" SUN-SPEARING. " 141 



by the approach of a new invader of the solitude of 

 the island. Far down the lake appears an animal 

 turning the waters aside from his broad chest, and 

 making towards us with rapid strokes. An otter or 

 a cormorant? exclaims the inexperienced tyro, on 

 sighting the strange apparition. No ; not exactly 

 either, friend ; these animals pursue their prey, and 

 work the "pool" in quite another fashion. It is only 

 that incorrigible knave, Diver, who has slipped his 

 collar, and is playing his old game of following us to 

 the lake. At fishing or fowling, he is equally at 

 home, and never misses a chance of being one of the 

 party, when these sports are in hand. He watches 

 the splash of a rising trout with as much zest as the 

 flash of a fowling-piece ; and is quite as eager to take 

 the water after a hooked fish as to fetch a winged 

 mallard. Force alone iadeed can keep him from being 

 as soon into the net as a " hooped " trout. While 

 taking a swim, just to give time to your shirt to dry 

 on the island after a thunder-gust, he rows himself 

 alongside, takes your arm most affectionately in his 

 mouth, and imagines no doubt it is his peculiar pro- 

 vince to keep you afloat. A sort of canine Flibberty- 

 gibbet, his quaint tricks are inexhaustible ; and he is 

 sure to be always " master of the occasion." The 

 crafty scamp knows full well now that we must take 

 him into Dingey, though he puts on a look of peni- 

 tence and compassion as if he were sinking. There ! 



