howling of the wind, together with the rattling and shaking of the
trees, all contributed to make such a noise as rendered it
impossible for us to hear whether any danger was approaching us or
not.

In this truly melancholy situation we waded on for a considerable
time, till at length we reached a small house, and very easily
gained admittance through a pretty large hole on one side of the
door. Most heartily did we rejoice at finding ourselves once more
under shelter from the cold and rain, and for some time only
busied ourselves in drying our hair, which was as thoroughly wet
as if we had been served as the boy threatened my brother
Brighteyes, and we had really been drawn through a pond. After we
had done this, and had a little rested ourselves, we began to look
about in search of food, but we could find nothing. except a few
crumbs of bread and cheese in a man's coat pocket, and a piece of
tallow-candle stuck on the top of a tinder-box. This, however,
though not such delicate eating as we had been used to, yet served
to satisfy our present hunger; and we had just finished the candle
when we were greatly alarmed by the sight of a human hand (for we
mice can see a little in the dark) feeling about the very chair on
which we stood. We jumped down in an instant, and hid ourselves
in a little hole behind a black trunk that stood in one corner of
the room.

We then heard very distinctly a man say, 'Betty, did you not put
the candle by the bedside?' 'Yes, that I am very sure I did,'
replied a female voice. 'I thought so,' answered the man; 'but I
am sure it is not here now. Tom! Tom! Tom!' continued he. 'What,
father?' replied a boy, starting up, 'what is the matter?' 'Why,