A TAME MARTEN. 59 



sad havoc with the poultry. Its chain was fastened 

 round the middle of its body, but it would often get 

 loose, and then would absent itself for several hours ; 

 returned home, it would exhibit no pleasure at the 

 sight of the people of the house, although it would beg 

 for food like a dog, and was very clamorous until its 

 wants were attended to. It remained absent for a 

 longer time on each successive occasion of its escape, 

 until it reappeared no more. It would eat almost 

 anything that was given to it, meat, bread, cake, su- 

 gar, butter, cheese, for the last of which it evinced an 

 extraordinary partiality, and would come at the call of 

 even a stranger if he held a morsel of cheese between 

 his fingers. It would not touch vegetable matter of 

 any kind. It was a thirsty little creature, and would 

 eagerly lap up milk, especially if sweetened with honey 

 or sugar. It was fond of weak tea, and even of beer, 

 if diluted freely with water. Water itself it would not 

 touch unless it was very thirsty. It would sleep for 

 two or three days and nights at a stretch, while it 

 would remain awake for even a longer period. When 

 asleep it curled itself up, taking especial care to place 

 its tail underneath its body. It appeared to sleep with 

 one eye open, for if any person attempted then to play 

 tricks with it, it was immediately on the alert, ready 

 to wage a fierce fight for its protection, and woe betide 

 the venturesome assailant who felt its sharp teeth in 

 his fingers. It was very destructive when allowed to 

 have its liberty ; and if it could get into a room, it 

 would smash every brittle article in it, china, glass, 

 etc. It would upset the inkstand over the table or 

 carpet, and do its utmost to show its mischievous 

 nature. 



