“And this little dog and the black cat are mascots, too, other regiments offering a big reward for their return. I read about these very animals in one of the Paris papers this morning. I’ll go get the paper and read it to you,” she said.
In a jiffy she disappeared inside the boat but came out again, waving the paper. “Here it is! Now listen while I read to you all what it says:
LOST, STRAYED OR STOLEN
One large white goat, belonging to the —th Regiment of New York
One small yellow dog, belonging to the —th Regiment of Pennsylvania
One big black cat, belonging to the —th Regiment of Illinois.
Any person or persons returning the same to their respective Headquarters will receive $1,000 reward for each animal alive and well.”
She jumped up and went springing and dancing around the deck.
“Here we have all three of them right here on our boat! Ho for the reward! I see where we get it when we return from this trip. We will take the best of care of them, but keep them hidden from others until our return trip. Then we will take them to Headquarters and claim the reward.”
“Well, you won’t get any reward for either the cat or the dog if you don’t fix up the wounds where that rat bit them, for they are losing so much blood it will kill them,” said the Captain.