Evening star., 1943-03-22

that for little minute one Of them
might forget and be careless. At last
they finished their dinner. Then they
swan over among the broken-down
bulrushes where the Black Shadows
lay deepest. He couldn't see them,
butahe could hear them saying good
night to each other m low voices.
Then all was still, save for the joy
Gus chorus of the Hylas singing IN
the Smiling Pool. Mr.. and Mrs
Quack had gone to bed for the
night. and they were where Reddy
Fox could not get them.
Reddy sighed. 1t was a soft
little sigh of disappointment. so soft
that no one heard it. Then, as
carefully as he had crept to his
hiding place, he stole away. He
didn't want any one to know that
he had been there. You see, he
meant to come again the next night
He hadn't given up hope that sooner
or later he would dine on Mr.. and
Mrs. Ouack. But If they should
suspect that he had been there that
night they always would be watch
ing for him to come back. So he
took just as much care in leaving
the Smiling Pool as he had in
coming to it. When he felt that
he could do so safely. he trotted
swiftly across the Green Meadows
in the direction of the Green For
est to see what he could find there
AS for Mr. and Mrs Quack. they
slept peacefully side by side among
the rushes of the Smiling Pool all
the night.
They were awake very early the
next morning. for Mr.. and Mrs
Quack are very early risers. After
breakfast they began to talk over
what they should do. The Smiling
Pool was such an open place that
the very thought of staying there
all day made them very nervous.
But Mr.. Quack couldn't fly because
of the broken wing, broken, you
remember. by a shot from terrible
gun, and to swim down the Laugh
ing Brook to the Big River would.
quite as likely as not. be to swim
right into danger from those ter
rible guns. Jerry Muskrat over
heard them talking.
Take my advice and stay right
here" said he. mo hunters with
terrible guns ever come here. They
never in the wide world will think
Of looking for you here If you
don't stay you will be foolish
Il guess Jerry is right" said Mr.,
Quack. Il don't see anything else
to do. I can't fly and I'm not very
strong yet, though since I've had
something to eat feel a great deal
better. If any hunters do come,
you can fly away. my dear. and I'll
hide under the bank of the Laugh
ing Brook where the alder bushes
hang over. I hope Jerry Is right
and no hunter will come, for I like
the Smiling POOL
Just then Sammy Jay came flying
over to see how Mr. and Mrs. Quack
were. He perched in the top OF
the Big Hickory tree. and when he
found out what they were talking
about he advised them just as Jerry
Muskrat had. Suddenly he stopped
talking and looked far across the
Green Meawods. II declare" said
he, Il believe Farmer Browns boy
is coming over here to bring you
some breakfast"
Instantly Mrs Quack was in a
terrible fright. There is nothing to
be afraid Of" said Sammy. He
hasn't got q gum"
But this didn't relieve Mrs. Quack
a bit. She hurried Mr.. Quack up
into the Laughing Brook and saw
him safely hidden. Then she swan
back to the Smiling Pool and there
rose into the air on her stout wings
and headed toward the Big River.
Farmer Browns boy saw her.
That duck certainly Is wild" said
he to himself. Il thought perhaps
could steal near enough to have
. good look at her. it being SO early
in the morning. I thought might
catch her at breakfast" Then he
saw Sammy jay. and he knew who
had warned Mrs. Quack.