"Well, that's good news," cried Puss, Junior, 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, Junior's, pocket, was also relieved. The only one who didn't seem overjoyed was Mr. Crusoe himself.
"What's the matter now?" 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, Junior.
"Well, not exactly," replied Mr. Crusoe. "I needn't answer the bell, you know."
By this time the three men had landed on the beach, and pretty soon the doorbell rang.