"
They were silent at hearing this dreadful alternative, but the
parrot screamed shrilly,
"Oh, what a dump! Oh, what a jump!
Won't we all thump when we land with a bump?"
"If we do," said Cap'n Bill thoughtfully, "we'll none of us know
it."
ROSALIE THE WITCH
CHAPTER 16
Trot and Button-Bright had now become worried and anxious, for they
knew if they were tossed over the edge of the island they would be
killed. Cap'n Bill frowned and set his jaws tight together. The old
sailor had made up his mind to make a good fight for his boy and
girl, as well as for his own life, if he was obliged to do so.
The twelve Counselors then voted, and when the vote was counted,
Tourmaline announced that six had voted to allow the strangers to
remain and six to toss them over the bushes. "We seem evenly divided
on this matter," remarked the Queen with a puzzled look at her
Council.
Trot thought the pretty Queen was their friend, so she said, "Of
course you'll have the deciding vote, then, you being the Ruler."
"Oh no," replied Tourmaline. "Since I have asked these good people
to advise me, it would be impolite to side against some of them and
with the others. That would imply that the judgment of some of my
Counselors is wrong, and the judgment of others right. I must ask
someone else to cast the deciding vote.
Pages:
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139