He padded slowly on towards Chard, evidently well-pleased
with himself. Suddenly he stopped dead, with one pad lifted, a
living image of alert tension. He was alarmed by something coming
along the road by which I had come. He turned his head slightly,
as though to make sure with his best ear. Then with a single
beautiful lollopping bound he was over the hedge to safety, going
in that exquisite curving rhythm of movement which the fox has
above all English animals. For a second, I wondered what it was
that had startled him. Then, with a quickness of wit which would
have done credit to an older mind, I realized that there was
danger coming on the road towards me, danger of men or of dogs,
since nothing else in this country frightens a fox. It flashed in
upon me that I must get out of sight at once; before that danger
hove in view of me. I gave a quick rush over the fence into the
tangle, through which I drove my way till I was snug in an open
space under some yew trees, surrounded on all sides by brambles.
I shinned up one of the great yew trees, till I could command a
sight of the road, while lying hidden myself in the profuse
darkness of the foliage. Here I drew out my pistol, ready for
what might come. I suppose I had not been in my hiding-place for
more than thirty seconds, when over the brow of the hill came Sir
Travers Carew, at a full gallop, cheering on a couple of hounds,
who were hot on my scent. Aurelia rode after him, on her famous
chestnut mare.
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