OTTER-HUNTING. 9$ 



heart, long vowed he would some day accomplish, 

 tut which his friends who knew him best and 

 admired him most ever declared could'never be 

 consummated even with all the daring and rare 

 sporting qualifications which distinguish him, 

 and the unexcelled metal, energy, perseverance, 

 and pluck of his hounds and terriers. The drag 

 was at first slow for a mile or two, but it im- 

 proved as the pack went down the river, and had 

 become so fast just before reaching Eiddell that 

 most of the followers on foot were thrown out, 

 but the Doctor and his lad Walter being mounted 

 kept close to the hounds. At length the spot, 

 which proved to be the scene of action, was 

 reached, at a part of the river where there is an 

 overhanging bank for several yards, and the re- 

 treat seems so expressly intended for the otter 

 that it can only be reached by a narrow hole at 

 each end. Eingwood turned on his downward 

 way and at once spoke out the cheerful sound, 

 telling his delighted master that the game was 

 near. The other dogs, excepting the bull dog 

 Billy, were a good way in advance, probably be- 

 cause the varmint had first gone down and then 

 doubled to his retreat. Eingwood made straight 

 for the lower hole, which his huge bulk could 

 not penetrate, as Billy was close after him, and 

 filling up part of the space. Meanwhile the 



