"It is a good time to try Lightfoot's speed.

Let's get the fox out, and give him a fair start, and if he gets away from the hound, he is entitled to his life." The boys readily agreed to this proposal--not out of any desire to give the fox a chance for his liberty, but in order to witness a fair trial of the grayhound's speed, and to enjoy the excitement of the race.
George and Harry provided themselves with long poles, with which to "poke" the fox out of his refuge.

Brave and Sport were unceremoniously conducted away from the tree, and ordered to "lie down;" and Frank took hold of the grayhound, intending to restrain him until the fox could get a fair start.
"All ready now," said Archie.

"Keep a good look-out, Frank, and let the hound go the instant the fox comes out.

You know, Lightfoot is young yet, and it won't do to give the game too long a start." "All right," answered Frank.
And he tightened his grasp on the strong, impatient animal, which struggled desperately to free himself, while George and Harry began the work of "poking out the fox." They thrust their poles into the holes they had cut in the roots of the stump, and the next moment out popped the fox, and started toward the woods like a streak of light.
The meadow was about a mile and a half square, and was laid off in "dead furrows"-- deep ditches, which are dug, about four rods apart, to drain off the water.