HEMINISCENOES OP THE LEWS. 131 



menced their old game at the find. In went 

 the terrier, out went the otter again with doggie 

 Sticking to him. The other settled to as well, 

 and the brave beast dashed into the loch again, 

 with both Skyes fastened to him, soon, how- 

 ever, in his native element, to shake them off. 

 And so the game goes on ; but by degrees 

 otter diving even comes to a close. He breathes 

 more frequently, and the dogs get at him now 

 and then ; the fights in the shallows are more 

 savage ; till at last you see one terrier fastened 

 well between the forelegs, and down go otter, 

 terriers, Grouse, and all, into the loch, and 

 remain so long under that you think they are 

 drowned, till a bubbling commotion is seen, 

 and up surges the half-dead otter, with Grouse 

 and terriers sticking steadily to him, and 

 dragging him on shore, where terriers finish 

 him, and Grouse, as soon as he has got his 

 wind, dances frantically, barking ; round a fine 

 old dog otter, twenty-six pounds weight. Oh, 

 blame me not, ye otter heroes of the Wye and 

 the Usk, that in these our parts we so igno- 

 miniously slay this game beast ! But what 

 can we do ? Who would shoot a wild boar 

 that could ride to hog ? But, since that 

 grandest of amusements is denied, shooting a 

 charging boar is not to be despised. 



K 2 



