THE FIGHT IN THE RAVINE.
When morning came, Silver Ribbon heard all the others at play with
Golden Ribbon's horse, and she ventured out. But on seeing the crowd
she was still so ashamed that she slipped quietly past, and went right
into the wood. Going down the edge of the deep ravine she wandered she
knew not and cared not where, till she came to the winding stream at
the bottom. Seeing Bruin taking a drink she passed softly down the
bank, and coming to a grassy spot she sat down, feeling very unhappy.
She watched for awhile the little fishes as they darted to and fro,
envying their happiness.
But hearing a gliding movement in the grass behind her, what was her
horror when on turning round she saw the big snake a few feet away, its
head raised, its neck arched, and its cunning eyes shining with
fiendish glee. Poor Silver Ribbon would have run away, but she could
not; she was too near and was fascinated.
[Illustration: FASCINATED.]
"Aha," said the hideous reptile with a hiss, "I have got you now."
* * * * *
Although Chattie was a funny bird and straightforward, still she had a
liking for Silver Ribbon, and when with her quick eyes she saw the poor
sad thing wandering aimlessly down the ravine, she followed secretly
from tree to tree to watch over her. Noticing the rise of the horrid
snake's head, she flew back like an arrow to Castle Frank to tell of
Silver Ribbon's danger.
Robin seized a short loaded gun and ran after the parrot as fast as he
could. The brushwood was very thick but he pressed on, and as he drew
near the spot he heard roars and groans and hissing. Getting out into
the open, he saw the snake and Hug-grippy fighting desperately. The
reptile was coiled around the bear's body, its head was raised, its
mouth wide open, and its glittering eyes were looking straight into
Bruin's face. It was gripping Hug-grippy dreadfully: he was in agony
and was losing breath.
Kneeling down upon one knee, Robin raised his gun; but being scarcely
near enough, it was dangerous to fire--he might shoot the bear.
Running right up, without realizing his danger, he went close behind
the combatants. Not noticing the serpent's tail in the grass he trod
upon it, when round his ankle it swept, and in an instant he was thrown
upon his face and stunned.
Bruin, though fighting bravely, was losing the battle. Chattie was
circling wildly in the air and screaming. Everything seemed to be lost.
Suddenly Robin woke up, drew a hunting knife from his belt and slashed
the serpent's tail, setting himself free. The reptile turned its
arched head towards him, showed its tiger-like fangs and hissed as from
a pipe of steam. Robin jumped back a little and picked up his gun.
Placing it to his shoulder, he took rapid aim within a few feet of the
serpent's head--bang went fire and smoke and bullet--snake and bear
tumbled down together and rolled upon the grass. The unusual sometimes
happens, a boy had done the work of the bravest man. The huge, dark
monster was shot through the head, and its long, scaly body twisted and
quivered in death.
Hug-grippy, slowly disentangling himself, went down to the brook all in
a tremble, and freely drank of the water. He rested for a little in
the cooling stream and rose up refreshed. Coming forward to Robin, he
licked his extended hand in unspoken thankfulness. As a member of a
kindness class he had come to the aid of Silver Ribbon just in time to
break the spell, yet he himself would have perished but for the timely
aid of a brave, true boy.
"Hurrah for my beloved young master, and for dear old Hug-grippy,"
shrieked Chattie in hysteric happiness.
"Don't mention me," said Bruin softly, with a smile broad and funny.
"Nor me," said Robin modestly; "it is due to us all," added he with a
sweet becoming smile.
And the young soldier-teacher, with Chattie on his shoulder and
Hug-grippy by his side carrying the gun, went home with glad and
exultant heart to the quaint castle.
Silver Ribbon became completely changed, working honestly and well; and
from that time forward she was respected and loved.
The awful conflict was never forgotten by the many pets of Castle
Frank: they talked over it now and again all their lives, and they
thought how good and great was the young master, who went through such
trouble and danger for the benefit of creatures so much his inferior.
"I guess," said Red Ribbon on a certain occasion, "Master Robin
understands that we have feelings as well as human people."
Chattie, who could quote Scripture, sometimes more appropriately than
greater parrots, chimed in--
"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast."
"Dearie me," said Green Ribbon, "I never knew there was a text for us
before."
* * * * *
But Fairyland we now must leave--
The land of Robin's spell.
Adieu! Celeste, magic Queen:
We like thy teaching well.