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For some time he bore it with great good…humour； and endeavoured to
laugh it off； but； finding that had no effect； he one day thus addressed us：
〃If you suppose that I like to be called a coward； you are all very much
mistaken； or if you think me one； I assure you that you are not less so； for
no boy in the school should； if put to the trial； show greater resolution than
myself。 Indeed； I think it no small proof of patience that I have borne
your repeated insults so long； when I could； by behaving more like a
savage beast； and less like a reasonable creature； have established my
character at once； but I abhor quarrelling； my soul detests to treat my
fellow…creatures as if they were brutes； from whose fangs I must defend
myself； but if nothing else but fighting will convince you that I possess not
less courage than yourselves； I will now offer； in cold blood； to engage
with the biggest boy in the school。 If I conquer him； it will be a sign that
I know how to defend myself； and if he conquers me； I will； by my
behaviour； give a proof that I am not wanting in resolution to suffer pain；
although I never will so far demean the character of a reasonable creature
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
and a Christian； as to fight upon every trifling disagreement or insult。〃
No sooner had he uttered these words； than every boy present was loud
either in his commendation or condemnation。 One quarter of them；
convinced of the justness of his arguments； highly extolled his forbearance；
whilst the other three parts； with still greater noise； only called him a bully
and a mean…spirited coward； who dared not fight； and for that reason made
such a fine speech； hoping to intimidate them。 〃Well then；〃 said he； 〃if
such is your opinion； why will none of you accept my offer？ you surely
cannot be afraid； you who are such brave fellows； of such true courage；
and such noble spirits； cannot be afraid of a coward and a bully！ Why；
therefore； does not one of you step forward； and put my fine speech to the
test？ Otherwise； after I have thus challenged you all； I hope none for the
future will think they have any right to call me coward； though I again
declare my fixed resolution against fighting。〃
'Just as he said this； a voice calling for help； was heard from a lane
adjoining to the play…yard。 Immediately we all flocked to the side
nearest whence it proceeded； and； clambering upon benches； watering…pots；
or whatever came first in our way； peeped over the wall； where we
discovered two well…grown lads； about seventeen or eighteen； stripping a
little boy of his clothes； and beating him for his outcries in a most cruel
manner； and at a little distance farther down the lane； sat a company of
gypsies； to whom the two lads evidently belonged。 At the sight of this
we were all much distressed； and wished to relieve the boy； though；
discovering so large a party； we were too much afraid to venture； till
Tomkins （the boy I before spoke about） instantly jumped from the wall；
and only saying； 〃Has nobody courage to follow me？〃 ran toward them as
fast as possible； and with uncommon strength and agility placed himself
between them and the boy； and began defending himself in the best
manner he could； which he did for some time with great dexterity； none of
his fighting schoolfellows having courage to go to his assistance。 At
length； however； seeing it impossible for him to stand out any longer
against two so much stronger than himself； the boys agreed to secure
themselves by numbers； and to sally forth to his assistance altogether。
This scheme succeeded； and very shortly rescued Tomkins from his
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
antagonists。 He thanked them for their assistance； saying； at the same
time； 〃I hope you will no longer doubt my courage； or my abilities to fight；
when it is necessary or in a good cause。〃 After so signal a proof of his
viler； his greatest enemies could no longer doubt it； and； without ever
engaging in foolish battles； he passed through school as much respected as
any boy； and his magnanimity was never again called in question。'
As the gentleman stopped speaking； the little girl called out； 'O； papa；
the coach is at the door。' 'Is it； my dear？' returned the father。 'Well then；
stop； my love；' said one of the ladies； 'I have got a few cakes for you：
stay； and take them before you go。' She then unlocked the closet where
we were； and took down the paper of macaroons； among which we had so
comfortably regaled ourselves； when； observing the hole in the paper
through which we entered； 'O dear！' she exclaimed； 'the mice have actually
got into my cupboard。 I will move all the things out this very morning；
and lock the cat up in it； for I shall be undone if the mice once get footing
here； they will soon spoil all my stores； and that will never do。' She then
kissed both the children； and； giving them the cakes； they； the gentleman；
and another lady； all departed； and she instantly began to move the boxes
and jars from the closet； whilst we； terrified almost out of our wits； sat
trembling behind one of them； not daring to stir； yet dreading the cat's
approach every moment。
We were soon； however； obliged to move our quarters； for the lady
taking down the very jar which concealed us； we were forced （without
knowing where we were） to jump down instantly。 In vain we sought all
round the room for some avenue whereat we might escape； the apartment
was too well fitted up to admit the smallest crack； and we must then
certainly have been destroyed； had we not； with uncommon presence of
mind； ran up the back of the lady's gown； by which means she lost sight of
us； and gave us an opportunity to make our escape； as she opened the door
to order the