WILD PASTURES 



vivaciously, taking a sip here, bouncing 

 away to examine something there, re- 

 membering that they came for a drink 

 after all and taking a good one, then 

 hurrying back with long leaps in a 

 straight line for the trees. The squirrel 

 is not solemn, far from it, but he is 

 business-like, and though there is humor- 

 ous good fellowship in his every hop, he 

 nevertheless does not linger long from 

 his work. 



Very different from this is the track 

 of mister skunk. He wanders aimlessly 

 along, often as much sidewise as straight 

 ahead. The skunk does n't know where 

 he is going and he is n't even on his 

 way. I never see his tracks, whether 

 on the pond shore or elsewhere, but I 

 renew my doubts as to his habits. He 

 is out much too late at night. His tracks 

 show it. I think he had his drink before 

 198 



