inches in diameter. Moreover, it was so lo¬ 
cated that it could be dropped in such a manner 
as to prevent its branches becoming entangled 
with those of other trees. 
As soon as he had satisfied himself as to 
all these matters, Father Beaver, choosing the 
down-hill side of the tree as his place to work, 
drove his broad, orange-colored front teeth 
deep into the wood of the tree. Mother 
Beaver, on the opposite side of the poplar, did 
likewise, settling herself in such a position 
that her hind legs and her broad, flat tail 
seemed to form a three-legged stool. 
Both of them were expert woodsmen, as 
their work plainly showed. First, they made 
a down-cutting stroke; then an up-cutting one. 
Usually, the double chip, thus made, came 
away cleanly, but if it did not, a third bite, 
combined with a sharp pull, brought it free. 
They kept steadily busy at their task, thor¬ 
oughly enjoying the doing of it. This tree-cut- 
ting is work at which beavers excel. More¬ 
over, their constantly-growing chisel teeth 
must be continually worn away by such exer¬ 
cise as this, and the wearing-away process felt 
pleasant to them. 
68 
