THE SNOW-WALKERS. 59 



The fox usually keeps half a mile ahead, regulating 

 his speed by that of the hound, occasionally pausing a 

 moment to divert himself with a mouse, or to contem- 

 plate the landscape, or to listen for his pursuer. If 

 the hound press him too closely, he leads off from 

 mountain to mountain, and so generally escapes the 

 hunter ; but if the pursuit be slow, he plays about 

 some ridge or peak, and falls a prey, though not an 

 easy one, to the experienced sportsman. 



A most spiriting and excited chase occurs when the 

 farm-dog gets close upon one in the open field, as 

 sometimes happens in the early morning. The fox 

 relies so confidently upon his superior 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 igno- 

 miny of being run over by his pursuer, who, how- 

 ever, 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. 



A novel spectacle often occurs in summer, when the 

 female has young. You are rambling on the mount- 

 ain, accompanied by your dog, when you are startled 

 by that wild, half-threatening squall, and in a moment 



