THE LIFE OF A BEAVER COLONY 107 
notes sound like the call of some happy, peaceful 
soul that has passed away to the land of shadow 
and mystery. Amid such surroundings was it 
ordained that they should live, knowing few cares 
or troubles, spending the hours in happiness, 
innocent as yet of the fear of man. They were 
a playful trio, frolicking about in the water like 
kittens on land, playing among the fluffy, wind- 
blown willow seeds that raced across the water like 
tufts of eider-down, or later among the broad 
leaves of the spatter-dock and the water-lily, 
fillmg the snowy petals of the flowers with spark- 
ling drops as they splashed the water with their 
diminutive tails. They played hide and seek, like 
children, pushed each other off the half-submerged 
logs exactly as boys would do, all the time gaining 
the strength and agility which play is destined to 
give. When the sun was shining they would often 
sit on the banks of the pond and after making a 
careful toilet indulge in the luxury of a sun bath, 
sleeping, yet ever watchful. No one could say at 
what moment during the day a silent-winged hawk 
might swoop down on them, for they were small, 
and tender enough to tempt the appetite of those 
that feed on flesh. When a hawk is seen, even 
though it appears as a speck in the heavens, the 
little furry creatures will scramble into the water 
and either resume their play or go into the lodge 
for greater safety, usually giving a little, child-like 
cry of alarm, and on entering the lodge they hold 
