So they kept an eye out for a toy-store, and pretty soon they found one.
"I'd better go in alone," said Kernel Cob, "because I'm the bravest and have a sword and can fight if any trouble arises."
"Aye, aye, skipper," said Jackie Tar.
So Kernel Cob crept very carefully into the shop and very lucky he did so, for the shopkeeper was there although he was asleep.
On a shelf stood a row of soldiers.
And Kernel Cob saluted them and said, "I am Kernel Cob of the United States Army," at which the soldiers gave him three cheers.
"My friends and I," said Kernel Cob, "are looking for the South Pole, where we hope to find Jackie and Peggs' motheranfather, and I thought maybe you could help us."
But not one of them answered him for they didn't know what he had said.
"I guess tin soldiers are deaf," said he.
"No, they're not," said a voice behind him, "only these are Italians and do not understand English."