978 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



out. That white flag nailed to the mast does not mean 'sur- 

 render,' but clear the deck for action. Then you look out! 

 Stand perfectly still! make no sudden move; it may not yet be 

 too late! The Skunk, especially if an experienced old fellow, 

 may change its mind, haul down the fighting signal, mast and 

 all, forgive you, and go quietly away. A young hunter or a 

 young dog is likely to rush forward at the beautiful, innocent- 

 looking animal, and, just as he is about to seize it, is sure 

 to get the charge of blinding, poisonous spray, after which the 

 Skunk will turn and go on its way rejoicing, quite confident 

 that that enemy is permanently routed. 



Very few animals will face the Mephitis; it is accustomed 

 to deference. But I knew of a Skunk that made a sad mistake 

 when, on finding a nest of new-born kittens out in a fence 

 corner, it sat down to make a comfortable meal off^ them. 

 Their loud mewing brought the old cat at racing speed. 

 Raging and fearless, she flew at that Skunk. What can face 

 a mother cat .'' What will not a mother cat face, for her 

 young ? The Skunk fought with all its weapons, muzzle- 

 loader and breech-loader, long arms and short arms, but was 

 badly defeated and escaped, not to be wiser — Skunks do not 

 seem to learn discretion — but probably to die. How well I 

 remember that old cat, smelling to heaven, and blinking her 

 bloodshot eyes so hard as she silently endured the torment 

 and stench. We had a profound reverence for her heroism, 

 but we could not endure her person, and, for many weeks after- 

 wards, she was energetically invited to tarry in the wilderness. 



The distance to which the spray can be thrown usually is 

 4 to 6 or, in exceptional cases, perhaps lo feet. If the Skunk 

 is approached on the windward side, the distance is greatly 

 reduced. I have more than once seen persons draw near the 

 Skunk with little fear, because the animal was face on, and 

 tradition hath it that the gun points backwards and is only 

 used in Parthian fight. But this turns out at once to be a grave 

 error. The Skunk throws its brush forward and to one side, 

 bends down its back, protrudes the anus, and the pipe of the 

 gland then shoots the dreadful liquid towards the foe, with 



