32 REDPAD THE FOX 
was about half a mile away, but at its base ran a 
thin shining line of railroad. The Fur Folk of Kil- 
torkan care little for the noisy, fussy train which 
pants down to Waterford twice a day. They have 
found out long ago that it is only formidable in its 
own place, and is hedged in in some mysterious way 
by the wire fence on either side of the embankment. 
Whether Redpad had any preconceived plan in 
his head as he raced to the railway I cannot say, 
but as soon as he climbed the bank on to the metals 
he heard a low roar, and round the distant curve 
the mail train swung into view. The hounds were 
now very close behind, for the pace for the last 
half-mile had been terrific. A cunning scheme 
came into Redpad's brain. He raced madly up 
the track tow r ards the oncoming train. Belching 
forth .smoke, and shaking the ground with the 
thunder of its rushing wheels, it had fewer terrors 
for him than the hunters behind. It was a hundred 
yards off fifty thirty Redpad leaped aside and 
let the roaring monster hurtle past him, but the 
hounds, running blindly on the hot scent, never saw 
the danger. As Redpad leaped down the embank- 
ment the engine-driver saw what would occur and 
jammed the brakes to the groaning wheels, but it was 
too late. There was one yell, which rose above the 
clatter of the train, and then all was over. 
