The Animals' Rebellion, page 2 by Clifton Bingham
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on't shoot us!
We've not done any harm!"
The Tiger thought revolvers best,
So he bought half a score;
"No guns I've had," said Fox, with zest,
"Went off so well before!"
"Don't fear, my Bunnies, you'll be shot,
Though each has bought a gun;
I'll whisper this," said Fox: "they've got
Blank cartridge ev'ry one!"
[Illustration: THE ARMORY]
Raising the Standard.
From lair to lair the news soon spread,
And one and all leapt out of bed,
And sallied forth, with loud hurrays,
The Standard of Revolt to raise.
The Bear looked fierce, the Crocodile
Put on his most bloodthirsty smile;
The Leopard and the Wolf were there,
And cheers resounded in the air.
The Tiger roared a lengthy speech,
And called, in loudest tones, on each
To do his best when came the fray,
Not be afraid, nor run away.
Cried he: "Now, onward to the field,
To make this tyrant monarch yield!"
"Charge, Leopard, charge--on, Tiger, on!"
Were the first words of Rebellion.
[Illustration: RAISING THE STANDARD OF REVOLT]
Next morn a Scout the Camp alarms,
The Lion's soldiers fly to arms.
"The enemy advance!" he cries,
"And means to take you by surprise!"
In Leo's Camp, on Zootown plains,
The utmost consternation reigns.
In Leo's Camp.
This startling news the peaceful Camp
With preparation fills,
Resounding with the soldiers' tramp,
The noise of many drills.
The Sergeants shout, the General storms;
All round one sees and hears
The trying on of uniforms,
The clank of swords and spears.
The Fox pretended, by and by,
To be deaf, dumb and lame;
But Jacko, with a placard "Spy,"
Quite spoilt his little game.
Field Marshal Hippo shouted out,
"Arrest him on the spot!"
If he had not escaped, no doubt
He'd promptly have been shot.
[Illustration: A SPY IN CAMP]
Preparing for the Fray.
Preparing