The little thing began to whimper with evident delight, and the big bear, sitting up on his haunches, lifted the small brown object in his huge paws.
In a few moments the little Brownie Cub had told his father what dreadful things had happened to him, and how brave Mr. Bunnikins-Bunny had been.
The unhappy Bunnies and Squirrels meanwhile sat quaking with fright, not daring to move, and expecting every moment to be gobbled up by the terrible bear.
Very soon, however, their fears were relieved, for Mr. Brown Bruin, with large tears bobbling down his cheeks, and in a husky voice, began to thank Mr. Bunnikins-Bunny for his heroic action.
When he saw how dripping wet he was, he tried to lick him dry; but when he opened his great red mouth, he scared poor Bunnikins nearly out of his wits, and the first lap of his huge rough tongue knocked him down, and pulled out bits of his soft fur.
When he recovered his breath, Mr. Bunnikins thanked Mr. Bruin for his kindness, but he begged to be excused from any more drying, as, being subject to rheumatism, he thought the wisest thing for him to do was to go home very quickly, and drink some ginger-and-cayenne-pepper tea.
Mr. Bruin begged to be allowed to call and see him the next day, and Mr. Bunnikins hurried home, and was soon in bed, well wrapped up in warm blankets, and sneezing violently from the cayenne pepper.