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120 "An eel snatched them from me," answered the Pheasant.

"It matters not," said the Ant gently. "But, I pray thee, come hither, and bring my mat with thee, for I would fain sit upon it."

The Pheasant took up the mat, but straightway saw the dead hornbill, and he cried out, "Friend, why hast thou killed my cousin? Didst thou not know that his kinsfolk are many, and that they will of a surety avenge his death?"

But the Ant hardened his heart, and said, "I fear not thee nor thy kinsfolk. Go now to them, I pray thee, and tell them what thou hast seen here."

Then went the Pheasant, and told all the birds what the Ant had done. They gathered together in one place and took counsel what they should do. At last they determined to kill the Ant for that he had killed the hornbill.

The Ant climbed into the top of a tree, and each bird which in turn tried to attack him he slew. Then he made for himself a house by gumming leaves together, and he sat therein, and his heart was glad for that he had conquered his enemies.

But while he thus sat quietly inside the leaves, a great raven flew up, and with his sharp beak plucked off the little branch on which hung the Ant's nest. Then he carried the leaves to the shore, and swallowed the Ant, thus making an end of him.

So did he perish, and so was the death of the hornbill avenged.