FOXES, THEIR MODE OF LIVING. 79 



help. His mistress made the best of her way to 

 his assistance, thinking that the poor little fellow 

 must have got into a trap, but, to her horror and 

 amazement, what should she meet in turning the 

 corner of the gravel walk but a fox with him in 

 her mouth, and doubtless bearing him off to 

 her cubs. 



After a good deal of crying out at him, and shaking 

 of her parasol after the manner of ladies, and sundry 

 ejaculations such as " Shoo ! " ''Shoo!" " Oh, don't 

 take my little dog ; naughty fox, get away ! " and so 

 forth, the dog was dropped, but the fox actually 

 turned round and snarled at her. There was a good 

 deal of impudence in the whole proceeding, as it 

 seemed to me. 



Foxes in this part of the world are supposed to live 

 entirely upon flesh or fowl, and not in any way to 

 partake of a vegetable diet. The story of the Fox 

 and the Grapes is a fable known to all youngsters, and 

 a fox eating grapes would seem a ridiculous idea ; 

 nevertheless in Germany and Switzerland and in 

 countries where wine is made they are very trouble- 

 some, and often do a great deal of damage, and for 

 this reason they are shot and persecuted in every 

 way possible. 



