"I've never seen a wolf before," replied Stumpy,
"and I hope I never see one again!"
"We had better wait here until we're sure the
wolf—and any friends he may have with him—
are gone for the night."
"Thank you for the advice, it couldn't have come
at a better time. I thought that he was going to
catch me for sure," said Stumpy with a grimace.
He looked curiously at the old beaver. "I—I—
thought I was a—goner. Thank goodness you
were here to help." Stumpy was silent for a
while. "What are you doing this far downstream
anyway? And, who are you?"
The old beaver laughed heartily. "You
should instead ask me what I'm doing this far
upstream! I come from a lodge many miles from
here, and the story of how I got here—well,
that's another story." He smiled at Stumpy.
8