THE LIFE OF A FOX. 97

ning after the same fox that they were themselves,
they began hallooing, and the hounds were shortly
afterwards brought and got on my scent. Of
course I returned to the covert, for I had no
notion of being thus hunted by men, and wished
to let the gentlemen know that I would not go
unless I chose to do so, let them halloo as they
would. I therefore punished them by running
for nearly three quarters of an hour longer in the
covert. This brought them a little to their senses,
and they gave me room to make another attempt.
Not liking to remain in such close quarters with
this sticking pack, I seized an opportunity, and
went away on the side of the covert opposite to
that which I had first attempted, and though I
was viewed away by several men, it happened
that they were able this time to hold their horses
and their tongues until I had got fairly away,
when they certainly did halloo, so that about half
the pack came to them. The whipper-in was sent
to stop them, and as soon as the huntsman had
got a few more he also came to them; but not
having quite three parts of the pack he did not

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