"It's the wolf, I'm sure! It will not see me till it comes very near. Then I will jump out and throw my arms around its neck and choke it to death."
The animal was coming nearer. He could hear its footsteps. He could hear its heavy breathing. He stood very still and waited.
"It will try to bite me," he thought. "Perhaps it will scratch me with its sharp claws. But I will be brave. I will not cry out. I will choke it with my strong arms. Then I will drag it out of the bushes and call mamma to come and see it."
The beast was very close to him now. He could see its shadow as he peeped out through the clusters of leaves. His breath came fast. He planted his feet firmly and made ready to spring.
"How proud mamma will be of her brave boy!"
Ah! there was the wolf! He saw its shaggy head and big round eyes. He leaped from his hiding place and clasped it round its neck.
It did not try to bite or scratch. It did not even growl. But it jumped quickly forward and threw Gilbert upon the ground. Then it ran out into the open space and stopped to gaze at him.
Gilbert was soon on his feet again. He was not hurt at all. He looked at the beast, and—what do you think it was?
[Illustration]
It was not a wolf. It was only a pet calf that had come there to browse among the bushes.