THE FALL OF THE 0P0SSU:M. 215 



trigger, and waited the result. Down came thundering 

 some heavy fragments of a knot. The negro picked 

 them up, and pitched them disdainfully into the fire. 

 Again my host raised his weapon, and, sighting at a 

 large protuberance, pulled the trigger. The shot struck 

 true and fair enough, for another large knotty piece 

 of wood was again shivered, but no 'possum fell. This 

 time the tree was scanned more closely, and a large 

 bundle discovered, which I had passed my eyes care- 

 lessly over as a bunch of Spanish moss, and, from its 

 close resemblance to that parasitical plant, my friend, 

 too, had, I believe, been of the same opinion. This 

 time he either saw some movement or somethinsr 

 whispered to him that it was the little beast, for he 

 again put up his gun and covered the object. This 

 time the report was followed by a grunt worthy of a 

 pig, and a dull, heavy thud, as a compact body struck 

 the ground. This time it was the 'possum. 



The negro threw the opossum across his shoulder, 

 rekindled the torch, which after lighting the fire he 

 had extinguished, and led the way out of the forest 

 towards home. 



The opossum, however, is seldom hunted thus scien- 

 tifically, and only lads and negroes hunt him for the 

 sake of his carcase. By the * darkies ' it is highly 

 valued : they look upon it as the very choicest meat ; 

 and when * 'possum fat and 'tater ' can be procured, 

 they pass by venison and wild turkey with scorn. And 



