“I’ll try to carry you, Stripe,” he said finally. “The river is nearby, and maybe I can do it. Run up on my back, and hold tight.”
Sleepy the Opossum gained on Bumper after that. The white rabbit couldn’t possibly keep up with him. But he reached the river finally, with Stripe the Chipmunk, Lazy the Snail, Spotty the Chameleon and White Foot the Deer Mouse clinging to his back. In the next story you will hear of how they crossed the river.
STORY VIII
How They Crossed the River
It was a strange sight that met them when they reached the edge of the river. All the animals of the woods, big and little, four-legged and two-legged, and those without any legs, such as Killer the Snake, were congregated there on the bank. Some of them who naturally loved the water, such as Billy the Mink and Browny the Muskrat, were already in the river, swimming for the other side.
But most of them were waiting, dipping their feet in the water, and then withdrawing them. They didn’t like to take the long swim unless it was necessary. They kept looking over their shoulders to see if the fire was near, and then glancing longingly at the other shore.
Bumper sighed with relief when he saw Fuzzy Wuzz, Spotted Tail and Old Blind Rabbit waiting for him. “Oh, Bumper, we were so worried about you!” exclaimed Fuzzy Wuzz. “I’m glad you’re here!”
“There wasn’t any need to worry about me,” replied Bumper. “I can look after myself. But where’s Rolly Polly and his family?”