"Haven't got any," said Puss. "My two legs are all that I have to carryme."
"Get up behind me," said the stranger. "My name is Yankee Doodle Dandy,and a Yankee is always willing to give a fellow-traveler a lift, whetherhe be on the high seas or on the road."
"Thank you, my fellow-traveler," replied Puss, and he sprang nimbly tothe saddle and clung tightly to the coat-tails of Yankee Doodle Dandy.
"Git-ap!" cried the latter, and away went the pony down the road. In ashort time the towers and church steeples of a town came into view.
Suddenly a queer-looking figure tumbled down from the sky on to the roadjust in front of them. Yankee Doodle Dandy reined in his horse just intime; otherwise he would have run over the Man in the Moon.
"Why don't you fall any other place but right in front of my horse?"asked Yankee Doodle Dandy, in a stern voice.
"Couldn't help it," answered the Man in the Moon. "You must rememberit's not such an easy thing to hit the exact spot you intend to when youjump all the way from the moon. It's almost impossible. I've even heardthat an aeroplane has some difficulty in dropping bombs so that they hitthe mark."
"Well, I've heard that, too," admitted Yankee Doodle Dandy, "although upto this time Yankeeville has not suffered from any air attacks."
"Well, don't be too sure," answered the Man in the Moon. "I've seen afew things from my moon house that you never even dreamed of."
"Did you never hear the rhyme about the Man in the Moon?" Puss asked,politely.
"No, I never did," said the Man in the Moon.
"What!" exclaimed Puss in surprise.
"The Man in the Moon came tumbling down And asked the way to Norwich; He went by the south and burnt his mouth With eating cold pease porridge."
"Ha, ha!" laughed the Man in the Moon, "you are joking; I'm sure youare," and he turned his footsteps toward the south.
"'He went by the south and burnt his mouth,'" said Puss.
"We can't help it," said Yankee Doodle; "he will go that way."
PUSS SINGS A SONG AND HELPS A BEGGAR
After he had said good-by to Yankee Doodle Dandy, Puss, Jr., had a goodtime playing all the morning with some little boys whom he met. One ofthe little boys got out his hobby-horse and he and Puss, Jr., took turnsgalloping up and down the sidewalk.
"I had a little hobby-horse, And it was dapple gray; Its head was made of pea straw, Its tail was made of hay,"
sang his mother from the front porch. "My little boy has had a finetime," she said, "but he must come in now and rest, for it is almostluncheon-time."
"And I must be going," said Puss, Jr., "for I have many miles yet totravel ere I find my father, Puss in Boots."
"You have been so kind," said the little boy's mother as she shook handswith Puss.
"Good-by!" cried the little boy, quite sorrowfully, waving his hat asPuss disappeared down the street.
"Heigh-ho!" said Puss to himself, "once more on my journey. I'm awandering minstrel, as it were," and to suit his words he began to sing:
"A wandering little cat am I, Seeking father cat, In my paw my trusty staff, On my head my hat With the magic plume the owl Gave to me one day. When the journey ends I'll have Lots of time to play!"
"A pussy-cat poet!" cried a voice close at hand.
Puss, Jr., started and turned. At his side stood a beggar-man.
"I'm hungry," said the poor fellow, "and poets, I hear, are alwaysgenerous," and he held out his hat for Puss to drop in a penny.
"Are they?" inquired Puss, with a grin; he put his hand into his pocketand took out a sixpence. "Here, my good man," he said, "take this littlepiece of money. It is more than I will get for the song which you seemto admire so much.
"What are you going to buy with the money?" he asked, after they hadwalked along for some time. They had left the city and were now in thecountry.
"WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BUY WITH THE MONEY?" PUSS ASKED]
"I'm going to get some pease porridge hot," answered the beggar. "I'mgoing to spend that sixpence in short order! I haven't had a thing toeat since yesterday morning."
"I have never gone hungry so long as that," said Puss. "I think I'vebeen pretty lucky since I started out to find my father, Puss in Boots."
"Puss in Boots!" exclaimed the beggar-man with surprise. "Why, I oncestopped at a castle where there was a most wonderful cat. He was theseneschal, I think, and a most intelligent animal."
"Where was the castle?" asked Puss. "I mean, in what country?"
"I don't remember," replied the beggar-man. "You see, I have begged atso many back doors and so many postern gates that I have them alljumbled up together in my memory."
"Dear me," said Puss. "Will I ever find anybody who really knows wheremy father lives?"
"Pease porridge hot, Pease porridge cold, Pease porridge in the pot, Nine days old."
Along the road came a man with a big white apron over his coat. In frontof him he wheeled a little cart in which was a large pot of porridge.
"Some like it hot, Some like it cold, Some like it in the pot, Nine days old."
"Well, it won't be in that pot even nine minutes!" cried the beggar-man."Here, my good friend," he cried, "give me sixpence worth of yourporridge, and be quick about it."
"Don't be in a hurry," said the porridge-man. "Where's the sixpence?"
"Here in my good right hand," replied the beggar-man.
"Ah!" said the porridge-man, "you shall have your porridge."
"I will also have some," said Puss.
"Hot or cold?" asked the man.
"You take yours hot and I'll take mine cold," said the beggar-man, andin a few minutes the porridge was all gone.
PUSS FOLLOWS WEE WILLIE WINKIE
The vesper bells were ringing as Puss, Jr., entered the great gate thatled into the city of Babylon. Along the street the lamps were beinglighted and their flickering gleams sent the shadows hiding in buildingand alley.
Puss, however, in spite of shadows, trudged on with a brave heart,waiting for an opportunity to get his supper and a comfortable place tosleep.
Suddenly he was startled by a strange sight. A small boy in hisnightgown came racing down the street:
"Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town, Up-stairs and down-stairs in his nightgown, Rapping at the windows, crying through the lock, 'Are the children in their beds? It's past eight o'clock!'"
"Wait for me!" cried Puss, Jr., but Wee Willie Winkie did not stop. Onhe ran, turning the next corner before Puss could overtake him. Half-waydown the block Puss stopped and ran up the steps of a small house.Lifting the big brass knocker, he let it fall with a rap that soonbrought a maid to the door.
"Goodness me!" she exclaimed. "What have we here?"
"Is anybody at home?" said Puss, flicking the dust off the red tops ofhis boots in a most unconcerned way, as if, indeed, he had beenaccustomed to making calls all his life.
The maid held out a little silver tray. "I will take your card."
Poor Puss! He didn't have any!
"But I'm Puss in Boots, Junior," he said, with such a lovely purr thatthe maid opened the door wide:
"Come in, dear Puss, Junior."
Just then Wee Willie Winkie ran down the stairs, crying: "Are thechildren in their beds? It's past eight o'clock." Closing the frontdoor, he whispered through the keyhole, "Are the children in theirbeds?" And before he reached the sidewalk he turned back and, rapping onthe window, cried, "It's past eight o'clock!"
"Little kittens don't need Wee Willie Winkie, I guess," said the maid,tickling Puss, Jr.'s, head.
"Hush-a-bye, baby, lie still with thy daddy; Thy mammy has gone to the mill To get some meal to bake a cake, So pray, my dear baby, lie still."
The lullaby made Puss, Jr., sleepy, for the man's voice was low andtender, and Puss was very tired.
In a sleepy voice he asked, "And has t
he mother gone to the mill to getthe meal for the cake?"
"Indeed she has," replied the maid.
After this she went into the kitchen. Puss gazed about him for a whileand then dropped off to sleep, hearing the drowsy voice of the manup-stairs singing:
"Hush-a-bye, baby, lie still with thy daddy."
All was very quiet. "Tick-tock, tick-tock," said the big clock, and amouse peeped out of his hole and laughed to himself when he saw Pussfast asleep. He tiptoed over to the red-topped boots that had fallen offPuss, Jr.'s, tired little feet, and even crawled inside. Perhaps hewanted to tell his father how brave he had been to go inside a big cat'shigh-top boots while the owner snored close by. Presently he ran over tothe hole in the wall. I imagine it did not take him long to tell hisstory, for in a few minutes three little mice crept out and tiptoed overto where Puss lay sleeping so soundly.
"Did you ever see any nicer boots than these?"
Mr. Mouse put on a very wise expression.
"They are certainly a very fine pair of boots," said he, "and they havethe mark of a royal cobbler."
"Gracious me! how interesting!" cried Mrs. Mouse; "let me take alook." And she inspected Puss, Jr.'s, footwear with much interest."Beautifully made," she said. "This must be a royal cat, for otherwisewhy should he have a royal cobbler?"
"I only hope he is not a royal mouser," replied Mr. Mouse, "and I think,now that we have seen all we have, we had better return, for who knowswhen he may awake?"
So they scampered off, leaving Puss, Jr., still sound asleep.
PUSS, JR., MEETS THREE JOLLY WELSHMEN AND THE QUEEN OF HEARTS
As Puss, Jr., staff in hand, wandered down the green hills to thelowlands, he came to a sandy beach, and there stood three jolly Welshmenlooking toward the sea:
One said it was a ship, The other he said "Nay," The third one said it was a house With the chimney blown away.
"It's nothing of the sort," cried Puss, Jr., jumping nimbly about, "it'snothing of the sort."
"Perhaps it's a submarine," suggested one of the three jolly Welshmen,walking over to inspect the little craft.
"Wrong again," tooted a little owl who was perched upon a tree close by.
"It looks like a cheese," suggested the smallest of the three jollyWelshmen.
"Nonsense," answered Puss, Jr. "Who ever heard of a person sailing aboutin a cheese?"
"Well, I didn't mean a Swiss cheese," replied the Welshman who up tothis time had said nothing. "Swiss cheeses are full of holes. I guessthey wouldn't float very long."
"This boat has a big crack in it," said Puss. "Just look and see foryourself."
"Crackers and cheese!" laughed one of the three jolly Welshmen. "How doyou like my joke?"
"It makes me feel hungry," said Puss, Jr. "I've had nothing to eat for along time."
"Come with us, then," said the three jolly Welshmen; "we'll take you tosee the Queen."
"I don't look very neat," replied Puss, rubbing the salt spray from hisboot-tops.
"Neither do I," cried the little owl, preening his feathers andstretching out his tail. "I'm all ruffled up."
"Well, the Queen's making tarts to-day," cried the three jolly Welshmenall at once. "We're going, anyway."
Puss, Jr., and the little owl waited no longer, but followed the threeWelshmen at once. In the distance could be seen the turrets of a statelycastle. On arriving at the postern gate they were admitted after aslight delay. In the courtyard all was bustle and excitement. On longtables were spread the most delicious-looking tarts--raspberry,strawberry, lemon, apple, and all the other delicious varieties thatcould be imagined. Puss, Jr.'s, mouth fairly watered at the sight, andthe little owl could hardly restrain himself from picking outstrawberries that protruded from under the crust of a tart near at hand.The three jolly Welshmen also showed signs of impatience. They were asanxious to taste the tarts as were their small companions.
PUSS JOINED IN THE CHASE TO HELP THE QUEEN]
At that instant a great commotion arose. The Knave of Hearts was seenrushing away with a whole trayful of tarts. After him ran the Queen,holding up her long train so as to run faster. Puss joined in the chaseto help the Queen.
PUSS LEARNS WHERE HIS FATHER IS AND RECEIVES A TART FROM THE QUEEN
The Knave of Hearts was a pretty good runner, and Puss, Jr., found it noeasy task to catch him. Finally, however, he did, and after somedifficulty brought him back to the castle. As they entered the posterngate,
The King of Hearts Called for those tarts, And beat the Knave full sore.
"I'm glad I didn't take a tart," said Puss, in a whisper to his littlefriend the owl, while the three jolly Welshmen looked much relieved tothink that they had not touched one, either. At this point the Queencame graciously forward and offered them all a tart apiece.
"How do you like it?" she asked Puss, smiling in a kind way. "Youdeserve much more than a tart for having caught that naughty Knave. Whatcan I do to reward you?"
Puss carefully wiped his whiskers with his pocket-handkerchief beforereplying. "Your Majesty," he answered, "I am in search of my illustriousfather, Puss in Boots. Could you but direct me to him I shall consideryou have more than repaid me for my trouble."
"Come into the castle," said the Queen, "and I will have my seneschalinquire. No doubt he will know, as he is a very wise man and an oldretainer." So saying, she led the way into the castle, followed by Puss,Jr., and the little owl.
"Puss in Boots? Puss in Boots?" repeated the old man, in an inquiringtone, talking half to himself. "Why, is he not in the employ of my Lordof Carabas?"
"Yes, indeed!" cried the Queen. "Now I remember. My dear Puss in Boots,Junior, you still have a long journey before you; but to the brave allthings are possible. Although he lives far beyond the border-line ofMother Goose Land, a good traveler need not despair."
"No, indeed, your Highness," replied Puss, Jr., "I have a good heart andstrong legs. 'Tis but a question of time before I see him, for danger Ifear not, neither stony roads nor stormy seas."
"Bravely said," cried the Queen. "But who is your little friend?" sheadded, turning to look at the owl, who had perched himself on theshoulder of Puss, Jr.
"He is the owner of the 'beautiful pea-green boat,'" replied Puss, "andto him I owe much, for had he not come to my rescue when the Giant ofthe Bean-stalk pursued me I should have been captured. His boat was onthe shore and we sailed away just in time."
"Most exciting," said the Queen; "and so that is how you landed onCranberry Tart Island?"
"Yes, your Highness," said Puss, "but I did not know it was an islandnor that it was called 'Cranberry Tart.'"
"Well, it is," replied the Queen, "and if you will spend the night hereI will see that you reach the mainland to-morrow without delay."
So Puss, Jr., consented to spend the night in the stately castle of TartIsland.
PUSS CROSSES A WONDERFUL BRIDGE
The next morning, bright and early, Puss, Jr., left the stately castleof Cranberry Tart Island and continued his journey. The Queen had biddenhim a kind farewell, at the same time instructing one of her retainersto show him the bridge connecting Cranberry Tart Island with themainland.
On arriving at the bridge Puss, Jr., was most surprised to see that itwas built entirely of gingerbread. "Goodness!" he exclaimed to himself,"if many stopped on their way over to take a bite, there would soon beno bridge left."
Probably the builder had been aware of this fact, for at the entrance ofthe bridge was displayed a large sign which read as follows:
No loitering allowed on the bridge. The gingerbread must not be eaten, under penalty of a fine and imprisonment.
"It looks pretty stale, anyway," tooted the little owl, who blinked andwinked in the early morning light as he flew beside Puss, Jr.
"You can't see very well, my dear friend," answered Puss. "It looksperfectly delicious to me."
"Never mind how it looks," said the retainer, overhearing Puss, Jr.'s,remark. "You must o
bey the law."
"I have no intention of not obeying," answered Puss, "nor would Iendanger our safety by biting off a piece. Should the bridge fall intothe water I should be forced to swim, and swimming is no easy matter fora cat, especially with high-top boots."
"Wisely said," replied the retainer. "And now that we have crossed oversafely, I will leave you to pursue your journey, for you need no furtherhelp from me."
"Thank you," cried Puss, Jr.
"Yet there is one thing I would warn you of," replied the retainer,pausing before taking himself off. "In yonder forest is a gingerbreadcottage. Beware of it, for within lives a wicked witch." With thesewords he turned away and crossed the gingerbread bridge that led back toCranberry Tart Island.
"A gingerbread cottage," laughed Puss to himself, following the paththat led into the forest:
"A gingerbread bridge And a gingerbread house, A gingerbread cat And a gingerbread mouse. But the gingerbread cat Ate the gingerbread mouse As she ran on the bridge From the gingerbread house."
PUSS IN BOOTS, JR., VISITS THE OLD WOMAN IN THE SHOE
It was now about high noon; but the air was cool and balmy, for the sunhardly penetrated the deep recesses of the green forest. As Puss trudgedalong he sang a little song to himself. I think he must have beensomething of a poet, for unconsciously his words rhymed and the air alsowas of his own making. A little brown wren, who was hopping along on thegreen moss that covered the floor of the great forest, heard him, andshe told it to some one who afterward told it to me. And this is the waythe little song went: