Part 5 (2/2)
Then turning to the goose he cried--”Wretch, you have provoked me to kill you, and you have yourself to blame”; and having said this, he seized Stupidify by the neck and killed her.
Purrier now sprang from his bed and leaped into the box beside Crafticus, and they had a right royal feast together. They chatted and laughed, and Purrier told what he said to the goose when he met her and walked with her towards the barn.
”You have done well, Purrier, and I'll never forget you.”
”Oh, my part was nothing,” replied he, ”it was your own wise head that planned the whole trick. And when your case comes again before the king, I am sure it can't be broken.”
”Thank you sincerely,” rejoined Crafticus. ”I shall now get back to my dear, sorrowing wife and children.”
Two days afterwards, the fox stood again before the king.
”Crafticus,” said the counsellor, with a grave face, ”you are charged this time with wilfully killing Stupidify, the king's fat goose. Now what have you to say for yourself?”
Then Crafticus told the whole story of his provocation in a persuasive, modest manner, and he finished by saying--
”Purrier, if I mistake not, was present at the time, and, if so, he will be able to support every word I have spoken.”
”Call for the black cat,” commanded the king.
”Purrier, to the front,” cried Primeval.
With a few fine springs the cat was in his place and on his hind legs before the king. But his eyes were closed because of the glare of light from the ruby and the diamond.
”Tell king m.u.f.fler all you know about Stupidify's treatment of Crafticus.”
Purrier did so and added--
”I was so sorry and indignant after the selfish goose sat down in the poor fox's warm place that I called out to him--'Demand your rights, the king is on your side.'”
Then Purrier finished by saying--
”Pardon me, O king, if I venture to say that such senseless, irritating conduct as the goose exhibited all that night might almost try your own great patience.”
”It would indeed,” said m.u.f.fler, ”it was absurd and provoking in the highest degree, and if there be nothing to set aside your testimony, Crafticus shall go free.” And when Purrier bowed and sprang away, the king smiled approvingly and called after him--”You are a sympathetic, clever little fellow, and I like your glossy, black coat.”
”Next witness,” said m.u.f.fler.
”Niblius, come forward,” cried the counsellor.
But although everyone looked, no one could see Niblius, and they wondered if he had dared not to be present. At last a little mouse with a white face and white feet was seen running up the hairy body of Primeval and out along his extended arm, and then sitting bolt upright on his broad palm. Then it bowed with a pretty jerk to king m.u.f.fler, and he nodded back and smiled.
”I suppose you will be able to prove the black cat's words to be true?”
remarked Primeval.
”No, my king,” replied the little fellow bravely, and he told everything he overheard in the barn.
King m.u.f.fler opened his eyes in astonishment and enquired--
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