Страница 43 из 626

The ass, being the tallest of the company, marched up to the

window and peeped in. 'Well, Donkey,' said Chanticleer, 'what do

you see?' 'What do I see?' replied the ass. 'Why, I see a table

spread with all kinds of good things, and robbers sitting round

it making merry.' 'That would be a noble lodging for us,' said

the cock. 'Yes,' said the ass, 'if we could only get in'; so they

consulted together how they should contrive to get the robbers

out; and at last they hit upon a plan. The ass placed himself

upright on his hind legs, with his forefeet resting against the

window; the dog got upon his back; the cat scrambled up to the

dog's shoulders, and the cock flew up and sat upon the cat's

head. When all was ready a signal was given, and they began their

music. The ass brayed, the dog barked, the cat mewed, and the

cock screamed; and then they all broke through the window at

once, and came tumbling into the room, amongst the broken glass,

with a most hideous clatter!