Adventures in the Land of Canaan | Page 5

had forgotten that
the Owl's usual position was just behind the sentry-box. Or, if they
thought of it at all, they gave no heed to the fact, being aware that the
Owl was accustomed to sleep during the whole of the day.
It so happened, however, that at the very moment the Mouse began his
conversation with the Sentry, the Owl awakened with a start from a bad
daymare, and all but hooted with fright. Growing calm as he became
wider awake, he was going off to sleep again,--when the name of the
Rabbit caught his ear. Being well acquainted with both him and the
Mouse, whose squeaking voice he recognized, the Owl listened to what
was being said, at first with drowsy then with startled attention.
He only waited until he had learned all the details of the vile plot, and
then, overcoming, in the cause of friendship, every desire to close his
heavy eyes, he stole away, and imparted his startling news to the
astonished Rabbit.
"Impossible!" exclaimed his hearer, letting his drum-stick fall with a
crash upon the instrument he had been industriously practising. "I
would as soon doubt my own honor as that of the little Mouse--my
friend and companion through weal and woe. Impossible! You must
have dreamt it, or invented it."
"Don't be so hasty in your judgment," remarked the Owl. "I have
neither dreamt nor invented it. If you doubt me go without delay to the
brown Horse's stable, where you will find the Mouse at this present
moment talking with his wicked companion. I will wait here until you
return, in case I may be needed to help you in your difficulty."

"Many thanks," said the Rabbit, and leaving his drum in charge of the
Owl he hurried away.
But a short time passed, and then he returned with a look of horror and
dismay.
"All you have told me is but too true," he exclaimed. "Let me tender
you my most sincere apologies for having doubted your word. Unseen
by my faithless friend, I listened to his conversation with the Horse,
and overheard more than enough to convince me of the truth of your
story.
"Yet who," he continued sorrowfully, "who could have believed it of
that little Mouse? Who would have imagined so great an amount of
deceit dwelt in so small a body?"
Then he recovered his spirit. "I will baulk him yet!" he exclaimed, his
pink eyes flashing, and his white fur bristling with excitement.
"How can I help you?" asked the Owl. "I will endeavor to keep awake
as long as I am wanted."
"Wait a moment," answered the Rabbit, and then he beat a tattoo
thoughtfully on his drum. "I think I have arrived at a conclusion," he
said presently. "I will meet their dastardly plot by a counter-plot. I do
not expect the Mouse back for another half-hour; he told me he should
be busy till half-past twelve putting away our recent earnings. This will
just give us time to do what I wish.
"Here is my plot," he continued. "Having procured a bottle of gum we
will go to the sentry-box, at the back of which you will take up your
position. I will tell the Sentry you have been telling me a most comical
little dream you have had--the one, indeed, you told me of late. He is a
great fellow for good stories, and will certainly hurry off to hear it.
"Whilst he is away I will spread the bottom of the sentry-box with gum.
When, on his return, he steps into the box, I shall keep him still, and
give the gum time to take effect, by offering him a bet of a gold piece

that he will not stand perfectly motionless whilst I go home and back.
He is very fond of a bet, and is sure to accept it. Leaving you to see that
he acts fairly, I shall go and meet the Mouse, returning here for the
performance which is to be suggested.
"That, however, I shall cut short, having no desire to waste my talent on
a villain like the Sentry. I shall turn away with the Mouse, who, on
giving the signal agreed upon, will, to his amazement, find that it is
followed by no result. For by that time the Sentry will be gummed so
tightly to the floor of his sentry-box that he will not be able to move an
inch.
"Having enjoyed the sight of their confusion I shall punish them, biting
off the head of the Mouse--for whose deceit no punishment can be too
severe,--and beating the Sentry about the head until he can't see out of
his eyes. Nor shall the Horse escape my vengeance. I shall creep into
his stall, and suddenly,