34 STOKIES OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 



when I've been to market over in the hickories 

 above the river, or in the chestnuts behind the 

 mill, and carry a great load home, I drop some 

 of the nuts, and they grow. 



" I don't think you know how hard I have to 

 work sometimes, mistress, to get in our winter 

 store of food. I carried four quarts of chestnuts, 

 two nuts at a time, from over the river, and that 

 wicked little dog of yours chased me every time 

 I crossed your garden wall." 



" He isn't a wicked dog ; father says it is his 

 nature to chase little beasts for food." 



"Yes, for food. We all may take what we 

 need to eat. Heart of Nature allows that. 

 But Waddles is never really hungry ; he has 

 learned bad habits of the House People, and 

 chases for sport, to see us run, as they do. We 

 understand what hunger is and know all its ex- 

 cuses, but our law is like the Red Brother's, 

 'take what ye need to eat.' 



"Many a* weary run I've had across the open, 

 half choking, with my cheeks stuffed out with 

 nuts, the dog behind, and not a tree to save me. 

 One thing comforts me ; I've dropped so many 

 chestnuts on the way that a forest will surely 

 grow there to shelter my great-grandchildren. 

 Pr-r-r-r-ut ! Pr-r-ink ! " laughed Rattle. 



