THE LIFE OF A FOX. 49

make the best use of my legs that I could; for
the pack, on their way home, crossed the line
I had taken in the night, and were soon heard
running in full cry after me. Glad was I to
hear Mr. Smith order his men to stop them; for
I must speedily have fallen to them, had they
only been aware of my weakness. One curious
fact remains to be told, namely, that the two
hounds remained for three days in the part near
where they were left at the earth, and found their
way back to the kennel on the fourth day after-
wards. Now it is true that we foxes easily
retrace our way on all occasions, but it must be
recollected that we are often led straight, by
having in view some point, a main earth, for in-
stance: when that is not the case, on being pur-
sued by the hounds and guided by the wind, we
notice the different points as we pass, and choose
that line in which it appears least likely for us
to be viewed; we thereby without difficulty re-
trace our line the same night, at least for some
distance, unless too exhausted to travel more than
necessary to procure food, when we remain near

D