And then he began to nod.
"I'll just have five minutes of a nap," he said, "and then get on again." So down he lay.

But his five minutes lasted for an hour, and still the lad lay fast asleep.
A large gray fox stole up and smelt the rabbit.
"That'll just suit me," said he to himself.

"I'll go and call my brothers and sisters, and we'll kill this two-legged creature and steal his rabbit." "Yap-yap-yap!" barked the fox, and soon he had a whole pack round him.
But just as they were getting near to Tom, he awoke and sat up.

Bang went his rifle at once, as he saw his danger.

One fox fell dead, but the others came on with a rush, and there was soon a lively fight.