Fox Hunt Yarn by James McIntyre
The narrative follows an adventurous yet humorous account of a fox hunt that takes a disastrous turn. The protagonist, eager to participate in the hunt, mounts a horse and sets off in pursuit of a cunning fox. However, the excitement quickly dissipates when the horse stumbles and falls into a well, resulting in the horse's death. Left alone and trapped at the bottom of the well, the protagonist realizes that his companions are unaware of his predicament as they continue the hunt above. He attempts to call for help, but his cries go unheard. As time passes, the deceased horse begins to decompose, attracting buzzards that circle overhead. In a twist of fate, the protagonist manages to grab hold of the buzzards, using them to lift himself out of the well. Despite the precarious situation, he remains undeterred and successfully escapes without injury. The experience leaves him with a lasting aversion to fox hunting, humorously concluding that he will never again be coaxed into such an endeavor. The work combines elements of adventure, misfortune, and dark humor, ultimately delivering a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of outdoor pursuits.
By James McIntyre · First published 1892 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Adventure · 264 words
First lines
This my adventure is no hoax;
I mounted horse to hunt a fox, The cunning beast got into cover, Hunting him we rode all over.
But my fine horse he stumbling fell Down to the bottom of the well, And thus the noble beast was slain.
My comrades scattered o'er the plain, Knew not that in the depths profound I was in deep hole underground;
What this Textopian page supports
Fox Hunt Yarn is listed on Textopian as a short story by James McIntyre, dated 1892 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James McIntyre
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Adventure, Narrative, Nature
- Length: 264 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for Fox Hunt Yarn by James McIntyre
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Hunter by Hilaire Belloc
- Remember Please by Norman Gale
- The Man Hunt by Madison Cawein
- In The Fog by Richard Harding Davis
- Riding An Avalanche by James Mcintyre
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The narrative contains comedic elements, particularly in the absurdity of the situation and the protagonist's misadventures.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a hunting expedition, showcasing elements of adventure and unexpected challenges.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story with a clear sequence of events and a personal experience.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Adventure · Thriller · Mystery · Suspense · Crime · Detective · Investigation · Plot Twist · Twist Ending · Surprise