Animal Heroes_第1章_无广告免费看-丁香书院

　　NotetoReaderAheroisanindividualofunusualgiftsandachievements。
　　Whetheritbemanoranimal，thisdefinitionapplies;anditisthehistoriesofsuchthatappealtotheimaginationandtotheheartsofthosewhohearthem。
　　Inthisvolumeeveryoneofthestories，thoughmoreorlesscomposite，isfoundedontheactuallifeofaveritableanimalhero。ThemostcompositeistheWhiteReindeer。ThisstoryI
　　wrotebyUtrovandinNorwayduringthesummerof1900，whiletheReindeerherdsgrazedinsightonthenearuplands。
　　TheLynxisfoundedonsomeofmyownearlyexperiencesinthebackwoods。
　　Itislessthantenyearssincethe’JackWarhorse’wonhishero—crown。Thousandsof"Kaskadoans"willrememberhim，andbythenameWarhorsehiscoursingexploitsarerecordedinseveraldailypapers。
　　TheleastcompositeisArnaux。Itissonearlyhistoricalthatseveralwhoknewthebirdhavesuppliedadditionalitemsofinformation。
　　ThenestofthedestroyingPeregrines，withitsownersandtheiryoung，isnowtobeseenintheAmericanMuseumofNaturalHistoryofNewYork。TheMuseumauthoritiesinformmethatPigeonbadgeswiththefollowingnumberswerefoundinthenest：9970—S，1696，U。63，77，J。F。52，Ex。705，6—1894，C20900。
　　PerhapssomePigeon—lovermaylearnfromtheselinesthefateofoneorotherwonderfulflierthathaslongbeenrecorded"neverreturned。"
　　THESLUMCAT
　　LIFEI
　　I
　　M—e—a—t！M—e—a—t！"cameshrillingdownScrimper’sAlley。SurelythePiedPiperofHamelinwasthere，foritseemedthatalltheCatsintheneighborhoodwererunningtowardthesound，thoughtheDogs，itmustbeconfessed，lookedscornfullyindifferent。
　　"Meat！Meat！"andlouder;thenthecentreofattractioncameinview——arough，dirtylittlemanwithapush—cart;whilestragglingbehindhimwereascoreofCatsthatjoinedinhiscrywithasoundnearlythesameashisown。Everyfiftyyards，thatis，assoonasagoodlythrongofCatswasgathered，thepush—cartstopped。Themanwiththemagicvoicetookoutoftheboxinhiscartaskeweronwhichwerepiecesofstrong—smellingboiledliver。Withalongstickhepushedthepiecesoff。EachCatseizedonone，andwheeling，withaslightdepressionoftheearsandalittletigergrowlandglare，sherushedawaywithherprizetodevouritinsomesaferetreat。
　　"Meat！Meat！"Andstilltheycametogettheirportions。Allwerewellknowntothemeat—man。TherewasCastiglione’sTiger;thiswasJones’sBlack;herewasPralitsky’s"Torkershell，"andthiswasMadameDanton’sWhite;theresneakedBlenkinshoff’sMaltee，andthatclimbingonthebarrowwasSawyer’soldOrangeBilly，animpudentfraudthatneverhadhadanyfinancialbacking，——alltoberememberedandkeptinaccount。Thisone’sownerwassurepay，adimeaweek;thatone’sdoubtful。TherewasJohnWashee’sCat，thatgotonlyasmallpiecebecauseJohnwasinarrears。Thentherewasthesaloon—keeper’scollaredandribbonedratter，whichgotanextralumpbecausethe’barkeep’wasliberal;andtherounds—man’sCat，thatbroughtnocash，butgotunusualconsiderationbecausethemeat—mandid。Buttherewereothers。A
　　blackCatwithawhitenosecamerushingconfidentlywiththerest，onlytoberepulsedsavagely。Alas！Pussydidnotunderstand。Shehadbeenapensionerofthebarrowformonths。
　　Whythisunkindchange？Itwasbeyondhercomprehension。Butthemeat—manknew。Hermistresshadstoppedpayment。Themeat—mankeptnobooksbuthismemory，anditneverwasatfault。
　　Outsidethispatrician’fourhundred’aboutthebarrow，wereotherCats，keepingawayfromthepush—cartbecausetheywerenotonthelist，theSocialRegisterasitwere，yetfascinatedbytheheavenlysmellandthefaintpossibilityofaccidentalgoodluck。Amongthesehangers—onwasathingraySlummer，ahomelessCatthatlivedbyherwits——slab—sidedandnotover—clean。Onecouldseeataglancethatshewasdoingherdutybyafamilyinsomeout—of—the—waycorner。ShekeptoneeyeonthebarrowcircleandtheotheronthepossibleDogs。
　　ShesawascoreofhappyCatsslinkoffwiththeirdelicious’daily’andtheirtiger—likeair，butnoopeningforher，tillabigTomofherownclasssprangonalittlepensionerwithintenttorob。Thevictimdroppedthemeattodefendherselfagainsttheenemy，andbeforethe’all—powerful’couldintervene，thegraySlummersawherchance，seizedtheprize，andwasgone。
　　ShewentthroughtheholeinMenzie’ssidedoorandoverthewallattheback，thensatdownanddevouredthelumpofliver，lickedherchops，feltabsolutelyhappy，andsetoutbydeviouswaystotherubbish—yard，where，inthebottomofanoldcracker—box，herfamilywasawaitingher。Aplaintivemewingreachedherears。ShewentatspeedandreachedtheboxtoseeahugeBlackTom—catcalmlydestroyingherbrood。Hewastwiceasbigasshe，butshewentathimwithallherstrength，andhedidasmostanimalswilldowhencaughtwrong—doing，heturnedandranaway。Onlyonewasleft，alittlethinglikeitsmother，butofmorepronouncedcolor——graywithblackspots，andawhitetouchonnose，ears，andtail—tip。Therecanbenoquestionofthemother’sgriefforafewdays;butthatworeoff，andallhercarewasforthesurvivor。ThatbenevolencewasasfaraspossiblefromthemotivesofthemurderousoldTomtherecanbenodoubt;butheprovedablessingindeepdisguise，forbothmotherandKitwerevisiblybetteredinashorttime。Thedailyquestforfoodcontinued。Themeat—manrarelyprovedasuccess，buttheash—canswerethere，andiftheydidnotaffordameat—supply，atleasttheyweresuretoproducepotato—skinsthatcouldbeusedtoallaythegripeofhungerforanotherday。
　　OnenightthemotherCatsmeltawonderfulsmellthatcamefromtheEastRiverattheendofthealley。Anewsmellalwaysneedsinvestigating，andwhenitisattractiveaswellasnew，thereisbutonecourseopen。ItledPussytothedocksablockaway，andthenoutonawharf，awayfromanycoverbutthenight。Asuddennoise，agrowlandarush，werethefirstnoticeshehadthatshewascutoffbyheroldenemy，theWharfDog。Therewasonlyoneescape。Sheleapedfromthewharftothevesselfromwhichthesmellcame。TheDogcouldnotfollow，sowhenthefish—boatsailedinthemorningPussyunwillinglywentwithherandwasseennomore。
　　II
　　TheSlumKittenwaitedinvainforhermother。Themorningcameandwent。Shebecameveryhungry。Towardeveningadeep—laidinstinctdroveherforthtoseekfood。Sheslunkoutoftheoldbox，andfeelingherwaysilentlyamongtherubbish，shesmelteverythingthatseemedeatable，butwithoutfindingfood。AtlengthshereachedthewoodenstepsleadingdownintoJapMalee’sbird—storeunderground。Thedoorwasopenalittle。Shewanderedintoaworldofrankandcurioussmellsandanumberoflivingthingsincagesallabouther。Anegrowassittingidlyonaboxinacorner。Hesawthelittlestrangerenterandwatcheditcuriously。ItwanderedpastsomeRabbits。Theypaidnoheed。Itcametoawide—barredcageinwhichwasaFox。Thegentlemanwiththebushytailwasinafarcorner。Hecrouchedlow;hiseyesglowed。TheKittenwandered，sniffing，uptothebars，putitsheadin，sniffedagain，thenmadetowardthefeed—pan，tobeseizedinaflashbythecrouchingFox。Itgaveafrightened"mew，"butasingleshakecutthatshortandwouldhaveendedKitty’sninelivesatonce，hadnotthenegrocometotherescue。
　　Hehadnoweaponandcouldnotgetintothecage，buthespatwithsuchcopiousvigorintheFox’sfacethathedroppedtheKittenandreturnedtothecorner，theretositblinkinghiseyesinsullenfear。
　　ThenegropulledtheKittenout。Theshakeofthebeastofpreyseemedtohavestunnedthevictim，reallytohavesaveditmuchsuffering。TheKittenseemedunharmed，butgiddy。Ittotteredinacircleforatime，thenslowlyrevived，andafewminuteslaterwaspurringinthenegro’slap，apparentlynonetheworse，whenJapMalee，thebird—man，camehome。
　　JapwasnotanOriental;hewasafull—bloodedCockney，buthiseyesweresuchlittleaccidentalslitsaslantinhisround，flatface，thathisfirstnamewasforgotteninthehighlydescriptivetitleof"Jap。"Hewasnotespeciallyunkindtothebirdsandbeastswhosesalesweresupposedtofurnishhisliving，buthiseyewasonthemainchance;heknewwhathewanted。Hedidn’twanttheSlumKitten。
　　Thenegrogaveitallthefooditcouldeat，thencarriedittoadistantblockanddroppeditinaneighboringiron—yard。
　　III
　　Onefullmealisasmuchasanyoneneedsintwoorthreedays，andundertheinfluenceofthisstored—upheatandpower，Kittywasverylively。Shewalkedaroundthepiled—uprubbish，castcuriousglancesonfar—awayCanary—birdsincagesthathungfromhighwindows;shepeepedoverfences，discoveredalargeDog，gotquietlydownagain，andpresentlyfindingashelteredplaceinfullsunlight，shelaydownandsleptforanhour。A
　　slight’sniff’awakenedher，andbeforeherstoodalargeBlackCatwithglowinggreeneyes，andthethickneckandsquarejawsthatdistinguishtheTom;ascarmarkedhischeek，andhisleftearwastorn。Hislookwasfarfromfriendly;hisearsmovedbackwardalittle，histailtwitched，andafaint，deepsoundcamefromhisthroat。TheKitteninnocentlywalkedtowardhim。
　　Shedidnotrememberhim。Herubbedthesidesofhisjawsonapost，andquietly，slowlyturnedanddisappeared。Thelastthatshesawofhimwastheendofhistailtwitchingfromsidetoside;andthelittleSlummerhadnoideathatshehadbeenasneardeathto—day，asshehadbeenwhensheventuredintothefox—cage。
　　AsnightcameontheKittenbegantofeelhungry。Sheexaminedcarefullythelonginvisiblecoloredstreamthatthewindismadeof。Sheselectedthemostinterestingofitsstrands，and，nose—led，followed。Inthecorneroftheiron—yardwasaboxofgarbage。Amongthisshefoundsomethingthatansweredfairlywellforfood;abucketofwaterunderafaucetofferedachancetoquenchherthirst。
　　Thenightwasspentchieflyinprowlingaboutandlearningthemainlinesoftheiron—yard。Thenextdayshepassedasbefore，sleepinginthesun。Thusthetimeworeon。Sometimesshefoundagoodmealatthegarbage—box，sometimestherewasnothing。OnceshefoundthebigBlackTomthere，butdiscreetlywithdrewbeforehesawher。Thewater—bucketwasusuallyatitsplace，or，failingthat，thereweresomemuddylittlepoolsonthestonebelow。Butthegarbage—boxwasveryunreliable。Onceitleftherforthreedayswithoutfood。Shesearchedalongthehighfence，andseeingasmallhole，crawledthroughthatandfoundherselfintheopenstreet。Thiswasanewworld，butbeforeshehadventuredfar，therewasanoisy，rumblingrush——alargeDogcamebounding，andKittyhadbarelytimetorunbackintotheholeinthefence。Shewasdreadfullyhungry，andgladtofindsomeoldpotato—peelings，whichgavealittlerespitefromthehunger—pang。Inthemorningshedidnotsleep，butprowledforfood。SomeSparrowschirrupedintheyard。Theywereoftenthere，butnowtheywereviewedwithneweyes。ThesteadypressureofhungerhadrousedthewildhunterintheKitten;thoseSparrowsweregame——werefood。Shecrouchedinstinctivelyandstalkedfromcovertocover，butthechirperswerealertandflewintime。Notonce，butmanytimes，shetriedwithoutresultexcepttoconfirmtheSparrowsinthelistofthingstobeeatenifobtainable。
　　OnthefifthdayofilllucktheSlumKittyventuredforthintothestreet，desperatelybentonfindingfood。Whenfarfromthehavenholesomesmallboysopenedfireatherwithpiecesofbrick。Sheraninfear。ADogjoinedinthechase，andKitty’spositiongrewperilous;butanold—fashionedironfenceroundahouse—frontwasthere，andsheslippedinbetweentherailsastheDogovertookher。AwomaninawindowaboveshoutedattheDog。Thentheboysdroppedapieceofcat—meatdowntotheunfortunate;andKittyhadthemostdeliciousmealofherlife。
　　Thestoopaffordedarefuge。Underthisshesatpatientlytillnightfallcamewithquiet，thensneakedbacklikeashadowtoheroldiron—yard。
　　Thusthedayswentbyfortwomonths。Shegrewinsizeandstrengthandinanintimateknowledgeoftheimmediateneighborhood。ShemadetheacquaintanceofDowneyStreet，wherelongrowsofash—cansweretobeseeneverymorning。Sheformedherownideasoftheirproprietors。Thebighousewastoher，notaRomanCatholicmission，butaplacewhosegarbage—tinsaboundedinchoicestfishscrapings。Shesoonmadetheacquaintanceofthemeat—man，andjoinedintheshyfringeofCatsthatformedtheoutercircle。ShealsomettheWharfDogaswellastwoorthreeotherhorrorsofthesameclass。Sheknewwhattoexpectofthemandhowtoavoidthem;andshewashappyinbeingtheinventorofanewindustry。ManythousandCatshavedoubtlesshung，inhope，aboutthetemptingmilk—cansthattheearlymilk—manleavesonstepsandwindow—ledges，anditwasbythemerestaccidentthatKittyfoundonewithabrokenlid，andsowastaughttoraiseitandhaveasatisfyingdrink。Bottles，ofcourse，werebeyondher，butmanyacanhasamisfitlid，andKittywasverypainstakinginhereffortstodiscovertheloose—jointedones。Finallysheextendedherrangebyexplorationtillsheachievedtheheartofthenextblock，andfarther，tilloncemoreamongthebarrelsandboxesoftheyardbehindthebird—man’scellar。
　　Theoldiron—yardneverhadbeenhome，shehadalwaysfeltlikeastrangerthere;buthereshehadasenseofownership，andatonceresentedthepresenceofanothersmallCat。Sheapproachedthisnewcomerwiththreateningair。Thetwohadgotasfarassnarlingandspittingwhenabucketofwaterfromanupperwindowdrenchedthembothandeffectuallycooledtheirwrath。Theyfled，thenewcomeroverthewall，SlumKittyundertheveryboxwhereshehadbeenborn。Thiswholebackregionappealedtoherstrongly，andhereagainshetookupherabode。Theyardhadnomoregarbagefoodthantheotherandnowateratall，butitwasfrequentedbystrayRatsandafewMiceofthefinestquality;
　　thesewereoccasionallysecured，andaffordednotonlyapalatablemeal，butwerethecauseofherwinningafriend。
　　IV
　　Kittywasnowfullygrown。Shewasastriking—lookingCatofthetigertype。Hermarkswereblackonaverypalegray，andthefourbeauty—spotsofwhiteonnose，ears，andtail—tiplentacertaindistinction。Shewasveryexpertatgettingaliving，andyetshehadsomedaysofstarvationandfailedinherambitionofcatchingaSparrow。Shewasquitealone，butanewforcewascomingintoherlife。
　　ShewaslyinginthesunoneAugustday，whenalargeBlackCatcamewalkingalongthetopofawallinherdirection。Sherecognizedhimatoncebyhistornear。Sheslunkintoherboxandhid。Hepickedhiswaygingerly，boundedlightlytoashedthatwasattheendoftheyard，andwascrossingtheroofwhenaYellowCatroseup。TheBlackTornglaredandgrowled，sodidtheYellowTom。Theirtailslashedfromsidetoside。Strongthroatsgrowledandyowled。Theyapproachedeachotherwithearslaidback，withmusclesa—tense。
　　"Yow—yow—ow！"saidtheBlackOne。
　　"Wow—w—w！"wastheslightlydeeperanswer。
　　"Ya—wow—wow—wow！"saidtheBlackOne，edginguphalfaninchnearer。
　　"Yow—w—w！"wastheYellowanswer，astheblondCatrosetofullheightandsteppedwithvastdignityawholeinchforward。
　　"Yow—w！"andhewentanotherinch，whilehistailwentswish，thump，fromonesidetotheother。
　　"Ya—wow—yow—w！"screamedtheBlackinarisingtone，andhebackedtheeighthofaninch，ashemarkedthebroad，unshrinkingbreastbeforehim。
　　Windowsopenedallaround，humanvoiceswereheard，buttheCatscenewenton。
　　"Yow—yow—ow！"rumbledtheYellowPeril，hisvoicedeepeningastheother’srose。
　　"Yow！"andheadvancedanotherstep。
　　Nowtheirnoseswerebutthreeinchesapart;theystoodsidewise，bothreadytoclinch，buteachwaitingfortheother。Theyglaredforthreeminutesinsilenceandlikestatues，exceptthateachtail—tipwastwisting。
　　TheYellowbeganagain。"Yow—ow—ow！"indeeptone。
　　"Ya—a—a——a—a！"screamedtheBlack，withintenttostriketerrorbyhisyell;butheretreatedonesixteenthofaninch。TheYellowwalkedupalonghalf—inch;theirwhiskersweremixingnow;anotheradvance，andtheirnosesalmosttouched。
　　"Yo—w—w！"saidYellow，likeadeepmoan。
　　"Y—a—a—a—a—a—a！"screamedtheBlack，butheretreatedathirty—secondofaninch，andtheYellowWarriorclosedandclinchedlikeademon。
　　Oh，howtheyrolledandbitandtore，especiallytheYellowOne！
　　Howtheypitchedandgrippedandhugged，butespeciallytheYellowOne！
　　Overandover，sometimesoneontop，sometimesanother，butmostlytheYellowOne;andfarthertilltheyrolledofftheroof，amidcheersfromallthewindows。Theylostnotasecondinthatfalltothejunk—yard;theytoreandclawedallthewaydown，butespeciallytheYellowOne。Andwhentheystrucktheground，stillfighting，theoneontopwaschieflytheYellowOne;andbeforetheyseparatedbothhadhadasmuchastheywanted，especiallytheBlackOne！Hescaledawalland，bleedingandgrowling，disappeared，whilethenewswaspassedfromwindowtowindowthatCayley’sNighadbeenlickedatlastbyOrangeBilly。
　　EithertheYellowCatwasaverycleverseeker，orelseSlumKittydidnothideveryhard;buthediscoveredheramongtheboxes，andshemadenoattempttogetaway，probablybecauseshehadwitnessedthefight。Thereisnothinglikesuccessinwarfaretowinthefemaleheart，andthereaftertheYellowTomandKittybecameverygoodfriends，notsharingeachother’slivesorfood，——Catsdonotdothatwaymuch，——butrecognizingeachotherasentitledtospecialfriendlyprivileges。
　　V
　　Septemberhadgone。October’sshorteningdayswereonwhenaneventtookplaceintheoldcracker—box。IfOrangeBillyhadcomehewouldhaveseenfivelittleKittenscurledupintheembraceoftheirmother，thelittleSlumCat。Itwasawonderfulthingforher。Shefeltalltheelationananimalmothercanfeel，allthedelight，andshelovedthemandlickedthemwithatendernessthatmusthavebeenasurprisetoherself，hadshehadthepowertothinkofsuchthings。
　　Shehadaddedajoytoherjoylesslife，butshehadalsoaddedacareandaheavyweighttoherheavyload。Allherstrengthwastakennowtofindfood。Theburdenincreasedastheoffspringgrewupbigenoughtoscrambleabouttheboxes，whichtheydiddailyduringherabsenceaftertheyweresixweeksold。Thattroublesgoinflocksandluckinstreaks，iswellknowninSlumland。KittyhadhadthreeencounterswithDogs，andhadbeenstonedbyMalee’snegroduringatwodays’starve。Thenthetideturned。Theverynextmorningshefoundafullmilk—canwithoutalid，successfullyrobbedabarrowpensioner，andfoundabigfish—head，allwithintwohours。Shehadjustreturnedwiththatperfectpeacewhichcomesonlyofafullstomach，whenshesawalittlebrowncreatureinherjunk—yard。Huntingmemoriescamebackinstrength;shedidn’tknowwhatitwas，butshehadkilledandeatenseveralMice，andthiswasevidentlyabigMousewithbob—tailandlargeears。Kittystalkeditwithelaboratebutunnecessarycaution;thelittleRabbitsimplysatupandlookedfaintlyamused。Hedidnottrytorun，andKittysprangonhimandborehimoff。Asshewasnothungry，shecarriedhimtothecracker—boxanddroppedhimamongtheKittens。Hewasnotmuchhurt。Hegotoverhisfright，andsincehecouldnotgetoutofthebox，hesnuggledamongtheKittens，andwhentheybegantotaketheireveningmealheverysoondecidedtojointhem。TheoldCatwaspuzzled。Thehunterinstincthadbeendominant，butabsenceofhungerhadsavedtheRabbitandgiventhematernalinstinctachancetoappear。TheresultwasthattheRabbitbecameamemberofthefamily，andwasthenceforthguardedandfedwiththeKittens。
　　Twoweekswentby。TheKittensrompedmuchamongtheboxesduringtheirmother’sabsence。TheRabbitcouldnotgetoutofthebox。
　　JapMalee，seeingtheKittensaboutthebackyard，toldthenegrotoshootthem。Thishewasdoingonemorningwitha22—calibrerifle。Hehadshotoneafteranotherandseenthemdropfromsightintothecranniesofthelumber—pile，whentheoldCatcamerunningalongthewallfromthedock，carryingasmallWharfRat。
　　Hehadbeenreadytoshoother，too，butthesightofthatRatchangedhisplans：arat—catchingCatwasworthytolive。Ithappenedtobetheveryfirstoneshehadevercaught，butitsavedherlife。Shethreadedthelumber—mazetothecracker—boxandwasprobablypuzzledtofindthattherewerenoKittenstocomeathercall，andtheRabbitwouldnotpartakeoftheRat。
　　PussycurleduptonursetheRabbit，butshecalledfromtimetotimetosummontheKittens。Guidedbythatcall，thenegrocrawledquietlytotheplace，andpeeringdownintothecracker—box，saw，tohisintensesurprise，thatitcontainedtheoldCat，aliveRabbit，andadeadRat。
　　ThemotherCatlaidbackherearsandsnarled。Thenegrowithdrew，butaminutelateraboardwasdroppedontheopeningofthecracker—box，andthedenwithitstenants，deadandalive，wasliftedintothebird—cellar。
　　"Say，boss，looka—hyar——hyar’swheredelittleRabbitgottowotwelost。Yo’shot’oughtAhstoledhimforde’tater—bake。"
　　KittyandBunnywerecarefullyputinalargewirecageandexhibitedasahappyfamilytillafewdayslater，whentheRabbittooksickanddied。
　　Pussyhadneverbeenhappyinthecage。Shehadenoughtoeatanddrink，butshecravedherfreedom——wouldlikelyhavegotten’deathorliberty’
　　now，butthatduringthefourdays’captivityshehadsocleanedandslickedherfurthatherunusualcoloringwasseen，andJapdecidedtokeepher。
　　LIFEII
　　VI
　　JapMaleewasasdisreputablealittleCockneybantamaseversoldcheapCanary—birdsinacellar。Hewasextremelypoor，andthenegrolivedwithhimbecausethe’Henglish—man’waswillingtosharebedandboard，andotherwiseadmitaperfectequalitythatfewAmericansconceded。Japwasperfectlyhonestaccordingtohislights，buthehadn’tanylights;anditwaswellknownthathischiefrevenuewasderivedfromstoringandrestoringstolenDogsandCats。Thehalf—dozenCanariesweremereblinds。
　　YetJapbelievedinhimself。"Hitellyou，Sammy，meboy，you’llseemewith’orsesofmyownyet，"hewouldsay，whensometriflingsuccessinflatedhisdirtylittlechest。Hewasnotwithoutambition，inaweak，flabby，once—in—a—whileway，andhesometimeswishedtobeknownasafancier。Indeed，hehadoncegonethewildlengthofofferingaCatforexhibitionattheKnickerbockerHighSocietyCatandPetShow，withthreenotover—clearobjects：first，togratifyhisambition;second，tosecuretheexhibitor’sfreepass;and，third，"well，youkneow，one’astokneowthevaluableCats，youkneow，whenonegoesa—catting。"Butthiswasasocietyshow，theexhibitorhadtobeintroduced，andhismiserableallegedhalf—Persianwasscornfullyrejected。The’LostandFound’columnsofthepapersweretheonlyonesofinteresttoJap，buthehadnoticedandsavedaclippingabout’breedingforfur。’Thiswasstuckonthewallofhisden，andunderitsinfluencehesetaboutwhatseemedacruelexperimentwiththeSlumCat。First，hesoakedherdirtyfurwithstufftokillthetwoorthreekindsofcreepersshewore;and，whenithaddoneitswork，hewashedherthoroughlyinsoapandwarmwater，inspiteofherteeth，claws，andyowls。Kittywassavagelyindignant，butawarmandhappyglowspreadoverherasshedriedoffinacagenearthestove，andherfurbegantofluffoutwithwonderfulsoftnessandwhiteness。Japandhisassistantweremuchpleasedwiththeresult，andKittyoughttohavebeen。Butthiswaspreparatory：nowfortheexperiment。
　　"Nothingissogoodforgrowingfurasplentyofoilyfoodandcontinuedexposuretocoldweather，"saidtheclipping。Winterwasathand，andJapMaleeputKitty’scageoutintheyard，protectedonlyfromtherainandthedirectwind，andfedherwithalltheoil—cakeandfish—headsshecouldeat。Inaweekachangebegantoshow。Shewasrapidlygettingfatandsleek——shehadnothingtodobutgetfatanddressherfur。Hercagewaskeptclean，andnaturerespondedtothechillweatherandtheoilyfoodbymakingKitty’scoatthickerandglossiereveryday，sothatbymidwintershewasanunusuallybeautifulCatinthefullestandfinestoffur，withmarkingsthatwereatleastararity。Japwasmuchpleasedwiththeresultoftheexperiment，andasaverylittlesuccesshadawonderfuleffectonhim，hebegantodreamofthepathsofglory。WhynotsendtheSlumCattotheshownowcomingon？Thefailureoftheyearbeforemadehimmorecarefulastodetails。"’Twon’tdo，yekneow，Sammy，tohenter’erasatrampCat，yekneow，"heobservedtohishelp;
　　"butitkinbearrangedtosuittheKnickerbockers。Nothinklikeagoodnoime，yekneow。Yeseenowithadorterbe’Royal’
　　somethinkorother——nothinkgoeswiththeKnickerbockerslike’Royal’anythink。Now’RoyalDick，’or’RoyalSam，’’ow’sthat？
　　But’owldon;them’sTomnames。Oisay，Sammy，wot’sthenoimeofthatislandwhereyewuzborn？"
　　"AnalostanIsland，sah，wasmynativevicinity，sah。"
　　"Oisay，now，that’sgood，yekneow。’RoyalAnalostan，’byJove！
　　Theonliestpedigreed’RoyalAnalostan’inthe’olesheow，yekneow。Ain’tthatfoine？"andtheymingledtheircackles。
　　"Butwe’ll’aveto’aveapedigree，yekneow。"Soaverylongfakepedigreeontherecognizedlineswasprepared。OnedarkafternoonSam，inaborrowedsilkhat，deliveredtheCatandthepedigreeattheshowdoor。Thedarkeydidthehonors。HehadbeenaSixthAvenuebarber，andhecouldputonmorepompandloftyhauteurinfiveminutesthanJapMaleecouldhavedisplayedinalifetime，andthis，doubtless，wasonereasonfortherespectfulreceptionawardedtheRoyalAnalostanattheCatShow。
　　Japwasveryproudtobeanexhibitor;buthehadallaCockney’sreverencefortheupperclass，andwhenontheopeningdayhewenttothedoor，hewasoverpoweredtoseethearrayofcarriagesandsilkhats。Thegate—manlookedathimsharply，butpassedhimonhisticket，doubtlesstakinghimforstable—boytosomeexhibitor。Thehallhadvelvetcarpetsbeforethelongrowsofcages。Jap，inhissmallcunning，wassneakingdownthesiderows，glancingattheCatsofallkinds，notingtheblueribbonsandthereds，peeringaboutbutnotdaringtoaskforhisownexhibit，inlytremblingtothinkwhatthegorgeousgatheringoffashionwouldsayiftheydiscoveredthetrickhewasplayingonthem。Hehadpassedallaroundtheouteraislesandseenmanyprize—winners，butnosignofSlumKitty。Theinneraislesweremorecrowded。Hepickedhiswaydownthem，butstillnoKitty，andhedecidedthatitwasamistake;thejudgeshadrejectedtheCatlater。Nevermind;hehadhisexhibitor’sticket，andnowknewwhereseveralvaluablePersiansandAngorasweretobefound。
　　Inthemiddleofthecentreaislewerethehigh—classCats。A
　　greatthrongwasthere。Thepassagewasroped，andtwopolicemenwereinplacetokeepthecrowdmoving。Japwriggledinamongthem;hewastooshorttoseeover，andthoughtherichlygownedfolksshrunkfromhisshabbyoldclothes，hecouldnotgetnear;
　　buthegatheredfromtheremarksthatthegemoftheshowwasthere。
　　"Oh，isn’tsheabeauty！"saidonetallwoman。
　　"Whatdistinction！"wasthereply。
　　"Onecannotmistaketheairthatcomesonlyfromagesofthemostrefinedsurroundings。"
　　"HowIshouldliketoownthatsuperbcreature！"
　　"Suchdignity——suchrepose！"
　　"ShehasanauthenticpedigreenearlybacktothePharaohs，I
　　hear";andpoor，dirtylittleJapmarvelledathisowncheekinsendinghisSlumCatintosuchcompany。
　　"Excuseme，madame。"Thedirectoroftheshownowappeared，edginghiswaythroughthecrowd。"Theartistofthe’sportingElement’ishere，underorderstosketchthe’pearloftheshow’
　　forimmediateuse。MayIaskyoutostandalittleaside？That’sit;thankyou。
　　"Oh，Mr。Director，cannotyoupersuadehimtosellthatbeautifulcreature？"
　　"Hm，Idon’tknow，"wasthereply。"Iunderstandheisamanofamplemeansandnotatallapproachable;butI’11try，I’lltry，madame。Hewasquiteunwillingtoexhibithistreasureatall，soIunderstandfromhisbutler。Here，you，keepoutoftheway，"growledthedirector，astheshabbylittlemaneagerlypushedbetweentheartistandtheblue—bloodedCat。ButthedisreputableonewantedtoknowwherevaluableCatsweretobefound。Hecamenearenoughtogetaglimpseofthecage，andtherereadaplacardwhichannouncedthat"TheblueribbonandgoldmedaloftheKnickerbockerHighSocietyCatandPetShow"hadbeenawardedtothe"thoroughbred，pedigreedRoyalAnalostan，importedandexhibitedbyJ。Malee，Esq。，thewell—knownfancier。（Notforsale。）"Japcaughthisbreathandstaredagain。Yes，surely;
　　there，highinagildedcage，onvelvetcushions，withfourpolicemenforguards，herfurbrightblackandpalegray，herbluisheyesslightlyclosed，washisSlumKitty，lookingthepictureofaCatboredtodeathwithalotoffussthatshelikesaslittleassheunderstandsit。
　　VII
　　JapMaleelingeredaroundthatcage，takingintheremarks，forhours——drinkingadraughtofglorysuchashehadneverknowninlifebeforeandrarelyglimpsedinhisdreams。Buthesawthatitwouldbewiseforhimtoremainunknown;his"butler"mustdoallthebusiness。
　　ItwasSlumKittywhomadethatshowasuccess。Eachdayhervaluewentupinherowner’seyes。HedidnotknowwhatpriceshadbeengivenforCats，andthoughtthathewastouchingarecordpitchwhenhis"butler"gavethedirectorauthoritytoselltheAnalostanforonehundreddollars。
　　ThisishowitcameaboutthattheSlumCatfoundherselftransferredfromtheshowtoaFifthAvenuemansion。Sheevincedamostunaccountablewildnessatfirst。Herobjectiontopetting，however，wasexplainedonthegroundofheraristocraticdislikeoffamiliarity。HerretreatfromtheLap—dogontothecentreofthedinner—tablewasunderstoodtoexpressadeep—rootedthoughmistakenideaofavoidingadefilingtouch。HerassaultsonapetCanarywerecondonedforthereasonthatinhernativeOrientshehadbeenusedtodespoticexample。Thepatricianwayinwhichshewouldgetthecoveroffamilk—canwasespeciallyapplauded。Herdislikeofhersilk—linedbasket，andherfrequentdashesagainsttheplate—glasswindows，wereeasilyunderstood：thebasketwastooplain，andplate—glasswasnotusedinherroyalhome。HerspottingofthecarpetevidencedherEasternmodesofthought。
　　ThefailureofherseveralattemptstocatchSparrowsinthehigh—walledbackyardwasnewproofoftheroyalimpotencyofherbringingup;whileherfrequentwallowingsinthegarbage—canwereunderstoodtobethemanifestationofalittlepardonablehigh—borneccentricity。Shewasfedandpampered，shownandpraised;butshewasnothappy。Kittywashomesick！Sheclawedatthatblueribbonroundhernecktillshegotitoff;shejumpedagainsttheplate—glassbecausethatseemedtheroadtooutside;
　　sheavoidedpeopleandDogsbecausetheyhadalwaysprovedhostileandcruel;andshewouldsitandgazeontheroofsandbackyardsattheothersideofthewindow，wishingshecouldbeamongthemforachange。
　　Butshewasstrictlywatched，wasneverallowedoutside——sothatallthehappygarbage—canmomentsoccurredwhilethesereceptaclesofjoywereindoors。OnenightinMarch，however，astheyweresetouta—rowfortheearlyscavenger，theRoyalAnalostansawherchance，slippedoutofthedoor，andwaslosttoview。
　　Ofcoursetherewasagrandstir;butPussyneitherknewnorcaredanythingaboutthat——heronethoughtwastogohome。ItmayhavebeenchancethattookherbackinthedirectionofGramercyGrangeHill，butshedidarrivethereaftersundrysmalladventures。Andnowwhat？Shewasnotathome，andshehadcutoffherliving。Shewasbeginningtobehungry，andyetshehadapeculiarsenseofhappiness。Shecoweredinafrontgardenforsometime。Araweastwindhadbeenrising，andnowitcametoherwithaparticularlyfriendlymessage;manwouldhavecalleditanunpleasantsmellofthedocks，buttoPussyitwaswelcometidingsfromhome。ShetrotteddownthelongStreetdueeast，threadingtherailsoffrontgardens，stoppinglikeastatueforaninstant，orcrossingthestreetinsearchofthedarkestside，andcameatlengthtothedocksandtothewater。Buttheplacewasstrange。Shecouldgonorthorsouth。Somethingturnedhersouthward;and，dodgingamongdocksandDogs，cartsandCats，crookedarmsofthebayandstraightboardfences，shegot，inanhourortwo，amongfamiliarscenesandsmells;and，beforethesuncameup，shehadcrawledback—wearyandfoot—sorethroughthesameoldholeinthesameoldfenceandoverawalltoherjunk—yardbackofthebird—cellar——yes，backintotheverycracker—boxwhereshewasborn。
　　Oh，iftheFifthAvenuefamilycouldonlyhaveseenherinhernativeOrient！
　　Afteralongrestshecamequietlydownfromthecracker—boxtowardthestepsleadingtothecellar，engagedinherold—timepursuitofseekingforeatables。Thedooropened，andtherestoodthenegro。Heshoutedtothebird—maninside：
　　"Say，boss，comehyar。Efdereain’tdatdarRoyalAnkalostanamcomedback！"
　　JapcameintimetoseetheCatjumpingthewall。Theycalledloudlyandinthemostseductive，wheedlingtones："Pussy，Pussy，poorPussy！Come，Pussy！"ButPussywasnotprepossessedintheirfavor，anddisappearedtoforageinherold—timehaunts。
　　TheRoyalAnalostanhadbeenawindfallforJap——hadbeenthemeansofaddingmanycomfortstothecellarandseveralprisonerstothecages。Itwasnowoftheutmostimportancetorecapturehermajesty。Stalemeat—offalandotherinfalliblelureswereputouttillPussy，urgedbythereestablishedhunger—pinch，creptuptoalargefish—headinabox—trap;thenegro，inwatching，pulledthestringthatdroppedthelid，and，aminutelater，theAnalostanwasoncemoreamongtheprisonersinthecellar。
　　MeanwhileJaphadbeenwatchingthe’LostandFound’column。
　　Thereitwas，"$25reward，"etc。ThatnightMr。Malee’sbutlercalledattheFifthAvenuemansionwiththemissingcat。"Mr。
　　Malee’scompliments，sah。DeRoyalAnalostanhadrecurredinherrecentproprietor’svicinityandresidence，sah。Mr。MaleehadpleasureinrecuperatingtheRoyalAnalostan，sah。"OfcourseMr。
　　Maleecouldnotberewarded，butthebutlerwasopentoanyoffer，andplainlyshowedthatheexpectedthepromisedrewardandsomethingmore。
　　Kittywasguardedverycarefullyafterthat;butsofarfrombeingdisgustedwiththeoldlifeofstarving，andgladofherease，shebecamewilderandmoredissatisfied。
　　VIII
　　ThespringwasdoingitsNewYorkbest。ThedirtylittleEnglishSparrowsweretumblingovereachotherintheirgutterbrawls，Catsyowledallnightintheareas，andtheFifthAvenuefamilywerethinkingoftheircountryresidence。Theypackedup，closedhouseandmovedofftotheirsummerhome，somefiftymilesaway，andPussy，inabasket，wentwiththem。
　　"Justwhatsheneeded：achangeofairandscenetoweanherawayfromherformerownersandmakeherhappy。"
　　ThebasketwasliftedintoaRumble—shaker。Newsoundsandpassingsmellswereenteredandleft。Aturninthecoursewasmade。Thenaroaringofmanyfeet，moreswingingofthebasket;ashortpause，anotherchangeofdirection，thensomeclicks，somebangs，alongshrillwhistle，anddoor—bellsofaverybigfrontdoor;arumbling，awhizzing，anunpleasantsmell，ahideoussmell，agrowinghorrible，hatefulchokingsmell，adeadly，griping，poisonousstench，withroaringthatdrownedpoorKitty’syowls，andjustasitnearedthepointwhereenduranceceased，therewasrelief。Sheheardclicksandclacks。Therewaslight;
　　therewasair。Thenaman’svoicecalled，"Alloutfor125thStreet，"thoughofcoursetoKittyitwasamerehumanbellow。
　　Theroaringalmostceased——didcease。Latertherackety—bangwasrenewedwithplentyofsoundsandshakes，thoughnotthepoisonousgas;along，hollow，boomingroarwithapleasantdocksmellwasquicklypassed，andthentherewasasuccessionofjolts，roars，jars，stops，clicks，clacks，smells，jumps，shakes，moresmells，moreshakes，——bigshakes，littleshakes，——gases，smokes，screeches，door—bells，tremblings，roars，thunders，andsomenewsmells，raps，taps，heavings，rumblings，andmoresmells，butallwithoutanyofthefeelthatthedirectionischanged。Whenatlastitstopped，thesuncametwinklingthroughthebasket—lid。TheRoyalCatwasliftedintoaRumble—shakeroftheoldfamiliarstyle，and，swervingasidefromtheirpastcourse，verysoonthenoisesofitswheelsweregrittingsandrattlings;anewandhorriblesoundwasadded——thebarkingofDogs，bigandlittleanddreadfullyclose。Thebasketwaslifted，andSlumKittyhadreachedhercountryhome。
　　Everyonewasofficiouslykind。TheywantedtopleasetheRoyalCat，butsomehownoneofthemdid，except，possibly，thebig，fatcookthatKittydiscoveredonwanderingintothekitchen。Thisunctuouspersonsmeltmorelikeaslumthananythingshehadmetformonths，andtheRoyalAnalostanwasproportionatelyattracted。Thecook，whenshelearnedthatfearswereentertainedabouttheCatstaying，said："Shure，she’d’tindtothot;wanstaCatlicksherfuts，shureshe’sathome。"Soshedeftlycaughttheunapproachableroyaltyinherapron，andcommittedthehorriblesacrilegeofgreasingthesolesofherfeetwithpot—grease。OfcourseKittyresentedit——sheresentedeverythingintheplace;butonbeingsetdownshebegantodressherpawsandfoundevidentsatisfactioninthatgrease。Shelickedallfourfeetforanhour，andthecooktriumphantlyannouncedthatnow"shureshe’dbeapttoshtay。"Andstayshedid，butsheshowedamostsurprisinganddisgustingpreferenceforthekitchen，thecook，andthegarbage—pail。
　　Thefamily，thoughdistressedbythesedistinguishedpeculiarities，weregladtoseetheRoyalAnalostanmorecontentedandapproachable。Theygavehermorelibertyafteraweekortwo。Theyguardedherfromeverymenace。TheDogsweretaughttorespecther。NomanorboyabouttheplacewouldhavedreamedofthrowingastoneatthefamouspedigreedCat。Shehadallthefoodshewanted，butstillshewasnothappy。Shewashankeringformanythings，shescarcelyknewwhat。Shehadeverything——yes，butshewantedsomethingelse。Plentytoeatanddrink——yes，butmilkdoesnottastethesamewhenyoucangoanddrinkallyouwantfromasaucer;ithastobestolenoutofatinpailwhenyouarebelly—pinchedwithhungerandthirst，oritdoesnothavethetang——itisn’tmilk。
　　Yes，therewasajunk—yardbackofthehouseandbesideitandaroundittoo，abigone，butitwaseverywherepoisonedandpollutedwithroses。TheveryHorsesandDogshadthewrongsmells;thewholecountryroundwasarepellentdesertoflifeless，disgustinggardensandhay—fields，withoutasingletenementorsmoke—stackinsight。Howshedidhateitall！Therewasonlyonesweet—smellingshrubinthewholehorribleplace，andthatwasinaneglectedcorner。Shedidenjoynippingthatandrollingintheleaves;itwasabrightspotinthegrounds;
　　buttheonlyone，forshehadnotfoundarottenfish—headnorseenagenuinegarbage—cansinceshecame，andaltogetheritwasthemostunlovely，unattractive，unsmellablespotshehadeverknown。Shewouldsurelyhavegonethatfirstnighthadshehadtheliberty。Thelibertywasweeksincoming，and，meanwhile，heraffinitywiththecookhaddevelopedasabondtokeepher;butonedayafterasummerofdiscontentasuccessionofthingshappenedtostiranewthesluminstinctoftheroyalprisoner。
　　Agreatbundleofstufffromthedockshadreachedthecountrymansion。Whatitcontainedwasoflittlemoment，butitwasrichwithascoreofthemostpiquantandwinsomeofdockandslumsmells。Thechordsofmemorysurelydwellinthenose，andPussy’spastwasconjuredupwithdangerousforce。Nextdaythecook’left’throughsometroubleoverthisverybundle。Itwasthecuttingofcables，andthateveningtheyoungestboyofthehouse，ahorridlittleAmericanwithnoproperappreciationofroyalty，wastyingatintotheblue—bloodedone’stail，doubtlessinfurtheranceofsomealtruisticproject，whenPussyresentedthelibertywithapawthatworefivebigfish—hooksfortheoccasion。ThehowlofdowntroddenAmericarousedAmerica’smother。Thedeftandwomanlyblowthatsheaimedwithherbookwasmiraculouslyavoided，andPussytookflight，up—stairs，ofcourse。AhuntedRatrunsdown—stairs，ahuntedDoggoesonthelevel，ahuntedCatrunsup。Shehidinthegarret，baffleddiscovery，andwaitedtillnightcame。Then，glidingdown—stairs，shetriedeachscreen—doorinturn，tillshefoundoneunlatched，andescapedintotheblackAugustnight。Pitch—blacktoman’seyes，itwassimplygraytoher，andsheglidedthroughthedisgustingshrubberyandflower—beds，tookafinalnipatthatonelittlebushthathadbeenanattractivespotinthegarden，andboldlytookherbacktrackofthespring。
　　Howcouldshetakeabacktrackthatsheneversaw？Thereisinallanimalssomesenseofdirection。ItisverylowinmanandveryhighinHorses，butCatshavealargegift，andthismysteriousguidetookherwestward，notclearlyanddefinitely，butwithageneralimpulsethatwasmadedefinitesimplybecausetheroadwaseasytotravel。InanhourshehadcoveredtwomilesandreachedtheHudsonRiver。Hernosehadtoldhermanytimesthatthecoursewastrue。Smellaftersmellcameback，justasamanafterwalkingamileinastrangestreetmaynotrecallasinglefeature，butwillremember，onseeingitagain，"Why，yes，Isawthatbefore。"SoKitty’smainguidewasthesenseofdirection，butitwashernosethatkeptreassuringher，"Yes，nowyouareright——wepassedthisplacelastspring。"
　　Attheriverwastherailroad。Shecouldnotgoonthewater;shemustgonorthorsouth。Thiswasacasewherehersenseofdirectionwasclear;itsaid，"Gosouth，"andKittytrotteddownthefoot—pathbetweentheironrailsandthefence。
　　LIFEIII
　　IX
　　Catscangoveryfastupatreeoroverawall，butwhenitcomestothelongsteadytrotthatreelsoffmileaftermile，hourafterhour，itisnotthecat—hop，butthedog—trot，thatcounts。Althoughthetravellingwasgoodandthepathdirect，anhourhadgonebeforetwomoremileswereputbetweenherandtheHadesofroses。Shewastiredandalittlefoot—sore。ShewasthinkingofrestwhenaDogcamerunningtothefencenearby，andbrokeoutintosuchahorriblebarkingclosetoherearthatPussyleapedinterror。Sheranashardasshecoulddownthepath，atthesametimewatchingtoseeiftheDogshouldsucceedinpassingthefence。No，notyet！butheranclosebyit，growlinghorribly，whilePussyskippedalongonthesafeside。
　　ThebarkingoftheDoggrewintoalowrumble——alouderrumbleandroaring——aterrifyingthunder。Alightshone。Kittyglancedbacktosee，nottheDog，butahugeBlackThingwithablazingredeyecomingon，yowlingandspittinglikeayardfullofCats。
　　Sheputforthallherpowerstorun，madesuchtimeasshehadnevermadebefore，butdarednotleapthefence。ShewasrunninglikeaDog，wasflying，butallinvain;themonstrouspursuerovertookher，butmissedherinthedarkness，andhurriedpasttobelostinthenight，whileKittycrouchedgaspingforbreath，halfamilenearerhomesincethatDogbegantobark。
　　Thiswasherfirstencounterwiththestrangemonster，strangetohereyesonly;hernoseseemedtoknowhimandtoldherthiswasanotherlandmarkonthehometrail。ButPussylostmuchofherfearofhiskind。Shelearnedthattheywereverystupidandcouldnotfindherifsheslippedquietlyunderafenceandlaystill。Beforemorningshehadencounteredseveralofthem，butescapedunharmedfromall。
　　Aboutsunriseshereachedanicelittleslumonherhometrail，andwasluckyenoughtofindseveralunsterilizedeatablesinanash—heap。ShespentthedayaroundastablewhereweretwoDogsandanumberofsmallboys，thatbetweenthemcamenearendinghercareer。Itwassoverylikehome;butshehadnoideaofstayingthere。Shewasdrivenbytheoldcraving，andnexteveningsetoutasbefore。Shehadseentheone—eyedThunder—rollersalldaygoingby，andwasgettingusedtothem，sotravelledsteadilyallthatnight。ThenextdaywasspentinabarnwhereshecaughtaMouse，andthenextnightwaslikethelast，exceptthataDogsheencountereddroveherbackwardonhertrailforalongway。Severaltimesshewasmisledbyanglingroads，andwanderedfarastray，butintimeshewanderedbackagaintohergeneralsouthwardcourse。ThedayswerepassedinskulkingunderbarnsandhidingfromDogsandsmallboys，andthenightsinlimpingalongthetrack，forshewasgettingfoot—sore;
　　butonshewent，mileaftermile，southward，eversouthward——Dogs，boys，Roarers，hunger——Dogs，boys，Roarers，hunger——yetonandonwardstillshewent，andhernosefromtimetotimecheeredherbyconfidentlyreporting，"Theresurelyisasmellwepassedlastspring。"
　　X
　　Soaweekwentby，andPussy，dirty，ribbon—less，foot—sore，andweary，arrivedattheHarlemBridge。Thoughitwasenvelopedindelicioussmells，shedidnotlikethelookofthatbridge。Forhalfthenightshewanderedupanddowntheshorewithoutdiscoveringanyothermeansofgoingsouth，exceptingsomeotherbridges，oranythingofinterestexceptthatherethemenwereasdangerousastheboys。Somehowshehadtocomebacktoit;notonlyitssmellswerefamiliar，butfromtimetotime，whenaOne—eyeranoverit，therewasthatpeculiarrumblingroarthatwasasensationinthespringtimetrip。Thecalmofthelatenightwasabroadwhensheleapedtothetimberstringerandglidedoutoverthewater。ShehadgotlessthanathirdofthewayacrosswhenathunderingOne—eyecameroaringatherfromtheoppositeend。Shewasmuchfrightened，butknowingtheirstupidityandblindness，shedroppedtoalowsidebeamandtherecrouchedinhiding。OfcoursethestupidMonstermissedherandpassedon，andallwouldhavebeenwell，butitturnedback，oranotherjustlikeitcamesuddenlyspittingbehindher。Pussyleapedtothelongtrackandmadeforthehomeshore。ShemighthavegottherehadnotathirdoftheRed—eyedTerrorscomescreechingatherfromthatside。Shewasrunningherhardest，butwascaughtbetweentwofoes。Therewasnothingforitbutadesperateleapfromthetimbersinto—shedidn’tknowwhat。Down，down，down—plop，splash，plungeintothedeepwater，notcold，foritwasAugust，butoh，sohorrible！Shesplutteredandcoughedwhenshecametothetop，glancedaroundtoseeiftheMonsterswereswimmingafterher，andstruckoutforshore。Shehadneverlearnedtoswim，andyetsheswam，forthesimplereasonthataCat’spositionandactionsinswimmingarethesameasherpositionandactionsinwalking。Shehadfallenintoaplaceshedidnotlike;naturallyshetriedtowalkout，andtheresultwasthatsheswamashore。Whichshore？Thehome—loveneverfails：thesouthsidewastheonlyshoreforher，theonenearesthome。Shescrambledoutalldrippingwet，upthemuddybankandthroughcoal—pilesanddust—heaps，lookingasblack，dirty，andunroyalasitwaspossibleforaCattolook。
　　Oncetheshockwasover，theRoyal—pedigreedSlummerbegantofeelbetterfortheplunge。Agenialglowwithoutfromthebath，agenialsenseoftriumphwithin，forhadshenotoutwittedthreeofthebigTerrors？
　　Hernose，hermemory，andherinstinctofdirectioninclinedhertogetonthetrackagain;buttheplacewasinfestedwiththoseThunder—rollers，andprudenceledhertoturnasideandfollowtheriver—bankwithitsmuskyhome—reminders;andthusshewassparedtheunspeakablehorrorsofthetunnel。

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