Catching Freddie Weasel Asleep
When Frisky Squirrel saw Freddie Weasel disappear in the hole in thebank he became greatly excited. He forgot all about going home. Andthough he had begun to feel somewhat sleepy, he was wide awake againin no time. He sat right down, a little way from the hole, and henever once took his eyes off it.
Frisky hoped that perhaps he would hear Freddie snoring in there, ifhe waited long enough. But no such thing happened. There seemed to bebut one way to discover whether Freddie was asleep, and that was tocreep into the hole himself and find out.
Now, Frisky Squirrel was no coward, as you know. But he did not likethe idea of crawling into that narrow, dark place. He knew thatFreddie Weasel's teeth were very sharp. And he knew that Freddie wasquick to use them, too.
Frisky was trying hard to think of some good way to catch Freddieasleep, when who should come strolling along but Henry Skunk! Friskyalways supposed that he was called "Henry" because he was so fond ofhens--for he visited Farmer Green's hen-house oftener than any otherof the forest-people--but whether that was why he was so named Ishould really not want to say.
"Well, well! You're out pretty late," Henry Skunk called, as soon ashe saw Frisky.
Frisky Squirrel held a paw to his mouth, so Henry Skunk would not talktoo loudly.
"What's going on?" Henry Skunk asked, with growing interest. "Youhaven't seen a hen around here, have you?"
Frisky shook his head.
"It's Freddie Weasel--" he explained, pointing at the hole. "He's inthere; and I'm trying to catch him asleep."
Henry Skunk came nearer.
"Why don't you go inside?" he asked.
Frisky shook his head again.
"I don't see very well in the dark," he said, "and I'd rather not."
Henry nodded.
"I can see first rate at night," he told Frisky. "I'll find out foryou if Freddie Weasel is asleep. And if he is, I'll come right backand tell you, and then you can go in with me and see for yourself."
"Good!" said Frisky. "That's very kind of you, I'm sure."
So Henry Skunk walked up to the hole. It was entirely too small forhim to enter.
"I'll have to make it bigger," he remarked.
"Won't Freddie hear you?" Frisky Squirrel inquired.
"I'll be very quiet about it," Henry Skunk replied. "So if he's asleepI hardly think I'll disturb him." And at that Henry set to work.
Now, in order to dig, he had to stick his head into the hole. But heknew he could see Freddie Weasel if Freddie tried to bite his nose; soHenry was not afraid. How he did make the dirt fly! Frisky wished thathe could dig like that. He thought it must be great fun. And hewatched Henry so closely that he never saw that slim, sneaking formthat crept up behind him. And when Frisky felt something jump right ontop of him, and when a terrible, sharp pain seized his shoulder, hewas scared half out of his wits.
It was Freddie Weasel! He had left his home through another hole,which Frisky knew nothing about.
Frisky Squirrel called for help. He shouted Henry Skunk's name againand again, as he rolled over and over on the ground, trying to shakeFreddie off his back.
But how could Henry Skunk hear him, with his head buried inside thehole? He didn't know what was happening. And if Frisky and Freddiehadn't rolled right upon him he probably would never have lookedaround until it was too late.
But when Henry felt that rolling, tumbling, fighting pair bump againsthim he drew his head out of the hole in a hurry. And as soon as he sawwhat was happening he sunk his own sharp teeth deep into FreddieWeasel's back.
Freddie let go of Frisky Squirrel at once. And he gave Henry Skunk'snose such a savage nip that Henry just had to squeal--it hurt him so.In order to squeal, of course he had to open his mouth. And when heopened his mouth he had to let go of Freddie Weasel.
That was exactly what Freddie Weasel wanted. He sprang up and dashedinto the bushes. He was not afraid of Frisky Squirrel. But Henry Skunkwas altogether too big. Freddie did not enjoy fighting him.
Well! Frisky, with his aching shoulder, and Henry Skunk, with his sorenose, went off together. They didn't say a word to each other, untilthey reached the hickory tree where Frisky lived. And then all theysaid was "Good-night!"
Frisky never spied on anybody again. He had learned that it is betternot to meddle in other people's private affairs. So, after all,perhaps it was a good thing that he tried, just once, to catch FreddieWeasel asleep.
THE END.
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