THE NEOTOMAS, OR PACK RATS, OF 

 THE DESERT 



(Neotoma intermedia desertorum) 



NOT long ago three prospectors, new to the 

 game, decided to do something that all old 

 prospectors know better than to attempt. 

 They concluded to go partners on living to- 

 gether, each agreeing to pay his proportion of 

 the expenses. They had not known each other 

 long, they were men of different temperaments, 

 and this in itself was sufficient eventually to 

 bring disaffection among them. The " falling- 

 out" would have been postponed, however, 

 much longer had it not been for the part a 

 fourth party now played in the drama. 



Within a fortnight after the men had settled 

 in their quarters, small trinkets began to dis- 

 appear. One man lost a small mirror, another 

 an aluminum comb, and a pair of much-valued 

 cuff-links. Every morning now more small 

 articles were missing or found misplaced, and 

 the men became sullen and began to accuse one 

 another of thievery. They argued, scolded, and 



