^l.V AUTUMN HOLIDAY 



49 



before winter. Tliey will suck eggs and steal poultry 

 like connuon Rats. They have a stiff, hairy -looking 

 coat, but underneath it is soft, beautiful fur. Why, 

 tliat old c{ip your father is wearing is Muskrat fur — 

 where did you get it, Blake?" 



'' Out West, with many other such things to keep out 

 cold. But this is only the common nncolored skin ; 



Front Paw and Tail of Muskrat. 



the furriers dye it a soft brown, selling it for French 

 seal, — and a very pretty fur it is, too, for caps and 

 mittens." 



" There seem to be a good many wild animals about 

 here, even though it's a prett}^ tame place — I mean a 

 civilized place," said Nat, correcting himself. " I never 

 thought that we should find fur beasts so near home. 

 I'd like to see into one of those ^luskrat houses, uncle." 



'' And so you shall, as soon as it is cold enough for 

 the water that surrounds it to be frozen so that ^ye can 

 walk to them. The story of that animal and his cousin, 

 the Beaver, is enough to fill a book all by itself." 



