t's what he am after.'

"`Fish!' said Harry.

"`Yes, Massa Harry. He fish for de turtle.'

"`And how will he catch them?' inquired Harry.

"`Golly, Massa Harry, he catch 'em. Wait, you see.'

"We all sat quietly watching his manoeuvres, and curious to witness how
he would catch the turtles; for none of us, with the exception of Cudjo,
knew how. We knew that it was not likely he would leap at them in the
water, for these animals can dive as quickly as a fish; besides they can
bite very severely, and would be sure to take a piece out of the 'coon's
skin, should he attack them in their own element. But that was not his
intention, as we presently saw. Near the end of one of the logs that
protruded into the water, we observed the heads of several turtles
moving about on the surface. The raccoon saw them also, for he was
stealthily approaching this log with his eyes fixed upon the swimming
reptiles. On reaching it, he climbed upon it with great silence and
caution. He then placed his head between his fore-legs; and, turning
his tail toward the creek, commenced crawling down the log,
tail-foremost. He proceeded slowly, bit by bit, until his long bushy
tail hung over into the water, where he caused it to move gently
backwards and forwards. His body was rolled up into a sort of clew,
until one could not have told what sort of a creature was upon the log.

"He had not remained many moments in this attitude, when one of the
turtles, swimming about, caught sight of the moving tail; and, attracted
partly by curiosity, and partly in hopes of getting something to eat,
approached, and seized hold of the long hair in his horny mandibles.
But he had scarce caught it, before the 'coon unwound himself upon the
log; and, at the same time, with a sudden and violent jerk of his tail,
plucked the turtle out of the water, and flung him high and dry upon the
bank! Then following after, in three springs, he was beside his victim,
which with his long sharp nose he immediately turned over upon its
back--taking care all the while to avoid coming in contact with the
bill-like snout of the turtle. The latter was now at the mercy of the
'coon, who was proceeding to demolish him in his usual fashion; but
Cudjo could stand it no longer, and away went he and the dogs, with loud
shouts, across the creek.

"The chase was not a long one, for in a few seconds the steady barking
of the dogs told us that poor `coony' was `treed.' Unfortunate