her people can't do it."

This statement astonished all the Pinkies, who looked at the Witch
inquiringly. "Why not?" asked Tourmaline.

"It is evident to me," said the Witch, speaking slowly and distinctly,
"that these Earth people are protected in some way by fairies. They may
not be aware of this themselves, nor did I see any fairies in my
vision. But if you will think upon it carefully, you will realize that
the Magic Umbrella has no power in itself, but is enchanted by fairy
power so that it is made to fly and carry passengers through the air BY
FAIRIES. This being the case, I do not think you will be allowed to
injure these favored people in any way; but I am curious to see in what
manner the fairies will defend them, and therefore I have voted to have
them thrown off the island. I bear these strangers no ill will, nor do
I believe they are in any danger. But since you, Tourmaline, have
determined to attempt this terrible thing at once, I shall go with you
and see what will happen."

Some of the Pinkies looked pleased and some troubled at this speech,
but they all prepared to escort the prisoners to the nearest edge of
the island. The rain was pouring down in torrents, and umbrellas were
unknown; but all of them, both men and women, slipped gossamer
raincoats over their clothing, which kept the rain from wetting them.
Then they caught up their sharp sticks and surrounding the doomed
captives commanded them to march to meet their fate.

THE ARRIVAL OF POLYCHROME

CHAPTER 17

Cap'n Bill had determined to fight desperately for their lives, but he
was a shrewd old sailorman, and he found much that was reasonable in
the Witch's assertion that fairies would protect them. He had often
wondered how the Magic Umbrella could fly and obey spoken commands, but
now he plainly saw that the thing must be directed by some invisible
power, and that power was quite likely to save them from the cruel
death that had been decreed. To be sure, the Magic Umbrella was now in
the Blue Country, and the fairies that directed its flight might be
with the umbrella instead of with them, yet the old sailor had already
experienced some strange adventures in Trot's company and knew she had
managed to escape every danger that had threatened. So he decided not
to fight until the last moment and meekly hobbled along the street as
he was commanded to do. Trot was also encouraged by the Witch's
suggestion, for she believed in fairies and