They keep our wits sharp. If we do not keep out of their way, it
is our own fault. It is a kind of game--the game of life. I guess
it is Old Mother Nature's way of keeping us wide-awake and sharpening
our wits, and so making us better fitted to live.
"With these two-legged creatures with terrible guns, it is all
different. We don't have any chance at all. If they hunted us as
Reddy Fox does, tried to catch us themselves, it would be different.
But their terrible guns kill when we are a long way off, and there
isn't any way for us to know of the danger. And then, when one of
them does kill a Duck, he isn't satisfied, but keeps on killing
and killing and killing. I'm sure one would make him a dinner, if
that is what he wants.
"And they often simply break the wings or otherwise terribly hurt
the ones they shoot at, and then leave them to suffer, unable
to take care of themselves. Oh, dear, I'm afraid that is what has
happened to Mr. Quack."
Once more poor Mrs. Quack was quite overcome with her troubles and
sorrows. Peter wished with all his heart that he could do something
to comfort her, but of course he couldn't, so he just sat still and
waited until she could tell him just what did happen to Mr. Quack.
XII
WHAT DID HAPPEN TO MR. QUACK
"When did you last see Mr. Quack?" asked Jerry Muskrat, who had
been listening while Mrs. Quack told Peter Rabbit about her terrible
journey.
"Early yesterday morning," replied Mrs.
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