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 trusted them; but Button-Bright could find no comfort in
their situation, and his face was very sad as he marched along by
Trot's side.
If they had followed the corkscrew windings of the street, it would
have been a long journey to the outer edge of the Pink Country, but
Tourmaline took a shortcut, leading them through private gardens and
even through houses, so that they followed almost a bee line to
their destination. It rained all the way and the walking was very
disagreeable, but our friends were confronting an important crisis
in their strange adventures, and with possible death at their
journey's end, they were in no hurry to arrive there.
Once free of the City they traversed the open country, and here they
often stepped into sticky, pink mud up to their ankles. Cap'n Bill's
wooden leg would often go down deep and stick fast in this mud, and
at such times he would be helpless until two of the Pinkies--who
were a strong people--pulled him out again. The parrot was getting
its feathers sadly draggled in the rain, and the poor bird soon
presented a wet and woebegone appearance.
"Soak us again,
Drown us with rain!"
it muttered in a resigned tone; and then it would turn to Trot and
moan, "The rose is red, the violet's blue, The Pinkies are a beastly
crew!"
The country was not so trim and neatly kept near the edge, for it
was evident the people did not care to go too near to the dangerous
place. There was a row of thick bushes which concealed the gulf
below, and as they approached these bushes the rain abruptly ceased,
and the clouds began to break and drift away in the sky. "Two of you
seize the girl and throw her over," said Tourmaline in a calm,
matter-of-fact way, "and two others must throw the boy over. It may
take four, perhaps, to lift the huge and ancient man."
"More'n that," said Cap'n Bill grimly. "I'm pretty sure it'll take
all o' you, young lady, an' the chances are you won't do it then."
They had halted a short distance from the bushes, and now there
suddenly appeared through a rift in the clouds an immense Rainbow.
It was perfectly formed and glistened with a dozen or more superb
tintings that were so vivid and brilliant and blended into one
another so exquisitely that everyone paused to gaze enraptured upon
the sight. Steadily, yet with wonderful swiftness, the end of the
great bow descended until it rested upon the pink field--almost at
the feet of the little party of observers. Then they saw, dancing
gaily upon the arch, a score of beautiful maidens, dressed in fleecy
robes of rainbow tints which fluttered around them like clouds.
"The Daughters of the Rainbow!" whispered Tourmaline in an awed
voice, and the Witch beside her nodded and said, "Fairies of the
sky. What did I tell you, Tourmaline?"
Just then one of the maidens tripped lightly down the span of the
arch until near the very end, leaning over to observe the group
below. She was exquisitely fair, dainty as a lily and graceful as a
bough swaying in the breeze. "Why, it's Polychrome!" exclaimed
Button-Bright in a voice of mingled wonder and delight. "Hello,
Polly! Don't you remember me?"
"Of course I remember Button-Bright," replied the maiden in a sweet,
tinkling voice. "The last time I saw you was in the Land of Oz."
"Oh!" cried Trot, turning to stare at the boy with big, wide-open
eyes. "Were you ever in the Land of Oz?"
"Yes," he answered, still looking at the Rainbow's Daughter, and
then he said appealingly, "These people want to kill us, Polly.
Can't you help us?"
"Polly wants a cracker!
Polly wants a cracker!"
screeched the parrot.
Polychrome straightened up and glanced at her sisters. "Tell Father
to call for me in an hour or two," said she. "There is work for me
to do here, for one of my old friends is in trouble."
With this she sprang lightly from the rainbow and stood beside
Button-Bright and Trot, and scarcely had she left the splendid arch
when it lifted and rose into the sky. The other end had been hidden
in the clouds, and now the Rainbow began to fade gradually, like
mist, and the sun broke through the clouds and shot its cheering
rays over the Pink Country until presently the Rainbow had vanished
altogether and the only reminder of it was the lovely Polychrome
standing among the wondering band of Pinkies. "Tell me," she said
gently to the boy, "why are you here, and why do these people of the
sky wish to destroy you?"
In a few hurried words Button-Bright related their adventures with
the Magic Umbrella and how the Boolooroo had stolen it and they had
been obliged to escape into the Pink Country. Polychrome listened
and then turned to the Queen. "Why have you decreed death to these
innocent strangers?" she asked.
"They do not harmonize with our color scheme," replied Tourmaline.
"That is utter nonsense," declared Polychrome impatiently. "You're
so dreadfully pink here that your color, which in itself is
beautiful, had become tame and insipid. What you really need is some
sharp contrast to enhance the charm of your country, and to keep
these three people here would be a benefit rather than an injury to
you."
At this, the Pinkies looked downcast and ashamed, while only Rosalie
the Witch laughed and seemed to enjoy the rebuke. "But," protested
Tourmaline, "the Great Book of Laws says our country shall harbor
none but the Pinkies."
"Does it indeed?" asked the Rainbow's Daughter. "Come, let us return
at once to your City and examine your Book of Laws. I am quite sure
I can find in them absolute protection for these poor wanderers."
They dared not disobey Polychrome's request, so at once they all
turned and walked back to the City. As it was still muddy underfoot,
the Rainbow's Daughter took a cloak from one of the women, partly
rolled it, and threw it upon the ground. Then she stepped upon it
and began walking forward. The cloak unrolled as she advanced,
affording a constant carpet for her feet and for those of the others
who followed her. So, being protected from the mud and wet, they
speedily gained the City and in a short time were all gathered in
the low room of Tourmaline's palace, where the Great Book of Laws
lay upon a table.
Polychrome began turning over the leaves, while the others all
watched her anxiously and in silence. "Here," she said presently,
"is a Law which reads as follows: 'Everyone in the Pink Country is
entitled to the protection of the Ruler and to a house and a good
living, except only the Blueskins. If any of the natives of the Blue
Country should ever break through the Fog Bank, they must be driven
back with sharp sticks.' Have you read this Law, Tourmaline?"
"Yes," said the Queen, "but how does that apply to these strangers?"
"Why, being in the Pink Country, as they surely are, and not being
Blueskins, they are by this Law entitled to protection, to a home
and good living. The Law does not say 'Pinkies,' it says any who are
in the Pink Country."
"True," agreed Coralie, greatly pleased, and all the other Pinkies
nodded their heads and repeated, "True, true!"
"The rose is red, the violet's blue,
The law's the thing, because it's true!"
cried the parrot.
"I am indeed relieved to have you interpret the Law in this way,"
declared Tourmaline. "I knew it was cruel to throw these poor people
over the edge, but that seemed to us the only thing to be done."
"It was cruel and unjust," answered Polychrome as sternly as her
sweet voice could speak. "But here," she added, for she had still
continued to turn the leaves of the Great Book, "is another Law
which you have also overlooked. It says, 'The person, whether man or
woman, boy or girl, living in the Pink Country who has the lightest
skin shall be the Ruler--King or Queen--as long as he or she lives,
unless someone of a lighter skin is found, and this Ruler's commands
all the people must obey.' Do you know this Law?"
"Oh yes," replied Tourmaline. "That is why I am the Queen. You will
notice my complexion is of a lighter pink than that of any other of
my people."
"Yes," remarked Polychrome, looking at her critically, "when you
were made Queen without doubt you had the lightest-colored skin in
all the Pink Country. But now you are no longer Queen of the
Pinkies, Tourmaline."
Those assembled were so startled by this statement that they gazed
at the Rainbow's Daughter in astonishment for a time. Then
Tourmaline asked, "Why not, your Highness?"
"Because here is one lighter in color than yourself," pointed to
Trot. "This girl is, by the Law of the Great Book, the rightful
Queen of the Pinkies, and as loyal citizens you are all obliged to
obey her commands. Give me that circlet from your brow, Tourmaline."
Without hesitation Tourmaline removed the rose-gold circlet with its
glittering jewel and handed it to Polychrome, who turned and placed
it upon Trot's brow. Then she called in a loud, imperative voice,
"Greet your new Queen, Pinkies!"
One by one they all advanced, knelt before Trot and pressed her hand
to their lips. "Long live Queen Mayre!" called out Cap'n Bill,
dancing around on his wooden leg in great delight. "Vive la--Vive
la--ah, ah, Trot!"
"Thank you, Polly," said Button-Bright gratefully. "This will fix us
all right, I'm sure."
"Why, I have done nothing," returned Polychrome, smiling upon him.
"It is the Law of the Country. Isn't it surprising how little people
know of their Laws? Are you all contented, Pinkies?" she asked,
turning to the people.
"We are!" they cried. Then several of the men ran out to spread the
news throughout the City and Country, so that a vast crowd soon
began to gather in the Court of the Statues.
