A.6 THE DUEL OF THE DORMICE.

In the meantime the elder had wandered about the fields; but
the earth was wet, and no corn or fruit was ripe, so at night he
returned to his nest wet and hungry. He ran straight to the
store-room for food; but what was his surprise when he found
nothing left but a few barley-corns! His cries woke his com-
panion, from whom he demanded the provisions; the younger one
muttered that he knew nothing about them, and pretended to
sleep; but the unfortunate adventurer, driven to desperation by
hunger, flew into a rage and struck the other with his claws: a fight
ensued, and the whole neighbourhood was alarmed at the outcry.

_ Two Moles who were passing by the foot of the tree, hearing
this dreadful noise, called out to the combatants to stop. The
Dormice fearing it might be some of the Weasels who spoke, were
silent instantly, and then the Moles bade them come out.

So the Dormice came down to the Moles; and when the Moles
found that the silly creatures were bent on their quarrel, they in-
sisted that the combat should be with swords. Moreover,they offered
to play the part of seconds, and to dig a grave for the vanquished.

To all this the Dormice consented; the Moles found an old
trap, and from the iron parts they fashioned rude swords. These
they measured, and gave to the combatants; and then, with their
long spades in their hands, they awaited the issue of the affray.
It was fierce and desperate. The hungry one fought with fury,
but he who had had a good feast was the stronger and the calmer:
at last the younger one drove his sword right through the body of
the elder; but the elder at the same moment clove his opponent’s
head asunder, and so they fell dead together. And the Moles dug
a deep hole, and buried both the Dormice in the same grave.