Percy kept very, very still and listened intently.

“You steal Mrs Ringtail’s baby and I’ll steal Mrs Siever’s,” whispered old Granny Goanna.

“What a fine supper they’ll make,” hissed Mrs Snake. “That’ll teach them a lesson for chasing us out of the tree.”

Softly they crept nearer and nearer, and Percy Bull Ant quivered with rage. He tiptoed back to the tree and called in a very quiet voice: “They’re coming, boys; prepare to kill and poison.”

Not an ant stirred. The tree looked lifeless, and Percy hid behind a stone at the foot.

Hiss! Hiss! Along came the old robbers; stealthily they crept through the bushes.

“The tenth joint in my tail is rather stiff,” grumbled Mrs Snake. “It makes things very awkward for me.”

“My nails are not as sharp as they were.” replied Granny Goanna, “but I’ve a few good teeth left.”

Nearer the tree they came, and both paused to whisper.

“Seems to me,” said Granny Goanna, “that the tree looks redder than usual. Do you think we’ve made a mistake?”

“No, no,” replied Mrs Snake. “This is the right tree. Don’t I know it well!”

“Well, my eyesight must be failing,” sighed Granny Goanna, “because I’ll bet my last scale that the tree looks very red.”

“Nonsense!” said Mrs Snake impatiently. “You’ve no doubt got dust in your eyes.”

“Maybe, maybe,” sighed Granny Goanna, as she floundered along.

“Now, then, boys, be ready for your order,” called Percy in a whisper.

Right along to the bottom of the tree came the two old robbers. Old Granny was actually licking her lips, as she thought of the supper in store. She slobbered at the very idea of a baby possum.

“Gome along, dear,” she called to Mrs Snake. “Everything is quiet and safe.”

“You go first,” whispered Mrs Snake, “and I’ll follow.”

Granny Goanna placed her two front legs on the tree and prepared to climb. Mrs Snake waved her wicked head to and fro and gave Granny a nudge which had the desired effect, for she made a plunge and lifted her hind legs from the ground. Mrs Snake gave a wriggle and started up behind her.

Percy Bull Ant sprang out from his hiding-place and called in a terrible voice:

“Charge!”

Like lightning, the whole tree became alive. The soldiers sprang at the enemy. In a second they were swarming all over Granny Goanna and Mrs Snake.

“Oh, my tail!” screamed Mrs Snake as she tried to wriggle away, lashing her body in the air in agony.

“For heaven’s sake save me, save me!” moaned Granny Goanna, as she hissed until all her hisses had gone.

“Go for them, boys!” shouted Percy. “Kill them as quickly as you can.”

No order was necessary, as the ants covered the robbers from head to tail. They bit with all their power. Several were killed as Mrs Snake’s tail and Granny Goanna’s lashed them against the tree; but the numbers seemed never to end.

“Oh! Oh! I’m dying!” groaned Mrs Snake, and she fell with a thud to the ground. In another second down plopped Granny Goanna, as dead as a door-nail.

“Eat them up!” ordered Percy. At once the feast started, and hungry soldiers bit and ate all through the night until only skeletons of the two wicked old things were left.

“It’s time we went down and had a look,” said Blinky to Miss Possum.

“It’s time we went down and had a look,” said Blinky to Miss Possum, just as daylight was dawning. So, scrambling down excitedly, they were just in time to see Percy marshalling his soldiers in readiness to depart.

“How is that for good work?” said Percy Bull Ant proudly, as he pointed to the skeletons.

“Wonderful!” cried Miss Possum and Blinky together. “Your soldiers are very brave.”

“They’re a husky lot,” said Percy, blowing out his chest. “Would you care to have a look at our homes? They’re very interesting, although you may not be received with open arms.”

“Thank you very much,” replied Blinky nervously, “but I really must hurry home now. I’ve been away for a long time and I’m sure I can hear my mother calling me this very minute.” And he began shuffling about very uncomfortably.

“Well, good-bye,” called Percy, as he gave the order to march, much to the relief of Blinky and Miss Possum.

“Gosh!” sighed Blinky. “That was a narrow squeak!”

“I think you’re awfully clever,” said Miss Possum. “Perhaps you’d like to come back and meet my mother. She’d be so pleased to thank you for saving the babies.”

“Sorry, I can’t,” said Blinky, looking very important. “I’ve such a lot of people to see before I go home. Goodbye.” And hurriedly looking around him, he darted into the bush.

“Stupid creature!” he muttered to himself.