The mink was surprised and pained. He had expected
to find those two youngsters huddled together and already half
frightened to death just at being alone. He had _not_ expected to find
them half so big. In fact, there at home, and guarding their own
domain, they looked to him much bigger than they really were. A very
small man, you know, may look about seven feet high when he stands in
his own door and tells you to keep out. Eh, what? Well, the mink
suddenly felt sort of bashful about intruding. He discreetly withdrew,
without thinking to make inquiry about the fish. And his sudden
diffidence was very fortunate for the two Little Furry Ones. For the
mink, let me tell you, would have been a tough proposition for them to
tackle.
"This sudden departure of the terrible mink made the two youngsters
feel almost bigger than was good for them. But the otter, fortunately,
is born cautious, no matter how courageous he may be. So the
youngsters were not spoiled by their good luck. They waited a few
minutes, to give the mink a chance to get good and far away. Then they
dived forth into the misty pool. Never before had they seen one
quarter so many fish in it. They breakfasted very well on a couple of
plump, silvery chub--though they would have preferred trout, of
course--and then, just for sport, began killing as many as they could,
only swallowing a bite out of each, from the thick, flaky meat behind
the head.
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