CHATTER XV. 
HaBITs oF THE BEAVERS—T'HEIR SKILL AS ARTI- 
ZANS AND ENGINEERS WITH SomE INCIDENTAL 
Account oF T'aerR Work. 
T is a well known fact that among our kind for the 
most part, the greatest admirers of the beavers 
are those who know them best. A trapper of these 
animals who has spent a large part of his life in that 
uncanny and profitless calling, in nearly every case re- 
tires from that manner of life with the greatest admira- 
tion for the sagacity and intelligence of these innocent 
creatures that he had ruthlessly pursued and slain. 
With all the writer’s experience among beavers and of 
his active fellowship among the trapper class for many 
years,he has no instance to record of a single wild bea- 
ver that ever attempted to fight or injure his pursuer and 
murderer although in the unguarded moments of its 
enemy there were frequent opportunities for doing so. 
Instead, when the cold, blunt end of hachet or axe was 
uplifted by its cruel slayer, the poor animal would only 
raise its tiny paws to try and ward the descending blud- 
geon from crashing into its brain. I doubt if anything 
is more real pathetic than the patient resignation of a 
beaver to the unmerciful beating and pounding of his 
head by the inexperienced amatuer trapper in his excite- 
ment. With one paw fastened inthe trap and the other 
one vainly trying to parry the wicked blows, no sound 
