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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes index 6833f05..d7b82bc 100644 --- a/.gitattributes +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -1,3 +1,4 @@ -* text=auto -*.txt text -*.md text +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf @@ -1,33 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Glinda of Oz, by L. Frank Baum - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Glinda of Oz - -Author: L. Frank Baum - -Posting Date: March 23, 2009 [EBook #961] -Release Date: June, 1997 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GLINDA OF OZ *** - - - - -Produced by Anthony Matonac - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 961 *** @@ -4824,370 +4795,4 @@ by L. 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Frank Baum -</TITLE> - -<STYLE TYPE="text/css"> -BODY { color: Black; - background: White; - margin-right: 10%; +<style> +BODY { margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%; - font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify } P {text-indent: 4% } @@ -34,81 +28,74 @@ P.finis { font-size: larger ; text-indent: 0% ; margin-left: 0% ; margin-right: 0% } +h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center;} +.h2, .h3, .h4, .h5 { + text-align: center; + display: block; + margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0; + font-weight: bold; +} +.h2 { + font-size: 1.5em; + margin-top: 0.83em; + margin-bottom: 0.83em; +} +.h3 { + font-size: 1.17em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; +} +.h4 { + font-size: 1em; + margin-top: 1.33em; + margin-bottom: 1.33em; +} +.h5 { + font-size: .83em; + margin-top: 1.67em; + margin-bottom: 1.67em; +} +.tdr { text-align: right; vertical-align: top;} +.tdl { text-align: left; vertical-align: top;} </STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 961 ***</div> - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Glinda of Oz, by L. Frank Baum - - -<table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> +<table style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; padding: 4px; border: 3px solid;"> <tr> <td> THIS EBOOK WAS ONE OF PROJECT GUTENBERG'S EARLY FILES PRODUCED AT A TIME WHEN PROOFING METHODS AND TOOLS WERE NOT WELL DEVELOPED. THERE IS -AN IMPROVED ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAY VIEWED AT EBOOK <big><b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/39868/39868-h/39868-h.htm"> -[ #39868 ]</a></b></big> +AN IMPROVED ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAY VIEWED AT EBOOK <span style="font-size: larger"><b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/39868/39868-h/39868-h.htm"> +[ #39868 ]</a></b></span> </td> </tr> </table> - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Glinda of Oz - -Author: L. Frank Baum - -Posting Date: March 23, 2009 [EBook #961] -Release Date: June, 1997 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GLINDA OF OZ *** - - - - -Produced by Anthony Matonac - - - - - -</pre> - - <BR><BR> -<H1 ALIGN="center"> +<H1> GLINDA OF OZ </H1> <BR> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<div class="h3"> by -</H3> +</div> -<H2 ALIGN="center"> +<div class="h2"> L. Frank Baum -</H2> +</div> <BR><BR> -<H4 ALIGN="center"> +<div class="h4"> In which are related the Exciting Experiences of Princess<BR> Ozma of Oz, and Dorothy, in their hazardous journey<BR> to the home of the Flatheads, and to the Magic<BR> @@ -119,166 +106,166 @@ L. Frank Baum <BR> by L. FRANK BAUM<BR> "Royal Historian of Oz"<BR> -</H4> +</div> <BR><BR><BR> -<H4 ALIGN="center"> +<div class="h4"> This Book<BR> is Dedicated to<BR> My Son<BR> Robert Stanton Baum<BR> -</H4> +</div> <BR><BR><BR> -<H2 ALIGN="center"> +<H2> LIST OF CHAPTERS </H2> -<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%"> +<TABLE> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">1 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">1 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap01">The Call to Duty</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">2 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">2 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap02">Ozma and Dorothy</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">3 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">3 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap03">The Mist Maidens</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">4 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">4 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap04">The Magic Tent</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">5 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">5 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap05">The Magic Stairway</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">6 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">6 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap06">Flathead Mountain</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">7 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">7 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap07">The Magic Isle</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">8 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">8 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap08">Queen Coo-ee-oh</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">9 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">9 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap09">Lady Aurex</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">10 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">10 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap10">Under Water</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">11 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">11 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap11">The Conquest of the Skeezers</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">12 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">12 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap12">The Diamond Swan</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">13 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">13 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap13">The Alarm Bell</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">14 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">14 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap14">Ozma's Counsellors</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">15 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">15 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap15">The Great Sorceress</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">16 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">16 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap16">The Enchanted Fishes</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">17 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">17 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap17">Under the Great Dome</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">18 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">18 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap18">The Cleverness of Ervic</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">19 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">19 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap19">Red Reera, the Yookoohoo</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">20 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">20 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap20">A Puzzling Problem</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">21 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">21 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap21">The Three Adepts</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">22 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">22 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap22">The Sunken Island</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">23 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">23 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap23">The Magic Words</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">24 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">24 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap24">Glinda's Triumph</A></TD> </TR> @@ -286,12 +273,12 @@ LIST OF CHAPTERS <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap01"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap01"></A> +<H3> Chapter One </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Call to Duty </H3> @@ -772,12 +759,12 @@ Emerald City. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap02"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap02"></A> +<H3> Chapter Two </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Ozma and Dorothy </H3> @@ -1139,12 +1126,12 @@ to the top of the hill. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap03"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap03"></A> +<H3> Chapter Three </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Mist Maidens </H3> @@ -1249,12 +1236,12 @@ view. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap04"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap04"></A> +<H3> Chapter Four </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Magic Tent </H3> @@ -1415,12 +1402,12 @@ as their heads touched their pillows. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap05"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap05"></A> +<H3> Chapter Five </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Magic Stairway </H3> @@ -1684,12 +1671,12 @@ stuck in their metal belts. They wore no hats nor ornaments. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap06"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap06"></A> +<H3> Chapter Six </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Flathead Mountain </H3> @@ -2076,12 +2063,12 @@ vanished! <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap07"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap07"></A> +<H3> Chapter Seven </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Magic Isle </H3> @@ -2217,12 +2204,12 @@ that big glass palace, but we can't get at 'em." <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap08"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap08"></A> +<H3> Chapter Eight </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Queen Coo-ee-oh </H3> @@ -2517,12 +2504,12 @@ not see the disapproving look. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap09"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap09"></A> +<H3> Chapter Nine </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Lady Aurex </H3> @@ -2836,12 +2823,12 @@ Flatheads really attacked the Skeezers of the Magic Isle. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap10"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap10"></A> +<H3> Chapter Ten </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Under Water </H3> @@ -3013,7 +3000,7 @@ figures could be seen. Aurex, in a voice that betrayed her excitement. </P> -<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%"> +<HR style="width: 60%;"> <P> The Flatheads, pushing their way through the line of palm trees, had @@ -3086,12 +3073,12 @@ its contents full in her face! <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap11"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap11"></A> +<H3> Chapter Eleven </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Conquest of the Skeezers </H3> @@ -3213,12 +3200,12 @@ be too tough to eat." <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap12"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap12"></A> +<H3> Chapter Twelve </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Diamond Swan </H3> @@ -3293,7 +3280,7 @@ was only intent on admiring her own beauty. us!" </P> -<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%"> +<HR style="width: 60%;"> <P> Some of these events had been witnessed by Ozma and Dorothy and Lady @@ -3640,12 +3627,12 @@ guess I'll go back and watch again." <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap13"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap13"></A> +<H3> Chapter Thirteen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Alarm Bell </H3> @@ -3804,12 +3791,12 @@ the throne room of the palace that same evening. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap14"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap14"></A> +<H3> Chapter Fourteen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Ozma's Counsellors </H3> @@ -4074,12 +4061,12 @@ at sunrise to-morrow." <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap15"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap15"></A> +<H3> Chapter Fifteen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Great Sorceress </H3> @@ -4413,12 +4400,12 @@ but it wasn't my fault this time." <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap16"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap16"></A> +<H3> Chapter Sixteen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Enchanted Fishes </H3> @@ -4657,12 +4644,12 @@ down and bending over it asked: <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap17"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap17"></A> +<H3> Chapter Seventeen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Under the Great Dome </H3> @@ -5040,12 +5027,12 @@ the powers of the Sorceress. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap18"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap18"></A> +<H3> Chapter Eighteen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Cleverness of Ervic </H3> @@ -5511,12 +5498,12 @@ Adepts at Magic. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap19"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap19"></A> +<H3> Chapter Nineteen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Red Reera, the Yookoohoo </H3> @@ -5842,12 +5829,12 @@ so, with a good-bye, took their departure. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap20"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap20"></A> +<H3> Chapter Twenty </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> A Puzzling Problem </H3> @@ -6128,12 +6115,12 @@ gracious presence of Glinda, the Good. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap21"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap21"></A> +<H3> Chapter Twenty-One </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Three Adepts </H3> @@ -6406,12 +6393,12 @@ Sunken island. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap22"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap22"></A> +<H3> Chapter Twenty-Two </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Sunken Island </H3> @@ -6615,12 +6602,12 @@ magical instruments and performed all her arts of witchcraft. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap23"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap23"></A> +<H3> Chapter Twenty-Three </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Magic Words </H3> @@ -6869,12 +6856,12 @@ waving them a welcome. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap24"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap24"></A> +<H3> Chapter Twenty-Four </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Glinda's Triumph </H3> @@ -7075,386 +7062,6 @@ by L. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* - - - - - - GLINDA OF OZ - -In which are related the Exciting Experiences of Princess - Ozma of Oz, and Dorothy, in their hazardous journey - to the home of the Flatheads, and to the Magic - Isle of the Skeezers, and how they were - rescued from dire peril by the - sorcery of Glinda the - Good - - by L. FRANK BAUM - "Royal Historian of Oz" - - -This Book -is Dedicated to -My Son -Robert Stanton Baum - - - -LIST OF CHAPTERS - 1 The Call of Duty - 2 Ozma and Dorothy - 3 The Mist Maidens - 4 The Magic Tent - 5 The Magic Stairway - 6 Flathead Mountain - 7 The Magic Isle - 8 Queen Coo-ee-oh - 9 Lady Aurex -10 Under Water -11 The Conquest of the Skeezers -12 The Diamond Swan -13 The Alarm Bell -14 Ozma's Counsellors -15 The Great Sorceress -16 The Enchanted Fishes -17 Under the Great Dome -18 The Cleverness of Ervic -19 Red Reera, the Yookoohoo.. -20 A Puzzling Problem -21 The Three Adepts -22 The Sunken Island -23 The Magic Words -24 Glinda's Triumph - - - - - -Chapter One - -The Call to Duty - - -Glinda, the good Sorceress of Oz, sat in the grand -court of her palace, surrounded by her maids of honor --- a hundred of the most beautiful girls of the -Fairyland of Oz. The palace court was built of rare -marbles, exquisitely polished. Fountains tinkled -musically here and there; the vast colonnade, open to -the south, allowed the maidens, as they raised their -heads from their embroideries, to gaze upon a vista of -rose-hued fields and groves of trees bearing fruits or -laden with sweet-scented flowers. At times one of the -girls would start a song, the others joining in the -chorus, or one would rise and dance, gracefully swaying -to the music of a harp played by a companion. And then -Glinda smiled, glad to see her maids mixing play with -work. - -Presently among the fields an object was seen moving, -threading the broad path that led to the castle gate. -Some of the girls looked upon this object enviously; -the Sorceress merely gave it a glance and nodded her -stately head as if pleased, for it meant the coming of -her friend and mistress -- the only one in all the land -that Glinda bowed to. - -Then up the path trotted a wooden animal attached to -a red wagon, and as the quaint steed halted at the gate -there descended from the wagon two young girls, Ozma, -Ruler of Oz, and her companion, Princess Dorothy. Both -were dressed in simple white muslin gowns, and as they -ran up the marble steps of the palace they laughed and -chatted as gaily as if they were not the most important -persons in the world's loveliest fairyland. - -The maids of honor had risen and stood with bowed -heads to greet the royal Ozma, while Glinda came -forward with outstretched arms to greet her guests. - -"We've just come on a visit, you know," said Ozma. -"Both Dorothy and I were wondering how we should pass -the day when we happened to think we'd not been to your -Quadling Country for weeks, so we took the Sawhorse and -rode straight here." - -"And we came so fast," added Dorothy, "that our hair -is blown all fuzzy, for the Sawhorse makes a wind of -his own. Usually it's a day's journey from the Em'rald -City, but I don't s'pose we were two hours on the way." - -"You are most welcome," said Glinda the Sorceress, -and led them through the court to her magnificent -reception hall. Ozma took the arm of her hostess, but -Dorothy lagged behind, kissing some of the maids she -knew best, talking with others, and making them all -feel that she was their friend. When at last she joined -Glinda and Ozma in the reception hall, she found them -talking earnestly about the condition of the people, -and how to make them more happy and contented -- -although they were already the happiest and most -contented folks in all the world. - -This interested Ozma, of course, but it didn't -interest Dorothy very much, so the little girl ran over -to a big table on which was lying open Glinda's Great -Book of Records. - -This Book is one of the greatest treasures in Oz, and -the Sorceress prizes it more highly than any of her -magical possessions. That is the reason it is firmly -attached to the big marble table by means of golden -chains, and whenever Glinda leaves home she locks the -Great Book together with five jeweled padlocks, and -carries the keys safely hidden in her bosom. - -I do not suppose there is any magical thing in any -fairyland to compare with the Record Book, on the pages -of which are constantly being printed a record of every -event that happens in any part of the world, at exactly -the moment it happens. And the records are always -truthful, although sometimes they do not give as many -details as one could wish. But then, lots of things -happen, and so the records have to be brief or even -Glinda's Great Book could not hold them all. - -Glinda looked at the records several times each day, -and Dorothy, whenever she visited the Sorceress, loved -to look in the Book and see what was happening -everywhere. Not much was recorded about the Land of Oz, -which is usually peaceful and uneventful, but today -Dorothy found something which interested her. Indeed, -the printed letters were appearing on the page even -while she looked. - -"This is funny!" she exclaimed. "Did you know, -Ozma, that there were people in your Land of Oz -called Skeezers?" - -"Yes," replied Ozma, coming to her side, "I know that -on Professor Wogglebug's Map of the Land of Oz there is -a place marked 'Skeezer,' but what the Skeezers are -like I do not know. No one I know has ever seen them or -heard of them. The Skeezer Country is 'way at the upper -edge of the Gillikin Country, with the sandy, -impassable desert on one side and the mountains of -Oogaboo on another side. That is a part of the Land of -Oz of which I know very little." - -"I guess no one else knows much about it either, -unless it's the Skeezers themselves," remarked Dorothy. -"But the Book says: 'The Skeezers of Oz have declared -war on the Flatheads of Oz, and there is likely to be -fighting and much trouble as the result.'" - -"Is that all the Book says?" asked Ozma. - -"Every word," said Dorothy, and Ozma and Glinda both -looked at the Record and seemed surprised and -perplexed. - -"Tell me, Glinda," said Ozma, "who are the -Flatheads?" - -"I cannot, your Majesty," confessed the Sorceress. -"Until now I never have heard of them, nor have I ever -heard the Skeezers mentioned. In the faraway corners of -Oz are hidden many curious tribes of people, and those -who never leave their own countries and never are -visited by those from our favored part of Oz, naturally -are unknown to me. However, if you so desire, I can -learn through my arts of sorcery something of the -Skeezers and the Flatheads." - -"I wish you would," answered Ozma seriously. "You -see, Glinda, if these are Oz people they are my -subjects and I cannot allow any wars or troubles in the -Land I rule, if I can possibly help it." - -"Very well, your Majesty," said the Sorceress, "I -will try to get some information to guide you. Please -excuse me for a time, while I retire to my Room of -Magic and Sorcery." - -"May I go with you?" asked Dorothy, eagerly. - -"No, Princess," was the reply. "It would spoil the -charm to have anyone present." - -So Glinda locked herself in her own Room of Magic and -Dorothy and Ozma waited patiently for her to come out -again. - -In about an hour Glinda appeared, looking grave and -thoughtful. - -"Your Majesty," she said to Ozma, "the Skeezers live -on a Magic Isle in a great lake. For that reason -- -because the Skeezers deal in magic -- I can learn -little about them." - -"Why, I didn't know there was a lake in that part of -Oz," exclaimed Ozma. "The map shows a river running -through the Skeezer Country, but no lake." - -"That is because the person who made the map never -had visited that part of the country," explained the -Sorceress. "The lake surely is there, and in the lake -is an island -- a Magic Isle -- and on that island live -the people called the Skeezers." - -"What are they like?" inquired the Ruler of Oz. - -"My magic cannot tell me that," confessed Glinda, -"for the magic of the Skeezers prevents anyone outside -of their domain knowing anything about them." - -"The Flatheads must know, if they're going to fight -the Skeezers," suggested Dorothy - -"Perhaps so," Glinda replied, "but I can get little -information concerning the Flatheads, either. They are -people who inhabit a mountain just south of the Lake of -the Skeezers. The mountain has steep sides and a broad, -hollow top, like a basin, and in this basin the -Flatheads have their dwellings. They also are magic- -workers and usually keep to themselves and allow no one -from outside to visit them. I have learned that the -Flatheads number about one hundred people -- men, women -and children -- while the Skeezers number just one -hundred and one." - -"What did they quarrel about, and why do they wish to -fight one another?" was Ozma's next question. - -"I cannot tell your Majesty that," said Glinda. - -"But see here!" cried Dorothy, "it's against the law -for anyone but Glinda and the Wizard to work magic in -the Land of Oz, so if these two strange people are -magic-makers they are breaking the law and ought to be -punished!" Ozma smiled upon her little friend. - -"Those who do not know me or my laws," she said, -"cannot be expected to obey my laws. If we know nothing -of the Skeezers or the Flatheads, it is likely that -they know nothing of us." - -"But they ought to know, Ozma, and we ought to know. -Who's going to tell them, and how are we going to make -them behave?" - -"That," returned Ozma, "is what I am now considering. -What would you advise, Glinda?" - -The Sorceress took a little time to consider this -question, before she made reply. Then she said: "Had -you not learned of the existence of the Flatheads and -the Skeezers, through my Book of Records, you would -never have worried about them or their quarrels. So, if -you pay no attention to these peoples, you may never -hear of them again." - -"But that wouldn't be right," declared Ozma. "I am -Ruler of all the Land of Oz, which includes the -Gillikin Country, the Quadling Country, the Winkie -Country and the Munchkin Country, as well as the -Emerald City, and being the Princess of this fairyland -it is my duty to make all my people -- wherever they -may be -- happy and content and to settle their -disputes and keep them from quarreling. So, while the -Skeezers and Flatheads may not know me or that I am -their lawful Ruler, I now know that they inhabit my -kingdom and are my subjects, so I would not be doing my -duty if I kept away from them and allowed them to -fight." - -"That's a fact, Ozma," commented Dorothy. -"You've got to go up to the Gillikin Country and make -these people behave themselves and make up their -quarrels. But how are you going to do it?" - -"That is what is puzzling me also, your Majesty," -said the Sorceress. "It may be dangerous for you to go -into those strange countries, where the people are -possibly fierce and warlike." - -"I am not afraid," said Ozma, with a smile. - -"'Tisn't a question of being 'fraid," argued Dorothy. -"Of course we know you're a fairy, and can't be killed -or hurt, and we know you've a lot of magic of your own -to help you. But, Ozma dear, in spite of all this -you've been in trouble before, on account of wicked -enemies, and it isn't right for the Ruler of all Oz to -put herself in danger." - -"Perhaps I shall be in no danger at all," returned -Ozma, with a little laugh. "You mustn't imagine danger, -Dorothy, for one should only imagine nice things, and -we do not know that the Skeezers and Flatheads are -wicked people or my enemies. Perhaps they would be good -and listen to reason." - -"Dorothy is right, your Majesty," asserted the -Sorceress. "It is true we know nothing of these faraway -subjects, except that they intend to fight one another, -and have a certain amount of magic power at their -command. Such folks do not like to submit to -interference and they are more likely to resent your -coming among them than to receive you kindly and -graciously, as is your due." - -"If you had an army to take with you," added Dorothy, -"it wouldn't be so bad; but there isn't such a thing as -an army in all Oz." - -"I have one soldier," said Ozma. - -"Yes, the soldier with the green whiskers; but he's -dreadful 'fraid of his gun and never loads it. I'm sure -he'd run rather than fight. And one soldier, even if he -were brave, couldn't do much against two hundred and -one Flatheads and Skeezers." - -"What then, my friends, would you suggest?" inquired -Ozma. - -"I advise you to send the Wizard of Oz to them, and -let him inform them that it is against the laws of Oz -to fight, and that you command them to settle their -differences and become friends," proposed Glinda. "Let -the Wizard tell them they will be punished if they -refuse to obey the commands of the Princess of all the -Land of Oz." - -Ozma shook her head, to indicate that the advice was -not to her satisfaction. - -"If they refuse, what then?" she asked. "I should be -obliged to carry out my threat and punish them, and -that would be an unpleasant and difficult thing to do. -I am sure it would be better for me to go peacefully, -without an army and armed only with my authority as -Ruler, and plead with them to obey me. Then, if they -prove obstinate I could resort to other means to win -their obedience." - -"It's a ticklish thing, anyhow you look at it," -sighed Dorothy. "I'm sorry now that I noticed the -Record in the Great Book." - -"But can't you realize, my dear, that I must do my -duty, now that I am aware of this trouble?" asked Ozma. -"I am fully determined to go at once to the Magic Isle -of the Skeezers and to the enchanted mountain of the -Flatheads, and prevent war and strife between their -inhabitants. The only question to decide is whether it -is better for me to go alone, or to assemble a party of -my friends and loyal supporters to accompany me." - -"If you go I want to go, too," declared Dorothy. -"Whatever happens it's going to be fun -- 'cause all -excitement is fun -- and I wouldn't miss it for the -world!" - -Neither Ozma nor Glinda paid any attention to this -statement, for they were gravely considering the -serious aspect of this proposed adventure. - -"There are plenty of friends who would like to go -with you," said the Sorceress, "but none of them would -afford your Majesty any protection in case you were in -danger. You are yourself the most powerful fairy in Oz, -although both I and the Wizard have more varied arts of -magic at our command. However, you have one art that no -other in all the world can equal -- the art of winning -hearts and making people love to bow to your gracious -presence. For that reason I believe you can accomplish -more good alone than with a large number of subjects in -your train." - -"I believe that also," agreed the Princess. "I shall -be quite able to take care of myself, you know, but -might not be able to protect others so well. I do not -look for opposition, however. I shall speak to these -people in kindly words and settle their dispute -- -whatever it may be -- in a just manner." - -"Aren't you going to take me?" pleaded Dorothy. -"You'll need some companion, Ozma." - -The Princess smiled upon her little friend. - -"I see no reason why you should not accompany me," -was her reply. "Two girls are not very warlike and they -will not suspect us of being on any errand but a kindly -and peaceful one. But, in order to prevent war and -strife between these angry peoples, we must go to them -at once. Let us return immediately to the Emerald City -and prepare to start on our journey early tomorrow -morning." - -Glinda was not quite satisfied with this plan, but -could not think of any better way to meet the problem. -She knew that Ozma, with all her gentleness and sweet -disposition, was accustomed to abide by any decision -she had made and could not easily be turned from her -purpose. Moreover she could see no great danger to the -fairy Ruler of Oz in the undertaking, even though the -unknown people she was to visit proved obstinate. But -Dorothy was not a fairy; she was a little girl who had -come from Kansas to live in the Land of Oz. Dorothy -might encounter dangers that to Ozma would be as -nothing but to an "Earth child" would be very serious. - -The very fact that Dorothy lived in Oz, and had been -made a Princess by her friend Ozma, prevented her from -being killed or suffering any great bodily pain as long -as she lived in that fairyland. She could not grow big, -either, and would always remain the same little girl -who had come to Oz, unless in some way she left that -fairyland or was spirited away from it. But Dorothy was -a mortal, nevertheless, and might possibly be -destroyed, or hidden where none of her friends could -ever find her. She could, for instance be cut into -pieces, and the pieces, while still alive and free from -pain, could be widely scattered; or she might be buried -deep underground or "destroyed" in other ways by evil -magicians, were she not properly protected. These facts -Glinda was considering while she paced with stately -tread her marble hall. - -Finally the good Sorceress paused and drew a ring -from her finger, handing it to Dorothy. - -"Wear this ring constantly until your return," she -said to the girl. "If serious danger threatens you, -turn the ring around on your finger once to the right -and another turn to the left. That will ring the alarm -bell in my palace and I will at once come to your -rescue. But do not use the ring unless you are actually -in danger of destruction. While you remain with -Princess Ozma I believe she will be able to protect you -from all lesser ills." - -"Thank you, Glinda," responded Dorothy gratefully, as -she placed the ring on her finger. "I'm going to wear -my Magic Belt which I took from the Nome King, too, so -I guess I'll be safe from anything the Skeezers and -Flatheads try to do to me." - -Ozma had many arrangements to make before she could -leave her throne and her palace in the Emerald City, -even for a trip of a few days, so she bade goodbye to -Glinda and with Dorothy climbed into the Red Wagon. A -word to the wooden Sawhorse started that astonishing -creature on the return journey, and so swiftly did he -run that Dorothy was unable to talk or do anything but -hold tight to her seat all the way back to the Emerald -City. - - - - -Chapter Two - -Ozma and Dorothy - - - -Residing in Ozma's palace at this time was a live -Scarecrow, a most remarkable and intelligent creature -who had once ruled the Land of Oz for a brief period -and was much loved and respected by all the people. -Once a Munchkin farmer had stuffed an old suit of -clothes with straw and put stuffed boots on the feet -and used a pair of stuffed cotton gloves for hands. The -head of the Scarecrow was a stuffed sack fastened to -the body, with eyes, nose, mouth and ears painted on -the sack. When a hat had been put on the head, the -thing was a good imitation of a man. The farmer placed -the Scarecrow on a pole in his cornfield and it came to -life in a curious manner. Dorothy, who was passing by -the field, was hailed by the live Scarecrow and lifted -him off his pole. He then went with her to the Emerald -City, where the Wizard of Oz gave him some excellent -brains, and the Scarecrow soon became an important -personage. - -Ozma considered the Scarecrow one of her best friends -and most loyal subjects, so the morning after her visit -to Glinda she asked him to take her place as Ruler of -the Land of Oz while she was absent on a journey, and -the Scarecrow at once consented without asking any -questions. - -Ozma had warned Dorothy to keep their journey a -secret and say nothing to anyone about the Skeezers and -Flatheads until their return, and Dorothy promised to -obey. She longed to tell her girl friends, tiny Trot -and Betsy Bobbin, of the adventure they were -undertaking, but refrained from saying a word on the -subject although both these girls lived with her in -Ozma's palace. - -Indeed, only Glinda the Sorceress knew they were -going, until after they had gone, and even the -Sorceress didn't know what their errand might be. - -Princess Ozma took the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon, -although she was not sure there was a wagon road all -the way to the Lake of the Skeezers. The Land of Oz is -a pretty big place, surrounded on all sides by a Deadly -Desert which it is impossible to cross, and the Skeezer -Country, according to the map, was in the farthest -northwestern part of Oz, bordering on the north desert. -As the Emerald City was exactly in the center of Oz, it -was no small journey from there to the Skeezers. - -Around the Emerald City the country is thickly -settled in every direction, but the farther away you -get from the city the fewer people there are, until -those parts that border on the desert have small -populations. Also those faraway sections are little -known to the Oz people, except in the south, where -Glinda lives and where Dorothy has often wandered on -trips of exploration. - -The least known of all is the Gillikin Country, which -harbors many strange bands of people among its -mountains and valleys and forests and streams, and Ozma -was now bound for the most distant part of the Gillikin -Country. - -"I am really sorry," said Ozma to Dorothy, as they -rode away in the Red Wagon, "not to know more about the -wonderful Land I rule. It is my duty to be acquainted -with every tribe of people and every strange and hidden -country in all Oz, but I am kept so busy at my palace -making laws and planning for the comforts of those who -live near the Emerald City, that I do not often find -time to make long journeys." - -"Well," replied Dorothy, "we'll prob'bly find out a -lot on this trip, and we'll learn all about the -Skeezers and Flatheads, anyhow. Time doesn't make much -diff'rence in the Land of Oz, 'cause we don't grow up, -or get old, or become sick and die, as they do other -places; so, if we explore one place at a time, we'll -by-an'-by know all about every nook and corner in Oz." - -Dorothy wore around her waist the Nome King's Magic -Belt, which protected her from harm, and the Magic Ring -which Glinda had given her was on her finger. Ozma had -merely slipped a small silver wand into the bosom of -her gown, for fairies do not use chemicals and herbs -and the tools of wizards and sorcerers to perform their -magic. The Silver Wand was Ozma's one weapon of offense -and defense and by its use she could accomplish many -things. - -They had left the Emerald City just at sunrise and -the Sawhorse traveled very swiftly over the roads -towards the north, but in a few hours the wooden animal -had to slacken his pace because the farm houses had -become few and far between and often there were no -paths at all in the direction they wished to follow. At -such times they crossed the fields, avoiding groups of -trees and fording the streams and rivulets whenever -they came to them. But finally they reached a broad -hillside closely covered with scrubby brush, through -which the wagon could not pass. - -"It will be difficult even for you and me to get -through without tearing our dresses," said Ozma, "so we -must leave the Sawhorse and the Wagon here until our -return." - -"That's all right," Dorothy replied, "I'm tired -riding, anyhow. Do you s'pose, Ozma, we're anywhere -near the Skeezer Country?" - -"I cannot tell, Dorothy dear, but I know we've been -going in the right direction, so we are sure to find it -in time." - -The scrubby brush was almost like a grove of small -trees, for it reached as high as the heads of the two -girls, neither of whom was very tall. They were obliged -to thread their way in and out, until Dorothy was -afraid they would get lost, and finally they were -halted by a curious thing that barred their further -progress. It was a huge web -- as if woven by gigantic -spiders -- and the delicate, lacy film was fastened -stoutly to the branches of the bushes and continued to -the right and left in the form of a half circle. The -threads of this web were of a brilliant purple color -and woven into numerous artistic patterns, but it -reached from the ground to branches above the heads of -the girls and formed a sort of fence that hedged them -in. - -"It doesn't look very strong, though," said Dorothy. -"I wonder if we couldn't break through." She tried but -found the web stronger than it seemed. All her efforts -could not break a single thread. - -"We must go back, I think, and try to get around this -peculiar web," Ozma decided. - -So they turned to the right and, following the web -found that it seemed to spread in a regular circle. On -and on they went until finally Ozma said they had -returned to the exact spot from which they had started. -"Here is a handkerchief you dropped when we were here -before," she said to Dorothy. - -"In that case, they must have built the web behind -us, after we walked into the trap," exclaimed the -little girl. - -"True," agreed Ozma, "an enemy has tried to imprison -us." - -"And they did it, too," said Dorothy. "I wonder who -it was." - -"It's a spider-web, I'm quite sure," returned Ozma, -"but it must be the work of enormous spiders." - -"Quite right!" cried a voice behind them. Turning -quickly around they beheld a huge purple spider sitting -not two yards away and regarding them with its small -bright eyes. - -Then there crawled from the bushes a dozen more great -purple spiders, which saluted the first one and said: - -"The web is finished, O King, and the strangers are -our prisoners." - -Dorothy did not like the looks of these spiders at -all. They had big heads, sharp claws, small eyes and -fuzzy hair all over their purple bodies. - -"They look wicked," she whispered to Ozma. "What -shall we do?" - -Ozma gazed upon the spiders with a serious face. - -"What is your object in making us prisoners?" she -inquired. - -"We need someone to keep house for us," answered the -Spider King. "There is sweeping and dusting to be done, -and polishing and washing of dishes, and that is work -my people dislike to do. So we decided that if any -strangers came our way we would capture them and make -them our servants." - -"I am Princess Ozma, Ruler of all Oz," said the girl -with dignity. - -"Well, I am King of all Spiders," was the reply, "and -that makes me your master. Come with me to my palace -and I will instruct you in your work." - -"I won't," said Dorothy indignantly. "We won't have -anything to do with you." - -"We'll see about that," returned the Spider in a -severe tone, and the next instant he made a dive -straight at Dorothy, opening the claws in his legs as -if to grab and pinch her with the sharp points. But the -girl was wearing her Magic Belt and was not harmed. The -Spider King could not even touch her. He turned swiftly -and made a dash at Ozma, but she held her Magic Wand -over his head and the monster recoiled as if it had -been struck. - -"You'd better let us go," Dorothy advised him, "for -you see you can't hurt us." - -"So I see," returned the Spider King angrily. "Your -magic is greater than mine. But I'll not help you to -escape. If you can break the magic web my people have -woven you may go; if not you must stay here and -starve." With that the Spider King uttered a peculiar -whistle and all the spiders disappeared. - -"There is more magic in my fairyland than I dreamed -of," remarked the beautiful Ozma, with a sigh of regret. -"It seems that my laws have not been obeyed, for even -these monstrous spiders defy me by means of Magic." - -"Never mind that now," said Dorothy; "let's see what -we can do to get out of this trap." - -They now examined the web with great care and were -amazed at its strength. Although finer than the finest -silken hairs, it resisted all their efforts to work -through, even though both girls threw all their weight -against it. - -"We must find some instrument which will cut the -threads of the web," said Ozma, finally. "Let us look -about for such a tool." - -So they wandered among the bushes and finally came to -a shallow pool of water, formed by a small bubbling -spring. Dorothy stooped to get a drink and discovered -in the water a green crab, about as big as her hand. -The crab had two big, sharp claws, and as soon as -Dorothy saw them she had an idea that those claws could -save them. - -"Come out of the water," she called to the crab; "I -want to talk to you." - -Rather lazily the crab rose to the surface and caught -hold of a bit of rock. With his head above the water he -said in a cross voice: - -"What do you want?" - -"We want you to cut the web of the purple spiders -with your claws, so we can get through it," answered -Dorothy. "You can do that, can't you?" - -"I suppose so," replied the crab. "But if I do what -will you give me?" - -"What do you wish?" Ozma inquired. - -"I wish to be white, instead of green," said the -crab. "Green crabs are very common, and white ones are -rare; besides the purple spiders, which infest this -hillside, are afraid of white crabs. Could you make me -white if I should agree to cut the web for you?" - -"Yes," said Ozma, "I can do that easily. And, so you -may know I am speaking the truth, I will change your -color now." - -She waved her silver wand over the pool and the crab -instantly became snow-white -- all except his eyes, -which remained black. The creature saw his reflection -in the water and was so delighted that he at once -climbed out of the pool and began moving slowly toward -the web, by backing away from the pool. He moved so -very slowly that Dorothy cried out impatiently: "Dear -me, this will never do!" Caching the crab in her hands -she ran with him to the web. - -She had to hold him up even then, so he could reach -with his claws strand after strand of the filmy purple -web, which he was able to sever with one nip. - -When enough of the web had been cut to allow them to -pass, Dorothy ran back to the pool and placed the white -crab in the water, after which she rejoined Ozma. They -were just in time to escape through the web, for -several of the purple spiders now appeared, having -discovered that their web had been cut, and had the -girls not rushed through the opening the spiders would -have quickly repaired the cuts and again imprisoned -them. - -Ozma and Dorothy ran as fast as they could and -although the angry spiders threw a number of strands of -web after them, hoping to lasso them or entangle them -in the coils, they managed to escape and clamber to the -top of the hill. - - - - -Chapter Three - -The Mist Maidens - - - -From the top of the hill Ozma and Dorothy looked down -into the valley beyond and were surprised to find it -filled with a floating mist that was as dense as smoke. -Nothing in the valley was visible except these rolling -waves of mist, but beyond, on the other side, rose a -grassy hill that appeared quite beautiful. - -"Well," said Dorothy, "what are we to do, Ozma? Walk -down into that thick fog, an' prob'bly get lost in it, -or wait till it clears away?" - -"I'm not sure it will clear away, however long we -wait," replied Ozma, doubtfully. "If we wish to get on, -I think we must venture into the mist." - -"But we can't see where we're going, or what we're -stepping on," protested Dorothy. "There may be -dreadful things mixed up in that fog, an' I'm scared -just to think of wading into it." - -Even Ozma seemed to hesitate. She was silent and -thoughtful for a little while, looking at the rolling -drifts that were so gray and forbidding. Finally she -said: - -"I believe this is a Mist Valley, where these moist -clouds always remain, for even the sunshine above does -not drive them away. Therefore the Mist Maids must live -here, and they are fairies and should answer my call." - -She placed her two hands before her mouth, forming a -hollow with them, and uttered a clear, thrilling, bird- -like cry. It floated far out over the mist waves and -presently was answered by a similar sound, as of a far- -off echo. - -Dorothy was much impressed. She had seen many strange -things since coming to this fairy country, but here was -a new experience. At ordinary times Ozma was just like -any little girl one might chance to meet -- simple, -merry, lovable as could be -- yet with a certain -reserve that lent her dignity in her most joyous moods. -There were times, however, when seated on her throne -and commanding her subjects, or when her fairy powers -were called into use, when Dorothy and all others about -her stood in awe of their lovely girl Ruler and -realized her superiority. - -Ozma waited. Presently out from the billows rose -beautiful forms, clothed in fleecy, trailing garments -of gray that could scarcely be distinguished from the -mist. Their hair was mist-color, too; only their -gleaming arms and sweet, pallid faces proved they were -living, intelligent creatures answering the call of a -sister fairy. - -Like sea nymphs they rested on the bosom of the -clouds, their eyes turned questioningly upon the two -girls who stood upon the bank. One came quite near and -to her Ozma said: - -"Will you please take us to the opposite hillside? We -are afraid to venture into the mist. I am Princess Ozma -of Oz, and this is my friend Dorothy, a Princess of -Oz." - -The Mist Maids came nearer, holding out their arms. -Without hesitation Ozma advanced and allowed them to -embrace her and Dorothy plucked up courage to follow. -Very gently the Mist Maids held them. Dorothy thought -the arms were cold and misty -- they didn't seem real -at all -- yet they supported the two girls above the -surface of the billows and floated with them so swiftly -to the green hillside opposite that the girls were -astonished to find themselves set upon the grass before -they realized they had fairly started. - -"Thank you!" said Ozma gratefully, and Dorothy also -added her thanks for the service. - -The Mist Maids made no answer, but they smiled and -waved their hands in good-bye as again they floated out -into the mist and disappeared from view. - - - - -Chapter Four - -The Magic Tent - - -"Well," said Dorothy with a laugh, "that was easier -than I expected. It's worth while, sometimes, to be a -real fairy. But I wouldn't like to be that kind, and -live in a dreadful fog all the time." - -They now climbed the bank and found before them a -delightful plain that spread for miles in all -directions. Fragrant wild flowers were scattered -throughout the grass; there were bushes bearing lovely -blossoms and luscious fruits; now and then a group of -stately trees added to the beauty of the landscape. But -there were no dwellings or signs of life. - -The farther side of the plain was bordered by a row -of palms, and just in front of the palms rose a queerly -shaped hill that towered above the plain like a -mountain. The sides of this hill were straight up and -down; it was oblong in shape and the top seemed flat -and level. - -"Oh, ho!" cried Dorothy; "I'll bet that's the -mountain Glinda told us of, where the Flatheads live." - -"If it is," replied Ozma, "the Lake of the Skeezers -must be just beyond the line of palm trees. Can you -walk that far, Dorothy?" - -"Of course, in time," was the prompt answer. "I'm -sorry we had to leave the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon -behind us, for they'd come in handy just now; but with -the end of our journey in sight a tramp across these -pretty green fields won't tire us a bit." - -It was a longer tramp than they suspected, however, -and night overtook them before they could reach the -flat mountain. So Ozma proposed they camp for the night -and Dorothy was quite ready to approve. She didn't like -to admit to her friend she was tired, but she told -herself that her legs "had prickers in 'em," meaning -they had begun to ache. - -Usually when Dorothy started on a journey of -exploration or adventure, she carried with her a basket -of food, and other things that a traveler in a strange -country might require, but to go away with Ozma was -quite a different thing, as experience had taught her. -The fairy Ruler of Oz only needed her silver wand -- -tipped at one end with a great sparkling emerald -- to -provide through its magic all that they might need. -Therefore Ozma, having halted with her companion and -selected a smooth, grassy spot on the plain, waved her -wand in graceful curves and chanted some mystic words -in her sweet voice, and in an instant a handsome tent -appeared before them. The canvas was striped purple and -white, and from the center pole fluttered the royal -banner of Oz. - -"Come, dear," said Ozma, taking Dorothy's hand, "I am -hungry and I'm sure you must be also; so let us go in -and have our feast." - -On entering the tent they found a table set for two, -with snowy linen, bright silver and sparkling -glassware, a vase of roses in the center and many -dishes of delicious food, some smoking hot, waiting to -satisfy their hunger. Also, on either side of the tent -were beds, with satin sheets, warm blankets and pillows -filled with swansdown. There were chairs, too, and -tall lamps that lighted the interior of the tent with a -soft, rosy glow. - -Dorothy, resting herself at her fairy friend's -command, and eating her dinner with unusual enjoyment, -thought of the wonders of magic. If one were a fairy -and knew the secret laws of nature and the mystic words -and ceremonies that commanded those laws, then a simple -wave of a silver wand would produce instantly all that -men work hard and anxiously for through weary years. -And Dorothy wished in her kindly, innocent heart, that -all men and women could be fairies with silver wands, -and satisfy all their needs without so much work and -worry, for then, she imagined, they would have all -their working hours to be happy in. But Ozma, looking -into her friend's face and reading those thoughts, gave -a laugh and said: - -"No, no, Dorothy, that wouldn't do at all. Instead of -happiness your plan would bring weariness to the world. -If every one could wave a wand and have his wants -fulfilled there would be little to wish for. There -would be no eager striving to obtain the difficult, for -nothing would then be difficult, and the pleasure of -earning something longed for, and only to be secured by -hard work and careful thought, would be utterly lost. -There would be nothing to do you see, and no interest -in life and in our fellow creatures. That is all that -makes life worth our while -- to do good deeds and to -help those less fortunate than ourselves." - -"Well, you're a fairy, Ozma. Aren't you happy?" asked -Dorothy - -"Yes, dear, because I can use my fairy powers to make -others happy. Had I no kingdom to rule, and no subjects -to look after, I would be miserable. Also, you must -realize that while I am a more powerful fairy than any -other inhabitant of Oz, I am not as powerful as Glinda -the Sorceress, who has studied many arts of magic that -I know nothing of. Even the little Wizard of Oz can do -some things I am unable to accomplish, while I can -accomplish things unknown to the Wizard. This is to -explain that I'm not all-powerful, by any means. My -magic is simply fairy magic, and not sorcery or -wizardry." - -"All the same," said Dorothy, "I'm mighty glad you -could make this tent appear, with our dinners and beds -all ready for us." - -Ozma smiled. - -"Yes, it is indeed wonderful," she agreed. "Not all -fairies know that sort of magic, but some fairies can -do magic that fills me with astonishment. I think that -is what makes us modest and unassuming -- the fact that -our magic arts are divided, some being given each of -us. I'm glad I don't know everything, Dorothy, and that -there still are things in both nature and in wit for me -to marvel at." - -Dorothy couldn't quite understand this, so she said -nothing more on the subject and presently had a new -reason to marvel. For when they had quite finished -their meal table and contents disappeared in a flash. - -"No dishes to wash, Ozma!" she said with a laugh. "I -guess you'd make a lot of folks happy if you could -teach 'em just that one trick." - -For an hour Ozma told stories, and talked with -Dorothy about various people in whom they were -interested. And then it was bedtime, and they undressed -and crept into their soft beds and fell asleep almost -as soon as their heads touched their pillows. - - - - -Chapter Five - -The Magic Stairway - - - -The flat mountain looked much nearer in the clear -light of the morning sun, but Dorothy and Ozma knew -there was a long tramp before them, even yet. They -finished dressing only to find a warm, delicious -breakfast awaiting them, and having eaten they left the -tent and started toward the mountain which was their -first goal. After going a little way Dorothy looked -back and found that the fairy tent had entirely -disappeared. She was not surprised, for she knew this -would happen. - -"Can't your magic give us a horse an' wagon, or an -automobile?" inquired Dorothy. - -"No, dear; I'm sorry that such magic is beyond my -power," confessed her fairy friend. - -"Perhaps Glinda could," said Dorothy thoughtfully. - -"Glinda has a stork chariot that carries her through -the air," said Ozma, "but even our great Sorceress -cannot conjure up other modes of travel. Don't forget -what I told you last night, that no one is powerful -enough to do everything." - -"Well, I s'pose I ought to know that, having lived so -long in the Land of Oz," replied Dorothy; "but I can't -do any magic at all, an' so I can't figure out e'zactly -how you an' Glinda an' the Wizard do it." - -"Don't try," laughed Ozma. "But you have at least one -magical art, Dorothy: you know the trick of winning all -hearts." - -"No, I don't," said Dorothy earnestly. "If I really -can do it, Ozma, I am sure I don't know how I do it." - -It took them a good two hours to reach the foot of -the round, flat mountain, and then they found the -sides so steep that they were like the wall of a house. - -"Even my purple kitten couldn't climb 'em," remarked -Dorothy, gazing upward. - -"But there is some way for the Flatheads to get down -and up again," declared Ozma; "otherwise they couldn't -make war with the Skeezers, or even meet them and -quarrel with them." - -"That's so, Ozma. Let's walk around a ways; perhaps -we'll find a ladder or something." - -They walked quite a distance, for it was a big -mountain, and as they circled around it and came to the -side that faced the palm trees, they suddenly -discovered an entrance way cut out of the rock wall. -This entrance was arched overhead and not very deep -because it merely led to a short flight of stone -stairs. - -"Oh, we've found a way to the top at last," announced -Ozma, and the two girls turned and walked straight -toward the entrance. Suddenly they bumped against -something and stood still, unable to proceed farther. - -"Dear me!" exclaimed Dorothy, rubbing her nose, which -had struck something hard, although she could not see -what it was; "this isn't as easy as it looks. What has -stopped us, Ozma? Is it magic of some sort?" - -Ozma was feeling around, her bands outstretched -before her. - -"Yes, dear, it is magic," she replied. "The Flatheads -had to have a way from their mountain top from the -plain below, but to prevent enemies from rushing up the -stairs to conquer them, they have built, at a small -distance before the entrance a wall of solid stone, the -stones being held in place by cement, and then they -made the wall invisible." - -"I wonder why they did that?" mused Dorothy. "A wall -would keep folks out anyhow, whether it could be seen -or not, so there wasn't any use making it invisible. -Seems to me it would have been better to have left it -solid, for then no one would have seen the entrance -behind it. Now anybody can see the entrance, as we did. -And prob'bly anybody that tries to go up the stairs -gets bumped, as we did." - -Ozma made no reply at once. Her face was grave and -thoughtful. - -"I think I know the reason for making the wall -invisible," she said after a while. "The Flatheads use -the stairs for coming down and going up. If there was a -solid stone wall to keep them from reaching the plain -they would themselves be imprisoned by the wall. So -they had to leave some place to get around the wall, -and, if the wall was visible, all strangers or enemies -would find the place to go around it and then the wall -would be useless. So the Flatheads cunningly made their -wall invisible, believing that everyone who saw the -entrance to the mountain would walk straight toward it, -as we did, and find it impossible to go any farther. I -suppose the wall is really high and thick, and can't be -broken through, so those who find it in their way are -obliged to go away again." - -"Well," said Dorothy, "if there's a way around the -wall, where is it?" - -"We must find it," returned Ozma, and began feeling -her way along the wall. Dorothy followed and began to -get discouraged when Ozma had walked nearly a quarter -of a mile away from the entrance. But now the invisible -wall curved in toward the side of the mountain and -suddenly ended, leaving just space enough between the -wall and the mountain for an ordinary person to pass -through. - -The girls went in, single file, and Ozma explained -that they were now behind the barrier and could go -back to the entrance. They met no further obstructions. - -"Most people, Ozma, wouldn't have figured this thing -out the way you did," remarked Dorothy. "If I'd been -alone the invisible wall surely would have stumped me." - -Reaching the entrance they began to mount the stone -stairs. They went up ten stairs and then down five -stairs, following a passage cut from the rock. The -stairs were just wide enough for the two girls to walk -abreast, arm in arm. At the bottom of the five stairs -the passage turned to the right, and they ascended ten -more stairs, only to find at the top of the flight five -stairs leading straight down again. Again the passage -turned abruptly, this time to the left, and ten more -stairs led upward. - -The passage was now quite dark, for they were in the -heart of the mountain and all daylight had been shut -out by the turns of the passage. However, Ozma drew her -silver wand from her bosom and the great jewel at its -end gave out a lustrous, green-tinted light which -lighted the place well enough for them to see their way -plainly. - -Ten steps up, five steps down, and a turn, this way -or that. That was the program, and Dorothy figured that -they were only gaining five stairs upward each trip -that they made. - -"Those Flatheads must be funny people," she said to -Ozma. "They don't seem to do anything in a bold -straightforward manner. In making this passage they -forced everyone to walk three times as far as is -necessary. And of course this trip is just as tiresome -to the Flatheads as it is to other folks." - -"That is true," answered Ozma; "yet it is a clever -arrangement to prevent their being surprised by -intruders. Every time we reach the tenth step of a -flight, the pressure of our feet on the stone makes a -bell ring on top of the mountain, to warn the Flatheads -of our coming." - -"How do you know that?" demanded Dorothy, astonished. - -"I've heard the bell ever since we started," Ozma -told her. "You could not hear it, I know, but when I am -holding my wand in my hand I can hear sounds a great -distance off." - -"Do you hear anything on top of the mountain 'cept -the bell?" inquired Dorothy - -"Yes. The people are calling to one another in alarm -and many footsteps are approaching the place where we -will reach the flat top of the mountain." - -This made Dorothy feel somewhat anxious. "I'd thought -we were going to visit just common, ordinary people," -she remarked, "but they're pretty clever, it seems, and -they know some kinds of magic, too. They may be -dangerous, Ozma. P'raps we'd better stayed at home." - -Finally the upstairs-and-downstairs passage seemed -coming to an end, for daylight again appeared ahead of -the two girls and Ozma replaced her wand in the bosom -of her gown. The last ten steps brought them to the -surface, where they found themselves surrounded by -such a throng of queer people that for a time they -halted, speechless, and stared into the faces that -confronted them. - -Dorothy knew at once why these mountain people were -called Flatheads. Their heads were really flat on top, -as if they had been cut off just above the eyes and -ears. Also the heads were bald, with no hair on top at -all, and the ears were big and stuck straight out, and -the noses were small and stubby, while the mouths of -the Flatheads were well shaped and not unusual. Their -eyes were perhaps their best feature, being large and -bright and a deep violet in color. - -The costumes of the Flatheads were all made of metals -dug from their mountain. Small gold, silver, tin and -iron discs, about the size of pennies, and very thin, -were cleverly wired together and made to form knee -trousers and jackets for the men and skirts and waists -for the women. The colored metals were skillfully mixed -to form stripes and checks of various sorts, so that -the costumes were quite gorgeous and reminded Dorothy -of pictures she had seen of Knights of old clothed -armor. - -Aside from their flat heads, these people were not -really bad looking. The men were armed with bows and -arrows and had small axes of steel stuck in their metal -belts. They wore no hats nor ornaments. - - - - -Chapter Six - -Flathead Mountain - - - -When they saw that the intruders on their mountain -were only two little girls, the Flatheads grunted with -satisfaction and drew back, permitting them to see what -the mountain top looked like. It was shaped like a -saucer, so that the houses and other buildings -- all -made of rocks -- could not be seen over the edge by -anyone standing in the plain below. - -But now a big fat Flathead stood before the girls and -in a gruff voice demanded: - -"What are you doing here? Have the Skeezers sent you -to spy upon us?" - -"I am Princess Ozma, Ruler of all the Land of Oz." - -"Well, I've never heard of the Land of Oz, so you may -be what you claim," returned the Flathead. - -"This is the Land of Oz -- part of it, anyway," -exclaimed Dorothy. "So Princess Ozma rules you Flathead -people, as well as all the other people in Oz." - -The man laughed, and all the others who stood around -laughed, too. Some one in the crowd called: - -"She'd better not tell the Supreme Dictator about -ruling the Flatheads. Eh, friends?" - -"No, indeed!" they all answered in positive tones. - -"Who is your Supreme Dictator?" answered Ozma. - -"I think I'll let him tell you that himself," -answered the man who had first spoken. "You have broken -our laws by coming here; and whoever you are the -Supreme Dictator must fix your punishment. Come along -with me." - -He started down a path and Ozma and Dorothy followed -him without protest, as they wanted to see the most -important person in this queer country. The houses they -passed seemed pleasant enough and each had a little -yard in which were flowers and vegetables. Walls of -rock separated the dwellings, and all the paths were -paved with smooth slabs of rock. This seemed their only -building material and they utilized it cleverly for -every purpose. - -Directly in the center of the great saucer stood a -larger building which the Flathead informed the girls -was the palace of the Supreme Dictator. He led them -through an entrance hall into a big reception room, -where they sat upon stone benches and awaited the -coming of the Dictator. Pretty soon he entered from -another room -- a rather lean and rather old Flathead, -dressed much like the others of this strange race, and -only distinguished from them by the sly and cunning -expression of his face. He kept his eyes half closed -and looked through the slits of them at Ozma and -Dorothy, who rose to receive him. - -"Are you the Supreme Dictator of the Flatheads?" -inquired Ozma. - -"Yes, that's me," he said, rubbing his hands slowly -together. "My word is law. I'm the head of the -Flatheads on this flat headland." - -"I am Princess Ozma of Oz, and I have come from the -Emerald City to --" - -"Stop a minute," interrupted the Dictator, and turned -to the man who had brought the girls there. "Go away, -Dictator Felo Flathead!" he commanded. "Return to your -duty and guard the Stairway. I will look after these -strangers." The man bowed and departed, and Dorothy -asked wonderingly: - -"Is he a Dictator, too?" - -"Of course," was the answer. "Everybody here is a -dictator of something or other. They're all office -holders. That's what keeps them contented. But I'm the -Supreme Dictator of all, and I'm elected once a year. -This is a democracy, you know, where the people are -allowed to vote for their rulers. A good many others -would like to be Supreme Dictator, but as I made a law -that I am always to count the votes myself, I am always -elected." - -"What is your name?" asked Ozma. - -"I am called the Su-dic, which is short for Supreme -Dictator. I sent that man away because the moment you -mentioned Ozma of Oz, and the Emerald City, I knew who -you are. I suppose I'm the only Flathead that ever -heard of you, but that's because I have more brains -than the rest." - -Dorothy was staring hard at the Su-dic. - -"I don't see how you can have any brains at all," she -remarked, "because the part of your head is gone where -brains are kept." - -"I don't blame you for thinking that," he said. "Once -the Flatheads had no brains because, as you say, there -is no upper part to their heads, to hold brains. But -long, long ago a band of fairies flew over this country -and made it all a fairyland, and when they came to the -Flatheads the fairies were sorry to find them all very -stupid and quite unable to think. So, as there was no -good place in their bodies in which to put brains the -Fairy Queen gave each one of us a nice can of brains to -carry in his pocket and that made us just as -intelligent as other people. See," he continued, "here -is one of the cans of brains the fairies gave us." He -took from a pocket a bright tin can having a pretty red -label on it which said: Concentrated Brains, Extra -Quality." - -"And does every Flathead have the same kind of -brains?" asked Dorothy. - -"Yes, they're all alike. Here's another can." From -another pocket he produced a second can of brains. - -"Did the fairies give you a double supply?" inquired -Dorothy. - -"No, but one of the Flatheads thought he wanted to be -the Su-dic and tried to get my people to rebel against -me, so I punished him by taking away his brains. One -day my wife scolded me severely, so I took away her can -of brains. She didn't like that and went out and robbed -several women of their brains. Then I made a law that -if anyone stole another's brains, or even tried to -borrow them, he would forfeit his own brains to the Su- -dic. So each one is content with his own canned brains -and my wife and I are the only ones on the mountain -with more than one can. I have three cans and that -makes me very clever -- so clever that I'm a good -Sorcerer, if I do say it myself. My poor wife had four -cans of brains and became a remarkable witch, but alas! -that was before those terrible enemies, the Skeezers, -transformed her into a Golden Pig." - -"Good gracious!" cried Dorothy; "is your wife really -a Golden Pig?" - -"She is. The Skeezers did it and so I have declared -war on them. In revenge for making my wife a Pig I -intend to ruin their Magic Island and make the Skeezers -the slaves of the Flatheads!" - -The Su-dic was very angry now; his eyes flashed and -his face took on a wicked and fierce expression. But -Ozma said to him, very sweetly and in a friendly voice: - -"I am sorry to hear this. Will you please tell me -more about your troubles with the Skeezers? Then -perhaps I can help you." - -She was only a girl, but there was dignity in her -pose and speech which impressed the Su-dic. - -"If you are really Princess Ozma of Oz," the Flathead -said, "you are one of that band of fairies who, under -Queen Lurline, made all Oz a Fairyland. I have heard -that Lurline left one of her own fairies to rule Oz, -and gave the fairy the name of Ozma." - -"If you knew this why did you not come to me at the -Emerald City and tender me your loyalty and obedience?" -asked the Ruler of Oz. - -"Well, I only learned the fact lately, and I've been -too busy to leave home," he explained, looking at the -floor instead of into Ozma's eyes. She knew he had -spoken a falsehood, but only said: - -"Why did you quarrel with the Skeezers?" - -"It was this way," began the Su-dic, glad to change -the subject. "We Flatheads love fish, and as we have no -fish on this mountain we would sometimes go to the Lake -of the Skeezers to catch fish. This made the Skeezers -angry, for they declared the fish in their lake -belonged to them and were under their protection and -they forbade us to catch them. That was very mean and -unfriendly in the Skeezers, you must admit, and when we -paid no attention to their orders they set a guard on -the shore of the lake to prevent our fishing. - -"Now, my wife, Rora Flathead, having four cans of -brains, had become a wonderful witch, and fish being -brain food, she loved to eat fish better than any one -of us. So she vowed she would destroy every fish in the -lake, unless the Skeezers let us catch what we wanted. -They defied us, so Rora prepared a kettleful of magic -poison and went down to the lake one night to dump it -all in the water and poison the fish. It was a clever -idea, quite worthy of my dear wife, but the Skeezer -Queen -- a young lady named Coo-ee-oh -- hid on the -bank of the lake and taking Rora unawares, transformed -her into a Golden Pig. The poison was spilled on the -ground and wicked Queen Coo-ee-oh, not content with her -cruel transformation, even took away my wife's four -cans of brains, so she is now a common grunting pig -without even brains enough to know her own name." - -"Then," said Ozma thoughtfully, "the Queen of the -Skeezers must be a Sorceress." - -"Yes," said the Su-dic, "but she doesn't know much -magic, after all. She is not as powerful as Rora -Flathead was, nor half as powerful as I am now, as -Queen Coo-ee-oh will discover when we fight our great -battle and destroy her." - -"The Golden Pig can't be a witch any more, of -course," observed Dorothy. - -"No; even had Queen Coo-ee-oh left her the four cans -of brains, poor Rora, in a pig's shape, couldn't do any -witchcraft. A witch has to use her fingers, and a pig -has only cloven hoofs." - -"It seems a sad story," was Ozma's comment, "and all -the trouble arose because the Flatheads wanted fish -that did not belong to them." - -"As for that," said the Su-dic, again angry, "I made -a law that any of my people could catch fish in the -Lake of the Skeezers, whenever they wanted to. So the -trouble was through the Skeezers defying my law." - -"You can only make laws to govern your own people," -asserted Ozma sternly. "I, alone, am empowered to make -laws that must be obeyed by all the peoples of Oz." - -"Pooh!" cried the Su-dic scornfully. "You can't make -me obey your laws, I assure you. I know the extent of -your powers, Princess Ozma of Oz, and I know that I am -more powerful than you are. To prove it I shall keep -you and your companion prisoners in this mountain until -after we have fought and conquered the Skeezers. Then, -if you promise to be good, I may let you go home -again." - -Dorothy was amazed by this effrontery and defiance of -the beautiful girl Ruler of Oz, whom all until now had -obeyed without question. But Ozma, still unruffled and -dignified, looked at the Su-dic and said: - -"You did not mean that. You are angry and speak -unwisely, without reflection. I came here from my -palace in the Emerald City to prevent war and to make -peace between you and the Skeezers. I do not approve of -Queen Coo-ee-oh's action in transforming your wife Rora -into a pig, nor do I approve of Rora's cruel attempt to -poison the fishes in the lake. No one has the right to -work magic in my dominions without my consent, so the -Flatheads and the Skeezers have both broken my laws -- -which must be obeyed." - -"If you want to make peace," said the Su-dic, "make -the Skeezers restore my wife to her proper form and -give back her four cans of brains. Also make them agree -to allow us to catch fish in their lake." - -"No," returned Ozma, "I will not do that, for it -would be unjust. I will have the Golden Pig again -transformed into your wife Rora, and give her one can -of brains, but the other three cans must be restored to -those she robbed. Neither may you catch fish in the -Lake of the Skeezers, for it is their lake and the fish -belong to them. This arrangement is just and honorable, -and you must agree to it." - -"Never!" cried the Su-dic. Just then a pig came -running into the room, uttering dismal grunts. It was -made of solid gold, with joints at the bends of the -legs and in the neck and jaws. The Golden Pig's eyes -were rubies, and its teeth were polished ivory. - -"There!" said the Su-dic, "gaze on the evil work of -Queen Coo-ee-oh, and then say if you can prevent my -making war on the Skeezers. That grunting beast was -once my wife -- the most beautiful Flathead on our -mountain and a skillful witch. Now look at her!" - -"Fight the Skeezers, fight the Skeezers, fight the -Skeezers!" grunted the Golden Pig. - -"I will fight the Skeezers," exclaimed the Flathead -chief, "and if a dozen Ozmas of Oz forbade me I would -fight just the same." - -"Not if I can prevent it!" asserted Ozma. - -"You can't prevent it. But since you threaten me, -I'll have you confined in the bronze prison until the -war is over," said the Su-dic. He whistled and four -stout Flatheads, armed with axes and spears, entered -the room and saluted him. Turning to the men he said: -"Take these two girls, bind them with wire ropes and -cast them into the bronze prison." - -The four men bowed low and one of them asked: - -"Where are the two girls, most noble Su-dic?" - -The Su-dic turned to where Ozma and Dorothy had stood -but they had vanished! - - - - -Chapter Seven - -The Magic Isle - - - -Ozma, seeing it was useless to argue with the Supreme -Dictator of the Flatheads. had been considering how -best to escape from his power. She realized that his -sorcery might be difficult to overcome, and when he -threatened to cast Dorothy and her into a bronze prison -she slipped her hand into her bosom and grasped her -silver wand. With the other hand she grasped the hand -of Dorothy, but these motions were so natural that the -Su-dic did not notice them. Then when he turned to meet -his four soldiers, Ozma instantly rendered both herself -and Dorothy invisible and swiftly led her companion -around the group of Flatheads and out of the room. As -they reached the entry and descended the stone steps, -Ozma whispered: - -"Let us run, dear! We are invisible, so no one will -see us." - -Dorothy understood and she was a good runner. Ozma -had marked the place where the grand stairway that led -to the plain was located, so they made directly for it. -Some people were in the paths but these they dodged -around. One or two Flatheads heard the pattering of -footsteps of the girls on the stone pavement and -stopped with bewildered looks to gaze around them, but -no one interfered with the invisible fugitives. - -The Su-dic had lost no time in starting the chase. He -and his men ran so fast that they might have overtaken -the girls before they reached the stairway had not the -Golden Pig suddenly run across their path. The Su-dic -tripped over the pig and fell flat, and his four men -tripped over him and tumbled in a heap. Before they -could scramble up and reach the mouth of the passage it -was too late to stop the two girls. - -There was a guard on each side of the stairway, but -of course they did not see Ozma and Dorothy as they -sped past and descended the steps. Then they had to go -up five steps and down another ten, and so on, in the -same manner in which they had climbed to the top of the -mountain. Ozma lighted their way with her wand and they -kept on without relaxing their speed until they reached -the bottom. Then they ran to the right and turned the -corner of the invisible wall just as the Su-dic and his -followers rushed out of the arched entrance and looked -around in an attempt to discover the fugitives. - -Ozma now knew they were safe, so she told Dorothy to -stop and both of them sat down on the grass until they -could breathe freely and become rested from their mad -flight. - -As for the Su-dic, he realized he was foiled and soon -turned and climbed his stairs again. He was very angry --- angry with Ozma and angry with himself -- because, -now that he took time to think, he remembered that he -knew very well the art of making people invisible, and -visible again, and if he had only thought of it in time -he could have used his magic knowledge to make the -girls visible and so have captured them easily. -However, it was now too late for regrets and he -determined to make preparations at once to march all -his forces against the Skeezers. - -"What shall we do next?" asked Dorothy, when they -were rested. - -"Let us find the Lake of the Skeezers," replied Ozma. -"From what that dreadful Su-dic said I imagine the -Skeezers are good people and worthy of our friendship, -and if we go to them we may help them to defeat the -Flatheads." - -"I s'pose we can't stop the war now," remarked -Dorothy reflectively, as they walked toward the row of -palm trees. - -"No; the Su-dic is determined to fight the Skeezers, -so all we can do is to warn them of their danger and -help them as much as possible." - -"Of course you'll punish the Flatheads," said -Dorothy. - -"Well, I do not think the Flathead people are as much -to blame as their Supreme Dictator," was the answer. -"If he is removed from power and his unlawful magic -taken from him, the people will probably be good and -respect the laws of the Land of Oz, and live at peace -with all their neighbors in the future." - -"I hope so," said Dorothy with a sigh of doubt - -The palms were not far from the mountain and the -girls reached them after a brisk walk. The huge trees -were set close together, in three rows, and had been -planted so as to keep people from passing them, but the -Flatheads had cut a passage through this barrier and -Ozma found the path and led Dorothy to the other side. - -Beyond the palms they discovered a very beautiful -scene. Bordered by a green lawn was a great lake fully -a mile from shore to shore, the waters of which were -exquisitely blue and sparkling, with little wavelets -breaking its smooth surface where the breezes touched -it. In the center of this lake appeared a lovely -island, not of great extent but almost entirely covered -by a huge round building with glass walls and a high -glass dome which glittered brilliantly in the sunshine. -Between the glass building and the edge of the island -was no grass, flowers or shrubbery, but only an expanse -of highly polished white marble. There were no boats on -either shore and no signs of life could be seen -anywhere on the island. - -"Well," said Dorothy, gazing wistfully at the island, -we've found the Lake of the Skeezers and their Magic -Isle. I guess the Skeezers are in that big glass -palace, but we can't get at 'em." - - - - -Chapter Eight - -Queen Coo-ee-oh - - - -Princess Ozma considered the situation gravely. Then -she tied her handkerchief to her wand and, standing at -the water's edge, waved the handkerchief like a flag, -as a signal. For a time they could observe no response. - -"I don't see what good that will do," said Dorothy. -"Even if the Skeezers are on that island and see us, -and know we're friends, they haven't any boats to come -and get us." - -But the Skeezers didn't need boats, as the girls soon -discovered. For on a sudden an opening appeared at the -base of the palace and from the opening came a slender -shaft of steel, reaching out slowly but steadily across -the water in the direction of the place where they -stood. To the girls this steel arrangement looked like -a triangle, with the base nearest the water. It came -toward them in the form of an arch, stretching out from -the palace wall until its end reached the bank and -rested there, while the other end still remained on the -island. - -Then they saw that it was a bridge, consisting of a -steel footway just broad enough to walk on, and two -slender guide rails, one on either side, which were -connected with the footway by steel bars. The bridge -looked rather frail and Dorothy feared it would not -bear their weight, but Ozma at once called, "Come on!" -and started to walk across, holding fast to the rail on -either side. So Dorothy summoned her courage and -followed after. Before Ozma had taken three steps she -halted and so forced Dorothy to halt, for the bridge -was again moving and returning to the island. - -"We need not walk after all," said Ozma. So they -stood still in their places and let the steel bridge -draw them onward. Indeed, the bridge drew them well -into the glass-domed building which covered the island, -and soon they found themselves standing in a marble -room where two handsomely dressed young men stood on a -platform to receive them. - -Ozma at once stepped from the end of the bridge to -the marble platform, followed by Dorothy, and then the -bridge disappeared with a slight clang of steel and a -marble slab covered the opening from which it had -emerged. - -The two young men bowed profoundly to Ozma, and one -of them said: - -"Queen Coo-ee-oh bids you welcome, O Strangers. Her -Majesty is waiting to receive you in her palace." - -"Lead on," replied Ozma with dignity. - -But instead of "leading on," the platform of marble -began to rise, carrying them upward through a square -hole above which just fitted it. A moment later they -found themselves within the great glass dome that -covered almost all of the island. - -Within this dome was a little village, with houses, -streets, gardens and parks. The houses were of colored -marbles, prettily designed, with many stained-glass -windows, and the streets and gardens seemed well cared -for. Exactly under the center of the lofty dome was a -small park filled with brilliant flowers, with an -elaborate fountain, and facing this park stood a -building larger and more imposing than the others. -Toward this building the young men escorted Ozma and -Dorothy. - -On the streets and in the doorways or open windows of -the houses were men, women and children, all richly -dressed. These were much like other people in different -parts of the Land of Oz, except that instead of seeming -merry and contented they all wore expressions of much -solemnity or of nervous irritation. They had beautiful -homes, splendid clothes, and ample food, but Dorothy at -once decided something was wrong with their lives and -that they were not happy. She said nothing, however, -but looked curiously at the Skeezers. - -At the entrance of the palace Ozma and Dorothy were -met by two other young men, in uniform and armed with -queer weapons that seemed about halfway between pistols -and guns, but were like neither. Their conductors bowed -and left them, and the two in uniforms led the girls -into the palace. - -In a beautiful throne room, surrounded by a dozen or -more young men and women, sat the Queen of the -Skeezers, Coo-ee-oh. She was a girl who looked older -than Ozma or Dorothy -- fifteen or sixteen, at least -- -and although she was elaborately dressed as if she were -going to a ball she was too thin and plain of feature -to be pretty. But evidently Queen Coo-ee-oh did not -realize this fact, for her air and manner betrayed her -as proud and haughty and with a high regard for her own -importance. Dorothy at once decided she was "snippy" -and that she would not like Queen Coo-ee-oh as a -companion. - -The Queen's hair was as black as her skin was white -and her eyes were black, too. The eyes, as she calmly -examined Ozma and Dorothy, had a suspicious and -unfriendly look in them, but she said quietly: - -"I know who you are, for I have consulted my Magic -Oracle, which told me that one calls herself Princess -Ozma, the Ruler of all the Land of Oz, and the other is -Princess Dorothy of Oz, who came from a country called -Kansas. I know nothing of the Land of Oz, and I know -nothing of Kansas." - -"Why, this is the Land of Oz!" cried Dorothy. "It's a -part of the Land of Oz, anyhow, whether you know it or -not." - -"Oh, in-deed!" answered Queen Coo-ee-oh, scornfully. -"I suppose you will claim next that this Princess Ozma, -ruling the Land of Oz, rules me!" - -"Of course," returned Dorothy. "There's no doubt of -it." - -The Queen turned to Ozma. - -"Do you dare make such a claim?" she asked. - -By this time Ozma had made up her mind as to the -character of this haughty and disdainful creature, -whose self-pride evidently led her to believe herself -superior to all others. - -"I did not come here to quarrel with your Majesty," -said the girl Ruler of Oz, quietly. "What and who I am -is well established, and my authority comes from the -Fairy Queen Lurline, of whose band I was a member when -Lurline made all Oz a Fairyland. There are several -countries and several different peoples in this broad -land, each of which has its separate rulers, Kings, -Emperors and Queens. But all these render obedience to -my laws and acknowledge me as the supreme Ruler." - -"If other Kings and Queens are fools that does not -interest me in the least," replied Coo-ee-oh, -disdainfully. "In the Land of the Skeezers I alone am -supreme. You are impudent to think I would defer to you --- or to anyone else." - -"Let us not speak of this now, please," answered -Ozma. "Your island is in danger, for a powerful foe is -preparing to destroy it." - -"Pah! The Flatheads. I do not fear them." - -"Their Supreme Dictator is a Sorcerer." - -"My magic is greater than his. Let the Flatheads -come! They will never return to their barren mountain- -top. I will see to that." - -Ozma did not like this attitude, for it meant that -the Skeezers were eager to fight the Flatheads, and -Ozma's object in coming here was to prevent fighting -and induce the two quarrelsome neighbors to make peace. -She was also greatly disappointed in Coo-ee-oh, for the -reports of Su-dic had led her to imagine the Queen more -just and honorable than were the Flatheads. Indeed Ozma -reflected that the girl might be better at heart than -her self-pride and overbearing manner indicated, and in -any event it would be wise not to antagonize her but to -try to win her friendship. - -"I do not like wars, your Majesty," said Ozma. "In -the Emerald City, where I rule thousands of people, and -in the countries near to the Emerald City, where -thousands more acknowledge my rule, there is no army at -all, because there is no quarreling and no need to -fight. If differences arise between my people, they -come to me and I judge the cases and award justice to -all. So, when I learned there might be war between two -faraway people of Oz, I came here to settle the dispute -and adjust the quarrel." - -"No one asked you to come," declared Queen Coo-ee-oh. -"It is my business to settle this dispute, not yours. -You say my island is a part of the Land of Oz, which -you rule, but that is all nonsense, for I've never -heard of the Land of Oz, nor of you. You say you are a -fairy, and that fairies gave you command over me. I -don't believe it! What I do believe is that you are an -impostor and have come here to stir up trouble among my -people, who are already becoming difficult to manage. -You two girls may even be spies of the vile Flatheads, -for all I know, and may be trying to trick me. But -understand this," she added, proudly rising from her -jeweled throne to confront them, "I have magic powers -greater than any fairy possesses, and greater than any -Flathead possesses. I am a Krumbic Witch -- the only -Krumbic Witch in the world -- and I fear the magic of -no other creature that exists! You say you rule -thousands. I rule one hundred and one Skeezers. But -every one of them trembles at my word. Now that Ozma of -Oz and Princess Dorothy are here, I shall rule one -hundred and three subjects, for you also shall bow -before my power. More than that, in ruling you I also -rule the thousands you say you rule." - -Dorothy was very indignant at this speech. - -"I've got a pink kitten that sometimes talks like -that," she said, "but after I give her a good whipping -she doesn't think she's so high and mighty after all. -If you only knew who Ozma is you'd be scared to death -to talk to her like that!" - -Queen Coo-ee-oh gave the girl a supercilious look. -Then she turned again to Ozma. - -"I happen to know," said she, "that the Flatheads -intend to attack us tomorrow, but we are ready for -them. Until the battle is over, I shall keep you two -strangers prisoners on my island, from which there is -no chance for you to escape." - -She turned and looked around the band of courtiers -who stood silently around her throne. - -"Lady Aurex," she continued, singling out one of the -young women, "take these children to your house and -care for them, giving them food and lodging. You may -allow them to wander anywhere under the Great Dome, for -they are harmless. After I have attended to the -Flatheads I will consider what next to do with these -foolish girls." - -She resumed her seat and the Lady Aurex bowed low and -said in a humble manner: - -"I obey your Majesty's commands." Then to Ozma and -Dorothy she added, "Follow me," and turned to leave the -throne room. - -Dorothy looked to see what Ozma would do. To her -surprise and a little to her disappointment Ozma turned -and followed Lady Aurex. So Dorothy trailed after them, -but not without giving a parting, haughty look toward -Queen Coo-ee-oh, who had her face turned the other way -and did not see the disapproving look - - - - -Chapter Nine - -Lady Aurex - - - -Lady Aurex led Ozma and Dorothy along a street to a -pretty marble house near to one edge of the great glass -dome that covered the village. She did not speak to the -girls until she had ushered them into a pleasant room, -comfortably furnished, nor did any of the solemn people -they met on the street venture to speak. - -When they were seated Lady Aurex asked if they were -hungry, and finding they were summoned a maid and -ordered food to be brought. - -This Lady Aurex looked to be about twenty years old, -although in the Land of Oz where people have never -changed in appearance since the fairies made it a -fairyland -- where no one grows old or dies -- it is -always difficult to say how many years anyone has -lived. She had a pleasant, attractive face, even though -it was solemn and sad as the faces of all Skeezers -seemed to be, and her costume was rich and elaborate, -as became a lady in waiting upon the Queen. - -Ozma had observed Lady Aurex closely and now asked -her in a gentle tone: - -"Do you, also, believe me to be an impostor?" - -"I dare not say," replied Lady Aurex in a low tone. - -"Why are you afraid to speak freely?" inquired Ozma. - -"The Queen punishes us if we make remarks that she -does not like." - -"Are we not alone then, in this house?" - -"The Queen can hear everything that is spoken on this -island -- even the slightest whisper," declared Lady -Aurex. "She is a wonderful witch, as she has told you, -and it is folly to criticise her or disobey her -commands." - -Ozma looked into her eyes and saw that she would like -to say more if she dared. So she drew from her bosom -her silver wand, and having muttered a magic phrase in -a strange tongue, she left the room and walked slowly -around the outside of the house, making a complete -circle and waving her wand in mystic curves as she -walked. Lady Aurex watched her curiously and, when Ozma -had again entered the room and seated herself, she -asked: - -"What have you done?" - -"I've enchanted this house in such a manner that -Queen Coo-ee-oh, with all her witchcraft, cannot hear -one word we speak within the magic circle I have made," -replied Ozma. "We may now speak freely and as loudly as -we wish, without fear of the Queen's anger." - -Lady Aurex brightened at this. - -"Can I trust you?" she asked. - -"Ev'rybody trusts Ozma," exclaimed Dorothy. "She is -true and honest, and your wicked Queen will be sorry -she insulted the powerful Ruler of all the Land of Oz." - -"The Queen does not know me yet," said Ozma, "but I -want you to know me, Lady Aurex, and I want you to tell -me why you, and all the Skeezers, are unhappy. Do not -fear Coo-ee-oh's anger, for she cannot hear a word we -say, I assure you." - -Lady Aurex was thoughtful a moment; then she said: "I -shall trust you, Princess Ozma, for I believe you are -what you say you are -- our supreme Ruler. If you knew -the dreadful punishments our Queen inflicts upon us, -you would not wonder we are so unhappy. The Skeezers -are not bad people; they do not care to quarrel and -fight, even with their enemies the Flatheads; but they -are so cowed and fearful of Coo-ee-oh that they obey -her slightest word, rather than suffer her anger." - -"Hasn't she any heart, then?" asked Dorothy. - -"She never displays mercy. She loves no one but -herself," asserted Lady Aurex, but she trembled as she -said it, as if afraid even yet of her terrible Queen. - -"That's pretty bad," said Dorothy, shaking her head -gravely. "I see you've a lot to do here, Ozma, in this -forsaken corner of the Land of Oz. First place, you've -got to take the magic away from Queen Coo-ee-oh, and -from that awful Su-dic, too. My idea is that neither of -them is fit to rule anybody, 'cause they're cruel and -hateful. So you'll have to give the Skeezers and -Flatheads new rulers and teach all their people that -they're part of the Land of Oz and must obey, above -all, the lawful Ruler, Ozma of Oz. Then, when you've -done that, we can go back home again." - -Ozma smiled at her little friend's earnest counsel, -but Lady Aurex said in an anxious tone: - -"I am surprised that you suggest these reforms while -you are yet prisoners on this island and in Coo-ee-oh's -power. That these things should be done, there is no -doubt, but just now a dreadful war is likely to break -out, and frightful things may happen to us all. Our -Queen has such conceit that she thinks she can overcome -the Su-dic and his people, but it is said Su-dic's -magic is very powerful, although not as great as that -possessed by his wife Rora, before Coo-ee-oh -transformed her into a Golden Pig." - -"I don't blame her very much for doing that," -remarked Dorothy, "for the Flatheads were wicked to try -to catch your beautiful fish and the Witch Rora wanted -to poison all the fishes in the lake." - -"Do you know the reason?" asked the Lady Aurex. - -"I don't s'pose there was any reason, 'cept just -wickedness," replied Dorothy. - -"Tell us the reason," said Ozma earnestly. - -"Well, your Majesty, once -- a long time ago -- the -Flatheads and the Skeezers were friendly. They visited -our island and we visited their mountain, and -everything was pleasant between the two peoples. At -that time the Flatheads were ruled by three Adepts in -Sorcery, beautiful girls who were not Flatheads, but -had wandered to the Flat Mountain and made their home -there. These three Adepts used their magic only for -good, and the mountain people gladly made them their -rulers. They taught the Flatheads how to use their -canned brains and how to work metals into clothing that -would never wear out, and many other things that added -to their happiness and content. - -"Coo-ee-oh was our Queen then, as now, but she knew -no magic and so had nothing to be proud of. But the -three Adepts were very kind to Coo-ee-oh. They built -for us this wonderful dome of glass and our houses of -marble and taught us to make beautiful clothing and -many other things. Coo-ee-oh pretended to be very -grateful for these favors, but it seems that all the -time she was jealous of the three Adepts and secretly -tried to discover their arts of magic. In this she was -more clever than anyone suspected. She invited the -three Adepts to a banquet one day, and while they were -feasting Coo-ee-oh stole their charms and magical -instruments and transformed them into three fishes -- a -gold fish, a silver fish and a bronze fish. While the -poor fishes were gasping and flopping helplessly on the -floor of the banquet room one of them said -reproachfully: 'You will be punished for this, Coo-ee- -oh, for if one of us dies or is destroyed, you will -become shrivelled and helpless, and all your stolen -magic will depart from you.' Frightened by this threat, -Coo-ee-oh at once caught up the three fish and ran with -them to the shore of the lake, where she cast them into -the water. This revived the three Adepts and they swam -away and disappeared. - -"I, myself, witnessed this shocking scene," continued -Lady Aurex, "and so did many other Skeezers. The news -was carried to the Flatheads, who then turned from -friends to enemies. The Su-dic and his wife Rora were -the only ones on the mountain who were glad the three -Adepts had been lost to them, and they at once became -Rulers of the Flatheads and stole their canned brains -from others to make themselves the more powerful. Some -of the Adepts' magic tools had been left on the -mountain, and these Rora seized and by the use of them -she became a witch. - -"The result of Coo-ee-oh's treachery was to make both -the Skeezers and the Flatheads miserable instead of -happy. Not only were the Su-dic and his wife cruel to -their people, but our Queen at once became proud and -arrogant and treated us very unkindly. All the Skeezers -knew she had stolen her magic powers and so she hated -us and made us humble ourselves before her and obey her -slightest word. If we disobeyed, or did not please her, -or if we talked about her when we were in our own homes -she would have us dragged to the whipping post in her -palace and lashed with knotted cords. That is why we -fear her so greatly." - -This story filled Ozma's heart with sorrow and -Dorothy's heart with indignation. - -"I now understand," said Ozma, "why the fishes in the -lake have brought about war between the Skeezers and -the Flatheads." - -"Yes," Lady Aurex answered, "now that you know the -story it is easy to understand. The Su-dic and his wife -came to our lake hoping to catch the silver fish, or -gold fish, or bronze fish -- any one of them would do - -- and by destroying it deprive Coo-ee-oh of her magic. -Then they could easily conquer her. Also they had -another reason for wanting to catch the fish -- they -feared that in some way the three Adepts might regain -their proper forms and then they would be sure to -return to the mountain and punish Rora and the Su-dic. -That was why Rora finally tried to poison all the -fishes in the lake, at the time Coo-ee-oh transformed -her into a Golden Pig. Of course this attempt to -destroy the fishes frightened the Queen, for her safety -lies in keeping the three fishes alive." - -"I s'pose Coo-ee-oh will fight the Flatheads with all -her might," observed Dorothy. - -"And with all her magic," added Ozma, thoughtfully. - -"I do not see how the Flatheads can get to this -island to hurt us," said Lady Aurex. - -"They have bows and arrows, and I guess they mean to -shoot the arrows at your big dome, and break all the -glass in it," suggested Dorothy. - -But Lady Aurex shook her head with a smile. - -"They cannot do that," she replied. - -"Why not?" - -"I dare not tell you why, but if the Flatheads come -to-morrow morning you will yourselves see the reason." - -"I do not think they will attempt to harm the -island," Ozma declared. "I believe they will first -attempt to destroy the fishes, by poison or some other -means. If they succeed in that, the conquest of the -island will not be difficult." - -"They have no boats," said Lady Aurex, "and Coo-ee- -oh, who has long expected this war, has been preparing -for it in many astonishing ways. I almost wish the -Flatheads would conquer us, for then we would be free -from our dreadful Queen; but I do not wish to see the -three transformed fishes destroyed, for in them lies -our only hope of future happiness." - -"Ozma will take care of you, whatever happens," -Dorothy assured her. But the Lady Aurex, not knowing -the extent of Ozma's power -- which was, in fact, not -so great as Dorothy imagined -- could not take much -comfort in this promise. - -It was evident there would be exciting times on the -morrow, if the Flatheads really attacked the Skeezers -of the Magic Isle. - - - - -Chapter Ten - -Under Water - - - -When night fell all the interior of the Great Dome, -streets and houses, became lighted with brilliant -incandescent lamps, which rendered it bright as day. -Dorothy thought the island must look beautiful by night -from the outer shore of the lake. There was revelry and -feasting in the Queen's palace, and the music of the -royal band could be plainly heard in Lady Aurex's -house, where Ozma and Dorothy remained with their -hostess and keeper. They were prisoners, but treated -with much consideration. - -Lady Aurex gave them a nice supper and when they -wished to retire showed them to a pretty room with -comfortable beds and wished them a good night and -pleasant dreams. - -"What do you think of all this, Ozma?" Dorothy -anxiously inquired when they were alone. - -"I am glad we came," was the reply, "for although -there may be mischief done to-morrow, it was necessary -I should know about these people, whose leaders are -wild and lawless and oppress their subjects with -injustice and cruelties. My task, therefore, is to -liberate the Skeezers and the Flatheads and secure for -them freedom and happiness. I have no doubt I can -accomplish this in time." - -"Just now, though, we're in a bad fix," asserted -Dorothy. "If Queen Coo-ee-oh conquers to-morrow, she -won't be nice to us, and if the Su-dic conquers, he'll -be worse." - -"Do not worry, dear," said Ozma, "I do not think we -are in danger, whatever happens, and the result of our -adventure is sure to be good." - -Dorothy was not worrying, especially. She had -confidence in her friend, the fairy Princess of Oz, and -she enjoyed the excitement of the events in which she -was taking part. So she crept into bed and fell asleep -as easily as if she had been in her own cosy room in -Ozma's palace. - -A sort of grating, grinding sound awakened her. The -whole island seemed to tremble and sway, as it might do -in an earthquake. Dorothy sat up in bed, rubbing her -eyes to get the sleep out of them, and then found it -was daybreak. - -Ozma was hurriedly dressing herself. - -"What is it?" asked Dorothy, jumping out of bed. - -"I'm not sure," answered Ozma "but it feels as if the -island is sinking." - -As soon as possible they finished dressing, while the -creaking and swaying continued. Then they rushed into -the living room of the house and found Lady Aurex, -fully dressed, awaiting them. - -"Do not be alarmed," said their hostess. "Coo-ee-oh -has decided to submerge the island, that is all. But it -proves the Flatheads are coming to attack us." - -"What do you mean by sub-sub-merging the island?" -asked Dorothy. - -"Come here and see," was the reply. - -Lady Aurex led them to a window which faced the side -of the great dome which covered all the village, and -they could see that the island was indeed sinking, for -the water of the lake was already half way up the side -of the dome. Through the glass could be seen swimming -fishes, and tall stalks of swaying seaweeds, for the -water was clear as crystal and through it they could -distinguish even the farther shore of the lake. - -"The Flatheads are not here yet," said Lady Aurex. -"They will come soon, but not until all of this dome is -under the surface of the water." - -"Won't the dome leak?" Dorothy inquired anxiously. - -"No, indeed." - -"Was the island ever sub-sub-sunk before?" - -"Oh, yes; on several occasions. But Coo-ee-oh doesn't -care to do that often, for it requires a lot of hard -work to operate the machinery. The dome was built so -that the island could disappear. I think," she -continued, "that our Queen fears the Flatheads will -attack the island and try to break the glass of the -dome." - -"Well, if we're under water, they can't fight us, and -we can't fight them," asserted Dorothy. - -"They could kill the fishes, however," said Ozma -gravely - -"We have ways to fight, also, even though our island -is under water," claimed Lady Aurex. "I cannot tell you -all our secrets, but this island is full of surprises. -Also our Queen's magic is astonishing." - -"Did she steal it all from the three Adepts in -Sorcery that are now fishes?" - -"She stole the knowledge and the magic tools, but she -has used them as the three Adepts never would have -done." - -By this time the top of the dome was quite under -water and suddenly the island stopped sinking and -became stationary. - -"See!" cried Lady Aurex, pointing to the shore. "The -Flatheads have come." - -On the bank, which was now far above their heads, a -crowd of dark figures could be seen. - -"Now let us see what Coo-ee-oh will do to oppose -them," continued Lady Aurex, in a voice that betrayed -her excitement. - - * * * * * * * * - -The Flatheads, pushing their way through the line of -palm trees, had reached the shore of the lake just as -the top of the island's dome disappeared beneath the -surface. The water now flowed from shore to shore, but -through the clear water the dome was still visible and -the houses of the Skeezers could be dimly seen through -the panes of glass. - -"Good!" exclaimed the Su-dic, who had armed all his -followers and had brought with him two copper vessels, -which he carefully set down upon the ground beside him. -"If Coo-ee-oh wants to hide instead of fighting our job -will be easy, for in one of these copper vessels I have -enough poison to kill every fish in the lake." - -"Kill them, then, while we have time, and then we can -go home again," advised one of the chief officers. - -"Not yet," objected the Su-dic. "The Queen of the -Skeezers has defied me, and I want to get her into my -power, as well as to destroy her magic. She transformed -my poor wife into a Golden Pig, and I must have revenge -for that, whatever else we do." - -"Look out!" suddenly exclaimed the officers, pointing -into the lake; "something's going to happen." - -From the submerged dome a door opened and something -black shot swiftly out into the water. The door -instantly closed behind it and the dark object cleaved -its way through the water, without rising to the -surface, directly toward the place where the Flatheads -were standing. - -"What is that?" Dorothy asked the Lady Aurex. - -"That is one of the Queen's submarines," was the -reply. "It is all enclosed, and can move under water. -Coo-ee-oh has several of these boats which are kept in -little rooms in the basement under our village. When -the island is submerged, the Queen uses these boats to -reach the shore, and I believe she now intends to fight -the Flatheads with them." - -The Su-dic and his people knew nothing of Coo-ee-oh's -submarines, so they watched with surprise as the under- -water boat approached them. When it was quite near the -shore it rose to the surface and the top parted and -fell back, disclosing a boat full of armed Skeezers. At -the head was the Queen, standing up in the bow and -holding in one hand a coil of magic rope that gleamed -like silver. - -The boat halted and Coo-ee-oh drew back her arm to -throw the silver rope toward the Su-dic, who was now -but a few feet from her. But the wily Flathead leader -quickly realized his danger and before the Queen could -throw the rope he caught up one of the copper vessels -and dashed its contents full in her face! - - - - -Chapter Eleven - -The Conquest of the Skeezers - - - -Queen Coo-ee-oh dropped the rope, tottered and fell -headlong into the water, sinking beneath the surface, -while the Skeezers in the submarine assist her and only -stared at the ripples in the water where she had -disappeared. A moment later there arose to the surface -a beautiful White Swan. This Swan was of large size, -very gracefully formed, and scattered all over its -white feathers were tiny diamonds, so thickly placed -that as the rays of the morning sun fell upon them the -entire body of the Swan glistened like one brilliant -diamond. The head of the Diamond Swan had a bill of -polished gold and its eyes were two sparkling -amethysts. - -"Hooray!" cried the Su-dic, dancing up and down with -wicked glee. "My poor wife, Rora, is avenged at last. -You made her a Golden Pig, Coo-ee-oh, and now I have -made you a Diamond Swan. Float on your lake forever, if -you like, for your web feet can do no more magic and -you are as powerless as the Pig you made of my wife! - -"Villain! Scoundrel!" croaked the Diamond Swan. "You -will be punished for this. Oh, what a fool I was to let -you enchant me! - -"A fool you were, and a fool you are!" laughed the -Su-dic, dancing madly in his delight. And then he -carelessly tipped over the other copper vessel with his -heel and its contents spilled on the sands and were -lost to the last drop. - -The Su-dic stopped short and looked at the overturned -vessel with a rueful countenance. - -"That's too bad -- too bad!" he exclaimed -sorrowfully. "I've lost all the poison I had to kill -the fishes with, and I can't make any more because only -my wife knew the secret of it, and she is now a foolish -Pig and has forgotten all her magic." - -"Very well," said the Diamond Swan scornfully, as she -floated upon the water and swam gracefully here and -there. I'm glad to see you are foiled. Your punishment -is just beginning, for although you have enchanted me -and taken away my powers of sorcery you have still the -three magic fishes to deal with, and they'll destroy -you in time, mark my words." - -The Su-dic stared at the Swan a moment. Then he -yelled to his men: - -"Shoot her! Shoot the saucy bird!" - -They let fly some arrows at the Diamond Swan, but she -dove under the water and the missiles fell harmless. -When Coo-ce-oh rose to the surface she was far from the -shore and she swiftly swam across the lake to where no -arrows or spears could reach her. - -The Su-dic rubbed his chin and thought what to do -next. Near by floated the submarine in which the Queen -had come, but the Skeezers who were in it were puzzled -what to do with themselves. Perhaps they were not sorry -their cruel mistress had been transformed into a -Diamond Swan, but the transformation had left them -quite helpless. The under-water boat was not operated -by machinery, but by certain mystic words uttered by -Coo-ee-oh. They didn't know how to submerge it, or how -to make the water-tight shield cover them again, or how -to make the boat go back to the castle, or make it -enter the little basement room where it was usually -kept. As a matter of fact, they were now shut out of -their village under the Great Dome and could not get -back again. So one of the men called to the Supreme -Dictator of the Flatheads, saying: - -"Please make us prisoners and take us to your -mountain, and feed and keep us, for we have nowhere to -go." - -Then the Su-dic laughed and answered: - -"Not so. I can't be bothered by caring for a lot of -stupid Skeezers. Stay where you are, or go wherever you -please, so long as you keep away from our mountain." He -turned to his men and added: "We have conquered Queen -Coo-ee-oh and made her a helpless swan. The Skeezers -are under water and may stay there. So, having won the -war, let us go home again and make merry and feast, -having after many years proved the Flatheads to be -greater and more powerful than the Skeezers." - -So the Flatheads marched away and passed through the -row of palms and went back to their mountain, where the -Su-dic and a few of his officers feasted and all the -others were forced to wait on them. - -"I'm sorry we couldn't have roast pig," said the Su- -dic, "but as the only pig we have is made of gold, we -can't eat her. Also the Golden Pig happens to be my -wife, and even were she not gold I am sure she would be -too tough to eat." - - - - -Chapter Twelve - -The Diamond Swan - - - -When the Flatheads had gone away the Diamond Swan -swam back to the boat and one of the young Skeezers -named Ervic said to her eagerly: - -"How can we get back to the island, your Majesty?" - -"Am I not beautiful?" asked Coo-ee-oh, arching her -neck gracefully and spreading her diamond-sprinkled -wings. "I can see my reflection in the water, and I'm -sure there is no bird nor beast, nor human as -magnificent as I am!" - -"How shall we get back to the island, your Majesty?" -pleaded Ervic. - -"When my fame spreads throughout the land, people -will travel from all parts of this lake to look upon my -loveliness," said Coo-ee-oh, shaking her feathers to -make the diamonds glitter more brilliantly. - -"But, your Majesty, we must go home and we do not -know how to get there," Ervic persisted. - -"My eyes," remarked the Diamond Swan, "are -wonderfully blue and bright and will charm all -beholders." - -"Tell us how to make the boat go -- how to get back -into the island," begged Ervic and the others cried -just as earnestly: "Tell us, Coo-ee-oh; tell us!" - -"I don't know," replied the Queen in a careless tone. - -"You are a magic-worker, a sorceress, a witch!" - -"I was, of course, when I was a girl," she said, -bending her head over the clear water to catch her -reflection in it; "but now I've forgotten all such -foolish things as magic. Swans are lovelier than girls, -especially when they're sprinkled with diamonds. Don't -you think so?" And she gracefully swam away, without -seeming to care whether they answered or not. - -Ervic and his companions were in despair. They saw -plainly that Coo-ee-oh could not or would not help -them. The former Queen had no further thought for her -island, her people, or her wonderful magic; she was -only intent on admiring her own beauty. - -"Truly," said Ervic, in a gloomy voice, "the -Flatheads have conquered us!" - - * * * * * * * * - -Some of these events had been witnessed by Ozma -and Dorothy and Lady Aurex, who had left the house -and gone close to the glass of the dome, in order to see -what was going on. Many of the Skeezers had also -crowded against the dome, wondering what would -happen next. Although their vision was to an extent -blurred by the water and the necessity of looking -upward at an angle, they had observed the main points -of the drama enacted above. They saw Queen Coo- -ee-oh's submarine come to the surface and open; they -saw the Queen standing erect to throw her magic rope; -they saw her sudden transformation into a Diamond -Swan, and a cry of amazement went up from the -Skeezers inside the dome. - -"Good!" exclaimed Dorothy. "I hate that old Su-dic, -but I'm glad Coo-ee-oh is punished." - -"This is a dreadful misfortune!" cried Lady Aurex, -pressing her hands upon her heart. - -"Yes," agreed Ozma, nodding her head thoughtfully; -"Coo-ee-oh's misfortune will prove a terrible blow to -her people." - -"What do you mean by that?" asked Dorothy in -surprise. "Seems to me the Skeezers are in luck to lose -their cruel Queen." - -"If that were all you would be right," responded Lady -Aurex; "and if the island were above water it would not -be so serious. But here we all are, at the bottom of -the lake, and fast prisoners in this dome." - -"Can't you raise the island?" inquired Dorothy. - -"No. Only Coo-ee-oh knew how to do that," was the -answer. - -"We can try," insisted Dorothy. "If it can be made to -go down, it can be made to come up. The machinery is -still here, I suppose. - -"Yes; but the machinery works by magic, and Coo-ee-oh -would never share her secret power with any one of us." - -Dorothy's face grew grave; but she was thinking. - -"Ozma knows a lot of magic," she said. - -"But not that kind of magic," Ozma replied. - -"Can't you learn how, by looking at the machinery?" - -"I'm afraid not, my dear. It isn't fairy magic at -all; it is witchcraft." - -"Well," said Dorothy, turning to Lady Aurex, "you say -there are other sub-sub-sinking boats. We can get in -one of those, and shoot out to the top of the water, -like Coo-ee-oh did, and so escape. And then we can help -to rescue all the Skeezers down here." - -"No one knows how to work the under-water boats but -the Queen," declared Lady Aurex. - -"Isn't there any door or window in this dome that we -could open?" - -"No; and, if there were, the water would rush in -to flood the dome, and we could not get out." - -"The Skeezers," said Ozma, "could not drown; they -only get wet and soggy and in that condition they would -be very uncomfortable and unhappy. But you are a mortal -girl, Dorothy, and if your Magic Belt protected you -from death you would have to lie forever at the bottom -of the lake." - -"No, I'd rather die quickly," asserted the little -girl. "But there are doors in the basement that open -- -to let out the bridges and the boats -- and that would -not flood the dome, you know." - -"Those doors open by a magic word, and only Coo-ee-oh -knows the word that must be uttered," said Lady Aurex. - -"Dear me!" exclaimed Dorothy, "that dreadful Queen's -witchcraft upsets all my plans to escape. I guess I'll -give it up, Ozma, and let you save us." - -Ozma smiled, but her smile was not so cheerful as -usual. The Princess of Oz found herself confronted with -a serious problem, and although she had no thought of -despairing she realized that the Skeezers and their -island, as well as Dorothy and herself, were in grave -trouble and that unless she could find a means to save -them they would be lost to the Land of Oz for all -future time. - -"In such a dilemma," said she, musingly, "nothing is -gained by haste. Careful thought may aid us, and so may -the course of events. The unexpected is always likely -to happen, and cheerful patience is better than -reckless action." - -"All right," returned Dorothy; "take your time, Ozma; -there's no hurry. How about some breakfast, Lady -Aurex?" - -Their hostess led them back to the house, where she -ordered her trembling servants to prepare and serve -breakfast. All the Skeezers were frightened and anxious -over the transformation of their Queen into a swan. -Coo-ee-oh was feared and hated, but they had depended -on her magic to conquer the Flatheads and she was the -only one who could raise their island to the surface of -the lake again. - -Before breakfast was over several of the leading -Skeezers came to Aurex to ask her advice and to -question Princess Ozma, of whom they knew nothing -except that she claimed to be a fairy and the Ruler of -all the land, including the Lake of the Skeezers. - -"If what you told Queen Coo-ee-oh was the truth," -they said to her, "you are our lawful mistress, and we -may depend on you to get us out of our difficulties." - -"I will try to do that" Ozma graciously assured them, -"but you must remember that the powers of fairies are -granted them to bring comfort and happiness to all who -appeal to them. On the contrary, such magic as Coo-ee- -oh knew and practiced is unlawful witchcraft and her -arts are such as no fairy would condescend to use. -However, it is sometimes necessary to consider evil in -order to accomplish good, and perhaps by studying Coo- -ee-oh's tools and charms of witchcraft I may be able to -save us. Do you promise to accept me as your Ruler and -to obey my commands?" - -They promised willingly. - -"Then," continued Ozma, "I will go to Coo-ee-oh's -palace and take possession of it. Perhaps what I find -there will be of use to me. In the meantime tell all -the Skeezers to fear nothing, but have patience. Let -them return to their homes and perform their daily -tasks as usual. Coo-ee-oh's loss may not prove a -misfortune, but rather a blessing." - -This speech cheered the Skeezers amazingly. Really, -they had no one now to depend upon but Ozma, and in -spite of their dangerous position their hearts were -lightened by the transformation and absence of their -cruel Queen. - -They got out their brass band and a grand procession -escorted Ozma and Dorothy to the palace, where all of -Coo-ee-oh's former servants were eager to wait upon -them. Ozma invited Lady Aurex to stay at the palace -also, for she knew all about the Skeezers and their -island and had also been a favorite of the former -Queen, so her advice and information were sure to prove -valuable. - -Ozma was somewhat disappointed in what she found in -the palace. One room of Coo-ee-oh's private suite was -entirely devoted to the practice of witchcraft, and -here were countless queer instruments and jars of -ointments and bottles of potions labeled with queer -names, and strange machines that Ozma could not guess -the use of, and pickled toads and snails and lizards, -and a shelf of books that were written in blood, but in -a language which the Ruler of Oz did not know. - -"I do not see," said Ozma to Dorothy, who accompanied -her in her search, "how Coo-ee-oh knew the use of the -magic tools she stole from the three Adept Witches. -Moreover, from all reports these Adepts practiced only -good witchcraft, such as would be helpful to their -people, while Coo-ee-oh performed only evil." - -"Perhaps she turned the good things to evil uses?" -suggested Dorothy. - -"Yes, and with the knowledge she gained Coo-ee-oh -doubtless invented many evil things quite unknown to -the good Adepts, who are now fishes," added Ozma. "It -is unfortunate for us that the Queen kept her secrets -so closely guarded, for no one but herself could use -any of these strange things gathered in this room." - -"Couldn't we capture the Diamond Swan and make her -tell the secrets?" asked Dorothy. - -"No; even were we able to capture her, Coo-ee-oh now -has forgotten all the magic she ever knew. But until we -ourselves escape from this dome we could not capture -the Swan, and were we to escape we would have no use for -Coo-ee-oh's magic." - -"That's a fact," admitted Dorothy. "But -- say, Ozma, -here's a good idea! Couldn't we capture the three -fishes -- the gold and silver and bronze ones, and -couldn't you transform 'em back to their own shapes, -and then couldn't the three Adepts get us out of here?" - -"You are not very practical, Dorothy dear. It would -be as hard for us to capture the three fishes, from -among all the other fishes in the lake, as to capture -the Swan." - -"But if we could, it would be more help to us," -persisted the little girl. - -"That is true," answered Ozma, smiling at her -friend's eagerness. "You find a way to catch the fish, -and I'll promise when they are caught to restore them -to their proper forms." - -"I know you think I can't do it," replied Dorothy, -"but I'm going to try." - -She left the palace and went to a place where she -could look through a clear pane of the glass dome into -the surrounding water. Immediately she became -interested in the queer sights that met her view. - -The Lake of the Skeezers was inhabited by fishes of -many kinds and many sizes. The water was so transparent -that the girl could see for a long distance and the -fishes came so close to the glass of the dome that -sometimes they actually touched it. On the white sands -at the bottom of the lake were star-fish, lobsters, -crabs and many shell fish of strange shapes and with -shells of gorgeous hues. The water foliage was of -brilliant colors and to Dorothy it resembled a splendid -garden. - -But the fishes were the most interesting of all. Some -were big and lazy, floating slowly along or lying at -rest with just their fins waving. Many with big round -eyes looked full at the girl as she watched them and -Dorothy wondered if they could hear her through the -glass if she spoke to them. In Oz, where all the -animals and birds can talk, many fishes are able to -talk also, but usually they are more stupid than birds -and animals because they think slowly and haven't much -to talk about. - -In the Lake of the Skeezers the fish of smaller size -were more active than the big ones and darted quickly -in and out among the swaying weeds, as if they had -important business and were in a hurry. It was among -the smaller varieties that Dorothy hoped to spy the -gold and silver and bronze fishes. She had an idea the -three would keep together, being companions now as they -were in their natural forms, but such a multitude of -fishes constantly passed, the scene shifting every -moment, that she was not sure she would notice them -even if they appeared in view. Her eyes couldn't look -in all directions and the fishes she sought might be on -the other side of the dome, or far away in the lake. - -"P'raps, because they were afraid of Coo-ee-oh, -they've hid themselves somewhere, and don't know their -enemy has been transformed," she reflected. - -She watched the fishes for a long time, until she -became hungry and went back to the palace for lunch. -But she was not discouraged. - -"Anything new, Ozma?" she asked. - -"No, dear. Did you discover the three fishes?" - -"Not yet. But there isn't anything better for me to -do, Ozma, so I guess I'll go back and watch again." - - - - -Chapter Thirteen - -The Alarm Bell - - - -Glinda, the Good, in her palace in the Quadling -Country, had many things to occupy her mind, for not -only did she look after the weaving and embroidery of -her bevy of maids, and assist all those who came to her -to implore her help -- beasts and birds as well as -people -- but she was a close student of the arts of -sorcery and spent much time in her Magical Laboratory, -where she strove to find a remedy for every evil and to -perfect her skill in magic. - -Nevertheless, she did not forget to look in the Great -Book of Records each day to see if any mention was made -of the visit of Ozma and Dorothy to the Enchanted -Mountain of the Flatheads and the Magic Isle of the -Skeezers. The Records told her that Ozma had arrived at -the mountain, that she had escaped, with her companion, -and gone to the island of the Skeezers, and that Queen -Coo-ee-oh had submerged the island so that it was -entirely under water. Then came the statement that the -Flatheads had come to the lake to poison the fishes and -that their Supreme Dictator had transformed Queen Coo- -ee-oh into a swan. - -No other details were given in the Great Book and so -Glinda did not know that since Coo-ee-oh had forgotten -her magic none of the Skeezers knew how to raise the -island to the surface again. So Glinda was not worried -about Ozma and Dorothy until one morning, while she sat -with her maids, there came a sudden clang of the -great alarm bell. This was so unusual that every maid -gave a start and even the Sorceress for a moment could -not think what the alarm meant. - -Then she remembered the ring she had given Dorothy -when she left the palace to start on her venture. In -giving the ring Glinda had warned the little girl not -to use its magic powers unless she and Ozma were in -real danger, but then she was to turn it on her finger -once to the right and once to the left and Glinda's -alarm bell would ring. - -So the Sorceress now knew that danger threatened her -beloved Ruler and Princess Dorothy, and she hurried to -her magic room to seek information as to what sort of -danger it was. The answer to her question was not very -satisfactory, for it was only: "Ozma and Dorothy are -prisoners in the great Dome of the Isle of the -Skeezers, and the Dome is under the water of the lake." - -"Hasn't Ozma the power to raise the island to the -surface?" inquired Glinda. - -"No," was the reply, and the Record refused to say -more except that Queen Coo-ee-oh, who alone could -command the island to rise, had been transformed by the -Flathead Su-dic into a Diamond Swan. - -Then Glinda consulted the past records of the -Skeezers in the Great Book. After diligent search she -discovered that Coo-ee-oh was a powerful sorceress who -had gained most of her power by treacherously -transforming the Adepts of Magic, who were visiting -her, into three fishes -- gold, silver and bronze -- -after which she had them cast into the lake. - -Glinda reflected earnestly on this information and -decided that someone must go to Ozma's assistance. -While there was no great need of haste, because Ozma -and Dorothy could live in a submerged dome a long time, -it was evident they could not get out until someone was -able to raise the island. - -The Sorceress looked through all her recipes and -books of sorcery, but could find no magic that would -raise a sunken island. Such a thing had never before -been required in sorcery. Then Glinda made a little -island, covered by a glass dome, and sunk it in a pond -near her castle, and experimented in magical ways to -bring it to the surface. She made several such -experiments, but all were failures. It seemed a simple -thing to do, yet she could not do it. - -Nevertheless, the wise Sorceress did not despair of -finding a way to liberate her friends. Finally she -concluded that the best thing to do was to go to the -Skeezer country and examine the lake. While there she -was more likely to discover a solution to the problem -that bothered her, and to work out a plan for the -rescue of Ozma and Dorothy. - -So Glinda summoned her storks and her aerial chariot, -and telling her maids she was going on a journey and -might not soon return, she entered the chariot and was -carried swiftly to the Emerald City. - -In Princess Ozma's palace the Scarecrow was now -acting as Ruler of the Land of Oz. There wasn't much -for him to do, because all the affairs of state moved -so smoothly, but he was there in case anything -unforeseen should happen. - -Glinda found the Scarecrow playing croquet with Trot -and Betsy Bobbin, two little girls who lived at the -palace under Ozma's protection and were great friends -of Dorothy and much loved by all the Oz people. - -"Something's happened!" cried Trot, as the chariot of -the Sorceress descended near them. "Glinda never comes -here 'cept something's gone wrong." - -"I hope no harm has come to Ozma, or Dorothy," said -Betsy anxiously, as the lovely Sorceress stepped down -from her chariot. - -Glinda approached the Scarecrow and told him of the -dilemma of Ozma and Dorothy and she added: "We must -save them, somehow, Scarecrow." - -"Of course," replied the Scarecrow, stumbling over a -wicket and falling flat on his painted face. - -The girls picked him up and patted his straw stuffing -into shape, and he continued, as if nothing had -occurred: "But you'll have to tell me what to do, for I -never have raised a sunken island in all my life." - -"We must have a Council of State as soon as -possible," proposed the Sorceress. "Please send -messengers to summon all of Ozma's counsellors to this -palace. Then we can decide what is best to be done." - -The Scarecrow lost no time in doing this. Fortunately -most of the royal counsellors were in the Emerald City -or near to it, so they all met in the throne room of -the palace that same evening. - - - - -Chapter Fourteen - -Ozma's Counsellors - - - -No Ruler ever had such a queer assortment of advisers -as the Princess Ozma had gathered about her throne. -Indeed, in no other country could such amazing people -exist. But Ozma loved them for their peculiarities and -could trust every one of them. - -First there was the Tin Woodman. Every bit of him was -tin, brightly polished. All his joints were kept well -oiled and moved smoothly. He carried a gleaming axe to -prove he was a woodman, but seldom had cause to use it -because he lived in a magnificent tin castle in the -Winkie Country of Oz and was the Emperor of all the -Winkies. The Tin Woodman's name was Nick Chopper. He -had a very good mind, but his heart was not of much -account, so he was very careful to do nothing unkind or -to hurt anyone's feelings. - -Another counsellor was Scraps, the Patchwork Girl of -Oz, who was made of a gaudy patchwork quilt, cut into -shape and stuffed with cotton. This Patchwork Girl was -very intelligent, but so full of fun and mad pranks -that a lot of more stupid folks thought she must be -crazy. Scraps was jolly under all conditions, however -grave they might be, but her laughter and good spirits -were of value in cheering others and in her seemingly -careless remarks much wisdom could often be found. - -Then there was the Shaggy Man -- shaggy from head to -foot, hair and whiskers, clothes and shoes -- but very -kind and gentle and one of Ozma's most loyal -supporters. - -Tik-Tok was there, a copper man with machinery inside -him, so cleverly constructed that he moved, spoke and -thought by three separate clock-works. Tik-Tok was very -reliable because he always did exactly what he was -wound up to do, but his machinery was liable to run -down at times and then he was quite helpless until -wound up again. - -A different sort of person was Jack Pumpkinhead, one -of Ozma's oldest friends and her companion on many -adventures. Jack's body was very crude and awkward, -being formed of limbs of trees of different sizes, -jointed with wooden pegs. But it was a substantial body -and not likely to break or wear out, and when it was -dressed the clothes covered much of its roughness. The -head of Jack Pumpkinhead was, as you have guessed, a -ripe pumpkin, with the eyes, nose and mouth carved upon -one side. The pumpkin was stuck on Jack's wooden neck -and was liable to get turned sidewise or backward and -then he would have to straighten it with his wooden -hands. - -The worst thing about this sort of a head was that it -did not keep well and was sure to spoil sooner or -later. So Jack's main business was to grow a field of -fine pumpkins each year, and always before his old head -spoiled he would select a fresh pumpkin from the field -and carve the features on it very neatly, and have it -ready to replace the old head whenever it became -necessary. He didn't always carve it the same way, so -his friends never knew exactly what sort of an -expression they would find on his face. But there was -no mistaking him, because he was the only pumpkin- -headed man alive in the Land of Oz. - -A one-legged sailor-man was a member of Ozma's -council. His name was Cap'n Bill and he had come to the -Land of Oz with Trot, and had been made welcome on -account of his cleverness, honesty and good nature. He -wore a wooden leg to replace the one he had lost and -was a great friend of all the children in Oz because he -could whittle all sorts of toys out of wood with his -big jack-knife. - -Professor H. M. Wogglebug, T. E., was another member -of the council. The "H. M." meant Highly Magnified, for -the Professor was once a little bug, who became -magnified to the size of a man and always remained so. -The "T. E." meant that he was Thoroughly Educated. He -was at the head of Princess Ozma's Royal Athletic -College, and so that the students would not have to -study and so lose much time that could be devoted to -athletic sports, such as football, baseball and the -like, Professor Wogglebug had invented the famous -Educational Pills. If one of the college students took -a Geography Pill after breakfast, he knew his geography -lesson in an instant; if he took a Spelling Pill he at -once knew his spelling lesson, and an Arithmetic Pill -enabled the student to do any kind of sum without -having to think about it. - -These useful pills made the college very popular and -taught the boys and girls of Oz their lessons in the -easiest possible way. In spite of this, Professor -Wogglebug was not a favorite outside his college, for -he was very conceited and admired himself so much and -displayed his cleverness and learning so constantly, -that no one cared to associate with him. Ozma found him -of value in her councils, nevertheless. - -Perhaps the most splendidly dressed of all those -present was a great frog as large as a man, called the -Frogman, who was noted for his wise sayings. He had -come to the Emerald City from the Yip Country of Oz and -was a guest of honor. His long-tailed coat was of -velvet, his vest of satin and his trousers of finest -silk. There were diamond buckles on his shoes and he -carried a gold-headed cane and a high silk hat. All of -the bright colors were represented in his rich attire, -so it tired one's eyes to look at him for long, until -one became used to his splendor. - -The best farmer in all Oz was Uncle Henry, who was -Dorothy's own uncle, and who now lived near the Emerald -City with his wife Aunt Em. Uncle Henry taught the Oz -people how to grow the finest vegetables and fruits and -grains and was of much use to Ozma in keeping the Royal -Storehouses well filled. He, too, was a counsellor. - -The reason I mention the little Wizard of Oz last is -because he was the most important man in the Land of -Oz. He wasn't a big man in size but he was a man in -power and intelligence and second only to Glinda the -Good in all the mystic arts of magic. Glinda had taught -him, and the Wizard and the Sorceress were the only -ones in Oz permitted by law to practice wizardry and -sorcery, which they applied only to good uses and for -the benefit of the people. - -The Wizard wasn't exactly handsome but he was -pleasant to look at. His bald head was as shiny as if -it had been varnished; there was always a merry twinkle -in his eyes and he was as spry as a schoolboy. Dorothy -says the reason the Wizard is not as powerful as Glinda -is because Glinda didn't teach him all she knows, but -what the Wizard knows he knows very well and so he -performs some very remarkable magic. The ten I have -mentioned assembled, with the Scarecrow and Glinda, in -Ozma's throne room, right after dinner that evening, -and the Sorceress told them all she knew of the plight -of Ozma and Dorothy - -"Of course we must rescue them," she continued, "and -the sooner they are rescued the better pleased they -will be; but what we must now determine is how they can -be saved. That is why I have called you together in -council." - -"The easiest way," remarked the Shaggy Man, "is to -raise the sunken island of the Skeezers to the top of -the water again." - -"Tell me how?" said Glinda. - -"I don't know how, your Highness, for I have never -raised a sunken island." - -"We might all get under it and lift," suggested -Professor Wogglebug. - -"How can we get under it when it rests on the bottom -of the lake?" asked the Sorceress. - -"Couldn't we throw a rope around it and pull it -ashore?" inquired Jack Pumpkinhead. - -"Why not pump the water out of the lake?" suggested -the Patchwork Girl with a laugh. - -"Do be sensible!" pleaded Glinda. "This is a serious -matter, and we must give it serious thought." - -"How big is the lake and how big is the island?" was -the Frogman's question. - -"None of us can tell, for we have not been there." - -"In that case," said the Scarecrow, "it appears to me -we ought to go to the Skeezer country and examine it -carefully." - -"Quite right," agreed the Tin Woodman. - -"We-will-have-to-go-there-any-how," remarked Tik-Tok -in his jerky machine voice. - -"The question is which of us shall go, and how many -of us?" said the Wizard. - -"I shall go of course," declared the Scarecrow. - -"And I," said Scraps. - -"It is my duty to Ozma to go," asserted the Tin -Woodman. - -"I could not stay away, knowing our loved Princess is -in danger," said the Wizard. - -"We all feel like that," Uncle Henry said. - -Finally one and all present decided to go to the -Skeezer country, with Glinda and the little Wizard to -lead them. Magic must meet magic in order to conquer -it, so these two skillful magic-workers were necessary -to insure the success of the expedition. - -They were all ready to start at a moment's notice, -for none had any affairs of importance to attend to. -Jack was wearing a newly made Pumpkin-head and the -Scarecrow had recently been stuffed with fresh straw. -Tik-Tok's machinery was in good running order and the -Tin Woodman always was well oiled. - -"It is quite a long journey," said Glinda, "and while -I might travel quickly to the Skeezer country by means -of my stork chariot the rest of you will be obliged to -walk. So, as we must keep together, I will send my -chariot back to my castle and we will plan to leave the -Emerald City at sunrise to-morrow." - - - - -Chapter Fifteen - -The Great Sorceress - - - -Betsy and Trot, when they heard of the rescue -expedition, begged the Wizard to permit them to join it -and he consented. The Glass Cat, overhearing the -conversation, wanted to go also and to this the Wizard -made no objection. - -This Glass Cat was one of the real curiosities of Oz. -It had been made and brought to life by a clever -magician named Dr. Pipt, who was not now permitted to -work magic and was an ordinary citizen of the Emerald -City. The cat was of transparent glass, through which -one could plainly see its ruby heart beating and its -pink brains whirling around in the top of the head. - -The Glass Cat's eyes were emeralds; its fluffy tail -was of spun glass and very beautiful. The ruby heart, -while pretty to look at, was hard and cold and the -Glass Cat's disposition was not pleasant at all times. -It scorned to catch mice, did not eat, and was -extremely lazy. If you complimented the remarkable cat -on her beauty, she would be very friendly, for she -loved admiration above everything. The pink brains were -always working and their owner was indeed more -intelligent than most common cats. - -Three other additions to the rescue party were made -the next morning, just as they were setting out upon -their journey. The first was a little boy called Button -Bright, because he had no other name that anyone could -remember. He was a fine, manly little fellow, well -mannered and good humored, who had only one bad fault. -He was continually getting lost. To be sure, Button -Bright got found as often as he got lost, but when he -was missing his friends could not help being anxious -about him. - -"Some day," predicted the Patchwork Girl, "he won't -be found, and that will be the last of him." But that -didn't worry Button Bright, who was so careless that he -did not seem to be able to break the habit of getting -lost. - -The second addition to the party was a Munchkin boy -of about Button Bright's age, named Ojo. He was often -called "Ojo the Lucky," because good fortune followed -him wherever he went. He and Button Bright were close -friends, although of such different natures, and Trot -and Betsy were fond of both. - -The third and last to join the expedition was an -enormous lion, one of Ozma's regular guardians and the -most important and intelligent beast in all Oz. He -called himself the Cowardly Lion, saying that every -little danger scared him so badly that his heart -thumped against his ribs, but all who knew him knew -that the Cowardly Lion's fears were coupled with -bravery and that however much he might be frightened he -summoned courage to meet every danger he encountered. -Often he had saved Dorothy and Ozma in times of peril, -but afterward he moaned and trembled and wept because -he had been so scared. - -"If Ozma needs help, I'm going to help her," said the -great beast. "Also, I suspect the rest of you may need -me on the journey -- especially Trot and Betsy -- for -you may pass through a dangerous part of the country. I -know that wild Gillikin country pretty well. Its -forests harbor many ferocious beasts." - -They were glad the Cowardly Lion was to join them, -and in good spirits the entire party formed a -procession and marched out of the Emerald City amid the -shouts of the people, who wished them success and a -safe return with their beloved Ruler. - -They followed a different route from that taken by -Ozma and Dorothy, for they went through the Winkie -Country and up north toward Oogaboo. But before they -got there they swerved to the left and entered the -Great Gillikin Forest, the nearest thing to a -wilderness in all Oz. Even the Cowardly Lion had to -admit that certain parts of this forest were unknown to -him, although he had often wandered among the trees, -and the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman, who were great -travelers, never had been there at all. - -The forest was only reached after a tedious tramp, -for some of the Rescue Expedition were quite awkward on -their feet. The Patchwork Girl was as light as a -feather and very spry; the Tin Woodman covered the -ground as easily as Uncle Henry and the Wizard; but -Tik-Tok moved slowly and the slightest obstruction in -the road would halt him until the others cleared it -away. Then, too, Tik-Tok's machinery kept running down, -so Betsy and Trot took turns in winding it up. - -The Scarecrow was more clumsy but less bother, for -although he often stumbled and fell he could scramble -up again and a little patting of his straw-stuffed body -would put him in good shape again. - -Another awkward one was Jack Pumpkinhead, for walking -would jar his head around on his neck and then he would -be likely to go in the wrong direction. But the Frogman -took Jack's arm and then he followed the path more -easily. - -Cap'n Bill's wooden leg didn't prevent him from -keeping up with the others and the old sailor could -walk as far as any of them. - -When they entered the forest the Cowardly Lion took -the lead. There was no path here for men, but many -beasts had made paths of their own which only the eyes -of the Lion, practiced in woodcraft, could discern. So -he stalked ahead and wound his way in and out, the -others following in single file, Glinda being next to -the Lion. - -There are dangers in the forest, of course, but as -the huge Lion headed the party he kept the wild -denizens of the wilderness from bothering the -travelers. Once, to be sure, an enormous leopard sprang -upon the Glass Cat and caught her in his powerful jaws, -but he broke several of his teeth and with howls of -pain and dismay dropped his prey and vanished among the -trees. - -"Are you hurt?" Trot anxiously inquired of the Glass -Cat. - -"How silly!" exclaimed the creature in an irritated -tone of voice; "nothing can hurt glass, and I'm too -solid to break easily. But I'm annoyed at that -leopard's impudence. He has no respect for beauty or -intelligence. If he had noticed my pink brains work, -I'm sure he would have realized I'm too important to be -grabbed in a wild beast's jaws." - -"Never mind," said Trot consolingly; "I'm sure he -won't do it again." - -They were almost in the center of the forest when -Ojo, the Munchkin boy, suddenly said: "Why, where's -Button Bright?" - -They halted and looked around them. Button Bright was -not with the party. - -Dear me," remarked Betsy, "I expect he's lost again!" - -"When did you see him last, Ojo?"inquired Glinda. - -"It was some time ago," replied Ojo. "He was trailing -along at the end and throwing twigs at the squirrels in -the trees. Then I went to talk to Betsy and Trot, and -just now I noticed he was gone." - -"This is too bad," declared the Wizard, "for it is -sure to delay our journey. We must find Button Bright -before we go any farther, for this forest is full of -ferocious beasts that would not hesitate to tear the -boy to pieces." - -"But what shall we do?" asked the Scarecrow. "If any -of us leaves the party to search for Button Bright he -or she might fall a victim to the beasts, and if the -Lion leaves us we will have no protector. - -"The Glass Cat could go," suggested the Frogman. -"The beasts can do her no harm, as we have discovered." - -The Wizard turned to Glinda. - -"Cannot your sorcery discover where Button Bright -is?" he asked. - -"I think so," replied the Sorceress. - -She called to Uncle Henry, who had been carrying her -wicker box, to bring it to her, and when he obeyed she -opened it and drew out a small round mirror. On the -surface of the glass she dusted a white powder and then -wiped it away with her handkerchief and looked in the -mirror. It reflected a part of the forest, and there, -beneath a wide-spreading tree, Button Bright was lying -asleep. On one side of him crouched a tiger, ready to -spring; on the other side was a big gray wolf, its -bared fangs glistening in a wicked way. - -"Goodness me!" cried Trot, looking over Glinda's -shoulder. "They'll catch and kill him sure." - -Everyone crowded around for a glimpse at the magic -mirror. - -"Pretty bad -- pretty bad!" said the Scarecrow -sorrowfully. - -"Comes of getting lost!" said Cap'n Bill, sighing. - -"Guess he's a goner!" said the Frogman, wiping his -eyes on his purple silk handkerchief. - -"But where is he? Can't we save him?" asked Ojo the -Lucky. - -"If we knew where he is we could probably save him," -replied the little Wizard, "but that tree looks so much -like all the other trees, that we can't tell whether -it's far away or near by." - -"Look at Glinda!" exclaimed Betsy - -Glinda, having handed the mirror to the Wizard, had -stepped aside and was making strange passes with her -outstretched arms and reciting in low, sweet tones a -mystical incantation. Most of them watched the -Sorceress with anxious eyes, despair giving way to the -hope that she might be able to save their friend. the -Wizard, however, watched the scene in the mirror, while -over his shoulders peered Trot, the Scarecrow and the -Shaggy Man. - -What they saw was more strange than Glinda's actions. -The tiger started to spring on the sleeping boy, but -suddenly lost its power to move and lay flat upon the -ground. The gray wolf seemed unable to lift its feet -from the ground. It pulled first at one leg and then at -another, and finding itself strangely confined to the -spot began to back and snarl angrily. They couldn't -hear the barkings and snarls, but they could see the -creature's mouth open and its thick lips move. Button -Bright, however, being but a few feet away from the -wolf, heard its cries of rage, which wakened him from -his untroubled sleep. The boy sat up and looked first -at the tiger and then at the wolf. His face showed that -for a moment he was quite frightened, but he soon saw -that the beasts were unable to approach him and so he -got upon his feet and examined them curiously, with a -mischievous smile upon his face. Then he deliberately -kicked the tiger's head with his foot and catching up a -fallen branch of a tree he went to the wolf and gave it -a good whacking. Both the beasts were furious at such -treatment but could not resent it. - -Button Bright now threw down the stick and with his -hands in his pockets wandered carelessly away. - -"Now," said Glinda, "let the Glass Cat run and find -him. He is in that direction," pointing the way, "but -how far off I do not know. Make haste and lead him back -to us as quickly as you can." - -The Glass Cat did not obey everyone's orders, but she -really feared the great Sorceress, so as soon as the -words were spoken the crystal animal darted away and -was quickly lost to sight. - -The Wizard handed the mirror back to Glinda, for the -woodland scene had now faded from the glass. Then those -who cared to rest sat down to await Button Bright's -coming. It was not long before be appeared through the -trees and as he rejoined his friends he said in a -peevish tone: - -"Don't ever send that Glass Cat to find me again. She -was very impolite and, if we didn't all know that she -had no manners, I'd say she insulted me." - -Glinda turned upon the boy sternly. - -"You have caused all of us much anxiety and -annoyance," said she. "Only my magic saved you from -destruction. I forbid you to get lost again." - -"Of course," he answered. "It won't be my fault if I -get lost again; but it wasn't my fault this time." - - - - -Chapter Sixteen - -The Enchanted Fishes - - - -I must now tell you what happened to Ervic and the -three other Skeezers who were left floating in the iron -boat after Queen Coo-ee-oh had been transformed into a -Diamond Swan by the magic of the Flathead Su-dic. - -The four Skeezers were all young men and their leader -was Ervic. Coo-ee-oh had taken them with her in the -boat to assist her if she captured the Flathead chief, -as she hoped to do by means of her silver rope. They -knew nothing about the witchcraft that moved the -submarine and so, when left floating upon the lake, -were at a loss what to do. The submarine could not be -submerged by them or made to return to the sunken -island. There were neither oars nor sails in the boat, -which was not anchored but drifted quietly upon the -surface of the lake. - -The Diamond Swan had no further thought or care for -her people. She had sailed over to the other side of -the lake and all the calls and pleadings of Ervic and -his companions were unheeded by the vain bird. As there -was nothing else for them to do, they sat quietly in -their boat and waited as patiently as they could for -someone to come to their aid. - -The Flatheads had refused to help them and had gone -back to their mountain. All the Skeezers were -imprisoned in the Great Dome and could not help even -themselves. When evening came, they saw the Diamond -Swan, still keeping to the opposite shore of the lake, -walk out of the water to the sands, shake her diamond- -sprinkled feathers, and then disappear among the bushes -to seek a resting place for the night. - -"I'm hungry," said Ervic. - -"I'm cold," said another Skeezer. - -"I'm tired," said a third. - -"I'm afraid," said the last one of them. - -But it did them no good to complain. Night fell and -the moon rose and cast a silvery sheen over the surface -of the water. - -"Go to sleep," said Ervic to his companions. "I'll -stay awake and watch, for we may be rescued in some -unexpected way. - -So the other three laid themselves down in the bottom -of the boat and were soon fast asleep. - -Ervic watched. He rested himself by leaning over the -bow of the boat, his face near to the moonlit water, -and thought dreamily of the day's surprising events and -wondered what would happen to the prisoners in the -Great Dome. - -Suddenly a tiny goldfish popped its head above the -surface of the lake, not more than a foot from his -eyes. A silverfish then raised its head beside that of -the goldfish, and a moment later a bronzefish lifted -its head beside the others. The three fish, all in a -row, looked earnestly with their round, bright eyes -into the astonished eyes of Ervic the Skeezer. - -"We are the three Adepts whom Queen Coo-ee-oh -betrayed and wickedly transformed," said the goldfish, -its voice low and soft but distinctly heard in the -stillness of the night. - -"I know of our Queen's treacherous deed," replied -Ervic, "and I am sorry for your misfortune. Have you -been in the lake ever since?" - -"Yes," was the reply. - -"I -- I hope you are well -- and comfortable," -stammered Ervic, not knowing what else to say. - -"We knew that some day Ooo-ee-oh would meet with the -fate she so richly deserves," declared the bronzefish. -"We have waited and watched for this time. Now if you -will promise to help us and will be faithful and true, -you can aid us in regaining our natural forms, and save -yourself and all your people from the dangers that now -threaten you." - -"Well," said Ervic, "you can depend on my doing the -best I can. But I'm no witch, nor magician, you must -know." - -"All we ask is that you obey our instructions," -returned the silverfish. "We know that you are honest -and that you served Coo-ee-oh only because you were -obliged to in order to escape her anger. Do as we -command and all will be well." - -"I promise!" exclaimed the young man. "Tell me what I -am to do first." - -"You will find in the bottom of your boat the silver -cord which dropped from Coo-ee-oh's hand when she was -transformed," said the goldfish. "Tie one end of that -cord to the bow of your boat and drop the other end to -us in the water. Together we will pull your boat to the -shore." - -Ervic much doubted that the three small fishes could -move so heavy a boat, but he did as he was told and the -fishes all seized their end of the silver cord in their -mouths and headed toward the nearest shore, which was -the very place where the Flatheads had stood when they -conquered Queen Coo-ee-oh. - -At first the boat did not move at all, although the -fishes pulled with all their strength. But presently -the strain began to tell. Very slowly the boat crept -toward the shore, gaining more speed at every moment. A -couple of yards away from the sandy beach the fishes -dropped the cord from their mouths and swam to one -side, while the iron boat, being now under way, -continued to move until its prow grated upon the sands. - -Ervic leaned over the side and said to the fishes: -"What next?" - -"You will find upon the sand," said the silverfish, -"a copper kettle, which the Su-dic forgot when he went -away. Cleanse it thoroughly in the water of the lake, -for it has had poison in it. When it is cleaned, fill -it with fresh water and hold it over the side of the -boat, so that we three may swim into the kettle. We -will then instruct you further." - -"Do you wish me to catch you, then?" asked Ervic in -surprise. - -"Yes," was the reply. - -So Ervic jumped out of the boat and found the copper -kettle. Carrying it a little way down the beach, he -washed it well, scrubbing away every drop of the poison -it had contained with sand from the shore - -Then he went back to the boat. - -Ervic's comrades were still sound asleep and knew -nothing of the three fishes or what strange happenings -were taking place about them. Ervic dipped the kettle -in the lake, holding fast to the handle until it was -under water. The gold and silver and bronze fishes -promptly swam into the kettle. The young Skeezer then -lifted it, poured out a little of the water so it would -not spill over the edge, and said to the fishes: "What -next?" - -"Carry the kettle to the shore. Take one hundred -steps to the east, along the edge of the lake, and then -you will see a path leading through the meadows, up -hill and down dale. Follow the path until you come to a -cottage which is painted a purple color with white -trimmings. When you stop at the gate of this cottage we -will tell you what to do next. Be careful, above all, -not to stumble and spill the water from the kettle, or -you would destroy us and all you have done would be in -vain." - -The goldfish issued these commands and Ervic promised -to be careful and started to obey. He left his sleeping -comrades in the boat, stepping cautiously over their -bodies, and on reaching the shore took exactly one -hundred steps to the east. Then he looked for the path -and the moonlight was so bright that he easily -discovered it, although it was hidden from view by tall -weeds until one came full upon it. This path was very -narrow and did not seem to be much used, but it was -quite distinct and Ervic had no difficulty in following -it. He walked through a broad meadow, covered with tall -grass and weeds, up a hill and down into a valley and -then up another hill and down again. - -It seemed to Ervic that he had walked miles and -miles. Indeed the moon sank low and day was beginning -to dawn when finally he discovered by the roadside a -pretty little cottage, painted purple with white -trimmings. It was a lonely place -- no other buildings -were anywhere about and the ground was not tilled at -all. No farmer lived here, that was certain. Who would -care to dwell in such an isolated place? - -But Ervic did not bother his head long with such -questions. He went up to the gate that led to the -cottage, set the copper kettle carefully down and -bending over it asked: - -"What next?" - - - - -Chapter Seventeen - -Under the Great Dome - - - -When Glinda the Good and her followers of the Rescue -Expedition came in sight of the Enchanted Mountain of -the Flatheads, it was away to the left of them, for the -route they had taken through the Great Forest was some -distance from that followed by Ozma and Dorothy. - -They halted awhile to decide whether they should call -upon the Supreme Dictator first, or go on to the Lake -of the Skeezers. - -"If we go to the mountain," said the Wizard, "we may -get into trouble with that wicked Su-dic, and then we -would be delayed in rescuing Ozma and Dorothy. So I -think our best plan will be to go to the Skeezer -Country, raise the sunken island and save our friends -and the imprisoned Skeezers. Afterward we can visit the -mountain and punish the cruel magician of the -Flatheads." - -"That is sensible," approved the Shaggy Man. "I quite -agree with you." - -The others, too, seemed to think the Wizard's plan -the best, and Glinda herself commended it, so on they -marched toward the line of palm trees that hid the -Skeezers' lake from view. - -Pretty soon they came to the palms. These were set -closely together, the branches, which came quite to the -ground, being so tightly interlaced that even the Glass -Cat could scarcely find a place to squeeze through. The -path which the Flatheads used was some distance away. - -"Here's a job for the Tin Woodman," said the -Scarecrow. - -So the Tin Woodman, who was always glad to be of use, -set to work with his sharp, gleaming axe, which he -always carried, and in a surprisingly short time had -chopped away enough branches to permit them all to pass -easily through the trees. - -Now the clear waters of the beautiful lake were -before them and by looking closely they could see the -outlines of the Great Dome of the sunken island, far -from shore and directly in the center of the lake. - -Of course every eye was at first fixed upon this -dome, where Ozma and Dorothy and the Skeezers were -still fast prisoners. But soon their attention was -caught by a more brilliant sight, for here was the -Diamond Swan swimming just before them, its long neck -arched proudly, the amethyst eyes gleaming and all the -diamond-sprinkled feathers glistening splendidly under -the rays of the sun. - -"That," said Glinda, "is the transformation of Queen -Coo-ce-oh, the haughty and wicked witch who betrayed -the three Adepts at Magic and treated her people like -slaves." - -"She's wonderfully beautiful now," remarked the -Frogman. - -"It doesn't seem like much of a punishment," said -Trot. "The Flathead Su-dic ought to have made her a -toad." - -"I am sure Coo-ee-oh is punished," said Glinda, "for -she has lost all her magic power and her grand palace -and can no longer misrule the poor Skeezers." - -"Let us call to her, and hear what she has to say," -proposed the Wizard. - -So Glinda beckoned the Diamond Swan, which swam -gracefully to a position near them. Before anyone could -speak Coo-ee-oh called to them in a rasping voice -- -for the voice of a swan is always harsh and unpleasant --- and said with much pride: - -"Admire me, Strangers! Admire the lovely Coo-ee-oh, -the handsomest creature in all Oz. Admire me!" - -"Handsome is as handsome does," replied the -Scarecrow. "Are your deeds lovely, Coo-ce-oh?" - -"Deeds? What deeds can a swan do but swim around and -give pleasure to all beholders?" said the sparkling -bird. - -"Have you forgotten your former life? Have you -forgotten your magic and witchcraft?" inquired the -Wizard. - -"Magic -- witchcraft? Pshaw, who cares for such silly -things?" retorted Coo-ee-oh. "As for my past life, it -seems like an unpleasant dream. I wouldn't go back to -it if I could. Don't you admire my beauty, Strangers?" - -"Tell us, Coo-ee-oh," said Glinda earnestly, "if you -can recall enough of your witchcraft to enable us to -raise the sunken island to the surface of the lake. -Tell us that and I'll give you a string of pearls to -wear around your neck and add to your beauty." - -"Nothing can add to my beauty, for I'm the most -beautiful creature anywhere in the whole world." - -"But how can we raise the island?" - -"I don't know and I don't care. If ever I knew I've -forgotten, and I'm glad of it," was the response. "Just -watch me circle around and see me glitter! - -"It's no use," said Button Bright; "the old Swan is -too much in love with herself to think of anything -else." - -"That's a fact," agreed Betsy with a sigh; "but we've -got to get Ozma and Dorothy out of that lake, somehow -or other." - -"And we must do it in our own way," added the -Scarecrow. - -"But how?" asked Uncle Henry in a grave voice, for he -could not bear to think of his dear niece Dorothy being -out there under water; "how shall we do it?" - -"Leave that to Glinda," advised the Wizard, realizing -he was helpless to do it himself. - -"If it were just an ordinary sunken island," said the -powerful sorceress, "there would be several ways by -which I might bring it to the surface again. But this -is a Magic Isle, and by some curious art of witchcraft, -unknown to any but Queen Coo-ce-oh, it obeys certain -commands of magic and will not respond to any other. I -do not despair in the least, but it will require some -deep study to solve this difficult problem. If the Swan -could only remember the witchcraft that she invented -and knew as a woman, I could force her to tell me the -secret, but all her former knowledge is now forgotten." - -"It seems to me," said the Wizard after a brief -silence had followed Glinda's speech, "that there are -three fishes in this lake that used to be Adepts at -Magic and from whom Coo-ee-oh stole much of her -knowledge. If we could find those fishes and return -them to their former shapes, they could doubtless tell -us what to do to bring the sunken island to the -surface." - -"I have thought of those fishes," replied Glinda, -"but among so many fishes as this lake contains how are -we to single them out?" - -You will understand, of course, that had Glinda been -at home in her castle, where the Great Book of Records -was, she would have known that Ervic the Skeezer -already had taken the gold and silver and bronze fishes -from the lake. But that act had been recorded in the -Book after Glinda had set out on this journey, so it -was all unknown to her. - -"I think I see a boat yonder on the shore," said Ojo -the Munchkin boy, pointing to a place around the edge -of the lake. "If we could get that boat and row all -over the lake, calling to the magic fishes, we might be -able to find them." - -"Let us go to the boat," said the Wizard. - -They walked around the lake to where the boat was -stranded upon the beach, but found it empty. It was a -mere shell of blackened steel, with a collapsible roof -that, when in position, made the submarine watertight, -but at present the roof rested in slots on either side -of the magic craft. There were no oars or sails, no -machinery to make the boat go, and although Glinda -promptly realized it was meant to be operated by -witchcraft, she was not acquainted with that sort of -magic. - -"However," said she, "the boat is merely a boat, and -I believe I can make it obey a command of sorcery, as -well as it did the command of witchcraft. After I have -given a little thought to the matter, the boat will -take us wherever we desire to go." - -"Not all of us," returned the Wizard, "for it won't -hold so many. But, most noble Sorceress, provided you -can make the boat go, of what use will it be to us?" - -"Can't we use it to catch the three fishes?" asked -Button Bright. - -"It will not be necessary to use the boat for that -purpose," replied Glinda. "Wherever in the lake the -enchanted fishes may be, they will answer to my call. -What I am trying to discover is how the boat came to be -on this shore, while the island on which it belongs is -under water yonder. Did Coo-ee-oh come here in the boat -to meet the Flatheads before the island was sunk, or -afterward?" - -No one could answer that question, of course; but -while they pondered the matter three young men advanced -from the line of trees, and rather timidly bowed to the -strangers. - -"Who are you, and where did you come from?" inquired -the Wizard. - -"We are Skeezers," answered one of them, "and our -home is on the Magic Isle of the Lake. We ran away when -we saw you coming, and hid behind the trees, but as you -are Strangers and seem to be friendly we decided to -meet you, for we are in great trouble and need -assistance." - -"If you belong on the island, why are you here?" -demanded Glinda. - -So they told her all the story: How the Queen had -defied the Flatheads and submerged the whole island so -that her enemies could not get to it or destroy it; -how, when the Flatheads came to the shore, Coo-ee-oh -had commanded them, together with their friend Ervic, -to go with her in the submarine to conquer the Su-dic, -and how the boat had shot out from the basement of the -sunken isle, obeying a magic word, and risen to the -surface, where it opened and floated upon the water. - -Then followed the account of how the Su-dic had -transformed Coo-ee-oh into a swan, after which she had -forgotten all the witchcraft she ever knew. The young -men told how, in the night when they were asleep, their -comrade Ervic had mysteriously disappeared, while the -boat in some strange manner had floated to the shore -and stranded upon the beach. - -That was all they knew. They had searched in vain for -three days for Ervic. As their island was under water -and they could not get back to it, the three Skeezers -had no place to go, and so had waited patiently beside -their boat for something to happen. - -Being questioned by Glinda and the Wizard, they told -all they knew about Ozma and Dorothy and declared the -two girls were still in the village under the Great -Dome. They were quite safe and would be well cared for -by Lady Aurex, now that the Queen who opposed them was -out of the way. - -When they had gleaned all the information they could -from these Skeezers, the Wizard said to Glinda: - -"If you find you can make this boat obey your -sorcery, you could have it return to the island, -submerge itself, and enter the door in the basement -from which it came. But I cannot see that our going to -the sunken island would enable our friends to escape. -We would only Join them as prisoners." - -"Not so, friend Wizard," replied Glinda. "If the boat -would obey my commands to enter the basement door, it -would also obey my commands to come out again, and I -could bring Ozma and Dorothy back with me." - -"And leave all of our people still imprisoned?" asked -one of the Skeezers reproachfully. - -"By making several trips in the boat, Glinda could -fetch all your people to the shore," replied the -Wizard. - -"But what could they do then?" inquired another -Skeezer. "They would have no homes and no place to go, -and would be at the mercy of their enemies, the -Flatheads." - -"That is true," said Glinda the Good. "And as these -people are Ozma's subjects, I think she would refuse to -escape with Dorothy and leave the others behind, or to -abandon the island which is the lawful home of the -Skeezers. I believe the best plan will be to summon the -three fishes and learn from them how to raise the -island." - -The little Wizard seemed to think that this was -rather a forlorn hope. - -"How will you summon them," he asked the lovely -Sorceress, "and how can they hear you?" - -"That is something we must consider carefully," -responded stately Glinda, with a serene smile. "I -think I can find a way." - -All of Ozma's counsellors applauded this sentiment, -for they knew well the powers of the Sorceress. - -"Very well," agreed the Wizard. "Summon them, most -noble Glinda." - - - - -Chapter Eighteen - -The Cleverness of Ervic - - - -We must now return to Ervic the Skeezer, who, when he -had set down the copper kettle containing the three -fishes at the gate of the lonely cottage, had asked, -"What next?" - -The goldfish stuck its head above the water in the -kettle and said in its small but distinct voice: - -"You are to lift the latch, open the door, and walk -boldly into the cottage. Do not be afraid of anything -you see, for however you seem to be threatened with -dangers, nothing can harm you. The cottage is the home -of a powerful Yookoohoo, named Reera the Red, who -assumes all sorts of forms, sometimes changing her form -several times in a day, according to her fancy. What -her real form may be we do not know. This strange -creature cannot be bribed with treasure, or coaxed -through friendship, or won by pity. She has never -assisted anyone, or done wrong to anyone, that we know -of. All her wonderful powers are used for her own -selfish amusement. She will order you out of the house -but you must refuse to go. Remain and watch Reera -closely and try to see what she uses to accomplish her -transformations. If you can discover the secret -whisper it to us and we will then tell you what to do -next." - -"That sounds easy," returned Ervic, who had listened -carefully. "But are you sure she will not hurt me, or -try to transform me?" - -"She may change your form," replied the goldfish, -"but do not worry if that happens, for we can break -that enchantment easily. You may be sure that nothing -will harm you, so you must not be frightened at -anything you see or hear." - -Now Ervic was as brave as any ordinary young man, and -he knew the fishes who spoke to him were truthful and -to be relied upon, nevertheless he experienced a -strange sinking of the heart as he picked up the kettle -and approached the door of the cottage. His hand -trembled as he raised the latch, but he was resolved to -obey his instructions. He pushed the door open, took -three strides into the middle of the one room the -cottage contained, and then stood still and looked -around him. - -The sights that met his gaze were enough to frighten -anyone who had not been properly warned. On the floor -just before Ervic lay a great crocodile, its red eyes -gleaming wickedly and its wide open mouth displaying -rows of sharp teeth. Horned toads hopped about; each -of the four upper corners of the room was festooned -with a thick cobweb, in the center of which sat a -spider as big around as a washbasin, and armed with -pincher-like claws; a red-and-green lizard was -stretched at full length on the window-sill and black -rats darted in and out of the holes they had gnawed in -the floor of the cottage. - -But the most startling thing was a huge gray ape -which sat upon a bench and knitted. It wore a lace cap, -such as old ladies wear, and a little apron of lace, -but no other clothing. Its eyes were bright and looked -as if coals were burning in them. The ape moved as -naturally as an ordinary person might, and on Ervic's -entrance stopped knitting and raised its head to look -at him. - -"Get out!" cried a sharp voice, seeming to come from -the ape's mouth. - -Ervic saw another bench, empty, just beyond him, so -he stepped over the crocodile, sat down upon the bench -and carefully placed the kettle beside him. - -"Get out!" again cried the voice. - -Ervic shook his head. - -"No," said he, "I'm going to stay." - -The spiders left their four corners, dropped to the -floor and made a rush toward the young Skeezer, -circling around his legs with their pinchers extended. -Ervic paid no attention to them. An enormous black rat -ran up Ervic's body, passed around his shoulders and -uttered piercing squeals in his ears, but he did not -wince. The green-and-red lizard, coming from the -window-sill, approached Ervic and began spitting a -flaming fluid at him, but Ervic merely stared at the -creature and its flame did not touch him. - -The crocodile raised its tail and, swinging around, -swept Ervic off the bench with a powerful blow. But the -Skeezer managed to save the kettle from upsetting and -he got up, shook off the horned toads that were -crawling over him and resumed his seat on the bench. - -All the creatures, after this first attack, remained -motionless, as if awaiting orders. The old gray ape -knitted on, not looking toward Ervic now, and the young -Skeezer stolidly kept his seat. He expected something -else to happen, but nothing did. A full hour passed and -Ervic was growing nervous. - -"What do you want?" the ape asked at last. - -"Nothing," said Ervic. - -"You may have that!" retorted the ape, and at this -all the strange creatures in the room broke into a -chorus of cackling laughter. - -Another long wait. - -"Do you know who I am?" questioned the ape. - -"You must be Reera the Red -- the Yookoohoo," Ervic -answered. - -"Knowing so much, you must also know that I do not -like strangers. Your presence here in my home annoys -me. Do you not fear my anger?" - -"No," said the young man. - -"Do you intend to obey me, and leave this house?" -"No," replied Ervic, just as quietly as the Yookoohoo -had spoken. - -The ape knitted for a long time before resuming the -conversation. - -"Curiosity," it said, "has led to many a man's -undoing. I suppose in some way you have learned that I -do tricks of magic, and so through curiosity you have -come here. You may have been told that I do not injure -anyone, so you are bold enough to disobey my commands -to go away. You imagine that you may witness some of -the rites of witchcraft, and that they may amuse you. -Have I spoken truly?" - -"Well," remarked Ervic, who had been pondering on the -strange circumstances of his coming here, "you are -right in some ways, but not in others. I am told that -you work magic only for your own amusement. That seems -to me very selfish. Few people understand magic. I'm -told that you are the only real Yookoohoo in all Oz. -Why don't you amuse others as well as yourself?" - -"What right have you to question my actions?" - -"None at all." - -"And you say you are not here to demand any -favors of me?" - -"For myself I want nothing from you." - -"You are wise in that. I never grant favors." - -"That doesn't worry me," declared Ervic. - -"But you are curious? You hope to witness some of my -magic transformations?" - -"If you wish to perform any magic, go ahead," said -Ervic. "It may interest me and it may not. If you'd -rather go on with your knitting, it's all the same to -me. I am in no hurry at all." - -This may have puzzled Red Reera, but the face beneath -the lace cap could show no expression, being covered -with hair. Perhaps in all her career the Yookoohoo had -never been visited by anyone who, like this young man, -asked for nothing, expected nothing, and had no reason -for coming except curiosity. This attitude practically -disarmed the witch and she began to regard the Skeezer -in a more friendly way. She knitted for some time, -seemingly in deep thought, and then she arose and -walked to a big cupboard that stood against the wall of -the room. When the cupboard door was opened Ervic could -see a lot of drawers inside, and into one of these -drawers -- the second from the bottom -- Reera thrust a -hairy hand. - -Until now Ervic could see over the bent form of the -ape, but suddenly the form, with its back to him, -seemed to straighten up and blot out the cupboard of -drawers. The ape had changed to the form of a woman, -dressed in the pretty Gillikin costume, and when she -turned around he saw that it was a young woman, whose -face was quite attractive. - -"Do you like me better this way?" Reera inquired with -a smile. - -"You look better," he said calmly, "but I'm not sure -I like you any better." - -She laughed, saying: "During the heat of the day I -like to be an ape, for an ape doesn't wear any clothes -to speak of. But if one has gentlemen callers it is -proper to dress up." - -Ervic noticed her right hand was closed, as if she -held something in it. She shut the cupboard door, bent -over the crocodile and in a moment the creature had -changed to a red wolf. It was not pretty even now, and -the wolf crouched beside its mistress as a dog might -have done. Its teeth looked as dangerous as had those -of the crocodile. - -Next the Yookoohoo went about touching all the -lizards and toads, and at her touch they became -kittens. The rats she changed into chipmunks. Now the -only horrid creatures remaining were the four great -spiders, which hid themselves behind their thick webs. - -"There!" Reera cried, "now my cottage presents a more -comfortable appearance. I love the toads and lizards -and rats, because most people hate them, but I would -tire of them if they always remained the same. -Sometimes I change their forms a dozen times a day." - -"You are clever," said Ervic. "I did not hear you -utter any incantations or magic words. All you did was -to touch the creatures." - -"Oh, do you think so?" she replied. "Well, touch them -yourself, if you like, and see if you can change their -forms." - -"No," said the Skeezer, "I don't understand magic and -if I did I would not try to imitate your skill. You are -a wonderful Yookoohoo, while I am only a common -Skeezer." - -This confession seemed to please Reera, who liked to -have her witchcraft appreciated. - -"Will you go away now?" she asked. "I prefer to be -alone." - -"I prefer to stay here," said Ervic. - -"In another person's home, where you are not wanted?" - -"Yes." - -"Is not your curiosity yet satisfied?" demanded -Reera, with a smile. - -"I don't know. Is there anything else you can do?" - -"Many things. But why should I exhibit my powers to a -stranger?" - -"I can think of no reason at all," he replied. - -She looked at him curiously. - -"You want no power for yourself, you say, and you're -too stupid to be able to steal my secrets. This isn't a -pretty cottage, while outside are sunshine, broad -prairies and beautiful wildflowers. Yet you insist on -sitting on that bench and annoying me with your -unwelcome presence. What have you in that kettle?" - -"Three fishes," he answered readily. - -"Where did you get them?" - -"I caught them in the Lake of the Skeezers." - -"What do you intend to do with the fishes?" - -"I shall carry them to the home of a friend of mine -who has three children. The children will love to have -the fishes for pets." - -She came over to the bench and looked into the -kettle, where the three fishes were swimming quietly in -the water. - -"They're pretty," said Reera. "Let me transform them -into something else." - -"No," objected the Skeezer. - -"I love to transform things; it's so interesting. And -I've never transformed any fishes in all my life." - -"Let them alone," said Ervic. - -"What shapes would you prefer them to have? I can -make them turtles, or cute little sea-horses; or I -could make them piglets, or rabbits, or guinea-pigs; -or, if you like I can make chickens of them, or eagles, -or bluejays." - -"Let them alone!" repeated Ervic. - -"You're not a very pleasant visitor," laughed Red -Reera. "People accuse me of being cross and crabbed -and unsociable, and they are quite right. If you had -come here pleading and begging for favors, and half -afraid of my Yookoohoo magic, I'd have abused you until -you ran away; but you're quite different from that. -You're the unsociable and crabbed and disagreeable one, -and so I like you, and bear with your grumpiness. It's -time for my midday meal; are you hungry?" - -"No," said Ervic, although he really desired food. - -"Well, I am," Reera declared and clapped her hands -together. Instantly a table appeared, spread with linen -and bearing dishes of various foods, some smoking hot. -There were two plates laid, one at each end of the -table, and as soon as Reera seated herself all her -creatures gathered around her, as if they were -accustomed to be fed when she ate. The wolf squatted at -her right hand and the kittens and chipmunks gathered -at her left. - -"Come, Stranger, sit down and eat," she called -cheerfully, "and while we're eating let us decide into -what forms we shall change your fishes." - -"They're all right as they are," asserted Ervic, -drawing up his bench to the table. "The fishes are -beauties -- one gold, one silver and one bronze. -Nothing that has life is more lovely than a beautiful -fish." - -"What! Am I not more lovely?" Reera asked, smiling at -his serious face. - -"I don't object to you -- for a Yookoohoo, you know," -he said, helping himself to the food and eating with -good appetite. - -"And don't you consider a beautiful girl more lovely -than a fish, however pretty the fish may be?" - -"Well," replied Ervic, after a period of thought, -"that might be. If you transformed my three fish into -three girls -- girls who would be Adepts at Magic, you -know they might please me as well as the fish do. You -won't do that of course, because you can't, with all -your skill. And, should you be able to do so, I fear my -troubles would be more than I could bear. They would -not consent to be my slaves -- especially if they were -Adepts at Magic -- and so they would command me to obey -them. No, Mistress Reeraq let us not transform the -fishes at all." - -The Skeezer had put his case with remarkable -cleverness. He realized that if he appeared anxious for -such a transformation the Yookoohoo would not perform -it, yet he had skillfully suggested that they be made -Adepts at Magic. - - - - - -Chapter Nineteen - -Red Reera, the Yookoohoo - - - -After the meal was over and Reera had fed her pets, -including the four monster spiders which had come down -from their webs to secure their share, she made the -table disappear from the floor of the cottage. - -"I wish you'd consent to my transforming your -fishes," she said, as she took up her knitting again. - -The Skeezer made no reply. He thought it unwise to -hurry matters. All during the afternoon they sat -silent. Once Reera went to her cupboard and after -thrusting her hand into the same drawer as before, -touched the wolf and transformed it into a bird with -gorgeous colored feathers. This bird was larger than a -parrot and of a somewhat different form, but Ervic had -never seen one like it before. - -"Sing!" said Reera to the bird, which had perched -itself on a big wooden peg -- as if it had been in the -cottage before and knew just what to do. - -And the bird sang jolly, rollicking songs with words -to them -- just as a person who had been carefully -trained might do. The songs were entertaining and Ervic -enjoyed listening to them. In an hour or so the bird -stopped singing, tucked its head under its wing and -went to sleep. Reera continued knitting but seemed -thoughtful. - -Now Ervic had marked this cupboard drawer well and -had concluded that Reera took something from it which -enabled her to perform her transformations. He thought -that if he managed to remain in the cottage, and Reera -fell asleep, he could slyly open the cupboard, take a -portion of whatever was in the drawer, and by dropping -it into the copper kettle transform the three fishes -into their natural shapes. Indeed, he had firmly -resolved to carry out this plan when the Yookoohoo put -down her knitting and walked toward the door. - -"I'm going out for a few minutes," said she; "do you -wish to go with me, or will you remain here?" - -Ervic did not answer but sat quietly on his bench. So -Reera went out and closed the cottage door. - -As soon as she was gone, Ervic rose and tiptoed to -the cupboard. - -"Take care! Take care!" cried several voices, coming -from the kittens and chipmunks. "If you touch anything -we'll tell the Yookoohoo!" - -Ervic hesitated a moment but, remembering that he -need not consider Reera's anger if he succeeded in -transforming the fishes, he was about to open the -cupboard when he was arrested by the voices of the -fishes, which stuck their heads above the water in the -kettle and called out: - -"Come here, Ervic!" - -So he went back to the kettle and bent over it - -"Let the cupboard alone," said the goldfish to him -earnestly. "You could not succeed by getting that magic -powder, for only the Yookoohoo knows how to use it. The -best way is to allow her to transform us into three -girls, for then we will have our natural shapes and be -able to perform all the Arts of Magic we have learned -and well understand. You are acting wisely and in the -most effective manner. We did not know you were so -intelligent, or that Reera could be so easily deceived -by you. Continue as you have begun and try to persuade -her to transform us. But insist that we be given the -forms of girls." - -The goldfish ducked its head down just as Reera re- -entered the cottage. She saw Ervic bent over the -kettle, so she came and joined him. - -"Can your fishes talk?" she asked. - -"Sometimes," he replied, "for all fishes in the Land -of Oz know how to speak. Just now they were asking me -for some bread. They are hungry." - -"Well, they can have some bread," said Reera. "But it -is nearly supper-time, and if you would allow me to -transform your fishes into girls they could join us at -the table and have plenty of food much nicer than -crumbs. Why not let me transform them?" - -"Well," said Ervic, as if hesitating, "ask the -fishes. If they consent, why -- why, then, I'll think -it over." - -Reera bent over the kettle and asked: - -"Can you hear me, little fishes?" - -All three popped their heads above water. - -"We can hear you," said the bronzefish. - -"I want to give you other forms, such as rabbits, or -turtles or girls, or something; but your master, the -surly Skeezer, does not wish me to. However, he has -agreed to the plan if you will consent." - -"We'd like to be girls," said the silverfish. - -"No, no!" exclaimed Ervic. - -"If you promise to make us three beautiful girls, -we will consent," said the goldfish. - -"No, no!" exclaimed Ervic again. - -"Also make us Adepts at Magic," added the bronzefish. - -"I don't know exactly what that means," replied Reera -musingly, "but as no Adept at Magic is as powerful as -Yookoohoo, I'll add that to the transformation." - -"We won't try to harm you, or to interfere with your -magic in any way," promised the goldfish. "On the -contrary, we will be your friends." - -"Will you agree to go away and leave me alone in my -cottage, whenever I command you to do so?" asked Reera. - -"We promise that," cried the three fishes. - -"Don't do it! Don't consent to the transformation," -urged Ervic. - -"They have already consented," said the Yookoohoo, -laughing in his face, "and you have promised me to -abide by their decision. So, friend Skeezer, I shall -perform the transformation whether you like it or not." - -Ervic seated himself on the bench again, a deep scowl -on his face but joy in his heart. Reera moved over to -the cupboard, took something from the drawer and -returned to the copper kettle. She was clutching -something tightly in her right hand, but with her left -she reached within the kettle, took out the three -fishes and laid them carefully on the floor, where they -gasped in distress at being out of water. - -Reera did not keep them in misery more than a few -seconds, for she touched each one with her right hand -and instantly the fishes were transformed into three -tall and slender young women, with fine, intelligent -faces and clothed in handsome, clinging gowns. The one -who had been a goldfish had beautiful golden hair and -blue eyes and was exceedingly fair of skin; the one who -had been a bronzefish had dark brown hair and clear -gray eyes and her complexion matched these lovely -features. The one who had been a silverfish had snow- -white hair of the finest texture and deep brown eyes. -The hair contrasted exquisitely with her pink cheeks -and ruby-red lips, nor did it make her look a day older -than her two companions. - -As soon as they secured these girlish shapes, all -three bowed low to the Yookoohoo and said: - -"We thank you, Reera." - -Then they bowed to the Skeezer and said: - -"We thank you, Ervic." - -"Very good!" cried the Yookoohoo, examining her work -with critical approval. "You are much better and more -interesting than fishes, and this ungracious Skeezer -would scarcely allow me to do the transformations. You -surely have nothing to thank him for. But now let us -dine in honor of the occasion." - -She clapped her hands together and again a table -loaded with food appeared in the cottage. It was a -longer table, this time, and places were set for the -three Adepts as well as for Reera and Ervic. - -"Sit down, friends, and eat your fill," said the -Yookoohoo, but instead of seating herself at the head -of the table she went to the cupboard, saying to the -Adepts: "Your beauty and grace, my fair friends, quite -outshine my own. So that I may appear properly at the -banquet table I intend, in honor of this occasion, to -take upon myself my natural shape." - -Scarcely had she finished this speech when Reera -transformed herself into a young woman fully as lovely -as the three Adepts. She was not quite so tall as they, -but her form was more rounded and more handsomely -clothed, with a wonderful jeweled girdle and a necklace -of shining pearls. Her hair was a bright auburn red, -and her eyes large and dark. - -"Do you claim this is your natural form?" asked Ervic -of the Yookoohoo. - -"Yes," she replied. "This is the only form I am -really entitled to wear. But I seldom assume it because -there is no one here to admire or appreciate it and I -get tired admiring it myself." - -"I see now why you are named Reera the Red," remarked -Ervic. - -"It is on account of my red hair," she explained -smiling. "I do not care for red hair myself, which is -one reason I usually wear other forms." - -"It is beautiful," asserted the young man; and then -remembering the other women present he added: "But, of -course, all women should not have red hair, because -that would make it too common. Gold and silver and -brown hair are equally handsome." - -The smiles that he saw interchanged between the four -filled the poor Skeezer with embarrassment, so he fell -silent and attended to eating his supper, leaving the -others to do the talking. The three Adepts frankly told -Reera who they were. how they became fishes and how -they had planned secretly to induce the Yookoohoo to -transform them. They admitted that they had feared, had -they asked her to help, that she would have refused -them. - -"You were quite right," returned the Yookoohoo. "I -make it my rule never to perform magic to assist -others, for if I did there would always be crowd at my -cottage demanding help and I hate crowds and want to be -left alone." - -"However, now that you are restored to your proper -shapes, I do not regret my action and I hope you will -be of use in saving the Skeezer people by raising their -island to the surface of the lake, where it really -belongs. But you must promise me that after you go away -you will never come here again, nor tell anyone what I -have done for you." - -The three Adepts and Ervic thanked the Yookoohoo -warmly. They promised to remember her wish that they -should not come to her cottage again and so, with a -good-bye, took their departure. - - - - -Chapter Twenty - -A Puzzling Problem - - - -Glinda the Good, having decided to try her sorcery -upon the abandoned submarine, so that it would obey her -commands, asked all of her party, including the -Skeezers, to withdraw from the shore of the take to the -line of palm trees. She kept with her only the little -Wizard of Oz, who was her pupil and knew how to assist -her in her magic rites. When they two were alone beside -the stranded boat, Glinda said to the Wizard: - -"I shall first try my magic recipe No. 1163, which is -intended to make inanimate objects move at my command. -Have you a skeropythrope with you?" - -"Yes, I always carry one in my bag," replied the -Wizard. He opened his black bag of magic tools and took -out a brightly polished skeropythrope, which he handed -to the Sorceress. Glinda had also brought a small -wicker bag, containing various requirements of sorcery, -and from this she took a parcel of powder and a vial of -liquid. She poured the liquid into the skeropythrope -and added the powder. At once the skeropythrope began -to sputter and emit sparks of a violet color, which -spread in all directions. The Sorceress instantly -stepped into the middle of the boat and held the -instrument so that the sparks fell all around her and -covered every bit of the blackened steel boat. At the -same time Glinda crooned a weird incantation in the -language of sorcery, her voice sounding low and -musical. - -After a little the violet sparks ceased, and those -that had fallen upon the boat had disappeared and left -no mark upon its surface. The ceremony was ended and -Glinda returned the skeropythrope to the Wizard, who -put it away in his black bag. - -"That ought to do the business all right," he said -confidently - -"Let us make a trial and see," she replied. - -So they both entered the boat and seated themselves. - -Speaking in a tone of command the Sorceress said to -the boat: "Carry us across the lake, to the farther -shore." - -At once the boat backed off the sandy beach, turned -its prow and moved swiftly over the water. - -"Very good -- very good indeed!" cried the Wizard, -when the boat slowed up at the shore opposite from that -whence they had departed. "Even Coo-ee-oh, with all -her witchcraft, could do no better." - -The Sorceress now said to the boat: - -"Close up, submerge and carry us to the basement door -of the sunken island -- the door from which you emerged -at the command of Queen Coo-ee-oh." - -The boat obeyed. As it sank into the water the top -sections rose from the sides and joined together over -the heads of Glinda and the Wizard, who were thus -enclosed in a water-proof chamber. There were four -glass windows in this covering, one on each side and -one on either end, so that the passengers could see -exactly where they were going. Moving under water more -slowly than on the surface, the submarine gradually -approached the island and halted with its bow pressed -against the huge marble door in the basement under the -Dome. This door was tightly closed and it was evident -to both Glinda and the Wizard that it would not open to -admit the underwater boat unless a magic word was -spoken by them or someone from within the basement of -the island. But what was this magic word? Neither of -them knew. - -"I'm afraid," said the Wizard regretfully, "that we -can't get in, after all. Unless your sorcery can -discover the word to open the marble door." - -"That is probably some word only known to Coo-ce-oh," -replied the Sorceress. "I may be able to discover what -it is, but that will require time. Let us go back -again to our companions." - -"It seems a shame, after we have made the boat obey -us, to be balked by just a marble door," grumbled the -Wizard. - -At Glinda's command the boat rose until it was on a -level with the glass dome that covered the Skeezer -village, when the Sorceress made it slowly circle all -around the Great Dome. - -Many faces were pressed against the glass from the -inside, eagerly watching the submarine, and in one -place were Dorothy and Ozma, who quickly recognized -Glinda and the Wizard through the glass windows of the -boat. Glinda saw them, too, and held the boat close to -the Dome while the friends exchanged greetings in -pantomime. Their voices, unfortunately, could not be -heard through the Dome and the water and the side of -the boat. The Wizard tried to make the girls -understand, through signs, that he and Glinda had come -to their rescue, and Ozma and Dorothy understood this -from the very fact that the Sorceress and the Wizard -had appeared. The two girl prisoners were smiling and -in safety, and knowing this Glinda felt she could take -all the time necessary in order to effect their final -rescue. - -As nothing more could be done just then, Glinda -ordered the boat to return to shore and it obeyed -readily. First it ascended to the surface of the water, -then the roof parted and fell into the slots at the -side of the boat, and then the magic craft quickly made -the shore and beached itself on the sands at the very -spot from which it had departed at Glinda's command. -All the Oz people and the Skeezers at once ran to the -boat to ask if they had reached the island, and whether -they had seen Ozma and Dorothy. The Wizard told them of -the obstacle they had met in the way of a marble door, -and how Glinda would now undertake to find a magic way -to conquer the door. - -Realizing that it would require several days to -succeed in reaching the island raising it and -liberating their friends and the Skeezer people, Glinda -now prepared a camp half way between the lake shore and -the palm trees. - -The Wizard's wizardry made a number of tents appear -and the sorcery of the Sorceress furnished these tents -all complete, with beds, chairs, tables, flags, lamps -and even books with which to pass idle hours. All the -tents had the Royal Banner of Oz flying from the -centerpoles and one big tent, not now occupied, had -Ozma's own banner moving in the breeze. - -Betsy and Trot had a tent to themselves, and Button -Bright and Ojo had another. The Scarecrow and the Tin -Woodman paired together in one tent and so did Jack -Pumpkinhead and the Shaggy Man, Cap'n Bill and Uncle -Henry, Tik-Tok and Professor Wogglebug. Glinda had the -most splendid tent of all, except that reserved for -Ozma, while the Wizard had a little one of his own. -Whenever it was meal time, tables loaded with food -magically appeared in the tents of those who were in -the habit of eating, and these complete arrangements -made the rescue party just comfortable as they would -have been in their own homes. - -Far into the night Glinda sat in her tent studying a -roll of mystic scrolls in search of a word that would -open the basement door of the island and admit her to -the Great Dome. She also made many magical experiments, -hoping to discover something that would aid her. Yet -the morning found the powerful Sorceress still -unsuccessful. - -Glinda's art could have opened any ordinary door, you -may be sure, but you must realize that this marble door -of the island had been commanded not to open save in -obedience to one magic word, and therefore all other -magic words could have no effect upon it. The magic -word that guarded the door had probably been invented -by Coo-ee-oh, who had now forgotten it. The only way, -then, to gain entrance to the sunken island was to -break the charm that held the door fast shut. If this -could be done no magic would be required to open it. - -The next day the Sorceress and the Wizard again -entered the boat and made it submerge and go to the -marble door, which they tried in various ways to open, -but without success. - -"We shall have to abandon this attempt, I think," -said Glinda. "The easiest way to raise the island would -be for us to gain admittance to the Dome and then -descend to the basement and see in what manner -Coo-ee-oh made the entire island sink or rise at her -command. It naturally occurred to me that the easiest -way to gain admittance would be by having the boat take -us into the basement through the marble door from which -Coo-ee-oh launched it. But there must be other ways to -get inside the Dome and join Ozma and Dorothy, and such -ways we must find by study and the proper use of our -powers of magic." - -"It won't be easy," declared the Wizard, "for we must -not forget that Ozma herself understands considerable -magic, and has doubtless tried to raise the island or -find other means of escape from it and failed." - -"That is true," returned Glinda, "but Ozma's magic is -fairy magic, while you are a Wizard and I am a -Sorceress. In this way the three of us have a great -variety of magic to work with, and if we should all -fail it will be because the island is raised and -lowered by a magic power none of us is acquainted with. -My idea therefore is to seek -- by such magic as we -possess -- to accomplish our object in another way." - -They made the circle of the Dome again in their boat, -and once more saw Ozma and Dorothy through their -windows and exchanged signals with the two imprisoned -girls. - -Ozma realized that her friends were doing all in -their power to rescue her and smiled an encouragement -to their efforts. Dorothy seemed a little anxious but -was trying to be as brave as her companion. - -After the boat had returned to the camp and Glinda -was seated in her tent, working out various ways by -which Ozma and Dorothy could be rescued, the Wizard -stood on the shore dreamily eying the outlines of the -Great Dome which showed beneath the clear water, when -he raised his eyes and saw a group of strange people -approaching from around the lake. Three were young -women of stately presence, very beautifully dressed, -who moved with remarkable grace. They were followed at -a little distance by a good-looking young Skeezer. - -The Wizard saw at a glance that these people might be -very important, so he advanced to meet them. The three -maidens received him graciously and the one with the -golden hair said: - -"I believe you are the famous Wizard of Oz, of whom I -have often heard. We are seeking Glinda, the Sorceress, -and perhaps you can lead us to her." - -"I can, and will, right gladly," answered the Wizard. -"Follow me, please." - -The little Wizard was puzzled as to the identity of -the three lovely visitors but he gave no sign that -might embarrass them. - -He understood they did not wish to be questioned, and -so he made no remarks as he led the way to Glinda's -tent. - -With a courtly bow the Wizard ushered the three -visitors into the gracious presence of Glinda, the -Good. - - - - -Chapter Twenty-One - -The Three Adepts - - - -The Sorceress looked up from her work as the three -maidens entered, and something in their appearance and -manner led her to rise and bow to them in her most -dignified manner. The three knelt an instant before the -great Sorceress and then stood upright and waited for -her to speak. - -"Whoever you may be," said Glinda, "I bid you -welcome." - -"My name is Audah," said one. - -"My name is Aurah," said another. - -"My name is Aujah," said the third. - -Glinda had never heard these names before, but -looking closely at the three she asked: - -"Are you witches or workers in magic?" - -"Some of the secret arts we have gleaned from -Nature," replied the brownhaired maiden modestly, "but -we do not place our skill beside that of the Great -Sorceress, Glinda the Good." - -"I suppose you are aware it is unlawful to practice -magic in the Land of Oz, without the permission of our -Ruler, Princess Ozma?" - -"No, we were not aware of that," was the reply. "We -have heard of Ozma, who is the appointed Ruler of all -this great fairyland, but her laws have not reached us, -as yet." - -Glinda studied the strange maidens thoughtfully; then -she said to them: - -"Princess Ozma is even now imprisoned in the Skeezer -village. for the whole island with its Great Dome, was -sunk to the bottom of the lake by the witchcraft of -Coo-ee-oh, whom the Flathead Su-dic transformed into a -silly swan. I am seeking some way to overcome -Coo-ee-oh's magic and raise the isle to the surface -again. Can you help me do this?" - -The maidens exchanged glances, and the white-haired -one replied - -"We do not know; but we will try to assist you." - -"It seems," continued Glinda musingly, "that -Coo-ee-oh derived most of her witchcraft from three -Adepts at Magic, who at one time ruled the Flatheads. -While the Adepts were being entertained by Coo-ee-oh at -a banquet in her palace, she cruelly betrayed them and -after transforming them into fishes cast them into the -lake. - -"If I could find these three fishes and return them -to their natural shapes -- they might know what magic -Coo-ee-oh used to sink the island. I was about to go to -the shore and call these fishes to me when you arrived. -So, if you will join me, we will try to find them." - -The maidens exchanged smiles now, and the golden- -haired one, Audah, said to Glinda: - -"It will not be necessary to go to the lake. We are -the three fishes." - -"Indeed!" cried Glinda. "Then you are the three -Adepts at Magic, restored to your proper forms?" - -"We are the three Adepts," admitted Aujah. - -"Then," said Glinda, "my task is half accomplished. -But who destroyed the transformation that made you -fishes?" - -"We have promised not to tell," answered Aurah; "but -this young Skeezer was largely responsible for our -release; he is brave and clever, and we owe him our -gratitude." - -Glinda looked at Ervic, who stood modestly behind the -Adepts, hat in hand. "He shall be properly rewarded," -she declared, "for in helping you he has helped us all, -and perhaps saved his people from being imprisoned -forever in the sunken isle." - -The Sorceress now asked her guests to seat themselves -and a long talk followed, in which the Wizard of Oz -shared. - -"We are quite certain," said Aurah, "that if we could -get inside the Dome we could discover Coo-ee-oh's -secrets, for in all her work, after we became fishes, -she used the formulas and incantations and arts that -she stole from us. She may have added to these things, -but they were the foundation of all her work." - -"What means do you suggest for our getting into the -Dome?" inquired Glinda. - -The three Adepts hesitated to reply, for they had not -yet considered what could be done to reach the inside -of the Great Dome. While they were in deep thought, and -Glinda and the Wizard were quietly awaiting their -suggestions, into the tent rushed Trot and Betsy, -dragging between them the Patchwork Girl. - -"Oh, Glinda," cried Trot, "Scraps has thought of a -way to rescue Ozma and Dorothy and all of the -Skeezers." - -The three Adepts could not avoid laughing merrily, -for not only were they amused by the queer form of the -Patchwork Girl, but Trot's enthusiastic speech struck -them as really funny. If the Great Sorceress and the -famous Wizard and the three talented Adepts at Magic -were unable as yet to solve the important problem of -the sunken isle, there was little chance for a patched -girl stuffed with cotton to succeed. - -But Glinda, smiling indulgently at the earnest faces -turned toward her, patted the children's heads and -said: - -"Scraps is very clever. Tell us what she has thought -of, my dear." - -"Well," said Trot, "Scraps says that if you could dry -up all the water in the lake the island would be on dry -land, an' everyone could come and go whenever they -liked." - -Glinda smiled again, but the Wizard said to the -girls: - -"If we should dry up the lake, what would become of -all the beautiful fishes that now live in the water?" - -"Dear me! That's so," admitted Betsy, crestfallen; "we -never thought of that, did we Trot?" - -"Couldn't you transform 'em into polliwogs?" asked -Scraps, turning a somersault and then standing on one -leg. "You could give them a little, teeny pond to swim -in, and they'd be just as happy as they are as fishes." - -"No indeed!" replied the Wizard, severely. "It is -wicked to transform any living creatures without their -consent, and the lake is the home of the fishes and -belongs to them." - -"All right," said Scraps, making a face at him; "I -don't care." - -"It's too bad," sighed Trot, "for I thought we'd -struck a splendid idea." - -"So you did," declared Glinda, her face now grave and -thoughtful. "There is something in the Patchwork Girl's -idea that may be of real value to us." - -"I think so, too," agreed the golden-haired Adept. -"The top of the Great Dome is only a few feet below the -surface of the water. If we could reduce the level of -the lake until the Dome sticks a little above the -water, we could remove some of the glass and let -ourselves down into the village by means of ropes." - -"And there would be plenty of water left for the -fishes to swim in," added the white-haired maiden. - -"If we succeed in raising the island we could fill up -the lake again," suggested the brown-haired Adept. - -"I believe," said the Wizard, rubbing his hands -together in delight, "that the Patchwork Girl has shown -us the way to success." - -The girls were looking curiously at the three -beautiful Adepts, wondering who they were, so Glinda -introduced them to Trot and Betsy and Scraps, and then -sent the children away while she considered how to -carry the new idea into effect. - -Not much could be done that night, so the Wizard -prepared another tent for the Adepts, and in the -evening Glinda held a reception and invited all her -followers to meet the new arrivals. The Adepts were -greatly astonished at the extraordinary personages -presented to them, and marveled that Jack Pumpkinhead -and the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman and Tik-Tok could -really live and think and talk just like other people. -They were especially pleased with the lively Patchwork -Girl and loved to watch her antics. - -It was quite a pleasant party, for Glinda served some -dainty refreshments to those who could eat, and the -Scarecrow recited some poems, and the Cowardly Lion -sang a song in his deep bass voice. The only thing -that marred their joy was the thought that their -beloved Ozma and dear little Dorothy were yet confined -in the Great Dome of the Sunken island. - - - - -Chapter Twenty-Two - -The Sunken Island - - - -As soon as they had breakfasted the next morning, -Glinda and the Wizard and the three Adepts went down to -the shore of the lake and formed a line with their -faces toward the submerged island. All the others came -to watch them, but stood at a respectful distance in -the background. - -At the right of the Sorceress stood Audah and Aurah, -while at the left stood the Wizard and Aujah. Together -they stretched their arms over the water's edge and in -unison the five chanted a rhythmic incantation. - -This chant they repeated again and again, swaying -their arms gently from side to side, and in a few -minutes the watchers behind them noticed that the lake -had begun to recede from the shore. Before long the -highest point of the dome appeared above the water. -Gradually the water fell, making the dome appear to -rise. When it was three or four feet above the surface -Glinda gave the signal to stop, for their work had been -accomplished. - -The blackened submarine was now entirely out of -water, but Uncle Henry and Cap'n Bill managed to push -it into the lake. Glinda, the Wizard, Ervic and the -Adepts got into the boat, taking with them a coil of -strong rope, and at the command of the Sorceress the -craft cleaved its way through the water toward the part -of the Dome which was now visible. - -"There's still plenty of water for the fish to swim -in," observed the Wizard as they rode along. "They -might like more but I'm sure they can get along until -we have raised the island and can fill up the lake -again." - -The boat touched gently on the sloping glass of the -Dome, and the Wizard took some tools from his black bag -and quickly removed one large pane of glass, thus -making a hole large enough for their bodies to pass -through. Stout frames of steel supported the glass of -the Dome, and around one of these frames the Wizard -tied the end of a rope. - -"I'll go down first," said he, "for while I'm not as -spry as Cap'n Bill I'm sure I can manage it easily. Are -you sure the rope is long enough to reach the bottom?" - -"Quite sure," replied the Sorceress. - -So the Wizard let down the rope and climbing through -the opening lowered himself down, hand over hand, -clinging to the rope with his legs and feet. Below in -the streets of the village were gathered all the -Skeezers, men, women and children, and you may be sure -that Ozma and Dorothy, with Lady Aurex, were filled -with joy that their friends were at last coming to -their rescue. - -The Queen's palace, now occupied by Ozma, was -directly in the center of the Dome, so that when the -rope was let down the end of it came just in front of -the palace entrance. Several Skeezers held fast to the -rope's end to steady it and the Wizard reached the -ground in safety. He hugged first Ozma and then -Dorothy, while all the Skeezers cheered as loud as they -could. - -The Wizard now discovered that the rope was long -enough to reach from the top of the Dome to the ground -when doubled, so he tied a chair to one end of the rope -and called to Glinda to sit in the chair while he and -some of the Skeezers lowered her to the pavement. In -this way the Sorceress reached the ground quite -comfortably and the three Adepts and Ervic soon -followed her. - -The Skeezers quickly recognized the three Adepts at -Magic, whom they had learned to respect before their -wicked Queen betrayed them, and welcomed them as -friends. All the inhabitants of the village had been -greatly frightened by their imprisonment under water, -but now realized that an attempt was to be made to -rescue them. - -Glinda, the Wizard and the Adepts followed Ozma and -Dorothy into the palace, and they asked Lady Aurex and -Ervic to join them. After Ozma had told of her -adventures in trying to prevent war between the -Flatheads and the Skeezers, and Glinda had told all -about the Rescue Expedition and the restoration of the -three Adepts by the help of Ervic, a serious -consultation was held as to how the island could be -made to rise. - -"I've tried every way in my power," said Ozma, "but -Coo-ee-oh used a very unusual sort of magic which I do -not understand. She seems to have prepared her -witchcraft in such a way that a spoken word is -necessary to accomplish her designs, and these spoken -words are known only to herself." - -"That is a method we taught her," declared Aurah the -Adept. - -"I can do no more, Glinda," continued Ozma, "so I -wish you would try what your sorcery can accomplish." - -"First, then," said Glinda, "let us visit the -basement of the island, which I am told is underneath -the village." - -A flight of marble stairs led from one of Coo-ee-oh's -private rooms down to the basement, but when the party -arrived all were puzzled by what they saw. In the -center of a broad, low room, stood a mass of great cog- -wheels, chains and pulleys, all interlocked and seeming -to form a huge machine; but there was no engine or -other motive power to make the wheels turn. - -"This, I suppose, is the means by which the island is -lowered or raised," said Ozma, "but the magic word -which is needed to move the machinery is unknown to -us." - -The three Adepts were carefully examining the mass of -wheels, and soon the golden-haired one said: - -"These wheels do not control the island at all. On -the contrary, one set of them is used to open the doors -of the little rooms where the submarines are kept, as -may be seen from the chains and pulleys used. Each boat -is kept in a little room with two doors, one to the -basement room where we are now and the other letting -into the lake. - -"When Coo-ee-oh used the boat in which she attacked -the Flatheads, she first commanded the basement door to -open and with her followers she got into the boat and -made the top close over them. Then the basement door -being closed, the outer door was slowly opened, letting -the water fill the room to float the boat, which then -left the island, keeping under water." - -"But how could she expect to get back again?" asked -the Wizard. - -"Why the boat would enter the room filled with water -and after the outer door was closed a word of command -started a pump which pumped all the water from the -room. Then the boat would open and Coo-ee-oh could -enter the basement." - -"I see," said the Wizard. "It is a clever -contrivance, but won't work unless one knows the magic -words." - -"Another part of this machinery," explained the -white-haired Adept, "is used to extend the bridge from -the island to the mainland. The steel bridge is in a -room much like that in which the boats are kept, and at -Coo-ce-oh's command it would reach out, joint by joint, -until its far end touched the shore of the lake. The -same magic command would make the bridge return to its -former position. Of course the bridge could not be used -unless the island was on the surface of the water." - -"But how do you suppose Coo-ee-oh managed to sink the -island, and make it rise again?" inquired Glinda. - -This the Adepts could not yet explain. As nothing -more could be learned from the basement they mounted -the steps to the Queen's private suite again, and Ozma -showed them to a special room where Coo-ee-oh kept her -magical instruments and performed all her arts of -witchcraft. - - - - -Chapter Twenty-Three - -The Magic Words - - - -Many interesting things were to be seen in the Room -of Magic, including much that had been stolen from the -Adepts when they were transformed to fishes, but they -had to admit that Coo-ee-oh had a rare genius for -mechanics, and had used her knowledge in inventing a -lot of mechanical apparatus that ordinary witches, -wizards and sorcerers could not understand. - -They all carefully inspected this room, taking care -to examine every article they came across. - -"The island," said Glinda thoughtfully, "rests on a -base of solid marble. When it is submerged, as it is -now, the base of the island is upon the bottom of the -lake. What puzzles me is how such a great weight can be -lifted and suspended in the water, even by magic." - -"I now remember," returned Aujah, "that one of the -arts we taught Coo-ee-oh was the way to expand steel, -and I think that explains how the island is raised and -lowered. I noticed in the basement a big steel pillar -that passed through the floor and extended upward to -this palace. Perhaps the end of it is concealed in this -very room. If the lower end of the steel pillar is -firmly embedded in the bottom of the lake, Coo-ee-oh -could utter a magic word that would make the pillar -expand, and so lift the entire island to the level of -the water." - -"I've found the end of the steel pillar. It's just -here," announced the Wizard, pointing to one side of -the room where a great basin of polished steel seemed -to have been set upon the floor. - -They all gathered around, and Ozma said: - -"Yes, I am quite sure that is the upper end of the -pillar that supports the island. I noticed it when I -first came here. It has been hollowed out, you see, and -something has been burned in the basin, for the fire -has left its marks. I wondered what was under the great -basin and got several of the Skeezers to come up here -and try to lift it for me. They were strong men, but -could not move it at all." - -"It seems to me," said Audah the Adept, "that we have -discovered the manner in which Coo-ee-oh raised the -island. She would burn some sort of magic powder in the -basin, utter the magic word, and the pillar would -lengthen out and lift the island with it." - -"What's this?" asked Dorothy, who had been searching -around with the others, and now noticed a slight hollow -in the wall, near to where the steel basin stood. As -she spoke Dorothy pushed her thumb into the hollow and -instantly a small drawer popped out from the wall. - -The three Adepts, Glinda and the Wizard sprang -forward and peered into the drawer. It was half filled -with a grayish powder, the tiny grains of which -constantly moved as if impelled by some living force. - -"It may be some kind of radium," said the Wizard. - -"No," replied Glinda, "it is more wonderful than even -radium, for I recognize it as a rare mineral powder -called Gaulau by the sorcerers. I wonder how Coo-ee-oh -discovered it and where she obtained it." - -"There is no doubt," said Aujah the Adept, "that this -is the magic powder Coo-ee-oh burned in the basin. If -only we knew the magic word, I am quite sure we could -raise the island." - -"How can we discover the magic word?" asked Ozma, -turning to Glinda as she spoke. - -"That we must now seriously consider," answered the -Sorceress. - -So all of them sat down in the Room of Magic and -began to think. It was so still that after a while -Dorothy grew nervous. The little girl never could keep -silent for long, and at the risk of displeasing her -magic-working friends she suddenly said: - -"Well, Coo-ee-oh used just three magic words, one to -make the bridge work, and one to make the submarines go -out of their holes, and one to raise and lower the -island. Three words. And Coo-ee-oh's name is made up of -just three words. One is 'Coo,' and one is 'ee,' and -one is 'oh.' - -The Wizard frowned but Glinda looked wonderingly at -the young girl and Ozma cried out: - -"A good thought, Dorothy dear! You may have solved -our problem." - -"I believe it is worth a trial," agreed Glinda. "It -would be quite natural for Coo-ee-oh to divide her -name into three magic syllables, and Dorothy's -suggestion seems like an inspiration." - -The three Adepts also approved the trial but the -brown-haired one said: - -"We must be careful not to use the wrong word, and -send the bridge out under water. The main thing, if -Dorothy's idea is correct, is to hit upon the one word -that moves the island." - -"Let us experiment," suggested the Wizard. - -In the drawer with the moving gray powder was a tiny -golden cup, which they thought was used for measuring. -Glinda filled this cup with the powder and carefully -poured it into the shallow basin, which was the top of -the great steel pillar supporting the island. Then -Aurah the Adept lighted a taper and touched it to the -powder, which instantly glowed fiery red and tumbled -about the basin with astonishing energy. While the -grains of powder still glowed red the Sorceress bent -over it and said in a voice of command: "Coo!" - -They waited motionless to see what would happen. -There was a grating noise and a whirl of machinery, but -the island did not move a particle. - -Dorothy rushed to the window, which overlooked -the glass side of the dome. - -"The boats!" she exclaimed. "The boats are all -loose an' sailing under water." - -"We've made a mistake," said the Wizard gloomily. - -"But it's one which shows we are on the right track," -declared Aujah the Adept. "We know now that Coo-ee-oh -used the syllables of her name for the magic words." - -"If 'Coo' sends out the boats, it is probable that -ee' works the bridge," suggested Ozma. "So the last -part of the name may raise the island." - -"Let us try that next then," proposed the Wizard. - -He scraped the embers of the burned powder out of the -basin and Glinda again filled the golden cup from the -drawer and placed it on top the steel pillar. Aurah -lighted it with her taper and Ozma bent over the basin -and murmured the long drawn syllable: "Oh-h-h!" - -Instantly the island trembled and with a weird -groaning noise it moved upward -- slowly, very slowly, -but with a steady motion, while all the company stood -by in awed silence. It was a wonderful thing, even to -those skilled in the arts of magic, wizardry and -sorcery, to realize that a single word could raise that -great, heavy island, with its immense glass Dome. - -"Why, we're way above the lake now!" exclaimed -Dorothy from the window, when at last the island ceased -to move. - -"That is because we lowered the level of the water," -explained Glinda. - -They could hear the Skeezers cheering lustily in the -streets of the village as they realized that they were -saved. - -"Come," said Ozma eagerly, "let us go down and join -the people." - -"Not just yet," returned Glinda, a happy smile upon -her lovely face, for she was overjoyed at their -success. "First let us extend the bridge to the -mainland, where our friends from the Emerald City are -waiting." - -It didn't take long to put more powder in the basin, -light it and utter the syllable "EE!" The result was -that a door in the basement opened and the steel bridge -moved out, extended itself joint by joint, and finally -rested its far end on the shore of the lake just in -front of the encampment. - -"Now," said Glinda, "we can go up and receive the -congratulations of the Skeezers and of our friends of -the Rescue Expedition." - -Across the water, on the shore of the lake, the -Patchwork Girl was waving them a welcome. - - - - -Chapter Twenty-Four - -Glinda's Triumph - - - -Of course all those who had joined Glinda's -expedition at once crossed the bridge to the island, -where they were warmly welcomed by the Skeezers. Before -all the concourse of people Princess Ozma made a speech -from a porch of the palace and demanded that they -recognize her as their lawful Ruler and promise to obey -the laws of the Land of Oz. In return she agreed to -protect them from all future harm and declared they -would no longer be subjected to cruelty and abuse. - -This pleased the Skeezers greatly, and when Ozma told -them they might elect a Queen to rule over them, who in -turn would be subject to Ozma of Oz, they voted for -Lady Aurex, and that same day the ceremony of crowning -the new Queen was held and Aurex was installed as -mistress of the palace. - -For her Prime Minister the Queen selected Ervic, for -the three Adepts had told of his good judgment, -faithfulness and cleverness, and all the Skeezers -approved the appointment. - -Glinda, the Wizard and the Adepts stood on the bridge -and recited an incantation that quite filled the lake -with water again, and the Scarecrow and the Patchwork -Girl climbed to the top of the Great Dome and replaced -the pane of glass that had been removed to allow Glinda -and her followers to enter. - -When evening came Ozma ordered a great feast -prepared, to which every Skeezer was invited. The -village was beautifully decorated and brilliantly -lighted and there was music and dancing until a late -hour to celebrate the liberation of the people. For the -Skeezers had been freed, not only from the water of the -lake but from the cruelty of their former Queen. - -As the people from the Emerald City prepared the next -morning to depart Queen Aurex said to Ozma: - -"There is only one thing I now fear for my people, -and that is the enmity of the terrible Su-dic of the -Flatheads. He is liable to come here at any time and -try to annoy us, and my Skeezers are peaceful folks and -unable to fight the wild and wilful Flatheads." - -"Do not worry," returned Ozma, reassuringly. "We -intend to stop on our way at the Flatheads' Enchanted -Mountain and punish the Su-dic for his misdeeds." - -That satisfied Aurex and when Ozma and her followers -trooped over the bridge to the shore, having taken -leave of their friends, all the Skeezers cheered them -and waved their hats and handkerchiefs, and the band -played and the departure was indeed a ceremony long to -be remembered. - -The three Adepts at Magic, who had formerly ruled the -Flatheads wisely and considerately, went with Princess -Ozma and her people, for they had promised Ozma to stay -on the mountain and again see that the laws were -enforced. - -Glinda had been told all about the curious Flatheads -and she had consulted with the Wizard and formed a plan -to render them more intelligent and agreeable. - -When the party reached the mountain Ozma and Dorothy -showed them how to pass around the invisible wall -- -which had been built by the Flatheads after the Adepts -were transformed -- and how to gain the up-and-down -stairway that led to the mountain top. - -The Su-dic had watched the approach of the party from -the edge of the mountain and was frightened when he saw -that the three Adepts had recovered their natural forms -and were coming back to their former home. He realized -that his power would soon be gone and yet he determined -to fight to the last. He called all the Flatheads -together and armed them, and told them to arrest all -who came up the stairway and hurl them over the edge of -the mountain to the plain below. But although they -feared the Supreme Dictator, who had threatened to -punish them if they did not obey his commands, as soon -as they saw the three Adepts they threw down their arms -and begged their former rulers to protect them. - -The three Adepts assured the excited Flatheads that -they had nothing to fear. - -Seeing that his people had rebelled the Su-dic ran -away and tried to hide, but the Adepts found him and -had him cast into a prison, all his cans of brains -being taken away from him. - -After this easy conquest of the Su-dic, Glinda told -the Adepts of her plan, which had already been approved -by Ozma of Oz, and they joyfully agreed to it. So, -during the next few days, the great Sorceress -transformed, in a way, every Flathead on the mountain. - -Taking them one at a time, she had the can of brains -that belonged to each one opened and the contents -spread on the flat head, after which, by means of her -arts of sorcery, she caused the head to grow over the -brains -- in the manner most people wear them -- and -they were thus rendered as intelligent and good looking -as any of the other inhabitants of the Land of Oz. - -When all had been treated in this manner there were -no more Flatheads at all, and the Adepts decided to -name their people Mountaineers. One good result of -Glinda's sorcery was that no one could now be deprived -of the brains that belonged to him and each person had -exactly the share he was entitled to. - -Even the Su-dic was given his portion of brains and -his flat head made round, like the others, but he was -deprived of all power to work further mischief, and -with the Adepts constantly watching him he would be -forced to become obedient and humble. - -The Golden Pig, which ran grunting about the streets, -with no brains at all, was disenchanted by Glinda, and -in her woman's form was given brains and a round head. -This wife of the Su-dic had once been even more wicked -than her evil husband, but she had now forgotten all -her wickedness and was likely to be a good woman -thereafter. - -These things being accomplished in a satisfactory -manner, Princess Ozma and her people bade farewell to -the three Adepts and departed for the Emerald City, -well pleased with their interesting adventures. - -They returned by the road over which Ozma and Dorothy -had come, stopping to get the Sawhorse and the Red -Wagon where they had left them. - -"I'm very glad I went to see these peoples," said -Princess Ozma, "for I not only prevented any further -warfare between them, but they have been freed from the -rule of the Su-dic and Coo-ee-oh and are now happy and -loyal subjects of the Land of Oz. Which proves that it -is always wise to do one's duty, however unpleasant -that duty may seem to be." - - - - - - -The Wonderful 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 - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Glinda of Oz, by L. Frank Baum - diff --git a/old/14woz10.zip b/old/14woz10.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8b1f6fd..0000000 --- a/old/14woz10.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/14woz10h.htm b/old/14woz10h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 241ec57..0000000 --- a/old/14woz10h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5242 +0,0 @@ -<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> - <head> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Glinda Of Oz, by L. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* - - -</pre> - - - - - - - - -<h1>GLINDA OF OZ</h1> - -<p class="center">In which are related the Exciting Experiences of Princess<br /> - Ozma of Oz, and Dorothy, in their hazardous journey<br /> - to the home of the Flatheads, and to the Magic<br /> - Isle of the Skeezers, and how they were<br /> - rescued from dire peril by the<br /> - sorcery of Glinda the<br /> - Good</p> - -<h3>by L. FRANK BAUM</h3> -<p class="center">"Royal Historian of Oz"</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<p class="center">This Book<br /> -is Dedicated to<br /> -My Son<br /> -Robert Stanton Baum</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h3>CONTENTS</h3> - -<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" border="0"> -<tr> - <td align="right">CHAPTER</td> - <td> </td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">I</td> - <td><a href="#CH1">The Call of Duty</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">II</td> - <td><a href="#CH2">Ozma and Dorothy</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">III</td> - <td><a href="#CH3">The Mist Maidens</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">IV</td> - <td><a href="#CH4">The Magic Tent</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">V</td> - <td><a href="#CH5">The Magic Stairway</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">VI</td> - <td><a href="#CH6">Flathead Mountain</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">VII</td> - <td><a href="#CH7">The Magic Isle</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">VIII</td> - <td><a href="#CH8">Queen Coo-ee-oh</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">IX</td> - <td><a href="#CH9">Lady Aurex</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">X</td> - <td><a href="#CH10">Under Water</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XI</td> - <td><a href="#CH11">The Conquest of the Skeezers</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XII</td> - <td><a href="#CH12">The Diamond Swan</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XIII</td> - <td><a href="#CH13">The Alarm Bell</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XIV</td> - <td><a href="#CH14">Ozma's Counsellors</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XV</td> - <td><a href="#CH15">The Great Sorceress</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XVI</td> - <td><a href="#CH16">The Enchanted Fishes</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XVII</td> - <td><a href="#CH17">Under the Great Dome</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XVIII</td> - <td><a href="#CH18">The Cleverness of Ervic</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XIX</td> - <td><a href="#CH19">Red Reera, the Yookoohoo</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XX</td> - <td><a href="#CH20">A Puzzling Problem</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XXI</td> - <td><a href="#CH21">The Three Adepts</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XXII</td> - <td><a href="#CH22">The Sunken Island</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XXIII</td> - <td><a href="#CH23">The Magic Words</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td align="right">XXIV</td> - <td><a href="#CH24">Glinda's Triumph</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - - -<h2><a name="CH1" id="CH1">Chapter One</a></h2> - -<h3>The Call to Duty</h3> - - -<p>Glinda, the good Sorceress of Oz, sat in the grand court of her -palace, surrounded by her maids of honor—a hundred of the most -beautiful girls of the Fairyland of Oz. The palace court was built of -rare marbles, exquisitely polished. Fountains tinkled musically here -and there; the vast colonnade, open to the south, allowed the maidens, -as they raised their heads from their embroideries, to gaze upon a -vista of rose-hued fields and groves of trees bearing fruits or laden -with sweet-scented flowers. At times one of the girls would start a -song, the others joining in the chorus, or one would rise and dance, -gracefully swaying to the music of a harp played by a companion. And -then Glinda smiled, glad to see her maids mixing play with work.</p> - -<p>Presently among the fields an object was seen moving, threading the -broad path that led to the castle gate. Some of the girls looked upon -this object enviously; the Sorceress merely gave it a glance and -nodded her stately head as if pleased, for it meant the coming of her -friend and mistress—the only one in all the land that Glinda bowed -to.</p> - -<p>Then up the path trotted a wooden animal attached to a red wagon, and -as the quaint steed halted at the gate there descended from the wagon -two young girls, Ozma, Ruler of Oz, and her companion, Princess -Dorothy. Both were dressed in simple white muslin gowns, and as they -ran up the marble steps of the palace they laughed and chatted as -gaily as if they were not the most important persons in the world's -loveliest fairyland.</p> - -<p>The maids of honor had risen and stood with bowed heads to greet the -royal Ozma, while Glinda came forward with outstretched arms to greet -her guests.</p> - -<p>"We've just come on a visit, you know," said Ozma. "Both Dorothy and I -were wondering how we should pass the day when we happened to think -we'd not been to your Quadling Country for weeks, so we took the -Sawhorse and rode straight here."</p> - -<p>"And we came so fast," added Dorothy, "that our hair is blown all -fuzzy, for the Sawhorse makes a wind of his own. Usually it's a day's -journey from the Em'rald City, but I don't s'pose we were two hours on -the way."</p> - -<p>"You are most welcome," said Glinda the Sorceress, and led them -through the court to her magnificent reception hall. Ozma took the arm -of her hostess, but Dorothy lagged behind, kissing some of the maids -she knew best, talking with others, and making them all feel that she -was their friend. When at last she joined Glinda and Ozma in the -reception hall, she found them talking earnestly about the condition -of the people, and how to make them more happy and contented—although -they were already the happiest and most contented folks in all the -world.</p> - -<p>This interested Ozma, of course, but it didn't interest Dorothy very -much, so the little girl ran over to a big table on which was lying -open Glinda's Great Book of Records.</p> - -<p>This Book is one of the greatest treasures in Oz, and the Sorceress -prizes it more highly than any of her magical possessions. That is the -reason it is firmly attached to the big marble table by means of -golden chains, and whenever Glinda leaves home she locks the Great -Book together with five jeweled padlocks, and carries the keys safely -hidden in her bosom.</p> - -<p>I do not suppose there is any magical thing in any fairyland to -compare with the Record Book, on the pages of which are constantly -being printed a record of every event that happens in any part of the -world, at exactly the moment it happens. And the records are always -truthful, although sometimes they do not give as many details as one -could wish. But then, lots of things happen, and so the records have -to be brief or even Glinda's Great Book could not hold them all.</p> - -<p>Glinda looked at the records several times each day, and Dorothy, -whenever she visited the Sorceress, loved to look in the Book and see -what was happening everywhere. Not much was recorded about the Land of -Oz, which is usually peaceful and uneventful, but today Dorothy found -something which interested her. Indeed, the printed letters were -appearing on the page even while she looked.</p> - -<p>"This is funny!" she exclaimed. "Did you know, Ozma, that there were -people in your Land of Oz called Skeezers?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Ozma, coming to her side, "I know that on Professor -Wogglebug's Map of the Land of Oz there is a place marked 'Skeezer,' -but what the Skeezers are like I do not know. No one I know has ever -seen them or heard of them. The Skeezer Country is 'way at the upper -edge of the Gillikin Country, with the sandy, impassable desert on one -side and the mountains of Oogaboo on another side. That is a part of -the Land of Oz of which I know very little."</p> - -<p>"I guess no one else knows much about it either, unless it's the -Skeezers themselves," remarked Dorothy. "But the Book says: 'The -Skeezers of Oz have declared war on the Flatheads of Oz, and there is -likely to be fighting and much trouble as the result.'"</p> - -<p>"Is that all the Book says?" asked Ozma.</p> - -<p>"Every word," said Dorothy, and Ozma and Glinda both looked at the -Record and seemed surprised and perplexed.</p> - -<p>"Tell me, Glinda," said Ozma, "who are the Flatheads?"</p> - -<p>"I cannot, your Majesty," confessed the Sorceress. "Until now I never -have heard of them, nor have I ever heard the Skeezers mentioned. In -the faraway corners of Oz are hidden many curious tribes of people, -and those who never leave their own countries and never are visited by -those from our favored part of Oz, naturally are unknown to me. -However, if you so desire, I can learn through my arts of sorcery -something of the Skeezers and the Flatheads."</p> - -<p>"I wish you would," answered Ozma seriously. "You see, Glinda, if -these are Oz people they are my subjects and I cannot allow any wars -or troubles in the Land I rule, if I can possibly help it."</p> - -<p>"Very well, your Majesty," said the Sorceress, "I will try to get some -information to guide you. Please excuse me for a time, while I retire -to my Room of Magic and Sorcery."</p> - -<p>"May I go with you?" asked Dorothy, eagerly.</p> - -<p>"No, Princess," was the reply. "It would spoil the charm to have -anyone present."</p> - -<p>So Glinda locked herself in her own Room of Magic and Dorothy and Ozma -waited patiently for her to come out again.</p> - -<p>In about an hour Glinda appeared, looking grave and thoughtful.</p> - -<p>"Your Majesty," she said to Ozma, "the Skeezers live on a Magic Isle -in a great lake. For that reason—because the Skeezers deal in -magic—I can learn little about them."</p> - -<p>"Why, I didn't know there was a lake in that part of Oz," exclaimed -Ozma. "The map shows a river running through the Skeezer Country, but -no lake."</p> - -<p>"That is because the person who made the map never had visited that -part of the country," explained the Sorceress. "The lake surely is -there, and in the lake is an island—a Magic Isle—and on that island -live the people called the Skeezers."</p> - -<p>"What are they like?" inquired the Ruler of Oz.</p> - -<p>"My magic cannot tell me that," confessed Glinda, "for the magic of -the Skeezers prevents anyone outside of their domain knowing anything -about them."</p> - -<p>"The Flatheads must know, if they're going to fight the Skeezers," -suggested Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so," Glinda replied, "but I can get little information -concerning the Flatheads, either. They are people who inhabit a -mountain just south of the Lake of the Skeezers. The mountain has -steep sides and a broad, hollow top, like a basin, and in this basin -the Flatheads have their dwellings. They also are magic-workers and -usually keep to themselves and allow no one from outside to visit -them. I have learned that the Flatheads number about one hundred -people—men, women and children—while the Skeezers number just one -hundred and one."</p> - -<p>"What did they quarrel about, and why do they wish to fight one -another?" was Ozma's next question.</p> - -<p>"I cannot tell your Majesty that," said Glinda.</p> - -<p>"But see here!" cried Dorothy, "it's against the law for anyone but -Glinda and the Wizard to work magic in the Land of Oz, so if these two -strange people are magic-makers they are breaking the law and ought to -be punished!" Ozma smiled upon her little friend.</p> - -<p>"Those who do not know me or my laws," she said, "cannot be expected -to obey my laws. If we know nothing of the Skeezers or the Flatheads, -it is likely that they know nothing of us."</p> - -<p>"But they ought to know, Ozma, and we ought to know. Who's going to -tell them, and how are we going to make them behave?"</p> - -<p>"That," returned Ozma, "is what I am now considering. What would you -advise, Glinda?"</p> - -<p>The Sorceress took a little time to consider this question, before she -made reply. Then she said: "Had you not learned of the existence of -the Flatheads and the Skeezers, through my Book of Records, you would -never have worried about them or their quarrels. So, if you pay no -attention to these peoples, you may never hear of them again."</p> - -<p>"But that wouldn't be right," declared Ozma. "I am Ruler of all the -Land of Oz, which includes the Gillikin Country, the Quadling Country, -the Winkie Country and the Munchkin Country, as well as the Emerald -City, and being the Princess of this fairyland it is my duty to make -all my people—wherever they may be—happy and content and to settle -their disputes and keep them from quarreling. So, while the Skeezers -and Flatheads may not know me or that I am their lawful Ruler, I now -know that they inhabit my kingdom and are my subjects, so I would not -be doing my duty if I kept away from them and allowed them to fight."</p> - -<p>"That's a fact, Ozma," commented Dorothy. "You've got to go up to the -Gillikin Country and make these people behave themselves and make up -their quarrels. But how are you going to do it?"</p> - -<p>"That is what is puzzling me also, your Majesty," said the Sorceress. -"It may be dangerous for you to go into those strange countries, where -the people are possibly fierce and warlike."</p> - -<p>"I am not afraid," said Ozma, with a smile.</p> - -<p>"'Tisn't a question of being 'fraid," argued Dorothy. "Of course we -know you're a fairy, and can't be killed or hurt, and we know you've a -lot of magic of your own to help you. But, Ozma dear, in spite of all -this you've been in trouble before, on account of wicked enemies, and -it isn't right for the Ruler of all Oz to put herself in danger."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I shall be in no danger at all," returned Ozma, with a little -laugh. "You mustn't imagine danger, Dorothy, for one should only -imagine nice things, and we do not know that the Skeezers and -Flatheads are wicked people or my enemies. Perhaps they would be good -and listen to reason."</p> - -<p>"Dorothy is right, your Majesty," asserted the Sorceress. "It is true -we know nothing of these faraway subjects, except that they intend to -fight one another, and have a certain amount of magic power at their -command. Such folks do not like to submit to interference and they are -more likely to resent your coming among them than to receive you -kindly and graciously, as is your due."</p> - -<p>"If you had an army to take with you," added Dorothy, "it wouldn't be -so bad; but there isn't such a thing as an army in all Oz."</p> - -<p>"I have one soldier," said Ozma.</p> - -<p>"Yes, the soldier with the green whiskers; but he's dreadful 'fraid of -his gun and never loads it. I'm sure he'd run rather than fight. And -one soldier, even if he were brave, couldn't do much against two -hundred and one Flatheads and Skeezers."</p> - -<p>"What then, my friends, would you suggest?" inquired Ozma.</p> - -<p>"I advise you to send the Wizard of Oz to them, and let him inform -them that it is against the laws of Oz to fight, and that you command -them to settle their differences and become friends," proposed Glinda. -"Let the Wizard tell them they will be punished if they refuse to obey -the commands of the Princess of all the Land of Oz."</p> - -<p>Ozma shook her head, to indicate that the advice was not to her -satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"If they refuse, what then?" she asked. "I should be obliged to carry -out my threat and punish them, and that would be an unpleasant and -difficult thing to do. I am sure it would be better for me to go -peacefully, without an army and armed only with my authority as Ruler, -and plead with them to obey me. Then, if they prove obstinate I could -resort to other means to win their obedience."</p> - -<p>"It's a ticklish thing, anyhow you look at it," sighed Dorothy. "I'm -sorry now that I noticed the Record in the Great Book."</p> - -<p>"But can't you realize, my dear, that I must do my duty, now that I am -aware of this trouble?" asked Ozma. "I am fully determined to go at -once to the Magic Isle of the Skeezers and to the enchanted mountain -of the Flatheads, and prevent war and strife between their -inhabitants. The only question to decide is whether it is better for -me to go alone, or to assemble a party of my friends and loyal -supporters to accompany me."</p> - -<p>"If you go I want to go, too," declared Dorothy. "Whatever happens -it's going to be fun—'cause all excitement is fun—and I wouldn't -miss it for the world!"</p> - -<p>Neither Ozma nor Glinda paid any attention to this statement, for they -were gravely considering the serious aspect of this proposed -adventure.</p> - -<p>"There are plenty of friends who would like to go with you," said the -Sorceress, "but none of them would afford your Majesty any protection -in case you were in danger. You are yourself the most powerful fairy -in Oz, although both I and the Wizard have more varied arts of magic -at our command. However, you have one art that no other in all the -world can equal—the art of winning hearts and making people love to -bow to your gracious presence. For that reason I believe you can -accomplish more good alone than with a large number of subjects in -your train."</p> - -<p>"I believe that also," agreed the Princess. "I shall be quite able to -take care of myself, you know, but might not be able to protect others -so well. I do not look for opposition, however. I shall speak to these -people in kindly words and settle their dispute—whatever it may -be—in a just manner."</p> - -<p>"Aren't you going to take me?" pleaded Dorothy. "You'll need some -companion, Ozma."</p> - -<p>The Princess smiled upon her little friend.</p> - -<p>"I see no reason why you should not accompany me," was her reply. "Two -girls are not very warlike and they will not suspect us of being on -any errand but a kindly and peaceful one. But, in order to prevent war -and strife between these angry peoples, we must go to them at once. -Let us return immediately to the Emerald City and prepare to start on -our journey early tomorrow morning."</p> - -<p>Glinda was not quite satisfied with this plan, but could not think of -any better way to meet the problem. She knew that Ozma, with all her -gentleness and sweet disposition, was accustomed to abide by any -decision she had made and could not easily be turned from her purpose. -Moreover she could see no great danger to the fairy Ruler of Oz in the -undertaking, even though the unknown people she was to visit proved -obstinate. But Dorothy was not a fairy; she was a little girl who had -come from Kansas to live in the Land of Oz. Dorothy might encounter -dangers that to Ozma would be as nothing but to an "Earth child" would -be very serious.</p> - -<p>The very fact that Dorothy lived in Oz, and had been made a Princess -by her friend Ozma, prevented her from being killed or suffering any -great bodily pain as long as she lived in that fairyland. She could -not grow big, either, and would always remain the same little girl who -had come to Oz, unless in some way she left that fairyland or was -spirited away from it. But Dorothy was a mortal, nevertheless, and -might possibly be destroyed, or hidden where none of her friends could -ever find her. She could, for instance be cut into pieces, and the -pieces, while still alive and free from pain, could be widely -scattered; or she might be buried deep underground or "destroyed" in -other ways by evil magicians, were she not properly protected. These -facts Glinda was considering while she paced with stately tread her -marble hall.</p> - -<p>Finally the good Sorceress paused and drew a ring from her finger, -handing it to Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Wear this ring constantly until your return," she said to the girl. -"If serious danger threatens you, turn the ring around on your finger -once to the right and another turn to the left. That will ring the -alarm bell in my palace and I will at once come to your rescue. But do -not use the ring unless you are actually in danger of destruction. -While you remain with Princess Ozma I believe she will be able to -protect you from all lesser ills."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Glinda," responded Dorothy gratefully, as she placed the -ring on her finger. "I'm going to wear my Magic Belt which I took from -the Nome King, too, so I guess I'll be safe from anything the Skeezers -and Flatheads try to do to me."</p> - -<p>Ozma had many arrangements to make before she could leave her throne -and her palace in the Emerald City, even for a trip of a few days, so -she bade goodbye to Glinda and with Dorothy climbed into the Red -Wagon. A word to the wooden Sawhorse started that astonishing creature -on the return journey, and so swiftly did he run that Dorothy was -unable to talk or do anything but hold tight to her seat all the way -back to the Emerald City.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH2" id="CH2">Chapter Two</a></h2> - -<h3>Ozma and Dorothy</h3> - -<p>Residing in Ozma's palace at this time was a live Scarecrow, a most -remarkable and intelligent creature who had once ruled the Land of Oz -for a brief period and was much loved and respected by all the people. -Once a Munchkin farmer had stuffed an old suit of clothes with straw -and put stuffed boots on the feet and used a pair of stuffed cotton -gloves for hands. The head of the Scarecrow was a stuffed sack -fastened to the body, with eyes, nose, mouth and ears painted on the -sack. When a hat had been put on the head, the thing was a good -imitation of a man. The farmer placed the Scarecrow on a pole in his -cornfield and it came to life in a curious manner. Dorothy, who was -passing by the field, was hailed by the live Scarecrow and lifted him -off his pole. He then went with her to the Emerald City, where the -Wizard of Oz gave him some excellent brains, and the Scarecrow soon -became an important personage.</p> - -<p>Ozma considered the Scarecrow one of her best friends and most loyal -subjects, so the morning after her visit to Glinda she asked him to -take her place as Ruler of the Land of Oz while she was absent on a -journey, and the Scarecrow at once consented without asking any -questions.</p> - -<p>Ozma had warned Dorothy to keep their journey a secret and say nothing -to anyone about the Skeezers and Flatheads until their return, and -Dorothy promised to obey. She longed to tell her girl friends, tiny -Trot and Betsy Bobbin, of the adventure they were undertaking, but -refrained from saying a word on the subject although both these girls -lived with her in Ozma's palace.</p> - -<p>Indeed, only Glinda the Sorceress knew they were going, until after -they had gone, and even the Sorceress didn't know what their errand -might be.</p> - -<p>Princess Ozma took the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon, although she was -not sure there was a wagon road all the way to the Lake of the -Skeezers. The Land of Oz is a pretty big place, surrounded on all -sides by a Deadly Desert which it is impossible to cross, and the -Skeezer Country, according to the map, was in the farthest -northwestern part of Oz, bordering on the north desert. As the Emerald -City was exactly in the center of Oz, it was no small journey from -there to the Skeezers.</p> - -<p>Around the Emerald City the country is thickly settled in every -direction, but the farther away you get from the city the fewer people -there are, until those parts that border on the desert have small -populations. Also those faraway sections are little known to the Oz -people, except in the south, where Glinda lives and where Dorothy has -often wandered on trips of exploration.</p> - -<p>The least known of all is the Gillikin Country, which harbors many -strange bands of people among its mountains and valleys and forests -and streams, and Ozma was now bound for the most distant part of the -Gillikin Country.</p> - -<p>"I am really sorry," said Ozma to Dorothy, as they rode away in the -Red Wagon, "not to know more about the wonderful Land I rule. It is my -duty to be acquainted with every tribe of people and every strange and -hidden country in all Oz, but I am kept so busy at my palace making -laws and planning for the comforts of those who live near the Emerald -City, that I do not often find time to make long journeys."</p> - -<p>"Well," replied Dorothy, "we'll prob'bly find out a lot on this trip, -and we'll learn all about the Skeezers and Flatheads, anyhow. Time -doesn't make much diff'rence in the Land of Oz, 'cause we don't grow -up, or get old, or become sick and die, as they do other places; so, -if we explore one place at a time, we'll by-an'-by know all about -every nook and corner in Oz."</p> - -<p>Dorothy wore around her waist the Nome King's Magic Belt, which -protected her from harm, and the Magic Ring which Glinda had given her -was on her finger. Ozma had merely slipped a small silver wand into -the bosom of her gown, for fairies do not use chemicals and herbs and -the tools of wizards and sorcerers to perform their magic. The Silver -Wand was Ozma's one weapon of offense and defense and by its use she -could accomplish many things.</p> - -<p>They had left the Emerald City just at sunrise and the Sawhorse -traveled very swiftly over the roads towards the north, but in a few -hours the wooden animal had to slacken his pace because the farm -houses had become few and far between and often there were no paths at -all in the direction they wished to follow. At such times they crossed -the fields, avoiding groups of trees and fording the streams and -rivulets whenever they came to them. But finally they reached a broad -hillside closely covered with scrubby brush, through which the wagon -could not pass.</p> - -<p>"It will be difficult even for you and me to get through without -tearing our dresses," said Ozma, "so we must leave the Sawhorse and -the Wagon here until our return."</p> - -<p>"That's all right," Dorothy replied, "I'm tired riding, anyhow. Do you -s'pose, Ozma, we're anywhere near the Skeezer Country?"</p> - -<p>"I cannot tell, Dorothy dear, but I know we've been going in the right -direction, so we are sure to find it in time."</p> - -<p>The scrubby brush was almost like a grove of small trees, for it -reached as high as the heads of the two girls, neither of whom was -very tall. They were obliged to thread their way in and out, until -Dorothy was afraid they would get lost, and finally they were halted -by a curious thing that barred their further progress. It was a huge -web—as if woven by gigantic spiders—and the delicate, lacy film was -fastened stoutly to the branches of the bushes and continued to the -right and left in the form of a half circle. The threads of this web -were of a brilliant purple color and woven into numerous artistic -patterns, but it reached from the ground to branches above the heads -of the girls and formed a sort of fence that hedged them in.</p> - -<p>"It doesn't look very strong, though," said Dorothy. "I wonder if we -couldn't break through." She tried but found the web stronger than it -seemed. All her efforts could not break a single thread.</p> - -<p>"We must go back, I think, and try to get around this peculiar web," -Ozma decided.</p> - -<p>So they turned to the right and, following the web found that it -seemed to spread in a regular circle. On and on they went until -finally Ozma said they had returned to the exact spot from which they -had started. "Here is a handkerchief you dropped when we were here -before," she said to Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"In that case, they must have built the web behind us, after we walked -into the trap," exclaimed the little girl.</p> - -<p>"True," agreed Ozma, "an enemy has tried to imprison us."</p> - -<p>"And they did it, too," said Dorothy. "I wonder who it was."</p> - -<p>"It's a spider-web, I'm quite sure," returned Ozma, "but it must be -the work of enormous spiders."</p> - -<p>"Quite right!" cried a voice behind them. Turning quickly around they -beheld a huge purple spider sitting not two yards away and regarding -them with its small bright eyes.</p> - -<p>Then there crawled from the bushes a dozen more great purple spiders, -which saluted the first one and said:</p> - -<p>"The web is finished, O King, and the strangers are our prisoners."</p> - -<p>Dorothy did not like the looks of these spiders at all. They had big -heads, sharp claws, small eyes and fuzzy hair all over their purple -bodies.</p> - -<p>"They look wicked," she whispered to Ozma. "What shall we do?"</p> - -<p>Ozma gazed upon the spiders with a serious face.</p> - -<p>"What is your object in making us prisoners?" she inquired.</p> - -<p>"We need someone to keep house for us," answered the Spider King. -"There is sweeping and dusting to be done, and polishing and washing -of dishes, and that is work my people dislike to do. So we decided -that if any strangers came our way we would capture them and make them -our servants."</p> - -<p>"I am Princess Ozma, Ruler of all Oz," said the girl with dignity.</p> - -<p>"Well, I am King of all Spiders," was the reply, "and that makes me -your master. Come with me to my palace and I will instruct you in your -work."</p> - -<p>"I won't," said Dorothy indignantly. "We won't have anything to do -with you."</p> - -<p>"We'll see about that," returned the Spider in a severe tone, and the -next instant he made a dive straight at Dorothy, opening the claws in -his legs as if to grab and pinch her with the sharp points. But the -girl was wearing her Magic Belt and was not harmed. The Spider King -could not even touch her. He turned swiftly and made a dash at Ozma, -but she held her Magic Wand over his head and the monster recoiled as -if it had been struck.</p> - -<p>"You'd better let us go," Dorothy advised him, "for you see you can't -hurt us."</p> - -<p>"So I see," returned the Spider King angrily. "Your magic is greater -than mine. But I'll not help you to escape. If you can break the magic -web my people have woven you may go; if not you must stay here and -starve." With that the Spider King uttered a peculiar whistle and all -the spiders disappeared.</p> - -<p>"There is more magic in my fairyland than I dreamed of," remarked the -beautiful Ozma, with a sigh of regret. "It seems that my laws have not -been obeyed, for even these monstrous spiders defy me by means of -Magic."</p> - -<p>"Never mind that now," said Dorothy; "let's see what we can do to get -out of this trap."</p> - -<p>They now examined the web with great care and were amazed at its -strength. Although finer than the finest silken hairs, it resisted all -their efforts to work through, even though both girls threw all their -weight against it.</p> - -<p>"We must find some instrument which will cut the threads of the web," -said Ozma, finally. "Let us look about for such a tool."</p> - -<p>So they wandered among the bushes and finally came to a shallow pool -of water, formed by a small bubbling spring. Dorothy stooped to get a -drink and discovered in the water a green crab, about as big as her -hand. The crab had two big, sharp claws, and as soon as Dorothy saw -them she had an idea that those claws could save them.</p> - -<p>"Come out of the water," she called to the crab; "I want to talk to -you."</p> - -<p>Rather lazily the crab rose to the surface and caught hold of a bit of -rock. With his head above the water he said in a cross voice:</p> - -<p>"What do you want?"</p> - -<p>"We want you to cut the web of the purple spiders with your claws, so -we can get through it," answered Dorothy. "You can do that, can't -you?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose so," replied the crab. "But if I do what will you give me?"</p> - -<p>"What do you wish?" Ozma inquired.</p> - -<p>"I wish to be white, instead of green," said the crab. "Green crabs -are very common, and white ones are rare; besides the purple spiders, -which infest this hillside, are afraid of white crabs. Could you make -me white if I should agree to cut the web for you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Ozma, "I can do that easily. And, so you may know I am -speaking the truth, I will change your color now."</p> - -<p>She waved her silver wand over the pool and the crab instantly became -snow-white—all except his eyes, which remained black. The creature -saw his reflection in the water and was so delighted that he at once -climbed out of the pool and began moving slowly toward the web, by -backing away from the pool. He moved so very slowly that Dorothy cried -out impatiently: "Dear me, this will never do!" Caching the crab in -her hands she ran with him to the web.</p> - -<p>She had to hold him up even then, so he could reach with his claws -strand after strand of the filmy purple web, which he was able to -sever with one nip.</p> - -<p>When enough of the web had been cut to allow them to pass, Dorothy ran -back to the pool and placed the white crab in the water, after which -she rejoined Ozma. They were just in time to escape through the web, -for several of the purple spiders now appeared, having discovered that -their web had been cut, and had the girls not rushed through the -opening the spiders would have quickly repaired the cuts and again -imprisoned them.</p> - -<p>Ozma and Dorothy ran as fast as they could and although the angry -spiders threw a number of strands of web after them, hoping to lasso -them or entangle them in the coils, they managed to escape and clamber -to the top of the hill.</p> - - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH3" id="CH3">Chapter Three</a></h2> - -<h3>The Mist Maidens</h3> - - - -<p>From the top of the hill Ozma and Dorothy looked down into the valley -beyond and were surprised to find it filled with a floating mist that -was as dense as smoke. Nothing in the valley was visible except these -rolling waves of mist, but beyond, on the other side, rose a grassy -hill that appeared quite beautiful.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Dorothy, "what are we to do, Ozma? Walk down into that -thick fog, an' prob'bly get lost in it, or wait till it clears away?"</p> - -<p>"I'm not sure it will clear away, however long we wait," replied Ozma, -doubtfully. "If we wish to get on, I think we must venture into the -mist."</p> - -<p>"But we can't see where we're going, or what we're stepping on," -protested Dorothy. "There may be dreadful things mixed up in that fog, -an' I'm scared just to think of wading into it."</p> - -<p>Even Ozma seemed to hesitate. She was silent and thoughtful for a -little while, looking at the rolling drifts that were so gray and -forbidding. Finally she said:</p> - -<p>"I believe this is a Mist Valley, where these moist clouds always -remain, for even the sunshine above does not drive them away. -Therefore the Mist Maids must live here, and they are fairies and -should answer my call."</p> - -<p>She placed her two hands before her mouth, forming a hollow with them, -and uttered a clear, thrilling, bird-like cry. It floated far out over -the mist waves and presently was answered by a similar sound, as of a -far-off echo.</p> - -<p>Dorothy was much impressed. She had seen many strange things since -coming to this fairy country, but here was a new experience. At -ordinary times Ozma was just like any little girl one might chance to -meet—simple, merry, lovable as could be—yet with a certain reserve -that lent her dignity in her most joyous moods. There were times, -however, when seated on her throne and commanding her subjects, or -when her fairy powers were called into use, when Dorothy and all -others about her stood in awe of their lovely girl Ruler and realized -her superiority.</p> - -<p>Ozma waited. Presently out from the billows rose beautiful forms, -clothed in fleecy, trailing garments of gray that could scarcely be -distinguished from the mist. Their hair was mist-color, too; only -their gleaming arms and sweet, pallid faces proved they were living, -intelligent creatures answering the call of a sister fairy.</p> - -<p>Like sea nymphs they rested on the bosom of the clouds, their eyes -turned questioningly upon the two girls who stood upon the bank. One -came quite near and to her Ozma said:</p> - -<p>"Will you please take us to the opposite hillside? We are afraid to -venture into the mist. I am Princess Ozma of Oz, and this is my friend -Dorothy, a Princess of Oz."</p> - -<p>The Mist Maids came nearer, holding out their arms. Without hesitation -Ozma advanced and allowed them to embrace her and Dorothy plucked up -courage to follow. Very gently the Mist Maids held them. Dorothy -thought the arms were cold and misty—they didn't seem real at -all—yet they supported the two girls above the surface of the billows -and floated with them so swiftly to the green hillside opposite that -the girls were astonished to find themselves set upon the grass before -they realized they had fairly started.</p> - -<p>"Thank you!" said Ozma gratefully, and Dorothy also added her thanks -for the service.</p> - -<p>The Mist Maids made no answer, but they smiled and waved their hands -in good-bye as again they floated out into the mist and disappeared -from view.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH4" id="CH4">Chapter Four</a></h2> - -<h3>The Magic Tent</h3> - - -<p>"Well," said Dorothy with a laugh, "that was easier than I expected. -It's worth while, sometimes, to be a real fairy. But I wouldn't like -to be that kind, and live in a dreadful fog all the time."</p> - -<p>They now climbed the bank and found before them a delightful plain -that spread for miles in all directions. Fragrant wild flowers were -scattered throughout the grass; there were bushes bearing lovely -blossoms and luscious fruits; now and then a group of stately trees -added to the beauty of the landscape. But there were no dwellings or -signs of life.</p> - -<p>The farther side of the plain was bordered by a row of palms, and just -in front of the palms rose a queerly shaped hill that towered above -the plain like a mountain. The sides of this hill were straight up and -down; it was oblong in shape and the top seemed flat and level.</p> - -<p>"Oh, ho!" cried Dorothy; "I'll bet that's the mountain Glinda told us -of, where the Flatheads live."</p> - -<p>"If it is," replied Ozma, "the Lake of the Skeezers must be just -beyond the line of palm trees. Can you walk that far, Dorothy?"</p> - -<p>"Of course, in time," was the prompt answer. "I'm sorry we had to -leave the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon behind us, for they'd come in -handy just now; but with the end of our journey in sight a tramp -across these pretty green fields won't tire us a bit."</p> - -<p>It was a longer tramp than they suspected, however, and night overtook -them before they could reach the flat mountain. So Ozma proposed they -camp for the night and Dorothy was quite ready to approve. She didn't -like to admit to her friend she was tired, but she told herself that -her legs "had prickers in 'em," meaning they had begun to ache.</p> - -<p>Usually when Dorothy started on a journey of exploration or adventure, -she carried with her a basket of food, and other things that a -traveler in a strange country might require, but to go away with Ozma -was quite a different thing, as experience had taught her. The fairy -Ruler of Oz only needed her silver wand—tipped at one end with a -great sparkling emerald—to provide through its magic all that they -might need. Therefore Ozma, having halted with her companion and -selected a smooth, grassy spot on the plain, waved her wand in -graceful curves and chanted some mystic words in her sweet voice, and -in an instant a handsome tent appeared before them. The canvas was -striped purple and white, and from the center pole fluttered the royal -banner of Oz.</p> - -<p>"Come, dear," said Ozma, taking Dorothy's hand, "I am hungry and I'm -sure you must be also; so let us go in and have our feast."</p> - -<p>On entering the tent they found a table set for two, with snowy linen, -bright silver and sparkling glassware, a vase of roses in the center -and many dishes of delicious food, some smoking hot, waiting to -satisfy their hunger. Also, on either side of the tent were beds, with -satin sheets, warm blankets and pillows filled with swansdown. There -were chairs, too, and tall lamps that lighted the interior of the tent -with a soft, rosy glow.</p> - -<p>Dorothy, resting herself at her fairy friend's command, and eating her -dinner with unusual enjoyment, thought of the wonders of magic. If one -were a fairy and knew the secret laws of nature and the mystic words -and ceremonies that commanded those laws, then a simple wave of a -silver wand would produce instantly all that men work hard and -anxiously for through weary years. And Dorothy wished in her kindly, -innocent heart, that all men and women could be fairies with silver -wands, and satisfy all their needs without so much work and worry, for -then, she imagined, they would have all their working hours to be -happy in. But Ozma, looking into her friend's face and reading those -thoughts, gave a laugh and said:</p> - -<p>"No, no, Dorothy, that wouldn't do at all. Instead of happiness your -plan would bring weariness to the world. If every one could wave a -wand and have his wants fulfilled there would be little to wish for. -There would be no eager striving to obtain the difficult, for nothing -would then be difficult, and the pleasure of earning something longed -for, and only to be secured by hard work and careful thought, would be -utterly lost. There would be nothing to do you see, and no interest in -life and in our fellow creatures. That is all that makes life worth -our while—to do good deeds and to help those less fortunate than -ourselves."</p> - -<p>"Well, you're a fairy, Ozma. Aren't you happy?" asked Dorothy</p> - -<p>"Yes, dear, because I can use my fairy powers to make others happy. -Had I no kingdom to rule, and no subjects to look after, I would be -miserable. Also, you must realize that while I am a more powerful -fairy than any other inhabitant of Oz, I am not as powerful as Glinda -the Sorceress, who has studied many arts of magic that I know nothing -of. Even the little Wizard of Oz can do some things I am unable to -accomplish, while I can accomplish things unknown to the Wizard. This -is to explain that I'm not all-powerful, by any means. My magic is -simply fairy magic, and not sorcery or wizardry."</p> - -<p>"All the same," said Dorothy, "I'm mighty glad you could make this -tent appear, with our dinners and beds all ready for us."</p> - -<p>Ozma smiled.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is indeed wonderful," she agreed. "Not all fairies know that -sort of magic, but some fairies can do magic that fills me with -astonishment. I think that is what makes us modest and unassuming—the -fact that our magic arts are divided, some being given each of us. I'm -glad I don't know everything, Dorothy, and that there still are things -in both nature and in wit for me to marvel at."</p> - -<p>Dorothy couldn't quite understand this, so she said nothing more on -the subject and presently had a new reason to marvel. For when they -had quite finished their meal table and contents disappeared in a -flash.</p> - -<p>"No dishes to wash, Ozma!" she said with a laugh. "I guess you'd make -a lot of folks happy if you could teach 'em just that one trick."</p> - -<p>For an hour Ozma told stories, and talked with Dorothy about various -people in whom they were interested. And then it was bedtime, and they -undressed and crept into their soft beds and fell asleep almost as -soon as their heads touched their pillows.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH5" id="CH5">Chapter Five</a></h2> - -<h3>The Magic Stairway</h3> - - - -<p>The flat mountain looked much nearer in the clear light of the morning -sun, but Dorothy and Ozma knew there was a long tramp before them, -even yet. They finished dressing only to find a warm, delicious -breakfast awaiting them, and having eaten they left the tent and -started toward the mountain which was their first goal. After going a -little way Dorothy looked back and found that the fairy tent had -entirely disappeared. She was not surprised, for she knew this would -happen.</p> - -<p>"Can't your magic give us a horse an' wagon, or an automobile?" -inquired Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"No, dear; I'm sorry that such magic is beyond my power," confessed -her fairy friend.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps Glinda could," said Dorothy thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"Glinda has a stork chariot that carries her through the air," said -Ozma, "but even our great Sorceress cannot conjure up other modes of -travel. Don't forget what I told you last night, that no one is -powerful enough to do everything."</p> - -<p>"Well, I s'pose I ought to know that, having lived so long in the Land -of Oz," replied Dorothy; "but I can't do any magic at all, an' so I -can't figure out e'zactly how you an' Glinda an' the Wizard do it."</p> - -<p>"Don't try," laughed Ozma. "But you have at least one magical art, -Dorothy: you know the trick of winning all hearts."</p> - -<p>"No, I don't," said Dorothy earnestly. "If I really can do it, Ozma, I -am sure I don't know how I do it."</p> - -<p>It took them a good two hours to reach the foot of the round, flat -mountain, and then they found the sides so steep that they were like -the wall of a house.</p> - -<p>"Even my purple kitten couldn't climb 'em," remarked Dorothy, gazing -upward.</p> - -<p>"But there is some way for the Flatheads to get down and up again," -declared Ozma; "otherwise they couldn't make war with the Skeezers, or -even meet them and quarrel with them."</p> - -<p>"That's so, Ozma. Let's walk around a ways; perhaps we'll find a -ladder or something."</p> - -<p>They walked quite a distance, for it was a big mountain, and as they -circled around it and came to the side that faced the palm trees, they -suddenly discovered an entrance way cut out of the rock wall. This -entrance was arched overhead and not very deep because it merely led -to a short flight of stone stairs.</p> - -<p>"Oh, we've found a way to the top at last," announced Ozma, and the -two girls turned and walked straight toward the entrance. Suddenly -they bumped against something and stood still, unable to proceed -farther.</p> - -<p>"Dear me!" exclaimed Dorothy, rubbing her nose, which had struck -something hard, although she could not see what it was; "this isn't as -easy as it looks. What has stopped us, Ozma? Is it magic of some -sort?"</p> - -<p>Ozma was feeling around, her bands outstretched before her.</p> - -<p>"Yes, dear, it is magic," she replied. "The Flatheads had to have a -way from their mountain top from the plain below, but to prevent -enemies from rushing up the stairs to conquer them, they have built, -at a small distance before the entrance a wall of solid stone, the -stones being held in place by cement, and then they made the wall -invisible."</p> - -<p>"I wonder why they did that?" mused Dorothy. "A wall would keep folks -out anyhow, whether it could be seen or not, so there wasn't any use -making it invisible. Seems to me it would have been better to have -left it solid, for then no one would have seen the entrance behind it. -Now anybody can see the entrance, as we did. And prob'bly anybody that -tries to go up the stairs gets bumped, as we did."</p> - -<p>Ozma made no reply at once. Her face was grave and thoughtful.</p> - -<p>"I think I know the reason for making the wall invisible," she said -after a while. "The Flatheads use the stairs for coming down and going -up. If there was a solid stone wall to keep them from reaching the -plain they would themselves be imprisoned by the wall. So they had to -leave some place to get around the wall, and, if the wall was visible, -all strangers or enemies would find the place to go around it and then -the wall would be useless. So the Flatheads cunningly made their wall -invisible, believing that everyone who saw the entrance to the -mountain would walk straight toward it, as we did, and find it -impossible to go any farther. I suppose the wall is really high and -thick, and can't be broken through, so those who find it in their way -are obliged to go away again."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Dorothy, "if there's a way around the wall, where is it?"</p> - -<p>"We must find it," returned Ozma, and began feeling her way along the -wall. Dorothy followed and began to get discouraged when Ozma had -walked nearly a quarter of a mile away from the entrance. But now the -invisible wall curved in toward the side of the mountain and suddenly -ended, leaving just space enough between the wall and the mountain for -an ordinary person to pass through.</p> - -<p>The girls went in, single file, and Ozma explained that they were now -behind the barrier and could go back to the entrance. They met no -further obstructions.</p> - -<p>"Most people, Ozma, wouldn't have figured this thing out the way you -did," remarked Dorothy. "If I'd been alone the invisible wall surely -would have stumped me."</p> - -<p>Reaching the entrance they began to mount the stone stairs. They went -up ten stairs and then down five stairs, following a passage cut from -the rock. The stairs were just wide enough for the two girls to walk -abreast, arm in arm. At the bottom of the five stairs the passage -turned to the right, and they ascended ten more stairs, only to find -at the top of the flight five stairs leading straight down again. -Again the passage turned abruptly, this time to the left, and ten more -stairs led upward.</p> - -<p>The passage was now quite dark, for they were in the heart of the -mountain and all daylight had been shut out by the turns of the -passage. However, Ozma drew her silver wand from her bosom and the -great jewel at its end gave out a lustrous, green-tinted light which -lighted the place well enough for them to see their way plainly.</p> - -<p>Ten steps up, five steps down, and a turn, this way or that. That was -the program, and Dorothy figured that they were only gaining five -stairs upward each trip that they made.</p> - -<p>"Those Flatheads must be funny people," she said to Ozma. "They don't -seem to do anything in a bold straightforward manner. In making this -passage they forced everyone to walk three times as far as is -necessary. And of course this trip is just as tiresome to the -Flatheads as it is to other folks."</p> - -<p>"That is true," answered Ozma; "yet it is a clever arrangement to -prevent their being surprised by intruders. Every time we reach the -tenth step of a flight, the pressure of our feet on the stone makes a -bell ring on top of the mountain, to warn the Flatheads of our -coming."</p> - -<p>"How do you know that?" demanded Dorothy, astonished.</p> - -<p>"I've heard the bell ever since we started," Ozma told her. "You could -not hear it, I know, but when I am holding my wand in my hand I can -hear sounds a great distance off."</p> - -<p>"Do you hear anything on top of the mountain 'cept the bell?" inquired -Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Yes. The people are calling to one another in alarm and many -footsteps are approaching the place where we will reach the flat top -of the mountain."</p> - -<p>This made Dorothy feel somewhat anxious. "I'd thought we were going to -visit just common, ordinary people," she remarked, "but they're pretty -clever, it seems, and they know some kinds of magic, too. They may be -dangerous, Ozma. P'raps we'd better stayed at home."</p> - -<p>Finally the upstairs-and-downstairs passage seemed coming to an end, -for daylight again appeared ahead of the two girls and Ozma replaced -her wand in the bosom of her gown. The last ten steps brought them to -the surface, where they found themselves surrounded by such a throng -of queer people that for a time they halted, speechless, and stared -into the faces that confronted them.</p> - -<p>Dorothy knew at once why these mountain people were called Flatheads. -Their heads were really flat on top, as if they had been cut off just -above the eyes and ears. Also the heads were bald, with no hair on top -at all, and the ears were big and stuck straight out, and the noses -were small and stubby, while the mouths of the Flatheads were well -shaped and not unusual. Their eyes were perhaps their best feature, -being large and bright and a deep violet in color.</p> - -<p>The costumes of the Flatheads were all made of metals dug from their -mountain. Small gold, silver, tin and iron discs, about the size of -pennies, and very thin, were cleverly wired together and made to form -knee trousers and jackets for the men and skirts and waists for the -women. The colored metals were skillfully mixed to form stripes and -checks of various sorts, so that the costumes were quite gorgeous and -reminded Dorothy of pictures she had seen of Knights of old clothed -armor.</p> - -<p>Aside from their flat heads, these people were not really bad looking. -The men were armed with bows and arrows and had small axes of steel -stuck in their metal belts. They wore no hats nor ornaments.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH6" id="CH6">Chapter Six</a></h2> - -<h3>Flathead Mountain</h3> - -<p>When they saw that the intruders on their mountain were only two -little girls, the Flatheads grunted with satisfaction and drew back, -permitting them to see what the mountain top looked like. It was -shaped like a saucer, so that the houses and other buildings—all made -of rocks—could not be seen over the edge by anyone standing in the -plain below.</p> - -<p>But now a big fat Flathead stood before the girls and in a gruff voice -demanded:</p> - -<p>"What are you doing here? Have the Skeezers sent you to spy upon us?"</p> - -<p>"I am Princess Ozma, Ruler of all the Land of Oz."</p> - -<p>"Well, I've never heard of the Land of Oz, so you may be what you -claim," returned the Flathead.</p> - -<p>"This is the Land of Oz—part of it, anyway," exclaimed Dorothy. "So -Princess Ozma rules you Flathead people, as well as all the other -people in Oz."</p> - -<p>The man laughed, and all the others who stood around laughed, too. -Some one in the crowd called:</p> - -<p>"She'd better not tell the Supreme Dictator about ruling the -Flatheads. Eh, friends?"</p> - -<p>"No, indeed!" they all answered in positive tones.</p> - -<p>"Who is your Supreme Dictator?" answered Ozma.</p> - -<p>"I think I'll let him tell you that himself," answered the man who had -first spoken. "You have broken our laws by coming here; and whoever -you are the Supreme Dictator must fix your punishment. Come along with -me."</p> - -<p>He started down a path and Ozma and Dorothy followed him without -protest, as they wanted to see the most important person in this queer -country. The houses they passed seemed pleasant enough and each had a -little yard in which were flowers and vegetables. Walls of rock -separated the dwellings, and all the paths were paved with smooth -slabs of rock. This seemed their only building material and they -utilized it cleverly for every purpose.</p> - -<p>Directly in the center of the great saucer stood a larger building -which the Flathead informed the girls was the palace of the Supreme -Dictator. He led them through an entrance hall into a big reception -room, where they sat upon stone benches and awaited the coming of the -Dictator. Pretty soon he entered from another room—a rather lean and -rather old Flathead, dressed much like the others of this strange -race, and only distinguished from them by the sly and cunning -expression of his face. He kept his eyes half closed and looked -through the slits of them at Ozma and Dorothy, who rose to receive -him.</p> - -<p>"Are you the Supreme Dictator of the Flatheads?" inquired Ozma.</p> - -<p>"Yes, that's me," he said, rubbing his hands slowly together. "My word -is law. I'm the head of the Flatheads on this flat headland."</p> - -<p>"I am Princess Ozma of Oz, and I have come from the Emerald City to -—"</p> - -<p>"Stop a minute," interrupted the Dictator, and turned to the man who -had brought the girls there. "Go away, Dictator Felo Flathead!" he -commanded. "Return to your duty and guard the Stairway. I will look -after these strangers." The man bowed and departed, and Dorothy asked -wonderingly:</p> - -<p>"Is he a Dictator, too?"</p> - -<p>"Of course," was the answer. "Everybody here is a dictator of -something or other. They're all office holders. That's what keeps them -contented. But I'm the Supreme Dictator of all, and I'm elected once a -year. This is a democracy, you know, where the people are allowed to -vote for their rulers. A good many others would like to be Supreme -Dictator, but as I made a law that I am always to count the votes -myself, I am always elected."</p> - -<p>"What is your name?" asked Ozma.</p> - -<p>"I am called the Su-dic, which is short for Supreme Dictator. I sent -that man away because the moment you mentioned Ozma of Oz, and the -Emerald City, I knew who you are. I suppose I'm the only Flathead that -ever heard of you, but that's because I have more brains than the -rest."</p> - -<p>Dorothy was staring hard at the Su-dic.</p> - -<p>"I don't see how you can have any brains at all," she remarked, -"because the part of your head is gone where brains are kept."</p> - -<p>"I don't blame you for thinking that," he said. "Once the Flatheads -had no brains because, as you say, there is no upper part to their -heads, to hold brains. But long, long ago a band of fairies flew over -this country and made it all a fairyland, and when they came to the -Flatheads the fairies were sorry to find them all very stupid and -quite unable to think. So, as there was no good place in their bodies -in which to put brains the Fairy Queen gave each one of us a nice can -of brains to carry in his pocket and that made us just as intelligent -as other people. See," he continued, "here is one of the cans of -brains the fairies gave us." He took from a pocket a bright tin can -having a pretty red label on it which said: "Concentrated Brains, -Extra Quality."</p> - -<p>"And does every Flathead have the same kind of brains?" asked Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Yes, they're all alike. Here's another can." From another pocket he -produced a second can of brains.</p> - -<p>"Did the fairies give you a double supply?" inquired Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"No, but one of the Flatheads thought he wanted to be the Su-dic and -tried to get my people to rebel against me, so I punished him by -taking away his brains. One day my wife scolded me severely, so I took -away her can of brains. She didn't like that and went out and robbed -several women of their brains. Then I made a law that if anyone stole -another's brains, or even tried to borrow them, he would forfeit his -own brains to the Su-dic. So each one is content with his own canned -brains and my wife and I are the only ones on the mountain with more -than one can. I have three cans and that makes me very clever—so -clever that I'm a good Sorcerer, if I do say it myself. My poor wife -had four cans of brains and became a remarkable witch, but alas! that -was before those terrible enemies, the Skeezers, transformed her into -a Golden Pig."</p> - -<p>"Good gracious!" cried Dorothy; "is your wife really a Golden Pig?"</p> - -<p>"She is. The Skeezers did it and so I have declared war on them. In -revenge for making my wife a Pig I intend to ruin their Magic Island -and make the Skeezers the slaves of the Flatheads!"</p> - -<p>The Su-dic was very angry now; his eyes flashed and his face took on a -wicked and fierce expression. But Ozma said to him, very sweetly and -in a friendly voice:</p> - -<p>"I am sorry to hear this. Will you please tell me more about your -troubles with the Skeezers? Then perhaps I can help you."</p> - -<p>She was only a girl, but there was dignity in her pose and speech -which impressed the Su-dic.</p> - -<p>"If you are really Princess Ozma of Oz," the Flathead said, "you are -one of that band of fairies who, under Queen Lurline, made all Oz a -Fairyland. I have heard that Lurline left one of her own fairies to -rule Oz, and gave the fairy the name of Ozma."</p> - -<p>"If you knew this why did you not come to me at the Emerald City and -tender me your loyalty and obedience?" asked the Ruler of Oz.</p> - -<p>"Well, I only learned the fact lately, and I've been too busy to leave -home," he explained, looking at the floor instead of into Ozma's eyes. -She knew he had spoken a falsehood, but only said:</p> - -<p>"Why did you quarrel with the Skeezers?"</p> - -<p>"It was this way," began the Su-dic, glad to change the subject. "We -Flatheads love fish, and as we have no fish on this mountain we would -sometimes go to the Lake of the Skeezers to catch fish. This made the -Skeezers angry, for they declared the fish in their lake belonged to -them and were under their protection and they forbade us to catch -them. That was very mean and unfriendly in the Skeezers, you must -admit, and when we paid no attention to their orders they set a guard -on the shore of the lake to prevent our fishing.</p> - -<p>"Now, my wife, Rora Flathead, having four cans of brains, had become a -wonderful witch, and fish being brain food, she loved to eat fish -better than any one of us. So she vowed she would destroy every fish -in the lake, unless the Skeezers let us catch what we wanted. They -defied us, so Rora prepared a kettleful of magic poison and went down -to the lake one night to dump it all in the water and poison the fish. -It was a clever idea, quite worthy of my dear wife, but the Skeezer -Queen—a young lady named Coo-ee-oh—hid on the bank of the lake and -taking Rora unawares, transformed her into a Golden Pig. The poison -was spilled on the ground and wicked Queen Coo-ee-oh, not content with -her cruel transformation, even took away my wife's four cans of -brains, so she is now a common grunting pig without even brains enough -to know her own name."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Ozma thoughtfully, "the Queen of the Skeezers must be a -Sorceress."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the Su-dic, "but she doesn't know much magic, after all. -She is not as powerful as Rora Flathead was, nor half as powerful as I -am now, as Queen Coo-ee-oh will discover when we fight our great -battle and destroy her."</p> - -<p>"The Golden Pig can't be a witch any more, of course," observed -Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"No; even had Queen Coo-ee-oh left her the four cans of brains, poor -Rora, in a pig's shape, couldn't do any witchcraft. A witch has to use -her fingers, and a pig has only cloven hoofs."</p> - -<p>"It seems a sad story," was Ozma's comment, "and all the trouble arose -because the Flatheads wanted fish that did not belong to them."</p> - -<p>"As for that," said the Su-dic, again angry, "I made a law that any of -my people could catch fish in the Lake of the Skeezers, whenever they -wanted to. So the trouble was through the Skeezers defying my law."</p> - -<p>"You can only make laws to govern your own people," asserted Ozma -sternly. "I, alone, am empowered to make laws that must be obeyed by -all the peoples of Oz."</p> - -<p>"Pooh!" cried the Su-dic scornfully. "You can't make me obey your -laws, I assure you. I know the extent of your powers, Princess Ozma of -Oz, and I know that I am more powerful than you are. To prove it I -shall keep you and your companion prisoners in this mountain until -after we have fought and conquered the Skeezers. Then, if you promise -to be good, I may let you go home again."</p> - -<p>Dorothy was amazed by this effrontery and defiance of the beautiful -girl Ruler of Oz, whom all until now had obeyed without question. But -Ozma, still unruffled and dignified, looked at the Su-dic and said:</p> - -<p>"You did not mean that. You are angry and speak unwisely, without -reflection. I came here from my palace in the Emerald City to prevent -war and to make peace between you and the Skeezers. I do not approve -of Queen Coo-ee-oh's action in transforming your wife Rora into a pig, -nor do I approve of Rora's cruel attempt to poison the fishes in the -lake. No one has the right to work magic in my dominions without my -consent, so the Flatheads and the Skeezers have both broken my laws -—which must be obeyed."</p> - -<p>"If you want to make peace," said the Su-dic, "make the Skeezers -restore my wife to her proper form and give back her four cans of -brains. Also make them agree to allow us to catch fish in their lake."</p> - -<p>"No," returned Ozma, "I will not do that, for it would be unjust. I -will have the Golden Pig again transformed into your wife Rora, and -give her one can of brains, but the other three cans must be restored -to those she robbed. Neither may you catch fish in the Lake of the -Skeezers, for it is their lake and the fish belong to them. This -arrangement is just and honorable, and you must agree to it."</p> - -<p>"Never!" cried the Su-dic. Just then a pig came running into the room, -uttering dismal grunts. It was made of solid gold, with joints at the -bends of the legs and in the neck and jaws. The Golden Pig's eyes were -rubies, and its teeth were polished ivory.</p> - -<p>"There!" said the Su-dic, "gaze on the evil work of Queen Coo-ee-oh, -and then say if you can prevent my making war on the Skeezers. That -grunting beast was once my wife—the most beautiful Flathead on our -mountain and a skillful witch. Now look at her!"</p> - -<p>"Fight the Skeezers, fight the Skeezers, fight the Skeezers!" grunted -the Golden Pig.</p> - -<p>"I will fight the Skeezers," exclaimed the Flathead chief, "and if a -dozen Ozmas of Oz forbade me I would fight just the same."</p> - -<p>"Not if I can prevent it!" asserted Ozma.</p> - -<p>"You can't prevent it. But since you threaten me, I'll have you -confined in the bronze prison until the war is over," said the Su-dic. -He whistled and four stout Flatheads, armed with axes and spears, -entered the room and saluted him. Turning to the men he said: "Take -these two girls, bind them with wire ropes and cast them into the -bronze prison."</p> - -<p>The four men bowed low and one of them asked:</p> - -<p>"Where are the two girls, most noble Su-dic?"</p> - -<p>The Su-dic turned to where Ozma and Dorothy had stood but they had -vanished!</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH7" id="CH7">Chapter Seven</a></h2> - -<h3>The Magic Isle</h3> - -<p>Ozma, seeing it was useless to argue with the Supreme Dictator of the -Flatheads. had been considering how best to escape from his power. She -realized that his sorcery might be difficult to overcome, and when he -threatened to cast Dorothy and her into a bronze prison she slipped -her hand into her bosom and grasped her silver wand. With the other -hand she grasped the hand of Dorothy, but these motions were so -natural that the Su-dic did not notice them. Then when he turned to -meet his four soldiers, Ozma instantly rendered both herself and -Dorothy invisible and swiftly led her companion around the group of -Flatheads and out of the room. As they reached the entry and descended -the stone steps, Ozma whispered:</p> - -<p>"Let us run, dear! We are invisible, so no one will see us."</p> - -<p>Dorothy understood and she was a good runner. Ozma had marked the -place where the grand stairway that led to the plain was located, so -they made directly for it. Some people were in the paths but these -they dodged around. One or two Flatheads heard the pattering of -footsteps of the girls on the stone pavement and stopped with -bewildered looks to gaze around them, but no one interfered with the -invisible fugitives.</p> - -<p>The Su-dic had lost no time in starting the chase. He and his men ran -so fast that they might have overtaken the girls before they reached -the stairway had not the Golden Pig suddenly run across their path. -The Su-dic tripped over the pig and fell flat, and his four men -tripped over him and tumbled in a heap. Before they could scramble up -and reach the mouth of the passage it was too late to stop the two -girls.</p> - -<p>There was a guard on each side of the stairway, but of course they did -not see Ozma and Dorothy as they sped past and descended the steps. -Then they had to go up five steps and down another ten, and so on, in -the same manner in which they had climbed to the top of the mountain. -Ozma lighted their way with her wand and they kept on without relaxing -their speed until they reached the bottom. Then they ran to the right -and turned the corner of the invisible wall just as the Su-dic and his -followers rushed out of the arched entrance and looked around in an -attempt to discover the fugitives.</p> - -<p>Ozma now knew they were safe, so she told Dorothy to stop and both of -them sat down on the grass until they could breathe freely and become -rested from their mad flight.</p> - -<p>As for the Su-dic, he realized he was foiled and soon turned and -climbed his stairs again. He was very angry—angry with Ozma and -angry with himself—because, now that he took time to think, he -remembered that he knew very well the art of making people invisible, -and visible again, and if he had only thought of it in time he could -have used his magic knowledge to make the girls visible and so have -captured them easily. However, it was now too late for regrets and he -determined to make preparations at once to march all his forces -against the Skeezers.</p> - -<p>"What shall we do next?" asked Dorothy, when they were rested.</p> - -<p>"Let us find the Lake of the Skeezers," replied Ozma. "From what that -dreadful Su-dic said I imagine the Skeezers are good people and worthy -of our friendship, and if we go to them we may help them to defeat the -Flatheads."</p> - -<p>"I s'pose we can't stop the war now," remarked Dorothy reflectively, -as they walked toward the row of palm trees.</p> - -<p>"No; the Su-dic is determined to fight the Skeezers, so all we can do -is to warn them of their danger and help them as much as possible."</p> - -<p>"Of course you'll punish the Flatheads," said Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Well, I do not think the Flathead people are as much to blame as -their Supreme Dictator," was the answer. "If he is removed from power -and his unlawful magic taken from him, the people will probably be -good and respect the laws of the Land of Oz, and live at peace with -all their neighbors in the future."</p> - -<p>"I hope so," said Dorothy with a sigh of doubt</p> - -<p>The palms were not far from the mountain and the girls reached them -after a brisk walk. The huge trees were set close together, in three -rows, and had been planted so as to keep people from passing them, but -the Flatheads had cut a passage through this barrier and Ozma found -the path and led Dorothy to the other side.</p> - -<p>Beyond the palms they discovered a very beautiful scene. Bordered by a -green lawn was a great lake fully a mile from shore to shore, the -waters of which were exquisitely blue and sparkling, with little -wavelets breaking its smooth surface where the breezes touched it. In -the center of this lake appeared a lovely island, not of great extent -but almost entirely covered by a huge round building with glass walls -and a high glass dome which glittered brilliantly in the sunshine. -Between the glass building and the edge of the island was no grass, -flowers or shrubbery, but only an expanse of highly polished white -marble. There were no boats on either shore and no signs of life could -be seen anywhere on the island.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Dorothy, gazing wistfully at the island, "we've found the -Lake of the Skeezers and their Magic Isle. I guess the Skeezers are in -that big glass palace, but we can't get at 'em."</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH8" id="CH8">Chapter Eight</a></h2> - -<h3>Queen Coo-ee-oh</h3> - -<p>Princess Ozma considered the situation gravely. Then she tied her -handkerchief to her wand and, standing at the water's edge, waved the -handkerchief like a flag, as a signal. For a time they could observe -no response.</p> - -<p>"I don't see what good that will do," said Dorothy. "Even if the -Skeezers are on that island and see us, and know we're friends, they -haven't any boats to come and get us."</p> - -<p>But the Skeezers didn't need boats, as the girls soon discovered. For -on a sudden an opening appeared at the base of the palace and from the -opening came a slender shaft of steel, reaching out slowly but -steadily across the water in the direction of the place where they -stood. To the girls this steel arrangement looked like a triangle, -with the base nearest the water. It came toward them in the form of an -arch, stretching out from the palace wall until its end reached the -bank and rested there, while the other end still remained on the -island.</p> - -<p>Then they saw that it was a bridge, consisting of a steel footway just -broad enough to walk on, and two slender guide rails, one on either -side, which were connected with the footway by steel bars. The bridge -looked rather frail and Dorothy feared it would not bear their weight, -but Ozma at once called, "Come on!" and started to walk across, -holding fast to the rail on either side. So Dorothy summoned her -courage and followed after. Before Ozma had taken three steps she -halted and so forced Dorothy to halt, for the bridge was again moving -and returning to the island.</p> - -<p>"We need not walk after all," said Ozma. So they stood still in their -places and let the steel bridge draw them onward. Indeed, the bridge -drew them well into the glass-domed building which covered the island, -and soon they found themselves standing in a marble room where two -handsomely dressed young men stood on a platform to receive them.</p> - -<p>Ozma at once stepped from the end of the bridge to the marble -platform, followed by Dorothy, and then the bridge disappeared with a -slight clang of steel and a marble slab covered the opening from which -it had emerged.</p> - -<p>The two young men bowed profoundly to Ozma, and one of them said:</p> - -<p>"Queen Coo-ee-oh bids you welcome, O Strangers. Her Majesty is waiting -to receive you in her palace."</p> - -<p>"Lead on," replied Ozma with dignity.</p> - -<p>But instead of "leading on," the platform of marble began to rise, -carrying them upward through a square hole above which just fitted it. -A moment later they found themselves within the great glass dome that -covered almost all of the island.</p> - -<p>Within this dome was a little village, with houses, streets, gardens -and parks. The houses were of colored marbles, prettily designed, with -many stained-glass windows, and the streets and gardens seemed well -cared for. Exactly under the center of the lofty dome was a small park -filled with brilliant flowers, with an elaborate fountain, and facing -this park stood a building larger and more imposing than the others. -Toward this building the young men escorted Ozma and Dorothy.</p> - -<p>On the streets and in the doorways or open windows of the houses were -men, women and children, all richly dressed. These were much like -other people in different parts of the Land of Oz, except that instead -of seeming merry and contented they all wore expressions of much -solemnity or of nervous irritation. They had beautiful homes, splendid -clothes, and ample food, but Dorothy at once decided something was -wrong with their lives and that they were not happy. She said nothing, -however, but looked curiously at the Skeezers.</p> - -<p>At the entrance of the palace Ozma and Dorothy were met by two other -young men, in uniform and armed with queer weapons that seemed about -halfway between pistols and guns, but were like neither. Their -conductors bowed and left them, and the two in uniforms led the girls -into the palace.</p> - -<p>In a beautiful throne room, surrounded by a dozen or more young men -and women, sat the Queen of the Skeezers, Coo-ee-oh. She was a girl -who looked older than Ozma or Dorothy—fifteen or sixteen, at least -—and although she was elaborately dressed as if she were going to a -ball she was too thin and plain of feature to be pretty. But evidently -Queen Coo-ee-oh did not realize this fact, for her air and manner -betrayed her as proud and haughty and with a high regard for her own -importance. Dorothy at once decided she was "snippy" and that she -would not like Queen Coo-ee-oh as a companion.</p> - -<p>The Queen's hair was as black as her skin was white and her eyes were -black, too. The eyes, as she calmly examined Ozma and Dorothy, had a -suspicious and unfriendly look in them, but she said quietly:</p> - -<p>"I know who you are, for I have consulted my Magic Oracle, which told -me that one calls herself Princess Ozma, the Ruler of all the Land of -Oz, and the other is Princess Dorothy of Oz, who came from a country -called Kansas. I know nothing of the Land of Oz, and I know nothing of -Kansas."</p> - -<p>"Why, this is the Land of Oz!" cried Dorothy. "It's a part of the Land -of Oz, anyhow, whether you know it or not."</p> - -<p>"Oh, in-deed!" answered Queen Coo-ee-oh, scornfully. "I suppose you -will claim next that this Princess Ozma, ruling the Land of Oz, rules -me!"</p> - -<p>"Of course," returned Dorothy. "There's no doubt of it."</p> - -<p>The Queen turned to Ozma.</p> - -<p>"Do you dare make such a claim?" she asked.</p> - -<p>By this time Ozma had made up her mind as to the character of this -haughty and disdainful creature, whose self-pride evidently led her to -believe herself superior to all others.</p> - -<p>"I did not come here to quarrel with your Majesty," said the girl -Ruler of Oz, quietly. "What and who I am is well established, and my -authority comes from the Fairy Queen Lurline, of whose band I was a -member when Lurline made all Oz a Fairyland. There are several -countries and several different peoples in this broad land, each of -which has its separate rulers, Kings, Emperors and Queens. But all -these render obedience to my laws and acknowledge me as the supreme -Ruler."</p> - -<p>"If other Kings and Queens are fools that does not interest me in the -least," replied Coo-ee-oh, disdainfully. "In the Land of the Skeezers -I alone am supreme. You are impudent to think I would defer to you—or -to anyone else."</p> - -<p>"Let us not speak of this now, please," answered Ozma. "Your island is -in danger, for a powerful foe is preparing to destroy it."</p> - -<p>"Pah! The Flatheads. I do not fear them."</p> - -<p>"Their Supreme Dictator is a Sorcerer."</p> - -<p>"My magic is greater than his. Let the Flatheads come! They will never -return to their barren mountain-top. I will see to that."</p> - -<p>Ozma did not like this attitude, for it meant that the Skeezers were -eager to fight the Flatheads, and Ozma's object in coming here was to -prevent fighting and induce the two quarrelsome neighbors to make -peace. She was also greatly disappointed in Coo-ee-oh, for the reports -of Su-dic had led her to imagine the Queen more just and honorable -than were the Flatheads. Indeed Ozma reflected that the girl might be -better at heart than her self-pride and overbearing manner indicated, -and in any event it would be wise not to antagonize her but to try to -win her friendship.</p> - -<p>"I do not like wars, your Majesty," said Ozma. "In the Emerald City, -where I rule thousands of people, and in the countries near to the -Emerald City, where thousands more acknowledge my rule, there is no -army at all, because there is no quarreling and no need to fight. If -differences arise between my people, they come to me and I judge the -cases and award justice to all. So, when I learned there might be war -between two faraway people of Oz, I came here to settle the dispute -and adjust the quarrel."</p> - -<p>"No one asked you to come," declared Queen Coo-ee-oh. "It is my -business to settle this dispute, not yours. You say my island is a -part of the Land of Oz, which you rule, but that is all nonsense, for -I've never heard of the Land of Oz, nor of you. You say you are a -fairy, and that fairies gave you command over me. I don't believe it! -What I do believe is that you are an impostor and have come here to -stir up trouble among my people, who are already becoming difficult to -manage. You two girls may even be spies of the vile Flatheads, for all -I know, and may be trying to trick me. But understand this," she -added, proudly rising from her jeweled throne to confront them, "I -have magic powers greater than any fairy possesses, and greater than -any Flathead possesses. I am a Krumbic Witch—the only Krumbic Witch -in the world—and I fear the magic of no other creature that exists! -You say you rule thousands. I rule one hundred and one Skeezers. But -every one of them trembles at my word. Now that Ozma of Oz and -Princess Dorothy are here, I shall rule one hundred and three -subjects, for you also shall bow before my power. More than that, in -ruling you I also rule the thousands you say you rule."</p> - -<p>Dorothy was very indignant at this speech.</p> - -<p>"I've got a pink kitten that sometimes talks like that," she said, -"but after I give her a good whipping she doesn't think she's so high -and mighty after all. If you only knew who Ozma is you'd be scared to -death to talk to her like that!"</p> - -<p>Queen Coo-ee-oh gave the girl a supercilious look. Then she turned -again to Ozma.</p> - -<p>"I happen to know," said she, "that the Flatheads intend to attack us -tomorrow, but we are ready for them. Until the battle is over, I shall -keep you two strangers prisoners on my island, from which there is no -chance for you to escape."</p> - -<p>She turned and looked around the band of courtiers who stood silently -around her throne.</p> - -<p>"Lady Aurex," she continued, singling out one of the young women, -"take these children to your house and care for them, giving them food -and lodging. You may allow them to wander anywhere under the Great -Dome, for they are harmless. After I have attended to the Flatheads I -will consider what next to do with these foolish girls."</p> - -<p>She resumed her seat and the Lady Aurex bowed low and said in a humble -manner:</p> - -<p>"I obey your Majesty's commands." Then to Ozma and Dorothy she added, -"Follow me," and turned to leave the throne room.</p> - -<p>Dorothy looked to see what Ozma would do. To her surprise and a little -to her disappointment Ozma turned and followed Lady Aurex. So Dorothy -trailed after them, but not without giving a parting, haughty look -toward Queen Coo-ee-oh, who had her face turned the other way and did -not see the disapproving look.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH9" id="CH9">Chapter Nine</a></h2> - -<h3>Lady Aurex</h3> - -<p>Lady Aurex led Ozma and Dorothy along a street to a pretty marble -house near to one edge of the great glass dome that covered the -village. She did not speak to the girls until she had ushered them -into a pleasant room, comfortably furnished, nor did any of the solemn -people they met on the street venture to speak.</p> - -<p>When they were seated Lady Aurex asked if they were hungry, and -finding they were summoned a maid and ordered food to be brought.</p> - -<p>This Lady Aurex looked to be about twenty years old, although in the -Land of Oz where people have never changed in appearance since the -fairies made it a fairyland—where no one grows old or dies—it is -always difficult to say how many years anyone has lived. She had a -pleasant, attractive face, even though it was solemn and sad as the -faces of all Skeezers seemed to be, and her costume was rich and -elaborate, as became a lady in waiting upon the Queen.</p> - -<p>Ozma had observed Lady Aurex closely and now asked her in a gentle -tone:</p> - -<p>"Do you, also, believe me to be an impostor?"</p> - -<p>"I dare not say," replied Lady Aurex in a low tone.</p> - -<p>"Why are you afraid to speak freely?" inquired Ozma.</p> - -<p>"The Queen punishes us if we make remarks that she does not like."</p> - -<p>"Are we not alone then, in this house?"</p> - -<p>"The Queen can hear everything that is spoken on this island—even the -slightest whisper," declared Lady Aurex. "She is a wonderful witch, as -she has told you, and it is folly to criticise her or disobey her -commands."</p> - -<p>Ozma looked into her eyes and saw that she would like to say more if -she dared. So she drew from her bosom her silver wand, and having -muttered a magic phrase in a strange tongue, she left the room and -walked slowly around the outside of the house, making a complete -circle and waving her wand in mystic curves as she walked. Lady Aurex -watched her curiously and, when Ozma had again entered the room and -seated herself, she asked:</p> - -<p>"What have you done?"</p> - -<p>"I've enchanted this house in such a manner that Queen Coo-ee-oh, with -all her witchcraft, cannot hear one word we speak within the magic -circle I have made," replied Ozma. "We may now speak freely and as -loudly as we wish, without fear of the Queen's anger."</p> - -<p>Lady Aurex brightened at this.</p> - -<p>"Can I trust you?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Ev'rybody trusts Ozma," exclaimed Dorothy. "She is true and honest, -and your wicked Queen will be sorry she insulted the powerful Ruler of -all the Land of Oz."</p> - -<p>"The Queen does not know me yet," said Ozma, "but I want you to know -me, Lady Aurex, and I want you to tell me why you, and all the -Skeezers, are unhappy. Do not fear Coo-ee-oh's anger, for she cannot -hear a word we say, I assure you."</p> - -<p>Lady Aurex was thoughtful a moment; then she said: "I shall trust you, -Princess Ozma, for I believe you are what you say you are—our supreme -Ruler. If you knew the dreadful punishments our Queen inflicts upon -us, you would not wonder we are so unhappy. The Skeezers are not bad -people; they do not care to quarrel and fight, even with their enemies -the Flatheads; but they are so cowed and fearful of Coo-ee-oh that -they obey her slightest word, rather than suffer her anger."</p> - -<p>"Hasn't she any heart, then?" asked Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"She never displays mercy. She loves no one but herself," asserted -Lady Aurex, but she trembled as she said it, as if afraid even yet of -her terrible Queen.</p> - -<p>"That's pretty bad," said Dorothy, shaking her head gravely. "I see -you've a lot to do here, Ozma, in this forsaken corner of the Land of -Oz. First place, you've got to take the magic away from Queen -Coo-ee-oh, and from that awful Su-dic, too. My idea is that neither of -them is fit to rule anybody, 'cause they're cruel and hateful. So -you'll have to give the Skeezers and Flatheads new rulers and teach -all their people that they're part of the Land of Oz and must obey, -above all, the lawful Ruler, Ozma of Oz. Then, when you've done that, -we can go back home again."</p> - -<p>Ozma smiled at her little friend's earnest counsel, but Lady Aurex -said in an anxious tone:</p> - -<p>"I am surprised that you suggest these reforms while you are yet -prisoners on this island and in Coo-ee-oh's power. That these things -should be done, there is no doubt, but just now a dreadful war is -likely to break out, and frightful things may happen to us all. Our -Queen has such conceit that she thinks she can overcome the Su-dic and -his people, but it is said Su-dic's magic is very powerful, although -not as great as that possessed by his wife Rora, before Coo-ee-oh -transformed her into a Golden Pig."</p> - -<p>"I don't blame her very much for doing that," remarked Dorothy, "for -the Flatheads were wicked to try to catch your beautiful fish and the -Witch Rora wanted to poison all the fishes in the lake."</p> - -<p>"Do you know the reason?" asked the Lady Aurex.</p> - -<p>"I don't s'pose there was any reason, 'cept just wickedness," replied -Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Tell us the reason," said Ozma earnestly.</p> - -<p>"Well, your Majesty, once—a long time ago—the Flatheads and the -Skeezers were friendly. They visited our island and we visited their -mountain, and everything was pleasant between the two peoples. At that -time the Flatheads were ruled by three Adepts in Sorcery, beautiful -girls who were not Flatheads, but had wandered to the Flat Mountain -and made their home there. These three Adepts used their magic only -for good, and the mountain people gladly made them their rulers. They -taught the Flatheads how to use their canned brains and how to work -metals into clothing that would never wear out, and many other things -that added to their happiness and content.</p> - -<p>"Coo-ee-oh was our Queen then, as now, but she knew no magic and so -had nothing to be proud of. But the three Adepts were very kind to -Coo-ee-oh. They built for us this wonderful dome of glass and our -houses of marble and taught us to make beautiful clothing and many -other things. Coo-ee-oh pretended to be very grateful for these -favors, but it seems that all the time she was jealous of the three -Adepts and secretly tried to discover their arts of magic. In this she -was more clever than anyone suspected. She invited the three Adepts to -a banquet one day, and while they were feasting Coo-ee-oh stole their -charms and magical instruments and transformed them into three -fishes—a gold fish, a silver fish and a bronze fish. While the poor -fishes were gasping and flopping helplessly on the floor of the -banquet room one of them said reproachfully: 'You will be punished for -this, Coo-ee-oh, for if one of us dies or is destroyed, you will -become shrivelled and helpless, and all your stolen magic will depart -from you.' Frightened by this threat, Coo-ee-oh at once caught up the -three fish and ran with them to the shore of the lake, where she cast -them into the water. This revived the three Adepts and they swam away -and disappeared.</p> - -<p>"I, myself, witnessed this shocking scene," continued Lady Aurex, "and -so did many other Skeezers. The news was carried to the Flatheads, who -then turned from friends to enemies. The Su-dic and his wife Rora were -the only ones on the mountain who were glad the three Adepts had been -lost to them, and they at once became Rulers of the Flatheads and -stole their canned brains from others to make themselves the more -powerful. Some of the Adepts' magic tools had been left on the -mountain, and these Rora seized and by the use of them she became a -witch.</p> - -<p>"The result of Coo-ee-oh's treachery was to make both the Skeezers and -the Flatheads miserable instead of happy. Not only were the Su-dic and -his wife cruel to their people, but our Queen at once became proud and -arrogant and treated us very unkindly. All the Skeezers knew she had -stolen her magic powers and so she hated us and made us humble -ourselves before her and obey her slightest word. If we disobeyed, or -did not please her, or if we talked about her when we were in our own -homes she would have us dragged to the whipping post in her palace and -lashed with knotted cords. That is why we fear her so greatly."</p> - -<p>This story filled Ozma's heart with sorrow and Dorothy's heart with -indignation.</p> - -<p>"I now understand," said Ozma, "why the fishes in the lake have -brought about war between the Skeezers and the Flatheads."</p> - -<p>"Yes," Lady Aurex answered, "now that you know the story it is easy to -understand. The Su-dic and his wife came to our lake hoping to catch -the silver fish, or gold fish, or bronze fish—any one of them would -do—and by destroying it deprive Coo-ee-oh of her magic. Then they -could easily conquer her. Also they had another reason for wanting to -catch the fish—they feared that in some way the three Adepts might -regain their proper forms and then they would be sure to return to the -mountain and punish Rora and the Su-dic. That was why Rora finally -tried to poison all the fishes in the lake, at the time Coo-ee-oh -transformed her into a Golden Pig. Of course this attempt to destroy -the fishes frightened the Queen, for her safety lies in keeping the -three fishes alive."</p> - -<p>"I s'pose Coo-ee-oh will fight the Flatheads with all her might," -observed Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"And with all her magic," added Ozma, thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"I do not see how the Flatheads can get to this island to hurt us," -said Lady Aurex.</p> - -<p>"They have bows and arrows, and I guess they mean to shoot the arrows -at your big dome, and break all the glass in it," suggested Dorothy.</p> - -<p>But Lady Aurex shook her head with a smile.</p> - -<p>"They cannot do that," she replied.</p> - -<p>"Why not?"</p> - -<p>"I dare not tell you why, but if the Flatheads come to-morrow morning -you will yourselves see the reason."</p> - -<p>"I do not think they will attempt to harm the island," Ozma declared. -"I believe they will first attempt to destroy the fishes, by poison or -some other means. If they succeed in that, the conquest of the island -will not be difficult."</p> - -<p>"They have no boats," said Lady Aurex, "and Coo-ee-oh, who has long -expected this war, has been preparing for it in many astonishing ways. -I almost wish the Flatheads would conquer us, for then we would be -free from our dreadful Queen; but I do not wish to see the three -transformed fishes destroyed, for in them lies our only hope of future -happiness."</p> - -<p>"Ozma will take care of you, whatever happens," Dorothy assured her. -But the Lady Aurex, not knowing the extent of Ozma's power—which was, -in fact, not so great as Dorothy imagined—could not take much comfort -in this promise.</p> - -<p>It was evident there would be exciting times on the morrow, if the -Flatheads really attacked the Skeezers of the Magic Isle.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH10" id="CH10">Chapter Ten</a></h2> - -<h3>Under Water</h3> - -<p>When night fell all the interior of the Great Dome, streets and -houses, became lighted with brilliant incandescent lamps, which -rendered it bright as day. Dorothy thought the island must look -beautiful by night from the outer shore of the lake. There was revelry -and feasting in the Queen's palace, and the music of the royal band -could be plainly heard in Lady Aurex's house, where Ozma and Dorothy -remained with their hostess and keeper. They were prisoners, but -treated with much consideration.</p> - -<p>Lady Aurex gave them a nice supper and when they wished to retire -showed them to a pretty room with comfortable beds and wished them a -good night and pleasant dreams.</p> - -<p>"What do you think of all this, Ozma?" Dorothy anxiously inquired when -they were alone.</p> - -<p>"I am glad we came," was the reply, "for although there may be -mischief done to-morrow, it was necessary I should know about these -people, whose leaders are wild and lawless and oppress their subjects -with injustice and cruelties. My task, therefore, is to liberate the -Skeezers and the Flatheads and secure for them freedom and happiness. -I have no doubt I can accomplish this in time."</p> - -<p>"Just now, though, we're in a bad fix," asserted Dorothy. "If Queen -Coo-ee-oh conquers to-morrow, she won't be nice to us, and if the -Su-dic conquers, he'll be worse."</p> - -<p>"Do not worry, dear," said Ozma, "I do not think we are in danger, -whatever happens, and the result of our adventure is sure to be good."</p> - -<p>Dorothy was not worrying, especially. She had confidence in her -friend, the fairy Princess of Oz, and she enjoyed the excitement of -the events in which she was taking part. So she crept into bed and -fell asleep as easily as if she had been in her own cosy room in -Ozma's palace.</p> - -<p>A sort of grating, grinding sound awakened her. The whole island -seemed to tremble and sway, as it might do in an earthquake. Dorothy -sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes to get the sleep out of them, and then -found it was daybreak.</p> - -<p>Ozma was hurriedly dressing herself.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" asked Dorothy, jumping out of bed.</p> - -<p>"I'm not sure," answered Ozma "but it feels as if the island is -sinking."</p> - -<p>As soon as possible they finished dressing, while the creaking and -swaying continued. Then they rushed into the living room of the house -and found Lady Aurex, fully dressed, awaiting them.</p> - -<p>"Do not be alarmed," said their hostess. "Coo-ee-oh has decided to -submerge the island, that is all. But it proves the Flatheads are -coming to attack us."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by sub-sub-merging the island?" asked Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Come here and see," was the reply.</p> - -<p>Lady Aurex led them to a window which faced the side of the great dome -which covered all the village, and they could see that the island was -indeed sinking, for the water of the lake was already half way up the -side of the dome. Through the glass could be seen swimming fishes, and -tall stalks of swaying seaweeds, for the water was clear as crystal -and through it they could distinguish even the farther shore of the -lake.</p> - -<p>"The Flatheads are not here yet," said Lady Aurex. "They will come -soon, but not until all of this dome is under the surface of the -water."</p> - -<p>"Won't the dome leak?" Dorothy inquired anxiously.</p> - -<p>"No, indeed."</p> - -<p>"Was the island ever sub-sub-sunk before?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes; on several occasions. But Coo-ee-oh doesn't care to do that -often, for it requires a lot of hard work to operate the machinery. -The dome was built so that the island could disappear. I think," she -continued, "that our Queen fears the Flatheads will attack the island -and try to break the glass of the dome."</p> - -<p>"Well, if we're under water, they can't fight us, and we can't fight -them," asserted Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"They could kill the fishes, however," said Ozma gravely</p> - -<p>"We have ways to fight, also, even though our island is under water," -claimed Lady Aurex. "I cannot tell you all our secrets, but this -island is full of surprises. Also our Queen's magic is astonishing."</p> - -<p>"Did she steal it all from the three Adepts in Sorcery that are now -fishes?"</p> - -<p>"She stole the knowledge and the magic tools, but she has used them as -the three Adepts never would have done."</p> - -<p>By this time the top of the dome was quite under water and suddenly -the island stopped sinking and became stationary.</p> - -<p>"See!" cried Lady Aurex, pointing to the shore. "The Flatheads have -come."</p> - -<p>On the bank, which was now far above their heads, a crowd of dark -figures could be seen.</p> - -<p>"Now let us see what Coo-ee-oh will do to oppose them," continued Lady -Aurex, in a voice that betrayed her excitement.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p>The Flatheads, pushing their way through the line of palm trees, had -reached the shore of the lake just as the top of the island's dome -disappeared beneath the surface. The water now flowed from shore to -shore, but through the clear water the dome was still visible and the -houses of the Skeezers could be dimly seen through the panes of glass.</p> - -<p>"Good!" exclaimed the Su-dic, who had armed all his followers and had -brought with him two copper vessels, which he carefully set down upon -the ground beside him. "If Coo-ee-oh wants to hide instead of fighting -our job will be easy, for in one of these copper vessels I have enough -poison to kill every fish in the lake."</p> - -<p>"Kill them, then, while we have time, and then we can go home again," -advised one of the chief officers.</p> - -<p>"Not yet," objected the Su-dic. "The Queen of the Skeezers has defied -me, and I want to get her into my power, as well as to destroy her -magic. She transformed my poor wife into a Golden Pig, and I must have -revenge for that, whatever else we do."</p> - -<p>"Look out!" suddenly exclaimed the officers, pointing into the lake; -"something's going to happen."</p> - -<p>From the submerged dome a door opened and something black shot swiftly -out into the water. The door instantly closed behind it and the dark -object cleaved its way through the water, without rising to the -surface, directly toward the place where the Flatheads were standing.</p> - -<p>"What is that?" Dorothy asked the Lady Aurex.</p> - -<p>"That is one of the Queen's submarines," was the reply. "It is all -enclosed, and can move under water. Coo-ee-oh has several of these -boats which are kept in little rooms in the basement under our -village. When the island is submerged, the Queen uses these boats to -reach the shore, and I believe she now intends to fight the Flatheads -with them."</p> - -<p>The Su-dic and his people knew nothing of Coo-ee-oh's submarines, so -they watched with surprise as the under-water boat approached them. -When it was quite near the shore it rose to the surface and the top -parted and fell back, disclosing a boat full of armed Skeezers. At the -head was the Queen, standing up in the bow and holding in one hand a -coil of magic rope that gleamed like silver.</p> - -<p>The boat halted and Coo-ee-oh drew back her arm to throw the silver -rope toward the Su-dic, who was now but a few feet from her. But the -wily Flathead leader quickly realized his danger and before the Queen -could throw the rope he caught up one of the copper vessels and dashed -its contents full in her face!</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH11" id="CH11">Chapter Eleven</a></h2> - -<h3>The Conquest of the Skeezers</h3> - -<p>Queen Coo-ee-oh dropped the rope, tottered and fell headlong into the -water, sinking beneath the surface, while the Skeezers in the -submarine assist her and only stared at the ripples in the water where -she had disappeared. A moment later there arose to the surface a -beautiful White Swan. This Swan was of large size, very gracefully -formed, and scattered all over its white feathers were tiny diamonds, -so thickly placed that as the rays of the morning sun fell upon them -the entire body of the Swan glistened like one brilliant diamond. The -head of the Diamond Swan had a bill of polished gold and its eyes were -two sparkling amethysts.</p> - -<p>"Hooray!" cried the Su-dic, dancing up and down with wicked glee. "My -poor wife, Rora, is avenged at last. You made her a Golden Pig, -Coo-ee-oh, and now I have made you a Diamond Swan. Float on your lake -forever, if you like, for your web feet can do no more magic and you -are as powerless as the Pig you made of my wife!"</p> - -<p>"Villain! Scoundrel!" croaked the Diamond Swan. "You will be punished -for this. Oh, what a fool I was to let you enchant me!"</p> - -<p>"A fool you were, and a fool you are!" laughed the Su-dic, dancing -madly in his delight. And then he carelessly tipped over the other -copper vessel with his heel and its contents spilled on the sands and -were lost to the last drop.</p> - -<p>The Su-dic stopped short and looked at the overturned vessel with a -rueful countenance.</p> - -<p>"That's too bad—too bad!" he exclaimed sorrowfully. "I've lost all -the poison I had to kill the fishes with, and I can't make any more -because only my wife knew the secret of it, and she is now a foolish -Pig and has forgotten all her magic."</p> - -<p>"Very well," said the Diamond Swan scornfully, as she floated upon the -water and swam gracefully here and there. "I'm glad to see you are -foiled. Your punishment is just beginning, for although you have -enchanted me and taken away my powers of sorcery you have still the -three magic fishes to deal with, and they'll destroy you in time, mark -my words."</p> - -<p>The Su-dic stared at the Swan a moment. Then he yelled to his men:</p> - -<p>"Shoot her! Shoot the saucy bird!"</p> - -<p>They let fly some arrows at the Diamond Swan, but she dove under the -water and the missiles fell harmless. When Coo-ce-oh rose to the -surface she was far from the shore and she swiftly swam across the -lake to where no arrows or spears could reach her.</p> - -<p>The Su-dic rubbed his chin and thought what to do next. Near by -floated the submarine in which the Queen had come, but the Skeezers -who were in it were puzzled what to do with themselves. Perhaps they -were not sorry their cruel mistress had been transformed into a -Diamond Swan, but the transformation had left them quite helpless. The -under-water boat was not operated by machinery, but by certain mystic -words uttered by Coo-ee-oh. They didn't know how to submerge it, or -how to make the water-tight shield cover them again, or how to make -the boat go back to the castle, or make it enter the little basement -room where it was usually kept. As a matter of fact, they were now -shut out of their village under the Great Dome and could not get back -again. So one of the men called to the Supreme Dictator of the -Flatheads, saying:</p> - -<p>"Please make us prisoners and take us to your mountain, and feed and -keep us, for we have nowhere to go."</p> - -<p>Then the Su-dic laughed and answered:</p> - -<p>"Not so. I can't be bothered by caring for a lot of stupid Skeezers. -Stay where you are, or go wherever you please, so long as you keep -away from our mountain." He turned to his men and added: "We have -conquered Queen Coo-ee-oh and made her a helpless swan. The Skeezers -are under water and may stay there. So, having won the war, let us go -home again and make merry and feast, having after many years proved -the Flatheads to be greater and more powerful than the Skeezers."</p> - -<p>So the Flatheads marched away and passed through the row of palms and -went back to their mountain, where the Su-dic and a few of his -officers feasted and all the others were forced to wait on them.</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry we couldn't have roast pig," said the Su-dic, "but as the -only pig we have is made of gold, we can't eat her. Also the Golden -Pig happens to be my wife, and even were she not gold I am sure she -would be too tough to eat."</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH12" id="CH12">Chapter Twelve</a></h2> - -<h3>The Diamond Swan</h3> - -<p>When the Flatheads had gone away the Diamond Swan swam back to the -boat and one of the young Skeezers named Ervic said to her eagerly:</p> - -<p>"How can we get back to the island, your Majesty?"</p> - -<p>"Am I not beautiful?" asked Coo-ee-oh, arching her neck gracefully and -spreading her diamond-sprinkled wings. "I can see my reflection in the -water, and I'm sure there is no bird nor beast, nor human as -magnificent as I am!"</p> - -<p>"How shall we get back to the island, your Majesty?" pleaded Ervic.</p> - -<p>"When my fame spreads throughout the land, people will travel from all -parts of this lake to look upon my loveliness," said Coo-ee-oh, -shaking her feathers to make the diamonds glitter more brilliantly.</p> - -<p>"But, your Majesty, we must go home and we do not know how to get -there," Ervic persisted.</p> - -<p>"My eyes," remarked the Diamond Swan, "are wonderfully blue and bright -and will charm all beholders."</p> - -<p>"Tell us how to make the boat go—how to get back into the island," -begged Ervic and the others cried just as earnestly: "Tell us, -Coo-ee-oh; tell us!"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," replied the Queen in a careless tone.</p> - -<p>"You are a magic-worker, a sorceress, a witch!"</p> - -<p>"I was, of course, when I was a girl," she said, bending her head over -the clear water to catch her reflection in it; "but now I've forgotten -all such foolish things as magic. Swans are lovelier than girls, -especially when they're sprinkled with diamonds. Don't you think so?" -And she gracefully swam away, without seeming to care whether they -answered or not.</p> - -<p>Ervic and his companions were in despair. They saw plainly that -Coo-ee-oh could not or would not help them. The former Queen had no -further thought for her island, her people, or her wonderful magic; -she was only intent on admiring her own beauty.</p> - -<p>"Truly," said Ervic, in a gloomy voice, "the Flatheads have conquered -us!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p>Some of these events had been witnessed by Ozma and Dorothy and Lady -Aurex, who had left the house and gone close to the glass of the dome, -in order to see what was going on. Many of the Skeezers had also -crowded against the dome, wondering what would happen next. Although -their vision was to an extent blurred by the water and the necessity -of looking upward at an angle, they had observed the main points of -the drama enacted above. They saw Queen Coo-ee-oh's submarine come to -the surface and open; they saw the Queen standing erect to throw her -magic rope; they saw her sudden transformation into a Diamond Swan, -and a cry of amazement went up from the Skeezers inside the dome.</p> - -<p>"Good!" exclaimed Dorothy. "I hate that old Su-dic, but I'm glad -Coo-ee-oh is punished."</p> - -<p>"This is a dreadful misfortune!" cried Lady Aurex, pressing her hands -upon her heart.</p> - -<p>"Yes," agreed Ozma, nodding her head thoughtfully; "Coo-ee-oh's -misfortune will prove a terrible blow to her people."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that?" asked Dorothy in surprise. "Seems to me -the Skeezers are in luck to lose their cruel Queen."</p> - -<p>"If that were all you would be right," responded Lady Aurex; "and if -the island were above water it would not be so serious. But here we -all are, at the bottom of the lake, and fast prisoners in this dome."</p> - -<p>"Can't you raise the island?" inquired Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"No. Only Coo-ee-oh knew how to do that," was the answer.</p> - -<p>"We can try," insisted Dorothy. "If it can be made to go down, it can -be made to come up. The machinery is still here, I suppose."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but the machinery works by magic, and Coo-ee-oh would never -share her secret power with any one of us."</p> - -<p>Dorothy's face grew grave; but she was thinking.</p> - -<p>"Ozma knows a lot of magic," she said.</p> - -<p>"But not that kind of magic," Ozma replied.</p> - -<p>"Can't you learn how, by looking at the machinery?"</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid not, my dear. It isn't fairy magic at all; it is -witchcraft."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Dorothy, turning to Lady Aurex, "you say there are other -sub-sub-sinking boats. We can get in one of those, and shoot out to -the top of the water, like Coo-ee-oh did, and so escape. And then we -can help to rescue all the Skeezers down here."</p> - -<p>"No one knows how to work the under-water boats but the Queen," -declared Lady Aurex.</p> - -<p>"Isn't there any door or window in this dome that we could open?"</p> - -<p>"No; and, if there were, the water would rush in to flood the dome, -and we could not get out."</p> - -<p>"The Skeezers," said Ozma, "could not drown; they only get wet and -soggy and in that condition they would be very uncomfortable and -unhappy. But you are a mortal girl, Dorothy, and if your Magic Belt -protected you from death you would have to lie forever at the bottom -of the lake."</p> - -<p>"No, I'd rather die quickly," asserted the little girl. "But there are -doors in the basement that open—to let out the bridges and the -boats—and that would not flood the dome, you know."</p> - -<p>"Those doors open by a magic word, and only Coo-ee-oh knows the word -that must be uttered," said Lady Aurex.</p> - -<p>"Dear me!" exclaimed Dorothy, "that dreadful Queen's witchcraft upsets -all my plans to escape. I guess I'll give it up, Ozma, and let you -save us."</p> - -<p>Ozma smiled, but her smile was not so cheerful as usual. The Princess -of Oz found herself confronted with a serious problem, and although -she had no thought of despairing she realized that the Skeezers and -their island, as well as Dorothy and herself, were in grave trouble -and that unless she could find a means to save them they would be lost -to the Land of Oz for all future time.</p> - -<p>"In such a dilemma," said she, musingly, "nothing is gained by haste. -Careful thought may aid us, and so may the course of events. The -unexpected is always likely to happen, and cheerful patience is better -than reckless action."</p> - -<p>"All right," returned Dorothy; "take your time, Ozma; there's no -hurry. How about some breakfast, Lady Aurex?"</p> - -<p>Their hostess led them back to the house, where she ordered her -trembling servants to prepare and serve breakfast. All the Skeezers -were frightened and anxious over the transformation of their Queen -into a swan. Coo-ee-oh was feared and hated, but they had depended on -her magic to conquer the Flatheads and she was the only one who could -raise their island to the surface of the lake again.</p> - -<p>Before breakfast was over several of the leading Skeezers came to -Aurex to ask her advice and to question Princess Ozma, of whom they -knew nothing except that she claimed to be a fairy and the Ruler of -all the land, including the Lake of the Skeezers.</p> - -<p>"If what you told Queen Coo-ee-oh was the truth," they said to her, -"you are our lawful mistress, and we may depend on you to get us out -of our difficulties."</p> - -<p>"I will try to do that" Ozma graciously assured them, "but you must -remember that the powers of fairies are granted them to bring comfort -and happiness to all who appeal to them. On the contrary, such magic -as Coo-ee-oh knew and practiced is unlawful witchcraft and her arts -are such as no fairy would condescend to use. However, it is sometimes -necessary to consider evil in order to accomplish good, and perhaps by -studying Coo-ee-oh's tools and charms of witchcraft I may be able to -save us. Do you promise to accept me as your Ruler and to obey my -commands?"</p> - -<p>They promised willingly.</p> - -<p>"Then," continued Ozma, "I will go to Coo-ee-oh's palace and take -possession of it. Perhaps what I find there will be of use to me. In -the meantime tell all the Skeezers to fear nothing, but have patience. -Let them return to their homes and perform their daily tasks as usual. -Coo-ee-oh's loss may not prove a misfortune, but rather a blessing."</p> - -<p>This speech cheered the Skeezers amazingly. Really, they had no one -now to depend upon but Ozma, and in spite of their dangerous position -their hearts were lightened by the transformation and absence of their -cruel Queen.</p> - -<p>They got out their brass band and a grand procession escorted Ozma and -Dorothy to the palace, where all of Coo-ee-oh's former servants were -eager to wait upon them. Ozma invited Lady Aurex to stay at the palace -also, for she knew all about the Skeezers and their island and had -also been a favorite of the former Queen, so her advice and -information were sure to prove valuable.</p> - -<p>Ozma was somewhat disappointed in what she found in the palace. One -room of Coo-ee-oh's private suite was entirely devoted to the practice -of witchcraft, and here were countless queer instruments and jars of -ointments and bottles of potions labeled with queer names, and strange -machines that Ozma could not guess the use of, and pickled toads and -snails and lizards, and a shelf of books that were written in blood, -but in a language which the Ruler of Oz did not know.</p> - -<p>"I do not see," said Ozma to Dorothy, who accompanied her in her -search, "how Coo-ee-oh knew the use of the magic tools she stole from -the three Adept Witches. Moreover, from all reports these Adepts -practiced only good witchcraft, such as would be helpful to their -people, while Coo-ee-oh performed only evil."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps she turned the good things to evil uses?" suggested Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and with the knowledge she gained Coo-ee-oh doubtless invented -many evil things quite unknown to the good Adepts, who are now -fishes," added Ozma. "It is unfortunate for us that the Queen kept her -secrets so closely guarded, for no one but herself could use any of -these strange things gathered in this room."</p> - -<p>"Couldn't we capture the Diamond Swan and make her tell the secrets?" -asked Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"No; even were we able to capture her, Coo-ee-oh now has forgotten all -the magic she ever knew. But until we ourselves escape from this dome -we could not capture the Swan, and were we to escape we would have no -use for Coo-ee-oh's magic."</p> - -<p>"That's a fact," admitted Dorothy. "But—say, Ozma, here's a good -idea! Couldn't we capture the three fishes—the gold and silver and -bronze ones, and couldn't you transform 'em back to their own shapes, -and then couldn't the three Adepts get us out of here?"</p> - -<p>"You are not very practical, Dorothy dear. It would be as hard for us -to capture the three fishes, from among all the other fishes in the -lake, as to capture the Swan."</p> - -<p>"But if we could, it would be more help to us," persisted the little -girl.</p> - -<p>"That is true," answered Ozma, smiling at her friend's eagerness. "You -find a way to catch the fish, and I'll promise when they are caught to -restore them to their proper forms."</p> - -<p>"I know you think I can't do it," replied Dorothy, "but I'm going to -try."</p> - -<p>She left the palace and went to a place where she could look through a -clear pane of the glass dome into the surrounding water. Immediately -she became interested in the queer sights that met her view.</p> - -<p>The Lake of the Skeezers was inhabited by fishes of many kinds and -many sizes. The water was so transparent that the girl could see for a -long distance and the fishes came so close to the glass of the dome -that sometimes they actually touched it. On the white sands at the -bottom of the lake were star-fish, lobsters, crabs and many shell fish -of strange shapes and with shells of gorgeous hues. The water foliage -was of brilliant colors and to Dorothy it resembled a splendid garden.</p> - -<p>But the fishes were the most interesting of all. Some were big and -lazy, floating slowly along or lying at rest with just their fins -waving. Many with big round eyes looked full at the girl as she -watched them and Dorothy wondered if they could hear her through the -glass if she spoke to them. In Oz, where all the animals and birds can -talk, many fishes are able to talk also, but usually they are more -stupid than birds and animals because they think slowly and haven't -much to talk about.</p> - -<p>In the Lake of the Skeezers the fish of smaller size were more active -than the big ones and darted quickly in and out among the swaying -weeds, as if they had important business and were in a hurry. It was -among the smaller varieties that Dorothy hoped to spy the gold and -silver and bronze fishes. She had an idea the three would keep -together, being companions now as they were in their natural forms, -but such a multitude of fishes constantly passed, the scene shifting -every moment, that she was not sure she would notice them even if they -appeared in view. Her eyes couldn't look in all directions and the -fishes she sought might be on the other side of the dome, or far away -in the lake.</p> - -<p>"P'raps, because they were afraid of Coo-ee-oh, they've hid themselves -somewhere, and don't know their enemy has been transformed," she -reflected.</p> - -<p>She watched the fishes for a long time, until she became hungry and -went back to the palace for lunch. But she was not discouraged.</p> - -<p>"Anything new, Ozma?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"No, dear. Did you discover the three fishes?"</p> - -<p>"Not yet. But there isn't anything better for me to do, Ozma, so I -guess I'll go back and watch again."</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH13" id="CH13">Chapter Thirteen</a></h2> - -<h3>The Alarm Bell</h3> - -<p>Glinda, the Good, in her palace in the Quadling Country, had many -things to occupy her mind, for not only did she look after the weaving -and embroidery of her bevy of maids, and assist all those who came to -her to implore her help—beasts and birds as well as people—but she -was a close student of the arts of sorcery and spent much time in her -Magical Laboratory, where she strove to find a remedy for every evil -and to perfect her skill in magic.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, she did not forget to look in the Great Book of Records -each day to see if any mention was made of the visit of Ozma and -Dorothy to the Enchanted Mountain of the Flatheads and the Magic Isle -of the Skeezers. The Records told her that Ozma had arrived at the -mountain, that she had escaped, with her companion, and gone to the -island of the Skeezers, and that Queen Coo-ee-oh had submerged the -island so that it was entirely under water. Then came the statement -that the Flatheads had come to the lake to poison the fishes and that -their Supreme Dictator had transformed Queen Coo-ee-oh into a swan.</p> - -<p>No other details were given in the Great Book and so Glinda did not -know that since Coo-ee-oh had forgotten her magic none of the Skeezers -knew how to raise the island to the surface again. So Glinda was not -worried about Ozma and Dorothy until one morning, while she sat with -her maids, there came a sudden clang of the great alarm bell. This was -so unusual that every maid gave a start and even the Sorceress for a -moment could not think what the alarm meant.</p> - -<p>Then she remembered the ring she had given Dorothy when she left the -palace to start on her venture. In giving the ring Glinda had warned -the little girl not to use its magic powers unless she and Ozma were -in real danger, but then she was to turn it on her finger once to the -right and once to the left and Glinda's alarm bell would ring.</p> - -<p>So the Sorceress now knew that danger threatened her beloved Ruler and -Princess Dorothy, and she hurried to her magic room to seek -information as to what sort of danger it was. The answer to her -question was not very satisfactory, for it was only: "Ozma and Dorothy -are prisoners in the great Dome of the Isle of the Skeezers, and the -Dome is under the water of the lake."</p> - -<p>"Hasn't Ozma the power to raise the island to the surface?" inquired -Glinda.</p> - -<p>"No," was the reply, and the Record refused to say more except that -Queen Coo-ee-oh, who alone could command the island to rise, had been -transformed by the Flathead Su-dic into a Diamond Swan.</p> - -<p>Then Glinda consulted the past records of the Skeezers in the Great -Book. After diligent search she discovered that Coo-ee-oh was a -powerful sorceress who had gained most of her power by treacherously -transforming the Adepts of Magic, who were visiting her, into three -fishes—gold, silver and bronze—after which she had them cast into -the lake.</p> - -<p>Glinda reflected earnestly on this information and decided that -someone must go to Ozma's assistance. While there was no great need of -haste, because Ozma and Dorothy could live in a submerged dome a long -time, it was evident they could not get out until someone was able to -raise the island.</p> - -<p>The Sorceress looked through all her recipes and books of sorcery, but -could find no magic that would raise a sunken island. Such a thing had -never before been required in sorcery. Then Glinda made a little -island, covered by a glass dome, and sunk it in a pond near her -castle, and experimented in magical ways to bring it to the surface. -She made several such experiments, but all were failures. It seemed a -simple thing to do, yet she could not do it.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, the wise Sorceress did not despair of finding a way to -liberate her friends. Finally she concluded that the best thing to do -was to go to the Skeezer country and examine the lake. While there she -was more likely to discover a solution to the problem that bothered -her, and to work out a plan for the rescue of Ozma and Dorothy.</p> - -<p>So Glinda summoned her storks and her aerial chariot, and telling her -maids she was going on a journey and might not soon return, she -entered the chariot and was carried swiftly to the Emerald City.</p> - -<p>In Princess Ozma's palace the Scarecrow was now acting as Ruler of the -Land of Oz. There wasn't much for him to do, because all the affairs -of state moved so smoothly, but he was there in case anything -unforeseen should happen.</p> - -<p>Glinda found the Scarecrow playing croquet with Trot and Betsy Bobbin, -two little girls who lived at the palace under Ozma's protection and -were great friends of Dorothy and much loved by all the Oz people.</p> - -<p>"Something's happened!" cried Trot, as the chariot of the Sorceress -descended near them. "Glinda never comes here 'cept something's gone -wrong."</p> - -<p>"I hope no harm has come to Ozma, or Dorothy," said Betsy anxiously, -as the lovely Sorceress stepped down from her chariot.</p> - -<p>Glinda approached the Scarecrow and told him of the dilemma of Ozma -and Dorothy and she added: "We must save them, somehow, Scarecrow."</p> - -<p>"Of course," replied the Scarecrow, stumbling over a wicket and -falling flat on his painted face.</p> - -<p>The girls picked him up and patted his straw stuffing into shape, and -he continued, as if nothing had occurred: "But you'll have to tell me -what to do, for I never have raised a sunken island in all my life."</p> - -<p>"We must have a Council of State as soon as possible," proposed the -Sorceress. "Please send messengers to summon all of Ozma's counsellors -to this palace. Then we can decide what is best to be done."</p> - -<p>The Scarecrow lost no time in doing this. Fortunately most of the -royal counsellors were in the Emerald City or near to it, so they all -met in the throne room of the palace that same evening.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH14" id="CH14">Chapter Fourteen</a></h2> - -<h3>Ozma's Counsellors</h3> - -<p>No Ruler ever had such a queer assortment of advisers as the Princess -Ozma had gathered about her throne. Indeed, in no other country could -such amazing people exist. But Ozma loved them for their peculiarities -and could trust every one of them.</p> - -<p>First there was the Tin Woodman. Every bit of him was tin, brightly -polished. All his joints were kept well oiled and moved smoothly. He -carried a gleaming axe to prove he was a woodman, but seldom had cause -to use it because he lived in a magnificent tin castle in the Winkie -Country of Oz and was the Emperor of all the Winkies. The Tin -Woodman's name was Nick Chopper. He had a very good mind, but his -heart was not of much account, so he was very careful to do nothing -unkind or to hurt anyone's feelings.</p> - -<p>Another counsellor was Scraps, the Patchwork Girl of Oz, who was made -of a gaudy patchwork quilt, cut into shape and stuffed with cotton. -This Patchwork Girl was very intelligent, but so full of fun and mad -pranks that a lot of more stupid folks thought she must be crazy. -Scraps was jolly under all conditions, however grave they might be, -but her laughter and good spirits were of value in cheering others and -in her seemingly careless remarks much wisdom could often be found.</p> - -<p>Then there was the Shaggy Man—shaggy from head to foot, hair and -whiskers, clothes and shoes—but very kind and gentle and one of -Ozma's most loyal supporters.</p> - -<p>Tik-Tok was there, a copper man with machinery inside him, so cleverly -constructed that he moved, spoke and thought by three separate -clock-works. Tik-Tok was very reliable because he always did exactly -what he was wound up to do, but his machinery was liable to run down -at times and then he was quite helpless until wound up again.</p> - -<p>A different sort of person was Jack Pumpkinhead, one of Ozma's oldest -friends and her companion on many adventures. Jack's body was very -crude and awkward, being formed of limbs of trees of different sizes, -jointed with wooden pegs. But it was a substantial body and not likely -to break or wear out, and when it was dressed the clothes covered much -of its roughness. The head of Jack Pumpkinhead was, as you have -guessed, a ripe pumpkin, with the eyes, nose and mouth carved upon one -side. The pumpkin was stuck on Jack's wooden neck and was liable to -get turned sidewise or backward and then he would have to straighten -it with his wooden hands.</p> - -<p>The worst thing about this sort of a head was that it did not keep -well and was sure to spoil sooner or later. So Jack's main business -was to grow a field of fine pumpkins each year, and always before his -old head spoiled he would select a fresh pumpkin from the field and -carve the features on it very neatly, and have it ready to replace the -old head whenever it became necessary. He didn't always carve it the -same way, so his friends never knew exactly what sort of an expression -they would find on his face. But there was no mistaking him, because -he was the only pumpkin-headed man alive in the Land of Oz.</p> - -<p>A one-legged sailor-man was a member of Ozma's council. His name was -Cap'n Bill and he had come to the Land of Oz with Trot, and had been -made welcome on account of his cleverness, honesty and good nature. He -wore a wooden leg to replace the one he had lost and was a great -friend of all the children in Oz because he could whittle all sorts of -toys out of wood with his big jack-knife.</p> - -<p>Professor H. M. Wogglebug, T. E., was another member of the council. -The "H. M." meant Highly Magnified, for the Professor was once a -little bug, who became magnified to the size of a man and always -remained so. The "T. E." meant that he was Thoroughly Educated. He was -at the head of Princess Ozma's Royal Athletic College, and so that the -students would not have to study and so lose much time that could be -devoted to athletic sports, such as football, baseball and the like, -Professor Wogglebug had invented the famous Educational Pills. If one -of the college students took a Geography Pill after breakfast, he knew -his geography lesson in an instant; if he took a Spelling Pill he at -once knew his spelling lesson, and an Arithmetic Pill enabled the -student to do any kind of sum without having to think about it.</p> - -<p>These useful pills made the college very popular and taught the boys -and girls of Oz their lessons in the easiest possible way. In spite of -this, Professor Wogglebug was not a favorite outside his college, for -he was very conceited and admired himself so much and displayed his -cleverness and learning so constantly, that no one cared to associate -with him. Ozma found him of value in her councils, nevertheless.</p> - -<p>Perhaps the most splendidly dressed of all those present was a great -frog as large as a man, called the Frogman, who was noted for his wise -sayings. He had come to the Emerald City from the Yip Country of Oz -and was a guest of honor. His long-tailed coat was of velvet, his vest -of satin and his trousers of finest silk. There were diamond buckles -on his shoes and he carried a gold-headed cane and a high silk hat. -All of the bright colors were represented in his rich attire, so it -tired one's eyes to look at him for long, until one became used to his -splendor.</p> - -<p>The best farmer in all Oz was Uncle Henry, who was Dorothy's own -uncle, and who now lived near the Emerald City with his wife Aunt Em. -Uncle Henry taught the Oz people how to grow the finest vegetables and -fruits and grains and was of much use to Ozma in keeping the Royal -Storehouses well filled. He, too, was a counsellor.</p> - -<p>The reason I mention the little Wizard of Oz last is because he was -the most important man in the Land of Oz. He wasn't a big man in size -but he was a man in power and intelligence and second only to Glinda -the Good in all the mystic arts of magic. Glinda had taught him, and -the Wizard and the Sorceress were the only ones in Oz permitted by law -to practice wizardry and sorcery, which they applied only to good uses -and for the benefit of the people.</p> - -<p>The Wizard wasn't exactly handsome but he was pleasant to look at. His -bald head was as shiny as if it had been varnished; there was always a -merry twinkle in his eyes and he was as spry as a schoolboy. Dorothy -says the reason the Wizard is not as powerful as Glinda is because -Glinda didn't teach him all she knows, but what the Wizard knows he -knows very well and so he performs some very remarkable magic. The ten -I have mentioned assembled, with the Scarecrow and Glinda, in Ozma's -throne room, right after dinner that evening, and the Sorceress told -them all she knew of the plight of Ozma and Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Of course we must rescue them," she continued, "and the sooner they -are rescued the better pleased they will be; but what we must now -determine is how they can be saved. That is why I have called you -together in council."</p> - -<p>"The easiest way," remarked the Shaggy Man, "is to raise the sunken -island of the Skeezers to the top of the water again."</p> - -<p>"Tell me how?" said Glinda.</p> - -<p>"I don't know how, your Highness, for I have never raised a sunken -island."</p> - -<p>"We might all get under it and lift," suggested Professor Wogglebug.</p> - -<p>"How can we get under it when it rests on the bottom of the lake?" -asked the Sorceress.</p> - -<p>"Couldn't we throw a rope around it and pull it ashore?" inquired Jack -Pumpkinhead.</p> - -<p>"Why not pump the water out of the lake?" suggested the Patchwork Girl -with a laugh.</p> - -<p>"Do be sensible!" pleaded Glinda. "This is a serious matter, and we -must give it serious thought."</p> - -<p>"How big is the lake and how big is the island?" was the Frogman's -question.</p> - -<p>"None of us can tell, for we have not been there."</p> - -<p>"In that case," said the Scarecrow, "it appears to me we ought to go -to the Skeezer country and examine it carefully."</p> - -<p>"Quite right," agreed the Tin Woodman.</p> - -<p>"We-will-have-to-go-there-any-how," remarked Tik-Tok in his jerky -machine voice.</p> - -<p>"The question is which of us shall go, and how many of us?" said the -Wizard.</p> - -<p>"I shall go of course," declared the Scarecrow.</p> - -<p>"And I," said Scraps.</p> - -<p>"It is my duty to Ozma to go," asserted the Tin Woodman.</p> - -<p>"I could not stay away, knowing our loved Princess is in danger," said -the Wizard.</p> - -<p>"We all feel like that," Uncle Henry said.</p> - -<p>Finally one and all present decided to go to the Skeezer country, with -Glinda and the little Wizard to lead them. Magic must meet magic in -order to conquer it, so these two skillful magic-workers were -necessary to insure the success of the expedition.</p> - -<p>They were all ready to start at a moment's notice, for none had any -affairs of importance to attend to. Jack was wearing a newly made -Pumpkin-head and the Scarecrow had recently been stuffed with fresh -straw. Tik-Tok's machinery was in good running order and the Tin -Woodman always was well oiled.</p> - -<p>"It is quite a long journey," said Glinda, "and while I might travel -quickly to the Skeezer country by means of my stork chariot the rest -of you will be obliged to walk. So, as we must keep together, I will -send my chariot back to my castle and we will plan to leave the -Emerald City at sunrise to-morrow."</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH15" id="CH15">Chapter Fifteen</a></h2> - -<h3>The Great Sorceress</h3> - -<p>Betsy and Trot, when they heard of the rescue expedition, begged the -Wizard to permit them to join it and he consented. The Glass Cat, -overhearing the conversation, wanted to go also and to this the Wizard -made no objection.</p> - -<p>This Glass Cat was one of the real curiosities of Oz. It had been made -and brought to life by a clever magician named Dr. Pipt, who was not -now permitted to work magic and was an ordinary citizen of the Emerald -City. The cat was of transparent glass, through which one could -plainly see its ruby heart beating and its pink brains whirling around -in the top of the head.</p> - -<p>The Glass Cat's eyes were emeralds; its fluffy tail was of spun glass -and very beautiful. The ruby heart, while pretty to look at, was hard -and cold and the Glass Cat's disposition was not pleasant at all -times. It scorned to catch mice, did not eat, and was extremely lazy. -If you complimented the remarkable cat on her beauty, she would be -very friendly, for she loved admiration above everything. The pink -brains were always working and their owner was indeed more intelligent -than most common cats.</p> - -<p>Three other additions to the rescue party were made the next morning, -just as they were setting out upon their journey. The first was a -little boy called Button Bright, because he had no other name that -anyone could remember. He was a fine, manly little fellow, well -mannered and good humored, who had only one bad fault. He was -continually getting lost. To be sure, Button Bright got found as often -as he got lost, but when he was missing his friends could not help -being anxious about him.</p> - -<p>"Some day," predicted the Patchwork Girl, "he won't be found, and that -will be the last of him." But that didn't worry Button Bright, who was -so careless that he did not seem to be able to break the habit of -getting lost.</p> - -<p>The second addition to the party was a Munchkin boy of about Button -Bright's age, named Ojo. He was often called "Ojo the Lucky," because -good fortune followed him wherever he went. He and Button Bright were -close friends, although of such different natures, and Trot and Betsy -were fond of both.</p> - -<p>The third and last to join the expedition was an enormous lion, one of -Ozma's regular guardians and the most important and intelligent beast -in all Oz. He called himself the Cowardly Lion, saying that every -little danger scared him so badly that his heart thumped against his -ribs, but all who knew him knew that the Cowardly Lion's fears were -coupled with bravery and that however much he might be frightened he -summoned courage to meet every danger he encountered. Often he had -saved Dorothy and Ozma in times of peril, but afterward he moaned and -trembled and wept because he had been so scared.</p> - -<p>"If Ozma needs help, I'm going to help her," said the great beast. -"Also, I suspect the rest of you may need me on the -journey—especially Trot and Betsy—for you may pass through a -dangerous part of the country. I know that wild Gillikin country -pretty well. Its forests harbor many ferocious beasts."</p> - -<p>They were glad the Cowardly Lion was to join them, and in good spirits -the entire party formed a procession and marched out of the Emerald -City amid the shouts of the people, who wished them success and a safe -return with their beloved Ruler.</p> - -<p>They followed a different route from that taken by Ozma and Dorothy, -for they went through the Winkie Country and up north toward Oogaboo. -But before they got there they swerved to the left and entered the -Great Gillikin Forest, the nearest thing to a wilderness in all Oz. -Even the Cowardly Lion had to admit that certain parts of this forest -were unknown to him, although he had often wandered among the trees, -and the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman, who were great travelers, never had -been there at all.</p> - -<p>The forest was only reached after a tedious tramp, for some of the -Rescue Expedition were quite awkward on their feet. The Patchwork Girl -was as light as a feather and very spry; the Tin Woodman covered the -ground as easily as Uncle Henry and the Wizard; but Tik-Tok moved -slowly and the slightest obstruction in the road would halt him until -the others cleared it away. Then, too, Tik-Tok's machinery kept -running down, so Betsy and Trot took turns in winding it up.</p> - -<p>The Scarecrow was more clumsy but less bother, for although he often -stumbled and fell he could scramble up again and a little patting of -his straw-stuffed body would put him in good shape again.</p> - -<p>Another awkward one was Jack Pumpkinhead, for walking would jar his -head around on his neck and then he would be likely to go in the wrong -direction. But the Frogman took Jack's arm and then he followed the -path more easily.</p> - -<p>Cap'n Bill's wooden leg didn't prevent him from keeping up with the -others and the old sailor could walk as far as any of them.</p> - -<p>When they entered the forest the Cowardly Lion took the lead. There -was no path here for men, but many beasts had made paths of their own -which only the eyes of the Lion, practiced in woodcraft, could -discern. So he stalked ahead and wound his way in and out, the others -following in single file, Glinda being next to the Lion.</p> - -<p>There are dangers in the forest, of course, but as the huge Lion -headed the party he kept the wild denizens of the wilderness from -bothering the travelers. Once, to be sure, an enormous leopard sprang -upon the Glass Cat and caught her in his powerful jaws, but he broke -several of his teeth and with howls of pain and dismay dropped his -prey and vanished among the trees.</p> - -<p>"Are you hurt?" Trot anxiously inquired of the Glass Cat.</p> - -<p>"How silly!" exclaimed the creature in an irritated tone of voice; -"nothing can hurt glass, and I'm too solid to break easily. But I'm -annoyed at that leopard's impudence. He has no respect for beauty or -intelligence. If he had noticed my pink brains work, I'm sure he would -have realized I'm too important to be grabbed in a wild beast's jaws."</p> - -<p>"Never mind," said Trot consolingly; "I'm sure he won't do it again."</p> - -<p>They were almost in the center of the forest when Ojo, the Munchkin -boy, suddenly said: "Why, where's Button Bright?"</p> - -<p>They halted and looked around them. Button Bright was not with the -party.</p> - -<p>"Dear me," remarked Betsy, "I expect he's lost again!"</p> - -<p>"When did you see him last, Ojo?" inquired Glinda.</p> - -<p>"It was some time ago," replied Ojo. "He was trailing along at the end -and throwing twigs at the squirrels in the trees. Then I went to talk -to Betsy and Trot, and just now I noticed he was gone."</p> - -<p>"This is too bad," declared the Wizard, "for it is sure to delay our -journey. We must find Button Bright before we go any farther, for this -forest is full of ferocious beasts that would not hesitate to tear the -boy to pieces."</p> - -<p>"But what shall we do?" asked the Scarecrow. "If any of us leaves the -party to search for Button Bright he or she might fall a victim to the -beasts, and if the Lion leaves us we will have no protector."</p> - -<p>"The Glass Cat could go," suggested the Frogman. "The beasts can do -her no harm, as we have discovered."</p> - -<p>The Wizard turned to Glinda.</p> - -<p>"Cannot your sorcery discover where Button Bright is?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"I think so," replied the Sorceress.</p> - -<p>She called to Uncle Henry, who had been carrying her wicker box, to -bring it to her, and when he obeyed she opened it and drew out a small -round mirror. On the surface of the glass she dusted a white powder -and then wiped it away with her handkerchief and looked in the mirror. -It reflected a part of the forest, and there, beneath a wide-spreading -tree, Button Bright was lying asleep. On one side of him crouched a -tiger, ready to spring; on the other side was a big gray wolf, its -bared fangs glistening in a wicked way.</p> - -<p>"Goodness me!" cried Trot, looking over Glinda's shoulder. "They'll -catch and kill him sure."</p> - -<p>Everyone crowded around for a glimpse at the magic mirror.</p> - -<p>"Pretty bad—pretty bad!" said the Scarecrow sorrowfully.</p> - -<p>"Comes of getting lost!" said Cap'n Bill, sighing.</p> - -<p>"Guess he's a goner!" said the Frogman, wiping his eyes on his purple -silk handkerchief.</p> - -<p>"But where is he? Can't we save him?" asked Ojo the Lucky.</p> - -<p>"If we knew where he is we could probably save him," replied the -little Wizard, "but that tree looks so much like all the other trees, -that we can't tell whether it's far away or near by."</p> - -<p>"Look at Glinda!" exclaimed Betsy</p> - -<p>Glinda, having handed the mirror to the Wizard, had stepped aside and -was making strange passes with her outstretched arms and reciting in -low, sweet tones a mystical incantation. Most of them watched the -Sorceress with anxious eyes, despair giving way to the hope that she -might be able to save their friend. The Wizard, however, watched the -scene in the mirror, while over his shoulders peered Trot, the -Scarecrow and the Shaggy Man.</p> - -<p>What they saw was more strange than Glinda's actions. The tiger -started to spring on the sleeping boy, but suddenly lost its power to -move and lay flat upon the ground. The gray wolf seemed unable to lift -its feet from the ground. It pulled first at one leg and then at -another, and finding itself strangely confined to the spot began to -back and snarl angrily. They couldn't hear the barkings and snarls, -but they could see the creature's mouth open and its thick lips move. -Button Bright, however, being but a few feet away from the wolf, heard -its cries of rage, which wakened him from his untroubled sleep. The -boy sat up and looked first at the tiger and then at the wolf. His -face showed that for a moment he was quite frightened, but he soon saw -that the beasts were unable to approach him and so he got upon his -feet and examined them curiously, with a mischievous smile upon his -face. Then he deliberately kicked the tiger's head with his foot and -catching up a fallen branch of a tree he went to the wolf and gave it -a good whacking. Both the beasts were furious at such treatment but -could not resent it.</p> - -<p>Button Bright now threw down the stick and with his hands in his -pockets wandered carelessly away.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Glinda, "let the Glass Cat run and find him. He is in that -direction," pointing the way, "but how far off I do not know. Make -haste and lead him back to us as quickly as you can."</p> - -<p>The Glass Cat did not obey everyone's orders, but she really feared -the great Sorceress, so as soon as the words were spoken the crystal -animal darted away and was quickly lost to sight.</p> - -<p>The Wizard handed the mirror back to Glinda, for the woodland scene -had now faded from the glass. Then those who cared to rest sat down to -await Button Bright's coming. It was not long before be appeared -through the trees and as he rejoined his friends he said in a peevish -tone:</p> - -<p>"Don't ever send that Glass Cat to find me again. She was very -impolite and, if we didn't all know that she had no manners, I'd say -she insulted me."</p> - -<p>Glinda turned upon the boy sternly.</p> - -<p>"You have caused all of us much anxiety and annoyance," said she. -"Only my magic saved you from destruction. I forbid you to get lost -again."</p> - -<p>"Of course," he answered. "It won't be my fault if I get lost again; -but it wasn't my fault this time."</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH16" id="CH16">Chapter Sixteen</a></h2> - -<h3>The Enchanted Fishes</h3> - -<p>I must now tell you what happened to Ervic and the three other -Skeezers who were left floating in the iron boat after Queen Coo-ee-oh -had been transformed into a Diamond Swan by the magic of the Flathead -Su-dic.</p> - -<p>The four Skeezers were all young men and their leader was Ervic. -Coo-ee-oh had taken them with her in the boat to assist her if she -captured the Flathead chief, as she hoped to do by means of her silver -rope. They knew nothing about the witchcraft that moved the submarine -and so, when left floating upon the lake, were at a loss what to do. -The submarine could not be submerged by them or made to return to the -sunken island. There were neither oars nor sails in the boat, which -was not anchored but drifted quietly upon the surface of the lake.</p> - -<p>The Diamond Swan had no further thought or care for her people. She -had sailed over to the other side of the lake and all the calls and -pleadings of Ervic and his companions were unheeded by the vain bird. -As there was nothing else for them to do, they sat quietly in their -boat and waited as patiently as they could for someone to come to -their aid.</p> - -<p>The Flatheads had refused to help them and had gone back to their -mountain. All the Skeezers were imprisoned in the Great Dome and could -not help even themselves. When evening came, they saw the Diamond -Swan, still keeping to the opposite shore of the lake, walk out of the -water to the sands, shake her diamond-sprinkled feathers, and then -disappear among the bushes to seek a resting place for the night.</p> - -<p>"I'm hungry," said Ervic.</p> - -<p>"I'm cold," said another Skeezer.</p> - -<p>"I'm tired," said a third.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid," said the last one of them.</p> - -<p>But it did them no good to complain. Night fell and the moon rose and -cast a silvery sheen over the surface of the water.</p> - -<p>"Go to sleep," said Ervic to his companions. "I'll stay awake and -watch, for we may be rescued in some unexpected way."</p> - -<p>So the other three laid themselves down in the bottom of the boat and -were soon fast asleep.</p> - -<p>Ervic watched. He rested himself by leaning over the bow of the boat, -his face near to the moonlit water, and thought dreamily of the day's -surprising events and wondered what would happen to the prisoners in -the Great Dome.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a tiny goldfish popped its head above the surface of the -lake, not more than a foot from his eyes. A silverfish then raised its -head beside that of the goldfish, and a moment later a bronzefish -lifted its head beside the others. The three fish, all in a row, -looked earnestly with their round, bright eyes into the astonished -eyes of Ervic the Skeezer.</p> - -<p>"We are the three Adepts whom Queen Coo-ee-oh betrayed and wickedly -transformed," said the goldfish, its voice low and soft but distinctly -heard in the stillness of the night.</p> - -<p>"I know of our Queen's treacherous deed," replied Ervic, "and I am -sorry for your misfortune. Have you been in the lake ever since?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," was the reply.</p> - -<p>"I—I hope you are well—and comfortable," stammered Ervic, not -knowing what else to say.</p> - -<p>"We knew that some day Ooo-ee-oh would meet with the fate she so -richly deserves," declared the bronzefish. "We have waited and watched -for this time. Now if you will promise to help us and will be faithful -and true, you can aid us in regaining our natural forms, and save -yourself and all your people from the dangers that now threaten you."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Ervic, "you can depend on my doing the best I can. But -I'm no witch, nor magician, you must know."</p> - -<p>"All we ask is that you obey our instructions," returned the -silverfish. "We know that you are honest and that you served Coo-ee-oh -only because you were obliged to in order to escape her anger. Do as -we command and all will be well."</p> - -<p>"I promise!" exclaimed the young man. "Tell me what I am to do first."</p> - -<p>"You will find in the bottom of your boat the silver cord which -dropped from Coo-ee-oh's hand when she was transformed," said the -goldfish. "Tie one end of that cord to the bow of your boat and drop -the other end to us in the water. Together we will pull your boat to -the shore."</p> - -<p>Ervic much doubted that the three small fishes could move so heavy a -boat, but he did as he was told and the fishes all seized their end of -the silver cord in their mouths and headed toward the nearest shore, -which was the very place where the Flatheads had stood when they -conquered Queen Coo-ee-oh.</p> - -<p>At first the boat did not move at all, although the fishes pulled with -all their strength. But presently the strain began to tell. Very -slowly the boat crept toward the shore, gaining more speed at every -moment. A couple of yards away from the sandy beach the fishes dropped -the cord from their mouths and swam to one side, while the iron boat, -being now under way, continued to move until its prow grated upon the -sands.</p> - -<p>Ervic leaned over the side and said to the fishes: "What next?"</p> - -<p>"You will find upon the sand," said the silverfish, "a copper kettle, -which the Su-dic forgot when he went away. Cleanse it thoroughly in -the water of the lake, for it has had poison in it. When it is -cleaned, fill it with fresh water and hold it over the side of the -boat, so that we three may swim into the kettle. We will then instruct -you further."</p> - -<p>"Do you wish me to catch you, then?" asked Ervic in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Yes," was the reply.</p> - -<p>So Ervic jumped out of the boat and found the copper kettle. Carrying -it a little way down the beach, he washed it well, scrubbing away -every drop of the poison it had contained with sand from the shore.</p> - -<p>Then he went back to the boat.</p> - -<p>Ervic's comrades were still sound asleep and knew nothing of the three -fishes or what strange happenings were taking place about them. Ervic -dipped the kettle in the lake, holding fast to the handle until it was -under water. The gold and silver and bronze fishes promptly swam into -the kettle. The young Skeezer then lifted it, poured out a little of -the water so it would not spill over the edge, and said to the fishes: -"What next?"</p> - -<p>"Carry the kettle to the shore. Take one hundred steps to the east, -along the edge of the lake, and then you will see a path leading -through the meadows, up hill and down dale. Follow the path until you -come to a cottage which is painted a purple color with white -trimmings. When you stop at the gate of this cottage we will tell you -what to do next. Be careful, above all, not to stumble and spill the -water from the kettle, or you would destroy us and all you have done -would be in vain."</p> - -<p>The goldfish issued these commands and Ervic promised to be careful -and started to obey. He left his sleeping comrades in the boat, -stepping cautiously over their bodies, and on reaching the shore took -exactly one hundred steps to the east. Then he looked for the path and -the moonlight was so bright that he easily discovered it, although it -was hidden from view by tall weeds until one came full upon it. This -path was very narrow and did not seem to be much used, but it was -quite distinct and Ervic had no difficulty in following it. He walked -through a broad meadow, covered with tall grass and weeds, up a hill -and down into a valley and then up another hill and down again.</p> - -<p>It seemed to Ervic that he had walked miles and miles. Indeed the moon -sank low and day was beginning to dawn when finally he discovered by -the roadside a pretty little cottage, painted purple with white -trimmings. It was a lonely place—no other buildings were anywhere -about and the ground was not tilled at all. No farmer lived here, that -was certain. Who would care to dwell in such an isolated place?</p> - -<p>But Ervic did not bother his head long with such questions. He went up -to the gate that led to the cottage, set the copper kettle carefully -down and bending over it asked:</p> - -<p>"What next?"</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH17" id="CH17">Chapter Seventeen</a></h2> - -<h3>Under the Great Dome</h3> - -<p>When Glinda the Good and her followers of the Rescue Expedition came -in sight of the Enchanted Mountain of the Flatheads, it was away to -the left of them, for the route they had taken through the Great -Forest was some distance from that followed by Ozma and Dorothy.</p> - -<p>They halted awhile to decide whether they should call upon the Supreme -Dictator first, or go on to the Lake of the Skeezers.</p> - -<p>"If we go to the mountain," said the Wizard, "we may get into trouble -with that wicked Su-dic, and then we would be delayed in rescuing Ozma -and Dorothy. So I think our best plan will be to go to the Skeezer -Country, raise the sunken island and save our friends and the -imprisoned Skeezers. Afterward we can visit the mountain and punish -the cruel magician of the Flatheads."</p> - -<p>"That is sensible," approved the Shaggy Man. "I quite agree with you."</p> - -<p>The others, too, seemed to think the Wizard's plan the best, and -Glinda herself commended it, so on they marched toward the line of -palm trees that hid the Skeezers' lake from view.</p> - -<p>Pretty soon they came to the palms. These were set closely together, -the branches, which came quite to the ground, being so tightly -interlaced that even the Glass Cat could scarcely find a place to -squeeze through. The path which the Flatheads used was some distance -away.</p> - -<p>"Here's a job for the Tin Woodman," said the Scarecrow.</p> - -<p>So the Tin Woodman, who was always glad to be of use, set to work with -his sharp, gleaming axe, which he always carried, and in a -surprisingly short time had chopped away enough branches to permit -them all to pass easily through the trees.</p> - -<p>Now the clear waters of the beautiful lake were before them and by -looking closely they could see the outlines of the Great Dome of the -sunken island, far from shore and directly in the center of the lake.</p> - -<p>Of course every eye was at first fixed upon this dome, where Ozma and -Dorothy and the Skeezers were still fast prisoners. But soon their -attention was caught by a more brilliant sight, for here was the -Diamond Swan swimming just before them, its long neck arched proudly, -the amethyst eyes gleaming and all the diamond-sprinkled feathers -glistening splendidly under the rays of the sun.</p> - -<p>"That," said Glinda, "is the transformation of Queen Coo-ce-oh, the -haughty and wicked witch who betrayed the three Adepts at Magic and -treated her people like slaves."</p> - -<p>"She's wonderfully beautiful now," remarked the Frogman.</p> - -<p>"It doesn't seem like much of a punishment," said Trot. "The Flathead -Su-dic ought to have made her a toad."</p> - -<p>"I am sure Coo-ee-oh is punished," said Glinda, "for she has lost all -her magic power and her grand palace and can no longer misrule the -poor Skeezers."</p> - -<p>"Let us call to her, and hear what she has to say," proposed the -Wizard.</p> - -<p>So Glinda beckoned the Diamond Swan, which swam gracefully to a -position near them. Before anyone could speak Coo-ee-oh called to them -in a rasping voice—for the voice of a swan is always harsh and -unpleasant—and said with much pride:</p> - -<p>"Admire me, Strangers! Admire the lovely Coo-ee-oh, the handsomest -creature in all Oz. Admire me!"</p> - -<p>"Handsome is as handsome does," replied the Scarecrow. "Are your deeds -lovely, Coo-ce-oh?"</p> - -<p>"Deeds? What deeds can a swan do but swim around and give pleasure to -all beholders?" said the sparkling bird.</p> - -<p>"Have you forgotten your former life? Have you forgotten your magic -and witchcraft?" inquired the Wizard.</p> - -<p>"Magic—witchcraft? Pshaw, who cares for such silly things?" retorted -Coo-ee-oh. "As for my past life, it seems like an unpleasant dream. I -wouldn't go back to it if I could. Don't you admire my beauty, -Strangers?"</p> - -<p>"Tell us, Coo-ee-oh," said Glinda earnestly, "if you can recall enough -of your witchcraft to enable us to raise the sunken island to the -surface of the lake. Tell us that and I'll give you a string of pearls -to wear around your neck and add to your beauty."</p> - -<p>"Nothing can add to my beauty, for I'm the most beautiful creature -anywhere in the whole world."</p> - -<p>"But how can we raise the island?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know and I don't care. If ever I knew I've forgotten, and I'm -glad of it," was the response. "Just watch me circle around and see me -glitter!"</p> - -<p>"It's no use," said Button Bright; "the old Swan is too much in love -with herself to think of anything else."</p> - -<p>"That's a fact," agreed Betsy with a sigh; "but we've got to get Ozma -and Dorothy out of that lake, somehow or other."</p> - -<p>"And we must do it in our own way," added the Scarecrow.</p> - -<p>"But how?" asked Uncle Henry in a grave voice, for he could not bear -to think of his dear niece Dorothy being out there under water; "how -shall we do it?"</p> - -<p>"Leave that to Glinda," advised the Wizard, realizing he was helpless -to do it himself.</p> - -<p>"If it were just an ordinary sunken island," said the powerful -sorceress, "there would be several ways by which I might bring it to -the surface again. But this is a Magic Isle, and by some curious art -of witchcraft, unknown to any but Queen Coo-ce-oh, it obeys certain -commands of magic and will not respond to any other. I do not despair -in the least, but it will require some deep study to solve this -difficult problem. If the Swan could only remember the witchcraft that -she invented and knew as a woman, I could force her to tell me the -secret, but all her former knowledge is now forgotten."</p> - -<p>"It seems to me," said the Wizard after a brief silence had followed -Glinda's speech, "that there are three fishes in this lake that used -to be Adepts at Magic and from whom Coo-ee-oh stole much of her -knowledge. If we could find those fishes and return them to their -former shapes, they could doubtless tell us what to do to bring the -sunken island to the surface."</p> - -<p>"I have thought of those fishes," replied Glinda, "but among so many -fishes as this lake contains how are we to single them out?"</p> - -<p>You will understand, of course, that had Glinda been at home in her -castle, where the Great Book of Records was, she would have known that -Ervic the Skeezer already had taken the gold and silver and bronze -fishes from the lake. But that act had been recorded in the Book after -Glinda had set out on this journey, so it was all unknown to her.</p> - -<p>"I think I see a boat yonder on the shore," said Ojo the Munchkin boy, -pointing to a place around the edge of the lake. "If we could get that -boat and row all over the lake, calling to the magic fishes, we might -be able to find them."</p> - -<p>"Let us go to the boat," said the Wizard.</p> - -<p>They walked around the lake to where the boat was stranded upon the -beach, but found it empty. It was a mere shell of blackened steel, -with a collapsible roof that, when in position, made the submarine -watertight, but at present the roof rested in slots on either side of -the magic craft. There were no oars or sails, no machinery to make the -boat go, and although Glinda promptly realized it was meant to be -operated by witchcraft, she was not acquainted with that sort of -magic.</p> - -<p>"However," said she, "the boat is merely a boat, and I believe I can -make it obey a command of sorcery, as well as it did the command of -witchcraft. After I have given a little thought to the matter, the -boat will take us wherever we desire to go."</p> - -<p>"Not all of us," returned the Wizard, "for it won't hold so many. But, -most noble Sorceress, provided you can make the boat go, of what use -will it be to us?"</p> - -<p>"Can't we use it to catch the three fishes?" asked Button Bright.</p> - -<p>"It will not be necessary to use the boat for that purpose," replied -Glinda. "Wherever in the lake the enchanted fishes may be, they will -answer to my call. What I am trying to discover is how the boat came -to be on this shore, while the island on which it belongs is under -water yonder. Did Coo-ee-oh come here in the boat to meet the -Flatheads before the island was sunk, or afterward?"</p> - -<p>No one could answer that question, of course; but while they pondered -the matter three young men advanced from the line of trees, and rather -timidly bowed to the strangers.</p> - -<p>"Who are you, and where did you come from?" inquired the Wizard.</p> - -<p>"We are Skeezers," answered one of them, "and our home is on the Magic -Isle of the Lake. We ran away when we saw you coming, and hid behind -the trees, but as you are Strangers and seem to be friendly we decided -to meet you, for we are in great trouble and need assistance."</p> - -<p>"If you belong on the island, why are you here?" demanded Glinda.</p> - -<p>So they told her all the story: How the Queen had defied the Flatheads -and submerged the whole island so that her enemies could not get to it -or destroy it; how, when the Flatheads came to the shore, Coo-ee-oh -had commanded them, together with their friend Ervic, to go with her -in the submarine to conquer the Su-dic, and how the boat had shot out -from the basement of the sunken isle, obeying a magic word, and risen -to the surface, where it opened and floated upon the water.</p> - -<p>Then followed the account of how the Su-dic had transformed Coo-ee-oh -into a swan, after which she had forgotten all the witchcraft she ever -knew. The young men told how, in the night when they were asleep, -their comrade Ervic had mysteriously disappeared, while the boat in -some strange manner had floated to the shore and stranded upon the -beach.</p> - -<p>That was all they knew. They had searched in vain for three days for -Ervic. As their island was under water and they could not get back to -it, the three Skeezers had no place to go, and so had waited patiently -beside their boat for something to happen.</p> - -<p>Being questioned by Glinda and the Wizard, they told all they knew -about Ozma and Dorothy and declared the two girls were still in the -village under the Great Dome. They were quite safe and would be well -cared for by Lady Aurex, now that the Queen who opposed them was out -of the way.</p> - -<p>When they had gleaned all the information they could from these -Skeezers, the Wizard said to Glinda:</p> - -<p>"If you find you can make this boat obey your sorcery, you could have -it return to the island, submerge itself, and enter the door in the -basement from which it came. But I cannot see that our going to the -sunken island would enable our friends to escape. We would only Join -them as prisoners."</p> - -<p>"Not so, friend Wizard," replied Glinda. "If the boat would obey my -commands to enter the basement door, it would also obey my commands to -come out again, and I could bring Ozma and Dorothy back with me."</p> - -<p>"And leave all of our people still imprisoned?" asked one of the -Skeezers reproachfully.</p> - -<p>"By making several trips in the boat, Glinda could fetch all your -people to the shore," replied the Wizard.</p> - -<p>"But what could they do then?" inquired another Skeezer. "They would -have no homes and no place to go, and would be at the mercy of their -enemies, the Flatheads."</p> - -<p>"That is true," said Glinda the Good. "And as these people are Ozma's -subjects, I think she would refuse to escape with Dorothy and leave -the others behind, or to abandon the island which is the lawful home -of the Skeezers. I believe the best plan will be to summon the three -fishes and learn from them how to raise the island."</p> - -<p>The little Wizard seemed to think that this was rather a forlorn hope.</p> - -<p>"How will you summon them," he asked the lovely Sorceress, "and how -can they hear you?"</p> - -<p>"That is something we must consider carefully," responded stately -Glinda, with a serene smile. "I think I can find a way."</p> - -<p>All of Ozma's counsellors applauded this sentiment, for they knew well -the powers of the Sorceress.</p> - -<p>"Very well," agreed the Wizard. "Summon them, most noble Glinda."</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH18" id="CH18">Chapter Eighteen</a></h2> - -<h3>The Cleverness of Ervic</h3> - -<p>We must now return to Ervic the Skeezer, who, when he had set down the -copper kettle containing the three fishes at the gate of the lonely -cottage, had asked, "What next?"</p> - -<p>The goldfish stuck its head above the water in the kettle and said in -its small but distinct voice:</p> - -<p>"You are to lift the latch, open the door, and walk boldly into the -cottage. Do not be afraid of anything you see, for however you seem to -be threatened with dangers, nothing can harm you. The cottage is the -home of a powerful Yookoohoo, named Reera the Red, who assumes all -sorts of forms, sometimes changing her form several times in a day, -according to her fancy. What her real form may be we do not know. This -strange creature cannot be bribed with treasure, or coaxed through -friendship, or won by pity. She has never assisted anyone, or done -wrong to anyone, that we know of. All her wonderful powers are used -for her own selfish amusement. She will order you out of the house but -you must refuse to go. Remain and watch Reera closely and try to see -what she uses to accomplish her transformations. If you can discover -the secret whisper it to us and we will then tell you what to do -next."</p> - -<p>"That sounds easy," returned Ervic, who had listened carefully. "But -are you sure she will not hurt me, or try to transform me?"</p> - -<p>"She may change your form," replied the goldfish, "but do not worry if -that happens, for we can break that enchantment easily. You may be -sure that nothing will harm you, so you must not be frightened at -anything you see or hear."</p> - -<p>Now Ervic was as brave as any ordinary young man, and he knew the -fishes who spoke to him were truthful and to be relied upon, -nevertheless he experienced a strange sinking of the heart as he -picked up the kettle and approached the door of the cottage. His hand -trembled as he raised the latch, but he was resolved to obey his -instructions. He pushed the door open, took three strides into the -middle of the one room the cottage contained, and then stood still and -looked around him.</p> - -<p>The sights that met his gaze were enough to frighten anyone who had -not been properly warned. On the floor just before Ervic lay a great -crocodile, its red eyes gleaming wickedly and its wide open mouth -displaying rows of sharp teeth. Horned toads hopped about; each of the -four upper corners of the room was festooned with a thick cobweb, in -the center of which sat a spider as big around as a washbasin, and -armed with pincher-like claws; a red-and-green lizard was stretched at -full length on the window-sill and black rats darted in and out of the -holes they had gnawed in the floor of the cottage.</p> - -<p>But the most startling thing was a huge gray ape which sat upon a -bench and knitted. It wore a lace cap, such as old ladies wear, and a -little apron of lace, but no other clothing. Its eyes were bright and -looked as if coals were burning in them. The ape moved as naturally as -an ordinary person might, and on Ervic's entrance stopped knitting and -raised its head to look at him.</p> - -<p>"Get out!" cried a sharp voice, seeming to come from the ape's mouth.</p> - -<p>Ervic saw another bench, empty, just beyond him, so he stepped over -the crocodile, sat down upon the bench and carefully placed the kettle -beside him.</p> - -<p>"Get out!" again cried the voice.</p> - -<p>Ervic shook his head.</p> - -<p>"No," said he, "I'm going to stay."</p> - -<p>The spiders left their four corners, dropped to the floor and made a -rush toward the young Skeezer, circling around his legs with their -pinchers extended. Ervic paid no attention to them. An enormous black -rat ran up Ervic's body, passed around his shoulders and uttered -piercing squeals in his ears, but he did not wince. The green-and-red -lizard, coming from the window-sill, approached Ervic and began -spitting a flaming fluid at him, but Ervic merely stared at the -creature and its flame did not touch him.</p> - -<p>The crocodile raised its tail and, swinging around, swept Ervic off -the bench with a powerful blow. But the Skeezer managed to save the -kettle from upsetting and he got up, shook off the horned toads that -were crawling over him and resumed his seat on the bench.</p> - -<p>All the creatures, after this first attack, remained motionless, as if -awaiting orders. The old gray ape knitted on, not looking toward Ervic -now, and the young Skeezer stolidly kept his seat. He expected -something else to happen, but nothing did. A full hour passed and -Ervic was growing nervous.</p> - -<p>"What do you want?" the ape asked at last.</p> - -<p>"Nothing," said Ervic.</p> - -<p>"You may have that!" retorted the ape, and at this all the strange -creatures in the room broke into a chorus of cackling laughter.</p> - -<p>Another long wait.</p> - -<p>"Do you know who I am?" questioned the ape.</p> - -<p>"You must be Reera the Red—the Yookoohoo," Ervic answered.</p> - -<p>"Knowing so much, you must also know that I do not like strangers. -Your presence here in my home annoys me. Do you not fear my anger?"</p> - -<p>"No," said the young man.</p> - -<p>"Do you intend to obey me, and leave this house?" "No," replied Ervic, -just as quietly as the Yookoohoo had spoken.</p> - -<p>The ape knitted for a long time before resuming the conversation.</p> - -<p>"Curiosity," it said, "has led to many a man's undoing. I suppose in -some way you have learned that I do tricks of magic, and so through -curiosity you have come here. You may have been told that I do not -injure anyone, so you are bold enough to disobey my commands to go -away. You imagine that you may witness some of the rites of -witchcraft, and that they may amuse you. Have I spoken truly?"</p> - -<p>"Well," remarked Ervic, who had been pondering on the strange -circumstances of his coming here, "you are right in some ways, but not -in others. I am told that you work magic only for your own amusement. -That seems to me very selfish. Few people understand magic. I'm told -that you are the only real Yookoohoo in all Oz. Why don't you amuse -others as well as yourself?"</p> - -<p>"What right have you to question my actions?"</p> - -<p>"None at all."</p> - -<p>"And you say you are not here to demand any favors of me?"</p> - -<p>"For myself I want nothing from you."</p> - -<p>"You are wise in that. I never grant favors."</p> - -<p>"That doesn't worry me," declared Ervic.</p> - -<p>"But you are curious? You hope to witness some of my magic -transformations?"</p> - -<p>"If you wish to perform any magic, go ahead," said Ervic. "It may -interest me and it may not. If you'd rather go on with your knitting, -it's all the same to me. I am in no hurry at all."</p> - -<p>This may have puzzled Red Reera, but the face beneath the lace cap -could show no expression, being covered with hair. Perhaps in all her -career the Yookoohoo had never been visited by anyone who, like this -young man, asked for nothing, expected nothing, and had no reason for -coming except curiosity. This attitude practically disarmed the witch -and she began to regard the Skeezer in a more friendly way. She -knitted for some time, seemingly in deep thought, and then she arose -and walked to a big cupboard that stood against the wall of the room. -When the cupboard door was opened Ervic could see a lot of drawers -inside, and into one of these drawers—the second from the -bottom—Reera thrust a hairy hand.</p> - -<p>Until now Ervic could see over the bent form of the ape, but suddenly -the form, with its back to him, seemed to straighten up and blot out -the cupboard of drawers. The ape had changed to the form of a woman, -dressed in the pretty Gillikin costume, and when she turned around he -saw that it was a young woman, whose face was quite attractive.</p> - -<p>"Do you like me better this way?" Reera inquired with a smile.</p> - -<p>"You look better," he said calmly, "but I'm not sure I like you any -better."</p> - -<p>She laughed, saying: "During the heat of the day I like to be an ape, -for an ape doesn't wear any clothes to speak of. But if one has -gentlemen callers it is proper to dress up."</p> - -<p>Ervic noticed her right hand was closed, as if she held something in -it. She shut the cupboard door, bent over the crocodile and in a -moment the creature had changed to a red wolf. It was not pretty even -now, and the wolf crouched beside its mistress as a dog might have -done. Its teeth looked as dangerous as had those of the crocodile.</p> - -<p>Next the Yookoohoo went about touching all the lizards and toads, and -at her touch they became kittens. The rats she changed into chipmunks. -Now the only horrid creatures remaining were the four great spiders, -which hid themselves behind their thick webs.</p> - -<p>"There!" Reera cried, "now my cottage presents a more comfortable -appearance. I love the toads and lizards and rats, because most people -hate them, but I would tire of them if they always remained the same. -Sometimes I change their forms a dozen times a day."</p> - -<p>"You are clever," said Ervic. "I did not hear you utter any -incantations or magic words. All you did was to touch the creatures."</p> - -<p>"Oh, do you think so?" she replied. "Well, touch them yourself, if you -like, and see if you can change their forms."</p> - -<p>"No," said the Skeezer, "I don't understand magic and if I did I would -not try to imitate your skill. You are a wonderful Yookoohoo, while I -am only a common Skeezer."</p> - -<p>This confession seemed to please Reera, who liked to have her -witchcraft appreciated.</p> - -<p>"Will you go away now?" she asked. "I prefer to be alone."</p> - -<p>"I prefer to stay here," said Ervic.</p> - -<p>"In another person's home, where you are not wanted?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Is not your curiosity yet satisfied?" demanded Reera, with a smile.</p> - -<p>"I don't know. Is there anything else you can do?"</p> - -<p>"Many things. But why should I exhibit my powers to a stranger?"</p> - -<p>"I can think of no reason at all," he replied.</p> - -<p>She looked at him curiously.</p> - -<p>"You want no power for yourself, you say, and you're too stupid to be -able to steal my secrets. This isn't a pretty cottage, while outside -are sunshine, broad prairies and beautiful wildflowers. Yet you insist -on sitting on that bench and annoying me with your unwelcome presence. -What have you in that kettle?"</p> - -<p>"Three fishes," he answered readily.</p> - -<p>"Where did you get them?"</p> - -<p>"I caught them in the Lake of the Skeezers."</p> - -<p>"What do you intend to do with the fishes?"</p> - -<p>"I shall carry them to the home of a friend of mine who has three -children. The children will love to have the fishes for pets."</p> - -<p>She came over to the bench and looked into the kettle, where the three -fishes were swimming quietly in the water.</p> - -<p>"They're pretty," said Reera. "Let me transform them into something -else."</p> - -<p>"No," objected the Skeezer.</p> - -<p>"I love to transform things; it's so interesting. And I've never -transformed any fishes in all my life."</p> - -<p>"Let them alone," said Ervic.</p> - -<p>"What shapes would you prefer them to have? I can make them turtles, -or cute little sea-horses; or I could make them piglets, or rabbits, -or guinea-pigs; or, if you like I can make chickens of them, or -eagles, or bluejays."</p> - -<p>"Let them alone!" repeated Ervic.</p> - -<p>"You're not a very pleasant visitor," laughed Red Reera. "People -accuse me of being cross and crabbed and unsociable, and they are -quite right. If you had come here pleading and begging for favors, and -half afraid of my Yookoohoo magic, I'd have abused you until you ran -away; but you're quite different from that. You're the unsociable and -crabbed and disagreeable one, and so I like you, and bear with your -grumpiness. It's time for my midday meal; are you hungry?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Ervic, although he really desired food.</p> - -<p>"Well, I am," Reera declared and clapped her hands together. Instantly -a table appeared, spread with linen and bearing dishes of various -foods, some smoking hot. There were two plates laid, one at each end -of the table, and as soon as Reera seated herself all her creatures -gathered around her, as if they were accustomed to be fed when she -ate. The wolf squatted at her right hand and the kittens and chipmunks -gathered at her left.</p> - -<p>"Come, Stranger, sit down and eat," she called cheerfully, "and while -we're eating let us decide into what forms we shall change your -fishes."</p> - -<p>"They're all right as they are," asserted Ervic, drawing up his bench -to the table. "The fishes are beauties—one gold, one silver and one -bronze. Nothing that has life is more lovely than a beautiful fish."</p> - -<p>"What! Am I not more lovely?" Reera asked, smiling at his serious -face.</p> - -<p>"I don't object to you—for a Yookoohoo, you know," he said, helping -himself to the food and eating with good appetite.</p> - -<p>"And don't you consider a beautiful girl more lovely than a fish, -however pretty the fish may be?"</p> - -<p>"Well," replied Ervic, after a period of thought, "that might be. If -you transformed my three fish into three girls—girls who would be -Adepts at Magic, you know they might please me as well as the fish do. -You won't do that of course, because you can't, with all your skill. -And, should you be able to do so, I fear my troubles would be more -than I could bear. They would not consent to be my slaves—especially -if they were Adepts at Magic—and so they would command me to obey -them. No, Mistress Reeraq let us not transform the fishes at all."</p> - -<p>The Skeezer had put his case with remarkable cleverness. He realized -that if he appeared anxious for such a transformation the Yookoohoo -would not perform it, yet he had skillfully suggested that they be -made Adepts at Magic.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH19" id="CH19">Chapter Nineteen</a></h2> - -<h3>Red Reera, the Yookoohoo</h3> - -<p>After the meal was over and Reera had fed her pets, including the four -monster spiders which had come down from their webs to secure their -share, she made the table disappear from the floor of the cottage.</p> - -<p>"I wish you'd consent to my transforming your fishes," she said, as -she took up her knitting again.</p> - -<p>The Skeezer made no reply. He thought it unwise to hurry matters. All -during the afternoon they sat silent. Once Reera went to her cupboard -and after thrusting her hand into the same drawer as before, touched -the wolf and transformed it into a bird with gorgeous colored -feathers. This bird was larger than a parrot and of a somewhat -different form, but Ervic had never seen one like it before.</p> - -<p>"Sing!" said Reera to the bird, which had perched itself on a big -wooden peg—as if it had been in the cottage before and knew just what -to do.</p> - -<p>And the bird sang jolly, rollicking songs with words to them—just as -a person who had been carefully trained might do. The songs were -entertaining and Ervic enjoyed listening to them. In an hour or so the -bird stopped singing, tucked its head under its wing and went to -sleep. Reera continued knitting but seemed thoughtful.</p> - -<p>Now Ervic had marked this cupboard drawer well and had concluded that -Reera took something from it which enabled her to perform her -transformations. He thought that if he managed to remain in the -cottage, and Reera fell asleep, he could slyly open the cupboard, take -a portion of whatever was in the drawer, and by dropping it into the -copper kettle transform the three fishes into their natural shapes. -Indeed, he had firmly resolved to carry out this plan when the -Yookoohoo put down her knitting and walked toward the door.</p> - -<p>"I'm going out for a few minutes," said she; "do you wish to go with -me, or will you remain here?"</p> - -<p>Ervic did not answer but sat quietly on his bench. So Reera went out -and closed the cottage door.</p> - -<p>As soon as she was gone, Ervic rose and tiptoed to the cupboard.</p> - -<p>"Take care! Take care!" cried several voices, coming from the kittens -and chipmunks. "If you touch anything we'll tell the Yookoohoo!"</p> - -<p>Ervic hesitated a moment but, remembering that he need not consider -Reera's anger if he succeeded in transforming the fishes, he was about -to open the cupboard when he was arrested by the voices of the fishes, -which stuck their heads above the water in the kettle and called out:</p> - -<p>"Come here, Ervic!"</p> - -<p>So he went back to the kettle and bent over it</p> - -<p>"Let the cupboard alone," said the goldfish to him earnestly. "You -could not succeed by getting that magic powder, for only the Yookoohoo -knows how to use it. The best way is to allow her to transform us into -three girls, for then we will have our natural shapes and be able to -perform all the Arts of Magic we have learned and well understand. You -are acting wisely and in the most effective manner. We did not know -you were so intelligent, or that Reera could be so easily deceived by -you. Continue as you have begun and try to persuade her to transform -us. But insist that we be given the forms of girls."</p> - -<p>The goldfish ducked its head down just as Reera re-entered the -cottage. She saw Ervic bent over the kettle, so she came and joined -him.</p> - -<p>"Can your fishes talk?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Sometimes," he replied, "for all fishes in the Land of Oz know how to -speak. Just now they were asking me for some bread. They are hungry."</p> - -<p>"Well, they can have some bread," said Reera. "But it is nearly -supper-time, and if you would allow me to transform your fishes into -girls they could join us at the table and have plenty of food much -nicer than crumbs. Why not let me transform them?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Ervic, as if hesitating, "ask the fishes. If they -consent, why—why, then, I'll think it over."</p> - -<p>Reera bent over the kettle and asked:</p> - -<p>"Can you hear me, little fishes?"</p> - -<p>All three popped their heads above water.</p> - -<p>"We can hear you," said the bronzefish.</p> - -<p>"I want to give you other forms, such as rabbits, or turtles or girls, -or something; but your master, the surly Skeezer, does not wish me to. -However, he has agreed to the plan if you will consent."</p> - -<p>"We'd like to be girls," said the silverfish.</p> - -<p>"No, no!" exclaimed Ervic.</p> - -<p>"If you promise to make us three beautiful girls, we will consent," -said the goldfish.</p> - -<p>"No, no!" exclaimed Ervic again.</p> - -<p>"Also make us Adepts at Magic," added the bronzefish.</p> - -<p>"I don't know exactly what that means," replied Reera musingly, "but -as no Adept at Magic is as powerful as Yookoohoo, I'll add that to the -transformation."</p> - -<p>"We won't try to harm you, or to interfere with your magic in any -way," promised the goldfish. "On the contrary, we will be your -friends."</p> - -<p>"Will you agree to go away and leave me alone in my cottage, whenever -I command you to do so?" asked Reera.</p> - -<p>"We promise that," cried the three fishes.</p> - -<p>"Don't do it! Don't consent to the transformation," urged Ervic.</p> - -<p>"They have already consented," said the Yookoohoo, laughing in his -face, "and you have promised me to abide by their decision. So, friend -Skeezer, I shall perform the transformation whether you like it or -not."</p> - -<p>Ervic seated himself on the bench again, a deep scowl on his face but -joy in his heart. Reera moved over to the cupboard, took something -from the drawer and returned to the copper kettle. She was clutching -something tightly in her right hand, but with her left she reached -within the kettle, took out the three fishes and laid them carefully -on the floor, where they gasped in distress at being out of water.</p> - -<p>Reera did not keep them in misery more than a few seconds, for she -touched each one with her right hand and instantly the fishes were -transformed into three tall and slender young women, with fine, -intelligent faces and clothed in handsome, clinging gowns. The one who -had been a goldfish had beautiful golden hair and blue eyes and was -exceedingly fair of skin; the one who had been a bronzefish had dark -brown hair and clear gray eyes and her complexion matched these lovely -features. The one who had been a silverfish had snow-white hair of the -finest texture and deep brown eyes. The hair contrasted exquisitely -with her pink cheeks and ruby-red lips, nor did it make her look a day -older than her two companions.</p> - -<p>As soon as they secured these girlish shapes, all three bowed low to -the Yookoohoo and said:</p> - -<p>"We thank you, Reera."</p> - -<p>Then they bowed to the Skeezer and said:</p> - -<p>"We thank you, Ervic."</p> - -<p>"Very good!" cried the Yookoohoo, examining her work with critical -approval. "You are much better and more interesting than fishes, and -this ungracious Skeezer would scarcely allow me to do the -transformations. You surely have nothing to thank him for. But now let -us dine in honor of the occasion."</p> - -<p>She clapped her hands together and again a table loaded with food -appeared in the cottage. It was a longer table, this time, and places -were set for the three Adepts as well as for Reera and Ervic.</p> - -<p>"Sit down, friends, and eat your fill," said the Yookoohoo, but -instead of seating herself at the head of the table she went to the -cupboard, saying to the Adepts: "Your beauty and grace, my fair -friends, quite outshine my own. So that I may appear properly at the -banquet table I intend, in honor of this occasion, to take upon myself -my natural shape."</p> - -<p>Scarcely had she finished this speech when Reera transformed herself -into a young woman fully as lovely as the three Adepts. She was not -quite so tall as they, but her form was more rounded and more -handsomely clothed, with a wonderful jeweled girdle and a necklace of -shining pearls. Her hair was a bright auburn red, and her eyes large -and dark.</p> - -<p>"Do you claim this is your natural form?" asked Ervic of the -Yookoohoo.</p> - -<p>"Yes," she replied. "This is the only form I am really entitled to -wear. But I seldom assume it because there is no one here to admire or -appreciate it and I get tired admiring it myself."</p> - -<p>"I see now why you are named Reera the Red," remarked Ervic.</p> - -<p>"It is on account of my red hair," she explained smiling. "I do not -care for red hair myself, which is one reason I usually wear other -forms."</p> - -<p>"It is beautiful," asserted the young man; and then remembering the -other women present he added: "But, of course, all women should not -have red hair, because that would make it too common. Gold and silver -and brown hair are equally handsome."</p> - -<p>The smiles that he saw interchanged between the four filled the poor -Skeezer with embarrassment, so he fell silent and attended to eating -his supper, leaving the others to do the talking. The three Adepts -frankly told Reera who they were, how they became fishes and how they -had planned secretly to induce the Yookoohoo to transform them. They -admitted that they had feared, had they asked her to help, that she -would have refused them.</p> - -<p>"You were quite right," returned the Yookoohoo. "I make it my rule -never to perform magic to assist others, for if I did there would -always be crowd at my cottage demanding help and I hate crowds and -want to be left alone."</p> - -<p>"However, now that you are restored to your proper shapes, I do not -regret my action and I hope you will be of use in saving the Skeezer -people by raising their island to the surface of the lake, where it -really belongs. But you must promise me that after you go away you -will never come here again, nor tell anyone what I have done for you."</p> - -<p>The three Adepts and Ervic thanked the Yookoohoo warmly. They promised -to remember her wish that they should not come to her cottage again -and so, with a good-bye, took their departure.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH20" id="CH20">Chapter Twenty</a></h2> - -<h3>A Puzzling Problem</h3> - -<p>Glinda the Good, having decided to try her sorcery upon the abandoned -submarine, so that it would obey her commands, asked all of her party, -including the Skeezers, to withdraw from the shore of the take to the -line of palm trees. She kept with her only the little Wizard of Oz, -who was her pupil and knew how to assist her in her magic rites. When -they two were alone beside the stranded boat, Glinda said to the -Wizard:</p> - -<p>"I shall first try my magic recipe No. 1163, which is intended to make -inanimate objects move at my command. Have you a skeropythrope with -you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I always carry one in my bag," replied the Wizard. He opened his -black bag of magic tools and took out a brightly polished -skeropythrope, which he handed to the Sorceress. Glinda had also -brought a small wicker bag, containing various requirements of -sorcery, and from this she took a parcel of powder and a vial of -liquid. She poured the liquid into the skeropythrope and added the -powder. At once the skeropythrope began to sputter and emit sparks of -a violet color, which spread in all directions. The Sorceress -instantly stepped into the middle of the boat and held the instrument -so that the sparks fell all around her and covered every bit of the -blackened steel boat. At the same time Glinda crooned a weird -incantation in the language of sorcery, her voice sounding low and -musical.</p> - -<p>After a little the violet sparks ceased, and those that had fallen -upon the boat had disappeared and left no mark upon its surface. The -ceremony was ended and Glinda returned the skeropythrope to the -Wizard, who put it away in his black bag.</p> - -<p>"That ought to do the business all right," he said confidently</p> - -<p>"Let us make a trial and see," she replied.</p> - -<p>So they both entered the boat and seated themselves.</p> - -<p>Speaking in a tone of command the Sorceress said to the boat: "Carry -us across the lake, to the farther shore."</p> - -<p>At once the boat backed off the sandy beach, turned its prow and moved -swiftly over the water.</p> - -<p>"Very good—very good indeed!" cried the Wizard, when the boat slowed -up at the shore opposite from that whence they had departed. "Even -Coo-ee-oh, with all her witchcraft, could do no better."</p> - -<p>The Sorceress now said to the boat:</p> - -<p>"Close up, submerge and carry us to the basement door of the sunken -island—the door from which you emerged at the command of Queen -Coo-ee-oh."</p> - -<p>The boat obeyed. As it sank into the water the top sections rose from -the sides and joined together over the heads of Glinda and the Wizard, -who were thus enclosed in a water-proof chamber. There were four glass -windows in this covering, one on each side and one on either end, so -that the passengers could see exactly where they were going. Moving -under water more slowly than on the surface, the submarine gradually -approached the island and halted with its bow pressed against the huge -marble door in the basement under the Dome. This door was tightly -closed and it was evident to both Glinda and the Wizard that it would -not open to admit the underwater boat unless a magic word was spoken -by them or someone from within the basement of the island. But what -was this magic word? Neither of them knew.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid," said the Wizard regretfully, "that we can't get in, -after all. Unless your sorcery can discover the word to open the -marble door."</p> - -<p>"That is probably some word only known to Coo-ce-oh," replied the -Sorceress. "I may be able to discover what it is, but that will -require time. Let us go back again to our companions."</p> - -<p>"It seems a shame, after we have made the boat obey us, to be balked -by just a marble door," grumbled the Wizard.</p> - -<p>At Glinda's command the boat rose until it was on a level with the -glass dome that covered the Skeezer village, when the Sorceress made -it slowly circle all around the Great Dome.</p> - -<p>Many faces were pressed against the glass from the inside, eagerly -watching the submarine, and in one place were Dorothy and Ozma, who -quickly recognized Glinda and the Wizard through the glass windows of -the boat. Glinda saw them, too, and held the boat close to the Dome -while the friends exchanged greetings in pantomime. Their voices, -unfortunately, could not be heard through the Dome and the water and -the side of the boat. The Wizard tried to make the girls understand, -through signs, that he and Glinda had come to their rescue, and Ozma -and Dorothy understood this from the very fact that the Sorceress and -the Wizard had appeared. The two girl prisoners were smiling and in -safety, and knowing this Glinda felt she could take all the time -necessary in order to effect their final rescue.</p> - -<p>As nothing more could be done just then, Glinda ordered the boat to -return to shore and it obeyed readily. First it ascended to the -surface of the water, then the roof parted and fell into the slots at -the side of the boat, and then the magic craft quickly made the shore -and beached itself on the sands at the very spot from which it had -departed at Glinda's command. All the Oz people and the Skeezers at -once ran to the boat to ask if they had reached the island, and -whether they had seen Ozma and Dorothy. The Wizard told them of the -obstacle they had met in the way of a marble door, and how Glinda -would now undertake to find a magic way to conquer the door.</p> - -<p>Realizing that it would require several days to succeed in reaching -the island raising it and liberating their friends and the Skeezer -people, Glinda now prepared a camp half way between the lake shore and -the palm trees.</p> - -<p>The Wizard's wizardry made a number of tents appear and the sorcery of -the Sorceress furnished these tents all complete, with beds, chairs, -tables, flags, lamps and even books with which to pass idle hours. All -the tents had the Royal Banner of Oz flying from the centerpoles and -one big tent, not now occupied, had Ozma's own banner moving in the -breeze.</p> - -<p>Betsy and Trot had a tent to themselves, and Button Bright and Ojo had -another. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman paired together in one tent -and so did Jack Pumpkinhead and the Shaggy Man, Cap'n Bill and Uncle -Henry, Tik-Tok and Professor Wogglebug. Glinda had the most splendid -tent of all, except that reserved for Ozma, while the Wizard had a -little one of his own. Whenever it was meal time, tables loaded with -food magically appeared in the tents of those who were in the habit of -eating, and these complete arrangements made the rescue party just -comfortable as they would have been in their own homes.</p> - -<p>Far into the night Glinda sat in her tent studying a roll of mystic -scrolls in search of a word that would open the basement door of the -island and admit her to the Great Dome. She also made many magical -experiments, hoping to discover something that would aid her. Yet the -morning found the powerful Sorceress still unsuccessful.</p> - -<p>Glinda's art could have opened any ordinary door, you may be sure, but -you must realize that this marble door of the island had been -commanded not to open save in obedience to one magic word, and -therefore all other magic words could have no effect upon it. The -magic word that guarded the door had probably been invented by -Coo-ee-oh, who had now forgotten it. The only way, then, to gain -entrance to the sunken island was to break the charm that held the -door fast shut. If this could be done no magic would be required to -open it.</p> - -<p>The next day the Sorceress and the Wizard again entered the boat and -made it submerge and go to the marble door, which they tried in -various ways to open, but without success.</p> - -<p>"We shall have to abandon this attempt, I think," said Glinda. "The -easiest way to raise the island would be for us to gain admittance to -the Dome and then descend to the basement and see in what manner -Coo-ee-oh made the entire island sink or rise at her command. It -naturally occurred to me that the easiest way to gain admittance would -be by having the boat take us into the basement through the marble -door from which Coo-ee-oh launched it. But there must be other ways to -get inside the Dome and join Ozma and Dorothy, and such ways we must -find by study and the proper use of our powers of magic."</p> - -<p>"It won't be easy," declared the Wizard, "for we must not forget that -Ozma herself understands considerable magic, and has doubtless tried -to raise the island or find other means of escape from it and failed."</p> - -<p>"That is true," returned Glinda, "but Ozma's magic is fairy magic, -while you are a Wizard and I am a Sorceress. In this way the three of -us have a great variety of magic to work with, and if we should all -fail it will be because the island is raised and lowered by a magic -power none of us is acquainted with. My idea therefore is to seek—by -such magic as we possess—to accomplish our object in another way."</p> - -<p>They made the circle of the Dome again in their boat, and once more -saw Ozma and Dorothy through their windows and exchanged signals with -the two imprisoned girls.</p> - -<p>Ozma realized that her friends were doing all in their power to rescue -her and smiled an encouragement to their efforts. Dorothy seemed a -little anxious but was trying to be as brave as her companion.</p> - -<p>After the boat had returned to the camp and Glinda was seated in her -tent, working out various ways by which Ozma and Dorothy could be -rescued, the Wizard stood on the shore dreamily eying the outlines of -the Great Dome which showed beneath the clear water, when he raised -his eyes and saw a group of strange people approaching from around the -lake. Three were young women of stately presence, very beautifully -dressed, who moved with remarkable grace. They were followed at a -little distance by a good-looking young Skeezer.</p> - -<p>The Wizard saw at a glance that these people might be very important, -so he advanced to meet them. The three maidens received him graciously -and the one with the golden hair said:</p> - -<p>"I believe you are the famous Wizard of Oz, of whom I have often -heard. We are seeking Glinda, the Sorceress, and perhaps you can lead -us to her."</p> - -<p>"I can, and will, right gladly," answered the Wizard. "Follow me, -please."</p> - -<p>The little Wizard was puzzled as to the identity of the three lovely -visitors but he gave no sign that might embarrass them.</p> - -<p>He understood they did not wish to be questioned, and so he made no -remarks as he led the way to Glinda's tent.</p> - -<p>With a courtly bow the Wizard ushered the three visitors into the -gracious presence of Glinda, the Good.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH21" id="CH21">Chapter Twenty-One</a></h2> - -<h3>The Three Adepts</h3> - -<p>The Sorceress looked up from her work as the three maidens entered, -and something in their appearance and manner led her to rise and bow -to them in her most dignified manner. The three knelt an instant -before the great Sorceress and then stood upright and waited for her -to speak.</p> - -<p>"Whoever you may be," said Glinda, "I bid you welcome."</p> - -<p>"My name is Audah," said one.</p> - -<p>"My name is Aurah," said another.</p> - -<p>"My name is Aujah," said the third.</p> - -<p>Glinda had never heard these names before, but looking closely at the -three she asked:</p> - -<p>"Are you witches or workers in magic?"</p> - -<p>"Some of the secret arts we have gleaned from Nature," replied the -brownhaired maiden modestly, "but we do not place our skill beside -that of the Great Sorceress, Glinda the Good."</p> - -<p>"I suppose you are aware it is unlawful to practice magic in the Land -of Oz, without the permission of our Ruler, Princess Ozma?"</p> - -<p>"No, we were not aware of that," was the reply. "We have heard of -Ozma, who is the appointed Ruler of all this great fairyland, but her -laws have not reached us, as yet."</p> - -<p>Glinda studied the strange maidens thoughtfully; then she said to -them:</p> - -<p>"Princess Ozma is even now imprisoned in the Skeezer village, for the -whole island with its Great Dome, was sunk to the bottom of the lake -by the witchcraft of Coo-ee-oh, whom the Flathead Su-dic transformed -into a silly swan. I am seeking some way to overcome Coo-ee-oh's magic -and raise the isle to the surface again. Can you help me do this?"</p> - -<p>The maidens exchanged glances, and the white-haired one replied</p> - -<p>"We do not know; but we will try to assist you."</p> - -<p>"It seems," continued Glinda musingly, "that Coo-ee-oh derived most of -her witchcraft from three Adepts at Magic, who at one time ruled the -Flatheads. While the Adepts were being entertained by Coo-ee-oh at a -banquet in her palace, she cruelly betrayed them and after -transforming them into fishes cast them into the lake.</p> - -<p>"If I could find these three fishes and return them to their natural -shapes—they might know what magic Coo-ee-oh used to sink the island. -I was about to go to the shore and call these fishes to me when you -arrived. So, if you will join me, we will try to find them."</p> - -<p>The maidens exchanged smiles now, and the golden-haired one, Audah, -said to Glinda:</p> - -<p>"It will not be necessary to go to the lake. We are the three fishes."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" cried Glinda. "Then you are the three Adepts at Magic, -restored to your proper forms?"</p> - -<p>"We are the three Adepts," admitted Aujah.</p> - -<p>"Then," said Glinda, "my task is half accomplished. But who destroyed -the transformation that made you fishes?"</p> - -<p>"We have promised not to tell," answered Aurah; "but this young -Skeezer was largely responsible for our release; he is brave and -clever, and we owe him our gratitude."</p> - -<p>Glinda looked at Ervic, who stood modestly behind the Adepts, hat in -hand. "He shall be properly rewarded," she declared, "for in helping -you he has helped us all, and perhaps saved his people from being -imprisoned forever in the sunken isle."</p> - -<p>The Sorceress now asked her guests to seat themselves and a long talk -followed, in which the Wizard of Oz shared.</p> - -<p>"We are quite certain," said Aurah, "that if we could get inside the -Dome we could discover Coo-ee-oh's secrets, for in all her work, after -we became fishes, she used the formulas and incantations and arts that -she stole from us. She may have added to these things, but they were -the foundation of all her work."</p> - -<p>"What means do you suggest for our getting into the Dome?" inquired -Glinda.</p> - -<p>The three Adepts hesitated to reply, for they had not yet considered -what could be done to reach the inside of the Great Dome. While they -were in deep thought, and Glinda and the Wizard were quietly awaiting -their suggestions, into the tent rushed Trot and Betsy, dragging -between them the Patchwork Girl.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Glinda," cried Trot, "Scraps has thought of a way to rescue Ozma -and Dorothy and all of the Skeezers."</p> - -<p>The three Adepts could not avoid laughing merrily, for not only were -they amused by the queer form of the Patchwork Girl, but Trot's -enthusiastic speech struck them as really funny. If the Great -Sorceress and the famous Wizard and the three talented Adepts at Magic -were unable as yet to solve the important problem of the sunken isle, -there was little chance for a patched girl stuffed with cotton to -succeed.</p> - -<p>But Glinda, smiling indulgently at the earnest faces turned toward -her, patted the children's heads and said:</p> - -<p>"Scraps is very clever. Tell us what she has thought of, my dear."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Trot, "Scraps says that if you could dry up all the water -in the lake the island would be on dry land, an' everyone could come -and go whenever they liked."</p> - -<p>Glinda smiled again, but the Wizard said to the girls:</p> - -<p>"If we should dry up the lake, what would become of all the beautiful -fishes that now live in the water?"</p> - -<p>"Dear me! That's so," admitted Betsy, crestfallen; "we never thought -of that, did we Trot?"</p> - -<p>"Couldn't you transform 'em into polliwogs?" asked Scraps, turning a -somersault and then standing on one leg. "You could give them a -little, teeny pond to swim in, and they'd be just as happy as they are -as fishes."</p> - -<p>"No indeed!" replied the Wizard, severely. "It is wicked to transform -any living creatures without their consent, and the lake is the home -of the fishes and belongs to them."</p> - -<p>"All right," said Scraps, making a face at him; "I don't care."</p> - -<p>"It's too bad," sighed Trot, "for I thought we'd struck a splendid -idea."</p> - -<p>"So you did," declared Glinda, her face now grave and thoughtful. -"There is something in the Patchwork Girl's idea that may be of real -value to us."</p> - -<p>"I think so, too," agreed the golden-haired Adept. "The top of the -Great Dome is only a few feet below the surface of the water. If we -could reduce the level of the lake until the Dome sticks a little -above the water, we could remove some of the glass and let ourselves -down into the village by means of ropes."</p> - -<p>"And there would be plenty of water left for the fishes to swim in," -added the white-haired maiden.</p> - -<p>"If we succeed in raising the island we could fill up the lake again," -suggested the brown-haired Adept.</p> - -<p>"I believe," said the Wizard, rubbing his hands together in delight, -"that the Patchwork Girl has shown us the way to success."</p> - -<p>The girls were looking curiously at the three beautiful Adepts, -wondering who they were, so Glinda introduced them to Trot and Betsy -and Scraps, and then sent the children away while she considered how -to carry the new idea into effect.</p> - -<p>Not much could be done that night, so the Wizard prepared another tent -for the Adepts, and in the evening Glinda held a reception and invited -all her followers to meet the new arrivals. The Adepts were greatly -astonished at the extraordinary personages presented to them, and -marveled that Jack Pumpkinhead and the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman -and Tik-Tok could really live and think and talk just like other -people. They were especially pleased with the lively Patchwork Girl -and loved to watch her antics.</p> - -<p>It was quite a pleasant party, for Glinda served some dainty -refreshments to those who could eat, and the Scarecrow recited some -poems, and the Cowardly Lion sang a song in his deep bass voice. The -only thing that marred their joy was the thought that their beloved -Ozma and dear little Dorothy were yet confined in the Great Dome of -the Sunken island.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH22" id="CH22">Chapter Twenty-Two</a></h2> - -<h3>The Sunken Island</h3> - -<p>As soon as they had breakfasted the next morning, Glinda and the -Wizard and the three Adepts went down to the shore of the lake and -formed a line with their faces toward the submerged island. All the -others came to watch them, but stood at a respectful distance in the -background.</p> - -<p>At the right of the Sorceress stood Audah and Aurah, while at the left -stood the Wizard and Aujah. Together they stretched their arms over -the water's edge and in unison the five chanted a rhythmic -incantation.</p> - -<p>This chant they repeated again and again, swaying their arms gently -from side to side, and in a few minutes the watchers behind them -noticed that the lake had begun to recede from the shore. Before long -the highest point of the dome appeared above the water. Gradually the -water fell, making the dome appear to rise. When it was three or four -feet above the surface Glinda gave the signal to stop, for their work -had been accomplished.</p> - -<p>The blackened submarine was now entirely out of water, but Uncle Henry -and Cap'n Bill managed to push it into the lake. Glinda, the Wizard, -Ervic and the Adepts got into the boat, taking with them a coil of -strong rope, and at the command of the Sorceress the craft cleaved its -way through the water toward the part of the Dome which was now -visible.</p> - -<p>"There's still plenty of water for the fish to swim in," observed the -Wizard as they rode along. "They might like more but I'm sure they can -get along until we have raised the island and can fill up the lake -again."</p> - -<p>The boat touched gently on the sloping glass of the Dome, and the -Wizard took some tools from his black bag and quickly removed one -large pane of glass, thus making a hole large enough for their bodies -to pass through. Stout frames of steel supported the glass of the -Dome, and around one of these frames the Wizard tied the end of a -rope.</p> - -<p>"I'll go down first," said he, "for while I'm not as spry as Cap'n -Bill I'm sure I can manage it easily. Are you sure the rope is long -enough to reach the bottom?"</p> - -<p>"Quite sure," replied the Sorceress.</p> - -<p>So the Wizard let down the rope and climbing through the opening -lowered himself down, hand over hand, clinging to the rope with his -legs and feet. Below in the streets of the village were gathered all -the Skeezers, men, women and children, and you may be sure that Ozma -and Dorothy, with Lady Aurex, were filled with joy that their friends -were at last coming to their rescue.</p> - -<p>The Queen's palace, now occupied by Ozma, was directly in the center -of the Dome, so that when the rope was let down the end of it came -just in front of the palace entrance. Several Skeezers held fast to -the rope's end to steady it and the Wizard reached the ground in -safety. He hugged first Ozma and then Dorothy, while all the Skeezers -cheered as loud as they could.</p> - -<p>The Wizard now discovered that the rope was long enough to reach from -the top of the Dome to the ground when doubled, so he tied a chair to -one end of the rope and called to Glinda to sit in the chair while he -and some of the Skeezers lowered her to the pavement. In this way the -Sorceress reached the ground quite comfortably and the three Adepts -and Ervic soon followed her.</p> - -<p>The Skeezers quickly recognized the three Adepts at Magic, whom they -had learned to respect before their wicked Queen betrayed them, and -welcomed them as friends. All the inhabitants of the village had been -greatly frightened by their imprisonment under water, but now realized -that an attempt was to be made to rescue them.</p> - -<p>Glinda, the Wizard and the Adepts followed Ozma and Dorothy into the -palace, and they asked Lady Aurex and Ervic to join them. After Ozma -had told of her adventures in trying to prevent war between the -Flatheads and the Skeezers, and Glinda had told all about the Rescue -Expedition and the restoration of the three Adepts by the help of -Ervic, a serious consultation was held as to how the island could be -made to rise.</p> - -<p>"I've tried every way in my power," said Ozma, "but Coo-ee-oh used a -very unusual sort of magic which I do not understand. She seems to -have prepared her witchcraft in such a way that a spoken word is -necessary to accomplish her designs, and these spoken words are known -only to herself."</p> - -<p>"That is a method we taught her," declared Aurah the Adept.</p> - -<p>"I can do no more, Glinda," continued Ozma, "so I wish you would try -what your sorcery can accomplish."</p> - -<p>"First, then," said Glinda, "let us visit the basement of the island, -which I am told is underneath the village."</p> - -<p>A flight of marble stairs led from one of Coo-ee-oh's private rooms -down to the basement, but when the party arrived all were puzzled by -what they saw. In the center of a broad, low room, stood a mass of -great cog-wheels, chains and pulleys, all interlocked and seeming to -form a huge machine; but there was no engine or other motive power to -make the wheels turn.</p> - -<p>"This, I suppose, is the means by which the island is lowered or -raised," said Ozma, "but the magic word which is needed to move the -machinery is unknown to us."</p> - -<p>The three Adepts were carefully examining the mass of wheels, and soon -the golden-haired one said:</p> - -<p>"These wheels do not control the island at all. On the contrary, one -set of them is used to open the doors of the little rooms where the -submarines are kept, as may be seen from the chains and pulleys used. -Each boat is kept in a little room with two doors, one to the basement -room where we are now and the other letting into the lake.</p> - -<p>"When Coo-ee-oh used the boat in which she attacked the Flatheads, she -first commanded the basement door to open and with her followers she -got into the boat and made the top close over them. Then the basement -door being closed, the outer door was slowly opened, letting the water -fill the room to float the boat, which then left the island, keeping -under water."</p> - -<p>"But how could she expect to get back again?" asked the Wizard.</p> - -<p>"Why the boat would enter the room filled with water and after the -outer door was closed a word of command started a pump which pumped -all the water from the room. Then the boat would open and Coo-ee-oh -could enter the basement."</p> - -<p>"I see," said the Wizard. "It is a clever contrivance, but won't work -unless one knows the magic words."</p> - -<p>"Another part of this machinery," explained the white-haired Adept, -"is used to extend the bridge from the island to the mainland. The -steel bridge is in a room much like that in which the boats are kept, -and at Coo-ce-oh's command it would reach out, joint by joint, until -its far end touched the shore of the lake. The same magic command -would make the bridge return to its former position. Of course the -bridge could not be used unless the island was on the surface of the -water."</p> - -<p>"But how do you suppose Coo-ee-oh managed to sink the island, and make -it rise again?" inquired Glinda.</p> - -<p>This the Adepts could not yet explain. As nothing more could be -learned from the basement they mounted the steps to the Queen's -private suite again, and Ozma showed them to a special room where -Coo-ee-oh kept her magical instruments and performed all her arts of -witchcraft.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH23" id="CH23">Chapter Twenty-Three</a></h2> - -<h3>The Magic Words</h3> - -<p>Many interesting things were to be seen in the Room of Magic, -including much that had been stolen from the Adepts when they were -transformed to fishes, but they had to admit that Coo-ee-oh had a rare -genius for mechanics, and had used her knowledge in inventing a lot of -mechanical apparatus that ordinary witches, wizards and sorcerers -could not understand.</p> - -<p>They all carefully inspected this room, taking care to examine every -article they came across.</p> - -<p>"The island," said Glinda thoughtfully, "rests on a base of solid -marble. When it is submerged, as it is now, the base of the island is -upon the bottom of the lake. What puzzles me is how such a great -weight can be lifted and suspended in the water, even by magic."</p> - -<p>"I now remember," returned Aujah, "that one of the arts we taught -Coo-ee-oh was the way to expand steel, and I think that explains how -the island is raised and lowered. I noticed in the basement a big -steel pillar that passed through the floor and extended upward to this -palace. Perhaps the end of it is concealed in this very room. If the -lower end of the steel pillar is firmly embedded in the bottom of the -lake, Coo-ee-oh could utter a magic word that would make the pillar -expand, and so lift the entire island to the level of the water."</p> - -<p>"I've found the end of the steel pillar. It's just here," announced -the Wizard, pointing to one side of the room where a great basin of -polished steel seemed to have been set upon the floor.</p> - -<p>They all gathered around, and Ozma said:</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am quite sure that is the upper end of the pillar that -supports the island. I noticed it when I first came here. It has been -hollowed out, you see, and something has been burned in the basin, for -the fire has left its marks. I wondered what was under the great basin -and got several of the Skeezers to come up here and try to lift it for -me. They were strong men, but could not move it at all."</p> - -<p>"It seems to me," said Audah the Adept, "that we have discovered the -manner in which Coo-ee-oh raised the island. She would burn some sort -of magic powder in the basin, utter the magic word, and the pillar -would lengthen out and lift the island with it."</p> - -<p>"What's this?" asked Dorothy, who had been searching around with the -others, and now noticed a slight hollow in the wall, near to where the -steel basin stood. As she spoke Dorothy pushed her thumb into the -hollow and instantly a small drawer popped out from the wall.</p> - -<p>The three Adepts, Glinda and the Wizard sprang forward and peered into -the drawer. It was half filled with a grayish powder, the tiny grains -of which constantly moved as if impelled by some living force.</p> - -<p>"It may be some kind of radium," said the Wizard.</p> - -<p>"No," replied Glinda, "it is more wonderful than even radium, for I -recognize it as a rare mineral powder called Gaulau by the sorcerers. -I wonder how Coo-ee-oh discovered it and where she obtained it."</p> - -<p>"There is no doubt," said Aujah the Adept, "that this is the magic -powder Coo-ee-oh burned in the basin. If only we knew the magic word, -I am quite sure we could raise the island."</p> - -<p>"How can we discover the magic word?" asked Ozma, turning to Glinda as -she spoke.</p> - -<p>"That we must now seriously consider," answered the Sorceress.</p> - -<p>So all of them sat down in the Room of Magic and began to think. It -was so still that after a while Dorothy grew nervous. The little girl -never could keep silent for long, and at the risk of displeasing her -magic-working friends she suddenly said:</p> - -<p>"Well, Coo-ee-oh used just three magic words, one to make the bridge -work, and one to make the submarines go out of their holes, and one to -raise and lower the island. Three words. And Coo-ee-oh's name is made -up of just three words. One is 'Coo,' and one is 'ee,' and one is -'oh.'"</p> - -<p>The Wizard frowned but Glinda looked wonderingly at the young girl and -Ozma cried out:</p> - -<p>"A good thought, Dorothy dear! You may have solved our problem."</p> - -<p>"I believe it is worth a trial," agreed Glinda. "It would be quite -natural for Coo-ee-oh to divide her name into three magic syllables, -and Dorothy's suggestion seems like an inspiration."</p> - -<p>The three Adepts also approved the trial but the brown-haired one -said:</p> - -<p>"We must be careful not to use the wrong word, and send the bridge out -under water. The main thing, if Dorothy's idea is correct, is to hit -upon the one word that moves the island."</p> - -<p>"Let us experiment," suggested the Wizard.</p> - -<p>In the drawer with the moving gray powder was a tiny golden cup, which -they thought was used for measuring. Glinda filled this cup with the -powder and carefully poured it into the shallow basin, which was the -top of the great steel pillar supporting the island. Then Aurah the -Adept lighted a taper and touched it to the powder, which instantly -glowed fiery red and tumbled about the basin with astonishing energy. -While the grains of powder still glowed red the Sorceress bent over it -and said in a voice of command: "Coo!"</p> - -<p>They waited motionless to see what would happen. There was a grating -noise and a whirl of machinery, but the island did not move a -particle.</p> - -<p>Dorothy rushed to the window, which overlooked the glass side of the -dome.</p> - -<p>"The boats!" she exclaimed. "The boats are all loose an' sailing under -water."</p> - -<p>"We've made a mistake," said the Wizard gloomily.</p> - -<p>"But it's one which shows we are on the right track," declared Aujah -the Adept. "We know now that Coo-ee-oh used the syllables of her name -for the magic words."</p> - -<p>"If 'Coo' sends out the boats, it is probable that ee' works the -bridge," suggested Ozma. "So the last part of the name may raise the -island."</p> - -<p>"Let us try that next then," proposed the Wizard.</p> - -<p>He scraped the embers of the burned powder out of the basin and Glinda -again filled the golden cup from the drawer and placed it on top the -steel pillar. Aurah lighted it with her taper and Ozma bent over the -basin and murmured the long drawn syllable: "Oh-h-h!"</p> - -<p>Instantly the island trembled and with a weird groaning noise it moved -upward—slowly, very slowly, but with a steady motion, while all the -company stood by in awed silence. It was a wonderful thing, even to -those skilled in the arts of magic, wizardry and sorcery, to realize -that a single word could raise that great, heavy island, with its -immense glass Dome.</p> - -<p>"Why, we're way above the lake now!" exclaimed Dorothy from the -window, when at last the island ceased to move.</p> - -<p>"That is because we lowered the level of the water," explained Glinda.</p> - -<p>They could hear the Skeezers cheering lustily in the streets of the -village as they realized that they were saved.</p> - -<p>"Come," said Ozma eagerly, "let us go down and join the people."</p> - -<p>"Not just yet," returned Glinda, a happy smile upon her lovely face, -for she was overjoyed at their success. "First let us extend the -bridge to the mainland, where our friends from the Emerald City are -waiting."</p> - -<p>It didn't take long to put more powder in the basin, light it and -utter the syllable "EE!" The result was that a door in the basement -opened and the steel bridge moved out, extended itself joint by joint, -and finally rested its far end on the shore of the lake just in front -of the encampment.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Glinda, "we can go up and receive the congratulations of -the Skeezers and of our friends of the Rescue Expedition."</p> - -<p>Across the water, on the shore of the lake, the Patchwork Girl was -waving them a welcome.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h2><a name="CH24" id="CH24">Chapter Twenty-Four</a></h2> - -<h3>Glinda's Triumph</h3> - - - -<p>Of course all those who had joined Glinda's expedition at once crossed -the bridge to the island, where they were warmly welcomed by the -Skeezers. Before all the concourse of people Princess Ozma made a -speech from a porch of the palace and demanded that they recognize her -as their lawful Ruler and promise to obey the laws of the Land of Oz. -In return she agreed to protect them from all future harm and declared -they would no longer be subjected to cruelty and abuse.</p> - -<p>This pleased the Skeezers greatly, and when Ozma told them they might -elect a Queen to rule over them, who in turn would be subject to Ozma -of Oz, they voted for Lady Aurex, and that same day the ceremony of -crowning the new Queen was held and Aurex was installed as mistress of -the palace.</p> - -<p>For her Prime Minister the Queen selected Ervic, for the three Adepts -had told of his good judgment, faithfulness and cleverness, and all -the Skeezers approved the appointment.</p> - -<p>Glinda, the Wizard and the Adepts stood on the bridge and recited an -incantation that quite filled the lake with water again, and the -Scarecrow and the Patchwork Girl climbed to the top of the Great Dome -and replaced the pane of glass that had been removed to allow Glinda -and her followers to enter.</p> - -<p>When evening came Ozma ordered a great feast prepared, to which every -Skeezer was invited. The village was beautifully decorated and -brilliantly lighted and there was music and dancing until a late hour -to celebrate the liberation of the people. For the Skeezers had been -freed, not only from the water of the lake but from the cruelty of -their former Queen.</p> - -<p>As the people from the Emerald City prepared the next morning to -depart Queen Aurex said to Ozma:</p> - -<p>"There is only one thing I now fear for my people, and that is the -enmity of the terrible Su-dic of the Flatheads. He is liable to come -here at any time and try to annoy us, and my Skeezers are peaceful -folks and unable to fight the wild and wilful Flatheads."</p> - -<p>"Do not worry," returned Ozma, reassuringly. "We intend to stop on our -way at the Flatheads' Enchanted Mountain and punish the Su-dic for his -misdeeds."</p> - -<p>That satisfied Aurex and when Ozma and her followers trooped over the -bridge to the shore, having taken leave of their friends, all the -Skeezers cheered them and waved their hats and handkerchiefs, and the -band played and the departure was indeed a ceremony long to be -remembered.</p> - -<p>The three Adepts at Magic, who had formerly ruled the Flatheads wisely -and considerately, went with Princess Ozma and her people, for they -had promised Ozma to stay on the mountain and again see that the laws -were enforced.</p> - -<p>Glinda had been told all about the curious Flatheads and she had -consulted with the Wizard and formed a plan to render them more -intelligent and agreeable.</p> - -<p>When the party reached the mountain Ozma and Dorothy showed them how -to pass around the invisible wall—which had been built by the -Flatheads after the Adepts were transformed—and how to gain the -up-and-down stairway that led to the mountain top.</p> - -<p>The Su-dic had watched the approach of the party from the edge of the -mountain and was frightened when he saw that the three Adepts had -recovered their natural forms and were coming back to their former -home. He realized that his power would soon be gone and yet he -determined to fight to the last. He called all the Flatheads together -and armed them, and told them to arrest all who came up the stairway -and hurl them over the edge of the mountain to the plain below. But -although they feared the Supreme Dictator, who had threatened to -punish them if they did not obey his commands, as soon as they saw the -three Adepts they threw down their arms and begged their former rulers -to protect them.</p> - -<p>The three Adepts assured the excited Flatheads that they had nothing -to fear.</p> - -<p>Seeing that his people had rebelled the Su-dic ran away and tried to -hide, but the Adepts found him and had him cast into a prison, all his -cans of brains being taken away from him.</p> - -<p>After this easy conquest of the Su-dic, Glinda told the Adepts of her -plan, which had already been approved by Ozma of Oz, and they joyfully -agreed to it. So, during the next few days, the great Sorceress -transformed, in a way, every Flathead on the mountain.</p> - -<p>Taking them one at a time, she had the can of brains that belonged to -each one opened and the contents spread on the flat head, after which, -by means of her arts of sorcery, she caused the head to grow over the -brains—in the manner most people wear them—and they were thus -rendered as intelligent and good looking as any of the other -inhabitants of the Land of Oz.</p> - -<p>When all had been treated in this manner there were no more Flatheads -at all, and the Adepts decided to name their people Mountaineers. One -good result of Glinda's sorcery was that no one could now be deprived -of the brains that belonged to him and each person had exactly the -share he was entitled to.</p> - -<p>Even the Su-dic was given his portion of brains and his flat head made -round, like the others, but he was deprived of all power to work -further mischief, and with the Adepts constantly watching him he would -be forced to become obedient and humble.</p> - -<p>The Golden Pig, which ran grunting about the streets, with no brains -at all, was disenchanted by Glinda, and in her woman's form was given -brains and a round head. This wife of the Su-dic had once been even -more wicked than her evil husband, but she had now forgotten all her -wickedness and was likely to be a good woman thereafter.</p> - -<p>These things being accomplished in a satisfactory manner, Princess -Ozma and her people bade farewell to the three Adepts and departed for -the Emerald City, well pleased with their interesting adventures.</p> - -<p>They returned by the road over which Ozma and Dorothy had come, -stopping to get the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon where they had left -them.</p> - -<p>"I'm very glad I went to see these peoples," said Princess Ozma, "for -I not only prevented any further warfare between them, but they have -been freed from the rule of the Su-dic and Coo-ee-oh and are now happy -and loyal subjects of the Land of Oz. Which proves that it is always -wise to do one's duty, however unpleasant that duty may seem to be."</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<h3>The Wonderful Oz Books by L. Frank Baum:</h3> - -<p> <br /> -<b> -The Wizard of Oz<br /> -The Land of Oz<br /> -Ozma of Oz<br /> -Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz<br /> -The Road to Oz<br /> -The Emerald city of Oz<br /> -The Patchwork Girl of Oz<br /> -Tik-Tok of Oz<br /> -The Scarecrow of Oz<br /> -Rinkitink in Oz<br /> -The Lost Princess of Oz<br /> -The Tin Woodman of Oz<br /> -The Magic of Oz<br /> -Glinda of Oz<br /></b> -</p> - -<pre> - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Glinda of Oz, by L. 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