ing her head upon the pillow she wept
with joy.

That night Silver Ribbon sobbed herself to sleep upon her mamma's neck.
Her mother did not punish her, for she knew that she had pain enough.
She tried indeed to comfort her by saying that every one would forgive
her if she would begin and do better for the future, for she was very
grieved for her deceitful little child.

CHAPTER VII.

THE FIGHT IN THE RAVINE.

When morning came, Silver Ribbon heard all the others at play with
Golden Ribbon's horse, and she ventured out. But on seeing the crowd
she was still so ashamed that she slipped quietly past, and went right
into the wood. Going down the edge of the deep ravine she wandered she
knew not and cared not where, till she came to the winding stream at
the bottom. Seeing Bruin taking a drink she passed softly down the
bank, and coming to a grassy spot she sat down, feeling very unhappy.
She watched for awhile the little fishes as they darted to and fro,
envying their happiness.

But hearing a gliding movement in the grass behind her, what was her
horror when on turning round she saw the big snake a few feet away, its
head raised, its neck arched, and its cunning eyes shining with
fiendish glee. Poor Silver Ribbon would have run away, but she could
not; she was too near and was fascinated.

[Illustration: FASCINATED.]

"Aha," said the hideous reptile with a hiss, "I have got you now."

* * * * *

Although Chattie was a funny bird and straightforward, still she had a
liking for Silver Ribbon, and when with her quick eyes she saw the poor
sad thing wandering aimlessly down the ravine, she followed secretly
from tree to tree to watch over her. Noticing the rise of the horrid
snake's head, she flew back like an arrow to Castle Frank to tell of
Silver Ribbon's danger.

Robin seized a short loaded gun and ran after the parrot as fast as he
could. The brushwood was very thick but he pressed on, and as he drew
near the spot he heard roars and groans and hissing. Getting out into
the open, he saw the snake and Hug-grippy fighting desperately. The
reptile was coiled around the bear's body, its head was raised, its
mouth wide open, and its glittering eyes were looking straight into
Bruin's face. It was gripping Hug-grippy dreadfully: he was in agony
and was losing breath.

Kneeling down upon one knee, Robin raised his gun; but being scarcely
near enough, it was dangerous to fire-