THE LIFE OF A FOX. 83

in the forest, I left them following another
fox.

The little I had to say is said.

“ Come, Dorset, fain would we hear thy story
next. Our thoughts should be open as the
heavens above, and free as the winds that follow
us. We are brethren and fellows in our way
of life, and thou may’st not doubt that we will
judge thy deeds fairly but kindly.”

“ Justice, then, is fled to lowly beasts, for
men have none of it. Listen to my story, friends ;
a plain and unvarnished one it is, and you shall

have it freely and entirely.”

E 6