r, who had just given
the handle a dreadful yank, fell over backwards and rolled down the hill
to the beach.

"Mr. Crusoe's not at home," said the butcher. "We might as well go
back." So he and the candlestick maker went down to the shore and joined
the baker; and then all three got into the tub and sailed away.

"And we must do the same," said Puss, Junior. "Tom Thumb and I thank you
very much for our nice visit on your island, but it's time we went forth
again on our journey of adventure."

"Well, I'm sorry to see you go," said Robinson Crusoe. And after that
Puss shoved off the little boat and soon he and Tom were far out of
sight on the big, wide sea.

"When the wind is in the East,
'Tis neither good for man nor beast;
When the wind is in the North,
The skilful fisher goes not forth.
When the wind is in the South,
It blows the bait in the fish's mouth;
When the wind is in the West,
Then 'tis at the very best."

"Well, as the wind is in the South, why don't you fish?" cried Captain
Puss, Junior. So Tom Thumb started in, and presently he felt a
tremendous tug on the line.

"I've got a fish! I've got a fish!" he cried, and then he began pulling
in his line as fast as he could. But, oh dear me! It wasn't a fish after
all, but a great big whale!

"Don't you pull on that line any more," cried the whale, "if you do I'll
smash your boat."

"Oh, is that so," said little Tom Thumb, although, of course, he was
frightened almost to death, but what was the use to show fear? It would
only make things worse, and if he put on a bold front, perhaps the whale
would let them alone.

"I'll take the hook out of your nose, if you'll promise not to swallow
me," said little Tom Thumb.

"All right," said the whale, and then Tom tried to pull it out. But it
was in so tight that the whale began to spout great big tears. "Oh, dear
me! It hurts just like a tooth!"

"Well, it's your own fault!" said Tom. "Next time don't swallow
everything that comes along!"

MARY LEE

"IF you're not more careful, I'll spout water over your boat and sink
it," cried the whale, growing tired of Tom Thumb's fruitless endeavors
to get the fish hook out. "My nose is bleeding now and the hook is still
in it."

"Let me give the string a yank," said Tom Thumb. "Didn't you ever have a
tooth pulled out that way? It won't hurt much."

"Well, go ahead," sai