"They returned then to the high rock, and the children were surprised to see a great army of dolls moving rapidly toward the lake. The dolls were romping and chatting as they hurried along, but all seemed to have the same purpose in view for they were headed toward a certain point on the shore.
"Both Arthur and Maud were nearly crazy to join them, but the Queen wanted to go up on the high rock again, and, as the will of the Queen was the law of the land, up the high rock they went.
"They paused for a moment to look down on the great Kimbo, and laughed merrily when they saw he was still fast asleep.
"'Don't disturb him,' said the Queen in a low tone, as she assisted the children up the path to the top of the rock.
"Shout after shout arose from the crowd of dolls gathered upon the shore; and as their merry voices shook the air and resounded far over the lake, Maud inquired of the Queen the cause of their presence and the unusual tumult they were raising.
"The Queen was standing still, looking far over the lake. It was some moments before she replied, for the commotion seemed somewhat unusual. Glancing toward Maud, she said, sweetly:
"'These, darlings, are all the dolls from the Village of Hide and Seek. They have come down to the shore and are anxiously waiting to be taken over in their ferry-boat to the Island of Dreams that lies in the centre of this beautiful lake.'
"Pointing toward the location of the strange island, she continued:
"'Wait a few moments and you will see!' she said, casting another hasty glance far over the tide.
"The children peered in the direction toward which the Queen pointed, and beheld far in the distance the dim outlines of an island low down on the very edge of the horizon. As they stood there they felt a drowsy sensation creep over them and, like the great Kimbo, they too would have fallen asleep had it not been for the sudden appearance of a strange-looking boat that was coming rapidly across the foam toward the shore.