"Wait a moment," said the Partridge; "don't kill me."

"Why not?" said the Fowler.

"Because I like to live," said the Partridge; "and, besides, if you let me go, I will bring some of my friends and neighbors here, and you can catch them, and that will be better than only one poor bird."

"You are willing, then, that you friends and neighbors should die, to save your own life?" said the Fowler. "Wicked Partridge! you have lived long enough." And he killed it.