128 THE DRAMA OF THE FORESTS 



in the river bank. While he is there the children — any number 

 from one to six — arrive, and then can be heard much gentle 

 whimpering, just as though human babies were now Hving in 

 the old homestead. 



When the beaver children grow older they romp in the water 

 much as puppies do on land. If danger approaches, the first 

 beaver to sense it slaps the surface of the water with his broad, 

 powerful tail, making a noise that resounds through the forest 

 as though a strong man had struck the water a violent blow with 

 the broad side of a paddle blade. Instantly the first beaver's 

 nearest companion signals the danger to others by doing the 

 same; then a second later they plunge out of sight in the water 

 and leave behind nothing but a great sound — as though an 

 elephant had fallen in. 



When married and settled down, the beaver is very domestic 

 — a great stay-at-home — but when seeking a mate, he travels 

 far and wide, and leaves here and there along the shore scent 

 signals, in the hope of more easily attracting and winning a 

 bride. Beavers are full grown at three years of age, and by that 

 time they have learned how to erect houses, build dams, dig 

 canals, chop down trees, cut up wood, float it home and store 

 it for the winter, and by that time too, they have, no doubt, 

 learned that man is their worst enemy, though the wolverine, 

 wolf, otter, lynx, and fisher are ever ready to pounce upon them 

 whenever a chance offers. 



USEFULNESS OF BEAVER 



But I had almost forgotten that I owed the reader an ex- 

 planation when I said that the beaver was a very useful crea- 

 ture. I was not thinking of the value of his fur, because that 

 is as nothing compared to the great service he has been render- 

 ing mankind, not only to-day, but for endless generations. 

 How? By the great work he has been doing during the past 



