LETTERS FROM ALABAMA. 
231 
a-dozen • Opossums and a Racoon were thrown 
across the crupper of one of the beasts. The 
appearance of the latter had been curiously in 
accordance with the negroes’ song ; for one of the 
young men creeping quietly along the fence, had 
seen the furry gentleman sittin’ on a rail,” and 
looking with outstretched neck and absorbed atten- 
tion into the field, wondering, doubtless, what all 
the uproar was about. His senses were not so 
locked, however, as not to be aroused by the gentle 
footfall of our young friend ; before he could raise 
his rifle, the Racoon had leaped from the fence, 
and scoured up an immense sycamore. It seemed 
a hopeless case; but young Zachariah, vexed at 
being done by a ’coon, continued to peer up into 
the tree, hoping that he might get another glance 
of the animal. Familiar with the habits of the 
wild denizens of the woods, the youth directed his 
patient searching gaze to the bases of the great 
boughs, well knowing that in the fork of one of 
these the wily creature would seek shelter. At 
last, he saw against the light of the moon, what 
seemed the head of the Racoon projecting from one 
of the greater forks, and steadily watching it, dis- 
tinctly saw it move. The fatal ball instantly sped, 
and down came the creature, heavily plumping on 
the ground. 
I had seen Racoons before, yet I looked at the 
carcase with interest. Ton probably are aware 
that it is an animal about as large as a fox, to 
which it bears some resemblance. It seems, how- 
ever, larger, from the fulness of its thick and soft 
fur, and is more heavy-bodied. Its grey coat, 
black and white face, and bushy tail, alternately 
banded with black and light grey, entitle it to 
