THE RATS PLAN TO KILL BILLY MINK
An idle boaster, it is clear,
Is he who says he knows no fear.
_Billy Mink._
It having been agreed by all the Rats in the big barn that they would
stand by each other and all attack Billy Mink at once, the next time he
appeared, they immediately began to feel better. Only the oldest ones
shook their heads doubtfully and continued to look worried. The younger
ones boasted. Had they not driven away the Cat which the farmer had put
in the barn to catch them? And was not the Cat very much bigger than
this new enemy? They began to talk among themselves of the fun they
would have when Billy Mink should next appear.
“I’m not afraid,” said one.
“Nor I,” cried another. And all the rest of the young Rats boasted in
the same way.
But the gray old leader still shook his head and looked worried. “It is
all very well for you to brag of what you will do,” said he. “But
bragging never yet won a battle. If we would keep our homes here in this
big barn, where many of you have spent your lives, we must make our
plans to kill this terrible enemy. It will not do to simply drive him
away, for he might return when least expected. Always there must be two
or three on watch. The instant that Mink appears, warning must be given,
and then all of us fall on him at once. As I told you before, the best
fighter among us would be helpless if he had to face that fellow alone.
But if we all attack him together, there will be nothing to fear.”
So certain of the sharpest-eyed Rats were appointed to watch all the
holes through which Billy Mink might enter the big barn. When it should
become necessary for them to go hunt for food, other Rats were to take
their places. All the others scattered to their homes. Some lived under
the barn, some lived on the main floor of the barn, and some lived in
the hay loft. The old Rats were still worried, but the younger ones were
filled with pleasant excitement. They rather hoped that Billy Mink would
come soon. They wanted to show how brave they could be. Not a doubt
crept into the mind of one of them that all would end as they had
planned.
Meanwhile Billy Mink was comfortably dreaming in the little chamber he
had chosen under the big woodpile between the big barn and the henhouse.
Billy’s dreams were pleasant dreams. That is, they were pleasant dreams
for him. He dreamed he was hunting Rats. Yes, they were very pleasant
dreams for Billy. But had any of the Rats in the big barn had those
dreams, they would have been anything but pleasant. It is funny how in
this world the things which are very pleasant for one are very
unpleasant for another.