Button-Bright had now become worried and anxious, for they
knew if they were tossed over the edge of the island they would be
killed. Cap'n Bill frowned and set his jaws tight together. The old
sailor had made up his mind to make a good fight for his boy and girl,
as well as for his own life, if he was obliged to do so.

The twelve Counselors then voted, and when the vote was counted,
Tourmaline announced that six had voted to allow the strangers to
remain and six to toss them over the bushes. "We seem evenly divided on
this matter," remarked the Queen with a puzzled look at her Council.

Trot thought the pretty Queen was their friend, so she said, "Of course
you'll have the deciding vote, then, you being the Ruler."

"Oh no," replied Tourmaline. "Since I have asked these good people to
advise me, it would be impolite to side against some of them and with
the others. That would imply that the judgment of some of my Counselors
is wrong, and the judgment of others right. I must ask someone else to
cast the deciding vote."

"Who will it be, then?" inquired Trot. "Can't I do it? Or Cap'n Bill or
Button-Bright?"

Tourmaline smiled and shook her head, while all the Counselors murmured
their protests.

"Let Trot do it
Or you'll rue it!"

advised the parrot, and then he barked like a dog and made them all
jump.

"Let me think a moment," said the Queen, resting her chin on her hand.

"A Pink can think
As quick's a wink!"

the parrot declared. But Tourmaline's thoughts required time, and all
her Counselors remained silent and watched her anxiously.

At last she raised her head and said, "I shall call upon Rosalie the
Witch. She is wise and honest and will decide the matter justly."

The Pinkies seemed to approve this choice, so Tourmaline rose and took
a small, pink paper parcel from a drawer. In it was a pink powder,
which she scattered upon the seat of a big armchair. Then she lighted
this powder, which at first flashed vivid pink and then filled all the
space around the chair with a thick, pink cloud of smoke. Presently the
smoke cleared away, when they all saw seated within the chair Rosalie
the Witch.

This famous woman was much like the other Pinkies in appearance except
that she was somewhat taller and not quite so fat as most of the
people. Her skin and hair and eyes were all of a rosy, pink color, and
her gown was of spiderweb gauze that nicely matched her complexion. She
did not seem very old,