14 OLD BLACK BASS 



the tiny progeny with more and more a 

 turning of her body toward the still cold 

 waters of the lake. Within her was the deep 

 and formless call of nature, to be away. 



More with imperious movements of the 

 body than by any conscious guidance the 

 parent directed her tiny offspring toward 

 the shore. They did not follow; they were 

 swept along by the swirling currents created 

 by her activity. 



They moved toward the base of the cove. 

 Arriving there, she circled the spot slowly, 

 again watchful and alert, inspecting for 

 dangers the new quarters. 



No sooner was her tail turned than the 

 little followers lifted to the warmer surface 

 water. A belted kingfisher dropped from 

 a tamarack and with whir of wings struck 

 the water. Its aim was true, and the family 

 was lessened by three. 



The mother bass whirled and reflexively 

 darted for the deep ; then came back trem- 

 bling to the terrified school. For a moment 

 the fret to be away was swallowed up in 

 the old maternal solicitude. 



But for a moment only. She huddled the 

 little ones together, then hung motionless 



