run into a shallow crack where he could get no farther,
else we would soon have lost sight of his tail; but it was equally
evident, that pulling by that appendage was not the method to get him
out. I could see that he had pushed the scaly armour outward and
upward, so that it held fast against the rocks on every side. Moreover,
his claws, which are remarkable both for length and tenacity, were
clutched firmly against the bottom of the crevice. It would have taken
a team of oxen to have pulled him out, as Cudjo remarked with a grin.

"I had heard of a plan used by the Indians who hunt the armadillo, and
are very fond of his flesh; and as I was determined to try it, I told my
companion to let go the tail, and stand to one side.

"I now knelt down in front of the cave, and, taking a small branch of
cedar, commenced tickling the hind-quarters of the animal with the sharp
needles. In a moment I saw that his muscles began to relax, as the
shell to separate from the rocks, and close in toward his body. After
continuing the operation for some minutes, I observed that he had
reduced himself to his natural size, and had no doubt forgotten to keep
a look-out with his claws. Seeing this, I seized the tail firmly; and,
giving it a sudden jerk, swung the armadillo out between the feet of my
companion. Cudjo aimed a blow with the axe which nearly severed its
head from its body, and killed the animal outright. It was about the
size of a rabbit, and proved to be of the eight-banded species--reckoned
more delicious eating than any other.

"We now returned to camp with our firewood, our locust-beans, and our
armadillo--the last of which horrified my wife, when I told her I was
going to eat it. It proved a great curiosity to the boys, however, who
amused themselves by running their fingers all over its mottled armour.
But I had something that amused the little Mary and Luisa still more--
the delicious, honey-like pulp from the pods of the locust-tree, which
they greedily ate. The seeds we extracted from the pulp, intending to
roast them as soon as we had kindled our fire.

"And now, my friends," continued Rolfe, rising to his feet, "since we
have got to talking about this same locust-tree, I hope you will not
refuse to try a mug of my home-brewed beer, which I made out of its
beans this very day, while you were wandering about my grounds and
through the valley. It is, perhaps, not equal to Barclay and Perkins';
but I flatter