pay
Bowser a visit and then lead him back home?"

Old Man Coyote threw back his head and laughed in that crazy fashion of
his till the very hills rang with the sound of his voice.

CHAPTER XXV

BLACKY CALLS ON REDDY FOX

Saying what you mean, and meaning what you say
Are matters quite as different as night is from the day.

_Bowser the Hound._

Blacky the Crow wasted no time with Old Man Coyote after he heard Old
Man Coyote laugh. There was a note in that crazy laugh of Old Man
Coyote's that told Blacky he might just as well talk to the rocks or the
trees about helping Bowser the Hound. Old Man Coyote had led Bowser into
his trouble, and it was quite clear that not only did he have no
regrets, but he was actually glad that Bowser was not likely to return.

"You're a hard-hearted old sinner," declared Blacky, as he prepared to
fly in search of Reddy Fox.

Old Man Coyote grinned. "It is every one for himself, you know," said
he. "Bowser would do his best to catch me if he had the chance. So if he
is in trouble, he can stay there for all of me."

It didn't take Blacky long to find Reddy Fox. You see, it was so early
in the morning that Reddy had not retired for his daily nap. Like Old
Man Coyote, he was just returning from a night's hunt when Blacky
arrived.

"Hello, Reddy!" exclaimed Blacky. "You certainly are looking in mighty
fine condition. That red coat of yours is the handsomest coat I've ever
seen. If I had a coat like that I know I should be so swelled up with
pride that I just wouldn't be able to see common folks. I'm glad you're
not that way, Reddy. One of the things I like about you is the fact that
you never allow your fine coat to make you proud. That is more than I
can say for some folks I know."

Reddy Fox sat down with his big bushy tail curled around to keep his
toes warm, cocked his head on one side, and looked up at Blacky the Crow
as if he were trying to see right inside that black head to find out
what was going on there.

"Now what has that black scamp got in his mind," thought Reddy. "He
never pays compliments unless he wants something in return. That old
black rascal has the smoothest tongue in the Green Forest. He hasn't
come 'way over here just to tell me that I have a handsome coat. He
wouldn't fly over a fence to tell anybody that unless it was for a
purpose."

Aloud he said, "Good morning, Blacky. I suppose I must admit I have a
fine coat. Perhaps I do look