Bannertail 



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fe'Sf 



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evolved. Sure of himself, delighting in 

 his own wonderful agility, he would often 

 go out to meet the foe, if he saw the Hen- 

 hawk or the Chicken-hawk approaching. 

 He would flash his silver tail, and shrill 

 "Grrrjf, grrrfi" by way of challenge. 



The Hen-hawk always saw. "Keen- 

 eyed as a hawk" is not without a reason. 

 And, sailing faster than a driving leaf, he 

 would swish through the hickory woods 

 to swoop at the challenging Squirrel. 

 But just as quick was Bannertail, and 

 round the rough trunk he would whisk, 

 the Hawk, rebounding in the air to save 

 himself from dashing out his brains or 

 being impaled, would now be greeted on 

 the other side by the head and flashing 

 tail of the Squirrel, and another with loud, 

 defiant "Ggrrrjfhh, grggrrrffhh" 



Down again would swoop the air ban- 

 dit, quicker than a flash, huge black claws 

 advanced, and Bannertail would wait till 



[218] 





