His whole thought was on just one thing -- catching Old Man Coyote , and Old Man Coyote knew it . Bowser did n't see that he was coming to a steep bank . He did n't see it at all until he reached the edge of it , and then he was going so fast that he could n't stop . Over he went with a frightened yelp ! Down , down he fell , and landed with a thump on the ice below . He landed so hard that he broke the ice , and went through into the cold , black water . Old Man Coyote crept to the edge of the bank and peeped over . Poor Bowser was having a terrible time . You see , the cold water had taken what little breath his fall had not knocked out of him . He does n't like to go in water anyway . You know the hair of his coat is short and does n't protect him as it would if it were long . Old Man Coyote grinned wickedly as he watched Bowser struggling feebly to climb out on the ice . Each time he tried he slipped back , and all the time he was whimpering . Old Man Coyote grinned more wickedly than ever . I suspect that he hoped that Bowser would not be able to get out . But after a little Bowser did manage to crawl out , and stood on the ice , shivering shaking . Once more Old Man Coyote grinned , then , turning , he trotted back towards Farmer Brown 's . CHAPTER IV POOR BOWSER Follow a crooked trail and you will find a scamp at the end . Bowser the Hound . Poor Bowser !
He stood shivering and shaking on the ice of the strange river to which Old Man XXXXX had led him , and he knew not which way to turn .
Bowser Brown Coyote Poor breath coat ice scamp time water