XIV

WAS IT A GUN?


Everybody in the village where Brownie Beaver lived was very much
upset. Most people were angry, too. And no doubt it was natural that
they should feel that way, because while they were taking their midday
naps a man had come and paddled about their village in a boat.

Brownie Beaver was the first to hear him and he quickly spread the
alarm. There was a great scurrying as all the villagers stole out of
their houses and swam away under water to hide in holes in the bank of
the pond and in other places they knew.

Toward night, when they all came back again, the man had gone. But
Brownie and his neighbors were still angry. You must remember that
their rest had been disturbed and they were feeling somewhat sleepy.

So far as they could see, the man had done no damage either to their
houses or to the dam. But people felt a bit uneasy just the same,
until old Grandaddy Beaver looked all around and reported that the man
had set no traps. You see, Grandaddy knew a great deal about traps. He
had been caught in one when he was young. Luckily, he managed to get
away; and he learned a few things that he never forgot.

Now, Brownie Beaver had begun to cut down a tree the night before.
Something had interrupted him and he had left the tree not quite