When the cat had got what he had asked for,
then he drew on his boots—they were topped with
crimson leather—and he threw the sack over his
shoulder, and went away to a warren, where there
were many rabbits. Then he put some sow-
thistles and some bran at the bottom of the sack,
and throwing himself down as though he were
dead, he waited till some foolish young rabbit
should come and be snared.
Nor had he long to wait, for very soon a silly
bunny came up, and attracted by what was in the
sack, went in. Then the cat drew the cords that
shut the neck of the sack and killed the rabbit.
Very proud of what he had done, he went to the
king’s palace, and asked to speak with his Majesty.
He was readily admitted, when, marching in his
boots to the foot of the throne, he made a pro-
found bow, and throwing down the rabbit on the
steps of the dais, said: ‘Sire, the Marquess of
Carabas has enjoined me to present you with a
rabbit from his warren. With onion sauce, boiled,
your Majesty will find it excellent.’
“Tell your master,’ answered the king, ‘that he
could hardly have afforded me a greater pleasure.
My cook never dreams of sending me up rabbit,
on which I dote. Thank him cordially from me.’
Next day the cat concealed himself in the stand-
ing corn, with his sack open. Soon two partridges
entered; he drew the strings and caught them.
Then again, he went to the palace, and presented
them to the king in the name of his master, the
Marquess of Carabas.
The king was delighted, and ordered that the
messenger should be given something to drink.
The cat asked for a saucerful of milk—he touched
nothing stronger, said he; on principle he was a
teetotaller.
The cat continued his course; he caught in like
Manner, pheasant, woodcock, snipe, teal, wild-
15

PUSS
IN
BOOTS