That hunter was a man of patience. Also he was a man who
understood the little people of the Green Forest and the Green
Meadows. He knew that if he would not be seen he must not move.
So he didn't move. He kept as motionless as if he were a part of
the very log on which he was sitting.
For some time there was no sign of any living thing. Then, from
over the tree tops in the direction of the Big River, came the
whistle of swift wings, and Mr. and Mrs. Quack alighted with a
splash in the pond. For a few moments they sat on the water, a
picture of watchful suspicion. They were looking and listening
to make sure that no danger was near. Satisfied at last, they
began to clean their feathers. It was plain that they felt safe.
Paddy the Beaver was tempted to warn them that they were not as
safe as they thought, but as long as the hunter did not move
Paddy decided to wait.
Now the hunter was sorely tempted to shoot these Ducks, but he
knew that if he did he would have no chance that day to get
Lightfoot the Deer, and it was Lightfoot he wanted. So Mr. and
Mrs. Quack swam about within easy range of that terrible gun
without once suspecting that danger was anywhere near.
By and by the hunter's keen eyes caught a movement at one end of
Paddy's dam. An instant later Bobby Coon appeared. It was clear
that Bobby was quite unsuspicious. He carried something, but just
what the hunter could not make out. He took it down to the edge
of the water and there carefully washed it. Then he climbed up on
Paddy's dam and began to eat. You know Bobby Coon is very
particular about his food. Whenever there is water near, Bobby
washes his food before eating. Once more the hunter was tempted,
but did not yield to the temptation, which was a very good thing
for Bobby Coon.
All this Lightfoot saw as he stood among the little hemlock-trees
at the top of the ridge behind the hunter. He saw and he
understood. "It is because he wants to kill me that he doesn't
shoot at Mr. and Mrs. Quack or Bobby Coon," thought Lightfoot a
little bitterly. "What have I ever done that he should be so
anxious to kill me?"
Still the hunter sat without moving. Mr. and Mrs. Quack
contentedly hunted for food in the mud at the bottom of Paddy's
pond. Bobby Coon finished his meal, crossed the dam and
disappeared in the Green Forest. He had gone off to take a nap
somewhere. Time slipped away. The hunter continued to watch
patiently for Lightfoot, and Lightfoot and Paddy the Beaver
watched the hunter. Finally, another visitor appeared at the
upper end of the pond--a visitor in a wonderful coat of red.
It was Reddy Fox.