A wicked gleam flashed from the eyes of Shrike the Butcher Bird. “Rusty and Mr. Woodpecker are self-conceited birds, and what they think don’t amount to much. Little I’d care what they said or did.”
“But they won’t carry my message,” added Spotted Tail. “And if no one will do it how can I save the rabbits of the woods from the terrible thing that is coming to them?”
“What is this terrible thing?” queried the Shrike, growing interested.
“It’s about Bumper the White Rabbit,” continued the dejected rabbit, sighing heavily. “He has come into the woods to rule over all my people, and he is a cruel, selfish king. He intends to make all of us his slaves. He won’t listen to reason, but says he’s appointed to rule, and any one who disputes his right he will drive from the woods.”
The Shrike smiled. “Why don’t you drive him from the woods?” he asked. “I never knew you to be afraid of anything. I’d quickly put an end to his rule.”
“Quite right, Mr. Shrike. I would do it if it was only Bumper I had to fight. But he has come into our burrow, and by tricks and strange ways won over Old Blind Rabbit, Fuzzy Wuzz, Goggle Eyes, and all the others. They’re going to help him to rule in the woods.”
“Ah! Hum!” mused the Shrike. “So that’s the trouble! You’re the only good rabbit in the burrow?”
“Oh, no, I didn’t mean that,” protested Spotted Tail. “I’m no better than the others, but he couldn’t deceive me. I saw through his tricks, and because I opposed him I’m in disfavor.”
“And what is this message you want me to carry to the rest of the rabbits in the woods?”
“I wish to put them on their guard so Bumper cannot deceive them. If they would rise in their might they could overwhelm him even if all my family backed him up. If a revolt isn’t begun right away, he will win them by degrees, and then it will be too late.”