Faster and faster ran Munchie, and by this time the other little horsie
was getting tired. Jimmie was still clinging to his back, and asking him
not to run so fast, but the pony was so frightened he didn't listen to the
duck-boy.

Then, just as he was going to run into a hot peanut wagon, and maybe toss
Jimmie off into the red-hot roaster, all at once Uncle Wiggily, on
Munchie's back, galloped up alongside of the runaway pony. And as quick as
you can drink a glass of lemonade, Uncle Wiggily grabbed Jimmie up on
Munchie's back beside him, and so saved the duck-boy's life. And then the
runaway pony stopped short, all of a sudden, and didn't bump into the hot
peanut wagon, after all, and he was sorry he had run away, and scared
folks.

Then the Decoration Day parade went on, and everyone said how brave Uncle
Wiggily was. But he hadn't yet found his fortune, and so in the story
after this in case our front porch doesn't run away, and take the back
steps with it, so I have to sleep on the doormat, I'll tell you about
Uncle Wiggily in the fountain.

STORY VIII

UNCLE WIGGILY IN THE FOUNTAIN

Well, after the Decoration Day parade, and the things that happened in it,
such as the pony running away with Jimmie Wibblewobble, Uncle Wiggily
Longears thought he'd like to go off to some quiet place and rest.

"Oh, can't you come with me?" asked Percival, the old circus dog. "We'll
go to the Bow-Wows house, and have something to eat."

"No, I'm afraid I can't go," replied the old gentleman rabbit. "You see I
must travel on to seek my fortune, for I haven't found it yet, and I still
have the rheumatism."

"Why don't you try to lose that rheumatism somewhere?" asked Percival. "I
would, if it's such a bother."

"Oh, I've tried and tried and tried, but I can't seem to lose it," replied
Uncle Wiggily. "So I think I'll travel on. I'm much obliged to you for
letting me march in the parade."

Then the old gentleman rabbit got his valise, and, with his crutch, he
once more started off. He went on and on, up one hill and down another,
over the fields where the horses and cows and sheep were pulling up the
grass, and chewing it, so the man wouldn't have to cut it with the lawn
mower; on and on he went. Then Uncle Wiggily reached the woods, where the
ferns and wild flowers grow.

"This is a fine place," he said as he sat down on a flat stump. "I think I
will eat my dinner," so he opened the satchel, and took out a sandwich