Page:Story teller (4).pdf/14

 forepaws, and bidding his master take courage, immediately sallied forth.

The first attempt Puss made was to go into a warren, in whiehwhich [sic] there was a great number of rabbits. He put some bran and some parsley into his bag; and then, stretching himself out at full length as if he was dead, he waited for some young rabbits, (which as yet knew nothing of the cunning tricks of the world,) to come and get into the bag, the better to feast upon the dainties he had put into it.

SeareelyScarcely [sic] had he lain down before he sueeededsucceeded [sic] as well as eouldcould [sic] be wished. A giddy young rabbit crept into the bag, and the cat immediately drew the strings, and killed him without mercy.

Puss, proud of his prcyprey [sic], hastened directly to the palaeepalace [sic], where he asked to speak to the king. On being shown into the apartment of his majesty, he made a low bow, and said,—"I have brought you, sire, this rabbit from the warren of my lord the marquis of Carabas, who commanded me to present it to your majesty with the assurance of his respect." This was the title the cat thought proper to bestow upon his master. "Tell my lord marquis of Carabas," replied the king, "that I accept of his present with pleasure, and that I am greatly obliged to him."

Soon after the cat laid himself down in the same manner in a field of eorncorn [sic], and had as much good fortune as before; for two fine partridges got into his bag, which he immediately killed and carried to the palace. The king reeeivedreceived [sic] them as he had done the rabbit, and ordered his servants to give the messenger something to drink. In this manner he eontinuedcontinued [sic] to earrycarry [sic] presents of game to the king from my lord marquis of Carabas, once at least every week.

One day, the cat having heard that the king intended to take a ride that morning by the river side with his daughter, who was the most beautiful princess in the world, he said to his master, "If you will but follow my advice your fortune is made. Take off your elothesclothes [sic], and bathe yourself in the river, just in the place I shall show you, and leave the rest to me."

The marquis of Carabas did exactly as he was desired, without being able to guess at what the cat intended. While he was bathing the king passed by, and Puss direetlydirectly [sic] ealledcalled [sic] out as loud as he eouldcould [sic] bawl, "Help! help! my lord marquis of Carabas is in danger of being drowned!" The king hearing the cries, put his head out at the window of his carriage to see what was the matter; when, perceiving the very cat which had brought him so many presents, he ordered his