for him in a rage. Tom, to escape his fury, crept into a large,
empty snail-shell, and there lay for some time, when, peeping out of
the shell, he saw a fine butterfly on the ground. He ventured forth
and got astride the butterfly, which took wing, and mounted into the
air with little Tom on his back. Away he flew straight to the King's
court.

[Illustration: THE WOOD-CUTTER'S DAUGHTER.]

The King, Queen, and nobles all strove to catch the butterfly. At
length poor Tom slipped from his seat, and fell into a sweet dish
called white-pot, where he was found, almost drowned. The Queen vowed
he should be punished, and he was secured once more in a mouse-trap,
when the cat, seeing something stir, and supposing it to be a mouse,
patted the trap about till she broke it and set Tom at liberty.

[Illustration]

Soon afterwards a spider, taking poor Tom for a big fly, made a
spring at him. Tom drew his sword and fought valiantly, but the
spider's poisonous breath overcame him.

King Thunstone and his whole court went into mourning for little Tom
Thumb. They buried him under a rose-bush, and raised a nice, white
marble monument over his grave.

[Illustration]