THE SNOW-WALKERS 47 



or to contemplate the landscape, or to listen for his 

 pursuer. If the hound press him too closely, he 

 leads off from mountain to mountain, and so gen- 

 erally escapes the hunter; but if the pursuit be 

 slow, he plays about some ridge or peak, and falls 

 a prey, though not an easy one, to the experienced 

 sportsman. 



A most spirited and exciting chase occurs when the 

 farm-dog gets close upon one in the open field, as 

 sometimes happens in the early morning. The fox 

 relies so confidently upon his superior speed, that I 

 imagine he half tempts the dog to the race. But if 

 the dog be a smart one, and their course lie down 

 hill, over smooth ground, Reynard must put his 

 best foot forward, and then sometimes suffer the 

 ignominy of being run over by his pursuer, who, 

 however, is quite unable to pick him up, owing to 

 the speed. But when they mount the hill, or enter 

 the woods, the superior nimbleness and agility of the 

 fox tell at once, and he easily leaves the dog far in 

 his rear. For a cur less than his own size he mani- 

 fests little fear, especially if the two meet alone, 

 remote from the house. In such cases, I have seen 

 first one turn tail, then the other. 



A novel spectacle often occurs in summer, when 

 the female has young. You are rambling on the 

 mountain, accompanied by your dog, when you are 

 startled by that wild, half- threatening squall, and 

 in a moment perceive your dog, with inverted tail, 

 and shame and confusion in his looks, sneaking 

 toward you, the old fox but a few rods in his rear. 



