They were always relieved when he went off, three or four times a day, down into the neighboring clover field to make his meals.

The little ones did not see what he was good for, anyhow, till one morning, when the black-and-yellow dog from the next farm happened along.

The youngsters, with their mother, were basking in the sun just outside the front door.
As the dog sprang at them they all fairly fell, head over heels, back into the burrow.

The dog, immensely disappointed, set to work frantically to dig them out.

He felt sure that young woodchuck would be very good to eat.
"It was then that Old Grumpy showed what he was made of.