The Wonderful Bed Page 13

  CHAPTER XIII

  THE BAD DREAMS

  At first the children's view was entirely shut off by the size andheaviness of the things that were sitting on their chests. They hadbeen completely taken by surprise and they had not even breath enoughleft to cry out, but lay still and listened to what was going on aboutthem. This is what they heard:

  "Ye arre arristid in the name of the Law!" a gruff voice was saying."Move on, move on, move on."

  "One moment, Officer," a second voice interrupted. "Imprison theseyoung persons, if you are so disposed, but pray allow me first mylittle opportunity to practise on them. This young lady--ahem! We willbegin by extracting that large molar on the upper left-hand side, wewill then have out two or three--"

  "Ugh--ugh!" A series of hoarse grunts, and what had been sitting onRudolf rose up and rushed at the last speaker. "No, no! Big Chieffirst! Big Chief Thunder-snorer take two fine scalp--ha! ha!"

  There was a confused sound of struggling and voices arguing, and inanother moment Ann was relieved of her burden which, with a mightymoo, got up and joined the others. Ann sat up and clung to Rudolf,while the Knight-mare who was standing close beside her, laid aprotecting hand upon her shoulder. When she saw what had been holdingher down, she gave a little shriek. It was a small spotted cow in ared flannel petticoat. She wore stout button boots on her hind feet,and she now reared herself upon these to flourish two angry hoofsover the sleek head of a little man in a white linen coat who held atiny mirror in one hand and a pair of pincers in the other. Ann took agreat dislike to this little man at once, and felt more afraid of himthan of the Cow or of the handsome Indian Chief in fullwar-paint--feather head-dress and all--who was brandishing histomahawk, sometimes in the face of the Little Dentist, again under theturned-up nose of a large fat Policeman who stood with folded arms,the only calm member of that much-excited group.

  The Knight-mare stepped forward and put himself between the childrenand the Bad Dreams. "Look here, you fellows," he said quietly, "youmay as well stop this nonsense first as last. You haven't got anybusiness here, and well you know it. If the Boss finds you've beendisposing of any prisoners without his permission--well--_you_ knowwhat'll happen!"

  That the Bad Dreams did know was to be seen by their foolish scaredexpressions. The Indian Chief, with a disappointed grunt, replaced histomahawk in his belt, and seated himself cross-legged on the grass,drawing his blanket closely about him. The Policeman stopped murmuring"Move on!" The Cow dropped clumsily on all fours and began to crop thebushes. Even the Little Dentist put his pincers back into his pocket,though he still looked wistfully at Ann, who avoided his eye as muchas she could. This was a very terrifying company in which the childrenfound themselves, and in spite of the comforting presence of thefriendly Knight-mare, they felt very doubtful of their present safety,not to speak of what might be done to them when once they were in theclutches of that dreadful "Boss", whom even the Bad Dreams seemed tobe afraid of.

  "He has all the fun, anyway," snorted the Cow, switching her tail."All the choice bits of torturing. Why, I've not had so much as asingle toss since I've been on this job; no I haven't!" And she shookher sharp curved horns at Ann.

  "Not a tooth out yet!" complained the Dentist, "not a single one." Hesighed, glancing from Ann to Rudolf and from Rudolf back again to Ann,as if he expected they might be coaxed into presenting him with a fullset each.

  "'Tis himsilf does all the arristin'," muttered the Policeman sadly.

  "Big-boss-chief take all good scalp," Thunder-snorer, the Indian,grunted.

  The children began to think this "Boss" must indeed be a terror.

  "Now, come, come," continued the Knight-mare soothingly, "it's not sobad as that. You all get plenty of fun, but you mustn't mix it up withbusiness. We're in a row now, every one of us, for being out ofbounds. Better move along and have it over, that's my advice."

  The Policeman looked more cheerful. "That's it," cried he. "Move on!"

  Ann put her little arms around the Knight-mare's neck and whisperedsomething in his ear. He turned to the Cow and said:

  "Madam, this young lady wishes to know if anything has been seen orheard of another prisoner, a small fat one called Peter?"

  "Sir," said the Cow, "he was taken just a little while ago. That's whywe four went off in a huff. We wanted a little fun with him, just abit of our pretty play, you know, but the Boss wouldn't have it. He'ssaving him up for the Banquet, and not one of us is to be let at himtill after that."

  Rudolf and Ann looked at each other, both suddenly remembering theSandman's warning that on no account were any of them to taste the BadDreams' food. Could Peter be expected to refuse any kind ofrefreshments at any time? They knew that he could not.

  "Come," cried Rudolf, pulling at the Knight-mare's arm. "Take us tohim, please. We've got to hurry."

  The Knight-mare obligingly stepped forward, leading Ann by the hand,and the Bad Dreams--to the children's surprise--rose meekly toaccompany them. It was decided that the Cow should go first, to cleara way through the forest by her simple method of trampling downeverything before her. The Indian walked next, stepping softly andsilently on his moccasined feet, and turning now and then to make ahorrid face at the children who followed behind him, one on eitherside of the Knight-mare. The Dentist and Policeman, walking arm inarm, brought up the rear. The party had not gone a great distancethrough the wood, before Ann and Rudolf noticed that the underbrushwas growing thinner and the trees beginning to be taller and fartherapart. At last they could see through a veil of branches the light ofa fire burning on the ground not a great distance ahead of them, andsoon they came close to the enormous oak tree under which this firewas kindled. Its flames were a strange bluish color, and as they shotup into the darkness which was almost complete under the shade of thatgreat tree, the children could plainly see strange figures showingblack against the light, leaping and dancing around the fire.

  "The party's begun, but not the Banquet," whispered the Knight-mare."You can come a little closer, but you mustn't interrupt till it'sover."

  In silence they all moved a little nearer to the cleared space underthe tree, but not so near as to be discovered. Rudolf and Ann gazedanxiously at the scene before them. First of all they noticed that thefire was not an ordinary fire, but a huge blazing plum pudding whichaccounted for the queer color of its flames. It was stuck full of bitsof crackling holly and dripped sweet-smelling sauce in everydirection. On the other side of the fire, just opposite to them, was amoss-grown log, and on this log sat Peter. His big brown eyes, shiningwith excitement, were fixed on the dancers passing before him, hislittle nose sniffed the burning plum pudding with great satisfaction.As soon as her eye fell on her little brother, Ann started toward him,but the Knight-mare held her back.

  "No use," said he. "Wait a bit, and I'll tell you when the realtrouble's going to begin."

  The children had no choice but to obey, and their attention was soonoccupied by the strange sights before them. As one odd figure afteranother sprang out of the dark into the firelight, capered andpranced, and then disappeared into the blackness again, Ann and Rudolfdrew closer together and squeezed hands, very queer feelings creepingup and down their back-bones. The strangest part of it all was thatamong that crazy company were many whom the children did not see forthe first time, who were old acquaintances of theirs! There--grinningand brandishing his stick--was the Little Black Man who had worriedRudolf many a night as far back as he could remember. There was theOld Witch on the Broomstick, whom Ann had often described to him.There again, were other Bad Dreams that made the children almost smileas they remembered certain exciting times. The Angry Farmer--Rudolfhad seen him before; he remembered his fierce expression, yes, and hisshort black whip, too! Also the Cross Cook, her fat arms rolled up inher apron, and "I'm going to tell your mother," written plainly on herround red face. A great white Jam Pot danced just behind the Cook, andwas followed by a dozen bright Green Apples. A Dancing-master camenext, bowing and smiling at Peter as h
e passed him, then a Bearpaddling clumsily along on its hind legs, its great red mouth wideopen to show its long white teeth, then a Gooseberry Tart marked"Stolen", then an Arithmetic with a mean sort of face, rulers forlegs, and compasses for arms; then a Clock that had been meddled withby somebody (Rudolf felt certain it was not by him) and kept strikingall the time; then a Piano with a lot of horrid exercises waiting tobe practised; then last of all a familiar clumsy figure with one redglaring eye--their old enemy, the Warming-pan!

  As Rudolf was trying to take in these, and many others in that curiousthrong, he felt himself sharply pinched by Ann. "Look, look," shewhispered, "over there where it's so dark, close to Peter. Oh, don'tyou know _now_ who their Boss is?"

  Rudolf looked. Clearly enough now he saw two flaming green eyes and aclumsy black figure crouching on the ground. Before this figure everyone of the dancers made a low bow as he passed.

  "Don't you know him?" repeated Ann, shivering with excitement. "It'sManunderthebed!"

  "Oh, well, what if it is?" whispered Rudolf. "I stopped botheringabout _him_ years ago. He's only for babies."

  Ann was not deceived by Rudolf's cheerful tone. Manunderthebed mightnot amount to much at home with nurse and mother to frighten him away,but here in his own country it was not pleasant to meet him.

  "He's horrid," said she. "Oh, look, Ruddy, what is he doing now?"

  Manunderthebed had stretched out a long black arm and pointed to thefire. Instantly the Bad Dreams stopped their dance and vanished intothe darkness. When they came again into the firelight the children sawthat the Cook, the Dancing-master, and several others carried largedishes in their hands which they now presented with low bows toPeter.

  "It's the Banquet!" whispered the Knight-mare nervously. "If hetouches a morsel, he's lost. He'll go to sleep and dream Bad Dreamsforever and a day--which won't be pleasant, I assure you."

  Ann and Rudolf had not waited for the Knight-mare to finish hisspeech. They rushed on Peter, just as he had helped himself to anenormous slice of mince pie, and while Ann threw her arms about hisneck, Rudolf snatched the tempting morsel out of his hand and cast itin the fire. Of course Peter struggled and fussed and was not a bitgrateful, but Rudolf and Ann did not care, for the Knight-mare'swarning rang in their ears. Meanwhile the Bad Dreams had gatheredround the three children in an angry circle, and Manunderthebedgrowled out:

  "Seize 'em, some of you! Where's that fat Policeman?"

  "Here, sorr." Very much against his will the Policeman had been pushedforward till he stood in front of the children, hanging his head andlooking very uncomfortable.

  "Arrest 'em, why don't you?" shouted the Boss.

  "Please, sorr, Oi have," muttered the Policeman humbly, shifting fromone foot to the other and looking more and more unhappy.

  "Then do it all over again, and be quick about it--or--"Manunderthebed made a terrible face at the Policeman, who shivered,and edging up to Rudolf, laid a timid hand on his shoulder.

  "No you don't!" cried Rudolf. "I'm not afraid of _you_!" And he gavethe Policeman a poke with his sword, just a little one, about wherehis belt came. The Policeman gave a frightened yell, doubled up as ifhe had been shot, and ducking under the shoulders of the crowd madeoff into the darkness. Manunderthebed was furious. The children heardhim roar out a command, and then the Bad Dreams advanced on them in abody. The leaping dancing flames of the plum-pudding fire showed theirangry faces and strange figures.

  Rudolf was not really afraid now, for he saw at once that the BadDreams were not much at fighting, yet there were so many of them thatby sheer force of their numbers they were slowly but surely pushingthe three children back, back, until they were crowded against thetrunk of the great oak tree where Manunderthebed had been crouching.He had run to fetch a great branch of burning holly from the fire, andholding this like a torch above his head, he pressed through thecrowd toward Rudolf and dashed it almost into his eyes. Rudolf shrankback, half blinded by the glare, and bumped sharply into Peter, who inturn was pushed violently against Ann, who had set her back firmlyagainst the tree trunk. The tree, as she described it afterward,seemed to give way behind her, and she fell backward into softsmothery darkness. Peter fell after her and Rudolf on top of Peter.The little door which had opened to receive them snapped to again, asif by magic, and from the other side of it the triumphant howls of theBad Dreams came very faintly to their ears.