OTTER-HUNTING 



and a long chain of bubbles as the otter takes to 

 the river. A shrill tally-ho! brings hounds pell- 

 mell to the scene of action, and the hunt is on. 

 It all sounds very easy, and sometimes is so, but 

 on other occasions the otter refuses to bolt, or the 

 terriers cannot bring sufficient pressure to bear, so 

 there is nothing for it but send to the nearest farm- 

 house for tools. Spades, pick, and crowbar are 

 soon on the spot, and there may then ensue some 

 strenuous digging, before the terriers are located, 

 and finally the otter. Occasionally, when the 

 terriers are sent in, a rabbit or rabbits may bolt, or 

 even as has happened before now, a fox. Then 

 is the time you are likely to hear subdued remarks 

 from sceptical members of your field. Take no 

 notice of that. Your hounds say their otter is 

 there, believe them, no matter how many rabbits 

 appear. Otters lie very close at times, often till 

 you dig right up to them, and on such an occasion 

 you will have the laugh on the " doubting 

 Thomases," when you pull little terrier Vengeance 



out by the stern, and your otter takes to the river. 



97 G 



