A TRAGEDY OF THE MERE. 77 



mere a cry that had in it an indefinable touch 

 of pathos. Into the midst of a little company 

 of three wild duck resting on the water in 

 fancied security, grim tragedy had entered un- 

 seen, and was claiming one of its number. 

 Uttering shrill, pitiable cries, the bird strove 

 frantically to rise from the lake, wildly beating 

 the air with its wings in vain impotence to 

 release itself from the invisible power that 

 held it down as in a vice. From sedge and 

 flag there issued forth a procession of other 

 duck towards the place, marshalled by two 

 stately swans, curiosity having mastered their 

 fear of the " humans " in the punt. They, too, 

 were desirous to know the cause of the unusual 

 commotion. Meanwhile, with wings and voice, 

 the captive continued the unequal contest in 

 an agony of futile effort; but the unseen was 

 inexorable, and, while the other birds gathered 

 wonderingly around, the unhappy duck was 

 drawn slowly down beneath the surface, and 

 the next instant, in vivid contrast to the 

 despairing cry of life, there came a stillness, 

 as of death. 



