All the while he was thinking of Fuzzy Wuzz and Old Blind Rabbit. Would they run for the river, or would they wait for him to return? It distressed him to think that he had not been able to warn Whip-Poor-Will and Hermit the Thrush as he had promised. Would they wait for him?
He put forth all his strength to gain on the other animals, and soon found himself in the lead again. He passed Buster the Bear and Billy the Mink and Sleepy the Opossum.
“I wish I could run as fast as you, Bumper,” Sleepy wailed. “I’m afraid I’ll be too late.”
“No, there’s time enough, Billy,” replied Bumper. “I want to run ahead to warn Fuzzy Wuzz and Old Blind Rabbit.”
“Oh, they’ll know the fire’s coming long before you reach home. Won’t you wait for me? I’m terribly frightened, and if you leave me behind I know I’ll die.”
Bumper slowed down to comfort Billy. He ran alongside of him for a time to keep him company. This put new heart in Billy, and of course hope gave him strength and he really ran faster than before.
They nearly stumbled over White-Foot the Deer Mouse, who had been running as fast as his little legs would permit him. But he curled up now, and stopped, panting for breath.
“What’s the matter, White Foot?” asked Bumper.
“I’m all in,” panted White Foot. “I can’t run another step. I’ve run all the way from Bald Mountain today, and I’m too tired to take another step.”
“But the fire will catch you here,” protested Bumper. “You must try again.”