When all were assembled, together with Bud and Fluff, the old man told his news and cried:
“We shall all be slaughtered and our kingdom sacked and destroyed, for the army of Ix is twice as big as our own—yes, twice as big!”
“Oh, pooh! What of that?” said Tollydob, scornfully; “have they a general as tall as I am?”
“Certainly not,” said the chief counselor. “Who ever saw a man as tall as you are?”
“Then I’ll fight and conquer them!” declared Tollydob, rising and walking about the room, so that all might see where his head just grazed the ceiling.
“But you can’t, general; you can’t fight an army by yourself!” remonstrated Tullydub, excitedly. “And being so big, you are a better mark for their arrows and axes.”
At this the general sat down rather suddenly and grew pale.
“Perhaps we can buy them off,” remarked the lord high purse-bearer, jingling the purse that now never became empty.
“No, I’m afraid not,” sighed Tullydub. “Quavo the minstrel said they were bent upon conquest, and were resolved upon a battle.”
“And their queen is a witch,” added Tallydab, nervously. “We must not forget that.”