the mahatma and the hare-第5章

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brave　of　the　fox；　and　though　I　hated　it　because　it　had　eaten　my
brother　and　tried　to　eat　me；　I　felt　quite　sorry。

It　was　about　half　through　its　leg　when　the　man　came。　I　remember　that
he　had　a　cat　with　a　little　red　collar　on　its　neck；　and　an　owl　in　his
hand；　both　of　them　dead；　for　he　was　Giles；　the　head…keeper；　going
round　his　traps。　He　was　a　tall　man　with　sandy　whiskers　and　a　rough
voice；　and　he　carried　a　single…barrelled　gun　under　his　arm。

You　see；　now　that　I　am　dead　I　know　the　use　of　these　things；　just　as　I
understand　all　that　was　said；　though　of　course　at　the　time　it　had　no
meaning　for　me。　Still　I　find　that　I　have　forgotten　nothing；　not　one
word　from　the　beginning　of　my　life　to　the　end。

The　keeper；　who　was　on　his　way　to　the　place　where　he　nailed　the
creatures　he　did　not　like　by　dozens　upon　poles；　looked　down　and　saw
the　fox。　〃Oh！　my　beauty；〃　he　said；　〃so　I　have　got　you　at　last。　Don't
you　think　yourself　clever　trying　to　bite　off　that　leg。　You'd　have　done
it　too；　only　I　came　along　just　in　time。　Well；　good　night；　old　girl；
you　won't　have　no　more　of　my　pheasants。〃

Then　he　lifted　the　gun。　There　was　a　most　dreadful　noise　and　the　fox
rolled　over　and　lay　still。

〃There　you　are；　all　neat　and　tidy；　my　dear；〃　said　the　keeper。　〃Now　I
must　just　tuck　you　away　in　the　hollow　tree　before　old　Grampus　sneaks
round　and　sees　you；　for　if　he　should　it　will　be　almost　as　much　as　my
place　is　worth。〃

Next　he　set　his　foot　on　the　trap　and；　opening　it；　took　hold　of　the　fox
by　the　fore…legs　to　carry　it　off。　The　cat　and　the　owl　he　stuffed　away
into　a　great　pocket　in　his　coat。

〃Jemima！　don't　you　wholly　stink；〃　he　said；　then　gave　a　most　awful
yell。

The　fox　wasn't　quite　dead　after　all；　it　was　only　shamming　dead。　At　any
rate　it　got　Giles'　hand　in　its　mouth　and　made　its　teeth　meet　through
the　flesh。

Now　the　keeper　began　to　jump　about　just　as　the　fox　had　done　when　it
set　its　paw　in　the　trap；　shouting　and　saying　all　sorts　of　things　that
somehow　I　don't　think　I　ought　to　repeat　here。　Round　and　round　he　went
with　the　fox　hanging　to　his　hand；　like　hares　do　when　they　dance
together；　for　he　couldn't　get　it　off　anyhow。　At　last　he　tumbled　down
into　a　pool　of　mud　and　water；　and　when　he　got　up　again　all　wet　through
I　saw　that　the　fox　was　really　dead。　But　it　had　died　biting；　and　now　I
know　that　this　pleased　it　very　much。

It　was　just　then　that　the　man　whom　the　keeper　had　called　Grampus　came
up。　He　was　a　big；　fat　man　with　a　very　red　face；　who　made　a　kind　of
blowing　noise　when　he　walked　fast。　I　know　now　that　he　was　the　lord　of
all　the　other　men　about　that　place；　that　he　lived　in　the　house　which
looked　over　the　sea；　and　that　the　boy　and　girl　who　put　me　in　with　the
yellow…toothed　rabbit　were　his　children。　He　was　what　the　farmers
called　〃a　first…rate　all…round　sportsman；〃　which　means；　my　friendbut
what　is　your　name？

〃Oh！　Mahatma；〃　I　answered　at　hazard。

〃Which　means；　my　friend　Mahatma；　that　he　spent　most　of　the　year　in
killing　the　lower　animals　such　as　me。　Yes；　he　spent　quite　eight　months
out　of　the　twelve　in　killing　us　one　way　and　another；　for　when　there
was　no　more　killing　to　be　done　in　his　own　country；　he　would　travel　to
others　and　kill　there。　He　would　even　kill　pigeons　from　a　trap；　or
young　rooks　just　out　of　their　nests；　or　rats　in　a　stack；　or　sparrows
among　ivy；　rather　than　not　kill　anything。　I've　heard　Giles　say　so　to
the　under…keeper　and　call　him　〃a　regular　slaughterer〃　and　〃a　true…
blood　Englishman。〃

Yet；　my　friend　Mahatma；　I　say　in　the　light　of　the　truth　which　has　come
to　me；　that　according　to　his　knowledge　Grampus　was　a　good　man。　Thus；
what　little　time　he　had　to　spare　from　sport　he　passed　in　helping　his
brother　men　by　sending　them　to　prison。　Although　of　course　he　never
worked　or　earned　anything；　he　was　very　rich；　because　money　flowed　to
him　from　other　people　who　had　been　very　rich；　but　who　at　last　were
forced　to　travel　this　Road　and　could　not　bring　it　with　them。　If　they
could　have　brought　it；　I　am　sure　that　Grampus　would　never　have　got
any。　However；　he　did　get　it；　and　he　aided　a　great　many　people　with
that　part　of　it　which　he　found　he　could　not　spend　upon　himself。　He　was
a　very　good　man；　only　he　liked　killing　us　lower　creatures；　whom　he
bred　up　with　his　money　to　be　killed。

〃Go　on　with　your　story；　Hare；〃　I　said；　〃when　I　see　this　Red…faced　Man
I　will　judge　of　him　for　myself。　Probably　you　are　prejudiced　about
him。〃

〃I　daresay　I　am；〃　answered　the　Hare；　rubbing　its　nose；　〃but　please
observe　that　I　am　not　speaking　unkindly　of　Grampus；　although　before　I
have　done　you　may　think　that　I　might　have　reason　to　do　so。　However；
you　will　be　able　to　form　your　own　opinion　when　he　comes　here；　which　I
am　sure　he　does　not　mean　to　do　for　many；　many　years。　The　world　is　much
too　comfortable　for　him。　He　does　not　wish　to　leave　it。〃

〃Still　he　may　be　obliged　to　do　so；　Hare。〃

〃Oh！　no；　people　like　that　are　never　obliged　to　do　anything　they　do　not
like。　It　is　only　poor　things　such　as　you　and　I；　Mahatma；　which　must
suffer。　I　can　see　that　you　have　had　a　great　deal　to　bear；　and　so　have
I；　for　we　were　born　to　suffering　as　the　Red…faced　Man　was　born　to
happiness。〃

〃Go　on　with　your　story；　Hare；〃　I　repeated。　〃You　are　becoming
metaphysical　and　therefore　dull。　The　time　is　short　and　I　want　to　hear
what　happened。〃

〃Quite　so；　Mahatma。　Well；　Grampus　came　up　breathing　very　heavily　and
looking　very　red　in　the　face。　He　held　his　hat　in　one　hand　and　a　large
crooked　stick　in　the　other；　and　even　the　top　of　his　head；　on　which　no
hair　grew；　was　red；　for　he　had　been　running。

〃What　the　deuce　is　the　matter？〃　he　puffed。　〃Oh！　it　is　you；　Giles；　is
it？　What　are　you　doing；　sir；　looking　like　that；　all　covered　with　blood
and　mud？　Has　a　poacher　shot　you；　or　what？〃

〃No；　Squire；〃　answered　Giles　humbly；　touching　his　hat。　〃I　have　shot　a
poacher；　that's　all；　and　it　has　given　me　what　for；〃　and　he　lifted　the
body　of　the　fox　from　the　water。

〃A　fox；〃　said　Grampus；　〃a　fox！　Do　you　mean　to　say；　Giles；　that　you
have　dared　to　shoot　a　fox；　and　a　vixen　with　a　litter　too？　How　often
have　I　told　you　that；　although　I　keep　harriers　and　not　fox…hounds；　you
are　never　to　touch　a　fox。　You　will　get　me　into　trouble　with　all　my
neighbours。　I　give　you　a　month's　notice。　You　will　leave　on　this　day
month。〃

〃Very　well；　Squire；〃　said　Giles；　〃I'll　leave；　and　I　hope　you'll　find
some　one　to　serve　you　better。　Meanwhile　I　didn't　shoot　the　dratted
fox。　At　least　I　only　shot　her　after　she'd　gone　and　got　herself　into　a
trap　which　I　had　set　for　that　there　Rectory　dog　what　you　told　me　to
make　off　with　on　the　quiet；　so　that　the　young　lady　might　never　know
what　become　of　it　and　cry　and　make　a　fuss　as　she　did　about　the　last。
Then　seeing　that　she　was　finished；　with　her　leg　half　chewed　off；　I
shot　her；　or　rather　I　didn't　shoot　her　as　well　as　I　should；　for　the
beggar　gave　a　twist　as　I　fired；　and　now　she's　bit　me　right　through　the
hand。　I　only　hopes　you　won't　have　to　pay　my　widow　for　it；　Squire；
under　the　Act；　as　foxes'　bites　is　uncommon　poisonous；　especially　when
they've　been　a…eating　of　rotten　rabbit。〃

〃Dear　me！〃　said　the　Red…faced　Man　softening；　〃dear　me；　the　beast　does
seem　to　have　bitten　you　very　badly。　You　must　go　and　be　cauterised　with
a　red…hot　iron。　It　is　painful　but　the　best　thing　to　do。　Meanwhile；
suck　it；　Giles；　suck　it！　I　daresay　that　will　draw　out　the　poison；　and
if　it　doesn't；　thank　my　stars！　I　am　insured。　Look　here；　a　minute　or
two　can　make　no　difference；　for　if　you　are　poisoned；　you　are　poisoned。
Where　can　we　put　this　brute？　I　wouldn't　have　it　seen　for　ten　pounds。〃

〃There's　an　old　pollard；　Squire；　about　five　yards　away　down　near　the
fence；　which　is　hollow　and　handy；〃　said　Giles。

〃Quite　so；〃　he　answered；　〃I　know　it　well。　Do　you　bring　thedog；
Giles。　Remember；　it　was　a　dog；　not　a　fox。〃

Then　they　went　to　the　pollard；　and　as　Giles's　hand　was　hurt　the　Red…
faced　Man　climbed　up　it；　though　Giles　tried　to　prevent　him。

〃Now　then；　Giles；〃　he　said；　〃give　me　the　foxI　mean　the　dog；　and　I
will　drop　it　down。　Great　Heavens！　how　this　tree　stinks。　Has　there　been
an　earth　here？〃

〃Not　as　I　knows　of；　Squire；〃　said　Giles　sullenly。

Grampus　stretched　his　hand　down　into　the　hollow　of　the　pollard　and
dragged　up　a　rotting　fox　by　its　tail。

〃Giles；〃　he　said；　〃you　have　been　killing　more　foxes　and　hiding　them　in
this　tree。　Giles；　I　dismiss　you　at　once　and　without　a　month's　wages。〃

〃All　right；　sir；〃　said　Giles；　〃I'll　go；　and　I　prays　you'll　find　some
one　what　will　keep　your　hares　which　you　must　have；　and　your　pheasants
which　you　must　have；　and　your　partridges　which　you　must　have；　without
killing　these　varmints　of　foxes　what　eats　the　lot。〃

The　Red…faced　Man　descended　from　the　tree　holding　his　nose　and　looked
at　Giles。　Giles　sucked　his　bleeding　hand　and　looked　at　him。

〃Foxes　are　very　destructive　animals；〃　said　the　Red…faced　Man　to　Giles；
〃especially　when　one　shoots　and　keeps　harriers。〃

〃They　are　that；　sir；〃　said　Giles　to　the　Red…faced　Man；　〃as　only　those
know　what　has　to　do　with　them。〃

〃Put　the　other　in；　Giles；〃　said　the　Red…faced　man；　〃and　when　you　have
time；　throw　some　soil　on　to　the　top　of　the　lot。　This　place　smells
horrible。　And　look　you　here；　Giles；〃　he　added　in　a　voice　of　thunder；
〃if　ever　I　find　you　killing　a　fox　upon　this　property；　you　will　be
dismissed　at　once；　as　I　have　often　told　you　before。　Do　you
understand？〃

〃Yes；　Squire；　I　understand；〃　answered　Giles；　〃and　I'll　see　to　the
burying　of　them　this　same　afternoon；　if　the　pain　in　my　hand　will
suffer　it。〃

〃Very　well；〃　said　the　Red…faced　Man；　〃that's　done　withexcept　the
cubs。　As　you　have　killed　the　vixen　you　had　better　stink　the　cubs　out
of　the　earth。　I　daresay　they　are　old　enough　to　look　after　themselves
at　any　rate　I　hope　so。　And　now；　Giles；　we　must　shoot　some　of　these
hares　when　we　begin　on　the　partridges　next　week。　There　are　too　many　of
them；　the　tenants　are　complaining；　ungrateful　beggars　as　they　are；
seeing　that　I　keep　them　for　their　sport。〃

At　this　point　I　thought　that　I　had　heard　enough；　and　slipped　away　when
their　backs　were　turned。　For；　friend　Mahatma；　I　had　just　seen　a　fox
shot；　and　now　I　knew　what　shooting　meant。

*****

About　a　week　later　I　knew　better　still。　It　came　about　thus。　By　that
time　the　turnips　I　have　mentioned；　those　that　grew　in　the　big　field；
had　swelled　into　fine；　large　bulbs　with　leafy　tops。　We　used　to　eat
them　at　nights；　and　in　the　daytime　to　lie　up　among　them　in　our　snug
forms。　You　know；　Mahatma；　don't　you；　that　a　form　is　a　little　hollow
which　a　hare　makes　in　the　ground　just　to　fit　itself？　No　hare　likes　to
sleep　in　another　hare's　form。　Do　you　understand？〃

〃Yes；〃　I　answered；　〃I　understand。　It　would　be　like　a　man　wearing
another　man's　boots。〃

〃I　don't　know　anything　about　boots　Mahatma；　except　that　they　are　hard
things　with　iron　on　them　which　kick　one　out　of　one's　form　if　one　sits
too　close。　Once　that　happened　to　me。　Well；　my　form　was　under　a
particularly　fine　turnip　that　had　some　dead　leaves　beneath　the　green
ones。　I　chose　it　because；　like　the　brown　earth；　they　just　matched　the
colour　of　my　back。　I　was　sleeping　there　quite　soundly　when　my　sister
came　and　woke　me。

〃There　are　men　in　the　field；〃　she　said；　her　eyes　nearly　starting　out
of　her　head　with　fear；　for　she　was　always　very