“We walked,” the Rhino replied in a chilly voice. His piggy eyes kept close watch and he refused to move an inch from his secure retreat.
“We?” Grim Waugh pricked up his ears and looked nervously about him. “Who? Where?” he asked.
The question reminded Wulli of the wrong done him the evening before.
“The Mammoth. He ran away and left me alone,” was his sullen response. “But my turn will come next. Wait and see.”
“Oho!” thought the Lion. “The Mammoth and this rascal have quarrelled.” Of course Hairi must be somewhere near. Grun Waugh had almost forgotten him, although fully aware of the friendship between the pair which did not meet with his approval. Either the Rhinoceros or Mammoth was a difficult proposition for the strongest flesh-eater to contend with. Combined, they were invincible. He saw that Wulli was cherishing some grudge against his partner and inwardly vowed that the breach must be widened at any cost. Once divided, the pair could be dealt with, singly, thereby insuring greater chance of success.
“Hagh! I am not surprised that you are vexed,” he said with an effort to instil a bit of sympathy into his voice. “No animal could endure what he says about you.”
This was going a trifle too fast. Wulli preferred fighting his own battles.
“Oo-wee!” he squealed; “I have not asked your advice. Fun is fun and hurts nobody.”
Grun Waugh saw that he must begin again. He caught sight of the wood-chunk on Wulli’s horn and took a shot at random:
“Hagh! even so. You could not find the heart to be angry even though somebody fastened a piece of wood on the end of your horn.”