260 FACT AGAINST FICTIO^^ 



before I had had a punt stationed, and had crossed 

 tlie river witli him. The punt was no longer 

 tliere, so, after pausing for a minute, he retraced 

 his stej^s, and came back along the meadows 

 towards me. 



Having found that there was nothing left for it 

 but to swim the river, he plunged in some way 

 *below where I stood and began to swim up stream 

 towards me against the tide and wind. The heavy 

 wings of the heron acted as adverse sails, and 

 impeded his way, even if he could have made any 

 progress against so strong a stream, — besides, the 

 large wings blinded him; still, there struggled the 

 gallant dog in mid-river, endeavouring to overcome 

 impossibilities, and making no progress whatever. 

 His strength was evidently failing, too, for, instead 

 of holding his own, the flood, the wings of the 

 heron, and the wind were mastering him, and he 

 was going down the stream instead of approaching 

 me. Changing my place to one immediately 

 opposite him, alas I did no good ; his eyes were 

 blinded, and he onl}^ remembered where he last 

 had seen me, so still he fought on against im- 

 possibilities. At that moment the wind caught 

 the wing of the heron next me, and, blowing 



