“Oh dear me!” cried the Sawdust Doll.
“Ha! what is the matter with you?” asked the dog, who was neither very good nor very polite. “What are you ‘oh dearing’ about? I guess I’ll just take you home to let my puppies play with you!”
He sprang towards the Sawdust Doll and was just going to pick her up in his mouth, when the Bold Tin Soldier drew his sword.
“Keep away from my friend, the Sawdust Doll!” cried the Captain.
“Who says so?” barked the big dog.
“I do!” answered the Tin Soldier. “I will save the Sawdust Doll from being carried away!”
CHAPTER VII
A SAD ACCIDENT
If the big dog had not been so gruff and impolite, and if he had known how truly brave the Bold Tin Soldier was, the barking chap never would have tried to do what he said he was going to do–carry away the Sawdust Doll.