So they beached the canoes on a sandy shore. Hawk Eye took out pemmican and dried bear meat from a pack and sat down beside Raven Wing. When their hunger was satisfied, Hawk Eye said:
"I think there may be beavers upstream," pointing to a rivulet that emptied into the Minnesota a short distance from them. "If so, and there are many, we can come here later on and get pelts. Shall we see?"
"By all means," agreed Raven Wing. "Let us go at once."
Picking up their bows and arrows, they started off. Following the winding course of the stream for a considerable distance they came to a dam which held back the water and formed a fair-sized lake.
At once the boys knew that it had been built by beavers. The Musquash, sometimes called the muskrat, although it ought to be called the muskbeaver, because it is really a beaver and no rat at all, never builds dams nor digs canals. It has a flat tail like the beaver and not at all resembling the tapering tail of water rat. It builds houses, much like the beaver's, only smaller.
"We will not forget this spot," chuckled Raven Wing. "We will get many pelts on our next visit."
"No one shall learn of its location," added Hawk Eye. "We will get the pelts for ourselves."
"The dam is in fine condition," said Raven Wing, who had climbed up upon it.
Not a beaver was to be seen, however. The wary animals had dived out of sight at hearing the boys approach.
