Answer the question about text:

But despite this incontestable statement , something nearby was still gnawing . Gnawing on the berry - red root of that tree , far from in the valley . My ear reacting to this sound of impeccable gnawing , with my breath and eye held above , I 'd ask another question .

What was it that the narrator heard gnawing ?
The narrator heard the sounds of a beaver gnawing on the tree as it was trying to fell it .