120 NETHER LOCHABER. 



Leave here thy salmon ; go, haste thee back, 

 We '11 dine together and have our crack ; 

 Believe me, dear otter, that over one's food 

 The face of a friend is always good." 



The otter tumbled into the stream 



Where the floating foam was white as cream ; 



He sought and searched in each cranny and hole, 



But not a fish could he find in the pool. 



" Well," quoth the otter, " I '11 hasten back 



To my cousin the fox, and we '11 have our crack 



Over the salmon I left above ; 



One fish will go far that is eaten in love ; 



'Tis large, and fat, and full of roe, 



And, fairly divided, will serve for two." 



Clambering over the rocks in haste 



The otter returned to join his guest ; 



But guess his surprise when he reached the spot ; 



Where the fox had been the fox was not, 



And nought of the salmon that could be seen 



But some silvery scales where the salmon had been ! 



The otter but said, " "Tis my belief 



My cousin the fox should be hanged for a thief ; 



He'll never again make me his tool, 



For myself alone I'll haunt the pool. " 



