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 They had all withdrawn to some distance from the tree.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 Eb had been obliged to drag Tiger away, and was bathing his cuts
out of the camp water-bucket in a shady corner. The dog, recognizing
that he was a patient, submitted without a growl or budge, until his
master, who had been keeping a keen eye on that pine-tree, suddenly
loosed him, and started him off afresh with a loud "Whoop-ee!" and a--

"Ketch him, Tiger! ketch him!"

The coon had "lighted down."

Away went the wild creature into the woods. Away after him, went dog,
guide, student, and boys, plunging, tumbling, rushing along