cover

Also by Colin Dann

The Farthing Wood Collection Volume I

The Farthing Wood Collection Volume II

Journey to Freedom

Lion Country

Just Nuffin

Nobody’s Dog

King of the Vagabonds

City Cats

Copycat

The Beach Dogs

Fox’s Feud

RHCP DIGITAL
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Image.missing
First published by Red Fox 2000
This ebook published 2017
Fox’s Feud Copyright © Colin Dann, 2011
Fox’s Feud Illustrations copyright © Terry Riley, 2011
The Fox Cub Bold Copyright © Colin Dann, 2011
The Fox Cub Bold Illustrations © Hutchinson Publishing Group, 2011
The moral right of the author and illustrator has been asserted
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 978–1–448–19995–2
All correspondence to:
RHCP Digital
Penguin Random House Children’s
80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL

Contents

Cover

About the Book

Title Page

Fox’s Feud

Dedication

1 News

2 Developments

3 A Warning

4 First Blood

5 Out of Bounds

6 Some Support

7 The Result of Thoughtlessness

8 A Snake in the Grass

9 A Wild Sort of Day

10 A Council of War

11 Bold and Cunning

12 Death of a Fox

13 A Matter of Heart

14 Adder at Bay

15 Caught Off Guard

16 The Attack

17 Underground

18 A Battle

19 By the Stream

20 The Next Generation

21 Retribution

22 A Snake Under Water

23 Loss and Gain

24 A Singular Discussion

25 Cubs Apart

26 The Animals of White Deer Park

The Fox Cub Bold

1 The Real World

2 The Bold Young Fox

3 The Game Wood

4 The True Wild Life

5 Humans Can Be Dangerous

6 Friend or Foe?

7 A Shadow of Himself

8 Alone Again

9 A Good Catch

10 Not Guilty

11 The Urban Fox

12 Whisper

13 The Changes of a Season

14 Tracked

15 Rollo the Mastiff

16 The Ties of Blood

17 Back to the Country

18 A Lack of Patience

19 A Friend in Need

20 The Parting

21 The Farthing Wood Fox

Epilogue

About the Author

Also by Colin Dann

Copyright

For Deborah

About the Author

Colin Dann was born in Richmond, Surrey in 1943. He worked for a large textile company before landing a job in publishing at William Collins in London. During this time, he wrote his first book THE ANIMALS OF FARTHING WOOD which was an immediate success, winning the Arts Council of Great Britain’s National Book Award for Children’s Literature and has been translated into sixteen languages. Six sequels and a prequel have followed and in 1992 a major animation series, based on the Farthing Wood stories appeared on BBC television. He lives with his wife on the Sussex/Kent border.

About the Book

A second collection of stories about the Animals of Farthing Wood brought together in one volume.

In FOX’S FEUD young fox cub, Dreamer, has been killed in a vicious attack, and the animals in White Deer Park have no doubt who is responsible. Fox vows revenge, but are he and his young family a match for the formidable strength of Scarface and his clan? Yet again the animals must band together to avert disaster.

THE FOX CLUB BOLD sees Dreamer’s brother, Bold, venture into dangerous territory in an attempt to make peace with the enemy. Despite his good intentions, Bold is imprisoned and Fox has to come to his rescue.

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—— 1 ——

News

One day during the first spring in White Deer Park, Badger was visited by an excited Mole.

‘Badger! Badger!’ he called, as he dug his way into the darkness of his old friend’s set. ‘Have you heard the news?’

‘News? News? No, no, I haven’t heard any news,’ replied Badger a little peevishly. He sometimes felt he was a little neglected in his underground home.

‘It’s Vixen!’ declared Mole, beaming. ‘She’s had four cubs. Fox is so proud! Oh, you should see them …’

‘When was this?’ Badger interrupted. ‘Why hasn’t Fox been to see me?’

‘They were only born last night,’ Mole explained. ‘Tawny Owl told me all about it. I went to visit them at once. Oh! Badger, you must come. Why don’t we go together now?’

‘Certainly, if you’re sure it would be convenient,’ replied Badger. ‘Nothing I’d like more.’

‘Of course it is,’ said Mole. ‘Fox instructed me to come and give you the news straight away.’

It was Badger’s turn to beam then, and the two animals hastened out of the set, chatting cheerfully.

It was a crisp, sunny spring morning in the Park. A plentiful dew had soaked the ground and each blade of grass and clump of moss glistened refreshingly. Badger sniffed the air briskly. ‘It’s going to be a wonderful day,’ he pronounced.

He and Mole left the little beech copse where Badger had constructed his new set, and directed their steps to another group of trees, in the midst of which lay Fox’s earth. In no time Mole’s velvet coat was soaked by the dew.

‘What a state to arrive in, as a visitor,’ he complained. ‘Badger, you go on. I must make myself more presentable.’

Badger chuckled and trotted ahead. At the entrance to the earth he paused to listen. There were voices inside. ‘Er – hallo,’ he called down hesitantly. ‘Fox! It’s me – Badger. Can I come in?’

The voices ceased for a moment, and then Fox’s head appeared at the entrance. ‘Badger! How nice to see you. Mole told you the news? We’re so thrilled. Come along, old friend.’

Badger followed him down with an expectant smile. He found Vixen curled up on a bed of soft hair, with four tiny, fluffy creatures huddled around her. A warm, truly motherly expression lit up her face. Badger’s kind old heart melted at the sight. He was at a loss for words. ‘This is a happy day indeed,’ he murmured. ‘May they have a more peaceful life than we have known.’ He looked at Fox.

‘Thank you, Badger,’ said Vixen quietly. ‘I hope so too.’

‘Er – will they be foxes or vixens?’ Badger enquired a little awkwardly.

‘Two male, two female,’ Fox replied promptly. ‘They’ll keep us busy, the four of them, once their eyes have opened.’

‘Yes, they certainly look a healthy bunch,’ Badger remarked. ‘And it’s good to see you looking so well, Vixen.’ He paused. ‘Well, I won’t intrude too long,’ he resumed. ‘I expect you want to be on your own.’

Fox made some polite remarks, but Badger was determined not to outstay his welcome.

‘I’ll come back again, if I may, in a few days,’ he promised. Fox accompanied him to the exit.

On his way back to his set, Badger came across Mole basking on top of a hillock in an effort to dry his fur. ‘The cubs were all you said they were,’ he said to his friend. ‘I must admit, on seeing that cosy little group in Fox’s earth, I felt a few regrets for a family life.’

‘Well, Badger, it’s never too late,’ Mole said comfortingly. ‘You must get lonely in your set, all by yourself.’

‘I am at times,’ Badger agreed. ‘But – no, I’m too old and stubborn in my ways to share my home with any female. I do sometimes feel homesick for my old set in Farthing Wood. Of course, I had my memories there – my family lived there for generations. Here it’s different …’

Mole cut in quickly before Badger could wax maudlin. ‘It’s like a new beginning,’ he observed. ‘The cubs will have their father’s characteristics – or some of them. The spirit of Farthing Wood will be renewed – here.’

‘Don’t get carried away, Mole,’ Badger cautioned. ‘Farthing Wood will be only a name to them, and life in Farthing Wood as it was for us and Fox and the rest of the band, will be only a story for them to listen to. Here in the Park they’ll never know the difficulties and the dangers that were always part of our life there.’

‘That’s so,’ Mole agreed. ‘But that’s no bad thing, is it, Badger?’

‘No – except that, in the face of any danger, they may not be so well equipped for survival.’

Mole pondered this idea for some time, recalling the viciousness of the past winter in the Park. At length he said: ‘I’m sure Fox will ensure they will be able to look after themselves.’

Badger smiled. ‘What about you, my friend?’ he teased. ‘You’re young. Are you ready yet for a more serious role in life?’

Mole blinked in the unaccustomed brightness of the sunlight. ‘I don’t often think about it,’ he answered. ‘But I should like to be settled and happy one day.’

Badger was true to his word and revisited the fox cubs a week or so later. Their eyes were now open and they seemed to be taking a lively interest in everything that went on inside their comfortable earth, which was still the only world they knew. The arrival of Badger was an occasion for the greatest excitement until their father returned with a selection of choice titbits from his evening hunting foray for Vixen. Although the cubs were still suckling, they watched inquisitively as Vixen daintily accepted the food from Fox’s jaws.

Badger was amused to see one of them, already slightly larger than his fellows, totter forward to nose at his parents. ‘He’ll be their leader,’ remarked the wise old animal. ‘That’s plain to see.’

Vixen nodded. ‘He’ll follow in his father’s footsteps.’ she remarked. ‘The other male cub is not so sure of himself.’

‘But the little vixens are charming,’ Fox interrupted. ‘Just like their mother.’

A noise outside the den attracted their attention. Weasel came towards them out of the early morning daylight.

‘There’s a strange fox snooping about up there,’ he said. ‘A big male with a long scar down his muzzle. He seems to be very curious about what might be happening in your den.’

‘I’ve seen him around several times,’ Fox said. ‘I don’t like the look of him, and I’ve asked Tawny Owl to keep an eye on the den when I’m out hunting.’

‘What does he want?’ Badger asked with a serious expression.

‘I don’t know,’ replied Fox. ‘We may find out one day. He’s lived in the Reserve a good number of years – that I do know – and he and his mate have produced many a litter of cubs to populate White Deer Park. I think Vixen and I may be looked upon rather as intruders on his preserve.’ All this was said out of earshot of Vixen.

‘I asked what his business was here,’ Weasel informed his two friends, ‘and he replied that the whole of White Deer Park was his business, and who was I to question him?’

‘Dear, dear, Weasel, do be careful,’ advised Badger, cautious as ever. ‘We don’t want any misunderstandings with the Park’s older residents. Most of them were probably born here, you know.’

‘Don’t worry about me,’ Weasel answered quickly. ‘I keep myself to myself. But I have noticed, since the winter was over, that the acclaim Fox attracted from the residents for his defeat of the poachers seems to have soured slightly.’

‘Are we resented, do you think?’ Badger asked with a concerned look.

‘Not exactly,’ replied Weasel. ‘But I think there are those here among the Park’s original community who feel we ought to recognize our position here as newcomers more clearly than we do. And one of them is our friend Scarface out there.’

‘In other words, it’s more their home than ours?’ Badger summarized.

‘Exactly.’

‘Well, they accepted us readily enough to begin with,’ Fox remarked. ‘I don’t think there’s any real ill feeling. But, I suggest, Badger, we should get everyone together in the Hollow one night soon and talk about the situation. Perhaps it would be as well for us to tread extra warily for a while.’

Badger and Weasel wholeheartedly agreed with Fox’s advice and, accordingly, took their leave of Vixen. The scarfaced fox was no longer around when they left Fox’s earth and they went their own ways quietly.

Two days elapsed and then all the creatures of Farthing Wood met at dusk in their habitual meeting place in the Hollow.

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—— 2 ——

Developments

It was the first meeting of all the creatures from Farthing Wood since the winter, and so it was clear to all of them that it was to be of some importance.

‘It seems,’ began Fox, ‘that one or two of you have noticed an undercurrent of – er – unfriendliness running through some of White Deer Park’s inhabitants. Now we don’t want to find ourselves looked upon as intruders, and I wanted to caution you all to be particularly careful in your behaviour towards the native animals in the future – until things seem quieter again.’

‘The Park animals seem to think we have encroached rather on their territory, I believe,’ Rabbit remarked.

‘That could be true in the case of you rabbits,’ suggested Weasel wryly. ‘There are so many more of you now than there were when we arrived at the Reserve last summer, despite your losses during the winter.’

Some of the animals laughed but Rabbit was not amused. ‘We’re not the only ones to have increased our numbers,’ he said indignantly. ‘What about the hedgehogs? And Toad left his mark in the pond. Even Fox and Vixen now have a family.’

‘No offence meant, Rabbit,’ Weasel assured him. ‘But I think you might have been right about the question of territory. There are certain rights respecting that, after all.’

‘Humph! Lot of nonsense!’ snorted Tawny Owl. ‘Plenty of space for everyone. There aren’t that many of us.’

‘Have you encountered any difficulties, Toad?’ Fox asked him.

‘No, no,’ Toad shook his head. ‘Of course, the frogs have known me a long time,’ he said, referring to his first visit to the Park. ‘They accept me in their pond with the utmost friendliness but, you see, I don’t see many of the other creatures. My small legs don’t carry me so far as some of you larger fellows.’

The animals chortled at this remark of Toad’s, recalling the epic journey he had made alone from White Deer Park across miles of country to return to his home pond in Farthing Wood.

He smiled at their mirth. ‘Well, my travelling days are done now, anyhow,’ he said. ‘I shouldn’t relish the prospect of our moving to a third home.’

‘No question of it,’ Fox assured him hurriedly. ‘White Deer Park is our home now. It’s a Nature Reserve and we’ve as much right to be protected as those that were born here.’

‘Well said, Fox,’ murmured the sardonic Adder, ‘and may I say, from one carnivore to another, I find the irony delicious.’

Fox looked somewhat embarrassed at this unexpected comment, but Badger came to his rescue.

‘It’s the Law of Nature, Adder,’ he reminded him, ‘and that is unalterable. We can’t all be grass-eaters.’

‘Of course not,’ drawled Adder, ‘especially when there are so much choicer items available.’ He leered at the mice, who ignored him totally. They knew perfectly well their common Farthing Wood background meant they were quite safe from the snake’s intentions, and that he seemed to feel that such remarks were expected of him.

Hare said: ‘My surviving youngster has grown up here. Leveret barely remembers Farthing Wood, so he’s far more familiar with the Park’s surroundings. The native hares seem to look upon him almost as if he, too, had been born here. He certainly mixes quite freely.’

‘I wonder if there are any grounds for apprehension at all,’ Kestrel remarked airily.

‘Not in your case, certainly,’ Vole rasped. ‘You spend more time patrolling the countryside outside the Park than you do within its confines.’

‘Have you ever thought there might be a reason for that?’ Kestrel chided him gently. ‘If I always hunted inside the Park, there is a very great danger that some time I might kill the wrong vole or fieldmouse. Small creatures like you look very alike when I’m hovering high up in the sky.’

‘That had certainly occurred to me,’ Fieldmouse assented. ‘But, well, you know Vole doesn’t always see things so clearly.’

‘I must apologize, Kestrel,’ Vole said contritely. ‘I should have realized you had our interests at heart.’

‘Well, well, no harm done,’ said Badger the peacemaker. ‘Er – is there any more to be said, Fox? This wind is beginning to get very chilly.’

‘No more for the present, I think,’ said Fox. ‘We must all be on our guard for a bit, that’s all. I think we should all remain in our corner of the Park for the time being also. That way, if anyone needs to raise the alarm at any time we are in a position to act together quickly.’

At this point Whistler the heron flexed his great wings, producing the familiar shrill sound as the air rushed through the bullet-hole in his damaged one. ‘Perhaps a few more of you should have done as I,’ he announced in his lugubrious tones, ‘and mated with a member of the indigenous population. There can be no swifter way of achieving acceptance amongst a foreign community.’

About three weeks after the meeting in the Hollow, the fox cubs could be seen playing with their parents in the spring sunshine outside their earth. One day Tawny Owl was watching them, sleepily, from a nearby willow tree. He noticed that, although none of them strayed far from a convenient bolt-hole to the den, one cub was slightly more adventurous in his wanderings. His small, chocolate brown body was cobby and healthy looking, as indeed were those of his brother and sisters, but his infant frame seemed to be just a little stouter.

‘He’s going to be a bold young fellow,’ Tawny Owl mused to himself. ‘Never still for a moment. Now the others are quite happy to sit at times, and just enjoy the warmth of the sun on their bodies.’ He chuckled at their antics. ‘Yes, one in particular seems very fond of that.’

Vixen spotted the bird half-dozing on the branch. ‘Won’t you join us, Owl?’ she invited. ‘Or are you too sleepy?’.

‘Nothing of the kind, nothing of the kind,’ Tawny Owl replied huffily and promptly flew to the ground.

Fox greeted him cheerfully. ‘Glad to see you, Owl,’ he said. ‘Well, it looks as if our fears were groundless. Old Scarface has not been near recently.’

‘No. I expect he’s occupied in much the same way as you at present,’ Tawny Owl observed knowingly.

‘Oh? Is he a father again?’ Fox asked quickly.

‘Oh yes. His mate produced three cubs about the same time as Vixen.’

‘Have you seen them?’ Vixen wanted to know.

‘Not yet,’ replied the bird. ‘I don’t venture over to that section of the Park since our agreement in the Hollow. However,’ he added archly, ‘I’m sure they couldn’t be as delightful as yours, dear Vixen.’

‘Oh, flatterer!’ she laughed. ‘This one we call Charmer actually.’ She indicated one of the female cubs. ‘She has very winning ways. Her sister is Dreamer.’

‘Very appropriate,’ agreed Tawny Owl, noticing the cub thus named was the one he had singled out from his perch. ‘And the others?’

‘The big male cub is Bold,’ Fox told him with more than a hint of pride in his voice. ‘But we haven’t as yet found anything quite applicable to describe his brother.’

‘I daresay it’ll suggest itself before long,’ said Tawny Owl.

‘Oh yes,’ Vixen agreed. ‘They all have their own personalities.’

At that moment the cub in question chose to investigate the family’s visitor and approached the owl, wagging his little tail.

‘Already as big as me,’ Tawny Owl said with amusement. The little cub sat down directly next to him and commenced to sniff him all over. Finally he lay down over Tawny Owl’s talons and sighed deeply.

‘I think this one’s just named himself,’ the owl remarked. ‘At any rate, I shall call him Friendly.’

‘An excellent name,’ Fox assented. ‘Don’t you think so, dear?’

Vixen nodded happily. There seemed to be nothing that could disturb the peace of such a perfect day. For a while longer Tawny Owl watched the cubs playing and then, finding it increasingly difficult to stifle his yawns, he made an excuse and flew back to his tree for a long nap before dark.

At dusk he awoke with a start to see a familiar shape skulking in the shadows. The scarfaced fox had evidently decided to resume his reconnaisance.

‘What on earth is he up to?’ Tawny Owl muttered to himself, as he watched the animal pause at one of the entrances to Fox’s earth. ‘He’s listening for something, I’ll be bound.’

The beast stood motionless, head cocked at an angle, for some moments. Then he sniffed carefully all round the entrance and listened again. Finally he moved slowly off into the darkness.

Tawny Owl was puzzled. ‘Very curious,’ he commented.

He was still cogitating when Fox emerged from the earth and paused while he, too, sniffed the air. Then he looked up towards the willow. ‘Are you there, Owl?’ he called.

‘Yes.’ Tawny Owl alighted on the ground beside him.

‘Have you seen anything?’ Fox asked him.

‘Scarface has been back.’ Tawny Owl described his movements.

‘I knew it. I smelt him.’

‘He must have detected your scent,’ Tawny Owl surmised, ‘and then decided to go back.’

‘Exactly. Had I been out hunting …’ The friends exchanged glances.

‘You can rely on me,’ declared Tawny Owl. ‘I’ll see no harm’s done.’

‘But, with all due respect, would you be a match for such a tough customer?’ Fox queried hesitantly.

‘Vixen and I together could deal with him, if necessary,’ the bird assured him. ‘And, in any case, it may not come to anything. Perhaps it’s just harmless curiosity?’

‘Perhaps,’ said Fox. ‘But I don’t like it. His secretiveness …’

‘Are you hunting tonight?’ Tawny Owl asked him.

‘No. I’ll stay put this time. But tomorrow I must. And then …?’

‘Maybe we’ll learn a little more about our interested visitor,’ said Tawny Owl coolly. ‘As for now, I think I’ll pay a call on Badger. We don’t want him to feel he’s being left out of anything.’

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—— 3 ——

A Warning

The next night was clear and crisp, with a bright half moon. Tawny Owl was in position on the willow branch well before dark, and Badger joined him at the foot of the tree, concealed in a clump of bracken.

When it was quite dark, Fox quitted his earth to go hunting. He gave no sign of any kind that he was aware of his friends’ presence. They saw him trot nonchalantly away in the moonlight.

For some time all was quiet. Badger shivered once or twice in the chill evening air and wished he could move about a bit. Neither he nor Tawny Owl spoke. A breeze began to whisper through the leaves of the willow, and with it another faint sound – a regular pattering sound. Footsteps! Badger tensed under the bracken. The noise came nearer … pitter patter, pitter patter … and then a long, dog-like shadow was visible on the ground. The pattering ceased. Out into the moonlight came the scarfaced fox, treading very slowly and carefully towards the main entrance to the cubs’ den.

By the opening he stopped again and looked all round warily, snuffling the air. For a moment he looked towards the spot where Badger was hidden. The moon shone full on his face, scarred and hideous from a score of battles. Despite himself, Badger’s stout old heart missed a beat. Then the animal turned again and lowered himself to creep stealthily into the hole.

At once, Tawny Owl glided noiselessly down from his perch, and Badger rushed forward. Scarface sprang back.

‘You’ve no reason to go in there,’ said Tawny Owl. ‘What exactly is your game?’

‘I’m not accountable to you,’ snarled the fox, angry at being detected unawares.

‘But you’re accountable to the inhabitants of the den who, to my knowledge, have not invited your presence.’

‘A social call from one fox to another is no concern of a bird’s,’ Scarface sneered.

‘It is in this instance,’ Tawny Owl informed him calmly, ‘as I was specifically requested to keep watch for intruders.’

‘Intruders?’ snapped Scarface. ‘Intruders? How dare you talk to me of intruders. I’ve lived in this Park all my life – and my kind with me. I’ve more right to enter this earth than those who are already in it – cubs or no cubs.’

‘Just because you were born here doesn’t mean you own the Park, you know.’ Badger spoke for the first time. ‘There’s more than enough room for everyone to live comfortably without any interference being called for. We all lost our original homes thanks to human intervention, and we came here for the very reason that it was safe from human hands.’

‘Yes, yes, we’ve all heard about your heroic journey from Farthing Wood,’ the fox said sarcastically. ‘I was at the reception party when you arrived, just like everyone else. The Park could absorb your numbers rightly enough. But now you’ve started breeding …’

‘Some of us have,’ Badger corrected him. ‘I myself have no mate. Neither does Tawny Owl here. But you’ve nothing to fear from our party. We like to keep ourselves to ourselves.’

‘You have to eat, don’t you? I’m sure you don’t leave the Park every time you go hunting.’

‘Of course not,’ replied Tawny Owl imperturbably. ‘Do you?’

Scarface bristled with anger again. ‘The whole of this Reserve is my hunting territory,’ he seethed. ‘From time immemorial my ancestors lived and hunted here, long before it was fenced off by humans, or even had a name. When it was still wild and unchecked countryside, they roamed here freely. And it will always be that way. My cubs will hunt here after me, and their cubs after them …’

‘And so on ad infinitum,’ Tawny Owl remarked drolly.

Scarface looked at him dangerously, baring his fangs. Badger quailed slightly, though Tawny Owl stood his ground. In slow, menacing tones Scarface said: ‘No other family of foxes will be allowed the freedom of the Park. Tell your gallant leader to stay in his own quarter if he values the safety of his mate and her cubs. My family is large: I have many dependents. Don’t let him think he can outwit me. I’ve lived many years and I’ve yet to be bested.’ With a final snarl, he loped off into the shadows.

‘Well, well, well,’ Badger whispered, ‘what an alarming character.’

‘Pooh, nonsense,’ blustered Tawny Owl, who was secretly shaken by their confrontation, ‘nothing but idle threats. We thwarted his little game all right. I believe he was about to do some mischief to Vixen’s cubs.’

‘I’m sure of it,’ agreed Badger. ‘But I’m not convinced we’ve seen the last of him. I have an unpleasant feeling you and I have made an enemy for ourselves tonight, Owl.’

Tawny Owl stretched his wings and shook his feathers in an effort to hide a distinctly disconcerted expression. ‘Oh, I don’t know …’ he began.

‘Sssh, here’s Fox back,’ Badger interrupted him. He quickly acquainted Fox with the recent events. Fox invited them down into his earth while he took food in to Vixen. They all sat silent for a while.

‘I shall do exactly as he asks,’ Fox announced finally.

‘What!’ exclaimed Tawny Owl.

‘Yes, Owl. Vixen and the cubs must be my first consideration. I won’t do anything to put their lives at risk.’

‘Quite right, my dear fellow,’ Badger concurred. ‘I should do exactly the same. That creature has a very vicious look about him.’

‘And when the cubs are fully grown?’ Tawny Owl prompted.

‘Well … then it might be time to think again,’ Fox said cautiously.

‘You know you can always count on our support in any way,’ said Tawny Owl.

‘I know, and I thank you for it, just as I thank you for dealing with that villain just now. But this is my quarrel. I don’t want to involve others.’

‘Any quarrel of yours is our quarrel too, you know, Fox,’ Badger reminded him. ‘Remember the Oath we all took before we left Farthing Wood.’

‘Of course I remember,’ replied Fox. ‘But that Oath was sworn to ensure the mutual protection of all our party while we were on our journey. We’ve made new lives for ourselves here – all of us. I don’t want to endanger my friends for any selfish reason.’

‘Well, I think in the event of any trouble,’ Badger opined, ‘you will find that everyone will get involved, whether you request it or not. Our ties are more lasting than simply for the duration of a journey.’

‘That is indeed a comforting thought, Badger, my dear friend,’ said Fox who was evidently quite moved. ‘And Owl – what a true friend you’ve been.’

‘Oh, don’t mention it,’ Tawny Owl said self-consciously. ‘Glad to be of assistance, I’m sure.’

Just then Vixen, who had finished eating, came forward. ‘Fox told me the gist of what occurred tonight,’ she said, ‘and I want to thank you both for standing guard as you did. If you look at the cubs, you can see how successful you were.’

They could see them blissfully asleep in a huddle, completely unaware of the interest provoked by their existence.

‘They’ll soon be big enough for me to take them hunting,’ she added. ‘They’re coming along fast’

‘Yes, yes, they grow so quickly,’ said Badger fondly. ‘It’s a shame in a way. But they need to be able to stand on their own feet as soon as possible.’

‘Never more so than in the present case,’ Tawny Owl remarked, but Fox gestured him to silence.

‘Well, it’s been an eventful evening,’ he summarized. ‘Owl, Badger, I’m sure you both feel the need to eat. We’ll keep in touch.’

Badger took this as a hint that Fox wanted to be alone with his family and began to amble towards the exit, but the somewhat insensitive Owl lingered.

‘No hurry, no hurry,’ he said. ‘My stomach takes second place to the pleasure of your company.’

‘Now, we mustn’t outstay our welcome,’ Badger said pointedly. ‘Fox has other claims on his time.’

Tawny Owl noticed his gaffe but endeavoured to appear unconcerned. ‘Of course,’ he said, ‘I just wanted to make it quite clear I was not in any discomfort.’

Badger had already made his farewells and left the earth.

‘I’ll be on watch again tomorrow evening,’ Tawny Owl assured Fox awkwardly. ‘Never fear.’

Fox smiled. ‘All right, Owl. Thank you.’

Tawny Owl cleared his throat. ‘Well – goodbye,’ he finished lamely, and finally left them alone.

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—— 4 ——

First Blood

The time came when the four cubs were ready to go on their first hunting trip. Many of Fox’s and Vixen’s friends came to witness this important outing, among them Badger, Mole, Weasel and, of course, Tawny Owl. It was dusk as they gathered outside the earth, and watched Vixen shepherd Bold, Charmer, Dreamer and Friendly towards the entrance.

The cubs emerged with various degrees of enthusiasm. Bold looked keen and alert; his robust young body was tingling with excitement. Charmer stayed close to her mother, watching her every movement, but Dreamer, as usual, seemed to be in a world of her own – wandering off to sniff at a patch of grass or a twig as if she had all the time in the world. Friendly made a beeline for the onlookers, wagging his tail furiously as he recognized each of them in turn.

Vixen called them together again and had a few last words with Fox, who impressed on her once more not to attempt to hunt outside their own corner of the Park. She took a necessarily quiet farewell of him and of their friends and led the cubs away. Shortly afterwards Fox followed, making sure he was out of sight and keeping far enough behind for his scent to remain undetected. For, although it was Vixen’s job to instruct the cubs, he was determined to be within reach should anything untoward occur.

‘Keep close to me,’ Vixen told the cubs, ‘and there’s no danger. Do you understand, Dreamer? No wandering off!’

‘Don’t worry, Mother,’ the cub replied. ‘I’ll stay with you.’

Bold was snuffling the night air keenly as the little group trotted on. A hundred exciting scents were wafted to him on the breeze and his young feet fairly danced along in his exhilaration.

‘I want complete quietness now,’ Vixen ordered, as she led them into some long grass. Friendly, who had been chatting to his sister cubs, fell silent. They followed their mother in a line, nosing their way through the tall stalks. A variety of insects scattered in their wake – beetles, crickets, spiders and earwigs. Some tumbled into their path, and following their mother’s example, they snapped them up. They quickly discerned which were to their liking.

But Vixen was after larger game. They arrived on the banks of a stream rich in water-rats. She showed the cubs how to exercise their patience while nothing seemed to appear; then, when the prey was spotted, to freeze if it approached or, alternatively, to stalk it from behind. She showed how to pounce and pin it with front paws and how to render it immobile with the jaws.

The cubs at first were clumsy and too eager, and for a long time they caught nothing. The water-rats were far too nimble and knowing for them. But Bold caught a water-shrew at the stream’s edge and this success spurred him on. Vixen helped the others and, eventually, Charmer and Friendly were also successful. Only Dreamer, who had eaten rather too many insects and earthworms on the way, showed little aptitude.

‘You will go hungry tonight,’ Vixen told her. ‘Then tomorrow perhaps you will try harder.’

All the time Fox watched them from further downstream. When he saw they were about to leave he disappeared. He was satisfied that there was no danger abroad and that they would soon be safely back in the den again. He had completely failed to notice a familiar figure, hidden in the shadows on the opposite bank. Scarface had also been watching the cubs’ lesson, but from a quite different motive.

At that very moment in another area of the Park his mate was going through the self-same procedure with her cubs. Scarface looked with anger and resentment at Vixen’s cubs, comparing his own unfavourably with them. Vixen’s seemed sturdier and more agile. In reality only Bold was bigger, but he likened the cub’s brother and sisters to him in his mind’s eye. He jealously watched Bold’s dawning skills and knew that he could be supreme among all the foxes one day. ‘But that shall not be,’ he muttered darkly to himself. ‘No interloper will supercede me and mine while I live. This young cub must be dealt with before he grows any more.’

He watched Vixen set off with the cubs following, and then swam across to the other bank silently. As they re-entered the long grass, he ran quickly round the outside to head them off. Vixen emerged first, then Charmer and Dreamer, and finally the two male cubs. Scarface set up a loud yapping and barking to startle them. Vixen halted stock still, but all four cubs leapt into the air in alarm. She saw the hostile fox speeding towards them.

‘Quickly!’ she cried. ‘Run for the earth!’

The cubs set off as swiftly as their legs could carry them, while their mother faced about to encounter their attacker. But Scarface twisted out of her reach and raced after her young ones. In no time his longer legs brought him up to their heels. He knew he would have time only to catch one cub, and he immediately singled out Bold for attack. Running in amongst the cubs, he scattered them and isolated Bold by shielding him with his body. Then he bared his fangs and prepared to lunge.

But Bold was not so named for nothing. Taking Scarface completely by surprise, the plucky little animal snapped at the old fox first, and bit him neatly on the foreleg. Scarface actually fell back a pace or two in utter amazement at the cub’s audacity. For a moment he was dumbfounded; then, with a wild snarl, he sprang forward again.

By now Vixen, with her famed swiftness, was catching up with the aggressor. As she ran, she let out a piercing scream as a signal to Fox. The eerie cry cut through the night air like a knife, and was heard not only by Fox but by a number of the other Farthing Wood animals.

Before Scarface could aim again at Bold, Vixen was in between them, snapping viciously at the hideous muzzle while she protected her bravest cub. The other three were now out of danger and well on the way back to their den. While Vixen and Scarface lunged and feinted at each other, growling horribly the whole time, Bold ran round his mother and bit his enemy from behind with his sharp young teeth.

Scarface was in a fury – the attacker became the attacked. As he swung backwards and forwards, he spied in the distance Fox galloping in their direction. He knew it was time to break off the contest. With a final wild snap at Vixen which caught her a glancing blow on the shoulder and made her yelp, Scarface broke free and made off at a good pace back to his own kind.

Fox saw this as he approached and felt inclined to race after him, but Vixen’s cry of pain had decided him to attend to his family first. He was quickly assured when it became obvious Vixen had only sustained a scratch. While he comforted his mate, Fox said: ‘That creature is beginning to interfere a little too much in our affairs. If he wants to really stir up trouble, I’ll give him something he didn’t bargain for.’

‘He was after Bold,’ panted Vixen. ‘I don’t know why – the other cubs didn’t interest him.’

‘Where are they?’ Fox asked quickly.

‘They got away, luckily. They should be back in the den by now.’

Fox sighed with relief and then smiled down at Bold, who was wagging his tail as hard as he could, begging for recognition.

‘You’re a game one,’ his father said to him. ‘I saw you helping your mother.’

‘He was defending himself before I came on the scene,’ Vixen told him. ‘He bit that hateful creature before he had a chance to be bitten.’

‘No, did he though?’ Fox murmured. ‘What, he attacked old Scarface?’ There was pride in his voice. ‘My word, that is something.’

‘I thought he was going to kill me,’ said Bold quietly, ‘so I had to do something.’

‘Well, you certainly seem to be able to look after yourself,’ Fox praised him. Yet, even as he spoke, in his heart he knew the brave little cub would from now on be the prime target for their enemy – even more so than before. Scarface would never forget his humiliation of this night.

Fox made Vixen tell him in detail exactly what had happened from the time he let her out of his sight. ‘So he’s not even true to his word,’ he muttered afterwards. ‘We have kept to our own area, and still he has sought us out. Well, now we know where we stand for sure.’

They heard a familiar voice calling them. ‘Fox! Vixen!’ It was Badger. He ran up to tell them that the other cubs were safely in their earth, in the care of Weasel and Mole. Then he stopped in dismay, looking down at Bold. ‘But where’s Dreamer?’ he asked.

‘What?’ gasped Vixen. ‘Wasn’t she with the others?’

‘No, only Charmer and Friendly are in the den. We thought she was with you.’ Badger looked almost as worried as the parents.

‘Then wherever can she …?’ began Fox.

‘She’s wandered off somewhere again,’ Bold said. ‘She’s always doing that. I’m sure she’ll be all right, Mother,’ he added comfortingly.

‘We must search for her,’ said Fox. ‘Badger, will you take Bold back to join the others?’

‘Of course, Fox. Anything I can do – you know that.’

Fox and Vixen split up to comb different areas, calling softly to their lost cub. Inside the earth, the three other cubs and their guardians waited anxiously.

It was Fox who found her. Vixen heard his cry – an angry, baffled cry of distress. She found him standing over the body of Dreamer. She was dead, and her young body had been badly savaged.

There was no doubt in their minds who had done the deed. Fox’s face was very grim. With menace he said: ‘Now indeed he will have a fight to contend with.’

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—— 5 ——

Out of Bounds

The savage killing of an innocent cub was a considerable shock to the Farthing Wood community. There were those who thought it should be avenged, while others advised greater caution. Amongst the smaller animals there was widespread alarm. They had thought themselves safe and now it appeared there was a new threat to their lives.

The strongest advocates of taking revenge for the death of Dreamer were the birds – Tawny Owl, Kestrel and Whistler. Fox, however, was wise enough to recognize that, in the event of a prolonged state of conflict, they stood to suffer least. Their wings were their constant passport to safety. For a long time he brooded over what course of action to take. Vixen’s grief was an aching wound in his heart, and he itched for battle. But he did not want to further endanger the survival of his other three cubs. So for the time being Scarface’s blow remained unanswered.

Over the next few weeks the cubs were never allowed to wander far, and at night both Fox and Vixen accompanied them on their hunting trips. Soon the three were very nearly as big as their parents and Bold, in particular, was wishing to become more independent. It was Vixen who finally said to Fox: ‘We can be overprotective, you know. Shouldn’t we be encouraging them to rely more on themselves now?’

‘I suppose you’re right,’ Fox acknowledged. ‘But do you think they’re ready to meet all the dangers around?’

‘Time will tell,’ said Vixen realistically. ‘In any case, the dangers you are referring to will always be present. The cubs are aware of them, too.’

Fox relented. ‘I’ll tell them they’re free to go where they choose, but within reason. We don’t want to invite trouble.’

The next day Fox and Vixen hunted alone, and the cubs were left to their own devices. Bold was eager to explore further afield and, before he left them, he made Friendly and Charmer promise not to mention this.

With what sense of freedom and adventure he set off in the moonlight! His natural confidence made him feel he was equal to anything and he trotted along quite fearlessly. He went first to the stream of the water-rats and slaked his thirst at its edge. He had never been to the other bank and, without further ado, dog-paddled easily across. Here there were new smells, new sounds to absorb. Bold watched an owl flitting from tree to tree, calling in its metallic voice to its mate. A stoat brushed in front of him, intent on its own business. Bold caught himself a morsel and paused to eat it under a birch tree.

‘Hallo,’ whispered a voice nearby. ‘I don’t think I know your face.’

Bold looked around him and detected a movement under a gorse bush. He looked closer. ‘Oh – hallo,’ he said in reply. ‘You must be Adder.’

‘That is the case,’ said the snake.

‘My father has often talked to me about you,’ Bold went on.

‘Really? What did he say?’

‘He said you were a remarkable creature,’ Bold said innocently.

Adder chuckled. ‘Not so remarkable for a snake,’ he said. ‘But it seems we legless individuals always appear unusual to those who have them.’

‘I don’t think he was referring to that aspect at all,’ Bold 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 quite differently – 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 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, just as 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.