274 REMINISCENCES OF A SPORTSMAN. 



exhibits great attachment for them, and an unusual 

 degree of boldness in defending them from aggression. 

 Several instances have been recorded of her carrying 

 a whelp in her mouth while pursued by the hounds, 

 when, in such case, the dogs are whipped off. Once, 

 when dining in Leicestershire with the master of the 

 Quorn hounds, I heard him relate the following story, 

 which displays at once the sagacity and fondness of 

 these animals for their offspring : — " A vixen fox had 

 been killed by the hounds, and her cubs were found in 

 a rabbit biu-row. As they were very young they were 

 left in this place, the huntsman feeling certain that the 

 dog fox would take care to provide them with proper 

 nourishment. He went to the young ones a day or two 

 afterwards, and in one part of the earth were lying a 

 couple of young rabbits untouched. On examining 

 more closely the spot, he found the remains of some 

 rabbits that were not more than three or four days old, 

 soft and easy to be bitten by the young ones. The dog- 

 fox having thus ascertained that the cubs would be 

 starved to death unless he procured them food they 

 could masticate, went diligently in search of the stop 

 of rabbits until he found the young rabbits as suitable 



ill falling got the Colonel's right leg under him, and notwithstanding 

 all his exertions he could not release himself. At no great distance 

 was seen a regiment of Polish Lancers, coming to support a defeated 

 column of the French Infantry. Fortunately, after this, the Colonel's 

 charger made a -violent struggle, by which he was able to release 

 his leg, and he set off running towards our lines. He had not pro- 

 ceeded any great distance when he heard a horse galloping after 

 him, and conceiving it must be one of the Polish Lancers, he turned 

 round to defend himself, when to his surprise he found it was his ovn\ 

 horse. He instantly mounted him ; he carried him safely to his regi- 

 ment, but in the course of half an hour the poor horse fell dead from 

 loss of blood. This was told me by my late friend. 



