Page:History of Whittington and his cat (3).pdf/14

14 so unusual a thing, that the king sent some of his high courtiers to congratulate them on their safety, if compelled by a tempest to visit them. The captain made suitable returns to their compliments; and accepted the invitation sent him by the king and queen, together with such persons as he chose should share the honour, to dine with them. But what must be his surprise, when, on an elegant dinner being served up, an



incredible number of rats and mice rushed forth and devoured it, or, at least, rendered what they left behind them unfit to be eaten.

The captain, extremely astonished, asked if these vermin were not very offensive. The king answered, in the pathetic lines which we, the historians of Whittington, have heard sung by his most sable Majesty's representative,

And, “O yes," said the lords in waiting, the king would give half his treasures to be free of them; for they not only destroy his dinner, but they disturb him even in his chamber, so that he is obliged to be watched while he sleeps.

The captain jumped for joy, remembering poor Whittington's hard case, and the cat he had intrusted to his care, and told the king he had a creature on board his ship, that would destroy the vermin, and save the kingdom.

The king was overjoyed."Bring this creature to me,” says he; "and if she can really perform what you say, I will load your ship with gold dust and ivory in exchange for her."