The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-21
FOX WITH A LIONS HEART.
He Fights a Royal Win with a Pur
Named Todd.

From the New York Press.
Middletown. y. Y, Feb. Fox hunting
is all the thing among the farmers in that
part Of Orange county lying north OF this
city. There are plenty OF foxes. and there
is hunting "as is hunting"
No bag for scent, OF thrashing OF rail
jumpers over the hard ground by crimson
jacketed hunters characterizes the sport
there. Honest tillers of the soil go out to
run the fox to earth on foot. aided by dogs
who know their business. The weather has
been excellent for such sport, the ground
being just soft enough to hold a good scent
and the trail is rarely lost
Frank Mills of Circleville has a valuable
dog called Todd, II Is conceded by hunt
ers to be one Of the best in the country
When Mills goes out he seldom comes
back without a fox, but he had chase a
few days ago which resulted in a dismal
defeat for Todd. and a fight thrown in
which he Will not soon forget
A trail was started on the Guinea Valley
and Todd followed hot on il, making the
valley ring with his CHEEKY cries.
Mills followed as rapidly as possible, and
from the top of a high hill saw fine,
large fox playing with Todd. He was max
ing circles around a large Held. about 500
yards ahead of his pursuer The hound
was following, keeping strictly on each
new track. his nose close to the ground.
Had the dog looked up. he would have seen
the fox on the other side OF the field, but
he didn't. Mills watched the two for a few
moments, and then concluded to get near
where the fox would have TO pass, and
thus get a good shot. But something hap
pened which made him change his mind.
Todd lost the scent. He began to circle
about, and was retracing his steps The
fox was coming toward him through some
brush, and before one was aware the fox
ran out into the cleared space less than
a dozen feet from Todd. The recognition
was mutual and instantaneous.
Todd was on the foX's headquarters in
a second, and the fox turned upon him.
Frank could NOT see the fight. but the
growls and snarls could be plainly heard.
Shooting a fox is no novelty TO him, and
he waited to see the fun.
For once Todd had his paws fun. He
found foe worthy of his mettle The fox
was not at all anxious about his defense,
but rather seemed delighted in leading
and countering. He chewed Todds ears
and barked his nose until blood was flow
ing rapidly. Todd was losing no time,
and he had a good grip on the foX's throat
once or twice, but the fox broke loose.
The two struggled frantically as the
efforts began to tell. First one was on
top then the other.
Finally the fox became free, and, leap
ing to his feet, ran for his life. Todd was
thinking hard. He followed slowly but
he kept tasting his, own blood, and he
stopped He dug deep into the mud and
paved his wounds until Mills come up
to him. The hunter led the dog to a
swampy place, bathed. his wounds and
then put Todd on the trail Todd started
Of at a good pace, and with few deter
mined yelps disappeared. Frank returned
after his foe for two days. Reynard es-
capped, but he may yet be captured, for
Frank swears he'll never let any durn
fox lick Todd"