“You must start at once with the Chipmunks,” he said, looking most kindly at Ready, who came and knelt before him. “Good running will bring you to the end of the woods by dawn. I have telegraphed ahead to have your breakfast waiting for you under the last oak tree in the woods.
“It is to be guarded by the Red Headed Woodpecker, who has kindly consented to give his services. Rest here a half hour, but no longer.
“Then the Swallows will show you the way to the beach. They have promised to fly low so that you will not lose them.
“About noon, you will meet a Field Mouse. If she says, ‘Ready,’ you will follow her to a place where your dinner will be hidden. There you will meet the Sandpiper, who will take you along the beach until you come to an inlet.
“You must go the rest of the way alone, as the Heron, who was to take you, has appendicitis. The road, however is straight ahead and will take you to your master’s home.”
The Chipmunks were putting on their overcoats
Ready bowed low before the Eagle, barking his thanks again and again, while the Chipmunks were putting on their overcoats for the journey.
Some one called out “Speech, speech,” but the Eagle put a stop to that by saying that Ready needed to save his strength for the journey.
