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[Illustration: The Ducking]
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The Nineteenth Chapter.
_Of what was found at the End of the Passage. Also of the Guard at
the Gate. And of the Happy Conclusion to an Exciting Experience._
[Illustration]
Crystal lights lit the passage, and seemed to be glowing and glimmering
through a great globe set in the black earth above their heads. At
first, no one could understand the meaning of this, but presently the
doubt was dispelled by the little old dame who led the way up a flight
of stairs cut in the solid rock, and out through an opening into a
little park, scarcely a stone’s throw from the Castle gates.
An expression of surprise now escaped from the lips of everyone, for
upon looking back, it was found that the passage had led right in under
a great crystal bowl, full to {144} the brim of tumbling, tossing,
sunkissed water. Yes, the secret passage had begun at one fountain and
ended at another; but while the basin of the first was all marble, that
of the second was all of glass, and although the entrance had been
through the mouth of a great green fish, the exit led through the mouth
of a great green frog.
Everybody now hurried and hid behind the vases and pots and shrubs
scattered through the park, not knowing how soon they might be
discovered by Red Beard. In this hurry the King held tightly to the
hand of the Queen, and close upon their heels followed Mr. Poodle.
The sun, slowly sinking, seemed now quite close to the hills of
Troubleland, and the afternoon was drawing towards evening.
“I see no sign of the Grumbletown people,” said the King. “Do you think
they have departed, Mr. Poodle? Look, Rolie Polie is standing guard at
the gate. Perhaps Red Beard is robbing the Castle. I wish we could get
word to the army.”
Meanwhile, finding no immediate danger threatening them, the Toy
people, one after another gathered about their King. Some were in favor
of arresting Rolie Polie, and putting him in irons for opening the
gates and betraying the Castle. Others counselled against this.
Although King Tommy could not understand why Rolie Polie had opened
the gates, nevertheless he felt sure the little clown had not betrayed
his trust, and that in the end a reason would be found justifying the
action. He was, therefore, glad to hear the little old lady speak,
cautioning the Toy people not to act rashly. Then, turning to the King,
she said: “Not knowing whether Red {145} Beard is within or outside
the Castle walls, it seems unwise to dispatch a messenger for the
soldiers and risk his being made captive. Why not go and speak a word
or two with yonder guard?”
King Tommy appreciated this advice; and drawing his sword, he stepped
forth boldly towards the little man at the gate.
Rolie Polie, hearing footsteps, looked about and saw the King.
“Your Majesty,” he cried, his face full of pride, his eyes dancing
with happiness, “come quickly and help guard the gate; I have the
Grumbletown King and all of his ruffians captive in the Castle. Am I
not a fine soldier?”
These words were spoken so suddenly that for a moment the King failed
to grasp their meaning. Then, all at once, it came to him why Rolie
Polie had opened the gates, and he saw that the little guard had indeed
laid a clever trap, in which, without doubt, were now captive King Red
Beard and all of his Grumbletown followers.
“Hurrah!” he cried, turning and waving his sword to Mr. Poodle and
the others. “Rolie Polie has captured the Grumbletown ruffians, come
quickly and help hold the gate.”
A glad shout greeted this cry from the King, as with one accord the
little company, each man drawing his sword, made a rush to reinforce
the clever and brave guard, Rolie Polie.
Meanwhile, much had happened within the walls of the Castle, for Red
Beard and his followers had entered the gardens at the exact moment
when King Tommy was stepping into the mouth of the fish. {146}
“Look, my men! look!” cried Red Beard, his face white with fright, his
hair standing on end. “The Green Fish of the Fountain has swallowed
all the Toy people. It is some mighty magician! Oh, why did we ever
come into this city! why did we ever leave peaceful Grumbletown!” Then,
unable longer to make his trembling legs support him, Red Beard fell
fainting with fright.
The faces of his followers were as white as their King’s, save only a
few, who were too far behind to see what had happened.
These few, when they reached the garden and found their fellows almost
fainting and Red Beard lying like one dead, upon the ground, knew not
what to do, until presently one of them, seeing the King yet breathing,
cried: “We must get water; somebody bring water to the King!”
This request was more easily asked than answered, as nowhere near at
hand could be found anything in which to carry the water. But the
ruffians were not long without a way for solving that difficulty, and
quick as a wink they had Red Beard in their arms, and the next minute
were tumbling him heels over head into the fountain.
It didn’t take long for that ducking to make the Grumbletown King open
his eyes. “Where am I? Where am I?” he cried, floundering about in the
basin and blowing the water out of his nose and mouth. Then, he looked
up and saw the green fish. “Help! help! help!” he called. “The Fish has
me! Save me from the Fish!” and with one big effort he reached the rim
of the basin, clambered over, and without once turning to look back, he
ran with all possible speed through the garden towards the Castle gate,
followed by his whole band. {147}
But now the gate was locked, and outside could be heard the cheering
Toy people.
“Open the gate, little Guard! Open the gate!” cried the shivering,
shaking Red Beard. “Open the gate little Guard! Open it quickly! The
Green Fish is after us! Open the gate, and we will lay down our swords
and pistols and go back to Grumbletown! Open the gate, little Guard,
and never again will we come to Toyville! Save us from the Green Fish!”
The jolly, laughing eyes of the little old lady twinkled at Mr. Poodle.
“King Tommy may open the gates without any fear now,” she said. “Red
Beard and his fellows are so frightened at the Green Fish that they
will never again venture near Toyville.”
Mr. Poodle quickly repeated this message to the King, and as a result,
it was not long before the Grumbletown ruffians, led by their King, had
laid their swords and guns on the lawn, and were marching out of the
gates; a crestfallen and woebegone looking fellowship they were, too,
and no mistake.
Rolie Polie and one of the Royal Guards accompanied them to the hills.
Every little while Red Beard looked back over his shoulder, fearing
constantly that he was being followed by the Green Fish. At the foot
of the hills they came upon men who were awaiting them with horses
and donkeys. Among the animals, Rolie Polie found Coal Black and Snow
White, who neighed with pleasure at seeing their old comrade. Rolie
Polie now bade good day to Red Beard, who was yet too frightened to
answer, and leading Coal Black while his companion led Snow White, took
the road back to Toyville. {148}
“That is a fine soldier, your Majesty,” said the little dame to the
King, as Rolie Polie came prancing into the court yard upon his return
from the hills. “Such a fine and clever little soldier could well fill
a higher station than that of Royal Guard. Not that I want to say a
Royal Guard is not a fine position, for it is quite true, few are
finer. But there are not many guards could capture, single handed,
such a bold ruffian as Red Beard, to say nothing of his two hundred
followers.”
“You are right,” replied the King; “and I have a reward for him which I
think will prove a big suprise.”
And a suprise it certainly was, as we shall soon see.
[Illustration]
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[Illustration]