The Raccoon 57 



trying to shake off the bark itself. Some of his older 

 companions, who in times past have tried it them- 

 selves, are calling to him that they are ready and 

 waiting to "despatch that 'coon." After trying to 

 achieve the impossible, the boy descends amid the 

 good-humored jeers of his companions, and ever after, 

 any gymnastic effort that he attempts is greeted with 

 "He is the fellow who tried to shake down a raccoon!" 



After the fun, the usual move is to fell the tree, and 

 if the raccoon is not stunned by the fall, which seldom 

 happens, there ensues a smart skirmish between it and 

 the dogs. The dogs rushing pellmell upon the pros- 

 trate animal; but they, too, have mistaken the ability 

 of the raccoon, and with many howls they rapidly 

 and ignominiously retreat. After the first onslaught 

 the dogs have more respect for the fighting ability of 

 the raccoon, which, by the way, is of a very high 

 order. A few years ago a Scotchman living at Exeter, 

 New York State, had a pet raccoon which he had 

 trained to fight dogs, and the raccoon had never lost 

 a battle. 



After the raccoon is finally despatched the party 

 either turns to the cornfield for* a new start or dis- 

 bands, according to the lateness of the hour. 



There is another phase of hunting the raccoon 

 which is much more dignified and far more system- 



