Suddenly Robin woke up, drew a hunting knife from his belt and slashed the serpent's tail, setting himself free. The reptile turned its arched head towards him, showed its tiger-like fangs and hissed as from a pipe of steam. Robin jumped back a little and picked up his gun. Placing it to his shoulder, he took rapid aim within a few feet of the serpent's head—bang went fire and smoke and bullet—snake and bear tumbled down together and rolled upon the grass. The unusual sometimes happens, a boy had done the work of the bravest man. The huge, dark monster was shot through the head, and its long, scaly body twisted and quivered in death.
Hug-grippy, slowly disentangling himself, went down to the brook all in a tremble, and freely drank of the water. He rested for a little in the cooling stream and rose up refreshed. Coming forward to Robin, he licked his extended hand in unspoken thankfulness. As a member of a kindness class he had come to the aid of Silver Ribbon just in time to break the spell, yet he himself would have perished but for the timely aid of a brave, true boy.
"Hurrah for my beloved young master, and for dear old Hug-grippy," shrieked Chattie in hysteric happiness.
"Don't mention me," said Bruin softly, with a smile broad and funny.
"Nor me," said Robin modestly; "it is due to us all," added he with a sweet becoming smile.
And the young soldier-teacher, with Chattie on his shoulder and Hug-grippy by his side carrying the gun, went home with glad and exultant heart to the quaint castle.
Silver Ribbon became completely changed, working honestly and well; and from that time forward she was respected and loved.
The awful conflict was never forgotten by the many pets of Castle Frank: they talked over it now and again all their lives, and they thought how good and great was the young master, who went through such trouble and danger for the benefit of creatures so much his inferior.
"I guess," said Red Ribbon on a certain occasion, "Master Robin understands that we have feelings as well as human people."
Chattie, who could quote Scripture, sometimes more appropriately than greater parrots, chimed in—