8 REDPAD THE FOX 
slipped past her. Twice she fought her head 
above water, and twice she was washed off her feet. 
The third time, gasping and choking, she gained 
the opening, struggled to land, and laid the dripping 
cub on the bank. But there were three more down 
there. Vix looked at the flood which plunged 
through the drain and into the field through the 
further opening, and that good instinct which 
bids the Wild Folk care first for that which is 
nearest conquered. She picked up the half- 
drowned cub, and galloped up the hill towards 
Knockdane. 
When, three hours later, Paddy Magragh strolled 
by, the flood had subsided, and only a trickle 
filtered through the drain, which was half choked 
with rubbish. On the bank lay three little red 
bodies, and there were marks on the wet earth 
where strong frenzied pads had striven to dig down 
to the treasures hidden below. 
That was all that Paddy Magragh ever knew, but 
that spring an old fox cared for her one remaining 
cub in the woods of Knockdane. And that cub 
was Redpad. 
