12 THE LIFE STORY OF AN OTTER 



even, in the absence of the otter, who was away 

 foraging, the cubs crossed alone. 



From this night their fear of the water abated, 

 and soon, with scarce a ripple to mark their 

 smooth progress, they were able to accompany 

 their proud mother in her circlings round and 

 round the pool. When the smaller cub tired, 

 the otter slackened her pace, sank very low, took 

 it on her back, and carried it to the shallows ; 

 but the male cub always had to take care of 

 himself. The subsequent improvement was very 

 rapid, and at the end of a week so fond did they 

 become of the water that when released from 

 the hover they scurried to the pool in advance 

 of their mother, stumbling and falling as they 

 ran in their eagerness to reach it. 



Being full of the young creature's love of 

 * hide-and-seek,' they often concealed themselves 

 before she came up. On hearing her approach, 

 they drew their heads beneath the surface until 

 only their nostrils showed and, though thrilling 

 with excitement, kept as motionless as the alder 

 snags about them until discovered. Then mother 

 and cubs joined in play, disporting themselves at 

 times on the surface, but more often in the 

 depths. Presently they would rise, locked 

 together as if in deadly struggle, and roll over 



