be carried out?"

"This very day, in about two hours' time," replied the Mouse. "Well,
good-bye for the present, I think it is all very nicely arranged;" and
he nimbly scurried back to tell the Horse that the Rabbit was to be
killed by the Sentry; which he did with the utmost glee.

Perhaps, however, his glee would not have been so great had he known
that whilst he was giving his account of what had occurred to the Horse,
_his wicked plan was at the same time being told to the intended
victim_!

This is how such a strange thing happened.

Whilst the Mouse and the Sentry were talking, they had forgotten that
the Owl's usual position was just behind the sentry-box. Or, if they
thought of it at all, they gave no heed to the fact, being aware that
the Owl was accustomed to sleep during the whole of the day.

It so happened, however, that at the very moment the Mouse began his
conversation with the Sentry, the Owl awakened with a start from a bad
daymare, and all but hooted with fright. Growing calm as he became wider
awake, he was going off to sleep again,--when the name of the Rabbit
caught his ear. Being well acquainted with both him and the Mouse, whose
squeaking voice he recognized, the Owl listened to what was being said,
at first with drowsy then with startled attention.

He only waited until he had learned all the details of the vile plot,
and then, overcoming, in the cause of friendship, every desire to close
his heavy eyes, he stole away, and imparted his startling news to the
astonished Rabbit.

"_Impossible!_" exclaimed his hearer, letting his drum-stick fall with a
crash upon the instrument he had been industriously practising. "I would
as soon doubt my own honor as that of the little Mouse--my friend and
companion through weal and woe. _Impossible!_ You must have dreamt it,
or invented it."

"Don't be so hasty in your judgment," remarked the Owl. "I have neither
dreamt nor invented it. If you doubt me go without delay to the brown
Horse's stable, where you will find the Mouse at this present moment
talking with his wicked companion. I will wait here until you return, in
case I may be needed to help you in your difficulty."

"Many thanks," said the Rabbit, and leaving his drum in charge of the
Owl he hurried away.

But a short time passed, and then he returned with a look of horror and
dismay.

"All you have told me is but too true," he exclaimed. "Let me tender you
my most sincere apologies for ha