Part 2 (1/2)

So the Sergeant led the Tin Soldiers back to their box after the make-believe battle. And, like good and proper soldiers, they stood themselves in straight rows. No standing around in a crowd, or lying down in hammocks, or stretching out under trees for these Tin Soldiers!

No, indeed! They stood up as straight and stiff as their own guns!

”Did you like our drill and sham battle?” asked the Bold Tin Soldier Captain of the Rag Doll, strolling over to speak to her before going back to join his men.

”Very much, indeed,” she answered. ”At first I thought I might faint when the guns shot off, but they were fired so gently that I did not, and the Calico Clown did not have to catch me in his arms.”

”I don't let my Soldiers use too much powder in their guns,”

answered the Captain. ”It is a sort of tooth powder we use in these make-believe fights, and then no one is hurt.”

”It will be lonesome if you go away from us,” said the Rag Doll, with a sigh, as she looked at the Bold Tin Soldier.

”Thank you for being so kind as to say that,” said the Bold Tin Soldier. ”But I have no notion of going away until I have to.”

However, he little knew what was going to happen nor that he was to be taken away much sooner than he expected.

”I had better be getting over to the box with my Soldiers, I think,”

said the Captain, as he thrust his s.h.i.+ny sword back into the scabbard at his side. ”Our fun for to-night is over.”

”No, not quite yet,” said the Calico Clown. ”The sun has not yet risen, and it will be ten minutes before the watchman comes in to turn out the lights and get the store ready for the day's trade.”

”But what can be done in ten minutes?” asked the Rag Doll.

”I can do a funny trick for you,” said the Clown. ”I have not yet done my share towards the night's fun, so I will do my trick now.”

”Are you going to tell a joke or ask a riddle?” inquired the Candy Rabbit. ”If you are, I wish you'd tell that one about what makes more noise than a pig under a gate.”

”No, I am going to do a funny trick. Do you see that string there!”

he asked the other toys, pointing upward.

”Do you mean the one hanging near the gas jet?” asked the Box Jack.

”Yes,” answered the Clown. ”Well, I am going to climb that string and hang by my toes.”

He quickly walked over to a long string that hung down from the ceiling. At Christmas time it had held some wreaths of holly, but now nothing was fast to it.

”Up I go!” cried the Clown.

It was hard work for him to climb the string with the cymbals fast on the ends of his arms, but he managed to get up nearly as high as the flaming gas jet which lighted the store at night, so the watchman could see his way around.

”That's high enough--don't go up any farther!” cried the Bold Tin Soldier.

”Yes, I am high enough now,” said the Clown. ”Watch me hang by my toes!”

He began turning over as he clung to the string, and, as he did so, he began to sway to and fro, like the pendulum of a clock.

”Look out! Look out for the blazing gas light! You'll be burned!”