as for fruit. The orchard, though, was laid out in neat rows.
Inky swooped down the ridge, ran across a downed log over Broad Creek, and was happily in the middle of the orchard in fifteen minutes.
Raleigh, whom she knew by sight, was in the house. Golliwog, however, was in the orchard.
âIâll tell the hounds youâre here.â
âThey canât get out,â
Inky replied.
âThey can make a helluva racket. The humans will get up.â
âIâll be gone by that time, theyâll be in a bad mood, and youâre the one that has to listen to them,â
Inky sensibly said.
âI only want one apple. Iâm not going to poach your game.â
Golly arched her long eyebrows.
âHow can you eat fruit?â
âItâs good.â
The cat shook herself.
âWell, get your apple and get out.â
Inky snatched a small, sweet apple that had just fallen, then darted out of the orchard, passing the kennel on her way home. The hounds were snoring.
She stopped, apple in her mouth. She put the apple down for a moment and turned. Golly had climbed up into one of the apple trees at the edge of the orchard. Sheâd heard that the house cat was smart and no friend to foxes. Figuring she was ahead of the game and not wishing further to irritate the calico, Inky picked up the apple. As she walked by the separate runs, Diana, sleeping outside since the rain had stopped, opened one eye, then both eyes, sitting up with a start.
She opened her mouth, but Inky dropped her apple and quickly pleaded,
âDonât. It will set everyone crazy.â
Diana walked to the fence.
âYouâre the black foxââ
âYou stuck your nose into my den. Iâve come for an apple and Iâll be on my way. I didnât even go near the chicken coop. Allâs well.â
âYou know if I were out of here Iâd chase you to the James River,â
Diana bragged.
âHa. Iâd run circles around you and you wouldnât even know it.â
Diana cocked her head to one side.
âI love the chase. Do you?â
âFor about fifteen minutes. Then I have better things to do. The reds like it more than we grays, I think.â
âThis is my first season. I guess Iâll find that out.â
Diana blinked and lowered her head to be closer to the fox.
âIâve been doing okay with cubbing, though, and last year, when I was a puppy, Shaker and Sister walked us every day and sometimes they laid down scent to help us. I think I know what to do if I can concentrate. I lose my concentration sometimes.â
âThis is my first year, too, so I only know what my parents have told me and cubbing . . . I like cubbing. It was funny when you stuck your nose in the den. My brother wanted to bite you. Heâs like that.â
Inky giggled.
âGlad he didnât. My nose is very sensitive.â
Golly backed down the apple tree. She sauntered toward the kennel.
âIâd better go. She gave me a fair warning.â
Diana pricked up her ears.
âGolliwog can be very fierce. She scares me.â
âYou know we will all be leaving our dens in a few weeks. Right about the time of opening hunt. There will be good runs then. Youâll have fun. My dad says opening hunt is like a three-ring circus. Iâm going to climb a tree and watch.â
âWhere will you go?â
âAlready found my place. On the other side of Broad Creek. Thereâs so much corn and game, my father said itâs all right to live close. He said if hard times come then I might have to push on.â
âIâm nervous about opening hunt,â
Diana confessed.
âStay away from the people. And if youâre on Target, the huge red with lots of white tip, be real careful. Heâs very smart. My father says heâs incredibly smart but cruel. Target will try to lead you to your death. His son, Reynard, can be cruel, too.â
Diana shuddered so Inky
Legs McNeil, Jennifer Osborne, Peter Pavia