The Second Day 47 



learned Camden says there is a river called Ottersey, 

 which was so named by reason of the abundance of 

 Otters that bred and fed in it. 



And thus much for my knowledge of the Otter ; 

 which you may now see above water at vent, and 

 the dogs close with him ; I now see he will not 

 last long. Follow, therefore, my masters, follow ; 

 for Sweetlips was like to have him at this last vent. 



VENATOR. Oh me! all the horse are got over 

 the river, what shall we do now? shall we follow 

 them over the water ? 



HUNTSMAN. No, Sir, no ; be not so eager; stay 

 a little, and follow me ; for both they and the dogs 

 will be suddenly on this side again, I warrant you, 

 and the Otter too, it may be. Now have at him 

 with Kilbuck, for he vents again. 



VENATOR. Marry ! so he does ; for, look ! he 

 vents in that corner. Now, now, Ringwood has him : 

 now, he is gone again, and has bit the poor dog. 

 Now Sweetlips has her ; hold her, Sweetlips ! now 

 all the dogs have her ; some above and some under 

 water : but, now, now she is tired, and past losing. 

 Come bring her to me, Sweetlips. Look ! it is a 

 Bitch-otter, and she has lately whelp'd. Let's go to 

 the place where she was put down ; and, not far from 

 it, you will find all her young ones, I dare warrant 

 you, and kill them all too. 



HUNTSMAN. Come, Gentlemen ! come, all! let's 

 go to the place where we put down the Otter. Look 

 you ! hereabout it was that she kennelled ; look you ! 

 here it was indeed ; for here's her young ones, no 

 less than five : come, let us kill them all. 



PlSCATOR. No : I pray, Sir, save me one, and I'll 

 try if I can make her tame, as I know an ingenious 

 gentleman in Leicestershire, Mr. Nich. Segrave, has 

 done ; who hath not only made her tame, but to catch 

 fish, and do many other things of much pleasure. 



