even field mice, although he stayed close by when this game went on to see that the breakfast did not escape.
Later on he brought a half grown muskrat, and placed it among the pups to see which one had fight and grit enough to stay in and kill the muskrat. It was a rather long and hard battle, but finally the largest of the pups came off conqueror, just as Redcoat himself had done the year before.
It was now Redcoat's turn to take up a commanding position, and with nostrils constantly sifting the air, and ears cocked to listen for danger, to utter that warning sharp bark, which is the danger sign in all foxdom.
Redcoat's little family was subject to all the dangers and adversities, that his sire's family had been, but Redcoat, although he was young, watched and guarded his family better than the previous fox family had been protected.
One very close call to tragedy occurred when the pups were about two months old. Only the watchfulness of the head of the
