60 NEIGHBOURS UNKNOWN 



But he didn't know the flexibility of the 

 heron's neck. The lightning rapidity of his 

 attack almost carried it through ; but not 

 quite. He was met by a darting stroke of 

 the great yellow beak, which hurled him back- 

 ward and ploughed a deep red furrow across 

 his shoulder. Before he could recover him- 

 self the bird's neck was coiled again like a set 

 spring, the javelin beak poised for another 

 blow. 



Most of the wild creatures would have been 

 discouraged by such a reception, and slunk 

 away to look for easier hunting. But not so 

 the mink. His fighting blood now well up, 

 for him it was a battle to the death. But for 

 all his rage he did not lose his cunning. Making 

 as if to run away, he doubled upon himself 

 with incredible swiftness and flew at his 

 adversary's neck. Quick as he was, however, 

 he could not be so quick as that miracle of 

 speed, which the eye can scarcely follow, the 

 heron's thrust. The blow caught him this 

 time on the flank, but slantingly, leaving a 

 terrible gash, and at the same time a lucky 

 buffet from the elbow of one great wing dashed 

 him into the water. With this success the 

 heron strove to rise to his feet a position 

 from which he could have fought to greater 

 advantage. But the lay of the trap pulled 



