III
　　THEHOMEOFTHELYNX
　　AtfirstThor，beingtown—bred，wastimidaboutventuringintothewoodsbeyondthesoundofCorney’saxe;butdaybydayhewentfarther，guidinghimself，notbyunreliablemossontrees，butbysun，compass，andlandscapefeatures。Hispurposewastolearnaboutthewildanimalsratherthantokillthem;butthenaturalistisclosekintothesportsman，andthegunwashisconstantcompanion。Intheclearing，theonlyanimalofanysizewasafatWoodchuck;ithadaholeunderastumpsomehundredyardsfromtheshanty。Onsunnymorningsitusedtoliebaskingonthestump，buteternalvigilanceisthepriceofeverygoodthinginthewoods。TheWoodchuckwasalwaysalertandThortriedinvaintoshootoreventotraphim。
　　"Hyar，"saidCorneyonemorning，"timewehadsomefreshmeat。"
　　Hetookdownhisrifle，anold—fashionedbrass—mountedsmall—bore，andloadingwithcarethatshowedthetruerifleman，hesteadiedtheweaponagainstthedoor—jambandfired。TheWoodchuckfellbackwardandlaystill。Thorracedtotheplaceandreturnedintriumphwiththeanimal，shouting："Plumbthroughthehead——onehundredandtwentyyards。"
　　Corneycontrolledthegratifiedsmilethatwrestledwiththecornersofhismouth，buthisbrighteyesshoneatriflebrighterforthemoment。
　　Itwasnomerekillingforkilling’ssake，fortheWoodchuckwasspreadingabeltofdestructioninthecroparoundhisden。ItsfleshsuppliedthefamilywithmorethanonegoodmealandCorneyshowedThorhowtousetheskin。Firstthepeltwaswrappedinhardwoodashesfortwenty—fourhours。Thisbroughtthehairoff。
　　Thentheskinwassoakedforthreedaysinsoftsoapandworkedbyhand，asitdried，tillitcameoutawhitestrongleather。
　　Thor’swanderingsextendedfartherinsearchofthethingswhichalwayscameassurpriseshowevermuchhewaslookingforthem。
　　Manydayswereblanksandotherswouldbecrowdedwithincidents，forunexpectednessisaboveallthepeculiarfeatureofhunting，anditslastingcharm。Onedayhehadgonefarbeyondtheridgeinanewdirectionandpassedthroughanopengladewherelaythebrokentrunkofahugebasswood。Thesizeimpresseditonhismemory。Heswungpastthegladetomakeforthelake，amiletothewest，andtwentyminuteslaterhestartedbackashiseyerestedonahugeblackanimalinthecrotchofahemlock，somethirtyfeetfromtheground。ABear！Atlast，thiswasthetestofnervehehadhalfexpectedallsummer;hadbeenwonderinghowthatmystery"himself"wouldactunderthisverytrial。Hestoodstill;hisrighthanddivedintohispocketand，bringingoutthreeorfourbuckshot，whichhecarriedforemergency，hedroppedthemontopofthebirdshotalreadyinthegun，thenrammedawadtoholdthemdown。
　　TheBearhadnotmovedandtheboycouldnotseeitshead，butnowhestudieditcarefully。Itwasnotsuchalargeone——no，itwasasmallone，yes，verysmall——acub。Acub！ThatmeantamotherBearathand，andThorlookedaboutwithsomefear，butseeingnosignsofanyexceptthelittleone，helevelledthegunandfired。
　　Thentohissurprisedowncrashedtheanimalquitedead;itwasnotaBear，butalargePorcupine。Asitlaythereheexamineditwithwonderandregret，for。hehadnowishtokillsuchaharmlesscreature。Onitsgrotesquefacehefoundtwoorthreelongscratcheswhichprovedthathehadnotbeenitsonlyenemy。
　　Asheturnedawayhenoticedsomebloodonhistrousers，thensawthathislefthandwasbleeding。Hehadwoundedhimselfquiteseverelyonthequillsoftheanimalwithoutknowingit。Hewassorrytoleavethespecimenthere，andLoo，whenshelearnedofit，saiditwasashamenottoskinitwhenshe"neededafur—linedcapeforthewinter。"
　　OnanotherdayThorhadgonewithoutagun，ashemeantonlytogathersomecuriousplantshehadseen。Theywereclosetotheclearing;heknewtheplacebyafallenelm。Ashecametoitheheardapeculiarsound。Thenontheloghiseyecaughttwomovingthings。Heliftedaboughandgotaclearview。TheyweretheheadandtailofanenormousLynx。Ithadseenhimandwasglaringandgrumbling;andunderitsfootonthelogwasawhitebirdthatasecondglanceshowedtobeoneoftheirownprecioushens。Howfierceandcruelthebrutelooked！HowThorhatedit！
　　andfairlygnashedhisteethwithdisgustthatnow，whenhisgreatestchancewascome，heforoncewaswithouthisgun。Hewasinnotalittlefear，too，andstoodwonderingwhattodo。TheLynxgrowledlouder;itsstumpytailtwitchedviciouslyforaminute，thenitpickedupitsvictim，andleapingfromthelogwaslosttoview。
　　Asitwasaveryrainysummer，thegroundwassofteverywhere，andtheyounghunterwasledtofollowtracksthatwouldhavedefiedanexpertindryertimes。Onedayhecameonpiglikefootprintsinthewoods。Hefollowedthemwithlittledifficulty，fortheywerenew，andaheavyraintwohoursbeforehadwashedoutallothertrails。Afterabouthalfamiletheyledhimtoanopenravine，andashereacheditsbrowhesawacrossitaflashofwhite;thenhiskeenyoungeyesmadeouttheformsofaDeerandaspottedFawngazingathimcuriously。Thoughontheirtrailhewasnotalittlestartled。Hegazedatthemopen—mouthed。Themotherturnedandraisedthedangerflag，herwhitetail，andboundedlightlyaway，tobefollowedbytheyoungster，clearinglowtrunkswithaneffortlessleap，orbendingdownwithcatlikesupplenesswhentheycametoalogupraisedsothattheymightpassbelow。
　　Heneveragaingotachancetoshootatthem，thoughmorethanoncehesawthesametwotracks，orbelievedtheywerethesame，asforsomecauseneveryetexplained，Deerwerescarcerinthatunbrokenforestthantheywereinlateryearswhenclearingsspreadaround。
　　Heneveragainsawthem;buthesawthemotheronce——hethoughtitwasthesame——shewassearchingthewoodswithhernose，tryingthegroundfortrails;shewasnervousandanxious，evidentlyseeking。ThorrememberedatrickthatCorneyhadtoldhim。Hegentlystooped，tookupabroadbladeofgrass，laiditbetweentheedgesofhisthumbs，thenblowingthroughthissimplesqueakerhemadeashort，shrillbleat，afairimitationofaFawn’scryforthemother，andtheDeer，thoughalongwayoff，cameboundingtowardhim。Hesnatchedhisgun，meaningtokillher，butthemovementcaughthereye。Shestopped。Hermanebristledalittle;shesniffedandlookedinquiringlyathim。Herbigsofteyestouchedhisheart，heldbackhishand;shetookacautiousstepnearer，gotafullwhiffofhermortalenemy，boundedbehindabigtreeandawaybeforehismercifulimpulsewasgone。"Poorthing，"saidThor，"Ibelieveshehaslostherlittleone。"
　　YetoncemoretheBoymetaLynxinthewoods。HalfanhourafterseeingthelonelyDeerhecrossedthelongridgethatlaysomemilesnorthoftheshanty。Hehadpassedthegladewherethegreatbasswoodlaywhenacreaturelikeabigbob—tailedKittenappearedandlookedinnocentlyathim。Hisgunwentup，asusual，buttheKittenmerelycockeditsheadononesideandfearlesslysurveyedhim。Thenasecondonethathehadnotnoticedbeforebegantoplaywiththefirst，pawingatitstailandinvitingitsbrothertotussle。
　　Thor’sfirstthoughttoshootwasstayedashewatchedtheirgambols，buttheremembranceofhisfeudwiththeirracecameback。Hehadalmostraisedthegunwhenafiercerumblecloseathandgavehimastart，andthere，nottenfeetfromhim，stoodtheoldone，lookingbigandfierceasaTigress。Itwassurelyfollytoshootattheyoungonesnow。Theboynervouslydroppedsomebuckshotonthechargewhilethesnarlinggrowlroseandfell，butbeforehewasreadytoshootathertheoldonehadpickedupsomethingthatwasbyherfeet;theboygotaglimpseofrichbrownwithwhitespots——thelimpformofanewlykilledFawn。Thenshepassedoutofsight。TheKittensfollowed，andhesawhernomoreuntilthetimewhen，lifeagainstlife，theywereweighedinthebalancetogether。
　　IV
　　THETERROROFTHEWOODS
　　Sixweekshadpassedindailyroutinewhenonedaytheyounggiantseemedunusuallyquietashewentabout。Hishandsomefacewasverysoberandhesangnotatallthatmorning。
　　HeandThorsleptonahay—bunkinonecornerofthemainroom，andthatnighttheBoyawakenedmorethanoncetohearhiscompaniongroaningandtossinginhissleep。Corneyaroseasusualinthemorningandfedthehorses，butlaydownagainwhilethesistersgotbreakfast。Herousedhimselfbyaneffortandwentbacktowork，butcamehomeearly。Hewastremblingfromheadtofoot。Itwashotsummerweather，buthecouldnotbekeptwarm。AfterseveralhoursareactionsetinandCorneywasinahighfever。Thefamilyknewwellnowthathehadthedreadedchillsandfeverofthebackwoods。Margatwentoutandgatheredalapfulofpipsissewatomaketea，ofwhichCorneywasencouragedtodrinkcopiously。
　　Butinspiteofalltheirherbsandnursingtheyoungmangotworse。Attheendoftendayshewasgreatlyreducedinfleshandincapableofwork，soononeofthe"welldays"thatareusualinthecourseofthediseasehesaid：
　　"Say，gurruls，Ican’tstanditnolonger。GuessIbettergohome。I’mwellenoughtodriveto—day，forawhileanyway;ifI’mtookdownI’lllayinthewagon，andthehorseswillfetchmehome。Mother’llhavemeallrightinaweekorso。IfyourunoutofgrubbeforeIcomebacktakethecanoetoEllerton’s。"
　　Sothegirlsharnessedthehorses;thewagonwaspartlyfilledwithhay，andCorney，weakandwhite—faced，droveawayonthelongroughroad，andleftthemfeelingmuchasthoughtheywereonadesertislandandtheironlyboathadbeentakenfromthem。
　　Halfaweekhadscarcelygonebeforeallthreeofthem，Margat，Loo，andThor，weretakendownwithayetmorevirulentformofchillsandfever。
　　Corneyhadhadeveryothera"wellday，"butwiththesethreetherewereno"welldays"andthehousebecameanabodeofmisery。
　　Sevendayspassed，andnowMargatcouldnotleaveherbedandLoowasbarelyabletowalkaroundthehouse。Shewasabravegirlwithafundofdrollerywhichdidmuchtowardkeepingupalltheirspirits，buthermerriestjokesfellghastlyfromherwan，pinchedface。Thor，thoughweakandill，wasthestrongestanddidfortheothers，cookingandservingeachdayasimplemeal，fortheycouldeatverylittle，fortunately，perhaps，astherewasverylittle，andCorneycouldnotreturnforanotherweek。
　　SoonThorwastheonlyoneabletorise，andonemorningwhenhedraggedhimselftocutthelittleusualsliceoftheirtreasuredbaconhefound，tohishorror，thatthewholepiecewasgone。Ithadbeenstolen，doubtlessbysomewildanimal，fromthelittleboxontheshadysideofthehouse，whereitwaskeptsafefromflies。Nowtheyweredowntoflourandtea。Hewasindespair，whenhiseyelightedontheChickensaboutthestable;butwhat’stheuse？InhisfeeblestatehemightaswelltrytocatchaDeeroraHawk。SuddenlyherememberedhisgunandverysoonwaspreparingafatHenforthepot。Heboileditwholeastheeasiestwaytocookit，andthebrothwasthefirstreallytemptingfoodtheyhadhadforsometime。
　　TheykeptaliveforthreewretcheddaysonthatChicken，andwhenitwasfinishedThoragaintookdownhisgun——itseemedamuchheaviergunnow。Hecrawledtothebarn，buthewassoweakandshakythathemissedseveraltimesbeforehebroughtdownafowl。
　　Corneyhadtakentherifleawaywithhimandthreechargesofgunammunitionwereallthatnowremained。
　　ThorwassurprisedtoseehowfewHenstherewerenow，onlythreeorfour。Thereusedtobeoveradozen。Threedayslaterhemadeanotherraid。HesawbutoneHenandheuseduphislastammunitiontogetthat。
　　Hisdailyroutinenowwasamonotonyofhorror。Inthemorning，whichwashis"welltime，"hepreparedalittlefoodforthehouseholdandgotreadyforthenightofragingfeverbyputtingabucketofwateronablockattheheadofeachbunk。Aboutoneo’clock，withfearfulregularity，thechillswouldcomeon，withtremblingfromheadtofootandchatteringteeth，andcold，cold，withinandwithout。Nothingseemedtogiveanywarmth——fireseemedtohavelostitspower。Therewasnothingtodobuttolieandshakeandsufferalltheslowtortureoffreezingtodeathandshakingtopieces。Forsixhoursitwouldkeepup，andtothetorture，nausealentitshorridaidthroughout;thenaboutsevenoreighto’clockintheeveningachangewouldcome;aburningfeversetin;noicecouldhaveseemedcooltohimthen;
　　water——water——wasallhecraved，anddrankanddrankuntilthreeorfourinthemorning，whenthefeverwouldabate，andasleepoftotalexhaustionfollowed。
　　"IfyourunoutoffoodtakethecanoetoEllerton’s，"wasthebrother’slastword。Whowastotakethecanoe？
　　TherewasbuthalfaChickennowbetweenthemandstarvation，andnosignofCorney。
　　Forthreeinterminableweeksthedeadlyprogramdraggedalong。Itwentonthesameyetworse，asthesufferersgrewweaker——afewdaysmoreandtheBoyalsowouldbeunabletoleavehiscouch。
　　Thenwhat？
　　Despairwasonthehouseandthesilentcryofeachwas，"Oh，God！willCorneynevercome？"
　　V
　　THEHOMEOFTHEBOY
　　OnthedayofthatlastChicken，Thorwasallmorningcarryingwaterenoughforthecomingthreefevers。Thechillattackedhimsoonerthanitwasdueandhisfeverwasworsethaneverbefore。
　　Hedrankdeeplyandoftenfromthebucketathishead。Hehadfilledit，anditwasnearlyemptiedwhenabouttwointhemorningthefeverlefthimandhefellasleep。
　　Inthegraydawnhewasawakenedbyacurioussoundnotfaraway——asplashingofwater。Heturnedhisheadtoseetwoglaringeyeswithinafootofhisface——agreatBeastlappingthewaterinthebucketbyhisbed。
　　Thorgazedinhorrorforamoment，thenclosedhiseyes，surethathewasdreaming，certainthatthiswasanightmareofIndiawithaTigerbyhiscouch;butthelappingcontinued。Helookedup;yes，itstillwasthere。Hetriedtofindhisvoicebututteredonlyagurgle。Thegreatfurryheadquivered，asniffcamefrombelowtheshiningeyeballs，andthecreature，whateveritwas，droppedtoitsfrontfeetandwentacrossthehutunderthetable。Thorwasfullyawakenow;heroseslowlyonhiselbowandfeeblyshouted"Sssh—hi，"atwhichtheshiningeyesreappearedunderthetableandthegrayformcameforth。Calmlyitwalkedacrossthegroundandglidedunderthelowestlogataplacewhereanoldpotatopitleftanopeninganddisappeared。
　　Whatwasit？Thesickboyhardlyknew——somesavageBeastofprey，undoubtedly。Hewastotallyunnerved。Heshookwithfearandasenseofhelplessness，andthenightpassedinfitfulsleepandsuddenstartsawaketosearchthegloomagainforthosefearfuleyesandthegreatgrayglidingform。Inthemorninghedidnotknowwhetheritwerenotalladelirium，yethemadeafeebleefforttoclosetheoldcellarholewithsomefirewood。
　　Thethreehadlittleappetite，buteventhattheyrestrainedsincenowtheyweredowntopartofaChicken，andCorney，evidentlyhesupposedtheyhadbeentoEllerton’sandgotallthefoodtheyneeded。
　　Againthatnight，whenthefeverlefthimweakanddozing，Thorwasawakenedbyanoiseintheroom，asoundofcrunchingbones。
　　Helookedaroundtoseedimlyoutlinedagainstthelittlewindow，theformofalargeanimalonthetable。Thorshouted;hetriedtohurlhisbootattheintruder。Itleapedlightlytothegroundandpassedoutofthehole，againwideopen。
　　Itwasnodreamthistime，heknew，andthewomenknewit，too;
　　notonlyhadtheyheardthecreature，buttheChicken，thelastoftheirfood，waswhollygone。
　　PoorThorbarelylefthiscouchthatday。Itneededallthequerulouscomplaintsofthesickwomentodrivehimforth。Downbythespringhefoundafewberriesanddividedthemwiththeothers。Hemadehisusualpreparationsforthechillsandthethirst，butheaddedthis——bythesideofhiscouchheputanoldfish—spear——theonlyweaponhecouldfind，nowthegunwasuseless——apine—rootcandleandsomematches。HeknewtheBeastwascomingbackagain——wascominghungry。Itwouldfindnofood;
　　whatmorenatural，hethought，thantakethelivingpreylyingtheresohelpless？AndavisioncameofthelimpbrownformofthelittleFawn，borneoffinthosesamecrueljaws。
　　Onceagainhebarricadedtheholewithfirewood，andthenightpassedasusual，butwithoutanyfiercevisitor。Theirfoodthatdaywasflourandwater，andtocookitThorwasforcedtousesomeofhisbarricade。Looattemptedsomefeeblejoke，guessedshewaslightenoughtoflynowandtriedtorise，butshegotnofartherthantheedgeofthebunk。Thesamepreparationsweremade，andthenightworeon，butearlyinthemorning，Thorwasagainawakenedrudelybythesoundoflappingwaterbyhisbed，andthere，asbefore，weretheglowingeyeballs，thegreathead，thegrayformrelievedbythedimlightfromthedawningwindow。
　　Thorputallhisstrengthintowhatwasmeantforaboldshout，butitwasmerelyafeeblescreech。Heroseslowlyandcalledout："Loo，Margat！TheLynx——here’stheLynxagain！"
　　"MayGodhelpye，forwecan’t，"wastheanswer。
　　"Sssh—hi！"ThortriedagaintodrivetheBeastaway。Itleapedontothetablebythewindowandstoodupgrowlingundertheuselessgun。Thorthoughtitwasgoingtoleapthroughtheglassasitfacedthewindowamoment;butitturnedandglaredtowardtheBoy，forhecouldseebotheyesshining。Heroseslowlytothesideofhisbunkandheprayedforhelp，forhefeltitwaskillorbekilled。Hestruckamatchandlightedhispine—rootcandle，heldthatinhislefthandandinhisrighttooktheoldfish—spear，meaningtofight，buthewassoweakhehadtousethefish—spearasacrutch。ThegreatBeaststoodonthetablestill，butwascrouchingalittleasthoughforaspring。Itseyesglowedredinthetorchlight。Itsshorttailwasswitchingfromsidetosideanditsgrowlingtookahigherpitch。Thor’skneesweresmitingtogether，buthelevelledthespearandmadeafeeblelungetowardthebrute。Itsprangatthesamemoment，notathim，ashefirstthought——thetorchandtheboy’sboldfronthadhadeffect——itwentoverhisheadtodroponthegroundbeyondandatoncetoslinkunderthebunk。
　　Thiswasonlyatemporaryrepulse。Thorsetthetorchonaledgeofthelogs，thentookthespearinbothhands。Hewasfightingforhislife，andheknewit。Heheardthevoicesofthewomenfeeblypraying。HesawonlytheglowingeyesunderthebedandheardthegrowlinginhigherpitchastheBeastwasnearingaction。Hesteadiedhimselfbyagreateffortandplungedthespearwithalltheforcehecouldgiveit。
　　Itstrucksomethingsofterthanthelogs：ahideoussnarlcameforth。Theboythrewallhisweightontheweapon;theBeastwasstrugglingtogetathim;hefeltitsteethandclawsgratingonthehandle，andinspiteofhimselfitwascomingon;itspowerfularmsandclawswerereachingforhimnow;hecouldnotholdoutlong。Heputonallhisforce，justalittlemoreitwasthanbefore;theBeastlurched，therewasagrowling，acrack，andasuddenyielding;therottenoldspear—headhadbrokenoff，theBeastsprangout——athim——pasthim——nevertouchedhim，butacrossthroughtheholeandaway，tobeseennomore。
　　Thorfellonthebedandlostallconsciousness。
　　Helaythereheknewnothowlong，butwasawakenedinbroaddaylightbyaloud，cheeryvoice：
　　"Hello！Hello！——areyealldead？Loo！Thor！Margat！"
　　Hehadnostrengthtoanswer，buttherewasatramplingofhorsesoutside，aheavystep，thedoorwasforcedopen，andinstrodeCorney，handsomeandheartyasever。Butwhataflashofhorrorandpaincameoverhisfaceonenteringthesilentshanty！
　　"Dead？"hegasped。"Who’sdead——whereareyou？Thor？"Then，"Whoisit？Loo？Margat？"
　　"Corney——Corney，"camefeeblyfromthebunk。"They’reinthere。
　　They’reawfulsick。Wehavenothingtoeat。"
　　"Oh，whatafoolIbe！"saidCorneyagainandagain。"Imadesureye’dgotoEllerton’sandgetallyewanted。"
　　"Wehadnochance，Corney;wewereallthreebroughtdownatonce，rightafteryouleft。ThentheLynxcameandcleareduptheHens，andallinthehouse，too。"
　　"Well，yegotevenwithher，"andCorneypointedtothetrailofbloodacrossthemudfloorandoutunderthelogs。
　　Goodfood，nursing，andmedicinerestoredthemall。
　　Amonthortwolater，whenthewomenwantedanewleaching—barrel，Thorsaid："Iknowwherethereisahollowbasswoodasbigasahogshead。"
　　HeandCorneywenttotheplace，andwhentheycutoffwhattheyneeded，theyfoundinthefarendofitthedried—upbodiesoftwolittleLynxeswiththatofthemother，andinthesideoftheoldonewastheheadofafish—spearbrokenfromthehandle。
　　LITTLEWARHORSE
　　TheHistoryofaJack—rabbitTheLittleWarhorseknewpracticallyalltheDogsintown。First，therewasaverylargebrownDogthathadpursuedhimmanytimes，aDogthathealwaysgotridofbyslippingthroughaholeinaboardfence。Second，therewasasmallactiveDogthatcouldfollowthroughthathole，andhimhebaffledbyleapingatwenty—footirrigationditchthathadsteepsidesandaswiftcurrent。TheDogcouldnotmakethisleap。Itwas"suremedicine"
　　forthatfoe，andtheboysstillcalltheplace"OldJacky’sJump。"ButtherewasaGreyhoundthatcouldleapbetterthantheJack，andwhenhecouldnotfollowthroughafence，hejumpedoverit。HetriedtheWarhorse’smettlemorethanonce，andJackyonlysavedhimselfbyhisquickdodging，tilltheygottoanOsagehedge，andheretheGreyhoundhadtogiveitup。Besidesthese，therewasintownarabbleofbigandlittleDogsthatweretroublesome，buteasilyleftbehindintheopen。
　　InthecountrytherewasaDogateachfarm—house，butonlyonethattheWarhorsereallyfeared;thatwasalong—legged，fierce，blackDog，abrutesoswiftandpertinaciousthathehadseveraltimesforcedtheWarhorsealmosttothelastextremity。
　　ForthetownCatshecaredlittle;onlyonceortwicehadhebeenthreatenedbythem。AhugeTom—catflushedwithmanyvictoriescamecrawlinguptowherehefedonemoonlightnight。JackWarhorsesawtheblackcreaturewiththeglowingeyes，andamomentbeforethefinalrush，hefacedit，raiseduponhishaunches，——hishindlegs，——atfulllengthonhistoes，——withhisbroadearstoweringupyetsixincheshigher;thenlettingoutaloudchurrr—churrr，hisbestattemptataroar，hesprangfivefeetforwardandlandedontheCat’shead，drivinginhissharphindnails，andtheoldTomfledinterrorfromtheweirdtwo—leggedgiant。Thistrickhehadtriedseveraltimeswithsuccess，buttwiceitturnedoutasadfailure：once，whentheCatprovedtobeamotherwhoseKittenswerenear;thenJackWarhorsehadtofleeforhislife;andtheothertimewaswhenhemadethemistakeoflandinghardonaSkunk。
　　ButtheGreyhoundwasthedangerousenemy，andinhimtheWarhorsemighthavefoundhisfate，butforacuriousadventurewithahappyendingforJack。
　　Hefedbynight;therewerefewerenemiesaboutthen，anditwaseasiertohide;butonedayatdawninwinterhehadlingeredlongatanalfalfastackandwascrossingtheopensnowtowardhisfavoriteform，when，asill—luckwouldhaveit，hemettheGreyhoundprowlingoutsidethetown。Withopensnowandgrowingdaylighttherewasnochancetohide，nothingbutarunintheopenwithsoftsnowthathinderedtheJackmorethanitdidtheHound。
　　Offtheywent——superbrunnersinfinefettle。howtheyskimmedacrossthesnow，raisingitinlittlepuff—puff—puffs，eachtimetheirnimblefeetwentdown。Thiswayandthat，swervinganddodging，wentthechase。EverythingfavoredtheDog，——hisemptystomach，thecoldweather，thesoftsnow，——whiletheRabbitwashandicappedbyhisheavymealofalfalfa。Buthisfeetwentpuff——puffsofastthatadozenofthelittlesnow—jetswereinviewatonce。Thechasecontinuedintheopen;nofriendlyhedgewasnear，andeveryattempttoreachafencewascleverlystoppedbytheHound。Jack’searswerelosingtheirboldup—cock，asuresignoffailingheartorwind，whenallatoncetheseflagswentstifflyup，asundersuddenrenewalofstrength。TheWarhorseputforthallhispower，nottoreachthehedgetothenorth，butovertheopenprairieeastward。TheGreyhoundfollowed，andwithinfiftyyardstheJackdodgedtofoilhisfiercepursuer;butonthenexttackhewasonhiseasterncourseagain，andsotackinganddodging，hekeptthelinedirectforthenextfarm—house，wherewasaveryhighboardfencewithahen—hole，andwherealsotheredwelthisotherhatedenemy，thebigblackDog。AnouterhedgedelayedtheGreyhoundforamomentandgaveJacktimetodashthroughthehen—holeintotheyard，wherehehidtooneside。TheGreyhoundrushedaroundtothelowgate，leapedoverthatamongtheHens，andastheyfledcacklingandfluttering，someLambsbleatedloudly。Theirnaturalguardian，thebigblackDog，rantotherescue，andWarhorseslippedoutagainbytheholeatwhichhehadentered。HorriblesoundsofDoghateandfurywereheardbehindhiminthehen—yard，andsoontheshoutsofmenwereadded。Howitendedhedidnotknoworseektolearn，butitwasremarkablethatheneverafterwardwastroubledbytheswiftGreyhoundthatformerlylivedinNewchusen。
　　II
　　Hardtimesandeasytimeshadlongfollowedinturnandbeentakenasmattersofcourse;butrecentyearsintheStateofKaskadohadbroughttotheJack—rabbitsasuccessionofremarkableupsanddowns。IntheolddaystheyhadtheirendlessfightwithBirdsandBeastsofPrey，withcoldandheat，withpestilenceandwithflieswhosestingbredaloathsomedisease，andyethadheldtheirown。Butthesettlingofthecountrybyfarmersmademanychanges。
　　DogsandgunsarrivinginnumbersreducedtheranksofCoyotes，Foxes，Wolves，Badgers，andHawksthatpreyedontheJack，sothatinafewyearstheRabbitsweremultipliedingreatswarms;
　　butnowPestilencebrokeoutandsweptthemaway。Onlythestrongest——thedouble—seasoned——remained。ForawhileaJack—rabbitwasararity;butduringthistimeanotherchangecamein。TheOsage—orangehedgesplantedeverywhereaffordedanewrefuge，andnowthesafetyofaJack—rabbitwaslessoftenhisspeedthanhiswits，andthewiseones，whenpursuedbyaDogorCoyote，wouldrushtothenearesthedgethroughasmallholeandescapewhiletheenemysoughtforalargeronebywhichtofollow。TheCoyotesrosetothisanddevelopedthetrickoftherelaychase。InthisoneCoyotetakesonefield，anotherthenext，andiftheRabbitattemptsthe"hedge—ruse"theyworkfromeachsideandusuallywintheirprey。TheRabbitremedyforthis，iskeeneyestoseethesecondCoyote，avoidanceofthatfield，thengoodlegstodistancethefirstenemy。
　　ThustheJack—rabbits，afterbeingsuccessivelynumerous，scarce，inmyriads，andrare，werenowagainontheincrease，andthosewhichsurvived，selectedbyahundredhardtrials，wereenabledtoflourishwheretheirancestorscouldnothaveoutlivedasingleseason。
　　Theirfavoritegroundswere，notthebroadopenstretchesofthebigranches，butthecomplicated，much—fencedfieldsofthefarms，wheretheseweresosmallandcloseastobelikeabigstragglingvillage。
　　OneofthesevegetablevillageshadsprunguparoundtherailwaystationofNewchusen。ThecountryamileawaywaswellsuppliedwithJack—rabbitsofthenewandselectedstock。AmongthemwasalittleladyRabbitcalled"Bright—eyes，"fromherleadingcharacteristicasshesatgrayinthegraybrush。
　　Shewasagoodrunner，butwasespeciallysuccessfulwiththefence—playthatbaffledtheCoyotes。Shemadehernestoutinanopenpasture，anuntouchedtractoftheancientprairie。Hereherbroodwerebornandraised。Onelikeherselfwasbright—eyed，incoatofsilver—gray，andpartlygiftedwithherreadywits，butintheother，thereappearedararecombinationofhismother’sgiftswiththebestthatwasinthebeststrainofthenewJack—rabbitsoftheplains。
　　Thiswastheonewhoseadventureswehavebeenfollowing，theonethatlaterontheturfwonthenameofLittleWarhorseandthatafterwardachievedaworld—widefame。
　　Ancienttricksofhiskindherevivedandputtonewuses，andancientenemieshelearnedtofightwithnew—foundtricks。
　　WhenamerebabyhediscoveredaplanthatwasworthyofthewisestRabbitinKaskado。HewaspursuedbyahorriblelittleYellowDog，andhehadtriedinvaintogetridofhimbydodgingamongthefieldsandfarms。ThisisgoodplayagainstaCoyote，becausethefarmersandtheDogswilloftenhelptheJack，withoutknowingit，byattackingtheCoyote。Butnowtheplandidnotworkatall，forthelittleDogmanagedtokeepafterhimthroughonefenceafteranother，andJackWarhorse，notyetfull—grown，muchlessseasoned，wasbeginningtofeelthestrain。
　　Hisearswerenolongerupstraight，butanglingbackandattimesdroopingtoalevel，ashedartedthroughaverylittleholeinanOsagehedge，onlytofindthathisnimbleenemyhaddonethesamewithoutlossoftime。Inthemiddleofthefieldwasasmallherdofcattleandwiththemacalf。
　　Thereisinwildanimalsacuriousimpulsetotrustanystrangerwhenindesperatestraits。Thefoebehindtheyknowmeansdeath。
　　Thereisjustachance，andtheonlyoneleft，thatthestrangermayprovefriendly;anditwasthislastdesperatechancethatdrewJackWarhorsetotheCows。
　　ItisquitesurethattheCowswouldhavestoodbyinstolidindifferencesofarastheRabbitwasconcerned，buttheyhaveadeep—rootedhatredofadog，andwhentheysawtheYellowCurcomingboundingtowardthem，theirtailsandnoseswentup;theysniffedangrily，thenclosedupranks，andledbytheCowthatownedtheCalf，theychargedattheDog，whileJacktookrefugeunderalowthorn—bush。TheDogswervedasidetoattacktheCalf，atleasttheoldCowthoughthedid，andshefollowedhimsofiercelythathebarelyescapedfromthatfieldwithhislife。
　　Itwasagoodoldplan——onethatdoubtlesscamefromthedayswhenBuffaloandCoyoteplayedthepartsofCowandDog。Jackneverforgotit，andmorethanonceitsavedhislife。
　　Incoloraswellasinpowerhewasararity。
　　Animalsarecoloredinoneorotheroftwogeneralplans：onethatmatchesthemwiththeirsurroundingsandhelpsthemtohide——thisiscalled"protective";theotherthatmakesthemveryvisibleforseveralpurposes——thisiscalled"directive。"
　　Jack—rabbitsarepeculiarinbeingpaintedbothways。Astheysquatintheirforminthegraybrushorclods，theyaresoftgrayontheirears，head，back，andsides;theymatchthegroundandcannotbeseenuntilcloseathand——theyareprotectivelycolored。ButthemomentitiscleartotheJackthattheapproachingfoewillfindhim，hejumpsupanddashesaway。Hethrowsoffalldisguisenow，thegrayseemstodisappear;hemakesalightningchange，andhisearsshowsnowywhitewithblacktips，thelegsarewhite，histailisablackspotinablazeofwhite。Heisablack—and—whiteRabbitnow。Hiscoloringisalldirective。Howisitdone？Verysimply。Thefrontsideoftheearisgray，theback，blackandwhite。Theblacktailwithitswhitehalo，andthelegs，aretuckedbelow。Heissittingonthem。Thegraymantleispulleddownandenlargedashesits，butwhenhejumpsupitshrinkssomewhat，allhisblack—and—whitemarksarenowshown，andjustashiscolorsformerlywhispered，"Iamaclod，"theynowshoutaloud，"IamaJack—rabbit。"
　　Whyshouldhedothis？Whyshouldatimidcreaturerunningforhislifethusproclaimtoalltheworldhisnameinsteadoftryingtohide？Theremustbesomegoodreason。Itmustpay，ortheRabbitwouldneverhavedoneit。
　　Theansweris，ifthecreaturethatscaredhimupwasoneofhisownkind——i。e。，thiswasafalsealarm——thenatonce，byshowinghisnationalcolors，themistakeismaderight。Ontheotherhand，ifitbeaCoyote，Fox，orDog，theyseeatonce，thisisaJack—rabbit，andknowthatitwouldbewasteoftimeforthemtopursuehim。Theysayineffect，"ThisisaJack—rabbit，andI
　　cannotcatchaJackinopenrace。"Theygiveitup，andthat，ofcourse，savestheJackagreatdealofunnecessaryrunningandworry。Theblack—and—whitespotsarethenationaluniformandflagoftheJacks。Inpoorspecimenstheyareapttobedull，butinthefinestspecimenstheyarenotonlylarger，butbrighterthanusual，andtheLittleWarhorse，graywhenhesatinhisform，blazedlikecharcoalandsnow，whenheflunghisdefiancetotheFoxandbuffCoyote，anddancedwithlittleeffortbeforethem，firstablack—and—whiteJack，thenalittlewhitespot，andlastaspeckofthistledown，beforethedistanceswallowedhim。
　　Manyofthefarmers’Dogshadlearnedthelesson："AgrayishRabbityoumaycatch，butaveryblack—and—whiteoneishopeless。"Theymight，indeed，followforatime，butthatwasmerelyforthefunofachivvy，andhisgrowingpoweroftenledWarhorsetoseekthechaseforthesakeofalittleexcitement，andtotakehazardsthatotherslessgiftedweremostcarefultoavoid。
　　Jack，likeallotherwildanimals，hadacertainrangeorcountrywhichwashometohim，andoutsideofthisherarelystrayed。Itwasaboutthreemilesacross，extendingeasterlyfromthecentreofthevillage。Scatteredthroughthishehadanumberof"forms，"or"beds"astheyarelocallycalled。Theseweremerehollowssituatedunderashelteringbushorbunchofgrass，withoutliningexceptingtheaccidentalgrassandin—blownleaves。Butcomfortwasnotforgotten。Someofthemwereforhotweather;theyfacedthenorth，werescarcelysunk，werelittlemorethanshadyplaces。Someforthecoldweatherweredeephollowswithsouthernexposure，andothersforthewetwerewellroofedwithherbageandfacedthewest。Inoneorotherofthesehespenttheday，andatnighthewentforthtofeedwithhiskind，sportingandrompingonthemoonlightnightslikealotofpuppyDogs，butcarefultobegonebysunrise，andsafelytuckedinabedthatwassuitedtotheweather。
　　ThesafestgroundfortheJackswasamongthefarms，wherenotonlyOsagehedges，butalsothenewlyarrivedbarb—wire，madehurdlesandhazardsinthepathofpossibleenemies。Butthefinestoftheforageisnearertothevillageamongthetruck—farms——thefinestofforageandthefiercestofdangers。
　　Someofthedangersoftheplainswerelacking，butthegreaterperilsofmen，guns，Dogs，andimpassablefencesaremuchincreased。YetthosewhoknewWarhorsebestwerenotatallsurprisedtofindthathehadmadeaforminthemiddleofamarket—gardener’smelon—patch。Ascoreofdangersbesethimhere，buttherewasalsoascoreofunusualdelightsandascoreofholesinthefencefortimeswhenhehadtofly，withatleasttwoscoreofexpedientstohelphimafterward。
　　III
　　NewchusenwasatypicalWesterntown。Everywhereinit，weretobeseenstrenuouseffortsatuglification，crownedwithunmeasuredsuccess。Thestreetswerestraightlevellaneswithoutcurvesorbeauty—spots。Thehouseswerecheapandmeanstructuresofflimsyboardsandtarpaper，andnotevenhonestintheirugliness，foreachofthemwaspretendingtobesomethingbetterthanitself。Onehadafalsefronttomakeitlookliketwostories，anotherwasofimitationbrick，athirdpretendedtobeamarbletemple。
　　Butallagreedinbeingtheugliestthingseverusedashumandwellings，andineachcouldbereadtheowner’ssecretthought——tostanditforayearorso，thenmoveoutsomewhereelse。Theonlybeautiesoftheplace，andthoseunintentional，werethelonglinesofhand—plantedshade—trees，uglifiedasfaraspossiblewithwhitewashedtrunksandcroppyheads，butstilllovable，growing，livingthings。
　　Theonlybuildingintownwithatouchofpicturesquenesswasthegrainelevator。ItwasnotposingasaGreektempleoraSwisschalet，butsimplyastrong，rough，honest，grainelevator。Attheendofeachstreetwasavistaoftheprairie，withitsfarm—houses，windmillpumps，andlonglinesofOsage—orangehedges。Hereatleastwassomethingofinterest——thegray—greenhedges，thick，sturdy，andhigh，weredottedwiththeirgoldenmock—oranges，uselessfruit，butmorewelcomeherethanraininadesert;fortheseballswerethingsofbeauty，andswungontheirlongtoughboughstheyformedwiththesoftgreenleavesacolor—chordthatpleasedthewearyeye。
　　Suchatownisaplacetogetoutof，assoonaspossible，sothoughtthetravellerwhofoundhimselflaidoverherefortwodaysinlatewinter。Heaskedafterthesightsoftheplace。A
　　whiteMuskratstuffedinacase"downtothesaloon";oldBaccyBullin，whohadbeenscalpedbytheIndiansfortyyearsago;andapipeoncesmokedbyKitCarson，provedunattractive，soheturnedtowardtheprairie，stillwhitewithsnow。
　　AmarkamongthenumerousDogtrackscaughthiseye：itwasthetrackofalargeJack—rabbit。Heaskedapasser—byiftherewereanyRabbitsintown。
　　"No，Ireckonnot。Ineverseennone，"wastheanswer。A
　　mill—handgavethesamereply，butasmallboywithabundleofnewspaperssaid："Youbetthereis;there’slotsofthemoutthereontheprairie，andtheycomeintowna—plenty。Why，there’sabig，bigfellerlivesrightroundSiKalb’smelon—patch——oh，anawfulbigfeller，andjustasblackandaswhiteascheckers！"andthushesentthestrangereastwardonhiswalk。
　　The"big，big，awfulbigone"wastheLittleWarhorsehimself。Hedidn’tliveinKalb’smelon—patch;hewasthereonlyatoddtimes。Hewasnottherenow;hewasinhiswest—frontingformorbed，becausearaweastwindwassettingin。ItwasdueeastofMadisonAvenue，andasthestrangerploddedthatwaytheRabbitwatchedhim。AslongasthemankepttheroadtheJackwasquiet，buttheroadturnedshortlytothenorth，andthemanbychanceleftitandcamestraighton。ThentheJacksawtroubleahead。
　　Themomentthemanleftthebeatentrack，heboundedfromhisform，andwheeling，hesailedacrosstheprairiedueeast。
　　AJack—rabbitrunningfromitsenemyordinarilycoverseightorninefeetatabound，andonceinfiveorsixbounds，itmakesanobservationhop，leapingnotalong，buthighintheair，soastogetaboveallherbageandbushesandtakeinthesituation。A
　　sillyyoungJackwillmakeanobservationhopasoftenasoneinfour，andsowasteagreatdealoftime。AcleverJackwillmakeonehopineightornine，doforobservation。ButJackWarhorseashesped，gotalltheinformationheneeded，inonehopoutofadozen，whiletentofourteenfeetwerecoveredbyeachofhisflyingbounds。Yetanotherpersonalpeculiarityshowedinthetrailheleft。WhenaCottontailoraWood—hareruns，histailiscurleduptightonhisback，anddoesnottouchthesnow。WhenaJackruns，histailhangsdownwardorbackward，withthetipcurvedorstraight，accordingtotheindividual;insome，itpointsstraightdown，andso，oftenleavesalittlestrokebehindthefoot—marks。TheWarhorse’stailofshiningblack，wasofunusuallength，andateverybound，itleftinthesnow，alongstroke，solongthatthatalonewasalmostenoughtotellwhichRabbithadmadethetrack。
　　NowsomeRabbitsseeingonlyamanwithoutanyDogwouldhavefeltlittlefear，butWarhorse，rememberingsomeformerstingingexperienceswithafar—killer，fledwhenthefoewasseventy—fiveyardsaway，andskimminglow，heransoutheasttoafencethatraneasterly。Behindthishewentlikealow—flyingHawk，tillamileawayhereachedanotherofhisbeds;andhere，afteranobservationtakenashestoodonhisheels，hesettledagaintorest。
　　Butnotforlong。Intwentyminuteshisgreatmegaphoneears，soclosetotheground，caughtaregularsound—crunch，crunch，crunch——thetrampofahumanfoot，andhestarteduptoseethemanwiththeshiningstickinhishand，nowdrawingnear。
　　Warhorseboundedoutandawayforthefence。Neveroncedidherisetoa"spy—hop"tillthewireandrailswerebetweenhimandhisfoe，anunnecessaryprecautionasitchanced，forthemanwaswatchingthetrailandsawnothingoftheRabbit。
　　Jackskimmedalong，keepinglowandlookingoutforotherenemies。Heknewnowthatthemanwasonhistrack，andtheoldinstinctbornofancestraltroublewithWeaselswasdoubtlesswhatpromptedhimtodothedoubletrail。Heraninalong，straightcoursetoadistantfence，followeditsfarsideforfiftyyards，thendoublingbackheretracedhistrailandranoffinanewdirectiontillhereachedanotherofhisdensorforms。
　　Hehadbeenoutallnightandwasveryreadytorest，nowthatthesunwasablazeonthesnow;buthehadhardlygottheplacealittlewarmedwhenthe"tramp，tramp，tramp"announcedtheenemy，andhehurriedaway。
　　Afterahalf—a—milerunhestoppedonaslightriseandmarkedthemanstillfollowing，sohemadeaseriesofwonderfulquirksinhistrail，asuccessionofblindzigzagsthatwouldhavepuzzledmosttrailers;thenrunningahundredyardspastafavoriteform，hereturnedtoitfromtheotherside，andsettledtorest，surethatnowtheenemywouldbefinallythrownoffthescent。
　　Itwasslowerthanbefore，butstillitcame——"tramp，tramp，tramp。"
　　Jackawoke，butsatstill。Themantrampedbyonthetrailonehundredyardsinfrontofhim，andashewenton，Jacksprangoutunseen，realizingthatthiswasanunusualoccasionneedingaspecialeffort。TheyhadgoneinavastcirclearoundthehomerangeoftheWarhorseandnowwerelessthanamilefromthefarm—houseoftheblackDog。Therewasthatwonderfulboardfencewiththehappilyplannedhen—hole。Itwasaplaceofgoodmemory——heremorethanoncehehadwon，hereespeciallyhehadbaffledtheGreyhound。
　　Thesedoubtlesswerethemotivethoughtsratherthananyplanofplayingoneenemyagainstanother，andWarhorseboundedopenlyacrossthesnowtothefenceofthebigblackDog。
　　Thehen—holewasshut，andWarhorse，notalittlepuzzled，sneakedaroundtofindanother，withoutsuccess，until，aroundthefront，herewasthegatewideopen，andinsidelyingonsomeboardswasthebigDog，fastasleep。TheHensweresittinghunchedupinthewarmestcorneroftheyard。ThehouseCatwasgingerlypickingherwayfrombarntokitchen，asWarhorsehaltedinthegateway。
　　Theblackformofhispursuerwascrawlingdownthefarwhiteprairieslope。Jackhoppedquietlyintotheyard。Along—leggedRooster，thatoughttohavemindedhisownbusiness，utteredaloudcackleashesawtheRabbithoppingnear。TheDoglyinginthesunraisedhisheadandstoodup，andJack’sperilwasdire。
　　Hesquattedlowandturnedhimselfintoagrayclod。Hediditcleverly，butstillmighthavebeenlostbutfortheCat。
　　Unwittingly，unwillingly，shesavedhim。TheblackDoghadtakenthreestepstowardtheWarhorse，thoughhedidnotknowtheRabbitwasthere，andwasnowblockingtheonlywayofescapefromtheyard，whentheCatcameroundthecornerofthehouse，andleapingtoawindow—ledgebroughtaflower—potrollingdown。
　　BythatsingleawkwardactshedisturbedthearmedneutralityexistingbetweenherselfandtheDog。Shefledtothebarn，andofcourseaflyingfoeisallthatisneededtosendaDogonthewar—path。TheypassedwithinthirtyfeetofthecrouchingRabbit。
　　Assoonastheywerewellgone，Jackturned，andwith—outevena"Thankyou，Pussy，"hefledtotheopenandawayonthehard—beatenroad。
　　TheCathadbeenrescuedbytheladyofthehouse;theDogwasoncemoresprawlingontheboardswhenthemanonJack’strailarrived。Hecarried，notagun，butastoutstick，sometimescalled"dog—medicine，"andthatwasallthatpreventedtheDogattackingtheenemyofhisprey。
　　Thisseemedtobetheendofthetrail。Thetrick，whetherplannedornot，wasasuccess，andtheRabbitgotridofhistroublesomefollower。
　　NextdaythestrangermadeanothersearchfortheJackandfound，nothimself，buthistrack。Heknewitbyitstail—mark，itslongleapsandfewspy—hops，butwithitandrunningbyitwasthetrackofasmallerRabbit。Hereiswheretheymet，heretheychasedeachotherinplay，fornosignsofbattleweretheretobeseen;heretheyfedorsattogetherinthesun，theretheyambledsidebyside，andhereagaintheysportedinthesnow，alwaystogether。Therewasonlyoneconclusion：thiswasthematingseason。ThiswasapairofJack—rabbits——theLittleWarhorseandhismate。
　　IV
　　NextsummerwasawonderfulyearfortheJack—rabbits。AfoolishlawhadsetabountyonHawksandOwlsandhadcausedageneralmassacreofthesefeatheredpolicemen。ConsequentlytheRabbitshadmultipliedinsuchnumbersthattheynowwerethreateningtodevastatethecountry。
　　Thefarmers，whowerethesufferersfromthebountylaw，aswellasthemakersofit，decidedonagreatRabbitdrive。Allthecountywasinvitedtocome，onagivenmorning，tothemainroadnorthofthecounty，withtheintentionofsweepingthewholeregionup—windandatlengthdrivingtheRabbitsintoahugecorralofclosewirenetting。Dogswerebarredasunmanageable，andgunsasdangerousinacrowd;buteverymanandboycarriedacoupleoflongsticksandabagfullofstones。Womencameonhorsebackandinbuggies;manycarriedrattlesorhornsandtinstomakeanoise。Anumberofthebuggiestrailedastringofoldcansortiedlathstoscrapeonthewheel—spokes，andthusaddnolittletothedeafeningclatterofthedrive。AsRabbitshavemarvellouslysensitivehearing，anoisethatisdistractingtomankind，islikelytoprovebewilderingtothem。
　　Theweatherwasright，andateightinthemorningthewordtoadvancewasgiven。Thelinewasaboutfivemileslongatfirst，andtherewasamanoraboyeverythirtyorfortyyards。Thebuggiesandriderskeptperforcealmostentirelytotheroads;
　　butthebeatersweresupposed，asapointofhonor，tofaceeverything，andkeepthefrontunbroken。Theadvancewasroughlyinthreesidesofasquare。Eachmanmadeasmuchnoiseashecould，andthreshedeverybushinhispath。AnumberofRabbitshoppedout。Somemadeforthelines，tobeatonceassailedbyashowerofstonesthatlaidmanyofthemlow。Oneortwodidgetthroughandescaped，butthemajorityweresweptbeforethedrive。Atfirstthenumberseenwassmall，butbeforethreemileswerecoveredtheRabbitswererunningaheadineverydirection。
　　Afterfivemiles——andthattookaboutthreehours——thewordforthewingstocloseinwasgiven。Thespacebetweenthemenwasshorteneduptilltheywerelessthantenfeetapart，andthewholedriveconvergedonthecorralwithitstwolongguidewingsorfences;theendlinesjoinedthesewings，andthesurroundwascomplete。Thedriversmarchedrapidlynow;scoresoftheRabbitswerekilledastheyrantoonearthebeaters。Theirbodiesstrewedtheground，buttheswarmsseemedtoincrease;andinthefinalmove，beforethevictimswerecoopedupinthecorral，thetwo—acrespacesurroundedwasawhirlingthrongofskurrying，jumping，boundingRabbits。Roundandroundtheycircledandleaped，lookingforachancetoescape;buttheinexorablecrowdgrewthickerastheringgrewsteadilysmaller，andthewholeswarmwasforcedalongthechuteintothetightcorral，sometosquatstupidlyinthemiddle，sometoraceroundtheouterwall，sometoseekhidingincornersorundereachother。
　　AndtheLittleWarhorse——wherewasheinallthis？Thedrivehadswepthimalong，andhehadbeenoneofthefirsttoenterthecorral。Butacuriousplanofselectionhadbeenestablished。Thepenwastobeadeath—trapfortheRabbits，exceptthebest，thesoundest。Andmanyweretherethatwereunsound;thosethatthinkofallwildanimalsaspureandperfectthings，wouldhavebeenshockedtoseehowmanyhalt，maimed，anddiseasedtherewereinthatpenoffourthousandorfivethousandJack—rabbits。
　　ItwasaRomanvictory——therabbleofprisonerswastobebutchered。Thechoicestweretobereservedforthearena。Thearena？Yes，thatistheCoursingPark。
　　Inthatcorraltrap，preparedbeforehandfortheRabbits，wereanumberofsmallboxesalongthewall，awholeseriesofthem，fivehundredatleast，eachlargeenoughtoholdoneJack。
　　Inthelastrushofdriving，theswiftestJacksgotfirsttothepen。Somewereswiftandsilly;whenonceinsidetheyrushedwildlyroundandround。Somewereswiftandwise;theyquicklysoughtthehidingaffordedbythelittleboxes;allofthesewerenowfull。Thusfivehundredoftheswiftestandwisesthadbeenselected，in，notbyanymeansaninfallibleway，butthesimplestandreadiest。ThesefivehundredweredestinedtobecoursedbyGreyhounds。Thesurgingmassofoverfourthousandwereruthlesslygiventoslaughter。