Queen Zixi raved and stormed with anger; but the lord high executioner, who was enjoying himself immensely, continued to grab officer after officer and make them prisoners: and so far there had been no sign of battle; not an arrow had been fired nor an ax swung.
Then, to complete the amazement of the enemy, the gigantic ten-foot general of the army of Nole stepped in front of his men and waved around his head a flashing sword six feet in length, while he shouted in a voice like a roar of thunder, that made the army of Ix tremble:
“Forward, soldiers of Noland—forward! Destroy the enemy, and let none escape!”
“THE GIGANTIC TEN-FOOT GENERAL OF THE ARMY OF NOLE STEPPED IN FRONT OF HIS MEN.”
“BUD WAS SO AMUSED AT THE SIGHT OF THE FLYING FOE THAT HE ROLLED ON THE GROUND IN LAUGHTER.”
It was more than the army of Ix could bear. Filled with terror, the soldiers threw down their arms and fled in a great panic, racing over the mountain-top and down the other side and then scattering in every direction, each man for himself and as if he feared the entire army of Noland was at his heels.
But it wasn’t. Not a soldier of Nole had moved in pursuit. Every one was delighted at the easy victory, and King Bud was so amused at the sight of the flying foe that he rolled on the ground in laughter, and even the fierce-looking General Tollydob grinned in sympathy.
Then, with bands playing and banners flying, the entire army marched back into the city, and the war between Noland and Ix was over.