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。\"