40 
WILD AMERICANS 
There were many little underground trails or tunnels, 
and the doors or outlets of these were all carefully 
protected by clumps of dead cactus thorns which the 
rats had placed there. Uncle Ely explained that these 
thorns would keep coyotes, hawks, and other anfi 
mals from capturing the rats. 
In the nest the children found many things. There 
were stones and little sticks, tree buds, pieces of bone, 
a small tin can, and several nails. Buck and Ginger 
were talking about these things when Mother came 
to them. 
"Isn't it interesting?" Mother stooped over to look 
at the pack rat home. "Did you find your fountain 
pen, Bob?" 
"No, I didn't. Must have been another family that 
stole it. I hate to lose that pen, too." 
Uncle Ely poked around in the nest. 
"What's this?" asked Mother suddenly, as she 
stooped and picked up a bright shining object. 
"Why, I do believe it's my silver thimble!" 
Father, Uncle Ely, Buck, and Ginger crowded close 
to see the shining thimble that lay in the palm of her 
hand. 
"That's your thimble, all right!" exclaimed Father. 
"Here's your name engraved on it." 
