“Well,” said Nibbles, “I have never seen a Cat before, and I sincerely hope that I never may again. You may live in a village if you like, Teenie Weenie, but I prefer the quiet woods.”
Chapter V
Down the River
They traveled on for several days, close to the river, until Nibbles suggested that it would be more fun and easier to sail than to walk.
They at once began to make a little raft with willow twigs and bits of birch bark, and to prevent the water coming through, they filled up the cracks with clay. The big bandanna handkerchief they used as a sail, and with his jack-knife Nibbles whittled out a nice little rudder.
One warm, sunny day, they hoisted their sail and were just starting off, when they heard some one shouting. Looking around, they saw, on the bank above them, a big gray Rat, waving his hat and calling: “Wait a minute, and take me with you.”
“I am very sorry,” answered Nibbles, “but the raft is small and there is not room enough.”
“But I will go,” shouted the Water Rat very rudely, “and I am in a hurry too.”