s other little path," thought Danny, "so I
won't do it."

Then he ran harder than ever, until he came to a place where two
little paths branched off, one to the right and one to the left. He
took the latter and scampered on, sure that by this time Mr.
Blacksnake would be so badly fooled that he would give up the chase.
And Danny was right.

"Brains are better far than speed
As wise men long ago agreed,"

said Danny, as he trotted on his way for the grass seed he liked so
well. "I felt it in my bones that this would be an exciting day. I
wonder what next."

CHAPTER XXII

_What Happened Next to Danny Meadow Mouse_

Danny is so used to narrow escapes that he doesn't waste any time
thinking about them. He didn't this time. "He who tries to look two
ways at once is pretty sure to see nothing," says Danny, and he knew
that if he thought too much about the things that had already
happened, he couldn't keep a sharp watch for the things that might
happen.

Nothing more happened as he hurried along his private little path to
the edge of a great patch of grass so short that he couldn't hide
under it. He had to cross this, and all the way he would be in plain
sight of anyone who happened to be near. Very cautiously he peeped
out and looked this way and looked that way, not forgetting to look
up in the sky. He could see no one anywhere. Drawing a long breath,
Danny started across the open place as fast as his short legs could
take him.

Now all the time, Redtail the Hawk had been sitting in a tree some
distance away, sitting so still that he looked like a part of the
tree itself. That is why Danny hadn't seen him. But Redtail saw
Danny the instant he started across the open place, for Redtail's
eyes are very keen, and he can see a great distance. With a
satisfied chuckle, he spread his broad wings and started after
Danny.

Just about halfway to the safety of the long grass on the other
side, Danny gave a hurried look behind him, and his heart seemed to
jump right into his mouth, for there was Redtail with his cruel
claws already set to seize him! Danny gave a frightened squeak, for
he thought that surely this time he would be caught. But he didn't
mean to give up without trying to escape. Three jumps ahead of him
was a queer-looking thing. He didn't know what it was, but if there
was a hole in it he might yet fool Redtail.

One jump! Would he be able to reach it? Two jumps! There _was_ a
hole in it! Thre