he started, enabled him
+to gain on the exhausted rat. As the
+latter emerged once more into the open
+space under the floor of the hen-house,
+the weasel was close upon him, and the
+old miser, who now felt that the decisive
+moment had arrived, turned and faced his
+enemy.</p>
+
+<p>The deadly contest began in earnest.
+The weasel was bent on fastening his long,
+sharp teeth in the old water-rat’s neck,
+that he might drain his blood, and the old
+rat, with his sharp teeth and strong paws,
+endeavored to keep him at bay.</p>
+
+<p>The old water-rat’s strength was fast giving
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span>way, however. Almost sightless from
+the weakness that came so fast upon him,
+and faint from loss of blood that flowed from
+the wounds inflicted by the sharp teeth of
+his enemy, he knew that a few moments
+must decide his fate. At last he realized
+that the decisive moment had indeed come,
+as his now feeble paws could no longer keep
+back the strong weasel; and as he felt the
+last remnant of strength depart, and saw his
+enemy preparing for his final grip, squeal
+after squeal of agony issued from his throat.
+So penetrating were they in their shrillness
+that even the fierce weasel arrested
+the final blow, and paused for an instant.</p>
+
+<p>During this instant a loud clamor arose
+from the terrified hens assembled in the
+corner of the hen-yard, and this was immediately
+followed by the loud barking of a
+little terrier, who at once rushed in the direction
+whence the squeals of the water-rat
+issued, and pushed his inquisitive nose in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span>between the crevices of the stones, while
+with his strong little paws he set to work
+to enlarge an opening. At the same instant,
+too, the voice of the farmer was heard directly
+behind the terrier, saying, as he dislodged
+a large stone: “Go in and find ’em,
+old boy,—go in and find ’em!”</p>
+
+<p>Into the breach sprang the excited terrier,
+and away sped the weasel back to the
+same retreat from which he had first emerged;
+and while the terrier was scratching and
+snuffing at the opening, the wounded water-rat,
+unnoticed by the eager terrier, managed
+to drag his exhausted body to the wall, and
+emerged on the outside of the hen-house.</p>
+
+<p>Weary and wounded as the old miser was,
+he succeeded in reaching a pile of boards
+that stood behind the barns, and crawling
+beneath them threw himself down on the
+ground thoroughly exhausted, and lay motionless.
+If the weasel could have discovered
+him now, he might have despatched
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span>him without any resistance on the old rat’s
+part.</p>
+
+<p>Long did old Rough lie under the pile of
+boards, until day lengthened into twilight,
+and twilight deepened into night; and then,
+when all was still and dark, the old miser
+arose on his stiff legs and crawled slowly
+forth from his hiding-place. Before him lay
+the stream which had so often risen to his
+mind as he lay hot and aching under the
+pile of boards, and toward it he now directed
+his steps,—not with the agility and alertness
+with which he had passed over the same
+ground a few hours before, but slowly and
+listlessly, dragging along his aching body.</p>
+
+<p>At last the soft mud on the bank of the
+brook was reached, and the weary old miser
+slid into the turbid stream, sighing with relief
+as the cool water came into contact with
+his feverish body.</p>
+
+<p>Refreshing and invigorating was the old
+water-rat’s native element, and under its
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span>soothing and healing influence he felt a portion
+of his old strength gradually coming
+back to him. At first he floated slowly
+along, abandoning himself to the pleasing
+sensations the cool water afforded him; by
+degrees he increased his progress, swimming
+with ease, and before long stopped before
+his own door. Not a feeling of gratitude or
+joy at having had his life so mercifully and
+unexpectedly preserved did the sordid old
+miser feel, but he dragged his wounded body
+into his den, and with an angry squeak
+aroused Ruffina from slumber.</p>
+
+<p>“Dear me, Rough!” exclaimed his wife,
+who was thus suddenly disturbed in her
+dreams, “what a long time you’ve been
+gone. I thought something must have happened
+to you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Much it would trouble you,” muttered
+the old rat. “Come, bustle around and
+bring me something to eat, for I’m precious
+weak from loss of blood.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Good gracious!” squealed Ruffina, “what
+have you been about? Why, you are bitten
+all to pieces. You don’t mean to say those
+horrid crows did that?”</p>
+
+<p>“Stop that noise, and don’t be a fool,—if
+you can help it. How do you suppose crows
+could give me such wounds as these?”</p>
+
+<p>“Who did, then?” asked his wife, examining
+the sharp cuts about his neck and face,
+from which the blood still oozed.</p>
+
+<p>“No matter who it was. You just bustle
+around and bring me some of that pork-rind
+I brought home the other day,—that will
+set me up quicker than anything else.”</p>
+
+<p>“There isn’t any,” answered Ruffina, in a
+faint voice.</p>
+
+<p>“What!” snarled the old miser. “No
+pork? What do you mean?”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s been stolen,” explained his wife,
+trembling under her lord’s angry glances;
+“but I couldn’t help it. <i>I</i> wasn’t to blame.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve eaten it up, you thief!” cried
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span>the old miser, in a rage. “How dared you,
+when I told you not so much as to look
+at it?”</p>
+
+<p>“Indeed, I didn’t touch it,” explained his
+wife, timidly; “I put it away in one corner,
+for fear I might be tempted to taste it; but
+he found it and carried it off.”</p>
+
+<p>“<i>He?</i> Whom do you mean by <i>he</i>, you
+exasperating idiot? Why can’t you explain
+yourself properly? You are at no loss for
+words when you ought to keep still.”</p>
+
+<p>Thus adjured, Ruffina related the visit
+of the two young crows, and explained
+how one had enticed her away from the
+house, while the other entered it and stole
+the pork-rind, and she ended by repeating
+the verse the crow had addressed to her.</p>
+
+<p>His wife’s account of the theft seemed
+sufficiently plausible to the miser, and he
+now realized the extent of the young crows’
+treachery. That they had purposely led
+him to the weasel’s abode, thinking he
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span>would never return thence, he did not for
+a moment doubt, and he resolved to inflict
+sure and summary vengeance upon them
+in return.</p>
+
+<p>Long after his wife was sleeping soundly,
+did the old water-rat lie awake, concocting
+plans to carry out his revenge, not only on
+the impudent young crows, but also on the
+defenceless Bobtilla and the officious chipmunks
+who had interfered in his plans.
+After long thought, a scheme occurred to
+him which made him smile grimly to himself,
+and mutter,—“It may be long before
+I can accomplish it, but I will bide
+my time.”</p>
+
+<p>This thought was so gratifying that the
+old water-rat at once betook himself to bed,
+and soon fell into a deep and refreshing
+slumber.</p>
+
+<p>We will leave old Rough to enjoy his
+much needed rest, and follow the adventures
+of other friends.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span></p>
+
+<p>The Widow O’Warty was quite disconcerted
+for a time at the trick played upon
+her by the saucy crows; but she was too
+good-natured to bear resentment long, and
+soon laughed at the recollection of the
+event.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s meself that injoyed the pleasure
+of a serenade that was intinded for another,”
+she said to herself; “an’ afther all,
+there’s no harrm done. It’s a rale gintleman
+is Johnny the basso, an’ a foine
+singer, an’ it’s pl’ased I should account
+meself to continue his acquaintance.”</p>
+
+<p>So a few days later, when the widow
+met the basso in the meadow, she accosted
+him graciously.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s pl’ased I am to see ye; an’ it’s
+proud I should account meself to see you
+at me reciption the evening,” said the smiling
+widow.</p>
+
+<p>“You do me great honor, Madame La
+Warty,” replied the basso, courteously; “at
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span>what hour will Madame permit me to visit
+her?”</p>
+
+<p>“Whin the jew is on the grass and the
+moon is up,” said the widow, “the company
+will assimble forninst me dwilling. Is it
+the swate singer Signor Trillo ye have
+mit?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, I have not had the <i>plaisir</i> to meet
+him,” answered the basso, somewhat haughtily;
+for the name suggested a possible rival.</p>
+
+<p>“Is that the troot?” asked the widow.
+“It’s surprised I am to hear the same.
+The gintleman houlds a high station in
+his own counthry; indade, I’m tould he’s
+nixt removed from the king. It’s many
+the reciptions an’ kittle-dhrums an’ shmoketalks
+the ‘tin million’ have given him, an’
+indade it’s surprised I am yees have niver
+mit. Two such swate singers should
+become known to each ither, an’ it’s
+meself that will have the pl’isure of introjucing
+yees. It’s foine the v’ices of yees
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span>will blind togither, for it’s a swate tenor
+the signor possesses.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not wish to sing wiz zee tenor,
+Madame La Warty,” replied the basso, excitedly.
+“I ’ate ze tenor voice. He squeal,
+he know not what musique is. Zee great
+basso-profundo will not sing wiz your
+tenor, Madame.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, no! you are mistaken,” answered the
+widow, good-naturedly; “the signor does
+not squeal; it is a full rich v’ice himself
+has,—not sich a foine v’ice as yourself, to
+be sure,” added the widow, quickly, who saw
+the effect of her injudicious praise of the
+tenor, and who wished to retain the favor
+of the sensitive basso, “but a swate v’ice
+for a <i>tenor</i>, av coorse, I m’ane.”</p>
+
+<p>The feeling of jealousy that had taken
+possession of the basso’s breast during the
+widow’s praise of the tenor, made his throat
+swell and vibrate with the strength of the
+emotion that raged within him; but the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</span>effect of her last words caused the tumult
+within him to subside, and with an effort
+he regained his usual composure.</p>
+
+<p>“I sail have zee <i>honneur</i> to wait on Madame
+La Warty zis evening,” replied the
+basso, politely. “I will make my adieu to
+Madame if she will permit, as I have an
+appointment to meet.”</p>
+
+<p>“Who is zis tenor, zis Signor Trillo?”
+said the basso to himself. “I do not believe
+zat he is one great noble. I do not
+believe zat he can sing; but I will see
+him,—I will laugh at zis tenor when he
+goes to sing! I, zee great basso-profundo,
+will sing so loud zat zey sail not hear one
+tone from zis squealing pig.”</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_176" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_176.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“The Widow O’Warty’s reception.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_XII">
+    CHAPTER XII.
+    <br>
+    THE WIDOW O’WARTY’S RECEPTION.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The hour for the Widow O’Warty’s reception
+was approaching, and everything
+seemed favorable for a happy evening.
+The sun disappeared in the west, and the
+golden and red-tinted clouds reflected his
+parting rays. These deepened into a violet
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span>hue, as twilight stole gradually on, and
+then a soft gray light fell over all.</p>
+
+<p>This is the hour dear to all the little
+animals that inhabit the woods and fields.
+They seem to fear the brilliant daylight,
+and their timid natures grow bolder as
+night steals on.</p>
+
+<p>At this hour the cheerful crickets sing
+out more cheerfully and boldly, the shy
+tree-toads pipe their shrill song, and from
+every ditch and pond arise the melancholy
+tones of the emotional frog, the far-reaching
+tenor and the resounding bass.</p>
+
+<p>In the depths of the wood rings out
+more often the cheerful chirrup of the shy
+squirrel; the hedge-hog squeaks, and the
+little mice scurry along the ground. All
+of these sounds were heard on the evening
+of the Widow O’Warty’s reception, and as
+night came on these voices increased.</p>
+
+<p>Then, when the twilight disappeared and
+all grew dark, out came the fireflies, floating
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span>over the meadow, and often soaring
+over the tallest trees, every motion of their
+gauzy wings displaying the brilliant strips
+of greenish light on their little bodies.</p>
+
+<p>The glow-worms, too, wriggled their
+shining bodies through the grass, doing
+their best to light on their way the Widow
+O’Warty’s guests.</p>
+
+<p>The hostess herself sat in front of her
+dwelling, her affable countenance wreathed
+in smiles, as she welcomed each guest.
+A lawn-party it must be, for the widow’s
+house was too dark and cramped to contain
+the hosts of friends her hospitality included.</p>
+
+<p>Johnny the basso was one of the first to
+arrive, and, as he sat beside the hostess,
+she found time, between the arrivals, to
+acquaint him with the characters of her
+guests.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a furriner ye are, an’ it’s meself
+that will acquaint ye wid the ways of me
+fri’nds,” she explained.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span></p>
+
+<p>A light green katydid, accompanied by
+her pale and delicate looking son, were
+seen approaching.</p>
+
+<p>“Sure, an’ if me two eyes do not dec’ave
+me, that swate cratur Katrina Diddo an’
+her remarkable son are appearing to me
+view. Good evening, Ma’arm,” continued
+the hostess, as the two approached. “It’s
+proud I account meself to rec’ave yees.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thanks,” murmured the katydid, with
+her head poised on one side, and her full
+eyes gazing with a rapt expression far
+over the Widow O’Warty’s head into vacancy.
+“How extremely kind of you to
+draw us out this marvellous evening, when
+each slender blade of grass and each tiny
+leaflet is bathed in translucent dew, and the
+spirit of inspiration hovers above us, earth
+creatures as we are;” and the speaker
+heaved a sigh as she closed her eyes
+dreamily.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s <i>intinse</i> Katrina is,” whispered the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span>widow to the basso; “an’ how is the swate
+b’y, ma’am,” she added, to the poetic katydid,
+whose dreamy eyes still looked far
+away into space.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, my dear Widow. Excelsior is as
+well as one can be, who hears the voice of
+genius forever calling him to higher things,
+and to deeds where we, poor earth-worms
+as we are, cannot follow him,—that ceaseless
+call, as the ocean beats his great heart
+out against a giant wall. Ah me! what is
+life!”</p>
+
+<p>“Ye may well remark it,” answered the
+widow; “it’s a mystery, is life, an’ that’s
+the troot.”</p>
+
+<p>“You know it? You feel it too?” exclaimed
+Katrina, with a sudden burst of
+intensity. “Oh! the crushing weight of
+that thought to a soaring human soul!”</p>
+
+<p>With a deep sigh the poetess passed on,
+followed closely by her talented son.</p>
+
+<p>“Zis grande poetess, I perceive she have
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span>one foreign name; I taught she was American,”
+remarked the basso, as the pair
+disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s American hersilf is,” replied the
+widow, confidentially, “an’ it’s Katy Did
+her name is; but whin it’s famous she became,
+she changed the name of her, Katy
+did, as was r’asonable. It’s one of the
+‘tin million’ Katy is,” added the widow, in
+a whisper.</p>
+
+<p>The poetess’s son, Excelsior, had not spoken
+a word, but had gazed about him in an abstracted
+manner during the conversation between
+his mother and the Widow O’Warty,
+not evincing by a look or sign that he had
+understood the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s zee matter wiz zat <i>garçon</i>?”
+asked the basso, who had been a silent
+observer.</p>
+
+<p>“Ye may will ask fwhat’s the matter
+wid the gossoon; an’ it’s mesilf that’s not
+able to acquaint you wid his complaint,”
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span>replied the widow; “but I suspicion that
+it’s on account of the head of him being
+too large for the body of him.”</p>
+
+<p>“What does he do, this <i>spirituel garçon</i>?
+Does he make poetry like his talented
+mamma?”</p>
+
+<p>“Indade an’ he does no sich a thing,”
+replied the widow, in a tone that expressed
+resentment at the question. “There is not
+body enough to contain the brain av him in
+the furst place; an’ thin it’s such a d’ale
+of thinking the cratur kapes up that there’s
+no vint for the same, an’ the thoughts they
+kape revolving trou’ the brain av him,
+till I’m tauld there’s great danger av an
+ixplosion.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am sorry for zis <i>pauvre garçon</i>,” replied
+the basso; and he once more watched
+with interest the poetess and her remarkable
+son, who was unable to give expression
+to the great thoughts that seethed through
+his gigantic brain.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Della bella Wartyo,” cried a high tenor
+voice, as a tree-toad appeared.</p>
+
+<p>“Is it yourself, Signor Trillo?” answered
+the widow, cordially. “It’s rej’iced to see
+ye I am. I was afeard we should lose the
+pl’isure of your company this evening.”</p>
+
+<p>“A million thanks,” replied the tenor,
+effusively; “Madame is too gracious.”</p>
+
+<p>“I take pl’isure, Signor, in presinting to
+ye Johnny the basso, the swatest of singers,
+yourself ixcipted,” said the widow, graciously.</p>
+
+<p>Johnny the basso darted a scrutinizing
+glance at the tenor, for a secret misgiving
+seized him. Could this tenor be the identical
+one who had stolen from him the affection
+of the little brown frog? It might be
+so,—that this foreigner, said to be of noble
+birth, so much courted and feted by the “ten
+million” on account of the high position he
+was supposed to hold in his native land, had
+won the fancy of the fair brown frog. But
+he would not be precipitate, he would watch
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span>this tenor; and if his suspicions were verified,
+then let the tenor look to his safety!</p>
+
+<p>The tenor evidently was not disturbed
+by any such emotions as agitated the great
+basso, and he greeted the latter in so unembarrassed
+a manner, that the basso felt
+obliged to conceal his suspicions as well as
+possible, and wait for future developments.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a po’me Katrina Diddo will be afther
+reciting to us,” said the widow, as the
+poetess came forward, and fixing her eyes
+on the full moon that stood overhead, gazed
+at it awhile in silence. Then, while the
+other guests waited breathlessly for the inspiration
+that she seemed invoking from
+that brilliant orb, Katrina, still gazing upward,
+recited the following lines:—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“Sunflower of the sky,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Oh! why</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Floatest thou</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">On high?</div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“The lily lovest thou?</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Now, now,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">To her descends</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Thy vow.</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span>    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“Clothed in celestial light,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">Bright, bright,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Into her flower-heart,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent2">It flows at night.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>“How exquisite!” murmured an ecstatic
+young grasshopper, who had gazed enraptured
+on the ardent poetess; “methinks I
+faint with the sweet oppression.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ye may will faint, that’s a fact!” replied
+the Widow O’Warty. “Will ye recite
+that iligant thing, ‘Among the Daffodils’?
+I’m tauld it’s accounted the finest po’me
+ye’ve proju’ced yit.”</p>
+
+<p>Whereupon the poetess, fixing her eyes
+on vacancy, recited the following verses:—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“Among the daffodils,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Ah me! so lonesome!</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Bending toward flowing rills,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Ah me! so lonesome!</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Heart, cease thy beating,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Ah me! so lonesome!</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Hear lambkin bleating,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Ah me! so lonesome!</div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“Lambkin and daffodils,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Lonesome, so lonesome!</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Ye flowerets, ye wandering rills,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Lonesome, so lonesome!</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span>      <div class="verse indent0">Lamb, to thy mother flee,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">No longer lonesome,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Mated my heart shall be,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">No longer lonesome.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>“An’ now will ye give us the pl’isure of
+a song, Signor Trillo?” asked the hostess,
+when the enthusiasm that followed the poem
+had died away.</p>
+
+<p>The tenor, in his high voice, responded
+with the following ditty:—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“Oh! say, have you heard,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">From yonder bog,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">The merry refrain</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Of the little brown frog?</div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“When the moon shineth down</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">On streamlet and rill,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">You may hear in the fields,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">The brown frog’s trill.</div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“And all the night long.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And through the day,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">The little brown frog</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Is singing away.</div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“Till my heart has grown sad</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">From the love I bring her,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And all for the sake</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Of the little brown singer.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span></p>
+
+<p>During the song, the basso felt his emotion
+overpowering him, and at its conclusion
+he hopped up to the singer and exclaimed
+fiercely,—</p>
+
+<p>“I wish to know, sair, who is zis leetle
+brown frog of whom you sing?”</p>
+
+<p>The tenor turned, and gazed in astonishment
+on the excited countenance of the
+disturbed basso.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_188" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_188.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“I don’t fancy fat bassos, replied the saucy Brownella, hopping
+    to the tenor’s side.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_XIII">
+    CHAPTER XIII.
+    <br>
+    THE RIVALS.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>“I did not mention the name of the
+little brown frog,” answered Signor
+Trillo, haughtily.</p>
+
+<p>“But I desire to know zee name of zee
+leetle brown frog, Monsieur,” persisted the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span>excited basso. “I myself know one leetle
+brown frog, and I wish to know zee name
+of her of whom you sing.”</p>
+
+<p>“That is my concern alone,” replied the
+tenor, in the same haughty manner. “The
+name of her whose beauty I sing shall
+remain deeply written on my heart, and
+the wealth of the world would not tempt
+me to disclose it.”</p>
+
+<p>“What depth of soul!” softly murmured
+Katrina, “what delicacy of feeling!” and
+all the assembled guests gazed admiringly
+on the noble-spirited tenor.</p>
+
+<p>“But you <i>sall</i> disclose zee name of zee
+leetle brown frog!” exclaimed the basso,
+fiercely. “I seek one leetle brown frog,
+and I suspect, Monsieur, zat zis is zee one.
+On your <i>honneur</i>, I demand zee name of
+zee leetle brown frog.”</p>
+
+<p>“The honor of the fair sex is dearer to
+me than my own,” answered the tenor,
+“and I refuse to disclose the name of her
+whose praises I sing.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span></p>
+
+<p>A murmur ran through the assembly at
+these chivalrous words,—the crickets and
+grasshoppers boldly sang out their admiration,
+the frogs and toads croaked approval,
+the fireflies rushed excitedly about, while
+the susceptible Katrina gave utterance to
+several sighs, as she murmured,—</p>
+
+<p>“What nobility of thought! what tenacity
+of purpose! Happy little brown frog,
+to inspire such wealth of affection in so
+intense a nature!”</p>
+
+<p>As the admiration of the tenor increased,
+disapproval of the basso’s conduct grew
+in proportion, and severe were the indignant
+glances cast upon him.</p>
+
+<p>“I say to you zat you <i>have</i> no <i>honneur</i>!
+I say to you zat you are no noble in your
+native land! I say to you zat you are no
+Italien! I say to you zat you are one
+Yankee! I say to you zat you are one
+coward and one <i>imposteur</i>!” And the
+excitable basso paused, quite out of breath.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span></p>
+
+<p>For an instant after these audacious
+words there was a pause; but by degrees
+the buzz of the assembled guests grew
+louder and louder, until not a sound could
+be heard above the angry hum. All their
+indignation was centered on the bold basso,
+who had dared to insult the noble signor
+who held such a high position in his native
+land.</p>
+
+<p>“You shall retract your words, sir!”
+said the signor, when the voices of his
+admirers had subsided sufficiently to allow
+him to be heard. “You shall not insult a
+tree-toad of noble birth with impunity!
+You shall answer for this insult.”</p>
+
+<p>“I say to you once more zat you are
+<i>not</i> of noble birth,—zat you are one
+Yankee <i>imposteur</i>, sair! You know well
+zat zee peoples in zis land feel zemselves
+proud to make zee acquaintance of zee
+great Italien noble; zat when he go to
+zem and say: ‘Behold me, I have no food
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span>to eat; it is not possible for so great a
+noble as I to work for my food; will you
+zee goodness have to give me from your
+abundance till I hear from my noble friends
+in Italy?’ zen all zee peoples feel theirselves
+proud to give to zee noble foreigner.
+Zat is how it is, I know it; and I say zat
+you are one <i>imposteur</i>, sair, and I challenge
+you to deny it, sair!”</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the use of all this quarrelling?”
+cried a gay voice, and a sprightly
+young brown frog hopped between the
+two disputants, and looked pertly about
+her.</p>
+
+<p>“Brownella!” exclaimed the basso in
+astonishment. “Do I see you at last?”</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose you do, if you look this way,”
+answered Brownella, saucily.</p>
+
+<p>“The lady shall decide the matter,”
+said Signor Trillo.</p>
+
+<p>“Brownella, have you forgotten the
+vows we plighted, the sonnets I have sung
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span>beneath your window?” asked the basso,
+tenderly.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, bother!” ejaculated Brownella, with
+a coquettish toss of the head.</p>
+
+<p>“Have you forgotten how I, zee greatest
+basso-profundo on zee earth, have sat night
+after night in zee cold, wet bog, chanting
+your praises? Have you no remembrance
+of zis, I ask?”</p>
+
+<p>“I told you our voices didn’t blend well,”
+replied Brownella, pertly. “How absurd for
+a soprano and basso-profundo to try to sing
+together! We should only make a spectacle
+of ourselves.”</p>
+
+<p>“If zee hearts blend, what matter about
+zee voices?” asked the basso, fondly.</p>
+
+<p>“I never yet made an object of myself,
+and I don’t intend to begin now,” answered
+Brownella, saucily.</p>
+
+<p>“Will you choose, Brownella, between
+this basso and me?” asked the tenor, who
+had manifested great satisfaction in the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span>brown frog’s replies to the basso. “Which
+shall it be, this fat basso, or the tenor with
+the noble pedigree?”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t fancy fat bassos,” replied the
+saucy Brownella, hopping to the tenor’s
+side, while all the assembled guests sent
+up a hum of approval.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing left for the basso but
+to accept his disappointment as he best
+could, and with great ferocity he said to the
+tenor, “You sall have occasion to show if
+you are one coward. I sall have zee pleasure
+to meet you, Monsieur, to-morrow
+evening in zee meadow by zee bog.”</p>
+
+<p>“I shall be there without fail,” replied
+the tenor, haughtily; and abruptly saluting
+the hostess, the basso hopped angrily away.</p>
+
+<p>The next night, as soon as the moon
+appeared, the basso proceeded to the bog
+in the meadow, to meet, in mortal combat,
+the tenor who had so deeply insulted him.
+Toward the faithless Brownella, he seemed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span>to bear no resentment, concentrating all his
+wrath on the foreign singer who had stolen
+from him the affections of the little brown
+frog.</p>
+
+<p>Not long did the basso sit on the moist
+edge of the bog before the guests who had
+assembled the evening before at the Widow
+O’Warty’s reception began to arrive, all
+eager to witness the contest between the
+two great singers.</p>
+
+<p>The poetical Katrina and the talented
+Excelsior were among the early arrivals,
+the poetess improving the time that elapsed
+before the arrival of the tenor in composing
+a sonnet to the genius of her remarkable
+son.</p>
+
+<p>Why did not the tenor appear? What
+could his absence mean? The guests were
+beginning to ask themselves these questions,
+as time went on and the tenor failed to
+appear.</p>
+
+<p>Groups of frogs were earnestly discussing
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span>the merits of the two combatants, some
+offering wagers as to the result of the contest;
+here and there bands of crickets
+and grasshoppers were talking over the
+quarrel of the evening before in their shrill
+voices; and the fireflies darted about impetuously,
+often soaring far out of sight,
+and always returning with the information
+that the tenor was nowhere to be seen.</p>
+
+<p>At last whispers were heard suggesting
+that perhaps after all the tenor would not
+appear; that he was purposely keeping
+away.</p>
+
+<p>All this time the basso sat silently on
+the margin of the bog, glaring fiercely
+about him in every direction, hoping to
+catch sight of his adversary,—silent except
+for an occasional deep-voiced croak expressive
+of wrath.</p>
+
+<p>As the moon rose higher into the sky,
+and star after star came out, and still the
+tenor did not appear, the hum of voices
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</span>grew louder, and took on an angry tone;
+and as is often the case with impulsive
+natures, the very ones who had the evening
+before been the most enthusiastic over the
+Italian tenor, now were the first to suspect
+him of intentionally staying away, and to
+accuse him of cowardice.</p>
+
+<p>The boldness of the bull-frog, as he sat
+silently and ferociously awaiting his rival’s
+coming, began to make an impression in
+his favor; and before long, audible remarks
+disparaging the tenor were heard.</p>
+
+<p>At this point, a fine large fire-fly was
+seen flying rapidly toward the company,
+and when he reached them, he sank exhausted
+on the moist grass that surrounded
+the bog. All looked eagerly toward him,
+for they knew he had news to tell them.
+As soon as he recovered his breath sufficiently
+to speak, he said,—</p>
+
+<p>“It’s of no use waiting any longer; he
+isn’t coming.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Where is he?” was asked on all sides.</p>
+
+<p>“Taken himself off, nobody knows where,”
+answered the fire-fly, as well as he could
+for want of breath.</p>
+
+<p>“To think of the times I’ve hunted
+food for the lazy thing!” exclaimed a toad,
+angrily.</p>
+
+<p>“And I too!” was heard from many
+voices.</p>
+
+<p>“An’ think on the iligant reciption meself
+gave in his honor!” exclaimed the Widow
+O’Warty.</p>
+
+<p>“And the sonnets I’ve dedicated to
+him!” murmured Katrina Diddo, dejectedly.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s meself that always suspected he
+was dec’aving us,” said the widow.</p>
+
+<p>“So I have always said,” remarked a
+stout frog, who had shortly before been
+one of the tenor’s most ardent admirers.
+“I’ve always said he’d turn out to be a
+fraud, and now I hope you’ll believe me.”</p>
+
+<p>“The airs the cratur put on!” said the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span>Widow O’Warty. “It’s aisy to spake
+about the foine relations of him whin it’s
+so far removed they are.”</p>
+
+<p>“And to think of the poor little brown
+frog!” exclaimed another; “how he has
+deceived her!”</p>
+
+<p>All the company, who so short a time
+before were enthusiastic on the subject
+of the noble foreigner, were now just as
+ready to denounce him.</p>
+
+<p>All this time the bull-frog, who had
+been so imposed upon, had remained too
+deeply absorbed in his own wrongs to
+attend to the remarks of the company.</p>
+
+<p>“Faith, an’ it’s sorry for ye I am,
+Johnny,” said the good-hearted widow, as
+the basso was about to take his departure.
+“He’s a villain, is Trillo, an’ that’s the
+troot.”</p>
+
+<p>“I knew it would turn out this way,”
+remarked to the basso the stout frog who
+had before spoken. “It won’t do to trust
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span>these foreigners too far. I knew you were
+right, when you exposed him yesterday.”</p>
+
+<p>“So did I,” said another of Signor Trillo’s
+former admirers.</p>
+
+<p>“I sank you for your very kind opinions,”
+responded the basso, politely; “but
+you will pardon me if I say zat it is razer
+late to express zese good opinions. If I do
+not deceive myself, it was quite otherwise
+yesterday;” and with a courteous but
+frigid salutation, Johnny the basso dived
+into the pool, and was not seen until he
+reappeared on the other side, when he
+uttered a loud and agonizing “a-hung!”</p>
+
+<p>The company looked at one another in
+astonishment at the cool reception their
+expressions of sympathy had met with from
+the great singer, and several murmured
+disapproval. The Widow O’Warty, whose
+good-nature always asserted itself, was the
+first to recover herself.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s disapp’inted he is, an’ no wonder.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span>An’ his thrubbles are not over yet, I’m
+thinking, for a dec’ateful cratur is that
+Brownella; an’ now that Trillo has taken
+his departure, it’s once more sthriving to
+obtain the affections of poor Johnny she’ll
+be.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s my opinion she’ll not succeed,”
+observed a young frog. “I think he’s
+tired of her long ago, and I’m sure there
+are plenty more attractive than that little
+dark-skinned Brownella.”</p>
+
+<p>“She was always a saucy thing,” said
+the stout frog. “I always told my daughters
+to have nothing to do with her.”</p>
+
+<p>“She had betther kape her spickled face
+to home, or it’s a warm reception the saucy
+cratur will find here,” remarked the widow.
+“But what in the world is the matter,
+that ye must needs frighten a body like
+that?” she continued, as a bat flew so
+closely to her, and with so little noise, that
+she started back in alarm. “Oh! it’s
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span>yourself, is it, Misther Flipwing? An’ fwhat
+in the world’s name is the matther?”</p>
+
+<p>“Have you heard the news?” Flipwing
+asked, as he clung to the trunk of a tree
+in his favorite position, head downward.</p>
+
+<p>“What news do ye m’ane? Is it that
+the raskill Trillo has absconded, afther recaving
+the attintions of the ‘tin million?’
+Yis, we’ve heard it; an’ it’s small astonishment
+the news gave meself, for it’s meself
+that suspicted from the first that he was a
+dec’aver.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, I don’t mean that,” replied the bat.
+“I mean about Squirrello’s youngster, you
+know.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, I do not know,” said the widow,
+eagerly. “Will ye pl’ase to ixplain yourself,
+and acquaint us wid the news!”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, then,” responded Flipwing, “Squirrello’s
+youngest has disappeared; either
+strayed away and got lost, or been entrapped.
+<i>I</i>’m in favor of the latter
+theory.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</span></p>
+
+<p>“The purty little thing, wid the soft and
+bushy tail of him!” exclaimed the widow;
+“it’s sorry for him I am.”</p>
+
+<p>“How did it happen?” demanded many
+voices.</p>
+
+<p>Flipwing could not satisfy their curiosity.
+He could only tell them that the little
+squirrel had suddenly disappeared; that
+his parents had searched everywhere in
+vain for him, and that they were almost
+distracted with grief at their loss.</p>
+
+<p>This news all heard with regret, and each
+determined to do his best to discover the
+fate of the lost squirrel.</p>
+
+<p>“Yees have all heard of the sarvices
+Misther Flipwing has rendered on former
+occasions,” observed the widow; “an’ wid
+his hilp we’ll find the poor b’y.”</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_204" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_204.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“So it was with some inward satisfaction that they saw him enter
+    the passage-way that led into the dark cave.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_XIV">
+    CHAPTER XIV.
+    <br>
+    FLUFF IS LOST.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The news brought by the bat Flipwing
+was correct,—the youngest of the
+squirrel family, little Fluff, was indeed missing,
+and great was the distress of his family
+in consequence. The first day of freedom,—that
+on which the two young crows had
+discovered the new dwellings of the field-mouse
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</span>and squirrels, when the young
+squirrels had ventured out alone for the
+first time in their lives,—proved to be a
+most disastrous event, for it awoke in their
+young natures a taste for adventure that
+was most dangerous.</p>
+
+<p>So delightful was this new experience,
+that it became the custom of the young
+squirrels daily, in the absence of their parents,
+to venture out boldly, and enjoy the
+freedom of the woods. Bobtilla’s children,
+possessing more timid natures, dared not
+join their neighbors in their adventures,
+but remained quietly at home; while their
+fearless playmates, made confident by the
+seclusion and solitude about them, became
+constantly bolder, and each day ventured
+farther out.</p>
+
+<p>Such a vigilant old fellow as the miser
+Rough, who was now bent on discovering
+the new retreat of his enemies, as he chose
+to consider the harmless little field-mouse
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</span>and squirrels, could not fail before long to
+find them out.</p>
+
+<p>One day, hidden behind a moss-covered
+stump, old Rough discovered the young
+squirrels frisking merrily about among the
+trees and over the rocks; and he soon
+learned that it was the habit of these active
+young creatures to venture out daily,
+as soon as their parents had departed in
+search of food, and pursue their innocent
+gambols.</p>
+
+<p>Then did the old water-rat set his wicked
+mind to work, and he soon formed a plan of
+revenge that afforded him perfect satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>Beneath the very stump that had served
+as a hiding-place whence he could watch
+his unsuspecting victims, he dug a long and
+deep den, and skilfully concealed the opening
+with moss and leaves. To this cavern
+he conducted his wife, giving her minute
+directions as to her part of the programme.</p>
+
+<p>Ruffina promised to obey in every particular;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</span>and indeed a much bolder nature than
+the water-rat’s submissive wife’s might have
+quailed under the direful consequences which
+the old miser vowed would follow the slightest
+disregard of his directions.</p>
+
+<p>Thus was Ruffina installed within the den,
+and before the opening was placed a fine
+acorn, while just within lay several more of
+unusually fine size and quality.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the young squirrels frisked
+and gambolled in their beautiful playground
+among the trees with not a suspicion of the
+plot laid for their destruction. A very
+venturesome squirrel was little Fluff, the
+youngest and most promising of the family,
+and his bold spirit led him into places where
+his more cautious brothers and sister dared
+not follow. His bright eyes were always
+spying out objects they never thought of
+finding, and his inquisitive little nose was
+constantly poking itself where it had no
+business to go.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</span></p>
+
+<p>The time for which old Rough had long
+waited at last arrived. Fluff’s curious eyes
+espied the tempting acorn that the old miser
+had placed to entrap him, and in a moment
+he had it in his little forepaws, and his sharp
+teeth soon penetrated the thin shell. Selfishness
+was not one of Fluff’s faults, and he
+generously divided the delicate morsel with
+his companions.</p>
+
+<p>The acorn did not go very far, to be sure,
+and when the small share that fell to each
+was eaten, they looked at each other wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>“What a pity there are no more!” said
+one.</p>
+
+<p>“Ah, that was good,” replied another,
+carefully examining the empty shells, in
+the hope that some crumbs might have
+been overlooked.</p>
+
+<p>“There must be more,” asserted Fluff,
+positively. “It isn’t likely just one nut
+would be left here. It was dropped by
+mistake, and the rest, probably a big pile,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</span>must be near;” and Fluff’s inquisitive nose
+and bright eyes began their investigations.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long before the opening so
+ingeniously concealed by old Rough was
+brought to light, and in went Master Fluff.</p>
+
+<p>“See here!” he soon called out, “what
+did I tell you? Here are some more of
+them, and you may be sure that that dark
+den beyond is full. Come on, and help
+yourselves!”</p>
+
+<p>The more cautious brothers and sister,
+however, did not think it prudent to venture
+into the dark entrance to the cavern,
+but looked longingly in, while the bolder
+Fluff brought them some of the fine acorns,
+which, if possible, were even larger and of
+finer flavor than the one found outside.</p>
+
+<p>These, too, were soon eaten, and then
+came the natural desire for more. The
+first peep into the dark cavern, however,
+had been sufficient to keep all but
+Fluff at a safe distance; but this venturesome
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</span>young squirrel soon decided on
+the course he intended to pursue.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve made up my mind,” said Fluff,
+boldly, “that there are plenty more acorns
+in that dark hole, and I’m going in.”</p>
+
+<p>“Going in!” exclaimed his horrified
+companions.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; what is there so strange in that?”
+laughed Fluff. “It’s evident to me that
+that dark cave is the hiding-place of some
+old miser, and on the way he dropped a
+few of his nuts. There must be a pile of
+them, or he wouldn’t have let such fine
+nuts lie there.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, don’t go in!” pleaded little Flossie.
+“Suppose some great horrid creature
+with long, sharp teeth and claws lives
+there!”</p>
+
+<p>“If I find any such thing there, I shall
+come right back, of course. Do you think
+I am so foolish as to allow myself to be
+nabbed?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</span></p>
+
+<p>But Flossie’s gentle little heart was not
+satisfied, and she continued to plead with
+her venturesome brother. The others, it
+must be confessed, did not oppose so many
+objections to Fluff’s plans as did his tender-hearted
+little sister, for they greatly desired
+the savory nuts, and Fluff had always come
+off with such flying colors from the many
+risks he had run, that they had great confidence
+in his powers; so it was with some
+inward satisfaction that they saw him enter
+the passage-way that led into the dark
+cave.</p>
+
+<p>For an instant all was still, and the little
+squirrels waiting outside huddled together,
+listening breathlessly for some signal from
+their brother; but all at once arose in Fluff’s
+well-known voice a sharp cry of pain, and
+then followed immediately repeated calls
+for help.</p>
+
+<p>The timid creatures, terrified, scampered
+off as fast as they could go, leaving their
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</span>courageous brother to his fate. When at
+a safe distance, they stopped, their hearts
+beating wildly and their sides palpitating,
+and looked timidly back at the dark cavern
+into which poor Fluff had disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing was to be seen, and all was still;
+and soon came the dreadful thought,—how
+should they account to their parents for
+Fluff’s absence?</p>
+
+<p>Too cowardly to tell the truth, which
+would reveal their own disobedience, they
+resolved to assert boldly that Fluff had
+disappeared suddenly when they were at
+play, and they could find no traces of him.</p>
+
+<p>In vain did gentle Flossie plead with
+them to allow her to tell the whole truth;
+but she was threatened with the most
+dreadful consequences if she did not do as
+they wished.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll set ‘Old Dead’ after you, Floss,
+if you tell,” said her oldest brother, when
+all other arguments had failed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</span></p>
+
+<p>Who “Old Dead” was, Flossie hadn’t
+the least idea; but she knew he must be
+somebody to be dreaded, for the name
+alone struck terror to her gentle soul; and
+even Fluff, bold as he was, had often submitted
+to his older brothers, when they
+threatened to summon “Old Dead.”</p>
+
+<p>Thus, much against her will, Flossie
+yielded, and promised to help her brothers
+deceive their kind parents in regard to her
+poor lost brother; and when Squirrella and
+Squirrello returned, the sad story was told
+them that Fluff had suddenly disappeared,
+and that they thought the fierce Blinkeye
+must have carried him off.</p>
+
+<p>“In the daytime?” asked Squirrello.
+“How can that be? He sleeps all day
+long.”</p>
+
+<p>“Any way, we heard a great noise, and
+thought it must be Blinkeye,” asserted the
+little squirrels, boldly.</p>
+
+<p>But in spite of their success in deceiving
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</span>their parents, the cowardly little creatures
+were far from being satisfied with
+themselves; and as for little Flossie, she
+mourned more and more, as day after day
+passed, and no tidings came from her
+favorite brother.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Fluff! he was in the power of
+old Rough, who was keeping him a prisoner,
+in order to revenge himself on Squirrello
+and Squirrella for giving assistance to
+Bobtilla. Ruffina was his jailor, and heard
+without pity his prayers to be released.</p>
+
+<p>The old miser himself occasionally visited
+his captive in order to enjoy his misery.
+Poor little Fluff! One who had seen him
+in his days of freedom, with his bushy tail
+tilted saucily over his striped back, and
+his bright eyes glancing roguishly about,
+would never recognize him in the drooping
+little figure with lustreless eyes that now
+crouched in one corner of old Rough’s prison,
+day and night under Ruffina’s sharp eyes, as
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</span>she sat ready to pounce upon him at the
+first effort he made to escape.</p>
+
+<p>Very meagre was poor Fluff’s fare, and
+the plump sides that once bulged out under
+his generous feed of nuts were now sunken
+and hollow.</p>
+
+<p>At first the little prisoner, relying on his
+swift movements, made many attempts to
+escape when he thought the attention of
+his watchful jailor was withdrawn; but he
+was soon undeceived, and her strong paws
+reminded him that she was as vigilant as
+ever.</p>
+
+<p>Courageous as was Fluff’s spirit, it was
+fast becoming subdued from imprisonment
+and starvation; but through it all came the
+thought that his loving parents would find
+some means to release him, and this thought
+cheered him through many a lonely hour.</p>
+
+<p>Little did Fluff dream, frank and fearless
+as he was, to what base methods cowardly
+natures can be led; and shut up in this
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</span>dark cavern, his mind pictured his brothers
+and sister lurking near his prison, watching
+for an opportunity to defend him, and
+his parents laying plans for his release.
+Every sound made his heart beat fast with
+expectation, but each time it fell with disappointment
+as his hopes deceived him.</p>
+
+<p>While poor Fluff waited and watched for
+his release, his friends outside were busily
+employed in discovering traces of him. In
+vain did Squirrello and Squirrella search
+for some trace of their lost child, and
+Bobtilla joined in the search.</p>
+
+<p>That shrewd fellow, the swallow Swift,
+flew hither and thither, looking into hollow
+trees and dark holes; but not a clew to the
+missing Fluff did he discover.</p>
+
+<p>That experienced detective, Flipwing, was
+on the watch, too, and at night prowled
+silently about, hoping to gain some clew
+to the whereabouts of Fluff. At times
+some slight information, that to the inexperienced
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</span>would seem of no value, the
+shrewd Flipwing would seize on, and by
+skilfully weaving together the news he had
+obtained, the hope that he had at last
+found a clew to the mystery would encourage
+him; but when the chain of evidence
+was nearly complete, a missing link
+would overthrow the whole, and Flipwing’s
+patient work become useless.</p>
+
+<p>At last, however, when the detective’s
+final hope had disappeared, an unexpected
+event set his heart beating with renewed
+courage.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_218" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_218.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“The squirrels looked as they were directed, and discovered
+    the bat.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_XV">
+    CHAPTER XV.
+    <br>
+    FLIPWING MAKES AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The circumstance that so much encouraged
+the bat Flipwing was the following:
+One morning, after an unusually
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</span>tedious night had been spent in trying to
+discover some information concerning the
+missing Fluff, Flipwing had alighted on a
+tree in the depths of the wood, and clinging
+head downward to the rough bark had
+fallen instantly asleep.</p>
+
+<p>The sun’s rays sifting through the forest trees
+did not wake the exhausted bat, and
+he slept soundly until the sun stood directly
+overhead. Then his heavy slumber changed
+to a lighter one, interspersed with dreams
+in which the scenes of the previous night
+were enacted. At last Flipwing dreamed
+that his diligent search was rewarded, and
+the fate of the lost squirrel decided.</p>
+
+<p>So vivid was the dream that Flipwing
+could hardly believe it was not reality, and
+that he did not actually hear the voice of
+the little squirrel, when suddenly a particularly
+bright ray of sunlight fell on him,
+and he awoke.</p>
+
+<p>At first so deep had been his slumber,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</span>and so very natural his dream, that the bat
+could not at once understand whether he
+were awake or asleep. He looked about
+him, however, and soon realized that he
+had been asleep on the tree where he had
+alighted a few hours before. The atmosphere
+of his dream hung about him, and
+he still seemed to hear the little squirrel’s
+high tones.</p>
+
+<p>It was true that Flipwing <i>did</i> hear a squirrel’s
+voice; but it was not the voice of Fluff,
+and in an instant the bat’s sharp senses were
+wide awake and on the alert. Three young
+squirrels were seated on a neighboring tree,
+so eager in conversation that they did not
+observe the small, dark outline of the bat
+clinging to the tree. Flossie and her two
+older brothers were talking together very
+eagerly, and after hearing a few words Flipwing
+did not allow a single sentence of the
+conversation to escape him.</p>
+
+<p>“Do let me tell what became of him,”
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</span>pleaded Flossie; “he may be alive, and
+waiting for us to release him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Remember your promise, you little
+sneak!” answered her brother Bob; “you
+needn’t think you can go back on that.”</p>
+
+<p>“Fluff wouldn’t have served you so, you
+know he wouldn’t,” said Flossie, earnestly.
+“He’d have come right into the hole and
+tried to get you out.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we’re not quite so foolish as all
+that,” said Chippie, the other brother. “It
+wouldn’t have helped Fluff any to have us
+caught and eaten up too.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh dear!” exclaimed Flossie, “then
+you think poor Fluff is killed? Oh, how
+wicked we have been not to tell!”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t believe he’s killed,” replied Bob;
+“most likely he’s alive and well, and they’re
+only keeping him there in prison.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then there’s all the more reason for
+our telling,” said Flossie. “Just think of
+his waiting for some one to come and help
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</span>him, while we are such cowards we don’t
+dare tell what happened to him!”</p>
+
+<p>“If you <i>do</i> tell, Floss, ‘old Dead’ will get
+you sure, and I’ll call him,” threatened
+Bob, for Flossie was becoming so earnest
+that her brother felt extreme measures
+were needed.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t care for ‘old Dead’! You can
+call him, for all I care. I’m going to tell
+just where poor Fluff is,” and off started
+Flossie with more energy than she had ever
+before displayed.</p>
+
+<p>So unexpected was their gentle little sister’s
+revolt that her brothers at first were
+too much astonished to move; but they recovered
+themselves before she had gone very
+far, and soon overtook her, handling her so
+roughly that the poor little creature gave
+a cry of pain.</p>
+
+<p>“Let her alone! Do you hear?” called
+out a voice, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>All three of the squirrels looked about
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</span>them in astonishment; but not a trace of
+the speaker did they discover, and a horrible
+thought began to dawn in Chippie’s mind,
+that perhaps “old Dead,” on whose name
+they had so often called, had become tired
+of these appeals, and had at last come to
+call them to account.</p>
+
+<p>“Let her alone, I say!” repeated the
+voice; “and stop where you are, or it will
+be the worse for you.”</p>
+
+<p>Too terrified to move, the three young
+squirrels waited breathlessly for the possessor
+of the voice to disclose himself. In
+vain their eyes glanced anxiously about,—not
+a sign of any living creature did they
+discover.</p>
+
+<p>“Look up here, on this oak-tree,” called
+out the same voice. “There’s nothing to
+be afraid of. All I want of you is to
+answer a question or two, and then you
+shall go.”</p>
+
+<p>The squirrels looked as they were directed,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</span>and discovered the bat. The discovery
+was a great relief to them, particularly
+to Chippie, whose imagination had become
+quite active on the subject of “old Dead.”</p>
+
+<p>“Now tell me where your brother is.
+I promise you that nobody shall harm you
+if you tell the truth.”</p>
+
+<p>The two brothers were silent, and looked
+at each other inquiringly, as if they were
+deliberating whether they should tell all
+they knew. The bat was very quick to see
+what was going on in their minds.</p>
+
+<p>“If you tell me all,” said Flipwing, “I
+will not betray you; but unless you do, I
+shall go at once to your parents and repeat
+to them the conversation I have
+overheard.”</p>
+
+<p>Thus warned, Bob recited the same story
+he had repeated to his parents about Fluff’s
+sudden disappearance.</p>
+
+<p>“You are not telling me the truth,” said
+Flipwing, severely; “remember, I overheard
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</span>you just now when you thought yourselves
+alone.”</p>
+
+<p>“I will tell you all about it,” said Flossie,
+boldly. “Fluff went into a dark hole after
+some acorns, and he didn’t come back; and
+he gave an awfully loud screech, and I know
+something must have hurt him very badly,
+for Fluff doesn’t make a fuss about trifles.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where is the hole into which your
+brother went, little one?” asked Flipwing,
+kindly.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you see that big stump over by
+that tall hemlock-tree?” asked Flossie.</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t see very well in the daytime,
+little one; but if you describe it, I can find
+it when night comes.”</p>
+
+<p>“There’s a big stump right over there,”
+said Flossie, with a nod of her head in the
+direction indicated. “It’s a <i>very</i> big stump,
+and you may know it by the lots of moss
+growing on top of it. Well, under it is a
+hole. You don’t notice it at first, because
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</span>it’s almost covered over with leaves and
+moss, but Fluff pushed them aside, and it’s
+very large indeed inside.”</p>
+
+<p>“And so Fluff disappeared inside, and
+that’s the last you’ve seen of him, is it?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” answered Flossie, “and I should
+not be surprised if an awfully cross creature
+with long claws lived there.”</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll find out all about that, little one,”
+said Flipwing; “but why didn’t you tell
+all this before?”</p>
+
+<p>Flossie hung down her head, and the
+two brothers looked heartily ashamed of
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>“I see how it is,” said the acute Flipwing;
+“you wanted to tell, and your brothers
+wouldn’t allow you to. Well, I promised
+not to betray you if you told me all; but
+such cowardly actions deserve to be punished,
+and I should think your consciences
+would keep you uneasy. I wouldn’t want
+<i>my</i> conscience burdened with the thought
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</span>that I had left a brother of mine in the
+lurch.”</p>
+
+<p>The two cowardly brothers did indeed
+look as if their consciences were beginning
+to work, for they hung their heads in a
+very shamefaced manner, and made no
+reply.</p>
+
+<p>“Now you can go,” said Flipwing, “for
+I wish to be alone to think;” and off ran
+the squirrels, delighted to be released.
+Even the two cowardly brothers were
+greatly relieved to know that the bat had
+taken it upon himself to find their lost
+brother.</p>
+
+<p>All through the day Flipwing remained
+silently hanging to his tree, and when night
+came he suddenly unfolded his long wings
+and floated noiselessly away.</p>
+
+<p>That same evening old Rough visited
+his prisoner, and found everything going
+on most satisfactorily. The little squirrel
+was as pitiful an object as even he could
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</span>desire, his former animation gone, and his
+once plump body grown very meagre under
+his scanty fare. All this made the old
+miser particularly happy, and he emerged
+from his den with a repulsive grin on his
+grim countenance. Ruffina cautiously followed
+him; and as he emerged from the
+den, he turned and saw her behind him.</p>
+
+<p>“What are you here for? Go back to
+your charge,” said the old miser, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>“Do please allow me a little more to
+eat;” said Ruffina, meekly; “it is so very
+little that I grow weaker every day, and
+I often have a dreadful pain inside.”</p>
+
+<p>“More to eat!” snarled the old rat.
+“Are you crazy? What do you suppose
+will become of us unless we are very saving?
+Yes, old lady, we must pinch and
+save, unless we wish to die of want.”</p>
+
+<p>“I shall die of starvation unless I have
+more to eat,” answered Ruffina, made bold
+by sheer desperation. “You don’t allow
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</span>me enough to keep body and soul together,
+and I don’t dare leave your prisoner there
+long enough to go to seek any.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’d better not, madam,” said the old
+rat, with a savage snap of his teeth that
+caused his wife to start back. “You’d
+better not! I allow you all you need to
+keep alive. A nice state of affairs there
+would be if you had your own way!”</p>
+
+<p>“But why not make ourselves comfortable,
+when you have so much stored
+away?” pleaded Ruffina.</p>
+
+<p>A sudden spring toward her by the old
+miser caused Ruffina to give a terrified
+squeak, and rush back into the den. Her
+husband looked after her for a moment,
+and then with a leer of satisfaction he
+departed.</p>
+
+<p>When he was out of sight, a little dark
+object emerged from a neighboring tree,
+and alighted on a bush that grew near the
+entrance to the den; it was Flipwing the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</span>spy, who from his place of concealment
+had overheard the conversation between
+the old miser and his wife.</p>
+
+<p>“Ruffina!” called Flipwing.</p>
+
+<p>The summons was repeated several times
+before the long, sharp nose of the wary
+Ruffina was seen emerging from the entrance
+of the den.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, there you are!” said Flipwing.
+“I want to have a few words with you.”</p>
+
+<p>When she heard her name called, Ruffina
+poked her long nose farther out, and cast
+a sharp glance about her. Nobody was in
+sight; and she was about to retreat when
+she once more heard the same voice, and
+following the direction of the sound discovered
+the little bat.</p>
+
+<p>Now Ruffina was very timid and submissive
+in the presence of her lord and master,
+but when out of his presence was as bold as
+anybody; and so she answered gruffly,—</p>
+
+<p>“What do you want at this time of
+night?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I want a little talk with you,” answered
+Flipwing.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, talk away,” said Ruffina.</p>
+
+<p>It was not easy for Flipwing to begin, for
+having seen Ruffina so timid with her husband,
+he was quite unprepared for this
+change of manner.</p>
+
+<p>“I say, it’s a shame the old man is so
+hard on you,” began Flipwing, after a moment’s
+pause.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s that to you, pray?” asked Ruffina,
+shortly.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t like to see it,” replied Flipwing,
+determined not to be bluffed by this cool
+reception. “The old fellow ought to be
+more considerate of you; there are plenty
+of younger fellows who would gladly stand
+in his shoes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nonsense!” responded Ruffina, bruskly,
+but in a tone that showed she was not displeased
+with this broad flattery.</p>
+
+<p>“Fact,” said Flipwing, “and you know it!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know any such thing,” replied
+Ruffina.</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll not make me believe that,” said
+Flipwing. “Didn’t you ever see yourself
+reflected in a brook or pool?”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, suppose I have,—what then?”</p>
+
+<p>Flipwing was rather discomfited to find
+he had made so little headway in the good
+graces of the miser’s wife; he had imagined
+that a little flattery would make a favorable
+impression.</p>
+
+<p>“I was going to say,” remarked the bat,
+“that it is a pity old Rough keeps you so
+short, for a little more food would make
+your coat shine till you could see your face
+in it,—not but that it is handsome as it is,
+but better fare would make it more so.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, what of it?” asked Ruffina.</p>
+
+<p>“I was about to add that I could show
+you where you could eat to your heart’s
+content, and take away all you could carry
+besides. It is but a short distance from
+here.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</span></p>
+
+<p>“No, you don’t!” exclaimed Ruffina, with
+a shrewd grin.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean?” asked Flipwing,
+innocently.</p>
+
+<p>“I mean, what do you expect me to do in
+return?”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, nothing,” answered the bat;
+“can’t you give me credit for being a little
+disinterested? I hear you complaining to
+your husband that you have not enough to
+eat, and he harshly refuses to grant you a
+larger allowance; what more natural than
+that I should tell you where you can find
+what you want? It doesn’t cost me anything,—<i>I</i>
+don’t eat acorns.”</p>
+
+<p>“Acorns!” exclaimed Ruffina, her mouth
+fairly watering at the mention of the rich,
+juicy nuts. “Well, where are they?”</p>
+
+<p>“Do you know the two big chestnut-trees
+in Farmer Smith’s pasture? The lightning
+struck one of them last summer and split it.
+Well, under that one you will find a hole
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</span>with some large acorns in it. I saw some
+squirrels hiding them there. You just go
+and help yourself.”</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t!” answered Ruffina. “Rough
+would kill me if he knew I left the den.”</p>
+
+<p>“He will not know any thing about it,”
+said Flipwing.</p>
+
+<p>“He knows everything,” replied Ruffina;
+“and then I couldn’t leave—” She stopped
+abruptly, for in her eagerness for the food
+for which she was suffering she had nearly
+allowed the secret of the prison to escape
+her.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, no matter,” replied Flipwing, “do
+as you like about it; the nuts are there and
+will keep.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s of no use,” said Ruffina, decidedly;
+“Rough would be sure to come home the
+very moment I had left, and then—” A
+shiver which was more expressive than words
+ran through her emaciated frame.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m sorry,” replied the bat, good-naturedly,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</span>“for I don’t know when I’ve
+seen such fine specimens; they were evidently
+picked expressly.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s very kind of you to tell me about
+them,” said Ruffina, “but it is impossible
+for me to go so far;” and with a shake of
+her head she slowly re-entered the den.</p>
+
+<p>“She’ll go,” said Flipwing to himself,
+“and before long too. The poor creature
+is nearly starved to death, and can’t resist
+the temptation. Well, I will watch my
+chance, and rescue poor Fluff, if he does
+not die of grief and starvation before;”
+and away flew Flipwing, well-satisfied with
+the result of his expedition.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_236" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_236.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“And then swam quietly home.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_XVI">
+    CHAPTER XVI.
+    <br>
+    OLD ROUGH EXPOUNDS A LAW OF THE WOODS,
+    AND OLD CAW FORMS A PLAN.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>After old Rough had left his little prisoner,
+instead of going in the direction
+of his home he entered deeper into the
+woods. There was no moon, and the stars
+were obscured by dark clouds that drifted
+rapidly across the sky, while a stiff breeze
+swayed the tree-tops until they jostled one
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</span>another roughly, and groaned and creaked.
+Occasionally a low muttering that resounded
+through the forest and died away in a faint
+wail was heard from the dark clouds overhead.</p>
+
+<p>All the small inhabitants of the woods,
+with the exception of a solitary bat that
+crossed and recrossed old Rough’s path, were
+safe within their snug homes, and the old
+water-rat went on through the darkness
+with more confidence than if the way were
+lighted for him. Occasionally he stopped
+and sniffed about with his long, sharp nose;
+but it was evident that important business
+was afoot, for he proceeded with as much
+haste as his bulky body and the uneven
+forest roads permitted.</p>
+
+<p>Darker grew the clouds, and more violently
+the tree-tops crashed against one
+another, while the heavy rolls of thunder
+seemed to shake the earth.</p>
+
+<p>The louder, however, the thunder growled,
+and the denser the darkness, the better
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</span>pleased was old Rough as he scurried along
+among the underbrush, unmoved by the
+commotion about him. After a time he
+stopped and gazed at the tall trees.</p>
+
+<p>“It should be near here,” remarked the
+old rat to himself. “I am sure he said the
+big oak in front of the ledge of rocks.
+He’ll be sure to be at home on such
+a night as this, so I shall not have had
+my journey for nothing. Yes, there’s
+the ledge, and the big oak too; and unless
+I’m much mistaken, there’s the old fellow
+himself on the lookout as usual. He’s a
+fine looking fellow, is Blinkeye, that’s a
+fact; but I prefer to keep at a safe distance.”</p>
+
+<p>About half way up the old oak, where
+once a sturdy limb had been torn away by
+the lightning, the wood had become decayed
+and crumbled, and in the natural
+hollow thus formed, the owl had made his
+nest. There he sat, protected from the
+weather, the pointed tufts on his head
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</span>erect, and his vigilant yellow eyes on the
+watch for any prey that might fall to him.</p>
+
+<p>As the water-rat neared the oak-tree, the
+slight rustling he made as he dragged his
+body over the leaves and grass was detected
+by the quick ears of the watchful owl.</p>
+
+<p>“A bad night to be out in, friend Rough,”
+observed the owl, as the rat paused under
+the oak-tree.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t find it so,” answered Rough.
+“I prefer having the road to myself; and a
+little rain would suit me to a T.”</p>
+
+<p>There was a short pause, during which
+the branches crashed fiercely together, and
+a loud report from the black clouds reverberated
+through the dark forest, and in the
+momentary silence that followed this explosion
+of the elements was heard the
+pattering of large rain-drops. Faster and
+faster came the drops, and soon down came
+the rain in sheets.</p>
+
+<p>The owl drew farther within his retreat,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</span>and sat with his wings drawn closely to
+his sides, and his head held stiffly back,
+to avoid the drops that at times splashed
+against him. Not so the water-rat; exposed
+to the full force of the shower, in a
+few moments his heavy fur was drenched;
+but an expression of enjoyment stole over
+his countenance as the rain ran in little
+rivers down his sides, and trickled off his
+long nose.</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose you strolled out to enjoy this
+fine evening,” said Blinkeye, with a shrug
+of his shoulders, as a shower of rain-drops
+dashed against his face.</p>
+
+<p>“No,” answered the water-rat, frankly,
+“I came to see you on business.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m at your service,” replied Blinkeye.</p>
+
+<p>“You know, of course, how that Italian
+fellow Trillo turned out?” said Rough.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I have heard he disappeared, after
+he had made use of his friends. It is just
+as I expected it would be.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</span></p>
+
+<p>“It served them right for being such
+toadies,” sneered the water-rat. “That
+cracked Katy Did (for that’s her real name,
+though she doesn’t consider it fine enough
+since she’s made poetry) I’m told sat up
+nights making verses about him. I’m glad
+he went off without paying his debts, to
+teach them a lesson.”</p>
+
+<p>“Teach them a lesson!” repeated Blinkeye,
+with a cynical laugh.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re right,” said the old miser, with
+an approving nod; “I see you understand
+animal nature. But I must come to business,
+for it’s getting late and I am some distance
+from home. You know the war between
+the frogs and mice that’s to take place,—you
+must have heard it talked over.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” replied Blinkeye; “and if it’s
+ever to come off, I should say it was time
+to begin.”</p>
+
+<p>“It <i>will</i> begin at once now. Since Johnny
+the basso was so put out by Trillo leaving
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</span>him in the lurch, he’s turned his attention
+to the war.”</p>
+
+<p>“What is he up to?” asked the owl.</p>
+
+<p>“He’s putting things into shape. He’s
+been canvassing all the bogs about, and
+they say he’s got a big army together.
+He’s smart, is Johnny, and I wouldn’t
+give much for the mice’s chances.”</p>
+
+<p>“Think not?” asked Blinkeye.</p>
+
+<p>“No, sir,” replied old Rough, confidently.
+“Why, the frogs are ten to one of them;
+and a fine set of fellows they are, I can tell
+you. I’ve seen them drilling nights down
+by our bog. No, indeed, the mice haven’t
+a shadow of a chance.”</p>
+
+<p>“Frogs are not to my taste, but sleek,
+tender young mice—” said Blinkeye, with
+a snap of his strong beak that was
+very expressive.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s just it,” said old Rough, eagerly.
+“It’s for your interest and mine to
+have Johnny’s army win, and I’ve promised
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</span>to help him all I can (in the way of
+advice, you know); and if I find an opportunity
+to do the mice an ill turn, I shall
+take advantage of it, you may be sure.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t see exactly how it is for your
+and my interest to have the frogs victorious,”
+said Blinkeye.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t you see? Why, the mice will
+be obliged to retreat in confusion, and you
+will have a chance to take your pick of
+them.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes, I understand,” replied the owl,
+who in spite of his wise expression and
+reputation for wisdom was not nearly so
+acute as the old water-rat. “And you,
+what will you gain?”</p>
+
+<p>“I? Oh, I shall look in on their homes
+while they’re fighting, and help myself,
+you may be sure, to the stores I find there.
+The mice, as a general thing, are thrifty
+and saving; but the frogs are shiftless fellows,
+and live from hand to mouth.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</span></p>
+
+<p>“When is the battle to take place?”
+asked Blinkeye.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know exactly,” replied the
+water-rat; “but as soon as Johnny is ready.
+By the way, what is that law of the woods
+I’ve heard you repeat?”</p>
+
+<p>“You mean that prophecy my great-grandfather
+recited when the crow and
+your great-grandfather—”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” interrupted the rat, hastily, “what
+is it?”</p>
+
+<p>The owl gravely recited,—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent2">“‘War and strife, grief and woe,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Follow you where’er you go.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Never more shall you know rest</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">For weary feet and aching breast,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Till body round and lithe and long</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Shall vanquish body thick and strong.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Then shall dawn a day of peace,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">And every strife and sorrow cease.’</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noindent">Is that what you meant?” he added.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” replied old Rough, “that’s it. It
+evidently refers to the battle that’s to come
+off between the frogs and the mice. Yes,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</span>‘body round and lithe and long’ must refer
+to the frogs, for they can lengthen out to
+any extent, and ‘body thick and strong’
+of course means the mice, though I don’t
+know about the strength. Yes, there’s
+no doubt but that ‘body round and lithe
+and long’ <i>will</i> ‘vanquish body thick and
+strong.’”</p>
+
+<p>“I presume,” said Blinkeye, “the mice
+are preparing too?”</p>
+
+<p>“By no means,” replied old Rough. “I
+don’t believe they have the least notion
+of what a battle is,—they are timid
+creatures.”</p>
+
+<p>“I know it, afraid of their own shadows,”
+said Blinkeye, as a sudden streak of lightning
+flashed in his face, and made him
+flutter his wings nervously.</p>
+
+<p>“They keep out of the way so much that
+they don’t know what is going on in the
+world,” said the water-rat. “Oh, ’twill be
+an easy victory for the frogs! Whew! what
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</span>was that?” he exclaimed, as a dark object
+rushed by him and nearly brushed against
+his nose.</p>
+
+<p>“Only a bat; the woods are full of them.
+They’re not worth the trouble of catching,
+they’re all wings,” replied the owl,
+coolly.</p>
+
+<p>“One passed me on the way here,” said
+the old rat; “I shouldn’t be surprised if it
+were the same one. Well, I must be off.
+Keep a sharp lookout for the engagement,
+for it may take place any night now.”</p>
+
+<p>The owl retreated farther into his den,
+and the old rat retraced his steps, slipping
+along on the wet ground with great ease,
+until he came to his native stream, when
+he plunged in, and disappearing under the
+turbid water, arose some distance farther
+on, and then swam quietly home, his long
+nose only visible, as it parted the surface of
+the stream, forming ripples that spread to
+either bank.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</span></p>
+
+<p>The dark object that flew so near the old
+water-rat, as he was conversing with the
+owl, was, as the latter had said, a bat, and
+no other than our sharp friend Flipwing,
+who had followed the old miser to the owl’s
+abode, and had overheard the conversation
+between the two. Long before the
+old water-rat reached his den, the general
+of the mouse-forces, a brother-in-law of
+Bobtilla, and General Squeako by name,
+was apprised of all that was going on
+among the frogs; and a long consultation
+was held between him and the bat, which
+seemed to be satisfactory to both parties.
+Shortly before daylight, Flipwing reached
+his home, wet and tired, and instantly fell
+asleep.</p>
+
+<p>Not so the mouse-general. Sleep did not
+visit his eyes that night; but under cover
+of the darkness he made the rounds of his
+soldiers, trusting to no one but himself, to
+make sure that all was in readiness.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</span></p>
+
+<p>The next morning old Caw awoke even
+earlier than was his usual habit, for the heavy
+showers of the night before were followed
+by a particularly fresh and invigorating
+atmosphere. The refreshed foliage glistened
+and quivered as the light breeze stirred it,
+and the rays of the sun caused the dew-drops
+on the grass to sparkle like crystals.</p>
+
+<p>Every bird felt the influence of the freshness
+that pervaded Nature, and their morning
+songs rang out more blithely, until
+the forest was alive with the sweet melody.</p>
+
+<p>Old Caw stretched himself, and then
+hopped down to the bough beneath him.
+The other members of the crow family were
+just beginning to stir, and were cawing
+sleepily to one another.</p>
+
+<p>“The early bird catches the worm,” said
+old Caw to himself, as he noiselessly spread
+his wings and flew away.</p>
+
+<p>The old crow reaped a fine harvest this
+morning, for driven to the surface by the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</span>heavy rain, many an earth-worm was seized
+by Caw’s strong beak before he could
+wriggle back to his hole. Grubs, too,
+reposing unsuspecting of evil on the wet
+earth, were snapped up by the voracious
+Caw.</p>
+
+<p>The shrewd old crow discovered before
+long that something of unusual importance
+was about to take place, for the field-mice,
+who were usually safe at home at that hour,
+were hurrying about, talking together in
+low tones, all conversation ceasing and
+groups dispersing as soon as he made his
+appearance. All this excited old Caw’s
+curiosity, and determined him to fathom
+the mystery.</p>
+
+<p>In the course of his morning’s wanderings,
+old Caw alighted to rest near the stump beneath
+which poor little Fluff was concealed.
+As he sat pluming his ruffled feathers, that
+in his old age required more care than in his
+youth when they were glossy and flexible,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</span>low tones fell on his ear; and in an instant
+the old crow’s head was turned to one
+side, with his best ear tilted toward the
+opening beneath the stump, whence the
+voices proceeded.</p>
+
+<p>Old Caw was not long in recognizing the
+voice of old Rough, and, in her occasional
+submissive replies, the high, squeaking one
+of Ruffina; and judging from his low tones
+that the old miser was desirous that the
+conversation should not be overheard, Caw
+approached as near as he dared without
+fear of detection, and listened with all his
+might.</p>
+
+<p>“When, did you say?” squeaked Ruffina.</p>
+
+<p>“I didn’t say when,” replied her husband,
+in the snarling tone in which he habitually
+addressed his wife. “Whenever
+the frogs are ready; so all you have to do
+is to hold yourself in readiness, and do as I
+tell you.”</p>
+
+<p>“But how shall I know when the battle
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</span>has begun? I can’t hear anything in this
+lonely place.”</p>
+
+<p>“I shall let you know,” replied her
+husband; “and mind you follow my directions
+implicitly. You are certain you understand
+just what is expected of you, and
+will not spoil all by your stupidity?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” replied Ruffina, meekly; “I’m to
+visit all the mouse-nests while the fight is
+going on, and bring away whatever I find
+there.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t speak so loudly; you’ve got a
+voice like a trumpet,” answered her husband,
+sharply; “and mind you don’t waste
+your time among the poor ones, but go at
+once to the rich mice, who have piles of
+grain stored away;” and the old rat’s
+small black eyes snapped with pleasure at
+the prospect, while his wife, poor hungry
+creature, felt her heart leap within her.</p>
+
+<p>“Remember you are not to taste of one
+single grain or kernel, or it will be the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</span>dearest morsel you ever ate,” added the old
+miser, savagely.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Rough,” answered his submissive
+wife.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve heard all I want to know,” said
+old Caw to himself, as he silently flew away
+that he might not be detected by the two
+rats. He left the woods, and flew directly
+to the farm where old Rough, a short time
+before, had fought so desperately with the
+weasel.</p>
+
+<p>The old crow perched on an apple-tree
+that grew near the barnyard, and kept his
+one eye roaming about in every direction.
+The hens were busily engaged in eating
+their breakfast, for the inhabitants of a
+farm begin the day early. The horses in
+their stalls were munching their feed, while
+in the barnyard the cows stood placidly
+chewing their cuds during the process of
+milking.</p>
+
+<p>Of all these things old Caw took note, as
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</span>he sat on the apple-tree, hidden by the
+foliage, and careful not to attract the attention
+of any of the farm-hands by the least
+motion; for nobody knew better than he
+the unpopularity of his race among farmers.
+He waited until the milkers had carried to
+the farm-house their pails of white, foaming
+milk, and then, after a careful survey of the
+premises, to make sure that nobody was in
+sight, he silently flew down from his hiding-place,
+and walking up to the hole that he
+knew led to the weasel’s abode, softly called
+his name.</p>
+
+<p>In a few moments the head of the weasel
+appeared, and an earnest conversation ensued
+between the two. So low were the
+voices of both pitched that not a word
+could have been audible to any listener;
+but the result of the interview was evidently
+highly satisfactory, for the weasel looked
+very happy, and the old crow flew home,
+cawing exultingly.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_254" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_254.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“The hitherto orderly retreat of the frogs was turned into an
+    ignominious stampede.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_XVII">
+    CHAPTER XVII.
+    <br>
+    THE BATTLE.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>It was a warm, sultry night in August;
+the air was heavy with vapor, and the
+grass wet with dew. The large meadow
+through which the stream ran was seen
+through a haze from the clouds of vapor
+that settled down over it, and which the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</span>still air had not power to lift. Through
+this mist the outline of the forest that
+surrounded the meadow was dimly seen, the
+tall trees looking gaunt and ghostlike in
+the faint light.</p>
+
+<p>The large bog that was formed by the
+widening of the stream was hardly visible
+from the dense mist that stood over it, and
+as the great red moon sank behind the forest trees,
+darkness settled down over all,
+until the meadow looked ghostly white, enveloped
+in its veil of mist.</p>
+
+<p>A little knoll rose on one side of the
+meadow, and when the moon disappeared,
+and all was dark and still, little lights were
+seen flitting to and fro. Presently the
+mist on the meadow seemed to be broken
+by innumerable little dark objects that
+emerged from the edge of the bog, intermingled
+with numerous lights gleaming here
+and there through the vapor. Gradually
+these lines lengthened out into lines parallel
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</span>with one another, and spread out on
+each side of the bog, the same little lights
+scintillating among them and lighting them
+on their way.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the same little sparks might have
+been seen darting down from the knoll, and
+running thence in various directions toward
+the lines forming in the meadow by the bog.
+The little knoll served as the headquarters
+of the frog-general, who sent out his aids-de-camp,
+the fireflies, with orders for his
+divisions of valiant soldiers who were issuing
+from the bog, armed with sharp spears of
+grass, wherewith to attack the wily enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Gradually the dark lines spread out in
+a semicircle across the meadow, brilliantly
+illuminated from time to time by the glinting
+of the fireflies, who at intervals, as if
+by command, emitted brilliant light, while
+answering signals flashed from the reeds
+in the bog to show that the reserves were
+holding themselves in readiness.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</span></p>
+
+<p>As the general on the knoll directs his
+gaze toward the opposite wood, he beholds
+tiny blue lights, their steady glow contrasting
+with the scintillating lights of his fireflies,—the
+steady glow rising and falling
+and moving among the grass where the
+meadow merges from the wood.</p>
+
+<p>The frog-general finds his expectations
+verified; his preparations, though secretly
+and carefully undertaken, have been discovered
+by the enemy, the field-mice,
+under command of that able soldier, General
+Squeako. He had pressed the glow-worms
+into his service, and they were aiding
+him by their steady, phosphorescent
+light.</p>
+
+<p>Regiment after regiment of well-drilled
+field-mice does the frog-general see mustering
+for the fray, silently taking their
+positions, endeavoring to extend their flank,
+lengthening out their lines, which he fears
+will overlap his own.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</span></p>
+
+<p>Fearing that his forces will be outflanked,
+like the cunning tactician that he is, the
+frog-general determines on a ruse. Accordingly
+he gives the order to his most valiant
+regiment to advance a company of soldiers,
+accompanied by torch-bearers, beyond
+the extreme left wing of the enemy, in
+order to make General Squeako think that
+there is to be the attack.</p>
+
+<p>The mouse-general, however, being aware
+of his old friend Johnny’s wily tricks, understands
+that this is only a ruse, and determining
+to frustrate the attempt, immediately
+issues the order,—</p>
+
+<p>“Glow-worms, shut lanterns, and columns
+advance upon the enemy under cover
+of darkness.”</p>
+
+<p>The order is obeyed with military promptness,
+and not a mouse in the ranks quails.
+At the same time his pickets return, confirming
+the mouse-general’s opinion that
+the brilliancy and hubbub raised by the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</span>frogs on the left wing is only a harmless
+band of fireflies and a company of soldiers,
+and not an attacking division supported by
+soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>In the mean time the pickets of the advancing
+mouse-columns hit upon those of
+the frogs, who, being brilliantly illuminated,
+afford the mice an opportunity to make an
+attack—which under cover of darkness
+on their side is accomplished with great
+energy and dash—upon the centre of the
+unsuspecting frog-army.</p>
+
+<p>The battle, now beginning in the centre,
+rages in earnest,—mouse grapples frog,
+and frog grapples mouse in deadly contest;
+biting and wrestling, kicking and scratching,
+the valiant combatants mingle in terrible
+groups.</p>
+
+<p>The orderly lines are broken; the agonized
+squeaking of the mice, and the dying
+“a-hungs” of the frogs, make night hideous.
+Both generals urge on their forces from
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</span>either wing, and the carnage becomes
+universal. The orderly lines of fireflies
+change into disorderly clouds of sparks;
+while the rear columns of the mice, taking
+advantage of the confusion, advance to the
+battle-field, lighted by orderly bands of
+steady glow-worms, driving back stragglers
+and deserters, to strengthen the lines in
+front.</p>
+
+<p>For a time the fortunes of war tremble
+in the balance. The frogs, forced to give
+way, are driven by the valiant mice to the
+edge of the bog, and the more timid ones
+in the rear, thinking the battle lost, spring
+into the water; but at that moment a
+deep-booming “a-hung!” is heard amid
+the bull-rushes, where the valiant frog-general
+has removed his staff; a million of
+lights illumine the swamp, and lo! as if by
+magic, the reserves are seen issuing from
+the bog, swimming toward the shore, and
+reinforcing the yielding lines. They repulse
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</span>by renewed attack the mouse-centre,
+through which they threaten to break.</p>
+
+<p>It was the water-rat who had by his
+advice aided the frog-reserves; and during
+the engagement the shrewd old fellow had
+squatted behind the bog, and taken in every
+movement of both parties. Confident that
+owing to the secrecy employed by the frogs
+the field-mice would be taken unawares and
+unprepared, great was his astonishment to
+find General Squeako’s division so well organized
+and generalled. Not a little uneasiness
+did he feel, as the contest progressed,
+and the field-mice forced the frog-army back
+to the bog.</p>
+
+<p>The mouse-forces also had their reserves
+waiting for the word of command to advance;
+and the word was given at the
+proper moment by the astute Squeako, the
+columns moving in double-quick time to the
+edge of the bog, where the battle was
+raging indecisively. The hitherto orderly
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</span>retreat of the frogs was turned into an
+ignominious stampede. Leaping and plunging
+into the bog by thousands, the water
+fairly foamed. Those in the rear, in their
+frantic efforts to reach the water’s edge,
+jumped upon the struggling mass in front,
+crushing many, and tumbling them about in
+confusion. All those who were not incapacitated,
+safely dived into the water out of
+reach of the mice, who stood squeaking
+with joy and exultation on the edge of the
+bog.</p>
+
+<p>Thus ended the great battle between the
+mice and the frogs. Those of the frogs that
+remained alive having escaped in safety,
+General Squeako ordered a retreat, and
+dismissed his troops at the edge of the
+wood.</p>
+
+<p>While this terrible battle was raging,
+Ruffina, being apprised by her husband that
+the frogs were in readiness to move on the
+enemy, made her preparations accordingly.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</span>With great anxiety she waited until the
+decisive hour arrived, bustling about nervously
+meanwhile inside her den, and
+making frequent excursions to the entrance,
+where she turned her sharp eyes anxiously
+on the large red moon that was slowly settling
+down to the tops of the forest trees.
+As soon as the last spot of red disappeared,
+and the woods were enveloped in darkness,
+after carefully inspecting little Fluff,
+who lay curled up in his corner fast asleep,
+and making sure that his slumber was deep,
+Ruffina issued cautiously forth.</p>
+
+<p>The sharp-witted little bat Flipwing you
+may be sure was aware of everything that
+took place in the neighborhood of the
+little prisoner, whom he had pledged himself
+to rescue. From his hiding-place near
+by he saw the old miser’s wife depart,
+and, watching her movements until she
+disappeared into the woods, he at once flew
+down to the entrance of the old rat’s den,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</span>and putting his head inside the opening,
+gently called the squirrel’s name.</p>
+
+<p>Poor little Fluff, weakened by grief and
+hardships, was sleeping soundly, and dreaming
+of the happy home that was once his.
+In his dreams he was again at play with
+his brothers and sister, frisking over the
+tall trees, and jumping from bough to
+bough. It was no wonder that when he
+heard his name called, he considered it as a
+part of his dream, for Flipwing’s pleasant
+voice was a striking contrast to Ruffina’s
+shrill, scolding tones, and the miser’s harsh
+voice. So little Fluff slept on until the call
+was repeated several times.</p>
+
+<p>Gradually the little prisoner awoke to the
+reality that he was in the old rat’s den, and
+that a voice very unlike Ruffina’s or her
+husband’s was calling him.</p>
+
+<p>“Fluff, wake up!” he now distinctly
+heard; and starting to his feet, he was wide
+awake in an instant.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Who calls me?” asked the little squirrel,
+timidly, for the voice was a new one,
+and the hope he had at first entertained of
+friends coming to his relief had long since
+deserted him.</p>
+
+<p>“No matter who I am; you don’t know
+me, but I come from your friends. Ruffina
+is away, and if you are ever to escape, now
+is the time. So hurry and come out.”</p>
+
+<p>Fluff looked anxiously toward the place
+where Ruffina usually slept, and it was
+indeed empty. So severe, however, had
+been the little prisoner’s experiences since
+his capture, that he had lost faith in everybody;
+and now how could he tell but that
+this was a ruse of Ruffina to try him?
+And if he were retaken, what frightful
+consequences would ensue!</p>
+
+<p>Thus reasoned Fluff; and meanwhile the
+stranger outside was entreating him to
+come out.</p>
+
+<p>“You will never have another such
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</span>chance,” urged the voice, “and our time
+is short; so make haste, if you value your
+freedom.”</p>
+
+<p>Although reduced to a condition of misery
+and despair by his imprisonment, as
+Fluff heard these words some of his old
+energy returned to him.</p>
+
+<p>“Nothing can be worse than my present
+condition,” reasoned the poor little squirrel,
+“and now that I have the chance offered
+me, I will take it;” and he crawled to the
+opening of the den. Although he had
+never seen the little bat before, after one
+look at his honest face he unhesitatingly
+followed him.</p>
+
+<p>The fresh air, of which he had been so
+long deprived, infused hope and courage
+into the little captive’s heart, and he exerted
+himself to the utmost to keep pace with his
+guide; but so cramped had been the quarters
+in the den that the legs once so strong
+and active were now weak and tremulous,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</span>and progress was slow and uncertain. How
+different was it from the bounds and leaps
+Fluff made when in imagination he found
+himself once more free!</p>
+
+<p>“Have patience, and we’ll soon be there,”
+said Flipwing, kindly, as he noticed the
+squirrel’s efforts. “We are safe now,—all
+the water-rats in the world couldn’t get
+you; but let me advise you not to venture
+so far from home in future.”</p>
+
+<p>“You may be sure of that,” replied Fluff,
+decidedly; “once let me reach home, that’s
+all!”</p>
+
+<p>Now familiar landmarks began to present
+themselves to the little squirrel,—trees
+over which he had run, and stumps beneath
+which he had hidden; and his tired feet
+grew lighter at the sight.</p>
+
+<p>There it was at last, the dear old tree,
+beneath which was the warm nest he never
+expected to see again; and giving a loud
+chirrup of joy, in sprang the lost Fluff, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</span>in an instant was nestling against his
+mother’s soft breast.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>To return to Ruffina. As has been
+stated, she left the den, and entered the
+forest. The darkness that followed the
+setting of the moon was just what she desired
+for her expedition, and she chuckled
+to herself as she proceeded.</p>
+
+<p>The families of the mice-soldiers had all
+repaired to the edge of the wood, that they
+might watch the contest going on in the
+meadow, and their homes were deserted.
+This, however, made little difference to Ruffina,
+for the large water-rat was more than a
+match for a whole family of little field-mice.</p>
+
+<p>How Ruffina’s eyes glistened, as in the
+first home she entered, her eyes fell on
+stores of grain laid by for the next winter’s
+use!</p>
+
+<p>“First of all, I’ll fill myself just as full
+as I can,” said Ruffina, “for Rough will not
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</span>give me anything of what I bring home,—he’ll
+keep it all to trade with;” and the
+half-famished creature helped herself to the
+rich food before her until she had made a
+heartier meal than had fallen to her lot
+since she united her fortunes to those of
+the old miser.</p>
+
+<p>When she could eat no more, Ruffina
+stopped, and was startled to find how little
+remained of the former piles of grain.</p>
+
+<p>“No matter,” said the water-rat to herself;
+“there are many more places as good
+as this, and now that I’ve had a good
+supper I can work all the faster. I’ll go
+next to Squeako’s,—they say he’s got more
+stored away than all the rest put together.
+I mustn’t forget, though, to do as Rough
+told me;” and she tore apart with her
+strong paws the carefully made beds, scattering
+the contents about.</p>
+
+<p>Very near was the den where the mouse-general
+lived, and that, too, was deserted.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</span>Quite grand and spacious were the long
+passageways leading to the main dwelling-room.
+Ruffina was familiar with the plan
+adopted by both rats and mice in the construction
+of their dwellings, and the home of
+the wealthy General Squeako did not differ
+from the rest, except that the passageways
+diverging from the main entrance were
+more spacious and numerous than in the
+homes of the poorer mice.</p>
+
+<p>Ruffina entered one of these passages, and
+proceeded at once to the interior of the den.
+Very large and high was this room; and the
+water-rat’s sharp eyes at once detected piles
+of grain recently stored, and scraps of meat
+and pork so tempting, that in spite of her
+recent hearty repast, she could not resist
+the temptation of nibbling. She knew,
+however, that her time was short; so she
+began at once to carry out the stores and
+deposit them in a place of safety, until the
+old miser should find time to remove them.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</span></p>
+
+<p>While busily engaged in her work, Ruffina
+heard a slight rustling at the entrance
+of the cave. This did not disturb her,
+however, for she knew she was more than a
+match for the mouse-general himself, so she
+carelessly turned her head in the direction
+of the sound.</p>
+
+<p>In an instant Ruffina’s whole manner
+changed, and a violent trembling seized her.
+The new-comer was no timid mouse; the
+wary water-rat knew, before his head appeared,
+that the deadliest enemy of her
+tribe, the weasel, was before her.</p>
+
+<p>Completely paralyzed with fear, Ruffina
+stood as if in a nightmare, her shaking limbs
+rooted to the ground, as her pursuer came
+wriggling silently toward her. As if bound
+by a spell did the old rat stand, her eyes
+riveted on the long, flexible body and
+pitiless eyes of her enemy,—without
+power to stir, until he approached near
+enough to give the final spring. Then, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</span>not till then, did the terrified water-rat give
+vent to a squeal of terror, and with a gigantic
+effort, leap toward the opening of the
+cavern.</p>
+
+<p>Directly behind the old water-rat was the
+weasel. She felt his presence, although
+she dared not look behind, and she knew
+his steady progress would enable him to
+keep pace with, or perhaps overreach, her
+nervous leaps. Once outside the cave, she
+stopped but for a second, to observe the
+situation, and then, true to the instinct of
+self-preservation implanted in every one of
+God’s creatures, she started for her native
+element, the stream!</p>
+
+<p>Thanks to the hearty meal she had just
+eaten, Ruffina was enabled to make a great
+effort. Through the white mist that enveloped
+the meadow, the irregularly gleaming
+sparks of the fireflies and the steady
+lights of the glow-worms, that she descried
+in the neighborhood of the bog, convinced
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</span>her that the battle was raging in that
+quarter; and as she came nearer, the squeaks
+of wounded field-mice, and mournful “a-hungs”
+of disabled frogs, fell on her ears.
+All at once a loud hoot was heard, and she
+beheld the fierce Blinkeye hovering over
+the battle-field, watching for an opportunity
+to seize his prey.</p>
+
+<p>With the weasel in the rear and Blinkeye
+above, Ruffina felt her chances of escape
+lessening; and driven to desperation, she
+gathered together all her strength, and
+with a few prodigious leaps gained the
+stream, into which she sprang, and was
+hidden from view beneath its protecting
+waters.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_274" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_274.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“As the officer spoke, the Widow O’Warty, who had been sitting
+    erect, gave a loud croak, and rolled once more upon her back.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">
+    CHAPTER XVIII.
+    <br>
+    THE CHAPERON.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>While the battle was tumultuously
+raging, besides old Rough the miser
+there was another interested spectator, a
+very humble and timid one,—the little
+brown frog Brownella. Since the faithless
+tenor had departed, her life had been a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</span>lonely one, for she was deserted by her
+former friends, who so short a time before
+had professed such admiration for the distinguished
+foreigner; and worse than all,
+her former admirer, Johnny the basso,
+treated her with marked indifference.</p>
+
+<p>In vain did Brownella sing her most melodious
+songs until her voice was hoarse,
+and use all her arts to please the recreant
+basso; but the admiration she once scorned
+was not to be regained at will, and her
+former friend treated her advances with
+stony indifference.</p>
+
+<p>With the perverseness which is said by
+some to characterize her sex, what she had
+once despised, now that it was not to be
+had, became very desirable, and Brownella
+determined to win back the affections she
+had lost.</p>
+
+<p>Very imposing and grand was the military
+appearance of General Johnny, as he prepared
+for the coming battle; and as Brownella
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</span>watched the frog-forces gathering in the
+meadow on the eventful night, such a
+longing to witness the conflict seized her,
+that she resolved to follow them and secrete
+herself where she could overlook the battle-field,
+and indulge in a stolen view of the
+valiant frog-general.</p>
+
+<p>Speeding toward the place of rendezvous,
+the little brown frog, passing the abode of
+the Widow O’Warty, found that personage
+seated, as was her custom, in her doorway,
+and watching with great interest the frog-soldiers
+hurrying by.</p>
+
+<p>“And phere is it yourself is afther
+going?” asked the good-natured widow, as
+the little brown frog was passing.</p>
+
+<p>“For a little stroll this fine warm night,”
+answered Brownella, evasively.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a sthroll in the direction av the bog,
+I suspicion,” replied the widow, slyly, “to
+view the military.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, and what if it is?” asked Brownella.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</span>“I don’t know as there is any law to
+prevent me from going there if I like.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s the law of dacency that should
+prevint ye,” answered the widow, in a reproving
+tone. “The scane of war an’
+bloodshed is not intinded for a young cratur
+like yourself. It’s bould an’ forward ye
+would be accounted.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, bother!” replied Brownella, impatiently;
+“who cares what it’s accounted!
+I’m going, and that settles the matter;”
+and off she started once more.</p>
+
+<p>“Sthop!” cried the widow. “It’s meself
+that cannot see a young cratur laying herself
+open to cinsure in this way. Is it a
+stidy, sinsible fri’nd ye possess, who would
+be willing to accompany ye?”</p>
+
+<p>The little brown frog reflected a moment.
+After all it would be pleasanter to have a
+friend with her; and who so desirable a
+chaperon as the good-natured widow, who
+would wish to see whatever was going on?
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</span>So she replied that if the Widow O’Warty
+would go with her in that capacity, it would
+be very satisfactory.</p>
+
+<p>“Sich was not me intintion,” replied the
+widow. “Bloodshed and war have no charms
+for meself; but since it’s detarmined to go
+ye are, I conc’ave it me juty to accompany
+ye, an’ it’s willin’ to make a sacrifice I
+am;” and casting a glance about to see
+that all was right in her home, the chaperon
+hopped willingly away with her
+young charge.</p>
+
+<p>In fact, the widow was not making the
+sacrifice she pretended, but was secretly
+glad of an excuse to witness the battle,
+about which her curiosity was greatly
+excited.</p>
+
+<p>In due time the two friends arrived on
+the scene of action, the widow somewhat
+out of breath and heated, but otherwise in
+good condition; and the pair chose a position
+midway between the knoll which was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</span>the headquarters of the frog-general and
+the bog where he had stationed his
+reinforcements.</p>
+
+<p>With her little heart beating with pride
+and affection, Brownella watched the martial
+figure on the knoll giving his orders to
+his aids-de-camp, the fireflies; and she followed
+them with her eyes as the shining
+sparks flew back and forth on their commissions.
+Quite excited too did the widow
+become, as her eyes roamed about in all
+directions.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the mouse party, moving
+silently in a solid phalanx from the outskirts
+of the wood, the steady lights of the
+glow-worms scintillating among the tall
+meadow grass and lighting up the dusky
+forms of the mouse-soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>“He’s a foine gineral, is Squeako, an’ it’s
+an iligant appearance they presint,” exclaimed
+the widow, enthusiastically.</p>
+
+<p>“They are not half so nice as <i>our</i> soldiers,”
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</span>replied Brownella, warmly,—“great
+brown awkward things, with those tiresome
+glow-worms. Our fireflies are ever so
+much finer, flashing about like so many
+diamonds. The horrid things won’t stand
+a shadow of a chance against our well-trained
+soldiers.”</p>
+
+<p>“Me sympathies are wid the frog-forces;
+but me judgemint tells me that the throops
+of Gineral Squeako are will conducted, an’
+we’ll know whin the ind comes which side
+is the sthrongest,” replied the widow,
+majestically.</p>
+
+<p>“We shall know long before then,” replied
+Brownella, impetuously. “Oh, the
+horrid, creeping things! how disgusting
+they are!”</p>
+
+<p>In their eagerness not to lose sight of any
+of the events happening about them, the
+two spectators pressed eagerly forward, forgetting
+in their excitement the dangers
+attending a battle-field; and when the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</span>conflict was at its height, their prudence
+completely forsook them; and as the dying
+groans of the wounded fell on their ears,
+they pressed still nearer, to ascertain if any
+friends were among the slain or wounded.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment, on came the frog-reinforcements
+from the bog, steadily and
+surely, like the well disciplined soldiers
+they were, right toward the spot where the
+little brown frog and her chaperon were
+anxiously scanning the features of the
+wounded heroes; when, all at once, came
+the order to charge, and on went the valiant
+frog-soldiers, their blood coursing hotly
+through their veins with the warlike spirit
+that was within them, and ferocity gleaming
+from every feature.</p>
+
+<p>Not until late did Brownella and her
+chaperon perceive the solid force bearing
+down upon them; and Brownella, aided by
+her youth and agility, in a few dexterous
+leaps gained a place of safety, as the troops
+swept by.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</span></p>
+
+<p>Not so the chaperon. Too late did she
+become aware of the danger that threatened
+her, and seeing the ferocious expression of
+the thousands of eyes coming toward her,
+her presence of mind completely deserted
+her, and she sank on the spot, transfixed
+with terror. She opened her mouth to give
+vent to the pent-up anguish of her soul, but
+no sound escaped her; and even before the
+phalanx was upon her, the terrified chaperon
+rolled helplessly upon her back, where
+she lay convulsively kicking, while the feet
+of the charging soldiers passed over her
+ample form.</p>
+
+<p>When the troops had passed, Brownella
+looked anxiously about for her missing
+chaperon, and soon discovered her lying
+on her back, the convulsive motions of her
+legs alone showing that life remained to her.</p>
+
+<p>“Speak to me, dear Widow O’Warty,”
+cried Brownella, distractedly. “Tell me
+you are not injured!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</span></p>
+
+<p>Renewed convulsions on the widow’s
+part was the only answer.</p>
+
+<p>Placing her forepaws under the stout
+body of her chaperon, Brownella with great
+effort managed to roll her upon one side,
+where she lay kicking; but the widow was
+heavy and Brownella was slender, and with
+no amount of pushing could the little
+brown frog roll the solid mass any farther.
+The instant Brownella, from sheer exhaustion,
+removed the support of her
+slender paws, the chaperon rolled once
+more upon her broad back, where she lay
+convulsed as before.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all my fault! she came here
+against her will to please me,” groaned
+Brownella, with great self-reproach. “Oh,
+never in the world shall I forgive myself!
+Do speak, dearest Widow O’Warty, if only
+to reproach me with my thoughtlessness!”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s kilt entirely I am!” moaned the
+widow, faintly. “Oh, me poor bones!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Where are you injured?” asked the
+distressed Brownella. “In what place do
+you feel the most pain?”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s crushed from the crown of me h’id
+to the sowls of me f’ate I am,” groaned the
+widow, as she struggled to a sitting posture;
+“niver agin shall I be the cratur I
+was afore!”</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the matter?” croaked a voice
+from behind, and an officer of the frog-army
+appeared.</p>
+
+<p>As the officer spoke, the Widow O’Warty,
+who had been sitting erect, gave a loud
+croak, and rolled once more over upon her
+back, the convulsions returning with renewed
+energy.</p>
+
+<p>“She’s dead, and I’ve killed her!”
+shrieked the weeping Brownella.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, if it was something to soostain me
+I had, if ’twas only a dhrop of wather!”
+moaned the widow.</p>
+
+<p>“Is this the old toad we ran over just
+now?” asked the soldier.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and you’ve killed her!” answered
+Brownella, distractedly.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t you believe it,” said the soldier,
+cheerfully. “She isn’t hurt; she’s overcome
+by fright, that’s all.”</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Fright</i> is it?” exclaimed the widow,
+suddenly reviving and assuming a sitting
+posture. “Fright is it ye mane? Indade,
+an’ it’s a foine way to be talking to
+a body that’s kilt;” and her large eyes
+glared at the audacious new-comer with
+indignation.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, come, come, old lady, you’re not
+killed, that’s evident; but perhaps you are
+a little stunned.”</p>
+
+<p>“Auld lady! stunned!” repeated the
+widow, hysterically. “It’s not so auld I am
+but that I know an auld fool whin I see
+him.”</p>
+
+<p>The valiant officer, who had been through
+many a battle without flinching, quailed
+before the indignant countenance of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</span>exasperated widow, and without casting a
+glance behind him, turned and actually fled!</p>
+
+<p>As for the widow, her wounded pride
+tended to infuse energy into her listless
+frame; and under its reviving influence,
+she forgot her injuries, and betook herself
+homeward, giving expression at intervals
+to her indignation.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>We will return to Ruffina, whom we left
+concealed from her enemy by the dark
+waters of her native stream. On she swam,
+until she reached a spot parallel with the
+den in which she had left her charge, little
+Fluff. Casting searching glances about her,
+to discover if her pursuer were in sight,
+and satisfying herself that all was safe,
+she left the water, and approached her
+abode.</p>
+
+<p>Entering the den, the old water-rat
+looked about her, to assure herself that all
+was right; but the corner in which the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</span>little squirrel’s form usually lay at night
+was empty. Ruffina passed a paw over her
+eyes to clear her vision, and looked again.
+No, she was not mistaken, the corner was
+indeed empty.</p>
+
+<p>With feverish haste Ruffina tore apart
+the dried leaves that had formed little
+Fluff’s bed, as if she expected to find concealed
+beneath them him whom she sought.
+In vain was her search, for at that very
+moment little Fluff was curled up by his
+mother’s side, fast asleep.</p>
+
+<p>Not a nook or cranny did Ruffina fail to
+search, and at last gave up the attempt as
+useless. Emerging from the den, she stationed
+herself before the entrance, and
+gazed frantically around her for some trace
+of the missing Fluff; but not a sign of him
+did she discern. Almost crazed at the
+thought of the swift vengeance that would
+follow the old miser’s knowledge of the
+defeat of his plans for robbing the mice,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</span>and the disappearance of his prisoner, she
+tried to form some plan for her safety.</p>
+
+<p>Ruffina well knew that her husband
+would vent on her the disappointment these
+losses would cause him, for such was his
+amiable custom. What could she say, and
+what could she do? As she sat trying to
+bring her bewildered thoughts into order,
+troops of returning mouse-soldiers passed
+her door on their way to their homes.
+They were eagerly discussing the events
+of the battle; and by degrees it dawned
+on her dull senses that the fate of the conflict
+was decided, and that the frogs were
+defeated. And Rough wanted them to
+beat!</p>
+
+<p>This thought, on top of the two other
+misfortunes, was the last straw to poor Ruffina’s
+already heavy burden; and with a loud
+squeal of despair she rushed wildly away,
+intent only on escaping from the vengeance
+of the hard old miser; and never more was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</span>she heard from. Let us hope that she found
+a safe retreat, where, far from the old
+miser’s influence, she may lead a more useful
+and better life.</p>
+
+<p>We will not dwell on such an unpleasant
+subject as the rage of old Rough when he
+discovered the true state of affairs. With
+his propensity for thinking the worst of
+everybody, he concluded that his wife had
+run off with the stores she had obtained
+from the mice, and was living on them in
+some safe retreat luxuriously and happily.
+For a time he searched for his missing wife;
+but as day after day passed and no Ruffina
+appeared, he gave up the search.</p>
+
+<p>These bitter disappointments did not tend
+to sweeten the temper of the old water-rat.
+Harder than ever did he press upon the
+little field-mice, who he considered owed
+him a bounty for living on his premises;
+more than ever did he exact from them,
+and many were the depredations he committed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</span>upon his neighbors of the woods and
+meadow.</p>
+
+<p>He seemed to feel that he must make
+these innocent creatures responsible for his
+losses, and he was more dreaded than ever
+before.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_291" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_291.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“Each seized an ear of the old water-rat and held him fast with
+    his strong beak.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_XIX">
+    CHAPTER XIX.
+    <br>
+    THE CHARM.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>For a short time after her mishap on the
+battle-field, the Widow O’Warty was not
+in her usual good-humor; but anger with
+one of her sanguine temperament is short
+lived; so before long the recollection of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</span>her wrongs faded away, and she regained
+her usual amiability.</p>
+
+<p>The widow recalled the little brown
+frog’s devotion to her at the time she was
+trampled upon by those thousands of feet,
+the recollection of which would always
+cause a cold shiver to run down her spine;
+she also remembered Brownella’s frantic
+appeals to her for some sign that she still
+lived. All this was very soothing to the
+widow’s feelings, and pleasant to dwell
+upon.</p>
+
+<p>“An’ the poor little thing has throuble
+enough of her own,” said the widow to
+herself; “and it’s mesilf that will aid her
+wid me own ixparience.”</p>
+
+<p>So, acting on this resolution, the widow
+sought the little brown frog, whom she
+found in a most dejected condition.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s mesilf that will be afther giving
+ye the good advice,” said the good-natured
+widow, “for it’s throuble of the same kind
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</span>mesilf has had. It’s the gineral ye want,
+me dear, ye can’t conc’ale it.”</p>
+
+<p>“But he doesn’t want me,” sobbed Brownella.
+“Once he couldn’t think enough of
+me; and now, although I try with all my
+might to please him, he takes every occasion
+to show how he despises me.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s jist it,” replied the widow, seriously;
+and in her eagerness she hopped
+closer to the little brown frog. “Ye’re
+afther thrying too much to pl’ase him.”</p>
+
+<p>“How can that be?” asked Brownella;
+“isn’t it natural to try to please those we
+like?”</p>
+
+<p>“Av coorse it is,” answered the widow;
+“but whin it’s more ixparience ye have,
+ye’ll find that the ither sex place no value
+on what they obtain without pains. What
+they have throuble to get is swate to
+thim.”</p>
+
+<p>“That seems strange,” said Brownella.
+“I can’t understand it; but I believe there
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</span>is truth in what you say, for when I was
+rude and avoided him, Johnny the basso
+followed me everywhere.”</p>
+
+<p>“I tould ye so,” replied the widow,
+triumphantly. “Now listen, till I relate
+the charrm I used with O’Warty. ’Twas
+tould to me by an auld toad who was wan
+of the wisest craturs that iver lived, an’
+me own grandmither, askin’ your pardin.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! do tell me,” cried Brownella,
+eagerly. “I will do anything you say.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” began the widow in a low and
+mysterious tone, “come near till me, for
+not to a living sowl have I iver afore
+bra’thed the charrm. It’s a dark night ye
+must choose, whin neither moon nor stars
+are in the heavens; and whin ye approach
+the gineral’s dwilling it’s backwards ye
+must hop, and repate a charrm for the
+spirit of the woods:—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent2">“‘Spirit of the wood and dell,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Weave for me a fairy spell.</div>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</span>      <div class="verse indent0">Weave it strong, and weave it true,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Grain of sand and drop of dew,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Till it change my true love cold,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Make him love me as of old.’</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noindent">“Thin whin ye have arrived forninst the
+dwilling, it’s on the big toe of the right
+hind foot ye must sthand, an’ wid the lift
+front foot (mind it’s the <i>lift</i>), schrape up a
+thrifle of wather an’ mud from the brook,
+an’ throw it into the countenance of the
+gineral, rep’ating at the same time the
+following verse:—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent2">“‘Splisher, splasher, on one toe,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Fairy spell o’er thee I throw.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Be once more my own true love,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Never more from me to rove.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Splisher, splasher, on one toe,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Fairy spell o’er thee I throw.’</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noindent">If ye follow the directions the charrm
+will work; an’ it’s good luck I wishes ye,”
+added the widow.</p>
+
+<p>The little brown frog was profuse in her
+thanks for this valuable secret; and while
+she is waiting for a dark night to carry out
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</span>the widow’s instructions, we will follow the
+fortunes of other friends.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>Little Fluff was so happy to be at home
+again that you may be sure he did not
+venture far away; and the fear that old
+Rough would seek him out and again imprison
+him was so strong, that for some time
+he imagined every rustling of the leaves,
+or sighing of the wind through the trees,
+to be the old miser coming in search of him.
+Gradually this feeling wore away, as day after
+day passed and old Rough did not appear,
+for Fluff was by nature bold and fearless.</p>
+
+<p>For some time after the little squirrel’s
+return, he and his brothers and sister did
+not venture off the tree beneath which their
+house stood; but by degrees they extended
+their playground, and raced over the neighboring
+trees, and hid among the rocks and
+stumps as before, taking care, however, not
+to go out of sight of home. It is hardly
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</span>necessary to add that the old squirrels were
+as apprehensive as the younger ones, and
+since the dreadful day when Fluff was captured,
+never left their home unguarded, one
+always remaining to watch the little brood.</p>
+
+<p>One warm, sunny afternoon, Squirrella
+sat in her doorway watching her little ones
+at play, thinking, as they raced about, that
+nowhere in the world could four other little
+squirrels be found with such bright eyes
+and such bushy tails. Up and down the
+tallest trees ran the happy little ones,
+jumping from bough to bough and from
+tree to tree, an occasional shrill chirrup
+from Squirrella warning them when the
+leap was too venturesome. Every thought
+of old Rough was forgotten by the frolicsome
+little creatures.</p>
+
+<p>No one could have seen the innocent
+things sporting among the green leaves, or
+sitting on their little haunches, with their
+bright eyes shining with merriment and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</span>their bushy tails tilted over their striped
+backs, without thinking it would be difficult
+to find a more pleasing picture. Their
+brisk little chirrups, too, rang through the
+still woods in response to Squirrella’s
+anxious calls; and timid little Bobtilla,
+with her young family about her, appeared
+at <i>her</i> door, and watched the frolics with
+great interest.</p>
+
+<p>The excitement of the game was at its
+height, and Fluff’s old venturesome spirit
+returned in full force, when a sudden impulse
+seized him to play a trick upon his companions;
+so he quickly slipped behind an old
+stump, where he waited, hoping soon to
+hear them calling to him, and laughing to
+himself all the while.</p>
+
+<p>Fluffs absence was soon discovered, and
+loudly and eagerly did his name resound
+from the shrill voices of his playmates.
+This was great fun for the mischief-loving
+Fluff, who kept as still as a mouse, for
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</span>fear his hiding-place would be discovered.
+Before long, however, he heard his mother’s
+anxious call, and his merriment suddenly
+ceased; for at the sound of her distressed
+chirrup came the recollection of those dreary
+days of imprisonment in the old miser’s
+dark den, and he hastened to assure her of
+his safety.</p>
+
+<p>Fluff turned quickly to leave his hiding-place,
+and was about to utter a shrill cry of
+joy, when a dark shadow suddenly stood
+between him and the light, and the huge
+form and savage countenance of old Rough,
+with his long, sharp teeth and cruel black
+eyes was before him. The cry that was on
+Fluff’s lips died away; and trembling from
+head to foot, he stood transfixed by the
+power of that cruel face.</p>
+
+<p>“Aha!” squeaked the old rat, with a
+vicious grin. “I’ve caught you at last,
+have I? I haven’t watched you for
+nothing all these days, I can tell you. I
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</span>knew a heedless little fool like you would
+venture off before long. This time, my
+young friend, you will not get away so
+easily; old Rough isn’t caught in the
+same trap twice, let me tell you. Come
+along, youngster!”</p>
+
+<p>As the old rat approached, Fluff found
+voice, and his terrified cries rang through
+the silent wood, to be answered immediately
+by the agitated calls of his anxious
+family, and the fainter squeaks of Bobtilla’s
+sympathetic children.</p>
+
+<p>“Come along, I say,” repeated old Rough,
+approaching the poor little squirrel.</p>
+
+<p>“I won’t!” screamed Fluff, boldly, for the
+answering cries came nearer and nearer,
+and what child does not believe that its
+mother’s love is capable of saving it from
+the most powerful enemy? Fluff had the
+utmost confidence in his mother’s power;
+and as her sharp cries came nearer and
+nearer, all his boldness returned, and he
+fearlessly faced his enemy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Go away, I tell you!” cried Fluff,
+valiantly, “or it will be the worse for you
+when my mother catches you! Here I am,
+Mother, right behind this old stump!”</p>
+
+<p>“Little idiot!” snarled the old rat, “do
+you suppose a dozen such feeble creatures
+as your mother could intimidate me? Take
+that for your insolence in daring to oppose
+me!”</p>
+
+<p>A piercing cry rang out as the old rat’s
+sharp teeth penetrated Fluff’s tender skin.
+The cry was immediately answered not
+only by the shrill tones of the squirrel
+family, and the distressed squeaks of Bobtilla,
+but by loud and harsh caws, and the
+two young crows lighted behind the old
+water-rat.</p>
+
+<p>“Come, let the youngster alone!” demanded
+the elder of the crows. “Run
+home, Sonny,” he added to Fluff.</p>
+
+<p>“He’d better not,” snarled old Rough,
+savagely, “he’d better not. As for you,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</span>you impudent fellows, I advise you to mind
+your own business, and not interfere in
+what doesn’t concern you. Be off, I say!”</p>
+
+<p>“We’re in no hurry, thank you,” pertly
+answered the younger crow; “and as for
+attending to our own business, why, we
+haven’t any on hand just now, and we have
+plenty of time to settle this matter,—so
+don’t make yourself uneasy on our account.
+Come, Sonny, hurry home; your anxious
+mamma is looking for you.”</p>
+
+<p>Fluff needed no second bidding, but made
+a sudden rush by old Rough; the latter,
+however, was on the alert, and as the little
+squirrel was in the act of passing him, fastened
+his sharp, strong paws in Fluff’s furry
+back. In another moment his long teeth
+would have buried themselves in Fluff’s
+neck, had not the crows with a sudden
+movement come up behind, each seizing
+an ear of the old water-rat, and holding
+him fast with his strong beak.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</span></p>
+
+<p>At the same moment a flock of crows,
+attracted by the loud squeals of the old
+water-rat, flew down and fiercely attacked
+him, until the old miser wriggled himself
+free of his persecutors, and darting away,
+followed by the loudly-cawing crows, he
+slipped into an empty hole, where he secreted
+himself until the noisy band had
+departed. For once in their lives, the two
+young crows had made themselves useful.</p>
+
+<p>This attempt to recapture the little squirrel
+was the absorbing topic of conversation
+among the inhabitants of the meadow and
+surrounding woods for some time to come.
+Indignation meetings were held, and many
+were the complaints made against the
+disagreeable old miser. The veteran Caw
+presided, for all felt great confidence in his
+sagacity if they did not in his honesty.
+These meetings grew more and more frequent
+as time wore on, and old Rough grew
+bolder after every success.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</span></p>
+
+<p>“This state of affairs must end,” exclaimed
+an excited field-mouse. “We are
+tired of seeing our homes laid waste and
+our families houseless.”</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Houseless!</i>” cackled a motherly looking
+hen from Farmer Smith’s poultry-yard; “is
+that the worst he has done to you? What
+would you say to having your children
+carried off before your very eyes, as he has
+done with mine?”</p>
+
+<p>“And to be driven off when you are
+looking for food for your starving families?”
+squeaked Bobtilla’s high voice.</p>
+
+<p>“Talking and complaining will not mend
+the matter,” croaked old Caw, who had listened
+with his head shrewdly turned to one
+side, taking in every word that had been
+uttered, “While you have been wasting
+time in talking, I’ve been making up my
+mind as to the best means of stopping it.”</p>
+
+<p>“How? Tell us how!” cried many eager
+voices.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Since old Rough is so powerful, and
+carries things with such a high hand, meet
+him on his own ground, and confront him
+with an enemy who inspires him with the
+same terror he does you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Who is there he is afraid of?” asked
+the hen who had before made her complaint.
+“Who but Blinkeye is old Rough afraid of?
+And he is harmless by daylight, and Rough
+knows enough to keep out of his way at
+night.”</p>
+
+<p>“Have you forgotten the terrible fight
+Rough had with the weasel, who would
+have finished him, had not the farmer made
+his appearance when he did?” asked old
+Caw in his deepest croak.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh!” cackled the hen, whose feathers
+stood up stiff with fright at the remembrance
+of that dreadful scene; “but old
+Rough has not ventured near the premises
+since,—he is too shrewd for that.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</span></p>
+
+<p>“The weasel can go to him, can’t he?”
+croaked Caw.</p>
+
+<p>“To be sure,” assented all. “What a
+bright idea!”</p>
+
+<p>“The weasel can make his headquarters
+under the wall, not far from old Rough’s
+den, and take his own time about the
+matter,” said Caw.</p>
+
+<p>This easy solution of the question was so
+satisfactory that the spirits of the assembly
+rose suddenly, and all talked together in
+their excitement. The cackling of the hen,
+the shrill squeaking of the mice, and the
+croaks of the frogs and toads became so
+loud, that old Caw interposed.</p>
+
+<p>“If you want to give old Rough notice
+of what is going to be done, keep on talking,
+that is all; but if you want the plan to
+succeed, make less noise about it,” he
+said briefly.</p>
+
+<p>Dead silence followed these words, the
+truth of which was so apparent; and soon
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</span>the friends separated, returning quietly to
+their homes, secretly satisfied that old Caw
+was the wisest counsellor that ever lived,
+and would prove more than a match for
+even old Rough.</p>
+
+<p>A few nights later, when the moon was
+hidden behind dark clouds, and a heavy
+fog had settled over the meadow, a lithe
+form might have been seen emerging from
+the direction of Farmer Smith’s barn, and
+under cover of darkness gliding noiselessly
+toward old Rough’s abode. After critically
+examining the stone wall that commanded
+a fine view of the old miser’s den, it carefully
+selected a suitable opening, and in the
+same noiseless manner wriggled out of
+sight. It was the weasel, to whom old Caw
+had given instructions.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_308" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_308.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>“He trembled with terror, and gave a shrill squeak of agony, as
+    the long lithe body of his enemy the weasel came into view.”</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak p2" id="CHAPTER_XX">
+    CHAPTER XX.
+    <br>
+    THE SPELL IS BROKEN.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>On the same night that the weasel took
+possession of his new quarters under
+the stone wall, a very different scene was
+being enacted in the neighborhood of the
+basso’s dwelling. Ever since the Widow
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</span>O’Warty had given her instructions how to
+win back the affection of her former devoted
+friend, Brownella had watched eagerly for a
+night dark enough to carry out her design.</p>
+
+<p>Never, it seemed to the impulsive Brownella,
+did the moon night after night shine
+brighter and more persistently, and in her
+impatience she began to think that it would
+always be thus. After long waiting, however,
+to her great joy one night she perceived
+light clouds drifting across the sky,
+for a few moments obscuring the brilliant
+moon; but there she was again, shining
+brighter than ever, and it seemed to Brownella’s
+excited imagination as if her usually
+placid countenance wore a mocking expression,
+as if it would say, “I know you
+want me to keep out of sight, but I am determined
+not to,”—and then on she sailed
+again into the clearer sky, lighting up
+every corner and cranny of the meadow.</p>
+
+<p>However, Brownella was not doomed to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</span>disappointment this time, for before long
+up came cloud after cloud; and as fast as
+the moon emerged from one, into another
+she went, until the whole heavens were
+suffused, and not even a star was visible.</p>
+
+<p>Then did Brownella’s heart beat fast with
+joy, and also with some fear; for now that
+the moment for which she had so long
+waited had arrived, many doubts arose in
+her mind. What if the charm shouldn’t
+work? And what if she should neglect
+to follow in every respect the Widow
+O’Warty’s instructions?</p>
+
+<p>Agitated by her hopes and fears, Brownella
+hopped rapidly in the direction of the
+basso’s dwelling. When within a short distance,
+she stopped and listened. All was
+still; the rich bass notes that were so musical
+to her ear were hushed; for the sensitive
+nature of the great singer sympathized
+with Mother Nature, and when her face was
+shrouded in darkness, his own spirits were
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</span>affected likewise, and he remained at home
+silent and sad.</p>
+
+<p>All the courage she possessed did Brownella
+summon to her aid, and carefully did
+she repeat to herself the lines on which her
+future happiness depended. When assured
+that she knew them accurately, Brownella
+turned her back upon the abode of the
+singer, and hopping backwards, repeated
+the following lines,—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“Spirit of the wood and dell,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Weave for me a fairy spell.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Weave it strong, and weave it true,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Grain of sand and drop of dew,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Till it change my true love cold,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Till he loves me as of old.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>These lines did Brownella keep repeating
+until she reached the brook that flowed in
+front of the basso’s dwelling, and where he
+was now sitting; then, approaching him,
+and standing on the big toe of her right
+hind foot, with the left fore foot she scraped
+up some of the mud and water from the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</span>stream, and threw it into the face of the
+astonished basso, saying,—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent1">“Splisher, splasher, on one toe,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Fairy spell o’er thee I throw.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Be once more my own true love,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Never more from me to rove.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Splisher, splasher, on one toe,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Fairy spell o’er thee I throw.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>This verse was answered by a resounding
+“a-hung!” uttered in the deepest
+and tenderest tones of the basso-profundo’s
+voice, and Brownella knew that the charm
+had done its work, and that the singer’s
+heart was hers once more.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>Leaving this happy pair, we will return
+to other scenes.</p>
+
+<p>Old Rough grew more miserly and ill-natured
+day by day. Everybody avoided
+him, and he lived alone in his den, slinking
+around by himself, adding constantly
+to the stores he had collected, and tyrannizing
+over all with whom he came in
+contact. His countenance, never agreeable,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</span>became every day more repulsive; his
+eyes seemed to grow smaller and nearer
+together, and his nose longer and sharper,
+while his wrinkled lips receded from the
+long, sharp teeth.</p>
+
+<p>Not a living creature approached the old
+miser, and he crouched in his den, gloating
+over the vast wealth he possessed, and concocting
+plans for gaining more. No longing
+for the companionship of his fellow creatures
+ever stole over him in his solitude,
+and still less a regret that he had done
+nothing to gain the respect and affection of
+any of his neighbors. Not even a desire
+that Ruffina, who had served him so faithfully,
+would return, did the sordid old
+fellow feel; his only wish in regard to her
+was that he might obtain possession of the
+provisions he supposed her to have carried
+off, and also to wreak vengeance on her
+for his various disappointments.</p>
+
+<p>One night old Rough was out on one of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</span>his foraging expeditions, for he always chose
+darkness for his depredations. A raw east
+wind was blowing, and a drizzling rain was
+falling. Not a star was to be seen, and
+only a dark mass against the sky showed
+in which direction the woods lay. This
+was just the weather the old water-rat
+enjoyed, and he was in particularly good
+spirits, for he had the day before overheard
+a conversation between the two young
+crows, in which they spoke of some very rare
+morsels they had concealed under a certain
+stone in the woods. So accurately did they
+describe the spot that Rough could have
+gone to it blindfolded; and he chuckled to
+himself with satisfaction as he thought how
+shrewd he was, and how inexperienced the
+young crows were.</p>
+
+<p>Shrewd as was the old water-rat, he little
+knew that the crows were acting under the
+advice of one much shrewder and slyer than
+he,—none other than the old crow Caw,—and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</span>that this conversation was merely a
+trap, into which he readily fell.</p>
+
+<p>“The young thieves! I should like to
+watch their countenances when they find
+that the treasure they hid with such care
+has been discovered,” squeaked the old rat
+to himself, as he slid over the meadow
+toward the wood. “This will help pay
+for the trick they played me in leading me
+into that rascally weasel’s hole; but I’ve
+a nice little plan of my own, youngsters, to
+make us even on that score. You’ll find it
+out in due time.”</p>
+
+<p>Thus communing with himself, old Rough
+proceeded on his way, often sitting upright
+and looking about him to see if all were
+safe, and frequently poking his long nose
+about, in hope of finding something that he
+could turn to account. In this manner he
+reached the wood, where the darkness was
+even denser than outside; but this was all
+the better for his purposes, and his spirits
+rose as he neared his destination.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</span></p>
+
+<p>On by the homes of the squirrels and
+Bobtilla, and of many other little inhabitants
+of the forest, did the old rat go, and at his
+approach many a mouse out in search of
+food ran trembling into its hole, hardly
+daring to breathe, until the dreadful figure
+had passed. Only the bats flitted fearlessly
+between the dense forest trees; but they
+had no terrors for him.</p>
+
+<p>At last the old rat paused, and poked his
+long nose anxiously about. Had he lost his
+way,—he who knew every bit of woodland
+and meadow about? Or had those thievish
+young crows deceived him? This last
+thought was not an agreeable one, and
+made his small black eyes twinkle with
+malice, and his long teeth snap viciously
+together.</p>
+
+<p>As he squatted on his haunches, glancing
+through the darkness for some landmark, a
+slight rustling of leaves attracted his attention.
+“Some hedge-hog returning from
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</span>Farmer Smith’s poultry-yard, or a clumsy
+woodchuck,” muttered old Rough.</p>
+
+<p>He was mistaken; it was neither of the
+two; he trembled with terror, and gave a
+shrill squeak of agony, as the long lithe
+body of his enemy the weasel came into
+view.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>The next day there was great rejoicing
+in the meadow and woods. The crickets
+chirped their loudest; the katydids and
+locusts sang shriller than ever before; the
+little mice ran squeaking about fearlessly in
+the tall grass; the squirrels ran heedlessly
+over walls and trees, loudly chirruping their
+joy,—all small creatures were doing their
+best to express their delight that old Rough
+the miser would no longer persecute
+them,—for the weasel had at last vanquished
+the dreaded tyrant, and no more
+would they fear him. In the midst of this
+rejoicing, a flock of crows perched on the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</span>tree that grew behind old Rough’s former
+abode, and old Caw repeated with great
+solemnity,—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+  <div class="poetry">
+    <div class="stanza">
+      <div class="verse outdent2">“‘War and strife, grief and woe,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Follow you where’er you go.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Never more shall you know rest</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">For weary feet and aching breast,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Till body round and lithe and long</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Shall vanquish body thick and strong.</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Then shall dawn a day of peace,</div>
+      <div class="verse indent0">Then shall strife and sorrow cease.’”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p>“Friends,” added old Caw, “the spell
+that has hung over the inhabitants of this
+meadow and wood for so long a time is now
+broken. The ‘body round and lithe and
+long’ <i>has</i> at last ‘vanquished body thick
+and strong,’ and no more need you dread
+the old miser’s power.”</p>
+
+<p>That evening when the moon rose over the
+woodland, and shone down on the meadow,
+a gay throng came from bog and stream and
+wood. Choruses of frogs and crickets and
+locusts filled the air, while the little mice
+squeaked an accompaniment; hundreds of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</span>lively bats flitted in and out, and fireflies
+and glow-worms lighted up the gay scene;
+for old Rough the miser had disappeared
+forever, and the spell that had for so long
+hung over them was at last broken.</p>
+
+
+<p class="center p6" style="font-weight: bold;">
+  THE END.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="full">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;">
+  THE WINDS, THE WOODS, AND THE WANDERER.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>A FABLE FOR CHILDREN. By <span class="smcap">Lily F. Wesselhoeft</span>, author of
+“Sparrow the Tramp,” and “Flipwing the Spy.” With Illustrations.
+16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.25.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_320" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i_320.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+      <p>SPECIMEN CUT.</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>In the story of “The Winds, the Woods, and the Wanderer,” the author has endeavored
+to depict an artistic temperament that is misunderstood by the practical natures by
+which it is surrounded,—one that hears the voice of the “dear Lord God,” as the Germans
+have it, speaking through the rustling of the forest trees. This same artistic
+temperament the untutored Indian youth possessed; and the two natures were drawn
+together by the love of the beautiful that was implanted in the soul of each, and that
+interpreted to them the voices of Nature which to others are as a sealed book.</p>
+
+<p class="right" style="font-weight: bold;">
+  ROBERTS BROTHERS, Boston.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="full">
+
+<div class="transnote">
+  Transcriber’s note<br>
+  Spelling and punctuation errors have been corrected.
+</div>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77858 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
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+This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for eBook #77858
+(https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77858)