“I thought it was the Indians,” said Joe, still staring at the small thicket of briers, where the hounds were yet growling and bounding about in a singular manner. “I’ll see what it is and then pay you for this ducking,” said Sneak, walking briskly to the edge of the thicket, while the water trickled down over his moccasins. “What is it?” cried Joe, leaping farther up the ascent with great trepidation, as he saw the hounds run out of the bushes as if pursued, and even Sneak retreating a few paces. But what seemed very unaccountable was a _smile_ on Sneak’s elongated features. “What in the world can it be?” repeated Joe. “Ha! ha! ha! if that ain’t a purty thing to skeer a full-grown man into fits!” said Sneak, retreating yet farther from the thicket. “What makes _you_ back out, then?” inquired Joe. The hounds now ran to the men, and the next moment a small animal, not larger than a rabbit, of a dark colour, with long white stripes from the nose to the tail, made its appearance, and moved slowly toward the spring. Sneak ran up the hill beyond the position occupied by Joe, maintaining all the time a most provoking smile. “Who’s scared into fits now, I should like to know?” retorted Joe. “I wish I had my gun,” said Sneak. “Hang me, if I’m afraid of that little thing,” said Joe. Still the hounds ran round, yelping, but never venturing within thirty feet of the animal. “I’ll be whipped if I understand all this!” said Joe, in utter astonishment, looking at Sneak, and then at the hounds. “Why don’t you _run_?” cried Sneak, as the animal continued to advance. “I believe you’re making fun of me,” said Joe; “that little thing can’t hurt anybody. Its a pretty little pet, and I’ve a notion to catch it.” “What are you talking about? You know you’re afraid of it,” said Sneak, tauntingly. “I’ll show you,” said Joe, springing upon the animal. The polecat (for such it was) gave its assailant a taste of its quality in a twinkling. Joe grasped his nose with both hands and wheeled away with all possible expedition, while the animal pursued its course towards the river. “My goodness, I’ve got it all over my coat!” exclaimed Joe, rolling on the snow in agony. “Didn’t I say I’d pay you for spilling the cold water on me?” cried Sneak, in a convulsion of laughter. “Why didn’t you tell me, _you rascal_?” cried Joe, flushed in the face, and forgetting the Indians in his increasing anger. “Oh, I’ll laugh myself sore—ha! ha! ha!” continued Sneak, sitting down on the snow, and laughing obstreperously. “You long, lopsided scoundrel, you. My Irish blood is up now,” said Joe, rushing towards Sneak with a resolution to fight. “I’ll be whipt if you tech me with them hands,” said Sneak, running away. “Oh, what shall I do?” cried Joe, sinking down, his rage suddenly subdued by his sickening condition. “If you’ll say all’s square betwixt us, I’ll tell you what to do. If you don’t do something right quick, they won’t let you sleep in the house for a month.”