Evening star., 1932-07-16
DILL l1VlL OlOlNllIO ". Burgess.

Paddy the Beaver, and there. hanging
by his tail from the lowest branch OF
small tree and within easy jumping
distance from the ground, was that
young PoSsum.
With eyes fixed on Grunty. needless
of everything else, not once looking
where he was going, he stole swiftly
forward until one good jump would
put him right beneath that young
Possum and from there he could easily
lump up and catch Grunty. Just two
quick springs and that little PosSum
would be his. He made the first one.
1t landed him beneath that now ter
ribly frightened little Possum. 1t also
landed him right in front of a small
person in black whom he had not seen
at all and didn't see even now.
For the first time in his life that
small person was frightened, really
frightened. You see that jump was
wholly unexpected, and here right in
front of him was a big fierce looking
person with cruel-looking teeth and
hungry-looking eyes. 1nky. the black
coated young son of Jimmy Skunk.
considered that this was no time to
be polite or to ask questions. He fired
the little scent gun he carries for de-
fense full in the face Of Yowler and
hastily backed away, ready to shoot
again.
1t was at that instant that Yowler
lost his appetite. With screech that
frightened Grunty so that he let go
with his tail and dropped to the
ground, where he lay as if dead. Yowler
turned a back somersault and then be-
gan to roll about on the ground and
rub his face. all the while coughing
and gasping and splitting and snarling.
He seemed to be having hard work to
get his breath and for little time he
couldn't see. That scent had gone in
his eyes and blinded him for the time
being. Such a racket as he made!
Such coughing and choking! Such
splitting and Snarling!
Inky stood with his back to the
trunk of the tree looking on and ready
to shoot again should there be need.
He wore look of surprise. He was
surprised You see it was the first time
he had used that little scent gun or
seen one used. and he hadn't expected
quite such results. He was beginning
dimly to understand why all those he
had met before had been so polite to
him.
When he could begin to see a little
Yowler started to sneak of. Once he
made as if to spring on 1nky, but at
sight of the latters lifted tail changed
mis- mind. Once was enough, too much,
in fact. So, still coughing and snarl-
ing. Yowler disappeared. He had for
gotten all about that young Possum.
He had forgotten that he ever was
hungry. Never was an appetite more
completely lost than was his.
/ Inky watched him go. Then he went
over to where Grunty lay on the
ground. There wasn't sign of life
about him.
He must have been frightened to
death" muttered Inky as he tried to
roll Grunty over. Yes. sir, he must
have been frightened to death. That's
too bad"
A small bright eye opened unseen
by Inky, who had turned away. Has
that fellow gomez" asked small voice.
Inky whirled around. Who spoke?"
he demanded.
Il did" replied Grunty. and slowly
rolled over to his feet before Inky's
astonished eyes. Has that fellow
gomez" he repeated nervously.
Yes" replied Inky. with my little
scent gun I made him 60"
''Ah think Ah1l go, too," replied
Grunty with a grin. But first All
reckon All should thank yo fo' saving
NAH life. All never was so scared
1Copvriobt 1o2oA