124 MORE ABOUT THE OTTER 
disjointed remarks heard casually, a sign noted here 
or there in the creature's haunts, are all that is needed 
to bring one as quickly as circumstances will allow to 
the spot. No matter if it be night or day ; if the 
animal is there he will see it Short though the 
glance may be, quick eyes see and gather much, and 
one comes away well content, even though one has 
been bogged up to the knees, and bitten to such an 
extent by poisonous little midges that the eyes are 
puffed up and the tip of one's nose feels as if a small 
strawberry were fixed on it. These are trifles ; the 
main thing is, a man has seen what ' he went out 
for to see.' 
As I have said before, all wild creatures will, if 
permitted, draw near to man and the roads that lead 
to his dwellings. The otter is not an exception to 
this rule. When he has been domesticated, he 
requires a large amount of liberty. Those that have 
been best kept have shared the kennel with sporting 
dogs. They knew their own place in it and could 
keep it well, and there they have been strong and 
glossy of fur. Otters vary very much in size and 
colour, some being comparatively light in fur, others 
darker. Affectionate and intelligent by nature, they 
will attach themselves to man when well treated, and 
will gambol round him like kittens. You must not, 
