The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-05
WHEN THE TROUT DIDN'T BITE.
THINGS A FISHERMAN SAW THAT
PLEASED HIM JUST AS WELL.
Life by sullivan County stream and
the Witness Of Br'er FOx---The Wood
land Keen Sense OF Hearlng-A View
or Nature worth Getting Up to See.

or Nature worth Getting Up to See.
Il went to Sullivan county after some
early trout fishing this season" said New
York lover of the sport, "but the creeks
were so high that 1t was week before
could kill trout. II hadn't been able
to get any at all, though, saw some things
Mt the brook one day that would have
compensated amply for the loss
Il got out before sunrise one morning
to take look at the brook and see what
the prospects we're. This brook was way
ont in the wilds, and there was nobody
near to disturb me. BY and by came
to a bend in the stream. On the side where
was. a big iuttipg rock formed part Of
the waters border On the opposite side
rose high knoll. a few PAGES back from
the creek. At the foot of this. a big tree.
blown down by some od-time gale stretched
its decaying length.
"A considerable area of soil had been
loosened by the trees fall, showing tum-
bled mass Of earth and stones and tangled
roots. Between the creek and the fallen
tree. and all about the broken soil, the
ground was carpeted with velvety grass.
number Of dogwood trees. in graceful
grouping were in their sweetest bloom.
IN an adjacent thicket a brown thrush
Has giving melodious morning greeting.
AS sat down close by the side of the big
rock, the sun began to light up the tree
tops. bringing the tender foliage out in
sparkling relief against the hill. As l
gazed upon this pretty picture I noticed
for the first time that the torn-up soil and
the stones at one side of the fallen tree
were packed hard and worn smooth, indi-
eating Enthusiastically that some living
creature had its home beneath that tangle
of roots A moment later saw the nose
and part Of the head Of an animal thrust
cautiously from the opening among the
roots. Its inspection Of the surroundings
evidently being satisfactory, out from
beneath the tumbled mass stepped a red
fox, boldly and proudly, and at its heels
followed three little foxes.
"The old fox, winking wit self-content- =
ment, sat down on the moist turf, and two
of the cubs played pitch and toss with his
long bushy tail. frog which had I'M
wisely ventured n ar the fox den through
the cool grass, had betrayed its presence
to the other cub, and that pudgy little
beast at once seized it and began putting
ii to various torments.
Presently, from the bushes at one side
of the knoll another fox, the mother Of the
family, came trotting upon the scene.
carrying in her mouth a rabbit. She stopped
in the midst OF the family group, tossed
the rabbit in the air caught il as II fell .
and placed il before the cubs, which were
waiting the outcome of the manHuvre
with quivering esgerness
Then both of the old foxes sat on their
launches and watched, with evident salts
faction and approval the cubs as they
rent the rabbit and devoured H. Then,
when the breakfast was over. the entire
family, old and young, frolicked about on
the green carpet in front of their home.
Suddenly the father Of the litter stopped
in his play and the others instantly became
quiet and stood In alert poses, their noses
In the air The old male fox 3 ewes glea med !,
his ears were erect and his brush stretched
straight out in line with his back, his fore
legs hraced well to the front, and his hind
ones ready for quick motion IL it were
required.
"A few seconds he stood thus, motionless
as q statue. Then he uttered a low smiling
sound The three cubs tumbIed helter-
SHELTER into the opening among the roots
and disappeared. Tie cubs below, the
old foxes followed them. A little later
the cause of this alarm appeared in the
person of woCd-chopper on his way TO
work. He came along up the creek by
the foot Of the knoll, passing the fox den
almost at its threshold. The old fox, al
though absorbed in the fToic with his
cubs, had heard the mans approach when
he was yet an eighth of a mile away
Il remained quietly by the rock, watch
ing the mouth of the fox den. Ten minutes
passed, and, no sign of life reappearing
about tho retreat. was on the point OF
my head, saw hen partridge In an open
space near the edge Of the water, scratch
ing and pecking In the dirt, not more than
ten yards distant. ! remained quiet,
watched her a moment, and then glanced
across the creek again toward the knoll
Mine were not the only eyes that had
discovered the partridge The old dog
fox was crouching at the opening among
the roots, watching tho unsuspecting bird
with a longing and eager eye. Presently
he crept into the bushes at the lower edge
of the knoll and was out of sight. Positive
that he had planned some strategic move
ment against the partridge, kept my gaze
down the creek.
AIN very short time saw the fox emerge
stealthily from the thick underground,
n good pistol shot below where | was
motioness for a moment and then gided
like a shadow into the swift water He
swan the creek, nothing but the tip Of his
nose and the trailing feather of his brush
betraying his presence In the current, and
gained the shore few yards below where
he had started on the opposite bank. Scat
tering the water from his fur by vigorous
shake, he disappeared quickly into the
thicket
"The partridge was still scratching and
pecking in the open space above, strenCly
unconscious of the danger that threatened
her. Having seen what I had, I waa
not surprised when | saw the fox, only
rninute or so later push his head cautiously
out Of the bushes at the inner edge of the
opening, survey the outlook an instant,
and then creep noiselessly, step by step,
upon his intended victim.
"She would have been his in another
moment, but at that critical juncturs 7
sprang TO my feet, In full view. Away
whjzzed the frightened bird into the woods.
There was flash of red fur, and the fox
was gone; and although | sat down In the
hiding tut of the rock and remained there
n long while, he did not return TO the den.
nor did any of his family make sign that
there was such thing as N fox in that
shelter beneath the tangled roots The
Use old father fox did not know, of course,
that | had discovered his home, and he
did not intend 10 reveal It's presence bv
coming back TO II so long az ] WINS near.
And | returned To the cabin, by and
by, feeling as re joced over the mornings
expers nee m il | had been having battle
royal with lllsty trout "