LITTLE BEASTS OF FIELD AND WOOD 



water. And then, just as he had completed his 

 toilet, he lost his balance and slipped backward 

 into the muddy water, and had it all to do over 

 again; though it is' hard to imagine why he was so 

 particular, for, as soon as he had finished, he went 

 back to his diving and was soon just as untidy as 

 ever. 



At first he would pause every little while to 

 stare at me, as if still mistrusting something. 

 But although I had advanced a few steps every 

 time he dived, until I was on the very edge 

 of the ice, and at last crouched so near that I 

 could have touched him with my hand, he failed 

 to take alarm, and finally ceased to pay any 

 attention whatever to my presence. After he had 

 exhausted the supply of roots where he was at 

 work, he swam a few yards and began in another 

 place, where they were more abundant; and when 

 these were gone, he commenced crowding in 

 under the ice at the edge of the water, and back- 

 ing out again, dragging the roots after him. 



172 



