THE SUBMERGED TENTH 
which made me confident that on the other lake 
the Loons had already hatched their young. 
What could be wetter than the surroundings of 
this most amphibious creature, out there a couple of 
rods from shore in three or four feet of water, espe- 
cially in that downpour, and with the lake rising so as 
almost to lap over on the egg! And there, up near 
the end of the lake, were both the Loons together, 
submerged, as usual—all but head and neck and a 
little strip of the back—engaged, no doubt, in 
family consultation. From them came now and 
then—it seemed to me rather inappropriately—the 
wild, quavering note, which, though it resembled a 
laugh, sprung from very different sentiments. I 
imitated the note, and they answered back. What- 
ever their meaning, my note was of genuine 
laughter, for I felt that the laugh was properly on 
my side. 
49 
