GLIMPSES OF WILD LIFE 179 



Bought my door one December night when u 

 cold wave was swooping down upon us. A\'as 

 he seeking shelter, or had he lost his reckon- 

 ing? The dogs cornered him in the very door- 

 way, and set up a great hubbub. In the dark- 

 ness, thinking it was a cat, I put my hand 

 down to feel it. The creature skii)pe(l to the 

 other corner of the doorway, hitting my hand 

 with its cold, rope-like tail. Lighting a match, 

 I had a glimpse of him sitting up on his 

 haunches like a woodchuck, confronting his 

 enemies. I rushed in for the lantern, with the 

 hope of capturing him alive, but before I re- 

 turned the dogs, growing bold, had finished 

 him. 



I have had but one call from a coon, that I 

 am aware of, and I fear we did not treat him 

 with due hospitality. He took up his quarters 

 for the day in a Norway spruce, the branches 

 of which nearly brushed the house. I had 

 noticed that the dog was very curious about 

 that tree all the forenoon. After dinner his 

 curiosity culminated in repeated loud and con- 

 fident barking. Then I began an investigation, 

 expecting to find a strange cat, or at most a red 

 squirrel. But a moment's scrutiny revealed 

 his coonship. Then how to capture him l>e- 

 came the problem. A long pole was procured, 

 and I sought to dislodge him from his hold. 

 The skill with which he maintained himself 

 amid the branches excited our admiration. 

 But after a time he dropped lightly to tlie 

 ground, not in the least disconcerted, and at 



