d Dorothy, catching hold of the Cowardly Lion's
mane.

"This is worse than Pokes!"

"Perchance it is a dragon," exulted the Knight, drawing his short
sword. "Ah, how it would refresh me to slay a dragon!"

"I don't relish dragons myself. Scorched my tongue on one once," said
the Cowardly Lion huskily. "But I'll fight with you, brother Hokus.
Stand back, Dorothy dear."

As the thuds grew louder, the Knight fairly danced up and down with
excitement. "Approach, villain!" he roared lustily.

"Approach till I impale thee on my lance. Ah, had I but a horse!"

"I'd let you ride on my back if it weren't for that hard tin suit,"
said the Cowardly Lion. "But cheer up, my dear Hokus, your voice is a
little hoarse." Dorothy giggled nervously, then seized hold of a
small tree, for the whole forest was rocking.

"How now!" gasped the Knight. There was a terrific quake that threw
Sir Hokus on his face and sent every hair in the lion's mane on end,
and then a great foot came crashing down through the treetops not
three paces from the little party. Before they could even swallow, a
giant hand flashed down-ward, jerked up a handful of trees by the
roots, and disappeared, while a voice from somewhere way above
shouted:

What are little humans for?
To feed the giant Bangladore.
Broiled or toasted, baked or roasted,
I smell three or maybe four!

"You hear that?" quavered the Cowardly Lion. Sir Hokus did not
answer. His helmet had been jammed down by his fall, and he was
tugging it upward with both hands. Frightened though Dorothy was, she
ran to the Knight's assistance.

"Have at you!" cried Sir Hokus as soon as the opening in his helmet
was opposite his eyes. "Forward!"

"My heart is beating a retreat," gulped the Cowardly Lion, but he
bounded boldly after Sir Hokus.

"Varlet!" hissed the Knight, and raising his sword gave a mighty
slash at the giant's ankle, which was broad as three tree trunks,
while the Cowardly Lion gave a great spring and sank his teeth in the
giant's huge leg.

"Ouch!" roared the giant in a voice that shook every leaf in the
forest. "You stop, or I'll tell my father!" With that, he gave a hop
that sent Sir Hokus flying into the treetops, stumbled over a huge
rock, and came crashing to the earth, smashing trees like grass
blades. At the giant's first scream, Dorothy shut her eyes and,
putting her hands over her ears, had run as far and as fast as she
could. At the awful cras