My First Summer 



and fight and show, with movements so 

 quick and keen they almost sting the on- 

 looker, and the harlequin gyrating show 

 he makes of himself turns one giddy to see. 

 The gray is shy, and oftentimes stealthy in 

 his movements, as if half expecting an enemy 

 in every tree and bush, and back of every 

 log, wishing only to be let alone apparently, 

 and manifesting no desire to be seen or 

 admired or feared. The Indians hunt this 

 species for food, a good cause for caution, 

 not to mention other enemies, hawks, 

 snakes, wild cats. In woods where food is 

 abundant they wear paths through shelter- 

 ing thickets and over prostrate trees to some 

 favorite pool where in hot and dry weather 

 they drink at nearly the same hour every 

 day. These pools are said to be narrowly 

 watched, especially by the boys, who lie in 

 ambush with bow and arrow, and kill with- 

 out noise. But, in spite of enemies, squirrels 

 are happy fellows, forest favorites, types of 

 tireless life. Of all Nature's wild beasts, they 



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