"What a large bold animal it is," remarked Clara, in die
tone of one who wishes to be confirmed in an impression
but indifferently entertained. "See how close it approaches
the boat! Mad that lazy sailor but his wits about him,
he might easily knock it on the head with his oar. It
is--it is a beaver, Madeline; I can distinguish its head
even with the naked eye."
"Heaven grant it may be a beaver," answered Miss de
Haldimar, in a voice so deep and full of meaning, that
it made her cousin startle and turn paler even than
before. "Nay, Clara, dearest, command yourself, nor give
way to what may, after all, prove a groundless cause of
alarm. Yet, I know not how it is, my heart misgives me
sadly; for I like not the motions of this animal, which
are strangely and unusually bold. But this is not all:
a beaver or a rat might ruffle the mere surface of the
water, yet this leaves behind it a deep and gurgling
furrow, as if the element had been ploughed to its very
bottom. Observe how the lake is agitated and discoloured
wherever it has passed. Moreover, I dislike this sudden
bustle on board the schooner, knowing, as I do, there is
not an officer present to order the movements now visibly
going forward.
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