The Blue people were by this time dazed with wonder at all the events that had transpired that eventful day, but they still had wit enough to be glad the war was over, for in war someone is likely to get hurt, 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 neither one is in a stew
Because the naughty Boolooroo
Is out of sight, so what we’ll do
Is try to be a jolly crew
And dance and sing our too-ral-loo
And to our friends be ever true
And to our foes—­”

“Stop it!” said Button-Bright, “I can’t hear myself think.”