The other relations of the Weasels who were on visiting
terms with them were, the Polecats of The Grange, who came
but seldom, and the Martens of Forest-farm, with whom they
were more intimate. Now old Mr. Marten had always intended
that his own son Longtail, who kept a boarding-school for
boys near the Warren, should marry Miss Weasel; and when he
heard of the physician's great attentions to that young
lady, he was very wroth. At first he thought of way-laying
young Ferret in the wood and killing him; but then he
recollected that the Ferrets were a powerful family, who
would never rest till they had been revenged. His next
thought was to go to his attorney, Sharp Weasel, Esq., of
Nettle Cottage, and consult with him as to the best means of
thwarting young Ferret's projects. So the old man took down
his pipe and his account-book, and set off to the attorney.
Mr. Sharp Weasel was well pleased to see so excellent a
client as old Mr. Marten, and received him with many smiles.
The two quickly laid down a plan of proceedings, and Mr.
Marten produced his account-book, and proved that young
Ferret owed him for the following goods sold and delivered,
viz. one young rabbit; item, one wood-pigeon; item, one
brace of partridges; item, one cock-pheasant; item, one
duckling; item, one fat gosling.
For this account young Ferret was next day summoned before
Judge Fox, who, after hearing the case, immediately gave
judgment in favour of plaintiff; and as young Ferret had not
sufficient funds to meet this unexpected demand, he was
forthwith arrested and sent to prison.
Old Mr. Marten chuckled and was well pleased at the success
of his stratagem, and was on his way to his son Longtail to
tell him of what he considered the good news, when he met
Mr. Bantam of Holm-farm, searching for his wife and
daughters, who had wandered for a walk. Bantam, it was
evident, did not particularly wish for this meeting, for his
comb grew very red, and he strutted off at a quick pace in
an opposite direction; but old Marten ran through some
bushes, and caught him just as he was getting clear of the
wood.
[Illustration: OLD MARTEN AND SHARP WEASEL, ESQ.]
"Good morning, Mr. Bantam," said he.
"Good morning, sir," said Bantam, shaking in every feather.
"I want you to do me a service, Bantam," continued old
Marten; "but you must not say one word of what I am going to
tell you."
Bantam promised this, as indeed he would have any thing
else.
"You must go to Old Weasel of Holm-wood," whispered Marten,
laying his forepaws on Bantam's breast to hold him near him,
"and find his daughter. Tell her that young Ferret is a
scapegrace and a good-for-nothing fellow, and that Judge Fox
has sent him to prison. Then tell her that I am very rich,
and that my son Longtail is making a handsome fortune by his
school. This is a delicate matter, Bantam: if you manage
cleverly, I will be your friend through life; if you betray
me, mark this." And the old man clapped his paw on the
cutlass he usually wore by his side.
Bantam, glad to get out of his clutches on any terms,
promised the strictest compliance, and flew rather than ran
back to his farmyard as soon as he was released. There the
first person he saw was his wife, who had returned, and was
wondering what had become of him. To her, of course, he told
all his strange adventure, and she, silly thing, went
immediately and cackled the whole story to Dame Goose; who
told it to one of the young Goslings, who told it to old
Mr. Drake; he quacked it about so loudly that his wife and
children soon learned it; and in ten minutes there was not
one in all Holm-farm who did not know of this wonderful
adventure. As for performing his promise, we must do Mr.
Bantam the credit of saying he never for a moment thought of
being such a silly, for he well knew that the day which saw
him enter Old Weasel's house would be his last.
[Illustration: MR. BANTAM'S INTERVIEW WITH OLD MARTEN.]