to lay in a supply of food for the winter, just as I told you,
and I suppose that is what he is doing. But I don't quite
understand what he is taking it all out into the pond for. I
believe I'll go ask him."

"Do, and then come tell us," begged Peter, who was growing so
curious that he couldn't sit still.

So Jerry swam out to where Paddy was so busy. "Is this your food
supply, Cousin Paddy?" he asked.

"Yes," replied Paddy, crawling up on the side of his house to
rest. "Yes, this is my food supply. Isn't it splendid?"

"I guess it is," replied Jerry, trying to be polite, "though I
like lily roots and clams better. But what are you going to do
with it? Where is your storehouse?"

"This pond is my storehouse," replied Paddy. "I will make a great
pile right here close to my house, and the water will keep it
nice and fresh all winter. When the pond is frozen over, all I
will have to do is to slip out of one of my doorways down there
on the bottom, swim over here and get a stick, and fill my
stomach. Isn't it handy?"



CHAPTER XIV A Footprint in the Mud.

Very early one morning Paddy the Beaver heard Sammy Jay making a