THE LIFE OF A FOX. 143

some time, and thinking myself safe, I heard
the piercing ery of a hound, which I then be-
lieved was following me. I ran straight along
the. top of the.precipice, and was seen by the
whipper-in and some of the hounds, and the
noise they instantly made by hallooing a view
with all their might, assisted by his lordship
blowing his horn, attracted the notice of the
other hounds, or they would otherwise have
followed on the line to certain destruction. . I
attribute my escape to the powerful effect this
event had on the feelings of the owner of the
pack. Lest I should again lead them back to
the same spot, he immediately took them off my
scent and sent them home, and I flattered my-
self that we should never again see these hounds
run to find a fox in this part of the country;
for the anguish created in his lordship’s mind it
is impossible for me to describe, although it may
be easily imagined.

However, all my hopes of living a quiet life
here were destroyed. . A great friend of his lord-
ship’s, and of ours, Mr. Wilkie, of Foulden, near