180 FOREST LIFE IN ACADIE. 



mirror-like surface showed the passage of otter or musk- 

 rats over the lake. Presently the water broke some sixty- 

 yards from us, and the head and back of a beaver 

 showed above the surface, whilst another appeared almost 

 simultaneously farther off. After a cautious glance 

 around, the animal dived again with a roll like that 

 of a porpoise, reappearing in a few minutes. He was 

 feeding on the roots of the yellow lilies (Nuphar ad vena). 

 Probably three minutes elapsed during each visit to the 

 bottom. Taking advantage of one of these intervals, 

 the Indians pushed the canoe from the concealment 

 of the grass, and with a few noiseless yet vigorous 

 strokes of the paddle made towards the spot where we 

 supposed the animal would rise. As the head reappeared, 

 • we let fly with the rifle, but missed the game, the report 

 echoing from island to island, and evoking most discordant 

 yells from the loons far and near. Of course we had 

 seen all that was to be seen of the animals for the 

 night ; ' and so,' as Mr. Pepys would say, ' disconsolate 

 back to camp.' " 



During the excursion we had opportunities of examining 

 many beaver-houses, placed in every variety of situation 

 — by the lake shore, by the edge of sluggish " still 

 waters," on the little forest brook, or on the brink of 

 the rapid river. They all presented a similar appear- 

 ance — equally rough externally, and all similarly con- 

 structed inside. Neither could we observe anything 

 like a colony of beavers, their houses grouped in close 

 proximity, as so frequently noticed by travellers. The 

 beaver of Eastern America appears, indeed, quite un- 

 sociable in comparison with his brethren of the West. 

 We saw none but isolated dwellings either on lake or 



