THE LIFE OF A FOX. © 69

thence could frequently see the horrible hounds,
myself lying, as I fancied, in certain safety. One
day, however, as I turned my head towards where
they were hunting a fox in the wood close by,
my attention was so riveted, that I did not |
observe a keeper, who in passing the tree on
the other side had seen me, and was proceeding
towards the hounds just at the moment the fatal
“whoop |” was heard,—the hounds having killed
the unfortunate fox which they had been hunting.
_ Soon afterwards the keeper told Lady Eliza- -
beth Bruce where I was; it was also communi-
cated to Mr. Smith, who said, that although the
hounds had had a hard day’s work, the fox should
be dislodged from his extraordinary situation, if
her ladyship wished to see it done. To my hor-
ror, the keeper brought the hounds straight to my
tree, and pointed to the spot where I lay as close
as I could. As soon as they were taken away
to a considerable distance, and out of sight, the
keeper was desired to climb up the tree, and bring

me down. The horror of my situation may be easily