174 GLOOSCAP AND OTHER STORIES

made him all the more furious; he who had the very worst temper of all beasts and men was never so angry before! He saw the tracks of the Weasels, and he pursued them as they fled through the thick forest in the dark night.

The Weasel girls ran all night With the Bad- ger after them; and in the morning they came to a broad river which they could not cross. But on the edge of the water stood a great Crane.

“Oh, Uncle,” they begged, hastening to him; “we are running away from an enemy. Please do take us over at once!”

But the Crane was a vain old fellow, and coveted praise for his good looks.

“I never work without pay,” he said. “You must at least acknowledge that I have a fine form and a beautiful robe. Surely I have straight, smooth feathers.”

“Indeed, indeed!” they answered, “that is true enough! Our uncle has beautiful straight feathers.”

“Confess also that I have a beautiful, long straight neck,” the old Crane said.

“Oh,” answered the Weasels, “our Uncle has a marvellously long and straight neck.”

“Acknowledge that my legs are beautifully straight,” the Crane now demanded.

“True, indeed,” they answered. “Our Uncle has wonderfully long and straight legs.”