Walden: Brute Neighbors

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Walden: Brute Neighbors

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  • Princeton_Ed: Princeton Ed. of Walden
  • Version_A: Walden, Version A (1847)
  • Version_B: Walden, Version B (1849)
  • Version_C: Walden, Version C (1849)
  • Version_D: Walden, Version D (1852)
  • Version_E: Walden, Version E (late 1852 - 1853)
  • Version_F: Walden, Version F (1853-1854)
  • Version_G: Walden, Version G (1854)

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XVersion
Brute Neighbors n
Note: The title “Fall Animals” was inserted in pencil at the top of the leaf containing Brute Neighbors 1, but “Fall” was erased. (R. Clapper)
n
Note: The title ”Brute Neighbors” appears at the top of the leaf containing Brute Neighbors 1. (R. Clapper)
1
Brute Neighbors 1 written: E rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
But practically I was only half-converted to my own arguments, for I still found myself fishing at rare intervals. Sometimes Sometimes Sometimes Sometimes I had a companion in these excursions my fishing my fishing. my fishing. my fishing. who came through the village to my house from the other side of the town, & the getting of dinner was as much a social exercise as the eating of it and the catching of the dinner was as much a social exercise as the eating of it. and the catching of the dinner was as much a social exercise as the eating of it. and the catching of the dinner was as much a social exercise as the eating of it.
2
Brute Neighbors 2 written: E rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
Hermit . I wonder what the world is doing now. Have Have I Have I have not heard so much as a locust over the sweet-fern these three hours. Pigeons Pigeons Pigeons The pigeons are The pigeons are all asleep upon their roosts,— no flutter from them. Methought I heard a farmer’s noon horn Methought I heard a farmer’s noon horn Methought I heard Did I not hear Was that a farmer’s noon horn which sounded Was that a farmer’s noon horn which sounded from beyond the woods just now? The hands are coming in to boiled salt beef and cider and Indian bread. Why will men worry themselves so? He that does not eat need not work. Wonder Wonder I Wonder I wonder how much they have reaped. Who would live there where a body can never think for the barking of Bose? And O, the housekeeping! to keep bright the devil’s door-knobs, and scour his tubs this bright day! Better not keep a house. Say, some hollow tree; and then for morning calls and dinner-parties! Only a woodpecker tapping. Only a woodpecker tapping. Only a woodpecker tapping. Only a woodpecker tapping. O, they swarm; the sun is too warm there; they are born too far into life for me. I have water from the spring, and chestnuts a store a loaf of brown bread on the shelf a loaf of brown bread on the shelf. a loaf of brown bread on the shelf. a loaf of brown bread on the shelf. —Hark! I hear a rustling of the leaves. Is it some ill-fed village hound yielding to the instinct of the chase? or the lost pig that that that which which is said to be in these woods, whose tracks I saw after the rain? It comes on apace; my sumachs and sweet-briars tremble.— Ah Ah Ah Eh Eh, Mr. Poet, is it you? How dost thou dost thou dost thou do you do you like the world to-day?
3
Brute Neighbors 3 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Poet . See those clouds; how they hang! That’s the greatest thing I have seen to-day. There’s nor nothing like it nothing like it nothing like it nothing like it in old paintings, nothing like it in foreign lands,— unless when we were off the coast of Spain. That’s a true Mediterranean sky. unless when we were off the coast of Spain. That’s a true Mediterranean sky. unless when we were off the coast of Spain. That’s a true Mediterranean sky. unless when we were off the coast of Spain. That’s a true Mediterranean sky. I thought, as I have my living to get, and have not eaten to-day, that I would might might might might go a-fishing. That’s the true industry for poets. It is the only trade I have learned. Come, let’s along.
4
Brute Neighbors 4 written:

(Ronald Clapper)
Hermit . I cannot resist. My brown bread will soon be gone. I will go with you gladly soon, but I am just concluding a serious meditation. I think that I am near the end of it. Leave me alone, then, for a while. But that we may not be delayed, you shall be digging the bait meanwhile. Angle-worms are rarely to be met with in these parts, where the soil was never fattened with manure; the race is nearly extinct. The sport of digging the bait is nearly equal to that of catching the fish, when one’s appetite is not too keen; and this you may have all to yourself to-day. I would advise you to set in the spade down yonder among the ground-nuts, where you see the johnswort waving. I think that I may warrant you one worm to every three sods you turn up, if you look well in among the roots of the grass, as if you were weeding. Or, if you choose to go farther, it will not be unwise, for I have found the increase of fair bait to be very nearly as the squares of the distances.
5
Brute Neighbors 5 written: E
E: There is a missing leaf in the manuscript following the material in Brute Neighbors 3. When the manuscript resumes, it contains only the end of Brute Neighbors 5.
E: chance, though we may think there will be another, there never is but one opportunity of a kind.

(Ronald Clapper)
Hermit alone . Let me see; where was I? Methinks I was nearly in this frame of mind; the world lay about at this angle. Shall I go to heaven or a-fishing? If I should soon bring this meditation to an end, would another so sweet occasion be likely to offer? I was as near being resolved into the essence of things as ever I was in my life. I fear my thoughts will not come back to me. If it would do any good, I would whistle for them. When they make us an offer, is it wise to say, We will think of it? My thoughts have left no track, and I cannot find the path again. What was it that I was thinking of? It was a very hazy day. I will just try these three sentences of Con-fut-see; they may fetch that state about again. I know not whether it was the dumps or a budding ecstasy. Mem. There never is but one opportunity of a kind.
6
Brute Neighbors 6 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Poet . How now, Hermit, is it too soon? I have got just thirteen whole ones, beside several which are imperfect or undersized; but they will do for the smaller fry; they do not cover up the hook so much. Those village worms are quite too large; a shiner may make a meal off one without finding the skewer.
7
Brute Neighbors 7 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Hermit . Well, then, let’s be off. Shall we to the Concord? There’s good sport there if the water be not too high.
8
Brute Neighbors 8 written: E
E: Brute Neighbors 8 is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
Why do precisely these objects which we behold make a world? Why has man just these species of animals for instance for his neighbors & no others? for his neighbors; for his neighbors; for his neighbors; as if nothing but a mouse could have filled this crevice? as if nothing but a mouse could have filled this crevice? as if nothing but a mouse could have filled this crevice? as if nothing but a mouse could have filled this crevice? They must be very significant though we fail to perceive their significance. Have not I suspect that Pilpay & Co. have put them I suspect that Pilpay & Co. have put animals I suspect that Pilpay & Co. have put animals I suspect that Pilpay & Co. have put animals to their best use, for they are after all are they not for they are for they are for they are all beasts of burden, in a sense, made to carry some portion of our thoughts.
9
Brute Neighbors 9 written: A rewritten: E
A: Brute Neighbors 9 follows Spring 25b.
A, & E: The mice which haunted my house . . . and it interested him much does not appear in the manuscript in A or in the original copying of E but is interlined in pencil in E.
A & E: Winter Animals 13 follows Brute Neighbors 9.

(Ronald Clapper)
The mice which haunted my house were not the common ones, which are said to have been introduced into the country, but a wild native kind ( Mus leucopus ) not found in the village. I sent one to a distinguished naturalist, and it interested him much. When ploughing my field in the spring I found a ground bird’s nest directly in the path of my plow which would have been turned in by the next furrow slice but though I took it up carefully with the sod in which it rested and set it in the grass a few rods beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, yet the parents were more cruel than I and when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead A long-eared red-bellied field mouse had her nest underneath my house When ploughing my field in the spring I found a ground bird’s nest directly in the path of my plow which would have been turned in by the next furrow slice but though I took it up carefully with the sod in which it rested and set it in the grass a few rods beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, yet the parents were more cruel than I and when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead A long-eared red-bellied field mouse had her nest underneath my house When ploughing my field in the spring I found a ground bird’s nest directly in the path of my plow which would have been turned in by the next furrow slice but though I took it up carefully with the sod in which it rested and set it in the grass a few rods beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, yet the parents were more cruel than I and when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead A long-eared red-bellied field mouse had her nest underneath my house When ploughing my field in the spring I found a ground bird’s nest directly in the path of my plow which would have been turned in by the next furrow slice but though I took it up carefully with the sod in which it rested and set it in the grass a few rods beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, yet the parents were more cruel than I and when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead A long-eared red-bellied field mouse had her nest underneath my house Though the hunter instinct was thus strong in me, I was generally the friend and defender of the brute creation as were my neighbors, and I had unusual opportunities for observing their habits. Though I took up a ground bird’s nest with young, which was directly in the path of my plow and would have been turned in by the next furrow slice, carefully moving the sod and setting it in the grass a few rods beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, the parents were less faithful than I, for when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead. When I was building, a long-eared red-bellied field mouse one of these had its nest underneath it When I was building, one of these had its nest underneath the house, When I was building, one of these had its nest underneath the house, When I was building, one of these had its nest underneath the house, and before I had laid the second floor, and swept out the shavings, it would it would it would it would it would would would would come out regularly at dinner lunch time and at dinner lunch time and at dinner lunch time and at dinner lunch time and at dinner lunch time and at lunch time and at lunch time and at lunch time and pick up the crumbs at my feet when I took my lunch feet. feet. feet. feet. feet. feet. feet. It had probably probably had probably had probably had probably had probably had probably had probably had never seen a man before; and it soon became quite familiar, It would come out regularly at lunch time, and and would and would and would and would and would and would and would run over my shoes and up my clothing, and my legs inside clinging to the flesh clothes. clothes. clothes. clothes. clothes. clothes. clothes. It would run readily up could readily ascend could readily ascend could readily ascend could readily ascend could readily ascend could readily ascend could readily ascend the sides of the room by short impulses, like a squirrel, which it resembled considerably resembled resembled resembled resembled resembled resembled resembled in its motions. At length, as I leaned with with with my elbow on the bench one day, it ran up my clothes, and along my sleeve, and round and round the paper which held my dinner, while I kept It the latter close dodging and playing the latter close, and dodged and played the latter close, and dodged and played the latter close, and dodged and played the latter close, and dodged and played the latter close, and dodged and played the latter close, and dodged and played the latter close, and dodged and played at bopeep with it; and when at last I held still a piece of cheese between my thumb and finger, it came and nibbled it, sitting in my hand, and then afterward afterward afterward afterward afterward afterward afterward cleaned its face and paws, like a fly, and walked away.
10a
Brute Neighbors 10a written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
A phoebe soon built in my shed, and a robin for protection in a pine which grew against the house. A phoebe soon built in my shed, and a robin for protection in a pine which grew against the house. A phoebe soon built in my shed, and a robin for protection in a pine which grew against the house. A phoebe soon built in my shed, and a robin for protection in a pine which grew against the house. In June the partridge, ( ) Tetrao umbellus, Tetrao umbellus, which is so shy a bird, led her brood past my windows, from the woods in the rear to the front of my house, clucking and calling to them like a hen, and in all her behavior proving herself the hen of the woods. The young suddenly disperse on your approach, at a signal from the mother, as if a whirlwind had swept them off off away away, away, and they so exactly resemble the dried leaves and twigs that many a traveller has placed his foot in the midst of a brood, and heard the whir of the old bird as she flew off, and her anxious calls and mewing, and or or or or seen her trail her wings to attract his attention, without suspecting their neighborhood. In such cases The The The The parent will sometimes roll and spin round before you in such a dishabille, that you cannot, for some time a few moments a few moments, a few moments, a few moments, detect what kind of creature it is. 10b
Brute Neighbors 10b written: E
E: Brute Neighbors 10b follows Brute Neighbors 10c.

(Ronald Clapper)
They The young The young The young The young squat still and flat, sometimes often often often often running their heads under a leaf, and mind only their mother’s directions which are given given given given from a distance, nor will your approach make them run again and betray themselves. 10c
Brute Neighbors 10c written: E
Brute Neighbors 10c follows Brute Neighbors 10a and precedes Brute Neighbors 10b.]

(Ronald Clapper)
You may even tread on them, or have your eye eyes eyes eyes on them for a minute, without discovering them. 10d
Brute Neighbors 10d written: E rewritten: F, G
E: Brute Neighbors 10d follows Brute Neighbors 10e.
F: A fair copy was made of only So perfect is this instinct . . . position ten minutes afterward.
G: A fair copy was made of only position ten minutes afterward.

(Ronald Clapper)
I have held them in my open open open open hand at such a time, at such a time, at such a time, at such a time, and still their only care, obedient to their mother and their instinct, was to squat there without fear or trembling. So perfect is this instinct, that once, when I had laid them on the leaves again, and one accidentally fell on its side, it was found with the rest in exactly the same position ten minutes afterward. So perfect is this instinct, that once, when I had laid them on the leaves again, and one accidentally fell on its side, it was found with the rest in exactly the same position ten minutes afterward. So perfect is this instinct, that once, when I had laid them on the leaves again, and one accidentally fell on its side, it was found with the rest in exactly the same position ten minutes afterward. So perfect is this instinct, that once, when I had laid them on the leaves again, and one accidentally fell on its side, it was found with the rest in exactly the same position ten minutes afterward. 10e
Brute Neighbors 10e written: E rewritten: F, G
E: Brute Neighbors 10e follows Brute Neighbors 10b and precedes Brute Neighbors 10d.

(Ronald Clapper)
They are not callow like the young of other most most most most birds, but are more cunning and but but but more perfectly developed and precocious even than chickens. 10f
Brute Neighbors 10f written: E rewritten: F, G
E: The remarkably adult . . . with the sky it reflects is interlined in pencil.
A fair copy was made of only The remarkably adult . . . such a limpid well.

(Ronald Clapper)
The remarkably adult yet innocent expression of their open and serene eyes I shall not soon forget I shall not soon forget is very memorable is very memorable. is very memorable. All intelligence and trust seemed reflected in their serene and open eyes. Golconda and California are shallow and sandy to it and trust seemed reflected in them seems reflected in them seems reflected in them. seems reflected in them. It is the wisdom of the sphynx & Sybil a wisdom clarified by experience no less than the purity of innocence It is was the wisdom of the sphynx and Sybil a wisdom clarified by experience no less than the purity of innocence They suggest not merely the purity of infancy, but a wisdom clarified by experience. They suggest not merely the purity of infancy, but a wisdom clarified by experience. Such an eye was not born when the bird was, but is coeval with the sky it reflects. The woods do not yield another such a gem as the eye of a young partridge gem as the eye of a young partridge gem as the eye of a young partridge gem, such a limpid well does not often refresh the wayfarer such a limpid well does not often refresh the way-farer The traveller does not often look into such a limpid well The traveller does not often look into such a limpid well. Golconde & California are shallow & sandy to it The traveller does not often look into such a limpid well. The ignorant or reckless sportsman often shoots the parent at such a time, and leaves these innocents to fall a prey to some prowling beast or bird, or gradually mingle with the decaying leaves which they so much resemble. It is said that when hatched by a hen they will directly disperse on some alarm, and so are lost, for they never hear the mother's call which gathers them again. These were my hens and chickens. I did not fear the hen-harrier for them; I feared more the men-harriers from the village for myself chickens. I did not fear the hen-harrier for them; I feared more the men-harriers from the village for myself chickens. When plowing, I discovered a ground bird’s nest with young directly in the path of my plow, but though I carefully cut out the sod containing it, and set it in the grass a rod or two beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size—the parents were less faithful than I for when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead chickens.
11a
Brute Neighbors 11a written: E rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
It is remarkable how much life lives many creatures live many creatures live many creatures live many creatures live wild and free though secret in the woods, known only to the hunter and still sustains itself sustain themselves and still sustain themselves and still sustain themselves and still sustain themselves in the neighborhood of towns, suspected by hunters only. suspected by hunters only. suspected by hunters only. suspected by hunters only. How retired the otter manages to live here! He grows to be four feet long, as big as a small boy, perhaps without any human being getting a glimpse of him. How retired the otter manages to live here! He grows to be four feet long, as big as a small boy, perhaps without any human being getting a glimpse of him. 11b
Brute Neighbors 11b written: A rewritten: E, G
A & E: Brute Neighbors 11b follows Brute Neighbors 11d.

(Ronald Clapper)
I have had formerly seen have had formerly seen have had formerly seen have had formerly seen had formerly seen had formerly seen had formerly seen formerly saw formerly saw the raccoon in the woods behind where my my house stands where my my house stands where my my house stands where my my house stands where my house was built where my house was built where my house was is built where my house is built, and probably still hear heard heard heard heard heard heard heard their whinnering at night — They are n
Note: "They are" is overwritten in ink by "castel'd".
occasionally still from time to time found in the hollow trees in my neighborhood "castel’d in a hollow tree" "castel'd in the hollow of an aged tree;"
night. night. night. night. night. night. night.
11c
Brute Neighbors 11c written: E rewritten: G
G: A fair copy was made of only Commonly I rested an hour or two . . . ate my lunch, and read.

(Ronald Clapper)
Commonly I rested commonly Commonly I rested Commonly I rested Commonly I rested an hour or two in the shade at noon, while after after after after planting, and ate my luncheon lunch, lunch, lunch, and read a little by a spring which was the source of a swamp and of a brook, oozing from under Brister’s Hill, oozing from under Brister’s Hill, oozing from under Brister’s Hill, half a mile from my field. The approach to this was through a succession of descending grassy hollows, where pitch pines were springing up densely full of young pitch pines full of young pitch-pines, full of young pitch-pines, full of young pitch-pines, into a larger wood about the swamp. It was a remarkably secluded as well as shaded spot, and though the pines were very thick,—the peculiarly soft & spreading second growth white pines,— There in a very secluded & shaded spot, under a spreading white pine There, in a very secluded and shaded spot, under a spreading white-pine There, in a very secluded and shaded spot, under a spreading white-pine There, in a very secluded and shaded spot, under a spreading white-pine there was yet a clean firm sward to sit on. I had dug out the spring and made a well of clear gray water, where I could dip up a pailful without roiling it, and hither I came thither I went thither I went thither I went thither I went for this purpose almost every day in midsummer, when the pond was warmest. Here Thither too Thither too Thither too Thither too the wood-cock brought led led led led her brood, to probe the mud for worms, flying but a foot above them down the bank, while they ran in a troop beneath; but at last, spying me, she would leave her young and 11d
Brute Neighbors 11d written: A rewritten: E
A: Brute Neighbors 11d follows a missing leaf (#153).
A & E: Brute Neighbors 11b follows Brute Neighbors 11d.

(Ronald Clapper)
circled circle circle circle circle circle circle circle circle round and round me, nearer and nearer, till within four or five feet, pretending broken wings and legs, to attract my attention and get off her young, who had already had already had already had already had already would already have would already have would already have would already have taken up their march, with faint wiry wiry wiry wiry wiry wiry wiry peep, single file through the swamp, as she directed. I frequently heard the peep of the young afterward I frequently heard the peep of the young afterward I frequently heard the peep of the young afterward I frequently heard the peep of the young afterward At other times Or I heard the peep of the young Or I heard the peep of the young Or I heard the peep of the young Or I heard the peep of the young when I could not see the parent bird. So much lives free, though secret and skulking in the woods parent bird. parent bird. parent bird. parent bird. parent bird. parent bird. parent bird. Here too the pigeons There too the turtle-doves There too the turtle-doves There too the turtle-doves There too the turtle-doves There too the turtle-doves There too the turtle-doves There too the turtle-doves sat over the spring, or fluttered from bough to bough of the white pine pines white pine pines white pine pines white pine pines soft white pines soft white-pines soft white-pines soft white-pines over my head; in the heat of the day. There is always a wild and yet a wilder life somewhere sustaining itself at any moment than we allow for—which corresponds to the rareness of some of our thoughts or the red or grey squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually familiar & inquisitive in the heat of the day. There is always a wild and yet a wilder life somewhere sustaining itself at any moment than we allow for—which corresponds to the rareness of some of our thoughts or the red or grey squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually familiar & inquisitive in the heat of the day. There is always a wild and yet a wilder life somewhere sustaining itself at any moment than we allow for—which corresponds to the rareness of some of our thoughts or the red or grey squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually familiar & inquisitive in the heat of the day. There is always a wild and yet a wilder life somewhere sustaining itself at any moment than we allow for—which corresponds to the rareness of some of our thoughts or the red or grey squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually familiar & inquisitive or the red squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually particularly familiar and inquisitive. You only need to sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods for that all its inhabitants to gather around you may be shown to you by turns or the red squirrel, coursing down the nearest bough, was particularly familiar and inquisitive. You only need sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods that all its inhabitants may exhibit themselves to you by turns. or the red squirrel, coursing down the nearest bough, was particularly familiar and inquisitive. You only need sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods that all its inhabitants may exhibit themselves to you by turns. or the red squirrel, coursing down the nearest bough, was particularly familiar and inquisitive. You only need sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods that all its inhabitants may exhibit themselves to you by turns.
12
Brute Neighbors 12 written: D rewritten: E
E: A fair copy was made of only I was witness to events . . . when I went out to my.

(Ronald Clapper)
But the scenes and incidents of my summer life were not always of this peaceful character But the scenes and incidents of my summer life were not always of this Sometimes I was witness to events of a less peaceful character I was witness to events of a less peaceful character. I was witness to events of a less peaceful character. I was witness to events of a less peaceful character. One day when I went out to my wood-pile, or rather my pile of stumps, I observed two large ants, the one red, the other much larger, nearly half an inch long, nearly half an inch long, nearly half an inch long, nearly half an inch long, nearly half an inch long, and black, fiercely contending with one another , and rolling over and over on the chips. It was evidently a struggle for life & death life & death struggle which had grown out of a some serious feud another. another. another. another. Having once got hold they never let go of each other let go, let go, let go, let go, but struggled and wrestled and rolled on the chips each retaining his hold with mastiff like pertinacity incessantly incessantly. incessantly. incessantly. incessantly. Looking farther, I found to my surprise was surprised to find was surprised to find was surprised to find was surprised to find was surprised to find that the chips were covered with such combatants, that it was not a duellum , but a bellum , a war between two races of ants, the red always pitted against the black, and frequently two red ones to one black. They The legions of these Myrmidons The legions of these Myrmidons The legions of these Myrmidons The legions of these Myrmidons The legions of these Myrmidons covered all the hills and vales in my wood-yard, and the ground was already strewn with the dead and dying, and dying, and dying, and dying, and dying, both red and black. It was the only war battle battle battle battle which I have ever witnessed, the only battle-field I ever trod while the battle was raging; internecine war; the red republicans on the one hand, on the one hand, on the one hand, on the one hand, and the black imperialists on the other. on the other. on the other. on the other. On every side they were engaged in deadly combat, yet without any noise that I could hear, and never human soldiers human soldiers never human soldiers never human soldiers never human soldiers never fought so resolutely. I watched a couple in a little sunny valley amid the chips that were fast locked in each other’s embraces that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the chips, that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the chips, that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the chips, that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the chips, now at noon-day prepared to fight till the sun went down, or life went out. or life went out. or life went out. or life went out. The smaller red champion had fastened himself like a vice to his adversary’s front, and through all the tumblings on that field never for an instant ceased to gnaw at one of his feelers near the root, having already already already already caused the other to go by the board; while the stronger black one dashed him from side to side, and, as I saw on looking nearer, had already divested him of several of his members. Neither manifested a disposition to retreat from the combat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die. They fought like mastiffs or with more than the pertinacity of bulldogs that will not let go though all their legs are cut off They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition to retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die. They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition to retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die. They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition to retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die. They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition to retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die. In the mean while there came along a single red ant on the side hill hill side hill-side hill-side hill-side hill-side of this valley, evidently full of excitement, who either had despatched his foe, or had not yet taken part in the battle; probably the latter, for he had lost none of his limbs; whose mother had charged him to return with his shield or upon it. Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus. Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus. Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus. Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus. Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus. He saw this unequal combat from afar,—for the blacks were nearly twice the size of the red,—he drew near with rapid pace till he stood on his guard within half an inch of the combatants; then, watching his opportunity, he sprang upon the black warrior, and commenced his operations near the root of his right fore-leg, leaving the foe to select among his own members; and so there were three united for life until death—apparently life, life, life, life, as if a new kind of attraction had been invented which put all other locks and cements to shame. I should not have wondered by this time to find that they had their respective musical bands stationed on some eminent chip, and playing their national airs the while, to excite the slow and excite the slow and excite the slow and excite the slow and cheer the dying combatants. I was myself excited somewhat even as if they had been men. The more you think of it, the less the difference. And certainly there is not the fight recorded in Concord history if in the history of the world history, at least, if in the history of America, history, at least, if in the history of America, history, at least, if in the history of America, history, at least, if in the history of America, that will bear a moment’s comparison with this, whether for the numbers engaged in it, or the heroism & patriotism & heroism for the patriotism and heroism for the patriotism and heroism for the patriotism and heroism for the patriotism and heroism displayed. For numbers and for carnage it was an Austerlitz or Dresden. Concord Fight! Two killed on the patriots’ side, and Luther Blanchard wounded! Why here every ant was a Buttrick,—"Fire! for God’s sake fire!"—and thousands shared the fate of Davis and Hosmer. There was not one hireling there. There was not one hireling there. There was not one hireling there. There was not one hireling there. I have no doubt that it was a principle they fought for, as much as our ancestors, and not to avoid to avoid to avoid to avoid to avoid a three-penny tax on their tea—or whatever greater xxxxxxxxxx this may xxxxxxxxxx And undoubtedly tea; and tea; and tea; and tea; and the results of this battle will be as important and memorable to those whom it concerns as those of the battle of Bunker Hill, at least. at least. at least. at least.
13
Brute Neighbors 13 written: D rewritten: E
E: A fair copy was made of only crippled state. Whether he finally survived . . . a human battle before my door.

(Ronald Clapper)
I took up the chip on which the three I have particularly described were struggling, carried it into my house, and placed it under a tumbler on my window-sill, wishing in order in order in order in order to see the issue. Holding a microscope to the first-mentioned red ant, I saw that, though he was assiduously gnawing at the near fore-leg of his enemy, having severed his remaining feeler, his own breast was all torn away, exposing what vitals he had there to the jaws of the black warrior, whose own whose whose whose whose breast-plate was apparently too thick for him to pierce; and the dark carbuncles of his the sufferer’s the sufferer’s the sufferer’s the sufferer’s the sufferer’s eyes shone with ferocity such as war only could excite. They struggled for struggled struggled struggled struggled half an hour longer under the tumbler, and when I looked again the black soldier had severed the heads of his foes from their bodies, and the still living heads were hanging on either side of him like ghastly trophies or ornaments pendants at his saddle-bow, at his saddle-bow, at his saddle-bow, at his saddle-bow, still apparently as firmly fastened as ever, and he was endeavoring with feeble struggles, being without feelers and with only the remnants of legs remnant of a leg remnant of a leg, remnant of a leg, remnant of a leg, remnant of a leg, and I know not how many other wounds, to divest himself of them; which at length, after half an hour more, he accomplished. I raised the tumbler glass glass, glass, glass, glass, and he went off over the window-sill in that crippled state. Whether he finally survived that combat, and had a pension settled on him or spent the remainder of his days in some Hôtel des Invalides and had a pension settled on him, or spent the remainder of his days in some Hôtel des Invalides, and spent the remainder of his days in some Hotel des Invalides, and spent the remainder of his days in some Hotel des Invalides, and spent the remainder of his days in some Hotel des Invalides, I do not know; but I thought that his industry would not be worth much thereafter. Which party was victorious I never learned, nor indeed could it be of much importance to mankind which party was victorious I never learned I never learned which party was victorious, I never learned which party was victorious, I never learned which party was victorious, nor the cause of the war; but I felt for the rest of that day as if I had had my feelings excited and harrowed by witnessing the struggle, the ferocity and carnage, of a human battle before my door.
14
Brute Neighbors 14 written: D rewritten: E
D: Brute Neighbors 14 is interlined.

(Ronald Clapper)
Kirby and Spence tell us Since making this record I learn from Kirby & Spence Since making this record I learn from Kirby and Spence Kirby and Spence tell us Kirby and Spence tell us Kirby and Spence tell us Kirby and Spence tell us that the battles of the ants ants ants ants ants have long been celebrated and the date of them recorded, though they state that “Huber is the only modern author that appears to have been witness to these combats” they state that “Huber is the only modern author that appears to have been witness to these combats” it is said they say Huber is appears to have been is the only modern author who has witnessed them they say that Huber is the only modern author who appears to have witnessed them. they say that Huber is the only modern author who appears to have witnessed them. they say that Huber is the only modern author who appears to have witnessed them. “Æneas Sylvius,” say they, “after giving a very circumstantial account of one contested with great obstinacy by a great and small species on the trunk of a pear tree,” states that adds adds that adds that adds that adds that “‘This action was fought in the pontificate of Eugenius the Fourth, in the presence of Nicholas Pistoriensis, an eminent lawyer, who related the whole history of the battle with the greatest fidelity.’ A similar engagement between great and small ants is recorded by Olaus Magnus, in which the small ones, being victorious, are said to have buried the bodies of their own soldiers, but left those of their giant enemies a prey to the birds. This event happened previous to the expulsion of the tyrant Christiern the Second from Sweden.” The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years before the passage of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill. The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of James K. Polk, or to refer it to a memorable but infamous event five years before the passage of the Webster’s Fugitive Slave Bill The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years before the passage of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill. The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years before the passage of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill. The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years before the passage of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill.
15a
Brute Neighbors 15a written: F rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
In summer days indeed many a village bose whose master did not know that he was out Many a village bose whose master did not know that he was out Many a village Bose, fit only to course a mud-turtle in a victualling cellar, sported his heavy quarters in the woods, without the knowledge of his master, without the knowledge of his master, and ineffectually smelled at old fox burrows and woodchucks’ h oles; led perchance by some slight cur which nimbly threaded the wood, and might still inspire a natural terror in its denizens; —now far behind his guide, barking like a bull of Bashan canine bull of Bashan canine bull toward some small squirrel that that which had treed itself for scrutiny, then, now now then then cantering off, bending the bushes with his weight, imagining that he is on the track of some stray member of the jerbilla jerbilla gerbille family. 15b
Brute Neighbors 15b written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Once also in the summer Once Once I was surprised to see a cat walking along the stony shore of Walden the pond the pond the pond for they rarely wander so far from home. The surprise was mutual. Nevertheless the most domestic cat, which has lain on a rug all her days, appears quite at home in the woods, and, by her sly and stealthy behavior, proves herself more native there than the regular inhabitants. Once, when berrying, I met with a cat with young kittens in the woods, quite wild, and they all, like their mother, had their backs up and were fiercely spitting at me. 15c
Brute Neighbors 15c written: F rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of Brute Neighbors 15c on the verso of the partial leaf that contains Brute Neighbors 15a.

(Ronald Clapper)
r
Revision note: F1: At the time June 1842 A few years before I lived at the pond
In June 1842, or a few years before I lived at the pond in the woods
A few years before I lived in the woods A few years before I lived in the woods
there was what was called a “winged cat” in one of the farm-houses in Lincoln r
Revision note: F1: Mr. Gilian Baker’s
nearest the pond Mr. Gilian Baker’s
nearest the pond, Mr. Gilian Baker’s. nearest the pond, Mr. Gilian Baker’s.
r
Revision note: F1: Her mistress told me that she came to them from the woods, and that every fall the fur grew thick & matted somewhat like felt along her sides, projecting an inch or more, and that this was shed in the spring. I have still a fan of her wings in my possession When I called to see her she was gone a hunting in the woods as she was accustomed to do (I do not know whether it was a male or female & so will use the more common pronoun), but her mistress told me that the cat she had come into the neighborhood something more than a year before, in April; that in the winter the fur grew thick & flatted out on her sides, forming strips 10 or 12 inches long by 2½ wide—the upper side loose, the under matted like felt Her tail was large and bushy like that of a fox & these appendages dropt off in the spring. They gave me a pair of her “wings” which I have still. There is no appearance of a membrane.
When I called to see her, in June 1842, she was gone a hunting in the woods as was her wont; (I am not sure whether it was a male or female, and so will use the more common pronoun) but her mistress told me that she had come came into the neighborhood a little more than a year before in April, and was finally taken into their house; that she was of a dark brownish grey color—with a white spot on her throat & white feet & had a large bushy tail like a fox; that in the winter the fur grew thick & flatted out along her sides forming strips 10 or 12 inches long by 2½ wide, and under her chin like a muff, the upper side loose, the under matted like felt, and that in the spring these appendages dropt off. They gave me a pair of her wings which I keep still. There is no appearance of a membrane about them
When I called to see her in June, 1842, she was gone a-hunting in the woods, as was her wont, (I am not sure whether it was a male or female, and so use the more common pronoun,) but her mistress told me that she came into the neighborhood a little more than a year before, in April, and was finally taken into their house; that she was of a dark brownish-gray color, with a white spot on her throat, and white feet, and had a large bushy tail like a fox; that in the winter the fur grew thick and flatted out along her sides, forming stripes ten or twelve inches long by two and a half wide, and under her chin like a muff, the upper side loose, the under matted like felt, and in the spring these appendages dropped off. They gave me a pair of her “wings,” which I keep still. There is no appearance of a membrane about them. When I called to see her in June, 1842, she was gone a-hunting in the woods, as was her wont, (I am not sure whether it was a male or female, and so use the more common pronoun,) but her mistress told me that she came into the neighborhood a little more than a year before, in April, and was finally taken into their house; that she was of a dark brownish-gray color, with a white spot on her throat, and white feet, and had a large bushy tail like a fox; that in the winter the fur grew thick and flatted out along her sides, forming stripes ten or twelve inches long by two and a half wide, and under her chin like a muff, the upper side loose, the under matted like felt, and in the spring these appendages dropped off. They gave me a pair of her “wings,” which I keep still. There is no appearance of a membrane about them.
15d
Brute Neighbors 15d written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Some thought it was part flying-squirrel or some other wild animal, which is not impossible, for, according to naturalists, prolific hybrids have been produced by the union of the marten and domestic cat. This would have been the right kind of cat for me to keep, if I had kept any; for perchance a poet’s cat should why should not a poet’s cat why should not a poet’s cat why should not a poet’s cat be winged as well as his horse?
16a
Brute Neighbors 16a written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
In the fall the loon (Colymbus glacialis) (Colymbus glacialis) (Colymbus glacialis) came, as usual, to moult and bathe himself bathe himself bathe himself bathe himself bathe himself bathe bathe bathe in the pond, making the woods ring with his wild laughter before I had risen. I never rarely saw but one at a time here however risen. risen. risen. risen. risen. risen. risen. At rumor of whose arrival all Concord whose arrival all Concord whose arrival all Concord whose arrival all Concord whose his arrival all Concord the Milldam his arrival all the Mill-dam his arrival all the Mill-dam his arrival all the Mill-dam sportsmen are on the alert, in gigs and on foot, two by two and three by three, with patent rifles & patches rifles rifles rifles rifles rifles rifles rifles and conical balls and spy-glasses or pin-hole on barrell that the charge may travel as straight as a loon’s leg spy-glasses. spy-glasses. spy-glasses. spy-glasses. spy-glasses. spy-glasses. spy-glasses. They come rustling through the woods like October October October October October autumn autumn autumn autumn leaves, at least 10 to one seeming already to hear the loon laugh that is, ten men to one loon , or ten loons to one ten men to one loon. ten men to one loon. ten men to one loon. ten men to one loon. ten men to one loon. ten men to one loon. ten men to one loon. Some station themselves on this side of the pond, some on that, for the poor loon loon loon loon loon bird bird bird bird cannot be omnipresent; if he dive here he must come up there. But now the kind October wind rises, rustling the leaves and rippling the surface of the water, of the water, of the water, of the water, of the water, of the water, of the water, of the water, so that no loon can be seen or heard or seen heard or seen, heard or seen, heard or seen, heard or seen, heard or seen, heard or seen, heard or seen, though our sportsmen our sportsmen our sportsmen our sportsmen our sportsmen his foes his foes his foes his foes sweep the pond with spy-glasses, and make the woods ring resound resound resound resound resound resound resound resound with their discharges. The waves generously rise and dash angrily, taking sides with all water-fowl, But no thanks to the rising wind this time—for the dweller by the pond heard when the loon went off in that the morning rain with one loud long hearty laugh. So our sportsmen must beat a retreat But no thanks to the rising wind this time—for the dweller by the pond heard when the loon went off in that the morning rain with one loud long hearty laugh. So our sportsmen must beat a retreat But no thanks to the rising wind this time—for the dweller by the pond heard when the loon went off in that the morning rain with one loud long hearty laugh. So our sportsmen must beat a retreat But no thanks to the rising wind this time—for the dweller by the pond heard when the loon went off in that the morning rain with one loud long hearty laugh. So our sportsmen must beat a retreat But no thanks to the rising wind this time, for the dweller by the pond heard when the loon went off in the morning rain, with one loud long hearty laugh. So and our sportsmen must beat a retreat and our sportsmen must beat a retreat and our sportsmen must beat a retreat and our sportsmen must beat a retreat 16b
Brute Neighbors 16b written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
to town and shop and unfinished jobs again. However But jobs. But jobs. But jobs. But they were too often successful. When I went to get a pail of water early in the morning I frequently saw this stately bird sailing out of my cove within a few rods. If I endeavored to overtake him in a boat which I frequently did boat, boat, boat, in order to see how he would manœuvre, he would dive and be completely lost, so that I did not discover him again, sometimes, till the latter part of the day. He could avoid me not only as a bird by flying, though they are unwilling to rise at this season if that were necessary but as a fish by swimming under water day. day. day. But I was more than a match for him on the surface. He commonly went off in a rain. He commonly went off in a storm rain He commonly went off in a rain. He commonly went off in a rain. He commonly went off in a rain.
17
Brute Neighbors 17 written: E rewritten: E
E: A fair copy was made of only As I was paddling . . . toward the middle a few rods and in the New York lakes eighty feet . . . making the woods ring far and wide.

(Ronald Clapper)
As I was paddling along the north shore one r
Revision note: E1: calm
very calm
very calm very calm very calm
October afternoon, r
Revision note: E1: for such days especially they settle on to the lakes, like the milkweed down, for then such days especially like the milkweed down they settle down on to the lakes being unable to fly
for such days especially, like the milkweed down, they settle down on to the lakes
for such days especially they settle on to the lakes, like milkweed down, for such days especially they settle on to the lakes, like milkweed down, for such days especially they settle on to the lakes, like milkweed down,
r
Revision note: E1: after having
after having
having having having
looked in vain over the pond for a loon, suddenly one, sailing out from the shore toward the middle a few rods in front of me, set up his wild laugh and betrayed himself. I pursued with a paddle and he dived, but when he came up I was nearer than before. He dived again, but I miscalculated the direction he would take, and we were fifty rods apart when he came to the surface this time, for I had helped to widen the interval; and again he laughed long and loud, and this time with more reason than before. He manoeuvred very cunningly and with more reason than before. He manœuvred so cunningly that with more reason than before. He manœuvred so cunningly that with more reason than before. He manœuvred so cunningly that I could not get within half a dozen rods of him. Each time, when he came up to the surface to the surface, to the surface, to the surface, turning his head this way and that, he cooly surveyed the water and the land, and apparently chose his course so that he might come up where there was the greatest widest widest widest widest expanse of water and at the greatest distance from the boat. He was quick to resolve and rapid to execute It was surprising how quickly he made up his mind and put his resolve into execution. It was surprising how quickly he made up his mind and put his resolve into execution. It was surprising how quickly he made up his mind and put his resolve into execution. He led me at once to the widest part of the pond, and could not be driven from it. While he was thinking one thing in his brain, I was endeavoring to divine his thought in mine. It was a pretty game, played on the smooth surface of the pond, a man against a loon. Suddenly your adversary’s checker disappears beneath the board, and the problem is so to divine his thought as is is is to place yours nearest to where his will come up appear again appear again. appear again. appear again. Sometimes my adversary he he he he would come up unexpectedly on the opposite side of me, having apparently passed directly under the boat. So long-winded was he and so unweariable, that when he had swum farthest when he had swum farthest when he had swum farthest he would immediately plunge again, nevertheless; nevertheless; nevertheless; and then no wit could divine where in the deep pond, beneath the smooth surface, he might be speeding his way like a fish, perchance passing under the boat for for for he had time and ability to visit the bottom of the pond in its deepest part. I have read a fisherman caught a loon loons have been caught in Seneca Lake in New York It is said that loons have been caught in the New York lakes It is said that loons have been caught in the New York lakes It is said that loons have been caught in the New York lakes eighty feet beneath the surface, with a hook hooks hooks hooks hooks set for trout,—though Walden is deeper than that. How surprised must the fishes be to see this ungainly visitor from another sphere speeding his way amid their schools! How surprised must the fishes be to see this ungainly visitor from another sphere speeding his way amid their schools! How surprised must the fishes be to see this ungainly visitor from another sphere speeding his way amid their schools! How surprised must the fishes be to see this ungainly visitor from another sphere speeding his way amid their schools! Yet he appeared to know his course as surely under water as on the surface, and swam much faster there than on the surface there. there. there. r
Revision note: E1: It was as well for me to rest on my oars and wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would come up rise. When I was straining my eyes over the surface one way, I would suddenly be startled by his unearthly laugh behind me. But why after displaying so much cunning did he invariably betray himself the moment he came to the surface up by that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was indeed a silly loon I thought. After an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly, and swam yet further than at first. Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out to reconnoitre & instantly dived again. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up & so also detected him
Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out to reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I found that It was as well for me to rest on my oars and wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would rise, for When I was straining my eyes over the surface, one way, I would suddenly be startled by his unearthly laugh behind me. But why after displaying so much cunning did he invariably betray himself the moment he came up with that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was indeed a silly loon, I thought. I could commonly hear the plash of the water when he came up and so also detected him. But After an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly, and swam yet further than at first. Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out to reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up and so also detected him
Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out to reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I found that it was as well for me to rest on my oars and wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would rise; for again and again, when I was straining my eyes over the surface one way, I would suddenly be startled by his unearthly laugh behind me. But why, after displaying so much cunning, did he invariably betray himself the moment he came up by that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was indeed a silly loon, I thought. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up, and so also detected him. But after an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly and swam yet farther than at first. Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out to reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I found that it was as well for me to rest on my oars and wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would rise; for again and again, when I was straining my eyes over the surface one way, I would suddenly be startled by his unearthly laugh behind me. But why, after displaying so much cunning, did he invariably betray himself the moment he came up by that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was indeed a silly loon, I thought. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up, and so also detected him. But after an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly and swam yet farther than at first. Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out to reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I found that it was as well for me to rest on my oars and wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would rise; for again and again, when I was straining my eyes over the surface one way, I would suddenly be startled by his unearthly laugh behind me. But why, after displaying so much cunning, did he invariably betray himself the moment he came up by that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was indeed a silly loon, I thought. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up, and so also detected him. But after an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly and swam yet farther than at first.
It was surprising to see how serenely he sailed off with unruffled breast when he came to the r
Revision note: E1: surface as if on a pleasure excursion
surface as if on a pleasure excursion
surface, surface, surface,
doing all the work with his webbed feet beneath. doing all the work with his webbed feet beneath. doing all the work with his webbed feet beneath. doing all the work with his webbed feet beneath. His usual note was commonly a this usual note was this usual note was this usual note was this demoniac laughter, yet somewhat like that of a water-fowl; but occasionally, when he had balked me most successfully and come up a long way off, he uttered a long-drawn unearthly howl, probably more like that of a wolf than any bird beside bird; bird; bird; as when a beast puts his muzzle to the ground and deliberately howls. This was his looning,—perhaps the wildest sound r
Revision note: E1: I ever heard
I that is ever heard here
that is ever heard here, that is ever heard here, that is ever heard here,
making the woods ring far and wide. far and wide. far and wide. far and wide. I concluded that he laughed in derision of my efforts, confident of his own resources. Though the sky was by this time by this time by this time by this time overcast, the pond was so smooth that I could see where he broke the surface if when when when I did not hear him. His white breast, the stillness of the air, and the smoothness of the water were all against him. At length, having come up fifty rods off, he uttered one of those prolonged unearthly howls howls, howls, howls, as if calling on the god of loons to aid him, and immediately there came a wind from the east and rippled the surface, and filled the whole air with misty rain, and I was impressed as if it were the prayer of the loon answered, and his god was angry with me; and so I left him disappearing far away on the tumultuous surface.
18
Brute Neighbors 18 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
For hours, in fall days, I watched the ducks cunningly tack and veer and hold the middle of the pond, far from the sportsman; tricks which they will have less less less less need to practise in Louisiana bayous. When compelled to rise they would sometimes circle round and round and over the pond at a considerable height, from which they could easily see to other ponds and the river, like black motes in the sky; and, when I thought they had gone off thither long since, they would settle down by a slanting flight of a quarter of a mile on to a distant part which was left free; but what beside safety they got by sailing in the middle of Walden I do not know, unless they love its water for the same reason that I do.
XVersion
Brute Neighbors n
Note: The title “Fall Animals” was inserted in pencil at the top of the leaf containing Brute Neighbors 1, but “Fall” was erased. (R. Clapper)
n
Note: The title ”Brute Neighbors” appears at the top of the leaf containing Brute Neighbors 1. (R. Clapper)
1
Brute Neighbors 1 written: E rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
But practically I was only half-converted to my own arguments, for I still found myself fishing at rare intervals. Sometimes Sometimes Sometimes Sometimes I had a companion in these excursions my fishing my fishing. my fishing. my fishing. who came through the village to my house from the other side of the town, & the getting of dinner was as much a social exercise as the eating of it and the catching of the dinner was as much a social exercise as the eating of it. and the catching of the dinner was as much a social exercise as the eating of it. and the catching of the dinner was as much a social exercise as the eating of it.
2
Brute Neighbors 2 written: E rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
Hermit . I wonder what the world is doing now. Have Have I Have I have not heard so much as a locust over the sweet-fern these three hours. Pigeons Pigeons Pigeons The pigeons are The pigeons are all asleep upon their roosts,— no flutter from them. Methought I heard a farmer’s noon horn Methought I heard a farmer’s noon horn Methought I heard Did I not hear Was that a farmer’s noon horn which sounded Was that a farmer’s noon horn which sounded from beyond the woods just now? The hands are coming in to boiled salt beef and cider and Indian bread. Why will men worry themselves so? He that does not eat need not work. Wonder Wonder I Wonder I wonder how much they have reaped. Who would live there where a body can never think for the barking of Bose? And O, the housekeeping! to keep bright the devil’s door-knobs, and scour his tubs this bright day! Better not keep a house. Say, some hollow tree; and then for morning calls and dinner-parties! Only a woodpecker tapping. Only a woodpecker tapping. Only a woodpecker tapping. Only a woodpecker tapping. O, they swarm; the sun is too warm there; they are born too far into life for me. I have water from the spring, and chestnuts a store a loaf of brown bread on the shelf a loaf of brown bread on the shelf. a loaf of brown bread on the shelf. a loaf of brown bread on the shelf. —Hark! I hear a rustling of the leaves. Is it some ill-fed village hound yielding to the instinct of the chase? or the lost pig that that that which which is said to be in these woods, whose tracks I saw after the rain? It comes on apace; my sumachs and sweet-briars tremble.— Ah Ah Ah Eh Eh, Mr. Poet, is it you? How dost thou dost thou dost thou do you do you like the world to-day?
3
Brute Neighbors 3 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Poet . See those clouds; how they hang! That’s the greatest thing I have seen to-day. There’s nor nothing like it nothing like it nothing like it nothing like it in old paintings, nothing like it in foreign lands,— unless when we were off the coast of Spain. That’s a true Mediterranean sky. unless when we were off the coast of Spain. That’s a true Mediterranean sky. unless when we were off the coast of Spain. That’s a true Mediterranean sky. unless when we were off the coast of Spain. That’s a true Mediterranean sky. I thought, as I have my living to get, and have not eaten to-day, that I would might might might might go a-fishing. That’s the true industry for poets. It is the only trade I have learned. Come, let’s along.
4
Brute Neighbors 4 written:

(Ronald Clapper)
Hermit . I cannot resist. My brown bread will soon be gone. I will go with you gladly soon, but I am just concluding a serious meditation. I think that I am near the end of it. Leave me alone, then, for a while. But that we may not be delayed, you shall be digging the bait meanwhile. Angle-worms are rarely to be met with in these parts, where the soil was never fattened with manure; the race is nearly extinct. The sport of digging the bait is nearly equal to that of catching the fish, when one’s appetite is not too keen; and this you may have all to yourself to-day. I would advise you to set in the spade down yonder among the ground-nuts, where you see the johnswort waving. I think that I may warrant you one worm to every three sods you turn up, if you look well in among the roots of the grass, as if you were weeding. Or, if you choose to go farther, it will not be unwise, for I have found the increase of fair bait to be very nearly as the squares of the distances.
5
Brute Neighbors 5 written: E
E: There is a missing leaf in the manuscript following the material in Brute Neighbors 3. When the manuscript resumes, it contains only the end of Brute Neighbors 5.
E: chance, though we may think there will be another, there never is but one opportunity of a kind.

(Ronald Clapper)
Hermit alone . Let me see; where was I? Methinks I was nearly in this frame of mind; the world lay about at this angle. Shall I go to heaven or a-fishing? If I should soon bring this meditation to an end, would another so sweet occasion be likely to offer? I was as near being resolved into the essence of things as ever I was in my life. I fear my thoughts will not come back to me. If it would do any good, I would whistle for them. When they make us an offer, is it wise to say, We will think of it? My thoughts have left no track, and I cannot find the path again. What was it that I was thinking of? It was a very hazy day. I will just try these three sentences of Con-fut-see; they may fetch that state about again. I know not whether it was the dumps or a budding ecstasy. Mem. There never is but one opportunity of a kind.
6
Brute Neighbors 6 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Poet . How now, Hermit, is it too soon? I have got just thirteen whole ones, beside several which are imperfect or undersized; but they will do for the smaller fry; they do not cover up the hook so much. Those village worms are quite too large; a shiner may make a meal off one without finding the skewer.
7
Brute Neighbors 7 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
Hermit . Well, then, let’s be off. Shall we to the Concord? There’s good sport there if the water be not too high.
8
Brute Neighbors 8 written: E
E: Brute Neighbors 8 is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
Why do precisely these objects which we behold make a world? Why has man just these species of animals for instance for his neighbors & no others? for his neighbors; for his neighbors; for his neighbors; as if nothing but a mouse could have filled this crevice? as if nothing but a mouse could have filled this crevice? as if nothing but a mouse could have filled this crevice? as if nothing but a mouse could have filled this crevice? They must be very significant though we fail to perceive their significance. Have not I suspect that Pilpay & Co. have put them I suspect that Pilpay & Co. have put animals I suspect that Pilpay & Co. have put animals I suspect that Pilpay & Co. have put animals to their best use, for they are after all are they not for they are for they are for they are all beasts of burden, in a sense, made to carry some portion of our thoughts.
9
Brute Neighbors 9 written: A rewritten: E
A: Brute Neighbors 9 follows Spring 25b.
A, & E: The mice which haunted my house . . . and it interested him much does not appear in the manuscript in A or in the original copying of E but is interlined in pencil in E.
A & E: Winter Animals 13 follows Brute Neighbors 9.

(Ronald Clapper)
The mice which haunted my house were not the common ones, which are said to have been introduced into the country, but a wild native kind ( Mus leucopus ) not found in the village. I sent one to a distinguished naturalist, and it interested him much. When ploughing my field in the spring I found a ground bird’s nest directly in the path of my plow which would have been turned in by the next furrow slice but though I took it up carefully with the sod in which it rested and set it in the grass a few rods beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, yet the parents were more cruel than I and when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead A long-eared red-bellied field mouse had her nest underneath my house When ploughing my field in the spring I found a ground bird’s nest directly in the path of my plow which would have been turned in by the next furrow slice but though I took it up carefully with the sod in which it rested and set it in the grass a few rods beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, yet the parents were more cruel than I and when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead A long-eared red-bellied field mouse had her nest underneath my house When ploughing my field in the spring I found a ground bird’s nest directly in the path of my plow which would have been turned in by the next furrow slice but though I took it up carefully with the sod in which it rested and set it in the grass a few rods beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, yet the parents were more cruel than I and when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead A long-eared red-bellied field mouse had her nest underneath my house When ploughing my field in the spring I found a ground bird’s nest directly in the path of my plow which would have been turned in by the next furrow slice but though I took it up carefully with the sod in which it rested and set it in the grass a few rods beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, yet the parents were more cruel than I and when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead A long-eared red-bellied field mouse had her nest underneath my house Though the hunter instinct was thus strong in me, I was generally the friend and defender of the brute creation as were my neighbors, and I had unusual opportunities for observing their habits. Though I took up a ground bird’s nest with young, which was directly in the path of my plow and would have been turned in by the next furrow slice, carefully moving the sod and setting it in the grass a few rods beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, the parents were less faithful than I, for when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead. When I was building, a long-eared red-bellied field mouse one of these had its nest underneath it When I was building, one of these had its nest underneath the house, When I was building, one of these had its nest underneath the house, When I was building, one of these had its nest underneath the house, and before I had laid the second floor, and swept out the shavings, it would it would it would it would it would would would would come out regularly at dinner lunch time and at dinner lunch time and at dinner lunch time and at dinner lunch time and at dinner lunch time and at lunch time and at lunch time and at lunch time and pick up the crumbs at my feet when I took my lunch feet. feet. feet. feet. feet. feet. feet. It had probably probably had probably had probably had probably had probably had probably had probably had never seen a man before; and it soon became quite familiar, It would come out regularly at lunch time, and and would and would and would and would and would and would and would run over my shoes and up my clothing, and my legs inside clinging to the flesh clothes. clothes. clothes. clothes. clothes. clothes. clothes. It would run readily up could readily ascend could readily ascend could readily ascend could readily ascend could readily ascend could readily ascend could readily ascend the sides of the room by short impulses, like a squirrel, which it resembled considerably resembled resembled resembled resembled resembled resembled resembled in its motions. At length, as I leaned with with with my elbow on the bench one day, it ran up my clothes, and along my sleeve, and round and round the paper which held my dinner, while I kept It the latter close dodging and playing the latter close, and dodged and played the latter close, and dodged and played the latter close, and dodged and played the latter close, and dodged and played the latter close, and dodged and played the latter close, and dodged and played the latter close, and dodged and played at bopeep with it; and when at last I held still a piece of cheese between my thumb and finger, it came and nibbled it, sitting in my hand, and then afterward afterward afterward afterward afterward afterward afterward cleaned its face and paws, like a fly, and walked away.
10a
Brute Neighbors 10a written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
A phoebe soon built in my shed, and a robin for protection in a pine which grew against the house. A phoebe soon built in my shed, and a robin for protection in a pine which grew against the house. A phoebe soon built in my shed, and a robin for protection in a pine which grew against the house. A phoebe soon built in my shed, and a robin for protection in a pine which grew against the house. In June the partridge, ( ) Tetrao umbellus, Tetrao umbellus, which is so shy a bird, led her brood past my windows, from the woods in the rear to the front of my house, clucking and calling to them like a hen, and in all her behavior proving herself the hen of the woods. The young suddenly disperse on your approach, at a signal from the mother, as if a whirlwind had swept them off off away away, away, and they so exactly resemble the dried leaves and twigs that many a traveller has placed his foot in the midst of a brood, and heard the whir of the old bird as she flew off, and her anxious calls and mewing, and or or or or seen her trail her wings to attract his attention, without suspecting their neighborhood. In such cases The The The The parent will sometimes roll and spin round before you in such a dishabille, that you cannot, for some time a few moments a few moments, a few moments, a few moments, detect what kind of creature it is. 10b
Brute Neighbors 10b written: E
E: Brute Neighbors 10b follows Brute Neighbors 10c.

(Ronald Clapper)
They The young The young The young The young squat still and flat, sometimes often often often often running their heads under a leaf, and mind only their mother’s directions which are given given given given from a distance, nor will your approach make them run again and betray themselves. 10c
Brute Neighbors 10c written: E
Brute Neighbors 10c follows Brute Neighbors 10a and precedes Brute Neighbors 10b.]

(Ronald Clapper)
You may even tread on them, or have your eye eyes eyes eyes on them for a minute, without discovering them. 10d
Brute Neighbors 10d written: E rewritten: F, G
E: Brute Neighbors 10d follows Brute Neighbors 10e.
F: A fair copy was made of only So perfect is this instinct . . . position ten minutes afterward.
G: A fair copy was made of only position ten minutes afterward.

(Ronald Clapper)
I have held them in my open open open open hand at such a time, at such a time, at such a time, at such a time, and still their only care, obedient to their mother and their instinct, was to squat there without fear or trembling. So perfect is this instinct, that once, when I had laid them on the leaves again, and one accidentally fell on its side, it was found with the rest in exactly the same position ten minutes afterward. So perfect is this instinct, that once, when I had laid them on the leaves again, and one accidentally fell on its side, it was found with the rest in exactly the same position ten minutes afterward. So perfect is this instinct, that once, when I had laid them on the leaves again, and one accidentally fell on its side, it was found with the rest in exactly the same position ten minutes afterward. So perfect is this instinct, that once, when I had laid them on the leaves again, and one accidentally fell on its side, it was found with the rest in exactly the same position ten minutes afterward. 10e
Brute Neighbors 10e written: E rewritten: F, G
E: Brute Neighbors 10e follows Brute Neighbors 10b and precedes Brute Neighbors 10d.

(Ronald Clapper)
They are not callow like the young of other most most most most birds, but are more cunning and but but but more perfectly developed and precocious even than chickens. 10f
Brute Neighbors 10f written: E rewritten: F, G
E: The remarkably adult . . . with the sky it reflects is interlined in pencil.
A fair copy was made of only The remarkably adult . . . such a limpid well.

(Ronald Clapper)
The remarkably adult yet innocent expression of their open and serene eyes I shall not soon forget I shall not soon forget is very memorable is very memorable. is very memorable. All intelligence and trust seemed reflected in their serene and open eyes. Golconda and California are shallow and sandy to it and trust seemed reflected in them seems reflected in them seems reflected in them. seems reflected in them. It is the wisdom of the sphynx & Sybil a wisdom clarified by experience no less than the purity of innocence It is was the wisdom of the sphynx and Sybil a wisdom clarified by experience no less than the purity of innocence They suggest not merely the purity of infancy, but a wisdom clarified by experience. They suggest not merely the purity of infancy, but a wisdom clarified by experience. Such an eye was not born when the bird was, but is coeval with the sky it reflects. The woods do not yield another such a gem as the eye of a young partridge gem as the eye of a young partridge gem as the eye of a young partridge gem, such a limpid well does not often refresh the wayfarer such a limpid well does not often refresh the way-farer The traveller does not often look into such a limpid well The traveller does not often look into such a limpid well. Golconde & California are shallow & sandy to it The traveller does not often look into such a limpid well. The ignorant or reckless sportsman often shoots the parent at such a time, and leaves these innocents to fall a prey to some prowling beast or bird, or gradually mingle with the decaying leaves which they so much resemble. It is said that when hatched by a hen they will directly disperse on some alarm, and so are lost, for they never hear the mother's call which gathers them again. These were my hens and chickens. I did not fear the hen-harrier for them; I feared more the men-harriers from the village for myself chickens. I did not fear the hen-harrier for them; I feared more the men-harriers from the village for myself chickens. When plowing, I discovered a ground bird’s nest with young directly in the path of my plow, but though I carefully cut out the sod containing it, and set it in the grass a rod or two beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size—the parents were less faithful than I for when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead chickens.
11a
Brute Neighbors 11a written: E rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
It is remarkable how much life lives many creatures live many creatures live many creatures live many creatures live wild and free though secret in the woods, known only to the hunter and still sustains itself sustain themselves and still sustain themselves and still sustain themselves and still sustain themselves in the neighborhood of towns, suspected by hunters only. suspected by hunters only. suspected by hunters only. suspected by hunters only. How retired the otter manages to live here! He grows to be four feet long, as big as a small boy, perhaps without any human being getting a glimpse of him. How retired the otter manages to live here! He grows to be four feet long, as big as a small boy, perhaps without any human being getting a glimpse of him. 11b
Brute Neighbors 11b written: A rewritten: E, G
A & E: Brute Neighbors 11b follows Brute Neighbors 11d.

(Ronald Clapper)
I have had formerly seen have had formerly seen have had formerly seen have had formerly seen had formerly seen had formerly seen had formerly seen formerly saw formerly saw the raccoon in the woods behind where my my house stands where my my house stands where my my house stands where my my house stands where my house was built where my house was built where my house was is built where my house is built, and probably still hear heard heard heard heard heard heard heard their whinnering at night — They are n
Note: "They are" is overwritten in ink by "castel'd".
occasionally still from time to time found in the hollow trees in my neighborhood "castel’d in a hollow tree" "castel'd in the hollow of an aged tree;"
night. night. night. night. night. night. night.
11c
Brute Neighbors 11c written: E rewritten: G
G: A fair copy was made of only Commonly I rested an hour or two . . . ate my lunch, and read.

(Ronald Clapper)
Commonly I rested commonly Commonly I rested Commonly I rested Commonly I rested an hour or two in the shade at noon, while after after after after planting, and ate my luncheon lunch, lunch, lunch, and read a little by a spring which was the source of a swamp and of a brook, oozing from under Brister’s Hill, oozing from under Brister’s Hill, oozing from under Brister’s Hill, half a mile from my field. The approach to this was through a succession of descending grassy hollows, where pitch pines were springing up densely full of young pitch pines full of young pitch-pines, full of young pitch-pines, full of young pitch-pines, into a larger wood about the swamp. It was a remarkably secluded as well as shaded spot, and though the pines were very thick,—the peculiarly soft & spreading second growth white pines,— There in a very secluded & shaded spot, under a spreading white pine There, in a very secluded and shaded spot, under a spreading white-pine There, in a very secluded and shaded spot, under a spreading white-pine There, in a very secluded and shaded spot, under a spreading white-pine there was yet a clean firm sward to sit on. I had dug out the spring and made a well of clear gray water, where I could dip up a pailful without roiling it, and hither I came thither I went thither I went thither I went thither I went for this purpose almost every day in midsummer, when the pond was warmest. Here Thither too Thither too Thither too Thither too the wood-cock brought led led led led her brood, to probe the mud for worms, flying but a foot above them down the bank, while they ran in a troop beneath; but at last, spying me, she would leave her young and 11d
Brute Neighbors 11d written: A rewritten: E
A: Brute Neighbors 11d follows a missing leaf (#153).
A & E: Brute Neighbors 11b follows Brute Neighbors 11d.

(Ronald Clapper)
circled circle circle circle circle circle circle circle circle round and round me, nearer and nearer, till within four or five feet, pretending broken wings and legs, to attract my attention and get off her young, who had already had already had already had already had already would already have would already have would already have would already have taken up their march, with faint wiry wiry wiry wiry wiry wiry wiry peep, single file through the swamp, as she directed. I frequently heard the peep of the young afterward I frequently heard the peep of the young afterward I frequently heard the peep of the young afterward I frequently heard the peep of the young afterward At other times Or I heard the peep of the young Or I heard the peep of the young Or I heard the peep of the young Or I heard the peep of the young when I could not see the parent bird. So much lives free, though secret and skulking in the woods parent bird. parent bird. parent bird. parent bird. parent bird. parent bird. parent bird. Here too the pigeons There too the turtle-doves There too the turtle-doves There too the turtle-doves There too the turtle-doves There too the turtle-doves There too the turtle-doves There too the turtle-doves sat over the spring, or fluttered from bough to bough of the white pine pines white pine pines white pine pines white pine pines soft white pines soft white-pines soft white-pines soft white-pines over my head; in the heat of the day. There is always a wild and yet a wilder life somewhere sustaining itself at any moment than we allow for—which corresponds to the rareness of some of our thoughts or the red or grey squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually familiar & inquisitive in the heat of the day. There is always a wild and yet a wilder life somewhere sustaining itself at any moment than we allow for—which corresponds to the rareness of some of our thoughts or the red or grey squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually familiar & inquisitive in the heat of the day. There is always a wild and yet a wilder life somewhere sustaining itself at any moment than we allow for—which corresponds to the rareness of some of our thoughts or the red or grey squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually familiar & inquisitive in the heat of the day. There is always a wild and yet a wilder life somewhere sustaining itself at any moment than we allow for—which corresponds to the rareness of some of our thoughts or the red or grey squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually familiar & inquisitive or the red squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually particularly familiar and inquisitive. You only need to sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods for that all its inhabitants to gather around you may be shown to you by turns or the red squirrel, coursing down the nearest bough, was particularly familiar and inquisitive. You only need sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods that all its inhabitants may exhibit themselves to you by turns. or the red squirrel, coursing down the nearest bough, was particularly familiar and inquisitive. You only need sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods that all its inhabitants may exhibit themselves to you by turns. or the red squirrel, coursing down the nearest bough, was particularly familiar and inquisitive. You only need sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods that all its inhabitants may exhibit themselves to you by turns.
12
Brute Neighbors 12 written: D rewritten: E
E: A fair copy was made of only I was witness to events . . . when I went out to my.

(Ronald Clapper)
But the scenes and incidents of my summer life were not always of this peaceful character But the scenes and incidents of my summer life were not always of this Sometimes I was witness to events of a less peaceful character I was witness to events of a less peaceful character. I was witness to events of a less peaceful character. I was witness to events of a less peaceful character. One day when I went out to my wood-pile, or rather my pile of stumps, I observed two large ants, the one red, the other much larger, nearly half an inch long, nearly half an inch long, nearly half an inch long, nearly half an inch long, nearly half an inch long, and black, fiercely contending with one another , and rolling over and over on the chips. It was evidently a struggle for life & death life & death struggle which had grown out of a some serious feud another. another. another. another. Having once got hold they never let go of each other let go, let go, let go, let go, but struggled and wrestled and rolled on the chips each retaining his hold with mastiff like pertinacity incessantly incessantly. incessantly. incessantly. incessantly. Looking farther, I found to my surprise was surprised to find was surprised to find was surprised to find was surprised to find was surprised to find that the chips were covered with such combatants, that it was not a duellum , but a bellum , a war between two races of ants, the red always pitted against the black, and frequently two red ones to one black. They The legions of these Myrmidons The legions of these Myrmidons The legions of these Myrmidons The legions of these Myrmidons The legions of these Myrmidons covered all the hills and vales in my wood-yard, and the ground was already strewn with the dead and dying, and dying, and dying, and dying, and dying, both red and black. It was the only war battle battle battle battle which I have ever witnessed, the only battle-field I ever trod while the battle was raging; internecine war; the red republicans on the one hand, on the one hand, on the one hand, on the one hand, and the black imperialists on the other. on the other. on the other. on the other. On every side they were engaged in deadly combat, yet without any noise that I could hear, and never human soldiers human soldiers never human soldiers never human soldiers never human soldiers never fought so resolutely. I watched a couple in a little sunny valley amid the chips that were fast locked in each other’s embraces that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the chips, that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the chips, that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the chips, that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the chips, now at noon-day prepared to fight till the sun went down, or life went out. or life went out. or life went out. or life went out. The smaller red champion had fastened himself like a vice to his adversary’s front, and through all the tumblings on that field never for an instant ceased to gnaw at one of his feelers near the root, having already already already already caused the other to go by the board; while the stronger black one dashed him from side to side, and, as I saw on looking nearer, had already divested him of several of his members. Neither manifested a disposition to retreat from the combat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die. They fought like mastiffs or with more than the pertinacity of bulldogs that will not let go though all their legs are cut off They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition to retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die. They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition to retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die. They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition to retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die. They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition to retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die. In the mean while there came along a single red ant on the side hill hill side hill-side hill-side hill-side hill-side of this valley, evidently full of excitement, who either had despatched his foe, or had not yet taken part in the battle; probably the latter, for he had lost none of his limbs; whose mother had charged him to return with his shield or upon it. Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus. Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus. Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus. Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus. Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus. He saw this unequal combat from afar,—for the blacks were nearly twice the size of the red,—he drew near with rapid pace till he stood on his guard within half an inch of the combatants; then, watching his opportunity, he sprang upon the black warrior, and commenced his operations near the root of his right fore-leg, leaving the foe to select among his own members; and so there were three united for life until death—apparently life, life, life, life, as if a new kind of attraction had been invented which put all other locks and cements to shame. I should not have wondered by this time to find that they had their respective musical bands stationed on some eminent chip, and playing their national airs the while, to excite the slow and excite the slow and excite the slow and excite the slow and cheer the dying combatants. I was myself excited somewhat even as if they had been men. The more you think of it, the less the difference. And certainly there is not the fight recorded in Concord history if in the history of the world history, at least, if in the history of America, history, at least, if in the history of America, history, at least, if in the history of America, history, at least, if in the history of America, that will bear a moment’s comparison with this, whether for the numbers engaged in it, or the heroism & patriotism & heroism for the patriotism and heroism for the patriotism and heroism for the patriotism and heroism for the patriotism and heroism displayed. For numbers and for carnage it was an Austerlitz or Dresden. Concord Fight! Two killed on the patriots’ side, and Luther Blanchard wounded! Why here every ant was a Buttrick,—"Fire! for God’s sake fire!"—and thousands shared the fate of Davis and Hosmer. There was not one hireling there. There was not one hireling there. There was not one hireling there. There was not one hireling there. I have no doubt that it was a principle they fought for, as much as our ancestors, and not to avoid to avoid to avoid to avoid to avoid a three-penny tax on their tea—or whatever greater xxxxxxxxxx this may xxxxxxxxxx And undoubtedly tea; and tea; and tea; and tea; and the results of this battle will be as important and memorable to those whom it concerns as those of the battle of Bunker Hill, at least. at least. at least. at least.
13
Brute Neighbors 13 written: D rewritten: E
E: A fair copy was made of only crippled state. Whether he finally survived . . . a human battle before my door.

(Ronald Clapper)
I took up the chip on which the three I have particularly described were struggling, carried it into my house, and placed it under a tumbler on my window-sill, wishing in order in order in order in order to see the issue. Holding a microscope to the first-mentioned red ant, I saw that, though he was assiduously gnawing at the near fore-leg of his enemy, having severed his remaining feeler, his own breast was all torn away, exposing what vitals he had there to the jaws of the black warrior, whose own whose whose whose whose breast-plate was apparently too thick for him to pierce; and the dark carbuncles of his the sufferer’s the sufferer’s the sufferer’s the sufferer’s the sufferer’s eyes shone with ferocity such as war only could excite. They struggled for struggled struggled struggled struggled half an hour longer under the tumbler, and when I looked again the black soldier had severed the heads of his foes from their bodies, and the still living heads were hanging on either side of him like ghastly trophies or ornaments pendants at his saddle-bow, at his saddle-bow, at his saddle-bow, at his saddle-bow, still apparently as firmly fastened as ever, and he was endeavoring with feeble struggles, being without feelers and with only the remnants of legs remnant of a leg remnant of a leg, remnant of a leg, remnant of a leg, remnant of a leg, and I know not how many other wounds, to divest himself of them; which at length, after half an hour more, he accomplished. I raised the tumbler glass glass, glass, glass, glass, and he went off over the window-sill in that crippled state. Whether he finally survived that combat, and had a pension settled on him or spent the remainder of his days in some Hôtel des Invalides and had a pension settled on him, or spent the remainder of his days in some Hôtel des Invalides, and spent the remainder of his days in some Hotel des Invalides, and spent the remainder of his days in some Hotel des Invalides, and spent the remainder of his days in some Hotel des Invalides, I do not know; but I thought that his industry would not be worth much thereafter. Which party was victorious I never learned, nor indeed could it be of much importance to mankind which party was victorious I never learned I never learned which party was victorious, I never learned which party was victorious, I never learned which party was victorious, nor the cause of the war; but I felt for the rest of that day as if I had had my feelings excited and harrowed by witnessing the struggle, the ferocity and carnage, of a human battle before my door.
14
Brute Neighbors 14 written: D rewritten: E
D: Brute Neighbors 14 is interlined.

(Ronald Clapper)
Kirby and Spence tell us Since making this record I learn from Kirby & Spence Since making this record I learn from Kirby and Spence Kirby and Spence tell us Kirby and Spence tell us Kirby and Spence tell us Kirby and Spence tell us that the battles of the ants ants ants ants ants have long been celebrated and the date of them recorded, though they state that “Huber is the only modern author that appears to have been witness to these combats” they state that “Huber is the only modern author that appears to have been witness to these combats” it is said they say Huber is appears to have been is the only modern author who has witnessed them they say that Huber is the only modern author who appears to have witnessed them. they say that Huber is the only modern author who appears to have witnessed them. they say that Huber is the only modern author who appears to have witnessed them. “Æneas Sylvius,” say they, “after giving a very circumstantial account of one contested with great obstinacy by a great and small species on the trunk of a pear tree,” states that adds adds that adds that adds that adds that “‘This action was fought in the pontificate of Eugenius the Fourth, in the presence of Nicholas Pistoriensis, an eminent lawyer, who related the whole history of the battle with the greatest fidelity.’ A similar engagement between great and small ants is recorded by Olaus Magnus, in which the small ones, being victorious, are said to have buried the bodies of their own soldiers, but left those of their giant enemies a prey to the birds. This event happened previous to the expulsion of the tyrant Christiern the Second from Sweden.” The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years before the passage of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill. The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of James K. Polk, or to refer it to a memorable but infamous event five years before the passage of the Webster’s Fugitive Slave Bill The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years before the passage of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill. The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years before the passage of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill. The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years before the passage of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill.
15a
Brute Neighbors 15a written: F rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
In summer days indeed many a village bose whose master did not know that he was out Many a village bose whose master did not know that he was out Many a village Bose, fit only to course a mud-turtle in a victualling cellar, sported his heavy quarters in the woods, without the knowledge of his master, without the knowledge of his master, and ineffectually smelled at old fox burrows and woodchucks’ h oles; led perchance by some slight cur which nimbly threaded the wood, and might still inspire a natural terror in its denizens; —now far behind his guide, barking like a bull of Bashan canine bull of Bashan canine bull toward some small squirrel that that which had treed itself for scrutiny, then, now now then then cantering off, bending the bushes with his weight, imagining that he is on the track of some stray member of the jerbilla jerbilla gerbille family. 15b
Brute Neighbors 15b written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Once also in the summer Once Once I was surprised to see a cat walking along the stony shore of Walden the pond the pond the pond for they rarely wander so far from home. The surprise was mutual. Nevertheless the most domestic cat, which has lain on a rug all her days, appears quite at home in the woods, and, by her sly and stealthy behavior, proves herself more native there than the regular inhabitants. Once, when berrying, I met with a cat with young kittens in the woods, quite wild, and they all, like their mother, had their backs up and were fiercely spitting at me. 15c
Brute Neighbors 15c written: F rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of Brute Neighbors 15c on the verso of the partial leaf that contains Brute Neighbors 15a.

(Ronald Clapper)
r
Revision note: F1: At the time June 1842 A few years before I lived at the pond
In June 1842, or a few years before I lived at the pond in the woods
A few years before I lived in the woods A few years before I lived in the woods
there was what was called a “winged cat” in one of the farm-houses in Lincoln r
Revision note: F1: Mr. Gilian Baker’s
nearest the pond Mr. Gilian Baker’s
nearest the pond, Mr. Gilian Baker’s. nearest the pond, Mr. Gilian Baker’s.
r
Revision note: F1: Her mistress told me that she came to them from the woods, and that every fall the fur grew thick & matted somewhat like felt along her sides, projecting an inch or more, and that this was shed in the spring. I have still a fan of her wings in my possession When I called to see her she was gone a hunting in the woods as she was accustomed to do (I do not know whether it was a male or female & so will use the more common pronoun), but her mistress told me that the cat she had come into the neighborhood something more than a year before, in April; that in the winter the fur grew thick & flatted out on her sides, forming strips 10 or 12 inches long by 2½ wide—the upper side loose, the under matted like felt Her tail was large and bushy like that of a fox & these appendages dropt off in the spring. They gave me a pair of her “wings” which I have still. There is no appearance of a membrane.
When I called to see her, in June 1842, she was gone a hunting in the woods as was her wont; (I am not sure whether it was a male or female, and so will use the more common pronoun) but her mistress told me that she had come came into the neighborhood a little more than a year before in April, and was finally taken into their house; that she was of a dark brownish grey color—with a white spot on her throat & white feet & had a large bushy tail like a fox; that in the winter the fur grew thick & flatted out along her sides forming strips 10 or 12 inches long by 2½ wide, and under her chin like a muff, the upper side loose, the under matted like felt, and that in the spring these appendages dropt off. They gave me a pair of her wings which I keep still. There is no appearance of a membrane about them
When I called to see her in June, 1842, she was gone a-hunting in the woods, as was her wont, (I am not sure whether it was a male or female, and so use the more common pronoun,) but her mistress told me that she came into the neighborhood a little more than a year before, in April, and was finally taken into their house; that she was of a dark brownish-gray color, with a white spot on her throat, and white feet, and had a large bushy tail like a fox; that in the winter the fur grew thick and flatted out along her sides, forming stripes ten or twelve inches long by two and a half wide, and under her chin like a muff, the upper side loose, the under matted like felt, and in the spring these appendages dropped off. They gave me a pair of her “wings,” which I keep still. There is no appearance of a membrane about them. When I called to see her in June, 1842, she was gone a-hunting in the woods, as was her wont, (I am not sure whether it was a male or female, and so use the more common pronoun,) but her mistress told me that she came into the neighborhood a little more than a year before, in April, and was finally taken into their house; that she was of a dark brownish-gray color, with a white spot on her throat, and white feet, and had a large bushy tail like a fox; that in the winter the fur grew thick and flatted out along her sides, forming stripes ten or twelve inches long by two and a half wide, and under her chin like a muff, the upper side loose, the under matted like felt, and in the spring these appendages dropped off. They gave me a pair of her “wings,” which I keep still. There is no appearance of a membrane about them.
15d
Brute Neighbors 15d written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Some thought it was part flying-squirrel or some other wild animal, which is not impossible, for, according to naturalists, prolific hybrids have been produced by the union of the marten and domestic cat. This would have been the right kind of cat for me to keep, if I had kept any; for perchance a poet’s cat should why should not a poet’s cat why should not a poet’s cat why should not a poet’s cat be winged as well as his horse?
16a
Brute Neighbors 16a written: A rewritten: E

(Ronald Clapper)
In the fall the loon (Colymbus glacialis) (Colymbus glacialis) (Colymbus glacialis) came, as usual, to moult and bathe himself bathe himself bathe himself bathe himself bathe himself bathe bathe bathe in the pond, making the woods ring with his wild laughter before I had risen. I never rarely saw but one at a time here however risen. risen. risen. risen. risen. risen. risen. At rumor of whose arrival all Concord whose arrival all Concord whose arrival all Concord whose arrival all Concord whose his arrival all Concord the Milldam his arrival all the Mill-dam his arrival all the Mill-dam his arrival all the Mill-dam sportsmen are on the alert, in gigs and on foot, two by two and three by three, with patent rifles & patches rifles rifles rifles rifles rifles rifles rifles and conical balls and spy-glasses or pin-hole on barrell that the charge may travel as straight as a loon’s leg spy-glasses. spy-glasses. spy-glasses. spy-glasses. spy-glasses. spy-glasses. spy-glasses. They come rustling through the woods like October October October October October autumn autumn autumn autumn leaves, at least 10 to one seeming already to hear the loon laugh that is, ten men to one loon , or ten loons to one ten men to one loon. ten men to one loon. ten men to one loon. ten men to one loon. ten men to one loon. ten men to one loon. ten men to one loon. Some station themselves on this side of the pond, some on that, for the poor loon loon loon loon loon bird bird bird bird cannot be omnipresent; if he dive here he must come up there. But now the kind October wind rises, rustling the leaves and rippling the surface of the water, of the water, of the water, of the water, of the water, of the water, of the water, of the water, so that no loon can be seen or heard or seen heard or seen, heard or seen, heard or seen, heard or seen, heard or seen, heard or seen, heard or seen, though our sportsmen our sportsmen our sportsmen our sportsmen our sportsmen his foes his foes his foes his foes sweep the pond with spy-glasses, and make the woods ring resound resound resound resound resound resound resound resound with their discharges. The waves generously rise and dash angrily, taking sides with all water-fowl, But no thanks to the rising wind this time—for the dweller by the pond heard when the loon went off in that the morning rain with one loud long hearty laugh. So our sportsmen must beat a retreat But no thanks to the rising wind this time—for the dweller by the pond heard when the loon went off in that the morning rain with one loud long hearty laugh. So our sportsmen must beat a retreat But no thanks to the rising wind this time—for the dweller by the pond heard when the loon went off in that the morning rain with one loud long hearty laugh. So our sportsmen must beat a retreat But no thanks to the rising wind this time—for the dweller by the pond heard when the loon went off in that the morning rain with one loud long hearty laugh. So our sportsmen must beat a retreat But no thanks to the rising wind this time, for the dweller by the pond heard when the loon went off in the morning rain, with one loud long hearty laugh. So and our sportsmen must beat a retreat and our sportsmen must beat a retreat and our sportsmen must beat a retreat and our sportsmen must beat a retreat 16b
Brute Neighbors 16b written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
to town and shop and unfinished jobs again. However But jobs. But jobs. But jobs. But they were too often successful. When I went to get a pail of water early in the morning I frequently saw this stately bird sailing out of my cove within a few rods. If I endeavored to overtake him in a boat which I frequently did boat, boat, boat, in order to see how he would manœuvre, he would dive and be completely lost, so that I did not discover him again, sometimes, till the latter part of the day. He could avoid me not only as a bird by flying, though they are unwilling to rise at this season if that were necessary but as a fish by swimming under water day. day. day. But I was more than a match for him on the surface. He commonly went off in a rain. He commonly went off in a storm rain He commonly went off in a rain. He commonly went off in a rain. He commonly went off in a rain.
17
Brute Neighbors 17 written: E rewritten: E
E: A fair copy was made of only As I was paddling . . . toward the middle a few rods and in the New York lakes eighty feet . . . making the woods ring far and wide.

(Ronald Clapper)
As I was paddling along the north shore one r
Revision note: E1: calm
very calm
very calm very calm very calm
October afternoon, r
Revision note: E1: for such days especially they settle on to the lakes, like the milkweed down, for then such days especially like the milkweed down they settle down on to the lakes being unable to fly
for such days especially, like the milkweed down, they settle down on to the lakes
for such days especially they settle on to the lakes, like milkweed down, for such days especially they settle on to the lakes, like milkweed down, for such days especially they settle on to the lakes, like milkweed down,
r
Revision note: E1: after having
after having
having having having
looked in vain over the pond for a loon, suddenly one, sailing out from the shore toward the middle a few rods in front of me, set up his wild laugh and betrayed himself. I pursued with a paddle and he dived, but when he came up I was nearer than before. He dived again, but I miscalculated the direction he would take, and we were fifty rods apart when he came to the surface this time, for I had helped to widen the interval; and again he laughed long and loud, and this time with more reason than before. He manoeuvred very cunningly and with more reason than before. He manœuvred so cunningly that with more reason than before. He manœuvred so cunningly that with more reason than before. He manœuvred so cunningly that I could not get within half a dozen rods of him. Each time, when he came up to the surface to the surface, to the surface, to the surface, turning his head this way and that, he cooly surveyed the water and the land, and apparently chose his course so that he might come up where there was the greatest widest widest widest widest expanse of water and at the greatest distance from the boat. He was quick to resolve and rapid to execute It was surprising how quickly he made up his mind and put his resolve into execution. It was surprising how quickly he made up his mind and put his resolve into execution. It was surprising how quickly he made up his mind and put his resolve into execution. He led me at once to the widest part of the pond, and could not be driven from it. While he was thinking one thing in his brain, I was endeavoring to divine his thought in mine. It was a pretty game, played on the smooth surface of the pond, a man against a loon. Suddenly your adversary’s checker disappears beneath the board, and the problem is so to divine his thought as is is is to place yours nearest to where his will come up appear again appear again. appear again. appear again. Sometimes my adversary he he he he would come up unexpectedly on the opposite side of me, having apparently passed directly under the boat. So long-winded was he and so unweariable, that when he had swum farthest when he had swum farthest when he had swum farthest he would immediately plunge again, nevertheless; nevertheless; nevertheless; and then no wit could divine where in the deep pond, beneath the smooth surface, he might be speeding his way like a fish, perchance passing under the boat for for for he had time and ability to visit the bottom of the pond in its deepest part. I have read a fisherman caught a loon loons have been caught in Seneca Lake in New York It is said that loons have been caught in the New York lakes It is said that loons have been caught in the New York lakes It is said that loons have been caught in the New York lakes eighty feet beneath the surface, with a hook hooks hooks hooks hooks set for trout,—though Walden is deeper than that. How surprised must the fishes be to see this ungainly visitor from another sphere speeding his way amid their schools! How surprised must the fishes be to see this ungainly visitor from another sphere speeding his way amid their schools! How surprised must the fishes be to see this ungainly visitor from another sphere speeding his way amid their schools! How surprised must the fishes be to see this ungainly visitor from another sphere speeding his way amid their schools! Yet he appeared to know his course as surely under water as on the surface, and swam much faster there than on the surface there. there. there. r
Revision note: E1: It was as well for me to rest on my oars and wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would come up rise. When I was straining my eyes over the surface one way, I would suddenly be startled by his unearthly laugh behind me. But why after displaying so much cunning did he invariably betray himself the moment he came to the surface up by that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was indeed a silly loon I thought. After an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly, and swam yet further than at first. Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out to reconnoitre & instantly dived again. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up & so also detected him
Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out to reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I found that It was as well for me to rest on my oars and wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would rise, for When I was straining my eyes over the surface, one way, I would suddenly be startled by his unearthly laugh behind me. But why after displaying so much cunning did he invariably betray himself the moment he came up with that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was indeed a silly loon, I thought. I could commonly hear the plash of the water when he came up and so also detected him. But After an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly, and swam yet further than at first. Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out to reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up and so also detected him
Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out to reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I found that it was as well for me to rest on my oars and wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would rise; for again and again, when I was straining my eyes over the surface one way, I would suddenly be startled by his unearthly laugh behind me. But why, after displaying so much cunning, did he invariably betray himself the moment he came up by that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was indeed a silly loon, I thought. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up, and so also detected him. But after an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly and swam yet farther than at first. Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out to reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I found that it was as well for me to rest on my oars and wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would rise; for again and again, when I was straining my eyes over the surface one way, I would suddenly be startled by his unearthly laugh behind me. But why, after displaying so much cunning, did he invariably betray himself the moment he came up by that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was indeed a silly loon, I thought. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up, and so also detected him. But after an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly and swam yet farther than at first. Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out to reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I found that it was as well for me to rest on my oars and wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would rise; for again and again, when I was straining my eyes over the surface one way, I would suddenly be startled by his unearthly laugh behind me. But why, after displaying so much cunning, did he invariably betray himself the moment he came up by that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was indeed a silly loon, I thought. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up, and so also detected him. But after an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly and swam yet farther than at first.
It was surprising to see how serenely he sailed off with unruffled breast when he came to the r
Revision note: E1: surface as if on a pleasure excursion
surface as if on a pleasure excursion
surface, surface, surface,
doing all the work with his webbed feet beneath. doing all the work with his webbed feet beneath. doing all the work with his webbed feet beneath. doing all the work with his webbed feet beneath. His usual note was commonly a this usual note was this usual note was this usual note was this demoniac laughter, yet somewhat like that of a water-fowl; but occasionally, when he had balked me most successfully and come up a long way off, he uttered a long-drawn unearthly howl, probably more like that of a wolf than any bird beside bird; bird; bird; as when a beast puts his muzzle to the ground and deliberately howls. This was his looning,—perhaps the wildest sound r
Revision note: E1: I ever heard
I that is ever heard here
that is ever heard here, that is ever heard here, that is ever heard here,
making the woods ring far and wide. far and wide. far and wide. far and wide. I concluded that he laughed in derision of my efforts, confident of his own resources. Though the sky was by this time by this time by this time by this time overcast, the pond was so smooth that I could see where he broke the surface if when when when I did not hear him. His white breast, the stillness of the air, and the smoothness of the water were all against him. At length, having come up fifty rods off, he uttered one of those prolonged unearthly howls howls, howls, howls, as if calling on the god of loons to aid him, and immediately there came a wind from the east and rippled the surface, and filled the whole air with misty rain, and I was impressed as if it were the prayer of the loon answered, and his god was angry with me; and so I left him disappearing far away on the tumultuous surface.
18
Brute Neighbors 18 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
For hours, in fall days, I watched the ducks cunningly tack and veer and hold the middle of the pond, far from the sportsman; tricks which they will have less less less less need to practise in Louisiana bayous. When compelled to rise they would sometimes circle round and round and over the pond at a considerable height, from which they could easily see to other ponds and the river, like black motes in the sky; and, when I thought they had gone off thither long since, they would settle down by a slanting flight of a quarter of a mile on to a distant part which was left free; but what beside safety they got by sailing in the middle of Walden I do not know, unless they love its water for the same reason that I do.

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