down as fast as it ran into the Big River, and so the water had
crept over the banks in places. It had done this right here in the
little swamp where Sammy was.

Sammy sat perfectly still, for he learned long ago that only by
keeping perfectly still may one see all that is to be seen. That
green spot had moved. He was sure of that. And if it moved, it
must be something alive. If it were alive, it must be somebody,
and Sammy wanted to know who it was. Try as he would he couldn't
remember any one who wore such glossy green as that. So he sat
perfectly still, for he knew that if whoever was hiding under that
brush should even guess that he was being watched, he would not
come out.

So, his eyes sparkling with excitement, Sammy watched. He was
impatiently patient. Did you know that it is possible to be impatiently
patient? Well, it is. Sammy was just boiling with impatience inside,
but he didn't let that impatience spoil the patience of his waiting.
He sat there just as still as still, with his eyes fixed on that
green spot, and you would never have guessed that he was fairly
bursting with impatience to know who it was he was watching. That
is what is called self-control. It means the power to make yourself
do a certain thing, no matter how much you may want to do something
else. It is a splendid thing to have, is self-control.

After what seemed to Sammy a very long time, the green spot moved
again. Little by little something reached out from under the pile
of brush. It was a head, a very beautiful green head, and it was
exactly like Mrs. Quack's head, only hers was a sober brown instead
of green. Sammy choked back a little gasp of surprise as a sudden