Thesummerwentbywithoutanythingparticularhappening，exceptthatmybrotherwiththelamefootwaseatenbythemotherfox。Thatgreatredbeastwasalwaysprowlingabout，andatnightsurprisedusinafieldnearthewoodwherewewerefeedingonsomebeautifulturnips。
Therestofusgotaway，butmybrotherbeinglame，wasnotquickenough。Thefoxcaughthim，andIheardhersharpwhiteteethcrunchintohisbones。Thesoundmademequitesick，andmymotherwasverysadafterwards。Shecomplainedtomyfatherofthecrueltyoffoxes，buthe，who，asIhavesaid，wasaphilosopher，answeredheralmostinherownwords。
"Foxesmustlive，andthisonehasyoungtofeed，andthereforeisalwayshungry。Therearethreeoftheminaholeatthetopofthewood，"heremarked。"Alsooursonwaslameandwouldcertainlyhavebeencaughtwhenthehuntingbegins。"
"What’sthehunting？"Iasked。
"Nevermind，"saidmyfathersharply。"Nodoubtyou’llfindoutintime，thatisifyoulivethroughtheshooting。"
"What’stheshooting？"Ibegan，butmyfathercuffedmeovertheheadandIwassilent。
Imaytellyouthatmymothersoongotoverthelossofmybrother，forjustaboutthattimeshehadfournewlittleones，afterwhichneithershenormyfatherseemedtothinkanymoreaboutus。MysisterandIhatedthoselittleones。Wetwoalonerememberedmybrother，andsometimeswonderedwhetherhewasquitegoneorwouldonedaycomeback。Thefox，Iamgladtosay，gotcaughtinatrap。AtleastIamnotgladnow——Iwasgladbecause，yousee，Iwassomuchafraidofher。
THESHOOTING
Iwasquiteclosebyonemorningwhenthefox，whowassmellingaboutafterme，Isupposebecauseithadlikedmybrothersomuch，gotcaughtinthebigtrapwhichwascoveredoverartfullywithearthandbaitedwithsomestuffwhichstankhorribly。Irememberitlookedverylikemyownhind-legs。Thefox，notbeingabletofindme，wenttothisfilthandtriedtoeatit。
Thensuddenlytherewasadreadfulfuss。Thefoxyelpedandflewintotheair。Isawthatagreatblackthingwasfastonitsforepaw。Howthatfoxdidjumpandroll！Itwasquitewonderfultoseeher。Shelookedlikeagreatyellowball，exceptforalotofwhitemarksaboutthehead，whichwereherteeth。Butthetrapwouldnotcomeaway，becauseitwastiedtoarootwithachain。
Atlastthefoxgrewtiredand，lyingdown，begantothink，lickingitspawasitthoughtandmakingakindofmoaningnoise。Nextitcommencedgnawingattherootaftertryingthechainandfindingthatitsteethwouldnotgointoit。WhileitwasdoingthisIheardthesoundofamansomewhereinthewood。Sodidthefox，andoh！itlookedsofrightened。Itlaydownpanting，itstonguehangingoutanditsearspressedbackagainstitshead，andwhiskeditsbigtailfromsidetoside。Thenitbegantognawagain，butthistimeatitsownleg。Itwantedtobiteitoffandsogetaway。Ithoughtthisverybraveofthefox，andthoughIhateditbecauseithadeatenmybrotherandtriedtoeatme，Ifeltquitesorry。
Itwasabouthalfthroughitslegwhenthemancame。Irememberthathehadacatwithalittleredcollaronitsneck，andanowlinhishand，bothofthemdead，forhewasGiles，thehead-keeper，goingroundhistraps。Hewasatallmanwithsandywhiskersandaroughvoice，andhecarriedasingle-barrelledgununderhisarm。
Yousee，nowthatIamdeadIknowtheuseofthesethings，justasI
understandallthatwassaid，thoughofcourseatthetimeithadnomeaningforme。StillIfindthatIhaveforgottennothing，notonewordfromthebeginningofmylifetotheend。
Thekeeper，whowasonhiswaytotheplacewherehenailedthecreatureshedidnotlikebydozensuponpoles，lookeddownandsawthefox。"Oh！mybeauty，"hesaid，"soIhavegotyouatlast。Don’tyouthinkyourselfclevertryingtobiteoffthatleg。You’dhavedoneittoo，onlyIcamealongjustintime。Well，goodnight，oldgirl，youwon’thavenomoreofmypheasants。"
Thenheliftedthegun。Therewasamostdreadfulnoiseandthefoxrolledoverandlaystill。
"Thereyouare，allneatandtidy，mydear，"saidthekeeper。"NowI
mustjusttuckyouawayinthehollowtreebeforeoldGrampussneaksroundandseesyou，forifheshoulditwillbealmostasmuchasmyplaceisworth。"
Nexthesethisfootonthetrapand，openingit，tookholdofthefoxbythefore-legstocarryitoff。Thecatandtheowlhestuffedawayintoagreatpocketinhiscoat。
"Jemima！don’tyouwhollystink，"hesaid，thengaveamostawfulyell。
Thefoxwasn’tquitedeadafterall，itwasonlyshammingdead。AtanyrateitgotGiles’handinitsmouthandmadeitsteethmeetthroughtheflesh。
Nowthekeeperbegantojumpaboutjustasthefoxhaddonewhenitsetitspawinthetrap，shoutingandsayingallsortsofthingsthatsomehowIdon’tthinkIoughttorepeathere。Roundandroundhewentwiththefoxhangingtohishand，likeharesdowhentheydancetogether，forhecouldn’tgetitoffanyhow。Atlasthetumbleddownintoapoolofmudandwater，andwhenhegotupagainallwetthroughIsawthatthefoxwasreallydead。Butithaddiedbiting，andnowI
knowthatthispleaseditverymuch。
ItwasjustthenthatthemanwhomthekeeperhadcalledGrampuscameup。Hewasabig，fatmanwithaveryredface，whomadeakindofblowingnoisewhenhewalkedfast。Iknownowthathewasthelordofalltheothermenaboutthatplace，thathelivedinthehousewhichlookedoverthesea，andthattheboyandgirlwhoputmeinwiththeyellow-toothedrabbitwerehischildren。Hewaswhatthefarmerscalled"afirst-rateall-roundsportsman，"whichmeans，myfriend——butwhatisyourname？
"Oh！Mahatma，"Iansweredathazard。
"Whichmeans，myfriendMahatma，thathespentmostoftheyearinkillingtheloweranimalssuchasme。Yes，hespentquiteeightmonthsoutofthetwelveinkillingusonewayandanother，forwhentherewasnomorekillingtobedoneinhisowncountry，hewouldtraveltoothersandkillthere。Hewouldevenkillpigeonsfromatrap，oryoungrooksjustoutoftheirnests，orratsinastack，orsparrowsamongivy，ratherthannotkillanything。I’veheardGilessaysototheunder-keeperandcallhim"aregularslaughterer"and"atrue-
bloodEnglishman。"
Yet，myfriendMahatma，Isayinthelightofthetruthwhichhascometome，thataccordingtohisknowledgeGrampuswasagoodman。Thus，whatlittletimehehadtosparefromsporthepassedinhelpinghisbrothermenbysendingthemtoprison。Althoughofcourseheneverworkedorearnedanything，hewasveryrich，becausemoneyflowedtohimfromotherpeoplewhohadbeenveryrich，butwhoatlastwereforcedtotravelthisRoadandcouldnotbringitwiththem。Iftheycouldhavebroughtit，IamsurethatGrampuswouldneverhavegotany。However，hedidgetit，andheaidedagreatmanypeoplewiththatpartofitwhichhefoundhecouldnotspenduponhimself。Hewasaverygoodman，onlyhelikedkillinguslowercreatures，whomhebredupwithhismoneytobekilled。
"Goonwithyourstory，Hare，"Isaid；"whenIseethisRed-facedManIwilljudgeofhimformyself。Probablyyouareprejudicedabouthim。"
"IdaresayIam，"answeredtheHare，rubbingitsnose；"butpleaseobservethatIamnotspeakingunkindlyofGrampus，althoughbeforeI
havedoneyoumaythinkthatImighthavereasontodoso。However，youwillbeabletoformyourownopinionwhenhecomeshere，whichI
amsurehedoesnotmeantodoformany，manyyears。Theworldismuchtoocomfortableforhim。Hedoesnotwishtoleaveit。"
"Stillhemaybeobligedtodoso，Hare。"
"Oh！no，peoplelikethatareneverobligedtodoanythingtheydonotlike。ItisonlypoorthingssuchasyouandI，Mahatma，whichmustsuffer。Icanseethatyouhavehadagreatdealtobear，andsohaveI，forwewereborntosufferingastheRed-facedManwasborntohappiness。"
"Goonwithyourstory，Hare，"Irepeated。"Youarebecomingmetaphysicalandthereforedull。ThetimeisshortandIwanttohearwhathappened。"
"Quiteso，Mahatma。Well，Grampuscameupbreathingveryheavilyandlookingveryredintheface。Heheldhishatinonehandandalargecrookedstickintheother，andeventhetopofhishead，onwhichnohairgrew，wasred，forhehadbeenrunning。
"Whatthedeuceisthematter？"hepuffed。"Oh！itisyou，Giles，isit？Whatareyoudoing，sir，lookinglikethat，allcoveredwithbloodandmud？Hasapoachershotyou，orwhat？"
"No，Squire，"answeredGileshumbly，touchinghishat。"Ihaveshotapoacher，that’sall，andithasgivenmewhatfor，"andheliftedthebodyofthefoxfromthewater。
"Afox，"saidGrampus，"afox！Doyoumeantosay，Giles，thatyouhavedaredtoshootafox，andavixenwithalittertoo？HowoftenhaveItoldyouthat，althoughIkeepharriersandnotfox-hounds，youarenevertotouchafox。Youwillgetmeintotroublewithallmyneighbours。Igiveyouamonth’snotice。Youwillleaveonthisdaymonth。"
"Verywell，Squire，"saidGiles，"I’llleave，andIhopeyou’llfindsomeonetoserveyoubetter。MeanwhileIdidn’tshootthedrattedfox。AtleastIonlyshotheraftershe’dgoneandgotherselfintoatrapwhichIhadsetforthatthereRectorydogwhatyoutoldmetomakeoffwithonthequiet，sothattheyoungladymightneverknowwhatbecomeofitandcryandmakeafussasshedidaboutthelast。
Thenseeingthatshewasfinished，withherleghalfchewedoff，I
shother，orratherIdidn’tshootheraswellasIshould，forthebeggargaveatwistasIfired，andnowshe’sbitmerightthroughthehand。Ionlyhopesyouwon’thavetopaymywidowforit，Squire，undertheAct，asfoxes’bitesisuncommonpoisonous，especiallywhenthey’vebeena-eatingofrottenrabbit。"
"Dearme！"saidtheRed-facedMansoftening，"dearme，thebeastdoesseemtohavebittenyouverybadly。Youmustgoandbecauterisedwithared-hotiron。Itispainfulbutthebestthingtodo。Meanwhile，suckit，Giles，suckit！Idaresaythatwilldrawoutthepoison，andifitdoesn’t，thankmystars！Iaminsured。Lookhere，aminuteortwocanmakenodifference，forifyouarepoisoned，youarepoisoned。
Wherecanweputthisbrute？Iwouldn’thaveitseenfortenpounds。"
"There’sanoldpollard，Squire，aboutfiveyardsawaydownnearthefence，whichishollowandhandy，"saidGiles。
"Quiteso，"heanswered，"Iknowitwell。Doyoubringthe——dog，Giles。Remember，itwasadog，notafox。"
Thentheywenttothepollard，andasGiles’shandwashurttheRed-
facedManclimbedupit，thoughGilestriedtopreventhim。
"Nowthen，Giles，"hesaid，"givemethefox——Imeanthedog，andI
willdropitdown。GreatHeavens！howthistreestinks。Hastherebeenanearthhere？"
"NotasIknowsof，Squire，"saidGilessullenly。
Grampusstretchedhishanddownintothehollowofthepollardanddraggeduparottingfoxbyitstail。
"Giles，"hesaid，"youhavebeenkillingmorefoxesandhidingtheminthistree。Giles，Idismissyouatonceandwithoutamonth’swages。"
"Allright，sir，"saidGiles，"I’llgo，andIpraysyou’llfindsomeonewhatwillkeepyourhareswhichyoumusthave，andyourpheasantswhichyoumusthave，andyourpartridgeswhichyoumusthave，withoutkillingthesevarmintsoffoxeswhateatsthelot。"
TheRed-facedMandescendedfromthetreeholdinghisnoseandlookedatGiles。Gilessuckedhisbleedinghandandlookedathim。
"Foxesareverydestructiveanimals，"saidtheRed-facedMantoGiles，"especiallywhenoneshootsandkeepsharriers。"
"Theyarethat，sir，"saidGilestotheRed-facedMan，"asonlythoseknowwhathastodowiththem。"
"Puttheotherin，Giles，"saidtheRed-facedman，"andwhenyouhavetime，throwsomesoilontothetopofthelot。Thisplacesmellshorrible。Andlookyouhere，Giles，"headdedinavoiceofthunder，"ifeverIfindyoukillingafoxuponthisproperty，youwillbedismissedatonce，asIhaveoftentoldyoubefore。Doyouunderstand？"
"Yes，Squire，Iunderstand，"answeredGiles，"andI’llseetotheburyingofthemthissameafternoon，ifthepaininmyhandwillsufferit。"
"Verywell，"saidtheRed-facedMan，"that’sdonewith——exceptthecubs。Asyouhavekilledthevixenyouhadbetterstinkthecubsoutoftheearth。Idaresaytheyareoldenoughtolookafterthemselves——
atanyrateIhopeso。Andnow，Giles，wemustshootsomeofthesehareswhenwebeginonthepartridgesnextweek。Therearetoomanyofthem，thetenantsarecomplaining，ungratefulbeggarsastheyare，seeingthatIkeepthemfortheirsport。"
AtthispointIthoughtthatIhadheardenough，andslippedawaywhentheirbackswereturned。For，friendMahatma，Ihadjustseenafoxshot，andnowIknewwhatshootingmeant。
*****
AboutaweeklaterIknewbetterstill。Itcameaboutthus。BythattimetheturnipsIhavementioned，thosethatgrewinthebigfield，hadswelledintofine，largebulbswithleafytops。Weusedtoeatthematnights，andinthedaytimetolieupamongtheminoursnugforms。Youknow，Mahatma，don’tyou，thataformisalittlehollowwhichaharemakesinthegroundjusttofititself？Noharelikestosleepinanotherhare’sform。Doyouunderstand？"
"Yes，"Ianswered，"Iunderstand。Itwouldbelikeamanwearinganotherman’sboots。"
"Idon’tknowanythingaboutbootsMahatma，exceptthattheyarehardthingswithirononthemwhichkickoneoutofone’sformifonesitstooclose。Oncethathappenedtome。Well，myformwasunderaparticularlyfineturnipthathadsomedeadleavesbeneaththegreenones。Ichoseitbecause，likethebrownearth，theyjustmatchedthecolourofmyback。Iwassleepingtherequitesoundlywhenmysistercameandwokeme。
"Therearemeninthefield，"shesaid，hereyesnearlystartingoutofherheadwithfear，forshewasalwaysverytimid。
"I’moff。"
"Areyou？"Ianswered。"Well，IthinkIshallstopherewhereIshan’tbenoticed。Ifwebeginjumpingoverthoseturnipstheywillseeus。"
"Wemightrundowntherows，keepingourearsclosetoourbacks，"sheremarked。
"No，"Isaid，"therearetoomanybarepatches。"
Atthismomentagunwent’bang’somewayoff；andmysister，likeawisehare，scuttledawayatfullspeedforthewood。ButIonlymademyselfsmallerthanusualandlaywatchingandlistening。
Therewasagooddealtoseeandhear；forinstance，acoveyofpartridges，troublesomebirdsthatcomescratchingandfidgetingaboutwhenonewantstosleep，wererunningtoandfroinagreatstateofconcern。
"Theyareafterus，"saidtheoldcock。
"Irememberthesamethinglastyear。Comeon，do。"
"HowcanIwithalltheseyoungonestolookafter？"answeredthehen。
"Why，ifoncetheyarescatteredIshallneverfindthemagain。"
"Justasyoulike，youknowbest，"saidthecock。"Goodbye，"andawayheflew，whilehiswifeandtherestrantoalittledistance，scatteredandsquatted。
Presently，lookingbackovermyshoulderswithoutturningmyhead，asaharecan，Isawalineofmenwalkingtowardsme。TherewastheRed-
facedManwhomGilescalledGrampusbehindhisbackandSquiretohisface。TherewasGileshimself，withhishurthandtiedup，holdingakindofstickwithaslitinitfromwhichhungalotofdeadpartridgeswhoseneckswereintheslit。Oneofthemwasnotdeadorhadcometolifeagain，foritflappedinthesticktryingtoflyaway。Heheldtheseinthehandthatwastiedup，andintheother，oh，horror！wasadeadharebleedingfromitsnose。Itlookeduncommonlylikemymother，butwhetheritwereornoIcouldn’tbequitesure。AtleastfromthatdayneithermysisternorIeversawheragain。Isupposeyouhaven’tmethercomingupthisbigwhiteRoad，haveyou，Mahatma？
"No，no，"Iansweredimpatiently，"IhavealreadytoldyouthatyouarethefirsthareIhaveeverseenupontheRoad。Pleasegetonwithyourstory，ortheLightswillchangeandtheGatesbeopenedbeforeI
hearitsend。"
JustwhenIsawherIwasthinkingofrunningaway，butthesightterrifiedmesomuchthatIcouldnotstir。Yousee，Mahatma，Ireallylovedmymotherasmuchasaharecanloveanything，whichisagooddeal。
Well，beyondGileswas，whodoyouthink？Thatdreadfulboy，Tom，withaguninhishandtoo。DidIsaythattheyallhadguns，exceptGilesandsomebeatermen，onlythatTom’swassingle-barrelled？ThentherewereotherswhomIneednotdescribe，stretchingtoleftandright，andworstofall，perhaps，therewasGiles’sgreatblackdog，asilly-
lookingbeastwhichalwaysseemedtohaveitsmouthopenanditstonguehangingout，andtobewaggingabigtaillikethefox’s，onlyblackandmoreragged。
AsIwatched，upgottheoldhenpartridgeandoneofheryoungonesandflewtowardsme。TheRed-facedManliftedhisgunandfired，once，twice，anddowncamefirstthemotherpartridgeandthentheyoungone。IforgottosaythatTomfiredtooattheoldpartridge，whichfelldeadquiteclosetome，leavingalotoffeathersfloatingintheair。AsitfellTomscreechedout——
"Ikilledthat，father。"
ThismadetheRed-facedManveryangry。
"Youyoungscoundrel，"hesaid，"howoftenhaveItoldyounottoshootatmybirdsundermynose？Nosportsmanshootsatanotherman’sbirds，andasforkillingit，youwereyardsunderthething。IfyoudoitagainIwillsendyouhome。"
"Sorry，father，"saidTom，addinginalowvoicewithasnigger，"I
didkillitafterall。Dadthinksnoonecanhitapartridgeexcepthimself。"
JustthenupjumpedmyfatherneartoGiles，andcameleapinginfrontoftheRed-facedManabouttwentyyardsawayfromhim。
"Markhare！"shoutedGiles，andGrampus，whowasstillgloweringatTomandhadnotquitefinishedpushingthecartridgesintohisgun，shutitupinahurryandfiredfirstonebarrelandthentheother。
Butmyfather，whowasverycunning，jumpedintotheairatthefirstshotandduckedatthesecond，sothathewasmissed；atleastI
supposethatiswhyhewasmissed。
GilesgrinnedandtheRed-facedMansaid，"Damn！"Whatdoes’damn’
mean，Mahatma？ItwasaveryfavouritewordwiththeRed-facedMan，butevennowIcan’tquiteunderstandit。"
"NorcanI，"Ianswered。"Goon。"
"Well，mypoorfathernextraninfrontofTom，whoshottooandhithiminthehindlegssothatherolledoverandoverintheturnips，kickingandscreaming。Haveyoueverheardaharescream，Mahatma？"
"Yes，yes，itmakesahorridnoiselikeababy。"
"Wipedyoureyethattime，Dad，"criedTominanexultantvoice。
"Idon’tknowaboutwipingmyeye，"answeredhisfather，turningquitepurplewithrage，"butIwishyouwouldbegoodenough，Thomas，nottoshootmyharesbehind，sothattheymakethatbeastlyrowwhichupsetsme"（IthinkthattheRed-facedManwasreallykindatthebottom）
"andspoilsthemforthemarket。Ifyoucan’thitahareinfront，missitlikeagentleman。"
"Asyoudo，Dad，"saidTom，sniggeringagain。"Allright，I’lltry。"
"Giles，"roaredGrampus，pretendingnottohear，"sendyourdogandfetchthathare。Ican’tbearitsscreeching。"
Sothatgreatblackdogrushedforwardandcaughtmypoorfatherinitsbigmouth，althoughhetriedtodraghimselfawayonhisfrontpaws，andafterthatIshutmyeyes。
Thenalotofpartridgesgotupandtherewasanyamountofbanging，thoughmostofthemweremissed。ThismadetheRed-facedManangrierthanever。Hetookoffhishatandwavedit，bellowing——
"Callbackthatbruteofadogofyours，Giles。CallitbackatonceorI’llshootit。"
SoGilescalled，"Nigger。Comeyou’ere，Nigger！Nigg，Nigg，Nigg！"
ButNiggerrushedaboutputtinguppartridgesallovertheplacewhileGrampusstampedandshoutedandeveryonemissedeverything，tillatlastTomsatdownontheturnipsandroaredwithlaughter。
Atlength，afterGileshadbeatenNiggertillhebrokeastickoverhim，makinghimhowlterribly，orderwasrestored，andthelinehavingreformed，begantomarchdownonme。For，Mahatma，Iwassofrightenedbywhathadhappenedtomyfather，andIthinkmymother，thatI
didn’trememberwhathe，Imeanmydeadfather，hadtoldme，alwaystorunawaywhenthereisachance，aspoorharescanonlyprotectthemselvesbyflight。
SoasIhadlostthechanceIthoughtthatIwouldjustsittight，hopingthattheywouldnotseeme。Norindeedwouldtheyifithadn’tbeenforthathorribleTom。
DuringtheconfusionthemotherpartridgewhichtheRed-facedManhadshothadbeenforgottenbyeverybodyexceptTom。Tom，yousee，wascertainthathehadshotithimself，beingaveryobstinateboy，andwasdeterminedtoretrieveitashisown。
Nowthatpartridgehadfallenwithinayardofme，withitsbeakandclawspointingtothesky，andwhenthelinehadpassedwherewelayTomlaggedbehindtolookforit。Hedidnotfinditthen，whetherheeverfounditafterwardsIamsureIdon’tknow。Buthefoundme。
"ByJove！here’sahare，"hesaid，andmadeagrabatmejustashehaddoneinthefurzebush。
Well，Iwent。TomshotwhenIwasn’tmorethanfouryardsfromhim，andthewholechargepassedlikeabulletbetweenmyhindlegsandstruckthegroundundermystomach，sendingupsuchashowerofearthandstonesthatIwasknockedrightover。
"I’vehitit！"yelledTom，ashecrammedanothercartridgeintohissingle-barrelledgun。
BythetimethatitwasloadedIwasquitethirtyyardsawayandgoinglikethewind。Tomliftedthegun。
"Don’tshoot！"roaredtheRed-facedMan。
"Mindthatthereboy！"bellowedGiles。
Iwasrunningdownbetweentworowsofturnipsandpresentlybuttedintoaladwhowasbendingover，Isupposetopickupapartridge。Atanyratehistail——doyoucallithistail，Mahatma？"
"Thatwilldo，"Ianswered。
"Well，histailwastowardsme；itlookedveryroundandshiny。TheshotfromTom’sgunhititeverywhere。Iwishtheyhadallgoneintoit，butashewassofarawaythechargescatteredandsixofthebulletsstruckme。Oh！theydidhurt。Putyourhandonmyback，Mahatma，andyouwillfeelthesixlumpstheymadebeneaththegreytuftsofhairthatgrewoverthem，fortheyarestillthere。"
ForgettingthatwewereontheRoad，Istretchedoutmyhand；but，ofcourse，itwentquitethroughthehare，althoughIcouldseethesixlittlegreytuftsclearlyenough。
"Youarefoolish，Hare；youdon’trememberthatyourbodyisnotherebutsomewhereelse。"
"Quitetrue，Mahatma。IfitwerehereIcouldnotbetalkingtoyou，couldI？Asamatteroffact，Ihavenobodynow。Itis——oh，nevermindwhere。Still，youcanseethegreytufts，can’tyou？Well，Ionlyhopethatthoseshothurtthatfatboyhalfasmuchastheydidme。
No，Idon’tmeanthatIhopeitnow，Iusedtohopeit。
Mygoodness！didn’thescreech，muchworsethanmyfatherwhenhislegswerebroken。Anddidn’teverybodyelseroarandshout，anddidn’tIdance？OffIwentrightoverthefatboy，whohadtumbleddown，uptotheendofthefield，thensobewilderedwasIwithshockandtheburningpain，backagainquiteclosetothem。
Butnownobodyshotatmebecausetheyallthoughttheboywaskilledandweregatheredroundhimlookingverysolemn。OnlyIsawthattheRed-facedManhadTombytheneckandwaskickinghimhard。
AfterthatIsawnomore，forIranfivemilesbeforeIstopped，andatlastlaydowninalittleswampneartheseashoretowhichmymotherhadoncetakenme。Mybackwasburninglikefire，andItriedtocoolitinthesoftslush。
THECOURSING
QuiteamoonwentbybeforeIrecoveredfromTom’sshot。AtfirstI
thoughtthatIwasgoingtodie，for，althoughluckilynoneofmyboneswerebroken，thepaininmybackwasdreadful。WhenItriedtoeasetheagonybyrubbingagainstrootsitonlybecameworse，forthefurfelloff，leavingsoresuponwhichfliessettled。Icouldscarcelyeatorsleep，andgrewsothinthatthebonesnearlypokedthroughmypelt。IndeedIwantedverymuchtodie，butcouldnot。Onthecontrary，bydegreesIrecovered，tillatlastIwasquitestrongagainandlikeotherhares，exceptforthesixlittlegreytuftsuponmybackandoneholethroughmyrightear。
NowallthiswhileIhadlivedintheswampnearthesea，butwhenmystrengthreturnedIthoughtofmyoldhome，towhichsomethingseemedtodrawme。Alsotherewerenoturnipsneartheswamp，andasthewintercameonIfoundverylittletoeatthere。Sooneday，orratheronenight，Itravelledbackhome。
AsithappenedthefirstharethatImetnearthebigwoodwasmysister。Shewasverygladtoseeme，althoughshehadforgottenhowwecametopart，andwhenIspokeofourfatherandmotherthesedidnotseemtointeresther。Stillfromthattimeforwardwelivedtogethermoreorlesstillherendcame。
Oneday——thiswasafterwehadmadeourhomeinthebigwood，asharesoftendoinwinter——therewasagreatdisturbance。Whenwetriedtogoouttofeedatdaylightwefoundlittlefiresburningeverywhere，andneartothemboyswhobeatthemselvesandshouted。Sowewentbackintothewood，wherethepheasantswererunningtoandfroinagreatstateofmind。
Somehourslater，whenthesunwasquitehigh，menbegantomarchaboutandscoresofshotswerefiredalongwayoff，alsoawoundedcock-pheasantfellneartousandflutteredaway，makingaqueernoiseinitsthroat。Itlookedveryfunnystumblingalongononelegwithitsbeakgapingandtwoofthelongfeathersinitstailbroken。
"Iknowwhatthisis，"Isaidtomysister。"Let’sbegonebeforetheyshootus。I’vehadenoughofbeingshot。"
Sooffwewent，rushingpastaboybyhisfire，whoyelledandthrewastickatus。Butasithappened，onthebordersofthepropertyoftheRed-facedMantherewerepoacherswhoknewthathareswouldcomeoutofthewoodonthisdayoftheshootingandhadmadereadyforusbysettingwirenoosesinthegapsofthehedgesthroughwhichweran。I
gotmyfootintooneofthesebutmanagedtoshakeitoff。Mysisterwasnotsolucky，forherheadwentintoanotherofthem。Shekickedandtore，butthemoreshestruggledthetighterdrewthenoose。
Iwatchedherforalittlewhileuntiloneofthepoachersranupwithastick。
ThenIwentaway，asIcouldnotbeartoseeherbeatentodeath，andthatwastheendofmysister。SonowIwastheonlyoneleftaliveofourfamily，exceptperhapssomeyoungerbrotherswhomIdidnotknow，thoughIthinkitwasoneofthesethatafterwardsIsawshotquitedeadbyGiles。Hewentoverandoverandlayasstillasthoughhehadnevermovedinallhislife。Deathseemsaverywonderfulthing，Mahatma，butIwon’taskyouwhatitisbecauseIperceivethatyoucan’tanswer。
Afterthisnothinghappenedtomeforalongwhile。IndeedIhadthebesttimeofmylifeandgrewverystrongandbig，yes，thestrongestandbiggesthareofanythatIeversaw，alsotheswiftestoffoot。
TwiceIwaschasedbydogs；oncebyGiles’sblackbeast，Nigger，andoncebythatofashepherd。FindingthatIcouldrunrightawayfromthemwithoutexertingmyselfatall，Igrewtodespisedogs。Ah！
littledidIknowthenthattherearemanydifferentbreedsoftheseanimals。
Onedayinmid-winter，astheweatherwasverymildandopen，IwaslyingontheroughgrassfieldthatIhavespokenofwhichbordersaflatstretchofmoorland。Onthismoorlandinsummergrewtallferns，butnowthesehaddiedandbeenbrokendownbythewind。SuddenlyI
wokeupfrommysleeptoseeanumberofmenwalkingandridingtowardsme。
Theyweretenantsandotherswho，althoughtherealcoursingseasonhadnotyetbeguninourneighbourhood，hadbeenaskedbyGrampustocometotrytheirgreyhoundsuponhisland。Thoseofthemwhowalkedforthemostpartheldtwolong，leandogsonastring，whileoneortwocarrieddeadhares。Theyweredreadful-lookingharesthatseemedtohavebeenbittenallover；atleasttheircoatswerewetandbroken。Ishiveredatthesightofthem，feelingsurethatIwasgoingtobeputtosomenewkindoftorture。
Besidesthemenonfootwerethoseonhorseback，amongwhomI
recognisedtheRed-facedManandmyenemy，thedreadfulTom。Mostoftheotherswerepeoplecalledfarmers，whoseemedveryhappyandexcitedandfromtimetotimedranksomethingoutoflittlebottleswhichtheypassedtoeachother。Gileswasnotthere。NowIknowthatthiswasbecausehehatedcoursing，whichkilleddownhares。Hares，hethought，outtobeshot，notcoursed。
WhilstIwatched，wonderingwhattodo，therewasashoutof"Thereshegoes！"andallthelongdogsbegantopullattheirstrings。Offthenecksoftwoofthemthecollarsseemedtofall，andawaytheyleaptpursuingahare。Themenonthehorsesgallopedafterthem，butthemenonfootremainedwheretheywere。
NowIwasafraidtogetupandrunlesttheyshouldloosetheotherdogsonme，soIlaystill，tillpresentlyIsawtheharecomingbacktowardsme，followedbythetwodogswhosenosesalmosttoucheditstail。Itwasexhaustedandtriedtotwistandspringawaytotheright。Butasitdidsooneofthedogscaughtitinitsmouthandbitittillitdied。
"Thatwasarottenhare，"saidTom，whocanteredupjustthen，"itgavenocourseatall。"
"Yes，"puffedGrampus。"Hopethenextonewillshowbettersport。"
"Hopesotoo，"answeredTom，"especiallyasitisJackandJill’sturntobeslipped，andtheyarethebestgreyhoundsfortwentymilesround。"
ThentheRed-facedMangavesomeordersandJackandJillwerebroughtforwardbythemanwhosebusinessitwastoslipthedogs。Oneofthemwasblackandoneyellow；IthinkJackwastheblackone——adreadful，sneaking-lookingbeastwithawhitetiptoitstail，whichendedinasortofcurl。
"Forwardnow，"saidGrampus，"andgoslow。There’ssuretobeanotherpussortwointhisroughgrass。"
NextsecondIwasupandaway，andbeforeyoucouldcounttwelveJackandJillwereafterme。Isawthemstandingontheirhindlegsstrainingatthecord。Thenthecollarsfellfromthemandtheyleaptforwardlikethelight。Mythoughtwastogetbacktothewood，whichwasaboutaminute’srunbehindme，butIdidnotdaretoturnandheadforitbecauseofthelonglineofpeoplethroughwhichImustpassifItriedtodoso。SoIranstraightforthemoorland，hopingtoturnthereandreachthewoodonitsotherside，althoughthismeantalongjourney。
Forawhileallwentwellwithme，andhavingagoodstartIbegantohopethatIshouldoutrunthesebeasts，asIhadtheshepherd’sdogandtheretriever。ButIdidnotknowJackandJill。JustasIreachedthebordersofthemoorIheardthepatteroftheirfeetbehindme，andlookingbacksawthemcomingup，aboutasfarawayasIwasfromTomwhenheshotme。
Theywererunningquiteclosetogetherandbehindthemgallopedthejudgeandothermen。TherewasafencehereandIboltedthroughaholeinit。Thegreyhoundsjumpedoverandforamomentlostsightofme，forIhadturnedandrundownnearthesideofthefence。ButTom，whohadcomethroughagap，sawmeandwavedhisarmshouting，andnextinstantJackandJillsawmetoo。
ThenasthegoingwasroughbythefenceItooktotheopenmoor，alwaystrying，however，toworkroundtotheleftinthehopethatI
mightwintheshelterofthewood。
Onwewentlikethewind，andnowJackandJillwerequiteclosebehindme，thoughbeforetheygotthereIhadmanagedtocirclesothatatlastmyheadpointedtothewood，whichwasmorethanhalfamileaway。Theirspeedwasgreaterthanmine，andIknewthatImustsoonbecaught。
Atlasttheywerenotmorethantwoyardsbehind，andforthefirsttimeItwistedsothattheyovershotme，whichgavemeanotherstart。
ThreetimestheycameupandthreetimesIwrenchedortwisted。Thewoodwasnotsofarawaynow，butIwasalmostspent。
WhatwasItodo！WhatwasItodo！Isawaclumpoffurzetotheleft，abigclumpandthick，andrememberedthattherewasahare’srunthroughit。IreacheditjustasJillwasonthetopofme，andoncemoretheylostsightofmeforawhileastheyranroundtheclumpstaringandjumping。WhentheysawmeagainonthefurthersideIwasthirtyyardsaheadofthemandthewoodwasperhapstwohundredandfiftyyardsaway。ButnowIcouldonlyrunmoreslowly，formyheartseemedtobebursting，thoughluckilyJackandJillweregettingtiredalso。Stilltheysooncameup，andnowImusttwisteveryfewyards，orbecaughtintheirjaws。
Ican’ttellyouwhatIfelt，Mahatma，anduntilyouhavebeenhuntedbygreyhoundsyouwillneverknow。Itwashorrible。YetImanagedtotwistandjumpsothatalwaysJackandJilljustmissedme。Thefarmersonthehorseslaughedtoseemydesperateleapsandwrenches。
ButTomdidworsethanlaugh。NotingthatIwasgettingquitenearthewood，herodebetweenmeandit，tryingtoturnmeintotheopen，forhewishedtoseemekilled。
"Don’tdothat！Itisn’tsportsmanlike，"shoutedtheRed-facedMan。
"Givethepoorbeastachance。"
Idon’tknowwhetherheobeyedornot，asjustthenImademylastdouble，andfeltJill’steethcutthroughthefurofmyscutandheardthemsnap。IhaddodgedJill，butJackwasrightontomeandthewoodstilltwentyyardsaway。
Icouldnottwistanymore，itwasjustwhichofuscouldgettherefirst。Igatheredallmyremainingstrength，forIwasmad，madwithterror，andboundedforward。
AftermecameJack，Ifelthishotbreathonmyflank。Ijumpedtheditch，yes，Ifoundpowertojumpthatditchwheretherewasarabbitrunjustbythetrunkofayoungoak。Jackjumpedafterme；wemustbothhavebeenintheairatthesametime。ButIgotthroughtherabbitrun，whereasJackhithissharpnoseagainstthetrunkofthetreeandbrokehisneck。Yes，hefelldeadintotheditch。
Icrawledonafewyardstoathickclumpandsquatteddown，forI
couldnotstiranotherinch。SoitcameaboutthatIheardthemalltalkingontheotherside。
OneofthemsaidIwasthefinestharehehadevercoursed。Others，whohaddraggedJackoutoftheditch，lamentedhisdeath，especiallytheowner，whovowedthathewasworth￡50andabusedTom。Tom，hesaid，hadcausedhimtobekilled——Idon’tknowhow，butIsupposebecausehehadriddenforwardandtriedtoturnme。TheRed-facedManalsoscoldedTom。Thenheadded——
"Well，Iamgladshegotoff，forshe’llgiveusagoodrunwiththeharriersoneday。Ishallalwaysknowthathareagainbythewhitemarksonitsback；alsoitisthebiggestIhaveseenforalongwhile。Comeon，myfriends，thedogisdeadandthere’sanendofit。
Atleastwehavehadagoodmorning’ssport，solet’sgototheHallandgetsomelunch。"