The instant Lightfoot saw Paddy the Beaver he knew that for the
time being, at least, there was no danger. He knew that Paddy is
one of the shyest of all the little people of the Green Forest
and that when he is found working in the daytime it means that he
has been undisturbed for a long time; otherwise he would work
only at night.
Paddy saw Lightfoot almost as soon as he stepped out on the
bank. He kept right on swimming with the branch of a poplar-tree
until he reached his food pile, which, you know, is in the
water. There he forced the branch down until it was held by other
branches already sunken in the pond. This done, he swam over to
where Lightfoot was watching. "Hello, Lightfoot!" he exclaimed.
"You are looking handsomer than ever. How are you feeling
these fine autumn days?"
"Anxious," replied Lightfoot. "I am feeling terribly anxious.
Do you know what day this is?"
"No," replied Paddy, "I don't know what day it is, and I don't
particularly care. It is enough for me that it is one of the
finest days we've had for a long time."
"I wish I could feel that way," said Lightfoot wistfully. "I wish
I could feel that way, Paddy, but I can't. No, Sir, I can't.
You see, this is the first of the most dreadful days in all the year
for me. The hunters started looking for me before Mr. Sun was
really out of bed. At least one hunter did, and I don't doubt
there are others. I fooled that one, but from now to the end of
the hunting season there will not be a single moment of daylight
when I will feel absolutely safe."
Paddy crept out on the bank and chewed a little twig of poplar
thoughtfully. Paddy says he can always think better if he is
chewing something. "That's bad news, Lightfoot. I'm sorry to hear
it. I certainly am sorry to hear it," said Paddy. "Why anybody
wants to hunt such a handsome fellow as you are, I cannot
understand. My, but that's a beautiful set of antlers you have!"
"They are the best I've ever had; but do you know, Paddy, I
suspect that they may be one of the reasons I am hunted so,"
replied Lightfoot a little sadly. "Good looks are not always to
be desired. Have you seen any hunters around here lately?"
Paddy shook his Lead. "Not a single hunter," he replied. "I tell
you what it is, Lightfoot, let's be partners for a while.
You stay right around my pond. If I see or hear or smell anything
suspicious, I'll warn you. You do the same for me. Two sets of
eyes, ears and noses are better than one. What do you say,
Lightfoot?"
"I'll do it," replied Lightfoot.