“No one shall leave until this matter is settled,” said Cho-gay, as he rose to his feet. “Our Brother Kaw says the words of the fox are true; let us hear why he says so.”
“You do not doubt the word of Kaw,” cried Sandy desperately. “Why should he tell—”
“Let Brother Kaw tell! Let him tell! Let him tell!” came the voices of the coyotes.
“Let us hear the proof, Brother Kaw,” added Wongo.
“Our ears are waiting for the proof,” said Cho-gay, as he folded his arms commandingly.
No word or act of the situation had escaped the old crow and he was enjoying himself more than he had for many a day. Clearing his croaking voice, he began:
“It was this way, for our Brother Sandy did pass through the air just as he has said. One evening I saw Sandy and Rip coming down through the sage valley on the other side of Skull-top mountain. I could see that they were tired and hungry and I said to myself, ‘I shall tell them where to find good hunting.’ I flew over to a tree under which they would pass and as they came beneath it I called out:
“‘To the fierce and the strong, we two belong;
That’s why we’re fat and merry.
Oh, we’re out for game that’s strong or lame,