ack animals. It is by far the finest
way to see the high mountains, though it must be admitted few have the
hardihood or courage to try it. The new Roosevelt National Park, one of
the most magnificent playgrounds in the world, can be visited in the way
just described.

The writer of this chapter has walked all through this park carrying the
clothing, food and equipment just described. Every day of the journey
found her in better physical trim, vigor, strength, and with keenness of
vision and joy of life increased daily.

[Illustration: BUSY BEAVERS AT WORK

The largest gnawing animal in this country, noted for damming streams
with trees (which they cut down by gnawing), mud, and stones. Range:
This or related races formerly found practically all over this country,
and northward into Canada. Detail from Habitat Group in American Museum
of Natural History.]

THE RED GOD

Now the Four-way Lodge is opened: Now the hunting winds are loose,
Now the Smokes of Spring go up to clear the brain;
Now the young men's hearts are troubled for the whisper of the trues,
Now the Red Gods make their medicine again!
Who hath seen the beaver busied? Who hath watched the black-tail
mating?
Who hath lain alone to hear the wild goose cry?
Who hath worked the chosen waters where the ouananiche is waiting?
Or the sea-trout's jumping crazy for the fly?
Who hath smelled wood-smoke at twilight? Who hath smelled the birch
log burning?
Who is quick to read the noises of the night?
Let him follow with the others, for the young men's feet are turning
To the camps of proved desire and known delight!
Do you know the blackened timber? Do you know that racing stream
With the raw, right-angled log-jam at the end?
And the bar of sun-warmed shingle where a man may bask and dream
To the click of shod canoe-poles round the bend?
It is there that we are going with our rods and reels and traces
To a silent, smoky Indian that we know,
To a couch of new-pulled hemlock with the starlight on our faces,
For the Red Gods call us out and we must go!
_He must go--go--go away from here!
On the other side the world he's overdue.
'Send your road is clear before you when the old spring-fret comes
o'er you
And the Red Gods call for you!_
--Rudyard Kipling.

[Illustration: LOON WITH NEST

F