ave him long at
rest, he began to roll and tumble about, so that the miller thought
himself bewitched, and sent for a doctor. When the doctor came, Tom
began to dance and sing. The doctor was as much frightened as the
miller, and sent in great haste for five more doctors.

[Illustration]

While all these were talking the miller began to yawn, and Tom, taking
the opportunity, made another bold jump and alighted on his feet in
the middle of the table. The miller, provoked to be thus tormented by
such a little creature, caught hold of Tom and threw him out of the
window into the river. A large salmon swimming by snapped him up in a
moment.

The salmon was soon caught and sold in the market to the steward of a
great lord. The grandee, thinking it an uncommonly fine fish, made a
present of it to the King, who ordered it to be dressed immediately.
When the cook cut open the salmon he found poor Tom inside, and ran
with him directly to the King; but the King being busy, desired that
he might be brought another day.

[Illustration]

The cook was resolved to keep him safely this time, so clapped him
into a mouse-trap. There he was shut up for a whole week, when the
King sent for him, forgave him for throwing down the furmenty, and
ordered him new clothes, gave him a spirited mouse for a hunter, and
knighted him.

Thus dressed and mounted, he rode a hunting with the King and
nobility.

[Illustration]

As they were riding by a farmhouse one day, a cat jumped from behind
the door, seized the mouse and little Tom, ran off with them both,
and was just going to devour the mouse when Tom boldly drew his sword
and attacked the cat with great spirit. The King and his nobles,
seeing Tom in danger, went to his assistance, and one of the lords
bravely saved him just in time, but poor Tom was sadly scratched by
the claws of the cat.

[Illustration: LICE.]

The Queen of the Fairies came and took him again to Fairyland, where
she kept him some years; after which, dressing him in bright green,
she sent him flying once more through the air to the earth. King
Thunstone now reigned in the place of King Arthur. The people flocked
far and near to look at Tom Thumb, and the King, before whom he was
carried, asked him who he was and where he lived. Tom answered:

"My name is Tom Thumb,
From the fairies I come;
When King Arthur shone,
This court was my home.
In me he delighted,
By him I was knighted.
Did you ever hear