“That means danger!” Bambi insisted.
Now a magpie appeared, chattering as he went, and immediately after there was another one and then, just as promptly, a third. At the same time the jay screeched once again, and the crows gave signals from high in the air.
Faline began to implore them too. “Don’t go out there, Gobo! It’s dangerous!”
Even Marena now began to urge him. “Stay here! For my sake stay here today ... it’s dangerous!”
Gobo stood there and grinned in embarrassment. “Danger! Danger! Why should I be bothered about that?”
The danger of the moment gave Bambi an idea. “At least let Marena go out first, then we’ll know ...”
He had not finished speaking before Marena had already slipped out there.
All three stood there and looked at her. Bambi and Faline held their breath, Gobo was openly patient, as if he wanted to let the others have their foolish way.
They watched as Marena walked, step by step, onto the meadow, slowly, her head raised high, her legs hesitant. She looked round and smelt the air on every side.
She suddenly turned round, as quick as lightning, a high leap and, as if blown in by a storm, she was back in the thicket. “He ... He’s there ...” she whispered in a voice that was choking in horror. Her whole body was shaking. “I ... I... saw ... Him ... He ... is ... there ...” she stammered, “up there ... He’s standing there ... by the alder tree ...”