66 Life of Audubon. 



then, no danger you see ; no fear of snakes, poor things ! 

 They are stiff enough, I'll be bound. The dogs have 

 treed one. Toby, you old fool, why don't you turn tc 

 the right ? not so much. There, go ahead and give us 

 a light. What's that ? who's there ? Ah ! you young 

 rascals ! you've played us a trick, have you ? It's all 



well enough, but now, just keep behind or I'll ' In 



fact, the boys with eyes good enough to see in the dark, 

 although not quite so well as an owl, had cut directly 

 across to the dogs, which had surprised a racoon on the 

 ground, and bayed it, until the lads knocked it on the 

 head. ' Seek him, boys ! " cries the hunter. The dogs, 

 putting their noses to the ground, pushed off at a good 

 rate. ' Master, they're making for the creek,' says old To- 

 by. On towards it therefore we push. What woods, to be 

 sure ! We are now in a low flat covered with beech trees. 

 "The racoon was discovered swimming in a pool. 

 The glare of the lighted torch was doubtless distressing 

 to him ; his coat was ruffled, and his rounded tail seemed 

 thrice its ordinary size ; his eyes shone like emeralds ; 

 with foaming jaws he watched the dogs, ready to seize 

 each by the snout if it came within reach. They kept 

 him busy for some minutes ; the water became thick with 

 mud ; his coat now hung dripping, and his draggled tail 

 lay floating on the surface. His guttural growlings, in 

 place of intimidating his assailants, excited them the 

 more, and they very unceremoniously closed upon him. 

 One seized him by the rump and tugged, but was soon 

 forced to let go ; another stuck to his side, but soon tak- 

 ing a better-directed bite of his muzzle, the coon's fate 

 was sealed. He was knocked on the head, and Toby re- 

 marks, ' That's another half dollar's worth,' as he handles 

 the thick fur of the prey. The dogs are again found look- 

 ing up into a tree and barking furiously. The hunters 

 employ their axes, and send the chips about. 



