150 NEIGHBOURS UNKNOWN 



precious eggs would be safe only while 

 actually covered. A big mink had been 

 seen that very morning, prowling down the 

 opposite shore, and both birds were uneasy. 

 They seemed now to be taking counsel upon 

 that or some other equally important matter. 



For the next few days, however, the life 

 of the loons was tranquil, with good fishing 

 to content their appetites and no untoward 

 event to make them anxious. Then came a 

 day when the patient mother on her nest 

 could not conceal her happiness and her 

 excitement, when the male, forgetful of 

 meals, stood for hours at a time in interested 

 expectancy beside the nest. The strong 

 chicks within the eggs were beginning to stir 

 and chip the shell. It was not the day 

 that the big mink should have chosen for 

 his expedition to the islet. 



For several weeks the mink had been on 

 the point of swimming out to explore that 

 little patch of rocks and grass and bushes, 

 sentinelled by one dark fir-tree. Such a 

 secluded spot, out of reach of most forest 

 prowlers, might well afford something special 

 in the way of good hunting. Hitherto one 

 thing or another had always diverted him 

 from his purpose, and he had gone off on 

 another trail. But to-day nothing inter- 



