`` Lord Mayor of London ! '' said he to himself , `` what would not one endure to be Lord Mayor of London , and ride in such a fine coach ? Well , I 'll go back again , and bear all the pummelling and ill-usage of Cicely rather than miss the opportunity of being Lord Mayor ! '' So home he went , and happily got into the house and about his business before Mrs. Cicely made her appearance . We must now follow Miss Puss to the coast of Africa . How perilous are voyages at sea , how uncertain the winds and the waves , and how many accidents attend a naval life ! The ship that had the cat on board was long beaten at sea , and at last , by contrary winds , driven on a part of the coast of Barbary which was inhabited by Moors unknown to the English . These people received our countrymen with civility , and therefore the captain , in order to trade with them , showed them the patterns of the goods he had on board , and sent some of them to the King of the country , who was so well pleased that he sent for the captain and the factor to come to his palace , which was about a mile from the sea . Here they were placed , according to the custom of the country , on rich carpets , flowered with gold and silver ; and the King and Queen being seated at the upper end of the room , dinner was brought in , which consisted of many dishes ; but no sooner were the dishes put down but an amazing number of rats and mice came from all quarters and devoured all the meat in an instant . The factor , in surprise , turned round to the nobles and asked if these vermin were not offensive . `` Oh ! yes , '' said they , `` very offensive ; and the King would give half his treasure to be freed of them , for they not only destroy his dinner , as you see , but they assault him in his chamber , and even in bed , so that he is obliged to be watched while he is sleeping , for fear of them . '' The factor jumped for joy ; he remembered poor Whittington and his cat , and told the King he had a creature on board the ship that would despatch all these vermin immediately . The King 's heart heaved so high at the joy which this news gave him that his turban dropped off his head . `` Bring this creature to me , '' said he ; `` vermin are dreadful in a court , and if she will perform what you say I will load your ship with gold and jewels in exchange for her . '' The factor , who knew his business , took this opportunity to set forth the merits of Miss Puss . He told his Majesty that it would be inconvenient to part with her , as , when she was gone , the rats and mice might destroy the goods in the ship -- but to oblige his Majesty he would fetch her . `` Run , run , '' said the Queen ; `` I am impatient to see the dear creature . '' Away flew the factor , while another dinner was providing , and returned with the cat just as the rats and mice were devouring that also . He immediately put down Miss Puss , who killed a great number of them .
The King rejoiced greatly to see his old enemies destroyed by so small a creature , and the XXXXX was highly pleased , and desired the cat might be brought near that she might look at her .
Africa Barbary Cicely English King Puss Queen Whittington assault pummelling