It was the slap of Paddy's broad tail on the surface of the water.
Instantly Lightfoot was on his feet. He knew just what that meant.
He knew that Paddy had seen or heard or smelled a hunter.

It was even so. Paddy had heard a dry stick snap. It was a very
tiny snap, but it was enough to warn Paddy. With only his head
above water he had watched in the direction from which that sound
had come. Presently, stealing quietly along towards the pond, a
hunter had come in view. Instantly Paddy had brought his broad
tail down on the water with all his force. He knew thatLightfoot
would know that that meant danger. Then Paddy had dived,
and swimming under water, had sought the safety of his house.
He had done his part, and there was nothing more he could do.



CHAPTER XV: The Three Watchers

When Paddy the Beaver slapped the water with his broad tail,
making a noise like a pistol shot, Lightfoot understood that this
was meant as a warning of danger. He was on his feet instantly,
with eyes, ears and nose seeking the cause of Paddy's warning.
After a moment or two he stole softly up to the top of a
little ridge some distance back from Paddy's pond, but from the
top of which he could see the whole of the pond. There he hid
among some close-growing young hemlock-trees. It wasn't long
before he saw a hunter with a terrible gun come down to the shore
of the pond.

Now the hunter had heard Paddy slap the water with his broad