98 THE LIFE STORY OF AN OTTER 



the otter rose, shook his head, rested until his 

 pursuers were within a few yards of him, and 

 dived, showing his back and rudder. 'Takin' 

 things quietly, are 'ee?' said the harbourer in 

 high glee ; and then, presently, on observing the 

 hounds lick up the scent as they swam, ' They're 

 tonguing the ream brave.' Scarcely were the 

 words out of his mouth, when up came the otter 

 within a few yards of him. The excited ' Tally- 

 ho !' with which he greeted him made the welkin 

 ring. 



The squire would always have it that he heard 

 the penetrating scream ; but however that may 

 be, it was a good half-hour before he appeared 

 on the summit, and by that time the otter had 

 given the pack the slip and set the harbourer 

 wondering what had become of it. He was 

 amongst the reeds and hidden by the rocks when 

 the squire came up near the overflow, but his 

 cries, as he cheered the pack, betrayed his where- 

 abouts, and presently the squire hailed him across 

 the tarn : * Have you viewed the otter, my 

 man f ' Iss, sir, over and over again, but he's 

 creapt away somewheere out of mark.' The 

 hounds raised their heads on hearing their 

 master's voice, and when he sang out, ' Seek 

 him, my lads ! wind him, my lads !' they bustled 



