THE LIFE OF A FOX. 117

some of the hunters. The hounds soon followed
me, and though it was a bad scenting day, I
narrowly escaped. I saw enough of them to
convince me that they were not to be trifled
with, and that a tolerable scent would tax all
my powers to beat them.

It was some years ago that I was lying in
a covert at Billingbeare, when I was startled by
Shirley’s voice. I soon got away from the covert,
thinking that I was not seen, but I was mistaken.
A view-halloo was given, and the hounds were
soon on my scent. I went the best pace I could
straight towards and through the large woods at
Shottisbrook, and onwards in the direction of
Maidenhead Thicket, where I passed through the
middle of a small village. As the hounds had not
been seen or heard, no one was looking out, and
consequently no one saw me, although I passed
through a cottage garden; and it behoves me to
state, that I probably owed my safety to nothing
more dignified than a pig-sty attached to that
garden, and which neutralized the scent ; for the

hounds soon afterwards hunting so far, were