Grace knew this had been done to protect the meadow, because the stream is thrown against the concave side when a pool lies in a bend.
As she stopped at the broken hedge a man ran past carrying a small wet terrier, and two or three more came up with spades.

The otter could not escape now, since the hounds would watch the underwater entrance to the cave among the alder roots, while the terrier would crawl down from the other side.

If a hole could not be found, the men would dig.

They were interrupted soon after they began, for somebody said, "Put down your spade, Tom.

Hold the terrier." Grace studied the man who had interfered.