(pioneers 



stream in search of a new home, probably without 

 knowing of Lily Lake, which was five miles dis- 

 tant and two thousand feet up a steep, rocky 

 mountain. These pilgrims had traveled only a 

 little way upstream when they found themselves 

 the greater portion of the time out of water. This 

 was only a brook at its best and in most places it 

 was such a shallow, tiny streamlet that in it they 

 could not dive beyond the reach of enemies or 

 even completely cool themselves. In stretches 

 the water spread thinly over a grassy flat or a 

 smooth granite slope ; again it was lost in the 

 gravel; or, murmuring faintly, pursued its way 

 out of sight beneath piles of boulder, marbles 

 shaped by the Ice King. Much of the time they 

 were compelled to travel upon land exposed to 

 their enemies. Water-holes in which, they could 

 escape and rest were long distances apart. 



This plodding, perilous five-mile journey which 

 the beaver made up the mountain to the lake 

 would be easy and care-free for an animal with 

 the physical make-up of a bear or a wolf, but 

 with the beaver it is not surprising that only two 

 of the emigrants survived this supreme trial and 



177 



