BIG REDDY, STRATEGIST 63 
continued their trot in among the rock ledges of 
a hillock in the woods. Here Reddy knew of a 
spot where sun and leaves protected the ground 
from frost, and he could dig. He set at once to 
work, and far quicker than you would have 
thought possible a hole went in under a stone, far 
in to a little warm, safe, snug chamber. Side by 
side he and Whitetip curled down together. The 
funny, restless feeling had gone. He was filled 
with a great content. He slept. 
The next few months of Reddy’s life were 
filled full with the routine of domestic cares and 
responsibilities. He was a kind father, a loving 
husband, and a good provider, though it required 
no little effort to feed his voracious family. Dur- 
ing the warm season, however, when his fur was 
light, he had less to fear from traps and hunters, 
and there was more game to be had. He and 
Whitetip certainly raised a fine litter, and at last 
saw them shifting for themselves. 
After that, Reddy felt as if he had earned a va- 
cation. It wasn’t that his affections had gone 
wandering, that he was fickle—not at all. But 
there was a sudden charm about bachelor free- 
