It drew nearer and nearer ; Farmer Brown 's boy was coming to feed the hens . Reddy tried to hold his breath . He heard the click of the henyard gate as Farmer Brown 's boy opened it , then he heard the crunch , crunch , crunch of Farmer Brown 's boy 's feet on the snow . Suddenly the henhouse door was thrown open and Farmer Brown 's boy stepped inside . In his hand he held a pan filled with the breakfast he had brought for the hens . Suddenly a box in the darkest corner of the henhouse moved . Farmer Brown 's boy turned to look , and as he did so a slim form dashed fairly between his legs . It startled him so that he dropped the pan and spilled the corn all over the henhouse floor . `` Great Scott ! '' he exclaimed . `` What under the sun was that ? '' and rushed to the door to see . He was just in time to get a glimpse of a red coat and a bushy tail disappearing around a corner of the barn . CHAPTER XVIII MUTUAL RELIEF The wise Fox knows that with every chicken he steals he puts an increased price on his own skin . Bowser the Hound . When Reddy Fox dashed between the legs of Farmer Brown 's boy and out of the open door of the henhouse , it was with his heart in his mouth . At least , it seemed that way . Would he find the henyard gate open ? Supposing Farmer Brown 's boy had closed it after he entered ! Reddy would then be a prisoner just as he had been all night , and all hope would end .
Just imagine with what terrible anxiety and eagerness XXXXX looked towards that gate as he dashed out of the open door .
Bowser Brown Fox Reddy XVIII breakfast corner henhouse henyard night