"A great horned owl. His iron beak missed our little squirrel friend just about three inches. Those three inches were enough, but I don't think that squirrel will very soon again stay out at night so late. The woods are beautiful, Robert, but you see they're not always safe even for those who can't live anywhere else." "I know, Dave, but I'm not going to think about it tonight, because I've made up my mind to be happy. Here comes Tayoga. Is any enemy near, Tayoga?" "None," replied the Onondaga, sitting down by the fire. "But the forest is full of its own people, and they are all very curious about us." "That's true," said Willet, "a squirrel over Robert's head was so inquisitive that he forgot his vigilance for a few moments and came near losing his life as the price of his carelessness. I'm not surprised to hear you say, Tayoga, they're all looking at us. I've felt for some time that we're being watched, admired and perhaps a little feared. It's a tribute to the enormously interesting qualities of us three." "That is, Dave, because we're human beings we're kings in the forest among the animals." "You put it right, Robert. They look up to us. Is anything watching us among the leaves near by, Tayoga?" "A huge bald-headed eagle, Great Bear, is sitting on a bough in the center of a mass of green leaves. He is looking at us, and while he is full of curiosity and some admiration he fears and hates us more." "What is he saying to himself, Tayoga?" "You can read his words to himself by the look in his eyes. He is saying that he does not like our appearance, that we are too large, that we have created here something hot and flaming, that we behave with too much assurance, going about just as if the forest was ours, and paying no attention to its rightful owners." "He has got a grievance, and perhaps it's a just one," laughed Robert. "No, it is not," said Tayoga, "because there is plenty of room in the forest for him and for us, too. I can read his eyes quite well. There is much malice and anger in his heart, and I will give him some cause for rage." He picked up a live coal between the ends of two sticks, and holding it firmly in that manner, walked a little distance among the trees. Then swinging the sticks he hurled the coal far up among the boughs. There was an angry screech and whirr and Robert saw a swift shadow passing between his eyes and the sky. "His heart can burn more than ever now," laughed Tayoga, as he returned to the fire. "You've hurt his dignity, Tayoga," said Robert. "So I have, but why should he not suffer a loss of pride? He is ruthless and cruel and when he has his way he makes desolation about him." "What else is watching us, Tayoga?"