Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-12-10
THE LITTLE CAPTIvEs.

the birds were singing and all Nature
seemed TO be saying: The summer is
really here, three little red squirrels
lay cuddled in their nest, up in an old
oak tree
II wonder where Mother isl said
Tiny. at is long time since she went
away. hope she win bring us some
nice nuts, for am very hungry"
81 wish she'd come, sighed Trip and
Tumble
Il shall be SO glad when she win let
me go with her. ! peeped out Of the
nest this morning as she was going
away, and it looked very pleasant
am sure nothing would hurt me, and /
have a great mind to look out now"
said Tumble; but Tiny and Trip began
to cry, so she gave it up for that time.
The afternoon passed and Mother
Squirrel did not come. Il am afraid
Mother has aet one of those cruel
creatures of which she told us, who
roam about the woods and shoot rab-
bits, and squirrels, and little birds with
gun, said Trip.
Just as it was growing dark Mother
Squirrel jumped down into the nest, to
be greeted with joyful cries from the
three little squirrels. Where have you
been, and did you bring us some nutsP"
they all asked at once
When Mother Squirrel had rested a
moment She told them of her adventure,
how as she was on her way home early
IN the afternoon, with nice large wal
nut that she had found buried under the
leaves, she caught sight of hunter
with a gun. She was so frightened
that she dropped the nut, which at
tracted the hunters attention, and
in a seconds time that terrible
gun was pointed toward her. Il
thought my time had come" she con
tinued, and thought Of my dear lit
tie squirrels at home in the nest as
gave jump to a branch Of another
tree and lay very still There was
loud noise like thunder, but when the
smoke cleared away l was not hurt Mt
all. ! waited so quietly that although
the hunter looked all around he failed
to find me, and after awhile he went
away. | am thankful to find you all
safe; and now you must promise me
that you will never leave the nest when
| am away"
For the next few days Mother SPUR
rel remained at home, and after she
had carefully reconnoitered she allowed
the little squirrels to go out and sit on
the old oak boughs, where they had
many merry game hiding among the
green leaves, and were as happy as
squirrels need be. But one morning
She called them in and told them to
stay quietly in the nest, for she must
20 down in the valley to the old chest
nut tree to get more nuts, as their
stock was getting low.
After she had been gone a short time
Tumble pecped out and saw how bright
the sun was shining, then bean 20 fret
because they must stay in da k hole
all day when it was SO pleasant. Final
~ he boldly resolved to go out little
while. He felt sure there was no dam
ger everything seemed SO quiet Tiny
and Trip remembered their promise 70
their mother, and would not 90 ont, SO
Tumble went alone. II did not seem as
pleasant as he had expected without
Trip and Tiny, and he was just starting
to run back TO the nest, when he saw
something at the foot of the tree His
little heart almost ceased to beat as il
flashed over him that it was one of
those terrible hunters. He started to
run into the nest, but his feet slipped
and down he fell through the bushes TO
the ground,
He knew nothing more until he woke
and found himself in a dark place, with
Tiny and Trip beside him When he
asked where they were he was told that
the hunter had climbed the tree. taken
the others from the nest and put them
in this dark place with him. When
Tumble tried TO move he suffered sAch
severe pain that he lay very quiet until
they were taken from the hunters
pocket and put into wire cage, II was
SO light at first they thought they were
free Tiny and Trip ran around the
cage and climbed up the sides, trying to
find some way of escape; all in vain.
Poor little Tumble could not walk at
all He lay on the floor of the cage,
thinking that if he had been good and
stayed in the nest they might all have
been there now with dear Mother SOUR
rel
At last the hunter came and put a
dish Of milk into the cage and some
nuts, but they were too frightened 10
eat Then he covered them with cot
ton and hay to keep them warm, and
went away
When they woke in the morning the
sun was shining. and they could see
the green trees. They wondered where
dear Mother Squirrel was, and if they
should ever see her again? Tumble did
not waken, and when the hunter came
to see if they We're all right he took
the poor little squirrel out and carried
him away. Tiny and Trip began t.