THE OTTER SLIDE 



125 



to the bottom, spring over to the ice that 

 will be part of the game.&quot; 



After much wrangling and discussion they 

 all agreed to try it. Mink went first, being 

 more familiar with slides, for he had a little 

 one of his own. He did it rather nicely, but 

 forgetting to jump at the bottom, dove into 

 the water. 



&quot; That rules you out ! &quot; decided the King. 

 &quot; You left the course, you see. Go on, Rof ! &quot; 



Blue Wolf fixed himself gingerly at the upper 

 end of the Slide, and, at the last minute, decided 

 to take it sitting, riding down on his great 

 haunches. This worked first-rate, until the ice 

 was reached. Rof was going with so much speed 

 by this time, that he could n t gather for a spring ; 

 his hind quarters slipped through the hole, which, 

 being just about his size, caused him to wedge 

 tight. He gave a roar of surprise that made 

 the woods ring, for the stream was icy cold. 

 &quot; Keep your nose above water or you 11 drown, 

 old Bow-wow,&quot; piped Jay. 



It took the combined strength of Beaver and 

 Carcajou to pull the grumbling animal out. &quot; By 

 the White Spot on my Tail,&quot; laughed Black 

 King, &quot; but I thought for a time you were going 

 to win. Your turn, Pisew.&quot; Lynx made a 

 grimace of dislike, for his cat nature revolted at 



