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.

[Illustration: _With a frightened squeak, Danny dived into the
opening just in time_]

One jump! Would he be able to reach it? Two jumps! There was a
hole in it! Three 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.

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.

[Illustration]

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 Da