BILLY HAS GOOD HUNTING
He longest lives who runs away
When danger lurks along the way.
_Billy Mink._
Billy Mink loves to hunt. He is one of the best hunters among the little
people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows. Not even Reddy Fox is
a better hunter than Billy Mink. In the first place, Billy has a
wonderful nose. He can follow the scent of a Mouse quite as well as can
Reddy Fox. Then, too, Billy possesses sharp ears.
The instant Billy caught the scent of Robber the Rat at the edge of the
hole in the floor of that barn, he forgot all about the hens over in the
henhouse. He popped up through the hole on to the barn floor and his
nose found the scent of Robber the Rat stronger than ever. Billy began
to follow it just as Bowser the Hound follows the scent of Reddy Fox. It
led straight over to a grain bin. Just as Billy reached one end of the
grain bin, a big gray Rat, with two others at his heels, scrambled out
of the other end of the grain bin and with squeaks of fright scampered
away. How they had known of his coming, Billy didn’t know. Probably they
had smelled him, for Billy has quite a strong scent of his own. Anyway,
they had discovered his presence.
With a bound Billy was after them. Almost at once the three Rats
separated. Billy didn’t hesitate. He followed the largest one. He
followed him with his nose; that was all he needed to guide him.
Now that Rat knew every nook and corner and every hiding-place in that
big barn. Also he knew that there was no place big enough for him to get
into which Billy Mink could not get into too, and fear gave speed to his
legs. Behind and under boxes, over grain bins, squeezing through narrow
places and racing across open places, the Rat ran, with Billy behind
him. At last he was cornered.
Instantly that Rat changed completely. He whirled about and faced Billy
Mink, showing savage teeth. He was big and strong and he intended to
fight. For just an instant Billy Mink stopped. Now a Rat is quick but
Billy Mink is quicker. That Rat was no coward. He fought and he fought
hard, but he fought in vain. He could not get those wicked-looking teeth
of his into Billy. In less time than it takes to tell it, the fight was
over and Billy Mink had his dinner.
Now Billy knew all about Robber the Rat and his relatives. He knew that
they were outcasts among all the little people of the Green Forest and
the Green Meadows. He knew that not a single thing could be said in
their favor. He knew that the Great World would be a better place for
everybody if there were no Brown Rats in it.
“There is good hunting here,” muttered Billy, as he turned to go back to
his new home under the woodpile. “As long as there is such good hunting
here in this barn, I’ll keep away from the henhouse.” Then he went home
and curled up for a nap.