CHICKAREE THE SCOLD 115 



the rock, in the direction he was going, ended ab- 

 ruptly. 



On he pushed across the rough, mossy surface, 

 inch by inch, until, catching a good foothold, he 

 gave a mighty shove and over they went, he and 

 his loaf together, striking with a beautiful splash 

 in a little pool of water below! 



We took a bit of wicked pleasure in his fall, as 

 we saw how he scrambled out unhurt. He came 

 out, however, still holding to his loaf. But it was 

 thoroughly soaked now; and as he dragged it up 

 on shore the top crust came off, letting the loaf 

 tumble back into the water. He ran away to hide 

 the crust, then came back quickly to the pool. 



It was fun to see him fish for that soaked piece 

 of bread. What was the matter with it? He 

 would catch it in his paws, take it in his mouth, 

 scoop and pull and root, but each time he would 

 get only crumbs. The provoking stuff had got 

 bewitched ! It would not come out. He could not 

 get it out ! 



But Chickaree was not bewitched. He was an- 

 gry plain old- Adam anger. Up on the log he 

 jumped, flipped his tail, clawed the bark, and, with 

 a burst of wrath, gave the whole big mountain a 

 furious scolding. It was the mountain's fault, 



