Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-13
CHAPTER ~
Strange COmpaniOns

TACK and Janet were surprised when
- they found themselves in the forest
on the banks of the broad river. lhey,
had no idea their travels underground
with Sleepy Woodchuck and chip ana
| Clipper Chipmuck had brought them 20
! far. This place seemed many miles away
from the north woods where they had
sought the summer bird that was sing
ing spring songs in the autumn
/ Sleepy Woodchuck pointed across the
river to the steamship at it's docks.
There is ship about TO sail for
Egypt, to the land of the Nile. where
the summertime never ends.
Egypt" hissed a voice. Egypt!
have wicked cousins in Egypt. }
would like to visit them during my
winter sleep"
Jack and Janet were startled by that
voice. They looked around quickly ana
what they saw startled them more than
what they had heard. a snake was
gliding from a crack among the rocks
"Oh :" cried Jack and Janet together.
and they gave Il mighty jump. Ihat
jump brought a third surprise. for II
carried them M among the branches
of the trees. They had forgotten they
were Slumbcr Sprites aud as light and
The same thing happened to Chip
and Clipper Chirmuck. They leaped
when the heard the snake hiss. and
their leaps carried them even higher
in the tree than Jack and Janet.
The snake beautiful dark serpent,
stared up at them as if in astonish-
ment. Sleepy Woodchuck sat down
and laughed and laughed.
He. He, He. Don't you remem-
Der what | said?' he gaspcd between
laughs. We are Slumbcr Sprites now.
and nobody can harm us. not even my
old enemy Mr. Black Snake. He is
Slumber Sprite. too. and a jolly good
chap in the wintertimc. even though
he keeps MS Scurrying and hiding in
the summer.
"Hiss-s-s- Why should I harm
you:" asked Black Snake. II have
left my appetite slccning with my body
safe in my cave. When do not need
to eat, can b. friends with all other
creatures.
Jack and Janet didn't know whether
/ or not 10 believe Black Snake. He
| looked rather dangerous TO them. par
| ticularlv as they were now chipmuCk
size. As they stared doubtfuly at him,
! they saw frog coming hopping out
! Of the dead grass at the rivers edge.
They knew snakes liked frogs-likcd
10 gobblp them. They expected to 500
Black Snake grab the frog before he
! could hop another hop. iut Black
Snake didn't. He just bowed politely.
How do you do. Colonel Croaker?"
he hisSpd 81 haven't seen YOU since
that day last summer when almost
had YOU for dinner
"Cro.ak, Cro-ak, I'd rather see
you now" croakPd Colonc Cronker.
II was sorry TO diSappoiut you at
dinner. but had u very important
engagement"
"His-s-s-S' I was sorry. too. -
hissed Black Snake. But | am glad
now. w" can have a jolly winter
together. and perhaps ] can have you
for breakfast or lunch mex, summer.
At that Black Snake and Colonel
Croakcr Grinued at each other in very
friendly fashion. Their grins made
Jack and JHner feel much better. II
the frog wasn't afraid of the snak"
= they jumped down from thc tree. land
ing rs lightly aS a falling leaf.
| "Cro-ak Cro-ak, Did | hear you
| saying something about going to
Egypt" croakcd Colonel Croaker. "I
have Il cold in my throat. and my doc
! tor advises a mild climate for the win
ter while my body sleeps in the mud
II you are going to Egypt | would like
to join your party.
"Comc along, The more the mcr-
ricr :" barkpd sleepy Woodchurk. With
that Slceay Woodchuck ran down to
the rivers edge and started across
the water.
Jack and Janet expected to SO"
Sleepy Woodchurh sink or swim. But
sleepy Woodchuck did nothing Of III"
kind Tie Just ran over the water as
though il had been frozen into ice.
Tomorrow will be told how they. TOO.