first, or ground floor, contained the 

 openings for entrance and exit. It also 

 was used as a drying room; for no self- 

 respecting beaver would ever permit 

 himself, his family or guests to go to 

 bed in wet clothes. Coming in from 

 swimming in the pond or river he must 

 sit in the vestibule until his wet fur is 

 thoroughly dry before he climbs into 

 the bunk. 



The drying floor also serves the pur- 

 pose of a dining room in winter, when 

 the pond is covered with ice, as will 

 later appear. 



The sleeping apartment had its floor 

 about six inches higher than the drying 

 floor. The bed was made of thin shreds 

 or splinters of dry poplar wood. A 

 quantity of this material had been split 

 out with an expenditure of much time 

 and patience. A mattress three inches 

 or more thick, made of this soft, elastic 

 material would make a far better 

 than many campers can boast of. 



Mud for use in house building 



22 



