A moment later she saw a large gray fox emerge from among the firs and come toward her.
Supposing that it had not seen or scented her, and thinking to frighten it, she cried out suddenly, "Hi, Mr.Fox!" To her surprise the fox, instead of bounding away, came directly toward her, and now she saw that its head moved to and fro as it ran, and that clots of froth were dropping from its jaws.

Kate had heard that foxes, as well as dogs and wolves, sometimes run mad.

She realized that if this beast were mad, it would attack her blindly and bite her if it could.
Still clutching her armful of dry twigs, she turned and sped back toward the camp.

As she drew near the cabin, she called to the other girls to open the door.

They heard her cries, and Ellen flung the door open.