“Stop!” cried Sammy sharply. “You said you would wait until I am through. It won't do for you to go there until after dark, because there is a hunter hiding very near Mr. Quack's hiding-place. Wait until it is dark and he has gone home. Then take my advice, and when you have found Mr. Quack, bring him right up here to the Smiling Pool. He can't fly, but he can swim up the Laughing Brook, and this is the safest place for both of you. Now good night and good luck.” XIX JERRY MUSKRAT'S GREAT IDEA A friendly friend is a friend indeed When he proves a friend in the time of need. Mr. and Mrs. Quack had been so much taken up with each other and with their troubles that they had quite forgotten they were not alone in the Smiling Pool, which they had reached by swimming up the Laughing Brook. So it happened that when Mrs. Quack suggested that if Mr. Quack's wing got strong they might be able to find a lonesome pond not too far away where they could make their home for the summer, they were a little startled to hear a voice say: “I know where there is one, and you will not have to fly at all to get to it.” Both jumped a little. You see their nerves had been very much upset for a long time, and the least unexpected thing made them jump. Then both laughed. “Hello, Jerry Muskrat! We'd forgotten all about you,” said Mrs. Quack. “What was that you said?” Jerry good-naturedly repeated what he had said. Mrs. Quack's face brightened. “Do you really mean it?” she asked eagerly. “Do you really mean that you know of a pond where we could live and not be likely to be seen by these two-legged creatures called men?” “That's what I said,” replied Jerry briefly. “Oh, Jerry, you're not joking, are you? Tell me you're not joking,” begged Mrs. Quack. “Of course I'm not joking,” returned Jerry just a little bit indignantly, “I am not the kind of a fellow to joke people who are in such trouble as you and Mr. Quack seem to be in. The idea came to me while you were talking. I couldn't help overhearing what you were saying, and the minute you mentioned a lonesome pond, the idea came to me, and I think it's a perfectly splendid idea. I know of just the lonesomest kind of a lonesome pond, and you won't have to fly a stroke to get to it. If you are smart enough not to be caught by Reddy Fox or Hooty the Owl or Billy Mink or any of those people who hunt for a living, there isn't any reason I know of why you shouldn't spend the summer there in peace and comfort.” Mrs. Quack's eyes fairly shone with hope and eagerness. “Oh, Jerry, tell us where it is, and we'll start for it right away!” she cried. Jerry's eyes twinkled. “Of course, the owner of that pond might not like to have neighbors. I hadn't thought of that,” said he. “Perhaps he ought to be asked first.” Mrs. Quack's face fell. “Who is the owner?” she asked. “My cousin, Paddy the Beaver. He made it,” replied Jerry proudly.