They rode quite comfortably, however, and were full of eager
interest in what they saw. The rush of air past them made them
hungry, so Cap'n Bill drew up the lunchbasket and held it so that
Button-Bright and Trot could help themselves to the pink food, which
tasted very good. And finally a dark rim appeared below them, which
the sailor declared must be the Earth. He proved to be correct, and
when they came nearer, they found themselves flying over the waves
of the ocean. Pretty soon a small island appeared, and Trot
exclaimed,
"That's the Sky Island we thought we were goin' to--only we didn't."
"Yes, an' there's the mainland, mate!" cried Cap'n Bill excitedly,
pointing toward a distant coast.
On swept the Magic Umbrella. Then its speed gradually slackened; the
houses and trees on the coast could be seen, and presently--almost
before they realized it--they were set down gently upon the high
bluff near the giant acacia. A little way off stood the white
cottage where Trot lived.
It was growing dusk as Cap'n Bill unhooked the seats and
Button-Bright folded up the umbrella and tucked it under his arm.
Trot seized the lunchbasket and ran to the house, where she found
her mother busy in the kitchen.
"Well, I'm back again," said the little girl. "Is supper ready,
mama?"
Button-Bright stayed all night with them, but next morning, bright
and early, he hooked one of the seats to his Magic Umbrella, said
goodbye to Trot and Cap'n Bill, and flew into the air to begin his
journey to Philadelphia.
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