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A Sea Fight<br />
THE CAT<br />
"Prince," said <strong>the</strong> White Cat, "let us be<br />
merry. I have ordered a naval combat between<br />
my <strong>cat</strong>s and <strong>the</strong> terrible rats of this country. My<br />
<strong>cat</strong>s will perhaps be a little embarrassed because<br />
<strong>the</strong>y fear <strong>the</strong> water ; but o<strong>the</strong>rwise <strong>the</strong>y would have<br />
had too much <strong>the</strong> advantage, and one should equal-<br />
ise matters as far as one is able."<br />
The Prince admired <strong>the</strong> wisdom of <strong>the</strong> Cat, and<br />
went with her to a terrace overlooking <strong>the</strong> sea and<br />
<strong>the</strong> assembled fleets. The ships in which <strong>the</strong> <strong>cat</strong>s<br />
embarked were made of pieces of cork, and sailed<br />
buoyantly over <strong>the</strong> waves. The rats had joined<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r a number of egg-shells, and into <strong>the</strong>se<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir sailors bravely climbed. The battle was hard<br />
fought. The rats never hesitated to fling <strong>the</strong>m-<br />
selves into <strong>the</strong> water, and, because <strong>the</strong>y swam so<br />
well, <strong>the</strong>y were many times on <strong>the</strong> point of victory.<br />
But Minagrobis, admiral of <strong>the</strong> feline fleet, saved<br />
it from disaster. He attacked and promptly de-<br />
voured <strong>the</strong> enemy's great captain, a wise and ex-<br />
perienced old rat, who had been three times around<br />
<strong>the</strong> world, and whose death filled his followers with<br />
despair.<br />
The White Cat would not, however, permit <strong>the</strong><br />
destruction of <strong>the</strong> enemy. She was a sagacious<br />
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