2e32 
LETTEES FEOM ALABAMA. 
admiration ; while the Opossum, clothed in rough 
wiry hair, of a dirty greyish white hue, with a 
long rat-like naked tail, is anything hut pre- 
possessing. 
The torches were extinguished, and we saun- 
tered slowly home, my friend the planter amusing 
me by relating a favourite legend to the glory of 
one Major Scott, who seems in these parts to be 
the very “ Magnus Apollo ” of rifle-shooting. It 
was to this effect :■ — An old he-racoon had made 
himself somewhat notorious by his depredations in 
the poultry-yards, and by his successful stratagems 
to evade punishment. His favourite fastness was 
in the topmost boughs of a very lofty sycamore, 
beyond rifle-reach. One day, a certain Colonel 
Sharp, who vaunted his skill as a rifleman rather 
strongly, went out expressly to bring down this 
same Hacoon. The wily rogue, from his impreg- 
nable retreat, hearing footsteps, calls out, Who’s 
there ?” It’s I, Colonel Sharp, the smartest shot 
in all creation, and I’m come out for you.” Oh, 
ho ! ” says ’coon, and, laughing immoderately, 
begins to play all sorts of pranks, jumping on the 
boughs, and wagging his tail from side to side, as 
the unsuccessful shots followed in rapid succession. 
At length, other footsteps were heard ; Who 
now ?” “ It’s Major Scott, a lookin’ out for ’ coons.” 
O Major! don’t waste your powder, I give in; 
Tm a gone ’coon ! ” And down he came, and sur- 
rendered at discretion. 
The Opossum which had been worried by the curs, 
was not by any means dead when we reached the 
house, and I had an opportunity of witnessing the 
curious dissimulation which has made the name of 
this animal proverbial. Though, if left alone for a 
