e described.

When the trap is to be set, the bar is fitted to the notches in such a
manner as to catch in them, and then the weight of the lid, being
sustained by the string, the lid is held up so that the squirrel can
go in. The front of the box is attached to the lid, and rises with it,
so that when the lid is raised a little the squirrel can creep
directly in. The bait, which is generally a part of an ear of corn, is
fastened to the end of the spindle, which is within the trap. The
squirrel sees the bait, and creeps in to get it. He begins to nibble
upon the corn. The ear is tied so firmly to the spindle that he can
not get it away. In gnawing upon it to get off the corn, he finally
disengages the end of the spindle from the bar, by working the lower
end of the bar out of its notch; this lets the string up, and of
course the lid comes down, and the squirrel is shut in, a captive.

When the lid first comes down, it makes so loud a noise as to terrify
the poor captive very much. He runs this way and that, around the
interior of the box, wondering what has happened, and why he can not
get out as he came in. He has no more appetite for the corn, but is in
great distress at his sudden and unaccountable captivity.

After trying in vain on all sides to escape, by forcing his way, and
finding that the box is too strong for him in every part, he finally
concludes to gnaw out. He accordingly selects the part of the box
where there is the widest crack, and where consequently the brightest
light shines through. He selects this place, partly because he
supposes that the box is thinnest there, and partly because he likes
to work in the light.[A]

[Footnote A: To prevent the squirrels that are caught from gnawing
out, the boys sometimes line the inside of their traps with tin.]

There was a squirrel in the trap which Phonny had found. It was a
large and handsome gray squirrel. He had been taken that morning.
About an hour after the trap sprung upon him, he had begun to gnaw
out, and he had got about half through the boards in the corner when
Phonny found him. When Phonny shook the trap the squirrel clung to the
bottom of it by his claws, so that Phonny did not shake him about
much.

When Phonny had put the trap upon the great stone, he thought that he
would lift up the lid a little way, and peep in. This is a very
dangerous operation, for a squirrel will squeeze out through a very
small aperture, and many a boy has lost a s