Читать книгу Camping in the Winter Woods: Adventures of Two Boys in the Maine Woods онлайн

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The next day they spent in the woods with the trapper searching for coon signs. The first tracks were found in the mud about a spring-hole. Bill showed them to the boys, who were surprised at the resemblance to baby footprints. He said the little gray-and-black animals made trails very similar in form, though, of course, much smaller, to those of the bear, to whom they seemed distantly related.

About the border of the lake they found other tracks, and saw many empty mussel shells lying about close by. Bill explained that racoons were exceedingly fond of these freshwater clams, and described how they cracked the shells to get at the meat inside. He said, judging by the many signs and tracks about, they would have little trouble “jumping” a coon when they started with the hound that night.

It was barely twilight when the boys were eager to be off. Bill told them that the best coon hunting came long after dark, and declared there was no need of starting so early. The hound was fastened to the cabin by a long leash, to prevent him straying off before the hunt. Then for some time the impatient young hunters sat waiting.