Puss in Boots, Jr., and the Good Gray Horse

<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</SPAN></span></p> <h2>PUSS RECOVERS HIS STEED</h2> <div class='poem'><div class='cap'> THE girl in the lane, that couldn't speak plain,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cried, "Gobble, gobble, gobble!"</span><br/> The man on the hill, that couldn't stand still,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Went hobble, hobble, hobble!</span><br/></div> </div> <p>"Goodness me!" exclaimed Puss, Junior, as he mounted the bicycle which the kind owner of the Willow Tree Inn had lent him, "I can't understand a word the girl says. I asked her if she had seen my Good Gray Horse and she answers, 'Gobble, gobble, gobble!'" And then little Puss gave a great sigh, for it's pretty hard luck to have your horse stolen while asleep in a strange inn, although it's mighty lucky to have the innkeeper lend you his bicycle.</p> <p>Well, after a while and many a mile, the road began to wind up a hill, so Puss got off and pushed his wheel ahead until by and by he met a little old man. He held a stick in both hands, on which he leaned as he hobbled along.</p> <p>"Did you see a runaway horse?" asked Puss.</p> <p>"I did, indeed, my good Sir Cat," answered the hobble-hobble man. "He went by but a few<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</SPAN></span> minutes ago. There were fairies on his back. I thought at first I must be dreaming, till I remembered once before in my life seeing a swarm of fairies, if I might use the word, from yonder forest in hot pursuit for a bold robber who had waylaid a traveler."</p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/gs06.png" width-obs="353" height-obs="450" alt="The Hobble-Hobble Man" title="" /></div> <p>"Thank you," said Puss. "I must catch up<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</SPAN></span> with them, for the horse belongs to me, and this bicycle is a poor substitute."</p> <p>"Yes, I should think as much," replied the hobble-hobble man. "But how are you going to catch him? Those forest fairies are mischievous, and you will need to pedal fast and furious to overtake them."</p> <p>"Never fear," replied Puss, stoutly. "I have a good pair of legs." And, jumping on his bicycle, he went up the hill at a great rate. On reaching the top he was delighted to see his Good Gray Horse going down the road to the valley.</p> <p>"Here's where I overtake them," cried Puss, placing his feet on the coasters. "My bicycle can go downhill faster than a horse. In a few moments I'll again be astride my faithful steed."</p> <p>The dust flew out in a cloud behind him as he swiftly coasted down the steep road. Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling! went his bell as he came nearer and nearer. "Gid-ap!" cried the fairies, but the Good Gray Horse was tired. He had gone many miles at a gallop.</p> <p>"Whoa!" cried Puss.</p> <p>"Gid-ap!" cried the fairies.</p> <p>But Puss was now close to them. Standing up on the bicycle seat, he made a wonderful jump and landed squarely on the saddle of his Good Gray Horse. And then, with a scream of dismay, the fairies flew away.</p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />