Chapter IX.
the Field Mice
quot;E CANNOt BE FAR from t; re- marked tood beside t;for we he river carried us away.”
tin oodman to reply come bounding over to yello, and t it must be cs ears o its s mouteets red eyes glo came nearer tin oodman sa running before t tle gray field mouse, and al- t to try to kill sucty, ure.
So t ran by a quick blo cut ts s body, and it rolled over at in two pieces.
t it s enemy, stopped s; and coming sloo t said, in a squeaky little voice:
quot;Ohank you ever so much for saving my life.”
quot;Dont speak of it, I beg of you,quot; replied t;I , you knoo o be only a mouse.”
quot;Only a mouse!quot; cried ttle animal, indignantly. quot;he Field Mice!”
quot;O; said the oodman, making a bow.
quot;t deed, as ; added the Queen.
At t moment several mice as ttle legs could carry they exclaimed:
quot;Oy, you ildcat?quot; and to ttle Queen t t stood upon their heads.
quot;tin man,quot; s;killed t and saved my life. So er you must all serve est wish.”
quot;e ; cried all tions, for toto and jumped rigo the group.
toto o c.
But tin oodman caugigo t;Come back! Come back! toto s you.”
At tuck from un- derneatimid voice, quot;Are you sure bite us?”
quot;I let ; said t;so do not be afraid.”
One by one toto did not bark again, altried to get out of tten kno mice spoke.
quot;Is t; it asked, quot;to repay you for saving the life o