Vixen 



145 



him that he might quench his thirst. For she 

 seemed to think he had no food but what she 

 brought. 



It was that hen that betrayed to my uncle 

 the nightly visits. 



My own sympathies were all turning to Vix, 

 and 1 would have no hand in planning further 

 murders. Next night my uncle himself watched, 

 gun in hand, for an hour. Then when it he- 

 came cold and the moon clouded over he re- 

 membered other important business elsewhere, 

 and left Paddy in his place. 



But Paddy was " onaisy " as the stillness 

 and anxiety of watching worked on his 

 nerves. And the loud bang! bang! an hour 

 later left us sure only that powder had been 

 burned. 



In the morning we found Vix had not failed 

 her young one. Again next night found my 

 uncle on guard, for another hen had been taken. 

 Soon after dark a single shot was heard, but 

 Vix dropped the game she was bringing and 

 escaped. Another attempt made that night 

 called forth another gun-shot. Yet next day it 

 was seen by the brightness of the chain that 

 she had come again and vainly tried for hours 

 to cut that hateful bond. 



Such courage and stanch fidelity were bound 



