,*APT] #ab 
,BRUTE ,NEI<BORS 

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,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,H5RY ,DAVID ,?OREAU 

,TEXT 3 

,BRUTE ,NEI<BORS 

  

,SOMETIMES ,I HAD A COMPANION 9 MY FI%+1 :O CAME ?R\< ! VILLAGE TO MY H\SE FROM ! O!R SIDE ( ! T[N1 & ! CAT*+ ( ! D9N] WAS AS MU* A SOCIAL EX]CISE AS ! EAT+ ( IT4 

,H]MIT4 ,I WOND] :AT ! WORLD IS DO+ N[4 ,I HAVE NOT HE>D SO MU* AS A LOCU/ OV] ! SWEET-F]N !SE ?REE H\RS4 ,! PIGEONS >E ALL ASLEEP UPON !IR ROO/S -- NO FLUTT] FROM !M4 ,WAS ?AT A F>M]'S NOON HORN :I* S\ND$ FROM BEYOND ! WOODS JU/ N[8 ,! H&S >E COM+ 9 TO BOIL$ SALT BEEF & CID] & ,9DIAN BREAD4 ,:Y WILL M5 WORRY !MSELVES SO8 ,HE ?AT DOES NOT EAT NE$ NOT WORK4 ,I WOND] H[ MU* !Y HAVE REAP$4 ,:O W\LD LIVE !RE :]E A BODY CAN NEV] ?9K = ! B>K+ ( ,BOSE8 ,& OH1 ! H\SEKEEP+6 TO KEEP BRI<T ! DEVIL'S DOOR-KNOBS1 & SC\R HIS TUBS ?IS BRI<T DAY6 ,BETT] NOT KEEP A H\SE4 ,SAY1 SOME HOLL[ TREE2 & !N = MORN+ CALLS & D9N]-P>TIES6 ,ONLY A WOODPECK] TAPP+4 ,OH1 !Y SW>M2 ! SUN IS TOO W>M !RE2 !Y >E BORN TOO F> 9TO LIFE = ME4 ,I HAVE WAT] FROM ! SPR+1 & A LOAF ( BR[N BREAD ON ! %ELF4 -- ,H>K6 ,I HE> A RU/L+ ( ! LEAVES4 ,IS IT SOME ILL-F$ VILLAGE H\ND YIELD+ TO ! 9/9CT ( ! *ASE8 OR ! LO/ PIG :I* IS SAID TO BE 9 !SE WOODS1 :OSE TRACKS ,I SAW AFT] ! RA98 ,IT COMES ON APACE2 MY SUMA*S & SWEETBRI]S TREMBLE4 -- ,EH1 ,MR4 ,POET1 IS IT Y\8 ,H[ DO Y\ LIKE ! WORLD TO-DAY8 

,POET4 ,SEE ?OSE CL\DS2 H[ !Y HANG6 ,?AT'S ! GREATE/ ?+ ,I HAVE SE5 TO-DAY4 ,!RE'S NO?+ LIKE IT 9 OLD PA9T+S1 NO?+ LIKE IT 9 =EIGN L&S -- UNLESS :5 WE W]E (F ! COA/ ( ,SPA94 ,?AT'S A TRUE ,M$IT]RANEAN SKY4 ,I ?\<T1 AS ,I HAVE MY LIV+ TO GET1 & HAVE NOT EAT5 TO-DAY1 ?AT ,I MI<T GO A-FI%+4 ,?AT'S ! TRUE 9DU/RY = POETS4 ,IT IS ! ONLY TRADE ,I HAVE LE>N$4 ,COME1 LET'S ALONG4 

,H]MIT4 ,I CANNOT RESI/4 ,MY BR[N BREAD WILL SOON BE GONE4 ,I WILL GO ) Y\ GLADLY SOON1 BUT ,I AM JU/ CONCLUD+ A S]I\S M$ITATION4 ,I ?9K ?AT ,I AM NE> ! 5D ( IT4 ,LEAVE ME ALONE1 !N1 = A :ILE4 ,BUT ?AT WE MAY NOT BE DELAY$1 Y\ %ALL BE DIGG+ ! BAIT MEAN:ILE4 ,ANGLEWORMS >E R>ELY TO BE MET ) 9 !SE P>TS1 :]E ! SOIL WAS NEV] FATT5$ ) MANURE2 ! RACE IS NE>LY EXT9CT4 ,! SPORT ( DIGG+ ! BAIT IS NE>LY EQUAL TO ?AT ( CAT*+ ! FI%1 :5 ONE'S APPETITE IS NOT TOO KE52 & ?IS Y\ MAY HAVE ALL TO Y\RSELF TODAY4 ,I W\LD ADVISE Y\ TO SET 9 ! SPADE D[N YOND] AMONG ! GR\ND-NUTS1 :]E Y\ SEE ! JOHNSWORT WAV+4 ,I ?9K ?AT ,I MAY W>RANT Y\ ONE WORM TO EV]Y ?REE SODS Y\ TURN UP1 IF Y\ LOOK WELL 9 AMONG ! ROOTS ( ! GRASS1 AS IF Y\ W]E WE$+4 ,OR1 IF Y\ *OOSE TO GO F>!R1 IT WILL NOT BE UNWISE1 = ,I HAVE F\ND ! 9CREASE ( FAIR BAIT TO BE V]Y NE>LY AS ! SQU>ES ( ! DI/ANCES4 

,H]MIT ALONE4 ,LET ME SEE2 :]E WAS ,I8 ,ME?9KS ,I WAS NE>LY 9 ?IS FRAME ( M9D2 ! WORLD LAY AB\T AT ?IS ANGLE4 ,%ALL ,I GO TO HEAV5 OR A-FI%+8 ,IF ,I %\LD SOON BR+ ?IS M$ITATION TO AN 5D1 W\LD ANO!R SO SWEET OCCASION BE LIKELY TO (F]8 ,I WAS AS NE> BE+ RESOLV$ 9TO ! ESS5CE ( ?+S AS EV] ,I WAS 9 MY LIFE4 ,I FE> MY ?\<TS WILL NOT COME BACK TO ME4 ,IF IT W\LD DO ANY GOOD1 ,I W\LD :I/LE = !M4 ,:5 !Y MAKE US AN (F]1 IS IT WISE TO SAY1 ,WE WILL ?9K ( IT8 ,MY ?\<TS HAVE LEFT NO TRACK1 & ,I CANNOT F9D ! PA? AGA94 ,:AT WAS IT ?AT ,I WAS ?9K+ (8 ,IT WAS A V]Y HAZY DAY4 ,I WILL JU/ TRY !SE ?REE S5T5CES ( ,CONFUT-SEE2 !Y MAY FET* ?AT /ATE AB\T AGA94 ,I KN[ NOT :E!R IT WAS ! DUMPS OR A BUDD+ EC/ASY4 ,MEM4 ,!RE NEV] IS BUT ONE OPPORTUNITY ( A K9D4 

,POET4 ,H[ N[1 ,H]MIT1 IS IT TOO SOON8 ,I HAVE GOT JU/ ?IRTE5 :OLE ONES1 BESIDE SEV]AL :I* >E IMP]FECT OR UND]SIZ$2 BUT !Y WILL DO = ! SMALL] FRY2 !Y DO NOT COV] UP ! HOOK SO MU*4 ,?OSE VILLAGE WORMS >E QUITE TOO L>GE2 A %9] MAY MAKE A MEAL (F ONE )\T F9D+ ! SKEW]4 

,H]MIT4 ,WELL1 !N1 LET'S BE (F4 ,%ALL WE TO ! ,CONCORD8 ,!RE'S GOOD SPORT !RE IF ! WAT] BE NOT TOO HI<4 

,:Y DO PRECISELY !SE OBJECTS :I* WE BEHOLD MAKE A WORLD8 ,:Y HAS MAN JU/ !SE SPECIES ( ANIMALS = HIS NEI<BORS2 AS IF NO?+ BUT A M\SE C\LD HAVE FILL$ ?IS CREVICE8 ,I SUSPECT ?AT ,PILPAY @& ,CO4 HAVE PUT ANIMALS TO !IR BE/ USE1 = !Y >E ALL BEA/S ( BURD51 9 A S5SE1 MADE TO C>RY SOME PORTION ( \R ?\<TS4 

,! MICE :I* HAUNT$ MY H\SE W]E NOT ! COMMON ONES1 :I* >E SAID TO HAVE BE5 9TRODUC$ 9TO ! C\NTRY1 BUT A WILD NATIVE K9D NOT F\ND 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,I S5T ONE TO A DI/+UI%$ NATURALI/1 & IT 9T]E/$ HIM MU*4 ,:5 ,I WAS BUILD+1 ONE ( !SE HAD ITS NE/ UND]NEA? ! H\SE1 & BE=E ,I HAD LAID ! SECOND FLOOR1 & SWEPT \T ! %AV+S1 W\LD COME \T REGUL>LY AT LUN* TIME & PICK UP ! CRUMBS AT MY FEET4 ,IT PROBABLY HAD NEV] SE5 A MAN BE=E2 & IT SOON BECAME QUITE FAMILI>1 & W\LD RUN OV] MY %OES & UP MY CLO!S4 ,IT C\LD READILY ASC5D ! SIDES ( ! ROOM BY %ORT IMPULSES1 LIKE A SQUIRREL1 :I* IT RESEMBL$ 9 ITS MOTIONS4 ,AT L5G?1 AS ,I LEAN$ ) MY ELB[ ON ! B5* ONE DAY1 IT RAN UP MY CLO!S1 & ALONG MY SLEEVE1 & R\ND & R\ND ! PAP] :I* HELD MY D9N]1 :ILE ,I KEPT ! LATT] CLOSE1 & DODG$ & PLAY$ AT BOPEEP ) IT2 & :5 AT LA/ ,I HELD /ILL A PIECE ( *EESE BETWE5 MY ?UMB & F+]1 IT CAME & NIBBL$ IT1 SITT+ 9 MY H&1 & AFT]W>DS CLEAN$ ITS FACE & PAWS1 LIKE A FLY1 & WALK$ AWAY4 

,A PHOEBE SOON BUILT 9 MY %$1 & A ROB9 = PROTECTION 9 A P9E :I* GREW AGA9/ ! H\SE4 ,9 ,JUNE ! P>TRIDGE 7,TETRAO UMBELLUS71 :I* IS SO %Y A BIRD1 L$ H] BROOD PA/ MY W9D[S1 FROM ! WOODS 9 ! RE> TO ! FRONT ( MY H\SE1 CLUCK+ & CALL+ TO !M LIKE A H51 & 9 ALL H] BEHAVIOR PROV+ H]SELF ! H5 ( ! WOODS4 ,! Y\NG SUDD5LY DISP]SE ON Y\R APPROA*1 AT A SIGNAL FROM ! MO!R1 AS IF A :IRLW9D HAD SWEPT !M AWAY1 & !Y SO EXACTLY RESEMBLE ! DRI$ LEAVES & TWIGS ?AT MANY A TRAVEL] HAS PLAC$ HIS FOOT 9 ! MID/ ( A BROOD1 & HE>D ! :IR ( ! OLD BIRD AS %E FLEW (F1 & H] ANXI\S CALLS & MEW+1 OR SE5 H] TRAIL H] W+S TO ATTRACT HIS ATT5TION1 )\T SUSPECT+ !IR NEI<BORHOOD4 ,! P>5T WILL SOMETIMES ROLL & SP9 R\ND BE=E Y\ 9 SU* A DI%ABILLE1 ?AT Y\ CANNOT1 = A FEW MOM5TS1 DETECT :AT K9D ( CREATURE IT IS4 ,! Y\NG SQUAT /ILL & FLAT1 (T5 RUNN+ !IR HEADS UND] A LEAF1 & M9D ONLY !IR MO!R'S DIRECTIONS GIV5 FROM A DI/ANCE1 NOR WILL Y\R APPROA* MAKE !M RUN AGA9 & BETRAY !MSELVES4 ,Y\ MAY EV5 TREAD ON !M1 OR HAVE Y\R EYES ON !M = A M9UTE1 )\T DISCOV]+ !M4 ,I HAVE HELD !M 9 MY OP5 H& AT SU* A TIME1 & /ILL !IR ONLY C>E1 OB$I5T TO !IR MO!R & !IR 9/9CT1 WAS TO SQUAT !RE )\T FE> OR TREMBL+4 ,SO P]FECT IS ?IS 9/9CT1 ?AT ONCE1 :5 ,I HAD LAID !M ON ! LEAVES AGA91 & ONE ACCID5TALLY FELL ON ITS SIDE1 IT WAS F\ND ) ! RE/ 9 EXACTLY ! SAME POSITION T5 M9UTES AFT]W>DS4 ,!Y >E NOT CALL[ LIKE ! Y\NG ( MO/ BIRDS1 BUT MORE P]FECTLY DEVELOP$ & PRECOCI\S EV5 ?AN *ICK5S4 ,! REM>KABLY ADULT YET 9NOC5T EXPRESSION ( !IR OP5 & S]5E EYES IS V]Y MEMORABLE4 ,ALL 9TELLIG5CE SEEMS REFLECT$ 9 !M4 ,!Y SUGGE/ NOT M]ELY ! PURITY ( 9FANCY1 BUT A WISDOM CL>IFI$ BY EXP]I5CE4 ,SU* AN EYE WAS NOT BORN :5 ! BIRD WAS1 BUT IS COEVAL ) ! SKY IT REFLECTS4 ,! WOODS DO NOT YIELD ANO!R SU* A GEM4 ,! TRAVEL] DOES NOT (T5 LOOK 9TO SU* A LIMPID WELL4 ,! IGNORANT OR RECKLESS SPORTSMAN (T5 %OOTS ! P>5T AT SU* A TIME1 & LEAVES !SE 9NOC5TS TO FALL A PREY TO SOME PR[L+ BEA/ OR BIRD1 OR GRADUALLY M+LE ) ! DECAY+ LEAVES :I* !Y SO MU* RESEMBLE4 ,IT IS SAID ?AT :5 HAT*$ BY A H5 !Y WILL DIRECTLY DISP]SE ON SOME AL>M1 & SO >E LO/1 = !Y NEV] HE> ! MO!R'S CALL :I* GA!RS !M AGA94 ,!SE W]E MY H5S & *ICK5S4 

,IT IS REM>KABLE H[ MANY CREATURES LIVE WILD & FREE ?\< SECRET 9 ! WOODS1 & /ILL SU/A9 !MSELVES 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD ( T[NS1 SUSPECT$ BY HUNT]S ONLY4 ,H[ RETIR$ ! OTT] MANAGES TO LIVE H]E6 ,HE GR[S TO BE F\R FEET LONG1 AS BIG AS A SMALL BOY1 P]HAPS )\T ANY HUMAN BE+ GETT+ A GLIMPSE ( HIM4 ,I =M]LY SAW ! RACCOON 9 ! WOODS BEH9D :]E MY H\SE IS BUILT1 & PROBABLY /ILL HE>D !IR :9N]+ AT NI<T4 ,COMMONLY ,I RE/$ AN H\R OR TWO 9 ! %ADE AT NOON1 AFT] PLANT+1 & ATE MY LUN*1 & READ A LITTLE BY A SPR+ :I* WAS ! S\RCE ( A SWAMP & ( A BROOK1 OOZ+ FROM UND] ,BRI/]'S ,HILL1 HALF A MILE FROM MY FIELD4 ,! APPROA* TO ?IS WAS ?R\< A SUCCESSION ( DESC5D+ GRASSY HOLL[S1 FULL ( Y\NG PIT* P9ES1 9TO A L>G] WOOD AB\T ! SWAMP4 ,!RE1 9 A V]Y SECLUD$ & %AD$ SPOT1 UND] A SPREAD+ :ITE P9E1 !RE WAS YET A CLEAN1 FIRM SW>D TO SIT ON4 ,I HAD DUG \T ! SPR+ & MADE A WELL ( CLE> GRAY WAT]1 :]E ,I C\LD DIP UP A PAILFUL )\T ROIL+ IT1 & ?I!R ,I W5T = ?IS PURPOSE ALMO/ EV]Y DAY 9 MIDSUMM]1 :5 ! POND WAS W>ME/4 ,?I!R1 TOO1 ! WOODCOCK L$ H] BROOD1 TO PROBE ! MUD = WORMS1 FLY+ BUT A FOOT ABOVE !M D[N ! BANK1 :ILE !Y RAN 9 A TROOP B5EA?2 BUT AT LA/1 SPY+ ME1 %E W\LD LEAVE H] Y\NG & CIRCLE R\ND & R\ND ME1 NE>] & NE>] TILL )9 F\R OR FIVE FEET1 PRET5D+ BROK5 W+S & LEGS1 TO ATTRACT MY ATT5TION1 & GET (F H] Y\NG1 :O W\LD ALREADY HAVE TAK5 UP !IR M>*1 ) FA9T1 WIRY PEEP1 S+LE FILE ?R\< ! SWAMP1 AS %E DIRECT$4 ,OR ,I HE>D ! PEEP ( ! Y\NG :5 ,I C\LD NOT SEE ! P>5T BIRD4 ,!RE TOO ! TURTLE DOVES SAT OV] ! SPR+1 OR FLUTT]$ FROM B\< TO B\< ( ! S(T :ITE P9ES OV] MY HEAD2 OR ! R$ SQUIRREL1 C\RS+ D[N ! NE>E/ B\<1 WAS P>TICUL>LY FAMILI> & 9QUISITIVE4 ,Y\ ONLY NE$ SIT /ILL LONG 5\< 9 SOME ATTRACTIVE SPOT 9 ! WOODS ?AT ALL ITS 9HABITANTS MAY EXHIBIT !MSELVES TO Y\ BY TURNS4 

,I WAS WITNESS TO EV5TS ( A LESS PEACEFUL *>ACT]4 ,ONE DAY :5 ,I W5T \T TO MY WOOD-PILE1 OR RA!R MY PILE ( /UMPS1 ,I OBS]V$ TWO L>GE ANTS1 ! ONE R$1 ! O!R MU* L>G]1 NE>LY HALF AN 9* LONG1 & BLACK1 FI]CELY CONT5D+ ) ONE ANO!R4 ,HAV+ ONCE GOT HOLD !Y NEV] LET GO1 BUT /RUGGL$ & WRE/L$ & ROLL$ ON ! *IPS 9CESSANTLY4 ,LOOK+ F>!R1 ,I WAS SURPRIS$ TO F9D ?AT ! *IPS W]E COV]$ ) SU* COMBATANTS1 ?AT IT WAS NOT A DUELLUM1 BUT A BELLUM1 A W> BETWE5 TWO RACES ( ANTS1 ! R$ ALWAYS PITT$ AGA9/ ! BLACK1 & FREQU5TLY TWO R$ ONES TO ONE BLACK4 ,! LEGIONS ( !SE ,MYRMIDONS COV]$ ALL ! HILLS & VALES 9 MY WOOD-Y>D1 & ! GR\ND WAS ALREADY /REWN ) ! DEAD & DY+1 BO? R$ & BLACK4 ,IT WAS ! ONLY BATTLE :I* ,I HAVE EV] WITNESS$1 ! ONLY BATTLEFIELD ,I EV] TROD :ILE ! BATTLE WAS RAG+2 9T]NEC9E W>2 ! R$ REPUBLICANS ON ! ONE H&1 & ! BLACK IMP]IALI/S ON ! O!R4 ,ON EV]Y SIDE !Y W]E 5GAG$ 9 DEADLY COMBAT1 YET )\T ANY NOISE ?AT ,I C\LD HE>1 & HUMAN SOLDI]S NEV] F\<T SO RESOLUTELY4 ,I WAT*$ A C\PLE ?AT W]E FA/ LOCK$ 9 EA* O!R'S EMBRACES1 9 A LITTLE SUNNY VALLEY AMID ! *IPS1 N[ AT NOONDAY PREP>$ TO FI<T TILL ! SUN W5T D[N1 OR LIFE W5T \T4 ,! SMALL] R$ *AMPION HAD FA/5$ HIMSELF LIKE A VISE TO HIS ADV]S>Y'S FRONT1 & ?R\< ALL ! TUMBL+S ON ?AT FIELD NEV] = AN 9/ANT CEAS$ TO GNAW AT ONE ( HIS FEEL]S NE> ! ROOT1 HAV+ ALREADY CAUS$ ! O!R TO GO BY ! BO>D2 :ILE ! /RONG] BLACK ONE DA%$ HIM FROM SIDE TO SIDE1 &1 AS ,I SAW ON LOOK+ NE>]1 HAD ALREADY DIVE/$ HIM ( SEV]AL ( HIS MEMB]S4 ,!Y F\<T ) MORE P]T9ACITY ?AN BULLDOGS4 ,NEI!R MANIFE/$ ! LEA/ DISPOSITION TO RETREAT4 ,IT WAS EVID5T ?AT !IR BATTLE-CRY WAS 0,CONQU] OR DIE40 ,9 ! MEAN:ILE !RE CAME ALONG A S+LE R$ ANT ON ! HILLSIDE ( ?IS VALLEY1 EVID5TLY FULL ( EXCITEM5T1 :O EI!R HAD DISPAT*$ HIS FOE1 OR HAD NOT YET TAK5 P>T 9 ! BATTLE2 PROBABLY ! LATT]1 = HE HAD LO/ NONE ( HIS LIMBS2 :OSE MO!R HAD *>G$ HIM TO RETURN ) HIS %IELD OR UPON IT4 ,OR P]*ANCE HE WAS SOME ,A*ILLES1 :O HAD N\RI%$ HIS WRA? AP>T1 & HAD N[ COME TO AV5GE OR RESCUE HIS ,PATROCLUS4 ,HE SAW ?IS UNEQUAL COMBAT FROM AF> -- = ! BLACKS W]E NE>LY TWICE ! SIZE ( ! R$ -- HE DREW NE> ) RAPID PACE TILL HE /OOD ON HIS GU>D )9 HALF AN 9* ( ! COMBATANTS2 !N1 WAT*+ HIS OPPORTUNITY1 HE SPRANG UPON ! BLACK W>RIOR1 & COMM5C$ HIS OP]ATIONS NE> ! ROOT ( HIS RI<T =E LEG1 LEAV+ ! FOE TO SELECT AMONG HIS [N MEMB]S2 & SO !RE W]E ?REE UNIT$ = LIFE1 AS IF A NEW K9D ( ATTRACTION HAD BE5 9V5T$ :I* PUT ALL O!R LOCKS & CEM5TS TO %AME4 ,I %\LD NOT HAVE WOND]$ BY ?IS TIME TO F9D ?AT !Y HAD !IR RESPECTIVE MUSICAL B&S /ATION$ ON SOME EM95T *IP1 & PLAY+ !IR NATIONAL AIRS ! :ILE1 TO EXCITE ! SL[ & *E] ! DY+ COMBATANTS4 ,I WAS MYSELF EXCIT$ SOME:AT EV5 AS IF !Y HAD BE5 M54 ,! MORE Y\ ?9K ( IT1 ! LESS ! DIFF]5CE4 ,& C]TA9LY !RE IS NOT ! FI<T RECORD$ 9 ,CONCORD HI/ORY1 AT LEA/1 IF 9 ! HI/ORY ( ,AM]ICA1 ?AT WILL BE> A MOM5T'S COMP>ISON ) ?IS1 :E!R = ! NUMB]S 5GAG$ 9 IT1 OR = ! PATRIOTISM & H]OISM DISPLAY$4 ,= NUMB]S & = C>NAGE IT WAS AN ,AU/]LITZ OR ,DRESD54 ,CONCORD ,FI<T6 ,TWO KILL$ ON ! PATRIOTS' SIDE1 & ,LU!R ,BLAN*>D W\ND$6 ,:Y H]E EV]Y ANT WAS A ,BUTTRICK -- 0,FIRE6 = ,GOD'S SAKE FIRE60 -- & ?\S&S %>$ ! FATE ( ,DAVIS & ,HOSM]4 ,!RE WAS NOT ONE HIREL+ !RE4 ,I HAVE NO D\BT ?AT IT WAS A PR9CIPLE !Y F\<T =1 AS MU* AS \R ANCE/ORS1 & NOT TO AVOID A ?REE-P5NY TAX ON !IR TEA2 & ! RESULTS ( ?IS BATTLE WILL BE AS IMPORTANT & MEMORABLE TO ?OSE :OM IT CONC]NS AS ?OSE ( ! BATTLE ( ,BUNK] ,HILL1 AT LEA/4 

,I TOOK UP ! *IP ON :I* ! ?REE ,I HAVE P>TICUL>LY DESCRIB$ W]E /RUGGL+1 C>RI$ IT 9TO MY H\SE1 & PLAC$ IT UND] A TUMBL] ON MY W9D[-SILL1 9 ORD] TO SEE ! ISSUE4 ,HOLD+ A MICROSCOPE TO ! FIR/-M5TION$ R$ ANT1 ,I SAW ?AT1 ?\< HE WAS ASSIDU\SLY GNAW+ AT ! NE> =E LEG ( HIS 5EMY1 HAV+ SEV]$ HIS REMA9+ FEEL]1 HIS [N BREA/ WAS ALL TORN AWAY1 EXPOS+ :AT VITALS HE HAD !RE TO ! JAWS ( ! BLACK W>RIOR1 :OSE BREA/PLATE WAS APP>5TLY TOO ?ICK = HIM TO PI]CE2 & ! D>K C>BUNCLES ( ! SUFF]]'S EYES %ONE ) F]OCITY SU* AS W> ONLY C\LD EXCITE4 ,!Y /RUGGL$ HALF AN H\R LONG] UND] ! TUMBL]1 & :5 ,I LOOK$ AGA9 ! BLACK SOLDI] HAD SEV]$ ! HEADS ( HIS FOES FROM !IR BODIES1 & ! /ILL LIV+ HEADS W]E HANG+ ON EI!R SIDE ( HIM LIKE <A/LY TROPHIES AT HIS SADDLE-B[1 /ILL APP>5TLY AS FIRMLY FA/5$ AS EV]1 & HE WAS 5DEAVOR+ ) FEEBLE /RUGGLES1 BE+ )\T FEEL]S & ) ONLY ! REMNANT ( A LEG1 & ,I KN[ NOT H[ MANY O!R W\NDS1 TO DIVE/ HIMSELF ( !M2 :I* AT L5G?1 AFT] HALF AN H\R MORE1 HE ACCOMPLI%$4 ,I RAIS$ ! GLASS1 & HE W5T (F OV] ! W9D[-SILL 9 ?AT CRIPPL$ /ATE4 ,:E!R HE F9ALLY SURVIV$ ?AT COMBAT1 & SP5T ! REMA9D] ( HIS DAYS 9 SOME ,HOTEL DES ,9VALIDES1 ,I DO NOT KN[2 BUT ,I ?\<T ?AT HIS 9DU/RY W\LD NOT BE WOR? MU* !REAFT]4 ,I NEV] LE>N$ :I* P>TY WAS VICTORI\S1 NOR ! CAUSE ( ! W>2 BUT ,I FELT = ! RE/ ( ?AT DAY AS IF ,I HAD HAD MY FEEL+S EXCIT$ & H>R[$ BY WITNESS+ ! /RUGGLE1 ! F]OCITY & C>NAGE1 ( A HUMAN BATTLE BE=E MY DOOR4 

,KIRBY & ,SP5CE TELL US ?AT ! BATTLES ( ANTS HAVE LONG BE5 CELEBRAT$ & ! DATE ( !M RECORD$1 ?\< !Y SAY ?AT ,HUB] IS ! ONLY MOD]N AU?OR :O APPE>S TO HAVE WITNESS$ !M4 0,A,5EAS ,SYLVIUS10 SAY !Y1 0AFT] GIV+ A V]Y CIRCUM/ANTIAL ACC\NT ( ONE CONTE/$ ) GREAT OB/9ACY BY A GREAT & SMALL SPECIES ON ! TRUNK ( A PE> TREE10 ADDS ?AT 0?IS ACTION WAS F\<T 9 ! PONTIFICATE ( ,EUG5IUS ! ,F\R?1 9 ! PRES5CE ( ,NI*OLAS ,PI/ORI5SIS1 AN EM95T LAWY]1 :O RELAT$ ! :OLE HI/ORY ( ! BATTLE ) ! GREATE/ FIDELITY40 ,A SIMIL> 5GAGEM5T BETWE5 GREAT & SMALL ANTS IS RECORD$ BY ,OLAUS ,MAGNUS1 9 :I* ! SMALL ONES1 BE+ VICTORI\S1 >E SAID TO HAVE BURI$ ! BODIES ( !IR [N SOLDI]S1 BUT LEFT ?OSE ( !IR GIANT 5EMIES A PREY TO ! BIRDS4 ,?IS EV5T HAPP5$ PREVI\S TO ! EXPULSION ( ! TYRANT ,*RI/I]N ! ,SECOND FROM ,SW$54 ,! BATTLE :I* ,I WITNESS$ TOOK PLACE 9 ! ,PRESID5CY ( ,POLK1 FIVE YE>S BE=E ! PASSAGE ( ,WEB/]'S ,FUGITIVE-,SLAVE ,BILL4 

,MANY A VILLAGE ,BOSE1 FIT ONLY TO C\RSE A MUD-TURTLE 9 A VICTUAL+ CELL>1 SPORT$ HIS HEAVY QU>T]S 9 ! WOODS1 )\T ! KN[L$GE ( HIS MA/]1 & 9EFFECTUALLY SMELL$ AT OLD FOX BURR[S & WOOD*UCKS' HOLES2 L$ P]*ANCE BY SOME SLI<T CUR :I* NIMBLY ?READ$ ! WOOD1 & MI<T /ILL 9SPIRE A NATURAL T]ROR 9 ITS D5IZ5S2 -- N[ F> BEH9D HIS GUIDE1 B>K+ LIKE A CAN9E BULL T[>D SOME SMALL SQUIRREL :I* HAD TRE$ ITSELF = SCRUT9Y1 !N1 CANT]+ (F1 B5D+ ! BU%ES ) HIS WEI<T1 IMAG9+ ?AT HE IS ON ! TRACK ( SOME /RAY MEMB] ( ! J]BILLA FAMILY4 ,ONCE ,I WAS SURPRIS$ TO SEE A CAT WALK+ ALONG ! /ONY %ORE ( ! POND1 = !Y R>ELY W&] SO F> FROM HOME4 ,! SURPRISE WAS MUTUAL4 ,NEV]!LESS ! MO/ DOME/IC CAT1 :I* HAS LA9 ON A RUG ALL H] DAYS1 APPE>S QUITE AT HOME 9 ! WOODS1 &1 BY H] SLY & /EAL?Y BEHAVIOR1 PROVES H]SELF MORE NATIVE !RE ?AN ! REGUL> 9HABITANTS4 ,ONCE1 :5 B]RY+1 ,I MET ) A CAT ) Y\NG KITT5S 9 ! WOODS1 QUITE WILD1 & !Y ALL1 LIKE !IR MO!R1 HAD !IR BACKS UP & W]E FI]CELY SPITT+ AT ME4 ,A FEW YE>S BE=E ,I LIV$ 9 ! WOODS !RE WAS :AT WAS CALL$ A 0W+$ CAT0 9 ONE ( ! F>M-H\SES 9 ,L9COLN NE>E/ ! POND1 ,MR4 ,GILIAN ,BAK]'S4 ,:5 ,I CALL$ TO SEE H] 9 ,JUNE1 #a#h#d#b1 %E WAS GONE A-HUNT+ 9 ! WOODS1 AS WAS H] WONT 7,I AM NOT SURE :E!R IT WAS A MALE OR FEMALE1 & SO USE ! MORE COMMON PRON\N71 BUT H] MI/RESS TOLD ME ?AT %E CAME 9TO ! NEI<BORHOOD A LITTLE MORE ?AN A YE> BE=E1 9 ,APRIL1 & WAS F9ALLY TAK5 9TO !IR H\SE2 ?AT %E WAS ( A D>K BR[NI%-GRAY COLOR1 ) A :ITE SPOT ON H] ?ROAT1 & :ITE FEET1 & HAD A L>GE BU%Y TAIL LIKE A FOX2 ?AT 9 ! W9T] ! FUR GREW ?ICK & FLATT$ \T ALONG H] SIDES1 =M+ /RIPES T5 OR TWELVE 9*ES LONG BY TWO & A HALF WIDE1 & UND] H] *9 LIKE A MUFF1 ! UPP] SIDE LOOSE1 ! UND] MATT$ LIKE FELT1 & 9 ! SPR+ !SE APP5DAGES DROPP$ (F4 ,!Y GAVE ME A PAIR ( H] 0W+S10 :I* ,I KEEP /ILL4 ,!RE IS NO APPE>ANCE ( A MEMBRANE AB\T !M4 ,SOME ?\<T IT WAS P>T FLY+ SQUIRREL OR SOME O!R WILD ANIMAL1 :I* IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE1 =1 ACCORD+ TO NATURALI/S1 PROLIFIC HYBRIDS HAVE BE5 PRODUC$ BY ! UNION ( ! M>T5 & DOME/IC CAT4 ,?IS W\LD HAVE BE5 ! RI<T K9D ( CAT = ME TO KEEP1 IF ,I HAD KEPT ANY2 = :Y %\LD NOT A POET'S CAT BE W+$ AS WELL AS HIS HORSE8 

,9 ! FALL ! LOON 7,COLYMBUS GLACIALIS7 CAME1 AS USUAL1 TO MOLT & BA! 9 ! POND1 MAK+ ! WOODS R+ ) HIS WILD LAU<T] BE=E ,I HAD RIS54 ,AT RUMOR ( HIS >RIVAL ALL ! ,MILL-DAM SPORTSM5 >E ON ! AL]T1 9 GIGS & ON FOOT1 TWO BY TWO & ?REE BY ?REE1 ) PAT5T RIFLES & CONICAL BALLS & SPY-GLASSES4 ,!Y COME RU/L+ ?R\< ! WOODS LIKE AUTUMN LEAVES1 AT LEA/ T5 M5 TO ONE LOON4 ,SOME /ATION !MSELVES ON ?IS SIDE ( ! POND1 SOME ON ?AT1 = ! POOR BIRD CANNOT BE OMNIPRES5T2 IF HE DOVE H]E HE MU/ COME UP !RE4 ,BUT N[ ! K9D ,OCTOB] W9D RISES1 RU/L+ ! LEAVES & RIPPL+ ! SURFACE ( ! WAT]1 SO ?AT NO LOON CAN BE HE>D OR SE51 ?\< HIS FOES SWEEP ! POND ) SPY-GLASSES1 & MAKE ! WOODS RES\ND ) !IR DIS*>GES4 ,! WAVES G5]\SLY RISE & DA% ANGRILY1 TAK+ SIDES ) ALL WAT]-F[L1 & \R SPORTSM5 MU/ BEAT A RETREAT TO T[N & %OP & UNF9I%$ JOBS4 ,BUT !Y W]E TOO (T5 SUCCESSFUL4 ,:5 ,I W5T TO GET A PAIL ( WAT] E>LY 9 ! MORN+ ,I FREQU5TLY SAW ?IS /ATELY BIRD SAIL+ \T ( MY COVE )9 A FEW RODS4 ,IF ,I 5DEAVOR$ TO OV]TAKE HIM 9 A BOAT1 9 ORD] TO SEE H[ HE W\LD MANEUV]1 HE W\LD DOVE & BE COMPLETELY LO/1 SO ?AT ,I DID NOT DISCOV] HIM AGA91 SOMETIMES1 TILL ! LATT] P>T ( ! DAY4 ,BUT ,I WAS MORE ?AN A MAT* = HIM ON ! SURFACE4 ,HE COMMONLY W5T (F 9 A RA94 

,AS ,I WAS PADDL+ ALONG ! NOR? %ORE ONE V]Y CALM ,OCTOB] AFT]NOON1 = SU* DAYS ESPECIALLY !Y SETTLE ON TO ! LAKES1 LIKE ! MILKWE$ D[N1 HAV+ LOOK$ 9 VA9 OV] ! POND = A LOON1 SUDD5LY ONE1 SAIL+ \T FROM ! %ORE T[>D ! MIDDLE A FEW RODS 9 FRONT ( ME1 SET UP HIS WILD LAU< & BETRAY$ HIMSELF4 ,I PURSU$ ) A PADDLE & HE DIV$1 BUT :5 HE CAME UP ,I WAS NE>] ?AN BE=E4 ,HE DIV$ AGA91 BUT ,I MISCALCULAT$ ! DIRECTION HE W\LD TAKE1 & WE W]E FIFTY RODS AP>T :5 HE CAME TO ! SURFACE ?IS TIME1 = ,I HAD HELP$ TO WID5 ! 9T]VAL2 & AGA9 HE LAU<$ LONG & L\D1 & ) MORE REASON ?AN BE=E4 ,HE MANEUV]$ SO CUNN+LY ?AT ,I C\LD NOT GET )9 HALF A DOZ5 RODS ( HIM4 ,EA* TIME1 :5 HE CAME TO ! SURFACE1 TURN+ HIS HEAD ?IS WAY & ?AT1 HE COOLY SURVEY$ ! WAT] & ! L&1 & APP>5TLY *OSE HIS C\RSE SO ?AT HE MI<T COME UP :]E !RE WAS ! WIDE/ EXPANSE ( WAT] & AT ! GREATE/ DI/ANCE FROM ! BOAT4 ,IT WAS SURPRIS+ H[ QUICKLY HE MADE UP HIS M9D & PUT HIS RESOLVE 9TO EXECUTION4 ,HE L$ ME AT ONCE TO ! WIDE/ P>T ( ! POND1 & C\LD NOT BE DRIV5 FROM IT4 ,:ILE HE WAS ?9K+ ONE ?+ 9 HIS BRA91 ,I WAS 5DEAVOR+ TO DIV9E HIS ?\<T 9 M9E4 ,IT WAS A PRETTY GAME1 PLAY$ ON ! SMOO? SURFACE ( ! POND1 A MAN AGA9/ A LOON4 ,SUDD5LY Y\R ADV]S>Y'S *ECK] DISAPPE>S B5EA? ! BO>D1 & ! PROBLEM IS TO PLACE Y\RS NE>E/ TO :]E HIS WILL APPE> AGA94 ,SOMETIMES HE W\LD COME UP UNEXPECT$LY ON ! OPPOSITE SIDE ( ME1 HAV+ APP>5TLY PASS$ DIRECTLY UND] ! BOAT4 ,SO LONG-W9D$ WAS HE & SO UNWE>IABLE1 ?AT :5 HE HAD SWUM F>!/ HE W\LD IMM$IATELY PLUNGE AGA91 NEV]!LESS2 & !N NO WIT C\LD DIV9E :]E 9 ! DEEP POND1 B5EA? ! SMOO? SURFACE1 HE MI<T BE SPE$+ HIS WAY LIKE A FI%1 = HE HAD TIME & ABILITY TO VISIT ! BOTTOM ( ! POND 9 ITS DEEPE/ P>T4 ,IT IS SAID ?AT LOONS HAVE BE5 CAU<T 9 ! ,NEW ,YORK LAKES EI<TY FEET B5EA? ! SURFACE1 ) HOOKS SET = TR\T -- ?\< ,WALD5 IS DEEP] ?AN ?AT4 ,H[ SURPRIS$ MU/ ! FI%ES BE TO SEE ?IS UNGA9LY VISITOR FROM ANO!R SPH]E SPE$+ HIS WAY AMID !IR S*OOLS6 ,YET HE APPE>$ TO KN[ HIS C\RSE AS SURELY UND] WAT] AS ON ! SURFACE1 & SWAM MU* FA/] !RE4 ,ONCE OR TWICE ,I SAW A RIPPLE :]E HE APPROA*$ ! SURFACE1 JU/ PUT HIS HEAD \T TO RECONNOIT]1 & 9/ANTLY DIV$ AGA94 ,I F\ND ?AT IT WAS AS WELL = ME TO RE/ ON MY O>S & WAIT HIS REAPPE>+ AS TO 5DEAVOR TO CALCULATE :]E HE W\LD RISE2 = AGA9 & AGA91 :5 ,I WAS /RA9+ MY EYES OV] ! SURFACE ONE WAY1 ,I W\LD SUDD5LY BE />TL$ BY HIS UNE>?LY LAU< BEH9D ME4 ,BUT :Y1 AFT] DISPLAY+ SO MU* CUNN+1 DID HE 9V>IABLY BETRAY HIMSELF ! MOM5T HE CAME UP BY ?AT L\D LAU<8 ,DID NOT HIS :ITE BREA/ 5\< BETRAY HIM8 ,HE WAS 9DE$ A SILLY LOON1 ,I ?\<T4 ,I C\LD COMMONLY HE> ! SPLA% ( ! WAT] :5 HE CAME UP1 & SO ALSO DETECT$ HIM4 ,BUT AFT] AN H\R HE SEEM$ AS FRE% AS EV]1 DIV$ AS WILL+LY1 & SWAM YET F>!R ?AN AT FIR/4 ,IT WAS SURPRIS+ TO SEE H[ S]5ELY HE SAIL$ (F ) UNRUFFL$ BREA/ :5 HE CAME TO ! SURFACE1 DO+ ALL ! WORK ) HIS WEBB$ FEET B5EA?4 ,HIS USUAL NOTE WAS ?IS DEMONIAC LAU<T]1 YET SOME:AT LIKE ?AT ( A WAT]-F[L2 BUT OCCASIONALLY1 :5 HE HAD BALK$ ME MO/ SUCCESSFULLY & COME UP A LONG WAY (F1 HE UTT]$ A LONG-DRAWN UNE>?LY H[L1 PROBABLY MORE LIKE ?AT ( A WOLF ?AN ANY BIRD2 AS :5 A BEA/ PUTS HIS MUZZLE TO ! GR\ND & DELIB]ATELY H[LS4 ,?IS WAS HIS LOON+ -- P]HAPS ! WILDE/ S\ND ?AT IS EV] HE>D H]E1 MAK+ ! WOODS R+ F> & WIDE4 ,I CONCLUD$ ?AT HE LAU<$ 9 D]ISION ( MY EF=TS1 CONFID5T ( HIS [N RES\RCES4 ,?\< ! SKY WAS BY ?IS TIME OV]CA/1 ! POND WAS SO SMOO? ?AT ,I C\LD SEE :]E HE BROKE ! SURFACE :5 ,I DID NOT HE> HIM4 ,HIS :ITE BREA/1 ! /ILLNESS ( ! AIR1 & ! SMOO?NESS ( ! WAT] W]E ALL AGA9/ HIM4 ,AT L5G? HAV+ COME UP FIFTY RODS (F1 HE UTT]$ ONE ( ?OSE PROLONG$ H[LS1 AS IF CALL+ ON ! GOD ( LOONS TO AID HIM1 & IMM$IATELY !RE CAME A W9D FROM ! EA/ & RIPPL$ ! SURFACE1 & FILL$ ! :OLE AIR ) MI/Y RA91 & ,I WAS IMPRESS$ AS IF IT W]E ! PRAY] ( ! LOON ANSW]$1 & HIS GOD WAS ANGRY ) ME2 & SO ,I LEFT HIM DISAPPE>+ F> AWAY ON ! TUMULTU\S SURFACE4 

,= H\RS1 9 FALL DAYS1 ,I WAT*$ ! DUCKS CUNN+LY TACK & VE] & HOLD ! MIDDLE ( ! POND1 F> FROM ! SPORTSMAN2 TRICKS :I* !Y WILL HAVE LESS NE$ TO PRACTICE 9 ,L\ISIANA BAY\S4 ,:5 COMPELL$ TO RISE !Y W\LD SOMETIMES CIRCLE R\ND & R\ND & OV] ! POND AT A CONSID]ABLE HEI<T1 FROM :I* !Y C\LD EASILY SEE TO O!R PONDS & ! RIV]1 LIKE BLACK MOTES 9 ! SKY2 &1 :5 ,I ?\<T !Y HAD GONE (F ?I!R LONG S9CE1 !Y W\LD SETTLE D[N BY A SLANT+ FLI<T ( A QU>T] ( A MILE ON TO A DI/ANT P>T :I* WAS LEFT FREE2 BUT :AT BESIDE SAFETY !Y GOT BY SAIL+ 9 ! MIDDLE ( ,WALD5 ,I DO NOT KN[1 UNLESS !Y LOVE ITS WAT] = ! SAME REASON ?AT ,I DO4 

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