"I am not a slave either!" said he. "And I won't work unless I please."
"O yes, that is all well enough to say now," replied the wood-beaver; "but you dare not go over to the other stream with me, to save your life."
"How far is it?" asked Binney.
"O, not very far! Just beyond these woods, and across a meadow. There are plenty of lily roots there, and nice red raspberries besides; but they will never do you any good, because you are afraid to go after them."
"I am not at all afraid," said Binney. "I will go this minute, if you will only show me the way."
"Come along with me then," said the wood-beaver. "Now you show some spirit. I should not wonder if you turned out a fine fellow after all."
Binney was just silly enough to be vastly pleased at being flattered by his companion, and they walked along together through the woods, talking as they went.
It was a long walk, and Binney was very tired before they reached the place; but he dared not say so, for fear the wood-beaver should laugh at him. At last, however, they reached the meadow, where they were joined by several other wood-beavers, as ragged, dirty, and ill-bred as his guide, who stared at Binney in a very rude manner, saying "Hollo! What young one is this dressed up so very fine?"
"It is one of the town-beavers," said Binney's friend; "he wanted to see a little of life, so I brought him along."
"Yes, to be a spy upon us, and then run home and tell tales," said a very large and rough looking fellow. "Better bite his head off, and stop his tattling once for all."