392 NA TURE'STUDY REVIEW 



crows, hawks, hens, and ducks like to eat tender baby toads. 

 Many of us were killed by these hungry creatures. 



On and on we went for three weeks. One by one my friends 

 found homes that suited them in fields and cellars until, at last. 

 I was left quite alone. But, one day, I came to a beautiful garden 

 and then I, too, stopped for I knew that I should never chance 

 upon a more delightful place. 



I was now an inch and a half long and a regular roly-poly of fat. 

 All over my smooth brown back little spots were beginning to show. 



The garden was full of bugs and worms and I didn't do much 

 but eat all night long. During most of the day I slept quietly 

 in a nice damp place under a pile of white rocks. Toads don't 

 like warm dry bed-rooms. 



I found that the garden belonged to a dear old gentleman and 

 his wife who liked toads. Often I heard them talking about me. 

 They called me their "little helper" iDecause I ate so many crea- 

 tures that were harmful to their beautiful shrubs and flowers. 

 I was not one bit afraid of either of them. 



But, at last, I got a terrible scare. The old people's little 

 grandson came to visit them. It happened to be a rainy morning 

 and I was out of bed for awhile. 



The boy came racing down the garden path, where I was sitting, 

 and, at sight of me, set up a shout. I was afraid to hop, so quickly 

 turned upon my back and pretended to be dead. 



The boy kept very still and did not touch me. Indeed he was 

 so quiet that I thought he had gone away. So, after a time, I 

 decided to come to life again. But the moment I moved my little 

 orange paws I heard him laughing again, close beside me. Quick 

 as a flash I was on my feet and hopping off as fast as I could go. 



Then the little boy clapped his hands and laughed again. 



"Oh, Grandma !" he cried. "Your dear little baby toad jiomped 

 way up in the air. I'm going to call him Hop High." 



After he called me "dear" I wasn't afraid of the little boy any 

 more and we soon became fast friends. Near the garden gate 

 was a large flat stone with a hollow in its centre. On hot, dry 

 days the boy kept this hollow filled with water. And when I 

 came out at sunset I would sprawl in the water and soak myself 

 through and through. Those nice baths kept me well and strong. 



