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Updated: June 27, 2025
"What was it?" cried I nervously; for if a hero like Whiskerandos felt anything approaching to fear, I might be expected to be half-dead with fright. He drooped his head for a moment, and uttered one word "rat-pies!" I started as though I had seen a tabby pounce down from the rigging! "'Tis impossible!" I faintly exclaimed; "human beings never, never eat rats!" "Oh!
None would have dared to attack me while he was beside me, I should hardly have been afraid of a cat! I had naturally a fancy for roving, and a great desire to know more of the world; and what better guide could I have had than the heroic Whiskerandos?
"Ah, Whiskerandos!" exclaimed I, "this oil is a nice relish to be sure, but my appetite craves something solid;" and I looked piteously up at the jar. The other rats looked up piteously also. "Let us see what we can do!" cried my spirited companion; and he clambered for the second time up on the shelf on which stood the tantalizing jar.
We again chose the underland route, lest we should meet with dogs and cats in the streets, or be crushed beneath rolling wheels. We had not gone far, however, when Whiskerandos suddenly stopped. "I feel hungry," said he. "So do I," rejoined I. "We must find our way into one of the houses," observed the bold rat; "let's turn down this passage, it doubtless leads to some kitchen."
But my clever rat was not easily discouraged In a moment he had dipped in his long tail, and then whisking it out again, scattered around a fragrant shower of oil! There was no end to the praises and commendations which Whiskerandos received for this simple device.
"A fortnight's journey for a rat, should he travel by land," replied Bright-eyes: "we came down very comfortably in a river boat, which carried us to within five miles of this spot." "I have had enough of water for some time," said Whiskerandos; "and now that the fields are full of ripe corn, and the gardens of fruit, nothing so pleasant as a journey by land!
Now I could have believed there was an alarm of Indians had I not seen these tracks; but I know very well that, were the Apaches on their war-trail, my Comandante and his Whiskerandos would never have ventured so far from the Presidio that I know. "Well, there's something extraordinary! I can't make it out. Perhaps they're all up to the town at some fiesta.
This little speech had a most wonderful effect in subduing all unfriendly and inhospitable feelings on the part of the brown rats towards the valiant Whiskerandos. They, however, looked very suspiciously at me, and I fancied that I heard one whisper to the other, "There's a black rat an intruder an enemy we must tear him in pieces!"
I replied indignantly; "a generous and noble heart can never take pleasure in seeing pain inflicted on a poor defenceless creature!" "Ah, but " Whiskerandos commenced, but our conversation was suddenly interrupted by a little squeak from the hedge close behind us.
Though you are black and I am brown, no difference between us shall ever be regarded. Let us be friends to the end of our days!" "Agreed!" I cried; "let's rub noses upon it!" and noses we accordingly rubbed. He never flinched from his word, that bold Whiskerandos.
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