Fox's Feud Read Online Free PDF

did so. The hairs of his coat seemed to stand up independently as, with every step, he felt he was penetrating deeper into alien territory. Pretty soon, he was sure he detected the smell of a fox. He instantly flattened himself against the ground and waited.
    The smell strengthened. He heard the sound of fox paws on the ground. A young fox came into view, pausing every so often and sniffing the air cautiously, justas he had done. He saw the other cub look all around as if trying to pinpoint him.
    Bold realized he had nothing to fear. The other cub was just as nervous of their encounter as he was, and also far less robust in his appearance. He got to his feet quietly and waited.
    The other cub spotted him and was startled. He even backed a couple of paces instinctively, snarling as he did so.
    ‘I mean no harm,’ Bold said clearly. ‘I’m merely looking around.’
    ‘Well, you shouldn’t be looking around here,’ the other cub said sullenly. ‘You’re no relation of mine, and we don’t allow strangers in our domain.’
    ‘But you’ve no objection, apparently, to venturing into theirs?’ Bold answered.
    ‘You’re one of the Farthing Wood creatures,’ said the cub. ‘ That’s your domain.’
    ‘On the contrary,’ Bold replied coolly. ‘I’m as much a White Deer Park fox as you are. I was born here too, you know.’
    The other cub was silenced by this remark.
    ‘What do they call you?’ Bold asked in a not unfriendly manner.
    ‘Ranger,’ came the reply.
    ‘Well, I’m known as Bold,’ said Fox’s cub, ‘and I would like to ask you: is it necessary for you and I to continue the quarrel of our parents? We might be friends elsewhere. Why not here?’
    Ranger said nothing. He seemed about to respond to this gesture of good will, when his father suddenly appeared. With his customary vicious snarl, Scarface got between Bold and his own cub.
    ‘You are going to regret straying from the safety of your family,’ he said with measured iciness. ‘This will be thefirst and the last time you enter our boundaries.’
    Bold stood his ground, wondering what move was going to be made. He tensed his muscles, ready to spring into flight the moment he had to. He kept an unwavering gaze on the old scarred muzzle of his enemy, ensuring that Ranger also was constantly in his circle of vision.
    Ranger, in fact, appeared to be very ill at ease. He kept shifting his weight from one paw to another, looking quickly from his father to Bold and back again.
    Scarface suddenly growled impatiently at him, comparing his restlessness unfavourably with the coolness of Bold. Ranger slunk back behind his father. Bold and Scarface continued to eye each other.
    In a split second before the old fox launched himself forward, Bold read the intention in his eyes. He leapt nimbly aside and Scarface rushed past him a few yards before he could check himself. Bold faced him again and, this time, as he hurtled towards him Scarface signalled to Ranger to attack Bold’s rear.
    But Bold was far too supple for one old and one inexperienced fox. He had his father’s swiftness and agility. He slid away from the attack and began to run back on his old path, back towards Adder.
    With a wild bark of fury and frustration Scarface leapt after him. Ranger followed, more out of a sense of obedience than a desire to do so.
    Bold ran easily and confidently, knowing he had the better pace. Then he heard a yelping cry behind him – an eerie wail of a cry, repeated over and over again. He quickened his pace, knowing Scarface was calling to his own kind for assistance.
    Bold raced on – it was all he could do. Then, some yards ahead, he saw a flurry of movement. At the sight his blood ran cold. About a dozen foxes were running towards him, spreading out in an arc to encircle him.Behind him Scarface’s gasps rasped in his ears. He knew his case was hopeless. The other foxes surrounded him and halted his progress. Silently they awaited the arrival of their