74 WAITING IN THE WILDERNESS 



stream and two from down. They swam cau- 

 tiously and looked carefully about with only eyes 

 and nose thrust above the surface of the water. 

 Presently one left the water and waddled about 

 smelling at the place where Diver had been 

 digging. Another came ashore at the spot where 

 Diver had come up out of the water. As 

 he came toward me apparently his eyes told him 

 that I was a part of the log, but his nose declared 

 that he was near danger. I sat still. After 

 three or four hesitating attempts to retreat he 

 plucked up courage, rose to his full height on 

 hind legs and tail to stare eagerly at me. With 

 head well up and forepaws drooping, he gazed 

 steadily for several seconds, then gave a low 

 whistle. At this Diver came forth from behind 

 my coat. The old beaver started forward to 

 meet him but on approaching closer took fright 

 at me, whirled, and made a jumping dive into 

 the water, whacking the surface with his tail as 

 he disappeared. Instantly there followed two 

 or three more splashes and a number of tail 

 whacks upon the water. Apparently, a number 

 of beavers who had come in response to Diver's 

 cry were now beating a retreat. 



Each night Diver slept on the ground beneath 

 the canvas upon which I spread my bed. He 

 took a place close to my head and ofttimes I 

 reached out and put my hand upon him and 



