A LONG LINE OF CREATURES WAS
COMING DOWN THE SHUTE.
“Gracious!” he cried, pointing excitedly towards the top of the shute, “there’s something else coming down! Why it’s the Doctor-in-Law and Madame. Oh!—and the Cockatoo—and—the Rabbit and the Mole. Bless me! if the whole of Why isn’t coming along.”
It was quite true; attached to a strong rope a long line of creatures was coming down the shute, the Doctor-in-Law leading the way.
He soon caught sight of us dangling at the end of our rods, and calling out “Halt!” in a loud voice, he pulled at the rope as a sign that they were to stop. This signal was passed along by the others, and the Cockatoo, who was attached to the rope in a very uncomfortable manner, gave a loud “squ-a-a-k” as the sudden jerk caused it to tighten about her neck.
The signal, however, managed somehow to reach those at the other end, for the procession suddenly came to a standstill.
“Oh, there you are then!” called out the Doctor-in-Law in a severe voice. “Thought you had escaped us, I suppose.”
The Cockatoo, in a voice choking with rage, and the tightened rope, shrieked out, “Down with the traitors!” while the Rabbit passed the word along, “It’s all right. We’ve found them.”
“Just you come down and tie yourself to this rope at once!” called out Madame, glaring fiercely at the Wallypug.