“I am with you,” said the Dog. “Lead on, Cho-Cho.”
“Friends,” said the Persian Cat, “I believe I can find the Red Brown Squirrel. Between his home and the Fairy’s garden there lives an evil imp, called Jealousy. I passed him today as I journeyed hither and he scowled upon me with a look of rage. He was afraid to attack me, but the Squirrel is small and not a match for this cruel imp, and has doubtless fallen a victim to his malice.”
“Hasten, hasten,” said Cho-Cho, and passing through the gate he started briskly toward the Squirrel’s home.
The Cat and the Dog followed and all three were soon lost to the view of the anxious company in the Fairy’s garden.
The friends covered the ground rapidly and were nearing the home of the Red Brown Squirrel, when Cho-Cho’s sharp eyes spied a half-eaten nut lying in the roadway.
There were no trees near, and they knew that it must have been dropped by their friend.
Looking eagerly upon the ground, they discovered the tiny footprints of the Squirrel and the larger ones of the flat-footed imp, leading into a field of tall grass.
Here the Cat went forward, for his sharp eyes could distinguish the footprints with great ease. Following these signs they crossed the field and came out upon an unused road that sloped downward, until they found themselves beside a deep river which seemed impossible to pass.
“Get upon my back,” said the Wonderful Dog, “the River is my comrade, it will not harm you.”
With ease and confidence he swam forward, and carried them to safety on the further bank.