"Did they clear all the trees out of this meadow, too?" asked Frank.
"They didn't have to do that," the Scout Master replied. "Once they had the brook dammed back the water killed the trees—killed 'em so thoroughly that this meadow has remained open long after the beavers have vanished, and their dam has been broken open by the road."
"But why do they go to all that trouble?" said Frank again.
"How many ponds have you seen in these parts?" said Art, scornfully. "They wouldn't make a dam if they could find a natural pond shallow enough so their houses could come up above water, like a muskrat's, would they, Mr. Rogers? But I suppose they couldn't find one around here, so they just made it themselves. I think they're about the smartest animal there is."
"You mean was," said Peanut. "I never saw one. Did you?"
"No," said Art, sadly. "I'd like to, though. Gee, it's a shame the way women have to wear furs, and kill off all the animals! Sometimes I wish there weren't any girls."
"Well, they're not troubling us much this week," Mr. Rogers laughed. "Now for Lost River!"
The party turned east, and proceeded down the road for about half a mile, by an easy grade, till they
