52 THE LIFE OF A FOX,

I was afraid to remain in these parts, so tra-
velled westward, until I reached a wood by the
sea-side, near Southampton ; and there, owing to
the scarcity of rabbits, was obliged to seek other
food, often consisting of dead fish, which I found
on the shore. I had more than once a narrow
escape from being shot by sailors, as they passed
by in a boat at moonlight, and was induced to
leave this part also. Following the sea-shore,
I crossed the Itchen Bridge,—for I had not for-
gotten my escape from the swans, and would
never trust myself again in water when it. could
be avoided, and by degrees, as the spring came
on, I got into the New Forest. Fortunately for me,
the system of hunting in that part until near the
middle of May was discontinued by Mr. Codring-
ton, who then hunted it. He was an excellent
Sportsman: and would never take an unfair ad-
vantage of us, but left all to his hounds.

Although I had escaped during the winter
months from other good packs, it was doubtful
that I could have escaped at this season, when the

weather is sometimes very hot; for although, as I