e jumps! With another frightened squeak, Danny dived
into the opening just in time. And what do you think he was in? Why,
an old tomato can Farmer Brown's boy had once used to carry bait in
when he went fishing at the Smiling Pool. He had dropped it there on
his way home.

Redtail screamed with rage and disappointment as he struck the old
can with his great claws. He had been sure, very sure of Danny
Meadow Mouse this time! He tried to pick the can up, but he couldn't
get hold of it. It just rolled away from him every time, try as he
would. Finally, in disgust, he gave up and flew back to the tree
from which he had first seen Danny.

[Illustration: Redtail the Hawk screamed with rage as Danny escaped.]

Of course Danny had been terribly frightened when the can rolled,
and by the noise the claws of Redtail made when they struck his
queer hiding-place. But he wisely decided that the best thing he
could do was to stay there for a while. And it was very fortunate
that he did so, as he was very soon to find out.

CHAPTER XXIII

_Reddy Fox Grows Curious_

Danny Meadow Mouse had sat perfectly still for a long time inside
the old tomato can in which he had found a refuge from Redtail the
Hawk. He didn't dare so much as put his head out for a look around,
lest Redtail should be circling overhead ready to pounce 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 scent 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