136 THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 



jaws for some time to (X)me, and he had not 

 unlocked them, before Trimbush, Dash wood, 

 and Loyalty came to my assistance, and 

 quickly put an end to the struggle. 



'* We'll break him up presently," gasped 

 Trimbush. " Let's get a sob or two of wind 

 first, ' ' and forming a circle round the lifeless 

 carcase of the devil's own, we lay stretched 

 upon the ground, panting and beaten to a 

 crawl. 



At this moment something crashing through 

 the brushwood was heard, and soon after- 

 wards a labouring man came running up, and 

 seizing the fox, lifted him above his head, and 

 " who-whooped " most lustily. He then 

 drew a great clasped knife from a sheath, and 

 cut off the head, brush, and pads of the devil's 

 own. 



' ' Ah ! ' ' said he, "I heard ye, and thought 

 there was something up more than common. 

 I can guess all about it. You've beaten every 

 one o' the field, and tailed off all the rest o' 

 the pack." 



** You're right enough, old fellow," 

 observed Trimbush, " and I wish you could 

 understand me as well as I can you. But what 

 the deuce are ye about with the fox ? ' ' 



