Bannertail 



Good things there were to eat on the 

 ground, but he had little appetite, though 

 for three days he had not eaten. He 

 passed by fat white grubs and even nuts, 

 but when he found some late wild straw- 

 berries he munched them eagerly. Their 

 acid sweetness, their fragrant saneness, 

 were what his poor sick body craved. He 

 rested, then climbed a leaning tree. He 

 had not strength for a real climb. In an 

 old abandoned Flicker hole he curled him- 

 self in safety, and strong, gentle Mother 

 Nature, Mother Carey, loving ever the 

 brave ones that never give up, now spread 

 her kindly influence, protecting, round 

 about him and gave him blessed, blessed 

 sleep. 



v \<s -, ,' - ..-, A __*— ^ / A?. 



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4 



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[198] 



