GRIMALKIN THE CAT 161 
quick steps and leaped, but even as he did so the 
big rabbit stamped a sudden alarm. They rolled 
over together, Grimalkin bearing down his prey 
as a tiger will a deer, but the latter was frenzied 
with fear, and in his agony launched a desperate kick 
which caught Grimalkin upon the point of the nose. 
As he staggered back he felt the rabbit slip from 
between his claws. The Collared Buck bounded 
away among the elders, stamping an alarm at every 
stride, until his dancing white collar disappeared 
among the bushes. Grimalkin sat up and wiped 
the blood from his face. He realised that another 
point had been scored against him. 
An hour later as Grimalkin was passing the well- 
worn track to the Sheep Field, dawn was breaking, 
and a fine rain began to fall. He followed a path 
among the furze bushes, and on turning a corner 
caught sight of a rabbit in the grass. He stalked it 
scientifically, and from nearer covert looked at it 
again. There was no doubt but that it was the 
Collared Buck. He was lying prone upon his chest 
as though for a sun-bath, and apparently had 
noticed nothing amiss. But why should he bask 
when rain was faljing ? Grimalkin was uneasy. 
The Fur Folk fear what is unusual ; nevertheless 
because he was hungry, and his enemy so close, he 
