Loup promised again and again that he would let the rabbits and small animals alone. Buster accepted his word as he had that of the others, and Loup sprang away into the woods and disappeared from sight.
“I don’t know whether they’ll keep their word, Bumper,” Buster said when they were alone. “But at any rate they’ve had a big scare, and fear will keep them away for a time. I think your people will enjoy peace for a time.”
“Yes, and all due to you, Buster,” replied Bumper. “I’ve tried to make friends with all the birds and animals, but Loup, Sneaky and Mr. Fox wouldn’t meet me half way.”
“Some people are that way, Bumper. They’re good only as long as the policeman’s around. Hereafter I’ll be the policeman in this woods.”
Bumper nodded, for he believed that this was true.
“Then you’ve made friends with all the other animals?” Buster asked after a while.
“Yes, Mr. Beaver and Billy the Mink and Washer the Raccoon are my friends. And so are Gray Back the Weasel and Billy Porcupine and Sleepy the Opossum.”
“How about me, Bumper?” grinned Buster when he stopped.
“Why, you’ve always been my friend, Buster, didn’t you know it?”
“Well,” growled Buster, “maybe I did and maybe I didn’t.” Then smiling at the white rabbit he added: “You go home now and tell your people there’s going to be peace in the woods hereafter. If you can agree among yourselves, I’ll see that Loup and Sneaky and Mr. Fox don’t bother you any more. If they do you just tell me.”