Now Kag-ax is more afraid of A-tos-sa the Snake than of any other
creature in the whole world. He cannot bear even the sight of a
snake-skin. You must weave a snake-skin into each one of your nests.
Then he will not dare to trouble you.'

"'But how shall we get the snake-skins?' asked Grandfather Kit-chee, the
head of the family.

"'That is easy,' answered the Master of Life. 'A-tos-sa, as you know,
sheds his skin. If you look sharp, you can find the cast-off skins
almost anywhere. Do as I have said, and you will be safe. Even Mee-ko
the Squirrel and others of your enemies will be afraid of the snake-skin
and let your nests alone.'

"The Kit-chee family did as the Master of Life told them to do. From
that time to this they always have woven a snake-skin into their nests,
and their nests have seldom been robbed."

"Thank you," said the little boy, "that was a good story. Now I must be
going home. There's Aunt Martha calling for dinner." And he slid down
out of the old apple tree and went across the orchard to the house.




[Illustration]