THE FOX 77 



had been practicing on a pumpkin which a patient 

 youth had rolled down a hill for me, and had im- 

 proved my shot considerahly. Now a yellow pump- 

 kiu was coming which was not a pumpkin, and for 

 the first time during the day opportunity favored 

 me. I expected the fox to cross the road a few 

 yards below me, but just then I heard him whisk 

 through the grass, and he bounded upon the fence 

 a few yards above. He seemed to cringe as he saw 

 his old enemy, and to depress his fur to half his 

 former dimensions. Three bounds and he had 

 cleared the road, when my bullet tore up the sod 

 beside him, but to this hour I do not know whether 

 I looked at the fox without seeing my gun, or 

 whether I did sight him across its barrel. I only 

 know that I did not distinguish myself in the use 

 of the rifle on that occasion, and went home to 

 wreak my revenge upon another pumpkin; but 

 without much improvement of my skill, for, a few 

 days after, another fox ran under my very nose with 

 perfect impunity. There is something so fascinat- 

 ing in the sudden appearance of the fox that the 

 eye is quite mastered, and, unless the instinct of the 

 sportsman is very strong and quick, the prey will 

 slip through his grasp. 



A still hunt rarely brings you in sight of a fox, 

 as his ears are much sharper than yours, and his 

 tread much lighter. But if the fox is mousing in 

 the fields, and you discover him before he does 

 you, you may, the wind favoring, call him within 

 a few paces of you. Secrete yourself behind the 



