The Slum Cat 
her care was for the survivor. That benevo- 
lence was as far as possible from the motives 
of the murderous old Tom there can be no 
doubt; but he proved a blessing in deep dis- 
guise, for both mother and Kit were visibly 
bettered in a short time. ‘The daily quest for 
food continued. The meat-man rarely proved 
a success, but the ash-cans were there, and if 
they did not afford a meat-supply, at least they : 
were sure to produce potato-skins that could | 
be used to allay the gripe of hunger for an- ; 
other day. 
One night the mother Cat smelt a wonderful | 
smell that came from the East River at the end | 
of the alley. A new smell always needs inves- 
tigating, and when it is attractive as well as 
new, there is but one course open. It led 
Pussy to the docks a block away, and then 
out on a wharf, away from any cover but the 
night. A sudden noise, a growl and a rush, 
were the first notice she had that she was cut 
off by her old enemy, the Wharf Dog. There 
was only one escape. She leaped from the 
wharf to the vessel from which the smell came. 
The Dog could not follow, so when the fish- 
