Above the surface of the lake were numerous beaver-houses, and after we had concealed ourselves for some time we caught sight of the inhabitants coming forth and swimming about; while one or two knowing old fellows climbed to the roof of their houses, to keep a look-out, as we supposed, and give notice of approaching danger.  We might have shot several, but without the dogs we should not have been able to recover them.  Indeed, their skins would have been of much less value than those caught in traps.  After watching them for some time, then, we agreed that we ought to be on our homeward way, or we should certainly be benighted.  Though we had found the path easily enough in daylight, it would be a hard matter to do so in the dark.