But if the quietness of the coyotes surprised Benny, what they said astonished him a great deal more. For Benny Badger learned that the three cronies were headed for a prairie dog village just beyond the next rise.
That was most amazing news. Benny Badger hadn't known that there was a prairie dog village so near his den. And for a moment he was tempted to call to the coyotes and ask them if what they said was really true or if they were only fooling.
Mr. Owl greets Benny very coldly.
But he didn't think the three prowlers had seen him. So there seemed to be no reason for their saying what wasn't so.
Well, the moment they disappeared, Benny Badger jumped up and hurried into his den. He would have followed the coyotes, but he decided it would be better to wait. The prairie dogs would be too wary, with those coyotes in their village.
But later, after the coyotes had left—ah! then he would pay a visit to the village himself.
Towards evening Benny Badger crept out of his den and followed the trail of the three coyotes. And sure enough! when he reached the top of the rise he saw the mounds of the prairie dogs spread out before him.
Though he saw no prairie dogs, he noticed an owl sitting upon a heap of earth that had been tossed out around a hole.
Benny Badger strolled up to the owl.