It’s my own Invention

           Afterawhilethenoiseseemedgraduallytodieaway,tillallwasdeadsilence,andAliceliftedupherheadinsomealarm.Therewasnoonetobeseen,andherfirstthoughtwasthatshemusthavebeendreamingabouttheLionandtheUnicornandthosestilllyingatherfeet,onwhichshehadtriedtocuttheplum-cake,‘SoIwasn’tdreaming,afterall,’shesaidtoherself,‘unless—unlesswe’reallpartofthesamedream.OnlyIdohopeit’smydream,andnottheRedKing’s!Idon’tlikebelongingtoanotherperson’sdream,’shewentoninarathercomplainingtone:‘I’veagreatmindtogoandwakehim,andseewhathappens!’

           Atthismomentherthoughtswereinterruptedbyaloudshoutingof‘Ahoy!Ahoy!Check!’andaKnightdressedincrimsonarmourcamegallopingdownuponher,brandishingagreatclub.Justashereachedher,thehorsestoppedsuddenly:‘You’remyprisoner!’theKnightcried,ashetumbledoffhishorse.

           Startledasshewas,Alicewasmorefrightenedforhimthanforherselfatthemoment,andwatchedhimwithsomeanxietyashemountedagain.Assoonashewascomfortablyinthesaddle,hebeganoncemore‘You’remy—’buthereanothervoicebrokein‘Ahoy!Ahoy!Check!’andAlicelookedroundinsomesurpriseforthenewenemy.

           ThistimeitwasaWhiteKnight.HedrewupatAlice’sside,andtumbledoffhishorsejustastheRedKnighthaddone:thenhegotonagain,andthetwoKnightssatandlookedateachotherforsometimewithoutspeaking.