fisher, or even the humble muskrat, is the fellow who succeeds best in
his business."

"B-b-but all the m-m-muskrats I ever saw could swim and s-s-stay under
w-w-water's long as they p-p-pleased," Toby broke out with.

"That's a mistake," said Trapper Jim. "None of these animals can live
under water all the time like a fish. They have to come up to breathe
just so often. Beaver have houses made of mud and sticks. The entrances
to these are always down below: but you find the tops of all beaver
houses above the surface."

"But," said Steve, "I've seen muskrats dive just as Toby says, and waited
with a club to have 'em come to the top of the water again; but lots of
times I'd have to chuck it up as no good. How did that happen, Uncle
Jim?"

"That is easily explained," answered the trapper. "Just as alligators do,
so mink, otter, and muskrats have holes that run up into the bank of a
stream, their nest being always above ordinary high water. When you
missed seeing your rat it was because he happened to be near enough to
dive down, enter his tunnel, and make his way up to his nest. You see,
there are lots of queer things to be learned, if you only keep your eyes
and ears open when in these woods."

"But show us if you really did get one in your trap," urged Bandy-legs,
who knew much less about all these things than any one of the chums, yet
felt considerable eagerness to learn.

So with a stick that had a fork at the end Jim felt around in the water