down to the dear Old Briar-patch in broad daylight, he felt that that
wouldn't do at all for little Miss Fuzzytail; that he must avoid every
possible chance of danger for her.

So Peter waited for a dark night, not too dark, you know, but a night
when there was no moon to make great patches of light, but only the
kindly little Stars looking down and twinkling in the friendly way they
have. At last there was just such a night. All the afternoon little Miss
Fuzzytail went about in the Old Pasture saying good-by to her friends
and visiting each one of her favorite little paths and hiding-places,
and I suspect that in each one she dropped a tear or two, for you see
she felt sure that she never would see them again, although Peter had
promised that he would bring her back to the Old Pasture for a visit
whenever she wanted to come.

At last it was time to start. Peter led the way. Very big and brave and
strong and important he felt, and very timid and frightened felt little
Miss Fuzzytail, hopping after him close at his heels. You see, she felt
that she was going out into the Great World, of which she knew nothing
at all.

"Oh, Peter," she whispered, "supposing we should meet Reddy Fox! I
wouldn't know where to run or hide."

"We are not going to meet Reddy Fox," replied Peter, "but if we should,
all you have to do is to just keep your eyes on the white patch on the
seat of my trousers and follow me. I have fooled Reddy so many times
that I'm not afraid of him."

Never in all his life had Peter been so watchful and careful. That was