28 REDPAD THE FOX 
short was transformed into one tense note of 
interrogation. 
He chattered tentatively the fox did not 
move. Then he chattered defiantly, but still there 
was no sign. He hopped near and dared the fox 
to chase him, but Redpad knew better than to stir. 
Then the squirrel grew almost beside himself with 
passion. He kicked the branch on which he sat, 
he scolded until the woods rang, he jibbered with 
rage. Three jays came up to see what the fuss 
was about, and added their voices to the commotion. 
At last it grew so loud that even the dull human 
ears of the men under the tree remarked that 
something unusual was going on. They looked 
up saw something red stir in the ivy and ' By 
Jove ! ' said the younger ; and his halloa sent 
the squirrel leaping away. 
Five minutes later a council was held under the 
tree. 
' Who will climb up and fetch him ? ' asked the 
master ; but the ' boys ' standing round only grinned 
and shook their heads. 
Then old Paddy Magragh, who loved the foxes 
of Knockdane for the sake of the sport which the 
foxes begot, said : ' An' if I fetch him down to yez, 
will yer anner see that he has fair play and a good 
start ? ' 
