During a mid-day halt in one of these beaver valleys, Captain Bonneville left his companions, and strolled down the course of the stream to reconnoitre.  He had not proceeded far when he came to a beaver pond, and caught a glimpse of one of its painstaking inhabitants busily at work upon the dam.  The curiosity of the captain was aroused, to behold the mode of operating of this far-famed architect; he moved forward, therefore, with the utmost caution, parting the branches of the water willows without making any noise, until having attained a position commanding a view of the whole pond, he stretched himself flat on the ground, and watched the solitary workman.  In a little while, three others appeared at the head of the dam, bringing sticks and bushes.  With these they proceeded directly to the barrier, which Captain Bonneville perceived was in need of repair.  Having deposited their loads upon the broken part, they dived into the water, and shortly reappeared at the surface.  Each now brought a quantity of mud, with which he would plaster the sticks and bushes just deposited.  This kind of masonry was continued for some time, repeated supplies of wood and mud being brought, and treated in the same manner.  This done, the industrious beavers indulged in a little recreation, chasing each other about the pond, dodging and whisking about on the surface, or diving to the bottom; and in their frolic, often slapping their tails on the water with a loud clacking sound.  While they were thus amusing themselves, another of the fraternity made his appearance, and looked gravely on their sports for some time, without offering to join in them.  He then climbed the bank close to where the captain was concealed, and, rearing himself on his hind quarters, in a sitting position, put his forepaws against a young pine tree, and began to cut the bark with his teeth.  At times he would tear off a small piece, and holding it between his paws, and retaining his sedentary position, would feed himself with it, after the fashion of a monkey.  The object of the beaver, however, was evidently to cut down the tree; and he was proceeding with his work, when he was alarmed by the approach of Captain Bonneville’s men, who, feeling anxious at the protracted absence of their leader, were coming in search of him.  At the sound of their voices, all the beavers, busy as well as idle, dived at once beneath the surface, and were no more to be seen.  Captain Bonneville regretted this interruption.  He had heard much of the sagacity of the beaver in cutting down trees, in which, it is said, they manage to make them fall into the water, and in such a position and direction as may be most favorable for conveyance to the desired point.  In the present instance, the tree was a tall straight pine, and as it grew perpendicularly, and there was not a breath of air stirring the beaver could have felled it in any direction he pleased, if really capable of exercising a discretion in the matter.  He was evidently engaged in “belting” the tree, and his first incision had been on the side nearest to the water.