frog chuckled and leaped again. They noticed that the fog had caught
a soft rose tint and was lighter and less dense than before, for
which reason the sailor remarked that they must be getting near to
the Pink Country.

On this jump they saw nothing but a monstrous turtle, which lay
asleep with its head and legs drawn into its shell. It was not in
their way, so they hurried on and rejoined the frog, which said to
them, "I'm sorry, but I'm due at the King's Court in a few minutes,
and I can't wait for your short, weak legs to make the journey to
the Pink Country. But if you will climb upon my back, I think I can
carry you to the border in one more leap."

"I'm tired," said Trot, "an' this awful fog's beginnin' to choke me.
Let's ride on the frog, Cap'n."

"Right you are, mate," he replied, and although he shook a bit with
fear, the old man at once began to climb to the frog's back. Trot
seated herself on one side of him and Button-bright on the other,
and the sailor put his arms around them both to hold them tight
together.

"Are you ready?" asked the frog.

"Ding-dong!" cried the parrot.

"All aboard, let 'er go!
Jump the best jump that you know."

"Don't--don't! Jump sort o' easy, please," begged Cap'n Bill.