66 THE LIFE OF A FOX 



Bruce where I was ; it was also communicated to 

 INIr. Smith, who said, that although the hounds 

 had had a hard day's work, the fox should be dis- 

 lodged from his extraordinary situation if her 

 ladyship wished to see it done. To my horror, the 

 keeper brought the hounds straight to my tree 

 and pointed to the spot where I lay as close as I 

 could. As soon as they were taken away to a 

 considerable distance and out of sight, the keeper 

 was desired to chmb up the tree and bring me 

 down. The horror of my situation may be easily 

 conceived as I heard him ascending. I did not 

 move until I saw his hand close to me ; but as he 

 was on the point of taking hold of me I sprang 

 from my lofty nest. Fortunately dropping on 

 some branches which projected about half way 

 down, I broke the fall, which would have broken 

 my neck, and fell to the ground, from which I 

 rebounded, I think, some feet. Much shaken by 

 the fall, but fortunately nothing worse, I soon 

 was on my legs and away across the forest straight 

 to the west woods, which were about three miles 

 distant. When the hounds were only the distance 

 of half a field they saw me enter this immense 

 covert ; but, as several foxes were soon moving, I 

 escaped; and the hounds were kept running till 



