AN AUTUMN UOLWAY 49 



before Avinter. Tliey will suck eggs and steal poultry 

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

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

 that old cap 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 uncolored skin ; 



Fkont 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 pretty 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 Muskrat houses, uncle." 



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

 the water that surrounds it to be frozen so that we can 

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

 the ]3eaver, is enough to fill a book all by itself." 



