THE SUBMERGED TENTH 



which made me confident that on the other lake 

 the Loons had already hatched their young. 



What could be wetter than the surroundings of 

 this most amphibious creature, out there a couple of 

 rods from shore in three or four feet of water, espe- 

 cially in that downpour, and with the lake rising so as 

 almost to lap over on the egg ! And there, up near 

 the end of the lake, were both the Loons together, 

 submerged, as usual all but head and neck and a 

 little strip of the back engaged, no doubt, in 

 family consultation. From them came now and 

 then it seemed to me rather inappropriately the 

 wild, quavering note, which, though it resembled a 

 laugh, sprung from very different sentiments. I 

 imitated the note, and they answered back. What- 

 ever their meaning, my note was of genuine 

 laughter, for I felt that the laugh was properly on 

 my side. 



49 



