Meanwhile, King Tommy and his companions rode to the barracks of the cavalry. As might have been anticipated, it took hard, quick work to get out all the soldiers, cannons and ammunition wagons, and to issue orders so that everything would go smoothly. But the King was equal to the task, and before long, the sound of galloping cavalry, tramping infantry, and rumbling wheels of cannons and ammunition wagons, told the frightened Toy people that the troops were hurrying off to the hills and to the defense of the realm.
When King Tommy had issued all his orders and arranged every little detail, he mounted a fine war horse, and asking Mr. Poodle to ride with him, the two with the King’s Guards set forth at a fast gallop for the front. But {94} when they came to the hills where the horses were obliged to walk, the King found time to do a little thinking. The most he had to think about was the coming battle, but some of the time he thought of Helen, and wondered if she would be frightened upon hearing the cannon roaring, and if she would really be safe in the Castle. He wished now that he had left more guards at the Castle. “I will be glad,” he thought, “when the war is over, and I can go back again to Helen.”
The roads were now one mass of hurrying troops, all in bright colored uniforms, with the sun glistening on the polished gun barrels and on the officers’ swords. The King noticed how willingly the big horses tugged at their heavy loads, and how the drivers never used their whips, but always spoke kindly to them.
Upon reaching the front, they found many cannons mounted on the hills, and company upon company of soldiers waiting in battle array, but never a sign anywhere of the enemy.
“Have you sent out scouts?” asked the King to the Commanding General.
“Yes, your Majesty,” answered the General; “and all report that none of the enemy can be found.”
“That is strange,” said the King. “How about the prisoners, have you rescued them?”
“There have been no prisoners taken, your Majesty,” answered the General; “neither has there been any attack made upon our outposts.”
