Don't Mess With The Dude In The House

2:40 a.m. Trying to go to sleep Sunday morning, but over the dripping rain kept hearing - noises. Looked out the window and - Aha! - saw some kind of large mammal in the back yard! Went out the back door (trying a quiet approach) and startled three raccoons in the yard! One bolted towards the corner of the yard, where the tree (and safety) were, looking backwards in open distress, tail extended in alarm. I eased out the door onto the back porch, and a second raccoon skulking in the shadows under the porch panicked and chased after the first. I started coming down the steps into the back yard from the porch. Fearing being cut off from safety, a third raccoon, trapped in the garage, fled, and chased after the first two. I followed the raccoons and tried (but failed) to get good photos. If raccoons number four or more, there is a chance they will take a stand and attack, but three could be panicked.