132 THE LIFE OF A FOX.

dead fox is given to hounds took place ; and the
three men appeared to be trying who could often-
est repeat, “Tally-o!” The hounds were again
taken on towards the next large covert; and no
sooner were they in it than they all threw their
tongues and ran as if close to a fox, which was not
the case; for it happened to be my own scent, and
I having heard the dreadful hallooing before de-
scribed, and knowing it to be a good scenting day,
had moved away some time before the hounds
had reached the covert; although the crash they
made there seemed as if close tome. I then ran
as described before, straight to a drain about
three or four miles off; but although I had so
good*a start they nearly overtook me before I
reached it. Waiting near the entrance I over-
heard the following remarks :—

«“ How very unlucky, just as the hounds were
running into him. Such a swift pace they came —
he could not have stood it five minutes longer.”
I then distinctly heard the gentleman alluded
to before exclaim, “ Well! I shall not be surprised