ny harm. But the young squirrels and their
mother were so frightened at his very warlike appearance, that they
leaped up into the bushes overhead.

[11] I can bear witness, that hedgehogs are not always nocturnal
animals, having more than once seen them running about in the
daytime, and I remember capturing one that was trotting across
the corner of a field when the mid-day sun was shining brightly.
And if the hedgehog occasionally kills snakes, as Mr. Bell
informs us, how can he meet with these animals by night, when
they are invariably safe in their holes?

[Illustration: THE SQUIRREL AND THE HEDGEHOG. Page 189.]

Brush remained on the ground, but his family observed that he took care
to keep close to the stem of a small tree, for he thought that if his
new acquaintance should become uncivil, he could not possibly climb up
after him. After the two animals had looked at each other for some time
in silence, Touchmenot began the conversation.

* * * * *

TOUCHMENOT.

Well! what d'ye stare at? What d'ye want? Never saw me before, eh? Hope
you will remember me when we meet again, for you have looked at me long
enough, I am sure, with those great black eyes of yours.

Oh! don't be frightened! You may stare at me till you are blind for all
I care. I'm not ashamed of myself. Oh dear no! Well, now you have
examined me pretty well, who d'ye think I am, eh?

BRUSH,

(_Rather frightened at the surly address of the stranger_).

I believe you are called Mr. Touchmenot, are you not, Sir?

TOUCHMENOT.

Touchmenot, indeed! What fool told you that? Well, I don't care, they
may call me so if they please. Ha! ha! no bad name neither! _Touch me
not_, I advise you, or you will smart for it! So _that's_ the name they
give me, is it? Oh, with all my heart! And what else have you heard
about me, Mr. Greateyes?

BRUSH.

Oh, nothing very particular. Yes, now I recollect, I have heard that
you have got a very odd way of defending yourself, by rolling up into a
ball, when you see any animal coming that you think is an enemy.

TOUCHMENOT.

That I _think_ is an enemy? I consider _all_ animals my enemies. Except
my own family, I don't believe I have a friend in the world. My comfort
is, that I am very well able to take care of myself; and yet I can
neither fly like a bird, nor run like a hare, nor swim like a fish, nor
leap like yourself. No, I ca