48 REDPAD THE FOX 
heather tuft was visible, and the faces of the lime- 
stone boulders glistened with rime. 
A shadow glided through the bushes, and sprang 
upon a r^ck. The moonlight shone on the thick 
brush and ruddy pads which Knockdane knew so 
well. But Knockdane was ten miles away over 
the moors. What brought Redpad to Kilmanagh 
that winter's night ? Two days before he had left 
his home covert, and travelled after sunset across 
the open country to the foot of these wild highlands 
which lie some four miles to the south of Knockdane. 
He had travelled along leisurely, hunting as he went, 
and sleeping under some rock or bush. He did not 
know why he thus wandered through an unknown 
country. He only felt a desire which he could not 
gratify the desire which awakens earliest in the 
Fox People the desire of Love. No matter how 
keenly January frosts bite or January sleet showers 
blow, they leave their native haunts, and wander 
away to seek a mate. Perhaps some mysterious 
hereditary instinct led Redpad to the hill, for on 
just such a night his sire had left the highlands and 
come to Knockdane three years before. 
To-night Redpad climbed to the highest peak of 
Kilmanagh Hill to see the moon rise ; and there, 
because he was solitary and the Love Desire so 
strong, he raised his long muzzle and yelped out his 
