48 Travels in a Tree-top 



farm. The hunt for likely places whereat to 

 set it had been real labor. The long tramp 

 in the gloaming when tired out from a day 

 at school ; the early tramp, before sunrise 

 perhaps, for he must be on time at school that 

 morning, — all this is to be considered ; but 

 if success crowns the effort, all is well. On 

 the other hand, to find that some rascal has 

 been ahead of you and your labor has gone 



for nothing I never knew « boy to be 



a saint at such a time. 



I can recall a well-marked rabbit-path I 

 once found, half a mile from home, and with 

 great secrecy carried one of my traps to the 

 place. It was on the next farm, and so I had 

 to be more than usually careful. Nothing 

 could be done in daylight for fear the boys 

 living on that farm would find me out, and 

 this sort of poaching was not tolerated. At 

 first I was successful, catching two fine rab- 

 bits, and then, alas ! was so elated that, boy- 

 like, I said too much. Some one must have 

 tracked me, for I caught no more, although it 

 was evident that the trap had been disturbed. 

 Straightway I suspected treachery, and pre- 

 pared for revenge. 



Now, auntie had a fur tippet, or " boa," 



