Page 26 - The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Jr.

"And every frog, too," answered Rowley, pushing his high hat down on his head more securely and replacing
the cigar between his lips.

"And where are you going?" asked Puss.

"A frog he would a-wooing go, Heigh-ho! says Rowley. Whether his mother would let him or no. With a
rowley powley, gammon and spinach, Heigh-ho! says Anthony Rowley."

"Well, then, Anthony!" cried Puss, taking the frog by the arm, "let us be comrades. For it is lonesome
business, this traveling alone, and I would have a good friend to talk to while we trudge along."

"But I already have a companion," answered Mr. Rowley. "Don't you remember the second verse in Mother
Goose?"

"Not exactly," replied Puss, Jr.

"Well, this is the way it goes," answered the frog. "It's describing me, of course."

"So off he set with his opera hat, Heigh-ho! says Rowley. And on the road he met with a rat. 'Pray, Mr. Rat,
will you go with me?' Heigh-ho! says Rowley, 'Kind Mrs. Mousey for to see?'"

At that moment the rat jumped out of the bushes. "Don't be afraid," said Puss, Jr.

"All right," replied the rat, "I sha'n't."

"Glad to have seen you both," said Puss, Jr. "I can't tarry long, for I must continue my journey."

PUSS IS HEARTILY WELCOMED BY JACK THE JUMPER

It was near nightfall. Puss, Jr., was weary and footsore, for he had traveled far. No one had given him a thing
to eat all day, and he was faint from want of food. Darkness was coming upon him and he looked about him to
find a place to sleep.

In the distance a little light caught his eye, and, hastening his steps toward it, he soon came to a small cottage.
Looking through the open door, he was surprised to see resting on the floor a small brass candlestick. It was
the flame from this that had attracted his attention and drawn his weary feet forward.

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, And Jack jump over the candlestick.

Over the candlestick leaped a small boy, and with a laugh turned toward the open door.

"Can you jump over a lighted candlestick?" he asked.

"I never tried," said Puss, "but I guess I can."

"Don't singe your tail!" cried Jack, as Puss prepared himself for the jump.

"Don't worry," replied Puss, Jr. "I think too much of my tail to spoil one single little hair."

Gathering himself together, Puss jumped nimbly over the candle.

"Good for you!" cried the little boy.