Lightfoot tried every trick he could think of to make those hounds lose the scent . `` If only I could make them lose it long enough for me to get a little rest , it would help , '' panted Lightfoot , as he paused for just an instant to listen to the baying of the hounds . But he could n't . They allowed him no rest . He was becoming very , very tired . He could no longer bound lightly over fallen logs or brush , as he had done at first . His lungs ached as he panted for breath . He realized that even though he should escape the hunters he would meet an even more terrible death unless he could get rid of those hounds . There would come a time when he would have to stop . Then those hounds would catch up with him and tear him to pieces . It was then that he remembered the Big River . He turned towards it . It was his only chance and he knew it . Straight through the Green Forest , out across the Green Meadows to the bank of the Big River , Lightfoot ran . For just a second he paused to look behind . The hounds were almost at his heels . Lightfoot hesitated no longer but plunged into the Big River and began to swim . On the banks the hounds stopped and bayed their disappointment , for they did not dare follow Lightfoot out into the Big River . CHAPTER XXII : Lightfoot 's Long Swim The Big River was very wide . It would have been a long swim for Lightfoot had he been fresh and at his best .
Strange as it may seem , XXXXX is a splendid swimmer , despite his small , delicate feet .
Forest Lightfoot Meadows River XXII escape first instant lungs second