small hollow in the ground, to form a kind of screen. Now and then
he stopped to listen, or take a cautious peep into the field. This
done, he again laid himself down, and remained motionless, except
when occasionally his eagerness induced him to reconnoitre the
feeding hares.

One by one, as the sun rose, they made their way from the field to
the plantation. Several passed, but he moved not, except to crouch
still closer to the ground. At length two came directly towards
him. The involuntary motion of his ears, though he did not venture
to look up, showed that he was aware of their approach. Like
lightning, as they were leaping through the gap, Reynard was upon
them, and catching one, killed her immediately. He was decamping
with his booty, when a rifle-ball put an end to his career.


I must tell you one more story about a fox, and a very interesting
little animal it was, though not less cunning than its relatives in
warmer regions.

Mr. Hayes, the Arctic explorer, had a beautiful little snow-white
fox, which was his companion in his cabin when his vessel was
frozen up during the winter. She had been caught in a trap, but
soon became tame, and used to sit in his lap during meals, with her
delicate paws on the cloth. A plate and fork were provided for her,
though she was unable to handle the fork herself; and little bits
of raw venison, which she preferred to seasoned food. When she took
the morsels into her mouth, her eyes sparkled with delight. She
used to wipe her lips, and look up at her master with a
_coquetterie_ perfectly irresistible. Sometimes she exhibited