58 ADVENTURES OF DR. ALLEN. 



and presently I was among its branches. Carefully I peered 

 from out its green foliage. What a sight met my gaze! 

 Seventy or eighty beavers were working in broad daylight 

 as though they feared none of God's creatures. I took a 

 careful survey of the country for Indians, saw that my horse 

 and gun were within easy reach and dismissed all fears. 

 I was eager to give my entire attention to what I had often 

 sought after but never had the pleasure of seeing until now. 



The dam was nearly one hundred yards long, about 

 six feet wide at the bottom, and narrowed to two feet at the 

 top. It comprised stones, logs and willow branches, packed 

 together so firmly that it was impossible to dislodge any por- 

 tion of the structure. I first sought to divide the workmen ac- 

 cording to their respective duties. The most prominent 

 figure was that of an old beaver, gray with age and of enor- 

 mous size, whose function seemed to be that of a general 

 supervisor, for he sat apart on a small sandbar. My at- 

 tention was next attracted to some very large, strong beav- 

 ers, who placed in position material brought forward by oth- 

 ers. I begrudged the occasional glances which I was com- 

 pelled to give to satisfy me that no Indians were approach- 

 ing. I was curious to know how those hod-carriers, who 

 came forward with their tails loaded down with mortar, ob- 

 tained their load. The mastermechanics with their tails beat 

 this mortar into position. I peered a little farther over the 

 boughs, and saw that down below the dam, close to the 

 original creek bank, where some water was creeping forth, 

 was the mortar trough. Some beavers were engaged in 

 mixing this sticky clay and placing it on other beavers' tails, 

 who in turn went straight to the dam with it. 



I could scarcely remain silent when I saw this pro- 

 ceeding, for how this mud was moved had always been a 

 mystery to me, as it takes tons of it to make a dam. I beheld 



