"Ahoy, my breezy little reefer," he cried.
"Good morning," replied Puss.
"Don't be in a hurry," said the old sailor. "Just moor your little hulk alongside of old Tom."
"What's the matter, my breezy little skipper?" asked the old sailor after a few minutes silence, for, Puss, you see, didn't know what to say.
"Nothing," replied Puss, sadly, "only, I can't find my father, the famous Puss in Boots."
"What did he look like?" asked the old sailor, with a grin.
"He looked like me——or, rather, I look like him," replied Puss.
"Well, my merry little sandpiper!" cried the old salt, "you should have stayed at home!"
"I don't agree with you," said Puss stoutly, "I wanted to see the world."
"Give me your flipper," said the old sailor kindly. "Good luck to ye. I hope you find your daddy."