THE LIFE OF A BEAVER COLONY 129 



greatest benefit to the race which was for ever 

 seeking his extermination — surely an ironical fate, 

 and one that seems lacking in the elements of 

 justice. 



It happened that the trapper, though wise in his 

 'own way, committed a great mistake in making 

 such a very thorough examination of the beaver 

 ponds. He had frightened the occupants, which is 

 not a wise thing to do, even during the summer, 

 when the season for trapping is so far away. Many 

 years ago, the pair of old beavers that had made 

 their home in the upper pond after having been 

 made welcome by the new colony, had passed 

 through some very bitter experiences. They had 

 seen a whole community wiped out of existence by 

 trappers, and had been the only ones to escape. 

 Again, two years later they had been ruthlessly 

 pursued by human enemies and had seen all their 

 offspring caught by the cruel steel traps. The 

 presence of man to them was a very real danger 

 which must at all costs be avoided. The security 

 of the new home was evidently gone and the only 

 thing left for them if they wished to live was to 

 find another stream as far away as possible. They 

 said nothing about their decision, but the old father 

 took himself off quietly one fine night and for 

 several weeks the colony did not see him again. 

 He was intent on finding a suitable place in which 

 a new colony might be founded and he journeyed 

 many weary miles, often crossing thickly wooded 



11.B. K 



