Part 22 (1/2)
”We would indeed!”
”Then why do you not get the umbrella?”
”How?” asked Trot eagerly.
”You must go into the Blue Country and force the Boolooroo to give up your property.”
”Through the Fog Bank?” asked Cap'n Bill doubtfully.
”And let the Boolooroo capture us again?” demanded b.u.t.ton-Bright with a s.h.i.+ver.
”An' have to wait on the Snubnoses instead of bein' a Queen?” said Trot.
”You must remember that conditions have changed, and you are now a powerful Ruler,” replied Rosalie. ”The Pinkies are really a great nation, and they are pledged to obey your commands. Why not a.s.semble an army, march through the Fog Bank, fight and conquer the Boolooroo and recapture the Magic Umbrella?”
”Hooray!” shouted Cap'n Bill, pounding his wooden leg on the floor.
”That's the proper talk! Let's do it, Queen Trot.”
”It doesn't seem like a bad idea,” added b.u.t.ton-Bright.
”Do you think the Pinkies would fight the Blueskins?” asked Trot.
”Why not?” replied the sailorman. ”They have sharp sticks an' know how to use 'em, whereas the Blueskins have only them windin'-up cords with weights on the ends.”
”The Blueskins are the biggest people,” said the girl.
”But they're cowards, I'm sure,” declared the boy.
”Anyhow,” the sailor remarked, ”that's our only hope of ever gett'n'
home again. I'd like to try it, Trot.”
”If you decide on this adventure,” said Rosalie, ”I believe I can be of much a.s.sistance to you.”
”That'll help,” a.s.serted Cap'n Bill.
”And we've one good friend among the Blueskins,” said b.u.t.ton-Bright.
”I'm sure Ghip-Ghisizzle will side with us, and I've got the Royal Record Book, which proves that the Boolooroo has already reigned his lawful three hundred years.”
”Does the book say that?” inquired Trot with interest.
”Yes, I've been reading it.”
”Then Sizzle'll be the new Boolooroo,” said the girl, ”an' p'raps we won't have to fight, after all.”
”We'd better go prepared, though,” advised Cap'n Bill, ”fer that awful ol' Boolooroo won't give up without a struggle. When shall we start?”