THE SKUNK 
85 
ing, so they could hide easily. But Nature gave the 
skunk none of these. She gave the skunk that strange 
chemical weapon, but it is enough. Only a few barn 
owls, and an occasional wild dog will brave the odor 
in order to eat a skunk .' 1 
The children looked doubtful, as if they didn't 
fully understand. Buck spoke, “I just don't see how 
an unpleasant odor can be good protection," said the 
boy. 
“Best way is to learn for yourselves," Uncle Ely 
admitted. “Go throw a stick at the skunks. Don't 
get too close. But come back and let me know what 
you think." 
The children ran off, delighted to look further into 
this interesting matter. It was nearly an hour before 
they returned. 
Nobody said anything to them at first. Everyone 
was quietly eating supper, but the three grown people 
were smiling ever so little. Nobody even mentioned 
the skunks again until bedtime. Then Ginger poked 
her head out the trailer window and called from her 
bunk, “Uncle Ely, you were right about the skunks. 
They're awful T 
