A WATER EPIC 283 



their pride seems more than belongs to individuals 

 — it is like a national pride. Yet even so, and just 

 as great deeds seem about to be achieved, the two 

 may turn and swim off in a stately manner, their 

 tails still fanned, their heads, now, proudly erect, 

 each scorning, yet, also, respecting the other, each 

 seeming to say, "Satan, I know thy strength, and 

 thou know'st mine." Otherwise, however, as the 

 upshot of all this warlike pomp, they close in 

 fierce and doubtful conflict. This is extremely 

 interesting to see. After lying, for some time, 

 with the points of their beaks almost touching, both 

 the birds make a spring, and, in a moment, are 

 sitting upright in the water, on their tails, so to 

 speak, and clawing forwards and downwards with 

 their feet. The object of each bird seems to be to 

 drag his adversary down in the water, so as to 

 drown him, but what always happens is that the 

 long claws interlock, and then, holding and pulling, 

 both of them fall backwards from their previously 

 upright position, and would be soon lying right on 

 their backs, were it not that, to prevent this, they 

 spread their wings on the water, so that they act as 

 a prop and support, which, together with their hold 

 on one another, prevents their sinking farther. 

 Their heads are still directed as much as possible 

 forward, and in this singular attitude they glare at 

 each other, presenting an appearance which one 

 would never have thought it possible they could 

 do, from seeing them in their more usual, everyday 

 life. They may sit thus, leaning backwards, as 

 though in an arm-chair, and inactive from necessity, 

 for a time which sometimes seems like several 



