and went a little farther. How still everything was!

He could see a green open space just beyond; and then the woods seemed
to be thicker and darker. "This is just the place for that wolf," he
thought.

Then, all at once, he heard footsteps. Something was pushing its way
through the bushes. It was coming toward him.

"It's the wolf, I'm sure! It will not see me till it comes very near.
Then I will jump out and throw my arms around its neck and choke it
to death."

The animal was coming nearer. He could hear its footsteps. He could
hear its heavy breathing. He stood very still and waited.

"It will try to bite me," he thought. "Perhaps it will scratch me with
its sharp claws. But I will be brave. I will not cry out. I will choke
it with my strong arms. Then I will drag it out of the bushes and call
mamma to come and see it."

The beast was very close to him now. He could see its shadow as he
peeped out through the clusters of leaves. His breath came fast. He
planted his feet firmly and made ready to spring.

"How proud mamma will be of her brave boy!"

Ah! there was the wolf! He saw its shaggy head and big round eyes. He
leaped from his hiding place and clasped it round its neck.