their knowledge to others. She explained
to us, therefore, the nature and properties of this sweet-scented tree.
It was a species of magnolia--not that which is celebrated for its large
flowers, but another kind. It was the _magnolia glauca_, sometimes
called `swamp sassafras,' but more generally known among hunters and
trappers as the `beaver-tree.' It is so named by them, because the
beaver is fonder of its roots than of any other food; so fond of it,
indeed, that it is often used as a bait to the traps by which these
animals are caught.

"Whether our beavers had already discovered their favourite tree in some
other part of the valley, we did not know. Probably they had; but, at
all events, Cudjo and I by a very little labour, with our spade and axe,
could save them a great deal; and so we set about it.

"In a few hours we dug up several armfuls of the long branching roots,
and carried them down to the edge of the lake. We flung them into the
water at a place where we knew the animals were in the habit of
frequenting. In a short time the aromatic roots were discovered, when a
whole crowd of beavers were seen hurrying to the spot, and swimming off
again to their houses, each with a root or a whole bunch of them in his
teeth. That was a grand festival for the beavers."

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

A BATTUE OF "BLACK-TAILS."

"Of course we could do nothing more for our beavers at present. It was
not our intention to trap any of them until they should become very
numerous, and then we could obtain annually a large number of skins.
Their tails, we knew, were very good to eat--in fact, quite a delicacy--
but we could not afford to kill one of them merely for the sake of
eating his tail; and the other parts of the beaver's flesh are by no
means palatable. Besides, we expected to find enough of game without
that, as in every part, where the ground was soft, we saw the tracks of
deer and other animals.

"By the time we had fairly furnished our house, the flesh of the elk was
beginning to run short, so that a grand hunting excursion was determined
upon. It was also to be an exploring expedition, as up to this time we
had not visited any part of the valley except that which lay immediately
around our house. Frank, Harry, and myself, were to form the party,
while Cudjo was to remain by the house, and guard the female portion of
our little community with his great spear.

"Everything being ready, we started out wit