"I do not believe that Snowball was a traitor at the beginning," he said finally. 🔊 "What he has done since is different. But I believe that at the Battle of the Cowshed he was a good comrade." 🔊

"Our Leader, Comrade Napoleon," announced Squealer, speaking very slowly and firmly, "has stated categorically−categorically, comrade−that Snowball was Jones's agent from the very beginning−yes, and from long before the Rebellion was ever thought of." 🔊

"Ah, that is different!" said Boxer. "If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right." 🔊

"That is the true spirit, comrade!" cried Squealer, but it was noticed he cast a very ugly look at Boxer with his little twinkling eyes. 🔊 He turned to go, then paused and added impressively: "I warn every animal on this farm to keep his eyes very wide open. 🔊 For we have reason to think that some of Snowball's secret agents are lurking among us at this moment! " 🔊

Four days later, in the late afternoon, Napoleon ordered all the animals to assemble in the yard. 🔊 When they were all gathered together, Napoleon emerged from the farmhouse, wearing both his medals (for he had recently awarded himself "Animal Hero, First Class," and "Animal Hero, Second Class"), with his nine huge dogs frisking round him and uttering growls that sent shivers down all the animals' spines. 🔊 They all cowered silently in their places, seeming to know in advance that some terrible thing was about to happen. 🔊

Napoleon stood sternly surveying his audience; then he uttered a high−pitched whimper. Immediately the dogs bounded forward, seized four of the pigs by the ear and dragged them, squealing with pain and terror, to Napoleon's feet. 🔊 The pigs' ears were bleeding, the dogs had tasted blood, and for a few moments they appeared to go quite mad. 🔊 To the amazement of everybody, three of them flung themselves upon Boxer.

🔊