`` I 'll wait a little while longer , '' muttered Blacky , and tried to feel brave . But instead he shivered . CHAPTER XXII : Blacky Goes Home Happy No greater happiness is won Than through a deed for others done . -- Blacky the Crow . Blacky sat in the top of a tree near the bank of the Big River and could n't make up his mind what to do . He wanted to get home to the big , thick hemlock-tree in the Green Forest before dusk , for Blacky is afraid of the dark . That is , he is afraid to be out after dark . `` Go along home , '' said a voice inside him , `` there is hardly time now for you to get there before the Black Shadows arrive . Do n't waste any more time here . What may happen to those silly Ducks is no business of yours , and there is nothing you can do , anyway . Go along home . '' `` Wait a few minutes , '' said another little voice down inside him . `` Do n't be a coward . You ought to warn Dusky the Black Duck and his flock that a hunter with a terrible gun is waiting for them . Is it true that it is no business of yours what happens to those Ducks ? Think again , Blacky ; think again . It is the duty of each one who sees a common danger to warn his neighbors . If something dreadful should happen to Dusky because you were afraid of the dark , you never would be comfortable in your own mind . Stay a little while and keep watch . '' Not five minutes later Blacky saw something that made him , oh , so glad he had kept watch .
It was a swiftly moving black line just above the water far down the Big XXXXX , and it was coming up .
Blacky Duck Forest River XXII happiness hemlock-tree minutes something top