el--which in fact it was--the
great marten of America, generally, though improperly, called the
`fisher.' When we first saw it, it was crouching along a high log, that
ran directly toward the tree, upon which was the porcupine. Its eyes
were fixed intently upon the latter; and it was evidently meditating an
attack. We stopped to watch it.

"The porcupine had not yet perceived his enemy, as he was busily engaged
in splitting the bark from the cotton-wood. The marten, after
reconnoitring him for some moments, sprang off from the log, and came
running toward the tree. The other now saw him; and at the same instant
uttered a sort of shrill, querulous cry, and appeared to be greatly
affrighted. To our astonishment, however, instead of remaining where it
was, it suddenly dropped to the ground almost at the very nose of its
adversary! I could not at first understand the meaning of this artful
movement on the part of the porcupine, but a moment's reflection
convinced me it was sound policy. The marten would have been as much at
home on the tree as himself; and had he remained among the branches--
which were slender ones--his throat and the under part of his body--both
of which are soft and without quills--would have been exposed to the
teeth of his adversary. This, then, was why he had let himself down so
unexpectedly; and we noticed that the instant he touched the ground, he
rolled himself into a round clew, presenting on all sides the formidable
_chevaux-de-frise_ of his quills.

"The marten now ran around him, doubling his long vermiform body with
great activity--at intervals showing his teeth, erecting his back, and
snarling like a cat. We expected every moment to see him spring forward
upon his victim; but he did not do so. He evidently understood the
peril of such an act; and appeared for a moment puzzled as to how he
should proceed. All this while, the porcupine lay quiet--except the
tail. This was, in fact, the only `feature' of the animal that could be
seen, as the head and feet were completely hidden under the body. The
tail, however, was kept constantly in motion--jerking from side to side,
and flirted occasionally upwards.

"What would the marten do? There was not an inch of the other's body
that was not defended by the sharp and barbed quills--not a spot where
he could insert the tip of his nose. Would he abandon the contest? So
thought we, for a while; but we were soon convinced of our error.