54 CAPTAIN CABT WRIGHT'S 



it for an otter; together with five snares for rab- 

 bits. Although they are pretty numerous in the 

 woods, yet they are not easy to be caught, because 

 they do not keep any path. I afterwards called 

 on the Indians, begged some seal's flesh for my 

 dogs, and some oil for the lamps ; at the same time 

 gave them an invitation to the lodge; on which 

 they accompanied me back to my house, and dined 

 with me: one dish, among the rest, consisted of a 

 fox; which was boiled, and tasted very well. 



Thursday, December 13, 1770. Four men were 

 sawing, and three making sleds and dogs. Took- 

 lavinia came this morning with his dog, and went 

 with the furriers, to try if he could find under 

 what part of the pond bank, the beavers had taken 

 up their abode: but the cur would not hunt. 

 Charles visited his traps, but got nothing. I went 

 to those which are down the river, but nothing 

 had been caught. Observed two otters going 

 downwards under the ice, and frequently coming 

 upon it through cracks and holes, which they 

 found, (being low-water mark:) I headed them a 

 considerable distance, and then walked upwards, 

 until I met with a hole, near which I sat watching 

 for three hours. They then came through it upon 

 the ice, when I fired upon them with my double- 

 barrel, and knocked them both over; but one got 

 down the hole again, before I could get at him, and 

 made his escape; the other was killed dead. 



Saturday, December 15, 1770. While I was at 

 breakfast, the house was discovered to be in 

 flames. The penthouse, which was constructed 



