180 FOUR-FOOTED AMEUICANS 



Rap answered eagerly, " I think I know. It's be- 

 cause the shot might make a great many holes in the 

 skin and spoil it." 



" Yes, that is the reason. Now please show ns the 

 Skunk, Nez, and then he can go out in the shed and 

 join his fellows ; his room will be much better than his 

 company." 



" I think the smell of it is making my head ache," 

 said Nat. 



" We will hurry," said the Doctor, " for this Common 

 Skunk is a very disagreeable animal in many ways. 

 You see, he is a full foot shorter than the Otter, and 

 though he has a tail as plumy as a fountain, glossy 

 black fur with white head and back bands, his face 

 is sly and narrow, wearing a snappish look, and people 

 say that a bite from his pointed teeth may carry hydro- 

 phobia with it. 



" He is a bold animal, too, and whether he goes to the 

 chicken house to choose his supper, or prowls around 

 the refuse pails outside some camp, he is not inclined 

 to hurry. Full well he knows the power of the blind- 

 ing, scalding liquid which is his weapon, and animals, 

 that could tear him to bits without the least trouble, 

 pretend not to see him and keep their distance. So 

 fearless are Skunks that a pair often take up their 

 ahode under a barn or even a piazza, and the little 

 Skunks play about and are sometimes petted as harm- 

 less kittens by the children, until one day the illusion 

 is suddenly l)roken." 



" I should think it would be better if they were all 

 killed out," said Rap. 



" Remember their fur, and that they earn their living 



