The fact is , Johnny Chuck already began to feel homesick . But he swallowed very hard and tried to make himself think that he was having a splendid time . He stopped looking back and started on , and as he tramped along , he tried to sing a song he had once heard Jimmy Skunk sing : `` The world may stretch full far and wide -- What matters that to me ? I 'll tramp it up ; I 'll tramp it down ! For I am bold and free . '' It was a very brave little song , but Johnny Chuck did n't feel half so brave and bold as he tried to think he did . Already he was beginning to wonder where he should spend the night . Then he thought of old Whitetail the Marshhawk , who had given him such a fright and had so nearly caught him when he was a little fellow . The thought made him look around hastily , and there was old Whitetail himself , sailing back and forth hungrily just ahead of him . A great fear took possession of Johnny Chuck , and he made himself as flat as possible in the grass , for there was no place to hide . He made up his mind that anyway he would fight . Nearer and nearer came old Whitetail ! Finally he passed right over Johnny Chuck . But he did n't offer to touch him . Indeed , it seemed to Johnny that old Whitetail actually grinned and winked at him . And right then all his fear left him . `` Pooh ! '' said Johnny Chuck scornfully . `` Who 's afraid of him ! '' He suddenly realized that he was no longer a helpless little Chuck who could n't take care of himself , but big and strong , with sharp teeth with which his old enemy had no mind to make a closer acquaintance , when there were mice and snakes to be caught without fighting .
So he puffed out his chest and went on , and actually began to enjoy himself , and almost wished for a chance XXXXX show how big and strong he was .
Nearer as for in of over that to with without