r 



UPON A DAY 215 



motionless, and it soon forgets its fears, and begins to 



prepare for breakfast. Slipping silently into the 



water, it makes for a little patch of reeds. Suddenly 



it dives, and one of the reeds begins to quiver. A 



skilful woodman is at work below. Presently the 



reed floats out flat on the top of the water, cut ofl" 



cleverly close to the root. Often the diver will 



reappear at once ; but sometimes it will cut two or 



three reeds consecutively, and then coming to the top 



seize first one and then the others by the white 



succulent end, and swim off with them to its seat. 



When it has a great burden, or is in a hurry — and it *-' f::^ 



is always in a hurry for breakfast — it swims with all 1 ^ 



its feet. At other times it uses its hind feet only, ^ %^~ 1 



carrying its fore-limbs at its side as the harbour seals I 



their flippers. 



But see the tent-dweller. By that quick turn of his 

 head you may know that something has arrested his 

 attention, and he seems to be listening intently. Stay. 

 Do you hear that curious whistling sound coming 

 from the reed-bed beyond the cedars ? It is an otter . .^^^ 



coming home from his travels of the night. To the 

 tent-dweller the sound is familiar as that of a human k 



voice. Off he sets at top speed, and. does not stop 

 till he has reached the nearest cedar. Leaning there, 



