CHAPTER XX
WHERE BOWSER WAS
When things are at their very worst, As bad, you think, as they can be, Just lay aside your feelings sad; The road ahead may turn, you see.
_Bowser the Hound._
You remember that Blacky the Crow led poor Bowser to an old road andthere left him. Blacky reasoned that if Bowser had any sense at all, hewould know that that road must lead somewhere and would follow it. If hedidn't have sense enough to do this, he deserved to starve or freeze,was the way Blacky reasoned it out. Of course Blacky knew exactly wherethe road would lead.
Now Bowser did have sense. Of course he did. The minute he found thatroad, a great load was taken from his mind. He no longer felt whollylost. He was certain that all he had to do was to keep in that road, andsooner or later he would come to a house. The thing that worried himmost was whether or not he would have strength enough to keep goinguntil he reached that house. You remember that he was weak from lack offood, lame, and half frozen.
Poor old Bowser! He certainly was the picture of misery as he limpedalong that road. His tail hung down as if he hadn't strength enough tohold it up. His head also hung low. He walked on three legs and limpedwith one of these. In his eyes was such a look of pain and suffering aswould have touched the hardest heart. He whined and whimpered as helimped along.
It seemed to him that he had gone a terribly long distance, thoughreally it was not far at all, when something tickled his nose, thatwonderful nose which can smell the tracks of others long after they havepassed. But this time it wasn't the smell of a track that tickled hisnose; it was something in the air. Bowser lifted his head and sniffedlong and hard. What he smelled was smoke. He knew what that meant.Somewhere not very far ahead of him was a house.
SOMEWHERE NOT VERY FAR AHEAD OF HIM WAS A HOUSE. _Page96._]
With new hope and courage Bowser tried to hurry on. Presently around aturn of the road he saw a farmyard. The smell of the smoke from thechimney of the farmhouse was stronger now, and with it was mingled anappetizing smell of things cooking. Into Bowser's whimper there nowcrept a little note of eagerness as he dragged himself across thefarmyard and up to the back door. There his strength quite left him. Hedidn't have enough left to even bark. All he could do was whine. Afterwhat seemed a long, long time the door opened, and a motherly womanstood looking down at him. Two minutes later Bowser lay on a mat closeby the kitchen stove.
CHAPTER XXI
BOWSER BECOMES A PRISONER
There is no one in all the Great World more faithful than a faithful dog.
_Bowser the Hound._
Bowser the Hound was a prisoner. Yes, Sir, Bowser was a sure-enoughprisoner. But there is a great difference in prisons. Bowser was aprisoner of kindness. It seems funny that kindness should ever make anyone a prisoner, but it is so sometimes.
You see, it was this way: When Bowser had been taken in to that strangefarmhouse, he had been so used up that he had had only strength enoughto very feebly wag his tail. Right away the people in that farmhouseknew what had happened to Bowser. That is, they knew part of what hadhappened to him. They knew that he had been lost and had somehow hurtone leg. They were very, very good to him. They fed him, and made acomfortable bed for him, and rubbed something on the leg which he hadhurt and which had swollen. Almost right away after eating Bowser wentto sleep and slept and slept and slept. It was the very best thing hecould have done.
The next day he felt a whole lot better, but he was so stiff and lamethat he could hardly move. He didn't try very much. He was petted andcared for quite as tenderly as he would have been at his own home. Soseveral days passed, and Bowser was beginning to feel more like himself.The more he felt like himself, the more he wanted to go home. It wasn'tthat there he would receive any greater kindness than he was nowreceiving, but home is home and there is no place like it. So Bowserbegan to be uneasy.
"This dog doesn't belong anywhere around here," said the man of thehouse. "I know every Hound for miles around, and I never have seen thisone before. He has come a long distance. It will not do to let him go,for he will try to find his way home and the chances are that he willagain get lost. We must keep him in the house or chained up. Perhapssome day we may be able to find his owner. If not, we will keep him. Iam sure he will soon become contented here."
Now that man knew dogs. Had Bowser had the chance, he would have doneexactly what that man had said. He would have tried to find his wayhome, and he hadn't the least idea in the world in which direction homelay. But he didn't get the chance to try. When he was allowed to run outof doors it was always with some one to watch him. He was petted andbabied and made a great deal of, but he knew all the time that he was aprisoner. He knew that if he was to get away at all he would have tosneak away, and somehow there never seemed a chance to do this. He wasgrateful to these kindly people, but down in his heart was a greatlonging for Farmer Brown's boy and _home_. He always felt this longingjust a wee bit stronger when Blacky the Crow passed over and cawed.
CHAPTER XXII
FARMER BROWN'S BOY LOOKS IN VAIN
Loyalty is priceless and Is neither sold nor bought. Alas, how few who seem to know Its value as they ought.
_Bowser the Hound._
As I have told you, Farmer Brown's boy had been all about theneighborhood asking at each farmhouse if anything had been seen ofBowser. Of course nothing had been seen of him, and so at last FarmerBrown's boy felt sure that something dreadful had happened to Bowser inthe woods.
For several days he tramped through the Green Forest and up through theOld Pasture, looking for signs of Bowser. His heart was heavy, for youknow Bowser was quite one of the family. He visited every place he couldthink of where he and Bowser had hunted together. He knew that by thistime Bowser couldn't possibly be alive if he had been caught by a footin a trap or had met with an accident in the woods. He had quite givenup all hope of ever seeing Bowser alive again. But he did want to knowjust what had happened to him, and so he kept searching and searching.
One day Farmer Brown's boy heard that a strange dog had been found overin the next township. That afternoon he drove over there, his heartfilled with great hope. But he had his long ride for nothing, for whenhe got there he found that the strange dog was not Bowser at all.
Meanwhile Old Man Coyote and Reddy Fox and Old Granny Fox had becomevery bold. They even came up around the henyard in broad daylight.
"I believe you know something about what has become of Bowser," FarmerBrown's boy said, as he chased Old Man Coyote away one day. "Youcertainly know that he isn't home, and I more than suspect that you know_why_ he isn't home. I certainly shall have to get another dog to teachyou not to be so bold."
But somehow Farmer Brown's boy couldn't bring himself quite to takingsuch a step as getting a new dog. He felt that no other dog ever couldtake Bowser's place, and in spite of the fact that he thought he hadgiven up all hope of ever seeing Bowser again, 'way down deep inside wassomething which, if it were not hope, was something enough like it tokeep him from getting another dog in Bowser's place.
Whenever he went about away from home, he kept an eye out for dogs inthe farmyards he passed. He did it without really thinking anythingabout it. He had given up hope of finding Bowser, yet he was alwayslooking for him.
CHAPTER XXIII
BOWSER'S GREAT VOICE
To long for home when far away Will rob of joy the brightest day.
_Bowser the Hound._
There is as much difference in the voices of dogs as in the voices ofhuman beings. For that matter, this is true of many of the little peoplewho wear fur. Bowser the Hound had a wonderful, deep, clear voice, avoice that could be heard a great distance. No one who knew it wouldever mistake it for the voice of any other Hound.
As a rule, Bowser seldom used that great voice of his save when he washunting some one. Then, when the scent was strong, he gave tongue sofast that you wondered how he had breath enough left to run. Bu
t nowthat he was a prisoner of kindness, in the home of the people who hadtaken him in when he had crept to their doorstep, Bowser sometimes bayedfrom sheer homesickness. When he was tied out in the yard, he wouldsometimes get to thinking of his home and long to see Farmer Brown andMrs. Brown and especially his master, Farmer Brown's boy. Then, when hecould stand it no longer, he would open his mouth and send his greatvoice rolling across to the woods with a tone of mournfulness whichnever had been there before.
But great as was Bowser's voice, and far as it would carry, there wasnone who knew him to hear it, save Blacky the Crow. You remember thatBlacky knew just where Bowser was and often flew over that farmyard tomake sure that Bowser was still there. So more than once Blacky heardBowser's great voice with its mournful note, and understood it.
It troubled Blacky. Yes, Sir, it actually troubled Blacky. He knew justwhat was the matter with Bowser, but for the life of him he couldn'tthink of any way of helping Bowser. "That dog is homesick," croakedBlacky, as he sat in the top of a tall tree, scratching his head as ifhe thought he might scratch an idea out of it. "Of course he doesn'tknow how to get home, and if he tried he probably would get as badlylost as he was before. Anyway, they don't give him a chance to try. Ican't lead Farmer Brown's boy over here because he doesn't understand mytalk, and I don't understand his. There isn't a thing I can do but keepwatch. I wish Bowser would stop barking. It makes me feel uncomfortable.Yes, Sir, it makes me feel uncomfortable. Old Man Coyote got Bowser intothis trouble, and he ought to get him out again, but I don't suppose itis the least bit of use to ask him. It won't do any harm to try,anyway."
So Blacky started back for the Green Forest and the Old Pasture nearFarmer Brown's to look for Old Man Coyote, and for a long time as heflew he could hear Bowser's voice with its note of homesickness andlonging.
CHAPTER XXIV
BLACKY TRIES TO GET HELP
You'll find that nothing more worth while can be Than helping others whose distress you see.
_Bowser the Hound._
On his way back to the Green Forest near Farmer Brown's home, Blacky theCrow kept a sharp watch for Old Man Coyote. But Old Man Coyote wasnowhere to be seen, and it was too late to go look for him, becausejolly, round, red Mr. Sun had already gone to bed behind the PurpleHills and the Black Shadows were hurrying towards the Green Forest.
Blacky never is out after dark. You might think that one with so blacka coat would be fond of the Black Shadows, but it isn't so at all. Thefact is, bold and impudent as Blacky the Crow is in daylight, he isafraid of the dark. He is quite as timid as anybody I know of in thedark. So Blacky always contrives to go to bed early and is securelyhidden away in his secret roosting-place by the time the Black Shadowsreach the edge of the Green Forest.
Perhaps it isn't quite fair to say that Blacky is afraid of the dark. Itisn't the dark itself that Blacky fears, but it is one who is abroad inthe dark. It is Hooty the Owl. Hooty would just as soon dine on Blackythe Crow as he would on any one else, and Blacky knows it.
The next morning, bright and early, Blacky flew over to the Old Pastureto the home of Old Man Coyote. Just as he got there he saw Old ManCoyote coming home from an all-night hunt. "I hope you have had goodhunting," said Blacky politely.
Old Man Coyote looked up at Blacky sharply. Blacky is polite only whenhe wants to get something. "There was plenty of hunting, but littleenough reward for it," replied Old Man Coyote. "What brings you overhere so early? I should suppose you would be looking for a breakfast."
Now Blacky the Crow is a very wise fellow. He knows when it is to besly and crafty and when it is best to be frank and out-spoken. This wasa time for the latter. "I know where Bowser the Hound is," said Blacky."I saw him yesterday."
Old Man Coyote pricked up his ears and grinned. "I thought he was dead,"said he. "It's a long time since we've heard from Bowser. Is he well?"
"Quite well," replied Blacky, "but unhappy. He is homesick. I suspectthat the trouble with Bowser is that he hasn't the least idea in whichdirection home lies. You enjoy running, so why not go with me to payBowser a visit and then lead him back home?"
Old Man Coyote threw back his head and laughed in that crazy fashion ofhis till the very hills rang with the sound of his voice.
CHAPTER XXV
BLACKY CALLS ON REDDY FOX
Saying what you mean, and meaning what you say Are matters quite as different as night is from the day.
_Bowser the Hound._
Blacky the Crow wasted no time with Old Man Coyote after he heard OldMan Coyote laugh. There was a note in that crazy laugh of Old ManCoyote's that told Blacky he might just as well talk to the rocks or thetrees about helping Bowser the Hound. Old Man Coyote had led Bowser intohis trouble, and it was quite clear that not only did he have noregrets, but he was actually glad that Bowser was not likely to return.
"You're a hard-hearted old sinner," declared Blacky, as he prepared tofly in search of Reddy Fox.
Old Man Coyote grinned. "It is every one for himself, you know," saidhe. "Bowser would do his best to catch me if he had the chance. So if heis in trouble, he can stay there for all of me."
It didn't take Blacky long to find Reddy Fox. You see, it was so earlyin the morning that Reddy had not retired for his daily nap. Like OldMan Coyote, he was just returning from a night's hunt when Blackyarrived.
"Hello, Reddy!" exclaimed Blacky. "You certainly are looking in mightyfine condition. That red coat of yours is the handsomest coat I've everseen. If I had a coat like that I know I should be so swelled up withpride that I just wouldn't be able to see common folks. I'm glad you'renot that way, Reddy. One of the things I like about you is the fact thatyou never allow your fine coat to make you proud. That is more than Ican say for some folks I know."
Reddy Fox sat down with his big bushy tail curled around to keep histoes warm, cocked his head on one side, and looked up at Blacky the Crowas if he were trying to see right inside that black head to find outwhat was going on there.
"Now what has that black scamp got in his mind," thought Reddy. "Henever pays compliments unless he wants something in return. That oldblack rascal has the smoothest tongue in the Green Forest. He hasn'tcome 'way over here just to tell me that I have a handsome coat. Hewouldn't fly over a fence to tell anybody that unless it was for apurpose."
Aloud he said, "Good morning, Blacky. I suppose I must admit I have afine coat. Perhaps I do look very fine, but if you could see under thisred coat of mine, you would find mighty little meat on my ribs. To bequite honest, I am not feeling half as fine as I look. You luckyfellows who can fly and don't have to think about distances may be ableto live well these days, but as for me, I've forgotten when last I had agood meal."
CHAPTER XXVI
RED WITS AND BLACK WITS
This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.
_Bowser the Hound._
There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the GreenMeadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil. He iscrafty, is Blacky. But these same things are true of Reddy Fox. No oneever yet had a chance to accuse Reddy Fox of lacking in sharp wits.Mistakes he makes, as everybody does, but Reddy's wits are always keenand active.
Now Reddy knew perfectly well that Blacky wanted something of him, andthis was why he was saying such pleasant things. Blacky the Crow knewthat Reddy knew this thing, and that if he would make use of Reddy as hehoped to, he must contrive to keep Reddy wholly in the dark as to whathe wanted done.
So as they sat there, Reddy Fox on the snow with his tail curled aroundhis feet to keep them warm, and Blacky the Crow in the top of a littletree above Reddy's head, they were playing a sort of game. It was redwits against black wits. Reddy was trying to outguess Blacky, andBlacky was trying to outguess Reddy, and both were enjoying it. Peoplewith sharp wits always enjoy matching their wits against other sharpwits.
When Reddy F
ox said that in spite of his fine appearance he hadforgotten when last he had had a good meal, Blacky pretended to think hewas joking. "You surprise me," said he. "Whatever is the matter with mygood friend Reddy, that he goes hungry when he no longer has anything tofear from Bowser the Hound. By the way, I saw Bowser the other day."
At this, just for an instant, Reddy's eyes flew wide open. Then theyhalf closed again until they were just two yellow slits. But quickly ashe closed them, Blacky had seen that startled surprise. "Yes," saidBlacky, "I saw Bowser the other day, or at least some one who lookedjust like him. Wouldn't you like to have him back here, Reddy?"
"Most decidedly no," replied Reddy with great promptness. "A dog is anuisance. He isn't of any use in the wide, wide world."
"Not even to drive off Old Man Coyote?" asked Blacky slyly, for he knewthat more than once Bowser the Hound had helped Reddy out of troublewith Old Man Coyote.
Reddy pretended not to hear this. "I don't believe you saw Bowser,"said he. "I don't believe anybody will ever see Bowser again. I hopenot, anyway." And Blacky knew by the way Reddy said this that it wouldbe quite useless to ask Reddy to help get Bowser home.
CHAPTER XXVII
THE ARTFULNESS OF BLACKY
Who runs in circles never gets far.
_Bowser the Hound._
To be artful is to be very clever. It is to do things in a way so cleverthat people will not see what you are really doing. No one can be moreartful than Blacky the Crow when he sets out to be.
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