" find it ourselves, without any help," suggested Betsy "Who knows ? "

"No one knows that, except the person who's writing this story," said Shaggy "But we won't find anything--not even supper--unless we travel on Here's path Let's take it where it leads to "

Chapter Seven

Polychrome's Pitiful Plight

The Rain King got water basin and spilled some over the brim That made it rain in certain part country--a real hard shower, for time--and sent the Rainbow scampering place to show the gorgeous colors glorious bow mist of rain had passed sky was clear

The coming Rainbow is always joyous event to earth folk, yet few have ever seen it close by Usually the Rainbow is distant that observe its splendid hues but dimly, is why we seldom catch sight dancing Daughters Rainbow

barren country where the rain had just fallen there appeared no human beings at all; but the Rainbow appeared, just the same, and dancing gayly upon its arch were the Rainbow's Daughters, led fairylike Polychrome, so dainty and beautiful that no girl has ever quite equalled her in loveliness

Polychrome was in merry mood and danced down the arch bow ground, daring her sisters her Laughing and gleeful, they also touched the ground with their twinkling feet; but all the Daughters Rainbow knew was dangerous pastime, so they quickly climbed upon their bow again

All but Polychrome Though the sweetest and merriest all, she was likewise the most reckless Moreover, an unusual sensation to pat the cold, damp earth with her rosy toes Before she realized it the bow had lifted and disappeared billowy blue sky, and here was Polychrome standing helpless upon rock, her gauzy draperies floating about her like brilliant cobwebs and not soul--fairy or mortal--to help her regain her lost bow !

"Dear me ! " she exclaimed, frown passing across her pretty face, "I'm caught again second time my carelessness has left me on earth while my sisters returned to our Sky Palaces The first time I enjoyed some pleasant adventures, but lonely, forsaken country and very unhappy until my Rainbow comes again and climb aboard Let me think best "

She crouched low flat rock, drew her draperies about her and bowed her head

position that Betsy Bobbin spied Polychrome as she came along the stony path, followed by Hank, the Princess and Shaggy At once the girl ran radiant Daughter Rainbow and exclaimed:

"Oh, what lovely, lovely creature ! "

Polychrome raised her golden head There were tears in her blue eyes

"I'm the most miserable girl whole world ! " she sobbed

The others gathered around her

"Tell us your troubles, pretty one," urged the Princess

"I--I've lost my bow ! " wailed Polychrome

"Take me, my dear," said Shaggy Man in sympathetic tone, thinking she meant "beau" instead of "bow "

"I don't want you ! " cried Polychrome, stamping her foot imperiously; " my Rainbow "

"Oh; that's different," said Shaggy "But try to forget it When young I used to cry Rainbow myself, but I couldn't have it Looks as couldn't have it, either; so please don't cry "

Polychrome looked at him reproachfully

"I don't like you," she said

"No ? " replied Shaggy, drawing the Love Magnet pocket; "not little bit ? --just wee speck of like ? "

"Yes, yes ! " said Polychrome, clasping her hands in ecstasy as she gazed enchanted talisman; "I love you, Shaggy Man ! "

" ," said he calmly; "but I don't take any credit It's the Love Magnet's powerful charm But you seem quite alone and friendless, little Rainbow Don't to join our party until you find your father and sisters again ? "

"Where going ? " she asked

"We don't just know that," said Betsy, taking her hand; "but we're trying Shaggy's long- lost brother, who captured terrible Metal Monarch Won't you come , and ? "

Polychrome looked from one to another queer party of travelers and bewitching smile suddenly lighted her face

"A donkey, mortal maid, Rose Princess and Shaggy Man ! " she exclaimed "Surely help, intend Ruggedo "

" him, then ? " inquired Betsy

"No, indeed Ruggedo's caverns are beneath the earth's surface, where no Rainbow can ever penetrate But I've heard Metal Monarch also called the Nome King, , and he trouble for people --mortals and fairies-- time," said Polychrome

" fear him, then ? " asked the Princess, anxiously

"No one can harm Daughter Rainbow," said Polychrome proudly "I'm sky fairy "

"Then," said Betsy, quickly, " us the way to Ruggedo's cavern "

"No," returned Polychrome, shaking her head, " do But gladly go and search place "

This promise delighted all the wanderers and Shaggy Man had found the path again they began moving along it in more happy mood The Rainbow's Daughter danced lightly over the rocky trail, no longer sad, but with her beautiful features wreathed in smiles Shaggy came next, walking steadily and supporting the Rose Princess, who followed him Betsy and Hank brought up the rear, and if she tired with walking the girl got upon Hank's back and let the stout little donkey carry her for while

At nightfall they came to some trees that grew beside tiny brook and here they made camp and rested until morning Then away they tramped, finding berries and fruits here and there which satisfied the hunger of Betsy, Shaggy and Hank, so were well content with their lot

It surprised Betsy the Rose Princess partake food, for she considered her fairy; but when she mentioned this to Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter explained that when Ozga was driven out of her Rose Kingdom she ceased fairy and would never again be more than mere mortal Polychrome, however, was fairy wherever she happened , and if she sipped few dewdrops by moonlight for refreshment no one ever saw her

continued their wandering journey, direction meant very little , for they were hopelessly lost strange country Shaggy said it best toward the mountains, natural entrance to Ruggedo's underground cavern was likely hidden in some rocky, deserted place; but mountains seemed all around them except one direction had come from, which led Rose Kingdom sea Therefore it mattered little they traveled

By and by they espied faint trail that looked like path and after following this for they reached crossroads Here were many paths, leading in various directions, and signpost so old that there were now no words sign At one side was an old well, with chain windlass for drawing water, yet no house or other building anywhere in sight

While the party halted, puzzled , the mule approached the well and tried to look

"He's thirsty," said Betsy

"It's dry well," remarked Shaggy "Probably no water for many years But, come; decide to travel "

No one seemed able to decide that They sat down in group and tried to consider which road the best Hank, however, keep away well and finally he reared up hind legs, got his head over the edge and uttered loud "Hee-haw ! " Betsy watched her animal friend curiously

"I wonder if he sees anything down there ? " she said

, Shaggy rose and went over well to investigate, and Betsy went The Princess and Polychrome, who had become fast friends, linked arms and sauntered down roads, an easy path

"Really," said Shaggy, "there does something bottom old well "

"Can't we pull it up, what ? " asked the girl

no bucket end windlass chain, but big hook that at was used to hold bucket Shaggy let down this hook, dragged it around bottom and then pulled it up An old hoopskirt came with it, and Betsy laughed and threw it away The thing frightened Hank, who had never seen hoopskirt before, and he kept good distance away

objects the Shaggy Man captured hook and drew up, but none was important

"This well seems the dump for all the old rubbish country," , letting down the hook once more "I guess I've captured everything now No--the hook has caught again Help me, Betsy ! Whatever this thing is, it's heavy "

She ran up and helped him turn the windlass and after much effort confused mass of copper came in sight

"Good gracious ! " exclaimed Shaggy " surprise, indeed ! "

" it ? " inquired Betsy, clinging windlass and panting for breath

For answer the Shaggy Man grasped the bundle of copper and dumped it ground, free well Then he turned it over foot, spread it out, and to Betsy's astonishment the thing proved copper man

"Just as ," said Shaggy, looking hard object "But unless two copper men most astonishing thing I ever came across "

moment the Rainbow's Daughter Rose Princess approached them, and Polychrome said:

"What found, Shaggy One ? "

"Either an old friend, or stranger," he replied