, had I not, by a
very great effort, bit his thumb in such a manner, that he let me
go, and roared enough to frighten any body. His sister and he then
went to fighting, and I jumped out of the window; for the fright I
was in made me not know what I did, or I should not have left such
a kind mistress, especially as my tormentor was going away; but it
was now too late to return.

_CHAPTER IV._

[Illustration: _She distinguished me._]

After running a great way, I heard a violent noise, which alarmed
me very much. I could not think what it was, but approaching
nearer and nearer, it proved to be a company of gipsies, making
merry as they were travelling. I took great care to avoid them, as
I knew, if I had once got into their hands, I should not have got
away very easily; so I climbed a tree and sat very quiet. I came
down as soon as they were gone, and ran till I came to the city
of London, which was not above half a mile from where I lived; for
Mrs. Dixon's house was at Islington, at least very near it. Here
I had no very great chance of hiding myself, so resolved to run
up one of the houses, and get in at the first window I found open,
and trust to the temper of some little boy or girl, rather than
starve. The house I chanced to ascend belonged to Alderman Bumble.
I happened to enter the window of Miss Henrietta Bumble's chamber;
so I crept into her cap, which was lying in a chair, and lay till
she wanted to put it on. I chanced to lay in such a manner, that
she distinguished me as she lay in bed; and bouncing out, she
took me up and ran down stairs undressed. The alderman and his
lady were waiting breakfast for her. As soon as she entered, the
alderman started up and said, "Bless me, Henny, what can you want
here in such a figure;" "O Papa," said she, "here is the prettiest
squirrel (but I should have told you I had found means to wash off
the ink I had received in my last abode,) and where do you think I
found him--lying in my cap, as snug as it was possible." "Well, my
love," said the alderman, "run up and dress yourself, and then
come and tell us about your squirrel." Henny then ran up stairs,
tied me to the bed-post, and began to dress. When she had done,
she untied me, and carried me down stairs. "Now," said the
alderman, "you look something more like a human creature: let us
hear your story." "Well then," said Henrietta, "this is the case:
I was just going to get up, when I saw this pretty squirrel in