ANOTHER PART OF THE RIVER. 63 



cudgels and were active enough, we might intercept 

 his retreat, and add the marauder to our spoils. 



Leister. There is no want of weapons ; let us 

 wrench up a couple of stakes out of this old paling 

 and set upon him. I have a spear on the butt-end 

 of my rod, which might pierce the corslet of a 

 rhinoceros. 



Otter. Hist ! He will notice us, and contrive to 

 escape. Steal you softly with me along the margin 

 of the river, so as to be able to rush directly up 

 towards the spot where we now perceive him. He 

 is occupied, methinks, with the carcase of a large 

 salmon or pike ; and, if we act cautiously, will not 

 suspect our approach until fairly attacked. Deal 

 your bitterest blows upon his pate, and give no 

 quarter. This way, Jack. 



Leister. The fellow defends himself like a hero, 

 and would fain have a hold of my leg. Beshrew 

 me ! if he hasn't chopped this cudgel in style. Those 

 teeth of his might champ iron, and I had as lief have 

 it mutilated under the spokes of a mill-wheel as trust 

 a limb of mine within his jaw-vice. You hit him 

 cleverly, Tom, and have fractured his helmet. 



Otter. So methinks, the creature sprawls like a 

 riddled Frenchman ! Another tap, gently dealt, will 

 demolish him. 



Leister. He is dead as his grandsire of the ark ! 

 Saw you ever so stuffed and oily a carcass ? such 

 a bon-vivant of a brute ? He hath a touch of the 



