Concord, Mass.
1909.
May 15
(No 5)
  The four Muskrats just referred to were in the
river near the front of Beaver Dam Rapid. Two were
perhaps thirty yards apart crossing the stream, the
other two close in shore among button bushes apparently
engaged in courtship for one was pursuing the
other to & fro uttering all the while the peculiar low,
shrill, querulous whispering sound so often heard
at this season. Shortly after this one of these
muskrats started up the rapid. I followed it in
my canoe paddling slowly and silently directly in 
its wake and scarce twelve feet behind it. As far
as I could make out it did not notice me for
it kept steadily on until we reached Dakin's Hill, a
distance of about quarter of a mile, diving repeatedly, it
is true, but always in the deliberate, silent manner
which the Muskrat adopts when not alarmed, elevating its
rump & tail just as it disappeared & keeping ever straight on
its course. But when at length I tried to pass it , & was almost
abreast of it, I dove with a great splash & doubled back.
Muskrats