HEN the Buccaneers arrived in Grumbletown and Red Beard heard what they had to tell, he began to make new plans. “Yo, ho, my husky lads!” said he; “so the boy King of Toyville wasn’t clever enough to capture you, was he? You hoisted sail and made a safe passage out of the harbor, did you? Well these are two fine craft you have brought along, and no mistake about that; we will find safe anchorage for them in our own city of Grumbletown.”
Red Beard meant Snow White and Coal Black, when he spoke of the two craft. He talked in that way to the {84} three Buccaneers, because once having been a pirate captain, that is the kind of language he liked best to use.
After a few minutes of thought, Red Beard spoke again.
“Listen, my hearties,” said he, “I have a new scheme to unfold to you. We can’t afford to have a boy and girl ruling in Toyville. Do I speak the truth, now?”
“Aye, aye, aye!” answered the three Buccaneers.
“’Tis well,” said Red Beard. “I see you are listening, and I say, ’tis well.” As he spoke, he tapped with his knuckles the butt of a pistol that was sticking out of his belt. “No, we can’t afford to let those Toy people have a boy and girl for their King and Queen. They will teach them too much skill and too many tricks, and soon make them so clever that it will mean the end of Grumbletown. Do I speak the truth, my bonny babies?”
“Aye, aye, aye!” answered the three Buccaneers.
“’Tis well, I see you listen,” said Red Beard; and again he tapped the butt of his big pistol. “Now I will give you my new plan: soldiers and cannon are all right for Kings that are used to ruling on land, but for a King that once was a pirate captain, give us a good smart ship and some stout rogues to man her, and that’s the way to win, say I. What ho, my hearties?”
“Aye, aye, aye!” cried the three Buccaneers.
“What do you say the King of Toyville will be doing just now?” asked Red Beard. “He will be eating his fine banquet up at the Castle with his Queen, won’t he? Well, then, now is the time to act, say I. Let someone go and spread the word in Toyville of a big battle, and tell the Toy people about how their soldiers have been attacked and how hundreds have been made prisoners.” {85}