She was pawin’ a tree when we seen ’er at last,

A-yelpin’ an’ whinin’ jessif she’s possessed.

’T was a gum, thick an’ solid, an’ big ez a mast,

An’ ’fore I could speak Bill was down tew ’is vest.

Some chopper is Bill, an’ I sure never seen

A tree cut cleaner—nor ha’f ez clean.

All shiny an’ white like a human kid

Thet ’possum looked when we hauled ’er out!

I felt like ’t was murder, I suttenly did,

But Bill ’e sez, “Now, keep a eye on ’er snout;