186 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



a charred stump suddenly became animated, and remarka- 

 ble were the movements that heralded this transformation. 

 One more glance told me it was a fox of the long-coveted 

 species ; but what the mischief was he about ? mad surely, 

 and for this reason, no creature in his senses could other- 

 wise make such a fool of himself. First he took hold of 

 his tail, and spun round like a kitten ; next moment he was 

 turning somersaults, 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, and the black-coat- 

 ed gentleman, with a bird in his mouth, quietly trotted to- 

 ward 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 for the 

 timber. Hurriedly I gained the bird small consolation for 

 my disappointment; but my hopes were again revived, for 

 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 encouragement to my trusty compan- 

 ion. Farther and farther into the woods I advanced, but 

 soon it was so dark that, at length, with barked shins and 

 sundry tumbles, I was obliged to give up the pursuit. Sev- 

 eral times in the chase I came to a stand-still, and as often 

 as I did so, Prince's voice appeared as if he had brought 

 the foe to bay. Halting for the last time the same thing 

 occurred, and as the dog did not appear to be much over a 

 hundred yards distant, I determined to make another effort, 

 which resulted in no better success. This led me to believe 



