Then Puss helped her over the gang-plank, for the crew was busy loading the good ship with all kinds of things.
Pretty soon the miller came running down the dock. "Here is a sack of flour," he panted, "I thought you might need some for muffins."
"Isn't that fine?" said Puss, leaning over the rail. "There's nothing like having plenty of food aboard in case the voyage is a long one."
"I don't know where we are bound," said the baby's mother, "but baby will like it, I'm sure. One can 'rock-a-by baby' on the sea as well as on the old willow tree."
"I heard," said the 'rusty, dusty' miller, as he laid the heavy sack of flour on the deck, and wiped the perspiration from his forehead, "that
"There were sweetmeats in the cabin,
And apples in the hold;
The sails were made of silk,
And the masts were made of gold."
"Why, so they are," cried Puss, gazing up at the beautiful tall shining masts. "They are of gold, of course they are. Look, baby," he cried, "see the gold masts."
"He's too young to know whether they are made of gold or good old oak," said his mother, "but we'll teach him to be a good sailor, won't we, Puss, dear?"