STORY IX
The Truce
That was a great ride across the river on Buster’s back. Bobby Gray Squirrel had no difficulty in clinging to the Bear’s thick wool, for his claws were made to dig into things and hold on; but Bumper felt like a shipwrecked mariner riding the waves on a cockle-shell. Every time Buster pitched forward, or turned his head sideways or looked up at the sky, Bumper clutched with all four paws at the shaggy head, and felt that he would be dumped into the water to finish the trip alone. It was a balancing act with him that made every moment perilous and uncertain.
Now all the other animals and birds who had escaped from the fire were lined upon the shore, and when they saw Buster the Bear swimming toward them with Bumper the White Rabbit perched on his head and Bobby Gray Squirrel clinging to his back they stared in amazement, rubbing their eyes, and wondering if they were seeing things that were really not so. Then as the truth of the funny sight dawned upon them, they sat up a shout of welcome. The birds whistled; the animals barked or squealed; Killer the Snake squirmed and hissed, and Rolly Polly and Pink Nose lay back and laughed until the tears streamed down their cheeks.
Suddenly a loud, harsh “Ha! Ha! Ha!” rose above the din. It was Mr. Crow laughing at the funny picture.
The others immediately changed their tune, and the woods rang with laughter. Even Sneaky the Wolf showed his teeth in a grin, and made a noise that sounded like a chuckle and Mr. Fox rolled over and over in convulsions of merriment.
Shrike the Butcher Bird screamed with delight, and forgot his grudge against the other birds, and Singer the Mocking Bird began imitating the cries and chuckles of the others until the forest fairly bubbled with mirthful sounds. Buster didn’t quite understand the meaning of it all, but after a while, puffing and panting, he reached shallow water, and began wading ashore.
“Are they laughing at us?” he asked suddenly. “It’s no laughing matter,” he added with a growl. He objected to being made the butt of a joke, although he liked to play jokes on others.
“They don’t mean anything unkind, Buster,” Bumper said. “They are happy to think you’ve saved us.”
“Huh! That’s a funny way to show it,” snorted Buster.
And when he crawled up on dry land, and saw Sneaky the Wolf grinning, he cuffed him on the ear, and added: