“Quite a number of them came to the jungle, because there are so many acorns. They intended to hibernate here. I remembered how kind you had been to me, so I sent messengers to all the bees for miles around to drive the bears out of Squirreltown. We intend to keep them out of this jungle. We will watch your city every day and woe betide the bear that enters! Should one attempt to pass the city limits, an alarm will be sent out, and at least a thousand bees will chase him until he falls down exhausted. Bears, deer, and buffaloes are cowards. However, they do look very dreadful to small creatures like us.”
“I can never repay you for your courtesies,” said Tiny, this time bowing so low that his bushy tail looked like a canopy over his head.
“Now run along home before my army returns,” continued the queen. “All the citizens of Squirreltown know that you are coming, and that you are their deliverer. I will send a few of my messengers to guide you, and to conduct your friends back to the jungle where they can eat all they want, and store things for winter use. Goodby.”
The queen bee flew back into the stump, buzzing happily. Tiny laughed, cried, chattered, and sang for joy. After helping himself to a few berries and pine cones, he picked up his bunting bag and trudged along to Squirreltown, as happy as a king.
CHAPTER X.
The bees that had been sent to guide Tiny back to Squirreltown did not speak a word. They flew a short distance ahead of him, occasionally stopping to rest or to take refreshment from the cup of a wild rose.
What was Tiny’s joy when again he beheld the familiar trees of Squirreltown! His delight knew no bounds when the squirrels, red, gray, and black, scurried forth from their homes to welcome him. Soon he was the center of an excited group. They stroked his fur, pulled his beard, and shouted joyfully:
