"Sh-h-h!" said Peter Rabbit, "I think there are some beetles
under that great flat stone where that little black string is
sticking out. Now when I count three you grab that string and
pull hard perhaps you'll find a beetle at the other end."

So Jimmy Skunk got ready and Peter Rabbit began to count.

"One!" said Peter. "Two!" said Peter. "Three!"

Jimmy Skunk grabbed the black string and pulled as hard as ever
he could and out came--Mr. Black Snake! The string Jimmy Skunk had
pulled was Mr. Black Snake's tail, and Mr. Black Snake was very,
very angry indeed.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" laughed Peter Rabbit.

"What do you mean, Jimmy Skunk," said Mr. Black Snake, "by
pulling my tail?"

"Was that your tail?" said Jimmy Skunk, politely. "I won't do it
again. Have you seen any beetles?"

But Mr. Black Snake hadn't seen any beetles, and he was so cross
that Jimmy Skunk went on over the hill to look for some beetles.

Peter Rabbit was still laughing and laughing and laughing. And
the more he laughed the angrier grew Mr. Black Snake, till
finally he started after Peter Rabbit to teach him a lesson.