88 THE LIFE OF A Fox.

are you at, you crazy old man? you have lost
our fox!” and endless execrations were lavished
on him. I believe this circumstance saved my
life; for had it not occurred, the hounds would
have had me in view for three miles across the
downs, and although it was some little time be-
fore they got on my scent again, they came
after me at a most terrific pace, which for-
tunately however was slackened, on their crossing
the road, and having to climb over a wall into
the grounds adjoining some immense woods,
through the whole of which they hunted me
again at a good pace, and straight on for nine
or ten miles, till I was almost exhausted ; luckily
they were stopped when crossing a field where
there was a flock of sheep, no one being there
to assist them. Shortly I heard in a loud voice,
“John! Where is John?” and finding that they
were not likely to get much assistance from the
huntsman, I quietly retraced my steps towards
the place from which I started, but remained
there for a short time only.

I was again lying one morning in a piece of