spent
less time in play, and seldom rambled to any great distance from the
oak-tree. So for a week or two our squirrels passed their time very
sedately and quietly, taking care of their children, and watching with
great delight their rapid growth from day to day.

One evening, just before bed-time, Brush was peering out at the
entrance of his hole, as he often did before he curled himself up for
the night, perhaps that he might see what sort of weather it was likely
to be the next day. Whatever his object might have been, he certainly
_was_ looking out of his hole on this particular evening; when, casting
his eyes down the valley, he perceived a small dark speck dancing about
in the air, and as it drew nearer, and became more distinct, he saw
that it was his friend Leatherwing, coming to enjoy his favourite sport
of gnat-catching, over the surface of the pond.

"I feel rather sleepy," said Brush, "but I have not seen the old fellow
for some time, and I _must_ tell him what has happened since he was
here last."

So he ran out to the end of a branch, and when the bat came within hail
he begged him to stop for a few minutes' chat.

Now, though Leatherwing was very hungry, and his game was abundant, yet
his love of a little gossip was so great, that it overcame his dislike
to the feeling of an empty stomach, and he was just going to alight on
the branch, by the side of his friend, when he suddenly called out in a
voice of extreme terror, "Back, friend Brush! Run back to your hole
directly! Back, you foolish fellow, or the cruel wild-cat will have
you!"

[Illustration: THE WILD-CAT. Page 99.]

Horrible! the monstrous wild-cat, the British tigress as she has been
called, was in the tree indeed! She was crouching down on a
neighbouring branch, between the squirrel and the nest, preparing
herself for the fearful spring, by that peculiar wriggling motion of
the hinder part of the body which you may often have observed in your
favourite kitten, when she is just going to dart at the plaything you
have kindly made for her amusement.

At first sight of the monster, the poor little squirrel was so
terrified that he had no power to move, for her great savage eyes were
fixed upon him, and sent forth a horrible greenish coloured light,
which seemed to have the effect of preventing any attempt at escape.
But he recovered himself at last, and it was well for him that he did
so; for hardly, by means of a tremendous spring, had he