Horned toads, also hideous in appearance, and tarantulas (_Mygales_), very large centipedes and scorpions, were common, and lived on, or rather were killed because of their reputation, but they seldom did anyone harm.
But the most highly appreciated, that is the most feared and detested, of wild creatures was the common skunk, found everywhere, mostly a night wanderer and a hibernator.

He is a most fearless animal, having such abundant and well-reasoned confidence in his mounted battery, charged with such noxious gases as might well receive the attention of our projectile experts.

The first time I ever saw one he came into my mountain hut.

Knowing only that he was "varmint" I endeavoured to kill him quickly with a spade.

Alas! the spade fell just a moment too late and henceforth that hut was uninhabitable for a month.