e going to happen?" asked the hunter.

"Great hunter," said Weeng, "if you will remain in this forest behind
that large oak tree, you may see it all. One hour before sunset, the
Red Squirrel and all his army are coming to attack me."

"Why are they going to do that?" asked the hunter, in surprise.

"Because the Red Squirrel wishes to have my branch for his home. He
ordered me to get down, and I refused. So, one hour before sunset, he
and his army are coming to drive me from my home."

"What are you going to do?" asked the hunter. "Can I help you?"

"I and my winged friends," said Weeng, "are going to fight them when
they come. Yes, great hunter, you can help us by remaining to see that
the battle is fair. The Red Squirrel knows that if he can once touch
me, I must fall. But my insects have sharp swords, and they can keep
the army back till sunset."

"And what will happen then?" asked the hunter.

"Then the insects must go to their homes. But, if you swallow the
juice of the leaf, you will see the end of the battle. Now go and hide
behind the oak tree. In a few minutes my army will be here."

The hunter did as he was bidden and took his place behind the tree.
From here he could see Weeng quite plainly, but he was himself hidden.
In a few minutes the insects began to assemble. First came the wasps,
looking fierce and warlike. Then came the bees, buzzing along with
indignation. Then dozens of flies, bluebottles, sand-flies, and
bull-flies, all ready for the fight. Then followed the moths,
ladybugs, butterflies, and mosquitoes.

Lastly, with a great noise, came a regiment of hornets and took their
places on the branch directly in front of Weeng. The others had
gathered in a huge circle around him, and in the midst of the bodyguard
he sat, like a general ready for the attack of the enemy. He had not
long to wait, for somewhere in the forest the Red Squirrel had
assembled his army, and now he brought them forward in one body to the
foot of the tree. All the red squirrels were in front, next came the
gray squirrels, then the chipmunks.

The Red Squirrel gave the command, and up the tree his army began to
climb. Out on the branch they came, where Weeng sat at the farthest
end. But the hornets were ready for them, and as they advanced the
sharp swords of the defenders pricked their noses, eyes, and bodies.
Backward they tumbled, some falling from the limb, others clinging
desperately to the under si