THE LIFE OF A BEAVER COLONY 129 
greatest benefit to the race which was for ever 
seeking his extermination—surely an ironical fate, 
and one that seems lacking in the elements of 
justice. 
It happened that the trapper, though wise in his 
own way, committed a great mistake in making 
such a very thorough examination of the beaver 
ponds. He had frightened the occupants, which is 
not a wise thing to do, even during the summer, 
when the season for trapping is so faraway. Many 
years ago, the pair of old beavers that had made 
their home in the upper pond after having been 
made welcome by the new colony, had passed 
through some very bitter experiences. They had 
seen a whole community wiped out of existence by 
trappers, and had been the only ones to escape. 
Again, two years later they had been ruthlessly 
pursued by human enemies and had seen all their 
offspring caught -by the cruel steel traps. The 
presence of man to them was a very real danger 
which must at all costs be avoided. The security 
of the new home was evidently gone and the only 
thing left for them if they wished to live was to 
find another stream as far away as possible. ‘They 
said nothing about their decision, but the old father 
took himself off quietly one fine night and for 
several weeks the colony did not see him again. 
He was intent on finding a suitable place in which 
a new colony might be founded and he journeyed 
many weary miles, often crossing thickly wooded 
RB. K 
