At that moment a terrible thumping sound was heard.
“What is that!” exclaimed Tiny, unconsciously drawing nearer to Reynard for protection.
“It is a warning for us to keep quiet,” said the fox. “Billy Beaver, the janitor, makes that noise with his tail whenever we become boisterous at night. You know that whenever a beaver wishes to warn his companions that danger is near, he makes a thumping sound with his tail. Really, the only clever thing about a beaver is his tail.”
The fireflies settled down to rest, leaving the roommates in darkness. Although Reynard slept soundly, Tiny did not close his eyes until he was so exhausted that he could keep them open no longer.
CHAPTER XIV.
Tiny was glad when the rosy dawn peeped over the eastern hills once more. The little dark room in which he lay did not look so cheerless in the bright light of day.
Again there came the sound of knocking that resembled the beating of a drum.
