Blinky Bill

by Dorothy Wall

  “Hulloa, little friend,” he said. “I see you’ve returned safely from Mr Smifkins.”

  “Yes,” replied Blinky, “but I’ve come to ask you a very serious question.”

  “What can it be?” the old owl asked.

  “Miss Possum is very frightened,” Blinky explained. “She says that Mrs Snake and old Granny Goanna are going to steal the babies, and we don’t know what to do. Could you advise us?”

  “Whoo! whoo!” Mr Owl said, as his eyes opened wider than ever. “They’re a wicked old pair. Just you wait a moment while I go away to think.”

  Dear old Mr Owl flew into a branch higher up. Here he sat very, very still, gazing at nothing really. His eyes never blinked, and not a feather on his body stirred. Presently he shook his head and called “whoo! whoo!” then down he flew to where Blinky was waiting.

  “Have you thought of something?” Blinky asked excitedly.

  “Yes, little bear,” replied Mr Owl. “But tell me first, do you know where Percy Bull Ant lives?”

  “Yes, I know,” replied Blinky.

  “Well, go to him and tell him everything,” Mr Owl said softly. “You can say I sent you, and give him my respects at the same time. Tell him I thought the matter over, and decided that an army of his relations, if hidden in suitable places, could suddenly march out and attack Mrs Snake and Granny Goanna, as they come to steal the babies.”

  “That’s a fine idea, ’5 cried Blinky. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it. Good-bye, Mr Owl, and thank you ever so much.”

  “Whoo! whoo!” said Mr Owl, and flew off immediately.

  Blinky hurried through the bush in the direction of Percy Bull Ant’s home. All along the way he passed the homes of Percy’s relations, and as hundreds lived in one nest he could see a very large army mustered when they all marched to fight the old robbers. Not a bull ant was to be seen above ground, they were all so busy in their homes, nursing the babies, storing the food, and cleaning out the parlour.

  At last Blinky reached Percy’s home. It was not much to look at. A litter of tiny sticks and twigs, small pieces of charcoal, loose sand and clay, all heaped in a mound; and everything about it looked very dry and ugly. It certainly looked quite harmless, just as other mounds did; but as Blinky gave a poke at it with his paw, it instantly bristled with life. Angry ants rushed out from nowhere, big red fellows, bristling with indignation, to see who had had the impudence to disturb their peace.

  “Ah! Percy Bull Ant,” said Blinky as he cautiously moved backwards a little. “I’ve come with a message for you from Mr Owl, and he sends his respects.”

  An ant larger than the rest advanced to Blinky and eyed him curiously, still waving a leg in a dangerous manner, and a nasty fighting look about his whole body. Blinky did not feel too safe and moved another step backwards.

  “Look here Percy,” he said very politely, “put that leg of yours down, and don’t look so bristly.”

  “Look here, Percy,” he said very politely, “kindly put that leg of yours down, and don’t look so bristly.”

  “You’re Blinky Bill, aren’t you, if I’m not mistaken?” said Percy Bull Ant.

  “Yes, I am,” replied Blinky. “And for goodness’ sake send all your brothers back in their nest. I feel quite nervous. They seem to have such a lot of legs.”

  “Oh, they’re harmless,” said Percy in an off-hand manner. “All the same, I’ll do as you wish.”

  “Back to your work, all of you!” ordered Percy, and instantly they disappeared back to nowhere. “Now, my lad, tell me what Mr Owl said,” And Percy carelessly picked up a stick and started chewing the end of it, his head on one side and his wicked big eyes pausing to gaze at Blinky in a cold rude manner.

  “Please, Percy,” Blinky began, “Miss Possum is very-frightened. Mrs Snake and Granny Goanna are coming to steal all the babies that live in her tree. She’s nearly dead with fright, and fainted twice while I was speaking to her.”

  “Dear, dear,” said Percy Bull Ant.

  “Yes, Percy, it’s very serious, and Mr Owl thought the best thing to do would be for you to gather all your relations together and fight the old robbers when they came for the babies.”

  “Um,” said Percy, as he threw down the stick he had been chewing, “so that’s their caper, is it? Well, I’ll hold a meeting and let you know what we decide to do about it. Hold on a minute, I’ll not be long.” And Percy disappeared into nowhere.

  Blinky waited patiently, keeping his eyes glued on the ant-nest. He did not trust any of them.

  In a very short time Percy appeared again and slowly advanced to Blinky with a decided tread. His head was downcast, and anyone at a glance could see he was deep in thought. He kicked a grain of sand out of his pathway, and nearly fell over a tiny ball of clay.

  “Ants’ pants!” he shouted. “I nearly broke my big toe.”

  “I’m sorry,” said Blinky in a whisper, as he did not feel a little bit safe. Percy Bull Ant was such a queer fellow. Good-natured one moment, and bad tempered the next; in fact, he was what is known as temperamental.

  “Oh, quite all right, old fellow,” said Percy. “Some careless ant has left things about where they’ve no business to be. Now about this matter of the babies. I’ve had a talk to all the young bloods down there, and they’re keen for a fight. At the moment they are sharpening their nippers and filling up with poison at the bowser. How would a couple of thousand warriors do?”

  “Splendid!” cried Blinky, dancing around with glee. “How pleased Miss Possum will be! And I hope you kill Mrs Snake and old Granny Goanna.”

  “Leave it to me,” said Percy, winking an eye.

  “When will you come?” Blinky inquired.

  “In a few moments,” Percy replied. “You’d better lead the way, or get back as quickly as you can. When the boys are on the fighting track they’re pretty nasty.” Blinky did not wait to hear more. He hurried as fast as he could. The more distance between Percy’s boys and himself the better for any bear, he thought. He puffed as he ran, and felt terribly hot, but came to the tree where Miss Possum waited in a very excited state.

  “Leave it to me!” said Percy, winking an eye.

  “I’m nearly dead with fright,” she called from the topmost branch. “I’m sure Mrs Snake is not far away. I can almost smell her.”

  “Stuff and nonsense!” Blinky exclaimed as he excitedly climbed the tree. “I’ve good news for you,” he said as he plumped himself down beside her.

  “What is it? Do tell me,” she cried excitedly as she clapped her paws together.

  “Well,” said Blinky, with a brave air, “Percy Bull Ant is bringing along two thousand soldiers. They’ll be here any minute now and then Mrs Snake and Granny Goanna will be feeling pretty sick I think. They’re coming armed to the teeth, with a fresh supply of poison and extra sharp nippers.”

  “You’re wonderful!” said Miss Possum, blushing, and Blinky just managed in time to avoid being hugged.

  “Gosh!” he exclaimed. “Don’t you ever dare to do that again. I’ll tell Percy if you do, and he’ll set all his boys on to you.”

  “Oh, don’t, don’t, please!” cried Miss Possum. “I was so excited for the moment, that I quite forgot you were a bear, and grown up, too.”

  “It was bold of you!” said Blinky sternly, “And, anyhow, I hate girls.”

  “Oh, how dreadful,” sighed Miss Possum. “I am sorry.”

  “Here they come! Here come the soldiers!” shouted Blinky, as he danced up and down and nearly knocked Miss Possum out of the tree.

  Blinky was right. Percy Bull Ant marched at the head of a vast army, bent on business.

  “Left, right, left, right,” Percy called. There seemed to be hundreds of thousands of bull ants as they advanced along the pathway. Everything scurried out of their way. Lizards rushed helter-skelter and many dropped their tails with fright. Some of the soldiers stopped to taste the tails; but, Percy, catching sight of them, ordered in a stern voice:


  “No eating at present. Drop the loot and attend to business.” The ants cast wistful eyes at the tails they had to leave behind.

  “Such waste!” they murmured to one another.

  When they came to the foot of the tree where Blinky and Miss Possum were sitting, Percy gave his order in a ringing voice and he looked every inch a soldier, as he stood as stiff as a poker.

  “Halt!” he called. Immediately the long line came to a standstill.

  “Form fours!” he ordered, and the soldiers obeyed in a twinkling.

  “Numbers 674 and 675 stop kicking, and stand to attention. Now, boys,” Percy called, “listen to me, and carefully follow my instructions. There’s to be no fighting among yourselves. Keep your nippers sharp, and don’t waste your poison, as you’ll need it later on. When I give the order, advance four at a time and climb half-way up this tree. Each four must take its place until the trunk of the tree is a living mass of soldiers. When Mrs Snake and Granny Go anna come along wait for my order to advance. Keep perfectly still; don’t blink an eye; then, when I call out ‘Charge!’ fight and poison with all your might.”

  “Good, captain!” came the chorus.

  “For the present, stand at ease,” Percy called.

  Every ant lounged in the most amusing way. Some twisted hind legs round one another; others leaned on his neighbour’s shoulder, and many were tempted to use their nippers.

  “Attention,” called Percy. Instantly heels clicked, and there stood the bristling army ready for attack. “Advance,” he ordered in an anty voice. “Left, right, left, right — keep in step — left, right.” Up the tree they swarmed; nearer to Blinky and Miss Possum they came.

  “Let’s climb higher,” Blinky whispered. “They look so dreadful.” So Miss Possum immediately took his advice and a higher branch was sought.

  Percy waited at the foot of the tree, watching and ordering the army into position, until the last ant was off the ground. The tree was a living mass of bull ants, right up to the first branch.

  “Silence!” roared Percy as he gazed at the soldiers; then creeping very quietly away into the bushes, he lay in wait for the robbers.

  He had not to wait long. Presently a hissing and slithering announced the coming of Mrs Snake and her companion. Percy kept very, very still and listened intently.

  “You steal Mrs Ringtail’s baby and I’ll steal Mrs Siever’s,” whispered old Granny Goanna.

  “What a fine supper they’ll make,” hissed Mrs Snake. “That’ll teach them a lesson for chasing us out of the tree.”

  Softly they crept nearer and nearer, and Percy Bull Ant quivered with rage. He tiptoed back to the tree and called in a very quiet voice: “They’re coming, boys; prepare to kill and poison.”

  Not an ant stirred. The tree looked lifeless, and Percy hid behind a stone at the foot.

  Hiss! Hiss! Along came the old robbers; stealthily they crept through the bushes.

  “The tenth joint in my tail is rather stiff,” grumbled Mrs Snake. “It makes things very awkward for me.”

  “My nails are not as sharp as they were.” replied Granny Goanna, “but I’ve a few good teeth left.”

  Nearer the tree they came, and both paused to whisper.

  “Seems to me,” said Granny Goanna, “that the tree looks redder than usual. Do you think we’ve made a mistake?”

  “No, no,” replied Mrs Snake. “This is the right tree. Don’t I know it well!”

  “Well, my eyesight must be failing,” sighed Granny Goanna, “because I’ll bet my last scale that the tree looks very red.”

  “Nonsense!” said Mrs Snake impatiently. “You’ve no doubt got dust in your eyes.”

  “Maybe, maybe,” sighed Granny Goanna, as she floundered along.

  “Now, then, boys, be ready for your order,” called Percy in a whisper.

  Right along to the bottom of the tree came the two old robbers. Old Granny was actually licking her lips, as she thought of the supper in store. She slobbered at the very idea of a baby possum.

  “Gome along, dear,” she called to Mrs Snake. “Everything is quiet and safe.”

  “You go first,” whispered Mrs Snake, “and I’ll follow.”

  Granny Goanna placed her two front legs on the tree and prepared to climb. Mrs Snake waved her wicked head to and fro and gave Granny a nudge which had the desired effect, for she made a plunge and lifted her hind legs from the ground. Mrs Snake gave a wriggle and started up behind her.

  Percy Bull Ant sprang out from his hiding-place and called in a terrible voice:

  “Charge!”

  Like lightning, the whole tree became alive. The soldiers sprang at the enemy. In a second they were swarming all over Granny Goanna and Mrs Snake.

  “Oh, my tail!” screamed Mrs Snake as she tried to wriggle away, lashing her body in the air in agony.

  “For heaven’s sake save me, save me!” moaned Granny Goanna, as she hissed until all her hisses had gone.

  “Go for them, boys!” shouted Percy. “Kill them as quickly as you can.”

  No order was necessary, as the ants covered the robbers from head to tail. They bit with all their power. Several were killed as Mrs Snake’s tail and Granny Goanna’s lashed them against the tree; but the numbers seemed never to end.

  “Oh! Oh! I’m dying!” groaned Mrs Snake, and she fell with a thud to the ground. In another second down plopped Granny Goanna, as dead as a door-nail.

  “Eat them up!” ordered Percy. At once the feast started, and hungry soldiers bit and ate all through the night until only skeletons of the two wicked old things were left.

  “It’s time we went down and had a look,” said Blinky to Miss Possum.

  “It’s time we went down and had a look,” said Blinky to Miss Possum, just as daylight was dawning. So, scrambling down excitedly, they were just in time to see Percy marshalling his soldiers in readiness to depart.

  “How is that for good work?” said Percy Bull Ant proudly, as he pointed to the skeletons.

  “Wonderful!” cried Miss Possum and Blinky together. “Your soldiers are very brave.”

  “They’re a husky lot,” said Percy, blowing out his chest. “Would you care to have a look at our homes? They’re very interesting, although you may not be received with open arms.”

  “Thank you very much,” replied Blinky nervously, “but I really must hurry home now. I’ve been away for a long time and I’m sure I can hear my mother calling me this very minute.” And he began shuffling about very uncomfortably.

  “Well, good-bye,” called Percy, as he gave the order to march, much to the relief of Blinky and Miss Possum.

  “Gosh!” sighed Blinky. “That was a narrow squeak!”

  “I think you’re awfully clever,” said Miss Possum. “Perhaps you’d like to come back and meet my mother. She’d be so pleased to thank you for saving the babies.”

  “Sorry, I can’t,” said Blinky, looking very important. “I’ve such a lot of people to see before I go home. Goodbye.” And hurriedly looking around him, he darted into the bush.

  “Stupid creature!” he muttered to himself. “All possums are silly, specially girls.”

  “Hey! Where are you going?” Oh, dear, whatever was that? The bush seemed to be full of voices when one least expected them,

  “Where are you?” Blinky called, “I can’t see you.”

  “Just here,” came the reply.

  Then something pricked Blinky’s paw and gave him such a fright that he fell head over heels in the dust.

  “Good gracious! What a stupid fellow you are!” said the voice,

  Thoroughly annoyed, Blinky picked himself up and gazed about.

  “Why, it’s Mr Hedgehog!” he cried gladly. “You did give me a fright, I thought for a moment one of Percy Bull Ant’s soldiers had bitten me.”

  Mr Hedgehog raised his bristles in surprise.

  “Indeed!” he said. “As if I’d hurt you on purpose. Where are you going, by the way?”

  “Home,�
�� said Blinky meekly.

  “Did you run away?” Mr Hedgehog inquired.

  “Oh, no, I just wanted to see a friend,” Blinky replied coolly.

  “Come and see my home. It’s so snug and cosy,” said Mr Hedgehog, “and I’m sure you must be tired. You could have a sleep and then, when the moon rises, go on your way.”

  “I’d really like to, Mr Hedgehog, if it’s not very far away, ‘cause I’m dreadfully tired,” Blinky replied.

  “It’s just over here,” said Mr Hedgehog, “in amongst that bracken fern.”

  “Thank you! I’ll come,” said Blinky, as Mr Hedgehog led the way.

  “You don’t eat ants do you?” Blinky asked, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

  “Mr Hedgehog is such a long word to say. Couldn’t I call you something else?” Blinky inquired.

  “I’m generally called Spikey round here,” Mr Hedgehog replied. “Mrs Snake is called ‘Snakey’; Miss Goanna, ‘Ganna’; Mr Wombat, ‘Womby’; and Miss Wallaby, ‘Walley’. So what does it matter?”

  “Did you know Mrs Snake and Granny Goanna were killed?” Blinky said in a whisper.

  “Good heavens! Is that true?” Spikey could hardly believe his ears. “Who did it?”

  “Why, Percy Bull Ant and his soldiers!” Blinky replied.

  “Well, that’s great news,” said Spikey. “If I’d only known about it in tirne, what a feast of ants I’d have had!”

  “You don’t eat ants, do you?” Blinky asked, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

  “I should just say I do, Why, they’re the finest meal I know of — except perhaps a few fat worms.”

  “Ugh! Don’t you eat gum-tips?”

  “What’s the good of those things to me?” Spikey laughed scornfully.

  “But I can tell you like them. You smell like a gum-tree.”

  “And you smell like a thousand ants!” said Blinky rudely.

  “Get out!” Spikey replied. “Why I haven’t had more than six dozen to-day.”