Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/350

342 you also, if you daren't venture it, then you must not eat from this time forth," said the rat. "Agreed," replied the wild-hog. So they pledged each other to keep their word.

Then said the wild-hog, "Now you shall go in first, and I'll go afterwards." "Very well," said the rat, pushing himself into the midst of the fuel; but he burrowed rapidly into the ground, and hid himself in the hole. Presently the wild-hog called out, "Shall I light it now?" "Yes," said the rat. So the wild-hog set fire to the heap, but it did not hurt the rat, as he was safe in the hole. So as soon as it was all burnt up, out he came unhurt, and strutting about and looking very big, he shouted out, "What do you say to that? How's that?" adding, "Come, you must go too, Mr. Wild-hog."

Upon that the stupid fellow went in in his turn, but knowing nothing of the trick played by the rat, and plunged into the heap of dry grass, saying to the other, "If a little fellow like you dare do it, much more ought I." So the wild-hog went in; and as soon as he was fairly settled down the rat flattered him a little at first, lest he should back out all of a sudden as soon as the fire was lighted, and thus he sang;

So he set fire to the dry grass, and soon it was in a blaze; but alas for the poor wild-hog, who struggled and turned about, for his back was scorched; so he cried out, "Help me, Mr. Rat, I am burnt; help me, younger brother, for I'm scorching; help me, my friend, or I'm consumed; help me, you wretch, for I'm killed."

But the rat gave him no help for all that, for he was splitting with laughter, but he danced about, and shouted out thus:

Burn away, fire! Go along, fire! Consume him, O fire! Blaze away, fire!