The cord didn't wind around the Pinkie, as he was too far off,
but the weight hit him in the eye and made him howl lustily as he
trotted back to this comrades at full speed. After this experience,
the invaders were careful to keep a safe distance from the wall.
The Boolooroo, having made all preparations to receive the enemy,
was annoyed because they held back. He was himself so nervous and
excited that he became desperate, and after an hour of tedious
waiting, during which time he pranced around impatiently, he decided
to attack the hated Pinkies and rid the country of them.
"Their dreadful color makes me hysterical," he said to his soldiers,
"so if I am to have any peace of mind, we must charge the foe and
drive them back into the Fog Bank. But take all the prisoners you
can, my brave men, and tomorrow we will have a jolly time patching
them. Don't be afraid; those pink creatures have no blue blood in
their veins, and they'll run like rabbits when they see us coming."
Then he ordered the gate thrown open, and immediately the Blueskins
poured out into the open plain and began to run toward the Pinkies.
The Boolooroo went out, too, but he kept well behind his people,
remembering the sharp sticks with which the enemy were armed.
Cap'n Bill was alert and had told his army what to do in case of an
attack. The Pinkies did not run like rabbits, but formed a solid
line and knelt down with their long, sharp sticks pointed directly
toward the Blueskins, the other ends being set firmly upon the
ground.
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