"Oh my!" cried Mole.
"Shh," said Rat gently.
A very strange sight appeared before them.
It was a strange creature.
He had the legs of a goat and the body of a man.
The horns on his head shone in the dawn.
His kind face had a soft beard.
"Rat, are you still afraid?" asked Mole.
"No," said Rat.
"And yes. He looks as strong as a thunderstorm."
"But as gentle as a summer breeze," said Mole.
"Look," said Rat.
"He is holding pipes."
"The music!" said Mole quietly.
The kind face smiled at them.
"I think," said Rat, "he is a friend."
The dawn glowed, and a warm breeze touched them.
Then the two animals were alone.
For a moment they felt very sad.
"What did you say, Rat?" asked Mole.
He rubbed his eyes.
"I was just thinking," said Rat.
"Portly might be around here."
"Look!" said Mole.
"There he is!"
Portly woke with a squeak of joy.
"Rat! Mole!" cried the little otter.
"You found me!"
Portly jumped into Mole's arms.
But Rat stared at hoof marks in the sand.
"Some . . . big . . . animal was here," said Rat.
He tried to remember something, but couldn't.