parrot dolefully.

They walked along more slowly now, still keeping hold of hands, for
although they were anxious to get through the Fog Bank, they were tired
with the long run across the country and with their day's adventures.
They had no sleep and it was a long time past midnight.

"Look out!" cried the parrot sharply; and they all halted to find a
monstrous frog obstructing their path. Cap'n Bill thought it was as big
as a whale, and as it squatted on the gray pebbles, its eyes were on a
level with those of the old sailor.

"Ker-chug, herk-choo!" grunted the frog. "What in the Sky is THIS
crowd?"

"W-we're strangers," stammered Trot, "an' we're tryin' to 'scape from
the Blueskins an' get into the Pink Country."

"I don't blame you," said the frog in a friendly tone. "I hate those
Blueskins. The Pinkies, however, are very decent neighbors."

"Oh, I'm glad to hear that!" cried Button-Bright. "Can you tell us,
Mister--Mistress--good Mr. Frog--eh, eh, your Royal Highness, if we're
on the right road to the Pink Country?"

The frog seemed to laugh, for he gurgled in his throat in a very funny
way. "I'm no Royal Highness," he said. "I'm just a common frog, and a
little wee tiny frog, too. But I hope to grow in time. This Fog Bank is
the Paradise of Frogs, and our King is about ten times as big as I am."

"Then he's a big 'un, an' no mistake," admitted Cap'n Bill. "I'm glad
you like your country, but it's a mite too damp for us, an' we'd be
glad to get out of it."

"Follow me," said the frog. "I'll lead you to the border. It's only
about six jumps." He turned around, made a mighty leap and disappeared
in the gray mist. Our friends looked at one another in bewilderment.

"Don't see how we can foller that lead," remarked Cap'n Bill, "but we
may as well start in the same direction."

"Brooks and creeks,
How it leaks!"

muttered the parrot.

"How can we jog
To a frog in the fog?"

The big frog seemed to understand their difficulty, for he kept making
noises in his throat to guide them to where he had leaped. When at last
they came up to him, he made a second jump--out of sight, as
before--and when they attempted to follow, they found a huge lizard
lying across the path. Cap'n Bill thought it must be a giant alligator
at first, it was so big, but he looked at them sleepily and did not
seem at all dangerous.

"O, Liz--you puffy Liz--Get out of our way and mind your biz," cried
the parrot.

"Creep-