172 WILD LIFE AND THE CAMERA 



thought 'Possum Two as he sat on a large knob 

 that protruded from the side of the tree. He heard 

 the scratching sounds of Tossum One as he climbed 

 the tree. Nearer and nearer he came, until his 

 nose was visible over the edge of the large knob. 

 What might have happened is not known. 'Possum 

 Two's vigorous protesting at his friend's arrival was 

 cut short by a loud report and a scattering of small 

 pieces of bark where the shot had struck the tree 

 just above the 'possums' heads. Scarcely had the 

 echoes of the report died away when Dennis saw 

 two 'possums fall to the ground at the foot of the 

 apple tree, and he congratulated himself on " the 

 foine shot " he had made, and forthwith marched up 

 to the seemingly dead animals. " Shure, but they're 

 did as nails," he exclaimed, as he picked up one in 

 a most gingerly way, quickly dropping it again. 

 Yet there was no blood visible, but in his excite- 

 ment he had not noticed a detail so altogether 

 trivial. Enough for him that the two animals 

 were dead, and he himself was responsible for their 

 slaughter, and he turned to lay down the gun that 

 he might light his pipe, preparatory to carrying the 

 animals back to the house. As he stood still trying 

 to light his short clay pipe, his back was toward the 

 'possums. Everything was so quiet that 'Possum 

 Two decided to have a look and, without changing 

 his position, he opened his small, dark eyes, closing 

 them instantly when he discovered the broad back 

 of his enemy between him and the sky. 



It was a close shave, for at that very moment 

 Dennis, his pipe lighted, picked up the gun, and, 

 catching hold of the two 'possums by their rat-like 



