CHAPTER XI 
PHOBY-CATS 
It was at Tierra Blanca that we had our first ex- 
perience with ‘‘varmints.’’ For some time after we 
set out those of us who were green had felt a-little 
nervous at night before falling asleep. The sensa- 
tion wore off before long, but while it lasted it gave 
us some unpleasant moments. The sight of ants, 
centipedes or spiders disporting themselves on one’s 
bed, the pattering feet of rats and chipmunks on the 
tent roof, the thought of possible nocturnal incur- 
sions of skunks, bob cats, snakes or tarantulas— 
these things were beautifully calculated to render 
one’s slumbers uneasy. 
Such a state of mind, unerringly perceived by the 
seasoned woodsmen of the party, was played upon 
skilfully, for their diversion. Hair stiffening sto- 
ries were told of the danger of vicious midnight 
marauders and dark hints dropped, from time to 
time, of the perils of our situation. 
“‘This here’s a mighty likely place for vinegar- 
ons,’’ Bert would aver, sepulchrally, as we pitched 
camp. ‘‘Them little ole things is shore pizen, too. 
I knowed a feller onct—’’ and we would get the 
blood chilling yarn delivered in the cook’s best man- 
ner. 
72 7 
