94 



THE EARLY DAYS OF 



took a header into the water, swam across the stream, and mounting 

 the steep bank, came in a desperate hurry towards the place where 

 I was sitting ; when it got so near that I could have touched it 

 with my hand, a panic seized it, and taking another header got back 

 to the other bank. I stopped it again with the same mysterious 

 sound, and if ever perplexity — hope mixed with fear — was written 

 on the countenance of a stoat, there it was before me. It evidently 

 thought it the most remarkable coincidence which had occurred 



STOAT KILLING RABBIT, 



during its brief existence, and come what might, it was determined 

 to see it out. Another header, another rapid scramble up the bank 

 for fear it should be late for dinner, when a sudden burst of 

 laughter, which I found impossible to restrain, drove it back again. 

 Twice after that it returned, and there is no knowing how long the 

 game might have continued, had not a farmer who wished to speak 

 to me, appeared upon the scene, and frightened this entertaining 

 stoat away. 



