eld her out to the Queen, who was afraid to
touch an animal that was able to kill so many rats and mice; but when
she saw how gentle the cat seemed, and how glad she was at being stroked
by the captain, she ventured to touch her too, saying all the time:
"Poot, poot," for she could not speak English. At last the Queen took
puss on her lap, and by degrees became quite free with her, till puss
purred herself to sleep. When the King had seen the actions of mistress
puss, and was told that she would soon have young ones, which might in
time kill all the rats and mice in his country, he bought the captain's
whole ship's cargo; and afterwards gave him a great deal of gold
besides, which was worth still more, for the cat. The captain then took
leave, and set sail with a fair wind, and arrived safe at London.

One morning, when Mr. Fitzwarren had come into the counting house, and
seated himself at the desk, somebody came tap, tap, tap, at the door.

"Who is there?" asked Mr. Fitzwarren.

"A friend," answered someone; and who should it be but the captain,
followed by several men carrying vast lumps of gold, that had been paid
him by the King of Barbary for the ship's cargo. They then told the
story of the cat, and showed the rich present that the King had sent to
Dick for her; upon which the merchantman called out to his servants:

"Go fetch him, we will tell him of the same;
Pray call him Mr. Whittington by name."

Mr. Fitzwarren now showed himself a really good man, for while some of
his clerks said so great a treasure was too much for such a boy as
Dick, he answered:

"I will not keep the value of a single penny from him! It is all his
own, and he shall have every farthing's worth of it."

He sent for Dick, who happened to be scouring the cook's kettles, and
was quite dirty; so that he wanted to excuse himself from going to his
master. Mr. Fitzwarren, however, made him come in, and ordered a chair
to be set for him, so that poor Dick thought they were making fun of
him, and began to beg his master not to play tricks with a poor boy,
but to let him go again to his work.

"Indeed, Mr. Whittington," said the merchant, "we are all in earnest
with you; and I heartily rejoice in the news these gentlemen have
brought you; for the captain has sold your cat to the King of Barbary,
and brought you, in return for her, more riches than I possess; and I
wish you may long enjoy them!"

Mr. Fitzwarren then told the men to