CHAPTER XIV. 



INDIAN MODES OF HUNTING OTTER AND MUSQUASH. 



With steel or wooden traps is the only sys- 

 tematical way of hunting these animals. They 

 are, of course, hunted for their pelts in the north 

 country of Canada, and not for sport, as in Scot- 

 land. A few are shot, but these are met with 

 by chance. 



November is when the Indian sets his traps 

 for otters. They have then their full winter 

 coats on; and it is just before the small lakes 

 and rivers set fast. 



Their resort is generally in some chain of 

 small lakes with creeks connecting the chain, 

 and their home, if they can find one, is an empty 

 beaver lodge. They prefer such a place, as af- 

 ter the ice is taken in fishing along shore, they 

 carry the fish into one of the "washes," where 

 they can breathe and eat with safety and com- 

 fort. 



The otter is a great enemy of the beaver, but 

 never willingly courts an encounter; yet, every 

 time they meet, there is a terrible battle. I re- 

 member years ago coming out on a small lake 



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