CHAPTER IV 
THE PERSISTENT BEAVER 
SAW a forest fire sweeping down upon the 
I Broken Tree Beaver colony, and I knew 
that the inhabitants could take refuge in 
their earthy, fire-proof houses in the water. 
Their five houses were scattered in the pond 
like little islands or ancient lake dwellings. A 
vigorous brook that came down from the snows 
on Mount Meeker flowed through the pond. 
Towering spruce trees encircled its shores. 
The beavers survived the fiery ordeal, but 
their near-by and prospective winter food-supply 
was destroyed. This grove of aspen and every 
deciduous tree that might have furnished a 
bark food-supply was consumed or charred by 
the fire. 
Instead of moving, the colony folks spent a 
number of days clearing the fire wreckage from 
their pond. With winter near and streams 
perilously low for travelling, it probably was 
unwise to go elsewhere and try to build a home 
and gather a harvest. 
One night, early in October, the colonists 
47 
