While they stood over him, wondering what was next to be done, Master Squirrel frisked in sight, rolling before him a large, round turtle-shell.
"Stand out of the way!" he shouted. But Minnie stood across his path, and, for fear of throwing her down, he stopped; and, leaning on his shell, not very good-naturedly asked what she wanted.
"O, squirrel, do leave your play a little while, and help us!" she said. "We have this heavy bird to carry home, and skin, and make the skin into a cloak, while the daylight lasts; do be kind, now, and help us!"
"It isn't my way to be kind; but I'll make a bargain with you."
"Well."
"Yellow-bird shall fix a harness out of straw, fasten you into my shell for a horse, and I will drive home with your load."
"That's a good plan," said Minnie, not waiting to think how squirrel had kept the best of the bargain for his own share. "What say you, yellow-bird?"
"Poor little woman! after such a long journey you are too tired to drag this great fellow home. I will do it myself."
"Then I will help you twist the ropes."
To work they went, and soon had the harness finished. Squirrel, meantime, selected a good long twig for a whip, laid the humming-bird across the shell, and leaped into his place.