58 NEIGHBORS WITH CLAWS AND HOOFS. 



9. Reynard lias reached the border of the glade ; he 

 listens. A crackling is heard among the branches ; a low 

 whistle is audible. A roe steps forth, her head raised on 

 high, and her eyes turned in every direction. Another 

 whistle, and with graceful bounds the fawn is at its moth- 

 er's side. With droll and pretty gambols it plays around 

 her. The mother licks its neck lovingly. But presently 

 the roe lifts her head. She has got wind of the robber. 

 Her eyes sparkle, and she makes a bound or two, her hoofs 

 making unpleasant music in the ears that rise above that 

 hungry mouth. 



10. But Reynard does not lose heart. He stands still 

 for a moment, and then vanishes. He makes a wide circle 

 and comes around on the other side. The fawn is ever 

 in his eye. Now he is within convenient distance, he 

 crouches down like a cat; his eyes stare with fierce 

 greediness; he shows his murderous fangs; and, as he 

 gathers himself for the last fatal spring a bound, and the 

 watchful mother rushes on the robber and tramples him 

 with her feet. The fawn is saved. Reynard turns home 

 sore and lame, and burning with rage. The next time, we 

 fear, he may have better luck. 



11. When brown autumn comes on, then is the golden 

 time for the fox. A ripening calm is spread over the 

 earth ; the ears of corn hang down, heavy and yellow, an 

 endless wood of fruit. Hares and rabbits are crouched 

 there ; partridges, quails, and larks ; little people without 

 arms or defense, who lead a harmless and industrious life. 

 Ah ! it will fare ill with them now. He, the crafty one, 

 enters the field. He can wait and bait, can cower and 

 devour, and knows how, with guile and wile, to scare and 

 ensnare. Their little arts are all in vain ; and his cubs, 

 as they grow older, get fatter and bolder. 



12. When his hunger is satisfied, the bee-hive attracts 



