38 Random Rkcoli^ections of the 



late in the spring^when hunting was nearly over, 

 that there was a meet at Belvoir in order to 

 disperse foxes from the woods in which they 

 abounded. On this occasion I not only had 

 the satisfaction of witnessing a lot of woodland 

 hunting but catching a fox myself, and con- 

 veying it home safe and sound in my pocket. 

 There was no romance about this,and I will relate 

 how it happened : After spending sometime in 

 the woods, hounds commenced baying round the 

 debris of some fallen trees, where, unfortunately 

 as it turned out, a vixen had laid up her cubs. 

 They were supposed to be all sacrificed before 

 the whips got into the thicket to interfere. 

 But, as I happened to be standing alone in one 

 of the rides close by, I espied an affrighted 

 youngster, who had had the good fortune to 

 escape the slaughter, rush across, and hide 

 itself a ditch, which was overgrown with grass 

 and brambles. Being determined to save a 

 vulpine life, in a moment I jumped off my 

 horse, and approaching cautiously, saw the 

 little creature almost hidden in the scrub, and 

 being armed with a stout pair of gloves, I 

 clasped the cub by the neck. There was a 

 lot of struggling and snarling, and every 

 moment was of consequence, as I expected to 



