4 6 
REDPAD THE FOX 
be accompanied everywhere by his favourite dog. 
Until recently, indeed, the identity of the sheep killer 
was only known to three persons to Skehan himself, 
who never divulged it ; to Paddy Magragh, who 
kept the secret faithfully, and only revealed it long 
afterwards in order, on another occasion, to clear the 
name of the foxes of Knockdane ; and lastly to 
Redpad. But for a long while the latter avoided 
the place ; for in his memory dwelt the recollection 
of that strange death which men deal to those who 
break the primitive law which ordains that man 
is placed in dominion, not only over the beasts who 
eat his bread, but over the Wild Folk of the hills 
and woods, and that his dependents and possessions 
are sacred, and not to be harmed with impunity. 
