DANNY MEADOW MOUSE had sat perfectly1 still for a long time inside the old tomato can in which he had found a refuge from Redtail the Hawk2. He didn't dare so much as put his head out for a look around, lest Redtail should be circling overhead ready to pounce3 on him.
“If I stay here long enough, he'll get tired and go away, if he hasn't already,” thought Danny. “This has been a pretty exciting morning so far, and I find that I am a little tired. I may as well take a nap while I am waiting to make sure that the way is clear.”
With that Danny curled up in the old tomato can. But it wasn't meant that Danny should have that nap. He had closed his eyes, but his ears were still open, and presently he heard soft footsteps drawing near. His eyes flew open, and he forgot all about sleep, you may be sure, for those footsteps sounded familiar. They sounded to Danny very, very much like the footsteps of—whom do you think? Why, Reddy Fox! Danny's heart began to beat faster as he listened. Could it be? He didn't dare peep out. Presently a little whiff of scent4 blew into the old tomato can. Then Danny knew—it was Reddy Fox.
“Oh dear! I hope he doesn't find that I am in here!” thought Danny. “I wonder what under the sun has brought him up here just now.”
If the truth were to be known, it was curiosity that had brought Reddy up there. Reddy had been hunting for his breakfast some distance away on the Green Meadows when Redtail the Hawk had tried so hard to catch Danny Meadow Mouse. Reddy's sharp eyes had seen Redtail the minute he left the tree in pursuit of Danny, and he had known by the way Redtail flew that he saw something he wanted to catch. He had watched Redtail swoop5 down and had heard his scream of rage when he missed Danny because Danny had dodged6 into the old tomato can. He had seen Redtail strike and strike again at something on the g............