He next mounted the brands above, thinking this would bring him nearer; but he soon discovered his mistake.

Again he ran out upon the limb where the opossum hung, and looked for a moment as if determined to spring down upon her, and carry her along with him to the earth; but the distance deterred him, and after a while he skulked back and squatted himself in a fork of the tree.
He did not rest long before a new thought, seemed to strike him.

The 'possum was not so very high above the ground; perhaps he could spring up and seize her by the nose?
It was at all events easy to make the trial.

And with this intention he descended to the foot of the tree, and ran out to the spot over which she was hanging.

But she was higher than he had calculated; and, like the fox with the grapes, after a few leaps he gave it up.