his. He was so tired that he
slept and slept and slept. It was the middle of the morning when finally
he awoke. He yawned and stretched, and when he stretched he groaned
because he was so stiff and sore. Then he hobbled up toward the doorway
to see if old Granny Fox had left any breakfast outside for him.

It was dark, very dark. Reddy was puzzled. Could it be that he had
gotten up before daylight--that he hadn't slept as long as he thought?
Perhaps he had slept the whole day through, and it was night again. My,
how hungry he was!

"I hope Granny has caught a fine, fat chicken for me," thought Reddy,
and his mouth watered.

Just then he ran bump into something. "Wow!" screamed Reddy Fox, and
clapped both hands to his nose. Something was sticking into it. It was
one of the sharp little spears that Prickly Porky hides in his coat.
Reddy Fox knew then why the old house was so dark. Prickly Porky was
blocking up the doorway.

CHAPTER XXVIII: Prickly Porky Enjoys Himself

A boasting tongue, as sure as fate,
Will trip its owner soon or late.
--Old Granny Fox.

Prickly Porky the Porcupine was enjoying himself. There was no doubt
about that. He was stretched across the doorway of that old house, the
very house in which old Granny Fox had been born. When he had lain down
on the doorstep for a nap and sun-bath, he had thought that the old
house was still deserted. Then he had fallen asleep, only to be wakened
by Reddy Fox, who bad been asleep in the old house and who couldn't get
out because Prickly Porky was in the way.

Now Prickly Porky does not love Reddy Fox, and the more Reddy begged and
scolded and called him names, the more Prickly Porky chuckled. It was
such a good joke to think that he had trapped Reddy Fox, and he made up
his mind that he would keep Reddy in there a long time just to tease him
and make him uncomfortable. You see Prickly Porky remembered how often
Reddy Fox played mean tricks on little meadow and forest folks who are
smaller and weaker than himself.

"It will do him good. It certainly will do him good," said Prickly
Porky, and rattled the thousand little spears hidden in his long coat,
for he knew that the very sound of them would make Reddy Fox shiver with
fright.

Suddenly Prickly Porky pricked up his funny little short ears. He heard
the deep voice of Bowser the Hound, and it was coming nearer and nearer.
Prickly Porky chuckled again.

"I guess Mr. Bowser is going to have