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to the gateway, where she was confronted by the Royal Army of Oz -- which
was the other name for the Soldier with the Green Whiskers.
"Halt!" he cried, and pointed his long gun full in the face of the leader.
Some of the girls screamed and ran back, but General Jinjur bravely stood
her ground and said, reproachfully:
"Why, how now? Would you shoot a poor, defenceless girl?"
"No," replied the soldier. "for my gun isn't loaded."
"Not loaded?"
"No; for fear of accidents. And I've forgotten where I hid the powder and
shot to load it with. But if you'll wait a short time I'll try to hunt them
up."
"Don't trouble yourself," said Jinjur, cheerfully. Then she turned to her
Army and cried:
"Girls, the gun isn't loaded!"
"Hooray," shrieked the rebels, delighted at this good news, and they
proceeded to rush upon the Soldier with the Green Whiskers in such a crowd
that it was a wonder they didn't stick the knitting-needles into one
another.
But the Royal Army of Oz was too much afraid
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of women to meet the onslaught. He simply turned about and ran with all his
might through the gate and toward the royal palace, while General Jinjur and
her mob flocked into the unprotected City.
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