begging to be allowed to see.

"He's going to sleep--the white wolf is," whispered Rudolf. "He's
rocking from side to side--he can hardly stand up--his red tongue is
hanging out of his mouth--he looks too silly for anything--now he's
rolled over on his back--now he's snoring!"

"And the other animals--the lion and the bear?"

"They are lying down, too, they will be asleep in a moment! There,
Peter, didn't I tell you it was a dream cake?"

But even then Peter did not appear grateful. He went back to the shelf
where he had found the cake and stood looking at it wistfully, as if
he hoped he would find another. Rudolf came up behind him and looked
over his shoulder.

"It's no use," said Peter mournfully, "there isn't any more."

"There's this!" cried Rudolf triumphantly, and reaching over Peter he
pressed a little round knob of wood half hidden under the shelf.
Instantly the whole shelf, together with a large piece of the wall,
swung aside, and the children were standing on the threshold of just
such another little door as that by which they had entered, only on
the other side of the tree. For a moment the three children
hesitated, half afraid to believe in their good luck, and then,
taking hold of hands they stepped softly out of their prison. Almost
at their feet lay the great white wolf, the yellow lion, and the
shaggy bear, all snoring in concert. Carefully avoiding them, the
children made for the thick woods ahead, not caring where they went so
long as they could escape from their enemies. The big tree was now
between them and the plum-pudding fire around which the Bad Dreams lay
asleep, so it really seemed as if they had a good chance of getting
away unseen.

"Hurry, hurry," Rudolf whispered, dragging Ann by the hand. "If we can
only get to those thick trees I am sure we shall be safe."

"If they only don't wake up!" she panted.

Just at that exciting moment Peter had to make trouble--as usual. He
stumbled and fell over a twisted root, hurt his knee, and gave a loud
angry squeal. Rudolf clapped a hand over his mouth and dragged him to
his feet, but it was too late--they were discovered. A tall form shot
up out of the grass just behind them, and instantly a loud war-whoop
rang through the woods.

"It's Thunder-snorer--it's the Indian," Rudolf cried. "Run for your
lives!"

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XV

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

The Bad Dreams were all aroused by Thunder-snorer's wa