erdure and where the
freezing process that is going on at the surface of the river will
not bar his efforts in getting at his store of provisions during the
winter season. It is said that the beaver goes so far as to bundle up
small branches of trees and willows which he stows away in the muddy
bottom of the river. The trapper, in his wondrous yarns, insists that
there are grades of society among beavers the same as among men; and
he will have it that they have their "head chiefs," and that often
individuals among them roll in wealth and that they have slaves who
stand ready to do their master's bidding at a moment's warning; for
instance, to bring them a bundle of green twigs on which to feast.
According to their imaginative stories, the life of a beaver cannot
be rivaled in happiness; and if we could put full credence in their
descriptions of the pastimes of the animal, his palaces and luxuries,
we could only compare a beaver to a citizen of Venice in her most
palmy days--the difference between the two being, that the former
enjoyed himself more in the water than the latter did on it in his
favorite _gondola_.

The beaver, when captured young, can be sufficiently domesticated
to make him a pet; but their unattractive form is anything but an
ornament to the house. With young children, they are very friendly,
though their disposition is amiable to any one. They are very neat in
their person and, when moved from their comrades and domiciled with
human beings, nothing do they so much like as being allowed the
daily privilege of taking a clean bath. When thus engaged, they are
a curiosity to look at, as they are very agile and particular in
removing every particle of dirt. We remember seeing one of these pets
in the Mexican town of _Culebro_ thus enjoying himself. His owner
hesitated not in taking the animal to the river, which was close by,
and giving him his freedom. On finishing his ablutions the beaver
returned to where his owner was standing, without making an effort to
escape, and by a look as much as said, "I am ready to return to your
home."

The signs having been discovered, the trappers next select a suitable
location for a camp, which they soon occupy. After the pack animals
are unloaded, a part of the men start out to set the traps, while the
remainder busy themselves in looking after their wants and in cooking
and guarding their property, etc. The trap is very much like the
same instrument used in different