He found the cord
still tied to his big toe and at first imagined his prisoner safe in
the dressing room. While he put on his clothes, the king
occasionally gave the cord a sudden pull, hoping to hurt Cap'n
Bill's big toe and make him yell; but as no response came to this
mean action, the Boolooroo finally looked into the room only to find
he had been pulling on a leg of the couch and that his prisoner had
escaped.
Then he flew into a mighty rage, and running out into the hall he
aimed a blow at the unfaithful guard, knocking the fellow off his
feet. Then he rushed downstairs into the courtyard, shouting loudly
for his soldiers and threatening to patch everybody in his dominions
if the sailorman was not recaptured.
While the Boolooroo stormed and raged, a band of soldiers and
citizens came marching in, surrounding Cap'n Bill, who was again
firmly bound.
"So-ho!" roared the monarch. "You thought you could defy me, Earth
Clod, did you? But you were mistaken. No one can resist the Mighty
Boolooroo of the Blues, so it is folly for you to rebel against my
commands. Hold him fast, my men, and as soon as I've had my coffee
and oatmeal I'll take him to the Room of the Great Knife and patch
him."
"I wouldn't mind a cup o' coffee myself," said Cap'n Bill. "I've had
consid'ble exercise this mornin', and I'm all ready for breakfas'.
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