rough which
we had passed, slept for the greater part of that day in the field, and
wandered about during the night in a not vain search for food.

The next day was remarkably hot. It was the season of harvest, and we
felt the necessity of keeping quietly concealed, as many men, and women
also, were busily engaged in the fields. The heat, however, produced
thirst, and no water was near in which we could quench it.

"I say, Ratto," observed Whiskerandos, "do you see yonder object, near
that sheaf, that glitters so brightly in the sun?"

"It is a can," replied I, "doubtless belonging to one of the reapers."

"I should not wonder if there were a hunch of bread and cheese beside
it," said Whiskerandos.

"I should not be surprised if there were."

Whiskerandos remained for a minute in silence, then said, "I want to
compare English beer with Russian kwas."

"You are not going into the field!" I cried in alarm.

"I am going,-- why, there is nothing to fear; there is not a reaper
near, and if there were, he would need to be a sharp fellow who could
catch a rat in an open field!"

So the daring fellow went on his way, and I, after peeping cautiously on
this side and that, to make sure that no human being could see us in the
stubble, hurried after my companion, being to the full as curious as
himself to make acquaintance with the contents of the can.

There was a bundle of something beside it, tied up in a large red
handkerchief, something of a very inviting odour. But scarcely had
Whiskerandos, who was foremost, touched the reaper's dinner with the end
of his whiskers, when something jumped up suddenly from behind the
bundle, and the voice of a rat fiercely exclaimed,-- "Keep off, or I'll
bite you!"

Whiskerandos looked surprised at the unexpected defiance, but my
feelings of amazement can scarcely be conceived when I recognised,
(could it be!) the dumpy form, blunt head, and piebald skin of my lost
brother Oddity!

I rushed forward with a squeak of delight! No doubt, though less eager
and excited in his manner, Oddity also was greatly pleased at meeting
with his brother again. He looked, however, suspiciously from the
handkerchief to Whiskerandos, and again desired him to "keep off," with
a resolution of which I had never dreamed the piebald rat capable.

"What is in that bundle, that you guard it so carefully?" said I, after
we had rubbed noses again and again, with every expression of affection.

"The propert