116 THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 



sentence, " I suppose we may say that, too; 

 but I am rather doubtful about it." 



" About what? " inquired I. 



*' About the eating part of the business," 

 replied he. " It's true that w^e break up a fox, 

 and swallow him as if we loved his carcase 

 better than any other kind of flesh. But, in 

 my opinion, it is more from the excitement we 

 are worked into than from any desirable 

 flavour he possesses. A fox is too near 

 ourselves for him to be considered proper 

 food for our stomachs. It's approaching 

 particularly close to dog eating dog." 



" But that you did once," said I. 



" Yes," responded Trimbush, carelessly, 

 " I know I did, and might again, under 

 similar circumstances. It only shows," he 

 continued, " what we will do when in a rage 

 or in an excited state. There is nothing with 

 life, from an elephant to a cockroach, but we 

 would have a shy at." 



" Then you don't believe that we really love 

 the varmint as a dainty morsel ? " rejoined I. 



" No," returned he, " I think not. Fancy, 

 for instance, your killing and eating the poor 

 little vixen chained just outside the kennel 

 door." 



