The Law of Property Among Our Four-Footed Kin
Night came down on the Asamuk woods, and the two in the wigwam
were eating their supper of pork, beans, and tea, for the Indian
did not, by any means object to the white man's luxuries, when a
strange "yap-yurr" was heard out toward the plain. The dog was up
at once with a growl. Rolf looked inquiringly, and Quonab said,
"Fox," then bade the dog be still.
"Yap-yurr, yap-yurr," and then, "yurr, yeow," it came again and
again. "Can we get him?" said the eager young hunter. The
Indian shook his head.
"Fur no good now. An' that's a she-one, with young ones on the
hillside."
"How do you know?" was the amazed inquiry. "I know it's a
she-one, 'cause she says:
"Yap-yurr" (high pitched)
If it was a he-one he'd say:
"Yap-yurr" (low pitched)
"And she has cubs, 'cause all have at this season. And they are
on that hillside, because that's the nearest place where any fox
den is, and they keep pretty much to their own hunting grounds.
If another fox should come hunting on the beat of this pair, he'd
have to fight for it. That is the way of the wild animals; each
has his own run, and for that he will fight an outsider that he
would be afraid of at any other place.
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