VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM. 
115 
wood is added to the torch, and the coon is seen doubled up in the form of 
a hornet’s nest in the very top of the long-leaved pine, (P. ■palustris). 
The tree is without a branch for forty feet or upwards, and it is at 
once decided that it must be cut down ; the axe is soon at work, and the 
tree felled. The glorious battle that ensues, the prowess of the dogs, and 
the capture of the coon, follow as a matter of course. See our article on 
the raccoon, pp. 80 , 81 , where we have briefly described such a scene. 
Another trail is soon struck, and the dogs all open upon it at once ; in 
an instant they rush, pell mell, with a loud burst of mingled tongues, upon 
some animal along the edge of an old field destitute of trees. It 
proves to be an Opossum, detected in its nightly prowling expedi- 
tion. At first, it feigns death, and, rolling itself into a ball, lies still 
on the ground ; but the dogs are up to this “ ’possum playing,” and seize 
upon it at once. It now feels that they are in earnest, and are not 
to be deceived. It utters a low growl or two, shows no fight, opens 
wide its large mouth, and, with few struggles, surrenders itself to its 
fate. But our hunters are not yet satisfied, either with the sport or the 
meat : they have large families and a host of friends on the plantation, the 
game is abundant, and the labour in procuring it not fatiguing, so they 
once more hie on the dogs. The Opossum, by its slow gait and heavy 
tread, leaves its foot-prints and scent behind it on the soft mud and damp 
grass. Another is soon started, and hastens up the first small gum, oak, 
or persimmon tree, within its reach ; it has clambered up to the highest 
limb, and sits crouching up with eyes closed to avoid the light. “ Off jacket, 
Jim, and shake him down ; show that you know more about ’possum than 
your good-for-nutten fox-dog.” As the fellow ascends, the animal continues 
mounting higher to get beyond his reach ; still he continues in pursuit, 
until the affrighted Opossum has reached the farthest twig on the extreme 
branches of the tree. The negro now commences shaking the tall pliant 
tree top ; while with its hind hands rendered convenient and flexible by its 
opposing thumb, and with its prehensile tail, the Opossum holds on with 
great tenacity. But it cannot long resist the rapidly accumulating jerks 
and shocks : suddenly the feet slip from the smooth tiny limb, and it hangs 
suspended for a few moments only by its tail, in the meantime trying to 
regain its hold with its hind hands ; but another sudden jerk breaks the 
twig, and down comes the poor animal, doubled up like a ball, into 
the opened jaws of eager and relentless canine foes ; the poor creature 
drops, and yields to fate without a struggle. 
In this manner half a dozen or more Opossums are sometimes captured 
before midnight. The subsequent boasts about the superior noses, speed 
and courage of the several dogs that composed this small motley pack^ 
