CHAPTER V 



FOXES 



There is some mysterious attraction about a fox, 

 some element that causes intense agitation in the 

 beholder whenever one is seen, quite apart from 

 the excitement of the chase ; which is not caused, 

 for instance, by the sight of a hare, though that 

 animal is much prized in a harrier country. 

 What this influence is I cannot explain, but until 

 the fox disappears again from view it invariably 

 monopolises the attention of every one who sees 

 it. From one's nursery days one has heard tales 

 of " Brer Fox," of his cunning, his wit, and 

 adroitness in taking care of himself, and in 

 getting the better of those with whom he is 

 associated, and perhaps this throws a halo round 

 him, that after-years spent in his pursuit seem 

 still further to accentuate. As a means of 

 providing pleasure there is nothing to compare 

 with him, for while a single fox is capable of 

 affording the keenest enjoyment to a whole host 

 of people, a single pheasant would provide but 

 a momentary pleasure to the man who shot it ; 

 while it would cause feelings of envy and dis- 

 appointment to the rest, if it was the only bird to 

 be found that day ! 



