Page:Redcoat (1927).djvu/186

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ing upon an old log commanding the open spot perfectly. Immediately in front of the man was a fringe of low bushes three or four feet high over which he was peering. This was Redcoat's only chance to cross. He hesitated for a moment but the cry of the pack behind was getting dangerously close to him, so he crept cautiously forward and passed the waiting hunter in the underbrush, going within twenty feet of him, so quietly that the hunter heard not a sound. A few minutes later, when the hounds came out of the cover and trailed the fox almost under the man's nose he was thunderstruck and could not believe they were on the right scent until he went into the bushes and found the fresh fox track. Meanwhile, Redcoat had again taken to the meadows and was running northward as fast as his fleet limbs could carry him. Away at the northern end of the meadow the city extended almost down to the river, and here the railroad crossed upon one bridge and automobiles, teams and foot passengers on another bridge a hundred feet further north.