TWO WILY PLOTTERS 147 



the act of crossing the wall Grey Fox had 

 espied the hare and was already plotting his 

 destruction. 



For in the earth amidst the furze, Grey Fox, 

 who had an old score to settle, and the vixen, 

 who had searched for him when a helpless leveret, 

 sat mask to mask, with wrinkled brow, schem- 

 ing how they should take him. It was a matter 

 of life or death to them, at least so they them- 

 selves regarded it ; and the moment their plans 

 were laid they were all eagerness to put them 

 into execution. Their eyes glowed with excite- 

 ment ; twice they rose and went to the mouth 

 of the earth to observe the light ; the third 

 time they stole away to the rickyard. 



On reaching the wall, Grey Fox peeped over, 

 and turning his head slowly to avoid attracting 

 notice, exchanged looks with the vixen. " It's 

 all right, she is in the seat," that is what his 

 glance conveyed. As the light faded he got 

 on the wall, and watched as he crouched. Later 

 the vixen took his place whilst he stole round 

 to the other end of the wall. The hare was now 

 between them, knowing all, and taking counsel 

 with himself From time to time the sound of 

 the fiddle or the laughter of the children broke 

 the tense silence, but without disquieting the 

 foxes, who lay with their heads towards the 



