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Story of the Mazes front
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MAZE II The Zoological Maze It is an autumn afternoon, and we children having been exceedingly diligent in the morning have been allowed to choose where we will go to spend the afternoon. Harry and Fred vote for cricket, Baby prefers taking her doll for a drive in Tom's wheelbarrow, Emma would like a row in Fred's new boat, Annie declares for a swing; but no sooner does mamma mention a ramble in the Zoological Maze, than all other propositions are withdrawn and it is agreed unanimously to start at once for the Maze. A hamper of provisions is packed - sandwiches, puffs, bottles of ginger and orange wine, raspberry vinegar, and chocolate bonbons filled with cream; for it is known that the Maze is very intricate, and that it is tem to one against our getting back in time for supper. It would be a great deal too long to tell all our adventures in this delightful place. |
| There was a Frog seated on a rock, who told us he had caught a hundred and fifty fish in less than tree-quarters of an hour. He was just then baiting his hook for a fresh throw. Baby wanted very much to sit down and fish with Froggy; but whether our visit had brought his ill-luck, or whether the rock was slippery, I do not know, but a larger fish than the others having taken the bait, poor Froggy was pulled off his rock, and went plump into the water, rod and all. We could see him afterwards sitting, very crestfallen, among some reeds by the water-side. We met in this maze two very surly and quarrelsome Cats, and a very polite Dog, Mr. Pug, who took off his hat in the most gentlemanly manner to the fashionably dressed Lady Poodle. Through an opening in the Forest we saw two Hares dancing a minuet. They invited us to a grand ball, which will be given by the Society of Hares as soon as the shooting season is over. We were very tired by the time we reached the centre of the Maze, where we were presented at a very extraordinary trial. The Fox has accused the Bear, before the Lion, of having robbed the he-roost, and also of having wrung the necks of His Majesty's favorite geese. The Lion, in a fury, was about to dash out the brains of poor Bruin with his terrible mace, when the Mouse came boldly forward and swore that it was the Fox who had himself committed the crime. "And look, Sire," cries the Bear's intrepid advocate, "there are still some chicken's feathers hanging in his bushy tail!" The Bear was immediately released, the rope tied round the neck of the Fox, and orders given to the Ass to take him out and hang him! The Lion, remarking how tired we were, sent the Mouse to show us the shortest way out of the Maze: and never could we have had a more talkative or amusing companion than this little animal, a great friend, as it is well known, of His Majesty the Lion, who has never forgotten the day when, taken in the toils of the hunter, he owed his life to the courage and skill of his dear little Mouse. | |
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