"Come across," said she, and ran lightly across to the other
side.

But Reddy Fox was afraid. Yes, Sir, he was afraid to take one
step on the long bridge. He was afraid that he would fall through
into the water or onto the cruel rocks below. Granny Fox ran back
to where Reddy sat.

"For shame, Reddy Fox!" said she. "What are you afraid of? Just
don't look down and you will be safe enough. Now come along over
with me."

But Reddy Fox hung back and begged to go home and whimpered.
Suddenly Granny Fox sprang to her feet, as if in great fright.
"Bowser the Hound! Come, Reddy, come!" she cried, and started
across the bridge as fast as she could go.

Reddy didn't stop to look or to think. His one idea was to get
away from Bowser the Hound. "Wait, Granny! Wait!" he cried, and
started after her as fast as he could run. He was in the middle
of the bridge before he remembered it at all. When he was at last
safely across, it was to find old Granny Fox sitting down
laughing at him. Then for the first time Reddy looked behind him
to see where Bowser the Hound might be. He was nowhere to be
seen. Could he have fallen off the bridge?

"Where is Bowser the Hound?" cried Reddy.

"Home in Farmer Brown's dooryard," replied Granny Fox dryly.