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diff --git a/77858-h/77858-h.htm b/77858-h/77858-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba31f65 --- /dev/null +++ b/77858-h/77858-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8570 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> + <title> + Old rough the miser. | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +.noindent {text-indent: 0;} +.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} +.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} +.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } +hr.full {width: 95%; margin-left: 2.5%; margin-right: 2.5%;} + +hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 47.5%; margin-right: 47.5%;} + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} +table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse; } +table.autotable td, +table.autotable th { padding: 0.25em; } + +.tdl {text-align: left;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} /* page numbers */ + +blockquote { + margin-top: 0; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +figcaption {font-weight: bold;} +figcaption p {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: .2em; text-align: inherit;} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +/* Poetry */ +/* uncomment the next line for centered poetry */ +.poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} +/* .poetry-container {text-align: center;} */ +.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} +.poetry .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} +.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:small; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; +} + + +/* Poetry indents */ +.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3.0em;} +.poetry .indent2 {text-indent: -2.0em;} +.poetry .indent6 {text-indent: 0.0em;} +.poetry .outdent2 {text-indent: -3.0em; padding-left: 2.1em;} +.poetry .outdent1 {text-indent: -3.0em; padding-left: 2.4em;} + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp45 {width: 45%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp45 {width: 100%;} + </style> +</head> +<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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