From Fox's Earth 



and waiting. It is the first simple equipment of 

 a student of nature, who would no more think of 

 talking, or being restless, than if he were in a 

 church. If in an empty church, he would be 

 quiet, so that the church mouse might play about 

 his feet. 



One may escape many things in the wilds, but 

 not the world's cry of pain and fear. The same 

 drama was to repeat itself. Pursued and pursuer 

 were a little larger, but that was the main differ- 

 ence. In a sense, a big vole was being tracked 

 by a big weasel. 



A rabbit came from under the fern leaves. 

 Though fearful of an enemy behind, he was not 

 going fast. A paralysis lay on limb and spirit 

 alike. He too, who at another time would have 

 run from me, passed close by and dragged him- 

 self out of sight. From beneath the same frond 

 the stoat appeared. The same little by-play went 

 on ; the daring, questioning look. 



Again I was in the way, alike of the stoat and 

 of nature ; for there is no distinguishing between 

 them. Rabbits, too, eat grass, and are prolific 

 breeders. Were there no check, they would 

 soon need the country to themselves. Nor 

 could all the stoats do more than keep them 

 in their place. That man finds some use for 

 rabbits has no significance. The original plan 

 simply provided for the due control of one wild 

 species by another, and the survival of that best 



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