surrounded, strongly tempted me to continue where I was; but then
the thoughts of my absent brother embittered all my peace, and the
advice of my mother came so much across my mind, that I determined
before the next morning I would again venture forth and seek my
fortune and my brother. Accordingly, after having eaten a very
hearty meal, I left the bin, and was attempting to get out of the
stable, when one of the horses being taken suddenly ill, made so
much noise with his kicking and struggling, as to alarm the
family, and the coachman entering with a lantern in his hand, put
me into such consternation, that I ran for shelter into the pocket
of a great coat, which hung up upon a peg next the harness of the
horses. Here I lay snug for some hours, not daring to stir, as I
smelt the footsteps of a cat frequently pass by, and heard the
coachman extol her good qualities to a man who accompanied him
into the stable; saying she was the best mouser in the kingdom.
'I do not believe,' added he, 'I have a mouse in the stable or
loft, she keeps so good a lookout. For the last two days I lent
her to the cook, to put into her pantry, but I have got her back
again, and I would not part with her for a crown; no, not for the
best silver crown that ever was coined in the Tower.' Then,
through a little moth hole in the lining of the coat, I saw him
lift her up, stroke her, and put her upon the back of one of the
horses, where she stretched herself out, and went to sleep.

In this situation I did not dare to stir, I had too often seen how
eager cats are to watch mice, to venture out of the pocket, whilst
she was so near me, especially as I did not at all know the holes
or cracks round the stable, and should, therefore, had she jumped
down, been quite at a loss where to run. So I determined to
continue where I was till either hunger forced me, or the absence