was hunting mice in the small meadows on the Holcome farm, to the north of the mountain. In the course of his hunting the fox discovered a ditch perhaps two feet deep running across the meadow, about forty rods from the house. It had about six inches of water in it, and Redcoat examined the ditch for its entire length.
The Red Hunter did not know just why he did this, but it was a part of his policy to always know the country where he hunted. In fact, to know all the country that he frequented. One could never tell when such knowledge would come handy. So Redcoat made a very thorough examination of the ditch.
About a week later Bud Holcome was awakened one morning by a great squawking among the hens. Some of them were already out in the yard, although it was not yet sunrise. Leaping from his bed, and running to the window, Bud was much excited to see a very large red fox leaping over the wall just across the road, carrying a half grown rooster in his jaws.
