4 SQUIRRELS AND OTHER FUR-BEARERS 



that the squirrel was bewitched, and the boys 

 proposed to put the matter to further test by 

 throwing the squirrel down a precipice six hun- 

 dred feet high. Our traveler interfered, to see 

 that the squirrel had fair play. The prisoner 

 was conveyed in a pillow-slip to the edge of the 

 cliff, and the slip opened, so that he might have 

 his choice, whether to remain a captive or to take 

 the leap. He looked down the awful abyss, and 

 then back and sidewise, — his eyes glistening, 

 his form crouching. Seeing no. escape in any 

 other direction, " he took a flying leap into space, 

 and fluttered rather than fell into the abyss below. 

 His legs began to work like those of a swimming 

 poodle-dog, but quicker and quicker, while his 

 tail, slightly elevated, spread out like a feather 

 fan. A rabbit of the same weight would have 

 made the trip in about twelve seconds ; the squir- 

 rel protracted it for more than half a minute," 

 and " landed on a ledge of limestone, where we 

 could see him plainly squat on his hind legs and 

 smooth his ruffled fur, after which he made for 

 the creek with a flourish of his tail, took a good 

 drink, and scampered away into the willow 

 thicket." 



The story at first blush seems incredible, but 

 I have no doubt our red squirrel would have 

 made the leap safely; then why not the great 



