“Never!” shouted some one, and others started up with various cries. “He deceived us! He summoned Mr. Fox and Buster the Bear to kill us! I shall never believe him again!”
A faint smile spread over Old Blind Rabbit’s face.
“Then, if that’s true,” he continued, “how can you believe the rumors he spread in the woods about Bumper the White Rabbit? Were they not lies too?”
This question caused a sudden sensation. No one had quite thought of this. If Shrike had betrayed them to Mr. Fox and Buster, why could it not be true that the whole story was part of a trick made up by him?
“But Spotted Tail sent the news by him,” said White Tail suddenly.
“Shrike said so, but did you see Spotted Tail himself?” asked Old Blind Rabbit.
“Why, no, I didn’t see him,” replied White Tail.
“Nor I! Nor I!” spoke up Pink Nose, Rolly Polly, and all the others in turn.
“Then,” resumed Old Blind Rabbit, “how do we know that the whole story wasn’t invented by Shrike to stir up trouble?”
“That’s so,” laughed Brindley. “I never thought of that. But where’s Spotted Tail? Let him speak for himself.”