THE WEASELS and the Mice waged a perpetual war with each other,
in which much blood was shed. The Weasels were always the
victors. The Mice thought that the cause of their frequent
defeats was that they had no leaders set apart from the general
army to command them, and that they were exposed to dangers from
lack of discipline. They therefore chose as leaders Mice that
were most renowned1 for their family descent, strength, and
counsel, as well as those most noted2 for their courage in the
fight, so that they might be better marshaled in battle array and
formed into troops, regiments3, and battalions4. When all this was
done, and the army disciplined, and the herald5 Mouse had duly
proclaimed war by challenging the Weasels, the newly chosen
generals bound their heads with straws, that they might be more
conspicuous to all their troops. Scarcely had the battle begun,
when a great rout6 overwhelmed the Mice, who scampered7 off as fast
as they could to their holes. The generals, not being able to
get in on account of the ornaments8 on their heads, were all
captured and eaten by the Weasels.
The more honor the more danger.
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