Scared, she did not dare move. It was not feeling like a raccoon. It was much bigger and dangerous. She wished the lantern was working. She could hear it breathing. It was on the branch above her. If it jumped, it would land right on her.
Slowly she placed her left hand over the cooked fish protecting them. She heard the animal move on down the branch until he was part way in the boat beside her. She felt the boat tip sharply to her left. Yes, it was very large.
Suddenly she felt pain in her left arm. Sharp claws moved across her hand. It sent her screaming. Her fear came out in full force. She raised her hand quickly and struck something hard that had teeth in it. She kept screaming and swinging hard into the mass of fur and teeth. She felt another slash on her arm and screamed louder. Finally, the beast retreated up the branch.