Page:Sparrow, the tramp (IA sparrowtramp00wess).pdf/254

 my taste as pork or cheese or sugar, but it is better than nothing; so here goes!" and taking the pretty red collar between his forepaws, he bit out a large piece. "Not much flavor," he continued; "but if you think of a nice bit of toasted cheese or a delicate piece of pork rind while it's going down, it isn't so bad."

Soon nothing remained of the gay little collar that had been the barn-cat's pride, but the plate on which to engrave the name and the padlock that used to tinkle so musically; but after the leather was eaten up, Graywhisker became desperate indeed!

"If I could get hold of one of those tiger-kittens, wouldn't it be a treat?" he exclaimed, with a horrible grimace. "I will venture out, cost what it may. I don't know as it would be any worse to be caught by the cats than to die here slowly by inches. Oh, if I could only get hold