134 ROMANCE OF THE BEAVER 



from the lower side of the pond, so that no scent 

 of man should alarm the unsuspicious beaver. 

 Early the following morning he took several traps 

 and set them in different positions, one being 

 placed at each dam near a breach which he made, 

 for he knew full well that the beavers are most 

 careful to inspect the dams every night during the 

 autumn and they would promptly mend any break 

 they found. As he proceeded with his occupation 

 his practical eye noted many signs of a most dis- 

 turbing nature. Only one lodge had received its 

 winter coat of mud, the wood-pile, and there was 

 only one, was far smaller than it should have been. 

 The dams in the upper pond were in bad condition 

 and showed no evidence of having been repaired 

 for many months, neither were there any fresh 

 cuttings in or near that pond. More and more 

 did Joe's hopes droop. That there were beaver 

 in the place could not be doubted, as quite freshly 

 peeled sticks were strewn along the shore and 

 fresh browse projected above the water near the 

 lowest house, but he was forced to the conclusion 

 that the colony was far smaller than when he had 

 seen it before. Had someone been before him and 

 taken his beaver ? In vain he searched for any 

 indications of trap or man. Perhaps some wander- 

 ing Ojibway Indian had visited the place and shot 

 the beavers earlier in the season. Whatever the 

 cause he felt disturbed. He had refused to join 

 a friend on a trip to a region which promised rich 



