The Bold Tin Soldier nimbly jumped up on the counter, where he had been standing all day in a box with his tin soldier men. He waved his sword over his head until it flashed in the gleam of the one light like a star on a frosty night, and the Sawdust Doll covered her eyes with her hand, because it was so shiny.
“Attention, soldiers!� cried the tin captain.
Every one of the tin soldiers in the box sprang up straight and stiff and held his gun to his shoulder.
“Forward—march!� cried the captain, again waving his sword.
The tin soldiers stepped into line behind him, and, one after another, they followed him as he jumped off the counter to the floor. Past the White Rocking Horse they marched, each one as brave as his captain.
“Now you may kick your heels as high as you please, Mr. White Rocking Horse,� called the captain. “We are safely out of your reach.�
“All right!� came the answer. “Here I go!� And with that the toy horse, which was built to make some boy happy, began rocking to and fro.
“If any one wants a ride on my back, now’s his chance!� called the White Rocking Horse.
“I do!� cried the Sawdust Doll, and with the help of the Calico Clown she got down off the counter and climbed up and sat on the saddle.
And, for a few moments, all that could be heard in Toy Town was the faint sound of the marching feet of the tin soldiers, the rumble of the Rocking Horse and the tinkle of the Calico Clown’s cymbals.