THE next morning the good ship came in sight of an old seaport. The
harbor was very safe, for a tall white lighthouse stood upon the rocks
to guide the sailors, and bellbuoys clanged their solemn warning from
the dangerous reefs. In the distance rose a church spire, and near it
stood a little red schoolhouse with a flag flying in the breeze. Down on
the wharf ran a low row of buildings, worn and battered, where the old
sailors lounged and told stories of their early days.
Pretty soon the good ship came about, and with her silken sails flapping
in the wind, drifted up to the dock.
"Make fast!" shouted the Captain. The four and twenty little sailor mice
jumped nimbly on the dock, and in a few minutes made the silk ropes fast
to the posts. Then the good ship came to a standstill, and the
gang-plank was lowered.
"All ashore that's going ashore!" quacked the captain.
"Oh Captain Duck," cried Puss, Junior, "we don't have to land, do we?"
"No," replied the Duck. "But you may go ashore for a little while if you
wish. We don't sail for two hours."
"All right!" replied Puss, "I'll take a run on the grass," and he walked
down the gang-plank across the old wharf, until he came to a path, well
worn by the sailors who for years had carried the cargoes up to the
little village. Under a tree close by sat an old sailor. He was smoking
a big black pipe as contentedly as could be. But as soon as he saw Puss
he took it out of his mouth.
"Ahoy, my breezy little reefer," he cried.
"Good morning," replied Puss.
"Don't be in a hurry," said the old sailor. "Just moor your little hulk
alongside of old Tom."
"What's the matter, my breezy little skipper?" asked the old sailor
after a few minutes silence, for, Puss, you see, didn't know what to
say.
"Nothing," replied Puss, sadly, "only, I can't find my father, the
famous Puss in Boots."
"What did he look like?" asked the old sailor, with a grin.
"He looked like me----or, rather, I look like him," replied Puss.
"Well, my merry little sandpiper!" cried the old salt, "you should have
stayed at home!"
"I don't agree with you," said Puss stoutly, "I wanted to see the
world."
"Give me your flipper," said the old sailor kindly. "Good luck to ye. I
hope you find your daddy."