WILY^S STORY 49 



of my legs that I could ; for the pack, on theh* 

 way home, crossed the line I had taken in the 

 night, and were soon lieard running in full cry after 

 me. Glad was I to hear INIr. Smith order his men 

 to stop them ; for I must speedily have fallen 

 to them had they only been aware of my weak- 

 ness. One curious fact remains to be told, namely, 

 that the two hounds remained for three days in the 

 part near where they were left at the earth, and 

 found their way back to the kennel on the fourth 

 day afterwards. Now it is true that we foxes 

 easily retrace our way on all occasions, but it must 

 be recollected that we are often led straight by 

 having in view some point, a main earth, for in- 

 stance ; when that is not the case, on being pursued 

 by the hounds and guided by the wind, we notice 

 the different points as we pass, and choose that Hne 

 in which it appears least Ukely for us to be viewed ; 

 we thereby without difficulty retrace our hne the 

 same night, at least for some distance, unless too 

 exhausted to travel more than necessary to procure 

 food, when we remain near where the hounds have 

 left us. I have done this for a short time, when 

 the coverts and country to which I belonged have 

 been much disturbed by the hounds ; but invari- 

 ably returned the same night. Now the hound has 



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