"The surest way of
getting into trouble is to steal hens. I'm not feeling quite up to being
chased by Bowser the Hound just now, and if we came right home we would
give away the secret of where we live and might be smoked out, and that
would be the end of us. Besides, those hens will be hard to get this
weather, because they will stay in their house, and there is no way for
us to get in there unless we walk right in, in broad daylight, and that
would never do. It will be a great deal better to take Bowser's dinner
away from him. In the first place, if we are careful, no one but Bowser
will know about it, and as long as he is chained up, we will have
nothing to worry about from him. Besides, we will enjoy getting even
with him for the times he has spoiled our chances of catching a fat
chicken and for the way he has hunted us. Most decidedly it will be
better and safer to try for Bowser's dinner than to try for one of those
hens."

"Just as you say, Granny; just as you say," returned Reddy. "You know
best. But how under the sun we can do it beats me."

"It is very simple," replied Granny, "very simple indeed. Most things
are simple enough when you find out how to do them. Neither of us could
do it alone, but together we can do it without the least bit of risk.
Listen."

Granny went close to Reddy and whispered to him, although there wasn't
a soul within hearing. A slow grin spread over Reddy's face as he
listened. When she had finished, he laughed right out.

"Granny, you are a wonder!" he exclaimed admiringly. "I never should
have thought of that. Of course we can do it. My, won't Bowser be
surprised! And how mad he'll be! Come on, let's be starting!"

"All right," said Granny, and the two started towards Farmer Brown's.

CHAPTER XVIII: Why Bowser The Hound Didn't Eat His Dinner

The thing you've puzzled most about
Is simple once you've found it out.
--Old Granny Fox.

Bowser The Hound dearly loves to hunt just for the pleasure of the
chase. It isn't so much the desire to kill as it is the pleasure of
using that wonderful nose of his and the excitement of trying to catch
some one, especially Granny or Reddy Fox. Farmer Brown's boy had put
away his dreadful gun because he no longer wanted to kill the little
people of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows, but rather to make
them his friends. Bowser had missed the exciting hunts he used to enjoy
so much with Farmer Brown's boy. So Bowser had forme