THE BEAR SEES THE “GRASSHOPPER PIG,” HEARS THE “HUNTSMEN” AND IS PRESENT AT THE “ESCAPE”  
When Snythergen woke up, Sancho Wing was sorry to have to tell him that the bear had resumed his midnight prowlings and might call upon them at any time.
“We must prepare to defend ourselves,” said Sancho wisely, as he perched on Snythergen’s ear.
“How can a pig defend himself from a bear?”[88] asked Squeaky, absent-mindedly biting one of Snythergen’s toes.
“Simple,” said Sancho. “Give him what he wants. You flatter yourself if you think he wants you. He is after food, that is all.”
“Well, let us give it to him,” said Snythergen, “as long as he doesn’t share Squeaky’s weakness for toes.”
“Just what I was thinking,” said Sancho. “Let us set a bear lunch every night, and to make sure he will find it we must spread it in a circle around the house. Then, no matter from what direction the bear approaches, he will find something to eat across his path.”
“I’ve heard that round foods make people fat,” said Snythergen. “Maybe food served on a round table will make the bear fat.”
“That wouldn’t help us any,” said Sancho Wing, “for fat bears are as dangerous as lean ones.”
“Won’t it be pretty expensive boarding a bear?” asked Squeaky.
“Of course,” said Sancho Wing, “but if we find we can’t afford to feed him we can build an airplane and journey to a land where there are no bears. We may have to travel to the end of the sky to find such a place, but who cares?”
[89]
At Sancho Wing’s suggestion Snythergen set to work at once to build a supper table. When completed it encircled the house and resembled a well planed sidewalk. That night Squeaky set the table, being careful to spread the food so thin that it went all the way around.
There were so many hungry beings in the forest besides the bear that Sancho Wing had to keep a keen look-out for thieves, and his duties kept him very busy. One minute he would be scanning the woods from the top of his tower, the next he would dive down to the round table to scream at the small animals that were forever nibbling. Often he was obliged to call Squeaky and even Snythergen, to chase away the larger birds, the rabbits, and the squirrels. Each night they set the table as late as they dared to prevent so much of the food being stolen.
On the evening of the fourth day the bear paid them a call, but he did not attempt to enter the house. The lunch on the round table stopped him. Walking all the way around he ate everything, then went around again to see if he had overlooked any crumbs. Squeaky happened to be very fussy about table manners, and he had scattered salad forks, finger bowls and napkins here and there hoping the bear would take the hint; but the big beast paid no attention[90] to them, and ate only with his knife and his paws in the most vulgar manner.
The bear was a hearty eater and what made matters even more serious, his appetite was growing. Soon it was evident that the food supply would not last much longer. The three friends realized that the “outer works” as they called the lunch table, was all that stood between them and disaster. And now in spite of their efforts they were unable to keep abreast of the beast’s increasing desire for food. There was nothing to do but to adopt Snythergen’s plan of building an airplane and fleeing to a land where there were no bears. They began work immediately and hurried all they could, but even so they ran out of food when there was still another day’s work to be done on the plane.
“If we can only keep him away to-night we are saved,” said Squeaky.
[91]
 
Then went around again to see if he had overlooked any crumbs
 
[92]
Snythergen dressed in his tree suit to be ready in case of trouble. Carefully Squeaky set the round table with what few morsels he could scrape up, arranging them to appear like a bountiful meal. The bear came a little earlier than usual that night, and made short work of the slim repast. Indeed Snythergen had just time to tiptoe out and take his place as a tree when the beast devoured the last bite of food[93] and looked hungrily about for more. In a stage whisper Snythergen called to Squeaky who was still in the house, to warn him of his danger. Fortunately the pig was awake and whispered back that he was coming. A moment later Snythergen heard the most awful squealing and Squeaky came running out, the bear after him. Sancho Wing was flying above the pig to encourage him.
“Don’t squeal so! Save your breath for running!” he cried. The bear was gaining. Bending over Snythergen touched his roots with his top limbs, to be ready. But Squeaky was slow on his feet, even when running for his life, and already the bear was upon him. Sure of his prey the great beast slowed up to brace himself for a lunge. Quick as lightning Snythergen shot out his branches and grabbed the pig, lifting him to safety.
The bear did not suspect that a tree could come to the rescue of a pig, and so sure was he that his victim could not escape, he closed his eyes as he struck at him. But he opened them quickly enough when his paw struck nothi............