42 FORT Y- FO UR YEAR 8 op 



my two rabbits, for I kuew that my uncle was very fond 

 of their meat ; but unluckily for me, uncle was away from 

 home. I entered the house, thinking that my game would 

 amply ])ay for the time spent in catching it. 



"As soon as I was seated at the fire, I saw aunt shut 

 the door and bolt it, when I looked around to see what 

 was coming ; and observing a bunch of switches at each 

 side of the room, I knew there was an approaching storm. 



"'Where have you been all this time, sir?' said my 

 aunt. 



"'Catching these rabbits,' I replied, pointing to them, 

 in hopes tluit when she had seen them she would let 

 me off. 



" ' Well, you have caught two ral)bits, and you mu.st 

 have grease to fry them in ; and I'll give you that now.' 



" So saying, she took me by the arm, led me into the 

 middle of the room, and began to pour the grease on 

 without mercy. Round and round we went, as fast as she 

 could turn me. I soon found out what she was at by 

 waltzing me round the room so fast : it was to have a new 

 switch at hand as fast as she broke one over my back and 

 shoulders. 



" Round, and round, and round we went, till I fonnfl 

 the switches were still plenty, and that I must either fight 

 or die. I thought I might as well die fighting as to tamely 

 submit to be beaten to death ; and at it I went, with all 

 my strength; pulling her hair, scratching her face, and 

 biting her arms and hands, till she at length got my head 

 between her knees, and holding me by one arm, began to 

 beat me most unmercifully. I could not help myself in 

 any other way than by twisting my head round until J 

 brought my mouth directly in contact with one of the 

 stocks that held my neck fast. Nothing being between 

 my keen teet^ and her leg, 1 took hold of her flesh and 

 skin a little higuer uj) than she ever tied her garter, and 



