Mrs. Quack coming swiftly from the direction of the Big River. She
looked so sad and discouraged that even Blacky the Crow was sorry
for her, and you know Blacky isn't much given to such feelings.

"What's the news, Mrs. Quack?" asked Peter, his eyes dancing.

"There isn't any," replied Mrs. Quack.

"Oh, yes, there is!" cried Sammy Jay, who couldn't possibly keep
still any longer.

"What is it?" demanded Mrs. Quack eagerly, and it seemed to Peter
that there was a wee bit of hope in her voice.

"Did you happen to notice that just before the Laughing Brook joins
the Big River it flows through a little swamp?" asked Sammy.

Mrs. Quack nodded her head rapidly. "What of it?" she demanded.

"Nothing much, only if I were you I would go down there after dark,"
replied Sammy.

Mrs. Quack looked up at Sammy sharply. "Why should I go down there?"
she asked.

"If I tell you, will you wait until I get quite through?" asked
Sammy in his turn.

Mrs. Quack promised that she would.