INTRODUCING MR. AND MRS. SKUNK 43 



coat is a protection prevents his being mis- 

 taken for some other fellow. 



A skunk is easily trapped. He is a dull- 

 witted fellow, and has little strategy or suspicion. 

 So well protected is he against attack, and so 

 readily can he seize upon the food just secured 

 by another, that rarely does he become excited 

 or move quickly. He never seems to hurry or 

 worry. 



I do not believe that I ever missed an oppor- 

 tunity to see a skunk close up. Of course I 

 never aimed to thrust myself upon them. But 

 repeatedly I was surprised by them and it took 

 days to get over it. 



A brush pile was filled with skunks. When 

 I leaped upon it they rushed forth on every 

 side, stopped, and waited for me to go away. I 

 was in a hurry, and as they refused to be driven 

 farther off I made way for liberty. 



Skunks are not bad people; they simply re- 

 fuse to be kicked around or to have salt placed 

 upon their plumy tails. Sooner or later every 

 animal in a skunk's territory turns his back on 

 the skunk and refuses to have anything to do 

 with him. But the skunk turns first. 



The skunk to go into action reverses ends and 

 puts up his tail. Every animal in the woods 

 wonders as he meets a skunk; wonders, "What 

 luck now?" Head he wins or tails the skunk 



