"Well, since you are so brave, I will help you," said the fox; "I know a way and will show you how you may escape the robbers."
A TURTLE AND A FISH
AS I told you in the last story, the Fox promised to help Puss and pretty soon he led him out of the little log house and through a thick undergrowth of young timber until they came to a river. "Now, the robbers will never think for a moment that you would travel by water," said the Fox with a grin. "Here is a little boat," and he pushed aside the bushes behind which lay a rowboat with a pair of oars.
As Puss got in, the Fox gave him some parting directions. "Follow the stream until you come to a lake. Then leave your boat and follow the right bank until you come to a bridge. After that you will find the highway which will take you to the castle of my Lord of Carabas, where your famous father, Puss in Boots, lives."
"Thank you, my good friend," cried our little hero, pushing off from the shore, and in a few minutes he was gliding down the stream.
"Heigh-ho!" he sighed. "This is a new way to travel, but I have had many experiences, so why not a rowboat instead of a gander or an automobile," and he bent to his rowing and by and by he came to a bend in the river, and as it was late in the afternoon, he decided to land and camp for the night. But no sooner had he landed on the bank than a large turtle came up to him and said:
"This is Turtle Island. No one is allowed to land unless he has a permit." Of course, little Puss, Junior, didn't have one, but after a moment's reflection, he said:
"I am about to visit my father, the famous Puss in Boots, and if I cannot remain here for the night, I may have an accident on the river. Please let me stay."