152 Studies in Rat Catching, [ch. ix. 



work, and I had a snug warm bed waiting 

 for me, and moreover I reasoned that watch- 

 ing a storm in the dead of night was no part 

 of a rat-catcher's duty ; but I was so fasci- 

 nated I could not tear myself away, and I 

 stood with my companions behind the boat 

 till long after midnight. Then two other 

 figures dressed like my companions joined 

 us, and it was only when they spoke that I 

 recognised one as the parson of the parish, 

 and the other as the young curate who had 

 helped us with the rabbits. Both asked a 

 few questions of the sailors, who seemed 

 eager to give them information ; and then the 

 rector, turning to me, said : " You will be 

 perished by the cold if you stand here longer. 

 Come with me, and I will show you a picture 

 of a different sort, but yet one that I think 

 will interest you." I readily accepted and 

 followed my friend, who, though far from a 

 young man, bore the buffeting of the storm 



