As may well be imagined, there was now great excitement in the Castle, and especially, among the Ladies. The Queen turned anxiously to the King. “Is there going to be a war?” she asked, “because I don’t want a war; battles are awfully scarey.”
“Don’t be afraid, Helen,” said King Tommy. “Nothing will harm you. It won’t take us long, with the fine army of Toyville, to drive the enemy out of the hills and back to {92} their own Grumbletown.” Then mounting a chair, and being quickly surrounded by the House Guards, he cried: “There is no time to be lost; every man will be needed among the defenders to-day; let every man buckle on his sword and follow me!”
The Mayor also jumped up on a chair. “A cheer for Toyville!” he cried; “long may it prosper! Three cheers for our brave and noble King; long may he reign!”
Everybody joined in the cheering, the sweet voices of the ladies mingling pleasantly with the strong, lusty shouts of the men.
But no time had been lost by the cheering; for all the while the attendants were busy buckling on the swords and fetching helmets and shields. Meanwhile, the neighing and stamping of horses in the court outside the Castle, indicated that the grooms also were busy, and already had the strong, noble steeds waiting for the brave and fearless riders.
When the King and his companions reached the streets, they found everything in commotion, with brave soldiers galloping here and there, and frightened faces peering out of the windows of the houses.
“Ha, ha, ha!” chuckled Long Jim when he saw the King depart; “I tell you, I am a clever one! That’s the time I fooled the King of Toyville! And now there is no time to lose; the Queen is in the Castle without any guards, and the three Buccaneers in the
will be waiting out on the lake.” With his face twisted in a wicked grin the crafty courtier now entered the gates and went through the quiet, deserted court yard, where presently, with a rap, tap, tap, he stood waiting at the front door of the Palace. {93}