"Dear me! I'm glad it's way out there instead of here!"
"But can't you see that it's coming here?"
And so it was. Gradually this fact dawned upon one fowl after another, till all were in commotion.
"Well, what would you have us do about this Monster of yours?" demanded a hen querulously. She felt that since Eustace had, so to speak, flaunted the objectionable thing in their faces, it was for him to get them rid of it.
"I would suggest, madam, that you retire to a place of security. We males will defend you."
Then going again to the rooster and the turkey, he said:
"Clarence, you had better take command. You know more about fighting than any of the rest of us."
"Very well," replied the rooster without enthusiasm. "But I'm not much at this military business. All my fighting experience has been in the line of duels—just formal affairs between bird and bird for the sake of ladies' favors—and I can't say I'm very keen for a proposition like this. But Jim, here, ought to be able to make an impression on it: he's the most formidable blusterer going."
"I'm afraid you overrate me," said the turkey hastily. "I—er—I'm willing, of course, to do my share in any general plan that may be decided on. But I should not advise you to count on me too heavily, for, while I am able to maintain a bold front and a resolute tail against such light skirmishers as cats, lapdogs, babies, and so forth, I could hardly cope with this modern machinery of destruction."
Meanwhile the Monster continued its ever-diminishing spirals. Its proximity appeared particularly menacing on the side of the barnyard which was unprotected by a fence. Here Clarence, at the earnest suggestion of Eustace, drew up all the males who would respond to his call for volunteers. Most of them were afraid. Their beaks chattered.