think that he was almost safely past the trap, when a very unfortunate
thing happened. Tommy was just about to set one of his front feet down
upon a spot that his mother had pointed out to him, when somebody
suddenly called, "Stop, thief!"

Tommy Fox was so startled that he gave a quick jump. _Snap!_ went the
trap. And though Tommy sprang up into the air, he was just too late.
The trap closed tightly across the tips of his toes. It was only one
foot that was caught; but that was enough. He could not get away--
no matter how hard he pulled.

It was old Mr. Crow who had called "Stop, thief!" He was laughing now.
His "Haw-haw! haw-haw!" could be heard plainly enough, as he flapped
away in great glee, to tell all the forest-people that Tommy Fox would
trouble them no more.




XIII

JOHNNIE GREEN AND HIS NEW PET


Tommy Fox was in a terrible fix. He was caught fast by the foot in a
trap; and if that isn't being in a fix, I should like to know what is.

All night long he whimpered and cried. All night long he tugged and
pulled, trying to get free. But the more he tugged the more the trap
hurt his foot. And the harder he cried.