nd clams; and once in awhile their diet was varied by the
capture of a half-torpid sucker or chub. There were no otters in
Bitter Creek; and the mink, which had investigated their water-gate so
hungrily, got caught in a trap at an open spring up-stream, where he
was accustomed to fish for eels. So the muskrats had no dangerous
enemies to mar their peace.

The spring thaws came suddenly, while the ice was yet strong, and the
flood went wide over the low banks of Bitter Creek. But the little
house among the alders withstood them sturdily. The water rose till it
filled the lower chamber. Inch by inch it crept up the last passage,
till it glistened dimly just an inch below the threshold. But it never
actually touched that threshold; and the little grass-lined retreat
stayed warm and dry. Then the ice went out, under the sun and showers
of late April, and the waters sank away as rapidly as they had risen;
and the muskrats, wild with the intoxication of spring, rolled,
played, and swam gaily hither and thither on the surface of the open
creek. They made long excursions up and down-stream for the sheer
delight of wandering, and found fresh interest in every clam-flat,
lily cove, or sprouting bed of sweet-flag. Their appetites they had
always with them; and though it was fun to chase each other, or to
roll and wallow luxuriously on the cool surface of the water when the
sun shone warm, there was nothing quite so worth while, day in and day
out, as eating. Other muskrats now appeared, the wander-spirit seizing
them all at once; and the males had many fierce fights, which left
their naked tails scarred and bleeding. But the big muskrat, from the
house in the alders, was denied the joy of battle, because none of his
rivals were so hardy as to confront him.

About this pleasant season, in the upper chamber over the water-gate,
was born a family of nine very small and very naked young muskrats.
Their big father was amiably indifferent to them, and spent most of
his time, when at home, in the lower chamber, which was now dry and
clean enough for his luxurious tastes. Their small mother, however,
was assiduous in her care; and in an exceedingly short time the
youngsters, very sleek and dark in their first fur, were investigating
the wonderful, great world beyond their water-gate. They had
prodigious appetites, and they grew prodigiously. One, on their very
first outing, got snapped up by a greedy black duck. The attention of
the lit