The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-28

vur-0Id scar-Face, the Red Fox,
Does Some Dragging.
.wbat is it, and who is it?" old Scar
v.ca repeated, holding himself ready to
.;sa,near in the bushes at word, at a
~,,,,on Of the hand. But the children had
n.a some experience with wild creatures,
II and they sat as still as statues.
.rbe time was" said the Son of Ben
4 -, a,ben YOU came at my cali and asked
- ousstions. You have forgotten, but I
remember"
mo Son of Ben Ali" old Scar-Face re-
nne5. Il have not forgotten; but when
Won came, you came alone; you brought no
strangers with you"
q said you had forgotten" remarked
Aaron. What Of Rambler, the track
dog"
4 "True-Oh. most true, Son of Ben Ah!'
4 Exclaimed old Scar-Face, lowering his
*bsad in apparent humility, a fact that
caused Drus!lla TO remark, in a whisper,
"He do Ike he human!
And the countenance of old Scar-Face,
cruel and crafty, certainly had a human
espect The children tried in vain to re-
member who he resembfed. One and all
were sure in their own minds they had
seen some one who looked like him. He
was the Dersonification of craft and fear
the sharp nose, The white teeth gleaming,
the glittering, sh.fty eyes. the pointed
ears turning about TO catch every sound,
and so keen of hearing that the fan of a
pine needle attracted their attention. This
was old Scar-Face the invincible, cele-
brated throughout Middle Georgia as the
fox which had out-footed and outmaneu-
yercd every kennel of hounds brought
against him. The ordinary hounds which
had been used for chasing gray foxes, were
simply the playthings of old Scar-Face.
lie was in the Habit Of using them for the
4 purpose of practicing new movements. He
had one scheme, which, when he was not
feeling well, he was in the habit of work
ing on his pursuers. IL may be calfed the
triple iinks, as for instance;
. Imagine the links to cover a half-mile
H each, and The difficulty which a dog would
have in untanghng them with his nose, and
4 that too while he is trying to go at full
speed, will be easily perceived. When the
4 ordinary hounds failed 10 catch old Scar
4 Face hunters from a distance came with
4 their Brdsong hounds. These were Irish
dogs but were calGed Birdsong because
& they were first bred in Georgia by plant
4 er Of that name. These taught old Scar
i Face the necessity of getting on foot
whenever he heard a hound bark between
midnight and day; but when the Birdsong
hounds found his drag warm, the triple
links were sufficient to throw them out.
Here, then, was this famous old fox,
grinnng at Aaron and the children, al
most within reach of their hands. Sweet
est Susan and Druslla were plainly afraid
Of him, for the white scar on his fore
head did not add to his beauty; but Bus
Ter John regarded him with great curios-
ty and interest.
81 had forgotten Rambler, Son of Ben
Ali said old Scar-Face musingly. But
l was not the first to forget; more than
once l heard Rambler bowling for my
blood"
Yes; he made no bargain with me,
Aaron remarked. But here are those
who heard of you. and who begged to
see you. They have some news for YOU
1T is long since l had any" said old
Scar-Face.
Whereupon Aaron told of the fox hunt
mat was 10 take place, and of a hound
named Hodo who was almost as famous
among fox hunters as old Scar-Face him.
self During this recital the fox came out
Of the tunnel, but sat upon his launches
close TO the mouth of it, and held himself
IN readiness to take refuge therein on the
slightest alarm.
when is This hunt to be?" asked old
Scar-Face.
In the days when there is no working
In the fields and woods. When you fail
10 hear the ak and the rattle of the wag-
en- then yen may know the time for the
hunt is mean at hand" said Aaron.
There was a pause, and during this
pause a hare, a small palpitating crea-
lure came creeping from the sedge and
sat looking at Aaron and the children.
some movement or other frightened her,
ana she bounded away. Old Scar-Face
disappeared in the tunnel like a shadow,
ana presently those who were listening
heard the poor little hare give one scream
OF agony and fright, and then all was
What hurt the rabbit" asked Sweet
est Susan Il think It's a shame" she
cred when Aaron motioned with his hand
70 indicate the fox. AS she spoke old
oCar-Face appeared at the door of the
tunnel. AT his feet lay the rabbit.
sweetest Susan looked appealingly al
aaron; but appealing looks couldn't bring
me mare back to life.
>. j feel better" remarked old Scar-Face,
h.AIng his chops Il haven't had good
catch"
You are getting old" suggested Aaron.
. res Old but l gave this little creature
lair chance"
.. "A. was a quick eaten" Aaron declared.
Neat, If not quick" said old Scar-Face
"lN' an air of pride. I'm old. but not
W., w old for this--not too old to lead into
o ~S middle winds this great dog you tell
l., what are the Middle Svinds?' Buster
'onn asked in a whisper.
nj. "Here there is no scent" Aaron ex-
9. mere is scent enough" remarked old
sos race, but it Is lifted from ground
ts, 1 grass by the winds. Yes, l VIII lead
s a.'S wonderful dog into the middle winds
,,u cave him there; or / will carry him
W. " 'ne barren places where the ground Is
Al ana dry. or where the sand has drift
w. II is now three years since / have
G- .g more than trot before the dogs they
.us. What ] need Son of Ben All. Is
ming to stir the blood and make me
vh ms dog they viii bring will give you
called Hodo" IS