re's not a dog of a trumpeter taking the trouble to sound a call!'
he cried in a fury. Then he turned to the pantaloon (who was looking
decidedly pale), and, wobbling his long chin a good deal, said, in a
tone of solemnity:

"'I know how brave and experienced you are, General! What is essential
here, is a rapid comprehension of the situation, and immediate
utilization of the passing moment. I entrust you with the command of
the cavalry and artillery. You can do without a horse; your own legs
are long, and you can gallop on them as fast as is necessary. Do your
duty!'

"Immediately Pantaloon put his long, lean fingers to his month, and
gave such a piercing crow that it rang as if a hundred little trumpets
had been sounding lustily. Then there began a tramping and a neighing
in the cupboard; and Fritz's dragoons and cuirassiers--but above all,
the new glittering hussars--marched out, and thru came to a halt, drawn
up on the floor. They then marched past Nutcracker by regiments, with
_guidons_ flying and bands playing; after which they wheeled into line,
and formed up at right angles to the line of march. Upon this, Fritz's
artillery came rattling up, and formed action front in advance of the
halted cavalry. Then it went 'boom-boom!' and Marie saw the sugar-plums
doing terrible execution amongst the thickly-massed mouse-battalions,
which were powdered quite white by them, and greatly put to shame.
But a battery of heavy guns, which had taken up a strong position
on mamma's footstool, was what did the greatest execution; and
'poom-poom-poom!' kept up a murderous fire of gingerbread nuts into
the enemy's ranks with most destructive effect, mowing the mice down in
great numbers. The enemy, however, was not materially checked in his
advance, and had even possessed himself of one or two of the heavy
guns, when there came 'prr-prr-prr!' and Marie could scarcely see what
was happening, for smoke and dust; but this much is certain, that every
corps engaged fought with the utmost bravery and determination, and it
was for a long time doubtful which side would gain the day. The mice
kept on developing fresh bodies of their forces, as they were advanced
to the scene of action; their little silver balls--like pills in
size--which they delivered with great precision (their musketry
practice being specially fine) took effect even inside the glass
cupboard. Clara and Gertrude ran up and down in utter despair, wringing
their hands, and l