TRAPPING THE OTTER. 125 

do our chopping where it will not be seen by them, cut our 
spruce poles six or eight feet long and the proper size, to slip 
the ring of the chain over the larger end of the pole. Now 
slip on the rings and wedge or wire them securely. Having 
them all ready to place, we will walk well around and 
approach the slide from the back of their works at the top of 
their mossy knoll. High! their works show they have lots 
of fun up here; only see the little dry sticks broken up fine, 
moss, leaves and turf clawed up in little heaps. 
We will reach over upon their playing spot, here at the 
rear, cut out a square place for the trap and place it bearing 
solid and level with the upper surface. Lay the pole down 
with the newly cut end hidden by moss, and tie the small and 
and outer end securely to a small tree, or stand it up beside 
one, fastening the upper end, giving them a good chance to 
swing around when caught. Shake over the trap to cover 
nicely, moss and leaves from their own works, break a bunch 
of boughs for a whisk, and from the pail of water sprinkle 
all most thoroughly, and step back wetting all tracks we have 
made handy by, and we are ready to place the other traps in 
nearly the same manner, again well around, and approaching 
near the head of the slide, place a trap on the playground 
within a foot of the slide, beginning in the same manner as 
before. And now, if his roundabout path is plain to be seen, 
showing as well, just where he leaves the water, to walk up 
to the top, then set the trap just where he stops swimming, 
and walks to land; placing the trap a trifle to one side of his 
path, as his legs are wide apart, and have a little forethought 
as to rise and fall of water, which would depend upon the 
weather. 
A No. 4 trap is good to place here, in the water upon the 
