am 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.

CHAPTER XVII: Sammy Jay Arrives

When Reddy Fox arrived at the pond of Paddy the Beaver, the
hunter who was hiding there saw him instantly. So did Lightfoot.
But no one else did. He approached in that cautious, careful way
that he always uses when he is hunting. The instant he reached
a place where he could see all over Paddy's pond, he stopped
as suddenly as if he had been turned to stone. He stopped
with one foot lifted in the act of taking a step. He had
seen Mr. and Mrs. Quack.

Now you know there is nothing Reddy Fox likes better for a dinner
than a Duck. The instant he saw Mr. and Mrs. Quack, a gleam of
longing crept into his eyes and his mouth began to water.
He stood motionless until both Mr. and Mrs. Quack had their heads
under water as they searched for food in the mud in the bottom of
the pond. Then like a red flash he bounded out of sight behind
the dam of Paddy the