212 NEIGHBOURS UNKNOWN 



They were made by gnawing off the stems 

 close to the firm surface of the sod. The 

 stems on each side, tending to be pressed 

 together, formed a perfect roof to the narrow 

 tunnels, which pierced the grass in every 

 direction and formed a seemingly insoluble 

 labyrinth. The brown mouse, however, knew 

 his way very well through the soft green 

 light, flecked with specks and streaks of 

 pollen-dusty sunshine. The tunnels were 

 swarming with travellers ; but beyond nip- 

 ping them on the haunches now and then, 

 to make them get out of his way or move 

 faster, he paid no attention to them. At 

 last he came to the edge of the stream, and to 

 a burrow beneath the roots of a wild-rose 

 thicket which fringed the water. 



This burrow the brown mouse had once 

 inhabited. He felt it was his. Just now it 

 was occupied by an irritable little mole-shrew ; 

 but the brown mouse, strong in the sense of 

 ownership, proceeded to take possession. The 

 outraged shrew put up a bitter fight, but in 

 vain. With squeaks and blood the eviction 

 was accomplished, and the brown mouse estab- 

 lished himself complacently in the burrow. 



After a few days the south-west gales blew 

 themselves out, the tides drew back within 

 their ordinary summer bounds, and most of 



