The Ermine found him there.
“H’m,” thought the Ermine, “that’s the Farmer himself, isn’t it? I better take him before any one else gets him.”
So the Ermine dragged the Farmer’s body out of the pit, put it on a sledge, and then, after taking a bite, began hauling it away.
Presently he met the Squirrel who clapped his hands in surprise.
“God bless you, brother!” the Squirrel exclaimed, “what’s that you’re hauling behind you?”
“It’s the Farmer himself,” the Ermine explained. “He fell into the pit that he had digged for us poor forest folk and serve him right, too! Take a bite of him and then come along and help me pull.”
“Very well,” the Squirrel said.
He took a bite of the Farmer and then marched along beside the Ermine, helping him to pull the sledge.
Presently they met Jussi, the Hare. Jussi looked at them in amazement, his eyes popping out of his head.
“Mercy me!” he cried, “what’s that you two are hauling?”