ALL EXPECTATION 139 



the eyot afore V came the quick, hot words. 

 1 Once bit, twice shy,' he growled, and strode 

 from bank to bank in search of a return trail 

 which would prevent his being fooled again. 

 But neither on the open snow nor amongst the 

 reeds was there a sign that the otters had broken 

 back. On regaining the track he advanced along 

 it, confident now that the creatures were lying up 

 at the end of the creek. 



* At laist, and worth all the trouble. In pride 

 of pelt they'll be. Take your time mind, aim 

 for the head, and the big un fust.' 



The nearer he got to the end of the inlet, 

 the more agitated he became, until, on reach- 

 ing the spot where the otters had passed in 

 single file between two tussocks before entering 

 the brambles, he was in a fever of agitation. But 

 despite his excitement, the precautions he took 

 showed he had got himself well in hand, that he 

 was anxious to make the most of his hardly- 

 earned chance. He raised the flaps of his cap 

 that no sound might escape his ears ; he brushed 

 away every particle of snow from the barrels of 

 the gun, and to satisfy himself that the weapon 

 would not miss fire, he raised the copper caps and 

 saw that the powder was still up in the nipples. 

 Then, everything being ready, he began to 



18—2 



