TOECH-FISHING. 83 



" Wluit is that V cried I. 



"A 'coon/' he replied, '^ perched right within 

 reach of your rifle/' 



'' Do you think so ?" 



" Certain. Just you try." 



I fired, and the creature fell within a few feet of 

 us. The bullet had broken his shoulder blade and 

 pierced the heart. It was a shot worthy of a better 

 game. HowcA^er, there was no lack of sport, for 

 the maple-juice attracted them from all parts, and 

 squii'rels, opossums, racoons, and other four-footed 

 thieves swarmed around ; but their bright eyes were 

 scarcely visible in the darkness when down they 

 came, sometimes falling to my gun and sometimes 

 to those of the men who were watching the sugar 

 tubs. This queer sport went on far into the night, 

 until at last I grew tired of it, and went peaceably 

 to sleep side by side with ray host. Next morning, 

 on counting up the spoil, we found that we had 

 bagged fourteen racoons, six opossums, and a cub 

 bear. The last fell a victim just about daybreak to 

 a lucky shot from one of the watchmen. 



" Well," said my host, next morning at breakfast, 

 "and how have you been pleased with your sport 

 last night?" 



" Splendid," I replied; " I wish I had nothing to 

 do but set up my tent here with you and never die." 



"Well, well," he replied, "many thanks for the 

 preference ; but I have promised to show you some 



a 2 



