Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-19

WENT ON SILENTLY AND SWIFTLY. by something other than the wind. | stopped and moment later I saw a fox, or at least the head and back of one, moving steadily through the grass. 1 There was no hitch or pause in that wondrous gait; the grass, the ferns and the daisies simply parted, and the fox passed through them. swiftly, smooth ly. From the small size and light color, I felt sure it was vixen, and in her mouth she carried some large object what it was, could not tell. I gave sharp whistle, and at the same time raised my field glass. The little crea- ture stopped instantly, with head raised and ears acock-a tawny, graven image-and I could see that what she carried was a Plymouth Rock hen, in whose feathers her jaws were com pleteiy buried.
 Only for moment she paused, and then went on, as silent and more swift ly than before. I followed her trail, and it led me first into valley along the bank of brook, to a point where the fox had crossed on some stepping stones, which showed the wet prints of her feet. By such signs patiently picked my way, until 1 saw ahead of me an opening, across which could be seen lodges of gray rock, with numer- ous cracks and Assures. Here perhaps, I should see something of the fox, so very cautiously I approached the edge of the woodland and peered out to- ward the rocks now well lighted by the rising sun. Sure enough, I caught a glimpse of fur, but without waiting to see anything more I crept quickly be- hind the boil of a large tree, whence I could look out with less danger of being seen. Not 100 yards away there was shelving rock. with large heap of sand in front of it, and around the base of this little mound. a number of young foxes were busily engaged in devouring different parts of Ply mouth Rock fowl Without doubt. they had torn it apart before I could l reach the scene, and I regretted that l I had missed seeing the interesting I little battles which I was sure had 1 taken place before the prey was dis membered. A moment later, however, I was treated to a fight which quite took the edge off my disappointment. One youngster had just finished the part of the hen he had been eating, and. after nosing about on the ground as if to be sure he had not missed any of it, he raised his head and licked his little jaws. to which several feathers were still adhering. Then he ran to- ward one of his brethren who was busy with what seemed to be the body of the fowl, and there was trouble at once.
 "Yap-yap," went the cub in posses sion of the prize. 'Yap-yap. yap-yap- yap." and. picking up the carcass in his teeth. he danced about, staving of his hungry brother with his hindquar- ters. The intruder was not to be so | easily disposed of. however. and con- tinued to follow the matter up until 1 the other one dropped his dinner and 1 pitched right in 10 fight for il. And { how those two did fight,-sometimes rising up on their hind legs. and each ' endeavoring to get on top. meanwhile ' growing and snapping like a pair Of i bull terriers.
 As was watching the cubs. now caught sight of the vixen. who had evidently been lying somewhere be- hind the sandheap which marked the mouth of her den. She arose to her ! full height. with her nose pointed in my direction and her ears cooked for ward vas not aware that I had made the slightest sound. but evident | Iy I had and now I even held my breath in the hope that she would ac- cept me as part Of the landscape and i lie down again BUt suddenly. from i the wood I.shind me. came loud. ex- | plOsiys snort. followed by a startling ' crash and turned in time 10 see deer dash away through the trees and bushes. it's erect white tail rising and ' falling as it Ieaped over logs and rocks { which lay in its path When it had I gone. I turned my head. bur the foxes har iisappeared.