“Ha, ha, ha!” laughed one of the men. “So my little bird would spread his wings and fly, would he? Well, we must clip those wings then.” As he spoke, he clutched Tommy roughly by the shoulder.
Now whether the man pulled Tommy off his feet, or whether the little fellow’s trembling knees would no {25} longer support him, I do not know. But in a moment he was lying on the floor with his head against the edge of the toy box.
His head felt very numb, and he was very sleepy, and he wondered why the men were binding him with such a heavy cord. Then he wondered why there were so many horses galloping out in the street, and why there was such loud beating on the door. He thought he heard someone call to him, but by some other name he had heard long ago. At last he went to sleep.
CRASH!
What was that? Tommy opened wide his eyes. There were confused voices in his ear; then he heard a whisper. “Be quiet, be brave; we will help you. I am Rolie Polie. Captain Hinkle Pinkle and Captain Noddle Poddle are with me. We will rescue you.”
“Can you fight? Can you save me? Why how can you save me?” asked Tommy. “You are only toys?”
“Hush!” said Rolie Polie. “Don’t speak, or they will hear you. Get on your feet and follow us.”
Tommy wasn’t long in obeying. Hinkle Pinkle and Noddle Poddle had swords drawn and led the way. Out through the back rooms they went, into the kitchen then on into the back yard. From the yard to a side street and off to the toy shop, they hurried with all possible speed.
“Is everything ready for the journey?” Tommy called, the minute he saw Mr. Poodle.
“Yes, everything is ready,” answered the toymaker.