that hunter was by Sammy's voice. It kept growing fainter and
fainter, and by that Lightfoot knew that the hunter was getting
farther and farther away.

Paddy the Beaver swam out from his hiding-place and climbed out
on the bank near Lightfoot. There was a twinkle in his
eyes. "That blue-coated mischief-maker isn't such a bad fellow at
heart, after all, is he?" said he.

Lightfoot lifted his beautiful head and set his ears forward to
catch the sound of Sammy's voice in the distance.

"Sammy Jay may be a mischief-maker, as some people say," said he,
"but you can always count on him to prove a true friend in time
of danger. He brought me warning of the coming of the hunter the
other morning. You saw him save Mr. and Mrs. Quack a little while
ago, and then he actually drove that hunter away. I suppose Sammy
Jay has saved more lives than any one I know of. I wish he would
come back here and let me thank him."

Some time later Sammy Jay did come back. "Well," said he, as he
smoothed his feathers, "I chased that fellow clear to the edge of
the Green Forest, so I guess there will be nothing more to fear
from him today. I'm glad to see he hasn't got you yet,
Lightfoot. I've been a bit worried about you."

"Sammy," said Lightfoot, "you are one of the best friends I
have. I don't know how I can ever thank you for what you have
done for me."