Peter Sees Rosebreast and Finds Redcoat 



which to hide. But there was nothing under which 

 he could crawl, and there was no hiding that won- 

 derful red coat. Peter heard the sound of heavy 

 footsteps, and looking back, saw that Farmer 

 Brown's boy was coming. "Don't be afraid, 

 Redcoat," he whispered. "It's Farmer Brown's 

 boy and I'm sure he won't hurt you. Perhaps he 

 can help you." Then Peter scampered off for a 

 short distance and sat up to watch what would 

 happen. 



Of course Farmer Brown's boy saw Redcoat. 

 No one with any eyes at all could have helped seeing 

 him, because of that wonderful scarlet coat. He 

 saw, too, by the way Redcoat was acting, that he 

 was in great trouble. As Farmer Brown's boy 

 drew near and Redcoat saw that he was discovered, 

 he tried his hardest to nutter away. Farmer 

 Brown's boy understood instantly that some- 

 thing was wrong with one wing, and running for- 

 ward, he caught Redcoat. 



"You poor little thing. You poor, beautiful 

 little creature," said Farmer Brown's boy softly 

 as he saw the cruel twig sticking through Red- 

 coats' shoulder. "We'll have to get that out right 

 away," continued Farmer Brown's boy, stroking 

 Redcoat ever so gently. 



Somehow at that gentle touch Redcoat lost much 

 of his fear, and a little hope sprang in his heart. 

 [213] 



