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determined to wait； and when the family were all quiet in bed； to go forth
in search of provision； as we began to be rather hungry； not having eaten
anything a long while。 Accordingly we stayed till after the clock struck
twelve； when peeping out； we saw that the room was empty： we then
ventured forth； and found several seeds； though not enough to afford a
very ample meal for three of us。
After we had cleared the room； we again returned to our hiding…place；
where we continued till after the family had finished their breakfast。
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
They all then went to take a walk in the garden； and we stepped out to pick
up the crumbs which had fallen from the table。 Whilst we were thus
employed； at a distance from our place of retreat； we were alarmed by the
entrance of two boys； who appeared to be about twelve or thirteen years of
age。 We directly ran towards the crack； but alas！ we were not quick
enough to escape their observation； for； seeing us； they both at once
exclaimed； 'Some mice！ some mice！' and at the same time took off their
hats； and threw at us。 Longtail happily eluded the blow； and safely got
home； but poor Brighteyes and myself were less fortunate； and though we
for a considerable time； by our quickness； prevented their catching us； at
length； being much disabled by a blow that one of them gave me with a
book which he threw at me； I was unable any longer to run； and hobbling
very slowly across the room； he picked me up。 At the same moment
Brighteyes was so entangled in a handkerchief which the other boy tossed
over him； that he likewise was taken prisoner。 Our little hearts now beat
quick with fear of those tortures we expected to receive； nor were our
apprehensions lessened by hearing the boys consult what they should do
with us； 'I；' said one； 'will throw mine into the pond； and see how he will
swim out again。' 'And I；' said the other； 'will keep mine and tame it。'
'But where will you keep it？' inquired his companion。 'Oh；' replied he； 'I
will keep it under a little pan till I can get a house made for it。' He then；
holding me by the skin at the back of my neck； ran with me into the
kitchen to fetch a pan。 Here I was not only threatened with death by
three or four of the servants； who all blamed Master Peter for keeping me；
but likewise two or three cats came round him； rubbing themselves
backward and forward against his legs； and then standing upon their hind
feet to endeavour to make themselves high enough to reach me。 At last；
taking a pan in his hand； he returned to his brother with one of the cats
following him。 Immediately upon our entrance； the boy exclaimed； 'Oh；
now I know what I will do： I will tie a piece of string to its tail； and teach
the cat to jump for it。' No sooner did this thought present itself than it
was put into practice； and I again was obliged to sustain the shocking sight
of a brother put to the torture。 I； in the mean time； was placed upon the
table； with a pan put over me； in which there was a crack； so that I could
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
see as well as hear all that passed： and from this place it was that I
beheld my beloved Brighteyes suspended at one end of a string by his tail；
one while swinging backward and forward； at another pulled up and down；
then suffered to feel his feet on the ground； and again suddenly snatched
up as the cat advanced； then twisted round and round as fast as possible at
the full length of the string： in short； it is impossible to describe all his
sufferings of body； or my anguish of mind。 At length a most dreadful
conclusion was put to them； by the entrance of a gentleman booted and
spurred； with a whip in his hand。 'What in the world； Charles！' said he； as
he came in； 'are you about？ What have you got there？' 'Only a mouse；
sir；' replied the boy。 'He is teaching the cat to jump； sir；' said Peter； 'that
is all。'
Brighteyes then gave a fresh squeak from the violence of his pain。
The gentleman then turning hastily round； exclaimed eagerly； 'What； is it
alive？' 'Yes； sir；' said the boy。 'And how can you； you wicked； naughty；
cruel boy；' replied the gentleman； 'take delight in thus torturing a little
creature that never did you any injury？ Put it down this moment；' said he；
at the same time giving him a severe stroke with his horse…whip across
that hand by which he held my brother。 'Let it go directly；' and again
repeated the blow： the boy let go the string； and Brighteyes fell to the
ground； and was instantly snapped up by the cat； who growling； ran away
with him in her mouth； and； I suppose； put a conclusion to his miseries and
life together； as I never from that moment have heard any account of him。
As soon as he was thus taken out of the room； the gentleman sat down；
and； taking hold of his son's hand； thus addressed him： 'Charles； I had a
much better opinion of you； than to suppose you were capable of so much
cruelty。 What right； I desire to know； have you to torment any living
creature？ If it is only be cause you are larger； and so have it in your
power； I beg you will consider； how you would like； that either myself； or
some great giant； as much larger than you as you are bigger than the
mouse； should hurt and torment you？ And I promise you； the smallest
creature can feel as acutely as you； nay； the smaller they are； the more
susceptible are they of pain； and the sooner they are hurt： a less touch
will kill a fly than a man； consequently a less wound will cause it pain；
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
and the mouse which you have now been swinging by the tail over the
cat's mouth； has not； you may assure yourself； suffered less torment or
fright than y