“Anyway, a change of trees is good for a chap.”

“Quite so,” agreed Miss Possum, “providing you’re in the right one.”

“Is this a private tree?” Blinky inquired.

“Not exactly,” Miss Possum replied. “But we don’t allow all the ragtag to come here.”

“Who are the ragtag?” Blinky asked.

“Well, there’s Mrs Snake, and old Granny Goanna, and a few more grumbly things. We don’t want them in our tree. They’re always crotchety and creeping around, peering round corners when we least expect them; and their eyes seem to be everywhere. If we make the least noise, they complain and hiss.”

“Why don’t you push them out?” Blinky asked.

“We did,” said Miss Possum proudly. “And what do you think we found when they had gone?”

“Don’t know,” Blinky said carelessly.

“They left a note to say that they would come back some day and steal our babies.” And Miss Possum’s eyes nearly dropped out with fright.

“The old thieves,” Blinky exclaimed. “Old Granny Goanna would eat a possum as soon as look at it, and as for Mrs Snake, she tried to kill me when I was a baby.”

“How dreadful!” cried Mrs Possum. “What do you think we could do to frighten them away?”

Blinky thought very hard for a minute, his nose wrinkled and his eyes blinking rapidly.

“I know!” he cried. “Well dig a big hole at the bottom of the tree and when the rain comes it will fill, and then, when they come to steal the babies, they’ll fall in and be drowned.”

“But Mrs Snake and Granny Goanna can swim,” exclaimed Miss Possum disappointedly.

“Well, that won’t do,” said Blinky, ‘I’ll have to think of something else.

“We could carry stones up the tree and when they come along, pelt them with big ones and kill them.”

“I can’t carry stones and climb as well,” Miss Possum replied.

“Oh, well,” Blinky said impatiently, “I’ll have to go and see Mr Owl. Perhaps he could think of something to do.”

“I’ll come with you if you’d like me to,” Miss Possum said quietly.

“No thanks!” Blinky replied, “I’ll manage by myself, and I’ll be back before long.”

Down the tree he climbed and scrambled through the bush, gazing up at every tall gum-tree in search of Mr Owl. Presently he heard away in the distance a soft “Whoo, whoo.”

“That’s him!” thought Blinky and hurried along as fast as he could. Nearer and nearer came the call of Mr Owl, and in a very short time Blinky saw him sitting away up in a very high tree. He trotted along to the tree, and then began to climb. Half-way up, just as he reached the lowest branch, Mr Owl flew down to meet him.

“Hulloa, little friend,” he said. “I see you’ve returned safely from Mr Smifkins.”

“Yes,” replied Blinky, “but I’ve come to ask you a very serious question.”

“What can it be?” the old owl asked.

“Miss Possum is very frightened,” Blinky explained. “She says that Mrs Snake and old Granny Goanna are going to steal the babies, and we don’t know what to do. Could you advise us?”

“Whoo! whoo!” Mr Owl said, as his eyes opened wider than ever. “They’re a wicked old pair. Just you wait a moment while I go away to think.”

Dear old Mr Owl flew into a branch higher up. Here he sat very, very still, gazing at nothing really. His eyes never blinked, and not a feather on his body stirred. Presently he shook his head and called “whoo! whoo!” then down he flew to where Blinky was waiting.

“Have you thought of something?” Blinky asked excitedly.

“Yes, little bear,” replied Mr Owl. “But tell me first, do you know where Percy Bull Ant lives?”

“Yes, I know,” replied Blinky.

“Well, go to him and tell him everything,” Mr Owl said softly. “You can say I sent you, and give him my respects at the same time. Tell him I thought the matter over, and decided that an army of his relations, if hidden in suitable places, could suddenly march out and attack Mrs Snake and Granny Goanna, as they come to steal the babies.”

“That’s a fine idea, ’5 cried Blinky. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it. Good-bye, Mr Owl, and thank you ever so much.”

“Whoo! whoo!” said Mr Owl, and flew off immediately.

Blinky hurried through the bush in the direction of Percy Bull Ant’s home. All along the way he passed the homes of Percy’s relations, and as hundreds lived in one nest he could see a very large army mustered when they all marched to fight the old robbers. Not a bull ant was to be seen above ground, they were all so busy in their homes, nursing the babies, storing the food, and cleaning out the parlour.

At last Blinky reached Percy’s home. It was not much to look at.