Coyotes are the
bad guys: Rip, Snort, and -- most feared of all -- Scraunch. They like
the freedom of roaming the canyons and forests. Coyotes are an ever
present danger to the ranch; and yet, for Hank, there's an irresistible
fascination with their devil-may-care lifestyle. In fact, one day, Hank
decided to see how life was on the other side of the septic tank:
"About a week
after I joined the tribe, I made friends with two brothers named Rip
and Snort. They were what you'd call typical good-old-boy coyotes: filthy,
smelled awful, not real smart, loved to fight and have a good time,
and had no more ambition than a couple of fence posts. If Rip and Snort
took a shine to you, you had two of the best friends in the world. If
they didn't happen to like your looks or your attitude, you were in
a world of trouble. I got along with them."
From Hank the Cowdog
#1. The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
Illustration by Gerald Holmes from #19: The Case of the Midnight
Rustler.
(Copyright © John R. Erickson)