Now when Johnny Chuck was a very little fellow, he had been in great
fear of Mr. Blacksnake, as he had had reason to be. And because he
didn't know any better, he had been afraid ever since. Mr. Blacksnake
knew this and so now he looked as ugly as he knew how. But you see he
didn't know about the great fight that Johnny Chuck had just won.

Now to win an honest fight always makes one feel very strong and very
sure of oneself. Johnny looked at Mr. Blacksnake and saw that Mr.
Blacksnake didn't look half as big as Johnny had always thought he
did. He made up his mind that as he had found the old log first, he
had the best right to it.

"I found it first and I'm going to keep it!" snapped Johnny Chuck, and
with every hair on end and gritting his teeth, he walked straight
towards Mr. Blacksnake.

Now Mr. Blacksnake is a great bluffer, while at heart he is really a
coward. With a fierce hiss he rushed right at Johnny Chuck, expecting
to see him turn tail and run. But Johnny stood his ground and showed
all his sharp teeth. Instead of attacking Johnny, Mr. Blacksnake
glided past him and sneaked away through the grass.

Johnny Chuck chuckled as he crept into the hollow log.

"Only a coward runs away without fighting," he murmured sleepily.




IX