The boy looked into the small red eyes of the carved elephant’s-head handle with some misgivings, but as seen in the strong sunshine the eyes were merely red stones, while the handle plainly showed the marks of the tool that had carved it.

When all was ready, they went into the Court of the Statues, where all the Pinkies were assembled—­together with their Pink Band—­and Cap’n Bill hooked the swinging seats onto the handle of the Magic Umbrella.

Trot kissed Rosalie and Coralie and Tourmaline goodbye and said to them: 

“If you ever happen to come to Earth, you must be sure to visit me, and I’ll try to give you a good time.  But p’raps you’ll stay here all your lives.”

“I think we shall,” replied Rosalie, laughing, “for in all Sky Island there will be no Magic Umbrella for us to fly with.”

“And when you see Polychrome,” added Trot, “jus’ give her my love.”

Then she and Button-Bright seated themselves in the double seat, which was flat upon the pink ground, and Cap’n Bill sat before them on his own seat, to which the lunch basket had been fastened by means of a stout cord.

“Hold fast!” said the sailor man, and they all held fast to the ropes while the boy, glancing up toward the open umbrella he held, said solemnly and distinctly: 

“Take us to Trot’s house on the Earth.”  The umbrella obeyed, at once mounting into the air.  It moved slowly at first, but gradually increased its speed.  First it lifted the seat of the boy and the girl, then Cap’n Bill’s seat, and finally the lunch basket.

“Fly high!—­Mind your eye! 
Don’t cry!—­Bye-bye!”

shouted the parrot from the Pink Witch’s shoulder.

Trot leaned over and waved her hand.  The Pink Band played as loud as it could—­in order that the travelers might hear it as long as possible—­and Rosalie and Coralie and Tourmaline threw kisses to their vanishing friends as long as they remained in sight.

* * * * * * * * *

“Seems good to be on the way home again,” remarked Trot as the umbrella bumped into a big, black cloud.

“It reely does, mate,” answered the sailorman joyously.

Fast through the cloud the umbrella swept, and then suddenly it sailed into a clear, blue sky, across which a great and gorgeous Rainbow spread its radiant arch.  Upon the bow danced the dainty Daughters of the Rainbow, and the umbrella passed near enough to it for the passengers to observe Polychrome merrily leading her sisters, her fleecy robes waving prettily in the gentle breeze.

“Goodbye, Polly!” cried Button-Bright, and Trot and Cap’n Bill both called out, “Goodbye!”

Polychrome heard and nodded to them smilingly, never halting in her graceful dance.  Then the umbrella dropped far below the arch, which presently faded from view.

It was an exciting ride.  Scenes presented themselves entirely different from those they had seen on their former voyage, for the sky changes continually, and the clouds of a moment ago are not the clouds of an hour ago.  Once they passed between two small stars as brilliant as diamonds, and once an enormous bird whose wings spread so wide that they shadowed the sun soared directly over them and lost itself in the vague distance of the limitless sky.