He was in such a hurry to get away from that neighborhood that he forgot to ask Jimmy Skunk just where he had seen Mr. Blacksnake . He hardly waited long enough to say good-by to Jimmy Skunk , but started off as fast as he could go . Now it just happened that Old Mr. Toad started up the Crooked Little Path , and it just happened that Mr. Blacksnake was coming down the Crooked Little Path . Now when people are very much afraid , they almost always seem to think that danger is behind instead of in front of them . It was so with Old Mr. Toad . Instead of watching out in front as he hopped along , he kept watching over his shoulder , and that was his second mistake . He was so sure that Mr. Blacksnake was somewhere behind him that he did n't look to see where he was going , and you know that people who do n't look to see where they are going are almost sure to go headfirst right into trouble . Old Mr. Toad went hopping up the Crooked Little Path as fast as he could , which was n't very fast , because he never can hop very fast . And all the time he kept looking behind for Mr. Blacksnake . Presently he came to a turn in the Crooked Little Path , and as he hurried around it , he almost ran into Mr. Blacksnake himself . It was a question which was more surprised . For just a wee second they stared at each other . Then Mr. Blacksnake 's eyes began to sparkle . `` Good morning , Mr. Toad . Is n't this a beautiful morning ? I was just thinking about you , '' said he . But poor Old Mr. Toad did n't say good morning . He did n't say anything . He could n't , because he was too scared . He just gave a frightened little squeal , turned around , and started down the Crooked Little Path twice as fast as he had come up .
Mr. Blacksnake grinned and started after him , not very fast because he knew that he would n't have to run very fast XXXXX catch Old Mr. Toad , and he thought the exercise would do him good .
For about around as at behind in into that to