Sure enough, right in the middle was a little winding staircase, down which he scrambled into darkness. A Quilly Acquaintance [Illustration] [Illustration: Chapter VI _A Quilly Acquaintance_] The little staircase seemed very dark and pokey to Mr. Bushy Tail, and he devoutly hoped that nothing would jump out and bite him. After a number of windings, however, he saw a faint light below him, and a few moments later, he stepped through a low doorway, and found himself close beside his quilly acquaintance. [Illustration] “How do you do, and where did you drop from?” asked Squeaky Voice. “I am sure I don’t know where I dropped from,” replied Mr. Bushy Tail, “but I came a long distance, at a very high rate of speed.” [Illustration] “Have a few ants for luncheon?” inquired Mr. Quills. “Have a few what?” asked the astonished Mr. Bushy Tail. “Ants,” replied the Quilly One. “Red ants! White ants! Black ants! Speckled ants!--just any kind of ants. They are all excellent, both as food and appetizers.” “No, thank you,” said Mr. Bushy Tail, in rather a disgusted voice. “I do not care for ants. Do you eat nothing else?” “Nothing!” answered the other proudly. “I am the world famous Quilly Ant-Eater, of whom you have doubtless heard.” Now Mr. Bushy Tail had never heard of this celebrated personage, but he was too wise to say so. He only inquired where he could find a few nuts, for he was half starved, and also the nearest way to the North. The squeaky Mr. Quilly Ant-Eater led him to a charming wood, where nuts grew in abundance, (as well as ants) for here at the South Pole it was summer, and the flowers and trees were in full bloom. [Illustration] Mr. Bushy Tail’s winter coat felt much too warm, and as he could not shed it until Spring came in the North, he concluded that he had better travel home as speedily as possible, or he might melt away entirely. Mr. Quills did not know the way North, but he directed Mr. Bushy Tail to an intimate friend of his, Mr. Ring-Tailed Snorter, who was a great traveller, and would undoubtedly be able to help him. Mr. Bushy Tail felt rather timid about meeting a person with such a fearsome name, but he felt that he _must_ hurry home to his perchance starving family. So, after thanking Mr. Quilly Ant-Eater for his kindness, he took his courage in his paws, and started off to find Mr. Snorter. [Illustration] The Snortling of the Ring-Tailed Snorter [Illustration] [Illustration: Chapter VII _The Snortling of the Ring-Tailed Snorter_] After travelling for several miles, Mr. Bushy Tail entered a lovely glade full of flowers and ferns. He had heard, as he approached, a most peculiar noise, such as he had never heard in his life. As he drew nearer, the sounds grew much louder, and finally he saw the strangest looking object seated on a tree trunk.