cause me to take hurried flight; but as I held 

 on he found himself more "up in the air" than I 

 was. He stopped short, shut off his chatter, and 

 held himself at close range facing me, a picture 

 of furious study. This scene occurred in a brief 

 period that was undisturbed by either wind or 

 rain. We had a good look at each other. He was 

 every inch alive, but for a second or two both 

 his place and expression were fixed. He sat with 

 eyes full of telling wonder and with face that 

 showed intense curiosity. A dash of wind and 

 rain ended our interview, for after his explosive 

 introduction neither of us had uttered a sound. 

 He fled into his hole, and from this a moment 

 later thrust forth his head; but presently he 

 subsided and withdrew. As I began to climb 

 again, I heard mufHed expletives from within his 

 tree that sounded plainly like "Fool, fool, fool!" 

 The wind had tried hard to dislodge me, but, 

 seated on the small limbs and astride the slender 

 top, I held on. The tree shook and danced; 

 splendidly we charged, circled, looped, and an- 

 gled; such wild, exhilarating joy I have not else- 

 where experienced. At all times I could feel in 



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