46 JVays of Wood Folk. 



and threw on some fresh fuel. Next I fastened a 

 large piece of birch bark on two split sticks behind 

 the fireplace ; then I sat down on an old log to wait. 

 The rude reflector did very well as the fire burned up. 

 Out in front the fern tops were dimly lighted to the 

 edge of the clearing. As I watched, a dark form shot 

 suddenly above the ferns and dropped back again. 

 Three heavy thumps followed ; then the form shot up 

 and down once more. This time there was no mis- 

 take. In the firelight I saw plainly the dangle of 

 Br'er Rabbit's long legs, and the flap of his big ears, 

 and the quick flash of his dark eyes in the reflected 

 light, — got an instantaneous photograph of him, as 

 it were, at the top of his comical jump. 



I sat there nearly an hour before the why and the 

 how of the little joker's actions became quite clear. 

 This is what happens in such a case. Bunny comes 

 down from the ridge for his nightly frolic in the little 

 clearing. While still in the ferns the big white 

 object, standing motionless in the middle of his play- 

 ground, catches his attention ; and very much sur- 

 prised, and very much frightened, but still very 

 curious, he crouches down close to wait and listen. 

 But the strange thing does not move nor see him. To 

 get a better view he leaps up high above the ferns 

 two or three times. Still the big thing remains quite 

 still and harmless. " Now," thinks Bunny, " I '11 



