TWO PARTIES JOIN 25 



a change of quarters necessary. They then 

 betook themselves to the main tributary on the 

 opposite bank, three miles above the morass ; but 

 finding that some other otters had disturbed the 

 water in front, they pressed on, and at length 

 came up with them where the stream winds 

 sluggishly through a swampy bottom. Two were 

 fishing in the stream, the rest in the marsh ; but 

 presently the whole party came into view, and as 

 they trotted along the bank were seen to be four 

 well-grown cubs with their dam, old and slightly 

 grizzled. They all went on in company, but as 

 day approached drew only the best pools, and 

 gave up fishing altogether after striking the trail 

 of the moorman who had forded the stream at 

 sundown. Indeed on finding the dreaded taint 

 of man there was quite a stir amongst them, 

 especially amongst the cubs, who kept close 

 alongside their mothers, and wondered where 

 harbourage was to be found on the seemingly 

 bare upland to which they were being led. At 

 length the scared creatures sighted the weedy 

 lakelet where the stream rises and, just as the 

 rim of the sun showed gained the shelter of the 

 reeds that fringed it. 



The day proved intensely hot and still, with 

 not a breath to ripple the surface or freshen the 



4 



