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out of me," it continued earnestly. "There's gold to be dug out of my mountains, plenty of good farm land to be planted and cities to be built, and—"

"What do you think we are?" exploded Kabumpo indignantly. "Slaves?"

"He'll get used to it in time," said the Runaway Country, paying no attention to Kabumpo, "and he'll be useful for drawing logs. Now you," he turned his watery eyes full on Peg Amy, "you seem to be the most sensible one in the party, so I think I shall bestow myself upon you. Of course you're not at all handsome nor regular, but from now on you may consider yourself a Princess and me as your Kingdom."

"Thank you! Thank you very much!" said Peg Amy, hardly knowing what else to say.

"Hurrah for the Princess of Runaway Island!" cried Wag, standing on his head. "I always knew you were a Princess, Peg my dear."

"Oh, hush!" whispered Pompa. "Can't you see it's getting more reasonable? Maybe Peg can persuade it to stop."

"If it doesn't stop soon I'll tear all its trees out by the roots," grumbled Kabumpo under his breath. "Logging, indeed! Great Grump! Here's the Deadly Desert!"