OTTER-HUNTING. 94 



Doctor stationed himself at the upper hole, and 

 kept watch and ward up to his waist in water. 

 To his great surprise the otter came out with 

 Teddy the terrier hanging close under his throat, 

 in which the little game one's dentals were grimly 

 fixed. How and where Teddy got below the bank 

 is one of the mysteries that will never be solved, 

 but there he had certainly been to some purpose. 

 The Doctor now saw the opportunity for which 

 he had long waited, of catching a live otter, before 

 him, and clutching the varmint by the neck, he 

 ducked it and the terrier below the surface in 

 hopes of obliging Teddy to quit his grip. Then 

 a desperate struggle took place. Old Malakoff, 

 Ruler, and Royal had just come back to the scene 

 of the fray, and they furiously dashed at the 

 Doctor's live prey, and, though Walter tried his 

 best to keep them off, they resisted his utmost 

 efforts, while master, hounds, and otter continued 

 each struggling for the victory in the deep and 

 rapid running stream. At last Walter got his 

 coat off, and wrapped it round the otter under 

 water, and the Doctor, keeping firm hold with 

 his right hand on its throat, threw his left arm 

 around it, and, clutching it to his breast, made 

 for the land. Here Walter assisted the Doctor 

 on his horse, but still the fierce hounds dashed 

 round him open mouthed, determined to have 



