Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-01
CHAPTER VI
The Army Of Stingers

GIANT CROSS-PATCH gathered
~ dried sticks and threw them upon
the fire burning at the foot of the hol-
low tree. lie meant to scatter this fire
and thus set all the woods ablazc.
Jack and Janet watched him anx-
iously. SO did King Hummer. And so
did dozens Of the forest folks, pecking
Mt the giant from their hiding places
among the leaves.
Among the hiding forest folks was
Policeman Blue jay. To him King
Hummer whispered n message.
"Warn the forest folks that Giant
Cross Patch is planning to set the
woods on fire. General Jack and his
army of SINGERS will fight the giant.
But should General Jack be overcome
by Giant Cross. Patch the forest will be
destroyed.
Policeman Blue Jay rushed OF "a
scream this message Of alarm. From
far and near came the frightened shrieks
of birds. Some hurried away their
young others tried to save their nests.
Many of the bravest hid in the trees
about the hollow tree so they could
sec the fight between the giant and
! General Jacks Stingers.
! Jack and Janet became aware Of q
buzzing sound. II was coming nearer
swiftly. like Il breeze ripping through
the leaves.
"Your army of stingcrs approaches. v
whispered the Fairy King to Jack
Come and meet them"
Jack and Janet followed him bcyont
q drapcry of vines.
They saw an astonishing sight
Drawn up across glade were row!
upon rows of soldiers-black, prim
fierce.
"Stingers.' spoke the Fairy King
Salute your new leader. Genera
Jack" Smartly. gracefully, the soldier.
salutcd. General Jack will lead yo,
against Giant Cross Patch,' continued
the king. "You must drive the gian
from the forest or else he will fire th'
woods and burn our homes
An angry buzz arose from the SOL
ders. They looked fierce. but Jacl
wondered in dismay how such littl
soldiers could fight the mighty giant.
present arms" ordered the king
At that every soldier displayed n stinj
"A sting so sharp 1t made Jack gasl
in surprise. The moment lie saw thos
stings he knew how he was going q
fight the giant
Jack flew ahead of the army. Benin,
him came a roar as of n flock Of air
planes. 1t was the stingcrs takin
wing.
The giant was bending over the fire
rokng it to make 1t burn faster.
"Go for his legs" cried Jack
, \ squad of the fastest stingers dartc
forward. They hit the giant on tn
leg. Sting" ordered Jack. Tn
. StiAgs sank into the giants legs.
, "Ow-ow-ow I'm on fire. yelle
r the giant. slapping at his legs. ii
. thought sparks from the fire had burne
Go for his arms" ordered Jacl
n Another squad darted forwart
Q sting" ordered Jack. "Ow. ow low |!
:, screamed the giant. 'Im burnir
o up"
"Attack in force" cried Jack, ar
d the whole army buzzed about the glan
: the soldiers alighting where they coul'
t "Sting!" ordered Jack.
2 SOW. low -Ow.Ow.' screamed Il
a giant. dancing wildly. crazlly. "Ov
i, ow -ow-ow! Wasps! Wasps."
II And now Jack knew for the first tin
"a who his stingers were. Yes. they we
~ wasps-big, fierce waSps. To bis fai
= eyes they had appeared aS soldiers.
: The giant saw he couldn't fight q
d wasps and he started to run. Hc y,
IS so fast that he almost ran over Hol
Il pity Hop Rabbit, VINO happened to 6
X in his way. He ran and ran until
d had left the forest far behind. lie fo
a got his plan to burn the woods. !
l. forgot everything except that he want
= to get away from those hot stingers.
ID "You have saved u.s." cried Iii
r, Hummer to Jack and Janet. "Y
1t have tanned the giant and saved all I
I'd forest folks. Yo,-----''
is But what more the king was gOi
to say Jack and Janet didn't know.
ed the excitement of chasing the gia
n they lost their magic fairy cnl
at Whish. sh And there they were, ba
e. In their beds at home, and the brea
he fast bell was ringing.
el This coming week Jack and jar
lie meet Giant Cross Patch again. but
+ : very dissrsnt IiRS1sf - .svsasus'
4 u 4 .