Three thousand and fifty-six years! cried Betsy. Why, I had no idea anything could live that long!
My respected Ancestor, whom I would call a stupid old humbug if I had not reformed, is so old that I am a mere baby compared with him, said Quox. "He dates from the beginning of the world, and insists on telling us stories of things that happened fifty thousand years ago, which are of no interest at all to youngsters like me. In fact, Grandpa isnt up to date. He lives altogether in the past, so I cant see any good reason for his being alive to-day Are you people able to see your way, or shall I turn on more light?'
Oh, we can see very nicely, thank you; only theres nothing to see but ourselves, answered Betsy.
This was true. The dragons big eyes were like headlights on an automobile and illuminated the Tube far ahead of them. Also he curled his tail upward so that the electric light on the end of it enabled them to see one another quite clearly. But the Tube itself was only dark metal, smooth as glass but exactly the same from one of its ends to the other. Therefore there was no scenery of interest to beguile the journey.
They were now falling so gently that the trip was proving entirely comfortable, as the Jinjin had promised it would be; but this meant a longer journey and the only way they could make time pass was to engage in conversation. The dragon seemed a willing and persistent talker and he was of so much interest to them that they encouraged him to chatter. His voice was a little gruff but not unpleasant when one became used to it.
My only fear, said he presently, "is that this constant sliding over the surface of the Tube will dull my claws. You see, this hole isnt straight down, but on a steep slant, and so instead of tumbling freely through the air I must skate along the Tube. Fortunately, there is a file in my tool-kit, and if my claws get dull they can be sharpened again."
Why do you want sharp claws? asked Betsy.
They are my natural weapons, and you must not forget that I have been sent to conquer Ruggedo.
Oh, you neednt mind about that, remarked Queen Ann, in her most haughty manner; for when we get to Ruggedo I and my invincible Army can conquer him without your assistance.
Very good, returned the dragon, cheerfully. That will save me a lot of bother if you succeed. But I think I shall file my claws, just the same.
He gave a long sigh, as he said this, and a sheet of flame, several feet in length, shot from his mouth. Betsy shuddered and Hank said Hee-haw! while some of the officers screamed in terror. But the dragon did not notice that he had done anything unusual.
Is there fire inside of you? asked Shaggy.
Of course, answered Quox. What sort of a dragon would I be if my fire went out?
What keeps it going? Betsy inquired.
Ive no idea. I only know its there, said Quox. The fire keeps me alive and enables me to move; also to think and speak.
Ah! You are ver-y much like my-self, said Tik-Tok. The on-ly dif-fer-ence is that I move by clock-work, while you move by fire.
I dont see a particle of likeness between us, I must confess, retorted Quox, gruffly. You are not a live thing; youre a dummy.
But I can do things, you must ad-mit, said Tik-Tok.
Yes, when you are wound up, sneered the dragon. But if you run down, you are helpless.
What would happen
taste to sneer at a dragon.
The King had listened attentively to Kaliko. Said he:
It will only be necessary to chain this dragon which Tititi-Hoochoo has sent here, in order to prevent his reaching us with his claws and teeth.
He also breathes flames, Kaliko reminded him.
My nomes are not afraid of fire, nor am I, said Ruggedo.
Well, how about the Army of Oogaboo?
Sixteen cowardly officers and Tik-Tok! Why, I could defeat them single-handed; but I wont try to. Ill summon my army of nomes to drive the invaders out of my territory, and if we catch any of them I intend to stick needles into them until they hop with pain.
I hope you wont hurt any of the girls, said Kaliko.
Ill hurt 'em all! roared the angry Metal Monarch. And that braying Mule Ill make into hoof-soup, and feed it to my nomes, that it may add to their strength.
Why not be good to the strangers and release your prisoner, the Shaggy Mans brother? suggested Kaliko.
Never!
It may save you a lot of annoyance. And you dont want the Ugly One.
I dont want him; thats true. But I wont allow anybody to order me around. Im King of the Nomes and Im the Metal Monarch, and I shall do as I please and what I please and when I please!
With this speech Ruggedo threw his sceptre at Kalikos head, aiming it so well that the Royal Chamberlain had to fall flat upon the floor in order to escape it. But the Hearer did not see the sceptre coming and it swept past his head so closely that it broke off the tip of one of his long ears. He gave a dreadful yell that quite startled Ruggedo, and the King was sorry for the accident because those long ears of the Hearer were really valuable to him.