I was not disappointed.  As we approached it cautiously, we caught sight of several beavers running about on the banks of the stream, some nibbling away at the trunks of saplings and small trees which they were engaged in felling.  Had we fired, we might have killed two or three; but the rest would have disappeared, and we should then have lost the opportunity of observing them.  We therefore crept on, concealing ourselves among the thick underwood.