ll 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.

At last the procession struck the little path Sandy had pointed out to
the children, and in another moment it was being met and greeted by a
whole troop of Good Dreams who had rushed to welcome the returning
party and escort them back to the glade. Here they found the whole
family assembled: the Cook-that-liked-living-in-the-Country, the
Gardener-with-the-Generous-Disposition, the Pink Stockings, the Nice
Nurse, the Good Baby, the Easter Rabbit, the Birthday Cake, the Organ
Man, the Tall Candlesticks, and the Jolly Santa Claus--one and all of
the Good Dreams, with Noddy and Blink, the two fat boys, and--best of
all--old Sandy himself, a twinkle in his sleepy eyes, a grin on his
round good-humored face.

"Well, well, well," cried he. "Glad to see you back again, my
friends! Guess _you've_ had enough of the bad 'uns--eh, young man?"
And he gave Peter a kindly dig in the ribs. Peter grin