A HERMIT'S WILD FRIENDS 



when the mice were gathered about a loaf 

 of bread, that a star-nosed mole would appear 

 and scatter them in all directions. If I chanced 

 to be sitting near, it was no unusual thing for 

 a mouse to run up my trousers-leg. I kindly 

 allowed the young man the post of honor 

 near the bread. Just what I expected took 

 place. The mole appeared, and a frightened 

 mouse rushed up the young man's trousers-leg. 

 With a war-whoop that would have frightened 

 an Indian, he bounded into the dooryard. The 

 mouse escaped from beneath his coat-collar be- 

 fore he got out of the cabin. The young fel- 

 low danced around like a crazy man. When- 

 ever his clothes touched him he thought the 

 mouse was getting in its deadly work, and 

 administered slaps that must have raised blis- 

 ters. When I could control my laughter I 

 told him that the mouse had escaped. I could 

 not induce him to enter the cabin again. 



The nests of these mice are globular, but are 

 varied to fit the surroundings. Near the cabin 

 they are made of bits of paper matted with 



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