128 Vi'xen 



One morning Vixen and her mate seemed to 

 decide that it was time the children knew some- 

 thing about the broad subject of Woodchucks, 

 and further that this orchard woodchuck would 

 serve nicely for an object-lesson. So they went 

 together to the orchard-fence unseen by old 

 Chuckle on his stump. Scarface then showed 

 himself in the orchard and quietly walked in 

 a line so as to pass by the stump at a distance, 

 but never once turned his head or allowed the 

 ever-watchful woodchuck to think himself seen. 

 When the fox entered the field the woodchuck 

 quietly dropped down to the mouth of his den; 

 here he waited as the fox passed, but conclud- 

 ing that after all wisdom is the better part, 

 went into his hole. 



This was what the foxes wanted. Vixen had 

 kept out of sight, but now ran swiftly to the 

 stump and hid behind it. Scarface had kept 

 straight on, going very slowly. The wood- 

 chuck had not been frightened, so before long 

 his head popped up between the roots and he 

 looked around. There was that fox still going 

 on, farther and farther away. The woodchuck 

 grew bold as the fox went, and came out farther, 

 and then seeing the coast clear, he scrambled 

 onto the stump, and with one spring Vixen had 

 him and shook him till he lay senseless. Scar- 



