In spite of various discomforts Snythergen made the crossing successfully and had no difficulty in following the trail home. On reaching the house he found Sancho Wing and Squeaky feverishly preparing the bread and butter and sugar to take to him. They were overjoyed to see him, but Snythergen was too tired to sit up and visit. He had been standing on his roots so long he was only too glad to lie down and sleep. But before he would close his eyes, they had to assure him that the woodchoppers had left the forest. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER X THE BEAR SEES THE “GRASSHOPPER PIG,” HEARS THE “HUNTSMEN” AND IS PRESENT AT THE “ESCAPE” When Snythergen woke up, Sancho Wing was sorry to have to tell him that the bear had resumed his midnight prowlings and might call upon them at any time. “We must prepare to defend ourselves,” said Sancho wisely, as he perched on Snythergen’s ear. “How can a pig defend himself from a bear?” asked Squeaky, absent-mindedly biting one of Snythergen’s toes. “Simple,” said Sancho. “Give him what he wants. You flatter yourself if you think he wants you. He is after food, that is all.” “Well, let us give it to him,” said Snythergen, “as long as he doesn’t share Squeaky’s weakness for toes.” “Just what I was thinking,” said Sancho. “Let us set a bear lunch every night, and to make sure he will find it we must spread it in a circle around the house. Then, no matter from what direction the bear approaches, he will find something to eat across his path.” “I’ve heard that round foods make people fat,” said Snythergen. “Maybe food served on a round table will make the bear fat.” “That wouldn’t help us any,” said Sancho Wing, “for fat bears are as dangerous as lean ones.” “Won’t it be pretty expensive boarding a bear?” asked Squeaky. “Of course,” said Sancho Wing, “but if we find we can’t afford to feed him we can build an airplane and journey to a land where there are no bears. We may have to travel to the end of the sky to find such a place, but who cares?” At Sancho Wing’s suggestion Snythergen set to work at once to build a supper table. When completed it encircled the house and resembled a well planed sidewalk. That night Squeaky set the table, being careful to spread the food so thin that it went all the way around. There were so many hungry beings in the forest besides the bear that Sancho Wing had to keep a keen look-out for thieves, and his duties kept him very busy. One minute he would be scanning the woods from the top of his tower, the next he would dive down to the round table to scream at the small animals that were forever nibbling. Often he was obliged to call Squeaky and even Snythergen, to chase away the larger birds, the rabbits, and the squirrels. Each night they set the table as late as they dared to prevent so much of the food being stolen.