"Who says so?" barked the big dog.

"I do!" answered the Tin Soldier. "I will save the Sawdust Doll from
being carried away!"



CHAPTER VII

A SAD ACCIDENT


If the big dog had not been so gruff and impolite, and if he had
known how truly brave the Bold Tin Soldier was, the barking chap
never would have tried to do what he said he was going to do--carry
away the Sawdust Doll.

"Yes, I am going to take the Sawdust Doll home to my kennel, so my
little puppies will have something to gnaw and to play with," went
on the big dog.

"Oh, just fancy!" exclaimed the poor Doll. "Oh, I don't want to be
gnawed and played with by any puppies! They may bite holes in me,
and all my sawdust will run out I Oh dear!"

"Don't be afraid," replied the Bold Tin Soldier. "This dog shall not
take you away."

"Bow wow! You just watch me!" barked the bad dog. He ran at the
Sawdust Doll with wide-open mouth, but before he could pick her up