236 THE MASTER OF HOUNDS 



to say who of all these holds, in my opinion, the key to 

 the situation, I should name the jolly miller. If he be 

 the reverse of jolly, then the way to sport is barred. 

 Whether travelling up-stream in his eager search for a 

 mate, or intent on his fishing foray, sooner or later 

 every otter finds his progress blocked and barred by 

 some quaint old mill or more modern factory water- 

 wheel, equally obstructive in its way. Nothing daunted, 

 he lands and circumvents the obstacle, but to do this 

 he must make such a detour as shall bring him back to 

 the river above the impediment in question. Thus 

 intent, he leaves his ** seal " or " spur " on the muddy 

 bank of the mill-head, indicating most plainly the 

 points of ingress and egress, where, if so disposed, the 

 trapper may set his deadly gin and capture every 

 otter which passes that way, for the animal comes and 

 goes fearlessly and without suspicion of mischief. As 

 another case of dependence on the miller's favour, it 

 may be mentioned that there is above every mill a 

 stretch of deep water, in which, but for the friendly 

 opening of the flood-gates, many an otter could with 

 impunity laugh to scorn the best efforts of the hounds 

 and huntsman. Often have I had occasion to feel 

 grateful to the miller for such timely help ; and I can 

 give the novice no better advice on the subject than 

 that he should cultivate the miller. Let him, while the 

 pack is held up waiting for the water to be lowered, 

 visit the miller's snug premises to " see the wheel 

 work." The miller is to the otter-hunter what the 

 head gamekeeper is to the fox-hunter, and let him not 

 forget it. If there be a " Maid of the Mill," let the 



