THE GREAT NORTHERN DIVER 119 
inclination to dive out of harm's way* Their clinging, 
crowding tendency serves but to incommode and 
obstruct her* And where is the male protector < 
Alas for the romance of chivalry ! When the boat 
comes near he deliberately dives, and, after the usual 
protracted wait, reappears in another part of the lake, 
away from the danger that alarms and threatens 
the defenceless trio* But the mother remains and 
urges the encumbering young things to speed* 
They do make some headway, though slowly, 
toward the marshy bay from which they recently 
emerged with so much loud, wild laughter* The 
indifference of the fisherman and the guide do not 
reassure them, and they never cease their entangled 
struggle till lost to sight in the winding lagoon* 
