12 ROMANCE OF THE BEAVER 
soft light of the moon and the twinkling of the - 
stars. Even then, they were always nervously 
alert, each sound must be understood before it 
could be ignored. A falling leaf floating almost 
noiselessly to earth would cause them to desist in 
their labours, for though they knew full well that 
during the autumn the leaves, having fulfilled their 
duties, bid farewell to the slender branches, yet 
their falling mzght mean the stealthy approach of a 
man who, touching the tree as he passes, shakes 
down the dying leaves. The noiseless tread of the 
deer as it carefully made its way over the velvet 
carpet of moss they knew, and as it meant no harm, 
they seldom took notice of it. No man walked 
liked that. Even the moccasined foot of the 
Indian made more sound, and set up a vibration 
on the earth’s surface which in no way resembled 
the delicate footfall of the wild animals. But their 
enemies, the powerful wolverines, the padded-footed 
lynx, and the hungry, clever, keen-witted wolf 
could approach without sound or warning save the 
scent which they could not disguise. Therefore, 
when the beaver worked, his mind was divided, 
and he stopped at frequent intervals to listen, and 
to test the air for signals of danger, and at the 
slightest warning he would make his way to the 
water which offered a safe retreat from nearly all 
of his enemies. If the danger was imminent, he 
and all his family could seek safety in the house, 
and remain there perhaps for the rest of the night, 
