CHAP. xi. A FOX'S LAIR. 219 



about four feet and a half below it. I now concluded 

 that, if I could gain this rock, I would still find the 

 path to enable me to continue downwards. With 

 these hopes, and having laid down my gun, I swung 

 myself down upon the rock. I had no sooner done 

 so, than I heard a low growl, as if proceeding from a 

 rabid dog; and on looking along the rock, I was a 

 good deal surprised at seeing two foxes standing in 

 a rather slouching attitude at the other end of the 

 shelf, apparently very much discomfited at my un- 

 warrantable intrusion. 



" Another look at the place and its surly occupants 

 was enough to convince me of the unmistakable truth 

 that, instead of having met with a path leading to 

 the bottom of the cliffs, I had only found one to a 

 fox's lair. My first impulse was to ascend the rocks, 

 but in this I was completely baffled. The brow of 

 the cliff to which I wished to ascend, was fully as 

 high as my breast, and overhung the rock on which I 

 stood. I had nothing of the nature of a step to put 

 my foot on to aid myself up, and nothing to lay 

 hold of with my hands but small tufts of withered 

 grass and some small stones, all of which gave way 

 so soon as any stress was put upon them. The last 

 and the only remaining object within my reach was 

 a stone about twice as large as my head, and partially 

 embedded amongst the grass. I took hold of the 

 big stone with both hands, and succeeded in drawing 

 myself about half-way up when it suddenly gave way. 



