Shadows were already beginning to creep through the Green Forest . Somehow they gave Johnny Chuck that same lonesome feeling that he had had when he first left his old home . You see he had always lived out in the Green Meadows and somehow he was afraid of the Green Forest in the night . So , instead of going into the Green Forest , he wandered along the edge of it , looking for a place in which to spend the night . At last he came to a hollow log lying just out on the edge of the Green Meadows . Very carefully Johnny Chuck examined it , to be sure that no one else was using it . `` It 's just the place I 'm looking for ! '' he said aloud . Just then there was a sharp hiss , a very fierce hiss . Johnny Chuck felt the hair on his neck rise as it always did when he heard that hiss , and he was n't at all surprised , when he turned his head , to find Mr. Blacksnake close by . Mr. Blacksnake glided swiftly up to the old log and coiled himself in front of the opening . Then he raised his head and ran out his tongue in the most impudent way . `` Run along , Johnny Chuck ! I 've decided to sleep here myself to-night ! '' he said sharply . Now when Johnny Chuck was a very little fellow , he had been in great fear of Mr. Blacksnake , as he had had reason to be . And because he did n't know any better , he had been afraid ever since . Mr. Blacksnake knew this and so now he looked as ugly as he knew how . But you see he did n't know about the great fight that Johnny Chuck had just won . Now to win an honest fight always makes one feel very strong and very sure of oneself .
Johnny looked at Mr. XXXXX and saw that Mr. Blacksnake did n't look half as big as Johnny had always thought he did .
Blacksnake Chuck Forest Green Meadows Shadows fellow left night opening