"In that case," said Bill, "we shall take a course north-west, for it's my belief that havin' stolen our Puddin' they'll make back to winter quarters."
"We will pursue to the north-west with the utmost vigour," said
Bunyip.
"Swearin' never to give in till revenge has been inflicted and our Puddin' restored to us," said Bill.
"In order to exacerbate our just anger," said Bunyip Bluegum, "let us sing as we go—
THE PUDDIN'-OWNERS' QUEST
"On a terrible quest we run north-west,
In a terrible rage we run;
With never a rest we run north-west
Till our terrible work is done.
Without delay
Away, away,
In a terrible rage we run all day.
"By our terrible zest you've doubtless guessed
That vengeance is our work;
For we seek the nest with terrible zest
Where the puddin'-snatchers lurk.
With rage, with gloom,
With fret and fume,
We seek the puddin'-snatchers' doom."
They ran north-west for two hours without seeing a sign of the Puddin'-thieves. Benjimen ran with them to exact revenge for the theft of his bag. It was hot work running, and having no Puddin' they couldn't have lunch, but Benjimen very generously handed eggs all round again.
"Eggs is all very well," said Bill, eating them in despair, "but they don't come up to Puddin' as a regular diet, and all I can say is, that if that Puddin' ain't restored soon I shall go mad with grief."
"I shall go mad with rage," said Sam, and they both sang loudly—