`` Stop a bit , '' said Tom . `` Turn your tail up to me , and I 'll pull you through hindforemost , and then you wo n't stick in the spikes . '' But the lobster was so stupid and clumsy that he could n't hit the hole . Like a great many fox-hunters , he was very sharp as long as he was in his own country ; but as soon as they get out of it they lose their heads ; and so the lobster , so to speak , lost his tail . Tom reached and clawed down the hole after him , till he caught hold of him ; and then , as was to be expected , the clumsy lobster pulled him in head foremost . `` Hullo ! here is a pretty business , '' said Tom . `` Now take your great claws , and break the points off those spikes , and then we shall both get out easily . '' `` Dear me , I never thought of that , '' said the lobster ; `` and after all the experience of life that I have had ! '' You see , experience is of very little good unless a man , or a lobster , has wit enough to make use of it . For a good many people , like old Polonius , have seen all the world , and yet remain little better than children after all . But they had not got half the spikes away when they saw a great dark cloud over them : and lo , and behold , it was the otter . How she did grin and grin when she saw Tom . `` Yar ! '' said she , `` you little meddlesome wretch , I have you now ! I will serve you out for telling the salmon where I was ! '' And she crawled all over the pot to get in . Tom was horribly frightened , and still more frightened when she found the hole in the top , and squeezed herself right down through it , all eyes and teeth . But no sooner was her head inside than valiant Mr. Lobster caught her by the nose and held on . And there they were all three in the pot , rolling over and over , and very tight packing it was .
And the lobster tore at the otter , and the otter tore at the lobster , and both squeezed and thumped poor Tom XXXXX he had no breath left in his body ; and I do n't know what would have happened to him if he had not at last got on the otter 's back , and safe out of the hole .
For Like after as in off that till to unless