The first edition of this book is dated 1858. The edition used is dated 1858. The publisher was Thomas Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, N York. The number of pages is 25.

General information

This is one of the children’s books written by Ballantyne at the start of his literary career. It tells the tale of a fox with a hungry young family, for whom he has to find something to eat. He raids a farmer’s yard, and makes off with a couple of items of poultry, hotly pursued by the farmer in his night attire, and encouraged by the cries from her window of the farmer’s wife.

Finally he makes it to his den, where his young family of cubs tuck in to the dinner he has brought.

The book is copiously illustrated in pastel colours, and provided with music and song-sheets for the human family to regale themslves with it.