Anne and Tommy had never been able to follow a skunk hunt closely enough to see exactly how it began, but one thing was certain, it was always Quick who, jumping upon the animal’s back, gave the sudden shake to the neck that settled the question just as he did with a rat, at the same time taking extra care not to be bitten; for to be bitten by a skunk is one of the “mustn’t be’s” of dog law, and a calamity they are careful to avoid, while they are quite reckless about the more powerful chisel teeth of both woodchuck and muskrat. The woodchucks were less easily exterminated even though they are more abroad by day, for not only are their homes more difficult to reach, but when living in a colony they usually post sentinels at the entrances of their burrows. Several times, when the settlements in the old fields and orchards had been scattered, new families from other places seemed to move into the empty burrows. Then again woodchucks hole up in middle autumn and stay wholly out of reach until spring, so they are never driven to take the risks during the hard winter months that drive so many of the wood fourfoots recklessly into the open for food. A wily old woodchuck is a hard animal to chase, clumsy though it is, it knows so many twists and turns and paths back to its burrow. It is a still harder one for a small dog to kill, owing to the toughness of its skin, the layer of fat that covers its vital parts at most seasons, and the ferocity of its attack when at bay and thoroughly aroused, its nose being really its most vulnerable spot. The tactics of Ben Uncas & Co. were these,--when the party started out at random the conditions of the day for sport were usually left for Waddles and Tip to decide, as they had the most discriminating noses of the lot. Mr. Wolf knew the scent of wild beasts on general principles, and Quick had cat on the brain to such an extent that if a trail ran anywhere near a tree he would jump at conclusions, and so often went astray. A woodchuck chase belongs chiefly to still hunting, and requires waiting ability. After the dogs agreed together that the scent said, for instance, that in the upper orchard, where there was but a single family, the old folks were out foraging, they divided, Mr. Wolf and Quick following the trail of the elders, in a silent, leisurely way, while Waddles, Tip, and, during the last few months, Hamlet, would sit motionless and wait well back of the burrow openings, Waddles generally choosing the main entrance, while Colin roved about afield, sniffing here and there, chasing grasshoppers and playing the part of unconcerned idler to perfection, because that was what he really was. To Colin the hunting meant play, but to the others it was as serious a business as if their food depended on it; hence it will be seen that they were true sportsmen. [Illustration: _Colin._]