Hortense found it quite difficult to hide all her companions in the barn. Owl, because his eyes were so bright, was made to go up in the loft and look down through a knot hole in the floor; Highboy and Lowboy, hand in hand, stood behind a door; Coal and Ember crouched in a corner, and Hortense told them that if they growled she would never take them out again. Alligator merely lay on the floor and, unless one looked close or felt his rough skin, one would never have guessed who he was. Malay Kris, who was slim and not easily seen, crouched beside the stalls, and Andy and Hortense covered themselves with some old empty sacks beside the wall where they could see and not be seen.
They lay hidden a long time, and nothing happened. Now and then some one moved or made a little noise, and Hortense said, "Hush!" After that they would remain quiet for a time.
The moon rose late, and its light slowly crept across the floor until it fell upon Malay Kris, who moved a little way into the shadow again. Andy and Hortense, under the old sacks, were uncomfortably warm and very stiff from lying so long in one position.
"I don't believe they are going to come at all," said Hortense in a low voice to Andy.
"Doesn't look like it," agreed Andy.
Then they lay quiet again.
Suddenly they heard a squeal from behind the barn. It made Hortense jump.
"It's only one of the pigs," Andy whispered.
Alligator had heard, too. They saw him raise his head; then slowly crawl towards the door.
"Come back!" Hortense commanded in a fierce whisper.