IN FEATHERS AND FUR. 
201 
THE LITTLE MASKER. 
This strange personage — whose picture you see here — begins 
life at the bottom of a pond, in the shape of the left hand figure. 
His name, in the big books is — is — as long as he is, and not half 
so pretty, so we'll leave it there. 
He always wears a mask ; indeed, he would not know how to live 
without it, for it is in his possession when he first finds himself in 
the world, and he never parts with it for an instant till — but wait, 
I haven't got to that yet. 
The name you know him by is Dragon Fly, or Devil's Darning 
Needle, or Horse Stinger. Dragon Fly is a suitable name, for no 
Dragon ever was a greater monster to eat than this same fellow. 
But the other names are simply ridiculous, for he could not sting if 
he tried, and as for sewing up your ears — as country children say 
he will — it is too absurd to deny. 
