cms 



Bannertail 



gone, and with it their power to please — 

 hags who have become embittered and 

 seek only to destroy. So the fool-trap 

 toadstools waited, silently as hunters' 

 deadfalls wait, until the moment comes 

 to strike. 



It was the same sweet piny woods, the 

 same bright sparkling stream, and the 

 Song-hawk wheeled and sang the same 

 loud song, as Bannertail came once again 

 to seek his earth-born food, to gratify his 

 growing lust. 



And Mother Carey led him on. 



Plentifully strewn were the unholy 

 madcaps, broad bent and wrinkled now, 

 their weird aroma stronger and to a mor- 

 bid taste more alluring. Even yet a tiny 

 warning came as he sniffed their rancid, 

 noxious aura. The nut allurement, too, 

 was strong, and Bannertail rejoiced. 



The feast was like the other, but 

 shorter, more restrained. There were lit- 



[194] 



