THE rRF.TFUL PORCUPINE. 



'59 



His companions saw a burrow in the earth, with several openings, but no 

 evidence of any living creature. "Well, what of it?" asked Bob, looking up in- 

 quiringly at the native. "There isn't any snake in there, I hope, for if there is he 

 can stay, for all I care." 



"No snake; no snake," replied Diedrick, with several shakes of his head. 



"Is there anything at all?" asked Dick, half suspecting the Hottentot, despite 

 his glum disposition, was playing some trick on them. 



" Yes; you see, you see," replied the native, with some excitement, catching each 

 by the arm and pushing him back. An agitation of the dirt showed that, whatever 

 it was that made its home in that place, it had started to come to the surface, doubt- 

 less unaware of enemies so near at hand. 



TUFTED-TAIL PORCUPINE. 



The instant it came forth the boys recognized it as a porcupine, a creature that 

 you have all seen, since varieties are found in both the new and old world. It 

 bristled with long spines, elegantly ringed with broad bands of black and white, 

 and its short, muscular limbs carried it over the ground faster than most persons 

 would suppose it capable of traveling. 



It had gone several yards from the entrance to its subterranean home, before it 

 observed the three figures standing behind it, and watching its movements. 



It instantly turned and started to run to its retreat, but Bob stepped forward 

 and shut it off. Finding itself driven at bay, and believing it was about to be 

 attacked, it resorted to its peculiar means of defense. Being without teeth or tal- 

 ons for fighting, the porcupine turned its back to its enemies, and, burying its head 

 between its fore legs, erected its spines and shook them violently. 



