we 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.
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