THE BLACK FOX. 49 



about ? mad surely, and for this reason, no creature in 

 his senses could make such a fool of himself. First he 

 took hold of his tail, and spun round like a kitten, next 

 moment he was turning summersaults, or struggling on 

 his back, kicking his legs in the air, then the tail- trick 

 was reverted to again, and so on. For several minutes 

 I stood transfixed; pug was too far off to shoot at, 

 and any attempt at a stalk was too dangerous to put 

 into practice. But my patience was not severely 

 taxed. With a sudden spring the fox dashed forward ; 

 up flew a dozen spruce grouse (Tetrao Canadensis), and 

 the black-coated gentleman, with a bird in his mouth, 

 quietly trotted towards cover, giving me a cross shot 

 at forty yards' range a chance which I was not slow 

 to avail myself of. With the report, pug turned head 

 over heels, but quickly picked himself up, forgetting 

 however his prey, and made^or the timber. With 

 rapid steps I gained the bird small consolation for 

 my disappointment ; but my hopes were again revived 

 when my little cur dog took up the scent, and waking 

 the echoes with his insignificant bark, went off as if he 

 intended work. At the best pace I could command I 

 followed, singing every few strides a word of encourage- 

 ment to my trusty companion. Farther and farther 

 into the woods I advanced, but soon it was so dark 

 that at length, with barked shins and sundry tumbles, 



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