HOW JUNE FOUND MASSA LINKUM. 83

pink tongue. But there was no dinner to be found, and no
sign of Massa Linkum; the sun was like a great ball of fire
above the treé-tops, and the child grew faint and weak.

“T didn’t ’spect it was so fur,’ groaned poor June.
“ But don’ yer be ’feard now, Hungry. ’Pears like we ‘ll
fine him bery soon.”

The sun went down, and the twilight came. No supper,
and no sign of Massa Linkum yet. Nothing but the great
forest and the swamps and the darkening shadows and the
long, hungry night. June lay down once more on the damp
ground where the poisonous snakes hid in the bushes, and
hugged Hungry with her weak little arms, and tried to speak
out bravely: “ We ’Il fine him, Hungry, sure, to-morrer.
He ’Il jes’ open de door an’ let us right in, he will; an’ he “Il
hab breakfas’ all ready an’ waitin’; ’pears like he “Il hab a
dish ob milk up in de corner for you now,— tink o’ dat ar,
Hungry!” and then the poor little voice that tried to be so
brave broke down into a great sob. “ Ef I on’y jes’ had one
little mouthful now, Hungry ! —on’y one!”

So another night passed, and another morning came. A
faint noise woke June from her uneasy sleep, when the sun
was hardly up. It was Hungry, purring loudly at her ear.
A plump young robin lay quivering between her paws. She
was tossing it to and fro with curves and springs of delight.
She laid the poor creature down by June’s face, looking
proudly from June to it, saying as plainly as words could
say, ‘‘ Here ’s a fine breakfast. I got it on purpose for you.