hased up the tree and pulled down heavy branches.
"There is a sign of my royal prowess," said he.

"It's a good sign," said Quick-to-Grab. They were about to talk again
when Quick-to-Grab put down his tail and ran up another tree greatly
frightened.

"What ails you?" said the King of the Cats. "Can you not stay still
while you are speaking to your lord and master?"

"Old-fellow Badger is coming this way," said Quick-to-Grab, "and when he
puts his teeth in one he never lets go."

Without saying a word the King of the Cats jumped down from the tree.
Old-fellow Badger was coming through the glade. When he saw the King of
the Cats crouching there he stopped and bared his terrible teeth. The
King of the Cats bent himself to spring. Then Old-fellow Badger turned
round and went lumbering back.

"Oh, by my claws and fur," said Quick-to-Grab, "you are the real King of
the Cats. Let me be your Councillor. Let me advise your Majesty in the
times that will be so difficult for your subjects and yourself. Know
that the Cats of Ireland are impoverished and oppressed. They are under
a terrible tyranny."

"Who oppresses my vassals, retainers and subjects?" said the King of the
Cats.

"The Eagle-Emperor. He has made a law that no cat may leave a man's
house as long as the birds (he makes an exception in the case of owls)
have any business abroad."

"I will tear him to pieces," said the King of the Cats. "How can I reach
him?"

"No cat has thought of reaching him," said Quick-to-Grab, "they only
think of keeping out of his way. Now let me advise your Majesty. None
of our enemies must know that you have come into this country. You must
appear as a common cat."

"What, me?" said the King of the Cats.

"Yes, your Majesty, for the sake of the deliverance of your subjects you
will have to appear as a common cat."

"And be submissive and eat scraps?"

"That will be only in the daytime," said Quick-to-Grab, "in the
night-time you will have your court and your feasts."

"At least, let the place I stay in be no hovel," said the King of
the Cats. "I shall refuse to go into a house where there are washing
days--damp clothes before a fire and all that."

"I shall use my best diplomacy to safeguard your comfort and dignity,"
said Quick-to-Grab, "please invest me as your Prime Minister."

The King of the Cats invested Quick-to-Grab by biting the fur round his
neck. Then the King and his Prime Minister parted. The King of the Cats