clever one too.

"The one piercing note was to warn his mate," went on the naturalist,
after a moment's pause; "or in all probability, though we have been
speaking of the animal as 'he,' it is really a female, for I have heard
that peculiar call given more frequently by a mother to warn her cubs."

All that could now be seen of the animal--on whose gender new light had
been cast--was a gray ball curled up on a tasselled bough near the top
of the pine-tree, and a glimpse of a black nose over the edge of the
limb.

"Wal! 'tain't no matter wedder de critter is a male or a fimmale; I'm
a-goin' to bring it down from dar mighty quick," said Uncle Eb, fumbling
with the cartridge-box which was attached to his broad leather belt, and
preparing to load his rifle, while he cast murderous looks aloft.

"No, you don't, then!" said Cyrus hotly. "The creature has fought
pluckily, and it deserves to get a fair chance for its life. I'll see
that it does too. You oughtn't to be hard on it for liking pork, Uncle
Eb."

"Coons will be gittin' into eatin' order soon," murmured the guide,
smacking his lips, and handling his gun undecidedly. "Roast coon's a
heap better'n roast lamb."

"Well, they're not in eating order yet, and won't be till next month,"
answered Garst. "Come, you've got to let this one go, Uncle Eb, to
please me."

"Tell ye wot: I'll call Tiger off" (Tiger was alternately licking his
wounds and baying furiously for vengeance about the tree which sheltered
his enemy), "den, wen de coon finds de place clear, bime-by he'll light
down from dat limb, I'll start off de dog, and let 'em finish de game
atween 'em."

Cyrus considered for a minute, then decided that on the coon's behalf he
might safely accept the compromise.

"Let's get into our clothes, fellows!" he cried to Neal and Dol. "Now
we're going to have some fair fun! I guess there won't be any more
fighting; and I want you to see how cunningly the raccoon will cheat the
dog and escape, if he gets an even chance."

In five minutes the trio were out of their blankets and in their
ordinary day apparel. The old guide had hung the wet tweeds to dry by
the blazing camp-fire before he started out to visit his traps,
carefully stretching them to prevent their "swunking" (shrinking). Thus
they were again fit for wear.

A half-hour of waiting ensued, during which every one was on the tiptoe
of expectation. They had all withdrawn to some distance from the tree.
Uncle E