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assured him. ‘My father and mother have good cause to remember some of your deeds.’
    Adder knew the young fox was referring in particular to a certain action on his part during the animals’ journey to White Deer Park, when he had virtually saved Vixen’s life. But it was not his way to acknowledge it. ‘I’m glad to hear it,’ was all he said. ‘For my part, I have the greatest admiration for your parents. Incidentally, I trust I am not delaying you at all?’
    Bold was much too polite to say he had wanted to explore alone, and he thought Adder was a particularly interesting character to whom he might do well to listen. ‘I should be glad of your company,’ he said, more or less truthfully.
    ‘I heard, of course, of the tragic incident involving your sister,’ Adder told him. ‘It seems there are certain rivalries in existence in the Park. I must say I have been surprised at the somewhat subdued response from your father. At one time he would have reacted quitedifferently – but then he hasn’t always had the particular responsibilities he has had recently.’
    Bold was surprised at the snake’s outspoken manner, but he recalled that Fox had told him that Adder had never been one to mince his words.
    ‘I’m sure if that scarfaced animal ever came close to our den again, my father would kill him,’ the cub said proudly.
    ‘Ye-e-s,’ drawled Adder, ‘possibly. The only drawback is that, if he did return, he might not be unaccompanied.’
    ‘Neither is my father unaccompanied,’ Bold answered hotly. ‘I’m nearly as big as he is, and I would certainly not see him fight alone.’
    Adder grinned wryly. ‘I don’t doubt it for a moment,’ he assured the cub. ‘You youngsters are bound to be eager to prove yourselves.’
    Bold felt the snake was amused at his ardour, but for once Adder had not intended to be sarcastic, and hastened to reassure him.
    ‘I should know that any offspring of Fox and Vixen would be bound to have a stout heart,’ he said.
    This compliment both to himself and his parents flattered the cub.
    ‘Er – were you spying out the land by any chance?’ Adder enquired.
    ‘Not exactly,’ replied Bold innocently. ‘I just wanted to explore a little further than before.’ He did not care to admit that he was out on his own for the first time.
    ‘The only reason I asked,’ resumed the snake, ‘is that I know Scarface and his brood patrol these parts.’
    Bold swallowed hard. Despite his determination to be courageous, he was not yet ready to face the enemy on his own. ‘Oh,’ he said quietly. ‘Er – do they cover a lot of ground?’
    Adder saw how the land lay. ‘Oh, a great deal,’ he replied, a hint of his old maliciousness creeping into his feelings. ‘They seem to feel they have the right to roam wherever they choose.’
    These words caused Bold to shake off his trepidation. ‘And why shouldn’t I, too?’ he said with resolution.
    ‘No reason at all,’ Adder consented, wondering if he was wrong to spur the cub on. ‘Feel free to go. I’ve no wish to hold you back.’
    Now Bold felt that he must go on. He turned to Adder. ‘I’m grateful to you for your advice,’ he said politely. ‘Will you be in this vicinity for some time?’
    ‘Oh, hereabouts,’ Adder replied non-committally.
    ‘Well then, if I don’t return this way tonight, will you seek out my father and tell him?’
    Adder loathed to be given commissions of any sort, or to feel himself bound in any way by the wishes of others. He was on the point of delivering a retort, but confined himself to pointing out that he might be moving on anyway.
    ‘I know Fox would appreciate it,’ Bold urged him.
    Unwittingly, the cub had probably chosen the one motive that struck a chord in Adder’s scaly old heart. He owned few allegiances, but Fox commanded one of them.
    ‘You may count on me,’ he said simply.
    Bold made his farewells and trotted forward carefully, sniffing the air in every direction as he