Tito 



lookout, and also makes sure that, no matter 

 how they may slip in their hurry, they are cer- 

 tain to drop into the funnel and be swallowed 

 up by the all-protecting earth. On the outside 

 the ground slopes away gently from the funnel. 

 Now, when the Alderman saw that strange 

 round thing at his threshold he was afraid. 

 Second inspection led him to believe that it 

 was not dangerous, but was probably interesting. 

 He went cautiously toward it, smelled it, and 

 tried to nibble it ; but the apple rolled away, for 

 it was round, and the ground was smooth as 

 well as sloping. The Prairie-dog followed and 

 gave it a nip which satisfied him that the strange 

 object would make good eating. But each time 

 he nibbled, it rolled farther away. The coast 

 seemed clear, all the other Prairie-dogs were 

 out, so the fat Alderman did not hesitate to 

 follow up the dodging, shifting apple. 



This way and that it wriggled, and he fol- 

 lowed. Of course it worked toward the low 

 place where grew the greasewood-bush. The 

 little tastes of apple that he got only whetted 

 his appetite. The Alderman was more and 

 more interested. Foot by foot he was led from 



3 l 3 



