The oats looked the most likely, and he took a mouthful for a trial.

He ground at them severely, but, hungry as he was, he failed to find oats good for food.

Their hard husks, their dryness, their instability, all slipping past each other at every attempt to crush them with his teeth, together foiled him utterly.

He must search farther.
Looking round him afresh, he saw an open loft, and climbing on the heap in which he had slept, managed to reach it.

It was at the height of the walls, and the couples of the roof rose immediately from it.