 Chapter 38 of Puss Jr. and Robinson Caruso, this is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Jen Broda. Puss Jr. and Robinson Caruso by David Corey. The Red Beard. By and by Taffy stopped stroking Puss Jr. and said in a kindly voice, Well, my fine little cat, what can I do for you? Puss Jr. didn't know just what to answer. In fact, as he hadn't come for anything, he couldn't think of anything to fit the question. But little Tom Thumb, however, called over from where he was sitting in the Welsh woman's lap, that they had come to call, and that they were strangers in town travelling through on a journey of adventure. Did you hear what they say about me? asked Taffy. Yes, we did, replied Puss. But somehow I didn't believe it then, and I'm very sure I don't believe it now. Bless you for that! cried the little Welsh woman. My Taffy is no thief, but there has been a great mistake about it all. Yes, that there has, said Taffy. But how can I prove it? Someone with a red beard stole a piece of beef from the butcherman, and they said it was I, but I was never near his place, nor did I lay hands on meat or marrow bone. At that moment there came a loud knocking at the front door, and when the little Welsh woman opened it, whom should she find but the butcherman himself? See what I have brought to you! he said, holding up a false red beard. I found this today behind a barrel in my shop. It's like your Taffy's beard. At this the little Welsh woman opened her eyes very wide and tried to speak, but she was so surprised she couldn't. When the butcher went to say that perhaps the man who wore this beard was the one who had stolen his beef, the little Welsh woman began to cry softly, and the big butcher, who had a kind heart, said, Don't cry, my good woman. I don't think now your Taffy stole the beef, and that's the reason I've come all the way up here to show you this beard. So you tell Taffy that I shall tell everybody in town that it wasn't he who stole my beef, but some thief who wore a red beard, and then I'll show them what I found in my shop, and that will prove what I say. Everybody will be glad to know that Taffy isn't to blame. As soon as the butcher had gone, she flew upstairs to tell Taffy the good news, and it almost made Taffy cry. If he hadn't been a man, he would have, but it was hard work not to just the same. My head feels better already. He said with a laugh that had a big catch in it. Take off the bandages, little woman. I'll come down to supper, and these two small friends of ours shall spend the night with us, for they have brought us good luck today that they have. End of Chapter 38, Recording by Jen Broda Chapter 39 of Puss Junior and Robinson Crusoe This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Kurt from Tucson, Arizona Puss Junior and Robinson Crusoe by David Corey Robinson Crusoe After leaving Taffy the Welshman, Puss Junior and Little Tom Thumb walked along for many a mile until they came to the seashore. Right there in a sheltered cove lay a beautiful sailboat, on the stern of which was painted in gold letters, Take, O take me for a sail, I can weather any gale. Shall we accept the pretty boat's offer? asked Puss Junior. For answer Tom Thumb jumped in, and so, without another word, Puss hoisted the sail and steered for the big blue ocean. All day and all night they sailed away, and when they woke in the morning they were surprised to find the little boat fast aground on a sandy beach. How did we get here? asked Puss sleepily. For it was still early in the morning, and the sun had just begun to climb up to the sky, and the dew dripped from the tall metal grass that grew close to the water's edge. Through no fault of hours replied Little Tom Thumb with a laugh. Then Puss Junior fell asleep at the helm, and the first-made Tom Thumb did likewise, he added, running up to the bow and looking over the land. Why, it's an island, he called out. I can see water on the other side. You don't say so, said Puss. Well, let's land. So they jumped ashore and walked up the beach towards a clump of trees. Pretty nice sort of place, said Tom Thumb. Let's play Robinson Crusoe. I'll be your black man Friday. We can build a house under those trees, and as we have lots to eat on board ship, we can spend some time here without danger of starving. And just then all of a sudden a voice began to sing. Poor old Robinson Crusoe. Poor old Robinson Crusoe. They made him a coat of an old nanny goat. I wonder how they could do so. With a ring-ting-tang and a ring-ting-tang, poor old Robinson Crusoe. Who's that? whispered Puss Junior. But he needn't have asked the question. For just then a man dressed all in skins came toward them. Friends are enemies, he asked. Friends! cried Puss Junior. Friends! screamed Tom. Welcome then to my island. I am Robinson Crusoe. Puss and Tom were too amazed to answer for a few minutes. Then Puss Junior stretched out his right paw, saying, I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Crusoe. And so am I, said little Tom Thumb, standing on tiptoe and reaching up his hand. Well, you're certainly as welcome as the flowers in May, said Robinson Crusoe. Visitors are few and far between. Come with me to my house. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Kurt from Tucson, Arizona. Puss Junior and Robinson Crusoe by David Corey Crusoe Castle. Robinson Crusoe's home was unlike anything Puss Junior had ever seen. Notwithstanding that he had visited many strange places and met many strange people, he was greatly surprised at Robinson Crusoe's style of dwelling. It wasn't exactly like a fort, and yet it was one. Tom Thumb said it reminded him of some of the strange castles he had seen while with Good King Arthur. It stood against the side of a small hill, surrounded by a high stockade. There was no door to it, but while Puss was wondering how they were going to get in, Robinson Crusoe placed a ladder against the wall and climbed up, saying, Follow me, friends, this is the way we enter Crusoe Castle. After reaching the top, they descended by the same ladder, which, of course, was pulled up and lowered on the inside. A very nice looking tent met their eyes, back of which was a large cave hollowed out of the rocky hill. Here is where I live, my little friends, cried Robinson Crusoe. This is my dog, Snoozer, and my two cats, Caramel and Caroline. Puss had never been very fond of dogs, but Snoozer came forward in such a respectful way that Puss took a liking to him at once. I suppose there were so few visitors at Crusoe Castle that Snoozer would have welcomed even a strange cat. Caramel and Caroline, however, matters were different. Caramel, from the first, was jealous of Puss. You see, he had no fine red top boots, nor a sword, and feathered cap. Caroline, however, made up for him. She thought Puss, Junior, was just about the handsomest cat she had ever seen. Poor Caroline! She had never been off Crusoe Island. For all that, however, I don't think if she had been all over the wide, wide world she would have met such a handsom cat as Puss, Junior. No, indeed. Puss, Junior, was the Prince of Cats. That goes without saying, though we have said it. And now that we have all been introduced, let us sit down and talk, cried Robinson Crusoe, for I have hardly spoken to a soul for many years. I have forgotten how a voice sounds. So they all began to talk and laugh and to tell all sorts of jokes and riddles, until it began to grow dark. Then Robinson Crusoe jumped up and said, Come and watch me get supper, for I am Lord and Chief Cook of Crusoe Castle. Puss, Junior, and Robinson Crusoe by David Corey. Friday Puss, Junior, and Tom Thumb enjoyed their supper at Crusoe Castle, better than any meal they ever had. Even when I visited the man in the moon, the cheese wasn't as good as this, said Puss. Glad you like it, said Mr. Crusoe. I made up myself from goats milk. With some fine goats, let me tell you, I made me this coat from an old nanny-goat. Do you wonder how Crusoe could do so? Well, I suppose there are no tailors on Crusoe Island, said Tom Thumb. I have never met any, replied Mr. Crusoe, with a laugh. I have never met anybody so far except goats and kids, parrots and monkeys, ducks and drakes, snakes and lizards. Where did you get Snoozer and Caramel and Caroline, asked Puss? They came off the ship with me when it was wrecked, said Mr. Crusoe. That is, I brought them off the next day when I went out on the raft to the wreck, and they've been with me ever since. Oh, by the way, Puss, Junior suddenly exclaimed, is Friday here? Oh, yes, cried Tom Thumb, where is Friday? Mr. Crusoe got up and walked over to a tall pole and looked over carefully, the notches cut into the wood. Let me see, he said. Today is Thursday. Yes, that's right, Friday will be here tomorrow. You've made a mistake, Mr. Crusoe, said Puss, with a laugh. Have I, he replied, looking over his wooden calendar carefully a second time? I don't mean the day, said Puss, I mean your man Friday. Oh, you mean my Black Man Friday, said Mr. Crusoe? Oh, I gave him a holiday. He'll be here tomorrow. I'm very anxious to see him, said Tom Thumb. He'll be surprised when he sees you, too, said Mr. Crusoe, with a grin. He's never seen a white man but me. By this time it was quite dark. So Mr. Crusoe lighted some very nice homemade candles and stuck them here and there in the cave. He gave a very soft light. The waves on the beach murmur gently and pretty soon snoozer was snoring and Caramel and Caroline were fast asleep on an old sack in a corner. Let us turn in, said Mr. Crusoe, showing Puss and Tom a very comfortable hammock. In a short time everybody was sound asleep and snoring away in the cave. End of Chapter 41, Chapter 42 of Puss and Boots Jr. and Robinson Crusoe. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org, recording by Kurt from Tucson, Arizona. Puss Jr. and Robinson Crusoe by David Corey. Supposing. The loud ringing of a bell awoke everyone in Crusoe Castle. Puss Jr. jumped out of his hammock and little Tom thumb yawned and asked in a sleepy voice, Who's ringing the doorbell? Then Mr. Crusoe picked up the ladder and went outside and placing it against the fence climbed to the top. And after that he pulled up the ladder and then let it down on the outside. All this time, Snoozer stood below wagging his tail. While Mr. Crusoe's two cats, Caramel and Caroline, purred and rubbed against the calendar pole. Pretty soon a curly-headed black face appeared above the wall. Black man, Friday, whispered Tom thumb. Bow wow, yelp, Snoozer! And in a few minutes Mr. Crusoe and his man Friday climbed down the ladder. This is my good man Friday, said Mr. Crusoe. So Puss and Tom thumb shook hands with him which seemed to please him immensely. Glum glum, blum blum, he cried, smiling and showing a row of very white teeth. That's how he pleased to meet you and his language, said Mr. Crusoe. He can talk very little English yet. I've had a little time to devote to his education so far. But who rang the bell, asked Puss, Junior. Why Friday did, of course, replied Mr. Crusoe. Come over here and I'll show you. And he led Puss to the rear of the cave. I brought this bell back from the wreck, explained Mr. Crusoe. After Friday came to me I tied a rope to it. At the other end of the rope I fastened a doorknob. When I go out Friday usually stays in, and when I ring the bell he lets down the ladder to me. When he's out he rings the bell, just as he did this morning. And I let the ladder down to him. What do you do when you both go out, asked Puss? To snooze or attend to the ladder? Oh, no, replied Mr. Crusoe. We hide the ladder in the woods nearby. Then when we come back we get it out and stand it up against the wall and climb up. Supposing someone should come across the ladder and make a call while you're out, asked Tom Thumb. Well, I don't know whether they'd think of that if they just happened to find the ladder answered Mr. Crusoe. Well, supposing they did said Tom Thumb. Caesar's ghost, cried Mr. Crusoe. Supposed we don't do any more supposing. I've been so long alone that I've forgotten how to play that game. Let's all go down to the beach and get some fresh soft clams for breakfast. Start the water boiling Friday. We're going to have steamed clams for breakfast. And then Mr. Crusoe climbed up the ladder with Puss and Tom Thumb close at his heels. End of chapter 42. Chapter 43 of Puss Jr. and Robinson Crusoe. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Kurt from Tucson, Arizona. Puss Jr. and Robinson Crusoe by David Corey. Three men in a tub. On reaching the seashore, Robinson Crusoe raised a spy glass to his eyes and looked carefully over the water. And then all of a sudden he lowered the glass and whispered, the cannibals are coming. We must go back to my fort at once. Did they eat cats, cried Puss Jr.? I don't know, replied Mr. Crusoe. You see, I've never met a cannibal. In fact, I've always held aloof from them. Crusoe's man Friday was nearly frightened to death. He was pale as a black ghost, which is pretty white for an negro. Once inside the fort, Mr. Crusoe again took a look at the cannibals. Why, I guess I've made a mistake, he cried. It's a tub, not a canoe. Robo-dub-dub, three men in a tub. And who do you think they be? The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. Turn them out, knaves all three. Well, that's good news, cried Puss Jr., while black man Friday jumped about in great glee. You see, he had escaped only a short time before from the cannibals. Little Tom Thumb, although safe inside Puss Jr.'s pocket, was also relieved. The only one who didn't seem overjoyed was Mr. Crusoe himself. What's the matter, said Puss? Mr. Crusoe gave a deep sigh. If you owed the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker as much as I do, you wouldn't be overjoyed at seeing them, either. But I'd rather see them than cannibals, cried Tom Thumb. I'd rather they'd take my money than my life. That's very true, said Mr. Crusoe. But you don't quite get me. The laws on this island are very strict. They will allow you to shoot a cannibal at sight, but not your grocery-man. Then you are powerless against these three men in a tub, said Puss Jr.? Well, not exactly, replied Mr. Crusoe. I'd needn't answer the bell, you know. By this time, the three men had landed on the beach and pretty soon the doorbell rang. Shh, whispered Mr. Crusoe. Don't make a sound. They can pull the handle. They didn't do this. But they kept the bell going until everyone in Crusoe Castle was nearly crazy. First, the butcher took a hand, then the baker, and then the candlestick maker. Then they began all over again. End of Chapter 43. Chapter 44 of Puss Jr. and Robinson Crusoe. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, in order to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Kurt from Tucson, Arizona. Puss Jr. and Robinson Crusoe by David Corey. A big fish. If those fellows don't stop ringing that bell, I'll get out my gun, said Robinson Crusoe. I didn't get the bell for them. It's all paid for long ago. At that moment the bellcourt snapped, and the baker, 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 Jr. Tom Thummon, 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 skillful 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 Jr. So Tom Thummon 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 Thummon. Although of course he was frightened almost to death, but what was he used 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 Thummon. 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 dooth! Well, it's your own fault, said Tom. Next time don't swallow everything that comes along. End of chapter 44. Chapter 45 of Puss Jr. and Robinson Crusoe. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Kurt from Tucson, Arizona. Puss Jr. and Robinson Crusoe by David Corey. 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 Thum'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 Thummon. Didn't you ever have a tooth pulled out that way? It won't hurt much. Well, go ahead, said the whale, closing his eyes and shutting his teeth tight. And then out came the hook, and over went Tom into the bottom of the boat. Ouch, ouch! said the whale. While little Tom Thum picked himself up and said to Puss Jr. Don't you ever ask me to fish again in the ocean? I'd rather fish like simple Simon. Simple Simon went to fishing, for to catch a whale. All the water he had got was in his mother's pail. What are you grumbling about, asked the whale peering over the side of the boat? One would think you had been caught with a hook. And saying this disagreeable thing, he dived down into the sea. No more fishing for me, laughed Tom Thummon. And just then they came close to a lighthouse on a big rock, so they ran the boat up on the little stretch of sand. I don't know what we're landing for, said Captain Puss Jr., only I've never been in a lighthouse and here's a good chance. Haven't you, asked a pretty voice, and a young girl appeared on the stone steps, leading down to the beach. Come, my gallant-tars, and I'll show you my lighthouse. And after that you can tell me some of your adventures. For it is a lonely life I lead here alone on the rock until my Bobby Shephto returns. Bobby Shephto's gone to sea, in his schooner Mary Lee. Hard to port or hard to lee, hasten Bobby home to me. So Puss picked up Tom Thummon, followed the girl into the lighthouse and up the stairs to the very top, where the great lamp sent out its rays of light to guide the ships at night, or the great bell clanged in foggy weather to warn the weary sailor from the cruel rocks. After they had seen everything there was to be seen, they all went into the cozy kitchen. Puss Jr. with Tom Thummon his shoulder and the pretty girl who kept the lighthouse. And now we shall have supper, she said. And after that when the lamp is lighted in the tower we'll sit outside on the doorstep and Puss Jr. shall tell me one of his adventures. Well, what shall I tell and where shall I begin? asked Puss when they all were seated outside the lighthouse. Tell me how you and Tom became fellow travelers, said the girl, taking Tom up in her hand and placing him on her knee. Willingly, said Puss, stroking his whiskers and curling his great mustache, and should I make a mistake in the telling, Tom may correct me. When I left my father at the castle of my lord of Carabas, I had gone but a few miles when I came to Tom Thum's house. And as soon as his mother saw me she asked me to go to King Arthur's court and find out about her son, Tom Thum. She had made him but a few days before a small cambrick parasol, and with this as a sort of airship he had floated off on the wind to the castle. When I got there I found that poor Tom was imprisoned in a mousetrap. He had fallen into the dough which the royal baker was about to bake into cakes for King Arthur. And this had so angered the baker that he had thrown Tom into a mousetrap. It was worse than that. I was to be beheaded in her pose, Tom. I owe my life to Puss, Junior. At this Puss actually blushed, for he was a modest little cat, although he had traveled much and had been royally treated. Say not so, my dear Tom, he cried, for King Arthur was only too glad to comply with my request when I asked him to release you. In fact, it was not because he feared my sword, but because he liked my rhyme. How did it run, asked the girl, and Puss, blushing, still more deeply, commenced to recite this little verse. My good King Arthur rules this land, with justice and a generous hand. Far be it that a cat should plead in vain that Tom Thumb shall be freed. Is that what you said, cried little Tom Thumb? Dear, dear Puss, I shall never forget what you did for me. Dear, dear, here we are at the end of the book, and poor little Puss, Junior, has not yet found his father. Maybe he will in the next book. THE END