140 Wilderness Ways. 



thinking she knew more about it. Next day I went 

 back to the place, and, after much watching, saw two 

 little loons stealing in and out among the bogs, exult- 

 ing in their freedom, but silent as two shadows. The 

 mother bird was off on the lake, fishing for their 

 dinner. 



Hukweem's fishing is always an interesting thing to 

 watch. Unfortunately he is so shy that one seldom 

 gets a good opportunity. Once I found his favorite 

 fishing ground, and came every day to watch him from 

 a thicket on the shore. It was of little use to go in a 

 canoe. At my approach he would sink deeper and 

 deeper in the water, as if taking in ballast. How he 

 does this is a mystery; for his body is much lighter 

 than its bulk of water. Dead or alive, it floats like a 

 cork ; yet without any perceptible motion, by an effort 

 of will apparently, he sinks it out of sight. You are 

 approaching in your canoe, and he moves off slowly, 

 swinging his head from side to side so as to look at 

 you first with one eye, then with the other. Your 

 canoe is swift ; he sees that you are gaining, that you 

 are already too near. He swings on the water, and sits 

 watching you steadily. Suddenly he begins to sink, 

 deeper and deeper, till his back is just awash. Go a 

 little nearer, and now his body disappears; only his 

 neck and head remain above water. Raise your hand, 



