Kneeling down on one knee, bending his head almost to the ground, the old man addressed the Doctor who now stood in the doorway putting on his collar and tie.

“Oh, Mighty One,” said he, “we bring you word from the Popsipetel people.  Great are your deeds beyond belief, kind is your heart and your wisdom, deeper than the sea.  Our chief is dead.  The people clamor for a worthy leader.  Our old enemies, the Bag-jagderags are become, through you, our brothers and good friends.  They too desire to bask beneath the sunshine of your smile.  Behold then, I bring to you the Sacred Crown of Popsipetel which, since ancient days when this island and its peoples were one, beneath one monarch, has rested on no kingly brow.  Oh Kindly One, we are bidden by the united voices of the peoples of this land to carry you to the Whispering Rocks, that there, with all respect and majesty, you may be crowned our king—­ King of all the Moving Land.”

The good Indians did not seem to have even considered the possibility of John Dolittle’s refusing.  As for the poor Doctor, I never saw him so upset by anything.  It was in fact the only time I have known him to get thoroughly fussed.

“Oh dear!” I heard him murmur, looking around wildly for some escape.  “What shall I do?—­Did any of you see where I laid that stud of mine?—­ How on earth can I get this collar on without a stud?  What a day this is, to be sure I—­Maybe it rolled under the bed, Bumpo—­I do think they might have given me a day or so to think it over in.  Who ever heard of waking a man right out of his sleep, and telling him he’s got to be a king, before he has even washed his face?  Can’t any of you find it?  Maybe you’re standing on it, Bumpo.  Move your feet.”

“Oh don’t bother about your stud,” said Polynesia.  “You will have to be crowned without a collar.  They won’t know the difference.”

“I tell you I’m not going to be crowned,” cried the Doctor—­“not if I can help it.  I’ll make them a speech.  Perhaps that will satisfy them.”  He turned back to the Indians at the door.

“My friends,” he said, “I am not worthy of this great honor you would do me.  Little or no skill have I in the arts of kingcraft.  Assuredly among your own brave men you will find many better fitted to lead you.  For this compliment, this confidence and trust, I thank you.  But, I pray you, do not think of me for such high duties which I could not possibly fulfil.”

The old man repeated his words to the people behind him in a louder voice.  Stolidly they shook their heads, moving not an inch.  The old man turned back to the Doctor.

“You are the chosen one,” said he.  “They will have none but you.”

Into the Doctor’s perplexed face suddenly there came a flash of hope.

“I’ll go and see Long Arrow,” he whispered to me.  “Perhaps he will know of some way to get me out of this.”

And asking the personages to excuse him a moment, he left them there, standing at his door, and hurried off in the direction of Long Arrow’s house.  I followed him.