Part 4 (1/2)

”Oh, this is the bas.e.m.e.nt,” said the China Cat. ”The toy store is up above. You'll be brought up there with us, soon, we hope. But we came to visit you and cheer you up.”

”And we are very glad,” said a Cloth Doll. ”I was getting tired of lying here on my back.”

”Let us play some games,” proposed the China Cat. ”We can ask riddles, have a game of tag, or, those of you who are unpacked, can join in a race.”

”I say let's have a race!” cried the Engineer of a toy train of cars on the floor. ”I haven't had a race with my engine and cars since Mr. Mugg lifted us out of our box. Come on! I'll get up steam and have a race.”

Before any one could stop him, the Engineer started his train of iron cars over the floor of the bas.e.m.e.nt.

Toot! Toot! he blew the whistle.

Suddenly there was a crackling sound and then a flash of flame.

”What's the matter!” cried the China Cat.

”Oh, I have run over a box of matches!” exclaimed the toy Engineer.

”They have begun to blaze and the straw from the packing cases is catching! Oh, look what I did, but I didn't mean to!”

Surely enough, the toy cars had run over the box of matches Mr. Mugg had dropped, and now the flames and smoke were filling the bas.e.m.e.nt of the toy shop.

”Fire! Fire! Fire!” cried the toy Policeman, banging with his club.

CHAPTER IV

A LITTLE BLACK BOY

So many things began happening at once in the bas.e.m.e.nt of the toy shop, after the train of cars ran over the box of matches, that the China Cat, the Jumping Jack and even the Policeman, who was supposed to keep order, never knew half that took place. All the toys knew was that they began to choke with the smoke from the burning straw, and some of them, who were too close to the box of blazing matches, felt the heat very much.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”We Must Hurry Out!” Mewed the China Cat.

_Page 38_]

”Oh, we must hurry out of here!” mewed the China Cat.

”I should say so!” exclaimed the Policeman. ”Come on! Move lively! No loitering!” he cried, as he had done that time when he tickled the Nodding Donkey in the ribs with the club. ”Everybody get out of the way of the fire!” went on the toy Policeman, swinging his club. ”Where are the engines and the firemen?” he called.

”Here we are! I'm coming,” cried an excited voice, and there clattered along the bas.e.m.e.nt floor of the toy shop a little fire engine, on which was perched a toy Fireman.

”Let me get at the blaze!” cried this Fireman, who was dressed all in red. ”Who started it, anyhow?”

”I did,” answered the Engineer of the train of iron cars. ”I ran over a box of matches, but I did not mean to.”

”Well, it is going to be a bad fire!” said the Fireman. ”Everybody must get out.”

”Except you and me,” added the Policeman, ”I have ordered them all back to their shelves, but you and I must stay here. I will remain on guard while you put out the fire!” he said.

”Right!” cried the brave Fireman, as he got down off his engine.