“What do you see that’s so funny, Sneaky? I didn’t see you saving anybody but your own skin.”
Sneaky snarled and drew away.
“I wasn’t as thoughtful as you, Buster,” he sneered. “If I had been I’d carried over two or three rabbits to eat when I got ashore. But Bobby and Bumper will only make a mouthful for you.”
“You think I saved them to eat them?” snapped Buster angrily.
“Why, certainly,” politely replied Sneaky drawing away from the big paws. “What else would you save them for?”
Bobby and Bumper didn’t like the expression on Sneaky’s face, and they felt like running and hiding, but they decided Buster was a good enough protector for them, and they remained close by his side.
“No, Buster saved them for us,” remarked Mr. Fox slyly. “We ought to thank him for it.”
“Come here, Mr. Fox, and thank me,” snarled Buster, turning suddenly.
“No, thank you,” replied Mr. Fox, trotting to a safe distance. “I can thank you here just as well.”
Now that they were all safe on the other side of the river, the old hunting instincts of the bigger animals were returning, and the natural timidity of the smaller ones began to show itself. While caught in the fire a truce had been declared, but they were all safe now.