WAITING IN THE WILDERNESS 31 



to see coining toward me Mrs. Skunk and three 

 pretty little skunkies. As these skunks came 

 closer it looked as though I might move shortly. 

 They were walking leisurely, apparently going to 

 a definite place, and all carried their tails elevated 

 at a decorative social angle. Naturally I did not 

 wish to dispute their right to the trail. I held my 

 ground from sheer will-power. But they con- 

 cluded to take a little passageway about six feet 

 in front of me. I stood like a statue to watch 

 them go by. In passing Mrs. Skunk tilted her 

 head and looked at me out of one eye, but without 

 changing her pace or saying anything to the chil- 

 dren, kept on her way. Nothing happened, but 

 never before did I borrow so much trouble in a few 

 seconds. About thirty feet beyond me Mother 

 Skunk paused and dug out a mouse. 



Squirrels were about. A Fremont squirrel lived 

 in the pines to the south of my watching place, 

 another a short distance to the north. This little 

 gray fellow is closely related to the Douglas squirrel 

 of California. He is one of the smallest of the 

 squirrel family. He is fiery, curious, and wide- 

 awake. He has as much courage and individuality 

 to his inches as any animal I have ever seen. I 

 often heard one of these squirrels as he clucked, 

 chattered, or talked to himself. Occasionally he 

 denounced with terrific violence a passing animal 

 or intruder. 



The first few days that I watched proceedings 



