The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1919-10-02
k3 S10l}IES B0YS11 GIRLS

have seen the fox and been ready for him. We
probably won't get such another chance"
To the surprise Of the hunters, the fox did
not take turn and then go back TO the swamp,
but continued across the fields straight toward
Farmer Joe's barn.
In a few moments the dog barked as If II had
driven the game into burrow.
The farmers rifle having been reloaded, the
two hurried toward where the dog was barking.
Jabez could hardly believe his eyes when he
saw that his dog was inside the sheep pen,
and scrating at the foundation walls Of the
barn. The stones had become oosened in some
way and left an aperture big enough to admit
fox Farmer Joes adjustment was mixed
with pleasure.
Reckon we've got him noww he exclaimed.
THE fox must have been so hard pressed by
the dog that he lodged in here to escape wen
watch and get him when he comes out.
Jabez called off his dog, and the two hunters
secreted themselves in an angle of the sheep
pen and waited patiently.
Dinner time came, and as yet no fox had
looked out Of the hole in the stone wall. The
boy did not enjoy spending the day watching.
"Mr. Dilworth," said he II don't believe that
fox will show himself before night. Suppose
leave the dog here on guard, and this even
ing wen watch again. Therell be bright
moon tonight and well be able to see to shoot.
The farmer agreed, and the dog was left to
whine and scratch about the hole Jabez spent
the afternoon at home.
At eight o'clock that evening the boy knocked
at Farmer Joes door The two watchers we're
supplied with several warm blankets The au-
tumn nights were already cool, and they might
have a tiresome wait in store for them.
Armed with their guns, they marched be-
hind the barn, and there found the dog keeping
faithful watch where the fox had disappeared
The watchers arranged their blankets in
spot where they could see the aperture in the
wall. but were themselves hidden.
The dog lay with them, and Jabez kept him
quiet Flying clouds frequently crossed the
moon. and even the familiar objects of his
barnyard looked strange, in this weird light, to
the farmer.
It was already ten o'clock, and Farmer Joe
was saying with yawn. that he guessed he'd
give il up, when the dog raised his head and
shifted
Jabez glanced at the wall, and saw pair of
bright eyes looking out from between the
stones
The dog was suppressed, and the hunters kept
perfectly still The eyes that were looking from
the crevice in the wall glanced carefully in
all directions but saw no danger Soon head
and then forelegs were thrust into view.
Farmer Joe's rifle was resting over a rail. It's
owner whispered to Jabez:
I've got a splendid sight at the fellows head
-shan't | shoot nowY
Jabez saw that the other wished TO retrieve
the reputation he had forfeited in the morning,
so he nodded assent
A sharp explosion followed, and the rifle
threw forth tongue of flame. The fox's head
withdrew out of sight among the stones.
I'm afraid | missed him again lamented
the farmer
The two watchers ran forward.
"No. YOU hit him." exclaimed Jabez Here
are some tufts of fur. But he had strength
enough TO draw himself back into the hole
where he has spent the afternoon
well, then, let's get him out. III not be
satisfied until | see him dead. Besides, want
the pet We can take out some stones from the
wall without doing any damage
They pulled away the stones, roughly put
together to form the foundation. In building
the wall the masons had left in It's center, at
one spot, an open space nearly two feet square
Here they found the fox. dead. with bullet
hole through the neck. The farmer drew out
the animal in triumph. When he remembered
the stolen poultry he felt the days work, which
had resulted in the capture of the thief, was a
good one.
The open space in which they found the ami
NAL showed traces of having been used as a
den for a long time But Farmer Joe could
hardly believe that thief had been living so near
his poultry house, until Jabez suggested solu-
ton. This was the boys explanation:
The sheep spent each night in their pen and
so tramped over the ground at the entrance to
the fox den. The sheep tracks have very
strong scent, and this would effectually battle
any dog which attempted to follow the fox to
his home.
The fox could steal away without disturbing
the sheep. and in the springtime he might feast
on a young lamb. So the willy animal could
have chosen no safer or more convenient place
for his den than a wall in the midst of a sheep
pen.
Now the sheep had been gone for two days,