“All right; keep him here till I come back.” And Ed went away at a run.
No sooner had he disappeared than the otter started for the woods. George, yelling wildly and waving his arms, endeavored to head it off, but the determined creature refused to swerve from its course. When he jumped in its path it rushed angrily at his legs and drove him out of the way. He was fast losing his wind, and the otter was rapidly nearing the protection of the bushes at the edge of the ice. Once it gained them, George knew it would be safe from pursuit. He had boasted to Ed that the animal could not get away from him, and he determined to make good the promise at any cost.
Then an idea flashed into his mind, and, reckless of all consequences, he proceeded to act upon it. Holding his heavy cap in his hand, George ran close up beside the fleeing animal; and when it turned to charge, he threw himself fearlessly upon it. The weight of his body bore the otter flat to the ice. Instantly it twisted its powerful body, and the ugly seal-like head, with its open jaws and sharp teeth, darted forward to seize its adversary.
George muzzled it with his cap, and then the desperate struggle began. The active, sinewy creature twisted and turned about in an effort to escape from the grip of the boy on its back. George, however, had secured a wrestling hold, and was not to be easily shaken off. Now that he had the jaws of the animal effectually muzzled, the lad entertained little fear of severe injury.
The otter was using its peculiarly webbed feet to claw and scratch him; but, as he had on heavy hunting-clothes, it could do little damage. It was no easy task to hold his captive and at the same time keep the cap drawn down over its head. George wished Ed would hurry back, for he was becoming tired. Besides, he was soaked through from rolling around in the slush.
Then he heard his friend calling to him; and, looking from the corner of his eye, he saw Ed running madly across the ice. He soon drew near and began shouting excitedly.
“Hang on, George; I wish to take a picture of you!” he cried, hastily bringing forth the camera. “Hold him! Hold him!” he urged, as the otter began a desperate struggle to regain its freedom.
“Say—what do you—think this is—a circus?” panted George, indignantly, while he battled valiantly with the animal beneath him.
Ed made several exposures, and then, having brought a long pole with him, ran forward to aid his friend.
“Let him go now,” he ordered.