THE BOOK OF THE OTTER 



that is if they draw well, trying every root as they 

 go, or swimming out to some stone in midstream 

 on which perhaps there is a piece of wedging. 

 Here a hound will try a patch of water lilies, there 

 another will investigate a stick heap, until at last 

 there is a welcome note from Thunder, Sailor, or 

 some other member of the pack, which denotes 

 that a drag has at last been found. Gradually 

 they work it out, fast or slow according to its 

 strength, until at last they mark at a tree-root on 

 the bank. If you know your hounds you can tell 

 pretty well whether your otter is there, or has 

 merely run through the place and gone on. One 

 or two of your most trusted favourites perhaps 

 show an inclination to push forward up-stream, so 

 you go ahead, taking plenty of time at all the likely 

 holts. Suddenly old Warrior's head goes up, he 

 winds the air for a second or two, then goes straight 

 across the river, and his well-known voice rings out 

 as he proclaims that his otter is this time in the 

 holt in front of him. The others surge over, 



splashing the water as they go, and a wild chorus 



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