Trot saw through this cunning scheme at once, so the first thing she
did was to untie the cord from Cap'n Bill's big toe and retie it to
the leg of the lounge. Then she unfastened her friend's hands and
leaned over to give his leathery face a smacking kiss. Cap'n Bill
sat up and rubbed his eyes. He looked around the room and rubbed his
eyes again, seeing no one who could have kissed him. Then he
discovered that his bonds had been removed, and he rubbed his eyes
once more to make sure he was not dreaming. The little girl laughed
softly.
"Trot!" exclaimed the sailor, recognizing her voice.
Then Trot came up and took his hand, the touch at once rendering her
visible to him. "Dear me!" said the bewildered sailor. "However did
you get here, mate, in the Boolooroo's own den? Is the Blue City
captured?"
"Not yet," she replied, "but YOU are, Cap'n, and I've come to save
you."
"All alone, Trot?"
"All alone, Cap'n Bill. But it's got to be done, jus' the same." And
then she explained about the magic ring Rosalie had lent her, which
rendered her invisible while she wore it--unless she touched some
living creature. Cap'n Bill was much interested.
"I'm willing to be saved, mate," he said, "for the Boolooroo is set
on patchin' me right after breakfas', which I hope the cook'll be
late with."
"Who are you to be patched to?" she asked.
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