The Nomad of the Nine Lives | Page 7

stepped on his toes and pushed him about with the
intention of picking a fight with him, but he had no fighting blood, so
they finally let him alone. I tried to assist him to find his home, but the
majesty of the law intervened, and he was carried away in the arms of a
stalwart policeman who knew, probably, of the reward.
This incident opened my eyes to the possibility of a home and made me
long for one, but my affairs became worse instead of better. I soon
reached the lowest ebb of despair and if it had not been that I had only
one remaining life, I should have been tempted to end my existence.
I was sitting down by the docks one day looking at the dirty green
water, which, by the way, did not appeal to me for suicidal purposes,
when I was accosted by a kind faced lady who held out her hand to me
saying, "You poor homeless creature, come with me." Could it be
possible that anyone wanted me? I could not believe my senses. She
drew nearer. I crouched, as everyone who had spoken to me recently
had either kicked or sworn at me or ordered me away in language more
forcible than elegant. Consequently I was rather doubtful, not knowing
whether the hand held out to me would strike or caress.
I looked into her face once more, and seeing peace and happiness there,
allowed her to take me up gently and place a bag over my wasted body.
She carried me in her arms to an electric car, which she entered. After
we had gone some distance, she alighted at a quiet street and stopped
before a sort of shop over which was a sign which read "Animal
Rescue League." Oh, joy and happiness! A home at last. It was too
good to be true. Once inside I was bathed with some queer smelling
substance, fed in small amounts at a time, and put to bed in a
comfortable clean place, in a row with a number of other cats.

CHAPTER V
You may imagine how fond I became of my rescuer. It may seem hard
to believe, but once she actually patted me on the head and stroked my
fur with her gentle hands. No one had ever done that before. It made
me feel like crying. Such kindness made life worth living, and, thanks
to good care, good food, and a contented mind, I was getting better
every day. One day I heard her say that I was improving and must have
once been a handsome cat. I wanted to tell her of my wonderful voice,
but did not do so, and compromised by squaring my shoulders and
combing out my whiskers with my claws, for I had saved them and felt
that they were still a credit to me. (I think she admired them also.)
Hearing occasional barkings, I soon found that there were dogs of all
descriptions there also, but in another room where they could not
molest us. Oh, what a beautiful place it seemed after all my wanderings
and hardships. Time went on and from remarks I overheard, I knew that
I had regained my former excellent appearance. People frequently came
in and looked at us, and occasionally some man or woman would take
one of the cats or dogs away, never to be seen at the League again.
One day a motor car stopped at the door and an attractively dressed
woman entered and said that she was seeking a good cat to take home.
She looked carefully at each one of us and my heart almost stopped
beating when she paused before my cage and said, "I like his looks best
of all; may I have him?" The kind lady replied, "Well, he is such a dear
good thing that I hate to part with him, but I want to get him in a good
home, so you may take him along."
I did not like to leave her, but trusted that she knew my welfare best
and so putting my mute thanks into my eyes I gave her a long last look
and was hurried into the motor car. I thought of Lord Roberts, but was
even more delighted when we stopped on the very same avenue where I
had followed the burglars. To my surprise and pleasure I found that it
was the very house of my adventure, as I recognized the hall and
carpets. Later on I happened to look out of one of the dining-room

windows and if you will believe me, there was Lord Roberts sitting out
in the next yard sunning himself. As he got up and paced around in a
dignified manner I tapped with my