Other Terriers. 391 



and brambles, and they began to beat actively 

 among the briar-work. 



" It was soon surmised that they were on the 



scent of game, and R , who was acquainted 



with their habits, said, ' They are on another ! Look 

 out ! They are not far from him ! Push him out, 

 Vixen ! At him, Viper ! ' 



" He had hardly spoken when a rustling was 

 heard, the leaves trembled and shook, and a dog 

 otter of prodigious size rushed from his couch 

 among the roots of the alders, and took to the water, 

 the two terriers close behind. 



<( ' There cannot be a finer spot/ said R , ' for 



a successful chase. Once drive him on the opposite 

 side, and he will find it difficult to hide himself, and 

 must be ours. . ..- ': . Well done, Vixen!' But 

 the dogs required no encouragement, and as the 

 otter dived they dived also ; and such a monster 

 was he in size that when he rose to take breath 

 he could hardly at first be distinguished from the 

 terriers. 



" R had waded the river, and the dourghie 



was for some time lost, the dogs swimming round 

 and round, anxiously looking about for his reappear- 

 ance. He did not remain many minutes invisible, 

 the fresh-water seal soon showing himself again, 

 This time he was not above fifteen yards from 



