172 THE HUNTED FOX AND HIS WILES 



enough the cry of hounds was heard in hot pursuit on 

 the hillside above ; then the fox appeared on the wall as 

 before, and picked his way along it in leisurely fashion 

 till opposite to the tree, though the cry then sounded 

 very close to him. He was about to make his spring 

 when he perceived that the tree was already occupied, 

 so dropped back off the wall, and, of course, the 

 orthodox tragedy followed. 



