"I haven't got a penny with me," said the little squirrel, "but I have a dandy big nut, if that will do."
"All right," said the beaver, "give me the nut." He put it in his pocket, remarking as he did so, "it looks like a good nut. I only hope I shall not be disappointed when I crack it."
Turning to the chipmunk, he said, "What have you got?"
"A little acorn," answered the chipmunk.
"I don't want any more nuts," said the beaver, disgustedly. "I'm not particularly fond of nuts, anyway. I only took this one from the squirrel because I knew he didn't have anything else."
"Here are two pennies, Mr. Beaver—one for Chipmunk and one for me," said Puss, Junior.
"All right, Sir Cat," said the beaver, "walk across, but see that you do not slip, for the water is very deep on the upper side."
Puss carefully wended his way over, followed by the little squirrel and the chipmunk. The old frog swam over, as did the muskrat. When they all reached the other side, Puss went forward, followed by his small comrades, who stretched out behind him like a funny little army.
They hadn't gone very far, when a rabbit jumped out from behind a bush. Puss, Junior, called out, "Don't be frightened. We won't hurt you."
"Baby!" cried the squirrel, "you're bigger than I am, but you're twice as much afraid."