THE PRIZE BROUGHT ASHORE 151 



from sheer exhaustion they let go, resting awhile 

 to recover a little strength before committing 

 themselves to the welter of the surf. Though 

 the fish too seemed to be at its last gasp, sud- 

 denly, as if roused by the warning voice of the 

 breakers to a final effort, it shook itself free from 

 the otters, who had seized it as it stirred, and, with 

 a great swirl, disappeared beneath the surface. 

 Like a flash the otters were after it, but rose with- 

 out it once and again. The third time the fish 

 was between them. Almost immediately a wave 

 bigger than its fellows curled over them, buried 

 them in its mass of waters, and hurled them on 

 the sand, up which the otters dragged their prize 

 inch by inch till they had brought it to a wide 

 table of rock beyond reach of the surf. Although 

 out of the water, the conger still writhed until 

 the otter bit through its great backbone ; then it 

 lay almost quiet whilst the starving creatures 

 sliced and munched and gulped as if they never 

 would be satisfied. Satiety however came at 

 last, and when they could eat no more they with- 

 drew to the clitter — night though it was — to 

 sleep off the orgy that marked the close of the 

 days of want. 



With the continuance of mild weather pollack 

 and plaice returned to the inshore waters, so that 



