CHAPTER III 



HAIRY-TAILED PACK RATS 



ORIGIN OF THE NAME THEY LOVE NOISE AND MISCHIEF, EXCITE 



FEAR AND MURDER TRADE, WOOD AND MOUNTAIN RATS 



JIM THE TRAPPER AND HIS FOUR-FOOTED FRIENDS PRANKS 

 OF PACK RATS THE LEGEND OF PADDY PACK RAT ? S TREAS- 

 URE TROVE 



There is a big hairy-tailed rat to be found in the 

 Rocky Mountains which is one of the most inter- 

 esting little animals in America. Scientists call it 

 a Neotoma, but it is locally known as the 



PACK RAT, 



mountain rat, wood rat, and trade rat. 



To explain the reason for this first name to the 

 Eastern readers, it is necessary to call their atten- 

 tion to the fact that in a new and unsettled coun- 

 try baggage and luggage of all kinds must be car- 

 ried on one's own shoulders, or on the backs of 

 animals. Of course one cannot carry things on 

 one's back without making them into some sort of a 

 bundle or pack, hence the men on the trail who at- 

 tend to loading the horses and mules are called 

 packers, while the animals themselves are known 



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