I don't know whether he obeyed or not, as just then I made my last
double, and felt Jill's teeth cut through the fur of my scut and heard
them snap. I had dodged Jill, but Jack was right on to me and the wood
still twenty yards away.

I could not twist any more, it was just which of us could get there
first. I gathered all my remaining strength, for I was mad, mad with
terror, and bounded forward.

After me came Jack, I felt his hot breath on my flank. I jumped the
ditch, yes, I found power to jump that ditch where there was a rabbit
run just by the trunk of a young oak. Jack jumped after me; we must both
have been in the air at the same time. But I got through the rabbit run,
whereas Jack hit his sharp nose against the trunk of the tree and broke
his neck. Yes, he fell dead into the ditch.

I crawled on a few yards to a thick clump and squatted down, for I could
not stir another inch. So it came about that I heard them all talking on
the other side.

One of them said I was the finest hare he had ever coursed. Others, who
had dragged Jack out of the ditch, lamented his death, especially the
owner, who vowed that he was worth £50 and abused Tom. Tom, he said, had
caused him to be killed--I don't know how, but I suppose because he had
ridden forward and tried to turn me. The Red-faced Man also scolded Tom.
Then he added--

"Well, I am glad she got off, for she'll give us a good run with the
harriers one day. I shall always know that hare again by the white marks
on its back; also it is the biggest I have seen for a long while. Come