THE MOUNTAIN-FOX. 45 



expedition to a high and steep hill in Dumbartonshire, 

 the lower part of which was an oak and larch copse, the 

 centre a large pine-wood, and the top covered with long 

 heather. After choosing our passes between the pine- 

 wood and copse, we sent a first-rate old hound to draw 

 the latter ; scarcely had it been in the cover ten minutes, 

 when it opened upon a cold scent, and continued puz- 

 zling for a considerable time. As this was not its wont 

 when upon a roe, we half suspected a fox : presently the 

 scent warmed, and in a short time the hound opened gaily. 

 Our hopes were high, as it came straight in the direction 

 of our passes. In a moment I heard my brother fire; 

 and the baying of the hound ceasing shortly after, I con- 

 cluded the shot had taken effect, and walked off to see 

 what he had killed. When I had gone a little distance, 

 I met him running and calling to me to get into my 

 pass again, as he had shot at an enormous fox in the 

 thickest part of the cover ; and as it had doubled back, 

 which had occasioned the check, it would most likely 

 try my pass next. I wheeled about at full speed, and 

 arrived just too late for a deadly shot. When within 

 seventy yards of the pass, the fox was bounding over the 

 stone wall that divides the copse from the pine-wood, 

 and presenting his broadside, a very distant but clear 

 and open shot. I discharged both barrels, and watched 

 narrowly to see if he was hit ; the ground was level for 

 a short way, and no abatement of his speed was percep- 

 tible ; but as soon as he began to climb the hill, a labour- 





