BEAVERS—THEIR WAYS. 43 
ach of them and wrapping the trap jaws in cotton 
loth. This to safeguard the beaver’s leg in case of a 
ore foot catch instead of the hind feet to which they 
ere set for. Being dark, an error in judgment as to 
epth of water and length of chain, and early the next 
orning we were mortified to find that our mistake had 
ost us two fine specimens of kitten beavers that had 
een caught and, although the water was very shallow, 
n their terror, found sufficient depth of water to drown 
hemselves inthe passage way. We then raised the 
raps and put them at the lower dam south of the old 
military trail, where we profited better by our previous 
xperience and went about things in a more circumspect 
av—°nd took daylight to do our work. The result 
as a smooth and glossy-furred yearling. We bagged 
im quickly and started off on our homeward journey as 
blizzard was whirling about our ears. 
Reaching Washburn late the same night we went in- 
O quarters and upon examining the little beaver found 
e wov | loose three toes of one foot as the result of 
e tr: and subsequent exposure to the elements. But 
fellow soon recovered his cheerfullness and 
‘lth. Beinga ‘‘bark” beaver, he readily peeled 
snwood and willow twigs set before him, and 
tter of consequence—grew fat and saucy. 
le duly christined Nibs,he never seemed to have 
ved his name but the word ‘‘beaver’’ usually 
rew Lis atteation, probably because the word was used 
© much in his presence by visitors. His quarters was 
the cellar of the abandoned Riverview Hotel, were 
sunken tub filled with water served as a drink and 
lay grotnd—the water being regularly changed—and 
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