"If they take me for their king, why not act the part?" he asked himself.
"I believe I could do it. I certainly look more like a king than any of
the others. And I'm prettier than any of my cousins."

Bumper was in danger of getting intolerably conceited, and for a time he
showed it; but his better sense came to his rescue finally.

"If I'm going to be their king and leader," he concluded, "I'll try to be
a wise and good one. I'll not disappoint them. I'll listen to Mr. Blind
Rabbit, and when I know all he does I'll try to use the knowledge for the
good of all the rabbits in the woods."

So Bumper the White Rabbit did not regret his loss of the red-headed girl
and the beautiful garden, for in becoming the king of the wild rabbits he
had a greater career before him, and how well he acquitted himself in that
position we shall see in future stories, in the book entitled

"Bumper the White Rabbit in the Woods."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHITE TAIL'S ADVENTURES
STORY I
White Tail Jumps Stepping Stone Brook

White Tail grew rapidly in size and strength, his long, clean limbs
showing taut muscles and great springing power; and his neck grew thick
and short, which is well for a buck, who must use it in savage thrusts
when the head is a battering ram. His horns were short and bony, but they