d. For a time all is still again. The
beavers crowding behind these two that have been so readily captured
have been frightened by their sudden movements, so unnatural, and so
they hesitated to follow. But others are closely following behind, and
all are suffering acutely now for the want of fresh air, and thus it is
only a minute or two before the moving stick tells the story that
another beaver is making the attempt to reach a spot where he can get
some fresh air. Vain indeed are his efforts, for no sooner does he
touch that fatal stick than down goes that strong, muscular hand and arm
and he is thrown out on the ice, to be killed in the same manner as were
his fellows.

See what a splendid black beaver that is! But, O dear! he has lost him.
Yes, he has. That is too bad, and he brought him up far enough for his
head to be out of the water, and so he once more filled up his lungs,
and as he tumbled in he fell beyond the stick. So that one is lost for
this year.

But there is no time for mourning over the loss of one, even if he was a
beauty. They crowd up quickly now, and the Indians are busy. They keep
cool and alert, for the harvest is increasing.

The condition of the beavers is now so desperate that recklessly they
are crowding on, and although the man is pulling them out as rapidly as
possible it is evident that numbers, especially of the smaller ones, are
slipping by, and thus are lost for that year. In order to secure a
greater number the second Indian gives his axe to Mr Ross and goes to
the help of his comrade.

No need of quiet now. The remaining beavers must get by that stick or
perish, and as they make the attempt, while some are captured, many
others escape. Thus it goes on until the last one has either been
secured by the Indians or has eluded them. Let us hope that he escaped
to live another year.

"Count the spoils, boys," shouts Mr Ross. No second command is needed.
They collect them together and find that there are forty-seven of them,
and not a small one among them. In addition, there were plenty that
escaped to restock the house, and in two years it will in all
probability be as rich a beaver harvest field as it has been to-day.

Winter Adventures of Three Boys--by Egerton R. Young

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

WISE ECONOMY OF INDIAN HUNTERS--GAME NEVER ALL KILLED--BEAVERS' TAILS--
THE BOYS INTERESTED IN THEM--PREPARATIONS FOR THE RETURN TRIP--LOADS
PACKED--WOLVERINES--THEIR CUNN