THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



tells me that Mr. Wright's otter-hounds meet at Cranby Mills 

 to-morrow morning, at five o'clock ; and he has consented to 

 my going out with them, provided the huntsman accompanies 

 me, to see that I do not get into danger ; but there is no fear of 

 that, as I am only to take my leaping-pole.' 



' What ! ' exclaimed Andrew. ' Does Mr. Wright keep 

 hounds ? I always thought he was so poor that he could 

 scarcely keep himself and family, much less hounds.' 



' Why, I fear, Andrew, what you say is too true ; and, as 

 Wright is a good, worthy fellow, I wish he was better off: but 

 it shows how innate, in man, is the passion for the chase, when 

 he will forego, as poor Wright must, many of the comforts, and 

 even conveniences of life, to indulge it.' 



On the following morning, at the early hour of five, Frank 

 Raby and the huntsman were at the Mill, where Mr. Wright 

 was in readiness for the sport, which he had little doubt would 

 ensue, as he had seen some very fresh spraints (excrements) on 

 the banks the evening before, although he had failed in mark- 

 ing an otter to, or lodging him in, his couch. He had but three 

 couples of hounds, and one three parts bull-terrier ; but all the 

 party were provided with spears, which likewise served them 

 for leaping-poles. 



The brook intended to be tried, having been ' let ofi",' as 

 the term is, by shutting down the sluices at the mill above, 

 the banks and shallows were in a good state for the purpose ; 

 and in less than half a mile, the seal (or foot-ball) of a full- 

 grown otter was discerned, and the scent soon got warm. The 

 ear of these animals being very acute, they seldom wait to be 

 surprised in their couch, and such was the case here. A view- 

 halloo was given by Mr. Wright, on seeing the object of his 

 pursuit dart into the stream, from the hollow of an old willow- 

 tree, about four feet from the ground ; and now the chase 

 began. It was for some time doubtful, from the superiority of 

 the animal over the dogs in swimming against the stream, and 

 no opportunity having occurred, during his vents (i.e. when 

 rising to the top of the water to respire), to strike him with a 

 spear, as to what tlie issue would be, whether blood would be 

 the result, or not. In one of his vents, however, whilst out of 

 reach of the spearsman, an opportunity did present itself to the 

 bull-terrier, who leaped from the bank on his prey, and a terrible 

 conflict commenced. The otter instantly dived below the sur- 



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