LIV 



THE FOX 



AMONG the few survivals of the old un- 

 tamed world there are left us two that 

 retain all the raciness of their ancestral 

 wildness. 



Their wits have been sharpened by 

 the attrition of civilization, but it has 

 not smoothed their characteristics down 

 to the level of the commonplace, nor 

 contaminated them with acquired vices 

 as it has their ancient contemporary, the 

 Indian. But they are held in widely 

 different esteem, for while the partridge 

 is in a manner encouraged in continu- 

 ance, the fox is an outlaw, with a price 

 set upon his head to tempt all but his 

 few contemned friends to compass his 

 extermination. 



For these and for him there is an un- 

 written code that, stealthily enforced, 

 gives him some exemption from uni- 

 versal persecution. They, having know- 

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