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diff --git a/old/50194-0.txt b/old/50194-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4be0a2f..0000000 --- a/old/50194-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5776 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Magic of Oz, by L. Frank Baum - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Magic of Oz - -Author: L. Frank Baum - -Illustrator: John R. Neill - -Release Date: October 13, 2015 [EBook #50194] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAGIC OF OZ *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Stephen Hutcheson, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - [Illustration] - - - - - The Famous Oz Books - - -Since 1900, when L. Frank Baum introduced to the children of America THE -WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ and all the other exciting characters who inhabit -the land of Oz, these delightful fairy tales have stimulated the -imagination of millions of young readers. - -These are stories which are genuine fantasy—creative, funny, tender, -exciting and surprising. Filled with the rarest and most absurd -creatures, each of the 40 volumes which now comprise the series, has -been eagerly sought out by generation after generation until today they -are known to all except the very young or those who were never young at -all. - -When, in a recent survey, The New York Times polled a group of teen -agers on the books they liked best when they were young, the Oz books -topped the list. - - - _THE FAMOUS OZ BOOKS_ - - By L. Frank Baum: - THE WIZARD OF OZ - THE LAND OF OZ - OZMA OF OZ - DOROTHY AND THE WIZARD IN OZ - THE ROAD TO OZ - THE EMERALD CITY OF OZ - THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ - TIK-TOK OF OZ - THE SCARECROW OF OZ - RINKITINK IN OZ - THE LOST PRINCESS OF OZ - THE TIN WOODMAN OF OZ - THE MAGIC OF OZ - GLINDA OF OZ - - By Ruth Plumly Thompson: - THE ROYAL BOOK OF OZ - KABUMPO IN OZ - THE COWARDLY LION OF OZ - GRAMPA IN OZ - THE LOST KING OF OZ - THE HUNGRY TIGER OF OZ - THE GNOME KING OF OZ - THE GIANT HORSE OF OZ - JACK PUMPKINHEAD OF OZ - THE YELLOW KNIGHT OF OZ - PIRATES IN OZ - THE PURPLE PRINCE OF OZ - OJO IN OZ - SPEEDY IN OZ - THE WISHING HORSE OF OZ - CAPTAIN SALT IN OZ - HANDY MANDY IN OZ - THE SILVER PRINCESS IN OZ - OZOPLANING WITH THE WIZARD OF OZ - - By John R. Neill: - THE WONDER CITY OF OZ - SCALAWAGONS OF OZ - LUCKY BUCKY IN OZ - - By Jack Snow: - THE MAGICAL MIMICS IN OZ - THE SHAGGY MAN OF OZ - - By Rachel R. Cosgrove: - THE HIDDEN VALLEY OF OZ - - By Eloise Jarvis McGraw & Lauren McGraw Wagner: - MERRY GO ROUND IN OZ - - - Chicago THE REILLY & LEE CO. _Publishers_ - - [Illustration: This Book Belongs To] - - [Illustration: _The Magic of Oz_] - - [Illustration: Dorothy _and the_ Wizard] - - - - - THE MAGIC OF OZ - - - A Faithful Record of the Remarkable Adventures of Dorothy - and Trot and the Wizard of Oz, together with the - Cowardly Lion, the Hungry Tiger and Cap’n - Bill, in their successful search for a Magical - and Beautiful Birthday Present for - Princess Ozma of Oz - - - BY - L. FRANK BAUM - “Royal Historian of Oz” - - [Illustration] - - ILLUSTRATED BY - JOHN R. NEILL - - - The Reilly & Lee Co. - Chicago - - [Illustration] - - Copyright 1919 By - L Frank Baum - All Rights Reserved - MADE IN U.S.A. - - [Illustration] - -I Dedicate this Book to the Children of our Soldiers, the Americans and -their Allies, with unmeasured Pride and Affection. - L. F. B. - - [Illustration: THE HUNGRY TIGER AND THE COWARDLY LION] - - [Illustration] - - - TO MY READERS - -Curiously enough, in the events which have taken place in the last few -years in our “great outside world,” we may find incidents so marvelous -and inspiring that I cannot hope to equal them with stories of The Land -of Oz. - -However, “The Magic of Oz” is really more strange and unusual than -anything I have read or heard about on our side of The Great Sandy -Desert which shuts us off from The Land of Oz, even during the past -exciting years, so I hope it will appeal to your love of novelty. - -A long and confining illness has prevented my answering all the good -letters sent me—unless stamps were enclosed—but from now on I hope to be -able to give prompt attention to each and every letter with which my -readers favor me. - -Assuring you that my love for you has never faltered and hoping the Oz -Books will continue to give you pleasure as long as I am able to write -them, I am - Yours affectionately, - L. FRANK BAUM, - “Royal Historian of Oz.” - - “OZCOT” - at HOLLYWOOD - in CALIFORNIA - 1919 - - [Illustration] - - - - - LIST OF CHAPTERS - - - 1 Mount Munch 17 - 2 The Hawk 27 - 3 Two Bad Ones 34 - 4 Conspirators 48 - 5 A Happy Corner of Oz 53 - 6 Ozma’s Birthday Presents 65 - 7 The Forest of Gugu 81 - 8 The Li-Mon-Eags Make Trouble 87 - 9 The Isle of the Magic Flower 99 - 10 Stuck Fast 112 - 11 The Beasts of the Forest of Gugu 121 - 12 Kiki Uses His Magic 131 - 13 The Loss of the Black Bag 144 - 14 The Wizard Learns the Magic Word 157 - 15 The Lonesome Duck 169 - 16 The Glass Cat Finds the Black Bag 183 - 17 A Remarkable Journey 197 - 18 The Magic of the Wizard 209 - 19 Dorothy and the Bumble Bees 217 - 20 The Monkeys Have Trouble 226 - 21 The College of Athletic Arts 235 - 22 Ozma’s Birthday Party 240 - 23 The Fountain of Oblivion 255 - - [Illustration] - - [Illustration: The Magic of Oz] - - [Illustration: Mt. Munch] - - - - - Mount Munch - - - CHAPTER 1 - -On the east edge of the Land of Oz, in the Munchkin Country, is a big, -tall hill called Mount Munch. On one side, the bottom of this hill just -touches the Deadly Sandy Desert that separates the Fairyland of Oz from -all the rest of the world, but on the other side, the hill touches the -beautiful, fertile Country of the Munchkins. - -The Munchkin folks, however, merely stand off and look at Mount Munch -and know very little about it; for, about a third of the way up, its -sides become too steep to climb, and if any people live upon the top of -that great towering peak that seems to reach nearly to the skies, the -Munchkins are not aware of the fact. - -But people _do_ live there, just the same. The top of Mount Munch is -shaped like a saucer, broad and deep, and in the saucer are fields where -grains and vegetables grow, and flocks are fed, and brooks flow and -trees bear all sorts of things. There are houses scattered here and -there, each having its family of Hyups, as the people call themselves. -The Hyups seldom go down the mountain, for the same reason that the -Munchkins never climb up: the sides are too steep. - -In one of the houses lived a wise old Hyup named Bini Aru, who used to -be a clever Sorcerer. But Ozma of Oz, who rules everyone in the Land of -Oz, had made a decree that no one should practice magic in her dominions -except Glinda the Good and the Wizard of Oz, and when Glinda sent this -royal command to the Hyups by means of a strong-winged Eagle, old Bini -Aru at once stopped performing magical arts. He destroyed many of his -magic powders and tools of magic, and afterward honestly obeyed the law. -He had never seen Ozma, but he knew she was his Ruler and must be -obeyed. - -There was only one thing that grieved him. He had discovered a new and -secret method of transformations that was unknown to any other Sorcerer. -Glinda the Good did not know it, nor did the little Wizard of Oz, nor -Dr. Pipt nor old Mombi, nor anyone else who dealt in magic arts. It was -Bini Aru’s own secret. By its means, it was the simplest thing in the -world to transform anyone into beast, bird or fish, or anything else, -and back again, once you knew how to pronounce the mystical word: -“Pyrzqxgl.” - -Bini Aru had used this secret many times, but not to cause evil or -suffering to others. When he had wandered far from home and was hungry, -he would say: “I want to become a cow—Pyrzqxgl!” In an instant he would -be a cow, and then he would eat grass and satisfy his hunger. All beasts -and birds can talk in the Land of Oz, so when the cow was no longer -hungry, it would say: “I want to be Bini Aru again: Pyrzqxgl!” and the -magic word, properly pronounced, would instantly restore him to his -proper form. - -Now, of course, I would not dare to write down this magic word so -plainly if I thought my readers would pronounce it properly and so be -able to transform themselves and others, but it is a fact that no one in -all the world except Bini Aru, had ever (up to the time this story -begins) been able to pronounce “Pyrzqxgl” the right way, so I think it -is safe to give it to you. It might be well, however, in reading this -story aloud, to be careful not to pronounce Pyrzqxgl the proper way, and -thus avoid all danger of the secret being able to work mischief. - -Bini Aru, having discovered the secret of instant transformation, which -required no tools or powders or other chemicals or herbs and always -worked perfectly, was reluctant to have such a wonderful discovery -entirely unknown or lost to all human knowledge. He decided not to use -it again, since Ozma had forbidden him to do so, but he reflected that -Ozma was a girl and some time might change her mind and allow her -subjects to practice magic, in which case Bini Aru could again transform -himself and others at will,—unless, of course, he forgot how to -pronounce Pyrzqxgl in the meantime. - -After giving the matter careful thought, he decided to write the word, -and how it should be pronounced, in some secret place, so that he could -find it after many years, but where no one else could ever find it. - -That was a clever idea, but what bothered the old Sorcerer was to find a -secret place. He wandered all over the Saucer at the top of Mount Munch, -but found no place in which to write the secret word where others might -not be likely to stumble upon it. So finally he decided it must be -written somewhere in his own house. - -Bini Aru had a wife named Mopsi Aru who was famous for making fine -huckleberry pies, and he had a son named Kiki Aru who was not famous at -all. He was noted as being cross and disagreeable because he was not -happy, and he was not happy because he wanted to go down the mountain -and visit the big world below and his father would not let him. No one -paid any attention to Kiki Aru, because he didn’t amount to anything, -anyway. - -Once a year there was a festival on Mount Munch which all the Hyups -attended. It was held in the center of the saucer-shaped country, and -the day was given over to feasting and merry-making. The young folks -danced and sang songs; the women spread the tables with good things to -eat, and the men played on musical instruments and told fairy tales. - -Kiki Aru usually went to these festivals with his parents, and then sat -sullenly outside the circle and would not dance or sing or even talk to -the other young people. So the festival did not make him any happier -than other days, and this time he told Bini Aru and Mopsi Aru that he -would not go. He would rather stay at home and be unhappy all by -himself, he said, and so they gladly let him stay. - -But after he was left alone Kiki decided to enter his father’s private -room, where he was forbidden to go, and see if he could find any of the -magic tools Bini Aru used to work with when he practiced sorcery. As he -went in Kiki stubbed his toe on one of the floor boards. He searched -everywhere but found no trace of his father’s magic. All had been -destroyed. - -Much disappointed, he started to go out again when he stubbed his toe on -the same floor board. That set him thinking. Examining the board more -closely, Kiki found it had been pried up and then nailed down again in -such a manner that it was a little higher than the other boards. But why -had his father taken up the board? Had he hidden some of his magic tools -underneath the floor? - - [Illustration] - -Kiki got a chisel and pried up the board, but found nothing under it. He -was just about to replace the board when it slipped from his hand and -turned over, and he saw something written on the underside of it. The -light was rather dim, so he took the board to the window and examined -it, and found that the writing described exactly how to pronounce the -magic word Pyrzqxgl, which would transform anyone into anything -instantly, and back again when the word was repeated. - -Now, at first, Kiki Aru didn’t realize what a wonderful secret he had -discovered; but he thought it might be of use to him and so he took a -piece of paper and made on it an exact copy of the instructions for -pronouncing Pyrzqxgl. Then he folded the paper and put it in his pocket, -and replaced the board in the floor so that no one would suspect it had -been removed. - -After this Kiki went into the garden and sitting beneath a tree made a -careful study of the paper. He had always wanted to get away from Mount -Munch and visit the big world—especially the Land of Oz—and the idea now -came to him that if he could transform himself into a bird, he could fly -to any place he wished to go and fly back again whenever he cared to. It -was necessary, however, to learn by heart the way to pronounce the magic -word, because a bird would have no way to carry a paper with it, and -Kiki would be unable to resume his proper shape if he forgot the word or -its pronunciation. - -So he studied it a long time, repeating it a hundred times in his mind -until he was sure he would not forget it. But to make safety doubly sure -he placed the paper in a tin box in a neglected part of the garden and -covered the box with small stones. - -By this time it was getting late in the day and Kiki wished to attempt -his first transformation before his parents returned from the festival. -So he stood on the front porch of his home and said: - -“I want to become a big, strong bird, like a hawk—Pyrzqxgl!” He -pronounced it the right way, so in a flash he felt that he was -completely changed in form. He flapped his wings, hopped to the porch -railing and said: “Caw-oo! Caw-oo!” - -Then he laughed and said half aloud: “I suppose that’s the funny sound -this sort of a bird makes. But now let me try my wings and see if I’m -strong enough to fly across the desert.” - -For he had decided to make his first trip to the country outside the -Land of Oz. He had stolen this secret of transformation and he knew he -had disobeyed the law of Oz by working magic. Perhaps Glinda or the -Wizard of Oz would discover him and punish him, so it would be good -policy to keep away from Oz altogether. - -Slowly Kiki rose into the air, and resting on his broad wings, floated -in graceful circles above the saucer-shaped mountain-top. From his -height, he could see, far across the burning sands of the Deadly Desert, -another country that might be pleasant to explore, so he headed that -way, and with strong, steady strokes of his wings, began the long -flight. - - [Illustration] - - - - - THE HAWK - - - CHAPTER 2 - -Even a hawk has to fly high in order to cross the Deadly Desert, from -which poisonous fumes are constantly rising. Kiki Aru felt sick and -faint by the time he reached good land again, for he could not quite -escape the effects of the poisons. But the fresh air soon restored him -and he alighted in a broad table-land which is called Hiland. Just -beyond it is a valley known as Loland, and these two countries are ruled -by the Gingerbread Man, John Dough, with Chick the Cherub as his Prime -Minister. The Hawk merely stopped here long enough to rest, and then he -flew north and passed over a fine country called Merryland, which is -ruled by a lovely Wax Doll. Then, following the curve of the Desert, he -turned north and settled on a tree-top in the Kingdom of Noland. - -Kiki was tired by this time, and the sun was now setting, so he decided -to remain here till morning. From his tree-top he could see a house near -by, which looked very comfortable. A man was milking a cow in the yard -and a pleasant-faced woman came to the door and called him to supper. - -That made Kiki wonder what sort of food hawks ate. He felt hungry, but -didn’t know what to eat or where to get it. Also he thought a bed would -be more comfortable than a tree-top for sleeping, so he hopped to the -ground and said: “I want to become Kiki Aru again—Pyrzqxgl!” - -Instantly he had resumed his natural shape, and going to the house, he -knocked upon the door and asked for some supper. - -“Who are you?” asked the man of the house. - -“A stranger from the Land of Oz,” replied Kiki Aru. - -“Then you are welcome,” said the man. - -Kiki was given a good supper and a good bed, and he behaved very well, -although he refused to answer all the questions the good people of -Noland asked him. Having escaped from his home and found a way to see -the world, the young man was no longer unhappy, and so he was no longer -cross and disagreeable. The people thought him a very respectable person -and gave him breakfast next morning, after which he started on his way -feeling quite contented. - -Having walked for an hour or two through the pretty country that is -ruled by King Bud, Kiki Aru decided he could travel faster and see more -as a bird, so he transformed himself into a white dove and visited the -great city of Nole and saw the King’s palace and gardens and many other -places of interest. Then he flew westward into the Kingdom of Ix, and -after a day in Queen Zixi’s country went on westward into the Land of -Ev. Every place he visited he thought was much more pleasant than the -saucer-country of the Hyups, and he decided that when he reached the -finest country of all he would settle there and enjoy his future life to -the utmost. - -In the Land of Ev he resumed his own shape again, for the cities and -villages were close together and he could easily go on foot from one to -another of them. - -Toward evening he came to a good Inn and asked the inn-keeper if he -could have food and lodging. - -“You can if you have the money to pay,” said the man, “otherwise you -must go elsewhere.” - -This surprised Kiki, for in the Land of Oz they do not use money at all, -everyone being allowed to take what he wishes without price. He had no -money, therefore, and so he turned away to seek hospitality elsewhere. -Looking through an open window into one of the rooms of the Inn, as he -passed along, he saw an old man counting on a table a big heap of gold -pieces, which Kiki thought to be money. One of these would buy him -supper and a bed, he reflected, so he transformed himself into a magpie -and, flying through the open window, caught up one of the gold pieces in -his beak and flew out again before the old man could interfere. Indeed, -the old man who was robbed was quite helpless, for he dared not leave -his pile of gold to chase the magpie, and before he could place the gold -in a sack and the sack in his pocket the robber bird was out of sight -and to seek it would be folly. - -Kiki Aru flew to a group of trees and, dropping the gold piece to the -ground, resumed his proper shape, and then picked up the money and put -it in his pocket. - -“You’ll be sorry for this!” exclaimed a small voice just over his head. - - [Illustration] - -Kiki looked up and saw that a sparrow, perched upon a branch, was -watching him. - -“Sorry for what?” he demanded. - -“Oh, I saw the whole thing,” asserted the sparrow. “I saw you look in -the window at the gold, and then make yourself into a magpie and rob the -poor man, and then I saw you fly here and make the bird into your former -shape. That’s magic, and magic is wicked and unlawful; and you stole -money, and that’s a still greater crime. You’ll be sorry, some day.” - - [Illustration] - -“I don’t care,” replied Kiki Aru, scowling. - -“Aren’t you afraid to be wicked?” asked the sparrow. - -“No, I didn’t know I was being wicked,” said Kiki, “but if I was, I’m -glad of it. I hate good people. I’ve always wanted to be wicked, but I -didn’t know how.” - -“Haw, haw, haw!” laughed someone behind him, in a big voice; “that’s the -proper spirit, my lad! I’m glad I’ve met you; shake hands.” - -The sparrow gave a frightened squeak and flew away. - - [Illustration] - - - - - Two Bad Ones - - - CHAPTER 3 - -Kiki turned around and saw a queer old man standing near. He didn’t -stand straight, for he was crooked. He had a fat body and thin legs and -arms. He had a big, round face with bushy, white whiskers that came to a -point below his waist, and white hair that came to a point on top of his -head. He wore dull-gray clothes that were tight fitting, and his pockets -were all bunched out as if stuffed full of something. - -“I didn’t know you were here,” said Kiki. - -“I didn’t come until after you did,” said the queer old man. - -“Who are you?” asked Kiki. - -“My name’s Ruggedo. I used to be the Nome King; but I got kicked out of -my country, and now I’m a wanderer.” - -“What made them kick you out?” inquired the Hyup boy. - -“Well, it’s the fashion to kick kings nowadays. I was a pretty good -King—to myself—but those dreadful Oz people wouldn’t let me alone. So I -had to abdicate.” - -“What does that mean?” - -“It means to be kicked out. But let’s talk about something pleasant. Who -are you and where did you come from?” - -“I’m called Kiki Aru. I used to live on Mount Munch in the Land of Oz, -but now I’m a wanderer like yourself.” - -The Nome King gave him a shrewd look. - -“I heard that bird say that you transformed yourself into a magpie and -back again. Is that true?” - -Kiki hesitated, but saw no reason to deny it. He felt that it would make -him appear more important. - -“Well—yes,” he said. - -“Then you’re a wizard?” - -“No; I only understand transformations,” he admitted. - -“Well, that’s pretty good magic, anyhow,” declared old Ruggedo. “I used -to have some very fine magic, myself, but my enemies took it all away -from me. Where are you going now?” - -“I’m going into the inn, to get some supper and a bed,” said Kiki. - -“Have you the money to pay for it?” asked the Nome. - -“I have one gold piece.” - -“Which you stole. Very good. And you’re glad that you’re wicked. Better -yet. I like you, young man, and I’ll go to the inn with you if you’ll -promise not to eat eggs for supper.” - -“Don’t you like eggs?” asked Kiki. - -“I’m afraid of ’em; they’re dangerous!” said Ruggedo, with a shudder. - -“All right,” agreed Kiki; “I won’t ask for eggs.” - -“Then come along,” said the Nome. - -When they entered the inn, the landlord scowled at Kiki and said: - -“I told you I would not feed you unless you had money.” - -Kiki showed him the gold piece. - -“And how about you?” asked the landlord, turning to Ruggedo. “Have you -money?” - -“I’ve something better,” answered the old Nome, and taking a bag from -one of his pockets he poured from it upon the table a mass of glittering -gems—diamonds, rubies and emeralds. - -The landlord was very polite to the strangers after that. He served them -an excellent supper, and while they ate it, the Hyup boy asked his -companion: - -“Where did you get so many jewels?” - -“Well, I’ll tell you,” answered the Nome. “When those Oz people took my -kingdom away from me—just because it was my kingdom and I wanted to run -it to suit myself—they said I could take as many precious stones as I -could carry. So I had a lot of pockets made in my clothes and loaded -them all up. Jewels are fine things to have with you when you travel; -you can trade them for anything.” - -“Are they better than gold pieces?” asked Kiki. - -“The smallest of these jewels is worth a hundred gold pieces such as you -stole from the old man.” - -“Don’t talk so loud,” begged Kiki, uneasily. “Some one else might hear -what you are saying.” - -After supper they took a walk together, and the former Nome King said: - -“Do you know the Shaggy Man, and the Scarecrow, and the Tin Woodman, and -Dorothy, and Ozma and all the other Oz people?” - -“No,” replied the boy, “I have never been away from Mount Munch until I -flew over the Deadly Desert the other day in the shape of a hawk.” - -“Then you’ve never seen the Emerald City of Oz?” - -“Never.” - -“Well,” said the Nome, “I knew all the Oz people, and you can guess I do -not love them. All during my wanderings I have brooded on how I can be -revenged on them. Now that I’ve met you I can see a way to conquer the -Land of Oz and be King there myself, which is better than being King of -the Nomes.” - -“How can you do that?” inquired Kiki Aru, wonderingly. - -“Never mind how. In the first place, I’ll make a bargain with you. Tell -me the secret of how to perform transformations and I will give you a -pocketful of jewels, the biggest and finest that I possess.” - -“No,” said Kiki, who realized that to share his power with another would -be dangerous to himself. - -“I’ll give you _two_ pocketsful of jewels,” said the Nome. - -“No;” answered Kiki. - -“I’ll give you every jewel I possess.” - -“No, no, no!” said Kiki, who was beginning to be frightened. - -“Then,” said the Nome, with a wicked look at the boy, “I’ll tell the -inn-keeper that you stole that gold piece and he will have you put in -prison.” - -Kiki laughed at the threat. - -“Before he can do that,” said he, “I will transform myself into a lion -and tear him to pieces, or into a bear and eat him up, or into a fly and -fly away where he could not find me.” - -“Can you really do such wonderful transformations?” asked the old Nome, -looking at him curiously. - -“Of course,” declared Kiki. “I can transform you into a stick of wood, -in a flash, or into a stone, and leave you here by the roadside.” - -The wicked Nome shivered a little when he heard that, but it made him -long more than ever to possess the great secret. After a while he said: - -“I’ll tell you what I’ll do. If you will help me to conquer Oz and to -transform the Oz people, who are my enemies, into sticks or stones, by -telling me your secret, I’ll agree to make _you_ the Ruler of all Oz, -and I will be your Prime Minister and see that your orders are obeyed.” - -“I’ll help do that,” said Kiki, “but I won’t tell you my secret.” - -The Nome was so furious at this refusal that he jumped up and down with -rage and spluttered and choked for a long time before he could control -his passion. But the boy was not at all frightened. He laughed at the -wicked old Nome, which made him more furious than ever. - -“Let’s give up the idea,” he proposed, when Ruggedo had quieted -somewhat. “I don’t know the Oz people you mention and so they are not my -enemies. If they’ve kicked you out of your kingdom, that’s your -affair—not mine.” - -“Wouldn’t you like to be king of that splendid fairyland?” asked -Ruggedo. - -“Yes, I would,” replied Kiki Aru; “but you want to be king yourself, and -we would quarrel over it.” - -“No,” said the Nome, trying to deceive him. “I don’t care to be king of -Oz, come to think it over. I don’t even care to live in that country. -What I want first is revenge. If we can conquer Oz, I’ll get enough -magic then to conquer my own kingdom of the Nomes, and I’ll go back and -live in my underground caverns, which are more home-like than the top of -the earth. So here’s my proposition: Help me conquer Oz and get revenge, -and help me get the magic away from Glinda and the Wizard, and I’ll let -you be King of Oz forever afterward.” - - [Illustration] - -“I’ll think it over,” answered Kiki, and that is all he would say that -evening. - -In the night when all in the Inn were asleep but himself, old Ruggedo -the Nome, rose softly from his couch and went into the room of Kiki Aru -the Hyup, and searched everywhere for the magic tool that performed his -transformations. Of course, there was no such tool, and although Ruggedo -searched in all the boy’s pockets, he found nothing magical whatever. So -he went back to his bed and began to doubt that Kiki could perform -transformations. - -Next morning he said: - -“Which way do you travel to-day?” - -“I think I shall visit the Rose Kingdom,” answered the boy. - -“That is a long journey,” declared the Nome. - -“I shall transform myself into a bird,” said Kiki, “and so fly to the -Rose Kingdom in an hour.” - -“Then transform me, also, into a bird, and I will go with you,” -suggested Ruggedo. “But, in that case, let us fly together to the Land -of Oz, and see what it looks like.” - -Kiki thought this over. Pleasant as were the countries he had visited, -he heard everywhere that the Land of Oz was more beautiful and -delightful. The Land of Oz was his own country, too, and if there was -any possibility of his becoming its King, he must know something about -it. - -While Kiki the Hyup thought, Ruggedo the Nome was also thinking. This -boy possessed a marvelous power, and although very simple in some ways, -he was determined not to part with his secret. However, if Ruggedo could -get him to transport the wily old Nome to Oz, which he could reach in no -other way, he might then induce the boy to follow his advice and enter -into the plot for revenge, which he had already planned in his wicked -heart. - -“There are wizards and magicians in Oz,” remarked Kiki, after a time. -“They might discover us, in spite of our transformations.” - -“Not if we are careful,” Ruggedo assured him. “Ozma has a Magic Picture, -in which she can see whatever she wishes to see; but Ozma will know -nothing of our going to Oz, and so she will not command her Magic -Picture to show where we are or what we are doing. Glinda the Good has a -Great Book called the Book of Records, in which is magically written -everything that people do in the Land of Oz, just the instant they do -it.” - -“Then,” said Kiki, “there is no use our attempting to conquer the -country, for Glinda would read in her book all that we do, and as her -magic is greater than mine, she would soon put a stop to our plans.” - -“I said ‘people,’ didn’t I?” retorted the Nome. “The book doesn’t make a -record of what birds do, or beasts. It only tells the doings of people. -So, if we fly into the country as birds, Glinda won’t know anything -about it.” - - [Illustration] - -“Two birds couldn’t conquer the Land of Oz,” asserted the boy, -scornfully. - -“No; that’s true,” admitted Ruggedo, and then he rubbed his forehead and -stroked his long pointed beard and thought some more. - -“Ah, now I have the idea!” he declared. “I suppose you can transform us -into beasts as well as birds?” - -“Of course.” - -“And can you make a bird a beast, and a beast a bird again, without -taking a human form in between?” - -“Certainly,” said Kiki. “I can transform myself or others into anything -that can talk. There’s a magic word that must be spoken in connection -with the transformations, and as beasts and birds and dragons and fishes -can talk in Oz, we may become any of these we desire to. However, if I -transformed myself into a tree, I would always remain a tree, because -then I could not utter the magic word to change the transformation.” - -“I see; I see,” said Ruggedo, nodding his bushy, white head until the -point of his hair waved back and forth like a pendulum. “That fits in -with my idea, exactly. Now, listen, and I’ll explain to you my plan. -We’ll fly to Oz as birds and settle in one of the thick forests in the -Gillikin Country. There you will transform us into powerful beasts, and -as Glinda doesn’t keep any track of the doings of beasts we can act -without being discovered.” - -“But how can two beasts raise an army to conquer the powerful people of -Oz?” inquired Kiki. - -“That’s easy. But not an army of _people_, mind you. That would be -quickly discovered. And while we are in Oz you and I will never resume -our human forms until we’ve conquered the country and destroyed Glinda, -and Ozma, and the Wizard, and Dorothy, and all the rest, and so have -nothing more to fear from them.” - -“It is impossible to kill anyone in the Land of Oz,” declared Kiki. - -“It isn’t necessary to kill the Oz people,” rejoined Ruggedo. - -“I’m afraid I don’t understand you,” objected the boy. “What will happen -to the Oz people, and what sort of an army could we get together, except -of people?” - -“I’ll tell you. The forests of Oz are full of beasts. Some of them, in -the far-away places, are savage and cruel, and would gladly follow a -leader as savage as themselves. They have never troubled the Oz people -much, because they had no leader to urge them on, but we will tell them -to help us conquer Oz and as a reward we will transform all the beasts -into men and women, and let them live in the houses and enjoy all the -good things; and we will transform all the people of Oz into beasts of -various sorts, and send them to live in the forests and the jungles. -That is a splendid idea, you must admit, and it’s so easy that we won’t -have any trouble at all to carry it through to success.” - -“Will the beasts consent, do you think?” asked the boy. - -“To be sure they will. We can get every beast in Oz on our side—except a -few who live in Ozma’s palace, and they won’t count.” - - [Illustration] - - - - - Conspirators - - - CHAPTER 4 - -Kiki Aru didn’t know much about Oz and didn’t know much about the beasts -who lived there, but the old Nome’s plan seemed to him to be quite -reasonable. He had a faint suspicion that Ruggedo meant to get the best -of him in some way, and he resolved to keep a close watch on his -fellow-conspirator. As long as he kept to himself the secret word of the -transformations, Ruggedo would not dare to harm him, and he promised -himself that as soon as they had conquered Oz, he would transform the -old Nome into a marble statue and keep him in that form forever. - -Ruggedo, on his part, decided that he could, by careful watching and -listening, surprise the boy’s secret, and when he had learned the magic -word he would transform Kiki Aru into a bundle of faggots and burn him -up and so be rid of him. - -This is always the way with wicked people. They cannot be trusted even -by one another. Ruggedo thought he was fooling Kiki, and Kiki thought he -was fooling Ruggedo; so both were pleased. - -“It’s a long way across the Desert,” remarked the boy, “and the sands -are hot and send up poisonous vapors. Let us wait until evening and then -fly across in the night when it will be cooler.” - -The former Nome King agreed to this, and the two spent the rest of that -day in talking over their plans. When evening came they paid the -inn-keeper and walked out to a little grove of trees that stood near by. - -“Remain here for a few minutes and I’ll soon be back,” said Kiki, and -walking swiftly away, he left the Nome standing in the grove. Ruggedo -wondered where he had gone, but stood quietly in his place until, all of -a sudden, his form changed to that of a great eagle, and he uttered a -piercing cry of astonishment and flapped his wings in a sort of panic. -At once his eagle cry was answered from beyond the grove, and another -eagle, even larger and more powerful than the transformed Ruggedo, came -sailing through the trees and alighted beside him. - -“Now we are ready for the start,” said the voice of Kiki, coming from -the eagle. - -Ruggedo realized that this time he had been outwitted. He had thought -Kiki would utter the magic word in his presence, and so he would learn -what it was, but the boy had been too shrewd for that. - -As the two eagles mounted high into the air and began their flight -across the great Desert that separates the Land of Oz from all the rest -of the world, the Nome said: - -“When I was king of the Nomes I had a magic way of working -transformations that I thought was good, but it could not compare with -your secret word. I had to have certain tools and make passes and say a -lot of mystic words before I could transform anybody.” - -“What became of your magic tools?” inquired Kiki. - - [Illustration] - -“The Oz people took them all away from me—that horrid girl, Dorothy, and -that terrible fairy, Ozma, the Ruler of Oz—at the time they took away my -underground kingdom and kicked me upstairs into the cold, heartless -world.” - -“Why did you let them do that?” asked the boy. - - [Illustration] - -“Well,” said Ruggedo, “I couldn’t help it. They rolled eggs at -me—_eggs_—dreadful eggs!—and if an egg even touches a Nome, he is ruined -for life.” - -“Is any kind of an egg dangerous to a Nome?” - -“Any kind and every kind. An egg is the only thing I’m afraid of.” - - - - - A Happy Corner of Oz - - - CHAPTER 5 - -There is no other country so beautiful as the Land of Oz. There are no -other people so happy and contented and prosperous as the Oz people. -They have all they desire; they love and admire their beautiful girl -Ruler, Ozma of Oz, and they mix work and play so justly that both are -delightful and satisfying and no one has any reason to complain. Once in -a while something happens in Oz to disturb the people’s happiness for a -brief time, for so rich and attractive a fairyland is sure to make a few -selfish and greedy outsiders envious, and therefore certain evil-doers -have treacherously plotted to conquer Oz and enslave its people and -destroy its girl Ruler, and so gain the wealth of Oz for themselves. But -up to the time when the cruel and crafty Nome, Ruggedo, conspired with -Kiki Aru, the Hyup, all such attempts had failed. The Oz people -suspected no danger. Life in the world’s nicest fairyland was one round -of joyous, happy days. - -In the center of the Emerald City of Oz, the capital city of Ozma’s -dominions, is a vast and beautiful garden, surrounded by a wall inlaid -with shining emeralds, and in the center of this garden stands Ozma’s -Royal Palace, the most splendid building ever constructed. From a -hundred towers and domes floated the banners of Oz, which included the -Ozmies, the Munchkins, the Gillikins, the Winkies and the Quadlings. The -banner of the Munchkins is blue, that of the Winkies yellow; the -Gillikin banner is purple, and the Quadling’s banner is red. The colors -of the Emerald City are of course green. Ozma’s own banner has a green -center, and is divided into four quarters. These quarters are colored -blue, purple, yellow and red, indicating that she rules over all the -countries of the Land of Oz. - -This fairyland is so big, however, that all of it is not yet known to -its girl Ruler, and it is said that in some far parts of the country, in -forests and mountain fastnesses, in hidden valleys and thick jungles, -are people and beasts that know as little about Ozma as she knows of -them. Still, these unknown subjects are not nearly so numerous as the -known inhabitants of Oz, who occupy all the countries near to the -Emerald City. Indeed, I’m sure it will not be long until all parts of -the fairyland of Oz are explored and their peoples made acquainted with -their Ruler, for in Ozma’s palace are several of her friends who are so -curious that they are constantly discovering new and extraordinary -places and inhabitants. - -One of the most frequent discoverers of these hidden places in Oz is a -little Kansas girl named Dorothy, who is Ozma’s dearest friend and lives -in luxurious rooms in the Royal Palace. Dorothy is, indeed, a Princess -of Oz, but she does not like to be called a princess, and because she is -simple and sweet and does not pretend to be anything but an ordinary -little girl, she is called just “Dorothy” by everybody and is the most -popular person, next to Ozma, in all the Land of Oz. - - [Illustration] - -One morning Dorothy crossed the hall of the palace and knocked on the -door of another girl named Trot, also a guest and friend of Ozma. When -told to enter, Dorothy found that Trot had company, an old sailor-man -with one wooden leg and one meat leg, who was sitting by the open window -puffing smoke from a corn-cob pipe. This sailor-man was named Cap’n -Bill, and he had accompanied Trot to the Land of Oz and was her oldest -and most faithful comrade and friend. Dorothy liked Cap’n Bill, too, and -after she had greeted him, she said to Trot: - -“You know, Ozma’s birthday is next month, and I’ve been wondering what I -can give her as a birthday present. She’s so good to us all that we -certainly ought to remember her birthday.” - -“That’s true,” agreed Trot. “I’ve been wondering, too, what I could give -Ozma. It’s pretty hard to decide, ’cause she’s got already all she -wants, and as she’s a fairy and knows a lot about magic, she could -satisfy any wish.” - -“I know,” returned Dorothy, “but that isn’t the point. It isn’t that -Ozma _needs_ anything, but that it will please her to know we’ve -remembered her birthday. But what shall we give her?” - -Trot shook her head in despair. - -“I’ve tried to think and I can’t,” she declared. - -“It’s the same way with me,” said Dorothy. - -“I know one thing that ’ud please her,” remarked Cap’n Bill, turning his -round face with its fringe of whiskers toward the two girls and staring -at them with his big, light-blue eyes wide open. - -“What is it, Cap’n Bill?” - -“It’s an Enchanted Flower,” said he. “It’s a pretty plant that stands in -a golden flower-pot an’ grows all sorts o’ flowers, one after another. -One minute a fine rose buds an’ blooms, an’ then a tulip, an’ next a -chrys—chrys—” - -“—anthemum,” said Dorothy, helping him. - -“That’s it; and next a dahlia, an’ then a daffydil, an’ on all through -the range o’ posies. Jus’ as soon as one fades away, another comes, of a -different sort, an’ the perfume from ’em is mighty snifty, an’ they -keeps bloomin’ night and day, year in an’ year out.” - -“That’s wonderful!” exclaimed Dorothy. “I think Ozma would like it.” - -“But where is the Magic Flower, and how can we get it?” asked Trot. - -“Dun’no, zac’ly,” slowly replied Cap’n Bill. “The Glass Cat tol’ me -about it only yesterday, an’ said it was in some lonely place up at the -nor’east o’ here. The Glass Cat goes travelin’ all around Oz, you know, -an’ the little critter sees a lot o’ things no one else does.” - -“That’s true,” said Dorothy, thoughtfully. “Northeast of here must be in -the Munchkin Country, and perhaps a good way off, so let’s ask the Glass -Cat to tell us how to get to the Magic Flower.” - -So the two girls, with Cap’n Bill stumping along on his wooden leg after -them, went out into the garden, and after some time spent in searching, -they found the Glass Cat curled up in the sunshine beside a bush, fast -asleep. - - [Illustration] - -The Glass Cat is one of the most curious creatures in all Oz. It was -made by a famous magician named Dr. Pipt before Ozma had forbidden her -subjects to work magic. Dr. Pipt had made the Glass Cat to catch mice, -but the Cat refused to catch mice and was considered more curious than -useful. - -This astonishing cat was made all of glass and was so clear and -transparent that you could see through it as easily as through a window. -In the top of its head, however, was a mass of delicate pink balls which -looked like jewels but were intended for brains. It had a heart made of -a blood-red ruby. The eyes were two large emeralds. But, aside from -these colors, all the rest of the animal was of clear glass, and it had -a spun-glass tail that was really beautiful. - -“Here, wake up,” said Cap’n Bill. “We want to talk to you.” - -Slowly the Glass Cat got upon its feet, yawned and then looked at the -three who stood before it. - -“How dare you disturb me?” it asked in a peevish voice. “You ought to be -ashamed of yourselves.” - -“Never mind that,” returned the Sailor. “Do you remember tellin’ me -yesterday ’bout a Magic Flower in a Gold Pot?” - -“Do you think I’m a fool? Look at my brains—you can see ’em work. Of -course I remember!” said the cat. - -“Well, where can we find it?” - -“You can’t. It’s none of your business, anyhow. Go away and let me -sleep,” advised the Glass Cat. - -“Now, see here,” said Dorothy; “we want the Magic Flower to give to Ozma -on her birthday. You’d be glad to please Ozma, wouldn’t you?” - -“I’m not sure,” replied the creature. “Why should I want to please -anybody?” - - [Illustration] - -“You’ve got a heart, ’cause I can see it inside of you,” said Trot. - -“Yes; it’s a pretty heart, and I’m fond of it,” said the cat, twisting -around to view its own body. “But it’s made from a ruby, and it’s hard -as nails.” - -“Aren’t you good for _any_thing?” asked Trot. - -“Yes, I’m pretty to look at, and that’s more than can be said of you,” -retorted the creature. - -Trot laughed at this, and Dorothy, who understood the Glass Cat pretty -well, said soothingly: - -“You are indeed beautiful, and if you can tell Cap’n Bill where to find -the Magic Flower, all the people in Oz will praise your cleverness. The -Flower will belong to Ozma, but everyone will know the Glass Cat -discovered it.” - -This was the kind of praise the crystal creature liked. - -“Well,” it said, while the pink brains rolled around, “I found the Magic -Flower way up in the north of the Munchkin Country where few people live -or ever go. There’s a river there that flows through a forest, and in -the middle of the river in the middle of the forest there is a small -island on which stands the gold pot in which grows the Magic Flower.” - -“How did you get to the island?” asked Dorothy. “Glass cats can’t swim.” - -“No, but I’m not afraid of water,” was the reply. “I just walked across -the river on the bottom.” - -“Under the water?” exclaimed Trot. - -The cat gave her a scornful look. - -“How could I walk _over_ the water on the _bottom_ of the river? If you -were transparent, anyone could see _your_ brains were not working. But -I’m sure you could never find the place alone. It has always been hidden -from the Oz people.” - - [Illustration] - -“But you, with your fine pink brains, could find it again, I s’pose,” -remarked Dorothy. - -“Yes; and if you want that Magic Flower for Ozma, I’ll go with you and -show you the way.” - -“That’s lovely of you!” declared Dorothy. “Trot and Cap’n Bill will go -with you, for this is to be their birthday present to Ozma. While you’re -gone I’ll have to find something else to give her.” - -“All right. Come on, then, Cap’n,” said the Glass Cat, starting to move -away. - -“Wait a minute,” begged Trot. “How long will we be gone?” - -“Oh, about a week.” - -“Then I’ll put some things in a basket to take with us,” said the girl, -and ran into the palace to make her preparations for the journey. - - [Illustration] - - - - - Ozma’s Birthday Presents - - - CHAPTER 6 - -When Cap’n Bill and Trot and the Glass Cat had started for the hidden -island in the far-off river to get the Magic Flower, Dorothy wondered -again what she could give Ozma on her birthday. She met the Patchwork -Girl and said: - -“What are you going to give Ozma for a birthday present?” - -“I’ve written a song for her,” answered the strange Patchwork Girl, who -went by the name of “Scraps,” and who, though stuffed with cotton, had a -fair assortment of mixed brains. “It’s a splendid song and the chorus -runs this way: - - “I am crazy; - You’re a daisy, - Ozma dear; - I’m demented; - You’re contented, - Ozma dear; - I am patched and gay and glary; - You’re a sweet and lovely fairy; - May your birthdays all be happy, - Ozma dear!” - -“How do you like it, Dorothy?” inquired the Patchwork Girl. - -“Is it good poetry, Scraps?” asked Dorothy, doubtfully. - -“It’s as good as any ordinary song,” was the reply. “I have given it a -dandy title, too. I shall call the song: ‘When Ozma Has a Birthday, -Everybody’s Sure to Be Gay, for She Cannot Help the Fact That She Was -Born.’” - -“That’s a pretty long title, Scraps,” said Dorothy. - -“That makes it stylish,” replied the Patchwork Girl, turning a -somersault and alighting on one stuffed foot. “Now-a-days the titles are -sometimes longer than the songs.” - - [Illustration] - -Dorothy left her and walked slowly toward the palace, where she met the -Tin Woodman just going up the front steps. - -“What are you going to give Ozma on her birthday?” she asked. - -“It’s a secret, but I’ll tell you,” replied the Tin Woodman, who was -Emperor of the Winkies. “I am having my people make Ozma a lovely girdle -set with beautiful tin nuggets. Each tin nugget will be surrounded by a -circle of emeralds, just to set it off to good advantage. The clasp of -the girdle will be pure tin! Won’t that be fine?” - -“I’m sure she’ll like it,” said Dorothy. “Do you know what _I_ can give -her?” - -“I haven’t the slightest idea, Dorothy. It took me three months to think -of my own present for Ozma.” - -The girl walked thoughtfully around to the back of the palace, and -presently came upon the famous Scarecrow of Oz, who was having two of -the palace servants stuff his legs with fresh straw. - -“What are you going to give Ozma on her birthday?” asked Dorothy. - -“I want to surprise her,” answered the Scarecrow. - -“I won’t tell,” promised Dorothy. - -“Well, I’m having some straw slippers made for her—all straw, mind you, -and braided very artistically. Ozma has always admired my straw filling, -so I’m sure she’ll be pleased with these lovely straw slippers.” - -“Ozma will be pleased with anything her loving friends give her,” said -the girl. “What _I’m_ worried about, Scarecrow, is what to give Ozma -that she hasn’t got already.” - -“That’s what worried me, until I thought of the slippers,” said the -Scarecrow. “You’ll have to _think_, Dorothy; that’s the only way to get -a good idea. If I hadn’t such wonderful brains, I’d never have thought -of those straw foot-decorations.” - - [Illustration] - -Dorothy left him and went to her room, where she sat down and tried to -think hard. A Pink Kitten was curled up on the window-sill and Dorothy -asked her: - -“What can I give Ozma for her birthday present?” - -“Oh, give her some milk,” replied the Pink Kitten; “that’s the nicest -thing I know of.” - -A fuzzy little black dog had squatted down at Dorothy’s feet and now -looked up at her with intelligent eyes. - -“Tell me, Toto,” said the girl; “what would Ozma like best for a -birthday present?” - -The little black dog wagged his tail. - -“Your love,” said he. “Ozma wants to be loved more than anything else.” - -“But I already love her, Toto!” - -“Then tell her you love her twice as much as you ever did before.” - -“That wouldn’t be true,” objected Dorothy, “for I’ve always loved her as -much as I could, and, really, Toto, I want to give Ozma some _present_, -’cause everyone else will give her a present.” - -“Let me see,” said Toto. “How would it be to give her that useless Pink -Kitten?” - -“No, Toto; that wouldn’t do.” - -“Then six kisses.” - -“No; that’s no present.” - -“Well, I guess you’ll have to figure it out for yourself, Dorothy,” said -the little dog. “To _my_ notion you’re more particular than Ozma will -be.” - -Dorothy decided that if anyone could help her it would be Glinda the -Good, the wonderful Sorceress of Oz who was Ozma’s faithful subject and -friend. But Glinda’s castle was in the Quadling Country and quite a -journey from the Emerald City. - - [Illustration] - -So the little girl went to Ozma and asked permission to use the Wooden -Sawhorse and the royal Red Wagon to pay a visit to Glinda, and the girl -Ruler kissed Princess Dorothy and graciously granted permission. - -The Wooden Sawhorse was one of the most remarkable creatures in Oz. Its -body was a small log and its legs were limbs of trees stuck in the body. -Its eyes were knots, its mouth was sawed in the end of the log and its -ears were two chips. A small branch had been left at the rear end of the -log to serve as a tail. - -Ozma herself, during one of her early adventures, had brought this -wooden horse to life, and so she was much attached to the queer animal -and had shod the bottoms of its wooden legs with plates of gold so they -would not wear out. The sawhorse was a swift and willing traveler, and -though it could talk if need arose, it seldom said anything unless -spoken to. When the Sawhorse was harnessed to the Red Wagon there were -no reins to guide him because all that was needed was to tell him where -to go. - -Dorothy now told him to go to Glinda’s Castle and the Sawhorse carried -her there with marvelous speed. - -“Glinda,” said Dorothy, when she had been greeted by the Sorceress, who -was tall and stately, with handsome and dignified features and dressed -in a splendid and becoming gown, “what are you going to give Ozma for a -birthday present?” - -The Sorceress smiled and answered: - -“Come into my patio and I will show you.” - - [Illustration] - -So they entered a place that was surrounded by the wings of the great -castle but had no roof, and was filled with flowers and fountains and -exquisite statuary and many settees and chairs of polished marble or -filigree gold. Here there were gathered fifty beautiful young girls, -Glinda’s handmaids, who had been selected from all parts of the Land of -Oz on account of their wit and beauty and sweet dispositions. It was a -great honor to be made one of Glinda’s handmaidens. - -When Dorothy followed the Sorceress into this delightful patio all the -fifty girls were busily weaving, and their shuttles were filled with a -sparkling green spun glass such as the little girl had never seen -before. - -“What is it, Glinda?” she asked. - -“One of my recent discoveries,” explained the Sorceress. “I have found a -way to make threads from emeralds, by softening the stones and then -spinning them into long, silken strands. With these emerald threads we -are weaving cloth to make Ozma a splendid court gown for her birthday. -You will notice that the threads have all the beautiful glitter and -luster of the emeralds from which they are made, and so Ozma’s new dress -will be the most magnificent the world has ever seen, and quite fitting -for our lovely Ruler of the Fairyland of Oz.” - -Dorothy’s eyes were fairly dazed by the brilliance of the emerald cloth, -some of which the girls had already woven. - -“I’ve never seen _any_thing so beautiful!” she said, with a sigh. “But -tell me, Glinda, what can _I_ give our lovely Ozma on her birthday?” - -The good Sorceress considered this question for a long time before she -replied. Finally she said: - -“Of course there will be a grand feast at the Royal Palace on Ozma’s -birthday, and all our friends will be present. So I suggest that you -make a fine big birthday cake for Ozma, and surround it with candles.” - -“Oh, just a _cake_!” exclaimed Dorothy, in disappointment. - -“Nothing is nicer for a birthday,” said the Sorceress. - -“How many candles should there be on the cake?” asked the girl. - -“Just a row of them,” replied Glinda, “for no one knows how old Ozma is, -although she appears to us to be just a young girl—as fresh and fair as -if she had lived but a few years.” - -“A cake doesn’t seem like much of a present,” Dorothy asserted. - -“Make it a surprise cake,” suggested the Sorceress. “Don’t you remember -the four and twenty blackbirds that were baked in a pie? Well, you need -not use live blackbirds in your cake, but you could have some surprise -of a different sort.” - -“Like what?” questioned Dorothy, eagerly. - -“If I told you, it wouldn’t be _your_ present to Ozma, but _mine_,” -answered the Sorceress, with a smile. “Think it over, my dear, and I am -sure you can originate a surprise that will add greatly to the joy and -merriment of Ozma’s birthday banquet.” - -Dorothy thanked her friend and entered the Red Wagon and told the -Sawhorse to take her back home to the palace in the Emerald City. - -On the way she thought the matter over seriously of making a surprise -birthday cake and finally decided what to do. - -As soon as she reached home, she went to the Wizard of Oz, who had a -room fitted up in one of the high towers of the palace, where he studied -magic so as to be able to perform such wizardry as Ozma commanded him to -do for the welfare of her subjects. - -The Wizard and Dorothy were firm friends and had enjoyed many strange -adventures together. He was a little man with a bald head and sharp eyes -and a round, jolly face, and because he was neither haughty nor proud he -had become a great favorite with the Oz people. - -“Wizard,” said Dorothy, “I want you to help me fix up a present for -Ozma’s birthday.” - -“I’ll be glad to do anything for you and for Ozma,” he answered. “What’s -on your mind, Dorothy?” - -“I’m going to make a great cake, with frosting and candles, and all -that, you know.” - -“Very good,” said the Wizard. - -“In the center of this cake I’m going to leave a hollow place, with just -a roof of the frosting over it,” continued the girl. - - [Illustration] - -“Very good,” repeated the Wizard, nodding his bald head. - -“In that hollow place,” said Dorothy, “I want to hide a lot of monkeys -about three inches high, and after the cake is placed on the banquet -table, I want the monkeys to break through the frosting and dance around -on the table-cloth. Then, I want each monkey to cut out a piece of cake -and hand it to a guest.” - -“Mercy me!” cried the little Wizard, as he chuckled with laughter. “Is -that _all_ you want, Dorothy?” - -“Almost,” said she. “Can you think of anything more the little monkeys -can do, Wizard?” - -“Not just now,” he replied. “But where will you get such tiny monkeys?” - -“That’s where you’re to help me,” said Dorothy. “In some of those wild -forests in the Gillikin Country are lots of monkeys.” - -“Big ones,” said the Wizard. - -“Well, you and I will go there, and we’ll get some of the big monkeys, -and you will make them small—just three inches high—by means of your -magic, and we’ll put the little monkeys all in a basket and bring them -home with us. Then you’ll train them to dance—up here in your room, -where no one can see them—and on Ozma’s birthday we’ll put ’em into the -cake and they’ll know by that time just what to do.” - -The Wizard looked at Dorothy with admiring approval, and chuckled again. - -“That’s really clever, my dear,” he said, “and I see no reason why we -can’t do it, just the way you say, if only we can get the wild monkeys -to agree to it.” - -“Do you think they’ll object?” asked the girl. - -“Yes; but perhaps we can argue them into it. Anyhow, it’s worth trying, -and I’ll help you if you’ll agree to let this Surprise Cake be a present -to Ozma from you and me together. I’ve been wondering what _I_ could -give Ozma, and as I’ve got to train the monkeys as well as make them -small, I think you ought to make me your partner.” - -“Of course,” said Dorothy; “I’ll be glad to do so.” - -“Then, it’s a bargain,” declared the Wizard. “We must go to seek those -monkeys at once, however, for it will take time to train them and we’ll -have to travel a good way to the Gillikin forests where they live.” - -“I’m ready to go any time,” agreed Dorothy. “Shall we ask Ozma to let us -take the Sawhorse?” - -The Wizard did not answer that at once. He took time to think of the -suggestion. - -“No,” he answered at length, “the Red Wagon couldn’t get through the -thick forests and there’s some danger to us in going into the wild -places to search for monkeys. So I propose we take the Cowardly Lion and -the Hungry Tiger. We can ride on their backs as well as in the Red -Wagon, and if there is danger to us from other beasts, these two -friendly champions will protect us from all harm.” - -“That’s a splendid idea!” exclaimed Dorothy. “Let’s go now and ask the -Hungry Tiger and the Cowardly Lion if they will help us. Shall we ask -Ozma if we can go?” - -“I think not,” said the Wizard, getting his hat and his black bag of -magic tools. “This is to be a surprise for her birthday, and so she -mustn’t know where we’re going. We’ll just leave word, in case Ozma -inquires for us, that we’ll be back in a few days.” - - [Illustration] - - - - - The Forest of Gugu - - - CHAPTER 7 - -In the central western part of the Gillikin Country is a great tangle of -trees called Gugu Forest. It is the biggest forest in all Oz and -stretches miles and miles in every direction—north, south, east and -west. Adjoining it on the east side is a range of rugged mountains -covered with underbrush and small twisted trees. You can find this place -by looking at the Map of the Land of Oz. - -Gugu Forest is the home of most of the wild beasts that inhabit Oz. -These are seldom disturbed in their leafy haunts because there is no -reason why Oz people should go there, except on rare occasions, and most -parts of the forest have never been seen by any eyes but the eyes of the -beasts who make their home there. The biggest beasts inhabit the great -forest, while the smaller ones live mostly in the mountain underbrush at -the east. - -Now, you must know that there are laws in the forests, as well as in -every other place, and these laws are made by the beasts themselves, and -are necessary to keep them from fighting and tearing one another to -pieces. In Gugu Forest there is a King—an enormous yellow leopard called -“Gugu”—after whom the forest is named. And this King has three other -beasts to advise him in keeping the laws and maintaining order—Bru the -Bear, Loo the Unicorn and Rango the Gray Ape—who are known as the King’s -Counselors. All these are fierce and ferocious beasts, and hold their -high offices because they are more intelligent and more feared than -their fellows. - -Since Oz became a fairyland, no man, woman or child ever dies in that -land nor is anyone ever sick. Likewise the beasts of the forests never -die, so that long years add to their cunning and wisdom, as well as to -their size and strength. It is possible for beasts—or even people—to be -destroyed, but the task is so difficult that it is seldom attempted. -Because it is free from sickness and death is one reason why Oz is a -fairyland, but it is doubtful whether those who come to Oz from the -outside world, as Dorothy and Button-Bright and Trot and Cap’n Bill and -the Wizard did, will live forever or cannot be injured. Even Ozma is not -sure about this, and so the guests of Ozma from other lands are always -carefully protected from any danger, so as to be on the safe side. - -In spite of the laws of the forests there are often fights among the -beasts; some of them have lost an eye or an ear or even had a leg torn -off. The King and the King’s Counselors always punish those who start a -fight, but so fierce is the nature of some beasts that they will at -times fight in spite of laws and punishment. - -Over this vast, wild Forest of Gugu flew two eagles, one morning, and -near the center of the jungle the eagles alighted on a branch of a tall -tree. - -“Here is the place for us to begin our work,” said one, who was Ruggedo, -the Nome. - -“Do many beasts live here?” asked Kiki Aru, the other eagle. - -“The forest is full of them,” said the Nome. “There are enough beasts -right here to enable us to conquer the people of Oz, if we can get them -to consent to join us. To do that, we must go among them and tell them -our plans, so we must now decide on what shapes we had better assume -while in the forest.” - -“I suppose we must take the shapes of beasts?” said Kiki. - -“Of course. But that requires some thought. All kinds of beasts live -here, and a yellow leopard is King. If we become leopards, the King will -be jealous of us. If we take the forms of some of the other beasts, we -shall not command proper respect.” - -“I wonder if the beasts will attack us?” asked Kiki. - -“I’m a Nome, and immortal, so nothing can hurt me,” replied Ruggedo. - -“I was born in the Land of Oz, so nothing can hurt me,” said Kiki. - -“But, in order to carry out our plans, we must win the favor of all the -animals of the forest.” - -“Then what shall we do?” asked Kiki. - -“Let us mix the shapes of several beasts, so we will not look like any -one of them,” proposed the wily old Nome. “Let us have the heads of -lions, the bodies of monkeys, the wings of eagles and the tails of wild -asses, with knobs of gold on the end of them instead of bunches of -hair.” - -“Won’t that make a queer combination?” inquired Kiki. - -“The queerer the better,” declared Ruggedo. - -“All right,” said Kiki. “You stay here, and I’ll fly away to another -tree and transform us both, and then we’ll climb down our trees and meet -in the forest.” - -“No,” said the Nome, “we mustn’t separate. You must transform us while -we are together.” - -“I won’t do that,” asserted Kiki, firmly. “You’re trying to get my -secret, and I won’t let you.” - -The eyes of the other eagle flashed angrily, but Ruggedo did not dare -insist. If he offended this boy, he might have to remain an eagle always -and he wouldn’t like that. Some day he hoped to be able to learn the -secret word of the magical transformations, but just now he must let -Kiki have his own way. - -“All right,” he said gruffly; “do as you please.” - -So Kiki flew to a tree that was far enough distant so that Ruggedo could -not overhear him and said: “I want Ruggedo, the Nome, and myself to have -the heads of lions, the bodies of monkeys, the wings of eagles and the -tails of wild asses, with knobs of gold on the ends of them instead of -bunches of hair—Pyrzqxgl!” - -He pronounced the magic word in the proper manner and at once his form -changed to the one he had described. He spread his eagle’s wings and -finding they were strong enough to support his monkey body and lion head -he flew swiftly to the tree where he had left Ruggedo. The Nome was also -transformed and was climbing down the tree because the branches all -around him were so thickly entwined that there was no room between them -to fly. - -Kiki quickly joined his comrade and it did not take them long to reach -the ground. - - - - - The Li-Mon-Eags Make Trouble - - - CHAPTER 8 - -There had been trouble in the Forest of Gugu that morning. Chipo the -Wild Boar had bitten the tail off Arx the Giraffe while the latter had -his head among the leaves of a tree, eating his breakfast. Arx kicked -with his heels and struck Tirrip, the great Kangaroo, who had a new baby -in her pouch. Tirrip knew it was the Wild Boar’s fault, so she knocked -him over with one powerful blow and then ran away to escape Chipo’s -sharp tusks. In the chase that followed a giant porcupine stuck fifty -sharp quills into the Boar and a chimpanzee in a tree threw a cocoanut -at the porcupine that jammed its head into its body. - -All this was against the Laws of the Forest, and when the excitement was -over, Gugu the Leopard King called his royal Counselors together to -decide how best to punish the offenders. - -The four lords of the forest were holding solemn council in a small -clearing when they saw two strange beasts approaching them—beasts the -like of which they had never seen before. - -Not one of the four, however, relaxed his dignity or showed by a -movement that he was startled. The great Leopard crouched at full length -upon a fallen tree-trunk. Bru the Bear sat on his haunches before the -King; Rango the Gray Ape stood with his muscular arms folded, and Loo -the Unicorn reclined, much as a horse does, between his -fellow-councillors. With one consent they remained silent, eyeing with -steadfast looks the intruders, who were making their way into their -forest domain. - -“Well met, Brothers!” said one of the strange beasts, coming to a halt -beside the group, while his comrade with hesitation lagged behind. - -“We are not brothers,” returned the Gray Ape, sternly. “Who are you, and -how came you in the forest of Gugu?” - - [Illustration] - -“We are two Li-Mon-Eags,” said Ruggedo, inventing the name. “Our home is -in Sky Island, and we have come to earth to warn the forest beasts that -the people of Oz are about to make war upon them and enslave them, so -that they will become beasts of burden forever after and obey only the -will of their two-legged masters.” - -A low roar of anger arose from the Council of Beasts. - -“_Who’s_ going to do that?” asked Loo the Unicorn, in a high, squeaky -voice, at the same time rising to his feet. - -“The people of Oz,” said Ruggedo. - -“But what will _we_ be doing?” inquired the Unicorn. - -“That’s what I’ve come to talk to you about.” - -“You needn’t talk! We’ll fight the Oz people!” screamed the Unicorn. -“We’ll smash ’em; we’ll trample ’em; we’ll gore ’em; we’ll—” - -“Silence!” growled Gugu the King, and Loo obeyed, although still -trembling with wrath. The cold, steady gaze of the Leopard wandered over -the two strange beasts. “The people of Oz,” said he, “have not been our -friends; they have not been our enemies. They have let us alone, and we -have let them alone. There is no reason for war between us. They have no -slaves. They could not use us as slaves if they should conquer us. I -think you are telling us lies, you strange Li-Mon-Eag—you mixed-up beast -who are neither one thing nor another.” - -“Oh, on my word, it’s the truth!” protested the Nome in the beast’s -shape. “I wouldn’t lie for the world; I—” - -“Silence!” again growled Gugu the King; and, somehow, even Ruggedo was -abashed and obeyed the edict. - -“What do you say, Bru?” asked the king, turning to the great Bear, who -had until now said nothing. - -“How does the Mixed Beast know that what he says is true?” asked the -Bear. - -“Why, I can fly, you know, having the wings of an Eagle,” explained the -Nome. “I and my comrade yonder,” turning to Kiki, “flew to a grove in -Oz, and there we heard the people telling how they will make many ropes -to snare you beasts, and then they will surround this forest, and all -other forests, and make you prisoners. So we came here to warn you, for -being beasts ourselves, although we live in the sky, we are your -friends.” - -The Leopard’s lip curled and showed his enormous teeth, sharp as -needles. He turned to the Gray Ape. - -“What do _you_ think, Rango?” he asked. - -“Send these mixed beasts away, your Majesty,” replied the Gray Ape. -“They are mischief-makers.” - -“Don’t do that—don’t do that!” cried the Unicorn, nervously. “The -stranger said he would tell us what to do. Let him tell us, then. Are we -fools, not to heed a warning?” - -Gugu the King turned to Ruggedo. - -“Speak, Stranger,” he commanded. - -“Well,” said the Nome, “it’s this way: The Land of Oz is a fine country. -The people of Oz have many good things—houses with soft beds, all sorts -of nice-tasting food, pretty clothes, lovely jewels, and many other -things that beasts know nothing of. Here in the dark forests the poor -beasts have hard work to get enough to eat and to find a bed to rest in. -But the beasts are better than the people, and why should they not have -all the good things the people have? So I propose that before the Oz -people have the time to make all those ropes to snare you with, that all -we beasts get together and march against the Oz people and capture them. -Then the beasts will become the masters and the people their slaves.” - -“What good would that do us?” asked Bru the Bear. - -“It would save you from slavery, for one thing, and you could enjoy all -the fine things the Oz people have.” - -“Beasts wouldn’t know what to do with the things people use,” said the -Gray Ape. - -“But this is only part of my plan,” insisted the Nome. “Listen to the -rest of it. We two Li-Mon-Eags are powerful magicians. When you have -conquered the Oz people we will transform them all into beasts, and send -them to the forests to live, and we will transform all the beasts into -people, so they can enjoy all the wonderful delights of the Emerald -City.” - -For a moment no beast spoke. Then the King said: “Prove it.” - -“Prove what?” asked Ruggedo. - -“Prove that you can transform us. If you are a magician transform the -Unicorn into a man. Then we will believe you. If you fail, we will -destroy you.” - -“All right,” said the Nome. “But I’m tired, so I’ll let my comrade make -the transformation.” - -Kiki Aru had stood back from the circle, but he had heard all that was -said. He now realized that he must make good Ruggedo’s boast, so he -retreated to the edge of the clearing and whispered the magic word. - -Instantly the Unicorn became a fat, chubby little man, dressed in the -purple Gillikin costume, and it was hard to tell which was the more -astonished, the King, the Bear, the Ape or the former Unicorn. - -“It’s true!” shouted the man-beast. “Good gracious, look what I am! It’s -wonderful!” - -The King of the Beasts now addressed Ruggedo in a more friendly tone. - -“We must believe your story, since you have given us proof of your -power,” said he. “But why, if you are so great a magician, cannot you -conquer the Oz people without our help, and so save us the trouble?” - -“Alas!” replied the crafty old Nome, “no magician is able to do -everything. The transformations are easy to us because we are -Li-Mon-Eags, but we cannot fight, or conquer even such weak creatures as -the Oz people. But we will stay with you and advise and help you, and we -will transform all the Oz people into beasts, when the time comes, and -all the beasts into people.” - -Gugu the King turned to his Counselors. - -“How shall we answer this friendly stranger?” he asked. - -Loo the former Unicorn was dancing around and cutting capers like a -clown. - -“On my word, your Majesty,” he said, “this being a man is more fun than -being a Unicorn.” - -“You look like a fool,” said the Gray Ape. - -“Well, I _feel_ fine!” declared the man-beast. - - [Illustration] - -“I think I prefer to be a Bear,” said Big Bru. “I was born a Bear, and I -know a Bear’s ways. So I am satisfied to live as a Bear lives.” - -“That,” said the old Nome, “is because you know nothing better. When we -have conquered the Oz people, and you become a man, you’ll be glad of -it.” - -The immense Leopard rested his chin on the log and seemed thoughtful. - -“The beasts of the forest must decide this matter for themselves,” he -said. “Go you, Rango the Gray Ape, and tell your monkey tribe to order -all the forest beasts to assemble in the Great Clearing at sunrise -to-morrow. When all are gathered together, this mixed-up Beast who is a -magician shall talk to them and tell them what he has told us. Then, if -they decide to fight the Oz people, who have declared war on us, I will -lead the beasts to battle.” - -Rango the Gray Ape turned at once and glided swiftly through the forest -on his mission. The Bear gave a grunt and walked away. Gugu the King -rose and stretched himself. Then he said to Ruggedo: “Meet us at sunrise -to-morrow,” and with stately stride vanished among the trees. - -The man-unicorn, left alone with the strangers, suddenly stopped his -foolish prancing. - -“You’d better make me a Unicorn again,” he said. “I like being a man, -but the forest beasts won’t know I’m their friend, Loo, and they might -tear me in pieces before morning.” - -So Kiki changed him back to his former shape, and the Unicorn departed -to join his people. - - [Illustration] - -Ruggedo the Nome was much pleased with his success. - -“To-morrow,” he said to Kiki Aru, “we’ll win over these beasts and set -them to fight and conquer the Oz people. Then I will have my revenge on -Ozma and Dorothy and all the rest of my enemies.” - -“But I am doing all the work,” said Kiki. - -“Never mind; you’re going to be King of Oz,” promised Ruggedo. - -“Will the big Leopard let me be King?” asked the boy anxiously. - -The Nome came close to him and whispered: - -“If Gugu the Leopard opposes us, you will transform him into a tree, and -then he will be helpless.” - -“Of course,” agreed Kiki, and he said to himself: “I shall also -transform this deceitful Nome into a tree, for he lies and I cannot -trust him.” - - [Illustration] - - - - - The Isle of the Magic Flower - - - CHAPTER 9 - -The Glass Cat was a good guide and led Trot and Cap’n Bill by straight -and easy paths through all the settled part of the Munchkin Country, and -then into the north section where there were few houses, and finally -through a wild country where there were no houses or paths at all. But -the walking was not difficult and at last they came to the edge of a -forest and stopped there to make camp and sleep until morning. - -From branches of trees Cap’n Bill made a tiny house that was just big -enough for the little girl to crawl into and lie down. But first they -ate some of the food Trot had carried in the basket. - -“Don’t you want some, too?” she asked the Glass Cat. - -“No,” answered the creature. - -“I suppose you’ll hunt around an’ catch a mouse,” remarked Cap’n Bill. - -“Me? Catch a mouse! Why should I do that?” inquired the Glass Cat. - -“Why, then you could eat it,” said the sailor-man. - -“I beg to inform you,” returned the crystal tabby, “that I do not eat -mice. Being transparent, so anyone can see through me, I’d look nice, -wouldn’t I, with a common mouse inside me? But the fact is that I -haven’t any stomach or other machinery that would permit me to eat -things. The careless magician who made me didn’t think I’d need to eat, -I suppose.” - -“Don’t you ever get hungry or thirsty?” asked Trot. - -“Never. I don’t complain, you know, at the way I’m made, for I’ve never -yet seen any living thing as beautiful as I am. I have the handsomest -brains in the world. They’re pink, and you can see ’em work.” - - [Illustration] - -“I wonder,” said Trot thoughtfully, as she ate her bread and jam, “if -_my_ brains whirl around in the same way yours do.” - -“No; not the same way, surely,” returned the Glass Cat; “for, in that -case, they’d be as good as _my_ brains, except that they’re hidden under -a thick, boney skull.” - -“Brains,” remarked Cap’n Bill, “is of all kinds and work different ways. -But I’ve noticed that them as thinks that their brains is best is often -mistook.” - -Trot was a little disturbed by sounds from the forest, that night, for -many beasts seemed prowling among the trees, but she was confident Cap’n -Bill would protect her from harm. And in fact, no beast ventured from -the forest to attack them. - -At daybreak they were up again, and after a simple breakfast Cap’n Bill -said to the Glass Cat: - -“Up anchor, Mate, and let’s forge ahead. I don’t suppose we’re far from -that Magic Flower, are we?” - -“Not far,” answered the transparent one, as it led the way into the -forest, “but it may take you some time to get to it.” - -Before long they reached the bank of a river. It was not very wide, at -this place, but as they followed the banks in a northerly direction it -gradually broadened. - -Suddenly the blue-green leaves of the trees changed to a purple hue, and -Trot noticed this and said: - -“I wonder what made the colors change like that?” - -“It’s because we have left the Munchkin Country and entered the Gillikin -Country,” explained the Glass Cat. “Also it’s a sign our journey is -nearly ended.” - -The river made a sudden turn, and after the travelers had passed around -the bend, they saw that the stream had now become as broad as a small -lake, and in the center of the Lake they beheld a little island, not -more than fifty feet in extent, either way. Something glittered in the -middle of this tiny island, and the Glass Cat paused on the bank and -said: - -“There is the gold flower-pot containing the Magic Flower, which is very -curious and beautiful. If you can get to the island, your task is -ended—except to carry the thing home with you.” - -Cap’n Bill looked at the broad expanse of water and began to whistle a -low, quavering tune. Trot knew that the whistle meant that Cap’n Bill -was thinking, and the old sailor didn’t look at the island as much as he -looked at the trees upon the bank where they stood. Presently he took -from the big pocket of his coat an axe-blade, wound in an old cloth to -keep the sharp edge from cutting his clothing. Then, with a large pocket -knife, he cut a small limb from a tree and whittled it into a handle for -his axe. - -“Sit down, Trot,” he advised the girl, as he worked. “I’ve got quite a -job ahead of me now, for I’ve got to build us a raft.” - -“What do we need a raft for, Cap’n?” - -“Why, to take us to the island. We can’t walk under water, in the river -bed, as the Glass Cat did, so we must float atop the water.” - -“Can you make a raft, Cap’n Bill?” - -“O’ course, Trot, if you give me time.” - -The little girl sat down on a log and gazed at the Island of the Magic -Flower. Nothing else seemed to grow on the tiny isle. There was no tree, -no shrub, no grass, even, as far as she could make out from that -distance. But the gold pot glittered in the rays of the sun, and Trot -could catch glimpses of glowing colors above it, as the Magic Flower -changed from one sort to another. - -“When I was here before,” remarked the Glass Cat, lazily reclining at -the girl’s feet, “I saw two Kalidahs on this very bank, where they had -come to drink.” - -“What are Kalidahs?” asked the girl. - -“The most powerful and ferocious beasts in all Oz. This forest is their -especial home, and so there are few other beasts to be found except -monkeys. The monkeys are spry enough to keep out of the way of the -fierce Kalidahs, which attack all other animals and often fight among -themselves.” - - [Illustration] - -“Did they try to fight you when you saw ’em?” asked Trot, getting very -much excited. - -“Yes. They sprang upon me in an instant; but I lay flat on the ground, -so I wouldn’t get my legs broken by the great weight of the beasts, and -when they tried to bite me I laughed at them and jeered them until they -were frantic with rage, for they nearly broke their teeth on my hard -glass. So, after a time, they discovered they could not hurt me, and -went away. It was great fun.” - -“I hope they don’t come here again to drink,—not while we’re here, -anyhow,” returned the girl, “for I’m not made of glass, nor is Cap’n -Bill, and if those bad beasts bit us, we’d get hurt.” - -Cap’n Bill was cutting from the trees some long stakes, making them -sharp at one end and leaving a crotch at the other end. These were to -bind the logs of his raft together. He had fashioned several and was -just finishing another when the Glass Cat cried: “Look out! There’s a -Kalidah coming toward us.” - -Trot jumped up, greatly frightened, and looked at the terrible animal as -if fascinated by its fierce eyes, for the Kalidah was looking at her, -too, and its look wasn’t at all friendly. But Cap’n Bill called to her: -“Wade into the river, Trot, up to your knees—an’ stay there!” and she -obeyed him at once. The sailor-man hobbled forward, the stake in one -hand and his axe in the other, and got between the girl and the beast, -which sprang upon him with a growl of defiance. - - [Illustration] - -Cap’n Bill moved pretty slowly, sometimes, but now he was quick as could -be. As the Kalidah sprang toward him he stuck out his wooden leg and the -point of it struck the beast between its eyes and sent it rolling upon -the ground. Before it could get upon its feet again the sailor pushed -the sharp stake right through its body and then with the flat side of -the axe he hammered the stake as far into the ground as it would go. By -this means he captured the great beast and made it harmless, for try as -it would, it could not get away from the stake that held it. - -Cap’n Bill knew he could not kill the Kalidah, for no living thing in Oz -can be killed, so he stood back and watched the beast wriggle and growl -and paw the earth with its sharp claws, and then, satisfied it could not -escape, he told Trot to come out of the water again and dry her wet -shoes and stockings in the sun. - -“Are you sure he can’t get away?” she asked. - -“I’d bet a cookie on it,” said Cap’n Bill, so Trot came ashore and took -off her shoes and stockings and laid them on the log to dry, while the -sailor-man resumed his work on the raft. - -The Kalidah, realizing after many struggles that it could not escape, -now became quiet, but it said in a harsh, snarling voice: - -“I suppose you think you’re clever, to pin me to the ground in this -manner. But when my friends, the other Kalidahs, come here, they’ll tear -you to pieces for treating me this way.” - -“P’raps,” remarked Cap’n Bill, coolly, as he chopped at the logs, “an’ -p’raps not. When are your folks comin’ here?” - -“I don’t know,” admitted the Kalidah. “But when they _do_ come, you -can’t escape them.” - -“If they hold off long enough, I’ll have my raft ready,” said Cap’n -Bill. - -“What are you going to do with a raft?” inquired the beast. - -“We’re goin’ over to that island, to get the Magic Flower.” - -The huge beast looked at him in surprise a moment, and then it began to -laugh. The laugh was a good deal like a roar, and it had a cruel and -derisive sound, but it was a laugh nevertheless. - -“Good!” said the Kalidah. “Good! Very good! I’m glad you’re going to get -the Magic Flower. But what will you do with it?” - -“We’re going to take it to Ozma, as a present on her birthday.” - -The Kalidah laughed again; then it became sober. “If you get to the land -on your raft before my people can catch you,” it said, “you will be safe -from us. We can swim like ducks, so the girl couldn’t have escaped me by -getting into the water; but Kalidahs don’t go to that island over -there.” - -“Why not?” asked Trot. - -The beast was silent. - -“Tell us the reason,” urged Cap’n Bill. - -“Well, it’s the Isle of the Magic Flower,” answered the Kalidah, “and we -don’t care much for magic. If you hadn’t had a magic leg, instead of a -meat one, you couldn’t have knocked me over so easily and stuck this -wooden pin through me.” - -“I’ve been to the Magic Isle,” said the Glass Cat, “and I’ve watched the -Magic Flower bloom, and I’m sure it’s too pretty to be left in that -lonely place where only beasts prowl around it and no one else sees it. -So we’re going to take it away to the Emerald City.” - -“I don’t care,” the beast replied in a surly tone. “We Kalidahs would be -just as contented if there wasn’t a flower in our forest. What good are -the things anyhow?” - -“Don’t you like pretty things?” asked Trot. - -“No.” - -“You ought to admire my pink brains, anyhow,” declared the Glass Cat. -“They’re beautiful and you can see ’em work.” - - [Illustration] - -The beast only growled in reply, and Cap’n Bill, having now cut all his -logs to a proper size, began to roll them to the water’s edge and fasten -them together. - - - - - Stuck Fast - - - CHAPTER 10 - -The day was nearly gone when, at last, the raft was ready. - -“It ain’t so very big,” said the old sailor, “but I don’t weigh much, -an’ you, Trot, don’t weigh half as much as I do, an’ the glass pussy -don’t count.” - -“But it’s safe, isn’t it?” inquired the girl. - -“Yes; it’s good enough to carry us to the island an’ back again, an’ -that’s about all we can expect of it.” - -Saying this, Cap’n Bill pushed the raft into the water, and when it was -afloat, stepped upon it and held out his hand to Trot, who quickly -followed him. The Glass Cat boarded the raft last of all. - -The sailor had cut a long pole, and had also whittled a flat paddle, and -with these he easily propelled the raft across the river. As they -approached the island, the Wonderful Flower became more plainly visible, -and they quickly decided that the Glass Cat had not praised it too -highly. The colors of the flowers that bloomed in quick succession were -strikingly bright and beautiful, and the shapes of the blossoms were -varied and curious. Indeed, they did not resemble ordinary flowers at -all. - -So intently did Trot and Cap’n Bill gaze upon the Golden Flower pot that -held the Magic Flower that they scarcely noticed the island itself until -the raft beached upon its sands. But then the girl exclaimed: “How funny -it is, Cap’n Bill, that nothing else grows here excep’ the Magic -Flower.” - -Then the sailor glanced at the island and saw that it was all bare -ground, without a weed, a stone or a blade of grass. Trot, eager to -examine the Flower closer, sprang from the raft and ran up the bank -until she reached the Golden Flowerpot. Then she stood beside it -motionless and filled with wonder. Cap’n Bill joined her, coming more -leisurely, and he, too, stood in silent admiration for a time. - -“Ozma will like this,” remarked the Glass Cat, sitting down to watch the -shifting hues of the flowers. “I’m sure she won’t have as fine a -birthday present from anyone else.” - -“Do you s’pose it’s very heavy, Cap’n? And can we get it home without -breaking it?” asked Trot anxiously. - -“Well, I’ve lifted many bigger things than that,” he replied; “but let’s -see what it weighs.” - -He tried to take a step forward, but could not lift his meat foot from -the ground. His wooden leg seemed free enough, but the other would not -budge. - -“I seem stuck, Trot,” he said, with a perplexed look at his foot. “It -ain’t mud, an’ it ain’t glue, but somethin’s holdin’ me down.” - -The girl attempted to lift her own feet, to go nearer to her friend, but -the ground held them as fast as it held Cap’n Bill’s foot. She tried to -slide them, or to twist them around, but it was no use; she could not -move either foot a hair’s breadth. - -“This is funny!” she exclaimed. “What do you ’spose has happened to us, -Cap’n Bill?” - -“I’m tryin’ to make out,” he answered. “Take off your shoes, Trot. -P’raps it’s the leather soles that’s stuck to the ground.” - - [Illustration] - -She leaned down and unlaced her shoes, but found she could not pull her -feet out of them. The Glass Cat, which was walking around as naturally -as ever, now said: - -“Your foot has got roots to it, Cap’n, and I can see the roots going -into the ground, where they spread out in all directions. It’s the same -way with Trot. That’s why you can’t move. The roots hold you fast.” - -Cap’n Bill was rather fat and couldn’t see his own feet very well, but -he squatted down and examined Trot’s feet and decided that the Glass Cat -was right. - -“This is hard luck,” he declared, in a voice that showed he was uneasy -at the discovery. “We’re pris’ners, Trot, on this funny island, an’ I’d -like to know how we’re ever goin’ to get loose, so’s we can get home -again.” - -“Now I know why the Kalidah laughed at us,” said the girl, “and why he -said none of the beasts ever came to this island. The horrid creature -knew we’d be caught, and wouldn’t warn us.” - -In the meantime, the Kalidah, although pinned fast to the earth by Cap’n -Bill’s stake, was facing the island, and now the ugly expression which -passed over its face when it defied and sneered at Cap’n Bill and Trot, -had changed to one of amusement and curiosity. When it saw the -adventurers had actually reached the island and were standing beside the -Magic Flower, it heaved a breath of satisfaction—a long, deep breath -that swelled the deep chest until the beast could feel the stake that -held him move a little, as if withdrawing itself from the ground. - -“Ah ha!” murmured the Kalidah, “a little more of this will set me free -and allow me to escape!” - -So he began breathing as hard as he could, puffing out his chest as much -as possible with each indrawing breath, and by doing this he managed to -raise the stake with each powerful breath, until at last the -Kalidah—using the muscles of his four legs as well as his deep -breaths—found itself free of the sandy soil. The stake was sticking -right through him, however, so he found a rock deeply set in the bank -and pressed the sharp point of the stake upon the surface of this rock -until he had driven it clear through his body. Then, by getting the -stake tangled among some thorny bushes, and wiggling his body, he -managed to draw it out altogether. - -“There!” he exclaimed, “except for those two holes in me, I’m as good as -ever; but I must admit that that old wooden-legged fellow saved both -himself and the girl by making me a prisoner.” - -Now the Kalidahs, although the most disagreeable creatures in the Land -of Oz, were nevertheless magical inhabitants of a magical Fairyland, and -in their natures a certain amount of good was mingled with the evil. -This one was not very revengeful, and now that his late foes were in -danger of perishing, his anger against them faded away. - -“Our own Kalidah King,” he reflected, “has certain magical powers of his -own. Perhaps he knows how to fill up these two holes in my body.” - -So without paying any more attention to Trot and Cap’n Bill than they -were paying to him, he entered the forest and trotted along a secret -path that led to the hidden lair of all the Kalidahs. - -While the Kalidah was making good its escape Cap’n Bill took his pipe -from his pocket and filled it with tobacco and lighted it. Then, as he -puffed out the smoke, he tried to think what could be done. - -“The Glass Cat seems all right,” he said, “an’ my wooden leg didn’t take -roots and grow, either. So it’s only flesh that gets caught.” - -“It’s magic that does it, Cap’n!” - -“I know, Trot, and that’s what sticks me. We’re livin’ in a magic -country, but neither of us knows any magic an’ so we can’t help -ourselves.” - -“Couldn’t the Wizard of Oz help us—or Glinda the Good?” asked the little -girl. - -“Ah, now we’re beginnin’ to reason,” he answered. “I’d probably thought -o’ that, myself, in a minute more. By good luck the Glass Cat is free, -an’ so it can run back to the Emerald City an’ tell the Wizard about our -fix, an’ ask him to come an’ help us get loose.” - -“Will you go?” Trot asked the cat, speaking very earnestly. - -“I’m no messenger, to be sent here and there,” asserted the curious -animal in a sulky tone of voice. - -“Well,” said Cap’n Bill, “you’ve got to go home, anyhow, ’cause you -don’t want to stay here, I take it. And, when you get home, it wouldn’t -worry you much to tell the Wizard what’s happened to us.” - -“That’s true,” said the cat, sitting on its haunches and lazily washing -its face with one glass paw. “I don’t mind telling the Wizard—when I get -home.” - -“Won’t you go now?” pleaded Trot. “We don’t want to stay here any longer -than we can help, and everybody in Oz will be interested in you, and -call you a hero, and say nice things about you because you helped your -friends out of trouble.” - -That was the best way to manage the Glass Cat, which was so vain that it -loved to be praised. - -“I’m going home right away,” said the creature, “and I’ll tell the -Wizard to come and help you.” - -Saying this, it walked down to the water and disappeared under the -surface. Not being able to manage the raft alone, the Glass Cat walked -on the bottom of the river as it had done when it visited the island -before, and soon they saw it appear on the farther bank and trot into -the forest, where it was quickly lost to sight among the trees. - -Then Trot heaved a deep sigh. - -“Cap’n,” said she, “we’re in a bad fix. There’s nothing here to eat, and -we can’t even lie down to sleep. Unless the Glass Cat hurries, and the -Wizard hurries, I don’t know what’s going to become of us!” - - [Illustration] - - - - - The Beasts of the Forest of Gugu - - - CHAPTER 11 - -That was a wonderful gathering of wild animals in the Forest of Gugu -next sunrise. Rango, the Gray Ape, had even called his monkey sentinels -away from the forest edge, and every beast, little and big, was in the -great clearing where meetings were held on occasions of great -importance. - -In the center of the clearing stood a great shelving rock, having a -flat, inclined surface, and on this sat the stately Leopard Gugu, who -was King of the Forest. On the ground beneath him squatted Bru the Bear, -Loo the Unicorn, and Rango the Gray Ape, the King’s three Counsellors, -and in front of them stood the two strange beasts who had called -themselves Li-Mon-Eags, but were really the transformations of Ruggedo -the Nome, and Kiki Aru the Hyup. - -Then came the beasts—rows and rows and rows of them! The smallest beasts -were nearest the King’s rock throne; then there were wolves and foxes, -lynxes and hyenas, and the like; behind them were gathered the monkey -tribes, who were hard to keep in order because they teased the other -animals and were full of mischievous tricks. Back of the monkeys were -the pumas, jaguars, tigers and lions, and their kind; next the bears, -all sizes and colors; after them bisons, wild asses, zebras and -unicorns; farther on the rhinoceri and hippopotami, and at the far edge -of the forest, close to the trees that shut in the clearing, was a row -of thick-skinned elephants, still as statues but with eyes bright and -intelligent. - -Many other kinds of beasts, too numerous to mention, were there, and -some were unlike any beasts we see in the menageries and zoos in our -country. Some were from the mountains west of the forest, and some from -the plains at the east, and some from the river; but all present -acknowledged the leadership of Gugu, who for many years had ruled them -wisely and forced all to obey the laws. - -When the beasts had taken their places in the clearing and the rising -sun was shooting its first bright rays over the treetops, King Gugu rose -on his throne. The Leopard’s giant form, towering above all the others, -caused a sudden hush to fall on the assemblage. - -“Brothers,” he said in his deep voice, “a stranger has come among us, a -beast of curious form who is a great magician and is able to change the -shapes of men or beasts at his will. This stranger has come to us, with -another of his kind, from out of the sky, to warn us of a danger which -threatens us all, and to offer us a way to escape from that danger. He -says he is our friend, and he has proved to me and to my counsellors his -magic powers. Will you listen to what he has to say to you—to the -message he has brought from the sky?” - -“Let him speak!” came in a great roar from the great company of -assembled beasts. - - [Illustration] - - [Illustration] - -So Ruggedo the Nome sprang upon the flat rock beside Gugu the King, and -another roar, gentle this time, showed how astonished the beasts were at -the sight of his curious form. His lion’s face was surrounded by a mane -of pure white hair; his eagle’s wings were attached to the shoulders of -his monkey body and were so long that they nearly touched the ground; he -had powerful arms and legs in addition to the wings, and at the end of -his long, strong tail was a golden ball. Never had any beast beheld such -a curious creature before, and so the very sight of the stranger, who -was said to be a great magician, filled all present with awe and wonder. - -Kiki stayed down below and, half hidden by the shelf of rock, was -scarcely noticed. The boy realized that the old Nome was helpless -without his magic power, but he also realized that Ruggedo was the best -talker. So he was willing the Nome should take the lead. - -“Beasts of the Forest of Gugu,” began Ruggedo the Nome, “my comrade and -I are your friends. We are magicians, and from our home in the sky we -can look down into the Land of Oz and see everything that is going on. -Also we can hear what the people below us are saying. That is how we -heard Ozma, who rules the Land of Oz, say to her people: ‘The beasts in -the Forest of Gugu are lazy and are of no use to us. Let us go to their -forest and make them all our prisoners. Let us tie them with ropes, and -beat them with sticks, until they work for us and become our willing -slaves.’ And when the people heard Ozma of Oz say this, they were glad -and raised a great shout and said: ‘We will do it! We will make the -beasts of the Forest of Gugu our slaves!’” - -The wicked old Nome could say no more, just then, for such a fierce roar -of anger rose from the multitude of beasts that his voice was drowned by -the clamor. Finally the roar died away, like distant thunder, and -Ruggedo the Nome went on with his speech. - -“Having heard the Oz people plot against your liberty, we watched to see -what they would do, and saw them all begin making ropes—ropes long and -short—with which to snare our friends the beasts. You are angry, but we -also were angry, for when the Oz people became the enemies of the beasts -they also became our enemies; for we, too, are beasts, although we live -in the sky. And my comrade and I said: ‘We will save our friends and -have revenge on the Oz people,’ and so we came here to tell you of your -danger and of our plan to save you.” - -“We can save ourselves,” cried an old elephant. “We can fight.” - -“The Oz people are fairies, and you can’t fight against magic unless you -also have magic,” answered the Nome. - -“Tell us your plan!” shouted the huge Tiger, and the other beasts echoed -his words, crying: “Tell us your plan.” - -“My plan is simple,” replied Ruggedo. “By our magic we will transform -all you animals into men and women—like the Oz people—and we will -transform all the Oz people into beasts. You can then live in the fine -houses of the Land of Oz, and eat the fine food of the Oz people, and -wear their fine clothes, and sing and dance and be happy. And the Oz -people, having become beasts, will have to live here in the forest and -hunt and fight for food, and often go hungry, as you now do, and have no -place to sleep but a bed of leaves or a hole in the ground. Having -become men and women, you beasts will have all the comforts you desire, -and having become beasts, the Oz people will be very miserable. That is -our plan, and if you agree to it, we will all march at once into the -Land of Oz and quickly conquer our enemies.” - -When the stranger ceased speaking, a great silence fell on the -assemblage, for the beasts were thinking of what he had said. Finally -one of the walrus asked: - -“Can you really transform beasts into men, and men into beasts?” - - [Illustration] - -“He can—he can!” cried Loo the Unicorn, prancing up and down in an -excited manner. “He transformed _me_, only last evening, and he can -transform us all.” - -Gugu the King now stepped forward. - -“You have heard the stranger speak,” said he, “and now you must answer -him. It is for you to decide. Shall we agree to this plan, or not?” - -“Yes!” shouted some of the animals. - -“No!” shouted others. - -And some were yet silent. - -Gugu looked around the great circle. - -“Take more time to think,” he suggested. “Your answer is very important. -Up to this time we have had no trouble with the Oz people, but we are -proud and free, and never will become slaves. Think carefully, and when -you are ready to answer, I will hear you.” - - - - - Kiki Uses His Magic - - - CHAPTER 12 - -Then arose a great confusion of sounds as all the animals began talking -to their fellows. The monkeys chattered and the bears growled and the -voices of the jaguars and lions rumbled, and the wolves yelped and the -elephants had to trumpet loudly to make their voices heard. Such a -hubbub had never been known in the forest before, and each beast argued -with his neighbor until it seemed the noise would never cease. - -Ruggedo the Nome waved his arms and fluttered his wings to try to make -them listen to him again, but the beasts paid no attention. Some wanted -to fight the Oz people, some wanted to be transformed, and some wanted -to do nothing at all. - -The growling and confusion had grown greater than ever when in a flash -silence fell on all the beasts present, the arguments were hushed, and -all gazed in astonishment at a strange sight. - -For into the circle strode a great Lion—bigger and more powerful than -any other lion there—and on his back rode a little girl who smiled -fearlessly at the multitude of beasts. And behind the lion and the -little girl came another beast—a monstrous Tiger, who bore upon his back -a funny little man carrying a black bag. Right past the rows of -wondering beasts the strange animals walked, advancing until they stood -just before the rock throne of Gugu. - -Then the little girl and the funny little man dismounted, and the great -Lion demanded in a loud voice: - -“Who is King in this forest?” - -“I am!” answered Gugu, looking steadily at the other. “I am Gugu the -Leopard, and I am King of this forest.” - -“Then I greet Your Majesty with great respect,” said the Lion. “Perhaps -you have heard of me, Gugu. I am called the ‘Cowardly Lion,’ and I am -King of all Beasts, the world over.” - -Gugu’s eyes flashed angrily. - -“Yes,” said he, “I have heard of you. You have long claimed to be King -of Beasts, but no beast who is a coward can be King over me.” - -“He isn’t a coward, Your Majesty,” asserted the little girl, “he’s just -cowardly, that’s all.” - -Gugu looked at her. All the other beasts were looking at her, too. - -“Who are you?” asked the King. - -“Me? Oh, I’m just Dorothy,” she answered. - -“How dare you come here?” demanded the King. - -“Why, I’m not afraid to go anywhere, if the Cowardly Lion is with me,” -she said. “I know him pretty well, and so I can trust him. He’s always -afraid, when we get into trouble, and that’s why he’s cowardly; but he’s -a terrible fighter, and that’s why he isn’t a coward. He doesn’t like to -fight, you know, but when he _has_ to, there isn’t any beast living that -can conquer him.” - -Gugu the King looked at the big, powerful form of the Cowardly Lion, and -knew she spoke the truth. Also the other Lions of the forest now came -forward and bowed low before the strange Lion. - - [Illustration] - - [Illustration] - -“We welcome Your Majesty,” said one. “We have known you many years ago, -before you went to live at the Emerald City, and we have seen you fight -the terrible Kalidahs and conquer them, so we know you are the King of -all Beasts.” - -“It is true,” replied the Cowardly Lion; “but I did not come here to -rule the beasts of this forest. Gugu is King here, and I believe he is a -good King and just and wise. I come, with my friends, to be the guest of -Gugu, and I hope we are welcome.” - -That pleased the great Leopard, who said very quickly: - -“Yes; you, at least, are welcome to my forest. But who are these -strangers with you.” - -“Dorothy has introduced herself,” replied the Lion, “and you are sure to -like her when you know her better. This man is the Wizard of Oz, a -friend of mine who can do wonderful tricks of magic. And here is my true -and tried friend, the Hungry Tiger, who lives with me in the Emerald -City.” - -“Is he _always_ hungry?” asked Loo the Unicorn. - -“I am,” replied the Tiger, answering the question himself. “I am always -hungry for fat babies.” - -“Can’t you find any fat babies in Oz to eat?” inquired Loo, the Unicorn. - -“There are plenty of them, of course,” said the Tiger, “but -unfortunately I have such a tender conscience that it won’t allow me to -eat babies. So I’m always hungry for ’em and never can eat ’em, because -my conscience won’t let me.” - -Now of all the surprised beasts in that clearing, not one was so much -surprised at the sudden appearance of these four strangers as Ruggedo -the Nome. He was frightened, too, for he recognized them as his most -powerful enemies; but he also realized that they could not know he was -the former King of the Nomes, because of the beast’s form he wore, which -disguised him so effectually. So he took courage and resolved that the -Wizard and Dorothy should not defeat his plans. - -It was hard to tell, just yet, what the vast assemblage of beasts -thought of the new arrivals. Some glared angrily at them, but more of -them seemed to be curious and wondering. All were interested, however, -and they kept very quiet and listened carefully to all that was said. - -Kiki Aru, who had remained unnoticed in the shadow of the rock, was at -first more alarmed by the coming of the strangers than even Ruggedo was, -and the boy told himself that unless he acted quickly and without -waiting to ask the advice of the old Nome, their conspiracy was likely -to be discovered and all their plans to conquer and rule Oz be defeated. -Kiki didn’t like the way Ruggedo acted either, for the former King of -the Nomes wanted to do everything his own way, and made the boy, who -alone possessed the power of transformations, obey his orders as if he -were a slave. - -Another thing that disturbed Kiki Aru was the fact that a real Wizard -had arrived, who was said to possess many magical powers, and this -Wizard carried his tools in a black bag, and was the friend of the Oz -people, and so would probably try to prevent war between the beasts of -the forest and the people of Oz. - -All these things passed through the mind of the Hyup boy while the -Cowardly Lion and Gugu the King were talking together, and that was why -he now began to do several strange things. - -He had found a place, near to the point where he stood, where there was -a deep hollow in the rock, so he put his face into this hollow and -whispered softly, so he would not be heard: - -“I want the Wizard of Oz to become a fox—Pyrzqxgl!” - -The Wizard, who had stood smilingly beside his friends, suddenly felt -his form change to that of a fox, and his black bag fell to the ground. -Kiki reached out an arm and seized the bag, and the Fox cried as loud as -it could: - -“Treason! There’s a traitor here with magic powers!” - -Everyone was startled at this cry, and Dorothy, seeing her old friend’s -plight, screamed and exclaimed: “Mercy me!” - -But the next instant the little girl’s form had changed to that of a -lamb with fleecy white wool, and Dorothy was too bewildered to do -anything but look around her in wonder. - -The Cowardly Lion’s eyes now flashed fire; he crouched low and lashed -the ground with his tail and gazed around to discover who the -treacherous magician might be. But Kiki, who had kept his face in the -hollow rock, again whispered the magic word, and the great lion -disappeared and in his place stood a little boy dressed in Munchkin -costume. The little Munchkin boy was as angry as the lion had been, but -he was small and helpless. - -Ruggedo the Nome saw what was happening and was afraid Kiki would spoil -all his plans, so he leaned over the rock and shouted: “Stop, -Kiki—stop!” - -Kiki would not stop, however. Instead, he transformed the Nome into a -goose, to Ruggedo’s horror and dismay. But the Hungry Tiger had -witnessed all these transformations, and he was watching to see which of -those present was to blame for them. When Ruggedo spoke to Kiki, the -Hungry Tiger knew that he was the magician, so he made a sudden spring -and hurled his great body full upon the form of the Li-Mon-Eag crouching -against the rock. Kiki didn’t see the Tiger coming because his face was -still in the hollow, and the heavy body of the tiger bore him to the -earth just as he said “Pyrzqxgl!” for the fifth time. - -So now the tiger which was crushing him changed to a rabbit, and -relieved of its weight, Kiki sprang up and, spreading his eagle’s wings, -flew into the branches of a tree, where no beast could easily reach him. -He was not an instant too quick in doing this, for Gugu the King had -crouched on the rock’s edge and was about to spring on the boy. - -From his tree Kiki transformed Gugu into a fat Gillikin woman, and -laughed aloud to see how the woman pranced with rage, and how astonished -all the beasts were at their King’s new shape. - - [Illustration] - -The beasts were frightened, too, fearing they would share the fate of -Gugu, so a stampede began when Rango the Gray Ape sprang into the -forest, and Bru the Bear and Loo the Unicorn followed as quickly as they -could. The elephants backed into the forest, and all the other animals, -big and little, rushed after them, scattering through the jungles until -the clearing was far behind. The monkeys scrambled into the trees and -swung themselves from limb to limb, to avoid being trampled upon by the -bigger beasts, and they were so quick that they distanced all the rest. -A panic of fear seemed to have overtaken the forest people and they got -as far away from the terrible Magician as they possibly could. - - [Illustration] - -But the transformed ones stayed in the clearing, being so astonished and -bewildered by their new shapes that they could only look at one another -in a dazed and helpless fashion, although each one was greatly annoyed -at the trick that had been played on him. - -“Who are you?” the Munchkin boy asked the Rabbit; and “Who are you?” the -Fox asked the Lamb; and “Who are you?” the Rabbit asked the fat Gillikin -woman. - -“I’m Dorothy,” said the woolly Lamb. - -“I’m the Wizard,” said the Fox. - -“I’m the Cowardly Lion,” said the Munchkin Boy. - -“I’m the Hungry Tiger,” said the Rabbit. - -“I’m Gugu the King,” said the fat Woman. - -But when they asked the Goose who he was, Ruggedo the Nome would not -tell them. - -“I’m just a Goose,” he replied, “and what I was before, I cannot -remember.” - - - - - The Loss of the Black Bag - - - CHAPTER 13 - -Kiki Aru, in the form of the Li-Mon-Eag, had scrambled into the high, -thick branches of the tree, so no one could see him, and there he opened -the Wizard’s black bag, which he had carried away in his flight. He was -curious to see what the Wizard’s magic tools looked like, and hoped he -could use some of them and so secure more power; but after he had taken -the articles, one by one, from the bag, he had to admit they were -puzzles to him. For, unless he understood their uses, they were of no -value whatever. Kiki Aru, the Hyup boy, was no wizard or magician at -all, and could do nothing unusual except to use the Magic Word he had -stolen from his father on Mount Munch. So he hung the Wizard’s black bag -on a branch of the tree and then climbed down to the lower limbs that he -might see what the victims of his transformations were doing. - -They were all on top of the flat rock, talking together in tones so low -that Kiki could not hear what they said. - -“This is certainly a misfortune,” remarked the Wizard in the Fox’s form, -“but our transformations are a sort of enchantment which is very easy to -break—when you know how and have the tools to do it with. The tools are -in my Black Bag; but where is the Bag?” - -No one knew that, for none had seen Kiki Aru fly away with it. - -“Let’s look and see if we can find it,” suggested Dorothy the Lamb. - -So they left the rock, and all of them searched the clearing high and -low without finding the Bag of Magic Tools. The Goose searched as -earnestly as the others, for if he could discover it, he meant to hide -it where the Wizard could never find it, because if the Wizard changed -him back to his proper form, along with the others, he would then be -recognized as Ruggedo the Nome, and they would send him out of the Land -of Oz and so ruin all his hopes of conquest. - -Ruggedo was not really sorry, now that he thought about it, that Kiki -had transformed all these Oz folks. The forest beasts, it was true, had -been so frightened that they would now never consent to be transformed -into men, but Kiki could transform them against their will, and once -they were all in human forms, it would not be impossible to induce them -to conquer the Oz people. - -So all was not lost, thought the old Nome, and the best thing for him to -do was to rejoin the Hyup boy who had the secret of the transformations. -So, having made sure the Wizard’s black bag was not in the clearing, the -Goose wandered away through the trees when the others were not looking, -and when out of their hearing, he began calling, “Kiki Aru! Kiki Aru! -Quack—quack! Kiki Aru!” - -The Boy and the Woman, the Fox, the Lamb and the Rabbit, not being able -to find the bag, went back to the rock, all feeling exceedingly strange. - -“Where’s the Goose?” asked the Wizard. - -“He must have run away,” replied Dorothy. “I wonder who he was?” - -“I think,” said Gugu the King, who was the fat Woman, “that the Goose -was the stranger who proposed that we make war upon the Oz people. If -so, his transformation was merely a trick to deceive us, and he has now -gone to join his comrade, that wicked Li-Mon-Eag who obeyed all his -commands.” - -“What shall we do now?” asked Dorothy. “Shall we go back to the Emerald -City, as we are, and then visit Glinda the Good and ask her to break the -enchantments?” - -“I think so,” replied the Wizard Fox. “And we can take Gugu the King -with us, and have Glinda restore him to his natural shape. But I hate to -leave my bag of Magic Tools behind me, for without it I shall lose much -of my power as a Wizard. Also, if I go back to the Emerald City in the -shape of a Fox, the Oz people will think I’m a poor Wizard and will lose -their respect for me.” - -“Let us make still another search for your tools,” suggested the -Cowardly Lion, “and then, if we fail to find the Black Bag anywhere in -this forest, we must go back home as we are.” - -“Why did you come here, anyway?” inquired Gugu. - -“We wanted to borrow a dozen monkeys, to use on Ozma’s birthday,” -explained the Wizard. “We were going to make them small, and train them -to do tricks, and put them inside Ozma’s birthday cake.” - -“Well,” said the Forest King, “you would have to get the consent of -Rango the Gray Ape, to do that. He commands all the tribes of monkeys.” - -“I’m afraid it’s too late, now,” said Dorothy, regretfully. “It was a -splendid plan, but we’ve got troubles of our own, and I don’t like being -a lamb at all.” - -“You’re nice and fuzzy,” said the Cowardly Lion. - -“That’s nothing,” declared Dorothy. “I’ve never been ’specially proud of -myself, but I’d rather be the way I was born than anything else in the -whole world.” - - [Illustration] - -The Glass Cat, although it had some disagreeable ways and manners, -nevertheless realized that Trot and Cap’n Bill were its friends and so -was quite disturbed at the fix it had gotten them into by leading them -to the Isle of the Magic Flower. The ruby heart of the Glass Cat was -cold and hard, but still it was a heart, and to have a heart of any sort -is to have some consideration for others. But the queer transparent -creature didn’t want Trot and Cap’n Bill to know it was sorry for them, -and therefore it moved very slowly until it had crossed the river and -was out of sight among the trees of the forest. Then it headed straight -toward the Emerald City, and trotted so fast that it was like a crystal -streak crossing the valleys and plains. Being glass, the cat was -tireless, and with no reason to delay its journey, it reached Ozma’s -palace in wonderfully quick time. - -“Where’s the Wizard?” it asked the Pink Kitten, which was curled up in -the sunshine on the lowest step of the palace entrance. - -“Don’t bother me,” lazily answered the Pink Kitten, whose name was -Eureka. - -“I must find the Wizard at once!” said the Glass Cat. - -“Then find him,” advised Eureka, and went to sleep again. - -The Glass Cat darted up the stairway and came upon Toto, Dorothy’s -little black dog. - -“Where’s the Wizard?” asked the Cat. - -“Gone on a journey with Dorothy,” replied Toto. - -“When did they go, and where have they gone?” demanded the Cat. - -“They went yesterday, and I heard them say they would go to the Great -Forest in the Munchkin Country.” - -“Dear me,” said the Glass Cat; “that is a long journey.” - -“But they rode on the Hungry Tiger and the Cowardly Lion,” explained -Toto, “and the Wizard carried his Black Bag of Magic Tools.” - -The Glass Cat knew the Great Forest of Gugu well, for it had traveled -through this forest many times in its journeys through the Land of Oz. -And it reflected that the Forest of Gugu was nearer to the Isle of the -Magic Flower than the Emerald City was, and so, if it could manage to -find the Wizard, it could lead him across the Gillikin country to where -Trot and Cap’n Bill were prisoned. It was a wild country and little -traveled, but the Glass Cat knew every path. So very little time need be -lost, after all. - -Without stopping to ask any more questions the Cat darted out of the -palace and away from the Emerald City, taking the most direct route to -the Forest of Gugu. Again the creature flashed through the country like -a streak of light, and it would surprise you to know how quickly it -reached the edge of the Great Forest. - - [Illustration] - -There were no monkey guards among the trees to cry out a warning, and -this was so unusual that it astonished the Glass Cat. Going farther into -the forest it presently came upon a wolf, which at first bounded away in -terror. But then, seeing it was only a Glass Cat, the Wolf stopped, and -the Cat could see it was trembling, as if from a terrible fright. - -“What’s the matter?” asked the Cat. - -“A dreadful Magician has come among us!” exclaimed the Wolf, “and he’s -changing the forms of all the beasts—quick as a wink—and making them all -his slaves.” - -The Glass Cat smiled and said: - -“Why, that’s only the Wizard of Oz. He may be having some fun with you -forest people, but the Wizard wouldn’t hurt a beast for anything.” - -“I don’t mean the Wizard,” explained the Wolf. “And if the Wizard of Oz -is that funny little man who rode a great Tiger into the clearing, he’s -been transformed himself by the terrible Magician.” - -“The Wizard transformed? Why, that’s impossible,” declared the Glass -Cat. - -“No; it isn’t. I saw him with my own eyes, changed into the form of a -Fox, and the girl who was with him was changed to a woolly Lamb.” - -The Glass Cat was indeed surprised. - -“When did that happen?” it asked. - -“Just a little while ago in the clearing. All the animals had met there, -but they ran away when the Magician began his transformations, and I’m -thankful I escaped with my natural shape. But I’m still afraid, and I’m -going somewhere to hide.” - -With this the Wolf ran on, and the Glass Cat, which knew where the big -clearing was, went toward it. But now it walked more slowly, and its -pink brains rolled and tumbled around at a great rate because it was -thinking over the amazing news the Wolf had told it. - -When the Glass Cat reached the clearing, it saw a Fox, a Lamb, a Rabbit, -a Munchkin boy and a fat Gillikin woman, all wandering around in an -aimless sort of way, for they were again searching for the Black Bag of -Magic Tools. - -The Cat watched them a moment and then it walked slowly into the open -space. At once the Lamb ran toward it, crying: - -“Oh, Wizard, here’s the Glass Cat!” - -“Where, Dorothy?” asked the Fox. - -“Here!” - -The Boy and the Woman and the Rabbit now joined the Fox and the Lamb, -and they all stood before the Glass Cat and speaking together, almost -like a chorus, asked: “Have you seen the Black Bag?” - -“Often,” replied the Glass Cat, “but not lately.” - -“It’s lost,” said the Fox, “and we must find it.” - -“Are you the Wizard?” asked the Cat. - -“Yes.” - -“And who are these others?” - -“I’m Dorothy,” said the Lamb. - -“I’m the Cowardly Lion,” said the Munchkin boy. - -“I’m the Hungry Tiger,” said the Rabbit. - -“I’m Gugu, King of the Forest,” said the fat Woman. - -The Glass Cat sat on its hind legs and began to laugh. “My, what a funny -lot!” exclaimed the Creature. “Who played this joke on you?” - -“It’s no joke at all,” declared the Wizard. “It was a cruel, wicked -transformation, and the Magician that did it has the head of a lion, the -body of a monkey, the wings of an eagle and a round ball on the end of -his tail.” - -The Glass Cat laughed again. “That Magician must look funnier than you -do,” it said. “Where is he now?” - -“Somewhere in the forest,” said the Cowardly Lion. “He just jumped into -that tall maple tree over there, for he can climb like a monkey and fly -like an eagle, and then he disappeared in the forest.” - -“And there was another Magician, just like him, who was his friend,” -added Dorothy, “but they probably quarreled, for the wickedest one -changed his friend into the form of a Goose.” - -“What became of the Goose?” asked the Cat, looking around. - -“He must have gone away to find his friend,” answered Gugu the King. -“But a Goose can’t travel very fast, so we could easily find him if we -wanted to.” - - [Illustration] - -“The worst thing of all,” said the Wizard, “is that my Black Bag is -lost. It disappeared when I was transformed. If I could find it I could -easily break these enchantments by means of my magic, and we would -resume our own forms again. Will you help us search for the Black Bag, -Friend Cat?” - -“Of course,” replied the Glass Cat. “But I expect the strange Magician -carried it away with him. If he’s a magician, he knows you need that -Bag, and perhaps he’s afraid of your magic. So he’s probably taken the -Bag with him, and you won’t see it again unless you find the Magician.” - -“That sounds reasonable,” remarked the Lamb, which was Dorothy. “Those -pink brains of yours seem to be working pretty well to-day.” - -“If the Glass Cat is right,” said the Wizard in a solemn voice, “there’s -more trouble ahead of us. That Magician is dangerous, and if we go near -him he may transform us into shapes not as nice as these.” - -“I don’t see how we could be any _worse_ off,” growled Gugu, who was -indignant because he was forced to appear in the form of a fat woman. - -“Anyway,” said the Cowardly Lion, “our best plan is to find the Magician -and try to get the Black Bag from him. We may manage to steal it, or -perhaps we can argue him into giving it to us.” - -“Why not find the Goose, first?” asked Dorothy. “The Goose will be angry -at the Magician, and he may be able to help us.” - -“That isn’t a bad idea,” returned the Wizard. “Come on, Friends; let’s -find that Goose. We will separate and search in different directions, -and the first to find the Goose must bring him here, where we will all -meet again in an hour.” - - - - - The Wizard Learns the Magic Word - - - CHAPTER 14 - -Now, the Goose was the transformation of old Ruggedo, who was at one -time King of the Nomes, and he was even more angry at Kiki Aru than were -the others whose shapes had been changed. The Nome detested anything in -the way of a bird, because birds lay eggs and eggs are feared by all the -Nomes more than anything else in the world. A goose is a foolish bird, -too, and Ruggedo was dreadfully ashamed of the shape he was forced to -wear. And it would make him shudder to reflect that the Goose might lay -an egg! - -So the Nome was afraid of himself and afraid of everything around him. -If an egg touched him he could then be destroyed, and almost any animal -he met in the forest might easily conquer him. And that would be the end -of old Ruggedo the Nome. - -Aside from these fears, however, he was filled with anger against Kiki, -whom he had meant to trap by cleverly stealing from him the Magic Word. -The boy must have been crazy to spoil everything the way he did, but -Ruggedo knew that the arrival of the Wizard had scared Kiki, and he was -not sorry the boy had transformed the Wizard and Dorothy and made them -helpless. It was his own transformation that annoyed him and made him -indignant, so he ran about the forest hunting for Kiki, so that he might -get a better shape and coax the boy to follow his plans to conquer the -Land of Oz. - -Kiki Aru hadn’t gone very far away, for he had surprised himself as well -as the others by the quick transformations and was puzzled as to what to -do next. Ruggedo the Nome was overbearing and tricky, and Kiki knew he -was not to be depended on; but the Nome could plan and plot, which the -Hyup boy was not wise enough to do, and so, when he looked down through -the branches of a tree and saw a Goose waddling along below and heard it -cry out, “Kiki Aru! Quack—quack! Kiki Aru!” the boy answered in a low -voice, “Here I am,” and swung himself down to the lowest limb of the -tree. - -The Goose looked up and saw him. - -“You’ve bungled things in a dreadful way!” exclaimed the Goose. “Why did -you do it?” - -“Because I wanted to,” answered Kiki. “You acted as if I was your slave, -and I wanted to show these forest people that I am more powerful than -you.” - -The Goose hissed softly, but Kiki did not hear that. - -Old Ruggedo quickly recovered his wits and muttered to himself: “This -boy is the goose, although it is I who wear the goose’s shape. I will be -gentle with him now, and fierce with him when I have him in my power.” -Then he said aloud to Kiki: - -“Well, hereafter I will be content to acknowledge you the master. You -bungled things, as I said, but we can still conquer Oz.” - -“How?” asked the boy. - -“First give me back the shape of the Li-Mon-Eag, and then we can talk -together more conveniently,” suggested the Nome. - -“Wait a moment, then,” said Kiki, and climbed higher up the tree. There -he whispered the Magic Word and the Goose became a Li-Mon-Eag, as he had -been before. - -“Good!” said the Nome, well pleased, as Kiki joined him by dropping down -from the tree. “Now let us find a quiet place where we can talk without -being overheard by the beasts.” - -So the two started away and crossed the forest until they came to a -place where the trees were not so tall nor so close together, and among -these scattered trees was another clearing, not so large as the first -one, where the meeting of the beasts had been held. Standing on the edge -of this clearing and looking across it, they saw the trees on the -farther side full of monkeys, who were chattering together at a great -rate of the sights they had witnessed at the meeting. - -The old Nome whispered to Kiki not to enter the clearing or allow the -monkeys to see them. - -“Why not?” asked the boy, drawing back. - -“Because those monkeys are to be our army—the army which will conquer -Oz,” said the Nome. “Sit down here with me, Kiki, and keep quiet, and I -will explain to you my plan.” - -Now, neither Kiki Aru nor Ruggedo had noticed that a sly Fox had -followed them all the way from the tree where the Goose had been -transformed to the Li-Mon-Eag. Indeed, this Fox, who was none other than -the Wizard of Oz, had witnessed the transformation of the Goose and now -decided he would keep watch of the conspirators and see what they would -do next. - -A Fox can move through a forest very softly, without making any noise, -and so the Wizard’s enemies did not suspect his presence. But when they -sat down by the edge of the clearing, to talk, with their backs toward -him, the Wizard did not know whether to risk being seen, by creeping -closer to hear what they said, or whether it would be better for him to -hide himself until they moved on again. - -While he considered this question he discovered near him a great tree -which had a hollow trunk, and there was a round hole in this tree, about -three feet above the ground. The Wizard Fox decided it would be safer -for him to hide inside the hollow tree, so he sprang into the hole and -crouched down in the hollow, so that his eyes just came to the edge of -the hole by which he had entered, and from here he watched the forms of -the two Li-Mon-Eags. - -“This is my plan,” said the Nome to Kiki, speaking so low that the -Wizard could only hear the rumble of his voice. “Since you can transform -anything into any form you wish, we will transform these monkeys into an -army, and with that army we will conquer the Oz people.” - -“The monkeys won’t make much of an army,” objected Kiki. - -“We need a great army, but not a numerous one,” responded the Nome. “You -will transform each monkey into a giant man, dressed in a fine uniform -and armed with a sharp sword. There are fifty monkeys over there and -fifty giants would make as big an army as we need.” - -“What will they do with the swords?” asked Kiki. “Nothing can kill the -Oz people.” - -“True,” said Ruggedo. “The Oz people cannot be killed, but they can be -cut into small pieces, and while every piece will still be alive, we can -scatter the pieces around so that they will be quite helpless. -Therefore, the Oz people will be afraid of the swords of our army, and -we will conquer them with ease.” - -“That seems like a good idea,” replied the boy, approvingly. “And in -such a case, we need not bother with the other beasts of the forest.” - -“No; you have frightened the beasts, and they would no longer consent to -assist us in conquering Oz. But those monkeys are foolish creatures, and -once they are transformed to Giants, they will do just as we say and -obey our commands. Can you transform them all at once?” - -“No, I must take one at a time,” said Kiki. “But the fifty -transformations can be made in an hour or so. Stay here, Ruggedo, and I -will change the first monkey—that one at the left, on the end of the -limb—into a Giant with a sword.” - -“Where are you going?” asked the Nome. - -“I must not speak the Magic Word in the presence of another person,” -declared Kiki, who was determined not to allow his treacherous companion -to learn his secret, “so I will go where you cannot hear me.” - -Ruggedo the Nome was disappointed, but he hoped still to catch the boy -unawares and surprise the Magic Word. So he merely nodded his lion head, -and Kiki got up and went back into the forest a short distance. Here he -spied a hollow tree, and by chance it was the same hollow tree in which -the Wizard of Oz, now in the form of a Fox, had hidden himself. - -As Kiki ran up to the tree the Fox ducked its head, so that it was out -of sight in the dark hollow beneath the hole, and then Kiki put his face -into the hole and whispered: “I want that monkey on the branch at the -left to become a Giant man fifty feet tall, dressed in a uniform and -with a sharp sword—Pyrzqxgl!” - -Then he ran back to Ruggedo, but the Wizard Fox had heard quite plainly -every word that he had said. - -The monkey was instantly transformed into the Giant, and the Giant was -so big that as he stood on the ground his head was higher than the trees -of the forest. The monkeys raised a great chatter but did not seem to -understand that the Giant was one of themselves. - -“Good!” cried the Nome. “Hurry, Kiki, and transform the others.” - -So Kiki rushed back to the tree and putting his face to the hollow, -whispered: - -“I want the next monkey to be just like the first—Pyrzqxgl!” - -Again the Wizard Fox heard the Magic Word, and just how it was -pronounced. But he sat still in the hollow and waited to hear it again, -so it would be impressed on his mind and he would not forget it. - -Kiki kept running to the edge of the forest and back to the hollow tree -again until he had whispered the Magic Word six times and six monkeys -had been changed to six great giants. Then the Wizard decided he would -make an experiment and use the Magic Word himself. So, while Kiki was -running back to the Nome, the Fox stuck his head out of the hollow and -said softly: “I want that creature who is running to become a -hickory-nut—Pyrzqxgl!” - - [Illustration] - -Instantly the Li-Mon-Eag form of Kiki Aru the Hyup disappeared and a -small hickory-nut rolled upon the ground a moment and then lay still. - -The Wizard was delighted, and leaped from the hollow just as Ruggedo -looked around to see what had become of Kiki. The Nome saw the Fox but -no Kiki, so he hastily rose to his feet. The Wizard did not know how -powerful the queer beast might be, so he resolved to take no chances. - -“I want this creature to become a walnut—Pyrzqxgl!” he said aloud. But -he did not pronounce the Magic Word in quite the right way, and -Ruggedo’s form did not change. But the Nome knew at once that -“Pyrzqxgl!” was the Magic Word, so he rushed at the Fox and cried: - -“I want you to become a Goose—Pyrzqxgl!” - -But the Nome did not pronounce the word aright, either, having never -heard it spoken but once before, and then with a wrong accent. So the -Fox was not transformed, but it had to run away to escape being caught -by the angry Nome. - -Ruggedo now began pronouncing the Magic Word in every way he could think -of, hoping to hit the right one, and the Fox, hiding in a bush, was -somewhat troubled by the fear that he might succeed. However, the -Wizard, who was used to magic arts, remained calm and soon remembered -exactly how Kiki Aru had pronounced the word. So he repeated the -sentence he had before uttered and Ruggedo the Nome became an ordinary -walnut. - -The Wizard now crept out from the bush and said: “I want my own form -again—Pyrzqxgl!” - - [Illustration] - -Instantly he was the Wizard of Oz, and after picking up the hickory-nut -and the walnut, and carefully placing them in his pocket, he ran back to -the big clearing. - -Dorothy the Lamb uttered a bleat of delight when she saw her old friend -restored to his natural shape. The others were all there, not having -found the Goose. The fat Gillikin woman, the Munchkin boy, the Rabbit -and the Glass Cat crowded around the Wizard and asked what had happened. - -Before he explained anything of his adventure, he transformed them -all—except, of course, the Glass Cat—into their natural shapes, and when -their joy permitted them to quiet somewhat, he told how he had by chance -surprised the Magician’s secret and been able to change the two -Li-Mon-Eags into shapes that could not speak, and therefore would be -unable to help themselves. And the little Wizard showed his astonished -friends the hickory-nut and the walnut to prove that he had spoken the -truth. - -“But—see here!”—exclaimed Dorothy, “What has become of those Giant -Soldiers who used to be monkeys?” - -“I forgot all about them!” admitted the Wizard; “but I suppose they are -still standing there in the forest.” - - - - - The Lonesome Duck - - - CHAPTER 15 - -Trot and Cap’n Bill stood before the Magic Flower, actually rooted to -the spot. - -“Aren’t you hungry, Cap’n?” asked the little girl, with a long sigh, for -she had been standing there for hours and hours. - -“Well,” replied the sailor-man, “I ain’t sayin’ as I couldn’t _eat_, -Trot—if a dinner was handy—but I guess old folks don’t get as hungry as -young folks do.” - -“I’m not sure ’bout that, Cap’n Bill,” she said thoughtfully. “Age -_might_ make a difference, but seems to me _size_ would make a bigger -difference. Seeing you’re twice as big as me, you ought to be twice as -hungry.” - -“I hope I am,” he rejoined, “for I can stand it a while longer. I do -hope the Glass Cat will hurry, and I hope the Wizard won’t waste time -a-comin’ to us.” - -Trot sighed again and watched the wonderful Magic Flower, because there -was nothing else to do. Just now a lovely group of pink peonies budded -and bloomed, but soon they faded away, and a mass of deep blue lilies -took their place. Then some yellow chrysanthemums blossomed on the -plant, and when they had opened all their petals and reached perfection, -they gave way to a lot of white floral balls spotted with crimson—a -flower Trot had never seen before. - -“But I get awful tired watchin’ flowers an’ flowers an’ flowers,” she -said impatiently. - -“They’re mighty pretty,” observed Cap’n Bill. - -“I know; and if a person could come and look at the Magic Flower just -when she felt like it, it would be a fine thing, but to _have to_ stand -and watch it, whether you want to or not, isn’t so much fun. I wish, -Cap’n Bill, the thing would grow fruit for a while instead of flowers.” - -Scarcely had she spoken when the white balls with crimson spots faded -away and a lot of beautiful ripe peaches took their place. With a cry of -mingled surprise and delight Trot reached out and plucked a peach from -the bush and began to eat it, finding it delicious. Cap’n Bill was -somewhat dazed at the girl’s wish being granted so quickly, so before he -could pick a peach they had faded away and bananas took their place. -“Grab one, Cap’n!” exclaimed Trot, and even while eating the peach she -seized a banana with her other hand and tore it from the bush. - -The old sailor was still bewildered. He put out a hand indeed, but he -was too late, for now the bananas disappeared and lemons took their -place. - -“Pshaw!” cried Trot. “You can’t eat those things; but watch out, Cap’n, -for something else.” - -Cocoanuts next appeared, but Cap’n Bill shook his head. - -“Ca’n’t crack ’em,” he remarked, “’cause we haven’t anything handy to -smash ’em with.” - -“Well, take one, anyhow,” advised Trot; but the cocoanuts were gone now, -and a deep, purple, pear-shaped fruit which was unknown to them took -their place. Again Cap’n Bill hesitated, and Trot said to him: - -“You ought to have captured a peach and a banana, as I did. If you’re -not careful, Cap’n, you’ll miss all your chances. Here, I’ll divide my -banana with you.” - -Even as she spoke, the Magic Plant was covered with big red apples, -growing on every branch, and Cap’n Bill hesitated no longer. He grabbed -with both hands and picked two apples, while Trot had only time to -secure one before they were gone. - -“It’s curious,” remarked the sailor, munching his apple, “how these -fruits keep good when you’ve picked ’em, but dis’pear inter thin air if -they’re left on the bush.” - -“The whole thing is curious,” declared the girl, “and it couldn’t exist -in any country but this, where magic is so common. Those are limes. -Don’t pick ’em, for they’d pucker up your mouth and—Ooo! here come -plums!” and she tucked her apple in her apron pocket and captured three -plums—each one almost as big as an egg—before they disappeared. Cap’n -Bill got some too, but both were too hungry to fast any longer, so they -began eating their apples and plums and let the magic bush bear all -sorts of fruits, one after another. The Cap’n stopped once to pick a -fine cantaloupe, which he held under his arm, and Trot, having finished -her plums, got a handful of cherries and an orange; but when almost -every sort of fruit had appeared on the bush, the crop ceased and only -flowers, as before, bloomed upon it. - - [Illustration] - -“I wonder why it changed back,” mused Trot, who was not worried because -she had enough fruit to satisfy her hunger. - -“Well, you only wished it would bear fruit ‘for a while,’” said the -sailor, “and it did. P’raps if you’d said ‘forever,’ Trot, it would have -always been fruit.” - -“But why should _my_ wish be obeyed?” asked the girl. “I’m not a fairy -or a wizard or any kind of a magic-maker.” - -“I guess,” replied Cap’n Bill, “that this little island is a magic -island, and any folks on it can tell the bush what to produce, an’ it’ll -produce it.” - -“Do you think I could wish for anything else, Cap’n, and get it?” she -inquired anxiously. - -“What are you thinkin’ of, Trot?” - -“I’m thinking of wishing that these roots on our feet would disappear, -and let us free.” - -“Try it, Trot.” - -So she tried it, and the wish had no effect whatever. “Try it yourself, -Cap’n,” she suggested. - -Then Cap’n Bill made the wish to be free, with no better result. - -“No,” said he, “it’s no use; the wishes only affect the Magic Plant; but -I’m glad we can make it bear fruit, ’cause now we know we won’t starve -before the Wizard gets to us.” - -“But I’m gett’n’ tired standing here so long,” complained the girl. “If -I could only lift one foot, and rest it, I’d feel better.” - -“Same with me, Trot. I’ve noticed that if you’ve got to do a thing, and -can’t help yourself, it gets to be a hardship mighty quick.” - -“Folks that can raise their feet don’t appreciate what a blessing it -is,” said Trot thoughtfully. “I never knew before what fun it is to -raise one foot, an’ then another, any time you feel like it.” - -“There’s lots o’ things folks don’t ’preciate,” replied the sailor-man. -“If somethin’ would ’most stop your breath, you’d think breathin’ easy -was the finest thing in life. When a person’s well, he don’t realize how -jolly it is, but when he gets sick he ’members the time he was well, an’ -wishes that time would come back. Most folks forget to thank God for -givin’ ’em two good legs, till they lose one o’ ’em, like I did; and -then it’s too late, ’cept to praise God for leavin’ one.” - -“Your wooden leg ain’t so bad, Cap’n,” she remarked, looking at it -critically. “Anyhow, it don’t take root on a Magic Island, like our meat -legs do.” - -“I ain’t complaining” said Cap’n Bill. “What’s that swimmin’ towards us, -Trot?” he added, looking over the Magic Flower and across the water. - -The girl looked, too, and then she replied. - -“It’s a bird of some sort. It’s like a duck, only I never saw a duck -have so many colors.” - -The bird swam swiftly and gracefully toward the Magic Isle, and as it -drew nearer its gorgeously colored plumage astonished them. The feathers -were of many hues of glistening greens and blues and purples, and it had -a yellow head with a red plume, and pink, white and violet in its tail. -When it reached the Isle, it came ashore and approached them, waddling -slowly and turning its head first to one side and then to the other, so -as to see the girl and the sailor better. - -“You’re strangers,” said the bird, coming to a halt near them, “and -you’ve been caught by the Magic Isle and made prisoners.” - -“Yes,” returned Trot, with a sigh; “we’re rooted. But I hope we won’t -grow.” - -“You’ll grow small,” said the Bird. “You’ll keep growing smaller every -day, until bye and bye there’ll be nothing left of you. That’s the usual -way, on this Magic Isle.” - -“How do you know about it, and who are you, anyhow?” asked Cap’n Bill. - - [Illustration] - -“I’m the Lonesome Duck,” replied the bird. “I suppose you’ve heard of -me?” - -“No,” said Trot, “I can’t say I have. What makes you lonesome?” - -“Why, I haven’t any family or any relations,” returned the Duck. - -“Haven’t you any friends?” - -“Not a friend. And I’ve nothing to do. I’ve lived a long time, and I’ve -got to live forever, because I belong in the Land of Oz, where no living -thing dies. Think of existing year after year, with no friends, no -family, and nothing to do! Can you wonder I’m lonesome?” - -“Why don’t you make a few friends, and find something to do?” inquired -Cap’n Bill. - -“I can’t make friends because everyone I meet—bird, beast or person—is -disagreeable to me. In a few minutes I shall be unable to bear your -society longer, and then I’ll go away and leave you,” said the Lonesome -Duck. “And, as for doing anything, there’s no use in it. All I meet are -doing something, so I have decided it’s common and uninteresting and I -prefer to remain lonesome.” - -“Don’t you have to hunt for your food?” asked Trot. - -“No. In my diamond palace, a little way up the river, food is magically -supplied me; but I seldom eat, because it is so common.” - -“You must be a Magician Duck,” remarked Cap’n Bill. - -“Why so?” - -“Well, ordinary ducks don’t have diamond palaces an’ magic food, like -you do.” - -“True; and that’s another reason why I’m lonesome. You must remember I’m -the only Duck in the Land of Oz, and I’m not like any other duck in the -outside world.” - -“Seems to me you _like_ bein’ lonesome,” observed Cap’n Bill. - -“I can’t say I like it, exactly,” replied the Duck, “but since it seems -to be my fate, I’m rather proud of it.” - -“How do you s’pose a single, solitary Duck happened to be in the Land of -Oz?” asked Trot, wonderingly. - -“I used to know the reason, many years ago, but I’ve quite forgotten -it,” declared the Duck. “The reason for a thing is never so important as -the thing itself, so there’s no use remembering anything but the fact -that I’m lonesome.” - -“I guess you’d be happier if you tried to do something,” asserted Trot. -“If you can’t do anything for yourself, you can do things for others, -and then you’d get lots of friends and stop being lonesome.” - -“Now you’re getting disagreeable,” said the Lonesome Duck, “and I shall -have to go and leave you.” - -“Can’t you help us any,” pleaded the girl. “If there’s anything magic -about you, you might get us out of this scrape.” - -“I haven’t any magic strong enough to get you off the Magic Isle,” -replied the Lonesome Duck. “What magic I possess is very simple, but I -find it enough for my own needs.” - -“If we could only sit down a while, we could stand it better,” said -Trot, “but we have nothing to sit on.” - -“Then you will have to stand it,” said the Lonesome Duck. - -“P’raps you’ve enough magic to give us a couple of stools,” suggested -Cap’n Bill. - -“A duck isn’t supposed to know what stools are,” was the reply. - -“But you’re different from all other ducks.” - -“That is true.” The strange creature seemed to reflect for a moment, -looking at them sharply from its round black eyes. Then it said: -“Sometimes, when the sun is hot, I grow a toadstool to shelter me from -its rays. Perhaps you could sit on toadstools.” - -“Well, if they were strong enough, they’d do,” answered Cap’n Bill. - -“Then, before I go I’ll give you a couple,” said the Lonesome Duck, and -began waddling about in a small circle. It went around the circle to the -right three times, and then it went around to the left three times. Then -it hopped backward three times and forward three times. - -“What are you doing?” asked Trot. - -“Don’t interrupt. This is an incantation,” replied the Lonesome Duck, -but now it began making a succession of soft noises that sounded like -quacks and seemed to mean nothing at all. And it kept up these sounds so -long that Trot finally exclaimed: - -“Can’t you hurry up and finish that ’cantation? If it takes all summer -to make a couple of toadstools, you’re not much of a magician.” - -“I told you not to interrupt,” said the Lonesome Duck, sternly. “If you -get _too_ disagreeable, you’ll drive me away before I finish this -incantation.” - -Trot kept quiet, after the rebuke, and the Duck resumed the quacky -muttering. Cap’n Bill chuckled a little to himself and remarked to Trot -in a whisper: “For a bird that ain’t got anything to do, this Lonesome -Duck is makin’ consider’ble fuss. An’ I ain’t sure, after all, as -toadstools would be worth sittin’ on.” - -Even as he spoke, the sailor-man felt something touch him from behind -and, turning his head, he found a big toadstool in just the right place -and of just the right size to sit upon. There was one behind Trot, too, -and with a cry of pleasure the little girl sank back upon it and found -it a very comfortable seat—solid, yet almost like a cushion. Even Cap’n -Bill’s weight did not break his toadstool down, and when both were -seated, they found that the Lonesome Duck had waddled away and was now -at the water’s edge. - -“Thank you, ever so much!” cried Trot, and the sailor called out: “Much -obliged!” - -But the Lonesome Duck paid no attention. Without even looking in their -direction again, the gaudy fowl entered the water and swam gracefully -away. - - [Illustration] - - - - - The Glass Cat Finds the Black Bag - - - CHAPTER 16 - -When the six monkeys were transformed by Kiki Aru into six giant -soldiers fifty feet tall, their heads came above the top of the trees, -which in this part of the forest were not so high as in some other -parts; and, although the trees were somewhat scattered, the bodies of -the giant soldiers were so big that they quite filled the spaces in -which they stood and the branches pressed them on every side. - -Of course, Kiki was foolish to have made his soldiers so big, for now -they could not get out of the forest. Indeed, they could not stir a -step, but were imprisoned by the trees. Even had they been in the little -clearing they could not have made their way out of it, but they were a -little beyond the clearing. At first, the other monkeys who had not been -enchanted were afraid of the soldiers, and hastily quitted the place; -but soon finding that the great men stood stock still, although grunting -indignantly at their transformation, the band of monkeys returned to the -spot and looked at them curiously, not guessing that they were really -monkeys and their own friends. - -The soldiers couldn’t see them, their heads being above the trees; they -could not even raise their arms or draw their sharp swords, so closely -were they held by the leafy branches. So the monkeys, finding the giants -helpless, began climbing up their bodies, and presently all the band -were perched on the shoulders of the giants and peering into their -faces. - -“I’m Ebu, your father,” cried one soldier to a monkey who had perched -upon his left ear, “but some cruel person has enchanted me.” - -“I’m your Uncle Peeker,” said another soldier to another monkey. - -So, very soon all the monkeys knew the truth and were sorry for their -friends and relations and angry at the person—whoever it was—who had -transformed them. There was a great chattering among the tree-tops, and -the noise attracted other monkeys, so that the clearing and all the -trees around were full of them. - -Rango the Gray Ape, who was the Chief of all the monkey tribes of the -forest, heard the uproar and came to see what was wrong with his people. -And Rango, being wiser and more experienced, at once knew that the -strange magician who looked like a mixed-up beast was responsible for -the transformations. He realized that the six giant soldiers were -helpless prisoners, because of their size, and knew he was powerless to -release them. So, although he feared to meet the terrible magician, he -hurried away to the great clearing to tell Gugu the King what had -happened and to try to find the Wizard of Oz and get him to save his six -enchanted subjects. - -Rango darted into the Great Clearing just as the Wizard had restored all -the enchanted ones around him to their proper shapes, and the Gray Ape -was glad to hear that the wicked magician-beast had been conquered. - - [Illustration] - - [Illustration] - -“But now, O mighty Wizard, you must come with me to where six of my -people are transformed into six great giant men,” he said, “for if they -are allowed to remain there, their happiness and their future lives will -be ruined.” - -The Wizard did not reply at once, for he was thinking this a good -opportunity to win Rango’s consent to his taking some monkeys to the -Emerald City for Ozma’s birthday cake. - -“It is a great thing you ask of me, O Rango the Gray Ape,” said he, “for -the bigger the giants are the more powerful their enchantment, and the -more difficult it will be to restore them to their natural forms. -However, I will think it over.” - -Then the Wizard went to another part of the clearing and sat on a log -and appeared to be in deep thought. - -The Glass Cat had been greatly interested in the Gray Ape’s story and -was curious to see what the giant soldiers looked like. Hearing that -their heads extended above the tree-tops, the Glass Cat decided that if -it climbed the tall avocado tree that stood at the side of the clearing, -it might be able to see the giants’ heads. So, without mentioning her -errand, the crystal creature went to the tree and, by sticking her sharp -glass claws in the bark, easily climbed the tree to its very top and, -looking over the forest, saw the six giant heads, although they were now -a long way off. It was, indeed, a remarkable sight, for the huge heads -had immense soldier caps on them, with red and yellow plumes and looked -very fierce and terrible, although the monkey hearts of the giants were -at that moment filled with fear. - -Having satisfied her curiosity, the Glass Cat began to climb down from -the tree more slowly. Suddenly she discerned the Wizard’s black bag -hanging to a limb of the tree. She grasped the black bag in her glass -teeth, and although it was rather heavy for so small an animal, managed -to get it free and to carry it safely down to the ground. Then she -looked around for the Wizard and seeing him seated upon the stump she -hid the black bag among some leaves and then went over to where the -Wizard sat. - -“I forgot to tell you,” said the Glass Cat, “that Trot and Cap’n Bill -are in trouble, and I came here to hunt you up and get you to go and -rescue them.” - -“Good gracious, Cat! Why didn’t you tell me before?” exclaimed the -Wizard. - -“For the reason that I found so much excitement here that I forgot Trot -and Cap’n Bill.” - -“What’s wrong with them?” asked the Wizard. - -Then the Glass Cat explained how they had gone to get the Magic Flower -for Ozma’s birthday gift and had been trapped by the magic of the queer -island. The Wizard was really alarmed, but he shook his head and said -sadly: - -“I’m afraid I can’t help my dear friends, because I’ve lost my black -bag.” - -“If I find it, will you go to them?” asked the creature. - -“Of course,” replied the Wizard. “But I do not think that a Glass Cat -with nothing but pink brains can succeed when all the rest of us have -failed.” - -“Don’t you admire my pink brains?” demanded the Cat. - -“They’re pretty,” admitted the Wizard, “but they’re not regular brains, -you know, and so we don’t expect them to amount to much.” - -“But if I find your black bag—and find it inside of five minutes—will -you admit my pink brains are better than your common human brains?” - -“Well, I’ll admit they’re better _hunters_,” said the Wizard, -reluctantly, “but you can’t do it. We’ve searched everywhere, and the -black bag isn’t to be found.” - -“That shows how much you know!” retorted the Glass Cat, scornfully. -“Watch my brains a minute, and see them whirl around.” - - [Illustration] - -The Wizard watched, for he was anxious to regain his black bag, and the -pink brains really did whirl around in a remarkable manner. - -“Now, come with me,” commanded the Glass Cat, and led the Wizard -straight to the spot where it had covered the bag with leaves. -“According to my brains,” said the creature, “your black bag ought to be -here.” - -Then it scratched at the leaves and uncovered the bag, which the Wizard -promptly seized with a cry of delight. Now that he had regained his -Magic Tools, he felt confident he could rescue Trot and Cap’n Bill. - -Rango the Gray Ape was getting impatient. He now approached the Wizard -and said: - -“Well, what do you intend to do about those poor enchanted monkeys?” - -“I’ll make a bargain with you, Rango,” replied the little man. “If you -will let me take a dozen of your monkeys to the Emerald City, and keep -them until after Ozma’s birthday, I’ll break the enchantment of the six -Giant Soldiers and return them to their natural forms.” - -But the Gray Ape shook his head. - -“I can’t do it,” he declared. “The monkeys would be very lonesome and -unhappy in the Emerald City and your people would tease them and throw -stones at them, which would cause them to fight and bite.” - -“The people won’t see them till Ozma’s birthday dinner,” promised the -Wizard. “I’ll make them very small—about four inches high, and I’ll keep -them in a pretty cage in my own room, where they will be safe from harm. -I’ll feed them the nicest kind of food, train them to do some clever -tricks, and on Ozma’s birthday I’ll hide the twelve little monkeys -inside a cake. When Ozma cuts the cake the monkeys will jump out on to -the table and do their tricks. The next day I will bring them back to -the forest and make them big as ever, and they’ll have some exciting -stories to tell their friends. What do you say, Rango?” - -“I say no!” answered the Gray Ape. “I won’t have my monkeys enchanted -and made to do tricks for the Oz people.” - -“Very well,” said the Wizard calmly; “then I’ll go. Come, Dorothy,” he -called to the little girl, “let’s start on our journey.” - -“Aren’t you going to save those six monkeys who are giant soldiers?” -asked Rango, anxiously. - -“Why should I?” returned the Wizard. “If you will not do me the favor I -ask, you cannot expect me to favor you.” - -“Wait a minute,” said the Gray Ape. “I’ve changed my mind. If you will -treat the twelve monkeys nicely and bring them safely back to the -forest. I’ll let you take them.” - -“Thank you,” replied the Wizard, cheerfully. “We’ll go at once and save -those giant soldiers.” - -So all the party left the clearing and proceeded to the place where the -giants still stood among the trees. Hundreds of monkeys, apes, baboons -and orang-outangs had gathered round, and their wild chatter could be -heard a mile away. But the Gray Ape soon hushed the babel of sounds, and -the Wizard lost no time in breaking the enchantments. First one and then -another giant soldier disappeared and became an ordinary monkey again, -and the six were shortly returned to their friends in their proper -forms. - -This action made the Wizard very popular with the great army of monkeys, -and when the Gray Ape announced that the Wizard wanted to borrow twelve -monkeys to take to the Emerald City for a couple of weeks, and asked for -volunteers, nearly a hundred offered to go, so great was their -confidence in the little man who had saved their comrades. - -The Wizard selected a dozen that seemed intelligent and good-tempered, -and then he opened his black bag and took out a queerly shaped dish that -was silver on the outside and gold on the inside. Into this dish he -poured a powder and set fire to it. It made a thick smoke that quite -enveloped the twelve monkeys, as well as the form of the Wizard, but -when the smoke cleared away the dish had been changed to a golden cage -with silver bars, and the twelve monkeys had become about three inches -high and were all seated comfortably inside the cage. - - [Illustration] - -The thousands of hairy animals who had witnessed this act of magic were -much astonished and applauded the Wizard by barking aloud and shaking -the limbs of the trees in which they sat. Dorothy said: “That was a fine -trick, Wizard!” and the Gray Ape remarked: “You are certainly the most -wonderful magician in all the Land of Oz!” - -“Oh, no,” modestly replied the little man. “Glinda’s magic is better -than mine, but mine seems good enough to use on ordinary occasions. And -now, Rango, we will say good-bye, and I promise to return your monkeys -as happy and safe as they are now.” - -The Wizard rode on the back of the Hungry Tiger and carried the cage of -monkeys very carefully, so as not to joggle them. Dorothy rode on the -back of the Cowardly Lion, and the Glass Cat trotted, as before, to show -them the way. - -Gugu the King crouched upon a log and watched them go, but as he bade -them farewell, the enormous leopard said: - -“I know now that you are the friends of beasts and that the forest -people may trust you. Whenever the Wizard of Oz and Princess Dorothy -enter the Forest of Gugu hereafter, they will be as welcome and as safe -with us as ever they are in the Emerald City.” - - - - - A Remarkable Journey - - - CHAPTER 17 - -“You see,” explained the Glass Cat, “that Magic Isle where Trot and -Cap’n Bill are stuck is also in this Gillikin country—over at the east -side of it, and it’s no farther to go across-lots from here than it is -from here to the Emerald City. So we’ll save time by cutting across the -mountains.” - -“Are you sure you know the way?” asked Dorothy. - -“I know all the Land of Oz better than any other living creature knows -it,” asserted the Glass Cat. - -“Go ahead, then, and guide us,” said the Wizard. “We’ve left our poor -friends helpless too long already, and the sooner we rescue them the -happier they’ll be.” - -“Are you sure you can get ’em out of their fix?” the little girl -inquired. - -“I’ve no doubt of it,” the Wizard assured her. “But I can’t tell what -sort of magic I must use until I get to the place and discover just how -they are enchanted.” - -“I’ve heard of that Magic Isle where the Wonderful Flower grows,” -remarked the Cowardly Lion. “Long ago, when I used to live in the -forests, the beasts told stories about the Isle and how the Magic Flower -was placed there to entrap strangers—men or beasts.” - -“Is the Flower really wonderful?” questioned Dorothy. - -“I have heard it is the most beautiful plant in the world,” answered the -Lion. “I have never seen it myself, but friendly beasts have told me -that they have stood on the shore of the river and looked across at the -plant in the gold flowerpot and seen hundreds of flowers, of all sorts -and sizes, blossom upon it in quick succession. It is said that if one -picks the flowers while they are in bloom they will remain perfect for a -long time, but if they are not picked they soon disappear and are -replaced by other flowers. That, in my opinion, makes the magic plant -the most wonderful in existence.” - -“But these are only stories,” said the girl. “Has any of your friends -ever picked a flower from the wonderful plant?” - -“No,” admitted the Cowardly Lion, “for if any living thing ventures upon -the Magic Isle, where the golden flowerpot stands, that man or beast -takes root in the soil and cannot get away again.” - -“What happens to them, then?” asked Dorothy. - -“They grow smaller, hour by hour and day by day, and finally disappear -entirely.” - -“Then,” said the girl anxiously, “we must hurry up, or Cap’n Bill an’ -Trot will get too small to be comf’table.” - -They were proceeding at a rapid pace during this conversation, for the -Hungry Tiger and the Cowardly Lion were obliged to move swiftly in order -to keep pace with the Glass Cat. After leaving the Forest of Gugu they -crossed a mountain range, and then a broad plain, after which they -reached another forest, much smaller than that where Gugu ruled. - -“The Magic Isle is in this forest,” said the Glass Cat, “but the river -is at the other side of the forest. There is no path through the trees, -but if we keep going east, we will find the river, and then it will be -easy to find the Magic Isle.” - -“Have you ever traveled this way before?” inquired the Wizard. - -“Not exactly,” admitted the Cat, “but I know we shall reach the river if -we go east through the forest.” - -“Lead on, then,” said the Wizard. - -The Glass Cat started away, and at first it was easy to pass between the -trees; but before long the underbrush and vines became thick and -tangled, and after pushing their way through these obstacles for a time, -our travelers came to a place where even the Glass Cat could not push -through. - -“We’d better go back and find a path,” suggested the Hungry Tiger. - -“I’m s’prised at you,” said Dorothy, eyeing the Glass Cat severely. - -“I’m surprised, myself,” replied the Cat. “But it’s a long way around -the forest to where the river enters it, and I thought we could save -time by going straight through.” - -“No one can blame you,” said the Wizard, “and I think, instead of -turning back, I can make a path that will allow us to proceed.” - -He opened his black bag and after searching among his magic tools drew -out a small axe, made of some metal so highly polished that it glittered -brightly even in the dark forest. The Wizard laid the little axe on the -ground and said in a commanding voice: - - “Chop, Little Axe, chop clean and true; - A path for our feet you must quickly hew. - Chop till this tangle of jungle is passed; - Chop to the east, Little Axe—chop fast!” - -Then the little axe began to move and flashed its bright blade right and -left, clearing a way through vine and brush and scattering the tangled -barrier so quickly that the Lion and the Tiger, carrying Dorothy and the -Wizard and the cage of monkeys on their backs, were able to stride -through the forest at a fast walk. The brush seemed to melt away before -them and the little axe chopped so fast that their eyes only saw a -twinkling of the blade. Then, suddenly, the forest was open again, and -the little axe, having obeyed its orders, lay still upon the ground. - -The Wizard picked up the magic axe and after carefully wiping it with -his silk handkerchief put it away in his black bag. Then they went on -and in a short time reached the river. - -“Let me see,” said the Glass Cat, looking up and down the stream, “I -think we are below the Magic Isle; so we must go up the stream until we -come to it.” - -So up the stream they traveled, walking comfortably on the river bank, -and after a while the water broadened and a sharp bend appeared in the -river, hiding all below from their view. They walked briskly along, -however, and had nearly reached the bend when a voice cried warningly: -“Look out!” - -The travelers halted abruptly and the Wizard said: “Look out for what?” - -“You almost stepped on my Diamond Palace,” replied the voice, and a duck -with gorgeously colored feathers appeared before them. “Beasts and men -are terribly clumsy,” continued the Duck in an irritated tone, “and -you’ve no business on this side of the river, anyway. What are you doing -here?” - -“We’ve come to rescue some friends of ours who are stuck fast on the -Magic Isle in this river,” explained Dorothy. - -“I know ’em,” said the Duck. “I’ve been to see ’em, and they’re stuck -fast, all right. You may as well go back home, for no power can save -them.” - -“This is the Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” said Dorothy, pointing to the -little man. - -“Well, I’m the Lonesome Duck,” was the reply, as the fowl strutted up -and down to show its feathers to best advantage. “I’m the great Forest -Magician, as any beast can tell you, but even I have no power to destroy -the dreadful charm of the Magic Isle.” - - [Illustration] - -“Are you lonesome because you’re a magician?” inquired Dorothy. - -“No; I’m lonesome because I have no family and no friends. But I like to -be lonesome, so please don’t offer to be friendly with me. Go away, and -try not to step on my Diamond Palace.” - -“Where is it?” asked the girl. - -“Behind this bush.” - -Dorothy hopped off the lion’s back and ran around the bush to see the -Diamond Palace of the Lonesome Duck, although the gaudy fowl protested -in a series of low quacks. The girl found, indeed, a glistening dome -formed of clearest diamonds, neatly cemented together, with a doorway at -the side just big enough to admit the duck. - -“Where did you find so many diamonds?” asked Dorothy, wonderingly. - -“I know a place in the mountains where they are thick as pebbles,” said -the Lonesome Duck, “and I brought them here in my bill, one by one and -put them in the river and let the water run over them until they were -brightly polished. Then I built this palace, and I’m positive it’s the -only Diamond Palace in all the world.” - -“It’s the only one I know of,” said the little girl; “but if you live in -it all alone, I don’t see why it’s any better than a wooden palace, or -one of bricks or cobble-stones.” - -“You’re not supposed to understand that,” retorted the Lonesome Duck. -“But I might tell you, as a matter of education, that a home of any sort -should be beautiful to those who live in it, and should not be intended -to please strangers. The Diamond Palace is my home, and I like it. So I -don’t care a quack whether _you_ like it or not.” - - [Illustration] - -“Oh, but I do!” exclaimed Dorothy. “It’s lovely on the outside, but—” -Then she stopped speaking, for the Lonesome Duck had entered his palace -through the little door without even saying good-bye. So Dorothy -returned to her friends and they resumed their journey. - -“Do you think, Wizard, the Duck was right in saying no magic can rescue -Trot and Cap’n Bill?” asked the girl in a worried tone of voice. - -“No, I don’t think the Lonesome Duck was right in saying that,” answered -the Wizard, gravely, “but it is possible that their enchantment will be -harder to overcome than I expected. I’ll do my best, of course, and no -one can do more than his best.” - -That didn’t entirely relieve Dorothy’s anxiety, but she said nothing -more, and soon, on turning the bend in the river, they came in sight of -the Magic Isle. - -“There they are!” exclaimed Dorothy eagerly. - -“Yes, I see them,” replied the Wizard, nodding. “They are sitting on two -big toadstools.” - -“That’s queer,” remarked the Glass Cat. “There were no toadstools there -when I left them.” - -“What a lovely flower!” cried Dorothy in rapture, as her gaze fell on -the Magic Plant. - -“Never mind the Flower, just now,” advised the Wizard. “The most -important thing is to rescue our friends.” - -By this time they had arrived at a place just opposite the Magic Isle, -and now both Trot and Cap’n Bill saw the arrival of their friends and -called to them for help. - -“How are you?” shouted the Wizard, putting his hands to his mouth so -they could hear him better across the water. - - [Illustration] - -“We’re in hard luck,” shouted Cap’n Bill, in reply. “We’re anchored here -and can’t move till you find a way to cut the hawser.” - -“What does he mean by that?” asked Dorothy. - -“We can’t move our feet a bit!” called Trot, speaking as loud as she -could. - -“Why not?” inquired Dorothy. - -“They’ve got roots on ’em,” explained Trot. - -It was hard to talk from so great a distance, so the Wizard said to the -Glass Cat: - -“Go to the island and tell our friends to be patient, for we have come -to save them. It may take a little time to release them, for the Magic -of the Isle is new to me and I shall have to experiment. But tell them -I’ll hurry as fast as I can.” - -So the Glass Cat walked across the river under the water to tell Trot -and Cap’n Bill not to worry, and the Wizard at once opened his black bag -and began to make his preparations. - - - - - The Magic of the Wizard - - - CHAPTER 18 - -He first set up a small silver tripod and placed a gold basin at the top -of it. Into this basin he put two powders—a pink one and a sky-blue -one—and poured over them a yellow liquid from a crystal vial. Then he -mumbled some magic words, and the powders began to sizzle and burn and -send out a cloud of violet smoke that floated across the river and -completely enveloped both Trot and Cap’n Bill, as well as the toadstools -on which they sat, and even the Magic Plant in the gold flowerpot. Then, -after the smoke had disappeared into air, the Wizard called out to the -prisoners: - -“Are you free?” - -Both Trot and Cap’n Bill tried to move their feet and failed. - -“No!” they shouted in answer. - -The Wizard rubbed his bald head thoughtfully and then took some other -magic tools from the bag. - -First he placed a little black ball in a silver pistol and shot it -toward the Magic Isle. The ball exploded just over the head of Trot and -scattered a thousand sparks over the little girl. - -“Oh!” said the Wizard, “I guess that will set her free.” - -But Trot’s feet were still rooted in the ground of the Magic Isle, and -the disappointed Wizard had to try something else. - -For almost an hour he worked hard, using almost every magic tool in his -black bag, and still Cap’n Bill and Trot were not rescued. - -“Dear me!” exclaimed Dorothy, “I’m ’fraid we’ll have to go to Glinda, -after all.” - -That made the little Wizard blush, for it shamed him to think that his -magic was not equal to that of the Magic Isle. - -“I won’t give up yet, Dorothy,” he said, “for I know a lot of wizardry -that I haven’t yet tried. I don’t know what magician enchanted this -little island, or what his powers were, but I do know that I can break -any enchantment known to the ordinary witches and magicians that used to -inhabit the Land of Oz. It’s like unlocking a door; all you need is to -find the right key.” - -“But ’spose you haven’t the right key with you,” suggested Dorothy; -“what then?” - -“Then we’ll have to make the key,” he answered. - -The Glass Cat now came back to their side of the river, walking under -the water, and said to the Wizard: “They’re getting frightened over -there on the island because they’re both growing smaller every minute. -Just now, when I left them, both Trot and Cap’n Bill were only about -half their natural sizes.” - -“I think,” said the Wizard reflectively, “that I’d better go to the -shore of the island, where I can talk to them and work to better -advantage. How did Trot and Cap’n Bill get to the island?” - -“On a raft,” answered the Glass Cat. “It’s over there now on the beach.” - -“I suppose you’re not strong enough to bring the raft to this side, are -you?” - -“No; I couldn’t move it an inch,” said the Cat. - -“I’ll try to get it for you,” volunteered the Cowardly Lion. “I’m -dreadfully scared for fear the Magic Isle will capture me, too; but I’ll -try to get the raft and bring it to this side for you.” - -“Thank you, my friend,” said the Wizard. - -So the Lion plunged into the river and swam with powerful strokes across -to where the raft was beached upon the island. Placing one paw on the -raft, he turned and struck out with his other three legs and so strong -was the great beast that he managed to drag the raft from off the beach -and propel it slowly to where the Wizard stood on the river bank. - -“Good!” exclaimed the little man, well pleased. - -“May I go across with you?” asked Dorothy. - -The Wizard hesitated. - -“If you’ll take care not to leave the raft or step foot on the island, -you’ll be quite safe,” he decided. So the Wizard told the Hungry Tiger -and the Cowardly Lion to guard the cage of monkeys until he returned, -and then he and Dorothy got upon the raft. The paddle which Cap’n Bill -had made was still there so the little Wizard paddled the clumsy raft -across the water and ran it upon the beach of the Magic Isle as close to -the place where Cap’n Bill and Trot were rooted as he could. - - [Illustration] - -Dorothy was shocked to see how small the prisoners had become, and Trot -said to her friends: “If you can’t save us soon, there’ll be nothing -left of us.” - -“Be patient, my dear,” counselled the Wizard, and took the little axe -from his black bag. - -“What are you going to do with that?” asked Cap’n Bill. - -“It’s a magic axe,” replied the Wizard, “and when I tell it to chop, it -will chop those roots from your feet and you can run to the raft before -they grow again.” - -“Don’t!” shouted the sailor in alarm. “Don’t do it! Those roots are all -flesh roots, and our bodies are feeding ’em while they’re growing into -the ground.” - -“To cut off the roots,” said Trot, “would be like cutting off our -fingers and toes.” - -The Wizard put the little axe back in the black bag and took out a pair -of silver pincers. - -“Grow—grow—grow!” he said to the pincers, and at once they grew and -extended until they reached from the raft to the prisoners. - -“What are you going to do now?” demanded Cap’n Bill, fearfully eyeing -the pincers. - -“This magic tool will pull you up, roots and all, and land you on this -raft,” declared the Wizard. - -“Don’t do it!” pleaded the sailor, with a shudder. “It would hurt us -awfully.” - - [Illustration] - -“It would be just like pulling teeth to pull us up by the roots,” -explained Trot. - -“Grow small!” said the Wizard to the pincers, and at once they became -small and he threw them into the black bag. - -“I guess, friends, it’s all up with us, this time,” remarked Cap’n Bill, -with a dismal sigh. - -“Please tell Ozma, Dorothy,” said Trot, “that we got into trouble trying -to get her a nice birthday present. Then she’ll forgive us. The Magic -Flower is lovely and wonderful, but it’s just a lure to catch folks on -this dreadful island and then destroy them. You’ll have a nice birthday -party, without us, I’m sure; and I hope, Dorothy, that none of you in -the Emerald City will forget me—or dear ol’ Cap’n Bill.” - - [Illustration] - - - - - Dorothy and the Bumble Bees - - - CHAPTER 19 - -Dorothy was greatly distressed and had hard work to keep the tears from -her eyes. - -“Is that all you can do, Wizard?” she asked the little man. - -“It’s all I can think of just now,” he replied sadly. “But I intend to -keep on thinking as long—as long—well, as long as thinking will do any -good.” - -They were all silent for a time, Dorothy and the Wizard sitting -thoughtfully on the raft, and Trot and Cap’n Bill sitting thoughtfully -on the toadstools and growing gradually smaller and smaller in size. - -Suddenly Dorothy said: “Wizard, I’ve thought of something!” - -“What have you thought of?” he asked, looking at the little girl with -interest. - -“Can you remember the Magic Word that transforms people?” she asked. - -“Of course,” said he. - -“Then you can transform Trot and Cap’n Bill into birds or Bumblebees, -and they can fly away to the other shore. When they’re there, you can -transform ’em into their reg’lar shapes again!” - -“Can you do that, Wizard?” asked Cap’n Bill, eagerly. - -“I think so.” - -“Roots an’ all?” inquired Trot. - -“Why, the roots are now a part of you, and if you were transformed to a -bumble-bee the whole of you would be transformed, of course, and you’d -be free of this awful island.” - -“All right; do it!” cried the sailor-man. - -So the Wizard said slowly and distinctly: - -“I want Trot and Cap’n Bill to become bumble-bees—Pyrzqxgl!” - -Fortunately, he pronounced the Magic Word in the right way, and -instantly Trot and Cap’n Bill vanished from view, and up from the places -where they had been flew two bumble-bees. - -“Hooray!” shouted Dorothy in delight; “they’re saved!” - -“I guess they are,” agreed the Wizard, equally delighted. - -The bees hovered over the raft an instant and then flew across the river -to where the Lion and the Tiger waited. The Wizard picked up the paddle -and paddled the raft across as fast as he could. When it reached the -river bank, both Dorothy and the Wizard leaped ashore and the little man -asked excitedly: - -“Where are the bees?” - -“The bees?” inquired the Lion, who was half asleep and did not know what -had happened on the Magic Isle. - -“Yes; there were two of them.” - -“Two bees?” said the Hungry Tiger, yawning. “Why, I ate one of them and -the Cowardly Lion ate the other.” - -“Goodness gracious!” cried Dorothy horrified. - -“It was little enough for our lunch,” remarked the Tiger, “but the bees, -were the only things we could find.” - -“How dreadful!” wailed Dorothy, wringing her hands in despair. “You’ve -eaten Trot and Cap’n Bill.” - -But just then she heard a buzzing overhead and two bees alighted on her -shoulder. - -“Here we are,” said a small voice in her ear. “I’m Trot, Dorothy.” - -“And I’m Cap’n Bill,” said the other bee. - -Dorothy almost fainted, with relief, and the Wizard, who was close by -and had heard the tiny voices, gave a laugh and said: - -“You are not the only two bees in the forest, it seems, but I advise you -to keep away from the Lion and the Tiger until you regain your proper -forms.” - -“Do it now, Wizard!” advised Dorothy. “They’re so small that you never -can tell what might happen to ’em.” - -So the Wizard gave the command and pronounced the Magic Word, and in the -instant Trot and Cap’n Bill stood beside them as natural as before they -had met their fearful adventure. For they were no longer small in size, -because the Wizard had transformed them from bumble-bees into the shapes -and sizes that nature had formerly given them. The ugly roots on their -feet had disappeared with the transformation. - - [Illustration] - -While Dorothy was hugging Trot, and Trot was softly crying because she -was so happy, the Wizard shook hands with Cap’n Bill and congratulated -him on his escape. The old sailor-man was so pleased that he also shook -the Lion’s paw and took off his hat and bowed politely to the cage of -monkeys. - -Then Cap’n Bill did a curious thing. He went to a big tree and, taking -out his knife, cut away a big, broad piece of thick bark. Then he sat -down on the ground and after taking a roll of stout cord from his -pocket—which seemed to be full of all sorts of things—he proceeded to -bind the flat piece of bark to the bottom of his good foot, over the -leather sole. - -“What’s that for?” inquired the Wizard. - -“I hate to be stumped,” replied the sailor-man; “so I’m goin’ back to -that island.” - -“And get enchanted again?” exclaimed Trot, with evident disapproval. - -“No; this time I’ll dodge the magic of the island. I noticed that my -wooden leg didn’t get stuck, or take root, an’ neither did the glass -feet of the Glass Cat. It’s only a thing that’s made of meat—like man -an’ beasts—that the magic can hold an’ root to the ground. Our shoes are -leather, an’ leather comes from a beast’s hide. Our stockin’s are wool, -an’ wool comes from a sheep’s back. So, when we walked on the Magic -Isle, our feet took root there an’ held us fast. But not my wooden leg. -So now I’ll put a wooden bottom on my other foot an’ the magic can’t -stop me.” - -“But why do you wish to go back to the island?” asked Dorothy. - -“Didn’t you see the Magic Flower in the gold flower-pot?” returned Cap’n -Bill. - -“Of course I saw it, and it’s lovely and wonderful.” - -“Well, Trot an’ I set out to get that magic plant for a present to Ozma -on her birthday, and I mean to get it an’ take it back with us to the -Emerald City.” - -“That would be fine,” cried Trot eagerly, “if you think you can do it, -and it would be safe to try!” - -“I’m pretty sure it is safe, the way I’ve fixed my foot,” said the -sailor, “an’ if I _should_ happen to get caught, I s’pose the Wizard -could save me again.” - -“I suppose I could,” agreed the Wizard. “Anyhow, if you wish to try it, -Cap’n Bill, go ahead and we’ll stand by and watch what happens.” - -So the sailor-man got upon the raft again and paddled over to the Magic -Isle, landing as close to the golden flower-pot as he could. They -watched him walk across the land, put both arms around the flower-pot -and lift it easily from its place. Then he carried it to the raft and -set it down very gently. The removal did not seem to affect the Magic -Flower in any way, for it was growing daffodils when Cap’n Bill picked -it up and on the way to the raft it grew tulips and gladioli. During the -time the sailor was paddling across the river to where his friends -awaited him, seven different varieties of flowers bloomed in succession -on the plant. - -“I guess the Magician who put it on the island never thought that any -one would carry it off,” said Dorothy. - -“He figured that only men would want the plant, and any man who went -upon the island to get it would be caught by the enchantment,” added the -Wizard. - -“After this,” remarked Trot, “no one will care to go on the island, so -it won’t be a trap any more.” - -“There,” exclaimed Cap’n Bill, setting down the Magic Plant in triumph -upon the river bank, “if Ozma gets a better birthday present than that, -I’d like to know what it can be!” - -“It’ll s’prise her, all right,” declared Dorothy, standing in awed -wonder before the gorgeous blossoms and watching them change from yellow -roses to violets. - -“It’ll s’prise ev’rybody in the Em’rald City,” Trot asserted in glee, -“and it’ll be Ozma’s present from Cap’n Bill and me.” - -“I think _I_ ought to have a little credit,” objected the Glass Cat. “I -discovered the thing, and led you to it, and brought the Wizard here to -save you when you got caught.” - -“That’s true,” admitted Trot, “and I’ll tell Ozma the whole story, so -she’ll know how good you’ve been.” - - [Illustration] - - - - - The Monkeys Have Trouble - - - CHAPTER 20 - -“Now,” said the Wizard, “we must start for home. But how are we going to -carry that big gold flowerpot? Cap’n Bill can’t lug it all the way, -that’s certain.” - -“No,” acknowledged the sailor-man; “it’s pretty heavy. I could carry it -for a little while, but I’d have to stop to rest every few minutes.” - -“Couldn’t we put it on your back?” Dorothy asked the Cowardly Lion, with -a good-natured yawn. - -“I don’t object to carrying it, if you can fasten it on,” answered the -Lion. - -“If it falls off,” said Trot, “it might get smashed an’ be ruined.” - -“I’ll fix it,” promised Cap’n Bill. “I’ll make a flat board out of one -of these tree trunks, an’ tie the board on the lion’s back, an’ set the -flowerpot on the board.” He set to work at once to do this, but as he -only had his big knife for a tool his progress was slow. - -So the Wizard took from his black bag a tiny saw that shone like silver -and said to it: - - “Saw, little Saw, come show your power; - Make us a board for the Magic Flower.” - -And at once the Little Saw began to move and it sawed the log so fast -that those who watched it work were astonished. It seemed to understand, -too, just what the board was to be used for, for when it was completed -it was flat on top and hollowed beneath in such a manner that it exactly -fitted the Lion’s back. - -“That beats whittlin’!” exclaimed Cap’n Bill, admiringly. “You don’t -happen to have _two_ o’ them saws; do you, Wizard?” - -“No,” replied the Wizard, wiping the Magic Saw carefully with his silk -handkerchief and putting it back in the black bag. “It’s the only saw of -its kind in the world; and if there were more like it, it wouldn’t be so -wonderful.” - -They now tied the board on the Lion’s back, flat side up, and Cap’n Bill -carefully placed the Magic Flower on the board. - -“For fear o’ accidents,” he said, “I’ll walk beside the lion and hold -onto the flowerpot.” - -Trot and Dorothy could both ride on the back of the Hungry Tiger, and -between them they carried the cage of monkeys. But this arrangement left -the Wizard, as well as the sailor, to make the journey on foot, and so -the procession moved slowly and the Glass Cat grumbled because it would -take so long to get to the Emerald City. - -The Cat was sour-tempered and grumpy, at first, but before they had -journeyed far, the crystal creature had discovered a fine amusement. The -long tails of the monkeys were constantly sticking through the bars of -their cage, and when they did, the Glass Cat would slyly seize the tails -in her paws and pull them. That made the monkeys scream, and their -screams pleased the Glass Cat immensely. Trot and Dorothy tried to stop -this naughty amusement, but when they were not looking the Cat would -pull the tails again, and the creature was so sly and quick that the -monkeys could seldom escape. They scolded the Cat angrily and shook the -bars of their cage, but they could not get out and the Cat only laughed -at them. - - [Illustration] - -After the party had left the forest and were on the plains of the -Munchkin Country, it grew dark, and they were obliged to make camp for -the night, choosing a pretty place beside a brook. By means of his magic -the Wizard created three tents, pitched in a row on the grass and nicely -fitted with all that was needful for the comfort of his comrades. The -middle tent was for Dorothy and Trot, and had in it two cosy white beds -and two chairs. Another tent, also with beds and chairs, was for the -Wizard and Cap’n Bill, while the third tent was for the Hungry Tiger, -the Cowardly Lion, the cage of Monkeys and the Glass Cat. Outside the -tents the Wizard made a fire and placed over it a magic kettle from -which he presently drew all sorts of nice things for their supper, -smoking hot. - -After they had eaten and talked together for a while under the twinkling -stars, they all went to bed and the people were soon asleep. The Lion -and the Tiger had almost fallen asleep, too, when they were roused by -the screams of the monkeys, for the Glass Cat was pulling their tails -again. Annoyed by the uproar, the Hungry Tiger cried: “Stop that -racket!” and getting sight of the Glass Cat, he raised his big paw and -struck at the creature. The cat was quick enough to dodge the blow, but -the claws of the Hungry Tiger scraped the monkeys’ cage and bent two of -the bars. - - [Illustration] - -Then the Tiger lay down again to sleep, but the monkeys soon discovered -that the bending of the bars would allow them to squeeze through. They -did not leave the cage, however, but after whispering together they let -their tails stick out and all remained quiet. Presently the Glass Cat -stole near the cage again and gave a yank to one of the tails. Instantly -the monkeys leaped through the bars, one after another, and although -they were so small the entire dozen of them surrounded the Glass Cat and -clung to her claws and tail and ears and made her a prisoner. Then they -forced her out of the tent and down to the banks of the stream. The -monkeys had noticed that these banks were covered with thick, slimy mud -of a dark blue color, and when they had taken the Cat to the stream, -they smeared this mud all over the glass body of the cat, filling the -creature’s ears and eyes with it, so that she could neither see nor -hear. She was no longer transparent and so thick was the mud upon her -that no one could see her pink brains or her ruby heart. - -In this condition they led the pussy back to the tent and then got -inside their cage again. - -By morning the mud had dried hard on the Glass Cat and it was a dull -blue color throughout. Dorothy and Trot were horrified, but the Wizard -shook his head and said it served the Glass Cat right for teasing the -monkeys. - -Cap’n Bill, with his strong hands, soon bent the golden wires of the -monkeys’ cage into the proper position and then he asked the Wizard if -he should wash the Glass Cat in the water of the brook. - -“Not just yet,” answered the Wizard. “The Cat deserves to be punished, -so I think I’ll leave that blue mud—which is as bad as paint—upon her -body until she gets to the Emerald City. The silly creature is so vain -that she will be greatly shamed when the Oz people see her in this -condition, and perhaps she’ll take the lesson to heart and leave the -monkeys alone hereafter.” - -However, the Glass Cat could not see or hear, and to avoid carrying her -on the journey the Wizard picked the mud out of her eyes and ears and -Dorothy dampened her handkerchief and washed both the eyes and ears -clean. - -As soon as she could speak the Glass Cat asked indignantly: “Aren’t you -going to punish those monkeys for playing such a trick on me?” - -“No,” answered the Wizard. “You played a trick on them by pulling their -tails, so this is only tit-for-tat, and I’m glad the monkeys had their -revenge.” - -He wouldn’t allow the Glass Cat to go near the water, to wash herself, -but made her follow them when they resumed their journey toward the -Emerald City. - -“This is only part of your punishment,” said the Wizard, severely. “Ozma -will laugh at you, when we get to her palace, and so will the Scarecrow, -and the Tin Woodman, and Tik-Tok, and the Shaggy Man, and Button-Bright, -and the Patchwork Girl, and—” - -“And the Pink Kitten,” added Dorothy. - -That suggestion hurt the Glass Cat more than anything else. The Pink -Kitten always quarreled with the Glass Cat and insisted that flesh was -superior to glass, while the Glass Cat would jeer at the Pink Kitten, -because it had no pink brains. But the pink brains were all daubed with -blue mud, just now, and if the Pink Kitten should see the Glass Cat in -such a condition, it would be dreadfully humiliating. - -For several hours the Glass Cat walked along very meekly, but toward -noon it seized an opportunity when no one was looking and darted away -through the long grass. It remembered that there was a tiny lake of pure -water near by, and to this lake the Cat sped as fast as it could go. - -The others never missed her until they stopped for lunch, and then it -was too late to hunt for her. - -“I s’pect she’s gone somewhere to clean herself,” said Dorothy. - -“Never mind,” replied the Wizard. “Perhaps this glass creature has been -punished enough, and we must not forget she saved both Trot and Cap’n -Bill.” - -“After first leading ’em onto an enchanted island,” added Dorothy. “But -I think, as you do, that the Glass Cat is punished enough, and p’raps -she won’t try to pull the monkeys’ tails again.” - -The Glass Cat did not rejoin the party of travelers. She was still -resentful, and they moved too slowly to suit her, besides. When they -arrived at the Royal Palace, one of the first things they saw was the -Glass Cat curled up on a bench as bright and clean and transparent as -ever. But she pretended not to notice them, and they passed her by -without remark. - - - - - The College of Athletic Arts - - - CHAPTER 21 - -Dorothy and her friends arrived at the Royal Palace at an opportune -time, for Ozma was holding high court in her Throne Room, where -Professor H. M. Wogglebug, T.E., was appealing to her to punish some of -the students of the Royal Athletic College, of which he was the -Principal. - -This College is located in the Munchkin Country, but not far from the -Emerald City. To enable the students to devote their entire time to -athletic exercises, such as boating, foot-ball, and the like, Professor -Wogglebug had invented an assortment of Tablets of Learning. One of -these tablets, eaten by a scholar after breakfast, would instantly -enable him to understand arithmetic or algebra or any other branch of -mathematics. Another tablet eaten after lunch gave a student a complete -knowledge of geography. Another tablet made it possible for the eater to -spell the most difficult words, and still another enabled him to write a -beautiful hand. There were tablets for history, mechanics, home cooking -and agriculture, and it mattered not whether a boy or a girl was stupid -or bright, for the tablets taught them everything in the twinkling of an -eye. - -This method, which is patented in the Land of Oz by Professor Wogglebug, -saves paper and books, as well as the tedious hours devoted to study in -some of our less favored schools, and it also allows the students to -devote all their time to racing, base-ball, tennis and other manly and -womanly sports, which are greatly interfered with by study in those -Temples of Learning where Tablets of Learning are unknown. - -But it so happened that Professor Wogglebug (who had invented so much -that he had acquired the habit) carelessly invented a Square-Meal -Tablet, which was no bigger than your little finger-nail but contained, -in condensed form, the equal of a bowl of soup, a portion of fried fish, -a roast, a salad and a dessert, all of which gave the same nourishment -as a square meal. - -The Professor was so proud of these Square-Meal Tablets that he began to -feed them to the students at his college, instead of other food, but the -boys and girls objected because they wanted food that they could enjoy -the taste of. It was no fun at all to swallow a tablet, with a glass of -water, and call it a dinner; so they refused to eat the Square-Meal -Tablets. Professor Wogglebug insisted, and the result was that the -Senior Class seized the learned Professor one day and threw him into the -river—clothes and all. Everyone knows that a wogglebug cannot swim, and -so the inventor of the wonderful Square-Meal Tablets lay helpless on the -bottom of the river for three days before a fisherman caught one of his -legs on a fishhook and dragged him out upon the bank. - -The learned Professor was naturally indignant at such treatment, and so -he brought the entire senior class to the Emerald City and appealed to -Ozma of Oz to punish them for their rebellion. - -I do not suppose the girl Ruler was very severe with the rebellious boys -and girls, because she had herself refused to eat the Square-Meal -Tablets in place of food, but while she was listening to the interesting -case in her Throne Room, Cap’n Bill managed to carry the golden -flower-pot containing the Magic Flower up to Trot’s room without it -being seen by anyone except Jellia Jamb, Ozma’s chief Maid of Honor, and -Jellia promised not to tell. - -Also the Wizard was able to carry the cage of monkeys up to one of the -top towers of the palace, where he had a room of his own, to which no -one came unless invited. So Trot and Dorothy and Cap’n Bill and the -Wizard were all delighted at the successful end of their adventure. The -Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger went to the marble stables behind the -Royal Palace, where they lived while at home, and they too kept the -secret, even refusing to tell the Wooden Sawhorse, and Hank the Mule, -and the Yellow Hen, and the Pink Kitten where they had been. - -Trot watered the Magic Flower every day and allowed no one in her room -to see the beautiful blossoms except her friends, Betsy Bobbin and -Dorothy. The wonderful plant did not seem to lose any of its magic by -being removed from its island, and Trot was sure that Ozma would prize -it as one of her most delightful treasures. - -Up in his tower the little Wizard of Oz began training his twelve tiny -monkeys, and the little creatures were so intelligent that they learned -every trick the Wizard tried to teach them. The Wizard treated them with -great kindness and gentleness and gave them the food that monkeys love -best, so they promised to do their best on the great occasion of Ozma’s -birthday. - - [Illustration] - - - - - Ozma’s Birthday Party - - - CHAPTER 22 - -It seems odd that a fairy should have a birthday, for fairies, they say, -were born at the beginning of time and live forever. Yet, on the other -hand, it would be a shame to deprive a fairy, who has so many other good -things, of the delights of a birthday. So we need not wonder that the -fairies keep their birthdays just as other folks do, and consider them -occasions for feasting and rejoicing. - -Ozma, the beautiful girl Ruler of the Fairyland of Oz, was a real fairy, -and so sweet and gentle in caring for her people that she was greatly -beloved by them all. She lived in the most magnificent palace in the -most magnificent city in the world, but that did not prevent her from -being the friend of the most humble person in her dominions. She would -mount her wooden Sawhorse, and ride out to a farm house and sit in the -kitchen to talk with the good wife of the farmer while she did her -family baking; or she would play with the children and give them rides -on her famous wooden steed; or she would stop in a forest to speak to a -charcoal burner and ask if he was happy or desired anything to make him -more content; or she would teach young girls how to sew and plan pretty -dresses, or enter the shops where the jewelers and craftsmen were busy -and watch them at their work, giving to each and all a cheering word or -sunny smile. - -And then Ozma would sit in her jeweled throne, with her chosen courtiers -all about her, and listen patiently to any complaint brought to her by -her subjects, striving to accord equal justice to all. Knowing she was -fair in her decisions, the Oz people never murmured at her judgments, -but agreed, if Ozma decided against them, she was right and they wrong. - -When Dorothy and Trot and Betsy Bobbin and Ozma were together, one would -think they were all about of an age, and the fairy Ruler no older and no -more “grown up” than the other three. She would laugh and romp with them -in regular girlish fashion, yet there was an air of quiet dignity about -Ozma, even in her merriest moods, that, in a manner, distinguished her -from the others. The three girls loved her devotedly, but they were -never able to quite forget that Ozma was the Royal Ruler of the -wonderful fairyland of Oz, and by birth belonged to a powerful race. - -Ozma’s palace stood in the center of a delightful and extensive garden, -where splendid trees and flowering shrubs and statuary and fountains -abounded. One could walk for hours in this fascinating park and see -something interesting at every step. In one place was an aquarium, where -strange and beautiful fish swam; at another spot all the birds of the -air gathered daily to a great feast which Ozma’s servants provided for -them, and were so fearless of harm that they would alight upon one’s -shoulders and eat from one’s hand. There was also the Fountain of the -Water of Oblivion, but it was dangerous to drink of this water, because -it made one forget everything he had ever before known, even to his own -name, and therefore Ozma had placed a sign of warning upon the fountain. -But there were also fountains that were delightfully perfumed, and -fountains of delicious nectar, cool and richly flavored, where all were -welcome to refresh themselves. - - [Illustration] - -Around the palace grounds was a great wall, thickly encrusted with -glittering emeralds, but the gates stood open and no one was forbidden -entrance. On holidays the people of the Emerald City often took their -children to see the wonders of Ozma’s gardens, and even entered the -Royal Palace, if they felt so inclined, for they knew that they and -their Ruler were friends, and that Ozma delighted to give them pleasure. - -When all this is considered, you will not be surprised that the people -throughout the Land of Oz, as well as Ozma’s most intimate friends and -her royal courtiers, were eager to celebrate her birthday, and made -preparations for the festival weeks in advance. All the brass bands -practiced their nicest tunes, for they were to march in the numerous -processions to be made in the Winkie Country, the Gillikin Country, the -Munchkin Country and the Quadling Country, as well as in the Emerald -City. Not all the people could go to congratulate their Ruler, but all -could celebrate her birthday, in one way or another, however far distant -from her palace they might be. Every home and building throughout the -Land of Oz was to be decorated with banners and bunting, and there were -to be games, and plays, and a general good time for every one. - -It was Ozma’s custom on her birthday to give a grand feast at the -palace, to which all her closest friends were invited. It was a queerly -assorted company, indeed, for there are more quaint and unusual -characters in Oz than in all the rest of the world, and Ozma was more -interested in unusual people than in ordinary ones—just as you and I -are. - -On this especial birthday of the lovely girl Ruler, a long table was set -in the royal Banquet Hall of the palace, at which were place-cards for -the invited guests, and at one end of the great room was a smaller -table, not so high, for Ozma’s animal friends, whom she never forgot, -and at the other end was a big table where all of the birthday gifts -were to be arranged. - -When the guests arrived, they placed their gifts on this table and then -found their places at the banquet table. And, after the guests were all -placed, the animals entered in a solemn procession and were placed at -their table by Jellia Jamb. Then, while an orchestra hidden by a bank of -roses and ferns played a march composed for the occasion, the Royal Ozma -entered the Banquet Hall, attended by her Maids of Honor, and took her -seat at the head of the table. - - [Illustration] - - [Illustration] - -She was greeted by a cheer from all the assembled company, the animals -adding their roars and growls and barks and mewing and cackling to swell -the glad tumult, and then all seated themselves at their tables. - -At Ozma’s right sat the famous Scarecrow of Oz, whose straw-stuffed body -was not beautiful, but whose happy nature and shrewd wit had made him a -general favorite. On the left of the Ruler was placed the Tin Woodman, -whose metal body had been brightly polished for this event. The Tin -Woodman was the Emperor of the Winkie Country and one of the most -important persons in Oz. - -Next to the Scarecrow, Dorothy was seated, and next to her was Tik-Tok, -the Clockwork Man, who had been wound up as tightly as his clockwork -would permit, so he wouldn’t interrupt the festivities by running down. -Then came Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, Dorothy’s own relations, two kindly -old people who had a cozy home in the Emerald City and were very happy -and contented there. Then Betsy Bobbin was seated, and next to her the -droll and delightful Shaggy Man, who was a favorite wherever he went. - -On the other side of the table, opposite the Tin Woodman was placed -Trot, and next to her, Cap’n Bill. Then was seated Button Bright and Ojo -the Lucky, and Dr. Pipt and his good wife Margalot, and the astonishing -Frogman, who had come from the Yip country to be present at Ozma’s -birthday feast. - -At the foot of the table, facing Ozma, was seated the queenly Glinda, -the good Sorceress of Oz, for this was really the place of honor next to -the head of the table where Ozma herself sat. On Glinda’s right was the -Little Wizard of Oz, who owed to Glinda all of the magical arts he knew. -Then came Jinjur, a pretty girl farmer of whom Ozma and Dorothy were -quite fond. The adjoining seat was occupied by the Tin Soldier, and next -to him was Professor H. M. Wogglebug, T.E., of the Royal Athletic -College. - -On Glinda’s left was placed the jolly Patchwork Girl, who was a little -afraid of the Sorceress and so was likely to behave herself pretty well. -The Shaggy Man’s brother was beside the Patchwork Girl, and then came -that interesting personage, Jack Pumpkinhead, who had grown a splendid -big pumpkin for a new head to be worn on Ozma’s birthday, and had carved -a face on it that was even jollier in expression than the one he had -last worn. New heads were not unusual with Jack, for the pumpkins did -not keep long, and when the seeds—which served him as brains—began to -get soft and mushy, he realized his head would soon spoil, and so he -procured a new one from his great field of pumpkins—grown by him so that -he need never lack a head. - -You will have noticed that the company at Ozma’s banquet table was -somewhat mixed, but every one invited was a tried and trusted friend of -the girl Ruler, and their presence made her quite happy. - -No sooner had Ozma seated herself, with her back to the birthday table, -than she noticed that all present were eyeing with curiosity and -pleasure something behind her, for the gorgeous Magic Flower was -blooming gloriously and the mammoth blossoms that quickly succeeded one -another on the plant were beautiful to view and filled the entire room -with their delicate fragrance. Ozma wanted to look, too, to see what all -were staring at, but she controlled her curiosity because it was not -proper that she should yet view her birthday gifts. - -So the sweet and lovely Ruler devoted herself to her guests, several of -whom, as the Sorcerer, the Tin Woodman, the Patchwork Girl, Tik-Tok, -Jack Pumpkinhead and the Tin Soldier, never ate anything but sat very -politely in their places and tried to entertain those of the guests who -did eat. - -And, at the animal table, there was another interesting group, -consisting of the Cowardly Lion, the Hungry Tiger, Toto—Dorothy’s little -shaggy black dog—Hank the Mule, the Pink Kitten, the Wooden Sawhorse, -the Yellow Hen, and the Glass Cat. All of these had good appetites -except the Sawhorse and the Glass Cat, and each was given a plentiful -supply of the food it liked best. - -Finally, when the banquet was nearly over and the ice-cream was to be -served, four servants entered bearing a huge cake, all frosted and -decorated with candy flowers. Around the edge of the cake was a row of -lighted candles, and in the center were raised candy letters that -spelled the words: - - OZMA’S - Birthday Cake - from - Dorothy and the Wizard - -“Oh, how beautiful!” cried Ozma, greatly delighted, and Dorothy said -eagerly: “Now you must cut the cake, Ozma, and each of us will eat a -piece with our ice-cream.” - -Jellia Jamb brought a large golden knife with a jeweled handle, and Ozma -stood up in her place and attempted to cut the cake. But as soon as the -frosting in the center broke under the pressure of the knife there -leaped from the cake a tiny monkey three inches high, and he was -followed by another and another, until twelve monkeys stood on the -tablecloth and bowed low to Ozma. - -“Congratulations to our gracious Ruler!” they exclaimed in a chorus, and -then they began a dance, so droll and amusing that all the company -roared with laughter and even Ozma joined in the merriment. But after -the dance the monkeys performed some wonderful acrobatic feats, and then -they ran to the hollow of the cake and took out some band instruments of -burnished gold—cornets, horns, drums, and the like—and forming into a -procession the monkeys marched up and down the table playing a jolly -tune with the ease of skilled musicians. - -Dorothy was delighted with the success of her “Surprise Cake,” and after -the monkeys had finished their performance, the banquet came to an end. - - [Illustration] - -Now was the time for Ozma to see her other presents, so Glinda the Good -rose and, taking the girl Ruler by her hand, led her to the table where -all her gifts were placed in magnificent array. The Magic Flower of -course attracted her attention first, and Trot had to tell her the whole -story of their adventures in getting it. The little girl did not forget -to give due credit to the Glass Cat and the little Wizard, but it was -really Cap’n Bill who bravely carried the golden flowerpot away from the -enchanted Isle. - -Ozma thanked them all, and said she would place the Magic Flower in her -boudoir where she might enjoy its beauty and fragrance continually. But -now she discovered the marvelous gown woven by Glinda and her maidens -from strands drawn from pure emeralds, and being a girl who loved pretty -clothes, Ozma’s ecstasy at being presented with this exquisite gown may -well be imagined. She could hardly wait to put it on, but the table was -loaded with other pretty gifts and the night was far spent before the -happy girl Ruler had examined all her presents and thanked those who had -lovingly donated them. - - - - - The Fountain of Oblivion - - - CHAPTER 23 - -The morning after the birthday fete, as the Wizard and Dorothy were -walking in the grounds of the palace, Ozma came out and joined them, -saying: - -“I want to hear more of your adventures in the Forest of Gugu, and how -you were able to get those dear little monkeys to use in Dorothy’s -Surprise Cake.” - -So they sat down on a marble bench near to the fountain of the Water of -Oblivion, and between them Dorothy and the Wizard related their -adventures. - -“I was dreadfully fussy while I was a woolly lamb,” said Dorothy, “for -it didn’t feel good, a bit. And I wasn’t quite sure, you know, that I’d -ever get to be a girl again.” - -“You might have been a woolly lamb yet, if I hadn’t happened to have -discovered that Magic Transformation Word,” declared the Wizard. - -“But what became of the walnut and the hickory-nut into which you -transformed those dreadful beast magicians?” inquired Ozma. - -“Why, I’d almost forgotten them,” was the reply; “but I believe they are -still here in my pocket.” - -Then he searched in his pockets and brought out the two nuts and showed -them to her. - -Ozma regarded them thoughtfully. - -“It isn’t right to leave any living creatures in such helpless forms,” -said she. “I think, Wizard, you ought to transform them into their -natural shapes again.” - -“But I don’t know what their natural shapes are,” he objected, “for of -course the forms of mixed animals which they had assumed were not -natural to them. And you must not forget, Ozma, that their natures were -cruel and mischievous, so if I bring them back to life they might cause -us a great deal of trouble.” - -“Nevertheless,” said the Ruler of Oz, “we must free them from their -present enchantments. When you restore them to their natural forms we -will discover who they really are, and surely we need not fear any two -people, even though they prove to be magicians and our enemies.” - -“I am not so sure of that,” protested the Wizard, with a shake of his -bald head. “The one bit of magic I robbed them of—which was the word of -transformation—is so simple, yet so powerful, that neither Glinda nor I -can equal it. It isn’t all in the word, you know, it’s the way the word -is pronounced. So if the two strange magicians have other magic of the -same sort, they might prove very dangerous to us, if we liberated them.” - -“I’ve an idea!” exclaimed Dorothy. “I’m no wizard, and no fairy, but if -you do as I say, we needn’t fear these people at all.” - -“What is your thought, my dear?” asked Ozma. - -“Well,” replied the girl, “here is this fountain of the Water of -Oblivion, and that’s what put the notion into my head. When the Wizard -speaks that ter’ble word that will change ’em back to their real forms, -he can make ’em dreadful thirsty, too, and we’ll put a cup right here by -the fountain, so it’ll be handy. Then they’ll drink the water and forget -all the magic they ever knew—and everything else, too.” - -“That’s not a bad idea,” said the Wizard, looking at Dorothy -approvingly. - -“It’s a very _good_ idea,” declared Ozma. “Run for a cup, Dorothy.” - -So Dorothy ran to get a cup, and while she was gone the Wizard said: - -“I don’t know whether the real forms of these magicians are those of men -or beasts. If they’re beasts, they would not drink from a cup but might -attack us at once and drink afterward. So it might be safer for us to -have the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger here to protect us if -necessary.” - -Ozma drew out a silver whistle which was attached to a slender gold -chain and blew upon the whistle two shrill blasts. The sound, though not -harsh, was very penetrating, and as soon as it reached the ears of the -Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger, the two huge beasts quickly came -bounding toward them. Ozma explained to them what the Wizard was about -to do, and told them to keep quiet unless danger threatened. So the two -powerful guardians of the Ruler of Oz crouched beside the fountain and -waited. - - [Illustration] - -Dorothy returned and set the cup on the edge of the fountain. Then the -Wizard placed the hickory-nut beside the fountain and said in a solemn -voice: - -“I want you to resume your natural form, and to be very -thirsty—Pyrzqxgl!” - -In an instant there appeared, in the place of the hickory-nut, the form -of Kiki Aru, the Hyup boy. He seemed bewildered, at first, as if trying -to remember what had happened to him and why he was in this strange -place. But he was facing the fountain, and the bubbling water reminded -him that he was thirsty. Without noticing Ozma, the Wizard and Dorothy, -who were behind him, he picked up the cup, filled it with the Water of -Oblivion, and drank it to the last drop. - -He was now no longer thirsty, but he felt more bewildered than ever, for -now he could remember nothing at all—not even his name or where he came -from. He looked around the beautiful garden with a pleased expression, -and then, turning, he beheld Ozma and the Wizard and Dorothy regarding -him curiously and the two great beasts crouching behind them. - -Kiki Aru did not know who they were, but he thought Ozma very lovely and -Dorothy very pleasant. So he smiled at them—the same innocent, happy -smile that a baby might have indulged in, and that pleased Dorothy, who -seized his hand and led him to a seat beside her on the bench. - -“Why, I thought you were a dreadful magician,” she exclaimed, “and -you’re only a boy!” - -“What is a magician?” he asked, “and what is a boy?” - -“Don’t you know?” inquired the girl. - -Kiki shook his head. Then he laughed. - -“I do not seem to know anything,” he replied. - - [Illustration] - -“It’s very curious,” remarked the Wizard. “He wears the dress of the -Munchkins, so he must have lived at one time in the Munchkin Country. Of -course the boy can tell us nothing of his history or his family, for he -has forgotten all that he ever knew.” - -“He seems a nice boy, now that all the wickedness has gone from him,” -said Ozma. “So we will keep him here with us and teach him our ways—to -be true and considerate of others.” - -“Why, in that case, it’s lucky for him he drank the Water of Oblivion,” -said Dorothy. - -“It is indeed,” agreed the Wizard. “But the remarkable thing, to me, is -how such a young boy ever learned the secret of the Magic Word of -Transformation. Perhaps his companion, who is at present this walnut, -was the real magician, although I seem to remember that it was this boy -in the beast’s form who whispered the Magic Word into the hollow tree, -where I overheard it.” - -“Well, we will soon know who the other is,” suggested Ozma. “He may -prove to be another Munchkin boy.” - -The Wizard placed the walnut near the fountain and said, as slowly and -solemnly as before: - -“I want you to resume your natural form, and to be very -thirsty—Pyrzqxgl!” - -Then the walnut disappeared and Ruggedo the Nome stood in its place. He -also was facing the fountain, and he reached for the cup, filled it, and -was about to drink when Dorothy exclaimed: - -“Why, it’s the old Nome King!” - -Ruggedo swung around and faced them, the cup still in his hand. - - [Illustration] - -“Yes,” he said in an angry voice, “it’s the old Nome King, and I’m going -to conquer all Oz and be revenged on you for kicking me out of my -throne.” He looked around a moment, and then continued: “There isn’t an -egg in sight, and I’m stronger than all of you people put together! I -don’t know how I came here, but I’m going to fight the fight of my -life—and I’ll win!” - -His long white hair and beard waved in the breeze; his eyes flashed hate -and vengeance, and so astonished and shocked were they by the sudden -appearance of this old enemy of the Oz people that they could only stare -at him in silence and shrink away from his wild glare. - -Ruggedo laughed. He drank the water, threw the cup on the ground and -said fiercely: - -“And now—and now—and—” - -His voice grew gentle. He rubbed his forehead with a puzzled air and -stroked his long beard. - -“What was I going to say?” he asked, pleadingly. - -“Don’t you remember?” said the Wizard. - -“No; I’ve forgotten.” - -“Who _are_ you?” asked Dorothy. - -He tried to think. “I—I’m sure I don’t know,” he stammered. - -“Don’t you know who _we_ are, either?” questioned the girl. - -“I haven’t the slightest idea,” said the Nome. - -“Tell us who this Munchkin boy is,” suggested Ozma. - -Ruggedo looked at the boy and shook his head. - -“He’s a stranger to me. You are all strangers. I—I’m a stranger to -myself,” he said. - -Then he patted the Lion’s head and murmured, “Good doggie!” and the Lion -growled indignantly. - - [Illustration] - -“What shall we do with him?” asked the Wizard, perplexed. - -“Once before the wicked old Nome came here to conquer us, and then, as -now, he drank of the Water of Oblivion and became harmless. But we sent -him back to the Nome Kingdom, where he soon learned the old evil ways -again.” - -“For that reason,” said Ozma, “we must find a place for him in the Land -of Oz, and keep him here. For here he can learn no evil and will always -be as innocent of guile as our own people.” - -And so the wandering ex-King of the Nomes found a new home, a peaceful -and happy home, where he was quite content and passed his days in -innocent enjoyment. - - [Illustration: THE END] - - - - - _The Oz Books_ - BY - L. FRANK BAUM - “Royal Historian of Oz” - - - _The Wizard of Oz_ - [Originally published as _The Wonderful Wizard of Oz_] - -It is in this book that Oz is “discovered.” A little Kansas girl—Dorothy -Gale—is carried in her house to Oz when a cyclone whisks it through the -sky. As the house lands in the Munchkin Country (one of the four great -countries of Oz) it destroys a wicked witch and sends Dorothy off on her -first adventure in Oz. She finds the Scarecrow, meets the Tin Woodman -and the Cowardly Lion, melts a second wicked witch with a pail of water -and finds her way home. Since this book appeared a half-century ago, we -have learned many marvelous things about the Land of Oz. - - - _The Land of Oz_ - [Originally published as _The Marvelous Land of Oz_] - -This sequel to _The Wizard of Oz_ deals entirely with the early history -of Oz. No one from the United States or any other part of the “great -outside world” appears in it. It takes its readers on a series of -incredible adventures with Tip, a small boy who runs away from old -Mombi, the witch, taking with him Jack Pumpkinhead and the wooden -Saw-Horse. The Scarecrow is King of the Emerald City until he, Tip, -Jack, and the Tin Woodman are forced to flee the royal palace when it is -invaded by General Jinjur and her army of rebelling girls. _The Land of -Oz_ ends with an amazing surprise, and from that moment on Ozma is -princess of all Oz. - - - _Ozma of Oz_ - -Few of the Oz books are as crowded with exciting Oz happenings as this -one. Not only does it bring Dorothy back to Oz on her second visit, but -it introduces Dorothy to Ozma, relates Ozma’s first important adventure, -and introduces for the first time such famous Oz characters as Tik-Tok, -the mechanical man, Billina the hen, the Hungry Tiger, and—_the Nome -King_! Most of the adventures in this book take place outside Oz, in the -Land of Ev and the Nome Kingdom. Scarcely a page fails to quiver with -excitement, magic and adventure. - - - _Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz_ - -Of course, everyone always predicted it would happen! And in this book -it does—the Wizard comes back to Oz to stay. Best of all, he comes with -Dorothy, who is having adventure number three that leads her to Oz, this -time via a California earthquake. In this book we meet Dorothy’s pink -kitten, Eureka, whose manners need adjusting badly, and two good friends -who we are sorry did not remain in Oz—Jim the cabhorse, and Zeb, -Dorothy’s young cousin, who works on a ranch as a hired boy. - - - _The Road to Oz_ - -We like to think of this volume as “The Party Book of Oz.” Almost -everyone loves a party, and when Ozma has a birthday party with notables -from every part of fairyland attending—well! It is just like attending -Ozma’s party in person. You meet the famous of Oz, and lots of others, -such as Queen Zixi of Ix, John Dough, Chick the Cherub, the Queen of -Merryland, Para Bruin the rubber bear and—best of all—Santa Claus -himself! Of course there are lots of adventures on that famous road to -Oz before the party, during which Dorothy, on her way to Oz for the -fourth time, meets such heart-warming characters as the Shaggy Man, -Button-Bright, and lovely Polychrome, daughter of the rainbow. - - - _The Emerald City of Oz_ - -Here is a “double” story of Oz. While Dorothy, her Aunt Em and Uncle -Henry experience the events that lead to their going to Oz to make their -home in the Emerald City, the wicked Nome King is plotting to conquer Oz -and enslave its people. Later we go with Dorothy and her friends in the -Red Wagon on a grand tour of Oz that is simply packed with excitement -and events. While this transpires, we learn also of the Nome King’s -elaborate preparations to conquer Oz. As Dorothy and her friends return -to the Emerald City, the Nome King and his hordes of warriors are about -to invade it. How Oz is saved is an ending that will amaze and delight -you. - - - _The Patchwork Girl of Oz_ - -Here, the Patchwork Girl is brought to life by Dr. Pipt’s magic Powder -of Life. From that moment on the action never slows down in this -exciting book. It tells of Ojo’s quest for the strange ingredients -necessary to brew a magic liquid that will release his Unk Nunkie from a -spell—the spell cast by the Liquid of Petrefaction, which has turned him -into a marble statue. In addition to the Patchwork Girl, Ojo and Unk -Nunkie, this book introduces those famous Oz creatures, the Woozy, and -Bungle the glass cat. Oz certainly has become a merrier, happier land -since the Patchwork Girl came to life, and this is the book that tells -how Scraps came to be made, how she was brought to life, and all about -her early adventures. - - - _Tik-Tok of Oz_ - -For the second time a little girl from the United States comes to Oz. -Betsy Bobbin is shipwrecked in the Nonestic Ocean with her friend Hank -the mule. The two drift to shore in the Rose Kingdom on a fragment of -wreckage. Betsy meets the Shaggy Man and accompanies him to the Nome -Kingdom, where Shaggy hopes to release his brother, a prisoner of the -Nome King. On their way to the Nome Kingdom, one fascinating adventure -follows another. They meet Queen Ann Soforth of Oogaboo and her army, -and lovely Polychrome, who had lost her rainbow again; they rescue -Tik-Tok from a well; and are dropped through a Hollow Tube to the other -side of the world where they meet Quox, the dragon. You’ll find it one -of the most exciting of all the Oz books. - - - _The Scarecrow of Oz_ - -This is the Oz book which L. Frank Baum considered his best. It starts -quietly enough with Trot and Cap’n Bill rowing along a shore of the -Pacific Ocean to visit one of the many caves near their home on the -California coast. Suddenly, a mighty whirlpool engulfs them. The old -sailorman and the little girl are miraculously saved and regain -consciousness to find themselves in a sea cavern. (To this day, Trot -asserts she felt mermaid arms about her during those terrible moments -under water.) From here on, one perilous adventure crowds in upon -another. In Jinxland they meet the Scarecrow who takes charge of things -once Cap’n Bill is transformed into a tiny grasshopper with a wooden -leg. An exciting royal reception greets the adventurers upon their -return to the Emerald City. - - - _Rinkitink in Oz_ - -Prince Inga of Pingaree is the boy hero of this fine story of -peril-filled adventure in the islands of the Nonestic Ocean. King -Rinkitink provides comic relief, and by the time you reach the final -page you will love this fat, jolly little king. Bilbil the goat, with -his surly disposition, provides a fine contrast to Rinkitink’s merriment -and Prince Inga’s bravery and courage in the face of danger. Some may -say that the three magic pearls are the real heroes of this story, but -the pearls would have been of little use to King Kitticut and Queen -Garee if Prince Inga hadn’t used them wisely and courageously. - - - _The Lost Princess of Oz_ - -Talk about _Button-Bright_ getting lost—_Ozma_ is almost as bad! This is -actually the second time Ozma has been lost. As you know, once she was -“lost” for many years. But in this book she is lost for only a short -time. As soon as it is discovered that the ruler of Oz is lost—and with -her all the important magical instruments in Oz—search parties, one for -each of the four countries of Oz, set out to find her. We follow the -adventures of the party headed by Dorothy and the Wizard, who explore -unknown parts of the Winkie Country in search of Ozma. How Ozma is -found, and where she has been, will surprise you. Frogman, a new -character, is introduced in this book. - - - _The Tin Woodman of Oz_ - -Woot the Wanderer causes this chapter of Oz history to transpire. When -Woot wanders into the splendid tin castle of Nick Chopper, the Tin -Woodman and Emperor of the Winkies, he meets the Scarecrow, who is -visiting his old friend. The Tin Woodman tells Woot the story of how he -had once been a flesh-and-blood woodman in love with a maiden named -Nimmie Aimee. Woot suggests that since the Tin Woodman now has a kind -and loving heart, it is his duty to find Nimmie Aimee and make her -Empress of the Winkies. The Scarecrow agrees, so the three set off to -search for the girl. No less surprising than the adventures encountered -on the journey is Nimmie Aimee’s reception of her former suitor. - - - _The Magic of Oz_ - -Old Ruggedo, the former Nome King, comes to Oz for the second time, and -makes more trouble than he did on his first visit. Ruggedo never gives -up the idea of conquering Oz, and this time he has the advantage of -being in the country without Ozma’s knowledge. Also, he has the magic -and somewhat grudging help of Kiki Aru, the Munchkin boy who is -illegally practicing the art. If you like magic, then this is a book for -you. There’s magic on every page, and everyone in the story eventually -is transformed into something else, or bewitched in one way or another. -Even the wild animals in the great Forest of Gugu do not escape. - - - _Glinda of Oz_ - -This is the last Oz book written by L. Frank Baum. It is one of the best -in the series, with Dorothy, Ozma, and Glinda in an adventure that takes -them to an amazing crystal-domed city on an enchanted island. This -island is situated in a lake in the Gillikin Country. Ozma and Glinda -are confronted by powerful magic and determined enemies. For a time -Dorothy and Ozma are prisoners in the crystal-domed city which is able -to submerge below the surface of the lake. Few of the Oz books equal -this one in suspense and mystery—a story that is truly “out of this -world.” - - [Illustration] - - [Illustration: Back Cover] - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - ---In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the - HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Magic of Oz, by L. 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