142 SQUIRRELS AND OTHER FUR-BEARERS 



drawn back a few yards and the squirrel liber- 

 ated. 



Then began one of the most exciting races 

 I have witnessed for a long time. It was im- 

 possible for the lookers-on not to be convulsed 

 with laughter, though neither dog nor squirrel 

 seemed to regard the matter as much of a joke. 

 The squirrel had all his wits about him, and kept 

 them ready for instant use. He did not show 

 the slightest confusion. He was no match for 

 the dog in fair running, and he discovered this 

 fact in less than three seconds ; he must win, if 

 at all, by strategy. Not a straight course for 

 the nearest tree, but a zigzag course, yea, a 

 double or treble zigzag course. Every instant 

 the dog was sure the squirrel was his, and every 

 instant he was disappointed. It was incredible 

 and bewildering to him. The squirrel dodged 

 this way and that. The dog looked astonished 

 and vexed. Then the squirrel issued from be- 

 tween his enemy's hind legs and made three 

 jumps towards the woods before he was discov- 

 ered. Our sides ached with laughter, cruel as it 

 may seem. 



It was eyident the squirrel would win. The 

 dog seemed to redouble his efforts. He would 

 overshoot the game, or shoot by it to the right 

 or left. The squirrel was the smaller craft, and 



