“HOO-AH! Yo-ho! H-e-r-e! This way!”
Adrian followed the voice. It led him aside into the woods on the eastern slope, and it was accompanied by an indescribable babel of noises. Running water, screaming of wild fowl, cooing of pigeons, barking of dogs or some other beasts, cackling, chattering, laughter.
All the sounds of wild life ceased suddenly in the tree-tops as Adrian approached, recognizing and fearing his alien presence. But they were reassured by Margot’s familiar summons, and soon the menagerie he had suspected was gathered about her.
“Whew! it just rains squirrels—and chipmunks—and birds! Hello! that’s a fawn; that’s a fox! as sure as I’m alive, a magnificent red fox! Why isn’t he eating the whole outfit? And—hurrah!”
To the amazement of the watcher, there came from the depths of the woods a sound that always thrills the pulses of any hunter—the cry of a moose-calf, accompanied by a soft crashing of branches, growing gradually louder.
“So they tame even the moose—these wonderful people! What next!” and as Adrian leaned forward the better to watch the advance of this uncommon pet, the next concerning which he had speculated also approached. Slowly up the river bank stalked a pair of blue herons, and for them Margot had her warmest welcome.
“Heigho, Xanthippé, Socrates! What laggards! But here’s your breakfast, or one of them. I suppose you’ve eaten the other long ago. Indeed, you’re always eating, gourmands!”
The red fox eyed the new-comers with a longing eye and crept cautiously to his mistress’ side as she coaxed the herons nearer. But she was always prepared for any outbreak of nature among her forest friends, and drew him also close to her with the caressing touch she might have bestowed upon a beloved house-dog.
“Reynard, you beauty! your head in my lap, sir;” and dropping to a sitting posture, she forced him to obey her. There he lay, winking but alert, which she scattered her store of good things right and left. There were nuts for the squirrels and ’munks, grains and seeds for the winged creatures, and for the herons, as well as Reynard, a few bits of dried meat. But for Browser, the moose-calf, she pulled the tender twigs and foliage with a lavish hand. When she had given some dainty to each of her oddly-assorted pets, she sprang up, closed the box, and waved her arms in dismissal. The more timid of the creatures obeyed her, but some held their ground persistently, hoping for greater favors. To these she paid no further attention, and still keeping hold of Reynard’s neck, started back to her human guest.