Pitiless Pirate--Mittens, the Monster of the Main!"

"Why--why--my Aunt Jane had a tiger cat once with white paws--" Ann
began, but then she stopped suddenly, for Rudolf had given her a sharp
pinch. A terrible frown had spread over the faces of both Growler and
Prowler. "Above _all_," whispered the mate in low and earnest tones,
"none of that! If you don't want to be keel-hauled, don't recall his
shameful past!"

[Illustration]




[Illustration]

CHAPTER VI


ABOARD THE MERRY MOUSER


When Rudolf and Ann and the False Hare, under guard of Growler and
Prowler, reached the deck of the _Merry Mouser_, they found Peter,
dressed in a dry suit of pirate clothing and looking none the worse
for his wetting. He was being closely watched by a big Maltese pirate
whose strong paw with its sharp claws outspread rested on his
shoulder, but as Rudolf and Ann were led past him, he managed to
whisper, "Look out! Mittens is awful cross at us!"