Rudolf and Ann burst out laughing, and even Peter smiled, for it seemed to them a funny thing for a pirate to fuss about.

“Now,” exclaimed Rudolf, as the breeze freshened and the forms of the cat pirates began to fade from sight, “there’s a great deal to be attended to.  What do you think we’d better get at first?”

“My pink pajamas!” cried Prowler, leaping in the air and turning a double somersault in his delight.

“My paper collars!” shouted Growler, following his example.

Rudolf was disgusted with the two mates for thinking of such nonsense at a time like this, but it was no use trying to do anything with them.  They left the Merry Mouser to his management, and rushed below to bring up the False Hare’s suit case.  When they returned they were followed by the two spotted sailors whom they introduced to the children as Toddles and Towser.  Toddles and Towser were still very sleepy.  They had managed to free themselves by chewing the string that bound their paws, but they did not seem at all disturbed by the change in affairs or inclined to make any trouble.

Rudolf placed them both at the wheel with stern directions to keep each other awake if possible.  He then went below to see if he could find his sword before either Growler or Prowler should take a fancy to it.  It was hanging up over Captain Mittens’ berth, and under the Chief’s pillow, neatly folded ready for the night, Rudolf found Peter’s pajamas.  As they were quite dry now, he called Peter and insisted on his putting them on, much against the little boy’s wishes, for hot and tight and furry as his borrowed suit had been, Peter had felt gloriously like a pirate in it!  Very sulkily he followed his brother out of the cabin, but when the two had mounted to the deck Peter’s sulks gave way to a burst of giggles at the sight of Growler and Prowler.

Ann was sitting on the deck quite weak with laughter, while the two mates, dressed in their stolen finery, paraded up and down in front of her.  Prowler’s pink pajamas were a better fit for him than Growler’s paper collar which nearly concealed his pirate’s nose, only the points of his whiskers and the tips of his black ears showing.  Ann had added to his costume by the loan of her blue hair-ribbon which she had tied in a nice bow on the tip of his tail.  But Prowler, if possible, looked even more silly than Growler, for he copied the actions of Captain Mittens as closely as he could, folding his paws on his chest and scowling gloomily about him.  He seemed extremely vexed when the children laughed, but they really could not help it, since a pirate in pink pajamas is not particularly dreadful.  At last, after much coaxing, Rudolf got the whole party to sit down in a circle on the deck and consult with him on some plan of action.

“We must make up our minds,” said he firmly, “on where we are going, and what is the nearest land, and what we are going to do when we get there, and who is in command of the Merry Mouser, anyway, and—­”