THE SQUIRREL. 239 



sit in spite of me, and make my ears ring with the sound 

 of his war whoop, till the spring of life should cease to bubble 

 in his little heart." 



Tame Captain Brown tells of a gentleman who had a 



Squirrels, tame Squirrel, who used to run up his legs and 

 enter his pocket when he saw him preparing to go out. 

 From this safe retreat the squirrel often poked his head and 

 peeped at the people as they passed, but never ventured to 

 emerge until the crowded thoroughfares were passed. When 

 they reached the outskirts of the city, however, the squirrel 

 leaped to the ground, ran along the road, ascended trees and 

 hedges, with the quickness of lightning, and nibbled at the 

 leaves and bark. If the gentleman walked on, it would 

 descend, scamper after him, and again enter his pocket. On 

 hearing a carriage or cart, it became much alarmed, and always 

 hid itself till it had passed by. This gentleman had a dog, 

 between which and the squirrel a certain enmity existed. 

 Whenever the dog lay asleep, the squirrel would show its 

 teasing disposition, by rapidly descending from its box, scampering 

 over the dog's body, and quickly mounting to its box again. 

 Another squirrel who frequented his master's pocket, on 

 one occasion rendered important service. One evening, 

 as was his practice, when his master's coat was taken 

 oif and hung behind a door, the squirrel ran up the door 

 and took up his quarters in the familiar pocket, carrying with 

 him a supply of tow with which to make himself comfortable 

 for the night. After all the family had retired to rest, a 

 burglar made his appearance, efiected an entrance, and 

 proceeded to examine the pockets of the coat hanging to the 

 door. Putting his hand rather unceremoniously into the 

 squirrel's bedroom the robber received such a sharp and 

 unexpected bite that he could not forbear to cry out and 

 the master of the house, aroused by the unusual sound, 

 entered the room, armed with a poker, just in time to secure 

 the thief as he was escaping through the window. 



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