228 APPENDIX. 



houses. In such cases it is natural to think that every one who re- 

 ceives benefit from such dams, should assist in erecting it, being sen- 

 sible of its utility to all. 



Persons who attempt to take beaver in Winter should be 

 thoroughly acquainted with their manner of life, otherwise they will 

 have endless trouble to effect their purpose, and probably without 

 success in the end ; because they have always a number of holes in 

 the banks, which serve them as places of retreat when any injury is 

 offered to their houses ; and in general it is in those holes that they 

 are taken. 



When the beaver which are situated in a small river or creek are 

 to be taken, the Indians sometimes find it necessary to stake the 

 river across, to prevent them from passing ; after which, they en- 

 deavour to find out all their holes or places of retreat in the banks. 

 This requires much practice and experience to accomplish, and is 

 performed in the following manner : Kvery man being furnished 

 with an ice-chisel, lashes it to the end of a small staff about four or 

 five feet long ; he then walks along the edge of the banks, and keeps 

 knocking his chisel against the ice. Those who are well acquainted 

 with that kind of work well know by the sound of the ice when they 

 are opposite to any of the beaver' holes or vaults. As soon as they 

 suspect any, they cut a hole through the ice big enough to admit an 

 old beaver ; and in this manner proceed till the}^ have found out all 

 their places of retreat, or at least as many of them as possible. 

 While the principal men are thus employed, some of the understrap- 

 pers, and the women, are busy in breaking open the house, which at 

 times is no easy task ; for I have frequently known these houses to 

 be five and six feet thick ; and one in particular, was more than 

 eight feet thick on the crown. When the beaver find that their 

 habitations are invaded, they fly to their holes in the banks for 

 shelter ; and on being perceived by the Indians, which is easily done, 

 by attending to the motion of the water, they block iip the entrance 

 with stakes of wood, and then haul the beaver out of its hole, either 

 by hand, if they can reach it, or with a large hook made for that 

 purpose, which is fastened to the end of a long stick. 



