56 The Raccoon 



the rapid pace set by the raccoon. He is passing 

 over swampy ground, and the pursuers have natu- 

 rally formed into a long line, according to speed. 

 Through the fatigue of the chase, the noise grows 

 less, and the raccoon, also becoming tired, takes to a 

 tree. This fact is loudly heralded by the foremost 

 dogs, and the others join in the noisy proclamation 

 as fast as they arrive; later the bedrabbled hunters 

 surround the tree in which the luckless raccoon has 

 taken refuge. If there is no hollow in the tree, the 

 raccoon is generally found resting upon a limb near 

 the top. 



Various methods for bringing down the beast are 

 now discussed: the tree may be cut down; a large 

 fire may be kindled, lighting the tree top so that 

 the raccoon may be shot; one of the hunters may 

 remain on guard until daylight; or some youth may 

 climb the tree and shake him down! Already a 

 youth is clamoring for this questionable honor. 

 He ascends, and rinding the limb upon which the 

 creature is quietly resting, he calls to his companions 

 to be ready to despatch the raccoon, for he is about 

 to shake him loose. He, however, has misjudged 

 the little animal seated upon the other end of the 

 limb; for there is about as much use in trying to 

 shake a raccoon from the limb as there would be in 



