The entrances to the various huts are all beneath the water, and they all open into one common ditch, which is purposely dug in the bed of the river, and is too deep to be entirely frozen.  In the summer time the huts are vacated, and the beavers make their abode in burrows on the banks of the stream, which serve as a secure retreat at all times, and particularly in winter when their houses are molested.  The Indians of the Northwest are aware of this fact, and turn it to good account in the capture of the animals.

When the beaver’s village is in a small creek, or brook, it is first necessary to stake the water across both above and below the huts.  The next thing is to ascertain the exact spots of the burrows in the banks, and when we consider the river is covered with ice, this seems a rather difficult problem.  But this is where the Indian shows his skill.  He starts upon the ice, provided with an ice chisel secured to a long, stout handle.  With this he strikes upon the ice, following the edge of the stream.  The sound of the blow determines to his practiced ear the direct spot opposite the opening of the burrows, and at this point a hole a foot in diameter is made through the ice.  Following the edge of the bank he continues his search, and in like manner cuts the holes through the ice until all the retreats are discovered.  While the expert Indians are thus engaged, the “squaws” are occupied in the more laborious work of breaking open the houses, and the beavers, alarmed at the invasion of their sanctums, make for the banks, and the ready huntsmen stationed at the various holes, watch for their victims beneath the openings, until a violent motion or discoloration of the water betrays their passage beneath.  The entrance to the holes in the bank are then instantly closed with stakes and the beaver is made prisoner in his burrow.  When the depth of the burrow will admit, the arm of the hunter is introduced, and the animal pulled out, but otherwise a long hook lashed to a pole is employed for this purpose.  Scores of beavers are sometimes taken in this way in a few hours.  Spearing is also often successfully resorted to, and when the ice is thin [Page 180] and transparent the beavers may be clearly observed as they come to the surface, beneath the ice, for air.

The general color of the animal is reddish brown, this tint being imparted principally by the long hairs of the fur.  There is an inner and softer down of a grey color, which lies next the skin, and which is the valuable growth of the fur.  The total length of the animal is about three feet and a half, the flat, paddle-shaped, scale-covered tail being about a foot in length.