392 Modern Dogs. 



where R was posted, and he was afraid of 



throwing his harpoon for fear of spearing Vixen. 

 so close did he rise to her. 



" He now mounted the bank, and crossed the 

 meadow, where he was soon hidden from view by 

 the high grass . . . Tally ho ! he has again 

 taken to the water, and concealed himself in one of 

 his old holts, or burrows, under the bank. 



" It was some time before we could persuade him, 

 by shaking the ground, to stir from his well known 

 retreat. But he again bolted, and just as he was 

 about to land on our side was prevented from so 

 doing by seeing us. I threw my harpoon and 

 missed him. He again dived, and we thought we 

 had lost him, but he at last came up, and was 

 so much exhausted from being hard pushed and 

 remaining so long under water, that he was forced 

 to make for the same shore to take breath, and 

 having reached a bush that projected over the 

 stream, and screened him from our sight, prepared 

 to stand at bay. He had posted himself with his 

 back to some old rat holes, and, his flanks protected 

 by two stumps of trees, he presented his front to his 

 enemies, only one of whom could come at him at a 

 time. He showed good generalship, and had all the 

 advantage of position. 



" Vixen, swimming across to the place, soon 



