The Sign of the Beaver

The Maine forest is beautiful but filled with dangers. Matt knows how to live in a coastal European colony, but this only provides him with enough skills to begin his stay in the woods. His long-term survival is unlikely unless he solves the forest’s distinct problems: avoiding thieves and predators, gathering food, and staying warm. Attean teaches Matt many skills, but the most important lesson he imparts is that, for every problem, there is a practical solution.

Early on, Matt loses his rifle and can no longer hunt game. A bear soon ransacks the cabin and steals most of Matt’s food. Fish are plentiful, but Matt only has one hook, and its loss may cause him to starve. The nights can be cold, and Matt has little more than thin cotton and aging boots to protect him.

Attean takes Matt on hikes where he demonstrates how to make bows and arrows and hunt with them, set traps to catch animals, make hooks and lines for fishing, and what to collect from bushes and trees for extra food. To prevent Matt from getting lost in the woods, Attean shows him how to make trail

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