The Wonderful Bed by Gertrude Knevels
page 48 of 128 (37%)
page 48 of 128 (37%)
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"Prowler!" The chief, who had been standing close beside the unlucky mate while he spoke, now came closer yet and fixed his terrible eye on Prowler's shining whiskers. "How long," he asked, speaking very slowly and distinctly, "is--it--since--you--have--tasted mouse?" Prowler trembled all over. "A--a--week, sir," he mumbled, "that is, I couldn't _swear_ to the date, sir, but 'twas at my aunt's and she never has us to tea on a Monday, for that's wash-day, nor on a Tuesday, for that's missionary, so it must 'a' been--" "No use, 't won't work, Prowler." The Chief grinned and waved a paw to one of the spotted sailors. "Here, you, bring along the Cat-O'-Nine-Tails!" At this the children were immediately very much interested, for they had never in their lives seen a cat with more than one tail. "It would take nine times as much pulling--" Rudolf was whispering to Peter, when he noticed a new commotion among the sailors. The black and white sea-cat had turned to carry out the Chief's order when suddenly some one called out "A breeze, a breeze!" and in the excitement of getting the _Merry Mouser_ under way, the captain's attention was turned, and Prowler and his crime were forgotten. All this time Ann and Rudolf and Peter had been standing a little apart from the rest under guard of the Maltese pirate at whose feet lay the dreadful black bags all ready for use. In the confusion Rudolf turned to Ann and whispered, "Do you suppose we could possibly stir up a mutiny? Prowler must be pretty sore against the Chief! If we could |
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