they most
loved, and which was most familiar to them, was the dark red of the
ground beneath their feet everywhere. It showed itself in the roadside
bushes; its red dust pervaded the leaves of the overhanging laurel;
it colored their shoes and pinafores; I am afraid it was often seen in
Indian-like patches on their faces and hands. That it may have often
given a sanguinary tone to their fancies I have every reason to believe.

It was on this ridge that the three children gathered at ten o'clock
that morning. An earlier flight had been impossible on account of Wan
Lee being obliged to perform his regular duty of blacking the shoes
of Polly and Hickory before breakfast,--a menial act which in the pure
republic of childhood was never thought inconsistent with the loftiest
piratical ambition. On the ridge they met one "Patsey," the son of a
neighbor, sun-burned, broad-brimmed hatted, red-handed, like themselves.
As there were afterwards some doubts expressed whether he joined the
Pirates of his own free will, or was captured by them, I endeavor to
give the colloquy exactly as it occurred:--

Patsey: "Hallo, fellers."

The Pirates: "Hello!"

Patsey: "Goin' to hunt bars? Dad seed a lot o' tracks at sun-up."

The Pirates (hesitating): "No--o--"

Patsey: "I am; know where I kin get a six-shooter?"

The Pirates (almost ready to abandon piracy for bear-hunting, but
preserving their dignity): "Can't! We've runn'd away for real pirates."

Patsey: "Not for good!"

The Queen (interposing with sad dignity and real tears in her round
blue eyes): "Yes!" (slowly and shaking her head). "Can't go back again.
Never! Never! Never! The--the--eye is cast!"

Patsey (bursting with excitement): "No-o! Sho'o! Wanter know."

The Pirates (a little frightened themselves, but tremulous with
gratified vanity): "The Perleese is on our track!"

Patsey: "Lemme go with yer!"

Hickory: "Wot'll yer giv?"

Patsey: "Pistol and er bananer."

Hickory (with judicious prudence): "Let's see 'em."

Patsey was off like a shot; his bare little red feet trembling under
him. In a few minutes he returned with an old-fashioned revolver known
as one of "Allen's pepper-boxes" and a large banana. He was at once
enrolled, and the banana eaten.

As yet they had resolved on no definite nefarious plan. Hickory, looking
down at Patsey's bare feet, instantly took off his own shoes. This bold
act sent a thrill through his companions. Wan Lee took off his cloth