hat fortified island opposite to Cronstadt, lying across the bay upon
which the place stands, and giving to its waters the appearance of a
lake, was called Ratusare, or Rat's Island in the days of old."

"Not the only Rat's Island in the world," observed Whiskerandos;
"we have one off the coast of Devon."

"And doubtless it still bears that name," said the Russian rat, with a
graceful wave of his whiskers. "But things, alas! were altered here when
the warriors of Peter the Great drove the Swedes from this island in
1703. The vanquished left behind them nothing but a great kettle, which
in default of other trophy the Russians reared in triumph on a pole; so
the name of the place has been changed since that time, and Rat Island
is called Kettle Island."

"It is fortunate for us, sir rat," said I, (I did not venture to attempt
to call him by his name,) "it is fortunate for us that before landing
in a strange country, we have met with a friend so intelligent and
well-informed as you appear to be."

He made me so many polite assurances of the gratification which he felt
in making my acquaintance, the pleasure which it would give him to
conduct us to the house in which he usually quartered in the city, and
the pride which he would feel in showing us everything which he could
hope would interest us, that we blunt English rats felt almost
abashed at his excessive courtesy. He only followed the manners of his
country, where the poorest labourer is quite overwhelming in his
politeness.

Dwishtswatshiksky (we soon shortened his name to Wisky) was as good as
his word. We kept close while the passengers landed at a magnificent
quay at St. Petersburg; while the rapid tread of feet, loud voices,
shouts and hurried movements, were heard above, not a rat ventured forth
from his hiding-place. Alas! with every precaution, when we mustered
before landing, our numbers were sadly diminished, though of rat pies we
had heard no more. In darkness we a second time made a suspension bridge
of the rope which bound the vessel to the shore, and with delight I
found myself again upon land, a free denizen of earth, no longer cooped
up in the narrow, dangerous prison of a vessel.

Wisky led the way, closely followed by Whiskerandos. They moved on so
fast that I was in danger of losing sight of my guides, so apt was I to
linger on my way to look at the wonders around me. It is a beautiful
city, St. Petersburg; at least so it seemed to me in the mo