to touch a creature who had made such a havoc among the rats and mice.
However, when the captain stroked the cat and called: "Pussy, pussy,"
the queen also touched her and cried: "Putty, putty," for she had not
learned English. He then put her down on the queen's lap, where she
purred and played with her majesty's hand, and then purred herself to
sleep.

The king, having seen the exploits of Mrs. Puss, and being informed
that her kittens would stock the whole country, and keep it free from
rats, bargained with the captain for the whole ship's cargo, and then
gave him ten times as much for the cat as all the rest amounted to.

The captain then took leave of the royal party, and set sail with a
fair wind for England, and after a happy voyage arrived safe in
London.

One morning, early, Mr. Fitzwarren had just come to his counting-house
and seated himself at the desk, to count over the cash, and settle the
business for the day, when somebody came tap, tap, at the door. "Who's
there?" said Mr. Fitzwarren. "A friend," answered the other; "I come
to bring you good news of your ship _Unicorn_." The merchant,
bustling up in such a hurry that he forgot his gout, opened the door,
and who should he see waiting but the captain and factor, with a
cabinet of jewels, and a bill of lading; when he looked at this the
merchant lifted up his eyes and thanked Heaven for sending him such a
prosperous voyage.

They then told the story of the cat, and showed the rich present that
the king and queen had sent for her to poor Dick. As soon as the
merchant heard this, he called out to his servants: