FIELD AND STUDY 



another raid. He paused every few yards to see 

 whether the coast was clear. My Uttle unsuspecting 

 friend, enjoying the sweet corn, was completely hid- 

 den from him behind a big stone on the top of the 

 wall. The robber came near and slanted his course 

 down the side of the wall to the ground near the hole. 

 From this point he must have seen the owner of the 

 den, for he turned hurriedly back up the wall and 

 disappeared. 



Some time later I saw him coming back along the 

 wall again. His approach was very cautious and 

 hesitating, just as yours or mine would be if we 

 were bent on such an errand. He skulked along 

 the side of the wall; he paused behind stones; he 

 peered toward the den — every act betrayed guilt 

 and trepidation. I had seen his intended victim enter 

 her den, but he had not, and I could see that he was 

 in a quandary as to whether or not she was at home. 



As he neared the den, he got off the wall some 

 yards away, and came cautiously along in the grass, 

 pausing and watching. Finally he reached the hole, 

 and hesitated there for some seconds. Three times 

 he raised his head and glanced round; then he dis- 

 appeared. 



"He is in," I said, but had barely said it when out 

 shot the yellow streak again and went coursing up 

 the stone fence as before. It was nip and tuck, but 

 the robber kept ahead. My neighbor was gone so 

 long this time that I began to fear she had come to 



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