New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-11-05
A Tight Place Becomes Tighter
By Thornton W. Burgess

N.hen you're in a place that's tight
1nat's the time to really fight.
old Mother Nature
Rusty the Fox Squirrel sitting in
little tree beside a fence on the
Green Meadows. was desperate. Be-
low him. grinning up at him. was
Teddy Fox. Far away in the sky
was . black spot which Rusty knew
to be Redtail the Hawk. With all
his might Rusty hoped that at that
distance Redtaii couldn't see him.
But that hope didn't last long. That
black spot was becoming larger and
larger: Redtail was heading in that
direction. In few moments there
was no doubt that he saw Rusty.
Now. wasn't that a terrible posi-
ton for any squirrel to be in? II,
that had been big tree, it would
have been 4 very different matter.
Then there would have been some
chance for Rusty to dodge Redtail.
But this was small tree-a very
small tree. The trunk Of 1t wasn't
big enough for even a chipmunk to
dodge around. 1t really looked as II
all that I,dtail would have to do
would be to pick Rusty right out of
that tree. Yes, sir, that is the way it
looked!
Reddy Fox down below hardly
knew whether to be pleased or 9TH
erwise at the arrival of Redtail He
certainly didn't want Redtail to
catch Rusty. On the other hand. I'M
lees Rusty should come down out OF
that tree, there was small chance
that he, Reddy. would be able to
catch him. Perhaps If Redtail should
swoop at him, it might scare Rusty
into jumping. Reddy looked up at
Redtail swinging in circles right
above the tree, and grinned
Il guess some one is going to have
a Squirrel dinner pretty soon now.
and l hope that I am that some
one" said Reddy to himself.
Meanwhile, poor Rusty was trying
to make up his mind what 30 do.
For the time being. Redtail was the
most dangerous. Up in that tree. or
even on top Of the fence. if he kept
moving. he was reasonably safe
from Reddy Fox But he wasn't safe
from Eedtail. Redtail could pick
him right out of that tree. or right
off the fence. He kept his eyes fixed
on kedtail. He saw Redtail start u
sWoop. Rusty made a flying leap TO
the top rail of that old fence. And
how he did race along it. Redtail
had to stop himself and once more
get into position to swoop., Mean
while, Reddy Fox went racing
along below. Reddy's eyes sparkled
with excitement. This was sport, At
least. it was sport to Eeddy.
Redtail screamed angrily and once
more shot down towards Rusty.
What do you think Rusty did this
time? He Just whirled right around
to the under sid of that rail. and
there he chung. There was nothing
for Red all to seize. 1t was done so
quickly that 1t took Reddy Fox by
surprise. and, before Reddy could
jump. Rusty had once more vhisk-
ed up TO the other side Of the rail,
while Redtail the Hawk vas beat
ing his way up in the air for an
other swoop.
1t WIS desperate game. Yes, in
deed, it was desperate game. No
one realized it more fully than did
Rusty. But he wouldn't give up. No.
sir. he meant to try just as long as
there was any chance at all. He
raced along anot her rail and up Tn
top Of the next fence-post. He had
Just time for a hasty look ahead.
Then Redtail rame swooping down
once more. This time Rusty lodged