initial commit of ebook 39868HEAD main

author: Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> 2025-10-14 20:13:44 -0700
committer: Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> 2025-10-14 20:13:44 -0700
commit: 011478bead81313068cb6c083d85770a5aa258b4 (patch)
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+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Glinda of Oz, by L. Frank Baum
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Glinda of Oz
+       In which are Related the Exciting Experiences of Princess
+              Ozma of Oz, and Dorothy, in their Hazardous Journey...
+
+Author: L. Frank Baum
+
+Illustrator: John R. Neill
+
+Release Date: May 31, 2012 [EBook #39868]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GLINDA OF OZ ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, Matthew Wheaton
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="539" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="caption">
+Glinda of Oz
+<br />
+by L. Frank Baum
+<br />
+Illustrated by Jno R. Neill
+</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="400" height="557" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="400" height="568" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<h1 class="booktitle">
+GLINDA OF OZ
+</h1>
+
+<p class="h4">
+In which are related the Exciting Experiences of Princess
+<br />
+Ozma of Oz, and Dorothy, in their hazardous journey
+<br />
+to the home of the Flatheads, and to the Magic
+<br />
+Isle of the Skeezers, and how they were
+<br />
+rescued from dire peril by the sorcery
+<br />
+of Glinda the Good.
+</p>
+
+<p class="h2">
+<br />
+<span class="reduce">
+BY
+</span>
+<br />
+L. FRANK BAUM
+<br />
+<span class="reduce">
+"Royal Historian of Oz"
+</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="spacer">
+&nbsp;
+</p>
+
+<p class="h4">
+ILLUSTRATED BY
+<br />
+JOHN R. NEILL
+</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="217" height="490" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="400" height="483" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="caption">
+This Book is Dedicated to My Son Robert Stanton Baum
+</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i006.jpg" width="400" height="553" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="400" height="120" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="main">
+
+<h2>TO OUR READERS</h2>
+
+<p>
+Glinda the Good, lovely Sorceress of the Land of Oz and friend of
+Princess Ozma and Dorothy, has lots of personal acquaintances who want
+to know more about her. So, in the new Oz story, Mr. L. Frank Baum,
+Royal Historian of Oz, has written a whole book about how Glinda and
+the Wizard worked with all their might to save the Princess and
+Dorothy from the dire dangers which threatened them when they went
+among the warring tribes of the Flatheads and Skeezers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The wicked Queen Coo-ee-oh, a vain and evil witch, was really to blame
+for all the trouble. She surely succeeded in getting every one on the
+magic, glass-domed island of the Skeezers into amazing difficulties.
+When Mr. Baum tells you how worried everybody in the Land of Oz felt
+about the Princess Ozma and Dorothy and what wonderful sorcery Glinda
+had to perform to save them, you'll be thrilled with excitement and
+admiration. He reveals the most hidden mysteries of magic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Baum did his best to answer all the letters from his small
+earth-friends before he had to leave them, but he couldn't answer
+quite all, for there were very many. In May, nineteen hundred
+nineteen, he went away to take his stories to the little child-souls
+who had lived here too long ago to read the Oz stories for themselves.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+We are sorry he could not stay here and we are sad to tell you this is
+his last complete story. But he left some unfinished notes about the
+Princess Ozma and Dorothy and the Oz people and we promise that some
+day we will put them all together like a picture puzzle and give you
+more stories of the wonderful Land of Oz.
+</p>
+
+<p class="right1">
+Cordially, your friends,
+</p>
+
+<p class="author">
+The Publishers.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i009.jpg" width="600" height="384" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<h2 class="up4">LIST OF CHAPTERS</h2>
+
+<div class="center">
+<table width="80%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents">
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_1">1</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Call of Duty</td>
+  <td class="tdr">13</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_2">2</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">Ozma and Dorothy</td>
+  <td class="tdr">33</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_3">3</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Mist Maidens</td>
+  <td class="tdr">47</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_4">4</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Magic Tent</td>
+  <td class="tdr">53</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_5">5</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Magic Stairway</td>
+  <td class="tdr">61</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_6">6</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">Flathead Mountain</td>
+  <td class="tdr">71</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_7">7</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Magic Isle</td>
+  <td class="tdr">85</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_8">8</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">Queen Coo-ee-oh</td>
+  <td class="tdr">93</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_9">9</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">Lady Aurex</td>
+  <td class="tdr">107</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_10">10</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">Under Water</td>
+  <td class="tdr">119</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_11">11</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Conquest of the Skeezers</td>
+  <td class="tdr">129</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_12">12</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Diamond Swan</td>
+  <td class="tdr">135</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_13">13</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Alarm Bell</td>
+  <td class="tdr">149</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_14">14</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">Ozma's Counsellors</td>
+  <td class="tdr">157</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_15">15</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Great Sorceress</td>
+  <td class="tdr">167</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_16">16</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Enchanted Fishes</td>
+  <td class="tdr">181</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_17">17</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">Under the Great Dome</td>
+  <td class="tdr">191</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_18">18</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Cleverness of Ervic</td>
+  <td class="tdr">206</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_19">19</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">Red Reera, the Yookoohoo</td>
+  <td class="tdr">221</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_20">20</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">A Puzzling Problem</td>
+  <td class="tdr">231</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_21">21</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Three Adepts</td>
+  <td class="tdr">243</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_22">22</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Sunken Island</td>
+  <td class="tdr">253</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_23">23</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">The Magic Words</td>
+  <td class="tdr">263</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_24">24</a></td>
+  <td class="tdl">Glinda's Triumph</td>
+  <td class="tdr">273</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i011.jpg" width="400" height="551" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="caption">
+Glinda of Oz
+</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i012.jpg" width="400" height="499" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13">13</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_1">CHAPTER 1</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Call to Duty
+</p>
+
+<div id="i013">
+<div id="i013a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i013b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+Glinda, the good Sorceress of Oz, sat in the grand court of her
+palace, surrounded by her maids of honor&mdash;a hundred of the most
+beautiful girls of the Fairyland of Oz. The
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14">14</a></span>
+palace court was built of
+rare marbles, exquisitely polished. Fountains tinkled musically here
+and there; the vast colonnade, open to the south, allowed the maidens,
+as they raised their heads from their embroideries, to gaze upon a
+vista of rose-hued fields and groves of trees bearing fruits or laden
+with sweet-scented flowers. At times one of the girls would start a
+song, the others joining in the chorus, or one would rise and dance,
+gracefully swaying to the music of a harp played by a companion. And
+then Glinda smiled, glad to see her maids mixing play with work.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Presently among the fields an object was seen moving, threading the
+broad path that led to the castle gate. Some of the girls looked upon
+this object enviously; the Sorceress merely gave it a glance and
+nodded her stately head as if pleased, for it meant the coming of her
+friend and mistress&mdash;the only one in all the land that Glinda bowed
+to.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i013-->
+
+<p>
+Then up the path trotted a wooden animal attached to a red wagon, and
+as the quaint steed halted at the gate there descended from the wagon
+two young girls, Ozma, Ruler of Oz, and her companion, Princess
+Dorothy. Both were dressed in simple white muslin gowns, and as they
+ran up the marble steps of the palace they laughed and chatted as
+gaily as if they were not the
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15">15</a></span>
+most important persons in the world's
+loveliest fairyland.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The maids of honor had risen and stood with bowed heads to greet the
+royal Ozma, while Glinda came forward with outstretched arms to greet
+her guests.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We've just come on a visit, you know," said Ozma. "Both Dorothy and I
+were wondering how we should pass the day when we happened to think
+we'd not been to your Quadling Country for weeks, so we took the
+Sawhorse and rode straight here."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And we came so fast," added Dorothy, "that our hair is blown all
+fuzzy, for the Sawhorse makes a wind of his own. Usually it's a day's
+journey from the Em'rald City, but I don't s'pose we were two hours on
+the way."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You are most welcome," said Glinda the Sorceress, and led them
+through the court to her magnificent reception hall. Ozma took the arm
+of her hostess, but Dorothy lagged behind, kissing some of the maids
+she knew best, talking with others, and making them all feel that she
+was their friend. When at last she joined Glinda and Ozma in the
+reception hall, she found them talking earnestly about the
+condition of the people, and how to make them more happy and
+contented<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16">16</a></span>&mdash;although they were already the happiest and most contented
+folks in all the world.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This interested Ozma, of course, but it didn't interest Dorothy very
+much, so the little girl ran over to a big table on which was lying
+open Glinda's Great Book of Records.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This Book is one of the greatest treasures in Oz, and the Sorceress
+prizes it more highly than any of her magical possessions. That is the
+reason it is firmly attached to the big marble table by means of
+golden chains, and whenever Glinda leaves home she locks the Great
+Book together with five jeweled padlocks, and carries the keys safely
+hidden in her bosom.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+I do not suppose there is any magical thing in any fairyland to
+compare with the Record Book, on the pages of which are constantly
+being printed a record of every event that happens in any part of the
+world, at exactly the moment it happens. And the records are always
+truthful, although sometimes they do not give as many details as one
+could wish. But then, lots of things happen, and so the records have
+to be brief or even Glinda's Great Book could not hold them all.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda looked at the records several times each day, and Dorothy,
+whenever she visited the Sorceress, loved
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17">17</a></span>
+to look in the Book and see
+what was happening everywhere. Not much was recorded about the Land of
+Oz, which is usually peaceful and uneventful, but today Dorothy found
+something which interested her. Indeed, the printed letters were
+appearing on the page even while she looked.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i017.jpg" width="400" height="259" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"This is funny!" she exclaimed. "Did you know, Ozma, that there were
+people in your Land of Oz called Skeezers?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," replied Ozma, coming to her side, "I know
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18">18</a></span>
+that on Professor
+Wogglebug's Map of the Land of Oz there is a place marked 'Skeezer,'
+but what the Skeezers are like I do not know. No one I know has ever
+seen them or heard of them. The Skeezer Country is 'way at the upper
+edge of the Gillikin Country, with the sandy, impassable desert on one
+side and the mountains of Oogaboo on another side. That is a part of
+the Land of Oz of which I know very little."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I guess no one else knows much about it either, unless it's the
+Skeezers themselves," remarked Dorothy. "But the Book says: 'The
+Skeezers of Oz have declared war on the Flatheads of Oz, and there is
+likely to be fighting and much trouble as the result.'"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Is that all the Book says?" asked Ozma.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Every word," said Dorothy, and Ozma and Glinda both looked at the
+Record and seemed surprised and perplexed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Tell me, Glinda," said Ozma, "who are the Flatheads?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I cannot, your Majesty," confessed the Sorceress. "Until now I never
+have heard of them, nor have I ever heard the Skeezers mentioned. In
+the faraway corners of Oz are hidden many curious tribes of people,
+and those who never leave their own countries and never are visited by
+those from our favored part of
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19">19</a></span>
+Oz, naturally are unknown to me.
+However, if you so desire, I can learn through my arts of sorcery
+something of the Skeezers and the Flatheads."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I wish you would," answered Ozma seriously. "You see, Glinda, if
+these are Oz people they are my subjects and I cannot allow any wars
+or troubles in the Land I rule, if I can possibly help it."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Very well, your Majesty," said the Sorceress, "I will try to get some
+information to guide you. Please excuse me for a time, while I retire
+to my Room of Magic and Sorcery."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"May I go with you?" asked Dorothy, eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, Princess," was the reply. "It would spoil the charm to have
+anyone present."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So Glinda locked herself in her own Room of Magic and Dorothy and Ozma
+waited patiently for her to come out again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In about an hour Glinda appeared, looking grave and thoughtful.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Your Majesty," she said to Ozma, "the Skeezers live on a Magic Isle
+in a great lake. For that reason&mdash;because the Skeezers deal in
+magic&mdash;I can learn little about them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why, I didn't know there was a lake in that part of Oz," exclaimed
+Ozma. "The map shows a river
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20">20</a></span>
+running through the Skeezer Country, but
+no lake."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is because the person who made the map never had visited that
+part of the country," explained the Sorceress. "The lake surely is
+there, and in the lake is an island&mdash;a Magic Isle&mdash;and on that island
+live the people called the Skeezers."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What are they like?" inquired the Ruler of Oz.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"My magic cannot tell me that," confessed Glinda, "for the magic of
+the Skeezers prevents anyone outside of their domain knowing anything
+about them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The Flatheads must know, if they're going to fight the Skeezers,"
+suggested Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Perhaps so," Glinda replied, "but I can get little information
+concerning the Flatheads, either. They are people who inhabit a
+mountain just south of the Lake of the Skeezers. The mountain has
+steep sides and a broad, hollow top, like a basin, and in this basin
+the Flatheads have their dwellings. They also are magic-workers and
+usually keep to themselves and allow no one from outside to visit
+them. I have learned that the Flatheads number about one hundred
+people&mdash;men, women and children&mdash;while the Skeezers number just one
+hundred and one."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What did they quarrel about, and why do they wish to fight one
+another?" was Ozma's next question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21">21</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I cannot tell your Majesty that," said Glinda.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But see here!" cried Dorothy, "it's against the law for anyone but
+Glinda and the Wizard to work magic in the Land of Oz, so if these two
+strange people are magic-makers they are breaking the law and ought to
+be punished!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma smiled upon her little friend.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Those who do not know me or my laws," she said, "cannot be expected
+to obey my laws. If we know nothing of the Skeezers or the Flatheads,
+it is likely that they know nothing of us."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But they <i>ought</i> to know, Ozma, and <i>we</i> ought to know. Who's going
+to tell them, and how are we going to make them behave?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That," returned Ozma, "is what I am now considering. What would you
+advise, Glinda?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sorceress took a little time to consider this question, before she
+made reply. Then she said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Had you not learned of the existence of the Flatheads and the
+Skeezers, through my Book of Records, you would never have worried
+about them or their quarrels. So, if you pay no attention to these
+peoples, you may never hear of them again."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But that wouldn't be right," declared Ozma. "I am Ruler of all the
+Land of Oz, which includes the
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22">22</a></span>
+Gillikin Country, the Quadling
+Country, the Winkie Country and the Munchkin Country, as well as the
+Emerald City, and being the Princess of this fairyland it is my duty
+to make all my people&mdash;wherever they may be&mdash;happy and content and to
+settle their disputes and keep them from quarreling. So, while the
+Skeezers and Flatheads may not know me or that I am their lawful
+Ruler, I now know that they inhabit my kingdom and are my subjects, so
+I would not be doing my duty if I kept away from them and allowed them
+to fight."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That's a fact, Ozma," commented Dorothy. "You've got to go up to the
+Gillikin Country and make these people behave themselves and make up
+their quarrels. But how are you going to do it?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is what is puzzling me also, your Majesty," said the Sorceress.
+"It may be dangerous for you to go into those strange countries, where
+the people are possibly fierce and warlike."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I am not afraid," said Ozma, with a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"'Tisn't a question of being 'fraid," argued Dorothy. "Of course we
+know you're a fairy, and can't be killed or hurt, and we know you've a
+lot of magic of your own to help you. But, Ozma dear, in spite of all
+this you've been in trouble before, on account of wicked
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23">23</a></span>
+enemies, and
+it isn't right for the Ruler of all Oz to put herself in danger."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Perhaps I shall be in no danger at all," returned Ozma, with a little
+laugh. "You mustn't <i>imagine</i> danger, Dorothy, for one should only
+imagine nice things, and we do not know that the Skeezers and
+Flatheads are wicked people or my enemies. Perhaps they would be good
+and listen to reason."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Dorothy is right, your Majesty," asserted the Sorceress. "It is true
+we know nothing of these faraway subjects, except that they intend to
+fight one another, and have a certain amount of magic power at their
+command. Such folks do not like to submit to interference and they are
+more likely to resent your coming among them than to receive you
+kindly and graciously, as is your due."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If you had an army to take with you," added Dorothy, "it wouldn't be
+so bad; but there isn't such a thing as an army in all Oz."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I have one soldier," said Ozma.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, the soldier with the green whiskers; but he's dreadful 'fraid of
+his gun and never loads it. I'm sure he'd run rather than fight. And
+one soldier, even if he were brave, couldn't do much against two
+hundred and one Flatheads and Skeezers."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24">24</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What then, my friends, would you suggest?" inquired Ozma.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I advise you to send the Wizard of Oz to them, and let him inform
+them that it is against the laws of Oz to fight, and that you command
+them to settle their differences and become friends," proposed Glinda.
+"Let the Wizard tell them they will be punished if they refuse to obey
+the commands of the Princess of all the Land of Oz."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma shook her head, to indicate that the advice was not to her
+satisfaction.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If they refuse, what then?" she asked. "I should be obliged to carry
+out my threat and punish them, and that would be an unpleasant and
+difficult thing to do. I am sure it would be better for me to go
+peacefully, without an army and armed only with my authority as Ruler,
+and plead with them to obey me. Then, if they prove obstinate I could
+resort to other means to win their obedience."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It's a ticklish thing, anyhow you look at it," sighed Dorothy. "I'm
+sorry now that I noticed the Record in the Great Book."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25">25</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i025.jpg" width="400" height="556" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"But can't you realize, my dear, that I must do my duty, now that I am
+aware of this trouble?" asked Ozma. "I am fully determined to go at
+once to the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26">26</a></span>
+Magic Isle of the Skeezers and to the enchanted mountain
+of the Flatheads, and prevent war and strife between their
+inhabitants. The only question to decide is whether it is better for
+me to go alone, or to assemble a party of my friends and loyal
+supporters to accompany me."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i026.jpg" width="400" height="280" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"If you go I want to go, too," declared Dorothy. "Whatever happens
+it's going to be fun&mdash;'cause all excitement is fun&mdash;and I wouldn't
+miss it for the world!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27">27</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Neither Ozma nor Glinda paid any attention to this statement, for they
+were gravely considering the serious aspect of this proposed
+adventure.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"There are plenty of friends who would like to go with you," said the
+Sorceress, "but none of them would afford your Majesty any protection
+in case you were in danger. You are yourself the most powerful fairy
+in Oz, although both I and the Wizard have more varied arts of magic
+at our command. However, you have one art that no other in all the
+world can equal&mdash;the art of winning hearts and making people love to
+bow to your gracious presence. For that reason I believe you can
+accomplish more good alone than with a large number of subjects in
+your train."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I believe that also," agreed the Princess. "I shall be quite able to
+take care of myself, you know, but might not be able to protect others
+so well. I do not look for opposition, however. I shall speak to these
+people in kindly words and settle their dispute&mdash;whatever it may
+be&mdash;in a just manner."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Aren't you going to take <i>me</i>?" pleaded Dorothy. "You'll need <i>some</i>
+companion, Ozma."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Princess smiled upon her little friend.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I see no reason why you should not accompany
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28">28</a></span>
+me," was her reply.
+"Two girls are not very warlike and they will not suspect us of being
+on any errand but a kindly and peaceful one. But, in order to prevent
+war and strife between these angry peoples, we must go to them at
+once. Let us return immediately to the Emerald City and prepare to
+start on our journey early tomorrow morning."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda was not quite satisfied with this plan, but could not think of
+any better way to meet the problem. She knew that Ozma, with all her
+gentleness and sweet disposition, was accustomed to abide by any
+decision she had made and could not easily be turned from her purpose.
+Moreover she could see no great danger to the fairy Ruler of Oz in the
+undertaking, even though the unknown people she was to visit proved
+obstinate. But Dorothy was not a fairy; she was a little girl who had
+come from Kansas to live in the Land of Oz. Dorothy might encounter
+dangers that to Ozma would be as nothing but to an "Earth child" would
+be very serious.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i029.jpg" width="400" height="285" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+The very fact that Dorothy lived in Oz, and had been made a Princess
+by her friend Ozma, prevented her from being killed or suffering any
+great bodily pain as long as she lived in that fairyland. She could
+not grow big, either, and would always remain the
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29">29</a></span>
+same little girl
+who had come to Oz, unless in some way she left that fairyland or was
+spirited away from it. But Dorothy was a mortal, nevertheless, and
+might possibly be destroyed, or hidden where none of her friends could
+ever find her. She could, for instance, be cut into pieces, and the
+pieces, while still alive and free from pain, could be widely
+scattered; or she might be buried deep underground, or "destroyed" in
+other ways by evil magicians, were she not properly
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30">30</a></span>
+protected. These
+facts Glinda was considering while she paced with stately tread her
+marble hall.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Finally the good Sorceress paused and drew a ring from her finger,
+handing it to Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i030.jpg" width="400" height="270" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"Wear this ring constantly until your return," she said to the girl.
+"If serious danger threatens you, turn the ring around on your finger
+once to the right and another turn to the left. That will ring the
+alarm bell in my palace and I will at once come to your rescue. But do
+not use the ring unless you are actually in
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31">31</a></span>
+danger of destruction.
+While you remain with Princess Ozma I believe she will be able to
+protect you from all lesser ills."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Thank you, Glinda," responded Dorothy gratefully, as she placed the
+ring on her finger. "I'm going to wear my Magic Belt which I took from
+the Nome King, too, so I guess I'll be safe from anything the Skeezers
+and Flatheads try to do to me."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma had many arrangements to make before she could leave her throne
+and her palace in the Emerald City, even for a trip of a few days, so
+she bade good-bye to Glinda and with Dorothy climbed into the Red
+Wagon. A word to the wooden Sawhorse started that astonishing creature
+on the return journey, and so swiftly did he run that Dorothy was
+unable to talk or do anything but hold tight to her seat all the way
+back to the Emerald City.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32">32</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i032.jpg" width="400" height="593" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33">33</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_2">CHAPTER 2</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+Ozma and Dorothy
+</p>
+
+<div id="i033">
+<div id="i033a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i033b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+Residing in Ozma's palace at this time was a live Scarecrow, a most
+remarkable and intelligent creature who had once ruled the Land of Oz
+for a brief period and was
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34">34</a></span>
+much loved and respected by all the
+people. Once a Munchkin farmer had stuffed an old suit of clothes with
+straw and put stuffed boots on the feet and used a pair of stuffed
+cotton gloves for hands. The head of the Scarecrow was a stuffed sack
+fastened to the body, with eyes, nose, mouth and ears painted on the
+sack. When a hat had been put on the head, the thing was a good
+imitation of a man. The farmer placed the Scarecrow on a pole in his
+cornfield and it came to life in a curious manner. Dorothy, who was
+passing by the field, was hailed by the live Scarecrow and lifted him
+off his pole. He then went with her to the Emerald City, where the
+Wizard of Oz gave him some excellent brains, and the Scarecrow soon
+became an important personage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma considered the Scarecrow one of her best friends and most loyal
+subjects, so the morning after her visit to Glinda she asked him to
+take her place as Ruler of the Land of Oz while she was absent on a
+journey, and the Scarecrow at once consented without asking any
+questions.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i033-->
+
+<p>
+Ozma had warned Dorothy to keep their journey a secret and say nothing
+to anyone about the Skeezers and Flatheads until their return, and
+Dorothy promised to obey. She longed to tell her girl friends, tiny
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35">35</a></span>
+Trot and Betsy Bobbin, of the adventure they were undertaking, but
+refrained from saying a word on the subject although both these girls
+lived with her in Ozma's palace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Indeed, only Glinda the Sorceress knew they were going, until after
+they had gone, and even the Sorceress didn't know what their errand
+might be.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Princess Ozma took the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon, although she was
+not sure there was a wagon road all the way to the Lake of the
+Skeezers. The Land of Oz is a pretty big place, surrounded on all
+sides by a Deadly Desert which it is impossible to cross, and the
+Skeezer Country, according to the map, was in the farthest
+northwestern part of Oz, bordering on the north desert. As the Emerald
+City was exactly in the center of Oz, it was no small journey from
+there to the Skeezers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Around the Emerald City the country is thickly settled in every
+direction, but the farther away you get from the city the fewer people
+there are, until those parts that border on the desert have small
+populations. Also those faraway sections are little known to the Oz
+people, except in the south, where Glinda lives and where Dorothy has
+often wandered on trips of exploration.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36">36</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The least known of all is the Gillikin Country, which harbors many
+strange bands of people among its mountains and valleys and forests
+and streams, and Ozma was now bound for the most distant part of the
+Gillikin Country.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I am really sorry," said Ozma to Dorothy, as they rode away in the
+Red Wagon, "not to know more about the wonderful Land I rule. It is my
+duty to be acquainted with every tribe of people and every strange and
+hidden country in all Oz, but I am kept so busy at my palace making
+laws and planning for the comforts of those who live near the Emerald
+City, that I do not often find time to make long journeys."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well," replied Dorothy, "we'll prob'bly find out a lot on this trip,
+and we'll learn all about the Skeezers and Flatheads, anyhow. Time
+doesn't make much diff'rence in the Land of Oz, 'cause we don't grow
+up, or get old, or become sick and die, as they do other places; so,
+if we explore one place at a time, we'll by-an'-by know all about
+every nook and corner in Oz."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy wore around her waist the Nome King's Magic Belt, which
+protected her from harm, and the Magic Ring which Glinda had given her
+was on her finger. Ozma had merely slipped a small silver wand into
+the bosom of her gown, for fairies do not use
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37">37</a></span>
+chemicals and herbs and
+the tools of wizards and sorcerers to perform their magic. The Silver
+Wand was Ozma's one weapon of offense and defense and by its use she
+could accomplish many things.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i037.jpg" width="400" height="240" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+They had left the Emerald City just at sunrise and the Sawhorse
+traveled very swiftly over the roads towards the north, but in a few
+hours the wooden animal had to slacken his pace because the farm
+houses had become few and far between and often there were no paths at
+all in the direction they wished to follow. At such times they crossed
+the fields, avoiding groups of trees and fording the streams and
+rivulets
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38">38</a></span>
+whenever they came to them. But finally they reached a broad
+hillside closely covered with scrubby brush, through which the wagon
+could not pass.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It will be difficult even for you and me to get through without
+tearing our dresses," said Ozma, "so we must leave the Sawhorse and
+the Wagon here until our return."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That's all right," Dorothy replied, "I'm tired riding, anyhow. Do you
+s'pose, Ozma, we're anywhere near the Skeezer Country?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I cannot tell, Dorothy dear, but I know we've been going in the right
+direction, so we are sure to find it in time."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The scrubby brush was almost like a grove of small trees, for it
+reached as high as the heads of the two girls, neither of whom was
+very tall. They were obliged to thread their way in and out, until
+Dorothy was afraid they would get lost, and finally they were halted
+by a curious thing that barred their further progress. It was a huge
+web&mdash;as if woven by gigantic spiders&mdash;and the delicate, lacy film was
+fastened stoutly to the branches of the bushes and continued to the
+right and left in the form of a half circle. The threads of this web
+were of a brilliant purple color and woven into numerous artistic
+patterns, but it
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39">39</a></span>
+reached from the ground to branches above the heads
+of the girls and formed a sort of fence that hedged them in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It doesn't look very strong, though," said Dorothy. "I wonder if we
+couldn't break through." She tried but found the web stronger than it
+seemed. All her efforts could not break a single thread.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We must go back, I think, and try to get around this peculiar web,"
+Ozma decided.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So they turned to the right and, following the web, found that it
+seemed to spread in a regular circle. On and on they went until
+finally Ozma said they had returned to the exact spot from which they
+had started. "Here is a handkerchief you dropped when we were here
+before," she said to Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"In that case, they must have built the web behind us, after we walked
+into the trap," exclaimed the little girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"True," agreed Ozma, "an enemy has tried to imprison us."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And they did it, too," said Dorothy. "I wonder who it was."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It's a spider-web, I'm quite sure," returned Ozma, "but it must be
+the work of enormous spiders."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Quite right!" cried a voice behind them. Turning
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40">40</a></span>
+quickly around they
+beheld a huge purple spider sitting not two yards away and regarding
+them with its small bright eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then there crawled from the bushes a dozen more great purple spiders,
+which saluted the first one and said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The web is finished, O King, and the strangers are our prisoners."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy did not like the looks of these spiders at all. They had big
+heads, sharp claws, small eyes and fuzzy hair all over their purple
+bodies.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They look wicked," she whispered to Ozma. "What shall we do?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma gazed upon the spiders with a serious face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What is your object in making us prisoners?" she inquired.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We need someone to keep house for us," answered the Spider King.
+"There is sweeping and dusting to be done, and polishing and washing
+of dishes, and that is work my people dislike to do. So we decided
+that if any strangers came our way we would capture them and make them
+our servants."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i041.jpg" width="400" height="553" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"I am Princess Ozma, Ruler of all Oz," said the girl with dignity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, I am King of all Spiders," was the reply, <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41">41</a></span>"and that makes me
+your master. Come with me to my palace and I will instruct you in your
+work."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i043.jpg" width="400" height="292" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"I won't," said Dorothy indignantly. "We won't have anything to do
+with you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We'll see about that," returned the Spider in a severe tone, and the
+next instant he made a dive straight at Dorothy, opening the claws in
+his legs as if to grab and pinch her with the sharp points. But the
+girl was wearing her Magic Belt and was not
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42">42</a></span>
+harmed. The Spider King
+could not even touch her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He turned swiftly and made a dash at Ozma, but she held her Magic Wand
+over his head and the monster recoiled as if it had been struck.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You'd better let us go," Dorothy advised him, "for you see you can't
+hurt us."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"So I see," returned the Spider King angrily. "Your magic is greater
+than mine. But I'll not help you to escape. If you can break the magic
+web my people have woven you may go; if not you must stay here and
+starve." With that the Spider King uttered a peculiar whistle and all
+the spiders disappeared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"There is more magic in my fairyland than I dreamed of," remarked the
+beautiful Ozma, with a sigh of regret. "It seems that my laws have not
+been obeyed, for even these monstrous spiders defy me by means of
+magic."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Never mind that now," said Dorothy; "let's see what we can do to get
+out of this trap."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They now examined the web with great care and were amazed at its
+strength. Although finer than the finest silken hairs, it resisted all
+their efforts to work through, even though both girls threw all their
+weight against it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We must find some instrument which will cut the
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43">43</a></span>
+threads of the web,"
+said Ozma, finally. "Let us look about for such a tool."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So they wandered among the bushes and finally came to a shallow pool
+of water, formed by a small bubbling spring. Dorothy stooped to get a
+drink and discovered in the water a green crab, about as big as her
+hand. The crab had two big, sharp claws, and as soon as Dorothy saw
+them she had an idea that those claws could save them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Come out of the water," she called to the crab; "I want to talk to
+you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Rather lazily the crab rose to the surface and caught hold of a bit of
+rock. With his head above the water he said in a cross voice:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What do you want?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We want you to cut the web of the purple spiders with your claws, so
+we can get through it," answered Dorothy. "You can do that, can't
+you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I suppose so," replied the crab. "But if I do what will you give me?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What do you wish?" Ozma inquired.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I wish to be white, instead of green," said the crab. "Green crabs
+are very common, and white ones are rare; besides the purple spiders,
+which infest this hillside, are afraid of white crabs. Could you make
+me
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44">44</a></span>
+white if I should agree to cut the web for you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," said Ozma, "I can do that easily. And, so you may know I am
+speaking the truth, I will change your color now."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She waved her silver wand over the pool and the crab instantly became
+snow-white&mdash;all except his eyes, which remained black. The creature
+saw his reflection in the water and was so delighted that he at once
+climbed out of the pool and began moving slowly toward the web, by
+backing away from the pool. He moved so very slowly that Dorothy cried
+out impatiently: "Dear me, this will never do!" Catching the crab in
+her hands she ran with him to the web.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had to hold him up even then, so he could reach with his claws
+strand after strand of the filmy purple web, which he was able to
+sever with one nip.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i047.jpg" width="400" height="297" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+When enough of the web had been cut to allow them to pass, Dorothy ran
+back to the pool and placed the white crab in the water, after which
+she rejoined Ozma. They were just in time to escape through the web,
+for several of the purple spiders now appeared, having discovered that
+their web had been cut, and had the girls not rushed through the
+opening the spiders would have quickly repaired the cuts and again
+imprisoned them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45">45</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma and Dorothy ran as fast as they could and although the angry
+spiders threw a number of strands of web after them, hoping to lasso
+them or entangle them in the coils, they managed to escape and clamber
+to the top of the hill.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46">46</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i048.jpg" width="400" height="557" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47">47</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_3">CHAPTER 3</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Mist Maidens
+</p>
+
+<div id="i049">
+<div id="i049a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i049b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+From the top of the hill Ozma and Dorothy looked down into the valley
+beyond and were surprised to find it filled with a floating mist that
+was as dense as smoke. Nothing
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48">48</a></span>
+in the valley was visible except these
+rolling waves of mist, but beyond, on the other side, rose a grassy
+hill that appeared quite beautiful.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well," said Dorothy, "what are we to do, Ozma? Walk down into that
+thick fog, an' prob'bly get lost in it, or wait till it clears away?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm not sure it will clear away, however long we wait," replied Ozma,
+doubtfully. "If we wish to get on, I think we must venture into the
+mist."
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i049-->
+
+<p>
+"But we can't see where we're going, or what we're stepping on,"
+protested Dorothy. "There may be dreadful things mixed up in that fog,
+an' I'm scared just to think of wading into it."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Even Ozma seemed to hesitate. She was silent and thoughtful for a
+little while, looking at the rolling drifts that were so gray and
+forbidding. Finally she said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I believe this is a Mist Valley, where these moist clouds always
+remain, for even the sunshine above does not drive them away.
+Therefore the Mist Maids must live here, and they are fairies and
+should answer my call."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She placed her two hands before her mouth, forming a hollow with them,
+and uttered a clear, thrilling, bird-like cry. It floated far out over
+the mist waves
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49">49</a></span>
+and presently was answered by a similar sound, as of a
+far-off echo.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy was much impressed. She had seen many strange things since
+coming to this fairy country, but here was a new experience. At
+ordinary times Ozma was just like any little girl one might chance to
+meet&mdash;simple, merry, lovable as could be&mdash;yet with a certain reserve
+that lent her dignity in her most joyous moods. There were times,
+however, when seated on her throne and commanding her subjects, or
+when her fairy powers were called into use, when Dorothy and all
+others about her stood in awe of their lovely girl Ruler and realized
+her superiority.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma waited. Presently out from the billows rose beautiful forms,
+clothed in fleecy, trailing garments of gray that could scarcely be
+distinguished from the mist. Their hair was mist-color, too; only
+their gleaming arms and sweet, pallid faces proved they were living,
+intelligent creatures answering the call of a sister fairy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Like sea nymphs they rested on the bosom of the clouds, their eyes
+turned questioningly upon the two girls who stood upon the bank. One
+came quite near and to her Ozma said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Will you please take us to the opposite hillside?
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50">50</a></span>
+We are afraid to
+venture into the mist. I am Princess Ozma of Oz, and this is my friend
+Dorothy, a Princess of Oz."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i052.jpg" width="374" height="186" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+The Mist Maids came nearer, holding out their arms. Without hesitation
+Ozma advanced and allowed them to embrace her and Dorothy plucked up
+courage to follow. Very gently the Mist Maids held them. Dorothy
+thought the arms were cold and misty&mdash;they didn't seem real at
+all&mdash;yet they supported the two girls above the surface of the billows
+and floated with them so swiftly to the green hillside opposite that
+the girls were astonished to find themselves set upon the grass before
+they realized they had fairly started.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51">51</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Thank you!" said Ozma gratefully, and Dorothy also added her thanks
+for the service.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Mist Maids made no answer, but they smiled and waved their hands
+in good-bye as again they floated out into the mist and disappeared
+from view.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i053.jpg" width="400" height="257" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52">52</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i054.jpg" width="400" height="548" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53">53</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_4">CHAPTER 4</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Magic Tent
+</p>
+
+<div id="i055">
+<div id="i055a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i055b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+"Well," said Dorothy with a laugh, "that was easier than I expected.
+It's worth while, sometimes, to be a real fairy. But I wouldn't like
+to be that kind, and live in a dreadful fog all the time."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54">54</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They now climbed the bank and found before them a delightful plain
+that spread for miles in all directions. Fragrant wild flowers were
+scattered throughout the grass; there were bushes bearing lovely
+blossoms and luscious fruits; now and then a group of stately trees
+added to the beauty of the landscape. But there were no dwellings or
+signs of life.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The farther side of the plain was bordered by a row of palms, and just
+in front of the palms rose a queerly shaped hill that towered above
+the plain like a mountain. The sides of this hill were straight up and
+down; it was oblong in shape and the top seemed flat and level.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, ho!" cried Dorothy; "I'll bet that's the mountain Glinda told us
+of, where the Flatheads live."
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i055-->
+
+<p>
+"If it is," replied Ozma, "the Lake of the Skeezers must be just
+beyond the line of palm trees. Can you walk that far, Dorothy?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of course, in time," was the prompt answer. "I'm sorry we had to
+leave the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon behind us, for they'd come in
+handy just now; but with the end of our journey in sight a tramp
+across these pretty green fields won't tire us a bit."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a longer tramp than they suspected, however, and night overtook
+them before they could reach
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55">55</a></span>
+the flat mountain. So Ozma proposed they
+camp for the night and Dorothy was quite ready to approve. She didn't
+like to admit to her friend she was tired, but she told herself that
+her legs "had prickers in 'em," meaning they had begun to ache.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Usually when Dorothy started on a journey of exploration or adventure,
+she carried with her a basket of food, and other things that a
+traveler in a strange country might require, but to go away with Ozma
+was quite a different thing, as experience had taught her. The fairy
+Ruler of Oz only needed her silver wand&mdash;tipped at one end with a
+great sparkling emerald&mdash;to provide through its magic all that they
+might need. Therefore Ozma, having halted with her companion and
+selected a smooth, grassy spot on the plain, waved her wand in
+graceful curves and chanted some mystic words in her sweet voice, and
+in an instant a handsome tent appeared before them. The canvas was
+striped purple and white, and from the center pole fluttered the royal
+banner of Oz.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Come, dear," said Ozma, taking Dorothy's hand, "I am hungry and I'm
+sure you must be also; so let us go in and have our feast."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On entering the tent they found a table set for two, with snowy linen,
+bright silver and sparkling glassware,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56">56</a></span>
+a vase of roses in the center
+and many dishes of delicious food, some smoking hot, waiting to
+satisfy their hunger. Also, on either side of the tent were beds, with
+satin sheets, warm blankets and pillows filled with swansdown. There
+were chairs, too, and tall lamps that lighted the interior of the tent
+with a soft, rosy glow.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i058.jpg" width="400" height="279" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy, resting herself at her fairy friend's command, and eating her
+dinner with unusual enjoyment, thought of the wonders of magic. If one
+were a fairy and knew the secret laws of nature and the mystic
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57">57</a></span>
+words
+and ceremonies that commanded those laws, then a simple wave of a
+silver wand would produce instantly all that men work hard and
+anxiously for through weary years. And Dorothy wished in her kindly,
+innocent heart, that all men and women could be fairies with silver
+wands, and satisfy all their needs without so much work and worry, for
+then, she imagined, they would have all their working hours to be
+happy in. But Ozma, looking into her friend's face and reading those
+thoughts, gave a laugh and said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, no, Dorothy, that wouldn't do at all. Instead of happiness your
+plan would bring weariness to the world. If every one could wave a
+wand and have his wants fulfilled there would be little to wish for.
+There would be no eager striving to obtain the difficult, for nothing
+would then be difficult, and the pleasure of earning something longed
+for, and only to be secured by hard work and careful thought, would be
+utterly lost. There would be nothing to do, you see, and no interest
+in life and in our fellow creatures. That is all that makes life worth
+our while&mdash;to do good deeds and to help those less fortunate than
+ourselves."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, you're a fairy, Ozma. Aren't you happy?" asked Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, dear, because I can use my fairy powers to
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58">58</a></span>
+make others happy.
+Had I no kingdom to rule, and no subjects to look after, I would be
+miserable. Also, you must realize that while I am a more powerful
+fairy than any other inhabitant of Oz, I am not as powerful as Glinda
+the Sorceress, who has studied many arts of magic that I know nothing
+of. Even the little Wizard of Oz can do some things I am unable to
+accomplish, while I can accomplish things unknown to the Wizard. This
+is to explain that I am not all-powerful, by any means. My magic is
+simply fairy magic, and not sorcery or wizardry."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"All the same," said Dorothy, "I'm mighty glad you could make this
+tent appear, with our dinners and beds all ready for us."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, it is indeed wonderful," she agreed. "Not all fairies know that
+sort of magic, but some fairies can do magic that fills me with
+astonishment. I think that is what makes us modest and unassuming&mdash;the
+fact that our magic arts are divided, some being given each of us. I'm
+glad I don't know everything, Dorothy, and that there still are things
+in both nature and in wit for me to marvel at."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy couldn't quite understand this, so she said nothing more on
+the subject and presently had a new
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59">59</a></span>
+reason to marvel. For when they
+had quite finished their meal table and contents disappeared in a
+flash.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No dishes to wash, Ozma!" she said with a laugh. "I guess you'd make
+a lot of folks happy if you could teach 'em just that one trick."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i061.jpg" width="400" height="281" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+For an hour Ozma told stories, and talked with Dorothy about various
+people in whom they were interested. And then it was bedtime, and they
+undressed and crept into their soft beds and fell asleep almost as
+soon as their heads touched their pillows.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60">60</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i062.jpg" width="400" height="565" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_5">CHAPTER 5</a></h2>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61">61</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Magic Stairway
+</p>
+
+<div id="i063">
+<div id="i063a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i063b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+The flat mountain looked much nearer in the clear light of the morning
+sun, but Dorothy and Ozma knew there was a long tramp before them,
+even yet. They finished
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62">62</a></span>
+dressing only to find a warm, delicious
+breakfast awaiting them, and having eaten they left the tent and
+started toward the mountain which was their first goal. After going a
+little way Dorothy looked back and found that the fairy tent had
+entirely disappeared. She was not surprised, for she knew this would
+happen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Can't your magic give us a horse an' wagon, or an automobile?"
+inquired Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, dear; I'm sorry that such magic is beyond my power," confessed
+her fairy friend.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Perhaps Glinda could," said Dorothy thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i063-->
+
+<p>
+"Glinda has a stork chariot that carries her through the air," said
+Ozma, "but even our great Sorceress cannot conjure up other modes of
+travel. Don't forget what I told you last night, that no one is
+powerful enough to do everything."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, I s'pose I ought to know that, having lived so long in the Land
+of Oz," replied Dorothy; "but <i>I</i> can't do any magic at all, an' so I
+can't figure out e'zactly how you an' Glinda an' the Wizard do it."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Don't try," laughed Ozma. "But you have at least one magical art,
+Dorothy: you know the trick of winning all hearts."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, I don't," said Dorothy earnestly. "If I really
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63">63</a></span>
+can do it, Ozma,
+I am sure I don't know <i>how</i> I do it."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It took them a good two hours to reach the foot of the round, flat
+mountain, and then they found the sides so steep that they were like
+the wall of a house.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Even my purple kitten couldn't climb 'em," remarked Dorothy, gazing
+upward.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But there is some way for the Flatheads to get down and up again,"
+declared Ozma; "otherwise they couldn't make war with the Skeezers, or
+even meet them and quarrel with them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That's so, Ozma. Let's walk around a ways; perhaps we'll find a
+ladder or something."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They walked quite a distance, for it was a big mountain, and as they
+circled around it and came to the side that faced the palm trees, they
+suddenly discovered an entrance way cut out of the rock wall. This
+entrance was arched overhead and not very deep because it merely led
+to a short flight of stone stairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, we've found a way to the top at last," announced Ozma, and the
+two girls turned and walked straight toward the entrance. Suddenly
+they bumped against something and stood still, unable to proceed
+farther.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Dear me!" exclaimed Dorothy, rubbing her nose, which had struck
+something hard, although she could
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64">64</a></span>
+not see what it was; "this isn't
+as easy as it looks. What has stopped us, Ozma? Is it magic of some
+sort?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma was feeling around, her hands outstretched before her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, dear, it is magic," she replied. "The Flatheads had to have a
+way from their mountain top from the plain below, but to prevent
+enemies from rushing up the stairs to conquer them, they have built,
+at a small distance before the entrance a wall of solid stone, the
+stones being held in place by cement, and then they made the wall
+invisible."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I wonder why they did that?" mused Dorothy. "A wall would keep folks
+out anyhow, whether it could be seen or not, so there wasn't any use
+making it invisible. Seems to me it would have been better to have
+left it solid, for then no one would have seen the entrance behind it.
+Now anybody can see the entrance, as we did. And prob'bly anybody that
+tries to go up the stairs gets bumped, as we did."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma made no reply at once. Her face was grave and thoughtful.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I think I know the reason for making the wall invisible," she said
+after a while. "The Flatheads use the stairs for coming down and going
+up. If there
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65">65</a></span>
+was a solid stone wall to keep them from reaching the
+plain they would themselves be imprisoned by the wall. So they had to
+leave some place to get around the wall, and, if the wall was visible,
+all strangers or enemies would find the place to go around it and then
+the wall would be useless. So the Flatheads cunningly made their wall
+invisible, believing that everyone who saw the entrance to the
+mountain would walk straight toward it, as we did, and find it
+impossible to go any farther. I suppose the wall is really high and
+thick, and can't be broken through, so those who find it in their way
+are obliged to go away again."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well," said Dorothy, "if there's a way around the wall, where is it?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We must find it," returned Ozma, and began feeling her way along the
+wall. Dorothy followed and began to get discouraged when Ozma had
+walked nearly a quarter of a mile away from the entrance. But now the
+invisible wall curved in toward the side of the mountain and suddenly
+ended, leaving just space enough between the wall and the mountain for
+an ordinary person to pass through.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls went in, single file, and Ozma explained that they were now
+behind the barrier and could go back to the entrance. They met no
+further obstructions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66">66</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Most people, Ozma, wouldn't have figured this thing out the way you
+did," remarked Dorothy. "If I'd been alone the invisible wall surely
+would have stumped me."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Reaching the entrance they began to mount the stone stairs. They went
+up ten stairs and then down five stairs, following a passage cut from
+the rock. The stairs were just wide enough for the two girls to walk
+abreast, arm in arm. At the bottom of the five stairs the passage
+turned to the right, and they ascended ten more stairs, only to find
+at the top of the flight five stairs leading straight down again.
+Again the passage turned abruptly, this time to the left, and ten more
+stairs led upward.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The passage was now quite dark, for they were in the heart of the
+mountain and all daylight had been shut out by the turns of the
+passage. However, Ozma drew her silver wand from her bosom and the
+great jewel at its end gave out a lustrous, green-tinted light which
+lighted the place well enough for them to see their way plainly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ten steps up, five steps down, and a turn, this way or that. That was
+the program, and Dorothy figured that they were only gaining five
+stairs upward each trip that they made.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67">67</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Those Flatheads must be funny people," she said to Ozma. "They don't
+seem to do anything in a bold, straightforward manner. In making this
+passage they forced everyone to walk three times as far as is
+necessary. And of course this trip is just as tiresome to the
+Flatheads as it is to other folks."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is true," answered Ozma; "yet it is a clever arrangement to
+prevent their being surprised by intruders. Every time we reach the
+tenth step of a flight, the pressure of our feet on the stone makes a
+bell ring on top of the mountain, to warn the Flatheads of our
+coming."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"How do you know that?" demanded Dorothy, astonished.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I've heard the bell ever since we started," Ozma told her. "You could
+not hear it, I know, but when I am holding my wand in my hand I can
+hear sounds a great distance off."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do you hear anything on top of the mountain 'cept the bell?" inquired
+Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes. The people are calling to one another in alarm and many
+footsteps are approaching the place where we will reach the flat top
+of the mountain."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This made Dorothy feel somewhat anxious.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'd thought we were going to visit just common,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68">68</a></span>
+ordinary people,"
+she remarked, "but they're pretty clever, it seems, and they know some
+kinds of magic, too. They may be dangerous, Ozma. P'raps we'd better
+stayed at home."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Finally the upstairs-and-downstairs passage seemed coming to an end,
+for daylight again appeared ahead of the two girls and Ozma replaced
+her wand in the bosom of her gown. The last ten steps brought them to
+the surface, where they found themselves surrounded by such a throng
+of queer people that for a time they halted, speechless, and stared
+into the faces that confronted them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy knew at once why these mountain people were called Flatheads.
+Their heads were really flat on top, as if they had been cut off just
+above the eyes and ears. Also the heads were bald, with no hair on top
+at all, and the ears were big and stuck straight out, and the noses
+were small and stubby, while the mouths of the Flatheads were well
+shaped and not unusual. Their eyes were perhaps their best feature,
+being large and bright and a deep violet in color.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The costumes of the Flatheads were all made of metals dug from their
+mountain. Small gold, silver, tin and iron discs, about the size of
+pennies, and very thin, were cleverly wired together and made to form
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69">69</a></span>
+knee trousers and jackets for the men and skirts and waists for the
+women. The colored metals were skillfully mixed to form stripes and
+checks of various sorts, so that the costumes were quite gorgeous and
+reminded Dorothy of pictures she had seen of Knights of old clothed in
+armor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Aside from their flat heads, these people were not really bad looking.
+The men were armed with bows and arrows and had small axes of steel
+stuck in their metal belts. They wore no hats nor ornaments.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i071.jpg" width="400" height="296" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70">70</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i072.jpg" width="400" height="532" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71">71</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_6">CHAPTER 6</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+Flathead Mountain
+</p>
+
+<div id="i073">
+<div id="i073a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i073b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+When they saw that the intruders on their mountain were only two
+little girls, the Flatheads grunted with satisfaction and drew back,
+permitting them to see what the
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72">72</a></span>
+mountain top looked like. It was
+shaped like a saucer, so that the houses and other buildings&mdash;all made
+of rocks&mdash;could not be seen over the edge by anyone standing in the
+plain below.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But now a big fat Flathead stood before the girls and in a gruff voice
+demanded:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What are you doing here? Have the Skeezers sent you to spy upon us?"
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i073-->
+
+<p>
+"I am Princess Ozma, Ruler of all the Land of Oz."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, I've never heard of the Land of Oz, so you may be what you
+claim," returned the Flathead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"This is the Land of Oz&mdash;part of it, anyway," exclaimed Dorothy. "So
+Princess Ozma rules you Flathead people, as well as all the other
+people in Oz."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man laughed, and all the others who stood around laughed, too.
+Some one in the crowd called:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"She'd better not tell the Supreme Dictator about ruling the
+Flatheads. Eh, friends?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, indeed!" they all answered in positive tones.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Who is your Supreme Dictator?" answered Ozma.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I think I'll let him tell you that himself," answered the man who had
+first spoken. "You have broken our laws by coming here; and whoever
+you are the Supreme Dictator must fix your punishment. Come along with
+me."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73">73</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He started down a path and Ozma and Dorothy followed him without
+protest, as they wanted to see the most important person in this queer
+country. The houses they passed seemed pleasant enough and each had a
+little yard in which were flowers and vegetables. Walls of rock
+separated the dwellings, and all the paths were paved with smooth
+slabs of rock. This seemed their only building material and they
+utilized it cleverly for every purpose.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i075.jpg" width="400" height="227" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+Directly in the center of the great saucer stood a larger building
+which the Flathead informed the girls was the palace of the Supreme
+Dictator. He led them through an entrance hall into a big reception
+room,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74">74</a></span>
+where they sat upon stone benches and awaited the coming of the
+Dictator. Pretty soon he entered from another room&mdash;a rather lean and
+rather old Flathead, dressed much like the others of this strange
+race, and only distinguished from them by the sly and cunning
+expression of his face. He kept his eyes half closed and looked
+through the slits of them at Ozma and Dorothy, who rose to receive
+him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Are you the Supreme Dictator of the Flatheads?" inquired Ozma.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, that's me," he said, rubbing his hands slowly together. "My word
+is law. I'm the head of the Flatheads on this flat headland."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I am Princess Ozma of Oz, and I have come from the Emerald City
+to&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Stop a minute," interrupted the Dictator, and turned to the man who
+had brought the girls there. "Go away, Dictator Felo Flathead!" he
+commanded. "Return to your duty and guard the Stairway. I will look
+after these strangers." The man bowed and departed, and Dorothy asked
+wonderingly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Is <i>he</i> a Dictator, too?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of course," was the answer. "Everybody here is a dictator of
+something or other. They're all office holders. That's what keeps them
+contented. But I'm
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75">75</a></span>
+the Supreme Dictator of all, and I'm elected once
+a year. This is a democracy, you know, where the people are allowed to
+vote for their rulers. A good many others would like to be Supreme
+Dictator, but as I made a law that I am always to count the votes
+myself, I am always elected."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What is your name?" asked Ozma.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I am called the Su-dic, which is short for Supreme Dictator. I sent
+that man away because the moment you mentioned Ozma of Oz, and the
+Emerald City, I knew who you are. I suppose I'm the only Flathead that
+ever heard of you, but that's because I have more brains than the
+rest."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy was staring hard at the Su-dic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't see how you can have any brains at all," she remarked,
+"because the part of your head is gone where brains are kept."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't blame you for thinking that," he said. "Once the Flatheads
+had no brains because, as you say, there is no upper part to their
+heads, to hold brains. But long, long ago a band of fairies flew over
+this country and made it all a fairyland, and when they came to the
+Flatheads the fairies were sorry to find them all very stupid and
+quite unable to think. So, as there was no good place in their bodies
+in which
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76">76</a></span>
+to put brains the Fairy Queen gave each one of us a nice can
+of brains to carry in his pocket and that made us just as intelligent
+as other people. See," he continued, "here is one of the cans of
+brains the fairies gave us." He took from a pocket a bright tin can
+having a pretty red label on it which said: "Flathead Concentrated
+Brains, Extra Quality."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i078.jpg" width="400" height="314" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"And does every Flathead have the same kind of brains?" asked Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, they're all alike. Here's another can." From another pocket he
+produced a second can of brains.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77">77</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Did the fairies give you a double supply?" inquired Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, but one of the Flatheads thought he wanted to be the Su-dic and
+tried to get my people to rebel against me, so I punished him by
+taking away his brains. One day my wife scolded me severely, so I took
+away her can of brains. She didn't like that and went out and robbed
+several women of <i>their</i> brains. Then I made a law that if anyone
+stole another's brains, or even tried to borrow them, he would forfeit
+his own brains to the Su-dic. So each one is content with his own
+canned brains and my wife and I are the only ones on the mountain with
+more than one can. I have three cans and that makes me very clever&mdash;so
+clever that I'm a good Sorcerer, if I do say it myself. My poor wife
+had four cans of brains and became a remarkable witch, but alas! that
+was before those terrible enemies, the Skeezers, transformed her into
+a Golden Pig."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Good gracious!" cried Dorothy; "is your wife really a Golden Pig?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"She is. The Skeezers did it and so I have declared war on them. In
+revenge for making my wife a Pig I intend to ruin their Magic Island
+and make the Skeezers the slaves of the Flatheads!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78">78</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Su-dic was very angry now; his eyes flashed and his face took on a
+wicked and fierce expression. But Ozma said to him, very sweetly and
+in a friendly voice:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I am sorry to hear this. Will you please tell me more about your
+troubles with the Skeezers? Then perhaps I can help you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was only a girl, but there was dignity in her pose and speech
+which impressed the Su-dic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If you are really Princess Ozma of Oz," the Flathead said, "you are
+one of that band of fairies who, under Queen Lurline, made all Oz a
+Fairyland. I have heard that Lurline left one of her own fairies to
+rule Oz, and gave the fairy the name of Ozma."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If you knew this why did you not come to me at the Emerald City and
+tender me your loyalty and obedience?" asked the Ruler of Oz.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, I only learned the fact lately, and I've been too busy to leave
+home," he explained, looking at the floor instead of into Ozma's eyes.
+She knew he had spoken a falsehood, but only said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why did you quarrel with the Skeezers?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It was this way," began the Su-dic, glad to change the subject. "We
+Flatheads love fish, and as we have no fish on this mountain we would
+sometimes go to
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79">79</a></span>
+the Lake of the Skeezers to catch fish. This made the
+Skeezers angry, for they declared the fish in their lake belonged to
+them and were under their protection and they forbade us to catch
+them. That was very mean and unfriendly in the Skeezers, you must
+admit, and when we paid no attention to their orders they set a guard
+on the shore of the lake to prevent our fishing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Now, my wife, Rora Flathead, having four cans of brains, had become a
+wonderful witch, and fish being brain food, she loved to eat fish
+better than any one of us. So she vowed she would destroy every fish
+in the lake, unless the Skeezers let us catch what we wanted. They
+defied us, so Rora prepared a kettleful of magic poison and went down
+to the lake one night to dump it all in the water and poison the fish.
+It was a clever idea, quite worthy of my dear wife, but the Skeezer
+Queen&mdash;a young lady named Coo-ee-oh&mdash;hid on the bank of the lake and
+taking Rora unawares, transformed her into a Golden Pig. The poison
+was spilled on the ground and wicked Queen Coo-ee-oh, not content with
+her cruel transformation, even took away my wife's four cans of
+brains, so she is now a common grunting pig without even brains enough
+to know her own name."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80">80</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Then," said Ozma thoughtfully, "the Queen of the Skeezers must be a
+Sorceress."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," said the Su-dic, "but she doesn't know much magic, after all.
+She is not as powerful as Rora Flathead was, nor half as powerful as I
+am now, as Queen Coo-ee-oh will discover when we fight our great
+battle and destroy her."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The Golden Pig can't be a witch any more, of course," observed
+Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No; even had Queen Coo-ee-oh left her the four cans of brains, poor
+Rora, in a pig's shape, couldn't do any witchcraft. A witch has to use
+her fingers, and a pig has only cloven hoofs."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It seems a sad story," was Ozma's comment, "and all the trouble arose
+because the Flatheads wanted fish that did not belong to them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"As for that," said the Su-dic, again angry, "I made a law that any of
+my people could catch fish in the Lake of the Skeezers, whenever they
+wanted to. So the trouble was through the Skeezers defying my law."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You can only make laws to govern your own people," asserted Ozma
+sternly. "I, alone, am empowered to make laws that must be obeyed by
+all the peoples of Oz."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81">81</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Pooh!" cried the Su-dic scornfully. "You can't make <i>me</i> obey your
+laws, I assure you. I know the extent of your powers, Princess Ozma of
+Oz, and I know that I am more powerful than you are. To prove it I
+shall keep you and your companion prisoners in this mountain until
+after we have fought and conquered the Skeezers. Then, if you promise
+to be good, I may let you go home again."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i083.jpg" width="400" height="256" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy was amazed by this effrontery and defiance of the beautiful
+girl Ruler of Oz, whom all until now had obeyed without question. But
+Ozma, still unruffled and dignified, looked at the Su-dic and said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82">82</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You did not mean that. You are angry and speak unwisely, without
+reflection. I came here from my palace in the Emerald City to prevent
+war and to make peace between you and the Skeezers. I do not approve
+of Queen Coo-ee-oh's action in transforming your wife Rora into a pig,
+nor do I approve of Rora's cruel attempt to poison the fishes in the
+lake. No one has the right to work magic in my dominions without my
+consent, so the Flatheads and the Skeezers have both broken my
+laws&mdash;which must be obeyed."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If you want to make peace," said the Su-dic, "make the Skeezers
+restore my wife to her proper form and give back her four cans of
+brains. Also make them agree to allow us to catch fish in their lake."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No," returned Ozma, "I will not do that, for it would be unjust. I
+will have the Golden Pig again transformed into your wife Rora, and
+give her one can of brains, but the other three cans must be restored
+to those she robbed. Neither may you catch fish in the Lake of the
+Skeezers, for it is their lake and the fish belong to them. This
+arrangement is just and honorable, and you must agree to it."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Never!" cried the Su-dic. Just then a pig came running into the room,
+uttering dismal grunts. It was made of solid gold, with joints at the
+bends of
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83">83</a></span>
+the legs and in the neck and jaws. The Golden Pig's eyes
+were rubies, and its teeth were polished ivory.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"There!" said the Su-dic, "gaze on the evil work of Queen Coo-ee-oh,
+and then say if you can prevent my making war on the Skeezers. That
+grunting beast was once my wife&mdash;the most beautiful Flathead on our
+mountain and a skillful witch. Now look at her!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Fight the Skeezers, fight the Skeezers, fight the Skeezers!" grunted
+the Golden Pig.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I <i>will</i> fight the Skeezers," exclaimed the Flathead chief, "and if a
+dozen Ozmas of Oz forbade me I would fight just the same."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Not if I can prevent it!" asserted Ozma.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You can't prevent it. But since you threaten me, I'll have you
+confined in the bronze prison until the war is over," said the Su-dic.
+He whistled and four stout Flatheads, armed with axes and spears,
+entered the room and saluted him. Turning to the men he said: "Take
+these two girls, bind them with wire ropes and cast them into the
+bronze prison.".
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The four men bowed low and one of them asked:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Where are the two girls, most noble Su-dic?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Su-dic turned to where Ozma and Dorothy had stood but they had
+vanished!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84">84</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i086.jpg" width="400" height="524" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85">85</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_7">CHAPTER 7</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Magic Isle
+</p>
+
+<div id="i087">
+<div id="i087a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i087b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+Ozma, seeing it was useless to argue with the Supreme Dictator of the
+Flatheads, had been considering how best to escape from his power. She
+realized that his sorcery
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86">86</a></span>
+might be difficult to overcome, and when he
+threatened to cast Dorothy and her into a bronze prison she slipped
+her hand into her bosom and grasped her silver wand. With the other
+hand she grasped the hand of Dorothy, but these motions were so
+natural that the Su-dic did not notice them. Then when he turned to
+meet his four soldiers, Ozma instantly rendered both herself and
+Dorothy invisible and swiftly led her companion around the group of
+Flatheads and out of the room. As they reached the entry and descended
+the stone steps, Ozma whispered:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let us run, dear! We are invisible, so no one will see us."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy understood and she was a good runner. Ozma had marked the
+place where the grand stairway that led to the plain was located, so
+they made directly for it. Some people were in the paths but these
+they dodged around. One or two Flatheads heard the pattering of
+footsteps of the girls on the stone pavement and stopped with
+bewildered looks to gaze around them, but no one interfered with the
+invisible fugitives.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i087-->
+
+<p>
+The Su-dic had lost no time in starting the chase. He and his men ran
+so fast that they might have overtaken the girls before they reached
+the stairway had
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87">87</a></span>
+not the Golden Pig suddenly run across their path.
+The Su-dic tripped over the pig and fell flat, and his four men
+tripped over him and tumbled in a heap. Before they could scramble up
+and reach the mouth of the passage it was too late to stop the two
+girls.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a guard on each side of the stairway, but of course they did
+not see Ozma and Dorothy as they sped past and descended the steps.
+Then they had to go up five steps and down another ten, and so on, in
+the same manner in which they had climbed to the top of the mountain.
+Ozma lighted their way with her wand and they kept on without relaxing
+their speed until they reached the bottom. Then they ran to the right
+and turned the corner of the invisible wall just as the Su-dic and his
+followers rushed out of the arched entrance and looked around in an
+attempt to discover the fugitives.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma now knew they were safe, so she told Dorothy to stop and both of
+them sat down on the grass until they could breathe freely and become
+rested from their mad flight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As for the Su-dic, he realized he was foiled and soon turned and
+climbed his stairs again. He was very angry&mdash;angry with Ozma and angry
+with himself&mdash;because, now that he took time to think, he remembered
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88">88</a></span>
+that he knew very well the art of making people invisible, and visible
+again, and if he had only thought of it in time he could have used his
+magic knowledge to make the girls visible and so have captured them
+easily. However, it was now too late for regrets and he determined to
+make preparations at once to march all his forces against the
+Skeezers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What shall we do next?" asked Dorothy, when they were rested.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let us find the Lake of the Skeezers," replied Ozma. "From what that
+dreadful Su-dic said I imagine the Skeezers are good people and worthy
+of our friendship, and if we go to them we may help them to defeat the
+Flatheads."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I s'pose we can't stop the war now," remarked Dorothy reflectively,
+as they walked toward the row of palm trees.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No; the Su-dic is determined to fight the Skeezers, so all we can do
+is to warn them of their danger and help them as much as possible."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of course you'll punish the Flatheads," said Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, I do not think the Flathead people are as much to blame as
+their Supreme Dictator," was the answer. "If he is removed from power
+and his <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89">89</a></span>unlawful magic taken from him, the people will probably be
+good and respect the laws of the Land of Oz, and live at peace with
+all their neighbors in the future."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i091.jpg" width="400" height="556" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"I hope so," said Dorothy with a sigh of doubt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The palms were not far from the mountain and the girls reached them
+after a brisk walk. The huge trees were set close together, in three
+rows, and had been planted so as to keep people from passing them, but
+the Flatheads had cut a passage through this barrier and Ozma found
+the path and led Dorothy to the other side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Beyond the palms they discovered a very beautiful scene. Bordered by a
+green lawn was a great lake fully a mile from shore to shore, the
+waters of which were exquisitely blue and sparkling, with little
+wavelets breaking its smooth surface where the breezes touched it. In
+the center of this lake appeared a lovely island, not of great extent
+but almost entirely covered by a huge round building with glass walls
+and a high glass dome which glittered brilliantly in the sunshine.
+Between the glass building and the edge of the island was no grass,
+flowers or shrubbery, but only an expanse of highly polished white
+marble. There were no boats on either shore and no signs of
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90">90</a></span>life
+could be seen anywhere on the island.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91">91</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i094.jpg" width="400" height="553" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"Well," said Dorothy, gazing wistfully at the island, "we've found the
+Lake of the Skeezers and their Magic Isle. I guess the Skeezers are in
+that big glass palace, but we can't get at 'em."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i095.jpg" width="400" height="277" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92">92</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i096.jpg" width="400" height="556" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93">93</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_8">CHAPTER 8</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+Queen Coo-ee-oh
+</p>
+
+<div id="i097">
+<div id="i097a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i097b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+Princess Ozma considered the situation gravely. Then she tied her
+handkerchief to her wand and, standing at the water's edge, waved the
+handkerchief like a flag, as a signal.
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94">94</a></span>
+For a time they could observe
+no response.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't see what good that will do," said Dorothy. "Even if the
+Skeezers are on that island and see us, and know we're friends, they
+haven't any boats to come and get us."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the Skeezers didn't need boats, as the girls soon discovered. For
+on a sudden an opening appeared at the base of the palace and from the
+opening came a slender shaft of steel, reaching out slowly but
+steadily across the water in the direction of the place where they
+stood. To the girls this steel arrangement looked like a triangle,
+with the base nearest the water. It came toward them in the form of an
+arch, stretching out from the palace wall until its end reached the
+bank and rested there, while the other end still remained on the
+island.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i097-->
+
+<p>
+Then they saw that it was a bridge, consisting of a steel footway just
+broad enough to walk on, and two slender guide rails, one on either
+side, which were connected with the footway by steel bars. The bridge
+looked rather frail and Dorothy feared it would not bear their weight,
+but Ozma at once called, "Come on!" and started to walk across,
+holding fast to the rail on either side. So Dorothy summoned her
+courage and followed after. Before Ozma had taken three
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95">95</a></span>
+steps she
+halted and so forced Dorothy to halt, for the bridge was again moving
+and returning to the island.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We need not walk after all," said Ozma. So they stood still in their
+places and let the steel bridge draw them onward. Indeed, the bridge
+drew them well into the glass-domed building which covered the island,
+and soon they found themselves standing in a marble room where two
+handsomely dressed young men stood on a platform to receive them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma at once stepped from the end of the bridge to the marble
+platform, followed by Dorothy, and then the bridge disappeared with a
+slight clang of steel and a marble slab covered the opening from which
+it had emerged.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two young men bowed profoundly to Ozma, and one of them said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Queen Coo-ee-oh bids you welcome, O Strangers. Her Majesty is waiting
+to receive you in her palace."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Lead on," replied Ozma with dignity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But instead of "leading on," the platform of marble began to rise,
+carrying them upward through a square hole above which just fitted it.
+A moment later they found themselves within the great glass dome that
+covered almost all of the island.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Within this dome was a little village, with houses,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96">96</a></span>
+streets, gardens
+and parks. The houses were of colored marbles, prettily designed, with
+many stained-glass windows, and the streets and gardens seemed well
+cared for. Exactly under the center of the lofty dome was a small park
+filled with brilliant flowers, with an elaborate fountain, and facing
+this park stood a building larger and more imposing than the others.
+Toward this building the young men escorted Ozma and Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i100.jpg" width="400" height="285" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+On the streets and in the doorways or open windows
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97">97</a></span>
+of the houses were
+men, women and children, all richly dressed. These were much like
+other people in different parts of the Land of Oz, except that instead
+of seeming merry and contented they all wore expressions of much
+solemnity or of nervous irritation. They had beautiful homes, splendid
+clothes, and ample food, but Dorothy at once decided something was
+wrong with their lives and that they were not happy. She said nothing,
+however, but looked curiously at the Skeezers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the entrance of the palace Ozma and Dorothy were met by two other
+young men, in uniform and armed with queer weapons that seemed about
+halfway between pistols and guns, but were like neither. Their
+conductors bowed and left them, and the two in uniforms led the girls
+into the palace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a beautiful throne room, surrounded by a dozen or more young men
+and women, sat the Queen of the Skeezers, Coo-ee-oh. She was a girl
+who looked older than Ozma or Dorothy&mdash;fifteen or sixteen, at
+least&mdash;and although she was elaborately dressed as if she were going
+to a ball she was too thin and plain of feature to be pretty. But
+evidently Queen Coo-ee-oh did not realize this fact, for her air and
+manner betrayed her as proud and haughty and with a high <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98">98</a>
+<br /><a id="Page_99">99</a></span>regard for
+her own importance. Dorothy at once decided she was "snippy" and that
+she would not like Queen Coo-ee-oh as a companion.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i102.jpg" width="400" height="554" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+The Queen's hair was as black as her skin was white and her eyes were
+black, too. The eyes, as she calmly examined Ozma and Dorothy, had a
+suspicious and unfriendly look in them, but she said quietly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I know who you are, for I have consulted my Magic Oracle, which told
+me that one calls herself Princess Ozma, the Ruler of all the Land of
+Oz, and the other is Princess Dorothy of Oz, who came from a country
+called Kansas. I know nothing of the Land of Oz, and I know nothing of
+Kansas."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why, <i>this</i> is the Land of Oz!" cried Dorothy. "It's a <i>part</i> of the
+Land of Oz, anyhow, whether you know it or not."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, in-deed!" answered Queen Coo-ee-oh, scornfully. "I suppose you
+will claim next that this Princess Ozma, ruling the Land of Oz, rules
+me!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of course," returned Dorothy. "There's no doubt of it."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Queen turned to Ozma.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do you dare make such a claim?" she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+By this time Ozma had made up her mind as to the character of this
+haughty and disdainful creature,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100">100</a></span>
+whose self-pride evidently led her
+to believe herself superior to all others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I did not come here to quarrel with your Majesty," said the girl
+Ruler of Oz, quietly. "What and who I am is well established, and my
+authority comes from the Fairy Queen Lurline, of whose band I was a
+member when Lurline made all Oz a Fairyland. There are several
+countries and several different peoples in this broad land, each of
+which has its separate rulers, Kings, Emperors and Queens. But all
+these render obedience to my laws and acknowledge me as the supreme
+Ruler."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If other Kings and Queens are fools that does not interest me in the
+least," replied Coo-ee-oh, disdainfully. "In the Land of the Skeezers
+I alone am supreme. You are impudent to think I would defer to you&mdash;or
+to anyone else."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let us not speak of this now, please," answered Ozma. "Your island is
+in danger, for a powerful foe is preparing to destroy it."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Pah! The Flatheads. I do not fear them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Their Supreme Dictator is a Sorcerer."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"My magic is greater than his. Let the Flatheads come! They will never
+return to their barren mountain-top. I will see to that."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101">101</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma did not like this attitude, for it meant that the Skeezers were
+eager to fight the Flatheads, and Ozma's object in coming here was to
+prevent fighting and induce the two quarrelsome neighbors to make
+peace. She was also greatly disappointed in Coo-ee-oh, for the reports
+of Su-dic had led her to imagine the Queen more just and honorable
+than were the Flatheads. Indeed Ozma reflected that the girl might be
+better at heart than her self-pride and overbearing manner indicated,
+and in any event it would be wise not to antagonize her but to try to
+win her friendship.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I do not like wars, your Majesty," said Ozma. "In the Emerald City,
+where I rule thousands of people, and in the countries near to the
+Emerald City, where thousands more acknowledge my rule, there is no
+army at all, because there is no quarreling and no need to fight. If
+differences arise between my people, they come to me and I judge the
+cases and award justice to all. So, when I learned there might be war
+between two faraway people of Oz, I came here to settle the dispute
+and adjust the quarrel."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i106.jpg" width="400" height="308" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"No one asked you to come," declared Queen Coo-ee-oh. "It is <i>my</i>
+business to settle this dispute, not yours. You say my island is a
+part of the Land of Oz, which you rule, but that is all nonsense, for
+I've never
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102">102</a></span>
+heard of the Land of Oz, nor of you. You say you are a
+fairy, and that fairies gave you command over me. I don't believe it!
+What I <i>do</i> believe is that you are an impostor and have come here to
+stir up trouble among my people, who are already becoming difficult to
+manage. You two girls may even be spies of the vile Flatheads, for all
+I know, and may be trying to trick me. But understand this," she
+added, proudly rising from her jeweled throne to confront them, "I
+have magic powers greater than any fairy possesses, and greater than
+any Flathead possesses. I am a
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103">103</a></span>
+Krumbic Witch&mdash;the only Krumbic Witch
+in the world&mdash;and I fear the magic of no other creature that exists!
+You say you rule thousands. I rule one hundred and one Skeezers. But
+every one of them trembles at my word. Now that Ozma of Oz and
+Princess Dorothy are here, I shall rule one hundred and three
+subjects, for you also shall bow before my power. More than that, in
+ruling you I also rule the thousands you say you rule."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i107.jpg" width="400" height="276" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy was very indignant at this speech.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I've got a pink kitten that sometimes talks like
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104">104</a></span>
+that," she said,
+"but after I give her a good whipping she doesn't think she's so high
+and mighty after all. If you only knew who Ozma is you'd be scared to
+death to talk to her like that!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Queen Coo-ee-oh gave the girl a supercilious look. Then she turned
+again to Ozma.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I happen to know," said she, "that the Flatheads intend to attack us
+tomorrow, but we are ready for them. Until the battle is over, I shall
+keep you two strangers prisoners on my island, from which there is no
+chance for you to escape."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She turned and looked around the band of courtiers who stood silently
+around her throne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Lady Aurex," she continued, singling out one of the young women,
+"take these children to your house and care for them, giving them food
+and lodging. You may allow them to wander anywhere under the Great
+Dome, for they are harmless. After I have attended to the Flatheads I
+will consider what next to do with these foolish girls."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She resumed her seat and the Lady Aurex bowed low and said in a humble
+manner:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I obey your Majesty's commands." Then to Ozma and Dorothy she added,
+"Follow me," and turned to leave the throne room.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i109.jpg" width="400" height="558" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105">105</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy looked to see what Ozma would do. To her surprise and a
+little to her disappointment Ozma turned and followed Lady Aurex. So
+Dorothy trailed after them, but not without giving a parting, haughty
+look toward Queen Coo-ee-oh, who had her face turned the other way and
+did not see the disapproving look.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i111.jpg" width="400" height="328" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106">106</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i112.jpg" width="400" height="537" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107">107</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_9">CHAPTER 9</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+Lady Aurex
+</p>
+
+<div id="i113">
+<div id="i113a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i113b">&nbsp;</div>
+<p>
+Lady Aurex led Ozma and Dorothy along a street to a pretty marble
+house near to one edge of the great glass dome that covered the
+village. She did not speak to the girls until
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108">108</a></span>
+she had ushered them
+into a pleasant room, comfortably furnished, nor did any of the solemn
+people they met on the street venture to speak.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When they were seated Lady Aurex asked if they were hungry, and
+finding they were summoned a maid and ordered food to be brought.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This Lady Aurex looked to be about twenty years old, although in the
+Land of Oz where people have never changed in appearance since the
+fairies made it a fairyland&mdash;where no one grows old or dies&mdash;it is
+always difficult to say how many years anyone has lived. She had a
+pleasant, attractive face, even though it was solemn and sad as the
+faces of all Skeezers seemed to be, and her costume was rich and
+elaborate, as became a lady in waiting upon the Queen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma had observed Lady Aurex closely and now asked her in a gentle
+tone:
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i113-->
+
+<p>
+"Do you, also, believe me to be an impostor?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I dare not say," replied Lady Aurex in a low tone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why are you afraid to speak freely?" inquired Ozma.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The Queen punishes us if we make remarks that she does not like."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109">109</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Are we not alone then, in this house?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The Queen can hear everything that is spoken on this island&mdash;even the
+slightest whisper," declared Lady Aurex. "She is a wonderful witch, as
+she has told you, and it is folly to criticise her or disobey her
+commands."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma looked into her eyes and saw that she would like to say more if
+she dared. So she drew from her bosom her silver wand, and having
+muttered a magic phrase in a strange tongue, she left the room and
+walked slowly around the outside of the house, making a complete
+circle and waving her wand in mystic curves as she walked. Lady Aurex
+watched her curiously and, when Ozma had again entered the room and
+seated herself, she asked:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What have you done?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I've enchanted this house in such a manner that Queen Coo-ee-oh, with
+all her witchcraft, cannot hear one word we speak within the magic
+circle I have made," replied Ozma. "We may now speak freely and as
+loudly as we wish, without fear of the Queen's anger."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Aurex brightened at this.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Can I trust you?" she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Ev'rybody trusts Ozma," exclaimed Dorothy.
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110">110</a></span>
+"She is true and honest,
+and your wicked Queen will be sorry she insulted the powerful Ruler of
+all the Land of Oz."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The Queen does not know me yet," said Ozma, "but I want you to know
+me, Lady Aurex, and I want you to tell me why you, and all the
+Skeezers, are unhappy. Do not fear Coo-ee-oh's anger, for she cannot
+hear a word we say, I assure you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Aurex was thoughtful a moment; then she said: "I shall trust you,
+Princess Ozma, for I believe you are what you say you are&mdash;our supreme
+Ruler. If you knew the dreadful punishments our Queen inflicts upon
+us, you would not wonder we are so unhappy. The Skeezers are not bad
+people; they do not care to quarrel and fight, even with their enemies
+the Flatheads; but they are so cowed and fearful of Coo-ee-oh that
+they obey her slightest word, rather than suffer her anger."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Hasn't she any heart, then?" asked Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"She never displays mercy. She loves no one but herself," asserted
+Lady Aurex, but she trembled as she said it, as if afraid even yet of
+her terrible Queen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That's pretty bad," said Dorothy, shaking her head gravely. "I see
+you've a lot to do here, Ozma, in this forsaken corner of the Land of
+Oz. First place,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111">111</a></span>
+you've got to take the magic away from Queen
+Coo-ee-oh, and from that awful Su-dic, too. <i>My</i> idea is that neither
+of them is fit to rule anybody, 'cause they're cruel and hateful. So
+you'll have to give the Skeezers and Flatheads new rulers and teach
+all their people that they're part of the Land of Oz and must obey,
+above all, the lawful Ruler, Ozma of Oz. Then, when you've done that,
+we can go back home again."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma smiled at her little friend's earnest counsel, but Lady Aurex
+said in an anxious tone:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I am surprised that you suggest these reforms while you are yet
+prisoners on this island and in Coo-ee-oh's power. That these things
+should be done, there is no doubt, but just now a dreadful war is
+likely to break out, and frightful things may happen to us all. Our
+Queen has such conceit that she thinks she can overcome the Su-dic and
+his people, but it is said Su-dic's magic is very powerful, although
+not as great as that possessed by his wife Rora, before Coo-ee-oh
+transformed her into a Golden Pig."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't blame her very much for doing that," remarked Dorothy, "for
+the Flatheads were wicked to try to catch your beautiful fish and the
+Witch Rora wanted to poison all the fishes in the lake."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do you know the reason?" asked the Lady Aurex.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_112">112</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't s'pose there <i>was</i> any reason, 'cept just wickedness,"
+replied Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Tell us the reason," said Ozma earnestly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, your Majesty, once&mdash;a long time ago&mdash;the Flatheads and the
+Skeezers were friendly. They visited our island and we visited their
+mountain, and everything was pleasant between the two peoples. At that
+time the Flatheads were ruled by three Adepts in Sorcery, beautiful
+girls who were not Flatheads, but had wandered to the Flat Mountain
+and made their home there. These three Adepts used their magic only
+for good, and the mountain people gladly made them their rulers. They
+taught the Flatheads how to use their canned brains and how to work
+metals into clothing that would never wear out, and many other things
+that added to their happiness and content.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Coo-ee-oh was our Queen then, as now, but she knew no magic and so
+had nothing to be proud of. But the three Adepts were very kind to
+Coo-ee-oh. They built for us this wonderful dome of glass and our
+houses of marble and taught us to make beautiful clothing and many
+other things. Coo-ee-oh pretended to be very grateful for these
+favors, but it seems that all the time she was jealous of the three
+Adepts and secretly tried to discover their arts of magic. In this
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_113">113</a></span>
+she was more clever than anyone suspected. She invited the three
+Adepts to a banquet one day, and while they were feasting Coo-ee-oh
+stole their charms and magical instruments and transformed them into
+three fishes&mdash;a gold fish, a silver fish and a bronze fish. While the
+poor fishes were gasping and flopping helplessly on the floor of the
+banquet room one of them said reproachfully: 'You will be punished for
+this, Coo-ee-oh, for if one of us dies or is destroyed, you will
+become shrivelled and helpless, and all your stolen magic will depart
+from you.' Frightened by this threat, Coo-ee-oh at once caught up the
+three fish and ran with them to the shore of the lake, where she cast
+them into the water. This revived the three Adepts and they swam away
+and disappeared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I, myself, witnessed this shocking scene," continued Lady Aurex, "and
+so did many other Skeezers. The news was carried to the Flatheads, who
+then turned from friends to enemies. The Su-dic and his wife Rora were
+the only ones on the mountain who were glad the three Adepts had been
+lost to them, and they at once became Rulers of the Flatheads and
+stole their canned brains from others to make themselves the more
+powerful. Some of the Adepts' magic tools had been left on the
+mountain, and these Rora seized
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_114">114</a></span>
+and by the use of them she became a
+witch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The result of Coo-ee-oh's treachery was to make both the Skeezers and
+the Flatheads miserable instead of happy. Not only were the Su-dic and
+his wife cruel to their people, but our Queen at once became proud and
+arrogant and treated us very unkindly. All the Skeezers knew she had
+stolen her magic powers and so she hated us and made us humble
+ourselves before her and obey her slightest word. If we disobeyed, or
+did not please her, or if we talked about her when we were in our own
+homes she would have us dragged to the whipping post in her palace and
+lashed with knotted cords. That is why we fear her so greatly."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This story filled Ozma's heart with sorrow and Dorothy's heart with
+indignation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I now understand," said Ozma, "why the fishes in the lake have
+brought about war between the Skeezers and the Flatheads."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," Lady Aurex answered, "now that you know the story it is easy to
+understand. The Su-dic and his wife came to our lake hoping to catch
+the silver fish, or gold fish, or bronze fish&mdash;any one of them <i>would</i>
+do&mdash;and by destroying it deprive Coo-ee-oh of her magic. Then they
+could easily conquer her. Also they had another reason for wanting to
+catch the fish&mdash;they
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_115">115</a></span>
+feared that in some way the three Adepts might
+regain their proper forms and then they would be sure to return to the
+mountain and punish Rora and the Su-dic. That was why Rora finally
+tried to poison all the fishes in the lake, at the time Coo-ee-oh
+transformed her into a Golden Pig. Of course this attempt to destroy
+the fishes frightened the Queen, for her safety lies in keeping the
+three fishes alive."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I s'pose Coo-ee-oh will fight the Flatheads with all her might,"
+observed Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And with all her magic," added Ozma, thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I do not see how the Flatheads can get to this island to hurt us,"
+said Lady Aurex.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They have bows and arrows, and I guess they mean to shoot the arrows
+at your big dome, and break all the glass in it," suggested Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Lady Aurex shook her head with a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They cannot do that," she replied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why not?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I dare not tell you why, but if the Flatheads come to-morrow morning
+you will yourselves see the reason."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I do not think they will attempt to harm the island," Ozma declared.
+"I believe they will first <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_116">116</a>
+<br /><a id="Page_117">117</a></span>attempt to destroy the fishes, by poison
+or some other means. If they succeed in that, the conquest of the
+island will not be difficult."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i122.jpg" width="400" height="552" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"They have no boats," said Lady Aurex, "and Coo-ee-oh, who has long
+expected this war, has been preparing for it in many astonishing ways.
+I almost wish the Flatheads would conquer us, for then we would be
+free from our dreadful Queen; but I do not wish to see the three
+transformed fishes destroyed, for in them lies our only hope of future
+happiness."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Ozma will take care of you, whatever happens," Dorothy assured her.
+But the Lady Aurex, not knowing the extent of Ozma's power&mdash;which was,
+in fact, not so great as Dorothy imagined&mdash;could not take much comfort
+in this promise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was evident there would be exciting times on the morrow, if the
+Flatheads really attacked the Skeezers of the Magic Isle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_118">118</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i124.jpg" width="400" height="554" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_119">119</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_10">CHAPTER 10</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+Under Water
+</p>
+
+<div id="i125">
+<div id="i125a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i125b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+When night fell all the interior of the Great Dome, streets and
+houses, became lighted with brilliant incandescent lamps, which
+rendered it bright as day. Dorothy thought
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_120">120</a></span>
+the island must look
+beautiful by night from the outer shore of the lake. There was revelry
+and feasting in the Queen's palace, and the music of the royal band
+could be plainly heard in Lady Aurex's house, where Ozma and Dorothy
+remained with their hostess and keeper. They were prisoners, but
+treated with much consideration.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Aurex gave them a nice supper and when they wished to retire
+showed them to a pretty room with comfortable beds and wished them a
+good night and pleasant dreams.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What do you think of all this, Ozma?" Dorothy anxiously inquired when
+they were alone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I am glad we came," was the reply, "for although there may be
+mischief done to-morrow, it was necessary I should know about these
+people, whose leaders are wild and lawless and oppress their subjects
+with injustice and cruelties. My task, therefore, is to liberate the
+Skeezers and the Flatheads and secure for them freedom and happiness.
+I have no doubt I can accomplish this in time."
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i125-->
+
+<p>
+"Just now, though, we're in a bad fix," asserted Dorothy. "If Queen
+Coo-ee-oh conquers to-morrow, she won't be nice to us, and if the
+Su-dic conquers, he'll be worse."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_121">121</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do not worry, dear," said Ozma, "I do not think we are in danger,
+whatever happens, and the result of our adventure is sure to be good."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy was not worrying, especially. She had confidence in her
+friend, the fairy Princess of Oz, and she enjoyed the excitement of
+the events in which she was taking part. So she crept into bed and
+fell asleep as easily as if she had been in her own cosy room in
+Ozma's palace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A sort of grating, grinding sound awakened her. The whole island
+seemed to tremble and sway, as it might do in an earthquake. Dorothy
+sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes to get the sleep out of them, and then
+found it was daybreak.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma was hurriedly dressing herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What is it?" asked Dorothy, jumping out of bed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm not sure," answered Ozma "but it feels as if the island is
+sinking."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As soon as possible they finished dressing, while the creaking and
+swaying continued. Then they rushed into the living room of the house
+and found Lady Aurex, fully dressed, awaiting them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do not be alarmed," said their hostess. "Coo-ee-oh has decided to
+submerge the island, that is all. But it proves the Flatheads are
+coming to attack us."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_122">122</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What do you mean by sub-sub-merging the island?" asked Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Come here and see," was the reply.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i128.jpg" width="400" height="279" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+Lady Aurex led them to a window which faced the side of the great dome
+which covered all the village, and they could see that the island was
+indeed sinking, for the water of the lake was already half way up the
+side of the dome. Through the glass could be seen swimming fishes, and
+tall stalks of swaying seaweeds, for the water was clear as crystal
+and through it they
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_123">123</a></span>
+could distinguish even the farther shore of the
+lake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The Flatheads are not here yet," said Lady Aurex. "They will come
+soon, but not until all of this dome is under the surface of the
+water."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Won't the dome leak?" Dorothy inquired anxiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, indeed."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Was the island ever sub-sub-sunk before?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, yes; on several occasions. But Coo-ee-oh doesn't care to do that
+often, for it requires a lot of hard work to operate the machinery.
+The dome was built so that the island could disappear. I think," she
+continued, "that our Queen fears the Flatheads will attack the island
+and try to break the glass of the dome."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, if we're under water, they can't fight us, and we can't fight
+them," asserted Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They could kill the fishes, however," said Ozma gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We have ways to fight, also, even though our island is under water,"
+claimed Lady Aurex. "I cannot tell you all our secrets, but this
+island is full of surprises. Also our Queen's magic is astonishing."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Did she steal it all from the three Adepts in Sorcery that are now
+fishes?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_124">124</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"She stole the knowledge and the magic tools, but she has used them as
+the three Adepts never would have done."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+By this time the top of the dome was quite under water and suddenly
+the island stopped sinking and became stationary.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"See!" cried Lady Aurex, pointing to the shore. "The Flatheads have
+come."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On the bank, which was now far above their heads, a crowd of dark
+figures could be seen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Now let us see what Coo-ee-oh will do to oppose them," continued Lady
+Aurex, in a voice that betrayed her excitement.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb" />
+
+<p>
+The Flatheads, pushing their way through the line of palm trees, had
+reached the shore of the lake just as the top of the island's dome
+disappeared beneath the surface. The water now flowed from shore to
+shore, but through the clear water the dome was still visible and the
+houses of the Skeezers could be dimly seen through the panes of glass.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Good!" exclaimed the Su-dic, who had armed all his followers and had
+brought with him two copper vessels, which he carefully set down upon
+the ground beside him. "If Coo-ee-oh wants to hide instead of
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_125">125</a></span>
+fighting our job will be easy, for in one of these copper vessels I
+have enough poison to kill every fish in the lake."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Kill them, then, while we have time, and then we can go home again,"
+advised one of the chief officers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Not yet," objected the Su-dic. "The Queen of the Skeezers has defied
+me, and I want to get her into my power, as well as to destroy her
+magic. She transformed my poor wife into a Golden Pig, and I must have
+revenge for that, whatever else we do."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Look out!" suddenly exclaimed the officers, pointing into the lake;
+"something's going to happen."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From the submerged dome a door opened and something black shot swiftly
+out into the water. The door instantly closed behind it and the dark
+object cleaved its way through the water, without rising to the
+surface, directly toward the place where the Flatheads were standing.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb" />
+
+<p>
+"What is that?" Dorothy asked the Lady Aurex.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is one of the Queen's submarines," was the reply. "It is all
+enclosed, and can move under water. Coo-ee-oh has several of these
+boats which are kept in little rooms in the basement under our
+village. When the island is submerged, the Queen uses these
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_126">126</a></span>
+boats to
+reach the shore, and I believe she now intends to fight the Flatheads
+with them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_127">127</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i132.jpg" width="400" height="557" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+The Su-dic and his people knew nothing of Coo-ee-oh's submarines, so
+they watched with surprise as the under-water boat approached them.
+When it was quite near the shore it rose to the surface and the top
+parted and fell back, disclosing a boat full of armed Skeezers. At the
+head was the Queen, standing up in the bow and holding in one hand a
+coil of magic rope that gleamed like silver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boat halted and Coo-ee-oh drew back her arm to throw the silver
+rope toward the Su-dic, who was now but a few feet from her. But the
+wily Flathead leader quickly realized his danger and before the Queen
+could throw the rope he caught up one of the copper vessels and dashed
+its contents full in her face!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_128">128</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i134.jpg" width="400" height="457" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129">129</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_11">CHAPTER 11</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Conquest of the Skeezers
+</p>
+
+<div id="i135">
+<div id="i135a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i135b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+Queen Coo-ee-oh dropped the rope, tottered and fell headlong into the
+water, sinking beneath the surface, while the Skeezers in the
+submarine were too bewildered to
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_130">130</a></span>
+assist her and only stared at the
+ripples in the water where she had disappeared. A moment later there
+arose to the surface a beautiful White Swan. This Swan was of large
+size, very gracefully formed, and scattered all over its white
+feathers were tiny diamonds, so thickly placed that as the rays of the
+morning sun fell upon them the entire body of the Swan glistened like
+one brilliant diamond. The head of the Diamond Swan had a bill of
+polished gold and its eyes were two sparkling amethysts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Hooray!" cried the Su-dic, dancing up and down with wicked glee. "My
+poor wife, Rora, is avenged at last. You made her a Golden Pig,
+Coo-ee-oh, and now I have made you a Diamond Swan. Float on your lake
+forever, if you like, for your web feet can do no more magic and you
+are as powerless as the Pig you made of my wife!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Villain! Scoundrel!" croaked the Diamond Swan. "You will be punished
+for this. Oh, what a fool I was to let you enchant me!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"A fool you were, and a fool you are!" laughed the Su-dic, dancing
+madly in his delight. And then he carelessly tipped over the other
+copper vessel with his heel and its contents spilled on the sands and
+were lost to the last drop.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_131">131</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Su-dic stopped short and looked at the overturned vessel with a
+rueful countenance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That's too bad&mdash;too bad!" he exclaimed sorrowfully. "I've lost all
+the poison I had to kill the fishes with, and I can't make any more
+because only my wife knew the secret of it, and she is now a foolish
+Pig and has forgotten all her magic."
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i135-->
+
+<p>
+"Very well," said the Diamond Swan scornfully, as she floated upon the
+water and swam gracefully here and there. "I'm glad to see you are
+foiled. Your punishment is just beginning, for although you have
+enchanted me and taken away my powers of sorcery you have still the
+three magic fishes to deal with, and they'll destroy you in time, mark
+my words."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Su-dic stared at the Swan a moment. Then he yelled to his men:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Shoot her! Shoot the saucy bird!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They let fly some arrows at the Diamond Swan, but she dove under the
+water and the missiles fell harmless. When Coo-ee-oh rose to the
+surface she was far from the shore and she swiftly swam across the
+lake to where no arrows or spears could reach her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Su-dic rubbed his chin and thought what to do next. Near by
+floated the submarine in which the Queen had come, but the Skeezers
+who were in it were
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_132">132</a></span>
+puzzled what to do with themselves. Perhaps they
+were not sorry their cruel mistress had been transformed into a
+Diamond Swan, but the transformation had left them quite helpless. The
+under-water boat was not operated by machinery, but by certain mystic
+words uttered by Coo-ee-oh. They didn't know how to submerge it, or
+how to make the water-tight shield cover them again, or how to make
+the boat go back to the castle, or make it enter the little basement
+room where it was usually kept. As a matter of fact, they were now
+shut out of their village under the Great Dome and could not get back
+again. So one of the men called to the Supreme Dictator of the
+Flatheads, saying:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Please make us prisoners and take us to your mountain, and feed and
+keep us, for we have nowhere to go."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then the Su-dic laughed and answered:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Not so. I can't be bothered by caring for a lot of stupid Skeezers.
+Stay where you are, or go wherever you please, so long as you keep
+away from our mountain." He turned to his men and added: "We have
+conquered Queen Coo-ee-oh and made her a helpless swan. The Skeezers
+are under water and may stay there. So, having won the war, let us go
+home again
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_133">133</a></span>
+and make merry and feast, having after many years proved
+the Flatheads to be greater and more powerful than the Skeezers."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So the Flatheads marched away and passed through the row of palms and
+went back to their mountain, where the Su-dic and a few of his
+officers feasted and all the others were forced to wait on them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm sorry we couldn't have roast pig," said the Su-dic, "but as the
+only pig we have is made of gold, we can't eat her. Also the Golden
+Pig happens to be my wife, and even were she not gold I am sure she
+would be too tough to eat."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i139.jpg" width="400" height="153" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_134">134</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i140.jpg" width="400" height="560" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135">135</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_12">CHAPTER 12</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Diamond Swan
+</p>
+
+<div id="i141">
+<div id="i141a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i141b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+When the Flatheads had gone away the Diamond Swan swam back to the
+boat and one of the young Skeezers named Ervic said to her eagerly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"How can we get back
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_136">136</a></span>
+to the island, your Majesty?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Am I not beautiful?" asked Coo-ee-oh, arching her neck gracefully and
+spreading her diamond-sprinkled wings. "I can see my reflection in the
+water, and I'm sure there is no bird nor beast, nor human as
+magnificent as I am!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"How shall we get back to the island, your Majesty?" pleaded Ervic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"When my fame spreads throughout the land, people will travel from all
+parts of this lake to look upon my loveliness," said Coo-ee-oh,
+shaking her feathers to make the diamonds glitter more brilliantly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But, your Majesty, we must go home and we do not know how to get
+there," Ervic persisted.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i141-->
+
+<p>
+"My eyes," remarked the Diamond Swan, "are wonderfully blue and bright
+and will charm all beholders."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Tell us how to make the boat go&mdash;how to get back into the island,"
+begged Ervic and the others cried just as earnestly: "Tell us,
+Coo-ee-oh; tell us!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't know," replied the Queen in a careless tone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You are a magic-worker, a sorceress, a witch!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I was, of course, when I was a girl," she said, bending her head over
+the clear water to catch her reflection in it; "but now I've
+forgotten all such foolish things as magic. Swans are lovelier than
+girls, especially when they're sprinkled with diamonds. Don't you
+think so?" And she gracefully swam away, without seeming to care
+whether they answered or not.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i143.jpg" width="400" height="551" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+Ervic and his companions were in despair. They saw plainly that
+Coo-ee-oh could not or would not help them. The former Queen had no
+further thought for her island, her people, or her wonderful magic;
+she was only intent on admiring her own beauty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Truly," said Ervic, in a gloomy voice, "the Flatheads have conquered
+us!"
+</p>
+
+<hr class="tb" />
+
+<p>
+Some of these events had been witnessed by Ozma and Dorothy and Lady
+Aurex, who had left the house and gone close to the glass of the dome,
+in order to see what was going on. Many of the Skeezers had also
+crowded against the dome, wondering what would happen next. Although
+their vision was to an extent blurred by the water and the necessity
+of looking upward at an angle, they had observed the main points of
+the drama enacted above. They saw Queen Coo-ee-oh's submarine come to
+the surface and open; they saw the Queen standing erect to throw her
+magic rope; they saw her sudden transformation into a Diamond Swan,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_138">138</a></span>
+and a cry of amazement went up from the Skeezers inside the dome.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Good!" exclaimed Dorothy. "I hate that old Su-dic, but I'm glad
+Coo-ee-oh is punished."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"This is a dreadful misfortune!" cried Lady Aurex, pressing her hands
+upon her heart.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," agreed Ozma, nodding her head thoughtfully; "Coo-ee-oh's
+misfortune will prove a terrible blow to her people."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What do you mean by that?" asked Dorothy in surprise. "Seems to <i>me</i>
+the Skeezers are in luck to lose their cruel Queen."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If that were all you would be right," responded Lady Aurex; "and if
+the island were above water it would not be so serious. But here we
+all are, at the bottom of the lake, and fast prisoners in this dome."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Can't you raise the island?" inquired Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No. Only Coo-ee-oh knew how to do that," was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We can try," insisted Dorothy. "If it can be made to go down, it can
+be made to come up. The machinery is still here, I suppose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes; but the machinery works by magic, and Coo-ee-oh would never
+share her secret power with any one of us."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_139">139</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy's face grew grave; but she was thinking.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Ozma knows a lot of magic," she said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But not that kind of magic," Ozma replied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Can't you learn how, by looking at the machinery?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm afraid not, my dear. It isn't fairy magic at all; it is
+witchcraft."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well," said Dorothy, turning to Lady Aurex, "you say there are other
+sub-sub-sinking boats. We can get in one of those, and shoot out to
+the top of the water, like Coo-ee-oh did, and so escape. And then we
+can help to rescue all the Skeezers down here."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No one knows how to work the under-water boats but the Queen,"
+declared Lady Aurex.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Isn't there any door or window in this dome that we could open?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No; and, if there were, the water would rush in to flood the dome,
+and we could not get out."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The Skeezers," said Ozma, "could not drown; they only get wet and
+soggy and in that condition they would be very uncomfortable and
+unhappy. But <i>you</i> are a mortal girl, Dorothy, and if your Magic Belt
+protected you from death you would have to lie forever at the bottom
+of the lake."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, I'd rather die quickly," asserted the little girl.
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140">140</a></span>
+"But there
+are doors in the basement that open&mdash;to let out the bridges and the
+boats&mdash;and that would not flood the dome, you know."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Those doors open by a magic word, and only Coo-ee-oh knows the word
+that must be uttered," said Lady Aurex.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Dear me!" exclaimed Dorothy, "that dreadful Queen's witchcraft upsets
+all my plans to escape. I guess I'll give it up, Ozma, and let <i>you</i>
+save us."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma smiled, but her smile was not so cheerful as usual. The Princess
+of Oz found herself confronted with a serious problem, and although
+she had no thought of despairing she realized that the Skeezers and
+their island, as well as Dorothy and herself, were in grave trouble
+and that unless she could find a means to save them they would be lost
+to the Land of Oz for all future time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"In such a dilemma," said she, musingly, "nothing is gained by haste.
+Careful thought may aid us, and so may the course of events. The
+unexpected is always likely to happen, and cheerful patience is better
+than reckless action."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"All right," returned Dorothy; "take your time, Ozma; there's no
+hurry. How about some breakfast, Lady Aurex?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_141">141</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Their hostess led them back to the house, where she ordered her
+trembling servants to prepare and serve breakfast. All the Skeezers
+were frightened and anxious over the transformation of their Queen
+into a swan. Coo-ee-oh was feared and hated, but they had depended on
+her magic to conquer the Flatheads and she was the only one who could
+raise their island to the surface of the lake again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before breakfast was over several of the leading Skeezers came to
+Aurex to ask her advice and to question Princess Ozma, of whom they
+knew nothing except that she claimed to be a fairy and the Ruler of
+all the land, including the Lake of the Skeezers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If what you told Queen Coo-ee-oh was the truth," they said to her,
+"you are our lawful mistress, and we may depend on you to get us out
+of our difficulties."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I will try to do that," Ozma graciously assured them, "but you must
+remember that the powers of fairies are granted them to bring comfort
+and happiness to all who appeal to them. On the contrary, such magic
+as Coo-ee-oh knew and practiced is unlawful witchcraft and her arts
+are such as no fairy would condescend to use. However, it is sometimes
+necessary to consider evil in order to accomplish good, and perhaps by
+studying Coo-ee-oh's tools and charms of
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_142">142</a></span>
+witchcraft I may be able to
+save us. Do you promise to accept me as your Ruler and to obey my
+commands?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They promised willingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Then," continued Ozma, "I will go to Coo-ee-oh's palace and take
+possession of it. Perhaps what I find there will be of use to me. In
+the meantime tell all the Skeezers to fear nothing, but have patience.
+Let them return to their homes and perform their daily tasks as usual.
+Coo-ee-oh's loss may not prove a misfortune, but rather a blessing."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This speech cheered the Skeezers amazingly. Really, they had no one
+now to depend upon but Ozma, and in spite of their dangerous position
+their hearts were lightened by the transformation and absence of their
+cruel Queen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They got out their brass band and a grand procession escorted Ozma and
+Dorothy to the palace, where all of Coo-ee-oh's former servants were
+eager to wait upon them. Ozma invited Lady Aurex to stay at the palace
+also, for she knew all about the Skeezers and their island and had
+also been a favorite of the former Queen, so her advice and
+information were sure to prove valuable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma was somewhat disappointed in what she found
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_143">143</a></span>
+in the palace. One
+room of Coo-ee-oh's private suite was entirely devoted to the practice
+of witchcraft, and here were countless queer instruments and jars of
+ointments and bottles of potions labeled with queer names, and strange
+machines that Ozma could not guess the use of, and pickled toads and
+snails and lizards, and a shelf of books that were written in blood,
+but in a language which the Ruler of Oz did not know.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i151.jpg" width="400" height="295" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"I do not see," said Ozma to Dorothy, who accompanied her in her
+search, "how Coo-ee-oh knew the
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_144">144</a></span>
+use of the magic tools she stole from
+the three Adept Witches. Moreover, from all reports these Adepts
+practiced only good witchcraft, such as would be helpful to their
+people, while Coo-ee-oh performed only evil."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Perhaps she turned the good things to evil uses?" suggested Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, and with the knowledge she gained Coo-ee-oh doubtless invented
+many evil things quite unknown to the good Adepts, who are now
+fishes," added Ozma. "It is unfortunate for us that the Queen kept her
+secrets so closely guarded, for no one but herself could use any of
+these strange things gathered in this room."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Couldn't we capture the Diamond Swan and make her tell the secrets?"
+asked Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No; even were we able to capture her, Coo-ee-oh now has forgotten all
+the magic she ever knew. But until we ourselves escape from this dome
+we could not capture the Swan, and were we to escape we would have no
+use for Coo-ee-oh's magic."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That's a fact," admitted Dorothy. "But&mdash;say, Ozma, here's a good
+idea! Couldn't we capture the three fishes&mdash;the gold and silver and
+bronze ones, and couldn't you transform 'em back to their own
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_145">145</a></span>
+shapes,
+and then couldn't the three Adepts get us out of here?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You are not very practical, Dorothy dear. It would be as hard for us
+to capture the three fishes, from among all the other fishes in the
+lake, as to capture the Swan."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But if we could, it would be more help to us," persisted the little
+girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is true," answered Ozma, smiling at her friend's eagerness. "You
+find a way to catch the fish, and I'll promise when they are caught to
+restore them to their proper forms."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I know you think I can't do it," replied Dorothy, "but I'm going to
+try."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She left the palace and went to a place where she could look through a
+clear pane of the glass dome into the surrounding water. Immediately
+she became interested in the queer sights that met her view.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Lake of the Skeezers was inhabited by fishes of many kinds and
+many sizes. The water was so transparent that the girl could see for a
+long distance and the fishes came so close to the glass of the dome
+that sometimes they actually touched it. On the white sands at the
+bottom of the lake were star-fish, lobsters, crabs and many shell fish
+of strange shapes and with
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_146">146</a></span>
+shells of gorgeous hues. The water foliage
+was of brilliant colors and to Dorothy it resembled a splendid garden.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the fishes were the most interesting of all. Some were big and
+lazy, floating slowly along or lying at rest with just their fins
+waving. Many with big round eyes looked full at the girl as she
+watched them and Dorothy wondered if they could hear her through the
+glass if she spoke to them. In Oz, where all the animals and birds can
+talk, many fishes are able to talk also, but usually they are more
+stupid than birds and animals because they think slowly and haven't
+much to talk about.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the Lake of the Skeezers the fish of smaller size were more active
+than the big ones and darted quickly in and out among the swaying
+weeds, as if they had important business and were in a hurry. It was
+among the smaller varieties that Dorothy hoped to spy the gold and
+silver and bronze fishes. She had an idea the three would keep
+together, being companions now as they were in their natural forms,
+but such a multitude of fishes constantly passed, the scene shifting
+every moment, that she was not sure she would notice them even if they
+appeared in view. Her eyes couldn't look in all directions and the
+fishes she sought
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_147">147</a></span>
+might be on the other side of the dome, or far away
+in the lake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"P'raps, because they were afraid of Coo-ee-oh, they've hid themselves
+somewhere, and don't know their enemy has been transformed," she
+reflected.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She watched the fishes for a long time, until she became hungry and
+went back to the palace for lunch. But she was not discouraged.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Anything new, Ozma?" she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, dear. Did you discover the three fishes?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Not yet. But there isn't anything better for me to do, Ozma, so I
+guess I'll go back and watch again."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i155.jpg" width="400" height="264" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_148">148</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i156.jpg" width="400" height="555" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149">149</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_13">CHAPTER 13</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Alarm Bell
+</p>
+
+<div id="i157">
+<div id="i157a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i157b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+Glinda, the Good, in her palace in the Quadling Country, had many
+things to occupy her mind, for not only did she look after the weaving
+and embroidery of her bevy of maids,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_150">150</a></span>
+and assist all those who came to
+her to implore her help&mdash;beasts and birds as well as people&mdash;but she
+was a close student of the arts of sorcery and spent much time in her
+Magical Laboratory, where she strove to find a remedy for every evil
+and to perfect her skill in magic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nevertheless, she did not forget to look in the Great Book of Records
+each day to see if any mention was made of the visit of Ozma and
+Dorothy to the Enchanted Mountain of the Flatheads and the Magic Isle
+of the Skeezers. The Records told her that Ozma had arrived at the
+mountain, that she had escaped, with her companion, and gone to the
+island of the Skeezers, and that Queen Coo-ee-oh had submerged the
+island so that it was entirely under water. Then came the statement
+that the Flatheads had come to the lake to poison the fishes and that
+their Supreme Dictator had transformed Queen Coo-ee-oh into a swan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+No other details were given in the Great Book and so Glinda did not
+know that since Coo-ee-oh had forgotten her magic none of the Skeezers
+knew how to raise the island to the surface again. So Glinda was not
+worried about Ozma and Dorothy until one morning, while she sat with
+her maids, there came a sudden clang of the great alarm bell. This was
+so unusual
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_151">151</a></span>
+that every maid gave a start and even the Sorceress for a
+moment could not think what the alarm meant.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i157-->
+
+<p>
+Then she remembered the ring she had given Dorothy when she left the
+palace to start on her venture. In giving the ring Glinda had warned
+the little girl not to use its magic powers unless she and Ozma were
+in real danger, but then she was to turn it on her finger once to the
+right and once to the left and Glinda's alarm bell would ring.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So the Sorceress now knew that danger threatened her beloved Ruler and
+Princess Dorothy, and she hurried to her magic room to seek
+information as to what sort of danger it was. The answer to her
+question was not very satisfactory, for it was only: "Ozma and Dorothy
+are prisoners in the great Dome of the Isle of the Skeezers, and the
+Dome is under the water of the lake."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Hasn't Ozma the power to raise the island to the surface?" inquired
+Glinda.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No," was the reply, and the Record refused to say more except that
+Queen Coo-ee-oh, who alone could command the island to rise, had been
+transformed by the Flathead Su-dic into a Diamond Swan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then Glinda consulted the past records of the Skeezers in the Great
+Book. After diligent search she discovered
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152">152</a></span>
+that Coo-ee-oh was a
+powerful sorceress, who had gained most of her power by treacherously
+transforming the Adepts of Magic, who were visiting her, into three
+fishes&mdash;gold, silver and bronze&mdash;after which she had them cast into
+the lake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda reflected earnestly on this information and decided that
+someone must go to Ozma's assistance. While there was no great need of
+haste, because Ozma and Dorothy could live in a submerged dome a long
+time, it was evident they could not get out until someone was able to
+raise the island.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sorceress looked through all her recipes and books of sorcery, but
+could find no magic that would raise a sunken island. Such a thing had
+never before been required in sorcery. Then Glinda made a little
+island, covered by a glass dome, and sunk it in a pond near her
+castle, and experimented in magical ways to bring it to the surface.
+She made several such experiments, but all were failures. It seemed a
+simple thing to do, yet she could not do it.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i161.jpg" width="400" height="558" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+Nevertheless, the wise Sorceress did not despair of finding a way to
+liberate her friends. Finally she concluded that the best thing to do
+was to go to the Skeezer country and examine the lake. While there she
+was more likely to discover a solution to the prob<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153">153</a></span>lem that bothered
+her, and to work out a plan for the rescue of Ozma and Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So Glinda summoned her storks and her aerial chariot, and telling her
+maids she was going on a journey and might not soon return, she
+entered the chariot and was carried swiftly to the Emerald City.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In Princess Ozma's palace the Scarecrow was now acting as Ruler of the
+Land of Oz. There wasn't much for him to do, because all the affairs
+of state moved so smoothly, but he was there in case anything
+unforeseen should happen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda found the Scarecrow playing croquet with Trot and Betsy Bobbin,
+two little girls who lived at the palace under Ozma's protection and
+were great friends of Dorothy and much loved by all the Oz people.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Something's happened!" cried Trot, as the chariot of the Sorceress
+descended near them. "Glinda never comes here 'cept something's gone
+wrong."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I hope no harm has come to Ozma, or Dorothy," said Betsy anxiously,
+as the lovely Sorceress stepped down from her chariot.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda approached the Scarecrow and told him of the dilemma of Ozma
+and Dorothy and she added: "We must save them, somehow, Scarecrow."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_154">154</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of course," replied the Scarecrow, stumbling over a wicket and
+falling flat on his painted face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls picked him up and patted his straw stuffing into shape, and
+he continued, as if nothing had occurred: "But you'll have to tell me
+what to do, for I never have raised a sunken island in all my life."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i164.jpg" width="400" height="284" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"We must have a Council of State as soon as possible," proposed the
+Sorceress. "Please send messengers to summon all of Ozma's counsellors
+to this palace. Then we can decide what is best to be done."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_155">155</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Scarecrow lost no time in doing this. Fortunately most of the
+royal counsellors were in the Emerald City or near to it, so they all
+met in the throne room of the palace that same evening.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i165.jpg" width="400" height="339" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_156">156</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i166.jpg" width="400" height="557" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_157">157</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_14">CHAPTER 14</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+Ozma's Counsellors
+</p>
+
+<div id="i167">
+<div id="i167a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i167b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+No Ruler ever had such a queer assortment of advisers as the Princess
+Ozma had gathered about her throne. Indeed, in no other country could
+such amazing people exist. But
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_158">158</a></span>
+Ozma loved them for their
+peculiarities and could trust every one of them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+First there was the Tin Woodman. Every bit of him was tin, brightly
+polished. All his joints were kept well oiled and moved smoothly. He
+carried a gleaming axe to prove he was a woodman, but seldom had cause
+to use it because he lived in a magnificent tin castle in the Winkie
+Country of Oz and was the Emperor of all the Winkies. The Tin
+Woodman's name was Nick Chopper. He had a very good mind, but his
+heart was not of much account, so he was very careful to do nothing
+unkind or to hurt anyone's feelings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another counsellor was Scraps, the Patchwork Girl of Oz, who was made
+of a gaudy patchwork quilt, cut into shape and stuffed with cotton.
+This Patchwork Girl was very intelligent, but so full of fun and mad
+pranks that a lot of more stupid folks thought she must be crazy.
+Scraps was jolly under all conditions, however grave they might be,
+but her laughter and good spirits were of value in cheering others and
+in her seemingly careless remarks much wisdom could often be found.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then there was the Shaggy Man&mdash;shaggy from head to foot, hair and
+whiskers, clothes and shoes<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_159">159</a></span>&mdash;but very kind and gentle and one of
+Ozma's most loyal supporters.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i167-->
+
+<p>
+Tik-Tok was there, a copper man with machinery inside him, so cleverly
+constructed that he moved, spoke and thought by three separate
+clock-works. Tik-Tok was very reliable because he always did exactly
+what he was wound up to do, but his machinery was liable to run down
+at times and then he was quite helpless until wound up again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A different sort of person was Jack Pumpkinhead, one of Ozma's oldest
+friends and her companion on many adventures. Jack's body was very
+crude and awkward, being formed of limbs of trees of different sizes,
+jointed with wooden pegs. But it was a substantial body and not likely
+to break or wear out, and when it was dressed the clothes covered much
+of its roughness. The head of Jack Pumpkinhead was, as you have
+guessed, a ripe pumpkin, with the eyes, nose and mouth carved upon one
+side. The pumpkin was stuck on Jack's wooden neck and was liable to
+get turned sidewise or backward and then he would have to straighten
+it with his wooden hands.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The worst thing about this sort of a head was that it did not keep
+well and was sure to spoil sooner or later. So Jack's main business
+was to grow a field of
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_160">160</a></span>
+fine pumpkins each year, and always before his
+old head spoiled he would select a fresh pumpkin from the field and
+carve the features on it very neatly, and have it ready to replace the
+old head whenever it became necessary. He didn't always carve it the
+same way, so his friends never knew exactly what sort of an expression
+they would find on his face. But there was no mistaking him, because
+he was the only pumpkin-headed man alive in the Land of Oz.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A one-legged sailor-man was a member of Ozma's council. His name was
+Cap'n Bill and he had come to the Land of Oz with Trot, and had been
+made welcome on account of his cleverness, honesty and good-nature. He
+wore a wooden leg to replace the one he had lost and was a great
+friend of all the children in Oz because he could whittle all sorts of
+toys out of wood with his big jack-knife.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Professor H. M. Wogglebug, T. E., was another member of the council.
+The "H. M." meant Highly Magnified, for the Professor was once a
+little bug, who became magnified to the size of a man and always
+remained so. The "T. E." meant that he was Thoroughly Educated. He was
+at the head of Princess Ozma's Royal Athletic College, and so that the
+students would not have to study and so lose much time that
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_161">161</a></span>
+could be
+devoted to athletic sports, such as football, baseball and the like,
+Professor Wogglebug had invented the famous Educational Pills. If one
+of the college students took a Geography Pill after breakfast, he knew
+his geography lesson in an instant; if he took a Spelling Pill he at
+once knew his spelling lesson, and an Arithmetic Pill enabled the
+student to do any kind of sum without having to think about it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+These useful pills made the college very popular and taught the boys
+and girls of Oz their lessons in the easiest possible way. In spite of
+this, Professor Wogglebug was not a favorite outside his college, for
+he was very conceited and admired himself so much and displayed his
+cleverness and learning so constantly, that no one cared to associate
+with him. Ozma found him of value in her councils, nevertheless.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Perhaps the most splendidly dressed of all those present was a great
+frog as large as a man, called the Frogman, who was noted for his wise
+sayings. He had come to the Emerald City from the Yip Country of Oz
+and was a guest of honor. His long-tailed coat was of velvet, his vest
+of satin and his trousers of finest silk. There were diamond buckles
+on his shoes and he carried a gold-headed cane and a high silk hat.
+All of the bright colors were represented in his rich attire,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_162">162</a></span>
+so it
+tired one's eyes to look at him for long, until one became used to his
+splendor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The best farmer in all Oz was Uncle Henry, who was Dorothy's own
+uncle, and who now lived near the Emerald City with his wife Aunt Em.
+Uncle Henry taught the Oz people how to grow the finest vegetables and
+fruits and grains and was of much use to Ozma in keeping the Royal
+Storehouses well filled. He, too, was a counsellor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The reason I mention the little Wizard of Oz last is because he was
+the most important man in the Land of Oz. He wasn't a big man in size,
+but he was a big man in power and intelligence and second only to
+Glinda the Good in all the mystic arts of magic. Glinda had taught
+him, and the Wizard and the Sorceress were the only ones in Oz
+permitted by law to practice wizardry and sorcery, which they applied
+only to good uses and for the benefit of the people.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Wizard wasn't exactly handsome but he was pleasant to look at. His
+bald head was as shiny as if it had been varnished; there was always a
+merry twinkle in his eyes and he was as spry as a schoolboy. Dorothy
+says the reason the Wizard is not as powerful as Glinda is because
+Glinda didn't teach him all she knows, but what the Wizard knows he
+knows very well
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_163">163</a></span>
+and so he performs some very remarkable magic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The ten I have mentioned assembled, with the Scarecrow and Glinda, in
+Ozma's throne room, right after dinner that evening, and the Sorceress
+told them all she knew of the plight of Ozma and Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of course we must rescue them," she continued, "and the sooner they
+are rescued the better pleased they will be; but what we must now
+determine is how they can be saved. That is why I have called you
+together in council."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The easiest way," remarked the Shaggy Man, "is to raise the sunken
+island of the Skeezers to the top of the water again."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Tell me how?" said Glinda.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't know how, your Highness, for I have never raised a sunken
+island."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We might all get under it and lift," suggested Professor Wogglebug.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"How can we get under it when it rests on the bottom of the lake?"
+asked the Sorceress.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Couldn't we throw a rope around it and pull it ashore?" inquired Jack
+Pumpkinhead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why not pump the water out of the lake?" suggested the Patchwork Girl
+with a laugh.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do be sensible!" pleaded Glinda. "This is a serious
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_164">164</a></span>
+matter, and we
+must give it serious thought."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"How big is the lake and how big is the island?" was the Frogman's
+question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"None of us can tell, for we have not been there."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"In that case," said the Scarecrow, "it appears to me we ought to go
+to the Skeezer country and examine it carefully."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Quite right," agreed the Tin Woodman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We-will-have-to-go-there-any-how," remarked Tik-Tok in his jerky
+machine voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The question is which of us shall go, and how many of us?" said the
+Wizard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I shall go of course," declared the Scarecrow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And I," said Scraps.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It is my duty to Ozma to go," asserted the Tin Woodman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I could not stay away, knowing our loved Princess is in danger," said
+the Wizard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We all feel like that," Uncle Henry said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Finally one and all present decided to go to the Skeezer country, with
+Glinda and the little Wizard to lead them. Magic must meet magic in
+order to conquer it, so these two skillful magic-workers were
+necessary to insure the success of the expedition.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were all ready to start at a moment's notice,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_165">165</a></span>
+for none had any
+affairs of importance to attend to. Jack was wearing a newly made
+Pumpkin-head and the Scarecrow had recently been stuffed with fresh
+straw. Tik-Tok's machinery was in good running order and the Tin
+Woodman always was well oiled. "It is quite a long journey," said
+Glinda, "and while I might travel quickly to the Skeezer country by
+means of my stork chariot the rest of you will be obliged to walk. So,
+as we must keep together, I will send my chariot back to my castle and
+we will plan to leave the Emerald City at sunrise to-morrow."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i175.jpg" width="400" height="297" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_166">166</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i176.jpg" width="400" height="452" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_167">167</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_15">CHAPTER 15</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Great Sorceress
+</p>
+
+<div id="i177">
+<div id="i177a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i177b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+Betsy and Trot, when they heard of the rescue expedition, begged the
+Wizard to permit them to join it and he consented. The Glass Cat,
+overhearing the conversation,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_168">168</a></span>
+wanted to go also and to this the
+Wizard made no objection.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This Glass Cat was one of the real curiosities of Oz. It had been made
+and brought to life by a clever magician named Dr. Pipt, who was not
+now permitted to work magic and was an ordinary citizen of the Emerald
+City. The cat was of transparent glass, through which one could
+plainly see its ruby heart beating and its pink brains whirling around
+in the top of the head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Glass Cat's eyes were emeralds; its fluffy tail was of spun glass
+and very beautiful. The ruby heart, while pretty to look at, was hard
+and cold and the Glass Cat's disposition was not pleasant at all
+times. It scorned to catch mice, did not eat, and was extremely lazy.
+If you complimented the remarkable cat on her beauty, she would be
+very friendly, for she loved admiration above everything. The pink
+brains were always working and their owner was indeed more intelligent
+than most common cats.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i177-->
+
+<p>
+Three other additions to the rescue party were made the next morning,
+just as they were setting out upon their journey. The first was a
+little boy called Button Bright, because he had no other name that
+anyone could remember. He was a fine, manly little fellow, well
+mannered and good humored, who had only one bad fault. He was
+continually getting lost. To be sure, Button Bright got found as often
+as he got lost, but when he was missing his friends could not help
+being anxious about him.
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_169">169</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i179.jpg" width="400" height="541" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"Some day," predicted the Patchwork Girl, "he won't be found, and that
+will be the last of him." But that didn't worry Button Bright, who was
+so careless that he did not seem to be able to break the habit of
+getting lost.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The second addition to the party was a Munchkin boy of about Button
+Bright's age, named Ojo. He was often called "Ojo the Lucky," because
+good fortune followed him wherever he went. He and Button Bright were
+close friends, although of such different natures, and Trot and Betsy
+were fond of both.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The third and last to join the expedition was an enormous lion, one of
+Ozma's regular guardians and the most important and intelligent beast
+in all Oz. He called himself the Cowardly Lion, saying that every
+little danger scared him so badly that his heart thumped against his
+ribs, but all who knew him knew that the Cowardly Lion's fears were
+coupled with bravery and that however much he might be frightened he
+summoned courage to meet every danger he
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_170">170</a></span>
+encountered. Often he had
+saved Dorothy and Ozma in times of peril, but afterward he moaned and
+trembled and wept because he had been so scared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If Ozma needs help, I'm going to help her," said the great
+beast. "Also, I suspect the rest of you may need me on the
+journey&mdash;especially Trot and Betsy&mdash;for you may pass through a
+dangerous part of the country. I know that wild Gillikin country
+pretty well. Its forests harbor many ferocious beasts."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were glad the Cowardly Lion was to join them, and in good spirits
+the entire party formed a procession and marched out of the Emerald
+City amid the shouts of the people, who wished them success and a safe
+return with their beloved Ruler.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They followed a different route from that taken by Ozma and Dorothy,
+for they went through the Winkie Country and up north toward Oogaboo.
+But before they got there they swerved to the left and entered the
+Great Gillikin Forest, the nearest thing to a wilderness in all Oz.
+Even the Cowardly Lion had to admit that certain parts of this forest
+were unknown to him, although he had often wandered among the trees,
+and the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman, who were great travelers, never had
+been there at all.
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_171">171</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i183.jpg" width="400" height="563" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+The forest was only reached after a tedious tramp,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_172">172</a></span>
+for some of the
+Rescue Expedition were quite awkward on their feet. The Patchwork Girl
+was as light as a feather and very spry; the Tin Woodman covered the
+ground as easily as Uncle Henry and the Wizard; but Tik-Tok moved
+slowly and the slightest obstruction in the road would halt him until
+the others cleared it away. Then, too, Tik-Tok's machinery kept
+running down, so Betsy and Trot took turns in winding it up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Scarecrow was more clumsy but less bother, for although he often
+stumbled and fell he could scramble up again and a little patting of
+his straw-stuffed body would put him in good shape again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another awkward one was Jack Pumpkinhead, for walking would jar his
+head around on his neck and then he would be likely to go in the wrong
+direction. But the Frogman took Jack's arm and then he followed the
+path more easily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Cap'n Bill's wooden leg didn't prevent him from keeping up with the
+others and the old sailor could walk as far as any of them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When they entered the forest the Cowardly lion took the lead. There
+was no path here for men, but many beasts had made paths of their own
+which only the eyes of the lion, practiced in woodcraft, could
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_173">173</a></span>
+discern. So he stalked ahead and wound his way in and out, the others
+following in single file, Glinda being next to the Lion.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i185.jpg" width="400" height="286" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+There are dangers in the forest, of course, but as the huge Lion
+headed the party he kept the wild denizens of the wilderness from
+bothering the travelers. Once, to be sure, an enormous leopard sprang
+upon the Glass Cat and caught her in his powerful jaws, but he broke
+several of his teeth and with howls of pain and dismay dropped his
+prey and vanished among the trees.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_174">174</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Are you hurt?" Trot anxiously inquired of the Glass Cat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"How silly!" exclaimed the creature in an irritated tone of voice;
+"nothing can hurt glass, and I'm too solid to break easily. But I'm
+annoyed at that leopard's impudence. He has no respect for beauty or
+intelligence. If he had noticed my pink brains work, I'm sure he would
+have realized I'm too important to be grabbed in a wild beast's jaws."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Never mind," said Trot consolingly; "I'm sure he won't do it again."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were almost in the center of the forest when Ojo, the Munchkin
+boy, suddenly said: "Why, where's Button Bright?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They halted and looked around them. Button Bright was not with the
+party.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Dear me," remarked Betsy, "I expect he's lost again!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"When did you see him last, Ojo?" inquired Glinda.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It was some time ago," replied Ojo. "He was trailing along at the end
+and throwing twigs at the squirrels in the trees. Then I went to talk
+to Betsy and Trot, and just now I noticed he was gone."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"This is too bad," declared the Wizard, "for it is sure to delay our
+journey. We must find Button Bright
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_175">175</a></span>
+before we go any farther, for
+this forest is full of ferocious beasts that would not hesitate to
+tear the boy to pieces."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But what shall we do?" asked the Scarecrow. "If any of us leaves the
+party to search for Button Bright he or she might fall a victim to the
+beasts, and if the Lion leaves us we will have no protector.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The Glass Cat could go," suggested the Frogman. "The beasts can do
+her no harm, as we have discovered."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Wizard turned to Glinda.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Cannot your sorcery discover where Button Bright is?" he asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I think so," replied the Sorceress.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She called to Uncle Henry, who had been carrying her wicker box, to
+bring it to her, and when he obeyed she opened it and drew out a small
+round mirror. On the surface of the glass she dusted a white powder
+and then wiped it away with her handkerchief and looked in the mirror.
+It reflected a part of the forest, and there, beneath a wide-spreading
+tree, Button Bright was lying asleep. On one side of him crouched a
+tiger, ready to spring; on the other side was a big gray wolf, its
+bared fangs glistening in a wicked way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Goodness me!" cried Trot, looking over Glinda's
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_176">176</a></span>
+shoulder. "They'll
+catch and kill him sure."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Everyone crowded around for a glimpse at the magic mirror.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Pretty bad&mdash;pretty bad!" said the Scarecrow sorrowfully.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i188.jpg" width="400" height="289" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"Comes of getting lost!" said Cap'n Bill, sighing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Guess he's a goner!" said the Frogman, wiping his eyes on his purple
+silk handkerchief.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But where is he? Can't we save him?" asked Ojo the Lucky.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_177">177</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If we knew where he is we could probably save him," replied the
+little Wizard, "but that tree looks so much like all the other trees,
+that we can't tell whether it's far away or near by."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Look at Glinda!" exclaimed Betsy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda, having handed the mirror to the Wizard, had stepped aside and
+was making strange passes with her outstretched arms and reciting in
+low, sweet tones a mystical incantation. Most of them watched the
+Sorceress with anxious eyes, despair giving way to the hope that she
+might be able to save their friend. The Wizard, however, watched the
+scene in the mirror, while over his shoulders peered Trot, the
+Scarecrow and the Shaggy Man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+What they saw was more strange than Glinda's actions. The tiger
+started to spring on the sleeping boy, but suddenly lost its power to
+move and lay flat upon the ground. The gray wolf seemed unable to lift
+its feet from the ground. It pulled first at one leg and then at
+another, and finding itself strangely confined to the spot began to
+bark and snarl angrily. They couldn't hear the barkings and snarls,
+but they could see the creature's mouth open and its thick lips move.
+Button Bright, however, being but a few feet away from the wolf, heard
+its cries of rage, which
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_178">178</a></span>
+wakened him from his untroubled sleep.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boy sat up and looked first at the tiger and then at the wolf. His
+face showed that for a moment he was quite frightened, but he soon saw
+that the beasts were unable to approach him and so he got upon his
+feet and examined them curiously, with a mischievous smile upon his
+face. Then he deliberately kicked the tiger's head with his foot and
+catching up a fallen branch of a tree he went to the wolf and gave it
+a good whacking. Both the beasts were furious at such treatment but
+could not resent it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Button Bright now threw down the stick and with his hands in his
+pockets wandered carelessly away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Now," said Glinda, "let the Glass Cat run and find him. He is in that
+direction," pointing the way, "but how far off I do not know. Make
+haste and lead him back to us as quickly as you can."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Glass Cat did not obey everyone's orders, but she really feared
+the great Sorceress, so as soon as the words were spoken the crystal
+animal darted away and was quickly lost to sight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Wizard handed the mirror back to Glinda, for the woodland scene
+had now faded from the glass. Then those who cared to rest sat down to
+await Button Bright's coming. It was not long before he appeared
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_179">179</a></span>
+through the trees and as he rejoined his friends he said in a peevish
+tone:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Don't ever send that Glass Cat to find me again. She was very
+impolite and, if we didn't all know that she had no manners, I'd say
+she insulted me."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda turned upon the boy sternly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You have caused all of us much anxiety and annoyance," said she.
+"Only my magic saved you from destruction. I forbid you to get lost
+again."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of course," he answered. "It won't be <i>my</i> fault if I get lost again;
+but it wasn't my fault <i>this</i> time."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i191.jpg" width="400" height="279" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_180">180</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i192.jpg" width="400" height="566" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_181">181</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_16">CHAPTER 16</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Enchanted Fishes
+</p>
+
+<div id="i193">
+<div id="i193a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i193b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+I must now tell you what happened to Ervic and the three other
+Skeezers who were left floating in the iron boat after Queen Coo-ee-oh
+had been transformed into a Diamond
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_182">182</a></span>
+Swan by the magic of the Flathead
+Su-dic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The four Skeezers were all young men and their leader was Ervic.
+Coo-ee-oh had taken them with her in the boat to assist her if she
+captured the Flathead chief, as she hoped to do by means of her silver
+rope. They knew nothing about the witchcraft that moved the submarine
+and so, when left floating upon the lake, were at a loss what to do.
+The submarine could not be submerged by them or made to return to the
+sunken island. There were neither oars nor sails in the boat, which
+was not anchored but drifted quietly upon the surface of the lake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Diamond Swan had no further thought or care for her people. She
+had sailed over to the other side of the lake and all the calls and
+pleadings of Ervic and his companions were unheeded by the vain bird.
+As there was nothing else for them to do, they sat quietly in their
+boat and waited as patiently as they could for someone to come to
+their aid.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Flatheads had refused to help them and had gone back to their
+mountain. All the Skeezers were imprisoned in the Great Dome and could
+not help even themselves. When evening came, they saw the Diamond
+Swan, still keeping to the opposite shore of the lake, walk out of the
+water to the sands, shake her
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_183">183</a></span>
+diamond-sprinkled feathers, and then
+disappear among the bushes to seek a resting place for the night.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i193-->
+
+<p>
+"I'm hungry," said Ervic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm cold," said another Skeezer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm tired," said a third.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm afraid," said the last one of them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But it did them no good to complain. Night fell and the moon rose and
+cast a silvery sheen over the surface of the water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Go to sleep," said Ervic to his companions. "I'll stay awake and
+watch, for we may be rescued in some unexpected way."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So the other three laid themselves down in the bottom of the boat and
+were soon fast asleep.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ervic watched. He rested himself by leaning over the bow of the boat,
+his face near to the moonlit water, and thought dreamily of the day's
+surprising events and wondered what would happen to the prisoners in
+the Great Dome.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly a tiny goldfish popped its head above the surface of the
+lake, not more than a foot from his eyes. A silverfish then raised its
+head beside that of the goldfish, and a moment later a bronzefish
+lifted its head beside the others. The three fish, all in a row,
+looked earnestly with their round, bright eyes into
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_184">184</a></span>
+the astonished
+eyes of Ervic the Skeezer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We are the three Adepts whom Queen Coo-ee-oh betrayed and wickedly
+transformed," said the goldfish, its voice low and soft but distinctly
+heard in the stillness of the night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I know of our Queen's treacherous deed," replied Ervic, "and I am
+sorry for your misfortune. Have you been in the lake ever since?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," was the reply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I&mdash;I hope you are well&mdash;and comfortable," stammered Ervic, not
+knowing what else to say.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We knew that some day Coo-ee-oh would meet with the fate she so
+richly deserves," declared the bronzefish. "We have waited and watched
+for this time. Now if you will promise to help us and will be faithful
+and true, you can aid us in regaining our natural forms, and save
+yourself and all your people from the dangers that now threaten you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well," said Ervic, "you can depend on my doing the best I can. But
+I'm no witch, nor magician, you must know."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"All we ask is that you obey our instructions," returned the
+silverfish. "We know that you are honest and that you served Coo-ee-oh
+only because you were obliged to in order to escape her anger. Do as
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_185">185</a></span>we command and all will be well."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i197.jpg" width="400" height="553" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"I promise!" exclaimed the young man. "Tell me what I am to do first."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You will find in the bottom of your boat the silver cord which
+dropped from Coo-ee-oh's hand when she was transformed," said the
+goldfish. "Tie one end of that cord to the bow of your boat and drop
+the other end to us in the water. Together we will pull your boat to
+the shore."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i199.jpg" width="400" height="226" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+Ervic much doubted that the three small fishes could move so heavy a
+boat, but he did as he was told and the fishes all seized their end of
+the silver cord in their mouths and headed toward the nearest shore,
+which
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_186">186</a></span>
+was the very place where the Flatheads had stood when they
+conquered Queen Coo-ee-oh.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At first the boat did not move at all, although the fishes pulled with
+all their strength. But presently the strain began to tell. Very
+slowly the boat crept toward the shore, gaining more speed at every
+moment. A couple of yards away from the sandy beach the fishes dropped
+the cord from their mouths and swam to one side, while the iron boat,
+being now under way, continued to move until its prow grated upon the
+sands.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ervic leaned over the side and said to the fishes: "What next?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You will find upon the sand," said the silverfish, "a copper kettle,
+which the Su-dic forgot when he went away. Cleanse it thoroughly in
+the water of the lake, for it has had poison in it. When it is
+cleaned, fill it with fresh water and hold it over the side of the
+boat, so that we three may swim into the kettle. We will then instruct
+you further."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do you wish me to catch you, then?" asked Ervic in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," was the reply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So Ervic jumped out of the boat and found the copper kettle. Carrying
+it a little way down the beach,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_187">187</a></span>
+he washed it well, scrubbing away
+every drop of the poison it had contained with sand from the shore.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then he went back to the boat.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i201.jpg" width="400" height="271" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+Ervic's comrades were still sound asleep and knew nothing of the three
+fishes or what strange happenings were taking place about them. Ervic
+dipped the kettle in the lake, holding fast to the handle until it
+was under water. The gold and silver and bronze fishes promptly swam
+into the kettle. The young Skeezer then lifted it, poured out a little
+of the water so it would not spill over the edge, and said to the
+fishes: "What next?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_188">188</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Carry the kettle to the shore. Take one hundred steps to the east,
+along the edge of the lake, and then you will see a path leading
+through the meadows, up hill and down dale. Follow the path until you
+come to a cottage which is painted a purple color with white
+trimmings. When you stop at the gate of this cottage we will tell you
+what to do next. Be careful, above all, not to stumble and spill the
+water from the kettle, or you would destroy us and all you have done
+would be in vain."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The goldfish issued these commands and Ervic promised to be careful
+and started to obey. He left his sleeping comrades in the boat,
+stepping cautiously over their bodies, and on reaching the shore took
+exactly one hundred steps to the east. Then he looked for the path and
+the moonlight was so bright that he easily discovered it, although it
+was hidden from view by tall weeds until one came full upon it. This
+path was very narrow and did not seem to be much used, but it was
+quite distinct and Ervic had no difficulty in following it. He walked
+through a broad meadow, covered with tall grass and weeds, up a hill
+and down into a valley and then up another hill and down again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It seemed to Ervic that he had walked miles and miles. Indeed the moon
+sank low and day was beginning
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_189">189</a></span>
+to dawn when finally he discovered by
+the roadside a pretty little cottage, painted purple with white
+trimmings. It was a lonely place&mdash;no other buildings were anywhere
+about and the ground was not tilled at all. No farmer lived here, that
+was certain. Who would care to dwell in such an isolated place?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Ervic did not bother his head long with such questions. He went up
+to the gate that led to the cottage, set the copper kettle carefully
+down and bending over it asked:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What next?"
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i203.jpg" width="400" height="286" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_190">190</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i204.jpg" width="400" height="543" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_191">191</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_17">CHAPTER 17</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+Under the Great Dome
+</p>
+
+<div id="i205">
+<div id="i205a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i205b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+When Glinda the Good and her followers of the Rescue Expedition came
+in sight of the Enchanted Mountain of the Flatheads, it was away to
+the left of them, for the route
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_192">192</a></span>
+they had taken through the Great
+Forest was some distance from that followed by Ozma and Dorothy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They halted awhile to decide whether they should call upon the Supreme
+Dictator first, or go on to the Lake of the Skeezers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If we go to the mountain," said the Wizard, "we may get into trouble
+with that wicked Su-dic, and then we would be delayed in rescuing Ozma
+and Dorothy. So I think our best plan will be to go to the Skeezer
+Country, raise the sunken island and save our friends and the
+imprisoned Skeezers. Afterward we can visit the mountain and punish
+the cruel magician of the Flatheads."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is sensible," approved the Shaggy Man. "I quite agree with you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The others, too, seemed to think the Wizard's plan the best, and
+Glinda herself commended it, so on they marched toward the line of
+palm trees that hid the Skeezers' lake from view.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i205-->
+
+<p>
+Pretty soon they came to the palms. These were set closely together,
+the branches, which came quite to the ground, being so tightly
+interlaced that even the Glass Cat could scarcely find a place to
+squeeze through. The path which the Flatheads used was some distance
+away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_193">193</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Here's a job for the Tin Woodman," said the Scarecrow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So the Tin Woodman, who was always glad to be of use, set to work with
+his sharp, gleaming axe, which he always carried, and in a
+surprisingly short time had chopped away enough branches to permit
+them all to pass easily through the trees.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i207.jpg" width="400" height="286" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+Now the clear waters of the beautiful lake were before them and by
+looking closely they could see the outlines of the Great Dome of the
+sunken island, far
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_194">194</a></span>
+from shore and directly in the center of the lake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Of course every eye was at first fixed upon this dome, where Ozma and
+Dorothy and the Skeezers were still fast prisoners. But soon their
+attention was caught by a more brilliant sight, for here was the
+Diamond Swan swimming just before them, its long neck arched proudly,
+the amethyst eyes gleaming and all the diamond-sprinkled feathers
+glistening splendidly under the rays of the sun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That," said Glinda, "is the transformation of Queen Coo-ee-oh, the
+haughty and wicked witch who betrayed the three Adepts at Magic and
+treated her people like slaves."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"She's wonderfully beautiful now," remarked the Frogman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It doesn't seem like much of a punishment," said Trot. "The Flathead
+Su-dic ought to have made her a toad."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I am sure Coo-ee-oh is punished," said Glinda, "for she has lost all
+her magic power and her grand palace and can no longer misrule the
+poor Skeezers."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let us call to her, and hear what she has to say," proposed the
+Wizard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So Glinda beckoned the Diamond Swan, which swam gracefully to a
+position near them. Before anyone
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_195">195</a></span>
+could speak Coo-ee-oh called to
+them in a rasping voice&mdash;for the voice of a swan is always harsh and
+unpleasant&mdash;and said with much pride:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Admire me, Strangers! Admire the lovely Coo-ee-oh, the handsomest
+creature in all Oz. Admire me!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Handsome is as handsome does," replied the Scarecrow. "Are your deeds
+lovely, Coo-ee-oh?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Deeds? What deeds can a swan do but swim around and give pleasure to
+all beholders?" said the sparkling bird.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Have you forgotten your former life? Have you forgotten your magic
+and witchcraft?" inquired the Wizard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Magic&mdash;witchcraft? Pshaw, who cares for such silly things?" retorted
+Coo-ee-oh. "As for my past life, it seems like an unpleasant dream. I
+wouldn't go back to it if I could. Don't you admire my beauty,
+Strangers?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Tell us, Coo-ee-oh," said Glinda earnestly, "if you can recall enough
+of your witchcraft to enable us to raise the sunken island to the
+surface of the lake. Tell us that and I'll give you a string of pearls
+to wear around your neck and add to your beauty."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Nothing can add to my beauty, for I'm the most
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_196">196</a></span>
+beautiful creature
+anywhere in the whole world."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But how can we raise the island?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't know and I don't care. If ever I knew I've forgotten, and I'm
+glad of it," was the response. "Just watch me circle around and see me
+glitter!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It's no use," said Button Bright; "the old Swan is too much in love
+with herself to think of anything else."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That's a fact," agreed Betsy with a sigh; "but we've got to get Ozma
+and Dorothy out of that lake, somehow or other."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And we must do it in our own way," added the Scarecrow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But how?" asked Uncle Henry in a grave voice, for he could not bear
+to think of his dear niece Dorothy being out there under water; "how
+shall we do it?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Leave that to Glinda," advised the Wizard, realizing he was helpless
+to do it himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If it were just an ordinary sunken island," said the powerful
+Sorceress, "there would be several ways by which I might bring it to
+the surface again. But this is a Magic Isle, and by some curious art
+of witchcraft, unknown to any but Queen Coo-ee-oh, it obeys certain
+commands of magic and will not respond to any other. I do not despair
+in the least, but it will
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_197">197</a></span>
+require some deep study to solve this
+difficult problem. If the Swan could only remember the witchcraft that
+she invented and knew as a woman, I could force her to tell me the
+secret, but all her former knowledge is now forgotten."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It seems to me," said the Wizard after a brief silence had followed
+Glinda's speech, "that there are three fishes in this lake that used
+to be Adepts at Magic and from whom Coo-ee-oh stole much of her
+knowledge. If we could find those fishes and return them to their
+former shapes, they could doubtless tell us what to do to bring the
+sunken island to the surface."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I have thought of those fishes," replied Glinda, "but among so many
+fishes as this lake contains how are we to single them out?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+You will understand, of course, that had Glinda been at home in her
+castle, where the Great Book of Records was, she would have known that
+Ervic the Skeezer already had taken the gold and silver and bronze
+fishes from the lake. But that act had been recorded in the Book after
+Glinda had set out on this journey, so it was all unknown to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I think I see a boat yonder on the shore," said Ojo the Munchkin boy,
+pointing to a place around the edge
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_198">198</a></span>
+of the lake. "If we could get
+that boat and row all over the lake, calling to the magic fishes, we
+might be able to find them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let us go to the boat," said the Wizard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They walked around the lake to where the boat was stranded upon the
+beach, but found it empty. It was a mere shell of blackened steel,
+with a collapsible roof that, when in position, made the submarine
+water-tight, but at present the roof rested in slots on either side of
+the magic craft. There were no oars or sails, no machinery to make the
+boat go, and although Glinda promptly realized it was meant to be
+operated by witchcraft, she was not acquainted with that sort of
+magic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"However," said she, "the boat is merely a boat, and I believe I can
+make it obey a command of sorcery, as well as it did the command of
+witchcraft. After I have given a little thought to the matter, the
+boat will take us wherever we desire to go."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Not all of us," returned the Wizard, "for it won't hold so many. But,
+most noble Sorceress, provided you can make the boat go, of what use
+will it be to us?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Can't we use it to catch the three fishes?" asked Button Bright.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_199">199</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It will not be necessary to use the boat for that purpose," replied
+Glinda. "Wherever in the lake the enchanted fishes may be, they will
+answer to my call. What I am trying to discover is how the boat came
+to be on this shore, while the island on which it belongs is under
+water yonder. Did Coo-ee-oh come here in the boat to meet the
+Flatheads before the island was sunk, or afterward?"
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i213.jpg" width="400" height="276" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+No one could answer that question, of course; but while they pondered
+the matter three young men
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_200">200</a></span>
+advanced from the line of trees, and
+rather timidly bowed to the strangers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Who are you, and where did you come from!" inquired the Wizard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We are Skeezers," answered one of them, "and our home is on the Magic
+Isle of the Lake. We ran away when we saw you coming, and hid behind
+the trees, but as you are Strangers and seem to be friendly we decided
+to meet you, for we are in great trouble and need assistance."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If you belong on the island, why are you here?" demanded Glinda.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So they told her all the story: How the Queen had defied the Flatheads
+and submerged the whole island so that her enemies could not get to it
+or destroy it; how, when the Flatheads came to the shore, Coo-ee-oh
+had commanded them, together with their friend Ervic, to go with her
+in the submarine to conquer the Su-dic, and how the boat had shot out
+from the basement of the sunken isle, obeying a magic word, and risen
+to the surface, where it opened and floated upon the water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then followed the account of how the Su-dic had transformed Coo-ee-oh
+into a swan, after which she had forgotten all the witchcraft she ever
+knew. The young men told how in the night when they were
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_201">201</a></span>
+asleep,
+their comrade Ervic had mysteriously disappeared, while the boat in
+some strange manner had floated to the shore and stranded upon the
+beach.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That was all they knew. They had searched in vain for three days for
+Ervic. As their island was under water and they could not get back to
+it, the three Skeezers had no place to go, and so had waited patiently
+beside their boat for something to happen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Being questioned by Glinda and the Wizard, they told all they knew
+about Ozma and Dorothy and declared the two girls were still in the
+village under the Great Dome. They were quite safe and would be well
+cared for by Lady Aurex, now that the Queen who opposed them was out
+of the way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When they had gleaned all the information they could from these
+Skeezers, the Wizard said to Glinda:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If you find you can make this boat obey your sorcery, you could have
+it return to the island, submerge itself, and enter the door in the
+basement from which it came. But I cannot see that our going to the
+sunken island would enable our friends to escape. We would only join
+them as prisoners."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Not so, friend Wizard," replied Glinda. "If the boat would obey my
+commands to enter the basement door, it would also obey my commands to
+come out
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_202">202</a></span>
+again, and I could bring Ozma and Dorothy back with me."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And leave all of our people still imprisoned?" asked one of the
+Skeezers reproachfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"By making several trips in the boat, Glinda could fetch all your
+people to the shore," replied the Wizard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But what could they do then?" inquired another Skeezer. "They would
+have no homes and no place to go, and would be at the mercy of their
+enemies, the Flatheads."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is true," said Glinda the Good. "And as these people are Ozma's
+subjects, I think she would refuse to escape with Dorothy and leave
+the others behind, or to abandon the island which is the lawful home
+of the Skeezers. I believe the best plan will be to summon the three
+fishes and learn from them how to raise the island."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The little Wizard seemed to think that this was rather a forlorn hope.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"How will you summon them," he asked the lovely Sorceress, "and how
+can they hear you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is something we must consider carefully," responded stately
+Glinda, with a serene smile. "I think I can find a way."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All of Ozma's counsellors applauded this sentiment,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_203">203</a></span>
+for they knew
+well the powers of the Sorceress.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Very well," agreed the Wizard. "Summon them, most noble Glinda."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i217.jpg" width="400" height="303" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_204">204</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i218.jpg" width="400" height="559" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_205">205</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_18">CHAPTER 18</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Cleverness of Ervic
+</p>
+
+<div id="i219">
+<div id="i219a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i219b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+We must now return to Ervic the Skeezer, who, when he had set down the
+copper kettle containing the three fishes at the gate of the lonely
+cottage, had asked, "What next?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_206">206</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The goldfish stuck its head above the water in the kettle and said in
+its small but distinct voice:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You are to lift the latch, open the door, and walk boldly into the
+cottage. Do not be afraid of anything you see, for however you seem to
+be threatened with dangers, nothing can harm you. The cottage is the
+home of a powerful Yookoohoo, named Reera the Red, who assumes all
+sorts of forms, sometimes changing her form several times in a day,
+according to her fancy. What her real form may be we do not know. This
+strange creature cannot be bribed with treasure, or coaxed through
+friendship, or won by pity. She has never assisted anyone, or done
+wrong to anyone, that we know of. All her wonderful powers are used
+for her own selfish amusement. She will order you out of the house but
+you must refuse to go. Remain and watch Reera closely and try to see
+what she uses to accomplish her transformations. If you can discover
+the secret whisper it to us and we will then tell you what to do
+next."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That sounds easy," returned Ervic, who had listened carefully. "But
+are you sure she will not hurt me, or try to transform me?"
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i219-->
+
+<p>
+"She may change your form," replied the goldfish, "but do not worry if
+that happens, for we can break
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_207">207</a></span>
+that enchantment easily. You may be
+sure that nothing will harm you, so you must not be frightened at
+anything you see or hear."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Now Ervic was as brave as any ordinary young man, and he knew the
+fishes who spoke to him were truthful and to be relied upon,
+nevertheless he experienced a strange sinking of the heart as he
+picked up the kettle and approached the door of the cottage. His hand
+trembled as he raised the latch, but he was resolved to obey his
+instructions. He pushed the door open, took three strides into the
+middle of the one room the cottage contained, and then stood still and
+looked around him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sights that met his gaze were enough to frighten anyone who had
+not been properly warned. On the floor just before Ervic lay a great
+crocodile, its red eyes gleaming wickedly and its wide open mouth
+displaying rows of sharp teeth. Horned toads hopped about; each of the
+four upper corners of the room was festooned with a thick cobweb, in
+the center of which sat a spider as big around as a washbasin, and
+armed with pincher-like claws; a red-and-green lizard was stretched at
+full length on the window-sill and black rats darted in and out of the
+holes they had gnawed in the floor of the cottage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_208">208</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the most startling thing was a huge gray ape which sat upon a
+bench and knitted. It wore a lace cap, such as old ladies wear, and a
+little apron of lace, but no other clothing. Its eyes were bright and
+looked as if coals were burning in them. The ape moved as naturally as
+an ordinary person might, and on Ervic's entrance stopped knitting and
+raised its head to look at him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Get out!" cried a sharp voice, seeming to come from the ape's mouth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ervic saw another bench, empty, just beyond him, so he stepped over
+the crocodile, sat down upon the bench and carefully placed the kettle
+beside him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Get out!" again cried the voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ervic shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No," said he, "I'm going to stay."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The spiders left their four corners, dropped to the floor and made a
+rush toward the young Skeezer, circling around his legs with their
+pinchers extended. Ervic paid no attention to them. An enormous black
+rat ran up Ervic's body, passed around his shoulders and uttered
+piercing squeals in his ears, but he did not wince. The green-and-red
+lizard, coming from the window-sill, approached Ervic and began
+spitting a flaming fluid at him, but Ervic merely stared at the
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_209">209</a></span>
+creature and its flame did not touch him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The crocodile raised its tail and, swinging around, swept Ervic off
+the bench with a powerful blow. But the Skeezer managed to save the
+kettle from upsetting and he got up, shook off the horned toads that
+were crawling over him and resumed his seat on the bench.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All the creatures, after this first attack, remained motionless, as if
+awaiting orders. The old gray ape knitted on, not looking toward Ervic
+now, and the young Skeezer stolidly kept his seat. He expected
+something else to happen, but nothing did. A full hour passed and
+Ervic was growing nervous.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What do you want?" the ape asked at last.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Nothing," said Ervic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You may have that!" retorted the ape, and at this all the strange
+creatures in the room broke into a chorus of cackling laughter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another long wait.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do you know who I am?" questioned the ape.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You must be Reera the Red&mdash;the Yookoohoo," Ervic answered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Knowing so much, you must also know that I do not like strangers.
+Your presence here in my home annoys me. Do you not fear my anger?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No," said the young man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_210">210</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do you intend to obey me, and leave this house?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No," replied Ervic, just as quietly as the Yookoohoo had spoken.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The ape knitted for a long time before resuming the conversation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Curiosity," it said, "has led to many a man's undoing. I suppose in
+some way you have learned that I do tricks of magic, and so through
+curiosity you have come here. You may have been told that I do not
+injure anyone, so you are bold enough to disobey my commands to go
+away. You imagine that you may witness some of the rites of
+witchcraft, and that they may amuse you. Have I spoken truly?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well," remarked Ervic, who had been pondering on the strange
+circumstances of his coming here, "you are right in some ways, but not
+in others. I am told that you work magic only for your own amusement.
+That seems to me very selfish. Few people understand magic. I'm told
+that you are the only real Yookoohoo in all Oz. Why don't you amuse
+others as well as yourself?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What right have you to question my actions?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"None at all."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And you say you are not here to demand any favors of me?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_211">211</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"For myself I want nothing from you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You are wise in that. I never grant favors."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That doesn't worry me," declared Ervic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But you are curious? You hope to witness some of my magic
+transformations?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If you wish to perform any magic, go ahead," said Ervic. "It may
+interest me and it may not. If you'd rather go on with your knitting,
+it's all the same to me. I am in no hurry at all."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This may have puzzled Red Reera, but the face beneath the lace cap
+could show no expression, being covered with hair. Perhaps in all her
+career the Yookoohoo had never been visited by anyone who, like this
+young man, asked for nothing, expected nothing, and had no reason for
+coming except curiosity. This attitude practically disarmed the witch
+and she began to regard the Skeezer in a more friendly way. She
+knitted for some time, seemingly in deep thought, and then she arose
+and walked to a big cupboard that stood against the wall of the room.
+When the cupboard door was opened Ervic could see a lot of drawers
+inside, and into one of these drawers&mdash;the second from the
+bottom&mdash;Reera thrust a hairy hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Until now Ervic could see over the bent form of the ape, but suddenly
+the form, with its back to him, <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_212">212</a>
+<br /><a id="Page_213">213</a></span>seemed to straighten up and blot out
+the cupboard of drawers. The ape had changed to the form of a woman,
+dressed in the pretty Gillikin costume, and when she turned around he
+saw that it was a young woman, whose face was quite attractive.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i226.jpg" width="400" height="560" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"Do you like me better this way?" Reera inquired with a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You <i>look</i> better," he said calmly, "but I'm not sure I <i>like</i> you
+any better."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She laughed, saying: "During the heat of the day I like to be an ape,
+for an ape doesn't wear any clothes to speak of. But if one has
+gentlemen callers it is proper to dress up."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ervic noticed her right hand was closed, as if she held something in
+it. She shut the cupboard door, bent over the crocodile and in a
+moment the creature had changed to a red wolf. It was not pretty even
+now, and the wolf crouched beside its mistress as a dog might have
+done. Its teeth looked as dangerous as had those of the crocodile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Next the Yookoohoo went about touching all the lizards and toads, and
+at her touch they became kittens. The rats she changed into chipmunks.
+Now the only horrid creatures remaining were the four great spiders,
+which hid themselves behind their thick webs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_214">214</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"There!" Reera cried, "now my cottage presents a more comfortable
+appearance. I love the toads and lizards and rats, because most people
+hate them, but I would tire of them if they always remained the same.
+Sometimes I change their forms a dozen times a day."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You are clever," said Ervic. "I did not hear you utter any
+incantations or magic words. All you did was to touch the creatures."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, do you think so?" she replied. "Well, touch them yourself, if you
+like, and see if you can change their forms."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No," said the Skeezer, "I don't understand magic and if I did I would
+not try to imitate your skill. You are a wonderful Yookoohoo, while I
+am only a common Skeezer."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This confession seemed to please Reera, who liked to have her
+witchcraft appreciated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Will you go away now?" she asked. "I prefer to be alone."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I prefer to stay here," said Ervic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"In another person's home, where you are not wanted?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Is not your curiosity yet satisfied?" demanded Reera, with a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_215">215</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't know. Is there anything else you can do?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Many things. But why should I exhibit my powers to a stranger?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I can think of no reason at all," he replied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She looked at him curiously.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i229.jpg" width="400" height="279" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"You want no power for yourself, you say, and you're too stupid to be
+able to steal my secrets. This isn't a pretty cottage, while outside
+are sunshine, broad prairies and beautiful wildflowers. Yet you insist
+on sitting on that bench and annoying me with your
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_216">216</a></span>
+unwelcome
+presence. What have you in that kettle?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Three fishes," he answered readily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Where did you get them?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I caught them in the Lake of the Skeezers."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What do you intend to do with the fishes?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I shall carry them to the home of a friend of mine who has three
+children. The children will love to have the fishes for pets."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She came over to the bench and looked into the kettle, where the three
+fishes were swimming quietly in the water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They're pretty," said Reera. "Let me transform them into something
+else."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No," objected the Skeezer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I love to transform things; it's so interesting. And I've never
+transformed any fishes in all my life."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let them alone," said Ervic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What shapes would you prefer them to have? I can make them turtles,
+or cute little sea-horses; or I could make them piglets, or rabbits,
+or guinea-pigs; or, if you like I can make chickens of them, or
+eagles, or bluejays."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let them alone!" repeated Ervic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You're not a very pleasant visitor," laughed Red Reera. "People
+accuse <i>me</i> of being cross and crabbed <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_217">217</a></span>and unsociable, and they are
+quite right. If you had come here pleading and begging for favors, and
+half afraid of my Yookoohoo magic, I'd have abused you until you ran
+away; but you're quite different from that. <i>You're</i> the unsociable
+and crabbed and disagreeable one, and so I like you, and bear with
+your grumpiness. It's time for my midday meal; are you hungry?"
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i231.jpg" width="400" height="551" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"No," said Ervic, although he really desired food.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, I am," Reera declared and clapped her hands together. Instantly
+a table appeared, spread with linen and bearing dishes of various
+foods, some smoking hot. There were two plates laid, one at each end
+of the table, and as soon as Reera seated herself all her creatures
+gathered around her, as if they were accustomed to be fed when she
+ate. The wolf squatted at her right hand and the kittens and chipmunks
+gathered at her left.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Come, Stranger, sit down and eat," she called cheerfully, "and while
+we're eating let us decide into what forms we shall change your
+fishes."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They're all right as they are," asserted Ervic, drawing up his bench
+to the table. "The fishes are beauties&mdash;one gold, one silver and one
+bronze. Nothing that has life is more lovely than a beautiful fish."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_218">218</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What! Am <i>I</i> not more lovely?" Reera asked, smiling at his serious
+face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't object to you&mdash;for a Yookoohoo, you know," he said, helping
+himself to the food and eating with good appetite.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i234.jpg" width="400" height="288" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"And don't you consider a beautiful girl more lovely than a fish,
+however pretty the fish may be?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well," replied Ervic, after a period of thought, "that might be. If
+you transformed my three fish into three girls&mdash;girls who would be
+Adepts at Magic,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_219">219</a></span>
+you know they might please me as well as the fish
+do. You won't do that of course, because you can't, with all your
+skill. And, should you be able to do so, I fear my troubles would be
+more than I could bear. They would not consent to be my
+slaves&mdash;especially if they were Adepts at Magic&mdash;and so they would
+command <i>me</i> to obey <i>them</i>. No, Mistress Reera, let us not transform
+the fishes at all."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Skeezer had put his case with remarkable cleverness. He realized
+that if he appeared anxious for such a transformation the Yookoohoo
+would not perform it, yet he had skillfully suggested that they be
+made Adepts at Magic.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i235.jpg" width="400" height="248" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_220">220</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i236.jpg" width="400" height="495" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_221">221</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_19">CHAPTER 19</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+Red Reera the Yookoohoo
+</p>
+
+<div id="i237">
+<div id="i237a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i237b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+After the meal was over and Reera had fed her pets, including the four
+monster spiders which had come down from their webs to secure their
+share, she made the table disappear
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_222">222</a></span>
+from the floor of the cottage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I wish you'd consent to my transforming your fishes," she said, as
+she took up her knitting again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Skeezer made no reply. He thought it unwise to hurry matters. All
+during the afternoon they sat silent. Once Reera went to her cupboard
+and after thrusting her hand into the same drawer as before, touched
+the wolf and transformed it into a bird with gorgeous colored
+feathers. This bird was larger than a parrot and of a somewhat
+different form, but Ervic had never seen one like it before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Sing!" said Reera to the bird, which had perched itself on a big
+wooden peg&mdash;as if it had been in the cottage before and knew just what
+to do.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And the bird sang jolly, rollicking songs with words to them&mdash;just as
+a person who had been carefully trained might do. The songs were
+entertaining and Ervic enjoyed listening to them. In an hour or so the
+bird stopped singing, tucked its head under its wing and went to
+sleep. Reera continued knitting but seemed thoughtful.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i237-->
+
+<p>
+Now Ervic had marked this cupboard drawer well and had concluded that
+Reera took something from it which enabled her to perform her
+transformations. He thought that if he managed to remain in the
+cottage,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_223">223</a></span>
+and Reera fell asleep, he could slyly open the cupboard,
+take a portion of whatever was in the drawer, and by dropping it into
+the copper kettle transform the three fishes into their natural
+shapes. Indeed, he had firmly resolved to carry out this plan when the
+Yookoohoo put down her knitting and walked toward the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm going out for a few minutes," said she; "do you wish to go with
+me, or will you remain here?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ervic did not answer but sat quietly on his bench. So Reera went out
+and closed the cottage door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As soon as she was gone, Ervic rose and tiptoed to the cupboard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Take care! Take care!" cried several voices, coming from the kittens
+and chipmunks. "If you touch anything we'll tell the Yookoohoo!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ervic hesitated a moment but, remembering that he need not consider
+Reera's anger if he succeeded in transforming the fishes, he was about
+to open the cupboard when he was arrested by the voices of the fishes,
+which stuck their heads above the water in the kettle and called out:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Come here, Ervic!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So he went back to the kettle and bent over it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let the cupboard alone," said the goldfish to him
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_224">224</a></span>
+earnestly. "You
+could not succeed by getting that magic powder, for only the Yookoohoo
+knows how to use it. The best way is to allow her to transform us into
+three girls, for then we will have our natural shapes and be able to
+perform all the Arts of Magic we have learned and well understand. You
+are acting wisely and in the most effective manner. We did not know
+you were so intelligent, or that Reera could be so easily deceived by
+you. Continue as you have begun and try to persuade her to transform
+us. But insist that we be given the forms of girls."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The goldfish ducked its head down just as Reera re-entered the
+cottage. She saw Ervic bent over the kettle, so she came and joined
+him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Can your fishes talk?" she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Sometimes," he replied, "for all fishes in the Land of Oz know how to
+speak. Just now they were asking me for some bread. They are hungry."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, they can have some bread," said Reera. "But it is nearly
+supper-time, and if you would allow me to transform your fishes into
+girls they could join us at the table and have plenty of food much
+nicer than crumbs. Why not let me transform them?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well," said Ervic, as if hesitating, "ask the fishes. If they
+consent, why&mdash;why, then, I'll think it over."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_225">225</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Reera bent over the kettle and asked:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Can you hear me, little fishes?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All three popped their heads above water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We can hear you," said the bronzefish.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I want to give you other forms, such as rabbits, or turtles or girls,
+or something; but your master, the surly Skeezer, does not wish me to.
+However, he has agreed to the plan if you will consent."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We'd like to be girls," said the silverfish.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, no!" exclaimed Ervic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If you promise to make us three beautiful girls, we will consent,"
+said the goldfish.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, no!" exclaimed Ervic again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Also make us Adepts at Magic," added the bronzefish.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't know exactly what that means," replied Reera musingly, "but
+as no Adept at Magic is as powerful as Yookoohoo, I'll add that to the
+transformation."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We won't try to harm you, or to interfere with your magic in any
+way," promised the goldfish. "On the contrary, we will be your
+friends."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Will you agree to go away and leave me alone in my cottage, whenever
+I command you to do so?" asked Reera.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_226">226</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We promise that," cried the three fishes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Don't do it! Don't consent to the transformation," urged Ervic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They have already consented," said the Yookoohoo, laughing in his
+face, "and you have promised me to abide by their decision. So, friend
+Skeezer, I shall perform the transformation whether you like it or
+not."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ervic seated himself on the bench again, a deep scowl on his face but
+joy in his heart. Reera moved over to the cupboard, took something
+from the drawer and returned to the copper kettle. She was clutching
+something tightly in her right hand, but with her left she reached
+within the kettle, took out the three fishes and laid them carefully
+on the floor, where they gasped in distress at being out of water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Reera did not keep them in misery more than a few seconds, for she
+touched each one with her right hand and instantly the fishes were
+transformed into three tall and slender young women, with fine,
+intelligent faces and clothed in handsome, clinging gowns. The one who
+had been a goldfish had beautiful golden hair and blue eyes and was
+exceedingly fair of skin; the one who had been a bronzefish had dark
+brown hair and clear gray eyes and her complexion matched these
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_227">227</a></span>
+lovely features. The one who had been a silverfish had snow-white hair
+of the finest texture and deep brown eyes. The hair contrasted
+exquisitely with her pink cheeks and ruby-red lips, nor did it make
+her look a day older than her two companions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As soon as they secured these girlish shapes, all three bowed low to
+the Yookoohoo and said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We thank you, Reera."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then they bowed to the Skeezer and said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We thank you, Ervic."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Very good!" cried the Yookoohoo, examining her work with critical
+approval. "You are much better and more interesting than fishes, and
+this ungracious Skeezer would scarcely allow me to do the
+transformations. You surely have nothing to thank <i>him</i> for. But now
+let us dine in honor of the occasion."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She clapped her hands together and again a table loaded with food
+appeared in the cottage. It was a longer table, this time, and places
+were set for the three Adepts as well as for Reera and Ervic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Sit down, friends, and eat your fill," said the Yookoohoo, but
+instead of seating herself at the head of the table she went to the
+cupboard, saying to the Adepts: "Your beauty and grace, my fair
+friends, quite outshine my own. So that I may appear properly
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_228">228</a></span>
+at the
+banquet table I intend, in honor of this occasion, to take upon myself
+my natural shape."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scarcely had she finished this speech when Reera transformed herself
+into a young woman fully as lovely as the three Adepts. She was not
+quite so tall as they, but her form was more rounded and more
+handsomely clothed, with a wonderful jeweled girdle and a necklace of
+shining pearls. Her hair was a bright auburn red, and her eyes large
+and dark.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do you claim this is your natural form?" asked Ervic of the
+Yookoohoo.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," she replied. "This is the only form I am really entitled to
+wear. But I seldom assume it because there is no one here to admire or
+appreciate it and I get tired admiring it myself."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I see now why you are named Reera the Red," remarked Ervic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It is on account of my red hair," she explained smiling. "I do not
+care for red hair myself, which is one reason I usually wear other
+forms."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It is beautiful," asserted the young man; and then remembering the
+other women present he added: "But, of course, all women should not
+have red hair, because that would make it too common. Gold and silver
+and brown hair are equally handsome."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_229">229</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The smiles that he saw interchanged between the four filled the poor
+Skeezer with embarrassment, so he fell silent and attended to eating
+his supper, leaving the others to do the talking. The three Adepts
+frankly told Reera who they were, how they became fishes and how they
+had planned secretly to induce the Yookoohoo to transform them. They
+admitted that they had feared, had they asked her to help, that she
+would have refused them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You were quite right," returned the Yookoohoo. "I make it my rule
+never to perform magic to assist others, for if I did there would
+always be crowds at my cottage demanding help and I hate crowds and
+want to be left alone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"However, now that you are restored to your proper shapes, I do not
+regret my action and I hope you will be of use in saving the Skeezer
+people by raising their island to the surface of the lake, where it
+really belongs. But you must promise me that after you go away you
+will never come here again, nor tell anyone what I have done for you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The three Adepts and Ervic thanked the Yookoohoo warmly. They promised
+to remember her wish that they should not come to her cottage again
+and so, with a good-bye, took their departure.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_230">230</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i246.jpg" width="400" height="559" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_231">231</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_20">CHAPTER 20</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+A Puzzling Problem
+</p>
+
+<div id="i247">
+<div id="i247a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i247b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+Glinda the Good, having decided to try her sorcery upon the abandoned
+submarine, so that it would obey her commands, asked all of her party,
+including the Skeezers, to withdraw
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_232">232</a></span>
+from the shore of the lake to the
+line of palm trees. She kept with her only the little Wizard of Oz,
+who was her pupil and knew how to assist her in her magic rites. When
+they two were alone beside the stranded boat, Glinda said to the
+Wizard:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I shall first try my magic recipe No. 1163, which is intended to make
+inanimate objects move at my command. Have you a skeropythrope with
+you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, I always carry one in my bag," replied the Wizard. He opened his
+black bag of magic tools and took out a brightly polished
+skeropythrope, which he handed to the Sorceress. Glinda had also
+brought a small wicker bag, containing various requirements of
+sorcery, and from this she took a parcel of powder and a vial of
+liquid. She poured the liquid into the skeropythrope and added the
+powder. At once the skeropythrope began to sputter and emit sparks of
+a violet color, which spread in all directions. The Sorceress
+instantly stepped into the middle of the boat and held the instrument
+so that the sparks fell all around her and covered every bit of the
+blackened steel boat. At the same time Glinda crooned a weird
+incantation in the language of sorcery, her voice sounding low and
+musical.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i247-->
+
+<p>
+After a little the violet sparks ceased, and those <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_233">233</a></span>that had fallen
+upon the boat had disappeared and left no mark upon its surface. The
+ceremony was ended and Glinda returned the skeropythrope to the
+Wizard, who put it away in his black bag.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i249.jpg" width="400" height="555" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"That ought to do the business all right," he said confidently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let us make a trial and see," she replied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So they both entered the boat and seated themselves.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Speaking in a tone of command the Sorceress said to the boat: "Carry
+us across the lake, to the farther shore."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At once the boat backed off the sandy beach, turned its prow and moved
+swiftly over the water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Very good&mdash;very good indeed!" cried the Wizard, when the boat slowed
+up at the shore opposite from that whence they had departed. "Even
+Coo-ee-oh, with all her witchcraft, could do no better."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sorceress now said to the boat:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Close up, submerge and carry us to the basement door of the sunken
+island&mdash;the door from which you emerged at the command of Queen
+Coo-ee-oh."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boat obeyed. As it sank into the water the top sections rose from
+the sides and joined together over the heads of Glinda and the Wizard,
+who were
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_234">234</a></span>
+thus enclosed in a water-proof chamber. There were four
+glass windows in this covering, one on each side and one on either
+end, so that the passengers could see exactly where they were going.
+Moving under water more slowly than on the surface, the submarine
+gradually approached the island and halted with its bow pressed
+against the huge marble door in the basement under the Dome. This door
+was tightly closed and it was evident to both Glinda and the Wizard
+that it would not open to admit the under-water boat unless a magic
+word was spoken by them or someone from within the basement of the
+island. But what was this magic word? Neither of them knew.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm afraid," said the Wizard regretfully, "that we can't get in,
+after all. Unless your sorcery can discover the word to open the
+marble door."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is probably some word only known to Coo-ee-oh," replied the
+Sorceress. "I may be able to discover what it is, but that will
+require time. Let us go back again to our companions."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It seems a shame, after we have made the boat obey us, to be balked
+by just a marble door," grumbled the Wizard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At Glinda's command the boat rose until it was on
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_235">235</a></span>
+a level with the
+glass dome that covered the Skeezer village, when the Sorceress made
+it slowly circle all around the Great Dome.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Many faces were pressed against the glass from the inside, eagerly
+watching the submarine, and in one place were Dorothy and Ozma, who
+quickly recognized Glinda and the Wizard through the glass windows of
+the boat. Glinda saw them, too, and held the boat close to the Dome
+while the friends exchanged greetings in pantomime. Their voices,
+unfortunately, could not be heard through the Dome and the water and
+the side of the boat. The Wizard tried to make the girls understand,
+through signs, that he and Glinda had come to their rescue, and Ozma
+and Dorothy understood this from the very fact that the Sorceress and
+the Wizard had appeared. The two girl prisoners were smiling and in
+safety, and knowing this Glinda felt she could take all the time
+necessary in order to effect their final rescue.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As nothing more could be done just then, Glinda ordered the boat to
+return to shore, and it obeyed readily. First it ascended to the
+surface of the water, then the roof parted and fell into the slots at
+the side of the boat, and then the magic craft quickly made the shore
+and beached itself on the sands at the very
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_236">236</a></span>
+spot from which it had
+departed at Glinda's command.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All the Oz people and the Skeezers at once ran to the boat to ask if
+they had reached the island, and whether they had seen Ozma and
+Dorothy. The Wizard told them of the obstacle they had met in the way
+of a marble door, and how Glinda would now undertake to find a magic
+way to conquer the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Realizing that it would require several days to succeed in reaching
+the island, raising it and liberating their friends and the Skeezer
+people, Glinda now prepared a camp half way between the lake shore and
+the palm trees.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Wizard's wizardry made a number of tents appear and the sorcery of
+the Sorceress furnished these tents all complete, with beds, chairs,
+tables, rugs, lamps and even books with which to pass idle hours. All
+the tents had the Royal Banner of Oz flying from the centerpoles and
+one big tent, not now occupied, had Ozma's own banner moving in the
+breeze.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betsy and Trot had a tent to themselves, and Button Bright and Ojo had
+another. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman paired together in one tent
+and so did Jack Pumpkinhead and the Shaggy Man, Cap'n Bill and Uncle
+Henry, Tik-Tok and Professor Wogglebug. Glinda had the most splendid
+tent of all, except
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_237">237</a></span>
+that reserved for Ozma, while the Wizard had a
+little one of his own. Whenever it was meal time, tables loaded with
+food magically appeared in the tents of those who were in the habit of
+eating, and these complete arrangements made the rescue party just as
+comfortable as they would have been in their own homes.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i255.jpg" width="400" height="280" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+Far into the night Glinda sat in her tent studying a roll of mystic
+scrolls in search of a word that would open the basement door of the
+island and
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_238">238</a></span>
+admit her to the Great Dome. She also made many magical
+experiments, hoping to discover something that would aid her. Yet the
+morning found the powerful Sorceress still unsuccessful.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda's art could have opened any ordinary door, you may be sure, but
+you must realize that this marble door of the island had been
+commanded not to open save in obedience to one magic word, and
+therefore all other magic words could have no effect upon it. The
+magic word that guarded the door had probably been invented by
+Coo-ee-oh, who had now forgotten it. The only way, then, to gain
+entrance to the sunken island was to break the charm that held the
+door fast shut. If this could be done no magic would be required to
+open it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next day the Sorceress and the Wizard again entered the boat and
+made it submerge and go to the marble door, which they tried in
+various ways to open, but without success.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We shall have to abandon this attempt, I think," said Glinda. "The
+easiest way to raise the island would be for us to gain admittance to
+the Dome and then descend to the basement and see in what manner
+Coo-ee-oh made the entire island sink or rise at her command. It
+naturally occurred to me that the
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_239">239</a></span>
+easiest way to gain admittance
+would be by having the boat take us into the basement through the
+marble door from which Coo-ee-oh launched it. But there must be other
+ways to get inside the Dome and join Ozma and Dorothy, and such ways
+we must find by study and the proper use of our powers of magic."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It won't be easy," declared the Wizard, "for we must not forget that
+Ozma herself understands considerable magic, and has doubtless tried
+to raise the island or find other means of escape from it and failed."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is true," returned Glinda, "but Ozma's magic is fairy magic,
+while you are a Wizard and I am a Sorceress. In this way the three of
+us have a great variety of magic to work with, and if we should all
+fail it will be because the island is raised and lowered by a magic
+power none of us is acquainted with. My idea therefore is to seek&mdash;by
+such magic as we possess&mdash;to accomplish our object in another way."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They made the circle of the Dome again in their boat, and once more
+saw Ozma and Dorothy through their windows and exchanged signals with
+the two imprisoned girls.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ozma realized that her friends were doing all in their power to rescue
+her and smiled an encouragement
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_240">240</a></span>
+to their efforts. Dorothy seemed a
+little anxious but was trying to be as brave as her companion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After the boat had returned to the camp and Glinda was seated in her
+tent, working out various ways by which Ozma and Dorothy could be
+rescued, the Wizard stood on the shore dreamily eying the outlines of
+the Great Dome which showed beneath the clear water, when he raised
+his eyes and saw a group of strange people approaching from around the
+lake. Three were young women of stately presence, very beautifully
+dressed, who moved with remarkable grace. They were followed at a
+little distance by a good-looking young Skeezer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Wizard saw at a glance that these people might be very important,
+so he advanced to meet them. The three maidens received him graciously
+and the one with the golden hair said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I believe you are the famous Wizard of Oz, of whom I have often
+heard. We are seeking Glinda, the Sorceress, and perhaps you can lead
+us to her."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I can, and will, right gladly," answered the Wizard. "Follow me,
+please."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The little Wizard was puzzled as to the identity of the three lovely
+visitors but he gave no sign that might embarrass them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_241">241</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He understood they did not wish to be questioned, and so he made no
+remarks as he led the way to Glinda's tent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With a courtly bow the Wizard ushered the three visitors into the
+gracious presence of Glinda, the Good.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i259.jpg" width="400" height="265" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_242">242</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i260.jpg" width="400" height="539" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_243">243</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_21">CHAPTER 21</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Three Adepts
+</p>
+
+<div id="i261">
+<div id="i261a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i261b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+The Sorceress looked up from her work as the three maidens entered,
+and something in their appearance and manner led her to rise and bow
+to them in her most dignified manner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_244">244</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The three knelt an instant before the great Sorceress and then stood
+upright and waited for her to speak.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Whoever you may be," said Glinda, "I bid you welcome."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"My name is Audah," said one.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"My name is Aurah," said another.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"My name is Aujah," said the third.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda had never heard these names before, but looking closely at the
+three she asked:
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i261-->
+
+<p>
+"Are you witches or workers in magic?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Some of the secret arts we have gleaned from Nature," replied the
+brownhaired maiden modestly, "but we do not place our skill beside
+that of the Great Sorceress, Glinda the Good."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I suppose you are aware it is unlawful to practice magic in the Land
+of Oz, without the permission of our Ruler, Princess Ozma?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, we were not aware of that," was the reply. "We have heard of
+Ozma, who is the appointed Ruler of all this great fairyland, but her
+laws have not reached us, as yet."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda studied the strange maidens thoughtfully; then she said to
+them:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Princess Ozma is even now imprisoned in the Skeezer village, for the
+whole island with its Great
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_245">245</a></span>
+Dome, was sunk to the bottom of the lake
+by the witchcraft of Coo-ee-oh, whom the Flathead Su-dic transformed
+into a silly swan. I am seeking some way to overcome Coo-ee-oh's magic
+and raise the isle to the surface again. Can you help me do this?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The maidens exchanged glances, and the white-haired one replied
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We do not know; but we will try to assist you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It seems," continued Glinda musingly, "that Coo-ee-oh derived most of
+her witchcraft from three Adepts at Magic, who at one time ruled the
+Flatheads. While the Adepts were being entertained by Coo-ee-oh at a
+banquet in her palace, she cruelly betrayed them and after
+transforming them into fishes cast them into the lake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If I could find these three fishes and return them to their natural
+shapes&mdash;they might know what magic Coo-ee-oh used to sink the island.
+I was about to go to the shore and call these fishes to me when you
+arrived. So, if you will join me, we will try to find them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The maidens exchanged smiles now, and the golden-haired one, Audah,
+said to Glinda:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It will not be necessary to go to the lake. We are the three
+fishes."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_246">246</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Indeed!" cried Glinda. "Then you are the three Adepts at Magic,
+restored to your proper forms?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We are the three Adepts," admitted Aujah.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Then," said Glinda, "my task is half accomplished. But who destroyed
+the transformation that made you fishes?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We have promised not to tell," answered Aurah; "but this young
+Skeezer was largely responsible for our release; he is brave and
+clever, and we owe him our gratitude."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda looked at Ervic, who stood modestly behind the Adepts, hat in
+hand. "He shall be properly rewarded," she declared, "for in helping
+you he has helped us all, and perhaps saved his people from being
+imprisoned forever in the sunken isle."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sorceress now asked her guests to seat themselves and a long talk
+followed, in which the Wizard of Oz shared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We are quite certain," said Aurah, "that if we could get inside the
+Dome we could discover Coo-ee-oh's secrets, for in all her work, after
+we became fishes, she used the formulas and incantations and arts that
+she stole from us. She may have added to these things, but they were
+the foundation of all her work."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What means do you suggest for our getting into
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_247">247</a></span>
+the Dome?" inquired
+Glinda.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The three Adepts hesitated to reply, for they had not yet considered
+what could be done to reach the inside of the Great Dome. While they
+were in deep thought, and Glinda and the Wizard were quietly awaiting
+their suggestions, into the tent rushed Trot and Betsy, dragging
+between them the Patchwork Girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, Glinda," cried Trot, "Scraps has thought of a way to rescue Ozma
+and Dorothy and all of the Skeezers."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The three Adepts could not avoid laughing merrily, for not only were
+they amused by the queer form of the Patchwork Girl, but Trot's
+enthusiastic speech struck them as really funny. If the Great
+Sorceress and the famous Wizard and the three talented Adepts at Magic
+were unable as yet to solve the important problem of the sunken isle,
+there was little chance for a patched girl stuffed with cotton to
+succeed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Glinda, smiling indulgently at the earnest faces turned toward
+her, patted the children's heads and said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Scraps is very clever. Tell us what she has thought of, my dear."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well," said Trot, "Scraps says that if you could dry up all the
+water in the lake the island would be on dry land, an' everyone could
+come and go whenever they liked."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i266.jpg" width="400" height="473" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_248">248</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i267.jpg" width="400" height="551" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_249">249</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda smiled again, but the Wizard said to the girls:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If we should dry up the lake, what would become of all the beautiful
+fishes that now live in the water?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Dear me! That's so," admitted Betsy, crestfallen; "we never thought
+of that, did we Trot?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Couldn't you transform 'em into polliwogs?" asked Scraps, turning a
+somersault and then standing on one leg. "You could give them a
+little, teeny pond to swim in, and they'd be just as happy as they are
+as fishes."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No indeed!" replied the Wizard, severely. "It is wicked to transform
+any living creatures without their consent, and the lake is the home
+of the fishes and belongs to them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"All right," said Scraps, making a face at him; "I don't care."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It's too bad," sighed Trot, "for I thought we'd struck a splendid
+idea."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"So you did," declared Glinda, her face now grave and thoughtful.
+"There is something in the Patchwork Girl's idea that may be of real
+value to us."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_250">250</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I think so, too," agreed the golden-haired Adept. "The top of the
+Great Dome is only a few feet below the surface of the water. If we
+could reduce the level of the lake until the Dome sticks a little
+above the water, we could remove some of the glass and let ourselves
+down into the village by means of ropes."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And there would be plenty of water left for the fishes to swim in,"
+added the white-haired maiden.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If we succeed in raising the island we could fill up the lake again,"
+suggested the brown-haired Adept.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I believe," said the Wizard, rubbing his hands together in delight,
+"that the Patchwork Girl, has shown us the way to success."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls were looking curiously at the three beautiful Adepts,
+wondering who they were, so Glinda introduced them to Trot and Betsy
+and Scraps, and then sent the children away while she considered how
+to carry the new idea into effect.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Not much could be done that night, so the Wizard prepared another tent
+for the Adepts, and in the evening Glinda held a reception and invited
+all her followers to meet the new arrivals. The Adepts were greatly
+astonished at the extraordinary personages presented to them, and
+marveled that Jack Pumpkinhead and the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman
+and
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_251">251</a></span>
+Tik-Tok could really live and think and talk just like other
+people. They were especially pleased with the lively Patchwork Girl
+and loved to watch her antics.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was quite a pleasant party, for Glinda served some dainty
+refreshments to those who could eat, and the Scarecrow recited some
+poems, and the Cowardly Lion sang a song in his deep bass voice. The
+only thing that marred their joy was the thought that their beloved
+Ozma and dear little Dorothy were yet confined in the Great Dome of
+the Sunken Island.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i271.jpg" width="400" height="284" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_252">252</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i272.jpg" width="400" height="547" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_253">253</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_22">CHAPTER 22</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Sunken Island
+</p>
+
+<div id="i273">
+<div id="i273a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i273b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+As soon as they had breakfasted the next morning, Glinda and the
+Wizard and the three Adepts went down to the shore of the lake and
+formed a line with their
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_254">254</a></span>
+faces toward the submerged island. All the
+others came to watch them, but stood at a respectful distance in the
+background.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the right of the Sorceress stood Audah and Aurah, while at the left
+stood the Wizard and Aujah. Together they stretched their arms over
+the water's edge and in unison the five chanted a rhythmic
+incantation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This chant they repeated again and again, swaying their arms gently
+from side to side, and in a few minutes the watchers behind them
+noticed that the lake had begun to recede from the shore. Before long
+the highest point of the dome appeared above the water. Gradually the
+water fell, making the dome appear to rise. When it was three or four
+feet above the surface Glinda gave the signal to stop, for their work
+had been accomplished.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i273-->
+
+<p>
+The blackened submarine was now entirely out of water, but Uncle Henry
+and Cap'n Bill managed to push it into the lake. Glinda, the Wizard,
+Ervic and the Adepts got into the boat, taking with them a coil of
+strong rope, and at the command of the Sorceress the craft cleaved its
+way through the water toward the part of the Dome which was now
+visible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"There's still plenty of water for the fish to swim
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_255">255</a></span>
+in," observed the
+Wizard as they rode along. "They might like more but I'm sure they can
+get along until we have raised the island and can fill up the lake
+again."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boat touched gently on the sloping glass of the Dome, and the
+Wizard took some tools from his black bag and quickly removed one
+large pane of glass, thus making a hole large enough for their bodies
+to pass through. Stout frames of steel supported the glass of the
+Dome, and around one of these frames the Wizard tied the end of a
+rope.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'll go down first," said he, "for while I'm not as spry as Cap'n
+Bill I'm sure I can manage it easily. Are you sure the rope is long
+enough to reach the bottom?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Quite sure," replied the Sorceress.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So the Wizard let down the rope and climbing through the opening
+lowered himself down, hand over hand, clinging to the rope with his
+legs and feet. Below in the streets of the village were gathered all
+the Skeezers, men, women and children, and you may be sure that Ozma
+and Dorothy, with Lady Aurex, were filled with joy that their friends
+were at last coming to their rescue.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Queen's palace, now occupied by Ozma, was
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_256">256</a></span>
+directly in the center
+of the Dome, so that when the rope was let down the end of it came
+just in front of the palace entrance. Several Skeezers held fast to
+the rope's end to steady it and the Wizard reached the ground in
+safety. He hugged first Ozma and then Dorothy, while all the Skeezers
+cheered as loud as they could.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Wizard now discovered that the rope was long enough to reach from
+the top of the Dome to the ground when doubled, so he tied a chair to
+one end of the rope and called to Glinda to sit in the chair while he
+and some of the Skeezers lowered her to the pavement. In this way the
+Sorceress reached the ground quite comfortably and the three Adepts
+and Ervic soon followed her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Skeezers quickly recognized the three Adepts at Magic, whom they
+had learned to respect before their wicked Queen betrayed them, and
+welcomed them as friends. All the inhabitants of the village had been
+greatly frightened by their imprisonment under water, but now realized
+that an attempt was to be made to rescue them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda, the Wizard and the Adepts followed Ozma and Dorothy into the
+palace, and they asked Lady Aurex and Ervic to join them. After Ozma
+had told of
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_257">257</a></span>
+her adventures in trying to prevent war between the
+Flatheads and the Skeezers, and Glinda had told all about the Rescue
+Expedition and the restoration of the three Adepts by the help of
+Ervic, a serious consultation was held as to how the island could be
+made to rise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I've tried every way in my power," said Ozma, "but Coo-ee-oh used a
+very unusual sort of magic which I do not understand. She seems to
+have prepared her witchcraft in such a way that a spoken word is
+necessary to accomplish her designs, and these spoken words are known
+only to herself."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is a method we taught her," declared Aurah the Adept.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I can do no more, Glinda," continued Ozma, "so I wish you would try
+what your sorcery can accomplish."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"First, then," said Glinda, "let us visit the basement of the island,
+which I am told is underneath the village."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A flight of marble stairs led from one of Coo-ee-oh's private rooms
+down to the basement, but when the party arrived all were puzzled by
+what they saw. In the center of a broad, low room, stood a mass of
+great cog-wheels, chains and pulleys, all interlocked and
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_258">258</a></span>
+seeming to
+form a huge machine; but there was no engine or other motive power to
+make the wheels turn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"This, I suppose, is the means by which the island is lowered or
+raised," said Ozma, "but the magic word which is needed to move the
+machinery is unknown to us."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i278.jpg" width="400" height="283" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+The three Adepts were carefully examining the mass of wheels, and soon
+the golden-haired one said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"These wheels do not control the island at all. On the contrary, one
+set of them is used to open the doors
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_259">259</a></span>
+of the little rooms where the
+submarines are kept, as may be seen from the chains and pulleys used.
+Each boat is kept in a little room with two doors, one to the basement
+room where we are now and the other letting into the lake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"When Coo-ee-oh used the boat in which she attacked the Flatheads, she
+first commanded the basement door to open and with her followers she
+got into the boat and made the top close over them. Then the basement
+door being closed, the outer door was slowly opened, letting the water
+fill the room to float the boat, which then left the island, keeping
+under water."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But how could she expect to get back again?" asked the Wizard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why the boat would enter the room filled with water and after the
+outer door was closed a word of command started a pump which pumped
+all the water from the room. Then the boat would open and Coo-ee-oh
+could enter the basement."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I see," said the Wizard. "It is a clever contrivance, but won't work
+unless one knows the magic words."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Another part of this machinery," explained the white-haired Adept,
+"is used to extend the bridge from the island to the mainland. The
+steel bridge is in
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_260">260</a></span>
+a room much like that in which the boats are kept,
+and at Coo-ee-oh's command it would reach out, joint by joint, until
+its far end touched the shore of the lake. The same magic command
+would make the bridge return to its former position. Of course the
+bridge could not be used unless the island was on the surface of the
+water."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i280.jpg" width="400" height="274" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"But how do you suppose Coo-ee-oh managed to sink the island, and make
+it rise again?" inquired Glinda.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This the Adepts could not yet explain. As nothing
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_261">261</a></span>
+more could be
+learned from the basement they mounted the steps to the Queen's
+private suite again, and Ozma showed them to a special room where
+Coo-ee-oh kept her magical instruments and performed all her arts of
+witchcraft.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i281.jpg" width="400" height="121" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_262">262</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i282.jpg" width="400" height="545" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_263">263</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_23">CHAPTER 23</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+The Magic Words
+</p>
+
+<div id="i283">
+<div id="i283a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i283b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+Many interesting things were to be seen in the Room of Magic,
+including much that had been stolen from the Adepts when they were
+transformed to fishes, but they had to
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_264">264</a></span>
+admit that Coo-ee-oh had a
+rare genius for mechanics, and had used her knowledge in inventing a
+lot of mechanical apparatus that ordinary witches, wizards and
+sorcerers could not understand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They all carefully inspected this room, taking care to examine every
+article they came across.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The island," said Glinda thoughtfully, "rests on a base of solid
+marble. When it is submerged, as it is now, the base of the island is
+upon the bottom of the lake. What puzzles me is how such a great
+weight can be lifted and suspended in the water, even by magic."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I now remember," returned Aujah, "that one of the arts we taught
+Coo-ee-oh was the way to expand steel, and I think that explains how
+the island is raised and lowered. I noticed in the basement a big
+steel pillar that passed through the floor and extended upward to this
+palace. Perhaps the end of it is concealed in this very room. If the
+lower end of the steel pillar is firmly embedded in the bottom of the
+lake, Coo-ee-oh could utter a magic word that would make the pillar
+expand, and so lift the entire island to the level of the water."
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i283-->
+
+<p>
+"I've found the end of the steel pillar. It's just here," announced
+the Wizard, pointing to one side of <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_265">265</a></span>the room where a great basin of
+polished steel seemed to have been set upon the floor.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i285.jpg" width="400" height="554" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+They all gathered around, and Ozma said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, I am quite sure that is the upper end of the pillar that
+supports the island. I noticed it when I first came here. It has been
+hollowed out, you see, and something has been burned in the basin, for
+the fire has left its marks. I wondered what was under the great basin
+and got several of the Skeezers to come up here and try to lift it for
+me. They were strong men, but could not move it at all."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It seems to me," said Audah the Adept, "that we have discovered the
+manner in which Coo-ee-oh raised the island. She would burn some sort
+of magic powder in the basin, utter the magic word, and the pillar
+would lengthen out and lift the island with it."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What's this?" asked Dorothy, who had been searching around with the
+others, and now noticed a slight hollow in the wall, near to where the
+steel basin stood. As she spoke Dorothy pushed her thumb into the
+hollow and instantly a small drawer popped out from the wall.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The three Adepts, Glinda and the Wizard sprang forward and peered into
+the drawer. It was half filled with a grayish powder, the tiny grains
+of which constantly
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_266">266</a></span>
+moved as if impelled by some living force.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It may be some kind of radium," said the Wizard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No," replied Glinda, "it is more wonderful than even radium, for I
+recognize it as a rare mineral powder called Gaulau by the sorcerers.
+I wonder how Coo-ee-oh discovered it and where she obtained it."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i288.jpg" width="400" height="269" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"There is no doubt," said Aujah the Adept, "that this is the magic
+powder Coo-ee-oh burned in the basin. If only we knew the magic word,
+I am quite sure we could raise the island."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"How can we discover the magic word?" asked
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_267">267</a></span>
+Ozma, turning to Glinda
+as she spoke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That we must now seriously consider," answered the Sorceress.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So all of them sat down in the Room of Magic and began to think. It
+was so still that after a while Dorothy grew nervous. The little girl
+never could keep silent for long, and at the risk of displeasing her
+magic-working friends she suddenly said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, Coo-ee-oh used just three magic words, one to make the bridge
+work, and one to make the submarines go out of their holes, and one to
+raise and lower the island. Three words. And Coo-ee-oh's name is made
+up of just three words. One is 'Coo,' and one is 'ee,' and one is
+'oh.'"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Wizard frowned but Glinda looked wonderingly at the young girl and
+Ozma cried out:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"A good thought, Dorothy dear! You may have solved our problem."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I believe it is worth a trial," agreed Glinda. "It would be quite
+natural for Coo-ee-oh to divide her name into three magic syllables,
+and Dorothy's suggestion seems like an inspiration."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The three Adepts also approved the trial but the brown-haired one
+said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We must be careful not to use the wrong word,
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_268">268</a></span>
+and send the bridge
+out under water. The main thing, if Dorothy's idea is correct, is to
+hit upon the one word that moves the island."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let us experiment," suggested the Wizard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the drawer with the moving gray powder was a tiny golden cup, which
+they thought was used for measuring. Glinda filled this cup with the
+powder and carefully poured it into the shallow basin, which was the
+top of the great steel pillar supporting the island. Then Aurah the
+Adept lighted a taper and touched it to the powder, which instantly
+glowed fiery red and tumbled about the basin with astonishing energy.
+While the grains of powder still glowed red the Sorceress bent over it
+and said in a voice of command: "Coo!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They waited motionless to see what would happen. There was a grating
+noise and a whirl of machinery, but the island did not move a
+particle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dorothy rushed to the window, which overlooked the glass side of the
+dome.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The boats!" she exclaimed. "The boats are all loose an' sailing under
+water."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We've made a mistake," said the Wizard gloomily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But it's one which shows we are on the right track," declared Aujah
+the Adept. "We know now
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_269">269</a></span>
+that Coo-ee-oh used the syllables of her name
+for the magic words."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If 'Coo' sends out the boats, it is probable that 'ee' works the
+bridge," suggested Ozma. "So the last part of the name may raise the
+island."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let us try that next then," proposed the Wizard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He scraped the embers of the burned powder out of the basin and Glinda
+again filled the golden cup from the drawer and placed it on top the
+steel pillar. Aurah lighted it with her taper and Ozma bent over the
+basin and murmured the long drawn syllable: "Oh-h-h!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Instantly the island trembled and with a weird groaning noise it moved
+upward&mdash;slowly, very slowly, but with a steady motion, while all the
+company stood by in awed silence. It was a wonderful thing, even to
+those skilled in the arts of magic, wizardry and sorcery, to realize
+that a single word could raise that great, heavy island, with its
+immense glass Dome.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why, we're way <i>above</i> the lake now!" exclaimed Dorothy from the
+window, when at last the island ceased to move.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is because we lowered the level of the water," explained Glinda.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They could hear the Skeezers cheering lustily in
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_270">270</a></span>
+the streets of the
+village as they realized that they were saved.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Come," said Ozma eagerly, "let us go down and join the people."
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i292.jpg" width="400" height="293" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+"Not just yet," returned Glinda, a happy smile upon her lovely face,
+for she was overjoyed at their success. "First let us extend the
+bridge to the mainland, where our friends from the Emerald City are
+waiting."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It didn't take long to put more powder in the basin, light it and
+utter the syllable "EE!" The result was
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_271">271</a></span>
+that a door in the basement
+opened and the steel bridge moved out, extended itself joint by joint,
+and finally rested its far end on the shore of the lake just in front
+of the encampment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Now," said Glinda, "we can go up and receive the congratulations of
+the Skeezers and of our friends of the Rescue Expedition."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Across the water, on the shore of the lake, the Patchwork Girl was
+waving them a welcome.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i293.jpg" width="400" height="290" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_272">272</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i294.jpg" width="400" height="537" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_273">273</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_24">CHAPTER 24</a></h2>
+
+<p class="h3">
+Glinda's Triumph
+</p>
+
+<div id="i295">
+<div id="i295a">&nbsp;</div>
+<div id="i295b">&nbsp;</div>
+
+<p>
+Of course all those who had joined Glinda's expedition at once crossed
+the bridge to the island, where they were warmly welcomed by the
+Skeezers. Before all the concourse
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_274">274</a></span>
+of people Princess Ozma made a
+speech from a porch of the palace and demanded that they recognize her
+as their lawful Ruler and promise to obey the laws of the Land of Oz.
+In return she agreed to protect them from all future harm and declared
+they would no longer be subjected to cruelty and abuse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This pleased the Skeezers greatly, and when Ozma told them they might
+elect a Queen to rule over them, who in turn would be subject to Ozma
+of Oz, they voted for Lady Aurex, and that same day the ceremony of
+crowning the new Queen was held and Aurex was installed as mistress of
+the palace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For her Prime Minister the Queen selected Ervic, for the three Adepts
+had told of his good judgment, faithfulness and cleverness, and all
+the Skeezers approved the appointment.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--i295-->
+
+<p>
+Glinda, the Wizard and the Adepts stood on the bridge and recited an
+incantation that quite filled the lake with water again, and the
+Scarecrow and the Patchwork Girl climbed to the top of the Great Dome
+and replaced the pane of glass that had been removed to allow Glinda
+and her followers to enter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When evening came Ozma ordered a great feast prepared, to which every
+Skeezer was invited. The village was beautifully decorated and
+brilliantly
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_275">275</a></span>
+lighted and there was music and dancing until a late hour
+to celebrate the liberation of the people. For the Skeezers had been
+freed, not only from the water of the lake but from the cruelty of
+their former Queen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As the people from the Emerald City prepared the next morning to
+depart Queen Aurex said to Ozma:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"There is only one thing I now fear for my people, and that is the
+enmity of the terrible Su-dic of the Flatheads. He is liable to come
+here at any time and try to annoy us, and my Skeezers are peaceful
+folks and unable to fight the wild and wilful Flatheads."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do not worry," returned Ozma, reassuringly. "We intend to stop on our
+way at the Flatheads' Enchanted Mountain and punish the Su-dic for his
+misdeeds."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That satisfied Aurex and when Ozma and her followers trooped over the
+bridge to the shore, having taken leave of their friends, all the
+Skeezers cheered them and waved their hats and handkerchiefs, and the
+band played and the departure was indeed a ceremony long to be
+remembered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The three Adepts at Magic, who had formerly ruled the Flatheads wisely
+and considerately, went with Princess Ozma and her people, for they
+had promised Ozma to stay on the mountain and again see that the laws
+were enforced.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_276">276</a></span>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glinda had been told all about the curious Flatheads and she had
+consulted with the Wizard and formed a plan to render them more
+intelligent and agreeable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the party reached the mountain Ozma and Dorothy showed them how
+to pass around the invisible wall&mdash;which had been built by the
+Flatheads after the Adepts were transformed&mdash;and how to gain the
+up-and-down stairway that led to the mountain top.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Su-dic had watched the approach of the party from the edge of the
+mountain and was frightened when he saw that the three Adepts had
+recovered their natural forms and were coming back to their former
+home. He realized that his power would soon be gone and yet he
+determined to fight to the last. He called all the Flatheads together
+and armed them, and told them to arrest all who came up the stairway
+and hurl them over the edge of the mountain to the plain below. But
+although they feared the Supreme Dictator, who had threatened to
+punish them if they did not obey his commands, as soon as they saw the
+three Adepts they threw down their arms and begged their former rulers
+to protect them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The three Adepts assured the excited Flatheads that they had nothing
+to fear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Seeing that his people had rebelled the Su-dic ran
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_277">277</a></span>
+away and tried to
+hide, but the Adepts found him and had him cast into a prison, all his
+cans of brains being taken away from him.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i299.jpg" width="400" height="241" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+After this easy conquest of the Su-dic, Glinda told the Adepts of her
+plan, which had already been approved by Ozma of Oz, and they joyfully
+agreed to it. So, during the next few days, the great Sorceress
+transformed, in a way, every Flathead on the mountain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Taking them one at a time, she had the can of brains that belonged to
+each one opened and the contents spread on the flat head, after which,
+by means of her
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_278">278</a></span>
+arts of sorcery, she caused the head to grow over the
+brains&mdash;in the manner most people wear them&mdash;and they were thus
+rendered as intelligent and good looking as any of the other
+inhabitants of the Land of Oz.
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i300.jpg" width="400" height="297" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p>
+When all had been treated in this manner there were no more Flatheads
+at all, and the Adepts decided to name their people Mountaineers. One
+good result of Glinda's sorcery was that no one could now be deprived
+of the brains that belonged to him and each person had exactly the
+share he was entitled to.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Even the Su-dic was given his portion of brains and
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_279">279</a></span>
+his flat head
+made round, like the others, but he was deprived of all power to work
+further mischief, and with the Adepts constantly watching him he would
+be forced to become obedient and humble.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Golden Pig, which ran grunting about the streets, with no brains
+at all, was disenchanted by Glinda, and in her woman's form was given
+brains and a round head. This wife of the Su-dic had once been even
+more wicked than her evil husband, but she had now forgotten all her
+wickedness and was likely to be a good woman thereafter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+These things being accomplished in a satisfactory manner, Princess
+Ozma and her people bade farewell to the three Adepts and departed for
+the Emerald City, well pleased with their interesting adventures.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They returned by the road over which Ozma and Dorothy had come,
+stopping to get the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon where they had left
+them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm very glad I went to see these peoples," said Princess Ozma, "for
+I not only prevented any further warfare between them, but they have
+been freed from the rule of the Su-dic and Coo-ee-oh and are now happy
+and loyal subjects of the Land of Oz. Which proves that it is always
+wise to do one's duty, however unpleasant that duty may seem to be."
+</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div><!--main-->
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/endpaper.jpg" width="600" height="359" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="caption">
+End Paper
+</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<div class="trnote">
+
+<p class="h4">Transcriber's Note</p>
+
+<p>
+Archaic and inconsistent spelling, punctuation, and syntax retained.
+</p>
+
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Glinda of Oz, by L. Frank Baum
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+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Glinda of Oz, by L. Frank Baum
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Glinda of Oz
+       In which are Related the Exciting Experiences of Princess
+       Ozma of Oz, and Dorothy, in their Hazardous Journey...
+
+Author: L. Frank Baum
+
+Illustrator: John R. Neill
+
+Release Date: May 31, 2012 [EBook #39868]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GLINDA OF OZ ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, Matthew Wheaton
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+    GLINDA OF OZ
+
+
+        In which are related the Exciting Experiences of Princess Ozma
+        of Oz, and Dorothy, in their hazardous journey to the home of
+        the Flatheads, and to the Magic Isle of the Skeezers, and how
+        they were rescued from dire peril by the sorcery of Glinda the
+        Good.
+
+    BY
+
+    L. FRANK BAUM
+
+    "Royal Historian of Oz"
+
+    ILLUSTRATED BY JOHN R. NEILL
+
+
+    This Book is Dedicated to
+
+    My Son Robert Stanton Baum
+
+
+
+
+TO OUR READERS
+
+
+Glinda the Good, lovely Sorceress of the Land of Oz and friend of
+Princess Ozma and Dorothy, has lots of personal acquaintances who want
+to know more about her. So, in the new Oz story, Mr. L. Frank Baum,
+Royal Historian of Oz, has written a whole book about how Glinda and
+the Wizard worked with all their might to save the Princess and
+Dorothy from the dire dangers which threatened them when they went
+among the warring tribes of the Flatheads and Skeezers.
+
+The wicked Queen Coo-ee-oh, a vain and evil witch, was really to blame
+for all the trouble. She surely succeeded in getting every one on the
+magic, glass-domed island of the Skeezers into amazing difficulties.
+When Mr. Baum tells you how worried everybody in the Land of Oz felt
+about the Princess Ozma and Dorothy and what wonderful sorcery Glinda
+had to perform to save them, you'll be thrilled with excitement and
+admiration. He reveals the most hidden mysteries of magic.
+
+Mr. Baum did his best to answer all the letters from his small
+earth-friends before he had to leave them, but he couldn't answer
+quite all, for there were very many. In May, nineteen hundred
+nineteen, he went away to take his stories to the little child-souls
+who had lived here too long ago to read the Oz stories for themselves.
+
+We are sorry he could not stay here and we are sad to tell you this is
+his last complete story. But he left some unfinished notes about the
+Princess Ozma and Dorothy and the Oz people and we promise that some
+day we will put them all together like a picture puzzle and give you
+more stories of the wonderful Land of Oz.
+
+    Cordially, your friends,
+    The Publishers.
+
+
+
+
+    LIST OF CHAPTERS
+
+
+     1 The Call of Duty
+     2 Ozma and Dorothy
+     3 The Mist Maidens
+     4 The Magic Tent
+     5 The Magic Stairway
+     6 Flathead Mountain
+     7 The Magic Isle
+     8 Queen Coo-ee-oh
+     9 Lady Aurex
+    10 Under Water
+    11 The Conquest of the Skeezers
+    12 The Diamond Swan
+    13 The Alarm Bell
+    14 Ozma's Counsellors
+    15 The Great Sorceress
+    16 The Enchanted Fishes
+    17 Under the Great Dome
+    18 The Cleverness of Ervic
+    19 Red Reera, the Yookoohoo
+    20 A Puzzling Problem
+    21 The Three Adepts
+    22 The Sunken Island
+    23 The Magic Words
+    24 Glinda's Triumph
+
+
+[Illustration: Glinda of Oz]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1
+
+The Call to Duty
+
+
+Glinda, the good Sorceress of Oz, sat in the grand court of her
+palace, surrounded by her maids of honor--a hundred of the most
+beautiful girls of the Fairyland of Oz. The palace court was built of
+rare marbles, exquisitely polished. Fountains tinkled musically here
+and there; the vast colonnade, open to the south, allowed the maidens,
+as they raised their heads from their embroideries, to gaze upon a
+vista of rose-hued fields and groves of trees bearing fruits or laden
+with sweet-scented flowers. At times one of the girls would start a
+song, the others joining in the chorus, or one would rise and dance,
+gracefully swaying to the music of a harp played by a companion. And
+then Glinda smiled, glad to see her maids mixing play with work.
+
+Presently among the fields an object was seen moving, threading the
+broad path that led to the castle gate. Some of the girls looked upon
+this object enviously; the Sorceress merely gave it a glance and
+nodded her stately head as if pleased, for it meant the coming of her
+friend and mistress--the only one in all the land that Glinda bowed
+to.
+
+Then up the path trotted a wooden animal attached to a red wagon, and
+as the quaint steed halted at the gate there descended from the wagon
+two young girls, Ozma, Ruler of Oz, and her companion, Princess
+Dorothy. Both were dressed in simple white muslin gowns, and as they
+ran up the marble steps of the palace they laughed and chatted as
+gaily as if they were not the most important persons in the world's
+loveliest fairyland.
+
+The maids of honor had risen and stood with bowed heads to greet the
+royal Ozma, while Glinda came forward with outstretched arms to greet
+her guests.
+
+"We've just come on a visit, you know," said Ozma. "Both Dorothy and I
+were wondering how we should pass the day when we happened to think
+we'd not been to your Quadling Country for weeks, so we took the
+Sawhorse and rode straight here."
+
+"And we came so fast," added Dorothy, "that our hair is blown all
+fuzzy, for the Sawhorse makes a wind of his own. Usually it's a day's
+journey from the Em'rald City, but I don't s'pose we were two hours on
+the way."
+
+"You are most welcome," said Glinda the Sorceress, and led them
+through the court to her magnificent reception hall. Ozma took the arm
+of her hostess, but Dorothy lagged behind, kissing some of the maids
+she knew best, talking with others, and making them all feel that she
+was their friend. When at last she joined Glinda and Ozma in the
+reception hall, she found them talking earnestly about the
+condition of the people, and how to make them more happy and
+contented--although they were already the happiest and most contented
+folks in all the world.
+
+This interested Ozma, of course, but it didn't interest Dorothy very
+much, so the little girl ran over to a big table on which was lying
+open Glinda's Great Book of Records.
+
+This Book is one of the greatest treasures in Oz, and the Sorceress
+prizes it more highly than any of her magical possessions. That is the
+reason it is firmly attached to the big marble table by means of
+golden chains, and whenever Glinda leaves home she locks the Great
+Book together with five jeweled padlocks, and carries the keys safely
+hidden in her bosom.
+
+I do not suppose there is any magical thing in any fairyland to
+compare with the Record Book, on the pages of which are constantly
+being printed a record of every event that happens in any part of the
+world, at exactly the moment it happens. And the records are always
+truthful, although sometimes they do not give as many details as one
+could wish. But then, lots of things happen, and so the records have
+to be brief or even Glinda's Great Book could not hold them all.
+
+Glinda looked at the records several times each day, and Dorothy,
+whenever she visited the Sorceress, loved to look in the Book and see
+what was happening everywhere. Not much was recorded about the Land of
+Oz, which is usually peaceful and uneventful, but today Dorothy found
+something which interested her. Indeed, the printed letters were
+appearing on the page even while she looked.
+
+"This is funny!" she exclaimed. "Did you know, Ozma, that there were
+people in your Land of Oz called Skeezers?"
+
+"Yes," replied Ozma, coming to her side, "I know that on Professor
+Wogglebug's Map of the Land of Oz there is a place marked 'Skeezer,'
+but what the Skeezers are like I do not know. No one I know has ever
+seen them or heard of them. The Skeezer Country is 'way at the upper
+edge of the Gillikin Country, with the sandy, impassable desert on one
+side and the mountains of Oogaboo on another side. That is a part of
+the Land of Oz of which I know very little."
+
+"I guess no one else knows much about it either, unless it's the
+Skeezers themselves," remarked Dorothy. "But the Book says: 'The
+Skeezers of Oz have declared war on the Flatheads of Oz, and there is
+likely to be fighting and much trouble as the result.'"
+
+"Is that all the Book says?" asked Ozma.
+
+"Every word," said Dorothy, and Ozma and Glinda both looked at the
+Record and seemed surprised and perplexed.
+
+"Tell me, Glinda," said Ozma, "who are the Flatheads?"
+
+"I cannot, your Majesty," confessed the Sorceress. "Until now I never
+have heard of them, nor have I ever heard the Skeezers mentioned. In
+the faraway corners of Oz are hidden many curious tribes of people,
+and those who never leave their own countries and never are visited by
+those from our favored part of Oz, naturally are unknown to me.
+However, if you so desire, I can learn through my arts of sorcery
+something of the Skeezers and the Flatheads."
+
+"I wish you would," answered Ozma seriously. "You see, Glinda, if
+these are Oz people they are my subjects and I cannot allow any wars
+or troubles in the Land I rule, if I can possibly help it."
+
+"Very well, your Majesty," said the Sorceress, "I will try to get some
+information to guide you. Please excuse me for a time, while I retire
+to my Room of Magic and Sorcery."
+
+"May I go with you?" asked Dorothy, eagerly.
+
+"No, Princess," was the reply. "It would spoil the charm to have
+anyone present."
+
+So Glinda locked herself in her own Room of Magic and Dorothy and Ozma
+waited patiently for her to come out again.
+
+In about an hour Glinda appeared, looking grave and thoughtful.
+
+"Your Majesty," she said to Ozma, "the Skeezers live on a Magic Isle
+in a great lake. For that reason--because the Skeezers deal in
+magic--I can learn little about them."
+
+"Why, I didn't know there was a lake in that part of Oz," exclaimed
+Ozma. "The map shows a river running through the Skeezer Country, but
+no lake."
+
+"That is because the person who made the map never had visited that
+part of the country," explained the Sorceress. "The lake surely is
+there, and in the lake is an island--a Magic Isle--and on that island
+live the people called the Skeezers."
+
+"What are they like?" inquired the Ruler of Oz.
+
+"My magic cannot tell me that," confessed Glinda, "for the magic of
+the Skeezers prevents anyone outside of their domain knowing anything
+about them."
+
+"The Flatheads must know, if they're going to fight the Skeezers,"
+suggested Dorothy.
+
+"Perhaps so," Glinda replied, "but I can get little information
+concerning the Flatheads, either. They are people who inhabit a
+mountain just south of the Lake of the Skeezers. The mountain has
+steep sides and a broad, hollow top, like a basin, and in this basin
+the Flatheads have their dwellings. They also are magic-workers and
+usually keep to themselves and allow no one from outside to visit
+them. I have learned that the Flatheads number about one hundred
+people--men, women and children--while the Skeezers number just one
+hundred and one."
+
+"What did they quarrel about, and why do they wish to fight one
+another?" was Ozma's next question.
+
+"I cannot tell your Majesty that," said Glinda.
+
+"But see here!" cried Dorothy, "it's against the law for anyone but
+Glinda and the Wizard to work magic in the Land of Oz, so if these two
+strange people are magic-makers they are breaking the law and ought to
+be punished!"
+
+Ozma smiled upon her little friend.
+
+"Those who do not know me or my laws," she said, "cannot be expected
+to obey my laws. If we know nothing of the Skeezers or the Flatheads,
+it is likely that they know nothing of us."
+
+"But they _ought_ to know, Ozma, and _we_ ought to know. Who's going
+to tell them, and how are we going to make them behave?"
+
+"That," returned Ozma, "is what I am now considering. What would you
+advise, Glinda?"
+
+The Sorceress took a little time to consider this question, before she
+made reply. Then she said:
+
+"Had you not learned of the existence of the Flatheads and the
+Skeezers, through my Book of Records, you would never have worried
+about them or their quarrels. So, if you pay no attention to these
+peoples, you may never hear of them again."
+
+"But that wouldn't be right," declared Ozma. "I am Ruler of all the
+Land of Oz, which includes the Gillikin Country, the Quadling
+Country, the Winkie Country and the Munchkin Country, as well as the
+Emerald City, and being the Princess of this fairyland it is my duty
+to make all my people--wherever they may be--happy and content and to
+settle their disputes and keep them from quarreling. So, while the
+Skeezers and Flatheads may not know me or that I am their lawful
+Ruler, I now know that they inhabit my kingdom and are my subjects, so
+I would not be doing my duty if I kept away from them and allowed them
+to fight."
+
+"That's a fact, Ozma," commented Dorothy. "You've got to go up to the
+Gillikin Country and make these people behave themselves and make up
+their quarrels. But how are you going to do it?"
+
+"That is what is puzzling me also, your Majesty," said the Sorceress.
+"It may be dangerous for you to go into those strange countries, where
+the people are possibly fierce and warlike."
+
+"I am not afraid," said Ozma, with a smile.
+
+"'Tisn't a question of being 'fraid," argued Dorothy. "Of course we
+know you're a fairy, and can't be killed or hurt, and we know you've a
+lot of magic of your own to help you. But, Ozma dear, in spite of all
+this you've been in trouble before, on account of wicked enemies, and
+it isn't right for the Ruler of all Oz to put herself in danger."
+
+"Perhaps I shall be in no danger at all," returned Ozma, with a little
+laugh. "You mustn't _imagine_ danger, Dorothy, for one should only
+imagine nice things, and we do not know that the Skeezers and
+Flatheads are wicked people or my enemies. Perhaps they would be good
+and listen to reason."
+
+"Dorothy is right, your Majesty," asserted the Sorceress. "It is true
+we know nothing of these faraway subjects, except that they intend to
+fight one another, and have a certain amount of magic power at their
+command. Such folks do not like to submit to interference and they are
+more likely to resent your coming among them than to receive you
+kindly and graciously, as is your due."
+
+"If you had an army to take with you," added Dorothy, "it wouldn't be
+so bad; but there isn't such a thing as an army in all Oz."
+
+"I have one soldier," said Ozma.
+
+"Yes, the soldier with the green whiskers; but he's dreadful 'fraid of
+his gun and never loads it. I'm sure he'd run rather than fight. And
+one soldier, even if he were brave, couldn't do much against two
+hundred and one Flatheads and Skeezers."
+
+"What then, my friends, would you suggest?" inquired Ozma.
+
+"I advise you to send the Wizard of Oz to them, and let him inform
+them that it is against the laws of Oz to fight, and that you command
+them to settle their differences and become friends," proposed Glinda.
+"Let the Wizard tell them they will be punished if they refuse to obey
+the commands of the Princess of all the Land of Oz."
+
+Ozma shook her head, to indicate that the advice was not to her
+satisfaction.
+
+"If they refuse, what then?" she asked. "I should be obliged to carry
+out my threat and punish them, and that would be an unpleasant and
+difficult thing to do. I am sure it would be better for me to go
+peacefully, without an army and armed only with my authority as Ruler,
+and plead with them to obey me. Then, if they prove obstinate I could
+resort to other means to win their obedience."
+
+"It's a ticklish thing, anyhow you look at it," sighed Dorothy. "I'm
+sorry now that I noticed the Record in the Great Book."
+
+"But can't you realize, my dear, that I must do my duty, now that I am
+aware of this trouble?" asked Ozma. "I am fully determined to go at
+once to the Magic Isle of the Skeezers and to the enchanted mountain
+of the Flatheads, and prevent war and strife between their
+inhabitants. The only question to decide is whether it is better for
+me to go alone, or to assemble a party of my friends and loyal
+supporters to accompany me."
+
+"If you go I want to go, too," declared Dorothy. "Whatever happens
+it's going to be fun--'cause all excitement is fun--and I wouldn't
+miss it for the world!"
+
+Neither Ozma nor Glinda paid any attention to this statement, for they
+were gravely considering the serious aspect of this proposed
+adventure.
+
+"There are plenty of friends who would like to go with you," said the
+Sorceress, "but none of them would afford your Majesty any protection
+in case you were in danger. You are yourself the most powerful fairy
+in Oz, although both I and the Wizard have more varied arts of magic
+at our command. However, you have one art that no other in all the
+world can equal--the art of winning hearts and making people love to
+bow to your gracious presence. For that reason I believe you can
+accomplish more good alone than with a large number of subjects in
+your train."
+
+"I believe that also," agreed the Princess. "I shall be quite able to
+take care of myself, you know, but might not be able to protect others
+so well. I do not look for opposition, however. I shall speak to these
+people in kindly words and settle their dispute--whatever it may
+be--in a just manner."
+
+"Aren't you going to take _me_?" pleaded Dorothy. "You'll need _some_
+companion, Ozma."
+
+The Princess smiled upon her little friend.
+
+"I see no reason why you should not accompany me," was her reply.
+"Two girls are not very warlike and they will not suspect us of being
+on any errand but a kindly and peaceful one. But, in order to prevent
+war and strife between these angry peoples, we must go to them at
+once. Let us return immediately to the Emerald City and prepare to
+start on our journey early tomorrow morning."
+
+Glinda was not quite satisfied with this plan, but could not think of
+any better way to meet the problem. She knew that Ozma, with all her
+gentleness and sweet disposition, was accustomed to abide by any
+decision she had made and could not easily be turned from her purpose.
+Moreover she could see no great danger to the fairy Ruler of Oz in the
+undertaking, even though the unknown people she was to visit proved
+obstinate. But Dorothy was not a fairy; she was a little girl who had
+come from Kansas to live in the Land of Oz. Dorothy might encounter
+dangers that to Ozma would be as nothing but to an "Earth child" would
+be very serious.
+
+The very fact that Dorothy lived in Oz, and had been made a Princess
+by her friend Ozma, prevented her from being killed or suffering any
+great bodily pain as long as she lived in that fairyland. She could
+not grow big, either, and would always remain the same little girl
+who had come to Oz, unless in some way she left that fairyland or was
+spirited away from it. But Dorothy was a mortal, nevertheless, and
+might possibly be destroyed, or hidden where none of her friends could
+ever find her. She could, for instance, be cut into pieces, and the
+pieces, while still alive and free from pain, could be widely
+scattered; or she might be buried deep underground, or "destroyed" in
+other ways by evil magicians, were she not properly protected. These
+facts Glinda was considering while she paced with stately tread her
+marble hall.
+
+Finally the good Sorceress paused and drew a ring from her finger,
+handing it to Dorothy.
+
+"Wear this ring constantly until your return," she said to the girl.
+"If serious danger threatens you, turn the ring around on your finger
+once to the right and another turn to the left. That will ring the
+alarm bell in my palace and I will at once come to your rescue. But do
+not use the ring unless you are actually in danger of destruction.
+While you remain with Princess Ozma I believe she will be able to
+protect you from all lesser ills."
+
+"Thank you, Glinda," responded Dorothy gratefully, as she placed the
+ring on her finger. "I'm going to wear my Magic Belt which I took from
+the Nome King, too, so I guess I'll be safe from anything the Skeezers
+and Flatheads try to do to me."
+
+Ozma had many arrangements to make before she could leave her throne
+and her palace in the Emerald City, even for a trip of a few days, so
+she bade good-bye to Glinda and with Dorothy climbed into the Red
+Wagon. A word to the wooden Sawhorse started that astonishing creature
+on the return journey, and so swiftly did he run that Dorothy was
+unable to talk or do anything but hold tight to her seat all the way
+back to the Emerald City.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2
+
+Ozma and Dorothy
+
+
+Residing in Ozma's palace at this time was a live Scarecrow, a most
+remarkable and intelligent creature who had once ruled the Land of Oz
+for a brief period and was much loved and respected by all the
+people. Once a Munchkin farmer had stuffed an old suit of clothes with
+straw and put stuffed boots on the feet and used a pair of stuffed
+cotton gloves for hands. The head of the Scarecrow was a stuffed sack
+fastened to the body, with eyes, nose, mouth and ears painted on the
+sack. When a hat had been put on the head, the thing was a good
+imitation of a man. The farmer placed the Scarecrow on a pole in his
+cornfield and it came to life in a curious manner. Dorothy, who was
+passing by the field, was hailed by the live Scarecrow and lifted him
+off his pole. He then went with her to the Emerald City, where the
+Wizard of Oz gave him some excellent brains, and the Scarecrow soon
+became an important personage.
+
+Ozma considered the Scarecrow one of her best friends and most loyal
+subjects, so the morning after her visit to Glinda she asked him to
+take her place as Ruler of the Land of Oz while she was absent on a
+journey, and the Scarecrow at once consented without asking any
+questions.
+
+Ozma had warned Dorothy to keep their journey a secret and say nothing
+to anyone about the Skeezers and Flatheads until their return, and
+Dorothy promised to obey. She longed to tell her girl friends, tiny
+Trot and Betsy Bobbin, of the adventure they were undertaking, but
+refrained from saying a word on the subject although both these girls
+lived with her in Ozma's palace.
+
+Indeed, only Glinda the Sorceress knew they were going, until after
+they had gone, and even the Sorceress didn't know what their errand
+might be.
+
+Princess Ozma took the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon, although she was
+not sure there was a wagon road all the way to the Lake of the
+Skeezers. The Land of Oz is a pretty big place, surrounded on all
+sides by a Deadly Desert which it is impossible to cross, and the
+Skeezer Country, according to the map, was in the farthest
+northwestern part of Oz, bordering on the north desert. As the Emerald
+City was exactly in the center of Oz, it was no small journey from
+there to the Skeezers.
+
+Around the Emerald City the country is thickly settled in every
+direction, but the farther away you get from the city the fewer people
+there are, until those parts that border on the desert have small
+populations. Also those faraway sections are little known to the Oz
+people, except in the south, where Glinda lives and where Dorothy has
+often wandered on trips of exploration.
+
+The least known of all is the Gillikin Country, which harbors many
+strange bands of people among its mountains and valleys and forests
+and streams, and Ozma was now bound for the most distant part of the
+Gillikin Country.
+
+"I am really sorry," said Ozma to Dorothy, as they rode away in the
+Red Wagon, "not to know more about the wonderful Land I rule. It is my
+duty to be acquainted with every tribe of people and every strange and
+hidden country in all Oz, but I am kept so busy at my palace making
+laws and planning for the comforts of those who live near the Emerald
+City, that I do not often find time to make long journeys."
+
+"Well," replied Dorothy, "we'll prob'bly find out a lot on this trip,
+and we'll learn all about the Skeezers and Flatheads, anyhow. Time
+doesn't make much diff'rence in the Land of Oz, 'cause we don't grow
+up, or get old, or become sick and die, as they do other places; so,
+if we explore one place at a time, we'll by-an'-by know all about
+every nook and corner in Oz."
+
+Dorothy wore around her waist the Nome King's Magic Belt, which
+protected her from harm, and the Magic Ring which Glinda had given her
+was on her finger. Ozma had merely slipped a small silver wand into
+the bosom of her gown, for fairies do not use chemicals and herbs and
+the tools of wizards and sorcerers to perform their magic. The Silver
+Wand was Ozma's one weapon of offense and defense and by its use she
+could accomplish many things.
+
+They had left the Emerald City just at sunrise and the Sawhorse
+traveled very swiftly over the roads towards the north, but in a few
+hours the wooden animal had to slacken his pace because the farm
+houses had become few and far between and often there were no paths at
+all in the direction they wished to follow. At such times they crossed
+the fields, avoiding groups of trees and fording the streams and
+rivulets whenever they came to them. But finally they reached a broad
+hillside closely covered with scrubby brush, through which the wagon
+could not pass.
+
+"It will be difficult even for you and me to get through without
+tearing our dresses," said Ozma, "so we must leave the Sawhorse and
+the Wagon here until our return."
+
+"That's all right," Dorothy replied, "I'm tired riding, anyhow. Do you
+s'pose, Ozma, we're anywhere near the Skeezer Country?"
+
+"I cannot tell, Dorothy dear, but I know we've been going in the right
+direction, so we are sure to find it in time."
+
+The scrubby brush was almost like a grove of small trees, for it
+reached as high as the heads of the two girls, neither of whom was
+very tall. They were obliged to thread their way in and out, until
+Dorothy was afraid they would get lost, and finally they were halted
+by a curious thing that barred their further progress. It was a huge
+web--as if woven by gigantic spiders--and the delicate, lacy film was
+fastened stoutly to the branches of the bushes and continued to the
+right and left in the form of a half circle. The threads of this web
+were of a brilliant purple color and woven into numerous artistic
+patterns, but it reached from the ground to branches above the heads
+of the girls and formed a sort of fence that hedged them in.
+
+"It doesn't look very strong, though," said Dorothy. "I wonder if we
+couldn't break through." She tried but found the web stronger than it
+seemed. All her efforts could not break a single thread.
+
+"We must go back, I think, and try to get around this peculiar web,"
+Ozma decided.
+
+So they turned to the right and, following the web, found that it
+seemed to spread in a regular circle. On and on they went until
+finally Ozma said they had returned to the exact spot from which they
+had started. "Here is a handkerchief you dropped when we were here
+before," she said to Dorothy.
+
+"In that case, they must have built the web behind us, after we walked
+into the trap," exclaimed the little girl.
+
+"True," agreed Ozma, "an enemy has tried to imprison us."
+
+"And they did it, too," said Dorothy. "I wonder who it was."
+
+"It's a spider-web, I'm quite sure," returned Ozma, "but it must be
+the work of enormous spiders."
+
+"Quite right!" cried a voice behind them. Turning quickly around they
+beheld a huge purple spider sitting not two yards away and regarding
+them with its small bright eyes.
+
+Then there crawled from the bushes a dozen more great purple spiders,
+which saluted the first one and said:
+
+"The web is finished, O King, and the strangers are our prisoners."
+
+Dorothy did not like the looks of these spiders at all. They had big
+heads, sharp claws, small eyes and fuzzy hair all over their purple
+bodies.
+
+"They look wicked," she whispered to Ozma. "What shall we do?"
+
+Ozma gazed upon the spiders with a serious face.
+
+"What is your object in making us prisoners?" she inquired.
+
+"We need someone to keep house for us," answered the Spider King.
+"There is sweeping and dusting to be done, and polishing and washing
+of dishes, and that is work my people dislike to do. So we decided
+that if any strangers came our way we would capture them and make them
+our servants."
+
+"I am Princess Ozma, Ruler of all Oz," said the girl with dignity.
+
+"Well, I am King of all Spiders," was the reply, "and that makes me
+your master. Come with me to my palace and I will instruct you in your
+work."
+
+"I won't," said Dorothy indignantly. "We won't have anything to do
+with you."
+
+"We'll see about that," returned the Spider in a severe tone, and the
+next instant he made a dive straight at Dorothy, opening the claws in
+his legs as if to grab and pinch her with the sharp points. But the
+girl was wearing her Magic Belt and was not harmed. The Spider King
+could not even touch her.
+
+He turned swiftly and made a dash at Ozma, but she held her Magic Wand
+over his head and the monster recoiled as if it had been struck.
+
+"You'd better let us go," Dorothy advised him, "for you see you can't
+hurt us."
+
+"So I see," returned the Spider King angrily. "Your magic is greater
+than mine. But I'll not help you to escape. If you can break the magic
+web my people have woven you may go; if not you must stay here and
+starve." With that the Spider King uttered a peculiar whistle and all
+the spiders disappeared.
+
+"There is more magic in my fairyland than I dreamed of," remarked the
+beautiful Ozma, with a sigh of regret. "It seems that my laws have not
+been obeyed, for even these monstrous spiders defy me by means of
+magic."
+
+"Never mind that now," said Dorothy; "let's see what we can do to get
+out of this trap."
+
+They now examined the web with great care and were amazed at its
+strength. Although finer than the finest silken hairs, it resisted all
+their efforts to work through, even though both girls threw all their
+weight against it.
+
+"We must find some instrument which will cut the threads of the web,"
+said Ozma, finally. "Let us look about for such a tool."
+
+So they wandered among the bushes and finally came to a shallow pool
+of water, formed by a small bubbling spring. Dorothy stooped to get a
+drink and discovered in the water a green crab, about as big as her
+hand. The crab had two big, sharp claws, and as soon as Dorothy saw
+them she had an idea that those claws could save them.
+
+"Come out of the water," she called to the crab; "I want to talk to
+you."
+
+Rather lazily the crab rose to the surface and caught hold of a bit of
+rock. With his head above the water he said in a cross voice:
+
+"What do you want?"
+
+"We want you to cut the web of the purple spiders with your claws, so
+we can get through it," answered Dorothy. "You can do that, can't
+you?"
+
+"I suppose so," replied the crab. "But if I do what will you give me?"
+
+"What do you wish?" Ozma inquired.
+
+"I wish to be white, instead of green," said the crab. "Green crabs
+are very common, and white ones are rare; besides the purple spiders,
+which infest this hillside, are afraid of white crabs. Could you make
+me white if I should agree to cut the web for you?"
+
+"Yes," said Ozma, "I can do that easily. And, so you may know I am
+speaking the truth, I will change your color now."
+
+She waved her silver wand over the pool and the crab instantly became
+snow-white--all except his eyes, which remained black. The creature
+saw his reflection in the water and was so delighted that he at once
+climbed out of the pool and began moving slowly toward the web, by
+backing away from the pool. He moved so very slowly that Dorothy cried
+out impatiently: "Dear me, this will never do!" Catching the crab in
+her hands she ran with him to the web.
+
+She had to hold him up even then, so he could reach with his claws
+strand after strand of the filmy purple web, which he was able to
+sever with one nip.
+
+When enough of the web had been cut to allow them to pass, Dorothy ran
+back to the pool and placed the white crab in the water, after which
+she rejoined Ozma. They were just in time to escape through the web,
+for several of the purple spiders now appeared, having discovered that
+their web had been cut, and had the girls not rushed through the
+opening the spiders would have quickly repaired the cuts and again
+imprisoned them.
+
+Ozma and Dorothy ran as fast as they could and although the angry
+spiders threw a number of strands of web after them, hoping to lasso
+them or entangle them in the coils, they managed to escape and clamber
+to the top of the hill.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3
+
+The Mist Maidens
+
+
+From the top of the hill Ozma and Dorothy looked down into the valley
+beyond and were surprised to find it filled with a floating mist that
+was as dense as smoke. Nothing in the valley was visible except these
+rolling waves of mist, but beyond, on the other side, rose a grassy
+hill that appeared quite beautiful.
+
+"Well," said Dorothy, "what are we to do, Ozma? Walk down into that
+thick fog, an' prob'bly get lost in it, or wait till it clears away?"
+
+"I'm not sure it will clear away, however long we wait," replied Ozma,
+doubtfully. "If we wish to get on, I think we must venture into the
+mist."
+
+"But we can't see where we're going, or what we're stepping on,"
+protested Dorothy. "There may be dreadful things mixed up in that fog,
+an' I'm scared just to think of wading into it."
+
+Even Ozma seemed to hesitate. She was silent and thoughtful for a
+little while, looking at the rolling drifts that were so gray and
+forbidding. Finally she said:
+
+"I believe this is a Mist Valley, where these moist clouds always
+remain, for even the sunshine above does not drive them away.
+Therefore the Mist Maids must live here, and they are fairies and
+should answer my call."
+
+She placed her two hands before her mouth, forming a hollow with them,
+and uttered a clear, thrilling, bird-like cry. It floated far out over
+the mist waves and presently was answered by a similar sound, as of a
+far-off echo.
+
+Dorothy was much impressed. She had seen many strange things since
+coming to this fairy country, but here was a new experience. At
+ordinary times Ozma was just like any little girl one might chance to
+meet--simple, merry, lovable as could be--yet with a certain reserve
+that lent her dignity in her most joyous moods. There were times,
+however, when seated on her throne and commanding her subjects, or
+when her fairy powers were called into use, when Dorothy and all
+others about her stood in awe of their lovely girl Ruler and realized
+her superiority.
+
+Ozma waited. Presently out from the billows rose beautiful forms,
+clothed in fleecy, trailing garments of gray that could scarcely be
+distinguished from the mist. Their hair was mist-color, too; only
+their gleaming arms and sweet, pallid faces proved they were living,
+intelligent creatures answering the call of a sister fairy.
+
+Like sea nymphs they rested on the bosom of the clouds, their eyes
+turned questioningly upon the two girls who stood upon the bank. One
+came quite near and to her Ozma said:
+
+"Will you please take us to the opposite hillside? We are afraid to
+venture into the mist. I am Princess Ozma of Oz, and this is my friend
+Dorothy, a Princess of Oz."
+
+The Mist Maids came nearer, holding out their arms. Without hesitation
+Ozma advanced and allowed them to embrace her and Dorothy plucked up
+courage to follow. Very gently the Mist Maids held them. Dorothy
+thought the arms were cold and misty--they didn't seem real at
+all--yet they supported the two girls above the surface of the billows
+and floated with them so swiftly to the green hillside opposite that
+the girls were astonished to find themselves set upon the grass before
+they realized they had fairly started.
+
+"Thank you!" said Ozma gratefully, and Dorothy also added her thanks
+for the service.
+
+The Mist Maids made no answer, but they smiled and waved their hands
+in good-bye as again they floated out into the mist and disappeared
+from view.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4
+
+The Magic Tent
+
+
+"Well," said Dorothy with a laugh, "that was easier than I expected.
+It's worth while, sometimes, to be a real fairy. But I wouldn't like
+to be that kind, and live in a dreadful fog all the time."
+
+They now climbed the bank and found before them a delightful plain
+that spread for miles in all directions. Fragrant wild flowers were
+scattered throughout the grass; there were bushes bearing lovely
+blossoms and luscious fruits; now and then a group of stately trees
+added to the beauty of the landscape. But there were no dwellings or
+signs of life.
+
+The farther side of the plain was bordered by a row of palms, and just
+in front of the palms rose a queerly shaped hill that towered above
+the plain like a mountain. The sides of this hill were straight up and
+down; it was oblong in shape and the top seemed flat and level.
+
+"Oh, ho!" cried Dorothy; "I'll bet that's the mountain Glinda told us
+of, where the Flatheads live."
+
+"If it is," replied Ozma, "the Lake of the Skeezers must be just
+beyond the line of palm trees. Can you walk that far, Dorothy?"
+
+"Of course, in time," was the prompt answer. "I'm sorry we had to
+leave the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon behind us, for they'd come in
+handy just now; but with the end of our journey in sight a tramp
+across these pretty green fields won't tire us a bit."
+
+It was a longer tramp than they suspected, however, and night overtook
+them before they could reach the flat mountain. So Ozma proposed they
+camp for the night and Dorothy was quite ready to approve. She didn't
+like to admit to her friend she was tired, but she told herself that
+her legs "had prickers in 'em," meaning they had begun to ache.
+
+Usually when Dorothy started on a journey of exploration or adventure,
+she carried with her a basket of food, and other things that a
+traveler in a strange country might require, but to go away with Ozma
+was quite a different thing, as experience had taught her. The fairy
+Ruler of Oz only needed her silver wand--tipped at one end with a
+great sparkling emerald--to provide through its magic all that they
+might need. Therefore Ozma, having halted with her companion and
+selected a smooth, grassy spot on the plain, waved her wand in
+graceful curves and chanted some mystic words in her sweet voice, and
+in an instant a handsome tent appeared before them. The canvas was
+striped purple and white, and from the center pole fluttered the royal
+banner of Oz.
+
+"Come, dear," said Ozma, taking Dorothy's hand, "I am hungry and I'm
+sure you must be also; so let us go in and have our feast."
+
+On entering the tent they found a table set for two, with snowy linen,
+bright silver and sparkling glassware, a vase of roses in the center
+and many dishes of delicious food, some smoking hot, waiting to
+satisfy their hunger. Also, on either side of the tent were beds, with
+satin sheets, warm blankets and pillows filled with swansdown. There
+were chairs, too, and tall lamps that lighted the interior of the tent
+with a soft, rosy glow.
+
+Dorothy, resting herself at her fairy friend's command, and eating her
+dinner with unusual enjoyment, thought of the wonders of magic. If one
+were a fairy and knew the secret laws of nature and the mystic words
+and ceremonies that commanded those laws, then a simple wave of a
+silver wand would produce instantly all that men work hard and
+anxiously for through weary years. And Dorothy wished in her kindly,
+innocent heart, that all men and women could be fairies with silver
+wands, and satisfy all their needs without so much work and worry, for
+then, she imagined, they would have all their working hours to be
+happy in. But Ozma, looking into her friend's face and reading those
+thoughts, gave a laugh and said:
+
+"No, no, Dorothy, that wouldn't do at all. Instead of happiness your
+plan would bring weariness to the world. If every one could wave a
+wand and have his wants fulfilled there would be little to wish for.
+There would be no eager striving to obtain the difficult, for nothing
+would then be difficult, and the pleasure of earning something longed
+for, and only to be secured by hard work and careful thought, would be
+utterly lost. There would be nothing to do, you see, and no interest
+in life and in our fellow creatures. That is all that makes life worth
+our while--to do good deeds and to help those less fortunate than
+ourselves."
+
+"Well, you're a fairy, Ozma. Aren't you happy?" asked Dorothy.
+
+"Yes, dear, because I can use my fairy powers to make others happy.
+Had I no kingdom to rule, and no subjects to look after, I would be
+miserable. Also, you must realize that while I am a more powerful
+fairy than any other inhabitant of Oz, I am not as powerful as Glinda
+the Sorceress, who has studied many arts of magic that I know nothing
+of. Even the little Wizard of Oz can do some things I am unable to
+accomplish, while I can accomplish things unknown to the Wizard. This
+is to explain that I am not all-powerful, by any means. My magic is
+simply fairy magic, and not sorcery or wizardry."
+
+"All the same," said Dorothy, "I'm mighty glad you could make this
+tent appear, with our dinners and beds all ready for us."
+
+Ozma smiled.
+
+"Yes, it is indeed wonderful," she agreed. "Not all fairies know that
+sort of magic, but some fairies can do magic that fills me with
+astonishment. I think that is what makes us modest and unassuming--the
+fact that our magic arts are divided, some being given each of us. I'm
+glad I don't know everything, Dorothy, and that there still are things
+in both nature and in wit for me to marvel at."
+
+Dorothy couldn't quite understand this, so she said nothing more on
+the subject and presently had a new reason to marvel. For when they
+had quite finished their meal table and contents disappeared in a
+flash.
+
+"No dishes to wash, Ozma!" she said with a laugh. "I guess you'd make
+a lot of folks happy if you could teach 'em just that one trick."
+
+For an hour Ozma told stories, and talked with Dorothy about various
+people in whom they were interested. And then it was bedtime, and they
+undressed and crept into their soft beds and fell asleep almost as
+soon as their heads touched their pillows.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5
+
+The Magic Stairway
+
+
+The flat mountain looked much nearer in the clear light of the morning
+sun, but Dorothy and Ozma knew there was a long tramp before them,
+even yet. They finished dressing only to find a warm, delicious
+breakfast awaiting them, and having eaten they left the tent and
+started toward the mountain which was their first goal. After going a
+little way Dorothy looked back and found that the fairy tent had
+entirely disappeared. She was not surprised, for she knew this would
+happen.
+
+"Can't your magic give us a horse an' wagon, or an automobile?"
+inquired Dorothy.
+
+"No, dear; I'm sorry that such magic is beyond my power," confessed
+her fairy friend.
+
+"Perhaps Glinda could," said Dorothy thoughtfully.
+
+"Glinda has a stork chariot that carries her through the air," said
+Ozma, "but even our great Sorceress cannot conjure up other modes of
+travel. Don't forget what I told you last night, that no one is
+powerful enough to do everything."
+
+"Well, I s'pose I ought to know that, having lived so long in the Land
+of Oz," replied Dorothy; "but _I_ can't do any magic at all, an' so I
+can't figure out e'zactly how you an' Glinda an' the Wizard do it."
+
+"Don't try," laughed Ozma. "But you have at least one magical art,
+Dorothy: you know the trick of winning all hearts."
+
+"No, I don't," said Dorothy earnestly. "If I really can do it, Ozma,
+I am sure I don't know _how_ I do it."
+
+It took them a good two hours to reach the foot of the round, flat
+mountain, and then they found the sides so steep that they were like
+the wall of a house.
+
+"Even my purple kitten couldn't climb 'em," remarked Dorothy, gazing
+upward.
+
+"But there is some way for the Flatheads to get down and up again,"
+declared Ozma; "otherwise they couldn't make war with the Skeezers, or
+even meet them and quarrel with them."
+
+"That's so, Ozma. Let's walk around a ways; perhaps we'll find a
+ladder or something."
+
+They walked quite a distance, for it was a big mountain, and as they
+circled around it and came to the side that faced the palm trees, they
+suddenly discovered an entrance way cut out of the rock wall. This
+entrance was arched overhead and not very deep because it merely led
+to a short flight of stone stairs.
+
+"Oh, we've found a way to the top at last," announced Ozma, and the
+two girls turned and walked straight toward the entrance. Suddenly
+they bumped against something and stood still, unable to proceed
+farther.
+
+"Dear me!" exclaimed Dorothy, rubbing her nose, which had struck
+something hard, although she could not see what it was; "this isn't
+as easy as it looks. What has stopped us, Ozma? Is it magic of some
+sort?"
+
+Ozma was feeling around, her hands outstretched before her.
+
+"Yes, dear, it is magic," she replied. "The Flatheads had to have a
+way from their mountain top from the plain below, but to prevent
+enemies from rushing up the stairs to conquer them, they have built,
+at a small distance before the entrance a wall of solid stone, the
+stones being held in place by cement, and then they made the wall
+invisible."
+
+"I wonder why they did that?" mused Dorothy. "A wall would keep folks
+out anyhow, whether it could be seen or not, so there wasn't any use
+making it invisible. Seems to me it would have been better to have
+left it solid, for then no one would have seen the entrance behind it.
+Now anybody can see the entrance, as we did. And prob'bly anybody that
+tries to go up the stairs gets bumped, as we did."
+
+Ozma made no reply at once. Her face was grave and thoughtful.
+
+"I think I know the reason for making the wall invisible," she said
+after a while. "The Flatheads use the stairs for coming down and going
+up. If there was a solid stone wall to keep them from reaching the
+plain they would themselves be imprisoned by the wall. So they had to
+leave some place to get around the wall, and, if the wall was visible,
+all strangers or enemies would find the place to go around it and then
+the wall would be useless. So the Flatheads cunningly made their wall
+invisible, believing that everyone who saw the entrance to the
+mountain would walk straight toward it, as we did, and find it
+impossible to go any farther. I suppose the wall is really high and
+thick, and can't be broken through, so those who find it in their way
+are obliged to go away again."
+
+"Well," said Dorothy, "if there's a way around the wall, where is it?"
+
+"We must find it," returned Ozma, and began feeling her way along the
+wall. Dorothy followed and began to get discouraged when Ozma had
+walked nearly a quarter of a mile away from the entrance. But now the
+invisible wall curved in toward the side of the mountain and suddenly
+ended, leaving just space enough between the wall and the mountain for
+an ordinary person to pass through.
+
+The girls went in, single file, and Ozma explained that they were now
+behind the barrier and could go back to the entrance. They met no
+further obstructions.
+
+"Most people, Ozma, wouldn't have figured this thing out the way you
+did," remarked Dorothy. "If I'd been alone the invisible wall surely
+would have stumped me."
+
+Reaching the entrance they began to mount the stone stairs. They went
+up ten stairs and then down five stairs, following a passage cut from
+the rock. The stairs were just wide enough for the two girls to walk
+abreast, arm in arm. At the bottom of the five stairs the passage
+turned to the right, and they ascended ten more stairs, only to find
+at the top of the flight five stairs leading straight down again.
+Again the passage turned abruptly, this time to the left, and ten more
+stairs led upward.
+
+The passage was now quite dark, for they were in the heart of the
+mountain and all daylight had been shut out by the turns of the
+passage. However, Ozma drew her silver wand from her bosom and the
+great jewel at its end gave out a lustrous, green-tinted light which
+lighted the place well enough for them to see their way plainly.
+
+Ten steps up, five steps down, and a turn, this way or that. That was
+the program, and Dorothy figured that they were only gaining five
+stairs upward each trip that they made.
+
+"Those Flatheads must be funny people," she said to Ozma. "They don't
+seem to do anything in a bold, straightforward manner. In making this
+passage they forced everyone to walk three times as far as is
+necessary. And of course this trip is just as tiresome to the
+Flatheads as it is to other folks."
+
+"That is true," answered Ozma; "yet it is a clever arrangement to
+prevent their being surprised by intruders. Every time we reach the
+tenth step of a flight, the pressure of our feet on the stone makes a
+bell ring on top of the mountain, to warn the Flatheads of our
+coming."
+
+"How do you know that?" demanded Dorothy, astonished.
+
+"I've heard the bell ever since we started," Ozma told her. "You could
+not hear it, I know, but when I am holding my wand in my hand I can
+hear sounds a great distance off."
+
+"Do you hear anything on top of the mountain 'cept the bell?" inquired
+Dorothy.
+
+"Yes. The people are calling to one another in alarm and many
+footsteps are approaching the place where we will reach the flat top
+of the mountain."
+
+This made Dorothy feel somewhat anxious.
+
+"I'd thought we were going to visit just common, ordinary people,"
+she remarked, "but they're pretty clever, it seems, and they know some
+kinds of magic, too. They may be dangerous, Ozma. P'raps we'd better
+stayed at home."
+
+Finally the upstairs-and-downstairs passage seemed coming to an end,
+for daylight again appeared ahead of the two girls and Ozma replaced
+her wand in the bosom of her gown. The last ten steps brought them to
+the surface, where they found themselves surrounded by such a throng
+of queer people that for a time they halted, speechless, and stared
+into the faces that confronted them.
+
+Dorothy knew at once why these mountain people were called Flatheads.
+Their heads were really flat on top, as if they had been cut off just
+above the eyes and ears. Also the heads were bald, with no hair on top
+at all, and the ears were big and stuck straight out, and the noses
+were small and stubby, while the mouths of the Flatheads were well
+shaped and not unusual. Their eyes were perhaps their best feature,
+being large and bright and a deep violet in color.
+
+The costumes of the Flatheads were all made of metals dug from their
+mountain. Small gold, silver, tin and iron discs, about the size of
+pennies, and very thin, were cleverly wired together and made to form
+knee trousers and jackets for the men and skirts and waists for the
+women. The colored metals were skillfully mixed to form stripes and
+checks of various sorts, so that the costumes were quite gorgeous and
+reminded Dorothy of pictures she had seen of Knights of old clothed in
+armor.
+
+Aside from their flat heads, these people were not really bad looking.
+The men were armed with bows and arrows and had small axes of steel
+stuck in their metal belts. They wore no hats nor ornaments.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6
+
+Flathead Mountain
+
+
+When they saw that the intruders on their mountain were only two
+little girls, the Flatheads grunted with satisfaction and drew back,
+permitting them to see what the mountain top looked like. It was
+shaped like a saucer, so that the houses and other buildings--all made
+of rocks--could not be seen over the edge by anyone standing in the
+plain below.
+
+But now a big fat Flathead stood before the girls and in a gruff voice
+demanded:
+
+"What are you doing here? Have the Skeezers sent you to spy upon us?"
+
+"I am Princess Ozma, Ruler of all the Land of Oz."
+
+"Well, I've never heard of the Land of Oz, so you may be what you
+claim," returned the Flathead.
+
+"This is the Land of Oz--part of it, anyway," exclaimed Dorothy. "So
+Princess Ozma rules you Flathead people, as well as all the other
+people in Oz."
+
+The man laughed, and all the others who stood around laughed, too.
+Some one in the crowd called:
+
+"She'd better not tell the Supreme Dictator about ruling the
+Flatheads. Eh, friends?"
+
+"No, indeed!" they all answered in positive tones.
+
+"Who is your Supreme Dictator?" answered Ozma.
+
+"I think I'll let him tell you that himself," answered the man who had
+first spoken. "You have broken our laws by coming here; and whoever
+you are the Supreme Dictator must fix your punishment. Come along with
+me."
+
+He started down a path and Ozma and Dorothy followed him without
+protest, as they wanted to see the most important person in this queer
+country. The houses they passed seemed pleasant enough and each had a
+little yard in which were flowers and vegetables. Walls of rock
+separated the dwellings, and all the paths were paved with smooth
+slabs of rock. This seemed their only building material and they
+utilized it cleverly for every purpose.
+
+Directly in the center of the great saucer stood a larger building
+which the Flathead informed the girls was the palace of the Supreme
+Dictator. He led them through an entrance hall into a big reception
+room, where they sat upon stone benches and awaited the coming of the
+Dictator. Pretty soon he entered from another room--a rather lean and
+rather old Flathead, dressed much like the others of this strange
+race, and only distinguished from them by the sly and cunning
+expression of his face. He kept his eyes half closed and looked
+through the slits of them at Ozma and Dorothy, who rose to receive
+him.
+
+"Are you the Supreme Dictator of the Flatheads?" inquired Ozma.
+
+"Yes, that's me," he said, rubbing his hands slowly together. "My word
+is law. I'm the head of the Flatheads on this flat headland."
+
+"I am Princess Ozma of Oz, and I have come from the Emerald City
+to----"
+
+"Stop a minute," interrupted the Dictator, and turned to the man who
+had brought the girls there. "Go away, Dictator Felo Flathead!" he
+commanded. "Return to your duty and guard the Stairway. I will look
+after these strangers." The man bowed and departed, and Dorothy asked
+wonderingly:
+
+"Is _he_ a Dictator, too?"
+
+"Of course," was the answer. "Everybody here is a dictator of
+something or other. They're all office holders. That's what keeps them
+contented. But I'm the Supreme Dictator of all, and I'm elected once
+a year. This is a democracy, you know, where the people are allowed to
+vote for their rulers. A good many others would like to be Supreme
+Dictator, but as I made a law that I am always to count the votes
+myself, I am always elected."
+
+"What is your name?" asked Ozma.
+
+"I am called the Su-dic, which is short for Supreme Dictator. I sent
+that man away because the moment you mentioned Ozma of Oz, and the
+Emerald City, I knew who you are. I suppose I'm the only Flathead that
+ever heard of you, but that's because I have more brains than the
+rest."
+
+Dorothy was staring hard at the Su-dic.
+
+"I don't see how you can have any brains at all," she remarked,
+"because the part of your head is gone where brains are kept."
+
+"I don't blame you for thinking that," he said. "Once the Flatheads
+had no brains because, as you say, there is no upper part to their
+heads, to hold brains. But long, long ago a band of fairies flew over
+this country and made it all a fairyland, and when they came to the
+Flatheads the fairies were sorry to find them all very stupid and
+quite unable to think. So, as there was no good place in their bodies
+in which to put brains the Fairy Queen gave each one of us a nice can
+of brains to carry in his pocket and that made us just as intelligent
+as other people. See," he continued, "here is one of the cans of
+brains the fairies gave us." He took from a pocket a bright tin can
+having a pretty red label on it which said: "Flathead Concentrated
+Brains, Extra Quality."
+
+"And does every Flathead have the same kind of brains?" asked Dorothy.
+
+"Yes, they're all alike. Here's another can." From another pocket he
+produced a second can of brains.
+
+"Did the fairies give you a double supply?" inquired Dorothy.
+
+"No, but one of the Flatheads thought he wanted to be the Su-dic and
+tried to get my people to rebel against me, so I punished him by
+taking away his brains. One day my wife scolded me severely, so I took
+away her can of brains. She didn't like that and went out and robbed
+several women of _their_ brains. Then I made a law that if anyone
+stole another's brains, or even tried to borrow them, he would forfeit
+his own brains to the Su-dic. So each one is content with his own
+canned brains and my wife and I are the only ones on the mountain with
+more than one can. I have three cans and that makes me very clever--so
+clever that I'm a good Sorcerer, if I do say it myself. My poor wife
+had four cans of brains and became a remarkable witch, but alas! that
+was before those terrible enemies, the Skeezers, transformed her into
+a Golden Pig."
+
+"Good gracious!" cried Dorothy; "is your wife really a Golden Pig?"
+
+"She is. The Skeezers did it and so I have declared war on them. In
+revenge for making my wife a Pig I intend to ruin their Magic Island
+and make the Skeezers the slaves of the Flatheads!"
+
+The Su-dic was very angry now; his eyes flashed and his face took on a
+wicked and fierce expression. But Ozma said to him, very sweetly and
+in a friendly voice:
+
+"I am sorry to hear this. Will you please tell me more about your
+troubles with the Skeezers? Then perhaps I can help you."
+
+She was only a girl, but there was dignity in her pose and speech
+which impressed the Su-dic.
+
+"If you are really Princess Ozma of Oz," the Flathead said, "you are
+one of that band of fairies who, under Queen Lurline, made all Oz a
+Fairyland. I have heard that Lurline left one of her own fairies to
+rule Oz, and gave the fairy the name of Ozma."
+
+"If you knew this why did you not come to me at the Emerald City and
+tender me your loyalty and obedience?" asked the Ruler of Oz.
+
+"Well, I only learned the fact lately, and I've been too busy to leave
+home," he explained, looking at the floor instead of into Ozma's eyes.
+She knew he had spoken a falsehood, but only said:
+
+"Why did you quarrel with the Skeezers?"
+
+"It was this way," began the Su-dic, glad to change the subject. "We
+Flatheads love fish, and as we have no fish on this mountain we would
+sometimes go to the Lake of the Skeezers to catch fish. This made the
+Skeezers angry, for they declared the fish in their lake belonged to
+them and were under their protection and they forbade us to catch
+them. That was very mean and unfriendly in the Skeezers, you must
+admit, and when we paid no attention to their orders they set a guard
+on the shore of the lake to prevent our fishing.
+
+"Now, my wife, Rora Flathead, having four cans of brains, had become a
+wonderful witch, and fish being brain food, she loved to eat fish
+better than any one of us. So she vowed she would destroy every fish
+in the lake, unless the Skeezers let us catch what we wanted. They
+defied us, so Rora prepared a kettleful of magic poison and went down
+to the lake one night to dump it all in the water and poison the fish.
+It was a clever idea, quite worthy of my dear wife, but the Skeezer
+Queen--a young lady named Coo-ee-oh--hid on the bank of the lake and
+taking Rora unawares, transformed her into a Golden Pig. The poison
+was spilled on the ground and wicked Queen Coo-ee-oh, not content with
+her cruel transformation, even took away my wife's four cans of
+brains, so she is now a common grunting pig without even brains enough
+to know her own name."
+
+"Then," said Ozma thoughtfully, "the Queen of the Skeezers must be a
+Sorceress."
+
+"Yes," said the Su-dic, "but she doesn't know much magic, after all.
+She is not as powerful as Rora Flathead was, nor half as powerful as I
+am now, as Queen Coo-ee-oh will discover when we fight our great
+battle and destroy her."
+
+"The Golden Pig can't be a witch any more, of course," observed
+Dorothy.
+
+"No; even had Queen Coo-ee-oh left her the four cans of brains, poor
+Rora, in a pig's shape, couldn't do any witchcraft. A witch has to use
+her fingers, and a pig has only cloven hoofs."
+
+"It seems a sad story," was Ozma's comment, "and all the trouble arose
+because the Flatheads wanted fish that did not belong to them."
+
+"As for that," said the Su-dic, again angry, "I made a law that any of
+my people could catch fish in the Lake of the Skeezers, whenever they
+wanted to. So the trouble was through the Skeezers defying my law."
+
+"You can only make laws to govern your own people," asserted Ozma
+sternly. "I, alone, am empowered to make laws that must be obeyed by
+all the peoples of Oz."
+
+"Pooh!" cried the Su-dic scornfully. "You can't make _me_ obey your
+laws, I assure you. I know the extent of your powers, Princess Ozma of
+Oz, and I know that I am more powerful than you are. To prove it I
+shall keep you and your companion prisoners in this mountain until
+after we have fought and conquered the Skeezers. Then, if you promise
+to be good, I may let you go home again."
+
+Dorothy was amazed by this effrontery and defiance of the beautiful
+girl Ruler of Oz, whom all until now had obeyed without question. But
+Ozma, still unruffled and dignified, looked at the Su-dic and said:
+
+"You did not mean that. You are angry and speak unwisely, without
+reflection. I came here from my palace in the Emerald City to prevent
+war and to make peace between you and the Skeezers. I do not approve
+of Queen Coo-ee-oh's action in transforming your wife Rora into a pig,
+nor do I approve of Rora's cruel attempt to poison the fishes in the
+lake. No one has the right to work magic in my dominions without my
+consent, so the Flatheads and the Skeezers have both broken my
+laws--which must be obeyed."
+
+"If you want to make peace," said the Su-dic, "make the Skeezers
+restore my wife to her proper form and give back her four cans of
+brains. Also make them agree to allow us to catch fish in their lake."
+
+"No," returned Ozma, "I will not do that, for it would be unjust. I
+will have the Golden Pig again transformed into your wife Rora, and
+give her one can of brains, but the other three cans must be restored
+to those she robbed. Neither may you catch fish in the Lake of the
+Skeezers, for it is their lake and the fish belong to them. This
+arrangement is just and honorable, and you must agree to it."
+
+"Never!" cried the Su-dic. Just then a pig came running into the room,
+uttering dismal grunts. It was made of solid gold, with joints at the
+bends of the legs and in the neck and jaws. The Golden Pig's eyes
+were rubies, and its teeth were polished ivory.
+
+"There!" said the Su-dic, "gaze on the evil work of Queen Coo-ee-oh,
+and then say if you can prevent my making war on the Skeezers. That
+grunting beast was once my wife--the most beautiful Flathead on our
+mountain and a skillful witch. Now look at her!"
+
+"Fight the Skeezers, fight the Skeezers, fight the Skeezers!" grunted
+the Golden Pig.
+
+"I _will_ fight the Skeezers," exclaimed the Flathead chief, "and if a
+dozen Ozmas of Oz forbade me I would fight just the same."
+
+"Not if I can prevent it!" asserted Ozma.
+
+"You can't prevent it. But since you threaten me, I'll have you
+confined in the bronze prison until the war is over," said the Su-dic.
+He whistled and four stout Flatheads, armed with axes and spears,
+entered the room and saluted him. Turning to the men he said: "Take
+these two girls, bind them with wire ropes and cast them into the
+bronze prison.".
+
+The four men bowed low and one of them asked:
+
+"Where are the two girls, most noble Su-dic?"
+
+The Su-dic turned to where Ozma and Dorothy had stood but they had
+vanished!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7
+
+The Magic Isle
+
+
+Ozma, seeing it was useless to argue with the Supreme Dictator of the
+Flatheads, had been considering how best to escape from his power. She
+realized that his sorcery might be difficult to overcome, and when he
+threatened to cast Dorothy and her into a bronze prison she slipped
+her hand into her bosom and grasped her silver wand. With the other
+hand she grasped the hand of Dorothy, but these motions were so
+natural that the Su-dic did not notice them. Then when he turned to
+meet his four soldiers, Ozma instantly rendered both herself and
+Dorothy invisible and swiftly led her companion around the group of
+Flatheads and out of the room. As they reached the entry and descended
+the stone steps, Ozma whispered:
+
+"Let us run, dear! We are invisible, so no one will see us."
+
+Dorothy understood and she was a good runner. Ozma had marked the
+place where the grand stairway that led to the plain was located, so
+they made directly for it. Some people were in the paths but these
+they dodged around. One or two Flatheads heard the pattering of
+footsteps of the girls on the stone pavement and stopped with
+bewildered looks to gaze around them, but no one interfered with the
+invisible fugitives.
+
+The Su-dic had lost no time in starting the chase. He and his men ran
+so fast that they might have overtaken the girls before they reached
+the stairway had not the Golden Pig suddenly run across their path.
+The Su-dic tripped over the pig and fell flat, and his four men
+tripped over him and tumbled in a heap. Before they could scramble up
+and reach the mouth of the passage it was too late to stop the two
+girls.
+
+There was a guard on each side of the stairway, but of course they did
+not see Ozma and Dorothy as they sped past and descended the steps.
+Then they had to go up five steps and down another ten, and so on, in
+the same manner in which they had climbed to the top of the mountain.
+Ozma lighted their way with her wand and they kept on without relaxing
+their speed until they reached the bottom. Then they ran to the right
+and turned the corner of the invisible wall just as the Su-dic and his
+followers rushed out of the arched entrance and looked around in an
+attempt to discover the fugitives.
+
+Ozma now knew they were safe, so she told Dorothy to stop and both of
+them sat down on the grass until they could breathe freely and become
+rested from their mad flight.
+
+As for the Su-dic, he realized he was foiled and soon turned and
+climbed his stairs again. He was very angry--angry with Ozma and angry
+with himself--because, now that he took time to think, he remembered
+that he knew very well the art of making people invisible, and visible
+again, and if he had only thought of it in time he could have used his
+magic knowledge to make the girls visible and so have captured them
+easily. However, it was now too late for regrets and he determined to
+make preparations at once to march all his forces against the
+Skeezers.
+
+"What shall we do next?" asked Dorothy, when they were rested.
+
+"Let us find the Lake of the Skeezers," replied Ozma. "From what that
+dreadful Su-dic said I imagine the Skeezers are good people and worthy
+of our friendship, and if we go to them we may help them to defeat the
+Flatheads."
+
+"I s'pose we can't stop the war now," remarked Dorothy reflectively,
+as they walked toward the row of palm trees.
+
+"No; the Su-dic is determined to fight the Skeezers, so all we can do
+is to warn them of their danger and help them as much as possible."
+
+"Of course you'll punish the Flatheads," said Dorothy.
+
+"Well, I do not think the Flathead people are as much to blame as
+their Supreme Dictator," was the answer. "If he is removed from power
+and his unlawful magic taken from him, the people will probably be
+good and respect the laws of the Land of Oz, and live at peace with
+all their neighbors in the future."
+
+"I hope so," said Dorothy with a sigh of doubt.
+
+The palms were not far from the mountain and the girls reached them
+after a brisk walk. The huge trees were set close together, in three
+rows, and had been planted so as to keep people from passing them, but
+the Flatheads had cut a passage through this barrier and Ozma found
+the path and led Dorothy to the other side.
+
+Beyond the palms they discovered a very beautiful scene. Bordered by a
+green lawn was a great lake fully a mile from shore to shore, the
+waters of which were exquisitely blue and sparkling, with little
+wavelets breaking its smooth surface where the breezes touched it. In
+the center of this lake appeared a lovely island, not of great extent
+but almost entirely covered by a huge round building with glass walls
+and a high glass dome which glittered brilliantly in the sunshine.
+Between the glass building and the edge of the island was no grass,
+flowers or shrubbery, but only an expanse of highly polished white
+marble. There were no boats on either shore and no signs of life
+could be seen anywhere on the island.
+
+"Well," said Dorothy, gazing wistfully at the island, "we've found the
+Lake of the Skeezers and their Magic Isle. I guess the Skeezers are in
+that big glass palace, but we can't get at 'em."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8
+
+Queen Coo-ee-oh
+
+
+Princess Ozma considered the situation gravely. Then she tied her
+handkerchief to her wand and, standing at the water's edge, waved the
+handkerchief like a flag, as a signal. For a time they could observe
+no response.
+
+"I don't see what good that will do," said Dorothy. "Even if the
+Skeezers are on that island and see us, and know we're friends, they
+haven't any boats to come and get us."
+
+But the Skeezers didn't need boats, as the girls soon discovered. For
+on a sudden an opening appeared at the base of the palace and from the
+opening came a slender shaft of steel, reaching out slowly but
+steadily across the water in the direction of the place where they
+stood. To the girls this steel arrangement looked like a triangle,
+with the base nearest the water. It came toward them in the form of an
+arch, stretching out from the palace wall until its end reached the
+bank and rested there, while the other end still remained on the
+island.
+
+Then they saw that it was a bridge, consisting of a steel footway just
+broad enough to walk on, and two slender guide rails, one on either
+side, which were connected with the footway by steel bars. The bridge
+looked rather frail and Dorothy feared it would not bear their weight,
+but Ozma at once called, "Come on!" and started to walk across,
+holding fast to the rail on either side. So Dorothy summoned her
+courage and followed after. Before Ozma had taken three steps she
+halted and so forced Dorothy to halt, for the bridge was again moving
+and returning to the island.
+
+"We need not walk after all," said Ozma. So they stood still in their
+places and let the steel bridge draw them onward. Indeed, the bridge
+drew them well into the glass-domed building which covered the island,
+and soon they found themselves standing in a marble room where two
+handsomely dressed young men stood on a platform to receive them.
+
+Ozma at once stepped from the end of the bridge to the marble
+platform, followed by Dorothy, and then the bridge disappeared with a
+slight clang of steel and a marble slab covered the opening from which
+it had emerged.
+
+The two young men bowed profoundly to Ozma, and one of them said:
+
+"Queen Coo-ee-oh bids you welcome, O Strangers. Her Majesty is waiting
+to receive you in her palace."
+
+"Lead on," replied Ozma with dignity.
+
+But instead of "leading on," the platform of marble began to rise,
+carrying them upward through a square hole above which just fitted it.
+A moment later they found themselves within the great glass dome that
+covered almost all of the island.
+
+Within this dome was a little village, with houses, streets, gardens
+and parks. The houses were of colored marbles, prettily designed, with
+many stained-glass windows, and the streets and gardens seemed well
+cared for. Exactly under the center of the lofty dome was a small park
+filled with brilliant flowers, with an elaborate fountain, and facing
+this park stood a building larger and more imposing than the others.
+Toward this building the young men escorted Ozma and Dorothy.
+
+On the streets and in the doorways or open windows of the houses were
+men, women and children, all richly dressed. These were much like
+other people in different parts of the Land of Oz, except that instead
+of seeming merry and contented they all wore expressions of much
+solemnity or of nervous irritation. They had beautiful homes, splendid
+clothes, and ample food, but Dorothy at once decided something was
+wrong with their lives and that they were not happy. She said nothing,
+however, but looked curiously at the Skeezers.
+
+At the entrance of the palace Ozma and Dorothy were met by two other
+young men, in uniform and armed with queer weapons that seemed about
+halfway between pistols and guns, but were like neither. Their
+conductors bowed and left them, and the two in uniforms led the girls
+into the palace.
+
+In a beautiful throne room, surrounded by a dozen or more young men
+and women, sat the Queen of the Skeezers, Coo-ee-oh. She was a girl
+who looked older than Ozma or Dorothy--fifteen or sixteen, at
+least--and although she was elaborately dressed as if she were going
+to a ball she was too thin and plain of feature to be pretty. But
+evidently Queen Coo-ee-oh did not realize this fact, for her air and
+manner betrayed her as proud and haughty and with a high regard for
+her own importance. Dorothy at once decided she was "snippy" and that
+she would not like Queen Coo-ee-oh as a companion.
+
+The Queen's hair was as black as her skin was white and her eyes were
+black, too. The eyes, as she calmly examined Ozma and Dorothy, had a
+suspicious and unfriendly look in them, but she said quietly:
+
+"I know who you are, for I have consulted my Magic Oracle, which told
+me that one calls herself Princess Ozma, the Ruler of all the Land of
+Oz, and the other is Princess Dorothy of Oz, who came from a country
+called Kansas. I know nothing of the Land of Oz, and I know nothing of
+Kansas."
+
+"Why, _this_ is the Land of Oz!" cried Dorothy. "It's a _part_ of the
+Land of Oz, anyhow, whether you know it or not."
+
+"Oh, in-deed!" answered Queen Coo-ee-oh, scornfully. "I suppose you
+will claim next that this Princess Ozma, ruling the Land of Oz, rules
+me!"
+
+"Of course," returned Dorothy. "There's no doubt of it."
+
+The Queen turned to Ozma.
+
+"Do you dare make such a claim?" she asked.
+
+By this time Ozma had made up her mind as to the character of this
+haughty and disdainful creature, whose self-pride evidently led her
+to believe herself superior to all others.
+
+"I did not come here to quarrel with your Majesty," said the girl
+Ruler of Oz, quietly. "What and who I am is well established, and my
+authority comes from the Fairy Queen Lurline, of whose band I was a
+member when Lurline made all Oz a Fairyland. There are several
+countries and several different peoples in this broad land, each of
+which has its separate rulers, Kings, Emperors and Queens. But all
+these render obedience to my laws and acknowledge me as the supreme
+Ruler."
+
+"If other Kings and Queens are fools that does not interest me in the
+least," replied Coo-ee-oh, disdainfully. "In the Land of the Skeezers
+I alone am supreme. You are impudent to think I would defer to you--or
+to anyone else."
+
+"Let us not speak of this now, please," answered Ozma. "Your island is
+in danger, for a powerful foe is preparing to destroy it."
+
+"Pah! The Flatheads. I do not fear them."
+
+"Their Supreme Dictator is a Sorcerer."
+
+"My magic is greater than his. Let the Flatheads come! They will never
+return to their barren mountain-top. I will see to that."
+
+Ozma did not like this attitude, for it meant that the Skeezers were
+eager to fight the Flatheads, and Ozma's object in coming here was to
+prevent fighting and induce the two quarrelsome neighbors to make
+peace. She was also greatly disappointed in Coo-ee-oh, for the reports
+of Su-dic had led her to imagine the Queen more just and honorable
+than were the Flatheads. Indeed Ozma reflected that the girl might be
+better at heart than her self-pride and overbearing manner indicated,
+and in any event it would be wise not to antagonize her but to try to
+win her friendship.
+
+"I do not like wars, your Majesty," said Ozma. "In the Emerald City,
+where I rule thousands of people, and in the countries near to the
+Emerald City, where thousands more acknowledge my rule, there is no
+army at all, because there is no quarreling and no need to fight. If
+differences arise between my people, they come to me and I judge the
+cases and award justice to all. So, when I learned there might be war
+between two faraway people of Oz, I came here to settle the dispute
+and adjust the quarrel."
+
+"No one asked you to come," declared Queen Coo-ee-oh. "It is _my_
+business to settle this dispute, not yours. You say my island is a
+part of the Land of Oz, which you rule, but that is all nonsense, for
+I've never heard of the Land of Oz, nor of you. You say you are a
+fairy, and that fairies gave you command over me. I don't believe it!
+What I _do_ believe is that you are an impostor and have come here to
+stir up trouble among my people, who are already becoming difficult to
+manage. You two girls may even be spies of the vile Flatheads, for all
+I know, and may be trying to trick me. But understand this," she
+added, proudly rising from her jeweled throne to confront them, "I
+have magic powers greater than any fairy possesses, and greater than
+any Flathead possesses. I am a Krumbic Witch--the only Krumbic Witch
+in the world--and I fear the magic of no other creature that exists!
+You say you rule thousands. I rule one hundred and one Skeezers. But
+every one of them trembles at my word. Now that Ozma of Oz and
+Princess Dorothy are here, I shall rule one hundred and three
+subjects, for you also shall bow before my power. More than that, in
+ruling you I also rule the thousands you say you rule."
+
+Dorothy was very indignant at this speech.
+
+"I've got a pink kitten that sometimes talks like that," she said,
+"but after I give her a good whipping she doesn't think she's so high
+and mighty after all. If you only knew who Ozma is you'd be scared to
+death to talk to her like that!"
+
+Queen Coo-ee-oh gave the girl a supercilious look. Then she turned
+again to Ozma.
+
+"I happen to know," said she, "that the Flatheads intend to attack us
+tomorrow, but we are ready for them. Until the battle is over, I shall
+keep you two strangers prisoners on my island, from which there is no
+chance for you to escape."
+
+She turned and looked around the band of courtiers who stood silently
+around her throne.
+
+"Lady Aurex," she continued, singling out one of the young women,
+"take these children to your house and care for them, giving them food
+and lodging. You may allow them to wander anywhere under the Great
+Dome, for they are harmless. After I have attended to the Flatheads I
+will consider what next to do with these foolish girls."
+
+She resumed her seat and the Lady Aurex bowed low and said in a humble
+manner:
+
+"I obey your Majesty's commands." Then to Ozma and Dorothy she added,
+"Follow me," and turned to leave the throne room.
+
+Dorothy looked to see what Ozma would do. To her surprise and a
+little to her disappointment Ozma turned and followed Lady Aurex. So
+Dorothy trailed after them, but not without giving a parting, haughty
+look toward Queen Coo-ee-oh, who had her face turned the other way and
+did not see the disapproving look.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9
+
+Lady Aurex
+
+
+Lady Aurex led Ozma and Dorothy along a street to a pretty marble
+house near to one edge of the great glass dome that covered the
+village. She did not speak to the girls until she had ushered them
+into a pleasant room, comfortably furnished, nor did any of the solemn
+people they met on the street venture to speak.
+
+When they were seated Lady Aurex asked if they were hungry, and
+finding they were summoned a maid and ordered food to be brought.
+
+This Lady Aurex looked to be about twenty years old, although in the
+Land of Oz where people have never changed in appearance since the
+fairies made it a fairyland--where no one grows old or dies--it is
+always difficult to say how many years anyone has lived. She had a
+pleasant, attractive face, even though it was solemn and sad as the
+faces of all Skeezers seemed to be, and her costume was rich and
+elaborate, as became a lady in waiting upon the Queen.
+
+Ozma had observed Lady Aurex closely and now asked her in a gentle
+tone:
+
+"Do you, also, believe me to be an impostor?"
+
+"I dare not say," replied Lady Aurex in a low tone.
+
+"Why are you afraid to speak freely?" inquired Ozma.
+
+"The Queen punishes us if we make remarks that she does not like."
+
+"Are we not alone then, in this house?"
+
+"The Queen can hear everything that is spoken on this island--even the
+slightest whisper," declared Lady Aurex. "She is a wonderful witch, as
+she has told you, and it is folly to criticise her or disobey her
+commands."
+
+Ozma looked into her eyes and saw that she would like to say more if
+she dared. So she drew from her bosom her silver wand, and having
+muttered a magic phrase in a strange tongue, she left the room and
+walked slowly around the outside of the house, making a complete
+circle and waving her wand in mystic curves as she walked. Lady Aurex
+watched her curiously and, when Ozma had again entered the room and
+seated herself, she asked:
+
+"What have you done?"
+
+"I've enchanted this house in such a manner that Queen Coo-ee-oh, with
+all her witchcraft, cannot hear one word we speak within the magic
+circle I have made," replied Ozma. "We may now speak freely and as
+loudly as we wish, without fear of the Queen's anger."
+
+Lady Aurex brightened at this.
+
+"Can I trust you?" she asked.
+
+"Ev'rybody trusts Ozma," exclaimed Dorothy. "She is true and honest,
+and your wicked Queen will be sorry she insulted the powerful Ruler of
+all the Land of Oz."
+
+"The Queen does not know me yet," said Ozma, "but I want you to know
+me, Lady Aurex, and I want you to tell me why you, and all the
+Skeezers, are unhappy. Do not fear Coo-ee-oh's anger, for she cannot
+hear a word we say, I assure you."
+
+Lady Aurex was thoughtful a moment; then she said: "I shall trust you,
+Princess Ozma, for I believe you are what you say you are--our supreme
+Ruler. If you knew the dreadful punishments our Queen inflicts upon
+us, you would not wonder we are so unhappy. The Skeezers are not bad
+people; they do not care to quarrel and fight, even with their enemies
+the Flatheads; but they are so cowed and fearful of Coo-ee-oh that
+they obey her slightest word, rather than suffer her anger."
+
+"Hasn't she any heart, then?" asked Dorothy.
+
+"She never displays mercy. She loves no one but herself," asserted
+Lady Aurex, but she trembled as she said it, as if afraid even yet of
+her terrible Queen.
+
+"That's pretty bad," said Dorothy, shaking her head gravely. "I see
+you've a lot to do here, Ozma, in this forsaken corner of the Land of
+Oz. First place, you've got to take the magic away from Queen
+Coo-ee-oh, and from that awful Su-dic, too. _My_ idea is that neither
+of them is fit to rule anybody, 'cause they're cruel and hateful. So
+you'll have to give the Skeezers and Flatheads new rulers and teach
+all their people that they're part of the Land of Oz and must obey,
+above all, the lawful Ruler, Ozma of Oz. Then, when you've done that,
+we can go back home again."
+
+Ozma smiled at her little friend's earnest counsel, but Lady Aurex
+said in an anxious tone:
+
+"I am surprised that you suggest these reforms while you are yet
+prisoners on this island and in Coo-ee-oh's power. That these things
+should be done, there is no doubt, but just now a dreadful war is
+likely to break out, and frightful things may happen to us all. Our
+Queen has such conceit that she thinks she can overcome the Su-dic and
+his people, but it is said Su-dic's magic is very powerful, although
+not as great as that possessed by his wife Rora, before Coo-ee-oh
+transformed her into a Golden Pig."
+
+"I don't blame her very much for doing that," remarked Dorothy, "for
+the Flatheads were wicked to try to catch your beautiful fish and the
+Witch Rora wanted to poison all the fishes in the lake."
+
+"Do you know the reason?" asked the Lady Aurex.
+
+"I don't s'pose there _was_ any reason, 'cept just wickedness,"
+replied Dorothy.
+
+"Tell us the reason," said Ozma earnestly.
+
+"Well, your Majesty, once--a long time ago--the Flatheads and the
+Skeezers were friendly. They visited our island and we visited their
+mountain, and everything was pleasant between the two peoples. At that
+time the Flatheads were ruled by three Adepts in Sorcery, beautiful
+girls who were not Flatheads, but had wandered to the Flat Mountain
+and made their home there. These three Adepts used their magic only
+for good, and the mountain people gladly made them their rulers. They
+taught the Flatheads how to use their canned brains and how to work
+metals into clothing that would never wear out, and many other things
+that added to their happiness and content.
+
+"Coo-ee-oh was our Queen then, as now, but she knew no magic and so
+had nothing to be proud of. But the three Adepts were very kind to
+Coo-ee-oh. They built for us this wonderful dome of glass and our
+houses of marble and taught us to make beautiful clothing and many
+other things. Coo-ee-oh pretended to be very grateful for these
+favors, but it seems that all the time she was jealous of the three
+Adepts and secretly tried to discover their arts of magic. In this
+she was more clever than anyone suspected. She invited the three
+Adepts to a banquet one day, and while they were feasting Coo-ee-oh
+stole their charms and magical instruments and transformed them into
+three fishes--a gold fish, a silver fish and a bronze fish. While the
+poor fishes were gasping and flopping helplessly on the floor of the
+banquet room one of them said reproachfully: 'You will be punished for
+this, Coo-ee-oh, for if one of us dies or is destroyed, you will
+become shrivelled and helpless, and all your stolen magic will depart
+from you.' Frightened by this threat, Coo-ee-oh at once caught up the
+three fish and ran with them to the shore of the lake, where she cast
+them into the water. This revived the three Adepts and they swam away
+and disappeared.
+
+"I, myself, witnessed this shocking scene," continued Lady Aurex, "and
+so did many other Skeezers. The news was carried to the Flatheads, who
+then turned from friends to enemies. The Su-dic and his wife Rora were
+the only ones on the mountain who were glad the three Adepts had been
+lost to them, and they at once became Rulers of the Flatheads and
+stole their canned brains from others to make themselves the more
+powerful. Some of the Adepts' magic tools had been left on the
+mountain, and these Rora seized and by the use of them she became a
+witch.
+
+"The result of Coo-ee-oh's treachery was to make both the Skeezers and
+the Flatheads miserable instead of happy. Not only were the Su-dic and
+his wife cruel to their people, but our Queen at once became proud and
+arrogant and treated us very unkindly. All the Skeezers knew she had
+stolen her magic powers and so she hated us and made us humble
+ourselves before her and obey her slightest word. If we disobeyed, or
+did not please her, or if we talked about her when we were in our own
+homes she would have us dragged to the whipping post in her palace and
+lashed with knotted cords. That is why we fear her so greatly."
+
+This story filled Ozma's heart with sorrow and Dorothy's heart with
+indignation.
+
+"I now understand," said Ozma, "why the fishes in the lake have
+brought about war between the Skeezers and the Flatheads."
+
+"Yes," Lady Aurex answered, "now that you know the story it is easy to
+understand. The Su-dic and his wife came to our lake hoping to catch
+the silver fish, or gold fish, or bronze fish--any one of them _would_
+do--and by destroying it deprive Coo-ee-oh of her magic. Then they
+could easily conquer her. Also they had another reason for wanting to
+catch the fish--they feared that in some way the three Adepts might
+regain their proper forms and then they would be sure to return to the
+mountain and punish Rora and the Su-dic. That was why Rora finally
+tried to poison all the fishes in the lake, at the time Coo-ee-oh
+transformed her into a Golden Pig. Of course this attempt to destroy
+the fishes frightened the Queen, for her safety lies in keeping the
+three fishes alive."
+
+"I s'pose Coo-ee-oh will fight the Flatheads with all her might,"
+observed Dorothy.
+
+"And with all her magic," added Ozma, thoughtfully.
+
+"I do not see how the Flatheads can get to this island to hurt us,"
+said Lady Aurex.
+
+"They have bows and arrows, and I guess they mean to shoot the arrows
+at your big dome, and break all the glass in it," suggested Dorothy.
+
+But Lady Aurex shook her head with a smile.
+
+"They cannot do that," she replied.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"I dare not tell you why, but if the Flatheads come to-morrow morning
+you will yourselves see the reason."
+
+"I do not think they will attempt to harm the island," Ozma declared.
+"I believe they will first attempt to destroy the fishes, by poison
+or some other means. If they succeed in that, the conquest of the
+island will not be difficult."
+
+"They have no boats," said Lady Aurex, "and Coo-ee-oh, who has long
+expected this war, has been preparing for it in many astonishing ways.
+I almost wish the Flatheads would conquer us, for then we would be
+free from our dreadful Queen; but I do not wish to see the three
+transformed fishes destroyed, for in them lies our only hope of future
+happiness."
+
+"Ozma will take care of you, whatever happens," Dorothy assured her.
+But the Lady Aurex, not knowing the extent of Ozma's power--which was,
+in fact, not so great as Dorothy imagined--could not take much comfort
+in this promise.
+
+It was evident there would be exciting times on the morrow, if the
+Flatheads really attacked the Skeezers of the Magic Isle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10
+
+Under Water
+
+
+When night fell all the interior of the Great Dome, streets and
+houses, became lighted with brilliant incandescent lamps, which
+rendered it bright as day. Dorothy thought the island must look
+beautiful by night from the outer shore of the lake. There was revelry
+and feasting in the Queen's palace, and the music of the royal band
+could be plainly heard in Lady Aurex's house, where Ozma and Dorothy
+remained with their hostess and keeper. They were prisoners, but
+treated with much consideration.
+
+Lady Aurex gave them a nice supper and when they wished to retire
+showed them to a pretty room with comfortable beds and wished them a
+good night and pleasant dreams.
+
+"What do you think of all this, Ozma?" Dorothy anxiously inquired when
+they were alone.
+
+"I am glad we came," was the reply, "for although there may be
+mischief done to-morrow, it was necessary I should know about these
+people, whose leaders are wild and lawless and oppress their subjects
+with injustice and cruelties. My task, therefore, is to liberate the
+Skeezers and the Flatheads and secure for them freedom and happiness.
+I have no doubt I can accomplish this in time."
+
+"Just now, though, we're in a bad fix," asserted Dorothy. "If Queen
+Coo-ee-oh conquers to-morrow, she won't be nice to us, and if the
+Su-dic conquers, he'll be worse."
+
+"Do not worry, dear," said Ozma, "I do not think we are in danger,
+whatever happens, and the result of our adventure is sure to be good."
+
+Dorothy was not worrying, especially. She had confidence in her
+friend, the fairy Princess of Oz, and she enjoyed the excitement of
+the events in which she was taking part. So she crept into bed and
+fell asleep as easily as if she had been in her own cosy room in
+Ozma's palace.
+
+A sort of grating, grinding sound awakened her. The whole island
+seemed to tremble and sway, as it might do in an earthquake. Dorothy
+sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes to get the sleep out of them, and then
+found it was daybreak.
+
+Ozma was hurriedly dressing herself.
+
+"What is it?" asked Dorothy, jumping out of bed.
+
+"I'm not sure," answered Ozma "but it feels as if the island is
+sinking."
+
+As soon as possible they finished dressing, while the creaking and
+swaying continued. Then they rushed into the living room of the house
+and found Lady Aurex, fully dressed, awaiting them.
+
+"Do not be alarmed," said their hostess. "Coo-ee-oh has decided to
+submerge the island, that is all. But it proves the Flatheads are
+coming to attack us."
+
+"What do you mean by sub-sub-merging the island?" asked Dorothy.
+
+"Come here and see," was the reply.
+
+Lady Aurex led them to a window which faced the side of the great dome
+which covered all the village, and they could see that the island was
+indeed sinking, for the water of the lake was already half way up the
+side of the dome. Through the glass could be seen swimming fishes, and
+tall stalks of swaying seaweeds, for the water was clear as crystal
+and through it they could distinguish even the farther shore of the
+lake.
+
+"The Flatheads are not here yet," said Lady Aurex. "They will come
+soon, but not until all of this dome is under the surface of the
+water."
+
+"Won't the dome leak?" Dorothy inquired anxiously.
+
+"No, indeed."
+
+"Was the island ever sub-sub-sunk before?"
+
+"Oh, yes; on several occasions. But Coo-ee-oh doesn't care to do that
+often, for it requires a lot of hard work to operate the machinery.
+The dome was built so that the island could disappear. I think," she
+continued, "that our Queen fears the Flatheads will attack the island
+and try to break the glass of the dome."
+
+"Well, if we're under water, they can't fight us, and we can't fight
+them," asserted Dorothy.
+
+"They could kill the fishes, however," said Ozma gravely.
+
+"We have ways to fight, also, even though our island is under water,"
+claimed Lady Aurex. "I cannot tell you all our secrets, but this
+island is full of surprises. Also our Queen's magic is astonishing."
+
+"Did she steal it all from the three Adepts in Sorcery that are now
+fishes?"
+
+"She stole the knowledge and the magic tools, but she has used them as
+the three Adepts never would have done."
+
+By this time the top of the dome was quite under water and suddenly
+the island stopped sinking and became stationary.
+
+"See!" cried Lady Aurex, pointing to the shore. "The Flatheads have
+come."
+
+On the bank, which was now far above their heads, a crowd of dark
+figures could be seen.
+
+"Now let us see what Coo-ee-oh will do to oppose them," continued Lady
+Aurex, in a voice that betrayed her excitement.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Flatheads, pushing their way through the line of palm trees, had
+reached the shore of the lake just as the top of the island's dome
+disappeared beneath the surface. The water now flowed from shore to
+shore, but through the clear water the dome was still visible and the
+houses of the Skeezers could be dimly seen through the panes of glass.
+
+"Good!" exclaimed the Su-dic, who had armed all his followers and had
+brought with him two copper vessels, which he carefully set down upon
+the ground beside him. "If Coo-ee-oh wants to hide instead of
+fighting our job will be easy, for in one of these copper vessels I
+have enough poison to kill every fish in the lake."
+
+"Kill them, then, while we have time, and then we can go home again,"
+advised one of the chief officers.
+
+"Not yet," objected the Su-dic. "The Queen of the Skeezers has defied
+me, and I want to get her into my power, as well as to destroy her
+magic. She transformed my poor wife into a Golden Pig, and I must have
+revenge for that, whatever else we do."
+
+"Look out!" suddenly exclaimed the officers, pointing into the lake;
+"something's going to happen."
+
+From the submerged dome a door opened and something black shot swiftly
+out into the water. The door instantly closed behind it and the dark
+object cleaved its way through the water, without rising to the
+surface, directly toward the place where the Flatheads were standing.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"What is that?" Dorothy asked the Lady Aurex.
+
+"That is one of the Queen's submarines," was the reply. "It is all
+enclosed, and can move under water. Coo-ee-oh has several of these
+boats which are kept in little rooms in the basement under our
+village. When the island is submerged, the Queen uses these boats to
+reach the shore, and I believe she now intends to fight the Flatheads
+with them."
+
+The Su-dic and his people knew nothing of Coo-ee-oh's submarines, so
+they watched with surprise as the under-water boat approached them.
+When it was quite near the shore it rose to the surface and the top
+parted and fell back, disclosing a boat full of armed Skeezers. At the
+head was the Queen, standing up in the bow and holding in one hand a
+coil of magic rope that gleamed like silver.
+
+The boat halted and Coo-ee-oh drew back her arm to throw the silver
+rope toward the Su-dic, who was now but a few feet from her. But the
+wily Flathead leader quickly realized his danger and before the Queen
+could throw the rope he caught up one of the copper vessels and dashed
+its contents full in her face!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11
+
+The Conquest of the Skeezers
+
+
+Queen Coo-ee-oh dropped the rope, tottered and fell headlong into the
+water, sinking beneath the surface, while the Skeezers in the
+submarine were too bewildered to assist her and only stared at the
+ripples in the water where she had disappeared. A moment later there
+arose to the surface a beautiful White Swan. This Swan was of large
+size, very gracefully formed, and scattered all over its white
+feathers were tiny diamonds, so thickly placed that as the rays of the
+morning sun fell upon them the entire body of the Swan glistened like
+one brilliant diamond. The head of the Diamond Swan had a bill of
+polished gold and its eyes were two sparkling amethysts.
+
+"Hooray!" cried the Su-dic, dancing up and down with wicked glee. "My
+poor wife, Rora, is avenged at last. You made her a Golden Pig,
+Coo-ee-oh, and now I have made you a Diamond Swan. Float on your lake
+forever, if you like, for your web feet can do no more magic and you
+are as powerless as the Pig you made of my wife!"
+
+"Villain! Scoundrel!" croaked the Diamond Swan. "You will be punished
+for this. Oh, what a fool I was to let you enchant me!"
+
+"A fool you were, and a fool you are!" laughed the Su-dic, dancing
+madly in his delight. And then he carelessly tipped over the other
+copper vessel with his heel and its contents spilled on the sands and
+were lost to the last drop.
+
+The Su-dic stopped short and looked at the overturned vessel with a
+rueful countenance.
+
+"That's too bad--too bad!" he exclaimed sorrowfully. "I've lost all
+the poison I had to kill the fishes with, and I can't make any more
+because only my wife knew the secret of it, and she is now a foolish
+Pig and has forgotten all her magic."
+
+"Very well," said the Diamond Swan scornfully, as she floated upon the
+water and swam gracefully here and there. "I'm glad to see you are
+foiled. Your punishment is just beginning, for although you have
+enchanted me and taken away my powers of sorcery you have still the
+three magic fishes to deal with, and they'll destroy you in time, mark
+my words."
+
+The Su-dic stared at the Swan a moment. Then he yelled to his men:
+
+"Shoot her! Shoot the saucy bird!"
+
+They let fly some arrows at the Diamond Swan, but she dove under the
+water and the missiles fell harmless. When Coo-ee-oh rose to the
+surface she was far from the shore and she swiftly swam across the
+lake to where no arrows or spears could reach her.
+
+The Su-dic rubbed his chin and thought what to do next. Near by
+floated the submarine in which the Queen had come, but the Skeezers
+who were in it were puzzled what to do with themselves. Perhaps they
+were not sorry their cruel mistress had been transformed into a
+Diamond Swan, but the transformation had left them quite helpless. The
+under-water boat was not operated by machinery, but by certain mystic
+words uttered by Coo-ee-oh. They didn't know how to submerge it, or
+how to make the water-tight shield cover them again, or how to make
+the boat go back to the castle, or make it enter the little basement
+room where it was usually kept. As a matter of fact, they were now
+shut out of their village under the Great Dome and could not get back
+again. So one of the men called to the Supreme Dictator of the
+Flatheads, saying:
+
+"Please make us prisoners and take us to your mountain, and feed and
+keep us, for we have nowhere to go."
+
+Then the Su-dic laughed and answered:
+
+"Not so. I can't be bothered by caring for a lot of stupid Skeezers.
+Stay where you are, or go wherever you please, so long as you keep
+away from our mountain." He turned to his men and added: "We have
+conquered Queen Coo-ee-oh and made her a helpless swan. The Skeezers
+are under water and may stay there. So, having won the war, let us go
+home again and make merry and feast, having after many years proved
+the Flatheads to be greater and more powerful than the Skeezers."
+
+So the Flatheads marched away and passed through the row of palms and
+went back to their mountain, where the Su-dic and a few of his
+officers feasted and all the others were forced to wait on them.
+
+"I'm sorry we couldn't have roast pig," said the Su-dic, "but as the
+only pig we have is made of gold, we can't eat her. Also the Golden
+Pig happens to be my wife, and even were she not gold I am sure she
+would be too tough to eat."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 12
+
+The Diamond Swan
+
+
+When the Flatheads had gone away the Diamond Swan swam back to the
+boat and one of the young Skeezers named Ervic said to her eagerly:
+
+"How can we get back to the island, your Majesty?"
+
+"Am I not beautiful?" asked Coo-ee-oh, arching her neck gracefully and
+spreading her diamond-sprinkled wings. "I can see my reflection in the
+water, and I'm sure there is no bird nor beast, nor human as
+magnificent as I am!"
+
+"How shall we get back to the island, your Majesty?" pleaded Ervic.
+
+"When my fame spreads throughout the land, people will travel from all
+parts of this lake to look upon my loveliness," said Coo-ee-oh,
+shaking her feathers to make the diamonds glitter more brilliantly.
+
+"But, your Majesty, we must go home and we do not know how to get
+there," Ervic persisted.
+
+"My eyes," remarked the Diamond Swan, "are wonderfully blue and bright
+and will charm all beholders."
+
+"Tell us how to make the boat go--how to get back into the island,"
+begged Ervic and the others cried just as earnestly: "Tell us,
+Coo-ee-oh; tell us!"
+
+"I don't know," replied the Queen in a careless tone.
+
+"You are a magic-worker, a sorceress, a witch!"
+
+"I was, of course, when I was a girl," she said, bending her head over
+the clear water to catch her reflection in it; "but now I've
+forgotten all such foolish things as magic. Swans are lovelier than
+girls, especially when they're sprinkled with diamonds. Don't you
+think so?" And she gracefully swam away, without seeming to care
+whether they answered or not.
+
+Ervic and his companions were in despair. They saw plainly that
+Coo-ee-oh could not or would not help them. The former Queen had no
+further thought for her island, her people, or her wonderful magic;
+she was only intent on admiring her own beauty.
+
+"Truly," said Ervic, in a gloomy voice, "the Flatheads have conquered
+us!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Some of these events had been witnessed by Ozma and Dorothy and Lady
+Aurex, who had left the house and gone close to the glass of the dome,
+in order to see what was going on. Many of the Skeezers had also
+crowded against the dome, wondering what would happen next. Although
+their vision was to an extent blurred by the water and the necessity
+of looking upward at an angle, they had observed the main points of
+the drama enacted above. They saw Queen Coo-ee-oh's submarine come to
+the surface and open; they saw the Queen standing erect to throw her
+magic rope; they saw her sudden transformation into a Diamond Swan,
+and a cry of amazement went up from the Skeezers inside the dome.
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Dorothy. "I hate that old Su-dic, but I'm glad
+Coo-ee-oh is punished."
+
+"This is a dreadful misfortune!" cried Lady Aurex, pressing her hands
+upon her heart.
+
+"Yes," agreed Ozma, nodding her head thoughtfully; "Coo-ee-oh's
+misfortune will prove a terrible blow to her people."
+
+"What do you mean by that?" asked Dorothy in surprise. "Seems to _me_
+the Skeezers are in luck to lose their cruel Queen."
+
+"If that were all you would be right," responded Lady Aurex; "and if
+the island were above water it would not be so serious. But here we
+all are, at the bottom of the lake, and fast prisoners in this dome."
+
+"Can't you raise the island?" inquired Dorothy.
+
+"No. Only Coo-ee-oh knew how to do that," was the answer.
+
+"We can try," insisted Dorothy. "If it can be made to go down, it can
+be made to come up. The machinery is still here, I suppose.
+
+"Yes; but the machinery works by magic, and Coo-ee-oh would never
+share her secret power with any one of us."
+
+Dorothy's face grew grave; but she was thinking.
+
+"Ozma knows a lot of magic," she said.
+
+"But not that kind of magic," Ozma replied.
+
+"Can't you learn how, by looking at the machinery?"
+
+"I'm afraid not, my dear. It isn't fairy magic at all; it is
+witchcraft."
+
+"Well," said Dorothy, turning to Lady Aurex, "you say there are other
+sub-sub-sinking boats. We can get in one of those, and shoot out to
+the top of the water, like Coo-ee-oh did, and so escape. And then we
+can help to rescue all the Skeezers down here."
+
+"No one knows how to work the under-water boats but the Queen,"
+declared Lady Aurex.
+
+"Isn't there any door or window in this dome that we could open?"
+
+"No; and, if there were, the water would rush in to flood the dome,
+and we could not get out."
+
+"The Skeezers," said Ozma, "could not drown; they only get wet and
+soggy and in that condition they would be very uncomfortable and
+unhappy. But _you_ are a mortal girl, Dorothy, and if your Magic Belt
+protected you from death you would have to lie forever at the bottom
+of the lake."
+
+"No, I'd rather die quickly," asserted the little girl. "But there
+are doors in the basement that open--to let out the bridges and the
+boats--and that would not flood the dome, you know."
+
+"Those doors open by a magic word, and only Coo-ee-oh knows the word
+that must be uttered," said Lady Aurex.
+
+"Dear me!" exclaimed Dorothy, "that dreadful Queen's witchcraft upsets
+all my plans to escape. I guess I'll give it up, Ozma, and let _you_
+save us."
+
+Ozma smiled, but her smile was not so cheerful as usual. The Princess
+of Oz found herself confronted with a serious problem, and although
+she had no thought of despairing she realized that the Skeezers and
+their island, as well as Dorothy and herself, were in grave trouble
+and that unless she could find a means to save them they would be lost
+to the Land of Oz for all future time.
+
+"In such a dilemma," said she, musingly, "nothing is gained by haste.
+Careful thought may aid us, and so may the course of events. The
+unexpected is always likely to happen, and cheerful patience is better
+than reckless action."
+
+"All right," returned Dorothy; "take your time, Ozma; there's no
+hurry. How about some breakfast, Lady Aurex?"
+
+Their hostess led them back to the house, where she ordered her
+trembling servants to prepare and serve breakfast. All the Skeezers
+were frightened and anxious over the transformation of their Queen
+into a swan. Coo-ee-oh was feared and hated, but they had depended on
+her magic to conquer the Flatheads and she was the only one who could
+raise their island to the surface of the lake again.
+
+Before breakfast was over several of the leading Skeezers came to
+Aurex to ask her advice and to question Princess Ozma, of whom they
+knew nothing except that she claimed to be a fairy and the Ruler of
+all the land, including the Lake of the Skeezers.
+
+"If what you told Queen Coo-ee-oh was the truth," they said to her,
+"you are our lawful mistress, and we may depend on you to get us out
+of our difficulties."
+
+"I will try to do that," Ozma graciously assured them, "but you must
+remember that the powers of fairies are granted them to bring comfort
+and happiness to all who appeal to them. On the contrary, such magic
+as Coo-ee-oh knew and practiced is unlawful witchcraft and her arts
+are such as no fairy would condescend to use. However, it is sometimes
+necessary to consider evil in order to accomplish good, and perhaps by
+studying Coo-ee-oh's tools and charms of witchcraft I may be able to
+save us. Do you promise to accept me as your Ruler and to obey my
+commands?"
+
+They promised willingly.
+
+"Then," continued Ozma, "I will go to Coo-ee-oh's palace and take
+possession of it. Perhaps what I find there will be of use to me. In
+the meantime tell all the Skeezers to fear nothing, but have patience.
+Let them return to their homes and perform their daily tasks as usual.
+Coo-ee-oh's loss may not prove a misfortune, but rather a blessing."
+
+This speech cheered the Skeezers amazingly. Really, they had no one
+now to depend upon but Ozma, and in spite of their dangerous position
+their hearts were lightened by the transformation and absence of their
+cruel Queen.
+
+They got out their brass band and a grand procession escorted Ozma and
+Dorothy to the palace, where all of Coo-ee-oh's former servants were
+eager to wait upon them. Ozma invited Lady Aurex to stay at the palace
+also, for she knew all about the Skeezers and their island and had
+also been a favorite of the former Queen, so her advice and
+information were sure to prove valuable.
+
+Ozma was somewhat disappointed in what she found in the palace. One
+room of Coo-ee-oh's private suite was entirely devoted to the practice
+of witchcraft, and here were countless queer instruments and jars of
+ointments and bottles of potions labeled with queer names, and strange
+machines that Ozma could not guess the use of, and pickled toads and
+snails and lizards, and a shelf of books that were written in blood,
+but in a language which the Ruler of Oz did not know.
+
+"I do not see," said Ozma to Dorothy, who accompanied her in her
+search, "how Coo-ee-oh knew the use of the magic tools she stole from
+the three Adept Witches. Moreover, from all reports these Adepts
+practiced only good witchcraft, such as would be helpful to their
+people, while Coo-ee-oh performed only evil."
+
+"Perhaps she turned the good things to evil uses?" suggested Dorothy.
+
+"Yes, and with the knowledge she gained Coo-ee-oh doubtless invented
+many evil things quite unknown to the good Adepts, who are now
+fishes," added Ozma. "It is unfortunate for us that the Queen kept her
+secrets so closely guarded, for no one but herself could use any of
+these strange things gathered in this room."
+
+"Couldn't we capture the Diamond Swan and make her tell the secrets?"
+asked Dorothy.
+
+"No; even were we able to capture her, Coo-ee-oh now has forgotten all
+the magic she ever knew. But until we ourselves escape from this dome
+we could not capture the Swan, and were we to escape we would have no
+use for Coo-ee-oh's magic."
+
+"That's a fact," admitted Dorothy. "But--say, Ozma, here's a good
+idea! Couldn't we capture the three fishes--the gold and silver and
+bronze ones, and couldn't you transform 'em back to their own shapes,
+and then couldn't the three Adepts get us out of here?"
+
+"You are not very practical, Dorothy dear. It would be as hard for us
+to capture the three fishes, from among all the other fishes in the
+lake, as to capture the Swan."
+
+"But if we could, it would be more help to us," persisted the little
+girl.
+
+"That is true," answered Ozma, smiling at her friend's eagerness. "You
+find a way to catch the fish, and I'll promise when they are caught to
+restore them to their proper forms."
+
+"I know you think I can't do it," replied Dorothy, "but I'm going to
+try."
+
+She left the palace and went to a place where she could look through a
+clear pane of the glass dome into the surrounding water. Immediately
+she became interested in the queer sights that met her view.
+
+The Lake of the Skeezers was inhabited by fishes of many kinds and
+many sizes. The water was so transparent that the girl could see for a
+long distance and the fishes came so close to the glass of the dome
+that sometimes they actually touched it. On the white sands at the
+bottom of the lake were star-fish, lobsters, crabs and many shell fish
+of strange shapes and with shells of gorgeous hues. The water foliage
+was of brilliant colors and to Dorothy it resembled a splendid garden.
+
+But the fishes were the most interesting of all. Some were big and
+lazy, floating slowly along or lying at rest with just their fins
+waving. Many with big round eyes looked full at the girl as she
+watched them and Dorothy wondered if they could hear her through the
+glass if she spoke to them. In Oz, where all the animals and birds can
+talk, many fishes are able to talk also, but usually they are more
+stupid than birds and animals because they think slowly and haven't
+much to talk about.
+
+In the Lake of the Skeezers the fish of smaller size were more active
+than the big ones and darted quickly in and out among the swaying
+weeds, as if they had important business and were in a hurry. It was
+among the smaller varieties that Dorothy hoped to spy the gold and
+silver and bronze fishes. She had an idea the three would keep
+together, being companions now as they were in their natural forms,
+but such a multitude of fishes constantly passed, the scene shifting
+every moment, that she was not sure she would notice them even if they
+appeared in view. Her eyes couldn't look in all directions and the
+fishes she sought might be on the other side of the dome, or far away
+in the lake.
+
+"P'raps, because they were afraid of Coo-ee-oh, they've hid themselves
+somewhere, and don't know their enemy has been transformed," she
+reflected.
+
+She watched the fishes for a long time, until she became hungry and
+went back to the palace for lunch. But she was not discouraged.
+
+"Anything new, Ozma?" she asked.
+
+"No, dear. Did you discover the three fishes?"
+
+"Not yet. But there isn't anything better for me to do, Ozma, so I
+guess I'll go back and watch again."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 13
+
+The Alarm Bell
+
+
+Glinda, the Good, in her palace in the Quadling Country, had many
+things to occupy her mind, for not only did she look after the weaving
+and embroidery of her bevy of maids, and assist all those who came to
+her to implore her help--beasts and birds as well as people--but she
+was a close student of the arts of sorcery and spent much time in her
+Magical Laboratory, where she strove to find a remedy for every evil
+and to perfect her skill in magic.
+
+Nevertheless, she did not forget to look in the Great Book of Records
+each day to see if any mention was made of the visit of Ozma and
+Dorothy to the Enchanted Mountain of the Flatheads and the Magic Isle
+of the Skeezers. The Records told her that Ozma had arrived at the
+mountain, that she had escaped, with her companion, and gone to the
+island of the Skeezers, and that Queen Coo-ee-oh had submerged the
+island so that it was entirely under water. Then came the statement
+that the Flatheads had come to the lake to poison the fishes and that
+their Supreme Dictator had transformed Queen Coo-ee-oh into a swan.
+
+No other details were given in the Great Book and so Glinda did not
+know that since Coo-ee-oh had forgotten her magic none of the Skeezers
+knew how to raise the island to the surface again. So Glinda was not
+worried about Ozma and Dorothy until one morning, while she sat with
+her maids, there came a sudden clang of the great alarm bell. This was
+so unusual that every maid gave a start and even the Sorceress for a
+moment could not think what the alarm meant.
+
+Then she remembered the ring she had given Dorothy when she left the
+palace to start on her venture. In giving the ring Glinda had warned
+the little girl not to use its magic powers unless she and Ozma were
+in real danger, but then she was to turn it on her finger once to the
+right and once to the left and Glinda's alarm bell would ring.
+
+So the Sorceress now knew that danger threatened her beloved Ruler and
+Princess Dorothy, and she hurried to her magic room to seek
+information as to what sort of danger it was. The answer to her
+question was not very satisfactory, for it was only: "Ozma and Dorothy
+are prisoners in the great Dome of the Isle of the Skeezers, and the
+Dome is under the water of the lake."
+
+"Hasn't Ozma the power to raise the island to the surface?" inquired
+Glinda.
+
+"No," was the reply, and the Record refused to say more except that
+Queen Coo-ee-oh, who alone could command the island to rise, had been
+transformed by the Flathead Su-dic into a Diamond Swan.
+
+Then Glinda consulted the past records of the Skeezers in the Great
+Book. After diligent search she discovered that Coo-ee-oh was a
+powerful sorceress, who had gained most of her power by treacherously
+transforming the Adepts of Magic, who were visiting her, into three
+fishes--gold, silver and bronze--after which she had them cast into
+the lake.
+
+Glinda reflected earnestly on this information and decided that
+someone must go to Ozma's assistance. While there was no great need of
+haste, because Ozma and Dorothy could live in a submerged dome a long
+time, it was evident they could not get out until someone was able to
+raise the island.
+
+The Sorceress looked through all her recipes and books of sorcery, but
+could find no magic that would raise a sunken island. Such a thing had
+never before been required in sorcery. Then Glinda made a little
+island, covered by a glass dome, and sunk it in a pond near her
+castle, and experimented in magical ways to bring it to the surface.
+She made several such experiments, but all were failures. It seemed a
+simple thing to do, yet she could not do it.
+
+Nevertheless, the wise Sorceress did not despair of finding a way to
+liberate her friends. Finally she concluded that the best thing to do
+was to go to the Skeezer country and examine the lake. While there she
+was more likely to discover a solution to the problem that bothered
+her, and to work out a plan for the rescue of Ozma and Dorothy.
+
+So Glinda summoned her storks and her aerial chariot, and telling her
+maids she was going on a journey and might not soon return, she
+entered the chariot and was carried swiftly to the Emerald City.
+
+In Princess Ozma's palace the Scarecrow was now acting as Ruler of the
+Land of Oz. There wasn't much for him to do, because all the affairs
+of state moved so smoothly, but he was there in case anything
+unforeseen should happen.
+
+Glinda found the Scarecrow playing croquet with Trot and Betsy Bobbin,
+two little girls who lived at the palace under Ozma's protection and
+were great friends of Dorothy and much loved by all the Oz people.
+
+"Something's happened!" cried Trot, as the chariot of the Sorceress
+descended near them. "Glinda never comes here 'cept something's gone
+wrong."
+
+"I hope no harm has come to Ozma, or Dorothy," said Betsy anxiously,
+as the lovely Sorceress stepped down from her chariot.
+
+Glinda approached the Scarecrow and told him of the dilemma of Ozma
+and Dorothy and she added: "We must save them, somehow, Scarecrow."
+
+"Of course," replied the Scarecrow, stumbling over a wicket and
+falling flat on his painted face.
+
+The girls picked him up and patted his straw stuffing into shape, and
+he continued, as if nothing had occurred: "But you'll have to tell me
+what to do, for I never have raised a sunken island in all my life."
+
+"We must have a Council of State as soon as possible," proposed the
+Sorceress. "Please send messengers to summon all of Ozma's counsellors
+to this palace. Then we can decide what is best to be done."
+
+The Scarecrow lost no time in doing this. Fortunately most of the
+royal counsellors were in the Emerald City or near to it, so they all
+met in the throne room of the palace that same evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 14
+
+Ozma's Counsellors
+
+
+No Ruler ever had such a queer assortment of advisers as the Princess
+Ozma had gathered about her throne. Indeed, in no other country could
+such amazing people exist. But Ozma loved them for their
+peculiarities and could trust every one of them.
+
+First there was the Tin Woodman. Every bit of him was tin, brightly
+polished. All his joints were kept well oiled and moved smoothly. He
+carried a gleaming axe to prove he was a woodman, but seldom had cause
+to use it because he lived in a magnificent tin castle in the Winkie
+Country of Oz and was the Emperor of all the Winkies. The Tin
+Woodman's name was Nick Chopper. He had a very good mind, but his
+heart was not of much account, so he was very careful to do nothing
+unkind or to hurt anyone's feelings.
+
+Another counsellor was Scraps, the Patchwork Girl of Oz, who was made
+of a gaudy patchwork quilt, cut into shape and stuffed with cotton.
+This Patchwork Girl was very intelligent, but so full of fun and mad
+pranks that a lot of more stupid folks thought she must be crazy.
+Scraps was jolly under all conditions, however grave they might be,
+but her laughter and good spirits were of value in cheering others and
+in her seemingly careless remarks much wisdom could often be found.
+
+Then there was the Shaggy Man--shaggy from head to foot, hair and
+whiskers, clothes and shoes--but very kind and gentle and one of
+Ozma's most loyal supporters.
+
+Tik-Tok was there, a copper man with machinery inside him, so cleverly
+constructed that he moved, spoke and thought by three separate
+clock-works. Tik-Tok was very reliable because he always did exactly
+what he was wound up to do, but his machinery was liable to run down
+at times and then he was quite helpless until wound up again.
+
+A different sort of person was Jack Pumpkinhead, one of Ozma's oldest
+friends and her companion on many adventures. Jack's body was very
+crude and awkward, being formed of limbs of trees of different sizes,
+jointed with wooden pegs. But it was a substantial body and not likely
+to break or wear out, and when it was dressed the clothes covered much
+of its roughness. The head of Jack Pumpkinhead was, as you have
+guessed, a ripe pumpkin, with the eyes, nose and mouth carved upon one
+side. The pumpkin was stuck on Jack's wooden neck and was liable to
+get turned sidewise or backward and then he would have to straighten
+it with his wooden hands.
+
+The worst thing about this sort of a head was that it did not keep
+well and was sure to spoil sooner or later. So Jack's main business
+was to grow a field of fine pumpkins each year, and always before his
+old head spoiled he would select a fresh pumpkin from the field and
+carve the features on it very neatly, and have it ready to replace the
+old head whenever it became necessary. He didn't always carve it the
+same way, so his friends never knew exactly what sort of an expression
+they would find on his face. But there was no mistaking him, because
+he was the only pumpkin-headed man alive in the Land of Oz.
+
+A one-legged sailor-man was a member of Ozma's council. His name was
+Cap'n Bill and he had come to the Land of Oz with Trot, and had been
+made welcome on account of his cleverness, honesty and good-nature. He
+wore a wooden leg to replace the one he had lost and was a great
+friend of all the children in Oz because he could whittle all sorts of
+toys out of wood with his big jack-knife.
+
+Professor H. M. Wogglebug, T. E., was another member of the council.
+The "H. M." meant Highly Magnified, for the Professor was once a
+little bug, who became magnified to the size of a man and always
+remained so. The "T. E." meant that he was Thoroughly Educated. He was
+at the head of Princess Ozma's Royal Athletic College, and so that the
+students would not have to study and so lose much time that could be
+devoted to athletic sports, such as football, baseball and the like,
+Professor Wogglebug had invented the famous Educational Pills. If one
+of the college students took a Geography Pill after breakfast, he knew
+his geography lesson in an instant; if he took a Spelling Pill he at
+once knew his spelling lesson, and an Arithmetic Pill enabled the
+student to do any kind of sum without having to think about it.
+
+These useful pills made the college very popular and taught the boys
+and girls of Oz their lessons in the easiest possible way. In spite of
+this, Professor Wogglebug was not a favorite outside his college, for
+he was very conceited and admired himself so much and displayed his
+cleverness and learning so constantly, that no one cared to associate
+with him. Ozma found him of value in her councils, nevertheless.
+
+Perhaps the most splendidly dressed of all those present was a great
+frog as large as a man, called the Frogman, who was noted for his wise
+sayings. He had come to the Emerald City from the Yip Country of Oz
+and was a guest of honor. His long-tailed coat was of velvet, his vest
+of satin and his trousers of finest silk. There were diamond buckles
+on his shoes and he carried a gold-headed cane and a high silk hat.
+All of the bright colors were represented in his rich attire, so it
+tired one's eyes to look at him for long, until one became used to his
+splendor.
+
+The best farmer in all Oz was Uncle Henry, who was Dorothy's own
+uncle, and who now lived near the Emerald City with his wife Aunt Em.
+Uncle Henry taught the Oz people how to grow the finest vegetables and
+fruits and grains and was of much use to Ozma in keeping the Royal
+Storehouses well filled. He, too, was a counsellor.
+
+The reason I mention the little Wizard of Oz last is because he was
+the most important man in the Land of Oz. He wasn't a big man in size,
+but he was a big man in power and intelligence and second only to
+Glinda the Good in all the mystic arts of magic. Glinda had taught
+him, and the Wizard and the Sorceress were the only ones in Oz
+permitted by law to practice wizardry and sorcery, which they applied
+only to good uses and for the benefit of the people.
+
+The Wizard wasn't exactly handsome but he was pleasant to look at. His
+bald head was as shiny as if it had been varnished; there was always a
+merry twinkle in his eyes and he was as spry as a schoolboy. Dorothy
+says the reason the Wizard is not as powerful as Glinda is because
+Glinda didn't teach him all she knows, but what the Wizard knows he
+knows very well and so he performs some very remarkable magic.
+
+The ten I have mentioned assembled, with the Scarecrow and Glinda, in
+Ozma's throne room, right after dinner that evening, and the Sorceress
+told them all she knew of the plight of Ozma and Dorothy.
+
+"Of course we must rescue them," she continued, "and the sooner they
+are rescued the better pleased they will be; but what we must now
+determine is how they can be saved. That is why I have called you
+together in council."
+
+"The easiest way," remarked the Shaggy Man, "is to raise the sunken
+island of the Skeezers to the top of the water again."
+
+"Tell me how?" said Glinda.
+
+"I don't know how, your Highness, for I have never raised a sunken
+island."
+
+"We might all get under it and lift," suggested Professor Wogglebug.
+
+"How can we get under it when it rests on the bottom of the lake?"
+asked the Sorceress.
+
+"Couldn't we throw a rope around it and pull it ashore?" inquired Jack
+Pumpkinhead.
+
+"Why not pump the water out of the lake?" suggested the Patchwork Girl
+with a laugh.
+
+"Do be sensible!" pleaded Glinda. "This is a serious matter, and we
+must give it serious thought."
+
+"How big is the lake and how big is the island?" was the Frogman's
+question.
+
+"None of us can tell, for we have not been there."
+
+"In that case," said the Scarecrow, "it appears to me we ought to go
+to the Skeezer country and examine it carefully."
+
+"Quite right," agreed the Tin Woodman.
+
+"We-will-have-to-go-there-any-how," remarked Tik-Tok in his jerky
+machine voice.
+
+"The question is which of us shall go, and how many of us?" said the
+Wizard.
+
+"I shall go of course," declared the Scarecrow.
+
+"And I," said Scraps.
+
+"It is my duty to Ozma to go," asserted the Tin Woodman.
+
+"I could not stay away, knowing our loved Princess is in danger," said
+the Wizard.
+
+"We all feel like that," Uncle Henry said.
+
+Finally one and all present decided to go to the Skeezer country, with
+Glinda and the little Wizard to lead them. Magic must meet magic in
+order to conquer it, so these two skillful magic-workers were
+necessary to insure the success of the expedition.
+
+They were all ready to start at a moment's notice, for none had any
+affairs of importance to attend to. Jack was wearing a newly made
+Pumpkin-head and the Scarecrow had recently been stuffed with fresh
+straw. Tik-Tok's machinery was in good running order and the Tin
+Woodman always was well oiled. "It is quite a long journey," said
+Glinda, "and while I might travel quickly to the Skeezer country by
+means of my stork chariot the rest of you will be obliged to walk. So,
+as we must keep together, I will send my chariot back to my castle and
+we will plan to leave the Emerald City at sunrise to-morrow."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 15
+
+The Great Sorceress
+
+
+Betsy and Trot, when they heard of the rescue expedition, begged the
+Wizard to permit them to join it and he consented. The Glass Cat,
+overhearing the conversation, wanted to go also and to this the
+Wizard made no objection.
+
+This Glass Cat was one of the real curiosities of Oz. It had been made
+and brought to life by a clever magician named Dr. Pipt, who was not
+now permitted to work magic and was an ordinary citizen of the Emerald
+City. The cat was of transparent glass, through which one could
+plainly see its ruby heart beating and its pink brains whirling around
+in the top of the head.
+
+The Glass Cat's eyes were emeralds; its fluffy tail was of spun glass
+and very beautiful. The ruby heart, while pretty to look at, was hard
+and cold and the Glass Cat's disposition was not pleasant at all
+times. It scorned to catch mice, did not eat, and was extremely lazy.
+If you complimented the remarkable cat on her beauty, she would be
+very friendly, for she loved admiration above everything. The pink
+brains were always working and their owner was indeed more intelligent
+than most common cats.
+
+Three other additions to the rescue party were made the next morning,
+just as they were setting out upon their journey. The first was a
+little boy called Button Bright, because he had no other name that
+anyone could remember. He was a fine, manly little fellow, well
+mannered and good humored, who had only one bad fault. He was
+continually getting lost. To be sure, Button Bright got found as often
+as he got lost, but when he was missing his friends could not help
+being anxious about him.
+
+"Some day," predicted the Patchwork Girl, "he won't be found, and that
+will be the last of him." But that didn't worry Button Bright, who was
+so careless that he did not seem to be able to break the habit of
+getting lost.
+
+The second addition to the party was a Munchkin boy of about Button
+Bright's age, named Ojo. He was often called "Ojo the Lucky," because
+good fortune followed him wherever he went. He and Button Bright were
+close friends, although of such different natures, and Trot and Betsy
+were fond of both.
+
+The third and last to join the expedition was an enormous lion, one of
+Ozma's regular guardians and the most important and intelligent beast
+in all Oz. He called himself the Cowardly Lion, saying that every
+little danger scared him so badly that his heart thumped against his
+ribs, but all who knew him knew that the Cowardly Lion's fears were
+coupled with bravery and that however much he might be frightened he
+summoned courage to meet every danger he encountered. Often he had
+saved Dorothy and Ozma in times of peril, but afterward he moaned and
+trembled and wept because he had been so scared.
+
+"If Ozma needs help, I'm going to help her," said the great beast.
+"Also, I suspect the rest of you may need me on the journey--especially
+Trot and Betsy--for you may pass through a dangerous part of the
+country. I know that wild Gillikin country pretty well. Its forests
+harbor many ferocious beasts."
+
+They were glad the Cowardly Lion was to join them, and in good spirits
+the entire party formed a procession and marched out of the Emerald
+City amid the shouts of the people, who wished them success and a safe
+return with their beloved Ruler.
+
+They followed a different route from that taken by Ozma and Dorothy,
+for they went through the Winkie Country and up north toward Oogaboo.
+But before they got there they swerved to the left and entered the
+Great Gillikin Forest, the nearest thing to a wilderness in all Oz.
+Even the Cowardly Lion had to admit that certain parts of this forest
+were unknown to him, although he had often wandered among the trees,
+and the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman, who were great travelers, never had
+been there at all.
+
+The forest was only reached after a tedious tramp, for some of the
+Rescue Expedition were quite awkward on their feet. The Patchwork Girl
+was as light as a feather and very spry; the Tin Woodman covered the
+ground as easily as Uncle Henry and the Wizard; but Tik-Tok moved
+slowly and the slightest obstruction in the road would halt him until
+the others cleared it away. Then, too, Tik-Tok's machinery kept
+running down, so Betsy and Trot took turns in winding it up.
+
+The Scarecrow was more clumsy but less bother, for although he often
+stumbled and fell he could scramble up again and a little patting of
+his straw-stuffed body would put him in good shape again.
+
+Another awkward one was Jack Pumpkinhead, for walking would jar his
+head around on his neck and then he would be likely to go in the wrong
+direction. But the Frogman took Jack's arm and then he followed the
+path more easily.
+
+Cap'n Bill's wooden leg didn't prevent him from keeping up with the
+others and the old sailor could walk as far as any of them.
+
+When they entered the forest the Cowardly lion took the lead. There
+was no path here for men, but many beasts had made paths of their own
+which only the eyes of the lion, practiced in woodcraft, could
+discern. So he stalked ahead and wound his way in and out, the others
+following in single file, Glinda being next to the Lion.
+
+There are dangers in the forest, of course, but as the huge Lion
+headed the party he kept the wild denizens of the wilderness from
+bothering the travelers. Once, to be sure, an enormous leopard sprang
+upon the Glass Cat and caught her in his powerful jaws, but he broke
+several of his teeth and with howls of pain and dismay dropped his
+prey and vanished among the trees.
+
+"Are you hurt?" Trot anxiously inquired of the Glass Cat.
+
+"How silly!" exclaimed the creature in an irritated tone of voice;
+"nothing can hurt glass, and I'm too solid to break easily. But I'm
+annoyed at that leopard's impudence. He has no respect for beauty or
+intelligence. If he had noticed my pink brains work, I'm sure he would
+have realized I'm too important to be grabbed in a wild beast's jaws."
+
+"Never mind," said Trot consolingly; "I'm sure he won't do it again."
+
+They were almost in the center of the forest when Ojo, the Munchkin
+boy, suddenly said: "Why, where's Button Bright?"
+
+They halted and looked around them. Button Bright was not with the
+party.
+
+"Dear me," remarked Betsy, "I expect he's lost again!"
+
+"When did you see him last, Ojo?" inquired Glinda.
+
+"It was some time ago," replied Ojo. "He was trailing along at the end
+and throwing twigs at the squirrels in the trees. Then I went to talk
+to Betsy and Trot, and just now I noticed he was gone."
+
+"This is too bad," declared the Wizard, "for it is sure to delay our
+journey. We must find Button Bright before we go any farther, for
+this forest is full of ferocious beasts that would not hesitate to
+tear the boy to pieces."
+
+"But what shall we do?" asked the Scarecrow. "If any of us leaves the
+party to search for Button Bright he or she might fall a victim to the
+beasts, and if the Lion leaves us we will have no protector.
+
+"The Glass Cat could go," suggested the Frogman. "The beasts can do
+her no harm, as we have discovered."
+
+The Wizard turned to Glinda.
+
+"Cannot your sorcery discover where Button Bright is?" he asked.
+
+"I think so," replied the Sorceress.
+
+She called to Uncle Henry, who had been carrying her wicker box, to
+bring it to her, and when he obeyed she opened it and drew out a small
+round mirror. On the surface of the glass she dusted a white powder
+and then wiped it away with her handkerchief and looked in the mirror.
+It reflected a part of the forest, and there, beneath a wide-spreading
+tree, Button Bright was lying asleep. On one side of him crouched a
+tiger, ready to spring; on the other side was a big gray wolf, its
+bared fangs glistening in a wicked way.
+
+"Goodness me!" cried Trot, looking over Glinda's shoulder. "They'll
+catch and kill him sure."
+
+Everyone crowded around for a glimpse at the magic mirror.
+
+"Pretty bad--pretty bad!" said the Scarecrow sorrowfully.
+
+"Comes of getting lost!" said Cap'n Bill, sighing.
+
+"Guess he's a goner!" said the Frogman, wiping his eyes on his purple
+silk handkerchief.
+
+"But where is he? Can't we save him?" asked Ojo the Lucky.
+
+"If we knew where he is we could probably save him," replied the
+little Wizard, "but that tree looks so much like all the other trees,
+that we can't tell whether it's far away or near by."
+
+"Look at Glinda!" exclaimed Betsy.
+
+Glinda, having handed the mirror to the Wizard, had stepped aside and
+was making strange passes with her outstretched arms and reciting in
+low, sweet tones a mystical incantation. Most of them watched the
+Sorceress with anxious eyes, despair giving way to the hope that she
+might be able to save their friend. The Wizard, however, watched the
+scene in the mirror, while over his shoulders peered Trot, the
+Scarecrow and the Shaggy Man.
+
+What they saw was more strange than Glinda's actions. The tiger
+started to spring on the sleeping boy, but suddenly lost its power to
+move and lay flat upon the ground. The gray wolf seemed unable to lift
+its feet from the ground. It pulled first at one leg and then at
+another, and finding itself strangely confined to the spot began to
+bark and snarl angrily. They couldn't hear the barkings and snarls,
+but they could see the creature's mouth open and its thick lips move.
+Button Bright, however, being but a few feet away from the wolf, heard
+its cries of rage, which wakened him from his untroubled sleep.
+
+The boy sat up and looked first at the tiger and then at the wolf. His
+face showed that for a moment he was quite frightened, but he soon saw
+that the beasts were unable to approach him and so he got upon his
+feet and examined them curiously, with a mischievous smile upon his
+face. Then he deliberately kicked the tiger's head with his foot and
+catching up a fallen branch of a tree he went to the wolf and gave it
+a good whacking. Both the beasts were furious at such treatment but
+could not resent it.
+
+Button Bright now threw down the stick and with his hands in his
+pockets wandered carelessly away.
+
+"Now," said Glinda, "let the Glass Cat run and find him. He is in that
+direction," pointing the way, "but how far off I do not know. Make
+haste and lead him back to us as quickly as you can."
+
+The Glass Cat did not obey everyone's orders, but she really feared
+the great Sorceress, so as soon as the words were spoken the crystal
+animal darted away and was quickly lost to sight.
+
+The Wizard handed the mirror back to Glinda, for the woodland scene
+had now faded from the glass. Then those who cared to rest sat down to
+await Button Bright's coming. It was not long before he appeared
+through the trees and as he rejoined his friends he said in a peevish
+tone:
+
+"Don't ever send that Glass Cat to find me again. She was very
+impolite and, if we didn't all know that she had no manners, I'd say
+she insulted me."
+
+Glinda turned upon the boy sternly.
+
+"You have caused all of us much anxiety and annoyance," said she.
+"Only my magic saved you from destruction. I forbid you to get lost
+again."
+
+"Of course," he answered. "It won't be _my_ fault if I get lost again;
+but it wasn't my fault _this_ time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 16
+
+The Enchanted Fishes
+
+
+I must now tell you what happened to Ervic and the three other
+Skeezers who were left floating in the iron boat after Queen Coo-ee-oh
+had been transformed into a Diamond Swan by the magic of the Flathead
+Su-dic.
+
+The four Skeezers were all young men and their leader was Ervic.
+Coo-ee-oh had taken them with her in the boat to assist her if she
+captured the Flathead chief, as she hoped to do by means of her silver
+rope. They knew nothing about the witchcraft that moved the submarine
+and so, when left floating upon the lake, were at a loss what to do.
+The submarine could not be submerged by them or made to return to the
+sunken island. There were neither oars nor sails in the boat, which
+was not anchored but drifted quietly upon the surface of the lake.
+
+The Diamond Swan had no further thought or care for her people. She
+had sailed over to the other side of the lake and all the calls and
+pleadings of Ervic and his companions were unheeded by the vain bird.
+As there was nothing else for them to do, they sat quietly in their
+boat and waited as patiently as they could for someone to come to
+their aid.
+
+The Flatheads had refused to help them and had gone back to their
+mountain. All the Skeezers were imprisoned in the Great Dome and could
+not help even themselves. When evening came, they saw the Diamond
+Swan, still keeping to the opposite shore of the lake, walk out of the
+water to the sands, shake her diamond-sprinkled feathers, and then
+disappear among the bushes to seek a resting place for the night.
+
+"I'm hungry," said Ervic.
+
+"I'm cold," said another Skeezer.
+
+"I'm tired," said a third.
+
+"I'm afraid," said the last one of them.
+
+But it did them no good to complain. Night fell and the moon rose and
+cast a silvery sheen over the surface of the water.
+
+"Go to sleep," said Ervic to his companions. "I'll stay awake and
+watch, for we may be rescued in some unexpected way."
+
+So the other three laid themselves down in the bottom of the boat and
+were soon fast asleep.
+
+Ervic watched. He rested himself by leaning over the bow of the boat,
+his face near to the moonlit water, and thought dreamily of the day's
+surprising events and wondered what would happen to the prisoners in
+the Great Dome.
+
+Suddenly a tiny goldfish popped its head above the surface of the
+lake, not more than a foot from his eyes. A silverfish then raised its
+head beside that of the goldfish, and a moment later a bronzefish
+lifted its head beside the others. The three fish, all in a row,
+looked earnestly with their round, bright eyes into the astonished
+eyes of Ervic the Skeezer.
+
+"We are the three Adepts whom Queen Coo-ee-oh betrayed and wickedly
+transformed," said the goldfish, its voice low and soft but distinctly
+heard in the stillness of the night.
+
+"I know of our Queen's treacherous deed," replied Ervic, "and I am
+sorry for your misfortune. Have you been in the lake ever since?"
+
+"Yes," was the reply.
+
+"I--I hope you are well--and comfortable," stammered Ervic, not
+knowing what else to say.
+
+"We knew that some day Coo-ee-oh would meet with the fate she so
+richly deserves," declared the bronzefish. "We have waited and watched
+for this time. Now if you will promise to help us and will be faithful
+and true, you can aid us in regaining our natural forms, and save
+yourself and all your people from the dangers that now threaten you."
+
+"Well," said Ervic, "you can depend on my doing the best I can. But
+I'm no witch, nor magician, you must know."
+
+"All we ask is that you obey our instructions," returned the
+silverfish. "We know that you are honest and that you served Coo-ee-oh
+only because you were obliged to in order to escape her anger. Do as
+we command and all will be well."
+
+"I promise!" exclaimed the young man. "Tell me what I am to do first."
+
+"You will find in the bottom of your boat the silver cord which
+dropped from Coo-ee-oh's hand when she was transformed," said the
+goldfish. "Tie one end of that cord to the bow of your boat and drop
+the other end to us in the water. Together we will pull your boat to
+the shore."
+
+Ervic much doubted that the three small fishes could move so heavy a
+boat, but he did as he was told and the fishes all seized their end of
+the silver cord in their mouths and headed toward the nearest shore,
+which was the very place where the Flatheads had stood when they
+conquered Queen Coo-ee-oh.
+
+At first the boat did not move at all, although the fishes pulled with
+all their strength. But presently the strain began to tell. Very
+slowly the boat crept toward the shore, gaining more speed at every
+moment. A couple of yards away from the sandy beach the fishes dropped
+the cord from their mouths and swam to one side, while the iron boat,
+being now under way, continued to move until its prow grated upon the
+sands.
+
+Ervic leaned over the side and said to the fishes: "What next?"
+
+"You will find upon the sand," said the silverfish, "a copper kettle,
+which the Su-dic forgot when he went away. Cleanse it thoroughly in
+the water of the lake, for it has had poison in it. When it is
+cleaned, fill it with fresh water and hold it over the side of the
+boat, so that we three may swim into the kettle. We will then instruct
+you further."
+
+"Do you wish me to catch you, then?" asked Ervic in surprise.
+
+"Yes," was the reply.
+
+So Ervic jumped out of the boat and found the copper kettle. Carrying
+it a little way down the beach, he washed it well, scrubbing away
+every drop of the poison it had contained with sand from the shore.
+
+Then he went back to the boat.
+
+Ervic's comrades were still sound asleep and knew nothing of the three
+fishes or what strange happenings were taking place about them. Ervic
+dipped the kettle in the lake, holding fast to the handle until it
+was under water. The gold and silver and bronze fishes promptly swam
+into the kettle. The young Skeezer then lifted it, poured out a little
+of the water so it would not spill over the edge, and said to the
+fishes: "What next?"
+
+"Carry the kettle to the shore. Take one hundred steps to the east,
+along the edge of the lake, and then you will see a path leading
+through the meadows, up hill and down dale. Follow the path until you
+come to a cottage which is painted a purple color with white
+trimmings. When you stop at the gate of this cottage we will tell you
+what to do next. Be careful, above all, not to stumble and spill the
+water from the kettle, or you would destroy us and all you have done
+would be in vain."
+
+The goldfish issued these commands and Ervic promised to be careful
+and started to obey. He left his sleeping comrades in the boat,
+stepping cautiously over their bodies, and on reaching the shore took
+exactly one hundred steps to the east. Then he looked for the path and
+the moonlight was so bright that he easily discovered it, although it
+was hidden from view by tall weeds until one came full upon it. This
+path was very narrow and did not seem to be much used, but it was
+quite distinct and Ervic had no difficulty in following it. He walked
+through a broad meadow, covered with tall grass and weeds, up a hill
+and down into a valley and then up another hill and down again.
+
+It seemed to Ervic that he had walked miles and miles. Indeed the moon
+sank low and day was beginning to dawn when finally he discovered by
+the roadside a pretty little cottage, painted purple with white
+trimmings. It was a lonely place--no other buildings were anywhere
+about and the ground was not tilled at all. No farmer lived here, that
+was certain. Who would care to dwell in such an isolated place?
+
+But Ervic did not bother his head long with such questions. He went up
+to the gate that led to the cottage, set the copper kettle carefully
+down and bending over it asked:
+
+"What next?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 17
+
+Under the Great Dome
+
+
+When Glinda the Good and her followers of the Rescue Expedition came
+in sight of the Enchanted Mountain of the Flatheads, it was away to
+the left of them, for the route they had taken through the Great
+Forest was some distance from that followed by Ozma and Dorothy.
+
+They halted awhile to decide whether they should call upon the Supreme
+Dictator first, or go on to the Lake of the Skeezers.
+
+"If we go to the mountain," said the Wizard, "we may get into trouble
+with that wicked Su-dic, and then we would be delayed in rescuing Ozma
+and Dorothy. So I think our best plan will be to go to the Skeezer
+Country, raise the sunken island and save our friends and the
+imprisoned Skeezers. Afterward we can visit the mountain and punish
+the cruel magician of the Flatheads."
+
+"That is sensible," approved the Shaggy Man. "I quite agree with you."
+
+The others, too, seemed to think the Wizard's plan the best, and
+Glinda herself commended it, so on they marched toward the line of
+palm trees that hid the Skeezers' lake from view.
+
+Pretty soon they came to the palms. These were set closely together,
+the branches, which came quite to the ground, being so tightly
+interlaced that even the Glass Cat could scarcely find a place to
+squeeze through. The path which the Flatheads used was some distance
+away.
+
+"Here's a job for the Tin Woodman," said the Scarecrow.
+
+So the Tin Woodman, who was always glad to be of use, set to work with
+his sharp, gleaming axe, which he always carried, and in a
+surprisingly short time had chopped away enough branches to permit
+them all to pass easily through the trees.
+
+Now the clear waters of the beautiful lake were before them and by
+looking closely they could see the outlines of the Great Dome of the
+sunken island, far from shore and directly in the center of the lake.
+
+Of course every eye was at first fixed upon this dome, where Ozma and
+Dorothy and the Skeezers were still fast prisoners. But soon their
+attention was caught by a more brilliant sight, for here was the
+Diamond Swan swimming just before them, its long neck arched proudly,
+the amethyst eyes gleaming and all the diamond-sprinkled feathers
+glistening splendidly under the rays of the sun.
+
+"That," said Glinda, "is the transformation of Queen Coo-ee-oh, the
+haughty and wicked witch who betrayed the three Adepts at Magic and
+treated her people like slaves."
+
+"She's wonderfully beautiful now," remarked the Frogman.
+
+"It doesn't seem like much of a punishment," said Trot. "The Flathead
+Su-dic ought to have made her a toad."
+
+"I am sure Coo-ee-oh is punished," said Glinda, "for she has lost all
+her magic power and her grand palace and can no longer misrule the
+poor Skeezers."
+
+"Let us call to her, and hear what she has to say," proposed the
+Wizard.
+
+So Glinda beckoned the Diamond Swan, which swam gracefully to a
+position near them. Before anyone could speak Coo-ee-oh called to
+them in a rasping voice--for the voice of a swan is always harsh and
+unpleasant--and said with much pride:
+
+"Admire me, Strangers! Admire the lovely Coo-ee-oh, the handsomest
+creature in all Oz. Admire me!"
+
+"Handsome is as handsome does," replied the Scarecrow. "Are your deeds
+lovely, Coo-ee-oh?"
+
+"Deeds? What deeds can a swan do but swim around and give pleasure to
+all beholders?" said the sparkling bird.
+
+"Have you forgotten your former life? Have you forgotten your magic
+and witchcraft?" inquired the Wizard.
+
+"Magic--witchcraft? Pshaw, who cares for such silly things?" retorted
+Coo-ee-oh. "As for my past life, it seems like an unpleasant dream. I
+wouldn't go back to it if I could. Don't you admire my beauty,
+Strangers?"
+
+"Tell us, Coo-ee-oh," said Glinda earnestly, "if you can recall enough
+of your witchcraft to enable us to raise the sunken island to the
+surface of the lake. Tell us that and I'll give you a string of pearls
+to wear around your neck and add to your beauty."
+
+"Nothing can add to my beauty, for I'm the most beautiful creature
+anywhere in the whole world."
+
+"But how can we raise the island?"
+
+"I don't know and I don't care. If ever I knew I've forgotten, and I'm
+glad of it," was the response. "Just watch me circle around and see me
+glitter!"
+
+"It's no use," said Button Bright; "the old Swan is too much in love
+with herself to think of anything else."
+
+"That's a fact," agreed Betsy with a sigh; "but we've got to get Ozma
+and Dorothy out of that lake, somehow or other."
+
+"And we must do it in our own way," added the Scarecrow.
+
+"But how?" asked Uncle Henry in a grave voice, for he could not bear
+to think of his dear niece Dorothy being out there under water; "how
+shall we do it?"
+
+"Leave that to Glinda," advised the Wizard, realizing he was helpless
+to do it himself.
+
+"If it were just an ordinary sunken island," said the powerful
+Sorceress, "there would be several ways by which I might bring it to
+the surface again. But this is a Magic Isle, and by some curious art
+of witchcraft, unknown to any but Queen Coo-ee-oh, it obeys certain
+commands of magic and will not respond to any other. I do not despair
+in the least, but it will require some deep study to solve this
+difficult problem. If the Swan could only remember the witchcraft that
+she invented and knew as a woman, I could force her to tell me the
+secret, but all her former knowledge is now forgotten."
+
+"It seems to me," said the Wizard after a brief silence had followed
+Glinda's speech, "that there are three fishes in this lake that used
+to be Adepts at Magic and from whom Coo-ee-oh stole much of her
+knowledge. If we could find those fishes and return them to their
+former shapes, they could doubtless tell us what to do to bring the
+sunken island to the surface."
+
+"I have thought of those fishes," replied Glinda, "but among so many
+fishes as this lake contains how are we to single them out?"
+
+You will understand, of course, that had Glinda been at home in her
+castle, where the Great Book of Records was, she would have known that
+Ervic the Skeezer already had taken the gold and silver and bronze
+fishes from the lake. But that act had been recorded in the Book after
+Glinda had set out on this journey, so it was all unknown to her.
+
+"I think I see a boat yonder on the shore," said Ojo the Munchkin boy,
+pointing to a place around the edge of the lake. "If we could get
+that boat and row all over the lake, calling to the magic fishes, we
+might be able to find them."
+
+"Let us go to the boat," said the Wizard.
+
+They walked around the lake to where the boat was stranded upon the
+beach, but found it empty. It was a mere shell of blackened steel,
+with a collapsible roof that, when in position, made the submarine
+water-tight, but at present the roof rested in slots on either side of
+the magic craft. There were no oars or sails, no machinery to make the
+boat go, and although Glinda promptly realized it was meant to be
+operated by witchcraft, she was not acquainted with that sort of
+magic.
+
+"However," said she, "the boat is merely a boat, and I believe I can
+make it obey a command of sorcery, as well as it did the command of
+witchcraft. After I have given a little thought to the matter, the
+boat will take us wherever we desire to go."
+
+"Not all of us," returned the Wizard, "for it won't hold so many. But,
+most noble Sorceress, provided you can make the boat go, of what use
+will it be to us?"
+
+"Can't we use it to catch the three fishes?" asked Button Bright.
+
+"It will not be necessary to use the boat for that purpose," replied
+Glinda. "Wherever in the lake the enchanted fishes may be, they will
+answer to my call. What I am trying to discover is how the boat came
+to be on this shore, while the island on which it belongs is under
+water yonder. Did Coo-ee-oh come here in the boat to meet the
+Flatheads before the island was sunk, or afterward?"
+
+No one could answer that question, of course; but while they pondered
+the matter three young men advanced from the line of trees, and
+rather timidly bowed to the strangers.
+
+"Who are you, and where did you come from!" inquired the Wizard.
+
+"We are Skeezers," answered one of them, "and our home is on the Magic
+Isle of the Lake. We ran away when we saw you coming, and hid behind
+the trees, but as you are Strangers and seem to be friendly we decided
+to meet you, for we are in great trouble and need assistance."
+
+"If you belong on the island, why are you here?" demanded Glinda.
+
+So they told her all the story: How the Queen had defied the Flatheads
+and submerged the whole island so that her enemies could not get to it
+or destroy it; how, when the Flatheads came to the shore, Coo-ee-oh
+had commanded them, together with their friend Ervic, to go with her
+in the submarine to conquer the Su-dic, and how the boat had shot out
+from the basement of the sunken isle, obeying a magic word, and risen
+to the surface, where it opened and floated upon the water.
+
+Then followed the account of how the Su-dic had transformed Coo-ee-oh
+into a swan, after which she had forgotten all the witchcraft she ever
+knew. The young men told how in the night when they were asleep,
+their comrade Ervic had mysteriously disappeared, while the boat in
+some strange manner had floated to the shore and stranded upon the
+beach.
+
+That was all they knew. They had searched in vain for three days for
+Ervic. As their island was under water and they could not get back to
+it, the three Skeezers had no place to go, and so had waited patiently
+beside their boat for something to happen.
+
+Being questioned by Glinda and the Wizard, they told all they knew
+about Ozma and Dorothy and declared the two girls were still in the
+village under the Great Dome. They were quite safe and would be well
+cared for by Lady Aurex, now that the Queen who opposed them was out
+of the way.
+
+When they had gleaned all the information they could from these
+Skeezers, the Wizard said to Glinda:
+
+"If you find you can make this boat obey your sorcery, you could have
+it return to the island, submerge itself, and enter the door in the
+basement from which it came. But I cannot see that our going to the
+sunken island would enable our friends to escape. We would only join
+them as prisoners."
+
+"Not so, friend Wizard," replied Glinda. "If the boat would obey my
+commands to enter the basement door, it would also obey my commands to
+come out again, and I could bring Ozma and Dorothy back with me."
+
+"And leave all of our people still imprisoned?" asked one of the
+Skeezers reproachfully.
+
+"By making several trips in the boat, Glinda could fetch all your
+people to the shore," replied the Wizard.
+
+"But what could they do then?" inquired another Skeezer. "They would
+have no homes and no place to go, and would be at the mercy of their
+enemies, the Flatheads."
+
+"That is true," said Glinda the Good. "And as these people are Ozma's
+subjects, I think she would refuse to escape with Dorothy and leave
+the others behind, or to abandon the island which is the lawful home
+of the Skeezers. I believe the best plan will be to summon the three
+fishes and learn from them how to raise the island."
+
+The little Wizard seemed to think that this was rather a forlorn hope.
+
+"How will you summon them," he asked the lovely Sorceress, "and how
+can they hear you?"
+
+"That is something we must consider carefully," responded stately
+Glinda, with a serene smile. "I think I can find a way."
+
+All of Ozma's counsellors applauded this sentiment, for they knew
+well the powers of the Sorceress.
+
+"Very well," agreed the Wizard. "Summon them, most noble Glinda."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 18
+
+The Cleverness of Ervic
+
+
+We must now return to Ervic the Skeezer, who, when he had set down the
+copper kettle containing the three fishes at the gate of the lonely
+cottage, had asked, "What next?"
+
+The goldfish stuck its head above the water in the kettle and said in
+its small but distinct voice:
+
+"You are to lift the latch, open the door, and walk boldly into the
+cottage. Do not be afraid of anything you see, for however you seem to
+be threatened with dangers, nothing can harm you. The cottage is the
+home of a powerful Yookoohoo, named Reera the Red, who assumes all
+sorts of forms, sometimes changing her form several times in a day,
+according to her fancy. What her real form may be we do not know. This
+strange creature cannot be bribed with treasure, or coaxed through
+friendship, or won by pity. She has never assisted anyone, or done
+wrong to anyone, that we know of. All her wonderful powers are used
+for her own selfish amusement. She will order you out of the house but
+you must refuse to go. Remain and watch Reera closely and try to see
+what she uses to accomplish her transformations. If you can discover
+the secret whisper it to us and we will then tell you what to do
+next."
+
+"That sounds easy," returned Ervic, who had listened carefully. "But
+are you sure she will not hurt me, or try to transform me?"
+
+"She may change your form," replied the goldfish, "but do not worry if
+that happens, for we can break that enchantment easily. You may be
+sure that nothing will harm you, so you must not be frightened at
+anything you see or hear."
+
+Now Ervic was as brave as any ordinary young man, and he knew the
+fishes who spoke to him were truthful and to be relied upon,
+nevertheless he experienced a strange sinking of the heart as he
+picked up the kettle and approached the door of the cottage. His hand
+trembled as he raised the latch, but he was resolved to obey his
+instructions. He pushed the door open, took three strides into the
+middle of the one room the cottage contained, and then stood still and
+looked around him.
+
+The sights that met his gaze were enough to frighten anyone who had
+not been properly warned. On the floor just before Ervic lay a great
+crocodile, its red eyes gleaming wickedly and its wide open mouth
+displaying rows of sharp teeth. Horned toads hopped about; each of the
+four upper corners of the room was festooned with a thick cobweb, in
+the center of which sat a spider as big around as a washbasin, and
+armed with pincher-like claws; a red-and-green lizard was stretched at
+full length on the window-sill and black rats darted in and out of the
+holes they had gnawed in the floor of the cottage.
+
+But the most startling thing was a huge gray ape which sat upon a
+bench and knitted. It wore a lace cap, such as old ladies wear, and a
+little apron of lace, but no other clothing. Its eyes were bright and
+looked as if coals were burning in them. The ape moved as naturally as
+an ordinary person might, and on Ervic's entrance stopped knitting and
+raised its head to look at him.
+
+"Get out!" cried a sharp voice, seeming to come from the ape's mouth.
+
+Ervic saw another bench, empty, just beyond him, so he stepped over
+the crocodile, sat down upon the bench and carefully placed the kettle
+beside him.
+
+"Get out!" again cried the voice.
+
+Ervic shook his head.
+
+"No," said he, "I'm going to stay."
+
+The spiders left their four corners, dropped to the floor and made a
+rush toward the young Skeezer, circling around his legs with their
+pinchers extended. Ervic paid no attention to them. An enormous black
+rat ran up Ervic's body, passed around his shoulders and uttered
+piercing squeals in his ears, but he did not wince. The green-and-red
+lizard, coming from the window-sill, approached Ervic and began
+spitting a flaming fluid at him, but Ervic merely stared at the
+creature and its flame did not touch him.
+
+The crocodile raised its tail and, swinging around, swept Ervic off
+the bench with a powerful blow. But the Skeezer managed to save the
+kettle from upsetting and he got up, shook off the horned toads that
+were crawling over him and resumed his seat on the bench.
+
+All the creatures, after this first attack, remained motionless, as if
+awaiting orders. The old gray ape knitted on, not looking toward Ervic
+now, and the young Skeezer stolidly kept his seat. He expected
+something else to happen, but nothing did. A full hour passed and
+Ervic was growing nervous.
+
+"What do you want?" the ape asked at last.
+
+"Nothing," said Ervic.
+
+"You may have that!" retorted the ape, and at this all the strange
+creatures in the room broke into a chorus of cackling laughter.
+
+Another long wait.
+
+"Do you know who I am?" questioned the ape.
+
+"You must be Reera the Red--the Yookoohoo," Ervic answered.
+
+"Knowing so much, you must also know that I do not like strangers.
+Your presence here in my home annoys me. Do you not fear my anger?"
+
+"No," said the young man.
+
+"Do you intend to obey me, and leave this house?"
+
+"No," replied Ervic, just as quietly as the Yookoohoo had spoken.
+
+The ape knitted for a long time before resuming the conversation.
+
+"Curiosity," it said, "has led to many a man's undoing. I suppose in
+some way you have learned that I do tricks of magic, and so through
+curiosity you have come here. You may have been told that I do not
+injure anyone, so you are bold enough to disobey my commands to go
+away. You imagine that you may witness some of the rites of
+witchcraft, and that they may amuse you. Have I spoken truly?"
+
+"Well," remarked Ervic, who had been pondering on the strange
+circumstances of his coming here, "you are right in some ways, but not
+in others. I am told that you work magic only for your own amusement.
+That seems to me very selfish. Few people understand magic. I'm told
+that you are the only real Yookoohoo in all Oz. Why don't you amuse
+others as well as yourself?"
+
+"What right have you to question my actions?"
+
+"None at all."
+
+"And you say you are not here to demand any favors of me?"
+
+"For myself I want nothing from you."
+
+"You are wise in that. I never grant favors."
+
+"That doesn't worry me," declared Ervic.
+
+"But you are curious? You hope to witness some of my magic
+transformations?"
+
+"If you wish to perform any magic, go ahead," said Ervic. "It may
+interest me and it may not. If you'd rather go on with your knitting,
+it's all the same to me. I am in no hurry at all."
+
+This may have puzzled Red Reera, but the face beneath the lace cap
+could show no expression, being covered with hair. Perhaps in all her
+career the Yookoohoo had never been visited by anyone who, like this
+young man, asked for nothing, expected nothing, and had no reason for
+coming except curiosity. This attitude practically disarmed the witch
+and she began to regard the Skeezer in a more friendly way. She
+knitted for some time, seemingly in deep thought, and then she arose
+and walked to a big cupboard that stood against the wall of the room.
+When the cupboard door was opened Ervic could see a lot of drawers
+inside, and into one of these drawers--the second from the
+bottom--Reera thrust a hairy hand.
+
+Until now Ervic could see over the bent form of the ape, but suddenly
+the form, with its back to him, seemed to straighten up and blot out
+the cupboard of drawers. The ape had changed to the form of a woman,
+dressed in the pretty Gillikin costume, and when she turned around he
+saw that it was a young woman, whose face was quite attractive.
+
+"Do you like me better this way?" Reera inquired with a smile.
+
+"You _look_ better," he said calmly, "but I'm not sure I _like_ you
+any better."
+
+She laughed, saying: "During the heat of the day I like to be an ape,
+for an ape doesn't wear any clothes to speak of. But if one has
+gentlemen callers it is proper to dress up."
+
+Ervic noticed her right hand was closed, as if she held something in
+it. She shut the cupboard door, bent over the crocodile and in a
+moment the creature had changed to a red wolf. It was not pretty even
+now, and the wolf crouched beside its mistress as a dog might have
+done. Its teeth looked as dangerous as had those of the crocodile.
+
+Next the Yookoohoo went about touching all the lizards and toads, and
+at her touch they became kittens. The rats she changed into chipmunks.
+Now the only horrid creatures remaining were the four great spiders,
+which hid themselves behind their thick webs.
+
+"There!" Reera cried, "now my cottage presents a more comfortable
+appearance. I love the toads and lizards and rats, because most people
+hate them, but I would tire of them if they always remained the same.
+Sometimes I change their forms a dozen times a day."
+
+"You are clever," said Ervic. "I did not hear you utter any
+incantations or magic words. All you did was to touch the creatures."
+
+"Oh, do you think so?" she replied. "Well, touch them yourself, if you
+like, and see if you can change their forms."
+
+"No," said the Skeezer, "I don't understand magic and if I did I would
+not try to imitate your skill. You are a wonderful Yookoohoo, while I
+am only a common Skeezer."
+
+This confession seemed to please Reera, who liked to have her
+witchcraft appreciated.
+
+"Will you go away now?" she asked. "I prefer to be alone."
+
+"I prefer to stay here," said Ervic.
+
+"In another person's home, where you are not wanted?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Is not your curiosity yet satisfied?" demanded Reera, with a smile.
+
+"I don't know. Is there anything else you can do?"
+
+"Many things. But why should I exhibit my powers to a stranger?"
+
+"I can think of no reason at all," he replied.
+
+She looked at him curiously.
+
+"You want no power for yourself, you say, and you're too stupid to be
+able to steal my secrets. This isn't a pretty cottage, while outside
+are sunshine, broad prairies and beautiful wildflowers. Yet you insist
+on sitting on that bench and annoying me with your unwelcome
+presence. What have you in that kettle?"
+
+"Three fishes," he answered readily.
+
+"Where did you get them?"
+
+"I caught them in the Lake of the Skeezers."
+
+"What do you intend to do with the fishes?"
+
+"I shall carry them to the home of a friend of mine who has three
+children. The children will love to have the fishes for pets."
+
+She came over to the bench and looked into the kettle, where the three
+fishes were swimming quietly in the water.
+
+"They're pretty," said Reera. "Let me transform them into something
+else."
+
+"No," objected the Skeezer.
+
+"I love to transform things; it's so interesting. And I've never
+transformed any fishes in all my life."
+
+"Let them alone," said Ervic.
+
+"What shapes would you prefer them to have? I can make them turtles,
+or cute little sea-horses; or I could make them piglets, or rabbits,
+or guinea-pigs; or, if you like I can make chickens of them, or
+eagles, or bluejays."
+
+"Let them alone!" repeated Ervic.
+
+"You're not a very pleasant visitor," laughed Red Reera. "People
+accuse _me_ of being cross and crabbed and unsociable, and they are
+quite right. If you had come here pleading and begging for favors, and
+half afraid of my Yookoohoo magic, I'd have abused you until you ran
+away; but you're quite different from that. _You're_ the unsociable
+and crabbed and disagreeable one, and so I like you, and bear with
+your grumpiness. It's time for my midday meal; are you hungry?"
+
+"No," said Ervic, although he really desired food.
+
+"Well, I am," Reera declared and clapped her hands together. Instantly
+a table appeared, spread with linen and bearing dishes of various
+foods, some smoking hot. There were two plates laid, one at each end
+of the table, and as soon as Reera seated herself all her creatures
+gathered around her, as if they were accustomed to be fed when she
+ate. The wolf squatted at her right hand and the kittens and chipmunks
+gathered at her left.
+
+"Come, Stranger, sit down and eat," she called cheerfully, "and while
+we're eating let us decide into what forms we shall change your
+fishes."
+
+"They're all right as they are," asserted Ervic, drawing up his bench
+to the table. "The fishes are beauties--one gold, one silver and one
+bronze. Nothing that has life is more lovely than a beautiful fish."
+
+"What! Am _I_ not more lovely?" Reera asked, smiling at his serious
+face.
+
+"I don't object to you--for a Yookoohoo, you know," he said, helping
+himself to the food and eating with good appetite.
+
+"And don't you consider a beautiful girl more lovely than a fish,
+however pretty the fish may be?"
+
+"Well," replied Ervic, after a period of thought, "that might be. If
+you transformed my three fish into three girls--girls who would be
+Adepts at Magic, you know they might please me as well as the fish
+do. You won't do that of course, because you can't, with all your
+skill. And, should you be able to do so, I fear my troubles would be
+more than I could bear. They would not consent to be my
+slaves--especially if they were Adepts at Magic--and so they would
+command _me_ to obey _them_. No, Mistress Reera, let us not transform
+the fishes at all."
+
+The Skeezer had put his case with remarkable cleverness. He realized
+that if he appeared anxious for such a transformation the Yookoohoo
+would not perform it, yet he had skillfully suggested that they be
+made Adepts at Magic.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 19
+
+Red Reera the Yookoohoo
+
+
+After the meal was over and Reera had fed her pets, including the four
+monster spiders which had come down from their webs to secure their
+share, she made the table disappear from the floor of the cottage.
+
+"I wish you'd consent to my transforming your fishes," she said, as
+she took up her knitting again.
+
+The Skeezer made no reply. He thought it unwise to hurry matters. All
+during the afternoon they sat silent. Once Reera went to her cupboard
+and after thrusting her hand into the same drawer as before, touched
+the wolf and transformed it into a bird with gorgeous colored
+feathers. This bird was larger than a parrot and of a somewhat
+different form, but Ervic had never seen one like it before.
+
+"Sing!" said Reera to the bird, which had perched itself on a big
+wooden peg--as if it had been in the cottage before and knew just what
+to do.
+
+And the bird sang jolly, rollicking songs with words to them--just as
+a person who had been carefully trained might do. The songs were
+entertaining and Ervic enjoyed listening to them. In an hour or so the
+bird stopped singing, tucked its head under its wing and went to
+sleep. Reera continued knitting but seemed thoughtful.
+
+Now Ervic had marked this cupboard drawer well and had concluded that
+Reera took something from it which enabled her to perform her
+transformations. He thought that if he managed to remain in the
+cottage, and Reera fell asleep, he could slyly open the cupboard,
+take a portion of whatever was in the drawer, and by dropping it into
+the copper kettle transform the three fishes into their natural
+shapes. Indeed, he had firmly resolved to carry out this plan when the
+Yookoohoo put down her knitting and walked toward the door.
+
+"I'm going out for a few minutes," said she; "do you wish to go with
+me, or will you remain here?"
+
+Ervic did not answer but sat quietly on his bench. So Reera went out
+and closed the cottage door.
+
+As soon as she was gone, Ervic rose and tiptoed to the cupboard.
+
+"Take care! Take care!" cried several voices, coming from the kittens
+and chipmunks. "If you touch anything we'll tell the Yookoohoo!"
+
+Ervic hesitated a moment but, remembering that he need not consider
+Reera's anger if he succeeded in transforming the fishes, he was about
+to open the cupboard when he was arrested by the voices of the fishes,
+which stuck their heads above the water in the kettle and called out:
+
+"Come here, Ervic!"
+
+So he went back to the kettle and bent over it.
+
+"Let the cupboard alone," said the goldfish to him earnestly. "You
+could not succeed by getting that magic powder, for only the Yookoohoo
+knows how to use it. The best way is to allow her to transform us into
+three girls, for then we will have our natural shapes and be able to
+perform all the Arts of Magic we have learned and well understand. You
+are acting wisely and in the most effective manner. We did not know
+you were so intelligent, or that Reera could be so easily deceived by
+you. Continue as you have begun and try to persuade her to transform
+us. But insist that we be given the forms of girls."
+
+The goldfish ducked its head down just as Reera re-entered the
+cottage. She saw Ervic bent over the kettle, so she came and joined
+him.
+
+"Can your fishes talk?" she asked.
+
+"Sometimes," he replied, "for all fishes in the Land of Oz know how to
+speak. Just now they were asking me for some bread. They are hungry."
+
+"Well, they can have some bread," said Reera. "But it is nearly
+supper-time, and if you would allow me to transform your fishes into
+girls they could join us at the table and have plenty of food much
+nicer than crumbs. Why not let me transform them?"
+
+"Well," said Ervic, as if hesitating, "ask the fishes. If they
+consent, why--why, then, I'll think it over."
+
+Reera bent over the kettle and asked:
+
+"Can you hear me, little fishes?"
+
+All three popped their heads above water.
+
+"We can hear you," said the bronzefish.
+
+"I want to give you other forms, such as rabbits, or turtles or girls,
+or something; but your master, the surly Skeezer, does not wish me to.
+However, he has agreed to the plan if you will consent."
+
+"We'd like to be girls," said the silverfish.
+
+"No, no!" exclaimed Ervic.
+
+"If you promise to make us three beautiful girls, we will consent,"
+said the goldfish.
+
+"No, no!" exclaimed Ervic again.
+
+"Also make us Adepts at Magic," added the bronzefish.
+
+"I don't know exactly what that means," replied Reera musingly, "but
+as no Adept at Magic is as powerful as Yookoohoo, I'll add that to the
+transformation."
+
+"We won't try to harm you, or to interfere with your magic in any
+way," promised the goldfish. "On the contrary, we will be your
+friends."
+
+"Will you agree to go away and leave me alone in my cottage, whenever
+I command you to do so?" asked Reera.
+
+"We promise that," cried the three fishes.
+
+"Don't do it! Don't consent to the transformation," urged Ervic.
+
+"They have already consented," said the Yookoohoo, laughing in his
+face, "and you have promised me to abide by their decision. So, friend
+Skeezer, I shall perform the transformation whether you like it or
+not."
+
+Ervic seated himself on the bench again, a deep scowl on his face but
+joy in his heart. Reera moved over to the cupboard, took something
+from the drawer and returned to the copper kettle. She was clutching
+something tightly in her right hand, but with her left she reached
+within the kettle, took out the three fishes and laid them carefully
+on the floor, where they gasped in distress at being out of water.
+
+Reera did not keep them in misery more than a few seconds, for she
+touched each one with her right hand and instantly the fishes were
+transformed into three tall and slender young women, with fine,
+intelligent faces and clothed in handsome, clinging gowns. The one who
+had been a goldfish had beautiful golden hair and blue eyes and was
+exceedingly fair of skin; the one who had been a bronzefish had dark
+brown hair and clear gray eyes and her complexion matched these
+lovely features. The one who had been a silverfish had snow-white hair
+of the finest texture and deep brown eyes. The hair contrasted
+exquisitely with her pink cheeks and ruby-red lips, nor did it make
+her look a day older than her two companions.
+
+As soon as they secured these girlish shapes, all three bowed low to
+the Yookoohoo and said:
+
+"We thank you, Reera."
+
+Then they bowed to the Skeezer and said:
+
+"We thank you, Ervic."
+
+"Very good!" cried the Yookoohoo, examining her work with critical
+approval. "You are much better and more interesting than fishes, and
+this ungracious Skeezer would scarcely allow me to do the
+transformations. You surely have nothing to thank _him_ for. But now
+let us dine in honor of the occasion."
+
+She clapped her hands together and again a table loaded with food
+appeared in the cottage. It was a longer table, this time, and places
+were set for the three Adepts as well as for Reera and Ervic.
+
+"Sit down, friends, and eat your fill," said the Yookoohoo, but
+instead of seating herself at the head of the table she went to the
+cupboard, saying to the Adepts: "Your beauty and grace, my fair
+friends, quite outshine my own. So that I may appear properly at the
+banquet table I intend, in honor of this occasion, to take upon myself
+my natural shape."
+
+Scarcely had she finished this speech when Reera transformed herself
+into a young woman fully as lovely as the three Adepts. She was not
+quite so tall as they, but her form was more rounded and more
+handsomely clothed, with a wonderful jeweled girdle and a necklace of
+shining pearls. Her hair was a bright auburn red, and her eyes large
+and dark.
+
+"Do you claim this is your natural form?" asked Ervic of the
+Yookoohoo.
+
+"Yes," she replied. "This is the only form I am really entitled to
+wear. But I seldom assume it because there is no one here to admire or
+appreciate it and I get tired admiring it myself."
+
+"I see now why you are named Reera the Red," remarked Ervic.
+
+"It is on account of my red hair," she explained smiling. "I do not
+care for red hair myself, which is one reason I usually wear other
+forms."
+
+"It is beautiful," asserted the young man; and then remembering the
+other women present he added: "But, of course, all women should not
+have red hair, because that would make it too common. Gold and silver
+and brown hair are equally handsome."
+
+The smiles that he saw interchanged between the four filled the poor
+Skeezer with embarrassment, so he fell silent and attended to eating
+his supper, leaving the others to do the talking. The three Adepts
+frankly told Reera who they were, how they became fishes and how they
+had planned secretly to induce the Yookoohoo to transform them. They
+admitted that they had feared, had they asked her to help, that she
+would have refused them.
+
+"You were quite right," returned the Yookoohoo. "I make it my rule
+never to perform magic to assist others, for if I did there would
+always be crowds at my cottage demanding help and I hate crowds and
+want to be left alone.
+
+"However, now that you are restored to your proper shapes, I do not
+regret my action and I hope you will be of use in saving the Skeezer
+people by raising their island to the surface of the lake, where it
+really belongs. But you must promise me that after you go away you
+will never come here again, nor tell anyone what I have done for you."
+
+The three Adepts and Ervic thanked the Yookoohoo warmly. They promised
+to remember her wish that they should not come to her cottage again
+and so, with a good-bye, took their departure.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 20
+
+A Puzzling Problem
+
+
+Glinda the Good, having decided to try her sorcery upon the abandoned
+submarine, so that it would obey her commands, asked all of her party,
+including the Skeezers, to withdraw from the shore of the lake to the
+line of palm trees. She kept with her only the little Wizard of Oz,
+who was her pupil and knew how to assist her in her magic rites. When
+they two were alone beside the stranded boat, Glinda said to the
+Wizard:
+
+"I shall first try my magic recipe No. 1163, which is intended to make
+inanimate objects move at my command. Have you a skeropythrope with
+you?"
+
+"Yes, I always carry one in my bag," replied the Wizard. He opened his
+black bag of magic tools and took out a brightly polished
+skeropythrope, which he handed to the Sorceress. Glinda had also
+brought a small wicker bag, containing various requirements of
+sorcery, and from this she took a parcel of powder and a vial of
+liquid. She poured the liquid into the skeropythrope and added the
+powder. At once the skeropythrope began to sputter and emit sparks of
+a violet color, which spread in all directions. The Sorceress
+instantly stepped into the middle of the boat and held the instrument
+so that the sparks fell all around her and covered every bit of the
+blackened steel boat. At the same time Glinda crooned a weird
+incantation in the language of sorcery, her voice sounding low and
+musical.
+
+After a little the violet sparks ceased, and those that had fallen
+upon the boat had disappeared and left no mark upon its surface. The
+ceremony was ended and Glinda returned the skeropythrope to the
+Wizard, who put it away in his black bag.
+
+"That ought to do the business all right," he said confidently.
+
+"Let us make a trial and see," she replied.
+
+So they both entered the boat and seated themselves.
+
+Speaking in a tone of command the Sorceress said to the boat: "Carry
+us across the lake, to the farther shore."
+
+At once the boat backed off the sandy beach, turned its prow and moved
+swiftly over the water.
+
+"Very good--very good indeed!" cried the Wizard, when the boat slowed
+up at the shore opposite from that whence they had departed. "Even
+Coo-ee-oh, with all her witchcraft, could do no better."
+
+The Sorceress now said to the boat:
+
+"Close up, submerge and carry us to the basement door of the sunken
+island--the door from which you emerged at the command of Queen
+Coo-ee-oh."
+
+The boat obeyed. As it sank into the water the top sections rose from
+the sides and joined together over the heads of Glinda and the Wizard,
+who were thus enclosed in a water-proof chamber. There were four
+glass windows in this covering, one on each side and one on either
+end, so that the passengers could see exactly where they were going.
+Moving under water more slowly than on the surface, the submarine
+gradually approached the island and halted with its bow pressed
+against the huge marble door in the basement under the Dome. This door
+was tightly closed and it was evident to both Glinda and the Wizard
+that it would not open to admit the under-water boat unless a magic
+word was spoken by them or someone from within the basement of the
+island. But what was this magic word? Neither of them knew.
+
+"I'm afraid," said the Wizard regretfully, "that we can't get in,
+after all. Unless your sorcery can discover the word to open the
+marble door."
+
+"That is probably some word only known to Coo-ee-oh," replied the
+Sorceress. "I may be able to discover what it is, but that will
+require time. Let us go back again to our companions."
+
+"It seems a shame, after we have made the boat obey us, to be balked
+by just a marble door," grumbled the Wizard.
+
+At Glinda's command the boat rose until it was on a level with the
+glass dome that covered the Skeezer village, when the Sorceress made
+it slowly circle all around the Great Dome.
+
+Many faces were pressed against the glass from the inside, eagerly
+watching the submarine, and in one place were Dorothy and Ozma, who
+quickly recognized Glinda and the Wizard through the glass windows of
+the boat. Glinda saw them, too, and held the boat close to the Dome
+while the friends exchanged greetings in pantomime. Their voices,
+unfortunately, could not be heard through the Dome and the water and
+the side of the boat. The Wizard tried to make the girls understand,
+through signs, that he and Glinda had come to their rescue, and Ozma
+and Dorothy understood this from the very fact that the Sorceress and
+the Wizard had appeared. The two girl prisoners were smiling and in
+safety, and knowing this Glinda felt she could take all the time
+necessary in order to effect their final rescue.
+
+As nothing more could be done just then, Glinda ordered the boat to
+return to shore, and it obeyed readily. First it ascended to the
+surface of the water, then the roof parted and fell into the slots at
+the side of the boat, and then the magic craft quickly made the shore
+and beached itself on the sands at the very spot from which it had
+departed at Glinda's command.
+
+All the Oz people and the Skeezers at once ran to the boat to ask if
+they had reached the island, and whether they had seen Ozma and
+Dorothy. The Wizard told them of the obstacle they had met in the way
+of a marble door, and how Glinda would now undertake to find a magic
+way to conquer the door.
+
+Realizing that it would require several days to succeed in reaching
+the island, raising it and liberating their friends and the Skeezer
+people, Glinda now prepared a camp half way between the lake shore and
+the palm trees.
+
+The Wizard's wizardry made a number of tents appear and the sorcery of
+the Sorceress furnished these tents all complete, with beds, chairs,
+tables, rugs, lamps and even books with which to pass idle hours. All
+the tents had the Royal Banner of Oz flying from the centerpoles and
+one big tent, not now occupied, had Ozma's own banner moving in the
+breeze.
+
+Betsy and Trot had a tent to themselves, and Button Bright and Ojo had
+another. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman paired together in one tent
+and so did Jack Pumpkinhead and the Shaggy Man, Cap'n Bill and Uncle
+Henry, Tik-Tok and Professor Wogglebug. Glinda had the most splendid
+tent of all, except that reserved for Ozma, while the Wizard had a
+little one of his own. Whenever it was meal time, tables loaded with
+food magically appeared in the tents of those who were in the habit of
+eating, and these complete arrangements made the rescue party just as
+comfortable as they would have been in their own homes.
+
+Far into the night Glinda sat in her tent studying a roll of mystic
+scrolls in search of a word that would open the basement door of the
+island and admit her to the Great Dome. She also made many magical
+experiments, hoping to discover something that would aid her. Yet the
+morning found the powerful Sorceress still unsuccessful.
+
+Glinda's art could have opened any ordinary door, you may be sure, but
+you must realize that this marble door of the island had been
+commanded not to open save in obedience to one magic word, and
+therefore all other magic words could have no effect upon it. The
+magic word that guarded the door had probably been invented by
+Coo-ee-oh, who had now forgotten it. The only way, then, to gain
+entrance to the sunken island was to break the charm that held the
+door fast shut. If this could be done no magic would be required to
+open it.
+
+The next day the Sorceress and the Wizard again entered the boat and
+made it submerge and go to the marble door, which they tried in
+various ways to open, but without success.
+
+"We shall have to abandon this attempt, I think," said Glinda. "The
+easiest way to raise the island would be for us to gain admittance to
+the Dome and then descend to the basement and see in what manner
+Coo-ee-oh made the entire island sink or rise at her command. It
+naturally occurred to me that the easiest way to gain admittance
+would be by having the boat take us into the basement through the
+marble door from which Coo-ee-oh launched it. But there must be other
+ways to get inside the Dome and join Ozma and Dorothy, and such ways
+we must find by study and the proper use of our powers of magic."
+
+"It won't be easy," declared the Wizard, "for we must not forget that
+Ozma herself understands considerable magic, and has doubtless tried
+to raise the island or find other means of escape from it and failed."
+
+"That is true," returned Glinda, "but Ozma's magic is fairy magic,
+while you are a Wizard and I am a Sorceress. In this way the three of
+us have a great variety of magic to work with, and if we should all
+fail it will be because the island is raised and lowered by a magic
+power none of us is acquainted with. My idea therefore is to seek--by
+such magic as we possess--to accomplish our object in another way."
+
+They made the circle of the Dome again in their boat, and once more
+saw Ozma and Dorothy through their windows and exchanged signals with
+the two imprisoned girls.
+
+Ozma realized that her friends were doing all in their power to rescue
+her and smiled an encouragement to their efforts. Dorothy seemed a
+little anxious but was trying to be as brave as her companion.
+
+After the boat had returned to the camp and Glinda was seated in her
+tent, working out various ways by which Ozma and Dorothy could be
+rescued, the Wizard stood on the shore dreamily eying the outlines of
+the Great Dome which showed beneath the clear water, when he raised
+his eyes and saw a group of strange people approaching from around the
+lake. Three were young women of stately presence, very beautifully
+dressed, who moved with remarkable grace. They were followed at a
+little distance by a good-looking young Skeezer.
+
+The Wizard saw at a glance that these people might be very important,
+so he advanced to meet them. The three maidens received him graciously
+and the one with the golden hair said:
+
+"I believe you are the famous Wizard of Oz, of whom I have often
+heard. We are seeking Glinda, the Sorceress, and perhaps you can lead
+us to her."
+
+"I can, and will, right gladly," answered the Wizard. "Follow me,
+please."
+
+The little Wizard was puzzled as to the identity of the three lovely
+visitors but he gave no sign that might embarrass them.
+
+He understood they did not wish to be questioned, and so he made no
+remarks as he led the way to Glinda's tent.
+
+With a courtly bow the Wizard ushered the three visitors into the
+gracious presence of Glinda, the Good.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 21
+
+The Three Adepts
+
+
+The Sorceress looked up from her work as the three maidens entered,
+and something in their appearance and manner led her to rise and bow
+to them in her most dignified manner.
+
+The three knelt an instant before the great Sorceress and then stood
+upright and waited for her to speak.
+
+"Whoever you may be," said Glinda, "I bid you welcome."
+
+"My name is Audah," said one.
+
+"My name is Aurah," said another.
+
+"My name is Aujah," said the third.
+
+Glinda had never heard these names before, but looking closely at the
+three she asked:
+
+"Are you witches or workers in magic?"
+
+"Some of the secret arts we have gleaned from Nature," replied the
+brownhaired maiden modestly, "but we do not place our skill beside
+that of the Great Sorceress, Glinda the Good."
+
+"I suppose you are aware it is unlawful to practice magic in the Land
+of Oz, without the permission of our Ruler, Princess Ozma?"
+
+"No, we were not aware of that," was the reply. "We have heard of
+Ozma, who is the appointed Ruler of all this great fairyland, but her
+laws have not reached us, as yet."
+
+Glinda studied the strange maidens thoughtfully; then she said to
+them:
+
+"Princess Ozma is even now imprisoned in the Skeezer village, for the
+whole island with its Great Dome, was sunk to the bottom of the lake
+by the witchcraft of Coo-ee-oh, whom the Flathead Su-dic transformed
+into a silly swan. I am seeking some way to overcome Coo-ee-oh's magic
+and raise the isle to the surface again. Can you help me do this?"
+
+The maidens exchanged glances, and the white-haired one replied
+
+"We do not know; but we will try to assist you."
+
+"It seems," continued Glinda musingly, "that Coo-ee-oh derived most of
+her witchcraft from three Adepts at Magic, who at one time ruled the
+Flatheads. While the Adepts were being entertained by Coo-ee-oh at a
+banquet in her palace, she cruelly betrayed them and after
+transforming them into fishes cast them into the lake.
+
+"If I could find these three fishes and return them to their natural
+shapes--they might know what magic Coo-ee-oh used to sink the island.
+I was about to go to the shore and call these fishes to me when you
+arrived. So, if you will join me, we will try to find them."
+
+The maidens exchanged smiles now, and the golden-haired one, Audah,
+said to Glinda:
+
+"It will not be necessary to go to the lake. We are the three
+fishes."
+
+"Indeed!" cried Glinda. "Then you are the three Adepts at Magic,
+restored to your proper forms?"
+
+"We are the three Adepts," admitted Aujah.
+
+"Then," said Glinda, "my task is half accomplished. But who destroyed
+the transformation that made you fishes?"
+
+"We have promised not to tell," answered Aurah; "but this young
+Skeezer was largely responsible for our release; he is brave and
+clever, and we owe him our gratitude."
+
+Glinda looked at Ervic, who stood modestly behind the Adepts, hat in
+hand. "He shall be properly rewarded," she declared, "for in helping
+you he has helped us all, and perhaps saved his people from being
+imprisoned forever in the sunken isle."
+
+The Sorceress now asked her guests to seat themselves and a long talk
+followed, in which the Wizard of Oz shared.
+
+"We are quite certain," said Aurah, "that if we could get inside the
+Dome we could discover Coo-ee-oh's secrets, for in all her work, after
+we became fishes, she used the formulas and incantations and arts that
+she stole from us. She may have added to these things, but they were
+the foundation of all her work."
+
+"What means do you suggest for our getting into the Dome?" inquired
+Glinda.
+
+The three Adepts hesitated to reply, for they had not yet considered
+what could be done to reach the inside of the Great Dome. While they
+were in deep thought, and Glinda and the Wizard were quietly awaiting
+their suggestions, into the tent rushed Trot and Betsy, dragging
+between them the Patchwork Girl.
+
+"Oh, Glinda," cried Trot, "Scraps has thought of a way to rescue Ozma
+and Dorothy and all of the Skeezers."
+
+The three Adepts could not avoid laughing merrily, for not only were
+they amused by the queer form of the Patchwork Girl, but Trot's
+enthusiastic speech struck them as really funny. If the Great
+Sorceress and the famous Wizard and the three talented Adepts at Magic
+were unable as yet to solve the important problem of the sunken isle,
+there was little chance for a patched girl stuffed with cotton to
+succeed.
+
+But Glinda, smiling indulgently at the earnest faces turned toward
+her, patted the children's heads and said:
+
+"Scraps is very clever. Tell us what she has thought of, my dear."
+
+"Well," said Trot, "Scraps says that if you could dry up all the
+water in the lake the island would be on dry land, an' everyone could
+come and go whenever they liked."
+
+Glinda smiled again, but the Wizard said to the girls:
+
+"If we should dry up the lake, what would become of all the beautiful
+fishes that now live in the water?"
+
+"Dear me! That's so," admitted Betsy, crestfallen; "we never thought
+of that, did we Trot?"
+
+"Couldn't you transform 'em into polliwogs?" asked Scraps, turning a
+somersault and then standing on one leg. "You could give them a
+little, teeny pond to swim in, and they'd be just as happy as they are
+as fishes."
+
+"No indeed!" replied the Wizard, severely. "It is wicked to transform
+any living creatures without their consent, and the lake is the home
+of the fishes and belongs to them."
+
+"All right," said Scraps, making a face at him; "I don't care."
+
+"It's too bad," sighed Trot, "for I thought we'd struck a splendid
+idea."
+
+"So you did," declared Glinda, her face now grave and thoughtful.
+"There is something in the Patchwork Girl's idea that may be of real
+value to us."
+
+"I think so, too," agreed the golden-haired Adept. "The top of the
+Great Dome is only a few feet below the surface of the water. If we
+could reduce the level of the lake until the Dome sticks a little
+above the water, we could remove some of the glass and let ourselves
+down into the village by means of ropes."
+
+"And there would be plenty of water left for the fishes to swim in,"
+added the white-haired maiden.
+
+"If we succeed in raising the island we could fill up the lake again,"
+suggested the brown-haired Adept.
+
+"I believe," said the Wizard, rubbing his hands together in delight,
+"that the Patchwork Girl, has shown us the way to success."
+
+The girls were looking curiously at the three beautiful Adepts,
+wondering who they were, so Glinda introduced them to Trot and Betsy
+and Scraps, and then sent the children away while she considered how
+to carry the new idea into effect.
+
+Not much could be done that night, so the Wizard prepared another tent
+for the Adepts, and in the evening Glinda held a reception and invited
+all her followers to meet the new arrivals. The Adepts were greatly
+astonished at the extraordinary personages presented to them, and
+marveled that Jack Pumpkinhead and the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman
+and Tik-Tok could really live and think and talk just like other
+people. They were especially pleased with the lively Patchwork Girl
+and loved to watch her antics.
+
+It was quite a pleasant party, for Glinda served some dainty
+refreshments to those who could eat, and the Scarecrow recited some
+poems, and the Cowardly Lion sang a song in his deep bass voice. The
+only thing that marred their joy was the thought that their beloved
+Ozma and dear little Dorothy were yet confined in the Great Dome of
+the Sunken Island.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 22
+
+The Sunken Island
+
+
+As soon as they had breakfasted the next morning, Glinda and the
+Wizard and the three Adepts went down to the shore of the lake and
+formed a line with their faces toward the submerged island. All the
+others came to watch them, but stood at a respectful distance in the
+background.
+
+At the right of the Sorceress stood Audah and Aurah, while at the left
+stood the Wizard and Aujah. Together they stretched their arms over
+the water's edge and in unison the five chanted a rhythmic
+incantation.
+
+This chant they repeated again and again, swaying their arms gently
+from side to side, and in a few minutes the watchers behind them
+noticed that the lake had begun to recede from the shore. Before long
+the highest point of the dome appeared above the water. Gradually the
+water fell, making the dome appear to rise. When it was three or four
+feet above the surface Glinda gave the signal to stop, for their work
+had been accomplished.
+
+The blackened submarine was now entirely out of water, but Uncle Henry
+and Cap'n Bill managed to push it into the lake. Glinda, the Wizard,
+Ervic and the Adepts got into the boat, taking with them a coil of
+strong rope, and at the command of the Sorceress the craft cleaved its
+way through the water toward the part of the Dome which was now
+visible.
+
+"There's still plenty of water for the fish to swim in," observed the
+Wizard as they rode along. "They might like more but I'm sure they can
+get along until we have raised the island and can fill up the lake
+again."
+
+The boat touched gently on the sloping glass of the Dome, and the
+Wizard took some tools from his black bag and quickly removed one
+large pane of glass, thus making a hole large enough for their bodies
+to pass through. Stout frames of steel supported the glass of the
+Dome, and around one of these frames the Wizard tied the end of a
+rope.
+
+"I'll go down first," said he, "for while I'm not as spry as Cap'n
+Bill I'm sure I can manage it easily. Are you sure the rope is long
+enough to reach the bottom?"
+
+"Quite sure," replied the Sorceress.
+
+So the Wizard let down the rope and climbing through the opening
+lowered himself down, hand over hand, clinging to the rope with his
+legs and feet. Below in the streets of the village were gathered all
+the Skeezers, men, women and children, and you may be sure that Ozma
+and Dorothy, with Lady Aurex, were filled with joy that their friends
+were at last coming to their rescue.
+
+The Queen's palace, now occupied by Ozma, was directly in the center
+of the Dome, so that when the rope was let down the end of it came
+just in front of the palace entrance. Several Skeezers held fast to
+the rope's end to steady it and the Wizard reached the ground in
+safety. He hugged first Ozma and then Dorothy, while all the Skeezers
+cheered as loud as they could.
+
+The Wizard now discovered that the rope was long enough to reach from
+the top of the Dome to the ground when doubled, so he tied a chair to
+one end of the rope and called to Glinda to sit in the chair while he
+and some of the Skeezers lowered her to the pavement. In this way the
+Sorceress reached the ground quite comfortably and the three Adepts
+and Ervic soon followed her.
+
+The Skeezers quickly recognized the three Adepts at Magic, whom they
+had learned to respect before their wicked Queen betrayed them, and
+welcomed them as friends. All the inhabitants of the village had been
+greatly frightened by their imprisonment under water, but now realized
+that an attempt was to be made to rescue them.
+
+Glinda, the Wizard and the Adepts followed Ozma and Dorothy into the
+palace, and they asked Lady Aurex and Ervic to join them. After Ozma
+had told of her adventures in trying to prevent war between the
+Flatheads and the Skeezers, and Glinda had told all about the Rescue
+Expedition and the restoration of the three Adepts by the help of
+Ervic, a serious consultation was held as to how the island could be
+made to rise.
+
+"I've tried every way in my power," said Ozma, "but Coo-ee-oh used a
+very unusual sort of magic which I do not understand. She seems to
+have prepared her witchcraft in such a way that a spoken word is
+necessary to accomplish her designs, and these spoken words are known
+only to herself."
+
+"That is a method we taught her," declared Aurah the Adept.
+
+"I can do no more, Glinda," continued Ozma, "so I wish you would try
+what your sorcery can accomplish."
+
+"First, then," said Glinda, "let us visit the basement of the island,
+which I am told is underneath the village."
+
+A flight of marble stairs led from one of Coo-ee-oh's private rooms
+down to the basement, but when the party arrived all were puzzled by
+what they saw. In the center of a broad, low room, stood a mass of
+great cog-wheels, chains and pulleys, all interlocked and seeming to
+form a huge machine; but there was no engine or other motive power to
+make the wheels turn.
+
+"This, I suppose, is the means by which the island is lowered or
+raised," said Ozma, "but the magic word which is needed to move the
+machinery is unknown to us."
+
+The three Adepts were carefully examining the mass of wheels, and soon
+the golden-haired one said:
+
+"These wheels do not control the island at all. On the contrary, one
+set of them is used to open the doors of the little rooms where the
+submarines are kept, as may be seen from the chains and pulleys used.
+Each boat is kept in a little room with two doors, one to the basement
+room where we are now and the other letting into the lake.
+
+"When Coo-ee-oh used the boat in which she attacked the Flatheads, she
+first commanded the basement door to open and with her followers she
+got into the boat and made the top close over them. Then the basement
+door being closed, the outer door was slowly opened, letting the water
+fill the room to float the boat, which then left the island, keeping
+under water."
+
+"But how could she expect to get back again?" asked the Wizard.
+
+"Why the boat would enter the room filled with water and after the
+outer door was closed a word of command started a pump which pumped
+all the water from the room. Then the boat would open and Coo-ee-oh
+could enter the basement."
+
+"I see," said the Wizard. "It is a clever contrivance, but won't work
+unless one knows the magic words."
+
+"Another part of this machinery," explained the white-haired Adept,
+"is used to extend the bridge from the island to the mainland. The
+steel bridge is in a room much like that in which the boats are kept,
+and at Coo-ee-oh's command it would reach out, joint by joint, until
+its far end touched the shore of the lake. The same magic command
+would make the bridge return to its former position. Of course the
+bridge could not be used unless the island was on the surface of the
+water."
+
+"But how do you suppose Coo-ee-oh managed to sink the island, and make
+it rise again?" inquired Glinda.
+
+This the Adepts could not yet explain. As nothing more could be
+learned from the basement they mounted the steps to the Queen's
+private suite again, and Ozma showed them to a special room where
+Coo-ee-oh kept her magical instruments and performed all her arts of
+witchcraft.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 23
+
+The Magic Words
+
+
+Many interesting things were to be seen in the Room of Magic,
+including much that had been stolen from the Adepts when they were
+transformed to fishes, but they had to admit that Coo-ee-oh had a
+rare genius for mechanics, and had used her knowledge in inventing a
+lot of mechanical apparatus that ordinary witches, wizards and
+sorcerers could not understand.
+
+They all carefully inspected this room, taking care to examine every
+article they came across.
+
+"The island," said Glinda thoughtfully, "rests on a base of solid
+marble. When it is submerged, as it is now, the base of the island is
+upon the bottom of the lake. What puzzles me is how such a great
+weight can be lifted and suspended in the water, even by magic."
+
+"I now remember," returned Aujah, "that one of the arts we taught
+Coo-ee-oh was the way to expand steel, and I think that explains how
+the island is raised and lowered. I noticed in the basement a big
+steel pillar that passed through the floor and extended upward to this
+palace. Perhaps the end of it is concealed in this very room. If the
+lower end of the steel pillar is firmly embedded in the bottom of the
+lake, Coo-ee-oh could utter a magic word that would make the pillar
+expand, and so lift the entire island to the level of the water."
+
+"I've found the end of the steel pillar. It's just here," announced
+the Wizard, pointing to one side of the room where a great basin of
+polished steel seemed to have been set upon the floor.
+
+They all gathered around, and Ozma said:
+
+"Yes, I am quite sure that is the upper end of the pillar that
+supports the island. I noticed it when I first came here. It has been
+hollowed out, you see, and something has been burned in the basin, for
+the fire has left its marks. I wondered what was under the great basin
+and got several of the Skeezers to come up here and try to lift it for
+me. They were strong men, but could not move it at all."
+
+"It seems to me," said Audah the Adept, "that we have discovered the
+manner in which Coo-ee-oh raised the island. She would burn some sort
+of magic powder in the basin, utter the magic word, and the pillar
+would lengthen out and lift the island with it."
+
+"What's this?" asked Dorothy, who had been searching around with the
+others, and now noticed a slight hollow in the wall, near to where the
+steel basin stood. As she spoke Dorothy pushed her thumb into the
+hollow and instantly a small drawer popped out from the wall.
+
+The three Adepts, Glinda and the Wizard sprang forward and peered into
+the drawer. It was half filled with a grayish powder, the tiny grains
+of which constantly moved as if impelled by some living force.
+
+"It may be some kind of radium," said the Wizard.
+
+"No," replied Glinda, "it is more wonderful than even radium, for I
+recognize it as a rare mineral powder called Gaulau by the sorcerers.
+I wonder how Coo-ee-oh discovered it and where she obtained it."
+
+"There is no doubt," said Aujah the Adept, "that this is the magic
+powder Coo-ee-oh burned in the basin. If only we knew the magic word,
+I am quite sure we could raise the island."
+
+"How can we discover the magic word?" asked Ozma, turning to Glinda
+as she spoke.
+
+"That we must now seriously consider," answered the Sorceress.
+
+So all of them sat down in the Room of Magic and began to think. It
+was so still that after a while Dorothy grew nervous. The little girl
+never could keep silent for long, and at the risk of displeasing her
+magic-working friends she suddenly said:
+
+"Well, Coo-ee-oh used just three magic words, one to make the bridge
+work, and one to make the submarines go out of their holes, and one to
+raise and lower the island. Three words. And Coo-ee-oh's name is made
+up of just three words. One is 'Coo,' and one is 'ee,' and one is
+'oh.'"
+
+The Wizard frowned but Glinda looked wonderingly at the young girl and
+Ozma cried out:
+
+"A good thought, Dorothy dear! You may have solved our problem."
+
+"I believe it is worth a trial," agreed Glinda. "It would be quite
+natural for Coo-ee-oh to divide her name into three magic syllables,
+and Dorothy's suggestion seems like an inspiration."
+
+The three Adepts also approved the trial but the brown-haired one
+said:
+
+"We must be careful not to use the wrong word, and send the bridge
+out under water. The main thing, if Dorothy's idea is correct, is to
+hit upon the one word that moves the island."
+
+"Let us experiment," suggested the Wizard.
+
+In the drawer with the moving gray powder was a tiny golden cup, which
+they thought was used for measuring. Glinda filled this cup with the
+powder and carefully poured it into the shallow basin, which was the
+top of the great steel pillar supporting the island. Then Aurah the
+Adept lighted a taper and touched it to the powder, which instantly
+glowed fiery red and tumbled about the basin with astonishing energy.
+While the grains of powder still glowed red the Sorceress bent over it
+and said in a voice of command: "Coo!"
+
+They waited motionless to see what would happen. There was a grating
+noise and a whirl of machinery, but the island did not move a
+particle.
+
+Dorothy rushed to the window, which overlooked the glass side of the
+dome.
+
+"The boats!" she exclaimed. "The boats are all loose an' sailing under
+water."
+
+"We've made a mistake," said the Wizard gloomily.
+
+"But it's one which shows we are on the right track," declared Aujah
+the Adept. "We know now that Coo-ee-oh used the syllables of her name
+for the magic words."
+
+"If 'Coo' sends out the boats, it is probable that 'ee' works the
+bridge," suggested Ozma. "So the last part of the name may raise the
+island."
+
+"Let us try that next then," proposed the Wizard.
+
+He scraped the embers of the burned powder out of the basin and Glinda
+again filled the golden cup from the drawer and placed it on top the
+steel pillar. Aurah lighted it with her taper and Ozma bent over the
+basin and murmured the long drawn syllable: "Oh-h-h!"
+
+Instantly the island trembled and with a weird groaning noise it moved
+upward--slowly, very slowly, but with a steady motion, while all the
+company stood by in awed silence. It was a wonderful thing, even to
+those skilled in the arts of magic, wizardry and sorcery, to realize
+that a single word could raise that great, heavy island, with its
+immense glass Dome.
+
+"Why, we're way _above_ the lake now!" exclaimed Dorothy from the
+window, when at last the island ceased to move.
+
+"That is because we lowered the level of the water," explained Glinda.
+
+They could hear the Skeezers cheering lustily in the streets of the
+village as they realized that they were saved.
+
+"Come," said Ozma eagerly, "let us go down and join the people."
+
+"Not just yet," returned Glinda, a happy smile upon her lovely face,
+for she was overjoyed at their success. "First let us extend the
+bridge to the mainland, where our friends from the Emerald City are
+waiting."
+
+It didn't take long to put more powder in the basin, light it and
+utter the syllable "EE!" The result was that a door in the basement
+opened and the steel bridge moved out, extended itself joint by joint,
+and finally rested its far end on the shore of the lake just in front
+of the encampment.
+
+"Now," said Glinda, "we can go up and receive the congratulations of
+the Skeezers and of our friends of the Rescue Expedition."
+
+Across the water, on the shore of the lake, the Patchwork Girl was
+waving them a welcome.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 24
+
+Glinda's Triumph
+
+
+Of course all those who had joined Glinda's expedition at once crossed
+the bridge to the island, where they were warmly welcomed by the
+Skeezers. Before all the concourse of people Princess Ozma made a
+speech from a porch of the palace and demanded that they recognize her
+as their lawful Ruler and promise to obey the laws of the Land of Oz.
+In return she agreed to protect them from all future harm and declared
+they would no longer be subjected to cruelty and abuse.
+
+This pleased the Skeezers greatly, and when Ozma told them they might
+elect a Queen to rule over them, who in turn would be subject to Ozma
+of Oz, they voted for Lady Aurex, and that same day the ceremony of
+crowning the new Queen was held and Aurex was installed as mistress of
+the palace.
+
+For her Prime Minister the Queen selected Ervic, for the three Adepts
+had told of his good judgment, faithfulness and cleverness, and all
+the Skeezers approved the appointment.
+
+Glinda, the Wizard and the Adepts stood on the bridge and recited an
+incantation that quite filled the lake with water again, and the
+Scarecrow and the Patchwork Girl climbed to the top of the Great Dome
+and replaced the pane of glass that had been removed to allow Glinda
+and her followers to enter.
+
+When evening came Ozma ordered a great feast prepared, to which every
+Skeezer was invited. The village was beautifully decorated and
+brilliantly lighted and there was music and dancing until a late hour
+to celebrate the liberation of the people. For the Skeezers had been
+freed, not only from the water of the lake but from the cruelty of
+their former Queen.
+
+As the people from the Emerald City prepared the next morning to
+depart Queen Aurex said to Ozma:
+
+"There is only one thing I now fear for my people, and that is the
+enmity of the terrible Su-dic of the Flatheads. He is liable to come
+here at any time and try to annoy us, and my Skeezers are peaceful
+folks and unable to fight the wild and wilful Flatheads."
+
+"Do not worry," returned Ozma, reassuringly. "We intend to stop on our
+way at the Flatheads' Enchanted Mountain and punish the Su-dic for his
+misdeeds."
+
+That satisfied Aurex and when Ozma and her followers trooped over the
+bridge to the shore, having taken leave of their friends, all the
+Skeezers cheered them and waved their hats and handkerchiefs, and the
+band played and the departure was indeed a ceremony long to be
+remembered.
+
+The three Adepts at Magic, who had formerly ruled the Flatheads wisely
+and considerately, went with Princess Ozma and her people, for they
+had promised Ozma to stay on the mountain and again see that the laws
+were enforced.
+
+Glinda had been told all about the curious Flatheads and she had
+consulted with the Wizard and formed a plan to render them more
+intelligent and agreeable.
+
+When the party reached the mountain Ozma and Dorothy showed them how
+to pass around the invisible wall--which had been built by the
+Flatheads after the Adepts were transformed--and how to gain the
+up-and-down stairway that led to the mountain top.
+
+The Su-dic had watched the approach of the party from the edge of the
+mountain and was frightened when he saw that the three Adepts had
+recovered their natural forms and were coming back to their former
+home. He realized that his power would soon be gone and yet he
+determined to fight to the last. He called all the Flatheads together
+and armed them, and told them to arrest all who came up the stairway
+and hurl them over the edge of the mountain to the plain below. But
+although they feared the Supreme Dictator, who had threatened to
+punish them if they did not obey his commands, as soon as they saw the
+three Adepts they threw down their arms and begged their former rulers
+to protect them.
+
+The three Adepts assured the excited Flatheads that they had nothing
+to fear.
+
+Seeing that his people had rebelled the Su-dic ran away and tried to
+hide, but the Adepts found him and had him cast into a prison, all his
+cans of brains being taken away from him.
+
+After this easy conquest of the Su-dic, Glinda told the Adepts of her
+plan, which had already been approved by Ozma of Oz, and they joyfully
+agreed to it. So, during the next few days, the great Sorceress
+transformed, in a way, every Flathead on the mountain.
+
+Taking them one at a time, she had the can of brains that belonged to
+each one opened and the contents spread on the flat head, after which,
+by means of her arts of sorcery, she caused the head to grow over the
+brains--in the manner most people wear them--and they were thus
+rendered as intelligent and good looking as any of the other
+inhabitants of the Land of Oz.
+
+When all had been treated in this manner there were no more Flatheads
+at all, and the Adepts decided to name their people Mountaineers. One
+good result of Glinda's sorcery was that no one could now be deprived
+of the brains that belonged to him and each person had exactly the
+share he was entitled to.
+
+Even the Su-dic was given his portion of brains and his flat head
+made round, like the others, but he was deprived of all power to work
+further mischief, and with the Adepts constantly watching him he would
+be forced to become obedient and humble.
+
+The Golden Pig, which ran grunting about the streets, with no brains
+at all, was disenchanted by Glinda, and in her woman's form was given
+brains and a round head. This wife of the Su-dic had once been even
+more wicked than her evil husband, but she had now forgotten all her
+wickedness and was likely to be a good woman thereafter.
+
+These things being accomplished in a satisfactory manner, Princess
+Ozma and her people bade farewell to the three Adepts and departed for
+the Emerald City, well pleased with their interesting adventures.
+
+They returned by the road over which Ozma and Dorothy had come,
+stopping to get the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon where they had left
+them.
+
+"I'm very glad I went to see these peoples," said Princess Ozma, "for
+I not only prevented any further warfare between them, but they have
+been freed from the rule of the Su-dic and Coo-ee-oh and are now happy
+and loyal subjects of the Land of Oz. Which proves that it is always
+wise to do one's duty, however unpleasant that duty may seem to be."
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note
+
+
+Archaic and inconsistent spelling, punctuation, and syntax retained.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Glinda of Oz, by L. Frank Baum
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
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author	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-14 20:13:44 -0700
committer	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-14 20:13:44 -0700
commit	011478bead81313068cb6c083d85770a5aa258b4 (patch)
tree	c3c10853941aebda8df0cb7d2bac6e06b805884f