58 THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



have been coaxing your father for something" " Why, 

 sir," replied Frank, " Jem Perren tells me that Mr. 

 Wright's otter-hounds meet at Cranby Mills to-morrow 

 morning, at five o'clock ; and he has consented to my 

 going out with them, provided the huntsman accompanies 

 me, to see that I do not get into danger ; but there is no 

 fear of that, as I am only to take my leaping-pole." 



" W 7 hat ! " exclaimed Andrew. " Does Mr. Wright keep 

 hounds 1 I always thought he was so poor that he could 

 scarcely keep himself and family, much less hounds." 



" Why, I fear, Andrew, what you say is too true ; and, 

 as Wright is a good, worthy fellow, I wish he was better 

 otf; but it shows how innate, in man, is the passion 

 for the chase, when he will forego, as poor Wright must, 

 many of the comforts, and even conveniences of life, to 

 indulge it." 



On the following morning, at the early hour of five, 

 Frank Raby and the huntsman were at the Mill, where 

 Mr. Wright was in readiness for the sport, which he had 

 little doubt would ensue, as he had seen some very fresh 

 spraints (excrements) on the banks the evening before, 

 although he had failed in marking an otter to, or lodging 

 him in, his couch. He had but three couples of hounds, 

 and one three parts bull-terrier ; but all the party were 

 provided with spears, which likewise served them for 

 leaping-poles. 



The brook intended to be tried, having been " let off," 

 as the term is, by shutting down the sluices at the mill 

 above, the banks and shallows were in a good state for the 

 purpose ; and in less than half a mile, the seal (or foot- 

 ball) of a full-grown otter was discerned, and the scent 

 soon got warm. The ear of these animals being very acute, 

 they seldom wait to be surprised in their couch, and such 

 was the case here. A view-halloo was given by Mr. 

 Wright, on seeing the object of his pursuit dart into the 

 stream, from the hollow of an old willow tree, about four 

 feet from the ground ; and now the chase began. It was 

 lor some time doubtful, from the superiority of the animal 

 over the dogs in swimming against the stream, and no 

 opportunity having occurred, during his vents (i.e. when 

 rising to the top of the water to respire), to strike him with 

 a spear, as to what the issue would be, whether blood 

 would be the result or not. In one of his vents, however, 

 whilst out of reach of the spearsman, an opportunity did 



