When morning came, Silver Ribbon heard all the others at play with Golden Ribbon’s horse, and she ventured out. But on seeing the crowd she was still so ashamed that she slipped quietly past, and went right into the wood. Going down the edge of the deep ravine she wandered she knew not and cared not where, till she came to the winding stream at the bottom. Seeing Bruin taking a drink she passed softly down the bank, and coming to a grassy spot she sat down, feeling very unhappy. She watched for awhile the little fishes as they darted to and fro, envying their happiness.

But hearing a gliding movement in the grass behind her, what was her horror when on turning round she saw the big snake a few feet away, its head raised, its neck arched, and its cunning eyes shining with fiendish glee. Poor Silver Ribbon would have run away, but she could not; she was too near and was fascinated.

“Aha,” said the hideous reptile with a hiss, “I have got you now.”

Although Chattie was a funny bird and straightforward, still she had a liking for Silver Ribbon, and when with her quick eyes she saw the poor sad thing wandering aimlessly down the ravine, she followed secretly from tree to tree to watch over her. Noticing the rise of the horrid snake’s head, she flew back like an arrow to Castle Frank to tell of Silver Ribbon’s danger.

Robin seized a short loaded gun and ran after the parrot as fast as he could. The brushwood was very thick but he pressed on, and as he drew near the spot he heard roars and groans and hissing. Getting out into the open, he saw the snake and Hug-grippy fighting desperately. The reptile was coiled around the bear’s body, its head was raised, its mouth wide open, and its glittering eyes were looking straight into Bruin’s face. It was gripping Hug-grippy dreadfully: he was in agony and was losing breath.

Kneeling down upon one knee, Robin raised his gun; but being scarcely near enough, it was dangerous to fire he might shoot the bear. Running right up, without realizing his danger, he went close behind the combatants. Not noticing the serpent’s tail in the grass he trod upon it, when round his ankle it swept, and in an instant he was thrown upon his face and stunned.

Bruin, though fighting bravely, was losing the battle. Chattie was circling wildly in the air and screaming. Everything seemed to be lost.

Suddenly Robin woke up, drew a hunting knife from his belt and slashed the serpent’s tail, setting himself free. The reptile turned its arched head towards him, showed its tiger-like fangs and hissed as from a pipe of steam. Robin jumped back a little and picked up his gun. Placing it to his shoulder, he took rapid aim within a few feet of the serpent’s head bang went fire and smoke and bullet snake and bear tumbled down together and rolled upon the grass. The unusual sometimes happens, a boy had done the work of the bravest man. The huge, dark monster was shot through the head, and its long, scaly body twisted and quivered in death.

Hug-grippy, slowly disentangling himself, went down to the brook all in a tremble, and freely drank of the water. He rested for a little in the cooling stream and rose up refreshed. Coming forward to Robin, he licked his extended hand in unspoken thankfulness. As a member of a kindness class he had come to the aid of Silver Ribbon just in time to break the spell, yet he himself would have perished but for the timely aid of a brave, true boy.

“Hurrah for my beloved young master, and for dear old Hug-grippy,” shrieked Chattie in hysteric happiness.

“Don’t mention me,” said Bruin softly, with a smile broad and funny.

“Nor me,” said Robin modestly; “it is due to us all,” added he with a sweet becoming smile.

And the young soldier-teacher, with Chattie on his shoulder and Hug-grippy by his side carrying the gun, went home with glad and exultant heart to the quaint castle.

Silver Ribbon became completely changed, working honestly and well; and from that time forward she was respected and loved.

The awful conflict was never forgotten by the many pets of Castle Frank: they talked over it now and again all their lives, and they thought how good and great was the young master, who went through such trouble and danger for the benefit of creatures so much his inferior.

“I guess,” said Red Ribbon on a certain occasion, “Master Robin understands that we have feelings as well as human people.”

Chattie, who could quote Scripture, sometimes more appropriately than greater parrots, chimed in

“A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.”

“Dearie me,” said Green Ribbon, “I never knew there was a text for us before.”

But Fairyland we now must leave
The land of Robin’s spell.
Adieu! Celeste, magic Queen:
We like thy teaching well.