The Blues were in such a frightened, confused mass that they got in
one another's way and could not make very good progress on the
retreat, so the old sailor soon caught up with them and began
jabbing at the crowd with his stick. Unfortunately, the Pinkies had
not followed their commander, being for the moment dazed by their
success, so that Cap'n Bill was all alone among the Blueskins when
he stepped his wooden leg into a hole in the ground and tumbled full
length, his sharp stick flying from his hand and pricking the
Boolooroo in the leg as it fell.
At this, the Ruler of the Blues stopped short in his flight to yell
with terror, but seeing that only the sailorman was pursuing them
and that this solitary foe had tumbled flat upon the ground, he
issued a command and several of his people fell upon poor Cap'n
Bill, seized him in their long arms, and carried him struggling into
the City, where he was fast bound.
Then a panic fell upon the Pinkies at the loss of their leader, and
Trot and Button-Bright called out in vain for them to rescue Cap'n
Bill. By the time the army recovered their wits and prepared to
obey, it was too late. And although Trot ran with them in her
eagerness to save her friend, the gate was found to be fast barred,
and she knew it was impossible for them to force an entrance into
the City.
So she went sorrowfully back to the camp, followed by the Pinkies,
and asked Rosalie what could be done.
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