roots
covered with water.

"Among the tops of these trees we observed several small animals leaping
nimbly about from branch to branch and from one tree to the other. They
were squirrels. They seemed to be labouring under some unusual
excitement--as though they had been alarmed by the presence of an enemy.
But there did not appear to be any such enemy near them. We noticed
that they passed from tree to tree, running down the trunks of each, as
far as the water would allow them; and then, after looking outward, as
if they intended to leap into the lake, they would suddenly turn back
again, and gallop up into the high branches. There were in all about a
dozen of them; but the nimbleness with which they passed from place to
place, would have led one to believe that there were ten times that
number; and the twigs and leaves were constantly kept in motion, as
though a large flock of birds were fluttering through them.

"We had noticed these animals before, from time to time, dashing about
in the same clump of trees; but not thinking it anything unusual, had
paid no attention to their movements. Now, however, it occurred to us
that these little creatures--who never take to the water unless
compelled by absolute necessity--had been suddenly cut off from their
usual range by the forming of the dam, and were held where they were in
a state of captivity. This was the more evident, as the trees had been
stripped of many of their leaves, and the bark was peeled from the more
tender twigs and branches. It was plain that the squirrels had been
living for some time upon short allowance, and were anxious to get off
from the place.

"We now saw what was causing the unusual commotion among them at that
particular time. Near the clump of trees, but higher up the lake, a
small log was floating in the water. It had somehow got into the stream
above, and was being borne down by the current. It was at this moment
nearing the little island of timber upon which were the squirrels; but
it came on very slowly, as the current through the lake was hardly
perceptible. It was this log that was causing such a flurry; and the
animals evidently intended--should it come near enough--to use it as a
raft.

"We seated ourselves to watch their manoeuvres. On came the log slowly
and gradually; but, instead of drifting directly for the timber, it was
borne by the current in a direction that would carry it at least twenty
yards from the trees.