82 
WILD AMERICANS 
Buck was not afraid. The animals were too small, 
and his little sister was there, anyway. He alway., 
liked to be her protector. 
“Shall I get a stick and frighten them away, Uncle 
Ely?” Buck asked. 
“They will not run, Buck. They will lift their tails 
and let you run.” 
The children stared at Uncle Ely, questioningly. 
He had a twinkle in his eyes, yet he was serious, too. 
“I mean it,” Uncle Ely declared. “Skunks are not 
afraid of anything, not even of big bears, dogs, lions, 
or of man. You noticed that they paid very little 
attention to you, when every other creature would 
have fled at once.” 
“Yes, sir; but—” 
Uncle Ely motioned the children to sit down. 
“Just be quiet and watch them,” he continued. 
“See, the mother is leading her babies slowly away 
now. They are nosing in the grass for mice, grass- 
hoppers, or other bits to eat. But if you disturb them 
the strangest thing will happen. They will shower 
you with a terrible gas!” 
“Gas?” 
“Yes, indeed, gas. Just under each skunk's tail are 
two very small nipples. From them the animal can 
