At first it seemed to give him chagrin.
In a little while, however, he appeared rather to like it than otherwise.
"On second thoughts," said he to himself, "it is better as it is.

The 'possum has saved me the trouble of catching the hare, and I might have missed it withal.

_She_ has _captured_ the game, but _I_ shall _eat_ it, I guess." These thoughts he certainly had--for they were as clearly expressed by his actions, as if he had been gifted with speech and had uttered them aloud.

In accordance with them, therefore, he crept on, intending to spring upon the 'possum unawares.
The latter, however, before commencing to eat, like all who know that they have done a guilty deed, raising herself to her full height, looked around to see if any one had been a witness to the act.

Her eyes fell upon the lynx; and, hastily seizing the hare in her teeth, she plunged into the bramble.
The lynx, seeing that further concealment was of no use, bounded forward with curved back and mane erect.