aver, unless
it is a baby bear; and Umisk would have taken first prize at any beaver
baby show in the world. His three companions were a bit smaller. They
came waddling from behind a low willow, making queer little chuckling
noises, their little flat tails dragging like tiny sledges behind them.
They were fat and furry, and mighty friendly looking to Baree, and his
heart beat a sudden swift-pit-a-pat of joy.

But Baree did not move. He scarcely breathed. And then, suddenly, Umisk
turned on one of his playmates and bowled him over. Instantly the other
two were on Umisk, and the four little beavers rolled over and over,
kicking with their short feet and spatting with their tails, and all
the time emitting soft little squeaking cries. Baree knew that it was
not fight but frolic. He rose up on his feet. He forgot where he
was--forgot everything in the world but those playing, furry balls. For
the moment all the hard training nature had been giving him was lost.
He was no longer a fighter, no longer a hunter, no longer a seeker
after food. He was a puppy, and in him there rose a desire that was
greater than hunger. He wanted to go down there with Umisk and his
little chums and roll and play. He wanted to tell them, if such a thing
were possible, that he had lost his mother and his home, and that he
had been having a mighty hard time of it, and that he would like to
stay with them and their mothers and fathers if they didn't mind.

In his throat there came the least bit of a whine. It was so low that
Umisk and his playmates did not hear it. They were tremendously busy.

Softly Baree took his first step toward them, and then another--and at
last he stood on the narrow strip of shore within half a dozen feet of
them. His sharp little ears were pitched forward, and he was wiggling
his tail as fast as he could, and every muscle in his body was
trembling in anticipation.

It was then that Umisk saw him, and his fat little body became suddenly
as motionless as a stone.

"Hello!" said Baree, wiggling his whole body and talking as plainly as
a human tongue could talk. "Do you care if I play with you?"

Umisk made no response. His three playmates now had their eyes on
Baree. They didn't make a move. They looked stunned. Four pairs of
staring, wondering eyes were fixed on the stranger.

Baree made another effort. He groveled on his forelegs, while his tail
and hind legs continued to wiggle, and with a sniff he grabbed a bit of