274 WOODLANDERS AND FIELD FOLK 



were magnificent. Soon the prolonged deep baying 

 was changed into short sharp barks a sure indication 

 that the dogs were viewing their game. In a short 

 time all was still, and then, perhaps, ended the life 

 of the toughest old fox that ever ran the fells. The 

 hounds returned, showing by their torn faces that 

 Reynard, even when run down, had fought desper- 

 ately. Many of the pack, however, were lost or 

 exhausted, and did not return until next day; one, 

 completely worn out, crawled from the hills after a 

 week, and three were found to be " crag-fast." 

 Rescuing these is always a dangerous business, and 

 on this occasion it was performed by a party of shep- 

 herds with the aid of ropes. I have set down the 

 above story as it is told by the shepherds, though 

 certain of the facts seem almost incredible. 



Here is another actual incident of mountain fox- 

 hunting. A man named Dixon fell from an over- 

 hanging precipice three hundred feet in height; 

 and, although terribly bruised and almost scalped, 

 he broke no bones, and recovered from the shock. 

 In falling he struck against the rocks several times ; 

 but the story goes that, on coming to the ground, he 

 sprang at once to his knees, and cried, " Lads, t' fox 

 is gane oot at t'hee end; lig t' dogs on," then 

 fell down insensible. The place has since borne the 

 name of "Dixon's Three Jumps." 



Of all pastimes of the northern yeomen that of 



