othing can save us if Zeus does not send an
ally to us as he sent an ally to the frogs." And the first robber said,
"Who began that conflict, the frogs or the mice?" And thereupon the
second robber, his head reaching down to Heracles's waist, began:

THE BATTLE OF THE FROGS AND MICE

A warlike mouse came down to the brink of a pond for no other reason
than to take a drink of water. Up to him hopped a frog. Speaking in the
voice of one who had rule and authority, the frog said:

"Stranger to our shore, you may not know it, but I am Puff Jaw, king of
the frogs. I do not speak to common mice, but you, as I judge, belong
to the noble and kingly sort. Tell me your race. If I know it to be a
noble one I shall show you my kingly friendship."

The mouse, speaking haughtily, said: "I am Crumb Snatcher, and my race
is a famous one. My father is the heroic Bread Nibbler, and he married
Quern Licker, the lovely daughter of a king. Like all my race I am a
warrior who has never been wont to flinch in battle. Moreover, I have
been brought up as a mouse of high degree, and figs and nuts, cheese
and honeycakes is the provender that I have been fed on."

Now this reply of Crumb Snatcher pleased the kingly frog greatly. "Come
with me to my abode, illustrious Crumb Snatcher," said he, "and I shall
show you such entertainment as may be found in the house of a king."

But the mouse looked sharply at him. "How may I get to your house?" he
asked. "We live in different elements, you and I. We mice want to be in
the driest of dry places, while you frogs have your abodes in the
water."

"Ah," answered Puff jaw, "you do not know how favored the frogs are
above all other creatures. To us alone the gods have given the power to
live both in the water and on the land. I shall take you to my land
palace that is the other side of the pond."

"How may I go there with you?" asked Crumb Snatcher the mouse,
doubtfully.

"Upon my back," said the frog. "Up now, noble Crumb Snatcher. And as we
go I will show you the wonders of the deep."

He offered his back and Crumb Snatcher bravely mounted. The mouse put
his forepaws around the frog's neck. Then Puff jaw swam out. Crumb
Snatcher at first was pleased to feel himself moving through the water.
But as the dark waves began to rise his mighty heart began to quail. He
longed to be back upon the land. He groaned aloud.

"How quickly we get on," cried Puff Jaw; "soon we shall be at my land
palace."