the Lone Little Path which
ran close to the bayberry bush trotted Reddy Fox. He was trotting very
softly and every minute or so he turned his head and looked behind him
to see if he was followed. It was plain to see that Reddy Fox was bent
on mischief.

When he reached the bayberry bush Reddy Fox sat down and barked twice.
Hooty the Owl answered him at once and flew over to join him. They
didn't see the willful little Breeze curled up under the bayberry bush,
so intent were these two rogues in plotting mischief. They were planning
to steal down across the Green Meadows to the edge of the Brown Pasture
where Mr. Bob White and pretty Mrs. Bob White and a dozen little Bob
Whites had their home.

"When they run along the ground I'll catch 'em, and when they fly up in
the air you'll catch 'em, and we'll gobble 'em all up," said Reddy Fox
to Hooty the Owl. Then he licked his chops and Hooty the Owl snapped his
bill, just as if they were tasting tender little Bob Whites that very
minute. It made the willful little Breeze shiver to see them. Pretty
soon they started on towards the Brown Pasture.

When they were out of sight the willful little Breeze jumped up and
shook himself. Then away he sped across the Green Meadows to the Brown
Pasture. And because he could go faster and because he went a shorter
way he got there first. He had to hunt and hunt to find Mrs. and Mr. Bob
White and all the little Bob Whites, but finally he did find them, all
with their heads tucked under their wings fast asleep.

The willful little Breeze shook Mr. Bob White very gently. In an instant
he was wide awake.

"Sh-h-h," said the willful little Breeze. "Reddy Fox and Hooty the Owl
are coming to the Brown Pasture to gobble up you and Mrs. Bob White and
all the little Bob Whites."

"Thank you, little Breeze," said Mr. Bob White, "I think I'll move my
family."

Then he woke Mrs. Bob White and all the little Bob Whites. With Mr.
Bob White in the lead away they all flew to the far side of the Brown
Pasture where they were soon safely hidden under a juniper tree.

The willful little Breeze saw them safely there, and when they were
nicely hidden hurried back to the place where the Bob Whites had been
sleeping. Reddy Fox was stealing up through the grass very, very softly.
Hooty the Owl was flying as silently as a shadow. When Reddy Fox thought
he was near enough he drew himself together, made a quick spring and
landed right in Mr. Bob White's empt