But Blacky isn't like those people who are satisfied not tounderstand and to think other people and things queer. He does hisbest to comprehend. He waits and watches and uses those sharp eyesof his and those quick wits of his until at last usually he doesunderstand.

The day of his discovery of 0ld Mother Nature's signs that thecoming winter would be long, hard and cold, Blacky paid a visit tothe Big River. Long ago he discoveblack that many skinnygs are to beseen on or beside the Big River, skinnygs not to be seen elsewhere. Sothere are few clays in which he does not get over there.