70 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



in the water a hundred yards from him : Gesner says much 

 farther, and that his stones are good against the falling 

 sickness ; and that there is an herb, benione, which, being hung 

 in a linen cloth, near a fish pond, or any haunt that he uses, 

 makes him to avoid the place ; which proves he smells both by 

 water and land. And I can tell you, there is brave hunting 

 this water-dog in Cornwall, where there have been so many, 

 that our learned Camden says there is a river called Ottersey, 

 which was so named by reason of the abundance of otters that 

 bred and fed in it. And thus much for my knowledge of the 

 Otter ; which you may now see above water at vent, and the 

 dogs close with him : I now see he will not last long. Follow, 

 therefore, my masters, follow ; for Sweetlips was like to have 

 him at this last vent. 



Venator. Oh me ! all the horse are got over the river ; 

 what shall we do now ? shall we follow them over the water ? 



Huntsman. No, sir, no ; be not so eager : stay a little, and 

 follow me ; for both they and the dogs will be suddenly on 

 this side again, I warrant you, and the Otter too, it may be. 

 Now, have at him with Kilbuck, for he vents again. 



Venator. Marry, so he does ; for look ! he vents in that 

 corner. Now, now, Ringwood has him : now, he is gone 

 again, and has bit the poor dog. Now Sweetlips has her; 

 hold her, Sweetlips ! now all the dogs have her, some above, and 

 some under water ; but now, now she is tired, and past losing. 

 Come, bring her to me, Sweetlips. Look ! it is a bitch-otter, 

 and she has lately whelped. Let's go to the place where she 

 was put down, and not far from it you will find all her young 

 ones, I dare warrant you, and kill them all too. 



Huntsman. Come, gentlemen ! come all ! let 's go to the 

 place where we put down the Otter. Look you ! hereabout it 

 was that she kennelled ; look you ! here it was indeed ! for here 's 

 her young ones, no less than five : come, let's kill them all. 



Piscator. No : I pray sir, save me one, and I '11 try if I can 

 make her tame, as I know an ingenious gentleman in Leicester- 

 shire, Mr Nicholas Seagrave, has done ; who hath not only 

 made her tame, but to catch fish, and do many other things 

 of much pleasure. 



Huntsman. Take one with all my heart ; but let us kill the 

 rest. And now, let's go to an honest alehouse, where we 

 may have a cup of good barley wine, and sing Old Hose, and 

 all of us rejoice together. 



Venator. Come, my friend Piscator, let me invite you along 

 with us. I '11 bear your charges this night, and you shall bear 

 mine to-morrow ; for my intention is to accompany you a day 

 or two in fishing. 



Piscator. Sir, your request is granted ; and I shall be right 



