246 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



cat,* (for a true Pole-cat it was, the Mephitis Americana 

 of zoologists,) raised its fine bushy tail, and showered 

 such a discharge of the fluid given him by nature as a 

 defence, that my friend, dismayed and infuriated, began 

 to belabour the poor animal. The swiftness and good 

 management of the Pole-cat, however, saved its bones, 

 and as it made its retreat towards its hole, it kept up at 

 every step a continued ejectment, which fully convinced 

 the gentleman that the pursuit of such squirrels as these 

 was at the best an unprofitable employment. 



This was not all, however. I could not suffer his ap- 

 proach, nor could my horse ; it was with difficulty he 

 mounted his own; and we were forced to continue our 

 journey far asunder, and he much to leeward. Nor did 

 the matter end here. We could not proceed much 

 farther that night; as, in the first place, it was nearly 

 dark when we saw the Pole-cat, and as, in the second 

 place, a heavy snow-storm began, and almost impeded 

 our progress. We were forced to make for the first 

 cabin we saw. Having asked and obtained permission 

 to rest for the night, we dismounted and found ourselves 

 amongst a crowd of men and women who had met for 

 the purpose of corn-shucking. 



To a European who has not visited the western part 

 of the United States, an explanation of this corn-shuck- 

 ing may not be unacceptable. Corn (or you may prefer 

 calling it maize) is gathered in the husk, that is, by 

 breaking each large ear from the stem. These ears are 

 first thrown into heaps in the field, and afterwards car- 

 ried in carts to the barn, or, as in this instance, and in 

 * In most parts of the country, this animal is called Skunk. 



