Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-04
THE SAGAClOUS FOX.
HOW ONE REYNARo TOOK A WAGON
RIDE AND SAVED HIMSELF.
Another Ran With the Pack Of Hounds and
Escaped Their Notice-Othsr Notable
Instances Of His Cunning.

PAMPLIN CITY, VA. February s.
Special 1.-THE Dispatch OF January 18th
contained a very interesting account, by
staff correspondent. OF fox-hunt in
Powhatan county. which recalls some
very noted instances OF the sagacity OF
in your paper.
The late Captain William NJ. Hannah,
OF this county. stated that on one occa-
sion he was in pursuit OF fox. with his
friend and neighbor. Radford Wheeler.
when the fox. being hard pressed by the
dogs, took a public road. and after run
ming some distance the dogs suddenly
lost the track. All efforts TO get II again
by circling around failed. and the hunters
dlsmoun,6d and followed the track OF the
fox along the road until 1t disappeared
and could not be found again. They were
compelled to give up the chase and re-
turn home.
Some time afterwards a man who was
going to Lynchburg that same day with
wagon, told Captain Hannah that when
he stopped TO feed his horses at dinner and
went around 10 get his feed-box, which
hung at the rear OF the wagon, fox
jumped out Of t. And as the dogs had
lost the fox just as they came up with
the wagon, there was no doubt but that
he had saved himself by jumping In the
box. and riding to a place OF security.
WITH THE HOUNDS.
Mr.. John Hancock, a very worthy and
reliable gentleman, who lives near Pros
pect, Va, states that on one occasion
he and friend followed pack of hounds
In pursuit OF a fox until they reached
q pine thicket Remaining outside the
Ticket for awhile, they were surprised TO
gee the hounds come by in full chase,
when no fox had passed since they had
been there, and the scent was evidently
very hot from the way the dogs were
running. This was the more puzzlinS
from the fact that n favorite hound, old
Jack" who was never known TO iol-
low false trail or take "back-track,
and who knew more about the ways OF a
fox than the fox knew himself, was with
the pack They remained quietly seated
on their horses, and, after a while the
hounds came around again in full tilt,
when no fox had passed. The mystery
was explained, however, when they saw
old Jack" spring over the backs OF two
hounds and catch the fox, who had been
running with the hounds, and had hitherto
escaped their notice.
THREW THEM OFF.
Mr.. Joe Edmunds. OF Charlotte, made
number Of Intellectual attempts TO capture
a red fox that always managed to battle
his hounds and throw them off the track.
He finally discovered that the fox would
run ahead and come around In rear or
the dogs-a trick which gave him ample
time TO double on his track and throw the
dogs off the scent. He effected his cap
ture by tying a hound and keeping him
with him and putting him after the fox
as he came around
But the last instance Of the cunning
OF the fox. which Is now given, is the
most remarkable OF all.
4 gentleman, who had brag pack OF
hounds. found fox who was too tough
for them. lie would invariably tire the
hounds out and compel them to give up
the chase. The gentleman then resorted
TO this expedlent to make sure OF his
capture lie engaged two OF his friends
TO bring In fresh packs on a certain day
10 take the place OF those that were tired
out and so pick up the fox. But the
scheme didn't work worth cent"
RELIEVED EACH OTHER.
The fox broke all three packs down,
and was then apparently as fresh and
lively as at the start.
BY the merest accident, one OF the gen.
tlemen engaged in the chase discovered
the trick by which this extraordinary feat
OF endurance was accomplished. He no
ticed that the fox in making round ran
into large hollow log in the woods. and
came out at the other end. Upon exami-
nation, the log was found to be full Of
foxes, and as one would come In tired
fresh one would take his place, thus
beating the hunters at their own game.
regret exceedingly that. after thorough
and prolonged investigation, I have not
been able to discover the locality OF this
occurrence, or the names OF those who
participated In II, as in the other in
stances related. But I observe that IL
illustrates very forcibly the wonderful sa-
gacity Of the fox when pressed by the