Page:Reading for winter evenings.pdf/5

5 rat-trap, and received so many deep wounds from its teeth, that, though I was loosened as gently as possible by the people who heard me cry, I was rendered lame for some weeks after.

“Time went on, and I arrived at my full growth; and, forming an acquaintance with a he-cat about my age, after a decent resistance by scolding, biting, and scratching, we made a match of it. I became a mother in due time; and had the mortification of seeing several broods of my kittens disposed of in the same manner as my brothers and sisters had been.

"I shall mention two or three more adventures, in the order I remember them.—I was once prowling for birds along a hedge, at some distance from home, when the Squire's greyhounds came that way a-coursing. As soon as they spied me, they set off at full speed; and, running much faster than I could do, were just at my tail, when I reached a tree, and saved myself by climbing up it.—But a greater danger befel me, on meeting with a parcel of boys returning from school. They surrounded me before I was aware, and obliged me to take refuge in a tree. But I soon found that a poor defence against such enemies; for they assembled about it, and threw stones on all sides, so that I could not avoid receiving many hard blows, one of which brought me senseless to the ground. The biggest boy now seized me, and proposed to the rest making what he called rare sport with me. This sport was, to tie me to a board, and, launching me on a pond, to set some water-dogs at me, while I was to defend myself by biting their noses, and scratching their eyes. Already was I bound, and just ready to be set a-sailing, when the schoolmaster, taking a walk that way, and seeing the bustle, came up, and obliged the boys to set me at liberty, severely reprimanding them for their cruel intentions.

“The next remarkable incident of my life, was the occasion of my removal from the country. My mistress's brother had a tame linnet, of which he was very fond: for it would come and light on his shoulder, when he called it, and feed out of his hand; and it sung well besides. This bird was usually either in a cage, or upon a high perch. But, one unlucky day, when he and I were alone in the room together, he came down on the table to pick up crumbs: I spied him; and, not being able to resist the temptation, I sprung at him, and, catching him in my claws, soon began to devour him. I had almost finished, when his master came into the room; and, seeing me with the remains of poor linnet in my mouth, he ran to me in the greatest fury, and after chasing me several