THE STORY OF A HARE 



CHAPTER I 



EARLY TROUBLES 



The Cornish Heights terminate near the Land's 

 End in four wild hills of singular charm, though 

 of very modest altitude. Springing as they do 

 from a treeless tableland, they look quite like a 

 miniature mountain range, especially when seen 

 through rolling mists or capped by the rain- 

 laden clouds which, like birds coming weary 

 from the Atlantic, settle on their summits. 

 Man seldom intrudes there, though they offer a 

 peerless prospect over promontory and ocean. 

 The faint paths amongst ling and furze are not 

 his : they have been traced by the foxes that 

 kennel on this silent retreat, or by badgers going 

 to and from the deep sett on the northern 

 slope ; for the desolate upland has long been 

 given over to the outlawed creature, and fur- 

 nished sanctuary to any wildling that sought it. 

 To these hills, in the late winter of a year long 



