A RACCOON TREED, 



115 



" Yes, certainly they do, but we have so many that 

 one more or less does not matter." 



So we got our hats, and a stick apiece, and sallied 

 forth into the orchard, at the far corner of which we 

 found Master Garry — a strong-built Dandie Dinmont 

 terrier of about twenty-pounds weight — keeping ward 

 over an apple tree close to the fence. Now that we 

 had arrived on the scene the dog became mad with 

 excitement. 



The night was so deliciously balmly, clear, and 

 still, that to be out of doors was in itself a treat. But 

 I fear that the poultry destroyer did not contemplate 

 matters in the same light. His position was soon 

 discovered, for the leaves were already fallen, so that 

 his fat round form looked like a big bird's nest 

 against the vault of heaven. Poor beast ! his rest- 

 lessness showed how gravely he viewed the situation, 

 and if I had had a voice in the matter I would have 

 granted him a free pardon, particularly as a fowl more 

 or less did not matter. 



A youth, ambitious of distinction, climbed the tree 

 with a club suspended from his wrist ; slowly but 

 surely he. got within the required distance, then, with 

 an adroit and powerful blow, struck the limb to which 

 the poor thing clung. The coon jumped or fell, I am 

 not certain which, but in his descent made an unsuc- 

 cessful effort to clutch another limb, and in a moment 

 after was at close quarters with Garry. A worrying 

 match I have no fancy to describe. The dog proved 

 victor, not without having to use all his pluck and 

 power, and the dead game was carried to the larJer 

 and hung up with the other spoils. A few days after- 

 wards I ate a portion of this beast ; but whether it 

 was the result of the cook's skill, or the tremendous 

 appetite I had, it would be difficult to say ; however, 

 1 found it exceedingly good and attractive food. 



The last few paragraphs, of course, do not refer to 

 duck shooting^this it is unnecessary to tell the reader 



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