now, they could swim as rapidly, or stay un¬ 
der water as long, as could their elders. When 
awake and not eating, they were always at 
their games, for they were healthy, and there¬ 
fore found pleasure in the use of their strong 
young muscles. 
Sometimes, they played at hide-and-seek, a 
game for which their own neighborhood was 
wonderfully suited, for there were many 
clumps of willows to furnish concealment. 
Sometimes, they played at tag; sometimes, at 
follow-the-leader. All of these games were ed¬ 
ucational, as well as pleasurable, for through 
them the little beavers became thoroughly ac¬ 
quainted with every hiding place in the pond, 
and also gained in skill at dodging when pur¬ 
sued. 
They played in the slashing, too, and found 
there many good things to eat, for several kinds 
of low-growing berries were now ripe. There 
was also a plentiful supply of mushrooms, a 
food of which O-Go never became tired. Every 
day, as soon as he came into the slashing, O-Go 
went straight to that mushroom plantation. 
He was never disappointed, either; for, no mat¬ 
ter how thoroughly those mushrooms were 
cleaned up one day, there were always more 
the next. 
It was very pleasant to O-Go to be in the 
woods. He liked the food that he found there; 
95 
