THE FOX 57 



speed, that I imagine he half tempts the dog to 

 the race. But if the dog be a smart one, and 

 their course lies down hill, over smooth ground, 

 Reynard must put his best foot forward, and 

 then sometimes suffer the ignominy of being 

 run over by his pursuer, who, however, is quite 

 unable to pick him up, owing to the speed. But 

 when they mount the hill, or enter the woods, 

 the superior nimbleness and agility of the fox 

 tell at once, and he easily leaves the dog far in 

 his rear. For a cur less than his own size he 

 manifests little fear, especially if the two meet 

 alone, remote from the house. In such cases, I 

 have seen first one turn tail, then the other. 



One of the most notable features of the fox is 

 his large and massive tail. Seen running on the 

 snow at a distance, his tail is quite as conspicu- 

 ous as his body ; and, so far from appearing a 

 burden, seems to contribute to his lightness and 

 buoyancy. It softens the outline of his move- 

 ments, and repeats or continues to the eye the 

 ease and poise of his carriage. But, pursued by 

 the hound on a wet, thawy day, it often becomes 

 so heavy and bedraggled as to prove a serious 

 inconvenience, and compels him to take refuge 

 in his den. He is very loath to do this ; both 

 his pride and the traditions of his race stimulate 

 him to run it out, and win by fair superiority of 



