

The Springfield Fox 



murders. Next night my uncle himself watched, 

 gun in hand, for an hour. Then when it became 

 cold and the moon clouded over he remembered 

 other important business elsewhere, and left 

 Paddy in his place. 



But Paddy was " onaisy " as the stillness and 

 anxiety of watching worked on his nerves. And 

 the loud bang ! bang ! an hour later left us sure 

 only that powder had been burned. 



In the morning we found Vix had not failed 

 her young one. Again next night found my 

 uncle on guard, for another hen had been taken. 

 Soon after dark a single shot was heard, but Vix 

 dropped the game she was bringing and escaped. 

 Another attempt made that night called forth 

 another gun-shot. Yet next day it was seen by 

 the brightness of the chain that she had come 

 again and vainly tried for hours to cut that 

 hateful bond. 



Such courage and stanch fidelity were bound 

 to win respect, if not toleration. At any rate, 

 there was no gunner in wait next night, when 

 all was still. Could it be of any use ? Driven 

 off thrice with gun-shots, would she make an- 

 other try to feed or free her captive young one ? 



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