“O Bumper, you have heaped coals of fire on my head!” he exclaimed. “You have made me ashamed of myself. I wronged you because I was envious and jealous of your power. I told Shrike to spread the news that you were a king come to make all the rabbits in the North Woods your slaves. Now they’re all your friends. But you have one slave. I, Bumper, am your slave. Ask anything of me, and I will do it.”
“Then I ask one thing, Spotted Tail,” was the reply, “and you’ve promised to grant it.”
“Yes, I have promised, not knowing what it is.”
“It is very simple, Spotted Tail. Never let me hear you call yourself my slave again. Instead, speak of me as your friend, and if you wish to gain my favors call yourself my friend. Is that too much to promise?”
“It’s not enough, O Bumper. But as you say. I’m your friend—now and forevermore. You believe me?”
“Yes, I know you speak the truth.”
STORY XIV
SPOTTED TAIL PROVES HIS LOYALTY
Old Blind Rabbit was so pleased with the result of the revolt, and especially with Bumper’s forgiveness of Spotted Tail, that he immediately proclaimed a great feast to celebrate it. All the younger rabbits were sent forth in the woods to gather food for the banquet, and they came back laden with the most delicious roots and succulent leaves until their mouths watered. The burrow was piled high with them, as if it was being stocked against a ten-day siege by Mr. Fox and Buster the Bear.
“Now we will eat and be merry,” Old Blind Rabbit said when they were all gathered around the festive board. “May no more trouble come to my family or to any of the other rabbits of the woods!”
Bumper was called upon to make a speech, which he did, and Spotted Tail led the others in clapping his paws at the conclusion. While the excitement was running high, Old Blind Rabbit whispered in Bumper’s ear: