THE FOX. 



257 



the wall. Fearing mischief from without, he 

 requested the farmer to remove it during the day, 

 lest poachers or " varment " might take advantage 

 of its position ; — and thus find a commodious way 

 over the wall into the preserve, — not of game only, 

 but of many other animals. The farmer said he 

 would attend to the bar, but, somehow or other, he 

 forgot to do so ; and thus, the sheep or stack- bar 

 remained just where it had been placed. 



Although the night was cold and rainy, Reynard 

 found himself obliged to turn out of his den, and 

 to cater for his numerous family. Coming up to 

 the bar in question, he mounted on it, and thence 

 sprang on to the wall itself. Seeing Paradise 

 below him, he must, no doubt have longed vehe- 

 mently to partake of the dainties which he was 

 sure it contained. In fact, having lost his usual 

 caution when out a prowling, he gave way to the 

 temptation, and took a desperate leap into the 

 park, which consists of two hundred and sixty 

 acres. All liis movements were clearly visible 

 the next morning, by the prints of his feet in the 

 snow, which had fallen in the early part of the night. 



Here then, Eeynard by his own rashness, 

 became a prisoner for the remainder of his days : 

 a voluntary exile into a little St. Helena, where 

 he lived and died. 



x 



