Chapter VII The Snortling of the Ring-Tailed Snorter
Chapter VII The Snortling of the Ring-Tailed Snorter
After travelling for several miles, Mr. Bushy Tail entered a lovely glade full of flowers and ferns.
He had heard, as he approached, a most peculiar noise, such as hehad never heard in his life. As he drew nearer, the sounds grew much louder, and finally he saw the strangest looking object seated on a tree trunk.
It had the body and legs of a kangaroo, and the head of a monkey. Its tail was extremely long, with furry rings around it, and was tasseled at the end; and to keep it out of the dust, it had been tied in a bow-knot around the animal’s neck.
The noise, which Mr. Bushy Tail had heard, proceeded from this person.
“Who are you?” he inquired, as Mr. Bushy Tail approached. “Iam the celebrated Ring-Tailed Snorter, and you may now have the privilege of hearing me snortle,” which he proceeded to do most vigorously.
Poor Mr. Bushy Tail was scared almost out of his wits, for never hadhe heard such terrible sounds.
After a few minutes the Snorter stopped snortling, and said:
“Now,whatdo you think of that?”
“Neverhave I heard anything toequal it,” replied the tactful Mr. Bushy Tail, and he certainly never had.
“If you’ll stay with me, I’ll do it for you every day,” said Mr. Ring Tail.
“Thank you kindly,” said Mr. Bushy Tail, “but much as I should enjoy it, I must go home as soon as I can to my starvingfamily.”
He then told Mr. Snorter what had befallen him, and of his greatdesire to travel back to the North, in the speediest manner.
“Come on!” said Mr. Ring Tail. “Just jump on my back, and I will take you to a friend of mine, who can whisk you there in no time.”
“Hadn’t I better fill my bag first with these fine nuts?” asked Mr. Bushy Tail.
“No, no, don’t bother about that; you’ll find nuts all the wayhome,” answered the other. So on jumped Mr. Bushy Tail, and away they went.
“Hang on tight to my tail,” said the Snorter, as he leaped along.
Never had Mr. Bushy Tail travelled at such a peculiar gait. It was like leap frog, only more so, and he felt as though he were on a ship at sea. However, he held on tight, and hoped for the best.