第1章

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。