Along this the lynx followed; and had arrived almost within reach of the object of his pursuit, when the opossum, suddenly lapping the branch with her tail, let herself down to the limb below! The lynx appeared for a moment as if about to spring after; but the limb was a slender one, and he was not sure that he might be able to grasp it.

He, therefore, turned back, evidently chagrined; and, descending by the main trunk, ran out upon the branch now occupied by the opossum.

The latter, as before, again let herself down to another limb; and then, without waiting for her pursuer, to another still lower, until she hung on the very lowermost branch of the tree! The boys thought she was about to drop to the ground, and endeavour to escape to the woods.

That, however, was not her intention, for she knew the lynx would soon overtake her if she made the attempt.

She had got into the safest situation possible, under the circumstances, and _she_ seemed to know it.