LITTLE BEASTS AND HOW TO FIND THEM 



unlikely that any of them, however intelligent, 

 can imagine, except in the vaguest way, anything 

 beyond its own personal experience, and so at 

 most can only dread a few bites or scratches more 

 or less serious. And in times of excitement one 

 never thinks of such things or feels them when 

 they are inflicted, for that matter. And in the 

 case of wild animals, the combat is apt to be short 

 and sharp, and has usually terminated one way or 

 the other before it is time for the pain to set in. 

 That animals frequently escape after having been 

 seized and more or less injured is undeniable, 

 while a still larger number are wounded by shot, 

 but these almost invariably heal with the most 

 astonishing rapidity. I believe that nearly all 

 wild animals forget absolutely whatever fear they 

 may have felt immediately the danger is over, 

 and never think of it again until a similar danger 

 arises, for most of them will resume uncon- 

 cernedly whatever they were doing as soon as 

 they fancy themselves secure, and there is not a 



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