, and
it is foolish to take such chances when one can remain quietly at home.
The Blues did not especially admire the Pinkies, but it was easier to
entertain them than to fight them, and above all, the Blueskins were
greatly rejoiced that their wicked Boolooroo had been conquered and
could no longer abuse them. So they were quite willing to obey the
orders of their girl Queen and in a short time the blasts of trumpets
and roll of drums and clashing of cymbals told Trot and Cap'n Bill that
the Blue Bands had assembled before the palace.

So they went down and found that a great crowd of people had gathered,
and these cheered Trot with much enthusiasm--which was very different
from the scowls and surly looks with which they had formerly greeted
their strange visitors from the Earth.

The soldiers wore their best blue uniforms and were formed before the
palace in marching order, so Trot and Cap'n Bill headed the procession,
and then came the soldiers--all keeping step--and then the bands,
playing very loud noises on their instruments, and finally the crowd of
Blue citizens waving flags and banners and shouting joyfully. In this
order they proceeded to the main gate, which Trot ordered the guards to
throw wide open. Then they all marched out a little way into the fields
and found that the Army of Pinkies had already formed and was advancing
steadily toward them.

At the head of the Pinkies were Ghip-Ghisizzle and Button-Bright, who
had the parrot on his shoulder, and they were supported by Captain
Coralie and Captain Tintint and Rosalie the Witch. They had decided to
capture the Blue City at all hazards, that they might rescue Trot and
Cap'n Bill and conquer the Boolooroo, so when from a distance they saw
the Blueskins march from the gate with banners flying and bands
playing, they supposed a most terrible fight was about to take place.

However, as the two forces came nearer together, Button-Bright spied
Trot and Cap'n Bill standing before the enemy, and the sight astonished
him considerably.

"Welcome, friends!" shouted Cap'n Bill in a loud voice; and "Welcome!"
cried Trot; and "Welcome!" roared the Blue soldiers and the people of
the Blue City.

"Hooray!" yelled the parrot,

"Welcome to our happy home
From which no longer will we roam!"

And then he flapped his wings and barked like a dog with pure delight,
and added as fast as his bird's tongue could speak,

"One army's pink and one is blue,
But nei