"I won't be anybody's slave," protested Trot. "I don't like these snubnosed, fussy females an' I won't have anything to do with 'em."
"How wicked!" cried Indigo. And then all six held up their hands as if horrified.
"You'll know how to bring her to time, I imagine," he remarked, "and if the girl isn't reasonable and obedient, send her to me and I'll have her patched. Now, then, take her away."
But Trot was obstinate and wouldn't budge a step.
"Keep us together, your Majesty," begged Cap'n Bill. "If we're to be slaves, don't separate us, but make us all the same kind o' slaves."
"I shall do what pleases me," declared the Boolooroo, angrily. "Don't try to dictate, old Moonface, for there's only one Royal Will in Sky Island, and that's my own."
He then gave a command to a soldier, who hastened away to the palace and soon returned with a number of long blue ribbons. One he tied around Trot's waist and then attached to it six other ribbons. Each of the Six Snubnosed Princesses held the end of a ribbon, and then they turned and marched haughtily away to the palace, dragging the little girl after them.
"Don't worry, Trot," cried Button-Bright; "we'll get you out of this trouble pretty soon."
"Trust to us, mate," added Cap'n Bill; "we'll manage to take care o' you."
"Oh, I'm all right," answered Trot, with fine courage; "I'm not afraid of these gawkies."
But the princesses pulled her after them and soon they had all disappeared into one of the entrances to the Blue Palace.
"Now, then," said the Boolooroo, "I will instruct you two in your future duties. I shall make old Moonface--"
"My name's Cap'n Bill Weedles," interrupted the sailor.
"I don't care what your name is; I shall call you old Moonface," replied the king, "for that suits you quite well. I shall appoint you the Royal Nectar Mixer to the Court of Sky Island, and if you don't mix our nectar properly I'll have you patched.
"I don't mix it; it's not the Boolooroo's place to mix nectar," was the stern reply. "But you may inquire of the palace servants and perhaps the Royal Chef or the Majordomo will condescend to tell you. Take him to the servants' quarters, Captain Ultramarine, and give him a suit of the royal livery."
So Cap'n Bill was led away by the chief of the soldiers, and when he had gone the king said to Button-Bright: