SPEING 



where the old snake fence winds its way 

 among the trees, the gray and black 

 squirrels began to frisk about and 

 renew acquaintance with their kind. 

 They played tag among the upper 

 branches and sped along the smooth 

 limbs, leaping the open spaces between 

 and sailing gracefully through the air 

 with broad outstretched tails, alight- 

 ing on the very finger-tip of a swaying 

 branch. When they reached a rough- 

 barked maple they changed their game 

 to hide-and-seek and went circling 

 round and round the trunk in reckless 

 chase. Like children let loose from 

 school, they frolicked in the sunshine 

 and the newborn freedom of Spring. 

 However, they seldom strayed far from 

 their home trees. Besides the danger 

 from the Neighbour's dog, who some- 

 times interrupted their foraging expe- 

 ditions on the forest floor, they had a 

 natural enemy who was a constant 

 menace to their life and happiness. 

 The reds often made life a trial and 

 drove them home, where they remained 

 to scold in harsh defiance. The gray 

 squirrel, with his slow movements and 

 19 



