i was born in a retired spot, along with four brothers and sisters. our mother had made a nice soft bed of moss, in a hole which she had scooped in the side of a steep bank; and a comfortable dwelling it was. as soon as we were weaned, our parents supplied us with good food,—sometimes young hares, partridges, and such dainty provisions. occasionally we had mice, which we did not relish quite so much; but our mother used to say, that we must accustom ourselves to every thing, for the time might perhaps come when we should be glad of even a mouse to make a meal of. we grew apace, and as the den soon became too small for us, we tried to escape out of our dwelling. but our parents strictly forbade this; saying, that nothing but dangers awaited us; but that, as soon as we were old enough, they would take us to a place of greater security.
a fox’s adventures (first plate)
alas! it happened to us as to many other children, who will not obey their parents, but think themselves the wiser. early one may morning, the sun shone in so brightly at the mouth of our hole, that we longed to know what it was to be outside; and, as soon as our parents had set out upon their hunting excursion, to bring provision for us, we slipped out softly, and jumped and tumbled about on the open sandy space in front of our cave, enjoying ourselves much, and hastening in as soon as we thought papa and mamma fox would be coming back again.
we went on in this way for a long time, without being found out; but one day, while we were chasing a mouse in front of the den, and tumbling head over heels in great delight, we observed something looking at us through the bushes, which we concluded must be the face of a man. we hurried back into the den immediately, terribly frightened, and were right glad when we neither saw nor heard any more of the creature; little guessing, that from that moment our fate was decided. for, the very next morning, when father and mother were gone out as usual, we heard footsteps and voices; and, before we were aware, a savage, crooked-legged dog entered the den, barking very loud. our agony was extreme. we drew back into the farthest corner of the den, barking as loud as we could:[106] but this did not in the least deter our enemy; for, encouraged by the men, he seized hold of the foremost of us.
despair will inspire the weakest with courage. we flew at our black foe, and scratched him so much, that he was obliged to draw back. now we thought that the danger was over; but, alas! the greatest was to come, and from an unexpected quarter. how could we guess that the dog was sent into the den to find if we were still within, and where the cave ended! for one of the hunters had laid himself down with his ear to the ground, and listened as the dog barked; after which they began to dig a hole, and we listened in deadly fear to the strokes of the spade and pickaxe, as they came nearer to us. they had soon broken through; and, as all resistance was vain, we could do nothing better than bury our heads deep in the sand. then a man stretched his arm down to us, drew one after another by the tail, and struck each one upon the back of his head with a club, so that he died immediately. i was the last, whom he pulled up with a cruel shout. he had raised his staff for the deadly blow, when a man, passing by, cried to him, “hold! friend, just let me look at that little animal.” he looked in my face, and then added, “i wish you would give me that little fox: i could make him useful!” “what!” replied[107] my murderous captor, “would you bring him up to steal your cocks and hens? he will be true to his nature.” “no,” said the stranger, “i will make him useful to me in my trade.” “well, then, take him;” and the man held me, while the other opened a great leathern pocket, into which i was popped; and thus he carried me to his dwelling in the city.
“look here,” said my new master to his wife, jokingly, “what a pretty, sharp-nosed little dog i have met with!” as he drew me out of his pocket. “he shall learn by and by to blow the bellows.” the man was a locksmith, and had a wheel fixed to his bellows, in which a dog, by running round set the bellows in motion. but a short time before my capture, the dog had died; and the man was glad to have me, rather than a dog, for which he would have to pay an annual tax. i had a small collar put on to which a chain was fastened, and the other end secured to the dog-kennel. he brought me food and water: i quenched my thirst, but i was too much afraid and sorrowful to eat at first, until compelled by hunger. i was kindly treated: the man would stop as he went to or returned from his work, and stroke and feed me from his hand. “how goes it, little foxy?” he would say: “thou wilt soon be able to help me in my business.” after a while he showed me the wheel, made me ascend into[108] it, and taught me how to run. i was glad to be in motion, after so long a confinement. i soon understood my office, and took pleasure in the work. when he was not smithying, i was allowed to rest; and then i amused myself by watching him at his filing and hammering, making large and small locks and keys. i could not complain of my treatment; for i was well fed, and always had my plate of meat not far from the wheel. but yet two circumstances troubled me. liberty was not mine. could i ever forget that i had once enjoyed freedom? i longed for the woods, the mountains, the sunny knolls, where my race wander so merrily about.
i had also an enemy in the person of a neighbor’s old, grizzly, red tom-cat, an envious, spiteful, and greedy animal. he would sit for hours in a gap of the wall, eyeing me with apparent indifference, as i went round and round at my work; but, if my master turned his back, if but for a moment, he was instantly down upon the spot, stole the best bits out of my dish, and was back again as swift as a bird could fly. he also plundered my master’s kitchen in various ways; and, as i was sometimes allowed to run about at liberty in the house, i was suspected of the thievery, and received the beating.
a fox’s adventures (second plate)
i was even with my enemy at last, and, moreover,[109] against his will, he procured me my liberty, though but for a short time.
one day, when the master was absent, i felt very well and lively, and jumped merrily about in my wheel, and blew the bellows till the sparks began to fly. then i sat down to enjoy my dinner. the cat came near, and contrary to custom, began to converse with me:—“fox, you are merry; i wish i was so too: you seem happier in your work, than i in my sleepy dreaming on the wall.” “yes,” i replied, “that is quite true. you see that i earn abundance of food by turning this wheel for my good master; and i may leap and jump about in it to my heart’s content. just come up to me for once,” continued i, “and i will show you how merrily it runs.” so the cat ascended, and we shook the wheel awhile, which pleased the old fellow very well; then i invited him to sit down and eat; for i had a nice leg-bone of mutton left, and he found it quite to his taste.
when he had done, the old cat said, “fox, that thing pleaseth me. i should like to learn thy trade, and then i can seek out a master. wilt thou teach me?” “with pleasure,” i answered: “only put on my collar, and run on boldly in the wheel, you will learn quickly.” “well, i will try,” said the cat. but first we had to get the collar off my neck, and it cost us some trouble.[110] “look!” said i: “this thing which hangs upon the collar is called a lock, and that thing which hangs upon the nail there, is called a key. now, if you put the key into the hole in the lock, and turn it round, the lock will slip off, and the collar will be unfastened; then i can draw it off, and put it on you.” the cat fetched the key, and after many trials, at last managed to put it into the lock properly. “now,” said i, “take the key between your teeth, and turn it round.” this he did easily; and, when he had drawn the padlock out of the ring of the collar, i trembled for joy. i quickly put the collar upon the cat, however, and turned the key in the padlock. “there,” said i, “now take care to run steadily, and you will find what a merry business it is. good bye! cat;” and then i sprang through the open window.
“stop! stop!” cried the cat, terrified; and he tried to spring after me, but found himself held back by the chain which was fastened to the collar; and i heard how he tugged in vain, and mewed pitifully.
but whoever diggeth a ditch for another, is pretty certain to fall into one himself. this proverb was verified in my case; for scarcely had i gained the street, when i was observed by a dog; which chased me so quickly, that i had but little hope of saving myself from his teeth. by chance i took the direction of the[111] market-place, in the middle of which there was a wooden booth, where there were apes, and parrots swinging on long sticks, outside, and a great brown bear kept guard at the entrance. “brother bear,” i cried, out of breath, “take me under thy protection!” “just jump in here,” said the bear kindly, and showed me the opening. i did so, and was saved from my enemy; but, to my great astonishment and terror, only to fall into the hands of more dreadful enemies. i found myself in a large room, surrounded on every side by wild animals, imprisoned in iron cages. i endeavored to make my escape, but in my confusion could not find the way out. the master and his men hunted me from one corner to another, till at last i was caught; and what did they with me—can you imagine? i was thrown into the den of a mighty lion: there i lay trembling in deadly fear, when the great king of beasts came slowly up, smelled at me, and then laid himself down quietly as before. when i found that he had no intention of taking away my life, i ventured to approach him very modestly. “i’ll do thee no hurt,” murmured the lion; “be without fear of me.” then i took courage, seated myself near him, licked his paws, and looked up quite fearlessly into his face. when feeding time came, i had a bone thrown to me also. after our meal, i entertained the[112] lion with merry feats, leaping over him, laying myself down before him, and inviting him to play.
thus we went on from one day to another, and the lion began to take great pleasure in me. after some time, the dens were placed in great wagons, and conveyed to another town, where the people came in crowds, curious to behold the lion and the fox.
though we lived in great harmony, yet, before long, my life became tedious and sorrowful. “lion,” said i one day, “we must try to obtain our freedom.”
“well said!” replied lion: “can i break these iron bars which keep us within the den?” “that neither of us can do,” i rejoined; “but, where strength is vain, cunning may succeed. just let us try; i have a device in my head.”
now, the master of the menagerie had a tame peacock, which was allowed to go about in perfect liberty; and to secure his assistance formed a part of my plan. the servant whose office it was to feed the animals, was accustomed to slip the bolt only of our den, without locking it. this had not escaped my observation; and the knowledge i had picked up in my servitude with the locksmith, i was able to turn to good account. i therefore said one evening to the peacock, “now, good friend, do me a little favor, and push back the iron thing at the door.” he did so, and the[113] door opened instantly. “now for it, lion,” said i, “break out: only take me with you, and protect me.”
the lion had no sooner left the den, and felt that he had once more the free use of his limbs, than he darted towards the entrance.
almost terrified to death, every body fled out of his way, and the lion and the fox were once more free in open air. but a few leaps, and we were out of the town, and in the broad meadows. whoever we met, instantly betook themselves to flight; and in a short time we reached a dark, thick forest, in whose shades we rested for the night. the lion wished to remain here; for he felt quite at home under the deep shadow of the great oak-trees: but i advised him to continue his flight. so, very early in the morning, we left the forest, and hastened to a distant woody mountain, which we reached the same day; and there, after devouring some hares, reposed in quiet. but alas! our escape could not remain a secret, nor could we doubt of being actively pursued.
in a few days, a crowd of hunters appeared; we were chased about, and with difficulty saved ourselves by flight to another forest. there neither were we suffered to remain in peace; for the number of our pursuers was constantly increasing, and day and night we were driven before them, from one place of refuge to another.
[114]
on the fifth night of our flight, we had lain down to rest on the edge of a cliff, which overlooked a deep hollow place, surrounded by trees; when we saw lights advancing through the wood, and i immediately advised the lion to fly with all speed. “no,” he replied, “i will be hunted no longer; if i must die, it shall be here!” we descried armed men approaching, carrying torches; and in the midst there rode a young man of beautiful countenance and majestic stature, and, by his side, a large, noble-looking dog. when the party had reached the hollow; they stopped, kindled a fire, seated themselves around it and began to eat. the young man had dismounted, and was standing at a little distance, leaning against the stem of a tree, when suddenly the dog uttered a sharp bark; and the men alarmed, rose up hastily, and followed the animal, who had evidently got scent of our track. with one mighty bound, the lion sprung from the overhanging rock, alighting on his feet, just opposite to the young man, who was no other than the son of the king. the king’s son drew back for a moment, and raised a sharp sword, putting himself in an attitude of defence. but the lion laid himself down in front of him, stretched his paws out on the earth, and looked up into the face of the prince, as much as to say, let us be friends. at that moment the attendants returned, and would have attacked the[115] lion with sword and lance, but the prince forbade, saying, “you shall do him no hurt, he has placed himself under my protection.” he advanced fearlessly, laying his hand upon the noble animal’s head. “let us bind him at least,” cried one. “it is unnecessary,” replied the prince, as he seated himself on the ground near the lion: “he will follow me, i am sure, of his own accord.” and so he did.
the king’s son laid himself down to rest, and slept peacefully; the lion resting near him, while the attendants passed the night in anxious and fearful watching around them. as soon as the prince awoke in the morning, the whole party prepared for their return to the city; the lion following willingly with ossian, the faithful dog, side by side.
then i pressed forth from my hiding-place; and, as i could not bear to be separated from the lion, i hastened to join him, much to the astonishment of all present. “lo! here is another follower,” said the prince; “he also shall receive protection.”
we traversed the forest, and before noon reached the capital city. news of the wonderful affair went before us, so that young and old crowded from all quarters to see the remarkable animals pass. when we arrived at the palace, the prince commanded comfortable dwellings to be prepared for us on each side of[116] the principal gate; but every night the lion had to lie at the door of the royal sleeping chamber, in order to keep guard there. besides these favors, we were well supplied with food, and daily received proofs of our lord’s attachment.
it was not long before we both had an opportunity of rendering him a good service for all his kindness. some wicked men had plotted together to murder the prince, and had hidden themselves in a thicket, intending to lie in wait for him, when he should pass by on his daily walk. i happened to spy these wretches in their hiding-place; and, suspecting them of evil intentions, i told the lion, who agreed with me in opinion; and we both went and concealed ourselves, very near the spot where i had seen the villains. as soon as the prince approached, they started out with lifted daggers; but, just as they thought themselves sure of their victim, out broke the lion from the bushes, crushing them in his way. with one spring he seized the foremost by the throat, then tore down the next; and before the third could recover from his terror, he had caught him by the breast, and shaken him so violently, that he fell breathless and insensible to the ground. the guards hastened to the spot and secured the villains, who received the punishment of their crime that very day. from that time, the prince regarded us with[117] more favor than ever, and never went out without us for his attendants.
thus we led a quiet, honorable life for some years; but at last the period of our separation arrived. the king engaged in a war, and the prince commanded his army which we accompanied to the field. when passing through towns i rode upon the baggage wagons, but when traveling in the country i scampered along over the fields. lion fought bravely by the side of his lord, and i rendered considerable service as a spy. but one day, when i was out at a distance, the prince and his attendants fell into an ambuscade of the enemy. he defended himself bravely; and the lion broke through the opposing ranks, tearing down whoever came in his way. the enemy were soon overpowered and put to flight, when, from behind a tree, an arrow, aimed at the lion, pierced his heart: he sunk down at the feet of his master, giving him a loving look, and died. the prince was nearly inconsolable for the loss of the noble animal, and had him interred with honors, and a marble pillar erected to mark his grave.
i also grieved much for my generous companion and protector, and looked quite forlorn and unhappy. one day, therefore, the kind prince said to me, “good fox, since thou hast lost thy friend, i think thy liberty would be acceptable to thee.” i made signs that i[118] would prefer to go. “well,” said he, “go. i thank thee for thy fidelity, and will command my subjects to refrain from doing thee any harm.” and, in order to secure my safety, he had a king’s crown marked upon my haunches, which you may yet see plainly. afterwards i departed, and sought out my place of birth, where i have lived ever since in undisturbed tranquillity.
