THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 137 



The astonishment of Trimbush was caused 

 by seeing the man deliberately proceeding to 

 skin the fox, as he might the body of a dead 

 cat or rabbit. 



" ITl soon whip off your jacket," said the 

 man, " and then they can eat ye nice and 

 comfortably. Such a skin as this, " continued 

 he, " must be terribly tough, I know." 



' ' What a considerate Christian ! ' ' 

 exclaimed Loyalty. ** Old Mark could 

 scarcely be more thoughtful. ' ' 



* * Besides, ' ' resumed the labourer, finishing 

 his job, " such a skin as this is worth half-a- 

 crown, and it had much better go into my 

 pocket than down your bellies." 



** Ho, ho! " ejaculated Trimbush. 

 " That's the secret of your attention, is it ? " 



" Who- whoop ! " hallooed the man. 

 " Who- whoop ! " and throwing the dismem- 

 bered carcase to us, we tore it into pieces and 

 demolished, with more than ordinary relish, 

 the devil's own. 



* ' Now, what am I to do with ye ? " 

 observed the rustic, scratching the back part 

 of his head. 



" Take us to the nearest best quarters," 

 said Trimbush; '* give us a good supper, 



