A DRAW FOR AN OTTER. 45 



in one sense of the word, of course, I could offer no 

 contradiction. 



Having luxuriated in the air and prospect for some 

 moments, I surveyed my room. In addition to all 

 the comforts of an English bedroom, by the side of 

 my bed, and in especial compliment to my known 

 devotion to St. Hubert, lay the beautifully preserved 

 skin of a huge wolf, the head and open jaws con- 

 taining the teeth, admirably stuffed and retained, and 

 the edge of the skin surrounded with crimson cloth. 

 What a fit accompaniment this trophy was for the 

 luggage that lay around it ! The moment I was 

 dressed and waiting for a summons to a very late 

 breakfast, I unpacked my things and arranged them 

 ready to my hand ; and scarcely had I done so when 

 my hearty host entered and gave me, as an Irishman 

 would say, the ^' top of the morning." 



From the late hour at which we had gone to bed, 

 and the consequent delay in the morning appearance, 

 it was decided only to draw that portion of the river 

 near the chateau for an otter — report, as usual, as- 

 serting that the banks were haunted by the young 

 and old of the animals in question. Having no shafts 

 that would fit my spear-heads we resolved to take 

 our guns to give the otter the coup de grace; so, 

 sticking my straight English hunting-horn into my 



