THE WOLVERINE. 375 



of the pile thrown down, notwithstanding some 

 of the trees with which it was constructed were 

 as much as two men could carry. The wood 

 was very much scattered about ; and it was 

 imagined, that in the animal's attempting to carry 

 off his booty some of the small parcels of pro- 

 visions had fallen down into the heart of the pile, 

 and, sooner than lose half his prize, he was at the 

 trouble of doing this. The bags of flour, oatmeal, 

 and peas, though of no use to him, he tore all to 

 pieces, and scattered the contents about on the 

 snow ; but every bit of animal food, consisting of 

 beef, pork, bacon, venison, salted geese, and par- 

 tridges, in considerable quantities, he carried 

 away 



The Wolverines are great enemies to the Beavers, 

 which they sometimes take as they come from their 

 houses ; but the manner of life of the latter renders 

 them more difficult to come at than many other 

 animals. They commit vast depredations on the 

 Foxes during the summer, while the young ones 

 are small. Their quick scent directs them to the 

 dens ; and if the entrance be not large enough, 

 their strength enables them to widen it : when they 

 go in, and kill both the mother and her cubs. They 

 are, in short, nearly the most destructive animals of 

 the country they inhabit *. 



* Ilearnc, 370. 

 Bb 4 



