The Raccoon BY 
trying to shake off the bark itself. Some of his older 
companions, who in times past have tried it them- 
selves, are calling to him that they are ready and 
waiting to “‘despatch that ’coon.” After trying to 
achieve the impossible, the boy descends amid the 
good-humored jeers of his companions, and ever after, 
any gymnastic effort that he attempts is greeted with 
‘He is the fellow who tried to shake down a raccoon!” 
After the fun, the usual move is to fell the tree, and 
if the raccoon is not stunned by the fall, which seldom 
happens, there ensues a smart skirmish between it and 
the dogs. The dogs rushing pellmell upon the pros- 
trate animal; but they, too, have mistaken the ability 
of the raccoon, and with many howls they rapidly 
and ignominiously retreat. After the first onslaught 
the dogs have more respect for the fighting ability of 
the raccoon, which, by the way, is of a very high 
order. A few years ago a Scotchman living at Exeter, 
New York State, had a pet raccoon which he had 
trained to fight dogs, and the raccoon had never lost 
a battle. 
After the raccoon is finally despatched the party 
either turns to the cornfield for a new start or dis- 
bands, according to the lateness of the hour. 
There is another phase of hunting the raccoon 
which is much more dignified and far more system- 
