nd some parsley into his
bag; and then, stretching himself out at full length as if he was dead,
he waited for some young rabbits (which as yet knew nothing of the
cunning tricks of the world) to come and get into the bag, the better to
feast upon the dainties he had put into it.

Scarcely had he laid down before he succeeded as well as could be
wished. A giddy young rabbit crept into the bag, and the cat
immediately drew the strings, and killed him without mercy.

Puss, proud of his prey, hastened directly to the palace, where he asked
to speak to the king. On being shown into the apartment of his majesty,
he made a low bow, and said--"I have brought you, sire, this rabbit from
the warren of my lord the Marquis of Carabas, who commanded me to
present it to your majesty with the assurance of his respect." This was
the title the cat thought proper to bestow upon his master.

"Tell my lord Marquis of Carabas," replied the king, "that I accept of
his present with pleasure, and that I am greatly obliged to him."

Soon after the cat laid himself down in the same manner in a field of
corn, and had as much good fortune as before; for two fine partridges
got into his bag, which he immediately killed and carried to the palace.
The king received them as he had done the rabbit, and ordered his
servants to give the messenger something to drink. In this manner he
continued to carry presents of game to the king from my lord Marquis of
Carabas, once at least every week.

One day, the cat having heard that the king intended to take a ride that
morning by the river side with his daughter, who was the most beautiful
princess in the world, he said to his master, "If you will but follow my
advice your fortune is made. Take off your clothes, and bathe yourself
in the river, just in the place I shall show you, and leave the rest to
me."

The Marquis of Carabas did exactly as he was desired, without being able
to guess what the cat intended. While he was bathing, the king passed
by, and Puss directly called out as loud as he could bawl "Help! help!
my lord Marquis of Carabas is in danger of being drowned!"

The king hearing the cries, put his head out at the window of his
carriage to see what was the matter; when, perceiving the very cat which
had brought him so many presents, he ordered his attendants to go
directly to the assistance of my lord Marquis of Carabas.

While they were employed in taking the Marquis out of the river, the