The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1919-10-02

devoured- mangled evidently by some animal,
which had left the remains of its feast here,
where il could secure II again
THAT rascally fox" thought the farmer, "he
must have killed half a dozen turkeys. not
counting all the chickens we have missed
wish he could be killed"
Farmer Joe was of Jolly good-natured dis
position as suited his round comfortable body;
but the behavior of this fox had exhausted his
patience Twice he had invoked the aid OF
hunters and their bounds, but though the thief
was tracked through fields and among the
bushes Of the swamps, the chase invariably end
ed in The losing Of the scent.
The farmers usually smooth brow was COW
cred with wrinkles as he walked back to the
barn. IF they had not so many pet cats about
the place he would try TO poison this fox, but,
as matters were, he dared not propose such a
plan
Behind the barn, and extending some distance
within the foundations of the building. was the
pen where the sheep spent each night. The pen
looked deserted this morning. for few days
before the Dilworth flock Of sheep. a fine lot
of merinos, had been driven to the fair, which
each autumn was held at the neighboring vii
lage
That afternoon Farmer Joe knocked at the
door of a farmhouse that stood not far from
his own and inquired for Jabez Smith. Jabez,
boy Of sixteen soon appeared, and the farmer
explained the object Of his call.
"Jabez. | know you are quite hunter, and
they say that dog Of yours has a powerful good
nose for foxes Now. all the fall one Of those
vermin has been killing my poultry, and want
YOU TO come over tomorrow, II you can, and help
me get rid of the beast. If we can catch him,
il viii be worth good many turkeys 10 me, and
I'll pay you well for your trouble
Jabez grinned assent, for he liked nothing
better than a fox hunt, and promised to be on
hand early the next morning.
He was as good as his word, for when the
farmer opened the kitchen door and looked out
into the misty light of dawn. he found the boy
and his dog awaiting him. he swallowed a
hasty breakfast took his rifle from its hook,
and the three set out.
They no sooner reached the fields back of the
house than the dog shifted the grass suspicious
ly. and before long began running and barking
as II on a track.
Farmer Joe had told Jabez Of the partially
eaten turkey he had discovered the day before
That must be tn fox-track the dog is fol-
lowing" said Jabez, for fox is the only ami
NAL he'd chase, and wen probably find the fell
low has gone back TO the turkey TO finish It"
The scent which the dog was tracking led him
straight TO the slaughtered bird, now more bad
ly torn than on the previous day. Evidently the
fox had paid il another visit. From this place
the track led into the cedar swamp. The dog
followed it through all its torturous windlngs
among the bushes; but the game was not so
easily reused as Jabez had hoped.
The two hunters did not attempt TO push
their way through the thick evergreens. for IN
fox hunting the hlnter does not desire TO fol-
low the chase but tries TO cut across to some
point near which the animal will pass. So ia
bez and Farmer Joe skirted along the edge of
the swamp, until they reached small ridge
that extended from the open fields into the
bushes.
The hunters placed themselves about twenty
rods apart near the cedars and on either side
of the rising ground.
The farmer leaned against huge pine stump
He thought that il he saw the fox leave the
bushes he would step behind the stump and
so hide himself
The dog began to bark fiercely, and il was
probable that the game had been started. Jabez
stood motionless and intent: the farmer stepped
behind the stump and looked 10 see if his rifle
was in perfect readiness. But II seemed more
likely that Jabez would have the shot, for the
dog was coming toward him.
Farmer Joe crouched behind this stump and
watched the bushes nearest Jabez. The dog
was close to the clearing. and II was time for
the fox to appear
Suddenly MIR. Diworth's eyes were attracted
by a movement on the part Of Jabez. The boy
was waving his arms and motioning TO his COM
panion.
Farmer Joe stared around MN, ana caught 4
gbmpse of something red. as IL darted out of
sight. ON the other side Of the stump. The
hunter sprang to one side, where he had less
obstructed view. and saw a fox dashing OIL
across the field =
lie threw the rifle 10 his shoulder and fred
but his nerves must have been unstiung by The
games sudden appearance, for the bullet ploNed
the ground 10 one side, and the toN sped
swiftly on.
Farmer Joe's rifle waa a muzzle.oader, and
ne had 10 stand, inactive and watch the de
stroyef of his poultry escape