First, there was a creature, like a huge black marten or a short-legged black fox, standing at a safe distance, while, partly hidden under a log, with hind quarters and tail only exposed, was a large porcupine.

Both were very still, but soon the fisher snarled and made a forward lunge.

The porcupine, hearing the sounds or feeling the snow dash up on that side, struck with its tail; but the fisher kept out of reach.

Next a feint was made on the other side, with the same result; then many, as though the fisher were trying to tire out the tail or use up all its quills.
Sometimes the assailant leaped on the log and teased the quill-pig to strike upward, while many white daggers already sunk in the bark showed that these tactics had been going on for some time.
Now the two spectators saw by the trail that a similar battle had been fought at another log, and that the porcupine trail from that was spotted with blood.

How the fisher had forced it out was not then clear, but soon became so.
After feinting till the Kahk would not strike, the pekan began a new manceuvre.