The parrot was there, too, as the bird refused to be left
behind.
They had not advanced far into the deep fog when they were halted by
a queer barrier consisting of a long line of gigantic frogs,
crouching so close together that no Pinkie could squeeze between
them. As the heads of the frogs were turned the other way, toward
the Blue Country, the army could not at first imagine what the
barrier was. But Rosalie said to them, "Our friends the frogs have
agreed to help us through the Fog Bank. Climb upon their backs, as
many on each frog as are able to hold on, and then we shall make the
journey more quickly." Obeying this injunction, the Pinkies began
climbing upon the frogs, and by crowding close together, all were
able to find places. On the back of the King Frog rode Trot and her
parrot, besides Rosalie, Button-Bright, Cap'n Bill and the captains
of the two companies of the army.
When all were seated, clinging to one another so they would not
slide off, Cap'n Bill gave the word of command and away leaped the
frogs, all together. They bounded a long distance at this jump--some
farther than others--and as soon as they landed they jumped again,
without giving their passengers a chance to get their breaths. It
was a bewildering and exciting ride, but a dozen of the huge jumps
accomplished the journey, and at the edge of the Fog Bank each frog
stopped so suddenly that the Pinkies went flying over their heads to
tumble into the blue fields of the Blue Country, where they rolled
in a confused mass until they could recover and scramble to their
feet.
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