4 SQUIRRELS AND OTHER FUR-BEARERS 



that the squirrel was bewitched, and the boys 

 proposed to put the matter to further test by 

 throwing the squirrel down a precipice six hun- 

 dred feet high. Our traveler interfered, to see 

 that the squirrel had fair play. The prisoner 

 was conveyed in a pillow-slip to the edge of the 

 cliff, and the slip opened, so that he might have 

 his choice, whether to remain a captive or to take 

 the leap. He looked down the awful abyss, and 

 then back and side wise, his eyes glistening, 

 his form crouching. Seeing no escape in any 

 other direction, " he took a flying leap into space, 

 and fluttered rather than fell into the abyss below. 

 His legs began to work like those of a swimming 

 poodle-dog, but quicker and quicker, while his 

 tail, slightly elevated, spread out like a feather 

 fan. A rabbit of the same weight would have 

 made the trip in about twelve seconds ; the squir- 

 rel protracted it for more than half a minute," 

 and " landed on a ledge of limestone, where we 

 could see him plainly squat on his hind legs and 

 smooth his ruffled fur, after which he made for 

 the creek with a flourish of his tail, took a good 

 drink, and scampered away into the willow 

 thicket." 



The story at first blush seems incredible, but 

 I have no doubt our red squirrel would have 

 made the leap safely ; then why not the great 



