"Show us either of them and we'll prove our quality," Malay Kris boasted. "I have once before run Grater through and pinned him to the floor."
The King pulled at his beard.
"It is true that I have heard he now wears a piece of pink court-plaster."
"Give me arms and put me into your service," said Malay Kris, "and I will prove my mettle."
"You are indeed a likely looking soldier," said the King, regarding him with favor. "I'm inclined to try you. Give him," said he to the Captain of the Guard, "armor and a sword, and we'll see what he can do. As for these others, we'll put them in cages for the present and decide later what to do with them."
At these words Owl flew into the top of a tree and hooted.
"I do not like cages," said he. "I prefer a tree top."
And though the King tried soft words and made promises, the Owl refused to budge, looking down upon them all with great round eyes.
Coal and Ember growled and showed their teeth, and Alligator opened wide his great jaws and lashed about with his tail; but the little soldiers threw themselves valiantly upon them and bore them away as the King ordered.
"You two," said the King to Andy and Hortense, "have proved yourselves brave and are deserving of reward. We attach you to our person. You may stand guard in the palace."