umbrella swept, and then suddenly it sailed
into a clear, blue sky, across which a great and gorgeous Rainbow
spread its radiant arch. Upon the bow danced the dainty Daughters of
the Rainbow, and the umbrella passed near enough to it for the
passengers to observe Polychrome merrily leading her sisters, her
fleecy robes waving prettily in the gentle breeze.

"Goodbye, Polly!" cried Button-Bright, and Trot and Cap'n Bill both
called out, "Goodbye!"

Polychrome heard and nodded to them smilingly, never halting in her
graceful dance. Then the umbrella dropped far below the arch, which
presently faded from view.

It was an exciting ride. Scenes presented themselves entirely different
from those they had seen on their former voyage, for the sky changes
continually, and the clouds of a moment ago are not the clouds of an
hour ago. Once they passed between two small stars as brilliant as
diamonds, and once an enormous bird whose wings spread so wide that
they shadowed the sun soared directly over them and lost itself in the
vague distance of the limitless sky.

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