Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

of night in the woods. There was a something in the air that put charm on every bush, stick, stone, tree or sound.

For frog-hunting this was not a very good night. The secret of catching frogs is the act of flashing a bright light into their eyes which, a contrast to the darkness of night blinds them so that they sit stupidly motionlesswhile the hunter crushes them with a club. As the moon was in the full, it made the night so light that the lantern light did not blind them so well and many got away.

     There was something ridiculous about our frog-hunting that caused me to laugh out suddenly at times, startling both Jim and Fred. Jim took the lead, carrying the lantern and a club. I followed at his heels, and Fred at my side, with the knife. Suddenly Jim would spy a frog sitting on the bank.  “Here Irish” he’d cry and without turning around, thrust the lantern at me.  While I held