quick] -4 STORY TOLD BY A FOX 333 



creatures knew the foxes ways and they had ways of their own 

 which I must learn. 



While mother was away on her long hunting trips we kept 

 well out of sight, but on sunny afternoons when she lay basking 

 in the sun near the opening of the den, we felt more safe and 

 roamed about along the top of the bank or along the edge of the 

 thicket. One afternoon when the sky was clear a strange shadow 

 swept over the bank. Just then I heard a sharp note of warning 

 from below. I plunged quickly into the juniper bush. The 

 shadow seemed to fall about me and the next instant I saw the 

 limp helpless form of my brother carried away by this great winged 

 creature. For a long time after that I never failed to keep a 

 sharp watch upon the great blue curtain which stretched over my 

 head. 



I soon learned that there were enemies on even,- side and I 

 understood my life must be one of struggle. So the spring months 

 passed and I grew larger and stronger. I became acquainted 

 with the country about me and often stole away through the woods 

 to the spot where I might see the farmhouses below. I liked to 

 watch these strange beings of whom my mother told me many 

 wonderful tales. I knew that my mother did not bring the savory 

 chicken or turkey from these farm houses near at hand but always 

 went over the opposite hill into the next valley where they would 

 never suspect her whereabouts. 



As I grew more and more skillful I planned my nightly hunts 

 for myself. I was thinking as I trotted along on a certain moon- 

 light night of what a fine hunter I had become. "Lets see, last 

 night I hunted in the pine woods, tonight, I'll cross the brook and 

 go down the edge of the pasture to the corner of the corn 

 field. There will surely be some silly rabbits playing about 

 in the moonlight, then I will go down to the big West meadow 

 after mice. There are always plenty there. If I dont' get any 

 mice I will spy around that chicken coop at Deacon Smiths. 

 Perhaps I'll see if any of Old Henry's young turkeys are roosting 

 in the orchard. I saw them wandering about there yesterday. 

 How good one of those would taste, or a fine young chicken. I 

 believe I will not go down to the meadows for mice but straight 

 to the farmhouse. I have never tried to catch a turkey or chicken 

 but how proud my mother will be when I bring her one in such a 

 short time." I know the men will all be asleep and nothing will 



