FAILS TO REACH THE OTTER 183 



in despair down to the sags and slipped unseen 

 into the mere. He rose after but a short dive, 

 and swam with the pack in his wake straight for 

 the bar. Not one of those who watched dreamt 

 he would dare to land ; but he did, a good score 

 yards in front of the leading hounds. Then all 

 could see his distress as he laboured over the 

 pebbly ridge he knew so well. It looked as if he 

 must be overtaken before he reached the tide ; 

 but the hounds were nearly as exhausted as he, 

 and though they gained on him, it was not until 

 they came to the calm water beyond the breaking 

 wave that they managed to hold him and worry 

 his life out. 



Then the squire waded into the sea almost to 

 his armpits, took him from the hounds, and hold- 

 ing the heavy carcass above his head, brought it 

 ashore. The ' field ' closed round him in their 

 eagerness to see and touch the beast and examine 

 the huge pads. 



■ A little elbow-room, gentlemen, if you please. 

 I can't possibly weigh the animal whilst you 

 press me like this.' 



His words had instant effect. The moment 

 the crowd fell back he suspended the otter from 

 the hook of the spring-balance he carried, and 

 watched the index. 



