COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF


The Bad Dreams were all aroused by Thunder-snorer's war-whoop, and in
an instant the whole pack of them, headed by Manunderthebed, were at
the children's heels. Rudolf and Ann ran as fast as ever they could,
dragging Peter after them, but it was both difficult and dangerous to
run fast through that dark wood, especially as they had no idea in
what direction they ought to go. Each moment they expected to be
overtaken, each moment they seemed to feel Manunderthebed's long black
arm stretched out to drag them back to their prison--or to something
worse.

Then suddenly from just ahead of them came the sound of a great
crashing and rustling among the bushes and the tramp of approaching
feet. Some new danger--perhaps something worse than what was behind
them--seemed to threaten the children, but they were too breathless,
too bewildered even to try to avoid it. On they ran--straight into the
arms of a tall figure who was hurrying to meet them, a knight dressed
in shining armor wearing a plumed helmet on his handsome head. At the
same moment a troop of little tin soldiers broke through the bushes
and rushed past the children to attack the Bad Dreams. All of them
were quickly put to flight except their leader, Manunderthebed, who at
first sight of the soldiers had hidden himself behind a tree. As soon
as they had passed he crept forth and made a dart at the children. But
they had a protector now! The tall knight stepped in front of them and
raised his glittering sword. Before he could bring it down, the
cowardly King of the Bad Dreams gave a horrible yell and turned to
run. He might have escaped, but as he passed Rudolf the boy put out