t who has
never had a real adventure, never killed a dragon, nor championed a
Lady, nor gone on a Quest!"

Dropping on his knees before the little girl, Sir Hokus took her
hand. "Let me go with you on this Quest for the valiant Scarecrow.
Let me be your good Night!" he begged eagerly.

"Good night," coughed the Cowardly Lion, who, to tell the truth, was
feeling a bit jealous. But Dorothy was thrilled, and as Sir Hokus
continued to look at her pleadingly, she took off her hair ribbon and
bound it 'round his arm.

"You shall be my own true Knight, and I your Lady Fair!" she
announced solemnly, and exactly as she had read in books.

At this interesting juncture the Cowardly Lion gave a tremendous
yawn, and Sir Hokus with an exclamation of alarm jumped to his feet.
The Pokes had returned to the hall, and Dorothy felt herself falling
asleep again.

Up, up, my lieges and away!
We take the field again--
For Ladies fair we fight today
And KING! Up, up, my merry men!

shrilled the Knight as if he were leading an army to battle. The
Pokes opened both eyes, but did not immediately retire. Sir Hokus
bravely swallowed a yawn and hastily clearing his throat shouted
another song, which he evidently made up on the spur of the moment:

Avaunt! Be off! Be gone--Methinks
We'll be asleep in forty winks!

This time the Pokes left sullenly, but the effect of their presence
had thrown Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, and the Knight into a violent
fit of the gapes.

"If I fall asleep, nothing can save you," said Sir Hokus in an
agitated voice. "Hah, hoh, hum! Hah--!"

The Knight's eyes closed.

"Don't do it, don't do it!" begged Dorothy, shaking him violently.
"Can't we run away?"

"I've been trying for five centuries," wailed the Knight in a
discouraged voice, "but I always fall asleep before I reach the gate,
and they bring me back here. They're rather fond of me in their slow
way," he added apologetically.

"Couldn't you keep singing?" asked the Cowardly Lion anxiously, for
the prospect of a five-century stay in Pokes was more than he could
bear.

"Couldn't we _all_ sing?" suggested Dorothy. "Surely all three of us
won't fall asleep at once."

"I'm not much of a singer," groaned the Cowardly Lion, beginning to
tremble, "but I'm willing to do my share!"

"I like you," said Sir Hokus, going over and thumping the Cowardly
Lion approvingly on the back. "You ought to be knighted!"

The li