His voice was a sort of chatter and chirp, like that of some bird, but Slicko could understand it pretty well.
“It is I, if you please,” said Slicko. “I am a little girl squirrel, and I am staying at my aunt’s nest, but she isn’t home. Who are you, if you please?”
“I am Mappo, the merry monkey,” was the answer. “But I can’t see you. Where are you?”
“Down in these leaves,” answered Slicko, and she waved her tail, so Mappo could see her.
“Oh, there you are!” cried the monkey, and down he scrambled beside her. “What are you doing here?” asked Mappo.
“I am hiding away from a hunter and his dog,” went on the little squirrel. “All our family ran away from our nest, and I came here. But my aunt is gone too, so I am all alone.”
“Never mind,” said Mappo, kindly, “I am all alone also, so we will keep each other company.”
“Where did you come from?” asked Slicko, who had never before seen a monkey.
“Oh, I used to live in a big woods, with my brothers and sisters,” said Mappo. “But, of late, I have been with a circus. I ran away from my cage in the circus though, and came to these woods. And I’ve had the most fun! I met a comical little pig named—”