ted that he
might be unable to secure his retreat by the way through which he had
entered--_facilis descensus averni_.

To spring upward, especially after a heavy supper, was a laborious
effort; and no doubt the villain had grown sufficiently uneasy in his
mind before the early hour at which the farm-servant opened the door to
liberate the fowls. When the door was opened, the man beheld the
poacher in the midst of his slaughtered game. Cudgel in hand, he sprang
in and fastened the door behind him, ready for a duel with Master
Reynard at close quarters. But well the rascal knew that discretion is
the better part of valour, and that "He who fights and runs away, May
live to fight another day."

So, after being hunted about the house for some time, he seized an
opportunity, when the man stooped to aim a decisive blow at him, to
spring upon his assailant's back, and thence leap through the aperture
in the roof, which he could not otherwise have reached. Thus he made
his escape.

It would have been amusing to see the countenance or the man, when he
found his fancied victim vanish from his sight like the wizard of a
fairy tale.

Cunning rogues often get trapped, like the fox, when they hope to enjoy
their spoil in security. Beware, when you have such an one to deal
with, that he does not spring on your back, and leave you to be
answerable for his crime.

To you, my young friend, I would say--You cannot be too cautious in
dealing with what is wrong. You may fancy yourself able to cope with
it, but it may prove too cunning for you. Better keep out of its way,
till you have gained strength and wisdom.

THE FOX IN A PLOUGH FURROW.

The hero of Scotch story escaped from his foes by making his way down
the course of a stream, that no trace of his footsteps might be found.
Equally sagacious was an Irish fox, which, pursued by the hounds, was
seen by a farmer, while he was ploughing a field, to run along in the
furrow directly before him. While wondering how it was that the sly
creature was pursuing this course, he heard the cry of dogs, and turning
round, saw the whole pack at a dead stand, near the other end of the
field, at the very spot where Reynard had entered the newly-formed
trench. The fox had evidently taken this ingenious way of eluding
pursuit; and the farmer, admiring the cleverness of the animal, allowed
it to get off without betraying its whereabouts.

THE FOX AND THE BADGER.

Long live Old Irelan