And what do you think happened to the Condor?
Just as they were coming to the city and the bird was looking back, talking to Kernel Cob and the others, and everything looked so happy and bright....
"Look out!" shouted Kernel Cob, but it was too late. Straight ahead was a tall tree, toward which the bird was flying, and from the branches came a puff of smoke and the sharp crack of a gun.
The next instant the Condor stopped flying, and slowly sank to the ground.
"I am done for," she said in a feeble voice. "It is just the way of all birds. I am sorry that I cannot help you more. Good-bye."
By this time she had reached the ground, and Kernel Cob was in a very great rage. He wanted to stay and fight the hunter who would soon come to take the bird, but Sweetclover and the Villain begged him to be prudent and run away, lest they all be captured.
So with great sorrow, they said good-bye to the Condor and hurried away.
From behind a rock, they watched the hunter take up the bird and carry it away.
And our three little friends sat down upon a stone to think.
"I don't know what to do," said Sweetclover. "We have lost our best friend."