Reflecting awhile, Leopardess looked around and saw Monkey near by, sitting gravely on a branch watching her.
“Come down, Monkey,” she imperatively commanded, “and sit by this burrow and watch the murdering slave who is within, while I procure materials to smoke him out.”
Monkey obeyed, and descending the tree, took his position at the mouth of the burrow. But it struck him that should Dog venture out, his strength would be unable to resist him. He therefore begged Leopardess to stay a moment, while he went to bring a rock with which he could block the hole securely. When this was done Leopardess said, “Now stay here, and do not stir until I return; I will not be long, and when I come I will fix him.”
Leopardess, leaving the burrow in charge of Monkey, commenced to collect a large quantity of dry grass, and then proceeded to her house to procure fire wherewith to light it, and suffocate Dog with the smoke.
Dog, soon after entering the burrow had turned himself round and faced the hole, to be ready for all emergencies. He had heard Leopardess give her orders to Monkey, had heard Monkey’s plans for blockading him, as well as the threat of Leopardess to smoke him out. There was not much hope for him if he stayed longer.
After a little while he crept close to the rock that blocked his exit, and whispered:
“Monkey, let me out, there’s a good fellow.”
“It may not be,” replied Monkey.
“Ah, Monkey, why are you so cruel? I have not done any harm to you. Why do you stand guard over me to prevent my escape?”
“I am simply obeying orders, Dog. Leopardess said, ‘Stay here and watch, and see that Dog does not escape;’ and I must do so or harm will come to me, as you know.”