"Well," said the Knight, "as soon as you children were imprisoned in the hollow tree I managed to escape from those fellows and rushed off to Sandy to get you help. I found he had already sent to the Corn-cob Queen for rescuers and just as we were talking they arrived. I agreed to guide their leader through the woods to Manunderthebed's place if he would first settle a certain little matter for me--that one your brother wasn't very anxious to tackle, you know. Well, when I asked him if he'd cut off my head, _he_ said he'd just as lief as not!" All three children burst out laughing. "There's only one person we've met as fierce as that," said Ann, "and that's Captain Jinks." "Captain Jinks--at your service," snapped a sharp voice at her elbow, and turning, Ann found the little tin captain standing beside her. "I have to report," said he, wheeling around to Rudolf and saluting him stiffly--"the enemy--routed completely!" Never, never had the children expected to be so glad to meet the little captain again! They thanked him heartily for his part in their splendid rescue, and asked him what he thought it was best to do next. "Sound a recall," answered the officer, "and return in good order according to commands." "Whose commands, Captain Jinks?" Rudolf wanted to know, but Jinks would not answer any more questions just then. He recalled those of his fierce little soldiers who, with the sergeant at their head, were still chasing the last remnants of the Bad Dreams back to the depths of the wood, formed them into marching order, and taking the head of the procession himself, placed the children directly behind him under the protection of the Knight. They were anxious to have the little captain explain all the particulars of their rescue, but found it very hard indeed to make him talk while on duty. He marched so fast that they had to trot to keep up with him, and stared straight ahead without winking an eye. "Queen's orders," was all they could at first get out of him. "But, Jinks, dear, who was it brought the message to the Queen?" Ann coaxed. "Traveling Gentleman!" The little captain made a disgusted face. "_He's_ a nice one! Said nobody was being shut up nowhere, nor didn't _want_ to be rescued." For a moment the children were puzzled, then Rudolf called out, "Oh, I know--the False Hare!" They all laughed and Ann said: "I suppose Sandy didn't know any better than to send him, but I should think he'd make a pretty funny messenger!" "Make a better pie," said Jinks grimly, and not another word could they get out of him after that. They were now coming to that part of the wood Ann and Rudolf remembered so well, where the kindly Knight had rescued them from the attack of the tiresome Fidgets. They looked about for signs of the little creatures' presence in the branches overhead, and listened for their chattering laughter, but the coming of so large a company must have scared the cowardly Fidgets away, for not a trace of them was to be seen.