THE BOOK OF THE OTTER 



mentioned a hunt during which the otter crossed a 



watershed, and this brings to mind a seven and a 



half hours' hunt by the K. and D.O.H. on the 



River Lune in the season of 192 1. The otter was 



lying rough in a hanging wood overlooking the 



river, and was found by a little fell-foxhound 



named Cragsman, belonging to the Ullswater pack. 



After some up and down work on the river, our 



otter stole away on land, and crossed some fields 



to a small stream which runs between steep banks. 



There was a screaming scent, and hounds fairly 



flew in pursuit. The otter ran the small stream 



nearly to the top of the ghyll, then turned and 



came back. In a rock-bound pool he lay low, but 



hounds were soon at him again. The pool lay 



between smooth and slippery walls of rock, and at 



first the otter barely showed his nose. Suddenly, 



however, he made a terrific spring — his hind legs 



no doubt getting purchase on a ledge below the 



surface of the water — and all but got clear of the 



pool. He hung for a brief instant on the rock 



wall, making the picture of a lifetime for anyone 



134 



