WONDER TALES OF THE FOREST 47

that we will marry him. And when we are once upon the ground, we will run away.”

The first who passed by was Team, the Moose.

“Our elder brother,” the sisters called down to him. “Set us free! Take us down! We Will go home with you, and be your wives.”

Team looked up, and saw the pretty white forms of the Weasel girls, but he only sneered at them.

“Why, I am already married,” he called back to them. “I was married last autumn.” And then he went along on his journey through the forest.

Then after a long while, M 001%, a great brown Bear, came by.

“Oh, our elder brother,” the Weasels cried; “set us free! Take us down! We will go home with you and be your wives.” Mooin looked up and saw the Weasel girls upon the tree—top.

“But I do not need a wife, ” he said. “I was married in the spring,” and he growled and walked on.

Then came Abistanaooch, the Marten, and the Weasel sisters called to him. .

But Marten did not care to help them either.

“Oh, I was married 1n the early spring,” he called to them, and scampered off, leaving the Weasel girls still high up in the pine tree.

All day long the Weasel girls had been in