88 I^^^gy^'^^g 



deeply versed in * change-off,° * fence, and 

 • double,' as well as * hole-up,* which is a trick 

 requiring longer notice, and yet he never for- 

 got that * lay-low * is the beginning of all wis- 

 dom and 'brierbrush* the only trick that is 

 always safe. 



He was taught the signs by which to know 

 all his foes and then the way to baffle them. 

 For hawks, owls, foxes, hounds, curs, minks, 

 weasels, cats, skunks, coons, and men, each 

 have a different plan of pursuit, and for 

 each and all of these evils he was taught 

 a remedy. 



And for knowledge of the enemy's approach 

 he learnt to depend first on himself and his 

 mother, and then on the bluejay, "Never neg. 

 lect the bluejay's warning," said Mo!!y; " he is 

 a mischief-maker, a marplot, and a thief all the 

 time, but nothing escapes him. He wouldn't 

 mind harming us, but he cannot, thanks to the 

 briers, and his enemies are ours, so it is well to 

 heed him. If the woodpecker cries a warning 

 you can trust him, he is honest; but he is a fool 

 beside the bluejay, and though the bluejay of- 

 ten tells lies for mischief you are safe to believe 

 him when he brings ill news.'* 



The barbed-wire trick takes a deal of nerve 

 and the best of legs. It was long before Rag 



