“SUN-SPEARING.” 141 
by the approach of a new invader of the solitude of 
the island. Far down the lake appears an animal 
turning the waters aside from his broad chest, and 
making towards us with rapid strokes. An otter or 
a cormorant? exclaims the inexperienced tyro, on 
sighting the strange apparition. No; not exactly 
either, friend ; these animals pursue their prey, and 
work the “ pool” in quite another fashion., Itis only 
that incorrigible knave, Diver, who has slipped his 
collar, and is playing his old game of following us to 
the lake, At fishing or fowling, he is equally at 
home, and never misses a chance of being one of the 
party, when these sports are in hand, He watches 
the splash of a rising. trout with as much zest as’ the 
flash of a fowling-piece ; and is quite as eager to take 
the water after a hooked fish as to fetch a winged 
mallard. Force alone indeed can keep him from being 
as soon into the net as a “hooped” trout. While 
taking a swim, just to give time to your shirt to dry 
on the island after a thunder-gust, he rows himself 
alongside, takes your arm most affectionately in his 
mouth, and imagines no doubt it is his peculiar pro- 
vince to keep you afloat. A sort of canine Flibberty- 
gibbet, his quaint tricks are inexhaustible ; and he is 
sure to be always “master of the occasion.” The 
crafty scamp knows full well now that we must take 
him into Dingey, though he puts on a look of peni- 
tence and compassion as if he were sinking. There! 
