They found some old beaver signs but none new; and they left their deadfalls every quarter mile or less.
The stream began to descend more quickly until it was in a long, narrow valley with steep clay sides and many pools.

Here they saw again and again the tracks and signs of otter and coming quietly round a turn that opened a new reach they heard a deep splash, then another and another.
The hunters' first thought was to tie up Skookum, but a glance showed that this was unnecessary.

They softly dropped the packs and the sick dog lay meekly down beside them.

Then they crept forward with hunter caution, favoured by an easterly breeze.

Their first thought was of beaver, but they had seen no recent sign, nor was there anything that looked like a beaver pond.