A SURREY RIVER. 



145 



think of coming up at all, they will be in the light 

 on the shallow. Hand me over my gun when I 

 am in the water, and then get back from the bank 

 a bit," 



I did as he bade me, but in a few moments he 

 was back at my side, dripping wet. 



"What's the matter?" I asked in a whisper. 



"Why, before I could settle myself, one of the 

 otters passed between me and the bank, not a foot 

 from my leg. What a go! He had been working 

 the bank for that big eel, I fancy. I think it was 

 the dog : he looked big as he passed me, and he 

 gave me no time to fire at him. The other one is 

 below somewhere ; we may get her." 



Once more we wait and watch. There is a whistle 

 of pinions ; it comes from two ducks that are going 

 to feed on the shallows. The temptation is great, 

 but my companion does not fire ; he will wait for 

 the other chance at the otter. 



Presently there is a swirl of wings and a heron 

 settles, almost opposite to our place of concealment : 

 his white under-parts showing in the light is all that 

 we can see, and that only for a few moments, but 

 quite long enough for us to shoot him ; still we 



K 



