As soon as the angry hunter with the terrible gun had disappeared
among the trees of the Green Forest, and Lightfoot was sure that
he had gone for good, Lightfoot came out from his hiding-place on
top of the ridge and walked down to the pond of Paddy the Beaver
for a drink. He knew that it was quite safe to do so, for Sammy
Jay had followed the hunter, all the time screaming, "Thief!
thief! thief!" Every one within hearing could tell just where
that hunter was by Sammy's voice. It kept growing fainter and
fainter, and by that Lightfoot knew that the hunter was getting
farther and farther away.
Paddy the Beaver swam out from his hiding-place and climbed out
on the bank near Lightfoot. There was a twinkle in his
eyes. "That blue-coated mischief-maker isn't such a bad fellow at
heart, after all, is he?" said he.
Lightfoot lifted his beautiful head and set his ears forward to
catch the sound of Sammy's voice in the distance.
"Sammy Jay may be a mischief-maker, as some people say," said he,
"but you can always count on him to prove a true friend in time
of danger. He brought me warning of the coming of the hunter the
other morning. You saw him save Mr. and Mrs. Quack a little while
ago, and then he actually drove that hunter away. I suppose Sammy
Jay has saved more lives than any one I know of. I wish he would
come back here and let me thank him."
Some time later Sammy Jay did come back. "Well," said he, as he
smoothed his feathers, "I chased that fellow clear to the edge of
the Green Forest, so I guess there will be nothing more to fear
from him today. I'm glad to see he hasn't got you yet,
Lightfoot. I've been a bit worried about you."
"Sammy," said Lightfoot, "you are one of the best friends I
have. I don't know how I can ever thank you for what you have
done for me."
"Don't try," replied Sammy shortly. "I haven't done anything but
what anybody else would have done. Old Mother Nature gave me a
pair of good eyes and a strong voice. I simply make the best use
of them I can. Just to see a hunter with a terrible gun makes me
angry clear through. I'd rather spoil his hunting than eat."
"You want to watch out, Sammy. One of these days a hunter will
lose his temper and shoot you, just to get even with you,"
warned Paddy the Beaver.
"Don't worry about me," replied Sammy. "I know just how far
those terrible guns can shoot, and I don't take any chances.
By the way, Lightfoot, the Green Forest is full of hunters looking
for you. I 've seen a lot of them, and I know they are looking
for you because they do not shoot at anybody else even when they
have a chance."