68 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



months a few of the old favourites were permitted to 

 range about the premises; but they never attempted to 

 molest the fox that was chained up. One summer, 

 thinking his fox would be, happier if allowed his liberty, 

 he released him, but with a short piece of chain 

 attached to his collar. He, however, soon made serious 

 havoc among some fancy poultry. Incensed at such 

 ingratitude, my friend was resolved on the destruction 

 of the depredator, and, knowing his haunts, released 

 the hounds from the kennel, and followed them on 

 foot. They soon found the culprit, who broke covert 

 in due form, the pack after him in full cry. They had 

 not proceeded far before the harmonious concert 

 ceased, and their huntsman was preparing to give a 

 who-hoop when, to his utter astonishment, he observed 

 the hounds returning to him with the fox in the midst 

 of them, waving his brush, unhurt, and all appearing 

 on the most social terms ; upon which he secured the 

 caitiff and had him again chained up, where he 

 remained for several years. 



A singular coincidence has been communicated to me 

 of a fox which was disturbed in one of the Earl 

 Fitzhardinge's coverts during the shooting season of 

 1852. A party of his lordship's guests were beating a 

 small covert ; and the game having been driven to the 

 extremity, the Hon. Craven Berkeley heard a hare cn^'^ 

 out. No one having fired at that moment, and there 

 not being any dog near, curiosity was excited, and 

 close to the spot a fox was viewed, which had evidently 

 committed the outrage. There the hare lay dead. 

 What could have instigated him to commit such an act 

 must remain a mystery. Whether he thought he was 

 bound, in honour to his aristocratic visitors and 

 patrons, to join them in their sport and contribute his 

 quota to their list of ' killed ' — whether a sudden 

 impulse of anger, fear, or hunger prompted him, it is 

 impossible to conceive. Although he was surrounded 

 by his best friends he might have anticipated danger 

 and therefore snapped at the hare as she was passing; 



