170 



THE RACCOON. 



shoulder. The well-trained dog, however, quickly finds him 

 when roving about the woods at night. 



Let us accom- 

 pany Audubon on 

 a 'coon hunt. Our 

 native companions 

 have gone before 

 with the dogs, who 

 are baying at the 

 raccoon in an open 

 part of the forest. 

 On our coming up, 

 a singular scene 

 presents itself to 

 us. The flare of 

 our torch seems to 

 distress him. His 

 coat is ruffled, and 

 his rounded tail 

 seems thrice its 

 ordinary size. His 

 eyes shine like 

 emeralds. With 



foaming jaws he 

 watches the dogs, 

 ready to seize by 

 the snout each who 

 comes within reach. 

 His guttural growl- 

 ings, instead of intimidating his assailants, excite them the 

 more. He seizes one, however, by the lip. Tt is a danger- 



BliOUCHT TO BAY. 



