I went to the help of
Selta, for the dog was crouched down ready to spring upon the otter
when it should run out from behind the large stone where it had
retreated.
I cautiously removed the stone, and the animal slipped downward
towards the water.
"Now, now, Selta!" I exclaimed; and the dog made a rush at its
prey.
The otter, thus intercepted, showed fight. Selta made a snap at its
back, and raised her forepaw to hold her enemy down. The otter
caught the foot in its mouth, and I heard the bones crunch in the
vicious bite. Selta lost hold and fell over the otter's back; her
foot was released; but the otter, bringing up its head between the
dog's front legs, grasped Selta's throat with its sharp teeth. With
a piteous whine the dog tried to spring away, but her leg was too
much broken to support her, and the two animals rolled over on the
flat stone, the otter uppermost, still with its teeth in the dog's
throat.
And now I saw my first chance of interfering. I grasped the otter
by the back, and tried to drag it away. I had no boots on my feet,
or I might have used them. All I could do was to plant my foot on
the animal's back, and stand with all my weight upon it. The otter
thereat turned savagely upon me, and, unfortunately for myself, not
even the possession of the viking's charm could save me from those
sharp teeth.
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