oot-prints in the
sand showed where the path of the 'coons crossed the wall. There he set
his steel-trap, and another which he borrowed of a neighbor. In the
morning he went over to see what had happened. One trap was sprung, and
held a few hairs; the other trap had disappeared. It didn't go off
alone, Frank thought; but it had a long stick fastened to its chain that
would be sure to catch in the bushes before it went far. He sprang over
the wall, and peeped round among the knolls and bushes. Suddenly, as he
went around a clump of little spruces, a chain rattled, and a
brownish-gray creature, "'most as big as a bear," as Frank afterward
said, sprang at him, with a sharp, snarling growl, and mouth wide open.
The sight was too much for Frank's nerves, and set them in such a tremor
that he ran away. When he came in sight of his corn he began to grow
angry, and his courage came up again. He now got him a larger stick than
he had first carried, and set out for the animal again. He had
considered that, after all, it could be only a 'coon, though bears had
been heard of in the corn fields further north. Frank and the corn-eater
now met again face to face, and for a few seconds there was a lively
battle, in which mingled the snarling of the 'coon, the rattling of the
chain, and the blows of the stick. At length the 'coon lay still, and
Frank stood guard over him with a broken stick. The next day he ate a
slice of roast 'coon for dinner with great relish.

The traps were set again for the next night, but never a 'coon was in
them in the morning. The cunning fellows evidently considered the place
too dangerous, and chose another entrance. Anyway, the corn was still
going away fast. Frank feared that he wouldn't have enough to fill his
contract with the canning factory unless the family in the house, or the
other family in the woods, left off eating. Something must be done. At
length Frank bought a dog. He made a nice kennel for him in the middle
of the corn field, and tied him there at night. Just after Frank had
fallen into a sound sleep the dog woke him up with his barking. Frank
went out, but could find nothing. The dog woke him twice more that
night, but he didn't trouble himself to leave his bed again. In the
morning he found that the 'coons had destroyed as much corn as before,
but it was all about the edges. The next night they ventured a little
nearer the kennel. The following night the dog was left in the kennel
loose. P