“Good!” cried Trot. “Now I
can climb up.”
“Don’t you want me to go with you?”
asked Button-Bright a little wistfully.
“No,” said the girl. “You must
stay to lead the army. And if you can think of
a way, you must try to rescue us. Perhaps I’ll
be able to save Cap’n Bill by myself; but if
I don’t, it’s all up to you, Button-Bright.”
“I’ll do my best,” he promised.
“And here, keep my polly till I come back,”
added Trot, giving him the bird. “I can’t
take it with me, for it would be a bother, an’
if it tried to spout po’try, I’d be discovered
in a jiffy.”
As the beautiful Witch kissed the little girl goodbye,
she slipped upon her finger a curious ring. At
once, Button-Bright exclaimed, “Why, where has
she gone?”
“I’m right here,” said Trot’s
voice by his side. “Can’t you see
me?”
“No,” replied the boy, mystified.
Rosalie laughed. “It’s a magic ring
I’ve loaned you, my dear,” said she, “and
as long as you wear it, you will be invisible to all
eyes, those of Blueskins and Pinkies alike. I’m
going to let you wear this wonderful ring, for it
will save you from being discovered by your enemies.
If at any time you wish to be seen, take the ring from
your finger; but as long as you wear it, no one can
see you, not even Earth people.”
“Oh, thank you!” cried Trot. “That
will be fine.”
“I see you have another ring on your hand,”
said Rosalie, “and I perceive it is enchanted
in some way. Where did you get it?”
“The Queen of the Mermaids gave it to me,”
answered Trot. “But Sky Island is so far
away from the sea that the ring won’t do me any
good while I’m here. It’s only to
call the mermaids to me if I need them, and they can’t
swim in the sky, you see.”
Rosalie smiled and kissed her again. “Be
brave, my dear,” she said, “and I am sure
you will be able to find Cap’n Bill without getting
in danger yourself. But be careful not to let
any Blueskin touch you, for while you are in contact
with any person you will become visible. Keep
out of their way, and you will be perfectly safe.
Don’t lose the ring, for you must give it back
to me when you return. It is one of my witchcraft
treasures, and I need it in my business.”
The Trot climbed the ladder, although neither Button-Bright
nor Rosalie could see her do so, and when she was
on top the broad wall she pulled up the knotted ropes
and began to search for a place to let it down on
the other side. A little way off she found a
bluestone seat near to the inner edge, and attaching
the ladder to this, she easily descended it and found
herself in the Blue City. A guard was pacing
up and down near her, but as he could not see the
girl, he of course paid no attention to her. So
after marking the place where the ladder hung that
she might know how to reach it again, Trot hurried
away through the streets of the city.
