All the day he flew from burrow to burrow, spreading the evil news, until by night every rabbit in the woods knew of Bumper’s coming, and believed that he was going to declare himself king and make every one of his people a slave. There was a pow-wow that night in every burrow, and the talk of what to do ran high. Some were angry and indignant; others more amused than angry, and a few so belligerent that they wanted to set out on the war path at once.
When the Shrike returned to Spotted Tail, he gleefully told all that he had done, and seemed greatly amused by the latter’s joy. Spotted Tail thanked him over and over again until the Shrike’s amusement was uncontrollable. He laughed and whistled as if it were a very great joke. Then, cocking his head sideways, he added:
“You needn’t thank me, Spotted Tail, for I didn’t do it to please you. It was just to spite the other birds.”
“Just the same you have done me a great favor, and I’m grateful for it,” was the answer.
“Favor! Favor, you call it! Ha! Ha! Ha! Wait and see, Spotted Tail. My mission isn’t done yet.”
“You haven’t told all the rabbits?”
“Yes, and now I’m going to tell all the animals—Buster the Bear, Mr. Fox, Billy the Mink, Washer the Raccoon, and all the others. There’ll be a right merry time when they see you fighting among yourselves. I think Mr. Fox and Buster may take a hand in it. What a chance they’ll have for a good meal!”
And still laughing shrilly, he flew away, leaving Spotted Tail in a very unpleasant frame of mind. Suppose the other animals should take advantage of the revolt to pounce upon the rabbits. How much innocent blood would be spilled because of his trickery!
STORY X
RUSTY WARNS BUMPER
Of course, Bumper knew nothing about the revolt that Spotted Tail had stirred up in the woods against him. After all, he felt a little sympathy for Spotted Tail when all the others began to ignore him and give him the cold shoulder. But really there was nothing he could do, for Spotted Tail had brought the trouble all on himself because of his envy and spite.