Another accident (hapning not long after) cur’d him in part of his ridiculous belief, grounded on nothing else but fancy: In the Sellar, on a certain beam that went crosse, there were great quantity of Tenter-hooks placed there, some to hang meat on, others of a smaller sort for other uses. Our Cat being somewhat ravenous, was following the scent, and had gotten upon the Beam; her foremost feet slipping, she was strangely caught by the tail, and not able to recover her self: Being terribly pained by the hook, she made a most hideous noise, which made our Dog fall a howling. This strange din first approached my Masters ears, who awaking my Mistress, asked her now whether she would believe her own ears. At first she confest to me, she knew not what to think, her conscience being yet tender (which having no long time accustomed her self to sin, was not hardned and fear’d up) put her in mind of what she had lately committed, so that she had like to have concluded that it was _Satan_ was sent to _buffet_ her; But she having a martial spirit, and not easily daunted, she hearkned further, and then judg’d that Thieves had broken into the house. My Master all this while was _breathing his last at both ends_, whilest my Mistress leap’d out of Bed, and came to my Chamber door, bidding me in all haste to rise, for there were Thieves in the house. I confess I had no great mind to be kill’d, and therefore I was in no great haste to rise, sometimes buttoning my Doublet, and anon unbuttoning it again; perceiving that I delaid, she came again, taxing me with Cowardise, and meanness of Spirit, which put new life into me, making me to resolve to adventure my life, rather than hazard the loss of her good opinion. Finding my Mistress in her smock, I thought it a shame for me to have any cloaths on; and so naked as I was, we march’d on. Coming to the Stairhead, my fancy troubled me a little too, for the noise had so amaz’d me, that I would fain have my Mistress to go first; she could not forbear laughing, to observe how complemental and ceremonious at that time I was. Having scattered my fear by resolution, How do I abuse myself, said I, and with that boldly went on. By this time a light was produced, and then those Bug-bear thoughts which darkness possesseth the fancy withal, began to vanish. There was not a hole big enough to contain a man, but what I _prob’d_. Descending the Cellar-stairs, I there plainly saw the Original cause of our fear and distraction, hanging by the tail. I called my Mistress to the sight, and now the Maids too would be Spectators, understanding the danger to be overpast. Well, the general vote was, that the Cat should be carried up stairs to our Master, and shew him the _wound in his Tail_, for evidence to prove his guilt in being seduced by _fancy_.