56 The Raccoon 
the rapid pace set by the raccoon. He is passing 
over swampy ground, and the pursuers have natu- 
rally formed into a long line, according to speed. 
Through the fatigue of the chase, the noise grows 
less, and the raccoon, also becoming tired, takes to a 
tree. This fact is loudly heralded by the foremost 
dogs, and the others join in the noisy proclamation 
as fast as they arrive; later the bedrabbled hunters 
surround the tree in which the luckless raccoon has 
taken refuge. If there is no hollow in the tree, the 
raccoon is generally found resting upon a limb near 
the top. 
Various methods for bringing down the beast are 
now discussed: the tree may be cut down; a large 
fire may be kindled, lighting the tree top so that 
the raccoon may be shot; one of the hunters may 
remain on guard until daylight; or some youth may 
climb the tree and shake him down! Already a 
youth is clamoring for this questionable honor. 
He ascends, and finding the limb upon which the 
creature is quietly resting, he calls to his companions 
to be ready to despatch the raccoon, for he is about 
to shake him loose. He, however, has misjudged 
the little animal seated upon the other end of the 
limb; for there is about as much use in trying to 
shake a raccoon from the limb as there would he in 
