130 SQUIRRELS AND OTHER FUR-BEARERS 



ping her young, she fled precipitately for the 

 cover of a large pile of grape-posts some ten 

 or twelve rods distant. We pursued hotly, and 

 overhauled her as she was within one jump of 

 the house of refuge. Taking her by the tail, I 

 carried her back to her baby ; but she heeded it 

 not. It was only her own bacon now that she 

 was solicitous about. The young one remained 

 where he had been dropped, keeping up a brave, 

 reassuring whistle that was in ludicrous contrast 

 to his exposed and helpless condition. He was the 

 smallest woodchuck I had ever seen, not much 

 larger than a large rat. His head and shoulders 

 were so large in proportion to the body as to give 

 him a comical look. He could not walk about 

 yet, and had never before been above ground. 

 Every moment or two he would whistle cheerily, 

 as the old one does when safe in his den with 

 the farm-dog fiercely baying outside. 



We took the youngster home, and my little 

 boy was delighted over the prospect of a tame 

 woodchuck. Not till the next day would he eat. 

 Then, getting a taste of the milk, he clutched 

 the spoon that held it with great eagerness, 

 and sucked away like a little pig. We were all 

 immensely diverted by him. He ate eagerly, 

 grew rapidly, arid was soon able to run about. 



As the old one had been killed, we became 



