412 FOUR-FOOTED AMERICANS 



ing frantic efforts to haul themselves up again. For, 

 at tlie first corner, the Walrus had come face to face 

 with one of his enemies from the North, an Eskimo 

 chief, harpoon in hand, ready to charge, while close by 

 was a kyack, or hunting canoe, covered with the skin 

 of, perhaps, the Walrus' own brother. 



The night wore on ; fog had settled over the city, 

 hiding the streets and the moon — tlie fog of an early 

 spring morning. 



" How I should like to go out and breathe that wet 

 air ! " said the Moose, wistfully. Happing liis big ears. 

 " Me, too," sighed the Beaver, sitting up to listen. 

 "What was that?" 



"Toot — toot — t-o-o-t I " shrieked a whistle from the 

 long-legged railroad on the avenue. 



" Hark ! " bellowed the Bison, his nostrils quivering, 

 as he panted with fear. " Hark ! do you hear that cry, 

 the voice of the Iron Horse ? It was such a cry that 

 gave the signal for my exile from the plains. Quick ! 

 Back to your places, Four-footed Americans ! " 



The fog lifted as the sun rose, and the Song Sparrow 



warbled merrily in the Park, wliile no one would have 



known that the beasts in the Museum had ever left the 



cases, unless tlie Dream Fox had whispered it to them. 



***** 



The morning after their return from the excursion. 

 Dodo and Nat were out bright and early to discover 

 what had happened in their absence. 



" It is spring even if the wind does blow," laughed 

 Dodo, holding her hat on. "Do look at the crocuses on 

 the lawn." 



" Yes, it's spring, shor 'nuff ! " exclaimed Rod, coming 



