A/N: Ok, the times for this may be a bit off, you know given an animals life span and exactly how early 1900's is the Fox and the Hound taking place? and that in relation to when Where the Red Ferm Grows takes place in the 1930's, but I'm going to go with the idea I had. It's just screaming to be let loose! So in case this explination doesn't tell you so, the "Ghost 'Coon" idea comes from Where the Red Fern Grows.
Chapter 1
Chipi concentrated as she edged farther out, listening. Nothing. The young, innocent and curious puppy of before had grown into a full grown and fit Spaniel with a pretty good reputation to boot. Although Spaniels were primarily bird hunting dogs as their specialty, Chipi was able to keep up with the other hunting dogs of the area, as she proved in the competitions Andy signed them up for now and then. Chipi had tracked down her fair share of game animals for her master (once she made sure they weren't the cousins of anyone she knew or anything).
One would think it impossible yet Chipi had been able to help her master track down game on hunts and keep up good relations with her forest animal friends, Midnight the raccoon, Binx the still adventurous fox, and yes even Scuff the badger. Well, "good relations" was an understatement as far as Binx was concerned. The fox would often stop by the cabin Andy had built next door to Amos' cabin to check up on what Chipi had been doing recently.
As far as Scuff went, good relations was a good way to describe it. The badger still never gave Chipi the warm friendly treatment whenever she was around, but he had stopped proclaiming that she would be their doom and tried to the best of his ability to be courteous enough to hold back any of his opinions on hunting dogs whenever she was around.
Andy turned back to look at Chipi and shook his head at her alert, listening stance. The two were making their way through the woods to head into town. "Chipi" Andy said, bringing his dog's attention to him, "Come on girl" Andy said with a smile, "Don't worry about listening for anything, we're just going on into town". Chipi came out of her alert state and trotted over to her master at his casual hand waving to signal it was a loose atmosphere.
As the two of them entered town, Chipi glanced around curiously. She'd been into town before, sure, many times in fact, but the busy activity of people milling about the different shops and stores never ceased to interest her. She may not have been a curious puppy anymore, but she was still curious. "Alright" Andy said, as he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket while making his way over towards the general store, "For some odd reason Mr. Amos is too busy setting and cleaning fish to go into town so I have to pick up his supplies".
The youth grinned down at Chipi, "I'm an experienced hunter now and yet I'm still his errand boy" he said with a smirk, "Well come on, best get to it". Chipi trotted along after her master as they made their way over towards the general store and, as Andy went on inside, Chipi sat and made herself comfortable on the front porch since the store owner had a thing about customers dragging their dogs in behind them into the store.
As Chipi glanced over, she noticed Old Butch, the dog who's tales were of legendary fame to Chief, lying on the porch of the store adjacent to the general store (A/N: see Ch5 if Greenhorn Hunters if interested). Chipi smiled, "Hello there, Mr. Butch" she greeted. Old Butch slowly opened one eye to see who it was that had addressed him.
"Oh, why it's young Miss Chipi" he said, "and how would you be doing this fine morning little lady?". Chipi smiled, "Just fine sir, and you". Old Butch let out a light huff, "My bones ache" he answered truthfully. Chipi smiled, "Well I hope that gets better".
Just then, the two dogs' conversation was cut short as a man walked by leading his two hunting dogs. The two dogs appeared to be in a heated discussion. "I tell ya it's all gibberish! It has to be! A 'coon that no one can catch! Come on!". The dog's companion pushed his face close to the other dogs, "Do you doubt that I am a good hunting dog!" he asked. "Well of course not!" his friend replied. "and do you think a 'coon would have just "gotten away" from me!".
The other dog sighed, "Well, no...not really". His companion nodded, "If it was a fair fight on a level plain, I'd have caught that 'Coon! There is no explanation but that that critter aint no real animal a'tall! It's a Ghost 'Coon I tell ya, just as they say! Why else would every dog that goes after it be left in the dark, including me!". The rest of the conversation was cut off as the two dogs continued on past.
"Ghost 'Coon?" Chipi said in interest and confusion. Butch nodded, "Yes sirree, the Ghost 'Coon that no dog can catch. I personally think it's only gonna last so long, no critter can out run us top notch hunting dogs forever". As the old dog turned and caught Chipi's confused look, he looked confused himself. "Why surely you've heard the tale!" he asked. Chipi shook her head, "No sir, this is the first I've heard of it".
Old Butch looked shocked, "Why tan my hide and call me a Critter! Well then allow me to enlighten you little lady. The Ghost 'Coon is this 'coon what's been making a name for itself by giving hunters and dogs alike the slip. Ya see, now the way most 'coon hunts go ya chase the critter a bit and then they scamper themselves on up a tree and it's only a matter a keeping' 'em there till your master comes along an' deals with 'em".
Chipi nodded, "Sure, I know the drill, I've done it enough times myself". Old Butch nodded, "As have I, in my day, but now the word that's floatin' around is that there's this one particular 'coon what doesn't play by the rules. He scampers on up a tree and disappears!". Chipi smiled politely, yet tilted her head in contemplation as she thought this over. A raccoon that just disappeared?
Old Butch caught the look on the young female Spaniel's face, "I know, I know, I thought the exact same thing the first time I heard it, but just last week my grandson convince me to come along on one of these little 'coon hunting expeditions him and his master were going on since he knew they would be passing through where the Ghost 'Coon was. Well, I followed along pretty well and was at least able to eventually catch up even after my grandson darted off after the critter, and it's a good thing I did!"
"I saw it with my own two eyes!" Butch continued, "This 'coon flew up the tree and there we were at the bottom of it keeping him at bay for the hunter. I turned for not more than one second, just to see how close my grandson's master was to where we were, and when I turned back that 'coon weren't no where in that tree! I even asked my grandson if he'd seen anything, since he hadn't even taken his eyes off the tree, and he said it's like it had disappeared right before his eyes!".
Old Butch shook his head, "Now you know me, I aint one to swallow anything without having proved it through for myself and by golly I tell ya everything you hear is true! There's a real live Ghost 'Coon out there!".
At this last testament from Old Butch, Chipi looked thoughtful. She didn't think the old dog was lying or trying to fool anyone, he seemed to really believe and have seen what he saw. Yet there was still just something about this whole issue that just didn't sit right. Could a raccoon really just disappear from a tree like that?
"Now I don't know about these speculations some of these young 'uns are coming up with about it being an unnatural 'coon" Old Butch continued, "but I wouldn't just knock it. After all, it don't seem likely a normal 'coon could slip past so many well trained hunting dogs like that". Chipi smirked to herself, "I got friends who would think it possible" she said to herself.
Just then Andy returned from inside the general store and Chipi stood up to follow her master home. "Well, thank you for the enlightening tale Mr. Butch" Chipi said to the old dog as she left. Old Butch nodded, "My pleasure miss, and I only hope that you don't run into that dastardly 'coon. Be a shame for that villain ta lower your dignity and pride like he's done so many other fine dogs". Chipi smiled and nodded once more in farewell before following after Andy as the two made their way back home.