the lost princess of oz - l. frank baum

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T HE L OST P RI NC ES S OF O Z

by L. FRANK BAUM

T hi s B oo k i s D ed ic at ed

T o M y G ra nddaught er

O Z MA B AU M

T o M y R ea de rs

S om e of m y youthful r ea de rs a re devel oping w onde rf ul

imaginations. This pleases me. Imagination has brought

m an ki nd t hr ou gh t he D ar k A ge s t o i ts p re se nt s ta te o f

civilization. Imagination ledColumbus to discover

America. Imagination ledFranklin to discover

electricity. Imagination has given us the steam engine,

the telephone, the talking-machine and the automobile,

fo r t he se t hi ng s h ad t o b e d re am ed o f b ef or e t he y

b ec am e r ea li ti es . S o I b el ie ve t ha t d re am s - - d ay

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d re ams , y ou k no w, wi th y ou r e ye s wi de o pe n a nd y ou r

bra in-m ac hi ne ry w hi zz ing - - a re l ikel y t o l ea d t o t he

betterment of the world. The imaginative child will

be co me t he i ma gi na ti ve m an o r w om an m os t a pt t o c re at e,

t o i nvent, a nd t he re fore t o f os te r c ivil iz at ion. A

p ro mi ne nt e du ca to r t el ls m e t ha t f ai ry t al es a re o f

untold value in developing imagination in the young. I

believe it.

A mong t he l et te rs I r ec ei ve f rom c hi ldre n a re m any

c onta ining s ugge st ions of " what t o w ri te a bout i n t he

n ex t O z B oo k. " S om e o f t he i de as a dv an ce d a re m ig ht y

i nt er es ti ng, w hi le othe rs a re t oo e xt ra va gant t o be

s er io us ly c on si de re d - - e ve n i n a f ai ry t al e. Y et I

lik e the m a ll, and I mu st a dmit th at th e main i de a in

"T he Lo st P ri nc es s o f O z" w as s ug ge st ed t o m e b y a

s we et l it tl e g irl o f e le ve n wh o c al le d t o s ee me a nd t o

t a lk a bo ut t he La nd of Oz . S ai d s he : " I s 'p os e i f O zm a

e ve r g ot l os t, o r s to le n, e v' ry bo dy i n O z w ou ld b e

dreadful sorry."

T ha t w as a ll , but qui te e nough f oundat ion t o bui ld

t h is p re se nt s to ry o n. I f y ou h ap pe n t o l ik e t he s to ry ,

gi ve c re di t t o m y l it tl e f ri end' s c le ve r hint.

L . F ra nk B au m

R oyal H is tori an of O z

1 A T er ri bl e L os s

2 Th e Tr ou bl es o f Gl in da t he Go od

3 Th e R ob be ry o f Ca yk e t he C oo ki e C oo k

4 A mong t he W inki es

5 O zm a' s F ri en ds A re P er pl ex ed

6 T he S ea rc h P ar ty

7 TheMerry-Go-RoundMountains

8 T he M ys te ri ous C it y

9 T he H ig h C oc o- Lo ru m o f T hi

10 T ot o L os es S om et hing

11 Button-Bright Loses Himself

1 2 T he C za ro ve r o f He rk u

1 3 T he Tr ut h P on d

14 T he U nhappy F er ryma n

1 5 T he B ig L av en de r B ea r

1 6 T he L it tl e P in k B ea r

1 7 T he M ee ti ng

1 8 T he C on fe re nc e

19 U gu t he S ho em ak er

2 0 M or e S ur pr is es

21 M agic A ga inst M agic

22 I n t heW i cke rC as t le

23 T he De fi ance of U gu t he S hoem aker

24 T he L it tl e P in k B ea r S pe ak s T ru ly

25 Ozma of Oz

26 D or othy F or give s

T HE L OS T P RI NC ES S

BY L. F RA NK BA UM

C HA PT ER 1

A T ER RI BL E L OS S

T he re c ou ld b e n o d ou bt o f t he f ac t: P ri nc es s O zm a, t he l ov el y g ir l

r ul er o f t he F ai ry la nd o f O z, w as l os t. S he h ad c om pl et el y

d i s ap pe ar ed .N ot o ne o f h er s ub je ct s- -n ot e ve n h er c lo se st

f ri en ds -- kn ew w ha t h ad b ec om e o f h er . I t w as D or ot hy w ho f ir st

d is co ve re d i t. D or ot hy w as a l it tl eK an sa s g ir l w ho h ad c om e t o t he

Lan d o f Oz to l iv e a nd h ad be en g iv en a d el ig htfu l s uite o f ro oms in

O zm a' s r oy al p al ac e j us t b ec au se O zm a l ov ed D or ot hy a nd w an te d h er t o

l iv e a s n ea r h er a s p os si bl e s o t he t wo g ir ls mi gh t b e mu ch to ge th er .

Do ro th y wa s n ot t he o nl y g ir l f ro m t he o ut sid e wo rld wh o h ad b ee n

w el co me d t o O z a nd l iv ed i n t he r oy al p al ac e. T he re w as a no th er n am ed

B et sy B ob bi n, w ho se a dv en tu re s h ad l ed h er t o s ee k r ef ug e w it h O zm a,

a nd s ti ll a no th er n am ed T ro t, w ho h ad b ee n i nv it ed , t og et he r w it h h er

f ai thful c om pa ni on C ap'n B il l, t o m ake her hom e i n t hi s w onde rf ul

f ai ryl an d. T he t hr ee g ir ls a ll h ad r oo ms i n t he p al ac e a nd w er e g re at

c hu ms ; b ut D or ot hy w as t he d ea re st f ri en d o f t he ir g ra ci ou s R ul er a nd

o nl y s he a t a ny h ou r d ar ed t o s ee k O zm a i n h er r oy al a pa rt me nt s. F or

D or ot hy h ad l iv ed i n O z m uc h l on ge r t ha n t he o th er g ir ls a nd h ad b ee n

ma de a P ri nc es s o f t he r ea lm.

Be ts y w as a y ea r o ld er t ha n D or ot hy a nd Tr ot w as a y ea r y ou ng er , y et

t he t hr ee w er e n ea r e no ug h o f a n a ge t o b ec om e g re at p la ym at es a nd t o

h av e n ic e t im es t og et he r. I t w as w hi le t he t hr ee w er e t al ki ng

t og et he r o ne m or ni ng i n D or ot hy 's r oo m t ha t B et sy p ro po se d t he y m ak e a

j ou rn ey i nt o t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry , w hi ch w as o ne o f t he f ou r g re at

c ou nt ri es o f t he La nd o f O z r ul ed b y Oz ma . " I' ve n ev er b ee n t he re

y et ," s ai d Be ts y Bo bb in , " bu t t he Sc ar ec ro w o nc e t ol d me i t i s t he

pre tt ie st c ount ry i n a ll O z. "

" I' d l ik e t o g o, t oo ," a dd ed T ro t.

" All r ig ht ," s ai d D or ot hy . " I' ll g o a nd a sk O zm a. P er ha ps s he w il l

l et u s t ak e t he Sa wh or se a nd t he Re d Wa go n, w hi ch w ou ld b e m uc h n ic er

for us than having to walk all the way. This Land of Oz is a pretty

b ig p lac e wh en y ou g et t o a ll t he e dge s o f i t."

S o s he j um pe d u p a nd w en t a lo ng t he h al ls o f t he s pl en di d p al ac e u nt il

s he c am e t o t he r oy al s ui te , w hi ch f il le d a ll t he f ro nt o f t he s ec on d

f lo or . I n a l it tl e w ai ti ng r oo m s at O zm a' s m ai d, J el li a J am b, w ho w as

bus il y s ew ing. " Is O zm a up yet ?" i nqui re d D or ot hy.

" I d on 't k no w, m y d ea r, " r ep li ed J el li a. " I h av en 't h ea rd a w or d f ro m

her th is morning. S he h as n' t e ve n c al le d f or h er b at h o r h er

b re ak fa st , a nd i t i s f ar p as t h er u su al t im e f or t he m. "

"That's strange!" exclaimed the little girl.

" Ye s, " a gr ee d t he m ai d, " bu t o f c ou rs e n o h ar m c ou ld h av e h ap pe ne d t o

h er. No one can die or be killed in the Land of Oz, and Ozma is

he rs el f a p ow er fu l f ai ry , a nd s he h as n o e ne mi es s o f ar a s we k no w.

Th er ef or e I a m n ot a t a ll w or ri ed a bo ut h er , t ho ug h I mu st ad mi t h er

silence is unusual."

" Pe rhaps, " s ai d D or ot hy t hought full y, " she has ove rs le pt . O r s he m ay

be r ead in g o r wo rk ing ou t so me new so rt o f ma gi c to d o g oo d to h er

people."

" An y o f t he se t hi ng s m ay b e t ru e, " r ep li ed J el li a J am b, " so I h av en 't

d ar ed d is tu rb o ur r oy al m is tr es s. Y ou , h ow ev er , a re a p ri vi le ge d

c ha ra ct er , P ri nc es s, a nd I a m s ur e t ha t O zm a w ou ld n' t m in d a t a ll i f

yo u wen t in to see her."

" Of c ou rs e n ot ," s ai d D or ot hy , a nd o pe ni ng t he d oo r o f t he o ut er

c ha mb er , s he w en t i n. A ll w as s ti ll h er e. S he w al ke d i nt o a no th er

ro om , w hi ch w as O zm a' s b ou do ir , a nd t he n, p us hi ng b ac k a h ea vy d ra pe ry

r ic hl y b ro id er ed w it h t hr ea ds o f p ur e g ol d, t he g ir l e nt er ed t he

s le epi ng- roo m o f th e fa iry Ru le r o f Oz. T he b ed o f i vo ry a nd g ol d wa s

va can t; t he ro om wa s v ac an t; no t a tr ac e o f Ozma wa s t o b e f ou nd.

V er y m uc h s ur pr is ed, yet s ti ll w it h no f ea r t ha t a nything had happe ne d

to h er f ri en d, D or ot hy r et ur ne d t hr ou gh t he b ou do ir t o t he o th er r oo ms

o f t he s ui te . t he b at h, t he w ar dr ob e, a nd e ve n i nt o t he g re at t hr on e

r oo m, w hi ch a dj oi ne d t he r oy al s ui te , b ut i n n on e o f t he se p la ce s

c ould s he f ind O zm a.

S o s he r et ur ne d t o t he a nt er oo m w he re s he h ad l ef t t he m ai d, J el li a

J amb , a nd s ai d, " Sh e i sn 't i n h er r oo ms n ow, s o s he mu st h av e g on e

" I d on 't u nd er st an d h ow s he c ou ld d o t ha t w it ho ut m y s ee in g h er ,"

replied Jellia, "unless she made herself invisible."

" She i sn' t t he re , a nyhow ," dec la re d D or ot hy.

" Th en l et u s g o f in d h er ," s ug ge st ed t he m ai d, wh o a pp ea re d t o b e a

l it tl e u ne as y. S o t he y w en t i nt o t he c or ri do rs , a nd t he re D or ot hy

a lm os t s tumble d ove r a que er gir l w ho w as danci ng l ight ly a long t he

passage.

" St op a m in ut e, S cr ap s! " s he c al le d, " Ha ve y ou s ee n O zm a t hi s

morning?"

" No t I !" r ep li ed t he q ue er g ir l, d an ci ng n ea re r. "I l os t b ot h m y e ye s

i n a t us sl e w it h t he W oo zy l as t n ig ht , f or t he c re at ur e s cr ap ed ' em

b oth off my face with his square paws. So I put the eyes in my

p oc ke t, a nd t hi s m or ni ng B ut to n- Br ig ht l ed m e t o A un t E m, w ho s ew ed

' em o n a ga in . So I 'v e s ee n n ot hi ng a t a ll t od ay , e xc ep t d ur in g t he

la st fi ve mi nu te s. S o o f c ou rs e I h av en 't s ee n O zm a. "

" Ve ry w el l, S cr aps, " s ai d D or ot hy, l ooki ng c ur ious ly a t t he e ye s,

w h ic h w er e m er el y t wo r ou nd , b la ck b ut to ns s ew ed u po n t he g ir l' s f ac e.

T he re w er e o th er t hi ng s a bo ut S cr ap s t ha t w ou ld h av e s ee me d c ur io us t o

o ne s ee in g h er f or t he f ir st t im e. S he wa s c om mo nl y c al le d " th e

P at ch wo rk G ir l" b ec au se h er b od y a nd l im bs w er e m ad e f ro m a

g ay -c ol or ed p at ch wo rk q ui lt w hi ch h ad b ee n c ut i nt o s ha pe a nd s tu ff ed

w ith c ot to n. He r h ea d wa s a ro un d b al l s tu ffe d i n t he s ame ma nn er a nd

fa st en ed t o h er s ho ul de rs . F or h ai r, s he h ad a m as s o f b ro wn y ar n,

and to make a nose for her a part of the cloth had been pulled out

i nto the s hape of a kn ob and tied with a string to hold it in plac e.

H er m ou th h ad b ee n c ar ef ul ly m ad e b y c ut ti ng a s li t i n t he p ro pe r

p la ce a nd l in in g i t w it h r ed s il k, a dd in g t wo r ow s o f p ea rl s f or t ee th

and a bit of red flannel for a tongue.

I n s pi te o f t hi s q ue er m ak e- up , t he P at ch wo rk G ir l w as m ag ic al ly a li ve

a nd h ad p ro ve d h er se lf n ot t he l ea st j ol ly a nd a gr ee ab le o f t he m an y

qua int c ha ra ct er s w ho i nhabit t he a st onis hi ng F ai ryla nd of O z.

I ndee d, S cr aps w as a gener al f avor it e, a lt hough s he w as r at he r f li ghty

a n d e rr at ic a nd d id a nd s ai d m an y t hi ng s t ha t s ur pr is ed h er f ri en ds .

S he w as s el do m s ti ll , b ut l ov ed t o d an ce , t o t ur n h an ds pr in gs a nd

s om er sa ul ts , t o c li mb t re es a nd t o i nd ul ge i n m an y o th er a ct iv e

sports.

" I' m g oi ng t o s ea rc h f or O zm a, " r em ar ke d D or ot hy , " fo r s he i sn 't i n

he r r oo ms, a nd I wa nt t o a sk h er a qu est io n."

" I' ll g o w it h y ou ," s ai d S cr ap s, " fo r m y e ye s a re b ri gh te r t ha n y ou rs ,

a nd t he y c an s ee f ar th er ."

" I' m n ot s ur e o f t ha t, " r et ur ne d D or ot hy . " Bu t c ome a lo ng , if y ou

like."

T og et he r t he y s ea rc he d a ll t hr ou gh t he g re at p al ac e a nd e ve n t o t he

f ar thes t l im it s of t he pal ac e grounds , w hi ch w er e qui te e xt ensi ve , but

n ow he re c ou ld t he y f in d a t ra ce o f O zm a. W he n D or ot hy r et ur ne d t o

wh er e B et sy a nd T ro t a wa it ed h er , t he l it tl e g ir l' s f ac e w as r at he r

s ol em n a nd t ro ub le d, f or n ev er b ef or e h ad O zm a g on e a wa y w it ho ut

t el li ng h er f ri en ds w he re s he w as g oi ng , o r w it ho ut a n e sc or t t ha t

b ef it te d h er r oy al s ta te . S he w as g on e, h ow ev er , a nd n on e h ad s ee n

h er g o. D or ot hy h ad m et a nd q ue st io ne d t he S ca re cr ow , T ik -T ok , t he

S ha ggy M an, B ut ton- Br ight , C ap'n B il l, a nd e ve n t he w is e a nd pow er ful

Wi za rd o f Oz , b ut n ot o ne o f t he m h ad s ee n O zm a s in ce s he p ar te d w it h

h er f ri en ds t he e ve ni ng b ef or e a nd h ad g on e t o h er o wn r oo ms .

" She didn' t s ay a nything l as ' night a bout goi ng a nywher e, " obs er ve d

little Trot.

" No , a nd t ha t' s t he s tr an ge p ar t o f i t, " r ep li ed D or ot hy . "Usually

O zm a l et s u s k no w o f e ve ry th in g s he d oe s. "

" Why not l ook i n t he M agic P ic ture ?" s ugge st ed B et sy B obbi n. "T ha t

w il l t el l u s w he re s he i s i n j us t o ne s ec on d. "

" Of c ou rs e! " c ri ed D or ot hy . " Wh y d id n' t I t hi nk o f t ha t b ef or e? " A nd

a t o nc e t he t hr ee g ir ls h ur ri ed a wa y t o O zm a' s b ou do ir , w he re t he

M agic P ic ture a lw ays hung. T hi s w onde rf ul M agic P ic ture w as one of

t he r oy al O zm a' s g re at es t t re as ur es . T he re w as a l ar ge g ol d f ra me i n

t he c en te r o f w hi ch w as a b lu is h- gr ay c an va s o n w hi ch v ar io us s ce ne s

c on st an tl y a pp ea re d a nd d is ap pe ar ed . I f o ne w ho s to od b ef or e i t

w i sh ed t o s ee wh at a ny p er so n a ny wh er e i n t he wo rl d wa s d oi ng , i t wa s

o nly n ec es sa ry t o ma ke t he w is h a nd t he s ce ne i n t he Ma gi c Pi ct ur e

wo ul d s hi ft t o t he s ce ne wh er e t ha t p er so n wa s a nd s ho w e xa ct ly wh at

he or she was th en engaged in do ing. So the girls knew it would be

e as y f or t he m t o wi sh t o s ee Oz ma , a nd f ro m t he p ic tu re t he y c ou ld

qui ckly l ea rn w he re s he w as .

D or ot hy a dv an ce d t o t he p la ce w he re t he p ic tu re w as u su al ly p ro te ct ed

b y t hi ck s at in c ur ta in s a nd p ul le d t he d ra pe ri es a si de . Th en s he

s ta re d i n a ma ze me nt , w hi le her t wo f ri ends utt er ed e xc la ma ti ons of

disappointment.

T he M ag ic Pi ct ur e w as g on e. O nl y a b la nk s pa ce o n

t he w al l behind t he c ur ta ins s howe d w he re i t had f or me rl y hung.

C HA PT ER 2

T HE T RO UB LE S O F G LI ND A T HE G OO D

T ha t s am e m or ni ng t he re w as g re at e xc it em en t i n t he c as tl e o f t he

p ow er fu l S or ce re ss o f O z, G li nd a t he G oo d. T hi s c as tl e, s it ua te d i n

t he Q ua dl ing C ount ry, f ar s outh of t he Em er al dC it y w he re O zm a r ul ed,

w a s a s pl endi d s tr uc ture of e xqui si te m ar bl es a nd s il ve r gri ll es .

H er e t he S or ce re ss l iv ed , s ur ro un de d b y a b ev y o f t he m os t b ea ut if ul

m ai de ns of O z, gat he re d f rom a ll t he f our c ount ri es of t ha t f ai ryla nd

as well as from the magnificentEmeraldCity itself, which stood in

t he p la ce w he re t he f ou r c ou nt ri es c or ne re d. I t w as c on si de re d a

g re at h on or t o b e a ll ow ed t o s er ve t he g oo d S or ce re ss , w ho se a rt s o f

m ag ic w er e u se d o nl y t o b en ef it t he O z p eo pl e. G li nd a w as O zm a' s m os t

v al ue d s er va nt , f or h er k no wl ed ge o f s or ce ry w as w on de rf ul , a nd s he

could accomplish almost anything that her mistress, the lovely girl

R ul er o f O z, w is he d h er t o.

O f a ll t he m agic al t hi ngs w hi ch s ur rounde d G li nda i n her c as tl e, t he re

w as n on e m or e ma rv el ou s t ha n h er G re at B oo k o f R ec or ds . O n t he p ag es

o f t hi s R ec or d B oo k w er e c on st an tl y b ei ng i ns cr ib ed , d ay b y d ay a nd

h ou r b y h ou r, a ll t he i mp or ta nt e ve nt s t ha t h ap pe ne d a ny wh er e i n t he

k no wn w or ld , a nd t he y w er e i ns cr ib ed i n t he b oo k a t e xa ct ly t he m om en t

t he e ve nt s h ap pe ne d. Ev ery a dve nt ur e in t he La nd o f Oz an d in t he b ig

o ut si de w or ld , a nd e ve n i n p la ce s t ha t y ou a nd I h av e n ev er h ea rd o f,

w er e r ec or de d a cc ur at el y i n t he G re at B oo k, w hi ch n ev er m ad e a m is ta ke

a nd s ta te d o nl y t he e xa ct t ru th . F or t ha t r ea so n, n ot hi ng c ou ld b e

c on ce al ed f ro m Gl in da t he Go od , wh o h ad o nl y t o l oo k a t t he p ag es o f

t he G re at B oo k o f R ec or ds t o k no w e ve ry th in g t ha t h ad t ak en p la ce .

Th at wa s o ne r ea so n s he w as s uc h a g re at So rc er es s, f or th e r ec or ds

m ad e h er w is er t ha n a ny o th er l iv in g p er so n.

Th is wo nd er fu l b oo k wa s p la ce d u po n a b ig g ol d t ab le t ha t s to od i n t he

m id dl e o f G li nd a' s d ra wi ng r oo m. T he l eg s o f t he t ab le , w hi ch w er e

i nc rust ed w it h pre ci ous gem s, w er e f ir ml y f as te ne d t o t he t il ed f loor ,

a nd t he b oo k i ts el f wa s c ha in ed t o t he t ab le a nd l oc ke d w it h s ix s to ut

g ol de n p ad lo ck s, t he k ey s t o wh ic h Gl in da c ar ri ed o n a c ha in t ha t wa s

s ec ur ed a ro un d h er o wn n ec k. Th e p ag es o f t he Gr ea t B oo k we re l ar ge r

i n s iz e t ha n t ho se o f a n A me ri ca n n ew sp ap er , a nd a lt ho ug h t he y w er e

ex ce ed in gl y t hi n, t he re w er e s o m an y o f t he m t ha t t he y m ad e a n

e n or mo us , b ul ky v ol um e. W it h i ts g ol d c ov er a nd g ol d c la sp s, t he b oo k

w as s o h ea vy t ha t t hr ee m en c ou ld s ca rc el y h av e l if te d i t. Y et t hi s

m or ni ng w he n G li nda e nt er ed her dra wi ng r oom a ft er bre akfa st , t he good

So rc er es s w as a ma ze d t o d is co ve r t ha t h er G re at B oo k o f R ec or ds h ad

mysteriously disappeared.

A dv an ci ng t o t he t ab le , s he f ou nd t he c ha in s h ad b ee n c ut w it h s om e s ha rp

i ns tr um en t, a nd t hi s m us t h av e b ee n d on e w hi le a ll i n t he c as tl e s le pt .

G li nd a w as s ho ck ed a nd g ri ev ed . W ho c ou ld h av e d on e t hi s w ic ke d, b ol d t hi ng ? A nd w ho

c ou ld w is h t o d ep ri ve h er o f h er G re at B oo k o f Re co rd s?

T he S or ce re ss w as t hought ful f or a t im e, c onsi de ri ng t he c onse quence s

of h er lo ss. Th en sh e went t o he r Ro om o f Magi c to p rep are a c har m

t ha t w ou ld t el l h er wh o h ad s to le n t he R ec or d B oo k. Bu t whe n s he

u nl oc ke d h er c up bo ar d a nd t hr ew o pe n t he d oo rs , a ll o f h er m ag ic al

i ns tr um ents a nd r ar e c he mi ca l c om pounds had bee n r em oved f rom t he

s he lv es . Th e S or ce re ss h as n ow b ot h a ng ry a nd a la rm ed . S he s at d ow n

i n a c ha ir a nd t ri ed t o t hi nk h ow t hi s e xt ra or di na ry r ob be ry c ou ld

h av e t ak en p la ce . I t wa s e vi de nt t ha t t he t hi ef w as s ome p er so n o f

v er y g re at p ow er , o r t he t he ft c ou ld n ot h av e b ee n a cc om pl is he d

w it ho ut h er k no wl ed ge . B ut w ho , i n a ll t he L an d o f O z, w as p ow er fu l

a nd s ki ll ful e nough t o do t hi s a wf ul t hi ng? A nd w ho, having t he

p ow er , c ou ld a ls o h av e a n o bj ec t i n d ef yi ng t he w is es t a nd m os t

t a le nt ed S or ce re ss t he w or ld h as e ve r k no wn ?

G li nd a t ho ug ht o ve r t he p er pl ex in g m at te r f or a f ul l h ou r, a t t he e nd

of w hi ch t im e s he w as s ti ll puz zl ed how t o e xpla in i t. B ut a lt hough

her i ns tr um ents a nd c he mi ca ls w er e gone, her K NO WL ED GE of m agic had

n ot b ee n s to le n, b y a ny m ea ns , s in ce n o t hi ef , h owe ve r s ki ll fu l, c an

ro b o ne o f k no wl ed ge , a nd t ha t i s wh y k no wl ed ge i s t he b es t a nd s af es t

t r ea su re t o a cq ui re . G li nd a b el ie ve d t ha t w he n s he h ad t im e t o g at he r

m or e m agic al her bs a nd e li xi rs a nd t o m anuf ac ture m or e m agic al

i ns tr ume nt s, s he w ou ld b e a bl e t o d is co ve r wh o t he r ob be r wa s a nd w ha t

h ad b ec om e o f h er p re ci ou s B oo k o f R ec or ds .

" Wh oe ve r h as d on e t hi s, " s he s ai d t o h er m ai de ns , " is a v er y f oo li sh

person, for in time he is sure to be found out and will then be

severely punished."

S he n ow m ad e a l is t o f t he t hi ng s s he n ee de d a nd d is pa tc he d m es se ng er s

t o e ve ry p ar t o f Oz wi th i nst ru ct io ns t o o bt ain t he m a nd b ri ng t hem t o

h er a s s oo n a s p os si bl e. An d o ne o f he r mes sen ge rs me t t he l it tle

W iz ar d o f Oz , w ho w as s ea te d o n t he b ac k o f t he f am ou s l iv e S aw ho rs e

a nd wa s c li ng in g t o i ts n ec k wi th b ot h h is a rm s, f or t he S aw ho rs e wa s

s pe eding t o G li nda' s c as tl e w it h t he vel oc it y of t he w ind, bea ri ng t he

n ews th at R oy al Oz ma , R ule r o f a ll t he g re at La nd o f O z, h ad s ud de nl y

di sa pp ea re d a nd n o o ne i n t he Em er al dC it y k ne w w ha t h ad b ec om e o f

" Al so ," s ai d t he W iz ar d a s h e s to od b ef or e t he a st on is he d S or ce re ss ,

" Oz ma 's M ag ic P ic tu re i s g on e, s o w e c an no t c on su lt i t t o d is co ve r

wh ere s he is. So I ca me t o y ou f or as si st an ce a s s oo n as we re ali ze d

o ur l os s. L et u s l oo k i n t he G re at B oo k o f R ec or ds ."

" Al as ," r et ur ned t he S or ce re ss s or rowf ul ly, " we c annot do t ha t, f or

t he G re at B oo k o f R ec or ds h as a ls o d is ap pe ar ed !"

C HA PT ER 3

O F C AY KE T HE C OO KI E C OO K

O ne m or e i mp or ta nt t he ft w as r ep or te d i n t he L an d o f O z t ha t e ve nt fu l

m or ni ng , b ut i t t oo k p la ce s o f ar f ro m e it he r t he Em er al dC it y o r t he

c as tl e o f G li nd a t he G oo d t ha t n on e o f t ho se p er so ns w e h av e m en ti on ed

l ea rned of t he r obbe ry unt il l ong a ft er wa rd.

I n t he f ar s ou th we st er n c or ne r o f t he W in ki e C ou nt ry i s a b ro ad

t able la nd t ha t c an be r ea ched onl y by c li mbing a s te ep hil l, w hi chever

s i de one a ppr oac hes i t . O n t he hil ls ide s ur roundi ng t hi s t able la nd

a re n o p at hs a t a ll , b ut t he re a re q ua nt it ie s o f b ra mb le b us he s w it h

s ha rp p ri ck er s o n t he m, w hi ch p re ve nt a ny o f t he Oz p eo pl e wh o l iv e

d ow n b el ow f ro m c li mb in g u p to s ee wh at i s o n t op . Bu t on to p l iv e

t he Y ip s, a nd a lt ho ug h t he s pa ce t he y o cc up y i s n ot g re at i n e xt en t,

t he w ee c ou nt ry is a ll t he ir o wn . Th e Y ip s h ad n ev er -- up t o t he t im e

t h is s to ry b eg in s- -l ef t t he ir b ro ad t ab le la nd t o g o d ow n i nt o t he L an d

o f Oz, n or h ad th e Oz p eo ple e ver c limbe d up t o the c ou ntr y of th e

Li vin g a ll al on e a s th ey d id, th e Yi ps h ad qu ee r wa ys a nd n ot io ns o f

t he ir o wn a nd d id n ot r es emb le a ny o th er p eo pl e o f t he L an d o f Oz .

T he ir h ou se s w er e s ca tt er ed a ll o ve r t he f la t s ur fa ce ; n ot l ik e a

c it y, groupe d t oge the r, but s e t w he r eve r t he i r owne rs ' f a nc y dic t at ed,

w it h f ie ld s h er e, t re es t he re , a nd o dd l it tl e p at hs c on ne ct in g t he

h ou se s o ne wi th a no th er . I t wa s h er e, o n t he mo rn in g wh en Oz ma s o

st ra nge ly di sa ppe ar ed f r om t he Em er al dCi ty , t hat C ayke t he C ookie

C oo k d is co ve re d t ha t h er d ia mo nd -s tu dd ed g ol d d is hp an h ad b ee n s to le n,

a nd sh e rai sed s uc h a hu e an d cr y ov er he r lo ss an d wail ed an d

s hr ie ke d s o l ou dl y t ha t m an y o f t he Y ip s g at he re d a ro un d h er h ou se t o

i nqui re w ha t w as t he m at te r.

It was a serious thing in any part of the Land of Oz to accuse one of

s te al in g, s o wh en t he Y ip s h ea rd C ay ke t he Co ok ie C oo k d ec la re t ha t

h er j ew el ed d is hp an h ad b ee n s to le n, t he y w er e b ot h h um il ia te d a nd

d is tu rb ed a nd f or ce d C ay ke t o g o w it h t he m t o t he F ro gm an t o s ee w ha t

c ou ld be d one a bou t it . I d o n ot su pp ose y ou h av e e ver b efo re he ar d

o f t he F ro gm an , f or l ik e a ll o th er d we ll er s o n t ha t t ab le la nd , h e h ad

n ev er b ee n a wa y f ro m i t, n or h ad a ny on e c ome u p t he re t o s ee h im . The

F ro gm an w as i n t ru th d es ce nd ed f ro m t he c om mo n f ro gs o f O z, a nd w he n

h e wa s f ir st b or n h e l iv ed i n a p oo l i n t he Wi nk ie C ou ntr y a nd wa s

m uc h l ik e a ny o th er f ro g. B ei ng o f a n a dv en tu ro us n at ur e, h ow ev er , h e

soo n ho pp ed o ut of h is po ol a nd b ega n to tr ave l, whe n a bi g bir d ca me

a lo ng an d s ei ze d h im i n it s be ak a nd st art ed t o fl y awa y wit h hi m t o

i ts n es t. W he n h ig h i n t he a ir , t he f ro g w ri gg le d s o f ra nt ic al ly t ha t

h e g ot l oo se a nd f el l d own , d own , d ow n i nt o a s ma ll h id de n p oo l o n t he

t ab le la nd o f t he Yi ps . N ow t ha t p oo l, i t s ee ms , wa s u nk no wn t o t he

Yi ps b ec au se i t wa s s ur ro un de d b y t hi ck b us he s a nd w as n ot n ea r t o a ny

d we ll in g, a nd i t p ro ve d t o b e a n e nc ha nt ed p oo l, f or t he f ro g g re w

v er y f as t a nd v er y b ig , f ee di ng o n t he m ag ic s ko sh w hi ch i s f ou nd

n owh er e e ls e o n e ar th e xc ep t i n t ha t o ne p oo l. An d t he s ko sh n ot o nly

made the frog v ery big so that when he stood on his hind legs h e was

a s t al l a s a ny Y ip i n t he c ou nt ry , b ut i t m ad e h im u nu su al ly

i nt el li ge nt , s o t ha t h e s oo n k ne w mo re t ha n t he Yi ps d id a nd wa s a bl e

t o r ea so n a nd t o a rg ue v er y w el l i nd ee d.

No one could expect a frog with these talents to remain in a hidden

p oo l, s o he fi nal ly g ot ou t of it an d min gle d wi th th e pe opl e o f th e

t ab le la nd , w ho w er e a ma ze d a t h is a pp ea ra nc e a nd g re at ly i mp re ss ed b y

his learning. T he y h ad n ev er s ee n a f ro g b ef or e, a nd t he f ro g h ad

nev er see n a Yi p bef ore, bu t a s the re we re ple nty o f Yip s and onl y one

f ro g, t he f ro g b ec ame t he mo st i mp or ta nt . H e d id n ot h op a ny mo re ,

b ut s to od u pr ig ht o n h is h in d l eg s a nd d re ss ed h ims el f i n f in e c lo th es

and sat in ch airs and di d a ll t he thing s that peo ple do, so he soo n

c ame to be called the Frogman, an d th at is the only na me he has ever

h ad . A ft er s om e y ea rs h ad p as se d, t he p eo pl e c am e t o r eg ar d t he

F rogm an a s t he ir a dvis er i n a ll m at te rs t ha t puz zl ed t he m. They

b ro ug ht a ll t he ir d if fi cu lt ie s t o h im, a nd wh en h e d id n ot k no w

a ny th in g, h e p re te nd ed t o k no w i t, w hi ch s ee me d t o a ns we r j us t a s

w el l. I nd ee d, t he Y ip s t ho ug ht t he F ro gm an w as m uc h w is er t ha n h e

r ea ll y wa s, a nd h e a ll owe d th em t o t hi nk s o, b ei ng v er y p ro ud o f h is

position of authority.

T he re w as a no th er p oo l o n t he t ab le la nd w hi ch w as n ot e nc ha nt ed b ut

c on ta in ed g oo d, c le ar w at er a nd w as l oc at ed c lo se t o t he d we ll in gs .

He re t he p eo pl e b ui lt t he Fr og ma n a h ou se o f h is o wn , c lo se t o t he

edge of the pool so that he could take a bath or a swim whenever he

w is he d. H e u su al ly s wa m i n t he p oo l i n t he e ar ly m or ni ng b ef or e

a ny one e ls e was u p, a nd d uri ng t he d ay h e d res se d h ims el f i n h is

b ea ut if ul c lo th es a nd s at i n h is h ou se a nd r ec ei ve d t he v is it s o f a ll

t he Y ip s w ho c ame t o h im t o a sk h is a dv ic e. The Fr og ma n' s u su al

c os tume c onsi st ed of kne e- br ee ches m ade of yel low s at in plush, w it h

t ri mm ings of gol d bra id a nd j ew el ed kne e- buckle s; a w hi te s at in ves t

w it h s il ve r but tons i n w hi ch w er e s et s ol it ai re r ubie s; a

s w al low- ta il ed c oa t of bri ght yel low; gre en s tockings a nd r ed l ea ther

s ho es t ur ne d u p a t t he t oe s a nd h av in g d ia mo nd b uc kl es . He w or e, w he n

h e w al ke d o ut , a p ur pl e s il k h at a nd c ar ri ed a g ol d- he ad ed c an e. O ve r

h is e ye s h e w or e g re at s pe ct ac le s w it h g ol d r im s, n ot b ec au se h is e ye s

w er e b ad , b ut b ec au se t he s pe ct ac le s m ad e h im l oo k w is e, a nd s o

dis ti ngui shed a nd gor ge ous w as his a ppea ra nc e t ha t a ll t he Y ips w er e

v er y p ro ud o f h im .

T he re wa s n o Ki ng o r Qu ee n i n th e Yi p Co un tr y, s o t he s im pl e

i nh ab it an ts n at ur al ly c am e t o l oo k u po n t he F ro gm an a s t he ir l ea de r a s

we ll a s t he ir c ou ns el or i n a ll t ime s o f e me rg en cy . I n h is h ea rt t he

big fro g k new h e was no wiser th an the Yips, b ut for a frog to k now a s

m uc h a s a p er so n wa s q ui te r em ar ka bl e, a nd t he Fr og ma n w as s hr ew d

e no ug h t o m ak e t he p eo pl e b eli ev e h e wa s fa r mo re w is e t ha n h e r ea ll y

w as . Th ey n ev er s us pe ct ed h e wa s a h um bu g, b ut l is te ne d t o h is wo rd s

wi th g re at r es pe ct a nd d id j us t w ha t h e a dv is ed t he m t o d o.

Now when Cayke the Cookie Cook raised such an outcry over the theft of

h er d ia mo nd -s tu dd ed d is hp an , t he f ir st t ho ug ht o f t he p eo pl e w as t o

t ak e h er t o t he F ro gm an a nd i nf or m h im o f t he l os s, t hi nk in g t ha t o f

c ou rs e h e wo ul d t el l h er w her e t o f in d i t. He l is te ne d t o t he s to ry

w it h h is b ig e ye s w id e o pe n b eh in d h is s pe ct ac le s, a nd s ai d i n h is

d ee p, c ro ak in g v oi ce , " If t he d is hp an i s s to le n, s om eb od y m us t h av e

taken it."

" But w ho?" as ke d C ayke a nxious ly. " Who i s t he t hi ef ?"

" Th e o ne w ho t oo k t he d is hp an , o f c ou rs e, " r ep li ed t he F ro gm an , a nd

h ea ri ng t hi s a ll t he Y ip s n od de d t he ir h ea ds g ra ve ly a nd s ai d t o o ne

another, "It is absolutely true!"

" Bu t I w an t m y d is hp an !" c ri ed C ay ke .

" No o ne c an b la me y ou f or t ha t w is h, " r em ar ke d t he F ro gm an .

" Th en t el l me w he re I m ay f in d i t, " s he u rg ed .

The l ook t he Fro gman g ave h er wa s a v ery wise lo ok , and h e ros e from

h is c ha ir a nd s tru tt ed u p a nd d ow n t he ro om wi th h is h an ds u nd er h is

c oa tt ai ls i n a v er y p om po us a nd i mp os in g m an ne r. T hi s w as t he f ir st

t im e s o d if fi cu lt a m at te r h ad b ee n b ro ug ht t o h im , a nd h e w an te d t im e

t o t hi nk . I t wo ul d n ev er d o t o l et t he m s us pe ct h is i gn or an ce , a nd s o

h e t ho ug ht v er y, v er y h ar d h ow b es t t o a ns we r t he w om an w it ho ut

bet ra yi ng him se lf . " I beg t o i nf or m you," s ai d he, " that not hi ng i n

t he Y ip C ou nt ry h as e ve r b ee n s to le n b ef or e. "

" We know t hat a l re ady," a ns we r ed C ayke t he C ookie C ook i mpat i ent ly.

"Therefore," continued the Frogman, "this theft

bec om es a ver y i mpor ta nt m at te r. "" Ther ef or e, " c onti nued t he F rogm an, " this t he ft bec om es a

important matter."

" We ll , w he re i s m y dis hpan?" dem ande d t he w om an.

" It i s l os t, b ut i t m us t b e f ou nd . U nf or tu na te ly , w e h av e n o

p ol ic em en o r d et ec ti ve s t o u nr av el t he m ys te ry , s o w e m us t e mp lo y

o th er m ea ns t o r eg ai n t he l os t a rt ic le . C ay ke m us t f ir st w ri te a

Pr oc la ma ti on a nd t ac k i t t o t he d oo r o f h er h ou se , a nd t he

P rocl am at ion m us t r ea d t ha t w hoever s tole t he j ew el ed dis hpa n m us t

r et ur n i t a t o nc e. "

" Bu t s up po se n o o ne r et ur ns i t, " s ug ge st ed C ay ke .

" Th en ," s ai d t he F ro gm an , " th at v er y f ac t w il l b e p ro of t ha t n o o ne

ha s s tole n i t. "

C ay ke wa s n ot s at is fi ed , b ut t he o th er Y ip s s ee me d t o a pp ro ve t he p la n

highly. T he y a ll a dv is ed h er t o d o a s t he F ro gm an h ad t ol d h er t o, s o

s he p os te d t he s ig n o n h er d oo r a nd wa it ed p at ie nt ly f or s om eo ne t o

r et ur n t he d is hp an -- wh ic h n o o ne e ve r d id . A ga in s he w en t,

a cc om pa ni ed b y a g ro up o f h er n ei gh bo rs , t o t he F ro gm an , w ho b y t hi s

t i me h ad g iv en t he m at te r c on si de ra bl e t ho ug ht . S ai d h e t o C ay ke , " I

a m n ow c on vi nc ed t ha t n o Y ip h as t ak en y ou r d is hp an , a nd s in ce it is

g on e f ro m t he Y ip C ou nt ry , I s us pe ct t ha t s om e s tr an ge r c am e f ro m t he

wo rl d d own b el ow u s i n t he d ar kn es s o f n ig ht wh en al l o f u s we re

a sl ee p a nd t oo k a wa y y ou r t re as ur e. T he re c an b e n o o th er e xp la na ti on

o f i ts d is ap pe ar an ce . S o i f y ou w is h t o r ec ov er t ha t g ol de n,

dia mond-s tudded dis hpan, you m us t go i nt o t he l ow er w or ld a ft er i t. "

T hi s w as i nd ee d a s ta rt li ng p ro po si ti on . C ay ke a nd h er f ri en ds w en t

t o t he e dg e o f t he f la t t ab le la nd a nd l oo ke d d ow n t he s te ep h il ls id e

to the plain s b elow. It was so far to the bo tto m of the hill th at

n ot hi ng t he re c ou ld b e s ee n v er y d is ti nc tl y, a nd i t s ee me d t o t he Y ip s

v er y v en tu re so me , i f n ot d an ge ro us , t o g o s o f ar f ro m h om e i nt o a n

u nk no wn l an d. H ow ev er , C ay ke w an te d h er d is hp an v er y b ad ly , s o s he

t ur ne d t o h er f ri en ds a nd a sk ed , " Wh o w il l g o w it h m e? "

No one answered the question, but after a period of silence one of the

Yi ps s ai d, " We k no w wh at i s he re o n t he to p o f t his f la t h il l, a nd it

se ems to u s a ve ry pl ea sa nt pl ac e, bu t wh at i s d own be lo w we d o no t

kn ow. Th e c han ces ar e i t i s n ot s o p lea sa nt, s o we ha d be st s ta y

wh er e w e a re ."

" It m ay b e a f ar b et te r c ou nt ry t ha n t hi s i s," s ug ge st ed t he C oo ki e

C ook.

" Ma ybe , m aybe, " r e sponde d a not her Y ip, " but w hy t ake c ha nce s ?

C onte nt me nt w it h one 's l ot i s t rue w is dom.

P er ha ps i n s om e o th er c ou nt ry t he re a re b et te r c oo ki es t ha n y ou c oo k,

b ut a s w e h av e a lw ay s e at en y ou r c oo ki es a nd l ik ed t he m- -e xc ep t w he n

th ey a re b ur ne d o n t he b ot to m- -w e d o n ot l on g f or a ny b et te r o ne s."

C ay ke m ig ht h av e a gr ee d t o t hi s a rg um en t h ad s he n ot b ee n s o a nx io us

t o f ind her pre ci ous dis hpan, but now s he e xc la im ed i mpat ie nt ly, " You

a re c ow ar ds , a ll o f y ou ! I f n on e of yo u are willin g to ex plo re wi th

me t he g re at wo rl d b ey on d t hi s s ma ll h il l, I w il l s ur el y g o a lo ne ."

" Th at i s a w is e r es ol ve ," d ec la re d t he Y ip s, m uc h r el ie ve d. "I t i s

y ou r d is hp an t ha t i s l os t, n ot o ur s. And if you are willing to risk

y ou r l ife a nd li be rt y to r eg ai n i t, n o o ne c an d en y yo u t he

privilege."

W hi le t he y w er e t hus c onve rs ing, t he F rogm an j oi ne d t he m a nd l ooke d

dow n a t t he pla in w it h his big e ye s a nd s ee me d unusual ly t hought ful.

I n f ac t, t he Fr og ma n wa s t hi nk in g t ha t h e' d l ik e t o s ee mo re o f t he

w or ld . H er e i n t he Y ip C ou nt ry h e h ad b ec om e t he m os t i mp or ta nt

c re at ur e o f t he m a ll , a nd h is i mp or ta nc e w as g et ti ng t o b e a l it tl e

tame . It woul d be nic e to hav e oth er peo ple de fer to h im an d ask h is

ad vic e, a nd t he re se emed n o re aso n so f ar as he co ul d se e wh y hi s fame

s ho ul d n ot s pr ea d t hr ou gh ou t a ll O z. H e k ne w n ot hi ng o f t he r es t o f

t he wo rl d, b ut i t w as r ea so na bl e t o b el ie ve t ha t t he re w er e m or e

pe op le b ey on d t he m ou nt ai n w he re h e n ow l iv ed t ha n t he re w er e Y ip s,

a nd i f h e w en t a mo ng t he m h e c ou ld s ur pr is e t he m w it h h is d is pl ay o f

wisdom a nd make them b ow down to him as the Yip s did . In o th er wo rd s,

t he F ro gm an w as a mb it io us t o b ec om e s ti ll g re at er t ha n h e w as , w hi ch

wa s i mpos si bl e i f he a lw ays r em ai ne d upon t hi s m ount ai n. H e w a nt e d

o th er s t o s ee h is g or ge ou s c lo th es a nd l is te n t o h is s ol em n s ay in gs ,

an d here was an exc use for him to get away from the Yip Co untry. S o

h e s ai d t o C ay ke t he Co ok ie Co ok , " I w il l g o w it h y ou , m y g oo d w oma n,"

w hi ch g re at ly p le as ed C ay ke b ec au se s he f el t t he F ro gm an c ou ld b e o f

m uc h a ss is ta nc e t o h er i n h er s ea rc h.

B ut n ow , s in ce t he m ig ht y F ro gm an h ad d ec id ed t o u nd er ta ke t he

j ou rn ey , s ev er al o f t he Y ip s w ho we re y ou ng a nd d ar in g a t o nc e m ad e u p

th ei r m in ds t o g o a lo ng , s o t he n ex t m or ni ng a ft er b re ak fa st t he

F ro gm an a nd Ca yk e t he C oo ki e C oo k a nd n in e o f t he Y ip s s ta rt ed t o

sl id e d ow n t he s id e o f t he m ou nt ai n. T he b ra mb le b us he s a nd c ac tu s

p la nt s w er e v er y p ri ck ly a nd u nc om fo rt ab le t o t he t ou ch , s o t he

Fr og ma n q ui ck ly c om ma nd ed t he Yi ps t o g o f ir st a nd b re ak a p at h, s o

t ha t w he n h e f ol lo we d t he m h e w ou ld n ot t ea r h is s pl en di d c lo th es .

C ay ke , t oo , wa s w ea ri ng h er b es t d re ss a nd w as l ik ew is e a fr ai d o f t he

t ho rn s a nd p ri ck er s, s o s he k ep t b eh in d t he F ro gm an .

T he y m ad e r at he r s lo w p ro gr es s a nd n ig ht o ve rt oo k t he m b ef or e t he y

w er e h al fw ay d ow n t he m ou nt ai ns id e, s o t he y f ou nd a c av e i n wh ic h t he y

sought s he lt er unt il m or ni ng. C ayke had brought a long a bas ke t f ul l

o f h er f am ou s c oo ki es , s o t he y a ll h ad p le nt y t o e at . O n t he s ec on d

d ay t he Y ip s b eg an t o w is h t he y h ad n ot e mb ar ke d o n t hi s a dv en tu re .

T he y g ru mb le d a g oo d d ea l a t h av in g t o c ut a wa y th e t ho rn s t o m ak e t he

p at h f or t he F ro gm an a nd t he C oo ki e C oo k, f or t he ir o wn c lo th in g

s uf fe re d m any t ea rs , w hi le C ayke a nd t he F rogm an t ra ve le d s af el y a nd

in comfort.

" If it i s t ru e t ha t a ny one ca me t o o ur c ou ntr y t o s te al y ou r d iam on d

d is hp an ," s ai d o ne o f t he Y ip s t o Ca yk e, " it mu st h av e b ee n a b ir d,

f or n o p er so n i n t he f or m o f a m an , wom an o r c hil d c ou ld h av e cl imb ed

t hr ough t he se bus he s a nd ba ck a ga in."

" An d, a ll ow in g h e c ou ld h av e d on e s o, " s ai d a no th er Y ip , " th e

dia mond-s tudded gol d dis hpan w ould not have r epai d him f or his

troubles and his tribulations."

" Fo r m y p ar t, " r em ar ke d a t hi rd Yi p, " I wo ul d r at he r g o b ac k h ome a nd

d ig a nd p ol ish so me mo re d iam on ds an d mi ne s om e mo re g ol d a nd ma ke y ou

a no th er d is hp an t ha n b e s cr at ch ed f ro m h ea d t o h ee l b y t he se d re ad fu l

b us he s. Ev en n ow, i f my m oth er s aw me , s he wo ul d n ot k now I am h er

C ay ke p ai d n o h ee d t o t he se m ut te ri ng s, n or d id t he F ro gm an . Although

t he ir j ou rn ey wa s s lo w, i t w as b ei ng m ad e e as y f or t he m b y t he Yi ps ,

so t he y h ad n ot hi ng t o c om pl ai n o f a nd n o d es ir e t o t ur n b ac k. Qu ite

n ea r t o t he b ot to m o f t he g rea t h il l t he y c ame u po n a g re at g ulf , t he

s id es o f w hi ch w er e a s s mo ot h a s g la ss . The g ulf e xten de d a lon g

dis ta nce -- as f ar a s t he y c oul d s e e i n e it her dir ec t ion- - and a lt hough

it was n ot v er y wide , i t wa s fa r too wi de f or t he Yip s to l eap ac ros s

i t. An d s ho ul d t he y f al l i nt o i t, i t wa s l ik el y t he y mi gh t n ev er g et

o ut ag ain . " He re o ur j ou rn ey e nd s, " s ai d t he Yi ps . "W e mu st g o b ac k

again."

Ca yk e t he C oo ki e Co ok b eg an t o w ee p.

" I s ha ll n ev er f in d m y p re tt y d is hp an a ga in , a nd m y h ea rt w il l b e b ro ke n! "

s h e s o bb e d.

T he Fr og ma n w en t t o t he e dg e o f t he g ul f a nd w it h h is e ye c ar ef ul ly

m ea su re d t he d is ta nc e t o t he o th er s id e. " Be in g a f ro g," s ai d h e, " I

can leap , a s all f rog s do , an d be ing so bi g an d str on g, I a m su re I

c an le ap a cr os s t hi s g ul f wi th ea se . Bu t t he r es t o f y ou , n ot b ei ng

f ro gs , m us t r et ur n t he w ay y ou c am e. "

" We wi ll d o t ha t w ith p le as ur e, " c ri ed t he Yi ps , a nd a t o nc e t he y

tu rn ed a nd b eg an t o c li mb u p t he s te ep m ou nt ai n, f ee li ng t he y h ad h ad

qui te e nough of t hi s uns at is fa ct or y a dventure . C a yke t he C ooki e C ook

did not g o with them, however. She s at o n a ro ck a nd we pt an d wa il ed

and w as ve ry m is er able .

" Wel l," s aid t he Fro gma n to h er, " I wil l no w b id y ou g oo dby e. If I

f in d y ou r d ia mo nd -d ec or at ed g ol d d is hp an , I w il l p ro mi se t o s ee t ha t

i t i s s af el y r et ur ne d t o y ou ."

" Bu t I p re fe r t o f in d i t m ys el f! " s he s ai d. " Se e h er e, F ro gm an , w hy

c an 't y ou c ar ry me a cro ss t he g ul f wh en y ou l ea p i t? Yo u a re b ig a nd

s tr ong, w hi le I a m s ma ll a nd t hi n. "

T he F ro gm an g ra ve ly t ho ug ht o ve r t hi s s ug ge st io n. I t w as a f ac t t ha t

C ay ke t he C oo ki e Co ok wa s n ot a h ea vy p ers on . Per ha ps he co ul d le ap

t he g ul f w it h h er o n h is b ac k. " If y ou a re wi lli ng t o r isk a fa ll ,"

s ai d h e, " I w il l m ak e t he a tt em pt ."

At o nc e s he s pr an g u p a nd g ra bb ed h im a ro un d h is n ec k w it h b ot h h er

a rm s. Th at i s, s he g ra bb ed h im wh er e h is n ec k o ug ht t o b e, f or t he

Fr og ma n h ad n o n ec k a t a ll . Th en h e s qu at te d d own , a s f ro gs d o w he n

t he y l ea p, a nd w it h h is p ow er fu l r ea r l eg s h e m ad e a t re me nd ou s j um p.

Ov er t he g ul f t he y s ai le d, wi th t he C oo ki e Co ok o n h is b ac k, a nd h e

h ad l ea pe d s o h ar d- -t o m ak e s ur e o f n ot f al li ng i n- -t ha t h e s ai le d

o ve r a l ot o f b ra mb le b us he s t ha t g re w o n t he o th er s id e a nd l an de d i n

a c le ar s pa ce wh ic h wa s s o f ar b ey on d t he g ul f t ha t wh en t he y l oo ke d

b ac k th ey co uld n ot s ee it at a ll.

C ay ke n ow g ot o ff t he F ro gm an 's b ac k a nd h e s to od e re ct a ga in a nd

c ar ef ul ly brushed t he dus t f rom his vel ve t c oa t a nd r ea rr ange d his w hi te

satin necktie.

" I h ad n o i de a I c ou ld l ea p s o f ar ," h e s ai d wo nd eri ng ly . "Leaping is

o ne m or e a cc om pl is hm en t I c an n ow a dd t o t he l on g l is t o f d ee ds I a m

a ble t o per for m. "

" Yo u a re c er ta in ly f in e a t l ea p- fr og ," s ai d t he C oo ki e C oo k

a dm ir in gl y, " bu t, a s y ou s ay , y ou a re w on de rf ul i n m an y w ay s. I f w e

m ee t w it h a ny p eo pl e d ow n h er e, I a m s ur e t he y wi ll c on si de r y ou t he

gre at es t a nd gra ndes t of a ll l iving c re at ur es ."

" Ye s, " he r epli ed, " I s ha ll proba bl y a st onis h s tr ange rs , bec ause t he y

ha ve n ev er b ef or e h ad t he p le as ur e o f s ee in g m e. Al so , t he y wi ll

ma rv el a t m y g re at l ea rn in g. E ve ry t im e I o pe n m y m ou th , C ay ke , I a m

liable to say something important."

" Th at i s t ru e, " s he a gr ee d, " an d i t i s f or tu na te y ou r m ou th i s s o v er y

w id e a nd o pe ns s o f ar , f or o th er wi se a ll t he w is do m mi gh t n ot b e a bl e

to get ou t of it."

" Pe rh ap s n at ur e m ad e i t w id e f or t ha t v er y r ea so n, " s ai d t he F ro gm an .

"Bu t c ome, l et u s n ow go o n, f or i t i s g ett in g la te an d we mu st f in d

s om e s or t o f s he lt er b ef or e n ig ht o ve rt ak es u s. "

C HA PT ER 4

A MO NG T HE W IN KI ES

T he s et tl ed p ar ts o f t he W in ki e C ou nt ry a re f ul l o f h ap py a nd

c on te nt ed p eo pl e w ho a re r ul ed b y a t in Em pe ro r n am ed N ic k C ho pp er ,

who i n t ur n i s a su bje ct of th e b eau ti fu l g irl Ru le r, Oz ma o f Oz . But

n ot a ll o f t he W in ki e Co un tr y i s f ul ly s et tl ed . A t t he e as t, w hi ch

par t l ie s nea re st t he E me ra ld C it y, t he re a re bea ut if ul f ar mhouse s a nd

ro ads , b ut as y ou t rav el we st, yo u fi rst c ome t o a b ran ch of th e

W in ki e R iv er , b ey on d w hi ch t he re i s a r ou gh c ou nt ry w he re f ew p eo pl e

l iv e, a nd s ome o f t he se a re q ui te u nk no wn t o t he r es t o f t he w or ld .

A ft er pas si ng t hr ough t hi s r ude s ec ti on of t er ri tory, w hi ch no one

e ve r v is it s, y ou w ou ld c om e t o s ti ll a no th er b ra nc h o f t he W in ki e

R iver , a ft er c ross ing w hi ch you w ould f ind a nother w el l- se tt le d par t

o f t he W in ki e C ou nt ry e xt en di ng w es tw ar d q ui te t o t he D ea dl y D es er t

t h at s ur ro un ds a ll t he L an d o f O z a nd s ep ar at es t ha t f av or ed f ai ry la nd

f ro m t he m or e c om mo n o ut si de w or ld . Th e W in ki es w ho l iv e i n t hi s we st

s ec ti on h av e m an y t in m in es , f ro m w hi ch m et al t he y m ak e a g re at d ea l

of r ic h j ew el ry a nd other a rt ic le s, a ll of w hi ch a re highl y e st ee me d

in the La nd o f Oz be cause tin is so brig ht an d p retty a nd there is no t

so much of it as there is of gold and silver.

Not all the Winkies are miners, however, for some till the fields and

g ro w g ra in s f or f oo d, a nd i t w as a t o ne o f t he se f ar -w es t W in ki e f ar ms

t ha t t he F ro gm an a nd C ay ke t he C oo ki e C oo k f ir st a rr iv ed a ft er t he y

h ad d es ce nd ed f ro m t he m ou nt ai n o f t he Y ip s. " Go od ne ss m e! " c ri ed

N el la ry t he W inki e w if e w he n s he s aw t he s tr ange c oupl e a pproac hi ng

h er h ou se . " I h av e s ee n ma ny q ue er c re atu re s i n t he La nd o f O z, b ut

n on e mo re q ue er t ha n t hi s g ia nt f ro g wh o d re ss es l ik e a ma n a nd wa lk s

o n h is h in d l eg s. C om e h er e, W il jo n, " s he c al le d t o h er h us ba nd , w ho

w as e at in g h is b re ak fa st , " an d t ak e a l oo k a t t hi s a st on is hi ng f re ak ."

W il jo n t he Wi nk ie c ame t o t he d oo r a nd l oo ke d o ut . He wa s s till

s ta nd in g i n t he d oo rw ay w he n t he F ro gm an a pp ro ac he d a nd s ai d w it h a

h au gh ty c ro ak , " Te ll m e, m y g oo d m an , h av e y ou s ee n a d ia mo nd -s tu dd ed

gold dishpan?"

" No , n or h av e I s ee n a c op pe r- pl at ed l ob st er ," r ep li ed W il jo n i n a n

equally haughty tone.

T he F ro gm an s ta re d a t h im a nd s ai d, " Do n ot b e i ns ol en t, f el lo w! "

" No ," a dd ed Ca yk e t he Co ok ie C oo k h as ti ly , " yo u mu st b e v er y p ol it e t o

t he g re at F ro gm an , f or h e i s t he w is es t c re at ur e i n a ll t he w or ld ."

"Who says that?" inquired Wiljon.

" He s ay s s o h im se lf ," r ep li ed C ay ke , a nd t he F ro gm an n od de d a nd

s tr ut te d up a nd dow n, t wi rl ing his gol d- he aded c ane ver y gra ce full y.

" Do es t he S ca re cr ow a dm it t ha t t hi s o ve rg ro wn f ro g i s t he w is es t

c re a ture i n t he w or ld?" a sked W il jon.

" I d o n ot k no w w ho t he S ca re cr ow i s, " a ns we re d C ay ke t he C oo ki e C oo k.

" We ll , h e li ve s a t t he E me ra ld C it y, a nd h e i s s up po se d t o h av e t he

fi ne st b ra in s i n a ll O z. T he W iz ar d g av e t he m t o h im , y ou k no w. "

" Mi ne g re w i n m y h ea d," s ai d t he F ro gm an p omp ou sl y, " so I t hi nk t he y

m us t b e b et te r t ha n a ny wi za rd b ra in s. I a m s o wi se t hat so me time s m y

w is do m ma ke s my h ea d a ch e. I k no w s o m uc h t ha t o ft en I h av e t o f or ge t

p ar t o f i t, s in ce n o o ne c re at ur e, h ow ev er g re at , i s a bl e t o c on ta in

so much knowledge."

" It m us t be dre adful t o be s tuff ed f ul l of w is dom, " r em ar ke d W il jon

r ef le ct ivel y a nd e ye ing t he F rogm an w it h a doubt ful l ook. " It i s my

good f or tune t o know ver y l it tl e. "

" I h op e, h ow ev er , y ou k no w w he re m y j ew el ed d is hp an i s, " s ai d t he

C ookie C ook a nxi ous l y.

" I d o n ot k no w e ve n t ha t, " r et ur ne d t he W in ki e. "W e h av e t ro ub le

e nough i n kee pi ng t ra ck of our own dis hpans w it hout m eddl ing w it h t he

dishpans of strangers."

F in di ng h im s o i gn or an t, t he F ro gm an p ro po se d t ha t t he y w al k o n a nd

s ee k C ay ke 's d is hp an e ls ew he re . W il jo n t he W in ki e d id n ot s ee m

g re at ly i mp re ss ed b y t he g re at F ro gm an , w hi ch s ee me d t o t ha t p er so na ge

a s s tr an ge a s i t w as d is ap po in ti ng . B ut o th er s i n t hi s u nk no wn l an d

might prove more respectful.

" I' d l ik e t o m ee t t ha t W iz ar d o f O z, " r em ar ke d Ca yk e a s t he y w al ke d

a lo ng a p at h. " If h e c ou ld g iv e a S ca re cr ow b ra in s, h e mi gh t b e a bl e

t o f ind m y dis hpan."

" Poof !" grunt ed t he F rogm an s cornfull y. " I a m gre at er t ha n a ny

wi za rd . D ep en d o n M E. I f yo ur di shp an is a ny wh ere i n t he wo rld , I a m

s ur e t o f in d i t. "

" If y ou d o n ot , my h ea rt w il l b e b ro ke n, " d ec la re d t he C oo ki e C oo k i n

a s or rowf ul voi ce .

F or a wh il e t he Fr og ma n w al ke d o n i n s il en ce . Th en h e a sk ed , " Wh y d o

y ou a tt ac h s o m uc h i mp or ta nc e t o a d is hp an ?"

" It i s t he g re at es t t re as ur e I p os se ss ," r ep li ed t he w om an . "It

bel onge d t o m y m ot he r a nd t o a ll m y gra ndmother s s ince t he beginni ng

of ti me . I t is , I b el ie ve , th e v er y o ld es t t hi ng in al l th e Yi p

C o un tr y- -o r w as w hi le i t w as t he re -- an d, " s he a dd ed , d ro pp in g h er

vo ic e t o a n a we d w hi sp er , " it h as m ag ic p ow er s! "

" In w ha t w ay ?" i nq ui re d t he F ro gm an , s ee mi ng t o b e s ur pr is ed a t t hi s

statement.

" Wh oe ve r h as o wn ed t ha t d is hp an h as b ee n a g oo d c oo k, f or o ne t hi ng .

No one else is able to make such good cookies as I have cooked, as you

a nd a ll t he Y ip s k no w. Y et t he v er y m or ni ng a ft er m y d is hp an w as

sto le n, I tri ed t o mak e a ba tch of c oo kie s an d th ey bu rne d u p in t he

o ven! I ma de a no th er b at ch t ha t pr ov ed to o t ou gh to ea t, a nd I wa s s o

a sh am ed o f t he m t ha t I b ur ie d t he m i n t he g ro un d. Ev en t he t hi rd

b at ch o f c oo ki es , wh ic h I b ro ug ht w it h m e i n my b as ke t, we re p re tt y

p oo r s tu ff a nd n o b et te r t ha n a ny wo ma n c ou ld ma ke w ho d oe s n ot o wn m y

d ia mo nd -s tu dd ed g ol d d is hp an . I n f ac t, m y g oo d F ro gm an , C ay ke t he

C oo ki e C oo k w il l n ev er b e a bl e t o c oo k g oo d c oo ki es a ga in u nt il h er

m ag ic d is hp an i s r es to re d t o h er ."

" In t ha t c as e, " s ai d t he Fr og ma n wi th a s ig h, " I s up po se we mu st

m anage t o f ind i t. "

C HA PT ER 5

O ZM A' S F RI E ND S A RE P ER PL EX ED

"Really," said Dorothy, looking solemn, "this is very s'prising. We

c an 't e ve n f in d a s ha do w o f O zm a a ny wh er e i n t he E m' ra ld C it y, a nd

w he re ve r s he 's g on e, s he 's t ak en h er M ag ic P ic tu re w it h h er ." S he w as

s ta nd in g i n t he c ou rt ya rd o f t he p al ac e w it h B et sy a nd T ro t, w hi le

S cr ap s, t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, d an ce d a ro un d t he g ro up , h er h ai r f ly in g

i n t he wi nd .

" P' ra ps ," s ai d S cr aps, s ti ll danci ng, " some one has s tole n O zm a. "

" Oh , t he y' d n ev er d ar e d o t ha t! " e xc la im ed t in y T ro t.

" An d s to le n t he M ag ic P ic tu re , t oo , s o t he t hi ng c an 't t el l w he re s he

i s, " a dd ed t he P at ch wo rk G ir l.

" That 's nonse ns e, " s ai d D or ot hy. " Why, e v' ryone l oves O zm a. T he re

i sn' t a p ers on i n t he La nd o f Oz wh o wo uld s te al a s in gle t hin g s he

owns."

" Huh! " r epli ed t he P at chwork G ir l. " You don' t know e v' ry per s on i n

t he La nd o f Oz ."

" Why don't I ?"

" It 's a b ig c ou nt ry ," s ai d S cr ap s. " Th er e a re c ra ck s a nd c or ne rs i n

i t t ha t e ve n O zm a d oe sn 't k no w o f. "

" The P at chwork G ir l' s j us t daf fy," dec la re d B et sy.

"No, she's right about that," replied Dorothy thoughtfully. "There

a re l ot s o f q ue er p eo pl e i n t hi s f ai ry la nd wh o n ev er c ome n ea r Oz ma o r

th e E m' ra ld C it y. I 'v e s ee n s om e o f ' em m ys el f, g ir ls . B ut I h av en 't

se en a ll , o f c ou rs e, a nd t he re M IG HT b e s om e w ic ke d p er so ns l ef t i n Oz

y et , t ho ug h I t hi nk t he w ic ke d w it ch es h av e a ll b ee n d es tr oy ed ."

J us t t he n t he W oo de n S aw ho rs e d as he d i nt o t he c ou rt ya rd w it h t he

W iz ar d o f O z o n h is b ac k. " Ha ve y ou f ou nd Oz ma ?" cr ie d t he W iz ar d

w h en t he S aw ho rs e s to pp ed b es id e t he m.

" N ot y et ," s ai d D or ot hy . " Do es n' t G li nd a t he G oo d k no w w he re s he i s? "

" No . G li nd a' s B oo k o f R ec or ds a nd a ll h er m ag ic i ns tr um en ts a re g on e.

S om eone m us t have s tole n t he m. "

"Goodness me!"exclaimed Dorothy in alarm. "This is the biggest steal

I e ve r h ea rd o f. Wh o d o y ou t hin k d id i t, Wi za rd ?"

" I' ve n o i de a, " h e a ns we re d.

"But I have come to get my own bag of

m ag ic t oo ls a nd c ar ry t he m t o G li nd a. Sh e i s s o m uc h m or e p ow er fu l

than I that she may be able to discover the truth by means of my magic

q ui ck er a nd b et te r t ha n I c ou ld m ys el f. "

" Hurr y, t he n, " s ai d D or ot hy, " for w e' ve a ll got te n t er r' bl y w or ri ed."

T he Wi za rd r us he d a wa y t o h is r oo ms b ut p re se nt ly c am e b ac k wi th a

l on g, s ad f ac e. " It 's g on e! " h e s ai d.

" W ha t 's gone ? " a s ke d S c ra ps.

" My b la ck b ag o f m ag ic t oo ls . S om eo ne m us t h av e s to le n i t! "

T he y l oo ke d a t o ne a no th er i n a ma ze me nt .

b ei ng o ve rp ow er ed b y a n e ne my a nd d ra gg ed f ro m h er s pl en di d p al ac e a

c ap ti ve w as t oo a st on is hi ng f or t he m t o c om pr eh en d a t f ir st . Y et w ha t

o th er e xp la na ti on o f t he m ys te ry c ou ld t he re b e?

"Ozma wouldn't go away willingly, without letting us know about it,"

a ss er te d D or ot hy , " an d s he w ou ld n' t s te al G li nd a' s G re at B oo k o f

R ec or ds o r t he W iz ar d' s m ag ic , ' ca us e s he c ou ld g et t he m a ny t im e j us t

b y a sk in g f or ' em . I 'm s ur e s ome wi ck ed p er so n h as d on e a ll t hi s."

" So me on e i n t he La nd o f Oz ?" a sk ed T ro t.

" Of c our s e.

No one could get across the Deadly Desert, you know, and

no on e bu t an Oz pe rso n c ou ld k no w a bo ut the Ma gi c Pict ur e an d th e

B oo k o f R ec or ds a nd t he W iz ar d' s m ag ic o r w he re t he y w er e k ep t, a nd s o

b e a bl e t o s te al t he wh ol e o ut fi t b ef or e we c ou ld s to p ' em. I t M UST

b e s ome on e wh o l iv es i n t he La nd o f Oz ."

" B ut w ho- - who-- w ho? " a s ked S c ra ps . " That 's t he que st ion. W ho?"

" If w e kne w, " r epli ed D or ot hy s ever el y, " we w ouldn' t be s ta nding

here doing nothing."

J us t t he n t wo b oy s e nt er ed t he c ou rt ya rd a nd a pp ro ac he d t he g ro up o f

g irl s. O ne b oy w as d re ss ed i n t he f an ta st ic M un ch ki n c os tu me -- a b lu e

j ac ke t a nd k ni ck er bo ck er s, b lu e l ea th er s ho es a nd a b lu e h at w it h a

high pea k a nd t iny s il ve r bel ls dangl ing f rom i ts r im -- and t hi s w as

Oj o t he Lu ck y, w ho h ad o nc e c ome f ro m t he M un ch ki n Co un tr y o f Oz a nd

n ow l iv ed i n t he E me ra ld C it y. T he o th er b oy w as a n A me ri ca n f ro m

P hi la de lp hi a a nd h ad l at el y f ou nd h is w ay t o O z i n t he c om pa ny o f T ro t

a nd C ap'n B il l. H is nam e w as B ut ton- Br ight ; t ha t i s, e ve ryone c al le d

h im b y t ha t n am e a nd k ne w n o o th er . B ut to n- Br ig ht w as n ot q ui te a s

b ig a s t he M un ch ki n b oy , b ut h e w or e t he s am e k in d o f c lo th es , o nly

th ey we re o f d if fe re nt c ol or s. As t he t wo c ame u p t o t he g ir ls , a rm

i n a rm , B ut ton- Br ight r em ar ke d, " He ll o, D or ot hy. T he y s ay O zm a i s

lost."

" WH O s ay s s o? " s he a sk ed .

. "E v' rybody's t al ki ng a bout i t i n t he C it y, " he r epli ed.

" I w on de r h ow t he p eo pl e f ou nd i t o ut ," D or ot hy a sk ed .

" I k no w, " s ai d O jo . " Je ll ia J am b t ol d t he m. S he h as b ee n a sk in g

e ve rywher e i f a nyone has s ee n O zm a. "

" That ' s t oo ba d, " obse rve d D or othy, f rowni ng.

"Why?" asked Button-Bright.

" Th er e w as n' t a ny u se m ak in g a ll o ur p eo pl e u nh ap py t il l w e w er e d ea d

c er ta in t ha t O zm a c an 't b e f ou nd ."

" Ps ha w, " s ai d B ut ton- Br ight , " it 's not hi ng t o get l os t. I ' ve be en

l os t l ot s of t im es ."

" Th at 's t ru e," a dmi tt ed T ro t, w ho k ne w t ha t t he b oy h ad a h ab it o f

getting lost and then finding himself again, "but it's diff'rent with

O zm a. S he 's t he R ul er o f a ll t hi s b ig f ai ry la nd , a nd w e' re ' fr ai d

t ha t t he r ea so n s he 's l os t i s b ec au se s om eb od y h as s to le n h er a wa y. "

" On ly w ic ke d p eo pl e s te al ," s ai d O jo . " Do y ou k no w o f a ny w ic ke d

pe ople i n O z, D or ot hy? "

" No," s he r e pl ie d.

" Th ey 'r e h er e, t ho ug h, " c ri ed S cr ap s, d an ci ng u p t o t he m a nd t he n

c ir cl ing a round t he group. " Oz ma 's s tole n; s om eone i n O z s tole her ;

o nl y w ic ke d p eo pl e s te al ; s o s om eo ne i n O z i s w ic ke d! "

T he re w as n o d en yi ng t he t ru th o f t hi s s ta te me nt . T he f ac es o f a ll o f

t he m w er e n ow s ol em n a nd s or ro wf ul . " On e t hi ng i s s ur e, " s ai d

B ut ton- Br ight a ft er a t im e, " if O zm a has bee n s tole n, s om eone ought t o

f ind her a nd punis h t he t hi ef ."

" Th er e m ay b e a l ot o f t hi ev es ," s ug ge st ed Tr ot g ra ve ly , " an d i n t hi s

f ai ry c ou nt ry t he y d on 't s ee m t o h av e a ny s ol di er s o r p ol ic em en ."

" Ther e i s one s ol di er ," c la im ed D or ot hy.

" He h as g re en wh is ke rs a nd a g un a nd i s a M aj or -G en er al ,

b ut n o o ne i s a fr aid o f e ith er h is g un o r h is wh is ke rs , ' ca us e

h e' s s o t en de r- he ar te d t ha t h e w ou ld n' t h ur t a f ly ."

" We ll , a s ol di er i s a s ol di er ," s ai d B et sy , " an d p er ha ps h e' d h ur t a

wi ck ed t hi ef i f h e wo ul dn 't h ur t a f ly . W he re i s h e? "

" He w en t f is hi ng a bo ut t wo m on th s a go a nd h as n' t c om e b ac k y et ,"

explained Button-Bright.

"Th en I c an' t se e th at he wi ll b e o f mu ch u se to u s i n th is tr oub le,"

s ig he d l it tl e Tr ot . " Bu t p 'r ap s O zm a, w ho i s a f ai ry , c an g et a wa y

f rom t he t hi eves w it hout a ny hel p f rom a nyone. "

" Sh e M IG HT b e a bl e t o, " a ns we re d D or ot hy r ef le ct iv el y, " bu t i f s he h ad

th e p owe r t o d o t ha t, i t i sn 't l ik el y s he 'd h av e l et h er se lf b e

s to le n. S o t he t hi ev es m us t h av e b ee n e ve n m or e p ow er fu l i n m ag ic

t han our O zm a. "

T he re w as no denyi ng t hi s a rgum ent, a nd a lt hough t he y t al ke d t he

ma tt er o ve r a ll t he r es t o f t ha t d ay , t he y w er e u na bl e t o d ec id e h ow

O zm a h ad b ee n s to le n a ga in st h er w il l o r w ho h ad c om mi tt ed t he

dr ea dful de ed. T ow ar d e ve ni ng t he W iz ar d c am e bac k, r iding s lowl y

u po n t he S aw ho rs e b ec au se h e f el t d is co ur ag ed a nd p er pl ex ed . Glinda

c am e l at er i n h er a er ia l c ha ri ot d ra wn b y t we nt y m il k- wh it e s wa ns , a nd

s h e a ls o s ee me d w or ri ed a nd u nh ap py . M or e o f O zm a' s f ri en ds j oi ne d

t he m, a nd t ha t e ve ni ng t he y a ll h ad a b ig t al k t og et he r. "I thin k,"

s ai d Do ro th y, " we o ug ht t o s ta rt o ut r ig ht a wa y i n s ea rc h o f o ur d ea r

Oz ma . I t s ee ms c ru el f or u s t o l iv e c om f' ta bl y i n h er p al ac e w hi le

s h e i s a p ri s' ne r i n t he p owe r o f s ome wi ck ed e ne my ."

" Ye s, " a gr ee d G li nd a t he S or ce re ss , " so me on e o ug ht t o s ea rc h f or h er .

I c an no t g o m ys el f, b ec au se I m us t w or k h ar d i n o rd er t o c re at e s ome

n ew i ns tr um en ts o f s or ce ry b y m ea ns o f w hi ch I m ay r es cu e o ur f ai r

Rul er . But i f yo u ca n fin d he r in t he mea nt ime an d let me k no w who

h as s to le n h er , i t w il l e na bl e m e t o r es cu e h er m uc h m or e q ui ck ly ."

" Then w e' ll s ta rt t om or row m or ni ng," dec ided D or ot hy. " Be ts y a nd T rot

a nd I w on 't w as te a no th er m in ut e. "

" I' m n ot s ur e y ou g ir ls w il l m ak e g oo d d et ec ti ve s, " r em ar ke d t he

Wi za rd , " bu t I 'l l g o wi th yo u t o p rot ec t y ou f rom h ar m a nd t o g iv e y ou

my a dv ice . All my wiz ar dry , al as, i s s tol en , s o I a m no w re all y n o

more a wizard than any of you, but I will try to protect you from any

enemies you may meet."

" Wh at h ar m c ou ld h ap pe n t o u s i n O z? " i nq ui re d T ro t.

" What ha rm happe ned t o O zm a? " r et ur ned t he W iz a rd.

" If t he re i s a n E vi l P ow er a br oa d i n o ur f ai ry la nd , w hi ch i s a bl e t o

s te al n ot o nl y O zm a a nd h er M ag ic P ic tu re , b ut G li nd a' s B oo k o f

Re co rd s a nd a ll h er m ag ic , a nd m y b la ck b ag c on ta in in g a ll m y

t ri ck s o f w iz ar dr y, t he n t ha t E vi l P ow er m ay y et c au se u s c on si de ra bl e

injury. Oz ma i s a f ai ry , a nd s o i s G li nd a, s o n o p ow er c an k il l o r

d es tr oy t he m, b ut y ou g ir ls a re a ll m or ta ls a nd s o a re B ut to n- Br ig ht

a nd I , s o w e mu st wa tc h o ut f or o ur se lv es ."

" Nothing c an kil l m e, " s ai d O jo t he M unchki n boy.

" Th at i s t ru e," r ep li ed t he So rce re ss , " an d I t hi nk i t ma y b e we ll t o

d iv id e t he s ea rc he rs i nt o s ev er al p ar ti es , t ha t t he y m ay c ov er a ll t he

land of Oz more quickly. So I wil l se nd Ojo and Un c Nun ki e an d Dr.

P ipt i nt o t he M unchki n C ount ry, w hi ch t he y a re w el l a cqua inte d w it h;

a nd I w il l s en d t he S ca re cr ow a nd t he T in W oo dm an i nt o t he Q ua dl in g

C ou nt ry , f or t he y a re f ea rl es s a nd b ra ve a nd n ev er t ir e; a nd t o t he

G il li ki n C ount ry, w he re m any dange rs l ur k, I w il l s end t he S ha ggy M an

a nd h is b ro th er , w it h T ik -T ok a nd J ac k P um pk in he ad . D or ot hy m ay m ak e

u p h er o wn p ar ty a nd tr av el i nto t he W in ki e Co un tr y. All of you must

i nq ui re e ve ry wh er e f or O zm a a nd t ry t o d is co ve r w he re s he i s h id de n. "

T he y t ho ug ht t hi s a v er y w is e p la n a nd a do pt ed i t w it ho ut q ue st io n.

I n O zm a' s a bs en ce , G li nd a t he G oo d w as t he m os t i mp or ta nt p er so n i n

Oz , a nd a ll w er e g la d t o s er ve u nd er h er d ir ec ti on .

C HA PT ER 6

T HE S EA RC H P AR TY

Next morning as soon as the sun was up, Glinda flew back to her

c as tl e, s to pp in g o n t he w ay t o i ns tr uc t t he S ca re cr ow a nd t he T in

W oo dm an , w ho w er e a t t ha t t im e s ta yi ng a t t he c ol le ge o f P ro fe ss or H .

M . W og gl eb ug , T .E ., a nd t ak in g a c ou rs e o f h is P at en t E du ca ti on al P il ls .

On h ea ri ng o f Oz ma 's l os s, t he y s ta rt ed a t o nc e f or t he

Q ua dl in g C ou nt ry t o s ea rc h f or h er . As s oo n a s Gl in da h ad l ef t t he

E me ra ld C it y, T ik -T ok a nd t he S ha gg y M an a nd J ac k P um pk in he ad , w ho h ad

bee n pre se nt a t t he c onfe re nc e, began t he ir j ourney i nt o t he G il li ki n

Co un tr y, a nd a n h ou r l at er Oj o a nd Un c N un ki e j oi ne d Dr . Pi pt a nd

t oget he r t he y t ra ve le d t ow ar d t he M unchkin C ountr y. W he n a ll t he se

s ea rc he rs w er e g on e, D or ot hy a nd t he W iz ar d c om pl et ed t he ir o wn

preparations.

T he W iz ar d h it ch ed t he S aw ho rs e t o t he R ed W ag on , w hi ch w ou ld s ea t

f ou r v er y c om fo rt ab ly . H e w an te d D or ot hy , B et sy , T ro t a nd t he

Pa tc hw or k G ir l t o r id e i n t he w ag on , b ut Sc ra ps c am e u p t o t he m

m ou nt ed u po n t he W oo zy , a nd t he W oo zy s ai d h e wo uld l ik e to j oi n t he

pa rt y. N ow t hi s W oo zy w as a m os t p ec ul ia r a ni ma l, h av in g a s qu ar e

h ea d, s qu ar e b od y, s qu ar e l eg s a nd s qu ar e t ai l. His sk in wa s ve ry

t ough a nd har d, r es em bl ing l ea ther , a nd w hi le his m ovem ents w er e

s om ew ha t c lums y, t he bea st c ould t ra ve l w it h r em ar ka bl e s wi ft ne ss .

H is s qu ar e e ye s we re mi ld a nd g en tl e i n e xp re ss io n, a nd h e w as n ot

e spec ia ll y f ooli sh. T he W ooz y a nd t he P at chwork G ir l w er e gre a t

f r ie nd s, a nd s o t he W iz ar d a gr ee d t o l et t he Wo oz y g o wi th t he m.

A no th er g re at b ea st n ow a pp ea re d a nd a sk ed t o g o a lo ng . Thi s wa s n one

other t ha n t he f am ous C ow ar dl y L ion, one of t he m os t i nt er es ti ng

c re at ur es i n a ll O z. N o l io n t ha t r oa me d t he j un gl es o r p la in s c ou ld

c om pa re i n s iz e or i nt el li ge nc e w it h t hi s C ow ar dl y L ion, w ho-- li ke a ll

anim al s l iving i n O z- -c ould t al k a nd w ho t al ke d w it h m or e s hr ew dnes s

an d wi sd om t ha n m an y o f t he p eo pl e d id . H e s ai d h e w as c owa rd ly

b ec au se h e a lw ay s t re mb le d w he n h e f ac ed d an ge r, b ut h e h ad f ac ed

d an ge r m an y t im es a nd n ev er r ef us ed t o f ig ht w he n i t w as n ec es sa ry .

Th is L io n w as a g re at f av or it e w it h O zm a a nd a lw ay s g ua rd ed h er t hr on e

o n s ta te o cc as io ns . He w as a ls o a n o ld c omp an io n a nd f ri en d o f t he

P ri nc es s D or ot hy , s o t he g ir l w as d el ig ht ed t o h av e h im j oi n t he

party.

" I' m s o n er vo us o ve r o ur d ea r O zm a, " s ai d t he C ow ar dl y L io n i n h is

dee p, r um bl ing voi ce , " that i t w ould m ake m e unhappy t o r em ai n behind

wh ile yo u are try ing to fi nd h er. Bu t d o n ot g et i nt o a ny d an ge r, I

be g of you, f or dange r f ri ghte ns m e t er ri bl y. "

" We 'l l n ot g et i nt o d an ge r i f w e c an p os s' bl y h el p i t, " p ro mi se d

D or ot hy , " bu t w e s ha ll d o a ny th in g t o f in d O zm a, d an ge r o r n o d an ge r. "

T he a dd it io n o f t he W oo zy a nd t he Co wa rd ly Li on t o t he p ar ty g av e

Be ts y Bob bi n an ide a, an d s he r an t o th e mar bl e st abl es a t th e re ar o f

t he p al ac e a nd b ro ug ht o ut h er m ul e, Ha nk b y n am e. Pe rh ap s n o mu le

y ou e ve r s aw wa s s o l ea n a nd b on y a nd a lt og et he r p la in l oo ki ng a s t hi s

H a nk , b ut B et sy l ov ed h im d ea rl y b ec au se h e w as f ai th fu l a nd s te ad y

an d n ot n ea rl y s o s tu pi d a s m os t m ul es a re c on si de re d t o b e. Be ts y

h ad a s add le f or Han k, an d he de cla re d sh e wo uld ri de o n h is b ack , an

a rr an ge me nt a pp ro ve d b y t he W iz ar d b ec au se i t l ef t o nl y f ou r o f t he

p ar ty t o r id e o n t he s ea ts o f t he R ed W ag on -- Do ro th y a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht

a nd T rot a nd him se lf .

An o ld sa ilor man who had one wood en leg came to see them off and

s u gg es te d t ha t t he y p ut a s up pl y o f f oo d a nd b la nk et s i n t he Re d W ag on

i na sm uc h a s t he y w er e u nc er ta in h ow l on g t he y w ou ld b e g on e. This

s ai lo r m an w as c al le d C ap 'n B il l. H e w as a f or me r f ri en d a nd c om ra de

of T rot a nd had e nc ount er ed m any a dventure s i n c om pa ny w it h t he l it tl e

girl. I thin k he was sorry he could not go with her on this trip, but

Gl in da t he S or ce re ss h ad a sk ed C ap 'n B il l t o r em ai n i n t he E me ra ld

C it y a nd t ak e c ha rg e o f t he r oy al p al ac e w hi le e ve ry on e e ls e w as a wa y,

a nd t he o ne -l eg ge d s ai lo r h ad a gr ee d t o d o s o.

T he y l oa de d t he b ac k e nd o f t he R ed W ag on w it h e ve ry th in g t he y t ho ug ht

t he y m ig ht n ee d, a nd t he n t he y f or me d a p ro ce ss io n a nd m ar ch ed f ro m

t he p al ac e t hr ou gh t he E me ra ld C it y t o t he g re at g at es o f t he w al l

t ha t s ur ro un de d t hi s b ea ut if ul c ap it al o f t he L an d o f O z. C ro wd s o f

c it iz en s l in ed t he s tr ee ts t o s ee t he m p as s a nd t o c he er t he m a nd wi sh

t he m s uc ce ss , f or a ll w er e g ri ev ed o ve r O zm a' s l os s a nd a nx io us t ha t

s he b e f ou nd a ga in . F ir st c am e t he C ow ar dl y L io n, t he n t he P at ch wo rk

Gi rl r id in g u po n t he W oo zy , t he n B et sy B ob bi n o n h er m ul e H an k, a nd

f in al ly t he S aw ho rs e d ra wi ng t he R ed W ag on , i n w hi ch w er e s ea te d t he

W iz ar d a nd D or ot hy a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht a nd T ro t. N o o ne w as o bl ig ed t o

d ri ve t he S aw ho rs e, s o t he re w er e n o r ei ns t o h is h ar ne ss ; o ne h ad

on ly t o t el l h im wh ic h wa y t o g o, fa st o r s lo w, a nd h e u nd er sto od

perfectly.

I t w as a bo ut t hi s t ime t ha t a s ha gg y l it tl e b la ck d og wh o h ad b ee n

l yi ng a sl ee p i n D or ot hy 's r oo m i n t he p al ac e w ok e u p a nd d is co ve re d h e

was lonesome. Everything seemed very still throughout the great building,

a nd T ot o- - tha t w as t he l it t le dog' s na me - -m is s ed t he c ust oma r y c ha t te r

o f t he t hr ee g ir ls . H e n ev er p ai d m uc h a tt en ti on t o w ha t w as g oi ng

o n a ro un d h im , a nd a lt ho ug h h e c ou ld s pe ak , h e s el do m s ai d a ny th in g,

so t he l it tl e d og d id n ot k no w a bo ut O zm a' s l os s o r t ha t e ve ry on e

ha d g on e i n s ea rc h o f h er . Bu t h e l ik ed to b e wi th p eo pl e, a nd e sp ec ia ll y

w it h his own m is tr es s, D or ot hy, a nd having yaw ne d a nd s tr et ched

h ims el f a nd f ou nd t he d oo r o f t he r oo m a ja r, h e t ro tt ed o ut i nt o t he

c or ri do r a nd we nt d ow n t he s ta te ly ma rb le s ta ir s t o t he h al l o f t he

p a la ce , w he re h e m et J el li a J am b.

" Whe re ' s D or othy?" a s ke d T ot o.

. "S he 's g on e t o t he W in ki e C ou nt ry ," a ns we re d t he m ai d.

"When?"

"A little while ago," replied Jellia.

To to t ur ne d a nd t ro tt ed o ut i nt o t he p al ac e g ar de n a nd d ow n t he l on g

d ri ve wa y u nt il h e c am e t o t he s tr ee ts o f t he E me ra ld C it y. H er e h e

pause d t o l is te n, a nd hea ri ng s ounds of c he er ing, he r an s wi ft ly a long

u nt il h e c am e in s ig ht o f t he R ed W ag on a nd th e W oo zy a nd th e Li on a nd

t he Mu le a nd a ll t he o th er s. Be in g a wi se l it tl e d og , h e d ec id ed n ot

to s ho w h im se lf t o Do ro th y j us t t he n, l es t h e b e s en t b ac k h om e, b ut

h e n ev er l os t s ig ht o f t he p ar ty o f t ra ve le rs , a ll o f wh om we re s o

e ag er t o g et a he ad t ha t t he y n ev er t ho ug ht t o l oo k b eh in d t he m. When

t h ey c ame to th e g ate s i n th e c it y w al l, th e Gu ard ia n o f th e Ga te s

c ame o ut t o t hr ow w id e t he g ol de n p or ta ls a nd l et t he m p as s t hr ou gh .

" Di d a ny s tr an ge p er so n co me in o r o ut o f t he c ity o n th e n ig ht b ef ore

l as t w he n O zm a w as s to le n? " a sk ed D or ot hy .

" No i nd ee d, P ri nc es s, " a ns we re d t he G ua rd ia n o f t he G at es .

" Of c ou rs e n ot ," s ai d t he W iz ar d. " An yo ne c le ve r e no ug h t o s te al a ll

th e t hin gs we h av e l ost wo uld no t mi nd th e b arr ie r o f a wa ll li ke th is

i n t he l ea st . I t hi nk t he t hi ef m us t h av e f lo wn t hr ou gh t he a ir , f or

o t he rw is e h e c ou ld n ot h av e s to le n f ro m O zm a' s r oy al p al ac e a nd

Gl in da 's f ar awa y c as tl e i n t he s am e n ig ht . M or eo ve r, a s t he re a re n o

a ir sh ip s in Oz a nd n o wa y f or a ir sh ip s fr om th e o uts id e wo rl d t o g et

i nt o t hi s c ou nt ry , I b el ie ve t he t hi ef m us t h av e f lo wn f ro m p la ce t o

p la ce b y m ea ns o f m ag ic a rt s w hi ch n ei th er G li nd a n or I u nd er st an d. "

On t he y we nt , a nd b ef or e t he g at es c lo se d b eh in d t he m, To to m an ag ed t o

dodge t hr ough t he m. T he c ount ry s ur roundi ng t he E me ra ld C it y w as

t h ic kl y s et tl ed , a nd f or a w hi le o ur f ri en ds r od e o ve r n ic el y p av ed

r oa ds w hi ch w ound t hr ough a f er ti le c ount ry dot te d w it h bea ut if ul

ho use s, a ll bu ilt in t he qu ain t Oz f ash ion . I n t he c ou rs e o f a f ew

h ou rs , h ow ev er , t he y h ad l ef t t he t il le d f ie ld s a nd e nt er ed t he

C ou nt ry o f t he W in ki es , w hi ch o cc up ie s a q ua rt er o f a ll t he t er ri to ry

in the Land of Oz but is not so well kn own as many o ther parts of

O zm a' s f ai ryla nd. L ong bef ore night t he t ra ve l er s ha d c ros se d t he

W in ki e R iv er n ea r t o t he S ca re cr ow 's T ow er ( wh ic h w as n ow v ac an t) a nd

h ad e nt er ed t he R ol li ng P ra ir ie w he re f ew p eo pl e l iv e. T he y a sk ed

e ve ry on e th ey me t fo r n ews of O zma , b ut n on e i n t hi s d is tr ict h ad se en

h er o r e ve n k ne w t ha t s he h ad b ee n s to le n. And by nightfall they had

p as se d a ll t he f ar mh ou se s a nd we re o bl ig ed t o s to p a nd a sk f or s he lt er

a t t he h ut o f a l on el y s he ph er d. W he n t he y h al te d, To to w as n ot f ar

behind. T he l it tl e dog hal te d, t oo, a nd s te al ing s of tl y a round t he

par ty, he hid him se lf behind t he hut .

T he s he ph er d w as a k in dl y o ld m an a nd t re at ed t he t ra ve le rs w it h m uc h

c ou rt es y. He sl ep t ou t of d oo rs t ha t ni ght , g iv in g up h is h ut to t he

t hr ee g ir ls , w ho m ad e t he ir b ed s o n t he f lo or w it h t he b la nk et s t he y

h ad b ro ug ht i n t he R ed W ag on . T he W iz ar d a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht a ls o s le pt

ou t o f do or s, an d s o d id t he Co ward ly Li on an d Han k th e Mu le . But

S cr ap s a nd t he S awh or se d id n ot s le ep a t a ll , a nd t he W oo zy c ou ld s ta y

awake for a month at a time if he wished to, so these three sat in a

l i tt le group by t he ms el ve s a nd t al ke d t oget he r a ll t hr ough t he night .

I n t he dar knes s, t he C ow ar dl y L ion f el t a s ha ggy l it tl e f or m nes tl ing

b es id e h is o wn , a nd h e s ai d s le ep il y, " Wh er e d id y ou c om e f ro m, T ot o? "

" Fr om h ome ," s ai d t he d og . " If y ou ro ll o ve r, r ol l t he o th er wa y s o

you w on't s ma sh m e. "

" Do es D or ot hy k no w y ou a re h er e? " a sk ed t he L io n.

" I b el ie ve n ot ," a dm it te d T ot o, a nd h e a dd ed a l it tl e a nx io us ly , " Do

y o u t hi nk , f ri en d L io n, w e a re n ow f ar e no ug h f ro m t he E me ra ld C it y

f or m e t o r is k s ho wi ng my se lf , o r w il l D or oth y s en d me b ac k b ec au se I

wasn't invited?"

" On ly D or ot hy c an a ns we r t ha t q ue st io n, " s ai d t he L io n. " Fo r m y p ar t,

T ot o, I c on si de r t hi s a ff ai r n on e o f m y b us in es s, s o y ou m us t a ct a s

y ou t hi nk be st." T he n t he h ug e b ea st w en t t o s le ep a ga in , a nd To to

sn ug gl ed c lo se r t o t he wa rm , h ai ry b od y a nd a ls o s le pt . H e w as a w is e

l itt le d og i n h is wa y, an d d id n' t in te nd t o wo rr y wh en t he re w as

s om et hi ng m uc h b et te r t o d o.

I n t he m or ni ng t he W iz ar d b ui lt a f ir e, o ve r w hi ch t he g ir ls c oo ke d a

ve ry good br ea kfa s t. S udde nl y D or ot hy dis cove re d T ot o s it ti ng qui et ly

bef or e t he f ir e, a nd t he l it tl e gir l e xc la im ed, " Goodne ss m e, T ot o!

Wh er e d id Y OU c om e f ro m? "

" Fr om t he p la ce y ou c ru el ly l ef t m e, " r ep li ed t he d og i n a r ep ro ac hf ul

" I f or go t a ll a bo ut y ou ," a dm it te d D or ot hy , " an d i f I h ad n' t, I 'd

prob' ly l ef t you w it h J el li a J am b, s ee ing t hi s i sn't a ple as ur e t ri p

b ut s tr ic 'l y b us in es s. B ut n ow t ha t y ou 'r e h er e, T ot o, I s 'p os e

y ou 'll h av e t o s ta y wi th u s, u nl es s y ou 'd r at he r g o b ac k a ga in . W e

m ay g et o ur se lv es i nt o t ro ub le b ef or e w e' re d on e, T ot o. "

"Never mind that," said Toto, wagging his tail."I'm hungry,

Dorothy."

" Br ea kf as 'l l s oo n b e r ea dy , a nd t he n y ou s ha ll h av e y ou r s ha re ,"

p ro mi se d h is l it tl e m is tr es s, w ho w as r ea ll y g la d t o h av e h er d og w it h

h er. Sh e a nd To to ha d tr ave le d to ge th er b efo re , a nd s he k ne w h e was a

good a nd f ai thful c om ra de .

Wh en t he f oo d w as c oo ke d a nd s er ve d, t he g ir ls i nv it ed t he o ld

s he pher d t o j oi n t he m i n t he m or ni ng m ea l. H e w il li ngly c onse nt ed,

a nd wh il e t he y a te h e s ai d t o t he m, " Yo u a re n ow a bo ut t o p as s t hr ou gh

a v er y d an ge ro us c ou nt ry , u nl es s y ou t ur n t o t he n or th o r t o t he s ou th

t o e sc ap e i ts p er il s. "

" In t ha t c as e, " s ai d t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " le t u s t ur n, b y a ll m ea ns ,

fo r I d re ad to fa ce d an ger s o f a ny s ort ."

" Wh at 's t he m at te r w it h t he c ou nt ry a he ad o f u s? "

inquired Dorothy.

"Beyond this Rolling Prairie," explained the shepherd, "are the

M e rr y-G o- R ound M ount ai ns, s e t c l os e t oge t he r a nd s urr ounded by de ep

g ulfs so that no one is able to get past them. Beyond the

M er ry-G o- Round M ount ai ns i t i s s ai d t he T hi s tl e- Ea te rs a nd t he H er kus

live."

" What a re t he y l ike? " dem ande d D or ot hy.

" No o ne k no ws , f or n o o ne h as e ve r p as se d t he M er ry -G o- Ro un d

M ount ai ns ," w as t he r eply, " but i t i s s ai d t ha t t he T hi st le -E at er s

h it ch d ra go ns t o t he ir c ha ri ot s a nd t ha t t he He rk us a re w ai te d u po n b y

gia nt s w hom t he y have c onquer ed a nd m ade t he ir s la ve s. "

" Wh o s ay s a ll t ha t? " a sk ed B et sy .

" It i s c om mon r eport ," de cl a re d t he s hepher d.

"Everyone believes it."

" I d on 't s ee h ow t he y k no w," r em ar ke d l it tl e Tr ot , " if n o o ne h as b ee n

there."

" Pe rh ap s t he b ir ds w ho f ly o ve r t ha t c ou nt ry b ro ug ht t he n ew s, "

suggested Betsy.

" If you e sc aped t hose dange rs ," c onti nued t he s he pher d, " you m ight

e n co un te r o th er s s ti ll m or e s er io us b ef or e y ou c am e t o t he n ex t b ra nc h

of th e Wi nk ie Riv er . I t i s t ru e th at b ey on d t ha t r iv er t he re l ie s a

fi ne c ou nt ry i nh ab it ed b y g oo d p eo pl e, a nd i f y ou r ea ch ed t he re , y ou

wo ul d h av e n o f ur th er t ro ub le. I t i s b et we en h er e a nd t he w es t b ra nc h

of t he W in ki e R iv er t ha t a ll d an ge rs l ie , f or t ha t i s t he u nk no wn

t er ri tory t ha t i s i nhabit ed by t er ri bl e, l aw le ss peopl e. "

" It ma y b e, a nd it ma y n ot b e," s ai d t he Wi za rd . "We sha ll kn ow wh en

w e g et t he re ."

" We ll ," p er si st ed t he s he ph er d, " in a f ai ry c ou nt ry s uc h a s o ur s,

e ve ry u nd is co ve re d p la ce i s l ik el y t o h ar bo r w ic ke d c re at ur es . If

t he y w er e n ot w ic ke d, t he y w ou ld d is co ve r t he ms el ve s a nd b y c om in g

am on g u s s ub mi t t o Oz ma 's r ul e a nd b e g oo d a nd c on si de ra te , a s a re a ll

t he O z p eo pl e wh om w e k no w."

" That a rgum ent, " s ta te d t he l it tl e W iz ar d, " convince s m e t ha t i t i s

o u r d ut y t o g o s tr ai gh t t o t ho se u nk no wn p la ce s, h ow ev er d an ge ro us

t he y m ay b e, f or i t i s s ur el y s om e c ru el a nd wi ck ed p er so n w ho h as

st ol en o ur O zma , a nd w e k no w i t w ou ld b e f ol ly t o s ea rc h a mo ng g oo d

p eo pl e f or t he c ul pr it . Oz ma m ay n ot b e h id de n i n t he s ec re t p la ce s

o f t he W in kie Co un tr y, i t i s t ru e, b ut i t i s o ur d ut y t o tr av el t o

ev er y s po t, h ow ev er d an ge ro us , w he re o ur b el ov ed R ul er i s l ik el y t o b e

imprisoned."

"You're right about that," said Button-Bright approvingly. "Dangers

d on 't h ur t u s. O nl y t hi ng s t ha t h ap pe n e ve r h ur t a ny on e, a nd a d an ge r

i s a t hi ng t ha t m ig ht h ap pe n a nd m ig ht n ot h ap pe n, a nd s om et im es d on 't

a mount t o s hucks .

I v ote we g o ah ea d an d t ake o ur c ha nc es ."

Th ey we re a ll o f t he s ame o pi ni on , s o t he y p ac ke d u p a nd s ai d g oo db ye

t o t he f ri en dl y s he ph er d a nd p ro ce ed ed o n t he ir w ay .

C HA PT ER 7

THE MERRY-GO-ROUND MOUNTAINS

T he R ol li ng P ra ir ie w as not dif fi cult t o t ra ve l ove r, a lt hough i t w as

al l u ph il l a nd d ow nh il l, s o f or a w hi le t he y m ad e g oo d p ro gr es s. N o t

e ve n a s he ph er d w as t o b e m et wi th n ow , a nd t he f ar th er t he y a dv an ce d

th e m or e d re ar y t he l an ds ca pe b ec am e. A t n oo n t he y s to pp ed f or a

"pic ni c l uncheon, " a s B et sy c al le d i t, a nd t he n t he y a ga in r es um ed

t he ir j ourney. A ll t he a ni ma ls w er e s wi ft a nd t ir el es s, a nd e ve n t he

C owa rd ly Li on a nd t he Mu le f ou nd t he y c ou ld k ee p u p w it h t he p ac e o f

t he W oo zy a nd t he S aw ho rs e.

I t wa s t he mi ddl e of t he a ft er noo n wh en f ir st t he y ca me in s ig ht o f a

c lust er of l ow m ount ai ns . T hes e w er e c one -s hape d, r is i ng f rom br oa d

b as es t o s ha rp p ea ks a t t he t op s. Fr om a di st an ce th e mo un ta in s

a ppea re d i ndis ti nc t a nd s ee me d r at he r s ma ll -- more l ike hil ls t ha n

m ou nt ai ns -- bu t a s t he t ra ve le rs d re w n ea re r, t he y n ot ed a m os t u nu su al

c ir cums ta nc e: t he hil ls w er e a ll w hi rl ing a round, s om e i n one

d ir ec ti on a nd s om e t he o pp os it e w ay .

" I gue ss t he se a re t he M er ry-G o- Round M ount ai ns , a ll r ight ," s ai d

Dorothy.

" They m us t be, " s ai d t he W iz ar d.

" Th ey g o ' ro un d, s ur e e no ug h, " a gr ee d T ro t, " bu t t he y d on 't s ee m v er y

merry."

T he re w er e s ev er al r ow s o f t he se m ou nt ai ns , e xt en di ng b ot h t o t he

ri gh t a nd t o t he l ef t f or m il es a nd m il es . Ho w m an y r ow s t he re m ig ht

b e n on e c ou ld t el l, b ut b et we en t he f ir st r ow o f p ea ks c ou ld b e s ee n

other pea ks , a ll s te adil y w hi rl ing a round one w ay or a nother .

C ont inui ng t o r ide nea re r, our f ri ends w at ched t he se hil ls

a tt enti ve ly, unt il a t l as t, c om ing c lose up, t he y dis cove re d t he re w as

a d ee p b ut n ar ro w g ul f a ro un d t he e dg e o f e ac h m ou nt ai n, a nd t ha t t he

m ou nt ai ns w er e s et s o c lo se t og et he r t ha t t he o ut er g ul f w as

co nt in uo us a nd b ar re d f ar th er a dv an ce . A t t he e dg e o f t he g ul f t he y

a ll d is mo un te d a nd p ee re d o ve r i nt o i ts d ep th s. T he re w as n o t el li ng

wh er e t he b ot to m w as , i f i nd ee d t he re w as a ny b ot to m a t a ll . Fr om

w he re t he y s to od i t s ee me d a s i f t he mo un ta in s h ad b ee n s et i n o ne

g re at h ol e i n t he g ro un d, j us t c lo se e no ug h t og et he r s o t he y w ou ld n ot

t ou ch , a nd t ha t e ac h m ou nt ai n w as s up po rt ed b y a r oc ky c ol um n b en ea th

i ts b as e w hi ch e xt en de d f ar d ow n i n t he b la ck p it b el ow . Fr om t he

l a nd s id e i t s ee me d i mp os si bl e t o g et a cr os s t he g ul f o r, s uc ce ed in g

i n t ha t, t o g ai n a f oo th ol d o n a ny o f t he wh ir li ng m ou nt ai ns .

" This dit ch i s t oo w ide t o j um p a cr os s, " r em ar ke d B ut ton- Br ight .

" P' ra ps t he L io n c ou ld d o i t, " s ug ge st ed D or ot hy .

" What , j um p f rom her e t o t ha t w hi rl ing hil l? " c ri ed t he L ion

ind ignantly. " I s ho ul d s ay n ot ! E ve n i f I l an de d t he re a nd c ou ld

hold on, w ha t good w ould i t do? T he re 's a nother s pi nning m ount ai n

b ey on d i t, a nd p er ha ps s ti ll a no th er b ey on d t ha t. I d on 't b el ie ve a ny

l iving c re at ur e c ould j um p f rom one m ount ai n t o a nother w he n bot h a re

whirling like tops and in different directions."

" I p ro po se we t ur n b ac k, " s ai d t he W oo de n S aw ho rs e w it h a y awn o f h is

ch op pe d- ou t m ou th a s h e s ta re d w it h h is k no t e ye s a t t he

Merry-Go-Round Mountains.

" I a gr ee w it h y ou ," s ai d t he W oo zy , w ag gi ng h is s qu ar e h ea d.

" We s ho ul d h av e t ak en t he s he ph er d' s a dv ic e, " a dd ed H an k t he M ul e.

T he o th er s o f t he p ar ty , h ow ev er t he y m ig ht b e p uz zl ed b y t he s er io us

pr oble m t ha t c onfr onte d t he m, w ould not a ll ow t he ms el ve s t o des pa ir .

" If w e onc e get ove r t he se m ount ai ns ," s ai d B ut ton- Br ight , " we c ould

probably get along all right."

" Tr ue e no ug h, " a gr ee d D or ot hy . " So w e m us t f in d s om e w ay , o f c ou rs e,

t o get pas t t he se w hi rl igig hil ls . B ut how ?"

" I wi sh t he Or k wa s wi th u s," s ig he d Tr ot.

" Bu t t he O rk i sn 't h er e," s ai d t he W iz ar d, " an d we mu st d ep en d u po n

ourselves to conquer this difficulty. Unfortunately, all my magic has

b ee n s to le n, o th er wi se I a m s ur e I c ou ld e as il y g et o ve r t he

mountains."

" Unfort unat el y, " obs er ve d t he W oozy, " none of us has w ings . A nd w e 'r e

i n a m agic c ount ry w it hout a ny m agic ."

" Wh at i s t ha t a ro un d y ou r w ai st , D or ot hy ?" a sk ed t he W iz ar d.

"That? O h, t ha t' s j us t t he M ag ic B el t I o nc e c ap tu re d f ro m t he N om e

King," she replied.

" A M ag ic B el t! Wh y, t ha t' s f in e. I 'm s ur e a M ag ic B el t w ou ld t ak e

you ove r t he se hil ls ."

" It m ig ht i f I k ne w h ow t o wo rk i t," s ai d t he l it tl e g ir l. "Ozma

k nows a lot of its magic, bu t I've never fo und o ut abo ut it. All I

kn ow i s t ha t w hi le I a m we ar in g i t, n ot hi ng c an h ur t m e. "

" Tr y w is hi ng yours el f a cr os s a nd s ee i f i t w il l obe y you," s ugge st ed

the Wizard.

" Bu t w ha t g oo d w ou ld t ha t d o? " a sk ed D or ot hy . " If I g ot a cr os s, i t

w ou ld n' t h el p t he r es t o f y ou , a nd I c ou ld n' t g o a lo ne a mo ng a ll t ho se

gia nt s a nd dra gons w hi le you s ta ye d her e. "

" Tr ue e nough, " a gr ee d t he W iz ar d s adly. A nd t he n, a ft er l ooki ng

a ro un d t he g ro up , h e i nq ui re d, " Wh at i s t ha t o n y ou r f in ge r, T ro t? "

"A r ing . T he M er ma id s g av e i t t o m e, " s he e xp la in ed , " an d i f e ve r I 'm

i n t ro ub le wh en I 'm o n t he w at er , I c an c al l t he Me rma id s a nd t he y' ll

c om e a nd h el p m e. Bu t t he Me rma id s c an 't h el p m e o n t he l an d, y ou

know, ' ca use t hey s wi m, a nd- - and-- t he y ha ve n't a ny l egs ."

" Tr ue e nough, " r epea te d t he W iz a rd, m or e s adly.

Th er e wa s a b ig , b ro ad , s pr ea di ng t re e n ea r t he e dg e o f t he g ul f, a nd

a s t he s un w as h ot a bo ve t he m, t he y a ll g at he re d u nd er t he s ha de o f

th e tr ee t o s tud y t he pro blem o f wha t to d o n ex t. "If we had a long

r op e, " s ai d Be ts y, " we c ou ld f as te n i t t o t hi s t re e a nd l et t he o th er

en d o f it d own i nt o th e g ul f an d a ll sl id e d own it ."

" We ll , w ha t t he n? " a sked t he W iz ar d.

" Th en , i f we c ou ld ma na ge t o t hr ow t he ro pe u p t he o th er s id e,"

e xp lai ned t he g irl , "we c ou ld al l c limb i t a nd b e o n th e ot her s id e of

the gulf."

" Ther e a re t oo m any ' if 's ' i n t ha t s ugge st ion, " r em ar ke d t he l it tl e

W iz ar d. " An d y ou m us t r em em be r t ha t t he o th er s id e i s n ot hi ng b ut

s pi nning m ount ai ns , s o w e c ouldn' t pos si bl y f as te n a r ope t o t he m,

ev en i f we h ad o ne ."

" Th at r op e i de a i sn 't h al f b ad , t ho ug h, " s ai d t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, w ho

h ad b ee n d an ci ng d an ge ro us ly n ea r t o t he e dg e o f t he g ul f.

" Wh at d o y ou m ea n? " a sk ed D or ot hy .

T he P at ch wo rk G ir l s ud de nl y s to od s ti ll a nd c as t h er b ut to n e ye s

a ro un d t he g ro up . " Ha , I h av e i t! " s he e xc la im ed . " Un ha rn es s t he

S aw hor s e, s ome body. M y f inge rs a re t oo c lums y. "

"Shall we?" asked Button-Bright doubtfully, turning to the others.

" We ll , Sc ra ps h as a lo t o f b ra in s, e ve n if s he IS s tu ff ed wi th

c ot to n, " a ss er te d t he W iz ar d. " If h er b ra in s c an h el p u s o ut o f t hi s

t ro ub le , w e o ug ht t o u se t he m. "

S o he began unha rnes si ng t he S aw hors e, a nd B ut ton- Br ight a nd D or ot hy

h el pe d h im. W he n t he y h ad r em ov ed t he h ar ne ss , t he P at ch wo rk G ir l

t ol d t he m t o t ak e i t a ll a pa rt a nd b uc kl e t he s tr ap s t og et he r, e nd t o

e nd . An d a ft er th ey h ad d on e t his , th ey f ou nd t he y h ad o ne v er y l ong

s tr ap t ha t wa s s tr on ge r t ha n a ny r op e. " It w ou ld r ea ch a cr os s t he

g ul f e as il y, " s ai d t he L io n, wh o w it h t he o th er a ni ma ls h ad s at o n h is

h au nc he s a nd w at ch ed t hi s p ro ce ed in g. " Bu t I d on 't s ee h ow i t c ou ld

b e f as te ne d t o o ne o f t ho se d iz zy m ou nt ai ns ."

Scr aps h ad no s uch n oti on as th at in h er bag gy h ead. She told them to

f asten one end of the strap to a stout limb o f the tree , pointi ng to

o ne w hi ch e xt en de d q ui te t o t he e dg e o f t he g ul f. Bu tt on -B ri gh t d id

t ha t, c li mbing t he t re e a nd t he n c ra wl ing out upon t he l im b unt il he

w as n ea rl y o ve r t he g ul f. T he re h e m an ag ed t o f as te n t he s tr ap , w hi ch

r ea ch ed t o t he g ro un d b el ow , a nd t he n h e s li d d ow n i t a nd w as c au gh t

b y t he W iz ar d, w ho f ea re d h e m ig ht f al l i nt o t he c ha sm . S c ra p s w as

d el ig ht ed . S he s ei ze d t he l ow er e nd o f t he s tr ap , a nd t el li ng t he m

all to get out of her way, she went back as far as the strap would

r ea ch a nd t he n m ad e a s ud de n r un t ow ar d t he g ul f. O ve r t he e dg e s he

s wu ng , c li ng in g t o t he s tr ap u nt il i t h ad g on e a s f ar a s i ts l en gt h

per mi tt ed, w he n s he l et go a nd s ai le d gra ce full y t hr ough t he a ir unt il

s he a li ghte d upon t he m ount ai n j us t i n f ront of t he m.

A lm os t i ns ta nt ly , a s t he g re at c on e c on ti nu ed t o w hi rl , s he w as s en t

f ly in g a ga in st t he n ex t m ou nt ai n i n t he r ea r, a nd t ha t o ne h ad o nl y

t ur ne d hal fw ay a round w he n S cr aps w as s ent f lying t o t he next m ount ai n

behind i t. T he n her pat chwork f or m dis appe ar ed f rom vie w e nt ir el y,

a nd t he a ma ze d wa tc he rs u nd er t he t re e w on de re d w ha t h ad b ec om e o f

h e r. " Sh e' s g on e, a nd s he c an 't g et b ac k, " s ai d t he W oo zy .

" My, how s he bounded f rom one m ount ai n t o a nother !" e xc la im ed t he

" That w as bec ause t he y w hi rl s o f as t, " t he W iz ar d e xpla ined. " S cr a ps

ha d n ot hin g t o h old on to , a nd s o o f co urse sh e was t os sed fr om on e

h il l t o a no th er . I 'm a fr ai d w e s ha ll n ev er s ee t he p oo r P at ch wo rk

Girl again."

" I s ha ll s ee h er ," d ec la re d t he Wo oz y. " Sc rap s i s a n o ld f ri en d o f

m in e, a nd i f t he re a re r ea ll y T hi st le -E at er s a nd G ia nt s o n t he o th er

si de of th os e to ps, sh e wil l n ee d s ome on e t o p ro te ct h er . So h er e I

g o! " He s ei ze d t he d an gl in g s tr ap f ir ml y i n h is s qu ar e mo ut h, a nd i n

t he s am e way th at Sc ra ps h ad d on e s wu ng h ims elf o ve r t he g ul f. He l et

g o t he s tr ap a t t he r ig ht m ome nt a nd f el l u po n t he f ir st wh ir li ng

mountain. T he n h e b ou nd ed t o t he n ex t o ne b ac k o f i t- -n ot o n h is

f e et , b ut " al l m ix ed u p, " a s Tr ot s ai d- -a nd t he n h e s ho t a cr os s t o

a nother m ount ai n, dis appe ar ing f rom vie w j us t a s t he P at chwork G ir l

h ad d on e.

" It s ee ms t o w or k, a ll r ight ," r em ar ke d B ut ton- Br ight . " I gue ss I 'l l

try it."

" Wa it a m in ut e, " u rg ed t he W iz ar d. " Be fo re a ny m or e o f u s m ak e t hi s

d es pe ra te l ea p i nt o t he b ey on d, w e m us t d ec id e w he th er a ll w il l g o o r

if s om e of us w il l r em ai n behind. "

" Do y ou s 'p os e i t h ur t t he m m uc h t o b um p a ga in st t ho se m ou nt ai ns ?"

a s ke d T ro t .

" I d on 't s 'p os e a ny th in g c ou ld h ur t S cr ap s o r t he W oo zy ," s ai d

D or ot hy , " an d n ot hi ng c an h ur t M E, b ec au se I w ea r t he M ag ic B el t. S o

a s I 'm a nx io us t o f in d O zm a, I m ea n t o s wi ng m ys el f a cr os s t oo ."

"I'll take my chances," decided Button-Bright.

" I' m s ur e i t w il l h ur t d re ad fu ll y, a nd I 'm a fr ai d t o d o i t, " s ai d t he

L io n, w ho w as a lr ea dy t re mb li ng , " bu t I s ha ll d o i t i f D or ot hy d oe s. "

" We ll , t ha t w il l l ea ve B et sy a nd t he M ul e a nd T ro t, " s ai d t he W iz ar d,

"for of course I shall go that I may look after Dorothy. Do y ou t wo

g ir ls t hi nk y ou c an f in d y ou r w ay b ac k h om e a ga in ?" h e a sk ed ,

addre s si ng T rot a nd B et sy.

" I' m n ot a fra id . N ot m uc h, t ha t i s," s ai d Tr ot . " It l oo ks r is ky , I

know, bu t I' m sure I can st and it if the othe rs can."

" If i t w as n' t f or l ea vi ng H ank, " began B et sy i n a hes it at ing voi ce .

Bu t t he M ule in te rr up te d h er b y s ay in g, "G o a he ad if y ou wa nt t o, a nd

I'll come after you. A mule is as brave as a lion any day."

" Br av er ," s ai d t he L io n, " fo r I 'm a c ow ar d, f ri en d H an k, a nd y ou a re

n ot . B ut o f c ou rs e t he S aw ho rs e- -"

" Oh, not hi ng e ve r hur ts M E, " a ss er te d t he S aw hors e c al ml y. " Ther e' s

n ev er b een a ny q ues tio n a bo ut m y g oi ng . I c an 't t ak e t he R ed W ag on ,

though."

" No , we m us t le av e th e wa go n," s ai d t he w iz ar d, "a nd a lso we m us t

l ea ve o ur f oo d a nd b la nk et s, I f ea r. Bu t if we c an de fy t he se

M er ry -G o- Ro un d M ou nt ai ns t o s to p u s, w e w on 't m in d t he s ac ri fi ce o f

some of our c om fort s. "

" No o ne k no ws wh er e we 'r e g oi ng t o l an d! " r em ar ke d t he L io n i n a v oi ce

t ha t s ou nd ed a s i f h e w er e g oi ng t o c ry .

" We ma y n ot l an d a t a ll ," r ep lie d Ha nk , "b ut t he b es t wa y to fi nd o ut

wh at wi ll h ap pe n t o u s i s t o s wi ng a cr os s a s Sc ra ps a nd t he Wo oz y h av e

done."

" I th in k I s ha ll go la st ," s ai d t he Wi za rd , " so wh o wa nts t o g o

first?"

"I'll go," decided Dorothy.

" No, i t' s m y t ur n f ir st ," s ai d B ut ton- Br ight . " Wa tc h m e! "

Ev en a s he s po ke , th e bo y se ize d th e str ap , an d af ter mak in g a ru n

s wung him se lf a cr os s t he gul f. A wa y he w ent, bum pi ng f rom hil l t o

hi ll unt il he dis appe ar ed. T he y l is te ne d i nt entl y, but t he boy utt er ed

n o c ry u nt il h e ha d b ee n g on e s ome m om en ts , wh en t hey h ea rd a fa in t

H ul lo -a !" a s i f c al le d f ro m a g re at d is ta nc e. T he s ou nd g av e t he m c ou ra ge ,

h ow ev er , a nd Do ro th y p ic ke d u p To to a nd h el d h im f as t u nd er o ne a rm

w hi le w it h t he o th er h an d s he s ei ze d t he s tr ap a nd b ra ve ly f ol lo we d

after Button-Bright.

W he n s he s tr uc k t he f ir st w hi rl ing m ount ai n, s he f el l upon i t qui te

s of tl y, b ut b ef or e s he h ad t im e t o t hi nk , s he f le w t hr ou gh t he a ir a nd

li t wi th a ja r o n t he s id e of th e n ext mo un ta in. Again sh e flew an d

a li ghte d, a nd a ga in a nd s ti ll a ga in, unt il a ft er f ive s uc ce ss ive bum ps

s he f el l s pr aw li ng u po n a g re en m ea do w a nd w as s o d az ed a nd b ew il de re d

b y h er b um py j ou rn ey a cr os s t he M er ry -G o- Ro un d M ou nt ai ns t ha t s he l ay

q ui te s ti ll f or a t im e t o c ol le ct h er t ho ug ht s. T ot o h ad e sc ap ed f ro m

h er a rm s j us t a s s he f el l, a nd h e n ow s at b es id e h er p an ti ng wi th

e xc it em ent. T he n D or ot hy r ea li ze d t ha t s om eone w as hel pi ng her t o her

f ee t, a nd h er e w as Bu tt on -Br ig ht o n o ne s id e o f h er a nd S cr ap s o n t he

o th er , b ot h s ee mi ng t o b e u nh ur t. T he n ex t o bj ec t h er e ye s f el l u po n

wa s t he W oo zy , s qu at ti ng u po n h is s qu ar e b ac k e nd a nd l oo ki ng a t h er

reflectively, while Toto barked joyously to find his mistress unhurt

after her whirlwind trip.

" Go od !" sa id t he W oo zy . " He re 's a no th er a nd a d og , b ot h s af e a nd

s ou nd . B ut m y w or d, D or ot hy , y ou f le w s om e! I f y ou c ou ld h av e s ee n

yourself, you'd have been absolutely astonished."

"They say 'Time flies,'20" laughed Button-Bright, "but Time never

m ad e a q ui ck er j ou rn ey t ha n t ha t. "

J us t t he n, a s D or ot hy t ur ne d a ro un d t o l oo k a t t he w hi rl in g m ou nt ai ns ,

sh e was in t ime to se e ti ny Tr ot c ome f ly in g fr om th e n ea res t hi ll t o

f al l u po n t he s of t g ra ss n ot a y ar d a wa y f ro m w he re s he s to od . Tr ot

w as s o d iz zy s he c ou ld n' t s ta nd a t f ir st , b ut s he wa sn 't a t a ll h ur t,

a nd p re se nt ly B et sy c am e f ly in g t o t he m a nd w ou ld h av e b um pe d i nt o t he

o th er s h ad t he y n ot r et re at ed i n t ime t o a vo id h er . Then, in q uick

s ucc es si on, c am e t he L ion, H ank a nd t he S aw hors e, boundi ng f rom

mounta in t o m ount ai n t o f al l s af el y upon t he gre ensw ar d. O nl y t he

W iz ar d w as n ow l ef t b eh in d, a nd t he y w ai te d s o l on g f or h im t ha t

D or ot hy b eg an t o b e w or ri ed .

B ut s udde nl y he c am e f lying f rom t he nea re st m ount ai n a nd

tu mb le d h ee ls o ve r h ea d b es id e t he m. T he n t he y s aw t ha t

h e h ad wo un d t wo o f t he ir b la nk et s a ro un d h is b od y t o k ee p

t he b um ps f ro m h ur ti ng h im a nd h ad f as te ne d t he b la nk et s w it h s om e o f

t he s pa re s tr ap s f ro m t he h ar ne ss o f t he S aw ho rs e.

C HA PT ER 8

THE MYSTERIOUS CITY

T he re t he y s at upon t he gra ss , t he ir hea ds s ti ll s wi mm ing f rom t he ir

di zz y f li ghts , a nd l ooke d a t one a nother i n s il ent bew il de rm ent. But

p re se nt ly , w he n a ss ur ed t ha t n o o ne w as i nj ur ed , t he y g re w m or e c al m

a nd c ol le ct ed , a nd t he L io n s ai d w it h a s ig h o f r el ie f, " Wh o w ou ld

ha ve t hought t hos e M er ry- Go- Round M ount ai ns w er e m ade of r ubber ? "

" Ar e t he y r ea ll y r ubber ?" a sked T rot .

" Th ey m us t b e, " r ep li ed t he L io n, " fo r o th er wi se w e w ou ld n ot h av e

bounded s o s wi ft ly f rom one t o a nother w it hout get ti ng hur t. "

" That i s a ll gue ss work," dec la re d t he W iz ar d, unw indi ng t he bla nket s

f ro m h is b od y, " fo r n on e o f u s s ta ye d l on g e no ug h o n t he m ou nt ai ns t o

d i sc ov er w ha t t he y a re m ad e o f. Bu t wh er e a re w e? "

" That ' s gues s wor k, " s ai d S cr a ps . " The s he pher d s ai d t he

T hi st le -E at er s l iv e t hi s s id e o f t he m ou nt ai ns a nd a re w ai te d o n b y

giants."

" Oh n o, " s ai d D or ot hy , " it 's t he H er ku s w ho h av e g ia nt s la ve s, a nd t he

Thistle-Eaters hitch dragons to their chariots."

" Ho w c ou ld t he y d o t ha t? " a sk ed t he W oo zy . " Dr ag on s h av e l on g t ai ls ,

w hi ch w ou ld g et i n t he wa y o f t he c ha ri ot w he el s. "

" An d i f t he H er ku s h av e c on qu er ed t he g ia nt s, " s ai d T ro t, " th ey m us t

b e a t l ea st t wi ce th e s iz e o f g ia nt s. P 'r ap s t he H er ku s a re t he

bi gges t peopl e i n a ll t he w or ld!"

" Pe rh ap s t he y a re ," a ss en te d t he W iz ar d i n a t ho ug ht fu l t on e o f v oi ce .

" An d p er ha ps t he s he ph er d d id n' t k no w w ha t h e w as t al ki ng a bo ut . L et

u s t ra ve l o n t ow ar d t he we st a nd d is co ve r f or o ur se lv es wh at t he

p eo pl e o f t hi s c ou nt ry a re l ik e. "

I t s ee me d a p le as an t e no ug h c ou nt ry , a nd i t w as q ui te s ti ll a nd

pea ce ful w he n t he y t ur ne d t he ir e ye s a wa y f rom t he s il entl y w hi rl ing

m ou nt ai ns . T he re w er e t re es h er e a nd t he re a nd g re en b us he s, w hi le

throughout the thick grass were scattered brilliantly colored flowers.

Ab ou t a mil e away wa s a lo w h ill tha t hi d fr om the m a ll t he c ou ntr y

be yo nd i t, s o t he y r ea li ze d t he y c ou ld n ot t el l m uc h a bo ut t he c ou nt ry

u nt il t he y h ad c ro ss ed t he h il l. T he R ed W ag on h av in g b ee n l ef t

behind, i t w as now nec es sa ry t o m ake other a rr ange me nt s f or t ra ve li ng.

T he Li on t ol d D or ot hy s he c ou ld r id e u po n h is b ac k a s s he h ad o ft en

d on e b ef or e, a nd t he W oo zy s ai d h e c ou ld e as il y c ar ry b ot h Tr ot a nd

the P at chwork G ir l. B et sy s ti ll had her m ul e, H ank, a nd B ut ton- Br ight

a nd t he W iz ar d c ou ld s it t og et he r u po n t he l on g, t hi n b ac k o f t he

Sawh ors e, b ut t he y to ok c ar e t o so ft en t he ir se at wit h a p ad o f

bl anket s be for e t hey s t ar t ed. T hus m ounte d, t he a dvent ur er s s ta rt ed

" Al wa ys , i n t he dayti me ," s ai d B ut ton- Br ight . " But S c ra ps c a n s e e

w it h h er b ut to n e ye s b ot h d ay a nd n ig ht . I sn 't i t q ue er ?"

" It 's q ue er t ha t b ut to ns c an s ee a t a ll ," a ns we re d T ro t. " Bu t g oo d

gra ci ous! W ha t' s be come of t he c it y? "

" I w as g oi ng t o a sk t ha t m ys el f, " s ai d D or ot hy . " It 's

gone!"

"It's gone!"

Th e a nima ls c am e t o a s ud de n h al t, fo r t he c it y h ad r ea ll y

d is ap pe ar ed , w al ls a nd a ll , a nd b ef or e t he m l ay t he c le ar , u nb ro ke n

s we e p of t he c ount ry. " De ar m e! " e xc la im ed t he W iz ar d. "This is

r at he r d is ag re ea bl e. I t i s a nn oy in g t o t ra ve l a lm os t t o a p la ce a nd

t he n f in d i t i s n ot t he re ."

" Wh er e c an i t b e, t he n? " a sk ed D or ot hy . "I t c er t' nl y w as t he re a

minute ago."

" I c an h ea r t he m us ic y et ," d ec la re d B ut to n- Br ig ht , a nd w he n t he y a ll

l is te ne d, t he s tr ai ns of m us ic c ould pla inly be hea rd.

" Oh ! T he re 's t he c it y o ve r a t t he l ef t, " c al le d S cr ap s, a nd t ur ni ng

t he ir e ye s, t he y s aw t he w al ls a nd t ow er s a nd f lu tt er in g b an ne rs f ar

to th e l eft o f t he m.

" We m us t have l os t our w ay," s ugge st ed D or ot hy.

" Nons ense ," s ai d t he L ion.

" I, a nd a ll t he o th er a ni ma ls , h av e b ee n

t ra mp in g s tr ai gh t t ow ar d t he c it y e ve r s in ce w e f ir st s aw i t. "

" Th en h ow d oe s i t h ap pe n- -"

" Ne ve r m ind, " i nt er rupt ed t he W iz ar d, " we a re no f ar ther f rom i t t ha n

w e w er e b ef or e. I t is i n a d if fer en t d ire ct io n, t hat 's a ll , s o le t u s

h ur ry a nd g et t he re b ef or e i t a ga in e sc ap es u s. "

S o o n t he y w en t d ir ec tl y t ow ar d t he c it y, w hi ch s ee me d o nl y a c ou pl e

of m il es d is ta nt . B ut w he n t he y h ad t ra ve le d l es s t ha n a m il e, i t

s uddenly dis a ppea r ed a ga in. O nc e m or e t hey pa us e d, s ome wha t

d is co ur ag ed , b ut i n a m om en t t he b ut to n e ye s o f S cr ap s a ga in

d is co ve re d t he c it y, o nl y t hi s t im e i t wa s j us t b eh in d t he m i n t he

dir ec ti on f rom w hi ch t he y had c om e. " Goodne ss gra ci ous! " c ri ed

D or ot hy. " Ther e' s s ur el y s om et hi ng w rong w it h t ha t c it y. D o you

s 'pose i t 's on w he e ls , W iz a rd? "

" It ma y n ot b e a c it y a t al l," h e re pl ie d, l oo kin g t owa rd it wi th a

speculative glance.

" Wh at C OU LD i t b e, t he n? "

"Just an illusion."

" Wha t' s t hat ? " a s ke d T rot .

" So me th in g y ou t hi nk y ou s ee a nd d on 't s ee ."

" I c an 't b el ie ve t ha t, " s ai d B ut to n- Br ig ht . " If w e o nl y s aw i t, w e

might be mistaken, but if we can see it and hear it, too, it must be

there."

" Whe re ? " a s ke d t he P at chwor k G ir l .

" Some wher e nea r us, " he i ns is te d.

We wi ll h av e t o g o b ac k, I s up po se ," s ai d t he W oo zy w it h a s ig h.

S o b ac k t he y t ur ne d a nd h ea de d f or t he wa ll ed c it y u nt il i t

d is ap pe ar ed a ga in , o nl y t o r ea pp ea r a t t he r ig ht o f t he m. T he y w er e

c on st an tl y g et ti ng n ea re r t o i t, h ow ev er , s o t he y k ep t t he ir f ac es

tu rn ed t owa rd i t a s it f li tt ed h er e a nd t he re to a ll p oin ts o f t he

c ompa ss . P re se nt ly t he L ion, w ho w as l ea di ng t he proce ss ion, hal te d

a br uptl y a nd c ri ed out , " Ouch!"

" Wha t' s t he m at t er ? " a s ke d D or ot hy.

" Ou ch - - O uc h! ~ r ep ea te d t he L io n, a nd l ea pe d

ba ckwa rd s o s udde nl y t ha t D or ot hy nea rl y t um bl ed f rom

h is b ac k. A t t he s am e t im e H an k t he M ul e y el le d " Ou ch !" "O uc h! O uc h! " r ep ea te d t he L io n a nd

l ea pe d b ac kw ar d s o s ud de nl y t ha t

Do ro th y n ea rl y t um bl ed f ro m h is b ac k. A t t he s am e t im e, H an k t he M ul e

y el le d " Ou ch !" a lm os t a s l ou dl y a s t he L io n h ad d on e, a nd h e a ls o

p ra nc ed b ac kw ar d a f ew p ac es .

" It 's t he t hi st le s, " s ai d B et sy.

"They prick their legs."

H ea ri ng t hi s, a ll l oo ke d d ow n, a nd s ur e e no ug h t he g ro un d w as t hi ck

w it h t hi st le s, w hi ch c ov er ed t he p la in f ro m t he p oi nt w he re t he y s to od

w ay u p t o t he w al ls o f t he m ys te ri ou s c it y. N o p at hw ay s t hr ou gh t he m

cou ld b e se en at a ll; h ere t he s oft g ras s en ded a nd t he g rowth o f

thistles began. "They're the prickliest thistles I ever felt,"

grumble d t he L ion. " My l egs s ma rt yet f rom t he ir s ti ngs, t hough I

j ump ed o ut o f t he m a s q uic kl y a s I c ou ld ."

" He re i s a n ew d if fi cu lt y, " r em ar ke d t he W iz ar d i n a g ri ev ed t on e.

" Th e c it y h as s to pp ed h op pi ng a ro un d, i t i s t ru e, b ut h ow a re we t o

g et t o i t o ve r th is m as s o f p ri ck er s? "

" They c an't hur t M E, " s ai d t he t hi ck-s ki nned W oozy, a dvanci ng

fearlessly and trampling among the thistles.

" No r m e, " s ai d t he W oo de n S aw ho rs e.

" Bu t t he L io n a nd t he M ul e c an no t s ta nd t he p ri ck er s, " a ss er te d

D or ot hy, " and w e c an't l ea ve t he m behind. "

" Mu st w e a ll g o b ac k? " a sk ed T ro t.

"Course not!" replied Button-Bright scornfully.

" Al wa ys w he n t he re 's t ro ub le , t he re 's a w ay o ut o f i t i f y ou c an f in d i t. "

" I w is h t he Sc ar ec ro w w as h er e, " s ai d S cr ap s, s ta nd in g o n h er h ea d o n

t he W oo zy 's s qu ar e b a ck . " Hi s s pl en di d b ra in s w ou ld s oo n s ho w u s h ow

t o c onquer t hi s f ie ld of t hi st le s. "

" Wh at 's t he m at te r w it h Y OU R b ra in s? " a sk ed t he b oy .

" Nothing, " s he s ai d, m aking a f li p- fl op i nt o t he t hi st le s a nd danci ng

am ong t he m w it hout f ee li ng t he ir s ha rp poi nt s. " I c ould t el l you i n

h al f a mi nu te h ow t o ge t ov er th e th ist le s if I wa nte d t o."

" Te ll us, S cr aps! " begge d D or ot hy.

" I d on 't w an t t o w ea r m y b ra in s o ut w it h o ve rw or k, " r ep li ed t he

Patchwork Girl.

" Don 't yo u l ove Oz ma ? A nd d on 't y ou wa nt t o f in d h er ?" a sk ed Be ts y

reproachfully.

" Ye s i nd ee d, " s ai d S cr ap s, wa lk in g o n h er h an ds a s a n a cr ob at d oe s a t

the circus.

" We ll , w e c an 't f in d O zm a u nl es s w e g et p as t t he se t hi st le s, " d ec la re d

Dorothy.

S cr ap s d an ce d a ro un d t he m t wo o r t hr ee t im es w it ho ut r ep ly . T he n s he

s ai d, " Do n' t l oo k a t m e, y ou s tu pi d f ol ks . L oo k a t t ho se b la nk et s. "

T he W iz ar d' s f ac e b ri gh te ne d a t o nc e.

" Wh y d id n' t w e t hi nk o f t ho se b la nk et s b ef or e? "

" Be ca us e you haven't m agic bra ins, " l aughed S cr aps.

"Su ch b ra in s a s y ou h av e a re o f t he c om mo n s or t t ha t g ro w i n y ou r h ea ds ,

like weeds in a ga rden . I' m s or ry f or y ou p eop le wh o h av e t o b e bo rn i n or der to b e

alive."

Bu t t he W iz ar d w as n ot l is te ni ng t o h er . H e q ui ck ly r em ov ed t he

b la nk et s f ro m t he b ac k o f t he S aw ho rs e a nd s pr ea d o ne o f t he m u po n t he

t hi st le s, j us t n ex t t he g ra ss . T he t hi ck c lo th r en de re d t he p ri ck er s

h ar ml es s, s o t he W iz ar d w al ke d o ve r t hi s f ir st b la nk et a nd s pr ea d t he

s e co nd o ne f ar th er o n, i n t he d ir ec ti on o f t he p ha nt om c it y. " Th ese

b l an ke ts ," s ai d h e, " ar e f or t he Li on a nd t he M ul e t o w al k u po n. The

S aw ho rs e a nd t he W oo zy c an w al k o n t he t hi st le s. "

So t he Li on a nd t he Mu le wa lk ed o ve r t he f ir st b la nk et a nd s to od u po n

t he s ec on d o ne u nt il t he W iz ar d h ad p ic ke d u p t he o ne t he y h ad p as se d

o ve r a nd s pr ea d i t i n f ro nt o f t he m, w he n t he y a dv an ce d t o t ha t o ne

a n d w ai te d w hi le t he o ne b eh in d t he m w as a ga in s pr ea d i n f ro nt . "This

i s sl ow wo rk ," s ai d t he Wi za rd , " bu t i t wi ll g et u s t o t he c ity a fte r

a while."

" The c it y i s a good hal f m il e a wa y yet ," a nnounc ed B ut ton- Br ight .

" An d t hi s i s a wf ul h ar d w or k f or t he W iz ar d, " a dd ed T ro t.

" Wh y c ou ld n' t t he L io n r id e o n t he W oo zy 's b ac k? "

a sk ed D or ot hy ." it 's a b ig , f la t b ac k, a nd t he W oo zy 's m ig ht y s tr on g.

P er ha ps t he L ion w ouldn' t f al l off ."

"You may tr y i t if y ou l ik e," s ai d th e Wo ozy to t he Lio n. " I c an t ak e

y ou t o t he c it y i n a j if fy a nd t he n c ome b ac k f or Han k. "

" I' m- -I 'm a fr ai d, " s ai d t he C ow ar dl y L io n. H e w as t wi ce a s b ig a s t he

Woozy.

"Try it," pleaded Dorothy.

" And t ake a t um bl e a mong t he t hi st le s? "a sked t he L ion r eproac hf ul ly.

B ut w he n t he W oo zy c am e c lo se t o h im , t he b ig b ea st s ud de nl y b ou nd ed

u po n i ts b ac k a nd m an ag ed t o b al an ce h im se lf t he re , a lt ho ug h f or ce d t o

h ol d h is fo ur l eg s s o c lo se t og et he r t ha t h e wa s i n d an ge r o f t op pli ng

o ve r. Th e g re at we ig ht o f t he mo ns te r Li on d id n ot s eem t o a ff ec t th e

W oo zy , w ho c al le d t o h is r id er , " Ho ld o n t ig ht !" a nd r an s wi ft ly o ve r

t he t hi st le s t owa rd t he c it y. T he o th er s s to od o n t he b la nk et a nd

wa tc he d t he s tr ange s ight a nxious ly. O f c ours e, t he L ion c oul dn't

" ho ld o n t ig ht " b ec au se t he re w as n ot hi ng t o h ol d t o, a nd h e s wa ye d

f ro m s id e t o s id e a s i f l ik el y t o f al l o ff a ny m om en t. Sti ll , h e

ma na ge d t o s ti ck t o t he W oo zy 's b ac k u nt il t he y w er e c lo se t o t he

w al ls o f t he c it y, wh en h e l ea pe d t o t he g ro un d. Ne xt mo me nt t he

Wo oz y c am e d as hi ng b ac k a t f ul l s pe ed .

" Th er e' s a l it tl e s tr ip o f g ro un d n ex t t he w al l w he re t he re a re n o

t h is tl es ," h e t ol d t he m w he n h e h ad r ea ch ed t he a dv en tu re rs o nc e m or e.

"No w th en , f rie nd Ha nk , s ee i f y ou c an r id e as we ll a s t he Li on d id ."

" Ta ke t he o th er s f ir st ," p ro po se d t he Mu le . S o t he S aw ho rs e a nd t he

W o oz y ma de a c ou pl e o f t ri ps o ve r t he t hi st le s t o t he c it y w all s a nd

c ar ri ed a ll t he peopl e i n s af et y, D or ot hy hol di ng l it tl e T ot o i n her

a rm s. T he t ra ve le rs t he n s at i n a g ro up o n a l it tl e h il lo ck j us t

o ut si de t he w al l a nd l oo ke d a t t he g re at b lo ck s o f g ra y s to ne a nd

wa it ed f or t he Wo oz y t o b ri ng Ha nk t o t he m. Th e Mu le wa s ve ry

a wk wa rd , a nd h is l eg s t re mb le d s o b ad ly t ha t m or e t ha n o nc e t he y

t hought he w ould t um bl e off , but f inal ly he r ea ched t he m i n s af et y,

a nd t he e nt ir e p ar ty wa s n ow r eu ni te d. M or e t ha n t ha t, t he y h ad

r ea ch ed t he c it y t ha t h ad e lu de d t he m f or s o l on g a nd i n s o s tr an ge a

manner.

" Th e g at es m us t b e a ro un d t he o th er s id e," s ai d t he W iz ar d. "Let us

fo ll ow t he c ur ve o f t he w al l u nt il we r ea ch a n o pe ni ng i n i t. "

"Which way?" asked Dorothy.

" We mu st g ue ss t hat ," h e re pl ied . " Su pp os e we g o t o t he l ef t. O ne

d i re ct io n i s a s g oo d a s a no th er ." T he y f or me d i n m ar ch in g o rd er a nd

went around the city wall to the left. It was n' t a big cit y, a s I

h av e s ai d, b ut t o g o wa y a ro un d it o uts id e th e h ig h wa ll wa s q ui te a

w al k, a s t he y b ec am e a wa re . B ut a ro un d i t o ur a dv en tu re rs w en t

wi th ou t f in di ng a ny s ig n o f a g at ew ay o r o th er o pe ni ng . W he n t he y h ad

r et ur ne d t o t he l it tl e m ou nd f ro m w hi ch t he y h ad s ta rt ed , t he y

di sm ount ed f rom t he a ni ma ls a nd a ga in s ea te d t he ms el ve s on t he gra ss y

mound.

"It's mighty queer, isn't it?" asked Button-Bright.

" Th er e m us t b e SO ME wa y f or t he p eo pl e t o g et o ut a nd i n," d ec la re d

D or ot hy. " Do you s 'pos e t he y have f lying m ac hi ne s, W iz ar d? "

" No ," h e r ep li ed , " fo r i n t ha t c as e t he y w ou ld b e f ly in g a ll o ve r t he

L a nd o f Oz , a nd w e k no w t he y h av e n ot d on e t ha t. Flying machines are

u nk no wn h er e. I t hi nk i t m or e l ik el y t ha t t he p eo pl e u se l ad de rs t o

get ove r t he w al ls ."

" It w ou ld b e a n a wf ul c li mb o ve r t ha t h ig h s to ne w al l, " s ai d B et sy .

" St one, i s i t? " S cr aps, w ho w as a ga in danci ng w il dl y a round, f or

s he n ev er t ir ed a nd c ou ld n ev er k ee p s ti ll f or l on g.

"Course it's stone," answered Betsy scornfully.

" Ca n't you s ee ?"

"Y es ," s ai d Sc ra ps , g oi ng c lo se r. "I c an SEE t he wa ll , b ut I c an 't

FEE L i t." A nd t he n, w it h h er a rm s o ut st re tc he d, s he d id a v er y q ue er

t hi ng. S he w al ke d r ight i nt o t he w al l a nd dis appea re d.

" Fo r g oo dn es s s ak e! " D or ot hy , a ma ze d, a s i nd ee d t he y a ll w er e.

C HA PT ER 9

T HE H IG H C OC O- LO RU M O F T HI

A nd n ow t he Pa tc hw or k G ir l c am e d an ci ng o ut o f t he w al l a ga in . " Co me

o n !" s he c al le d. " It i sn 't t he re .

Th er e i sn 't a ny wa ll a t a ll ."

" What ? N o w al l? " e xc la im ed t he W iz ar d.

" No th in g l ik e i t, " s ai d S cr ap s. " It 's a m ak e- be li ev e. Y ou s ee i t,

b ut i t i sn 't . C om e o n i nt o t he c it y; w e' ve b ee n w as ti ng o ur t im e. "

W it h t hi s, s he d an ce d i nt o t he w al l a ga in a nd o nc e m or e d is ap pe ar ed .

B ut ton-B ri ght , w ho w as r a the r ve nt ur e -s ome , da she d a wa y a ft e r her a nd

a ls o bec am e i nvis ible t o t he m. T he other s f ol lowe d m or e c auti ousl y,

s tr et ch in g o ut t he ir h an ds t o f ee l t he w al l a nd f in di ng , t o t he ir

a st onis hm ent, t ha t t he y c ould f ee l not hi ng bec ause not hi ng oppos ed

t he m. T he y w al ke d o n a f ew s te ps a nd f ou nd t he ms el ve s i n t he s tr ee ts

o f a v er y b ea ut if ul c it y. Be hi nd t he m t he y a ga in s aw t he w al l, g ri m

a nd f or bi dd in g a s e ve r, b ut n ow t he y k ne w i t w as m er el y a n i ll us io n

p re pa re d t o k ee p s tr an ge rs f ro m e nt er in g t he c it y.

Bu t t he wa ll wa s s oo n f org ot te n, f or i n f ro nt of t he m we re a n umb er o f

q ua in t p eo pl e w ho s ta re d a t t he m i n a ma ze me nt a s i f w on de ri ng w he re

t he y h ad c om e f ro m. O ur f ri en ds f or go t t he ir g oo d m an ne rs f or a t im e

a nd r et ur ne d t he s ta re s w it h i nt er es t, f or s o r em ar ka bl e a p eo pl e h ad

n ev er b ef or e b ee n d is co ve re d i n a ll t he r em ar ka bl e L an d o f O z. Their

h e ad s w er e s ha pe d l ik e d ia mo nd s, a nd t he ir b od ie s l ik e h ea rt s. All

the hair they had was a little bunch at the tip top of their

d ia mo nd -s ha pe d h ea ds , a nd t he ir e ye s w er e v er y l ar ge a nd r ou nd , a nd

their noses and mouths very small. Their clothing was tight fitting

and of brilliant colors, being handsomely embroidered in quaint

d es ig ns w it h g ol d o r s il ve r t hr ea ds ; b ut o n t he ir f ee t t he y w or e

s anda ls w it h no s tockings w ha te ve r. T he e xpr es si on of t he ir f ac es w as

pl ea sa nt e nough, a l though t he y now s howe d s ur pr is e a t t he a ppea r ance

of s tr ange rs s o unl ike t he ms el ve s, a nd our f ri ends t hought t he y s ee me d

quite harmless.

" I b eg y ou r p ar do n, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, s pe ak in g f or h is p ar ty , " fo r

i nt rudi ng upon you uni nvit ed, but w e a re t ra ve li ng on i mpor ta nt

bus ines s a nd f ind i t nec es sa ry t o vis it your c it y. Wi ll you kindl y

t el l u s b y wh at n am e y ou r c it y i s c al le d? "

T he y l oo ke d a t o ne a no th er u nc er ta in ly , e ac h e xp ec ti ng s om e o th er t o

a ns we r. F in al ly , a s ho rt o ne w ho se h ea rt -s ha pe d b od y w as v er y b ro ad

r ep li ed , " We h av e n o o cc as io n t o c al l o ur c it y a ny th in g. I t i s w he re

we l iv e, t ha t i s a ll ."

" Bu t b y w ha t n am e d o o th er s c al l y ou r c it y? "a sk ed t he W iz ar d.

" We k no w o f n o o th er s e xc ep t y ou rs el ve s, " s ai d t he m an . An d th en he

i nq ui re d, " We re y ou b or n w it h t ho se q ue er f or ms y ou h av e, o r h as s om e

c ruel m agic ia n t ra ns form ed you t o t he m f rom your nat ur al s ha pe s? "

" Th es e a re o ur n at ur al s ha pe s, " d ec la re d t he W iz ar d, " an d w e c on si de r

t he m v er y g oo d s ha pe s, t oo ."

T he group of i nhabit ants w as c onst antl y bei ng e nl ar ge d by other s w ho

j oi ne d i t. A ll w er e e vi de nt ly s ta rt le d a nd u ne as y a t t he a rr iv al o f

s t ra ng er s. " Ha ve y ou a K in g? "a sk ed D or ot hy , w ho k ne w i t w as b et te r

t o s pe ak w it h s om eone i n a ut hori ty.

B ut t he m an s ho ok h is d ia mo nd -l ik e h ea d. " Wh at i s a K in g? " h e a sk ed .

" Is n' t t he re a nyone w ho r ul es ove r you?" inquir ed t he W iz ar d.

" No ," wa s t he r ep ly , " ea ch o f u s r ule s h ims el f, o r a t l ea st t ri es t o

d o s o. I t is n ot an easy th ing to d o, as yo u prob ably k now."

The Wizard reflected.

" If y ou h av e d is pu te s a mo ng y ou ," s ai d h e a ft er

a little thought, "who settles them?"

" The H igh C oc o- Lorum, " t he y a ns we re d i n a c horus.

" An d w ho i s h e? "

" Th e j ud ge w ho e nf or ce s t he l aw s, " s ai d t he m an w ho h ad f ir st s po ke n.

" Then he i s t he pri nc ipal per son her e? "c onti nued t he W iz ar d.

" We ll , I w ou ld n ot s ay t ha t, " r et ur ne d t he m an i n a p uz zl ed w ay . "The

H ig h C oc o- Lo ru m i s a p ub li c s er va nt . H ow ev er , h e r ep re se nt s t he l aw s,

w hi ch w e m us t a ll obe y. "

" I t hi nk ," s ai d t he W iz ar d, " we o ug ht t o s ee y ou r H ig h C oc o- Lo ru m a nd

t al k wi th h im. O ur m is si on h er e r eq ui re s u s t o c on su lt o ne h ig h i n

a ut ho ri ty , a nd t he H ig h C oc o- Lo ru m o ug ht t o b e h ig h, w ha te ve r e ls e h e

T he i nha bi ta nt s s ee me d t o c onsi der t hi s pr opos it ion r ea sona bl e, f or

t he y n od de d t he ir d ia mo nd -s ha pe d h ea ds i n a pp ro va l. S o t h e b ro a d o n e

w ho h ad b ee n t he ir s po ke sm an s ai d, " Fo ll ow m e, " a nd t ur ni ng l ed t he

wa y a lo ng o ne o f t he s tr ee ts . T he e nt ir e p ar ty f ol lo we d h im , t he

nat ives f al li ng i n behind. T he dwe ll ings t he y pas se d w er e qui te

nicely planned and seemed comfortable and convenient. After leading

t he m a f ew b lo ck s, t he ir c on du ct or s to pp ed b ef or e a h ou se w hi ch w as

n ei th er b et te r n or w or se t ha n t he o th er s. T he d oo rw ay w as s ha pe d t o

a d mi t t he s tr an ge ly f or me d b od ie s o f t he se p eo pl e, b ei ng n ar ro w a t t he

t op , b ro ad i n t he m id dl e a nd t ap er in g a t t he b ot to m. Th e w in do ws w er e

Coco-Lorum.

"Do you really eat those prickly things?"inquired Button-Bright

wonderingly.

" Wh y n ot ?" r ep li ed t he o th er . " Th e s ha rp p oi nt s o f t he t hi st le s

c annot hur t us, bec ause a ll our i ns ides a re gol d- li ne d. "

"Gold-lined!"

" To b e s ur e. Ou r t hr oa ts a nd s to ma ch s a re l in ed w it h s ol id g ol d, a nd

we fi nd th e t hi stl es no ur is hin g a nd go od to e at. A s a m at te r o f f ac t,

t he re i s n ot hi ng e ls e i n o ur c ou nt ry t ha t i s f it f or f oo d. A ll a ro un d

t he C it y o f Th i g ro w c ou nt le ss th is tl es , a nd a ll we n ee d d o i s t o g o

a nd g at he r t he m. I f w e wa nt ed a ny th in g e ls e t o e at , we w ou ld h av e t o

plant it, an d g row it, a nd harve st i t, and tha t would be a lot of

t ro ub le a nd m ak e u s w or k, w hi ch i s a n o cc up at io n w e d et es t. "

" Bu t t el l m e, p le as e, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, " ho w d oe s i t h ap pe n t ha t y ou r

c it y j um ps a ro un d s o, f ro m o ne p ar t o f t he c ou nt ry t o a no th er ?"

" Th e c it y d oe sn 't j um p. I t d oe sn 't m ov e a t a ll ," d ec la re d t he H ig h

C oco- Lor um . " Howe ve r, I w il l a dm it t ha t t he l and t ha t s ur rounds i t

h as a tr ic k of t ur ni ng t his wa y o r t hat , a nd s o i f o ne i s s ta nd in g

upon t he pla in a nd f ac ing nor th, he i s l ikel y t o f ind him se lf s udde nl y

f ac in g w es t o r e as t o r s ou th . B ut o nc e y ou r ea ch t he t hi st le f ie ld s,

y ou a re o n s ol id g ro un d. "

" Ah , I b eg in t o u nd er st an d, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, n od di ng h is h ea d. "But

I h av e a no th er q ue st io n t o a sk : H ow d oe s i t h ap pe n t ha t t he Th is ts

h av e n o K in g t o r ul e o ve r t he m? "

"Hush!"whispered the High Coco-Lorum, looking uneasily around to make

s ur e t he y w er e n ot o ve rh ea rd . "I n r ea li ty , I a m th e Ki ng, b ut t he

p eo pl e d on 't k no w i t. T he y t hi nk t he y r ul e t he ms el ve s, b ut t he f ac t

is I h av e ev ery th ing my own way . N o o ne e ls e k no ws a ny th in g a bo ut o ur

laws, an d so I mak e the laws to suit myself. If a ny o pp os e me o r

q ue st io n my a ct s, I t el l t he m i t' s t he l aw a nd t ha t s et tl es i t. If I

c al le d m ys el f K in g, h ow ev er , a nd w or e a c ro wn a nd l iv ed i n r oy al

s ty le , t he p eop le wo ul d n ot l ik e me a nd m ig ht d o me h ar m. As the High

Co co -L or um o f T hi , I a m c on si de re d a v er y a gr ee ab le p er so n. "

" It s ee ms a v er y c le ve r a rr an ge me nt ," s ai d t he W iz ar d. " An d n ow , a s

y ou ar e th e p ri nci pal p ers on in Th i, I b eg yo u t o te ll u s if t he Ro ya l

O zm a i s a c ap ti ve i n y ou r c it y. "

" No ," a ns we re d t he d ia mo nd -h ea de d m an . " We h av e n o c ap ti ve s. N o

s tr an ge rs b ut y ou rs el ve s a re h er e, a nd w e h av e n ev er b ef or e h ea rd o f

the Royal Ozma."

" Sh e r ul es o ve r a ll o f Oz ," s ai d Do ro th y, "a nd s o s he r ule s y ou r c ity

a nd y ou , b ec au se y ou a re i n t he W in ki e Co un tr y, wh ic h i s a p ar t o f t he

La nd o f O z. "

" It m ay b e, " r et ur ne d t he H ig h C oc o- Lo ru m, " fo r w e d o n ot s tu dy

g eo gr ap hy a nd h av e n ev er i nq ui re d w he th er w e l iv e i n t he L an d o f O z o r

n ot . An d a ny Ru ler wh o r ule s u s f ro m a di st an ce a nd u nkn own t o u s i s

w el co me t o t he j ob . Bu t w ha t h as h ap pe ne d t o y ou r Ro ya l Oz ma ?"

" So me on e h as s to le n h er ," s ai d t he W iz ar d. " Do y ou h ap pe n t o h av e a ny

ta le nt ed m agic ia n a mong your peopl e, one w ho i s e spec ia ll y c le ve r, you

know?"

" No , n on e e sp ec ia ll y c le ve r. We d o s om e ma gi c, o f c ou rs e, b ut i t i s

all of the ordinary kind. I d o no t t hin k any o f u s has y et asp ired t o

stealing Rulers, either by magic or otherwise."

"Then we've come a long way for nothing!"exclaimed Trot regretfully.

" But w e a re goi ng f ar ther t ha n t hi s, " a ss er te d t he P at chwork G ir l,

b en di ng h er s tu ff ed b od y b ac kw ar d u nt il h er y ar n h ai r t ou ch ed t he

f lo or an d t hen wa lki ng a ro un d on h er ha nd s wit h h er f ee t in t he ai r.

The High Coco-Lorum watched Scraps admiringly.

" You m ay go f ar ther

o n, o f c ou rs e, " s ai d h e, " bu t I a dv is e y ou n ot t o. The Herk us li ve

b ac k o f u s, b ey on d t he t hi st le s a nd t he t wi st in g l an ds , a nd t he y a re

n ot v er y n ic e p eo pl e t o me et , I a ss ur e y ou ."

" Ar e t he y gia nt s? " a sked B et sy.

" Th ey a re w or se t ha n t ha t, " w as t he r ep ly . " Th ey h av e g ia nt s f or

t he ir s la ve s a nd t he y a re s o m uc h s tr on ge r t ha n g ia nt s t ha t t he p oo r

s la ve s d ar e n ot r eb el f or f ea r o f b ei ng t or n t o p ie ce s. "

" Ho w d o y ou k no w? " a sk ed S cr ap s.

" Ever yone s a ys s o, " a ns we re d t he H igh C oc o- Lor um .

"Have you seen the Herkus yourself?"inquired Dorothy.

" No , b ut w ha t e ve ry on e s ay s mu st b e t ru e, o th er wi se wh at wo ul d b e t he

us e of t he ir s aying i t? "

" We we re t ol d b ef or e w e g ot h er e t ha t y ou p eo pl e h it ch d ra go ns t o y ou r

chariots," said the little girl.

" So w e d o, " d ec la re d t he H ig h C oc o- Lo ru m. " An d t ha t r em in ds m e t ha t I

o ug ht t o e nte rt ai n y ou a s st ra ng er s a nd m y g ue st s b y t ak in g y ou fo r a

r id e ar ou nd o ur s ple nd id Ci ty o f Th i." H e t ou ch ed a b ut to n, a nd a

b an d be ga n to p la y. At lea st, th ey heard th e mus ic of a b and, but

c ou ld n' t te ll wh ere it c am e f ro m. "Th at t un e i s t he o rd er t o my

c ha ri ot ee r t o bri ng a round m y dra gon- char iot, " s ai d t he H igh

C oc o- Lo ru m. " Ev er y t ime I g iv e a n o rd er , i t i s i n m us ic , w hi ch i s a

mu ch m or e p le as an t w ay t o a dd re ss s er va nt s t ha n i n c ol d, s te rn w or ds ."

"Does this dragon of yours bite?"asked Button-Bright.

" Me rc y n o! Do y ou t hi nk I 'd r is k t he s af et y o f my i nn oc en t p eo pl e b y

u si ng a b iti ng d ra go n t o d raw my c har iot ? I 'm p ro ud t o s ay t ha t m y

d ra go n i s h ar ml es s, u nl es s h is s te er in g g ea r b re ak s, a nd h e w as

m an uf ac tu re d a t t he f am ou s d ra go n f ac to ry i n t hi s C it y o f T hi . H er e

he c om es , a nd you m ay e xa mi ne him f or yours el ve s. "

T he y h ea rd a l ow r um bl e a nd a s hr il l s qu ea ki ng s ou nd , a nd g oi ng o ut t o

th e f ro nt o f t he h ou se , t he y s aw c om in g a ro un d t he c or ne r a c ar d ra wn

b y a g or ge ou s j ew el ed d ra go n, w hi ch m ov ed i ts h ea d t o r ig ht a nd l ef t

a nd f la sh ed i ts e ye s l ik e h ea dl ig ht s o f a n a ut om ob il e a nd u tt er ed a

g ro wl in g n oi se a s i t s lo wl y mo ve d t ow ar d t he m. W he n i t s to pp ed b ef or e

t he H ig h C oc o- Lo ru m' s h ou se , T ot o b ar ke d s ha rp ly a t t he s pr aw li ng

b ea st , b ut e ve n t in y T ro t c ou ld s ee t ha t t he d ra go n w as n ot a li ve .

I ts s ca le s w er e o f g ol d, a nd e ac h o ne w as s et wi th s pa rk li ng j ewe ls ,

wh il e i t w al ke d i n s uc h a s ti ff , r eg ul ar m an ne r t ha t i t c ou ld b e

n ot hi ng e ls e t ha n a ma ch in e. T he c ha ri ot t ha t t ra il ed b eh in d i t w as

l ik ew is e o f g ol d a nd j ew el s, a nd w he n t he y e nt er ed i t, t he y f ou nd

t he re w er e n o s ea ts . E ve ry on e w as s up po se d t o s ta nd u p w hi le r id in g.

T he c ha ri ot ee r w as a l it tl e, dia mond-he aded f el low w ho s tr addl ed t he

n ec k o f t he d ra go n a nd m ov ed t he l ev er s t ha t ma de i t g o.

"This," said the High Coco-Lorum pompously, "is a wonderful invention.

W e a re a ll v er y p ro ud o f o ur a ut o- dr ag on s, ma ny o f w hi ch a re i n u se b y

our wealthy inhabitants. Start the thing going, charioteer!"

T he c ha ri ot ee r d id n ot m ov e.

" You f or got t o order him i n m us ic ,"

suggested Dorothy.

" Ah , s o I d id ."

He t ou ch ed a b ut to n a nd a mu si c b ox i n t he d ra go n' s

h ea d b eg an t o p la y a t un e. At o nc e t he l it tl e ch ar iot ee r p ull ed o ve r

a l ev er , a nd t he d ra go n b eg an t o m ov e, v er y s lo wl y a nd g ro an in g

d is ma ll y a s i t d re w t he c lu ms y c ha ri ot a ft er i t. T ot o t ro tt ed b et we en

t he w he el s. T he S aw ho rs e, t he M ul e, t he L io n a nd t he W oo zy f ol lo we d

a ft er a nd h ad n o t ro ub le i n k ee pi ng u p w it h t he m ac hi ne . I nd ee d, t he y

h ad t o g o s lo w t o k eep fr om r un ni ng i nto i t. Wh en t he wh ee ls t ur ne d,

a no th er m us ic b ox c on ce al ed s om ew he re u nd er t he c ha ri ot p la ye d a

l ivel y m ar ch t une w hi ch w as i n s tr iking c ontr as t w it h t he dra gging

m ove me nt of t he s tr ange vehic le , a nd B ut ton- Br ight dec ided t ha t t he

m us ic h e h ad h ea rd w he n t he y f ir st s ig ht ed t hi s c it y w as n ot hi ng e ls e

t ha n a c ha ri ot p lo dd in g i ts w ea ry w ay t hr ou gh t he s tr ee ts .

A ll t he t ra ve le rs f rom t he E me ra ld C it y t hought t hi s r ide t he m os t

uni nt er es ti ng a nd dre ar y t he y had e ve r e xper ie nc ed, but t he H igh

Co co -L or um s ee me d t o t hi nk i t w as g ra nd . H e p oi nt ed o ut t he d if fe re nt

b ui ld in gs a nd p ar ks a nd f ou nt ai ns i n m uc h t he s am e w ay t ha t t he

c onduct or doe s on a n A me ri ca n " si ghts ee ing w agon" doe s, a nd bei ng

g ue st s t he y w er e o bl ig ed t o s ub mi t t o t he o rd ea l. Bu t t he y b ec am e a

l it tl e w or ri ed w he n t he ir h os t t ol d t he m h e h ad o rd er ed a b an qu et

p re pa re d f or t he m i n t he C it y H al l. " Wh at a re w e g oi ng t o e at ?" as ke d

Button-Bright suspiciously.

"Thistles," was the reply. "Fine, fresh thistles, gathered this very

S cr ap s l au gh ed , f or s he n ev er a te a ny th in g, b ut D or ot hy s ai d i n a

prote st ing voi ce , " OU R i ns ides a re not l ined w it h gol d, you know. "

" Ho w s ad !" ex cl ai me d t he H ig h C oc o- Lo ru m, a nd t he n h e a dd ed a s a n

a ft er thought, " but w e c an have t he t hi st le s boi le d, i f you pre fe r. "

I 'm ' fr ai d t he y w ou ld n' t t as te g oo d e ve n t he n, " s ai d l it tl e T ro t.

" H aven't you a nything e ls e t o e at ?"

T he H igh C oc o-L or um s hook hi s dia mond- sha pe d he ad.

" No th in g t ha t I k no w o f, " s ai d h e. " Bu t wh y s ho ul d we h av e a ny th in g

e ls e wh en we ha ve s o ma ny t hi st les ? Ho we ve r, i f y ou c an 't e at wh at

we e at , d on 't e at a ny th in g. W e s ha ll n ot b e o ff en de d, a nd t he b an qu et

w il l be j us t a s m er ry a nd del ight ful. "

K nowi ng his c om pa ni ons w er e a ll hungr y, t he W iz ar d s ai d, " I t rust you

w il l e xc us e us f rom t he banquet , s ir , w hi ch w il l be m er ry e nough

with out us, a lthou gh it is g iven in ou r h ono r. Fo r, a s Oz ma i s n ot i n

y ou r c it y, we m us t l ea ve h er e a t o nc e a nd s ee k h er e ls ew he re ."

" Su re w e m us t! " D or ot hy , a nd s he w hi sp er ed t o B et sy a nd T ro t,

" I' d r at he r s ta rv e s om ew he re e ls e t ha n i n t hi s c it y, a nd w ho k no ws , w e

m ay r un a cr os s s om eb od y w ho e at s r eg 'l ar f oo d a nd w il l g iv e u s s om e. "

So wh en t he r id e wa s f in ish ed , i n s pi te o f t he p ro te st s o f t he Hi gh

C oc o- Lorum, t he y i ns is te d on c onti nuing t he ir j ourney. " It w il l s oon

b e d ar k, " h e o bj ec te d.

" We d on 't m in d t he d ar kn es s, " r ep li ed t he W iz ar d.

" Some w ande ri ng H er ku m ay get you."

" Do you t hi nk t he H er kus w ould hur t us? "a sked D or ot hy.

" I c an no t s ay , n ot h av in g h ad t he h on or o f t he ir a cq ua in ta nc e. But

the y ar e sa id to be s o st ron g th at if t he y ha d an y ot he r pla ce t o

s ta nd upon t he y c ould l if t t he w or ld."

"All of them together?"asked Button-Bright wonderingly.

" An y o ne o f t he m c ou ld d o i t, " s ai d t he H ig h C oc o- Lo ru m.

" Ha ve you hea rd of a ny m agic ia ns bei ng a mong t he m? "

a sk ed t he W iz ar d, k no wi ng t ha t o nl y a m ag ic ia n c ou ld h av e

s to le n O zma i n t he wa y s he h ad b ee n s to le n.

" I a m t ol d i t i s q ui te a m ag ic al c ou nt ry ," d ec la re d t he H ig h

Coco-L or um , " and m agic i s usual ly per form ed by m agic ia ns . B ut I have

n ev er h ea rd t ha t t he y h av e a ny i nv en ti on o r s or ce ry t o e qu al o ur

wonderful auto-dragons."

T he y t ha nked him f or his c ourt es y, a nd m ount ing t he ir own a ni ma ls r ode

to t he f ar th er s id e o f t he c it y a nd r ig ht t hr ou gh t he W al l o f I ll us io n

o ut i nt o t he o pe n c ou nt ry . "I 'm g lad w e g ot a wa y so e as il y," sa id

B et sy. " I didn't l ike t hos e quee r- s ha ped people ."

" No r d id I ," a gr ee d D or ot hy . " It s ee ms d re ad fu l t o b e l in ed w it h

s he et s o f p ur e g ol d a nd h av e n ot hi ng t o e at b ut t hi st le s. "

" The y s ee me d happy a nd c onte nt ed, t hough," r em ar ke d t he W iz ar d, " and

t ho se w ho a re c on te nt ed h av e n ot hi ng t o r eg re t a nd n ot hi ng m or e t o

wish for."

C H AP TE R 10

T O TO L O SE S S O ME T HI N G

F or a w hi le t he t ra ve le rs w er e c onst antl y l os ing t he ir dir ec ti on, f or

beyond t he t hi st le f ie lds t he y a ga in f ound t he ms el ve s upon t he

t ur ni ng-l ands , w hi ch s wung t he m a round one w ay a nd t he n a nother . B ut

by kee pi ng t he C it y of T hi c onst antl y behind t he m, t he a dventure rs

f inal ly pas se d t he t re ac he rous t ur ni ng-l ands a nd c am e upon a s tony

c ou nt ry w he re n o g ra ss g re w a t a ll . T he re w er e p le nt y o f b us he s,

h ow ev er , a nd a lt ho ug h i t w as n ow a lm os t d ar k, t he g ir ls d is co ve re d

s om e del ic ious yel low ber ri es growi ng upon t he bus he s, one t as te of

w hi ch s et t he m a ll t o p ic ki ng a s m an y a s t he y c ou ld f in d. T he b er ri es

r el ie ve d t he ir p an gs o f h un ge r f or a t im e, a nd a s i t n ow b ec ame t oo

d ar k t o s ee a ny th in g, t he y c am pe d w he re t he y w er e.

Th e t hr ee g ir ls l ay d ow n u po n o ne o f t he b la nk et s- -a ll i n a r ow- -a nd

t he W iz ar d c ov er ed t he m w it h t he o th er b la nk et a nd t uc ke d t he m i n.

B ut to n- Br ig ht c ra wl ed u nd er t he s he lt er o f s om e b us he s a nd w as a sl ee p

The Wiza rd sat do wn with his b ack to a big s tone

an d l oo ke d a t t he s ta rs i n t he s ky a nd t ho ug ht g ra ve ly u po n t he

da nger ous a dventure t he y had under ta ke n, w onde ri ng i f t he y w ould e ve r

b e a bl e t o f in d t he ir b el ov ed O zm a a ga in . Th e a ni ma ls l ay i n a g ro up

b y t he ms el ve s, a l it tl e d is ta nc e f ro m t he o th er s. "I 'v e l os t m y

g ro wl !" s ai d To to , wh o h ad b ee n v er y s il en t a nd s ob er a ll t ha t d ay .

" Wh at d o y ou s up po se h as b ec om e o f i t? "

"If yo u ha d as ked me t o ke ep tra ck o f yo ur gr owl, I mig ht b e abl e to

t el l you," r em ar ke d t he L ion s le epil y. " But f ra nkl y, T ot o, I s uppos e d

y ou w er e t ak in g c ar e o f i t y ou rs el f. "

" It 's a n a wf ul t hi ng t o l os e o ne 's g ro wl ," s ai d T ot o, w ag gi ng h is t ai l

dis cons ol at el y. " What i f you l os t your r oa r, L ion? W ouldn' t you f ee l

terrible?"

" My r oa r, "r ep li ed t he L io n, " is t he f ie rc es t t hi ng a bo ut m e. I d ep e nd

o n it to f ri gh te n my e ne mie s so b adl y th at t he y wo n' t d are t o f igh t

" On ce ," s ai d t he M ul e, "I lo st my b ra y s o t ha t I c ou ld n' t c al l t o

Betsy to le t her know I was hung ry. That was b efo re I cou ld ta lk, yo u

know, for I had not yet come into the Land of Oz, and I found it was

ce rt ai nl y v er y u nc om fo rt ab le n ot t o b e a bl e t o m ak e a n oi se ."

" Yo u m ak e e no ug h n oi se n ow ," d ec la re d T ot o. " Bu t n on e o f y ou h av e

a nsw er ed m y que st ion: W he re i s m y growl ?"

" Yo u m ay s ea rc h M E, " s ai d t he W oo zy . " I d on 't c ar e f or s uc h t hi ng s,

myself."

" You s nor e t er ri bly," a s se rt e d T ot o.

" It m ay b e, " s ai d t he Wo oz y. " Wh at o ne d oe s w he n a sl ee p o ne i s n ot

a cc ou nt ab le f or . I wi sh y ou w ou ld w ak e m e u p s om et im e w he n I 'm

s no ri ng a nd l et me h ea r th e s ou nd . Th en I c an j udg e wh eth er i t is

terrible or delightful."

" It i sn't ple as ant, I a ss ur e you," s ai d t he L ion, yaw ni ng.

" To m e i t s ee ms w holl y unnec es sa ry," dec la re d H ank t he M ul e.

" Yo u o ug ht t o b re ak y ou rs el f o f t he h ab it ," s ai d t he S aw ho rs e. "You

n ev er h ea r m e s no re , b ec au se I n ev er s le ep . I d on 't e ven wh in ny a s

t ho se p uf fy m ea t h or se s d o. I w is h t ha t w ho ev er s to le T ot o' s g ro wl

h ad t ak en t he M ul e' s b ra y a nd t he L io n' s r oa r a nd t he W oo zy 's s no re a t

t he s am e t im e. "

" Do y ou t hi nk , t he n, t ha t m y g ro wl w as s to le n? "

" You have never l os t i t bef or e, have you?" i nqui re d

inquired the Sawhorse.

" On ly o nc e, wh en I h ad a s or e t hr oa t f ro m b ar ki ng t oo l on g a t t he

moon."

" Is y ou r t hr oa t s or e n ow ?" a sk ed t he W oo zy .

" No ," r ep li ed t he d og .

" I c an 't u nd er st an d, " s ai d H an k, " wh y d og s b ar k a t t he m oo n. The y

ca n' t s ca re t he mo on , a nd t he m oo n d oe sn 't p ay a ny a tt en ti on t o t he

b ar k. So why do dogs do it?"

" We re y ou e ve r a d og ?" a sk ed T ot o.

"N o i nd ee d, " r ep li ed H an k. " I a m t ha nk fu l t o s ay I w as c re at ed a

m ul e- -t he m os t bea ut if ul of a ll bea st s- -a nd have a lw ays r em ai ne d one ."

T he W oo zy s at u po n h is s qu ar e h au nc he s t o e xa mi ne H an k w it h c ar e.

" Be au ty ," h e s ai d, " mu st b e a ma tt er o f ta st e. I d on 't s ay y ou r

jud gment is b ad, frie nd Hank , or th at yo u are so v ulg ar as to b e

c on ce it ed . But if y ou a dmi re b ig , wag gy e ar s a nd a ta il li ke a

p ai nt br us h a nd h oo fs b ig e no ug h f or a n el ep ha nt a nd a l on g n ec k a nd a

b o dy s o s ki nn y t ha t o ne c an c ou nt t he r ib s wi th o ne e ye s hu t- -i f

th at 's y ou r i de a o f b ea ut y, H an k, t he n e it he r y ou o r I m us t b e mu ch

mistaken."

" Yo u' re f ul l o f e dg es ," s ne er ed t he Mu le . " If I w er e s qu ar e a s y ou

a re , I s up po se y ou 'd t hi nk m e l ov el y. "

" Outw ar dl y, dea r H ank, I w oul d, " r epl ie d t he W oozy.

" But t o be r ea ll y l ovel y, one m us t be bea ut if ul w it hout a nd w it hi n. "

T he M ul e c ou ld n' t d en y t hi s s ta te me nt , s o h e g av e a d is gu st ed g ru nt

a nd r ol le d o ve r s o t ha t h is b ac k w as t ow ar d t he W oo zy . But th e Li on ,

r eg ar di ng t he t wo c al ml y w it h h is g re at , y el lo w e ye s, s ai d t o t he d og ,

" My d ea r T ot o, o ur f ri en ds h av e t au gh t u s a l es so n i n h um il it y. If

t he Wo oz y a nd t he M ul e a re i nd ee d b ea ut if ul c re at ur es a s t he y s ee m t o

t hi nk , y ou a nd I m us t b e d ec id ed ly u gl y. "

" No t t o o ur se lv es ," p ro te st ed T ot o, w ho w as a s hr ew d l it tl e d og . "You

and I, Lion , are fin e spe cimens of ou r own ra ces. I am a fin e dog,

a nd y ou a re a fi ne li on . On ly in p oi nt of co mp ar is on , on e wi th

an ot her , c an we b e p rop er ly j ud ge d, so I wil l le av e it t o th e po or o ld

S aw hors e t o dec ide w hi ch i s t he m os t bea ut if ul a ni ma l a mong us a ll .

T he S aw ho rs e i s w oo d, s o h e wo n' t b e p re ju di ce d a nd w il l s pe ak t he

truth."

" I s ur el y w il l, " r es ponded t he S aw hors e, w aggi ng his e ar s, w hi ch w er e

c hi ps s et i n h is w oo de n h ea d. " Ar e y ou a ll a gr ee d t o a cc ep t my

judgment?"

" We a re !" t he y d ec la re d, e ac h o ne h op ef ul .

" Th en ," s aid th e S aw ho rs e, "I mu st p oi nt o ut t o y ou t he f ac t t ha t y ou

ar e a ll m ea t c re at ur es , w ho t ir e u nl es s t he y s le ep a nd s ta rv e u nl es s

t he y e at a nd s uf fe r f rom t hi rs t unl es s t he y dri nk. S uc h a ni ma ls m us t

be ver y i mper fe ct , a nd i mpe rf ec t c re at ur es c annot be bea uti ful. N ow ,

I am made of woo d."

" Yo u s ur el y h av e a w oo de n h ea d, " s ai d t he M ul e.

"Yes , a nd a woo de n b od y a nd wo ode n le gs , wh ic h a re a s swi ft a s th e

w in d a nd a s t ir el es s. I 'v e h ea rd D or ot hy s ay t ha t ' ha nd so me i s a s

h a nd so me d oe s, ' a nd I s ur el y p er fo rm m y d ut ie s i n a h an ds om e m an ne r.

T he re fore , i f you w is h m y hones t j udgm ent, I w il l c onfe ss t ha t a mong

u s a ll I a m t he mo st b ea ut if ul ."

T he M ul e s no rt ed , a nd t he W oo zy l au gh ed ; T ot o h ad l os t h is g ro wl a nd

co ul d o nl y l oo k s co rn fu ll y a t t he S aw ho rs e, w ho s to od i n h is p la ce

unmoved. But the Lion stretched himself and yawned, saying quietly,

" We re w e a ll l ik e t he S aw ho rs e, w e w ou ld a ll b e S aw ho rs es , w hi ch w ou ld

be too many of the kind. Were we all like Hank, we would be a herd of

m ul es ; i f l ik e T ot o, we wo ul d b e a p ac k o f d og s; s ho ul d we a ll b ec ome

t he s ha pe o f t he Wo oz y, h e w ou ld n o l on ge r b e r ema rk ab le f or h is

unus ua l a ppe ar ance . F inal ly, w er e you a ll l ike m e, I w ould c onsi de r

you so c ommon t hat I wou ld not ca re to asso ciat e with yo u. T o b e

i ndividua l, m y f ri ends , t o be dif fe re nt f rom other s, i s t he onl y w ay

t o b ec om e d is ti ng ui sh ed f ro m t he c om mo n h er d. L et u s b e g la d,

t he re fore , t ha t w e dif fe r f rom one a nother i n f or m a nd i n dis posi ti on.

V ari et y i s th e s pi ce o f l if e, a nd we a re v ari ou s e no ug h t o e njo y o ne

a no th er 's s oc ie ty ; s o l et u s b e c on te nt ."

" Ther e i s s om e t ruth i n t ha t s pe ec h, " r em ar ke d T ot o r ef le ct ivel y.

" But how a bout m y l os t growl ?"

" Th e g ro wl i s o f i mp or ta nc e o nl y t o y ou ," r es po nd ed t he L io n, " so i t

is yo ur bu sine ss to worr y ove r t he lo ss, n ot ou rs. If you love u s, d o

n ot a ff li ct y ou r b ur de ns o n u s; b e u nh ap py a ll b y y ou rs el f. "

" If t he s am e p er so n s to le m y g ro wl w ho s to le O zm a, " s ai d t he l it tl e

d og , " I h op e we s hall fi nd hi m ve ry so on an d p uni sh hi m as h e

d es er ve s. H e m us t b e t he m os t c ru el p ers on i n a ll t he w or ld , fo r t o

p re ven t a d og f rom g rowl in g wh en i t i s h is n atu re t o g rowl is j us t as

wi ck ed , i n my o pi ni on , a s s te al in g a ll t he m ag ic i n O z. "

C H AP TE R 11

BUTTON-BRIGHT LOSES HIMSELF

Th e Pa tc hwo rk Gi rl , w ho n ev er s le pt an d wh o c ou ld s ee v ery we ll i n th e

d ar k, h ad w an de re d a mo ng t he r oc ks a nd b us he s a ll n ig ht l on g, w it h t he

r es ul t t ha t s he w as a bl e t o t el l s ome g oo d n ews t he n ex t mo rn in g.

" Ov er th e c re st o f th e h il l b efo re u s," s he s aid , "i s a b ig g ro ve o f

t re es o f ma ny k ind s o n wh ic h a ll s ort s of f ru its g ro w. If you will go

t he re , you w il l f ind a nic e bre akfa st a wa it ing you." T hi s m ade t he m

e ag er t o s ta rt , s o a s s oo n a s t he b la nk et s we re f ol de d a nd s tr ap pe d to

t he b ac k o f t he Sa wh or se , t he y a ll t oo k t he ir p la ce s o n t he a ni ma ls

an d se t ou t for t he b ig g rov e Scra ps h ad t old the m o f.

As soo n a s th ey got ove r th e b row of the hi ll, they d iscov ered it to

b e a r ea ll y i mm en se o rc ha rd , e xt en di ng f or mi le s t o t he r ig ht a nd l ef t

o f t he m. A s t he ir w ay l ed s tr ai gh t t hr ou gh t he t re es , t he y h ur ri ed

f or wa rd a s f as t a s p os si bl e. Th e f ir st t re es t he y c am e t o b or e

q ui nc es , w hi ch t he y d id n ot l ik e. T he n t he re w er e r ow s o f c it ro n

t re es a nd t he n c ra b a pp le s a nd a ft er wa rd l im es a nd l em on s. B ut b ey on d

t he se t he y f ou nd a g ro ve o f b ig , g ol de n o ra ng es , j ui cy a nd s we et , a nd

t he f ru it h un g l ow o n t he b ra nc he s s o t he y c ou ld p lu ck i t e as il y.

T he y h el pe d t he ms el ve s f re el y a nd a ll a te o ra ng es a s t he y c on ti nu ed o n

t he ir w ay . T he n, a l it tl e f ar th er a lo ng , t he y c am e t o s om e t re es

be ar in g f in e, r ed a pp le s, w hi ch t he y a ls o f ea st ed o n, a nd t he W iz ar d

stop ped here lo ng e nou gh to ti e a l ot of th e app les in o ne en d of a

blanket.

" We d o n ot k no w w ha t wi ll h ap pe n to u s a ft er we l ea ve t hi s

d el ig ht fu l o rc ha rd ," h e s ai d, " so I t hi nk i t w is e t o c ar ry a s up pl y o f

a pp le s w ith u s. W e c an 't s ta rv e a s l on g a s we h av e a pp le s, y ou k no w. "

Sc ra ps wa sn 't r id in g t he W oo zy j us t n ow. Sh e l ov ed t o c li mb t he t re es

a nd s wi ng h er se lf b y t he b ra nc he s f ro m o ne t re e t o a no th er . S ome o f

t h e c ho ic es t f ru it w as g at he re d b y t he P at ch wo rk G ir l f ro m t he v er y

hi gh es t l im bs a nd t os se d d ow n t o t he o th er s. S ud de nl y, T ro t a sk ed ,

"W he re 's B ut ton- Br ight ?" a nd w he n t he other s l ooke d f or him , t he y

f ou nd t he b oy h ad d is ap pe ar ed .

" De ar m e! " c ri ed D or ot hy . " I g ue ss h e' s l os t a ga in , a nd t ha t wi ll

me an our w ai ti ng her e unt il w e c an f ind him ."

" It 's a g oo d p la ce t o w ai t, " s ug ge st ed Be ts y, wh o h ad f ou nd a p lu m

t re e a nd w as e ati ng so me o f i ts f ru it.

" Ho w c an y ou wa it h ere a nd f in d Bu tto n- Br ig ht a t o ne a nd t he s ame

t im e? " i nq ui re d t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, h an gi ng b y h er t oe s o n a l im b j us t

o ve r t he h ea ds o f t he t hr ee m or ta l g ir ls .

" Pe r ha ps he 'l l c ome ba ck he re ," a nsw er e d D or othy.

" If h e t ri es t ha t, h e' ll p ro b' ly l os e h is w ay ," s ai d T ro t. " I' ve

k no wn h im t o d o th at l ot s o f ti me s. It' s l osin g his way th at ge ts him

lost."

"But what will I do when I get ho me to the Glass Cat and the Pink

K it te n? " a sk ed t he l it tl e d og i n a n a nx io us t on e.

" Th ey wo n' t m in d i f y ou c an 't g ro wl a t t he m, I 'm s ur e, " s ai d D or ot hy .

" I' m s or ry f or y ou , o f c ou rs e, To to , f or i t' s j us t t ho se t hi ng s we

can't do that we want to do most of all; but before we get back, you

may find your growl again."

" Do y ou t hi nk t he p er so n w ho s to le O zm a s to le m y g ro wl ?"

Dorothy smiled.

"Perhaps, Toto."

" Then he' s a s coundr el !" c ri ed t he l it tl e dog.

" An yo ne wh o w ou ld s te al O zm a i s a s b ad a s b ad c an b e, " a gr ee d D or ot hy ,

" an d w he n w e r em em be r t ha t o ur d ea r f ri en d, t he l ov el y R ul er o f O z, i s

lo st , we o ug ht n ot t o wo rr y o ve r j us t a g ro wl ."

T ot o w as n ot e nt ir el y s at is fi ed w it h t hi s r em ar k, f or t he m or e h e

t hought upon his l os t growl , t he m or e i mpor ta nt his m is fort une bec am e.

Wh en n o o ne wa s l oo ki ng , h e we nt a wa y a mo ng t he t re es a nd t ri ed h is

b es t t o g ro wl -- ev en a l it tl e b it -- bu t c ou ld n ot ma na ge t o d o s o. All

he could do was bark, and a bark cannot take the place of a growl, so

h e s ad ly r et ur ne d t o t he o th er s.

Now Button-Bright had no idea that he was lost at first. He had

m er el y w an de re d f ro m t re e t o t re e s ee ki ng t he f in es t f ru it u nt il h e

d is co ve re d h e w as a lo ne i n t he g re at o rc ha rd . B ut t ha t d id n' t w or ry

h im j us t t he n, a nd s ee in g s om e a pr ic ot t re es f ar th er o n, h e we nt t o

th em . T he n h e d is co ve re d s om e c he rr y t re es ; j us t b ey on d t he se w er e

s om e t ange ri ne s. " We 've f ound ' most e v' ry kind of f ruit but pea ches ,"

he sa id to h imsel f, "so I g ue ss th ere ar e pea che s her e, t oo, if I can

f i nd t he t re es ."

H e s ea rc he d h er e a nd t he re , p ay in g n o a tt en ti on t o h is w ay , u nt il h e

f ou nd t ha t t he t re es s ur ro un di ng h im b or e o nl y n ut s. H e p ut s om e

w a ln ut s i n h is p oc ke ts a nd k ep t o n s ea rc hi ng , a nd a t l as t- -r ig ht a mo ng

t he n ut t re es -- he c am e u po n o ne s ol it ar y p ea ch t re e. I t w as a

gra ce ful, bea ut if ul t re e, but a lt hough i t w as t hi ckly l ea ve d, i t bor e

n o f ru it e xc ep t o ne l ar ge , s pl en di d p ea ch , r os y- ch ee ke d a nd f uz zy a nd

j us t r ig ht t o e at .

I n h is h ea rt h e d ou bt ed t hi s s ta te me nt , f or t hi s w as a s ol it ar y p ea ch

t re e, wh il e a ll t he o th er fr ui ts g re w u po n m an y t re es s et c lo se t o o ne

a no th er ; b ut t ha t o ne l us ci ou s b it e m ad e h im u na bl e t o r es is t e at in g

t he res t of it, an d so on the pea ch wa s al l go ne e xc ep t the pit .

Bu tt on -B ri gh t w as a bo ut t o t hr ow t hi s p ea ch p it a wa y w he n h e n ot ic ed

t ha t i t wa s o f p ur e g ol d. Of c ou rs e, th is s ur pr is ed h im, b ut s o ma ny

t hi ng s i n t he La nd o f Oz w er e s ur pr is in g t ha t h e d id n ot g iv e mu ch

th ou gh t t o t he g ol de n p ea ch p it . He p ut i t i n h is p oc ke t, h owe ve r, t o

s ho w t o t he g ir ls , a nd f iv e m in ut es a ft er wa rd h ad f or go tt en a ll a bo ut

F or n ow h e r ea li ze d t ha t h e w as f ar s ep ar at ed f ro m h is c om pa ni on s, a nd

k no wi ng t ha t t hi s w ou ld w or ry t he m a nd d el ay t he ir j ou rn ey , h e b eg an

t o s ho ut a s l ou d a s h e c ou ld . Hi s v oi ce d id n ot p en et ra te v er y f ar

a mo ng a ll t ho se t re es , a nd a ft er s ho ut in g a d oz en t im es a nd g et ti ng n o

a ns we r, h e s at d own o n t he g ro un d a nd s ai d, "W el l, I 'm l os t a ga in .

It's too bad, but I don't see how it can be helped."

As h e l ea ne d h is b ac k a ga in st a t re e, h e l oo ke d u p a nd s aw a Bl ue fi nc h

f ly d own f rom th e sk y a nd a lig ht u po n a b ran ch ju st b efo re hi m. The

b ir d l oo ke d a nd l oo ke d a t h im. Fi rs t it lo ok ed w it h o ne b ri gh t e ye

a nd t he n t ur ne d i ts h ea d a nd l oo ke d a t h im wi th t he o th er e ye . Then ,

f lu tt er in g i ts w in gs a l it tl e, i t s ai d, "O ho ! S o y ou 'v e e at en t he

e nc ha nte d pea ch, have you? "

"Was it enchanted?" asked Button-Bright.

"Of course," replied the Bluefinch."Ugu the Shoemaker did that."

"But why? An d h ow wa s i t e nc ha nt ed ? An d wh at wi ll h ap pe n t o o ne wh o

e at s i t? " q ue st io ne d t he b oy .

. "A sk U gu t he S ho em ak er . H e k no ws ," s ai d t he b ir d, p re en in g i ts

feathers with its bill.

" An d w ho i s U gu t he S ho em ak er ?"

" Th e o ne wh o e nc ha nt ed t he p ea ch a nd p la ce d i t h er e- -i n t he e xa ct

c en te r o f t he Gr ea t O rc ha rd -- so n o o ne w ou ld e ve r f in d i t. W e b ir ds

d id n' t da re t o e at i t; we a re t oo wi se f or th at. But you are

B ut to n- Br ig ht f ro m t he E me ra ld C it y, a nd y ou , Y OU , Y OU a te t he

enchanted peach!

Y ou m us t e xp la in t o U gu t he S ho em ak er w hy y ou d id

t ha t. " A nd t he n, b ef or e t he b oy c ou ld a sk a ny m or e q ue st io ns , t he

b ir d f le w a wa y a nd l ef t h im a lo ne .

B ut to n- Br ig ht w as n ot m uc h w or ri ed t o f in d t ha t t he p ea ch h e h ad e at en

wa s e nc ha nt ed . I t c er ta in ly h ad t as te d v er y g oo d, a nd h is s to ma ch

d id n' t a ch e a b it . So ag ain h e be gan to ref lec t upo n th e bes t wa y to

r ej oi n his f ri ends . " Whic he ve r dir ec ti on I f ol low i s l ikel y t o be t he

wr on g o ne ," h e s ai d t o h im se lf , " so I 'd b et te r s ta y j us t wh er e I a m

a n d l et T HE M f in d M E- -i f t he y c an ."

A W hi te R ab bi t c am e h op pi ng t hr ou gh t he o rc ha rd a nd p au se d a l it tl e

w ay o ff t o l oo k a t h im . " Do n' t b e a fr ai d, " s ai d B ut to n- Br ig ht . "I

w on' t hur t you."

waiting for you? C om e a lo ng , a nd I 'l l l ea d y ou b ac k t o D or ot hy a nd

the others."

B ut ton- Br ight r os e s lowl y t o a cc om pa ny her .

" Th at w as n' t m uc h o f a l os s, " h e s ai d c he er fu ll y. " I h av en 't

b ee n g on e h al f a d ay , s o t he re 's n o h ar m d on e. "

D or ot hy , h ow ev er , w he n t he b oy r ej oi ne d t he p ar ty , g av e h im a g oo d

s colding. " When w e' re doi ng s uc h a n i mpor ta nt t hi ng a s s ea rc hi ng f or

O zma ," s ai d s he , " it 's n au gh ty f or y ou t o w an de r a wa y a nd k ee p u s f ro m

get tin g on. S' po se s he 's a p ri s' ne r i n a d un ge on c el l! D o y ou wa nt

t o k ee p o ur d ea r O zm a t he re a ny l on ge r t ha n w e c an h el p? "

" If s he 's i n a d un ge on c el l, h ow a re y ou g oin g t o g et h er o ut? "

i nquir ed t he boy.

"Nev er y ou min d. W e' ll l ea ve t ha t t o t he Wi za rd . H e' s s ur e t o f in d a

T he W iz ar d s ai d not hi ng, f or he r ea li ze d t ha t w it hout his m agic t ools

h e co uld do no mo re t ha n an y o th er p er so n. Bu t t her e was n o use

r em indi ng his c om pa ni ons of t ha t f ac t; i t m ight dis cour age t he m. "The

i mp or ta nt t hi ng j us t n ow ," h e r em ar ke d, " is t o f in d O zm a, a nd a s o ur

pa rt y i s a ga in h ap pi ly r eu ni te d, I p ro po se w e m ov e o n. "

As the y c ame to the ed ge o f th e Grea t Orch ar d, th e su n was s ett in g an d

th ey kn ew i t wou ld so on b e d ar k. So i t was d ec ide d to c amp u nd er t he

t re es , a s a no th er b ro ad p la in w as b ef or e t he m. Th e W iz ar d s pr ea d t he

b la nk et s o n a b ed o f s of t l ea ve s, a nd p re se nt ly a ll o f t he m e xc ep t

S cr ap s a nd t he S aw ho rs e w er e f as t a sl ee p. To to s nu ggl ed c lo se t o h is

f ri en d t he L io n, a nd t he W oo zy s no re d s o l ou dl y t ha t t he P at ch wo rk

Gi rl c ov er ed h is s qu ar e h ea d w it h h er a pr on t o d ea de n t he s ou nd .

C H AP TE R 12

C ZA R OV ER O F H ER K U

Tr ot w ak en ed j us t a s t he s un r os e, a nd s li pp in g o ut o f t he b la nk et s,

w en t t o t he e dg e o f t he G re at O rc ha rd a nd l oo ke d a cr os s t he p la in .

S om et hi ng gli tt er ed i n t he f ar dis ta nc e. " That l ooks l ike a nother

ci ty," s he s ai d hal f a loud.

" An d a no th er c it y i t i s," d ec la re d S cr ap s, w ho h ad c re pt t o T ro t' s

s id e u nh ea rd , f or h er s tu ff ed f ee t m ad e n o s ou nd . " Th e Sa wh or se a nd I

ma de a j ou rn ey in t he d ar k wh il e y ou w er e a ll a sle ep , a nd we f ou nd

o ve r t he re a b ig ge r ci ty th an Th i. T he re 's a w al l a ro un d i t, t oo , b ut

i t h as g at es a nd p le nt y o f p at hw ay s. "

"D id y ou g et i n? " a sk ed T ro t.

"No , f or th e ga tes wer e lo cke d an d th e wa ll was a re al wall . S o w e

ca me b ac k he re ag ai n. It isn't far to the city. We can re ach it in

t wo h ou rs a ft er y ou 'v e h ad y ou r b re ak fa st s. "

T ro t w en t b ac k, a nd f in di ng t he o th er g ir ls n ow a wa ke , t ol d t he m w ha t

S cr ap s h a d s ai d . S o t he y h ur ri ed ly a te s om e f ru it -- th er e w er e p le nt y

o f p lu ms a nd f ij oa s i n t hi s p ar t o f t he o rc ha rd -- an d t he n t he y m ou nt ed

t he a nim al s a nd s et o ut u po n th e j ou rn ey t o t he s tr an ge c ity . Ha nk

t he Mu le h ad b re ak fa st ed o n g ra ss , a nd t he Li on h ad s to le n a wa y a nd

f ou nd a b re ak fa st t o h is l ik in g; h e n ev er to ld w ha t it wa s, b ut

D or ot hy h op ed t he l it tl e r ab bit s a nd t he f ie ld mi ce h ad k ep t o ut o f

his way. Sh e wa rn ed To to n ot to c ha se b ir ds a nd g ave t he d og s ome

a pp le , wi th wh ic h h e w as q ui te co nte nt . T he W oo zy w as a s f on d o f

f ru it a s o f a ny o th er f oo d e xc ep t h on ey , a nd t he S aw ho rs e n ev er a te a t

E xc ep t f or t he ir wo rr y o ve r O zma , t he y w er e a ll i n g oo d s pi ri ts a s

t he y proce eded s wi ft ly over t he pla in. T ot o s ti ll w or ri ed ove r his

l os t g ro wl , b ut l ik e a w is e l it tl e d og k ep t h is w or ry t o h im se lf .

B ef or e l on g, t he c it y g re w n ea re r a nd t he y c ou ld e xa mi ne i t w it h

interest.

I n o ut wa rd a pp ea ra nc e t he p la ce w as m or e i mp os in g t ha n T hi ,

a nd i t wa s a s qu ar e c it y, wi th a s qu ar e, f ou r- si de d wa ll a ro un d i t,

a nd o n e ac h s id e w as a s qu ar e g at e o f b ur ni sh ed c op pe r. Everything

a b ou t t he c it y l oo ke d s ol id a nd s ub st an ti al ; t he re w er e n o b an ne rs

f ly in g, a nd t he t owe rs t ha t r os e a bo ve t he c it y w al l s ee me d b ar e o f

any ornament whatever.

A p at h l ed f ro m t he f ru it o rc ha rd d ir ec tl y t o o ne o f t he c it y g at es ,

s howi ng t ha t t he i nhabit ants pre fe rr ed f ruit t o t hi st le s. O ur f ri ends

f ol lo we d t hi s p at h t o t he g at e, w hi ch t he y f ou nd f as t s hu t. B ut t he

W iz ar d a dv an ce d a nd p ou nd ed u po n i t w it h h is f is t, s ay in g i n a l ou d

voice, "Open!"

At o nc e t he re r os e a bo ve t he g re at w al l a r ow o f i mme ns e h ea ds , a ll o f

wh ic h l oo ke d d own a t t he m a s i f t o s ee wh o w as i ntr ud in g. The siz e of

t he se h ea ds w as a st on is hi ng , a nd o ur f ri en ds a t o nc e r ea li ze d t ha t

t he y b el on ge d t o g ia nt s wh o w er e s ta nd in g w it hi n t he c it y. All h ad

t hi ck , b us hy h ai r a nd w hi sk er s, o n s om e t he h ai r b ei ng w hi te a nd o n

others bl ack or red or yellow, while the hair of a few wa s ju st

t ur ni ng gra y, s howi ng t ha t t he gia nt s w er e of a ll a ge s. H ow ever

fi er ce t he h ea ds m ig ht s ee m, t he e ye s w er e m il d i n e xp re ss io n, a s i f

t he c re at ur es h ad b ee n l on g s ub du ed , a nd t he ir f ac es e xp re ss ed

patience rather than ferocity.

" Wh at 's w an te d? " a sk ed o ne o ld g ia nt i n a l ow , g ru mb li ng v oi ce .

" We a re s tr an ge rs , a nd w e w is h t o e nt er t he c it y, " r ep li ed t he W iz ar d.

" Do y ou c om e i n w ar o r p ea ce ?" a sk ed a no th er .

" In p ea ce , o f c ou rs e, " r et or te d t he W iz ar d, a nd h e a dd ed i mp at ie nt ly ,

" Do we lo ok li ke a n a rm y o f c on qu es t? "

" No ," s ai d t he f ir st g ia nt w ho h ad s po ke n, " yo u l oo k l ik e i nn oc en t

t ra mp s; b ut y ou n ev er c an t el l b y a pp ea ra nc es . W a it h er e u nt il w e

r ep or t t o o ur m as te rs . N o o ne c an e nt er h er e w it ho ut t he p er mi ss io n

of V ig, t he C za rove r. "

"Who's that?" inquired Dorothy.

B ut t he h ea ds h ad a ll b ob be d d own a nd d is ap pe ar ed b eh in d

t he w al ls , s o t he re w as n o a ns we r. The y wa ited a lo ng time

b ef or e t he g at e r ol le d b ac k wi th a r umb li ng s ou nd , a nd a

l oud voi ce c ri ed, " Ente r! " B ut t he y l os t no t im e i n t aking a dvanta ge

of the invitation.

O n e it he r s id e o f t he b ro ad s tr ee t t ha t l ed i nt o t he c it y f ro m t he

g ate stoo d a row of hug e gian ts, twenty of them on a side an d all

s ta nd in g s o c lo se t og et he r t ha t t he ir e lb ow s t ou ch ed . T he y w or e

u ni fo rm s o f b lu e a nd y el lo w a nd w er e a rm ed w it h c lu bs a s b ig a ro un d a s

t re et ru nk s. E ac h g ia nt h ad a ro un d h is n ec k a b ro ad b an d o f g ol d,

r ive te d on , to sh ow h e wa s a sl av e.

A s o ur f ri en ds e nt er ed r id in g u po n t he L io n, t he W oo zy , t he S aw ho rs e

a nd t he M ul e, t he g ia nt s h al f t ur ne d a nd w al ke d i n t wo f il es o n e it he r

s id e o f th em, a s if e sco rti ng th em o n t he ir way . I t l oo ke d t o D or ot hy

a s i f a ll h er p ar ty h ad b ee n m ad e p ri so ne rs , f or e ve n mo un te d o n t he ir

a ni ma ls t he ir h ea ds s ca rc el y r ea ch ed t o t he k ne es o f t he m ar ch in g

g ia nt s. T he g ir ls a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht w er e a nx io us t o k no w w ha t s or t o f

a c it y t he y h ad e nt er ed , a nd w ha t t he p eo pl e w er e l ik e w ho h ad ma de

t hes e powe rf ul c re at ur es t he ir s la ves . T hr ough t he l egs of t he gia nt s

a s t he y w al ke d, D or ot hy c ou ld s ee r ow s o f h ou se s o n e ac h s id e o f t he

s tr ee t a nd t hr on gs o f p eo pl e s ta nd in g o n t he s id ew al ks , b ut t he p eo pl e

we re o f o rd in ar y s iz e a nd t he o nl y r em ar ka bl e t hi ng a bo ut t he m w as t he

f ac t t ha t t he y w er e d re ad fu ll y l ea n a nd t hi n. B et we en t he ir s ki n a nd

th ei r b on es t he re s ee me d t o b e l it tl e o r n o f le sh , a nd t he y w er e

most ly s toop-s houl de re d a nd w ea ry l ooki ng, e ve n t o t he l it tl e

children.

M or e a nd mo re , D or ot hy wo nd er ed h ow a nd wh y t he g re at g ia nt s h ad e ve r

s ubmi tt ed t o bec om e s la ve s of s uc h s ki nny, l anguid m as te rs , but t he re

w as n o c ha nc e t o q ue st io n a ny on e u nt il t he y a rr iv ed a t a b ig p al ac e

l oc at ed i n t he h ea rt o f t he c it y. He re th e g ia nt s f or med l ine s t o th e

e nt ra nc e a nd s to od s ti ll w hi le o ur f ri en ds r od e i nt o t he c ou rt ya rd o f

t he p al ac e. Th en t he g at es c lo se d b eh in d t he m, a nd b ef or e t he m wa s a

sk in ny l itt le man wh o b owe d l ow a nd sa id in a s ad vo ic e, "I f y ou will

b e s o o bl ig in g a s t o d is mo un t, i t w il l g iv e m e p le as ur e t o l ea d y ou

i nt o t he p re se nc e o f t he W or ld 's M os t M ig ht y R ul er , V ig t he C za ro ve r. "

"I don't believe it!" said Dorothy indignantly.

" Wh at d on 't y ou b el ie ve ?" a sk ed t he m an .

"I d on 't b el ie ve y ou r Cz ar ov er c an h ol d a c an dl e t o o ur O zm a."

" He w ou ld n' t h ol d a c an dl e u nd er a ny c ir cu ms ta nc es , o r t o a ny l iv in g

p er so n, " r ep li ed t he m an v er y s er io us ly , " fo r h e h as s la ve s t o d o s uc h

t hi ng s a nd t he M ig ht y Vi g i s t oo d ig ni fi ed t o d o a ny th in g t ha t o th er s

can do for him. He even obliges a slave to sneeze for him, if ever he

c at ch es c ol d. H ow ev er , i f y ou d ar e t o f ac e o ur p ow er fu l r ul er , f ol lo w

" We d ar e a ny th in g, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, " so g o a he ad ."

Through several marble corridors having lofty ceilings they passed,

f in di ng e ac h c or ri do r a nd d oo rw ay g ua rd ed b y s er va nt s. B ut t he se

s er va nt s o f t he p al ac e we re o f t he p eo pl e a nd n ot g ia nt s, a nd t he y

we re s o t hi n t ha t t he y a lm os t r es e mble d s ke le tons . Fi na ll y, t he y

e nt er ed a g re at c ir cu la r r oo m w it h a h ig h, d om ed c ei li ng , w he re t he

Cz ar ov er s at o n a t hr on e c ut f ro m a s ol id b lo ck o f w hi te ma rb le a nd

dec or at ed w it h pur pl e s il k hangi ngs a nd gol d t as se ls .

T he r ul er o f t he se p eo pl e w as c om bi ng h is e ye br ow s w he n o ur f ri en ds

e nt er ed t he t hr on e r oo m a nd s to od b ef or e h im, b ut h e p ut t he c om b i n

his poc ke t a nd e xa mi ne d t he s tr ange rs w it h e vi de nt c ur iosi ty. T he n he

s ai d, " De ar m e, w ha t a s ur pr is e! Yo u h av e r ea ll y s ho ck ed me . F or n o

o ut si de r h as e ve r b ef or e c om e t o o ur C it y o f H er ku , a nd I c an no t

i ma gi ne w hy y ou h av e v en tu re d t o d o s o. "

" We a re l oo ki ng f or O zma , t he Su pr eme R ul er o f t he La nd o f Oz ,"

r e pl ie d t he W iz ar d.

" Do y ou s ee h er a ny wh er e a ro un d h er e? " a sk ed t he C za ro ve r.

" No t y et , Yo ur M aj es ty , b ut p er ha ps y ou m ay t el l u s wh er e s he i s."

" No , I h av e my h an ds f ul l k ee pi ng t ra ck o f my o wn p eo pl e. I find them

h ar d t o m an ag e b ec au se t he y a re s o t re me nd ou sl y s tr on g. "

" Th ey d on 't l oo k v er y s tr on g," s ai d D or ot hy . " It s ee ms a s i f a g oo d

win d wo uld bl ow ' em wa y o ut o f t he ci ty if it was n' t f or th e wa ll."

" Ju st s o, j us t s o, " a dm it te d t he C za ro ve r. "T he y r ea ll y l oo k t ha t

w ay , d on 't t he y? B ut y ou m us t n ev er t ru st t o a pp ea ra nc es , w hi ch h av e

a way o f fo oli ng on e. Pe rh ap s y ou n ot ic ed t ha t I p re ve nt ed y ou f ro m

m ee ti ng a ny o f m y p eo pl e. I p ro te ct ed y ou w it h m y g ia nt s w hi le y ou

we re o n th e way fr om th e ga tes t o my pa la ce so tha t no t a Herk u g ot

near you."

" Ar e your pe opl e s o da nger ous , t hen? "a s ke d t he W iz ar d.

" To s tr an ge rs , y es . B ut o nl y b ec au se t he y a re s o f ri en dl y. F or i f

t he y s ha ke h an ds w it h y ou , t he y a re l ik ely t o b re ak y ou r a rms o r c ru sh

your f inge rs t o a j el ly."

"Why?" asked Button-Bright.

" Be ca us e w e a re t he s tr on ge st p eo pl e i n a ll t he w or ld ."

" Ps ha w! "e xc la im ed t he boy. " That 's bra gging. Y ou pr ob' ly don' t know

h ow s tr on g o th er p eo pl e a re . Wh y, o nc e I k ne w a man i n Ph ila del phi '

w ho c ou ld b en d i ro n b ar s w it h j us t h is h an ds !"

" Bu t m er cy me , i t' s n o t ri ck t o b en d i ro n b ar s," s ai d Hi s Ma je st y.

" Te ll m e, c ou ld t hi s m an c ru sh a b lo ck o f s to ne w it h h is b ar e h an ds ?"

" No o ne c ou ld d o t ha t, " d ec la re d t he b oy .

" If I h ad a b lo ck o f s to ne , I 'd s ho w y ou ," s ai d t he C za ro ve r, l oo ki ng

a ro un d t he r oo m. "Ah, h er e is my t hr on e. Th e b ac k i s t oo h ig h,

anyho w, so I'l l ju st b reak off a p iece of that." He ro se t o h is f ee t

a nd t ot te re d i n a n u nc er ta in wa y a ro un d t he t hr on e. Th en h e t oo k h ol d

o f th e b ack an d br ok e o ff a p iec e o f ma rb le ov er a f oo t t hic k.

"T hi s, " s ai d h e, c om in g b ac k t o h is s ea t, " is v er y s ol id m ar bl e a nd

m u ch h ar de r t ha n o rd in ar y s to ne . Y et I c an c ru mb le i t e as il y wi th my

f in ge rs , a p ro of t ha t I a m v er y s tr on g. "

E ve n a s h e s po ke , h e b eg an b re ak in g o ff c hu nk s o f m ar bl e a nd c ru mb li ng

t he m a s o ne w ou ld a b it o f e ar th . T he W iz ar d w as s o a st on is he d t ha t

h e to ok a p ie ce i n h is o wn h an ds a nd t es te d i t, f in di ng i t v er y h ar d

indeed.

J us t t he n o ne o f t he g ia nt s er va nt s e nt er ed a nd e xc la im ed , " Oh , Y ou r

M aj es ty , t he c oo k h as b ur ne d t he s ou p! Wh at sh al l we d o?"

" How dar e you i nt er rupt m e? ".

" as ke d t he C za ro ve r, a nd g ra sp in g t he

immen se gi an t by on e o f h is l eg s, he ra ise d h im in th e ai r an d t hr ew

h im h ea df ir st o ut o f a n o pe n w in do w. " No w, t el l m e, " h e s ai d, t ur ni ng

to Button-Bright, "could your man in Philadelphia crumble marble in

his fingers?"

. "I gue ss not ," s ai d B ut ton- Br ight , m uc h i mpre ss ed by t he s ki nny

monarch's strength.

" What m akes you s o s tr ong? " i nqui re d D or ot hy.

" It 's t he z os oz o, " h e e xp la in ed , " wh ic h i s a n i nv en ti on o f my o wn . I

an d a ll m y p eo pl e e at z os oz o, a nd i t g iv es u s t re me nd ou s s tr en gt h.

W ou ld y ou l ik e to e at s om e? "

" No t ha nk y ou ," r ep li ed t he g ir l. " I- -I d on 't w an t t o g et s o t hi n. "

" We ll , o f c ou rs e o ne c an 't h av e s tr en gt h a nd f le sh a t t he s am e t im e, "

s ai d t he C za ro ve r. " Zo so zo i s p ur e e ne rg y, a nd i t' s t he o nl y c om po un d

o f i ts s or t in ex is te nc e. I n ev er a llo w o ur g ia nt s t o h av e i t, y ou

k no w, o r t he y w ou ld s oo n b ec om e o ur m as te rs , s in ce t he y a re b ig ge r

th at w e; s o I k ee p a ll t he s tu ff l oc ke d u p i n m y p ri va te l ab or at or y.

Onc e a ye ar I fe ed a t ea sp oo nfu l o f it to ea ch of my pe opl e- -men ,

w om en a nd c hi ld re n- -s o e ve ry o ne o f t he m i s n ea rl y a s s tr on g a s I a m.

Wo ul dn 't YO U l ik e a d os e, s ir ?" h e a sk ed , t ur ni ng t o t he Wi za rd .

" We ll ," s ai d t he W iz ar d, " if y ou wo ul d g iv e m e a l it tl e z os oz o i n a

b ot tl e, I 'd l ik e t o t ak e i t wi th m e o n m y t ra ve ls . It might come in

handy on occ as ion. "

" To b e s ur e. I 'l l g iv e y ou e no ug h f or s ix d os es ," p ro mi se d t he

Czarover.

" Bu t d on 't t ak e m or e t ha n a t ea sp oo nf ul a t a t im e. On ce Ug u

t he S ho em ak er t oo k t wo t ea sp oo ns fu l, a nd i t m ad e h im s o s tr on g t ha t

w he n h e l ea ne d a ga in st t he c it y w al l, h e p us he d i t o ve r, a nd we h ad t o

bui ld i t up a ga in."

" Who i s U gu t he S hoem aker ?"

B ut ton- Br ight c ur ious ly, f or he now r em em be re d t ha t t he bir d a nd

t h e r ab bi t h ad c la im ed U gu t he S ho em ak er h ad e nc ha nt ed t he

pe ac h h e h ad e at en .

"W hy , Ug u i s a g rea t mag ici an wh o us ed t o li ve h ere . Bu t h e' s g on e

aw ay now, " r epl ie d t he C za rover .

" Wh er e h as h e g on e? " a sk ed t he W iz ar d q ui ck ly .

"I a m to ld he l iv es in a wic ke rwo rk c ast le i n th e mo unt ain s to t he

w es t o f h er e. Yo u s ee , Ug u b ec am e su ch a p owe rf ul m ag ic ia n th at h e

d id n' t c ar e t o l iv e i n o ur c it y a ny l on ge r fo r f ea r we wo ul d d is co ver

so me o f h is s ec re ts . So he wen t t o th e mo unt ai ns a nd bu ilt hi m a

s pl en di d w ic ke r c as tl e wh ic h i s s o s tr on g t ha t e ve n I a nd my p eo pl e

co ul d n ot b at te r i t d ow n, a nd t he re h e l iv es a ll b y h im se lf ."

" Th is i s g oo d n ew s, " d ec la re d t he W iz ar d, " fo r I t hi nk t hi s i s j us t

t he m ag ic ia n w e a re s ea rc hi ng f or . B ut w hy i s h e c al le d U gu t he

Shoemaker?"

" On ce h e w as a v er y c om mo n c it iz en h er e a nd m ad e s ho es f or a l iv in g, "

r ep li ed t he m on ar ch o f H er ku . " Bu t h e w as d es ce nd ed f ro m t he g re at es t

w iz ar d a nd s or ce re r w ho e ve r l iv ed i n t hi s o r i n a ny o th er c ou nt ry ,

a nd o ne d ay U gu t he S ho em ak er d is co ve re d a ll t he m ag ic al b oo ks a nd

r ec ipes of his f am ous gre at -gra ndfa ther , w hi ch had bee n hidde n a wa y i n

the attic of his house. So h e b eg an t o s tu dy t he p ap er s a nd b oo ks a nd

t o p ra ct ic e ma gi c, a nd i n t ime h e b ec am e s o s ki ll fu l t ha t, a s I s ai d,

h e s co rn ed o ur c it y a nd b ui lt a s ol it ar y c as tl e f or h im se lf ."

" Do you t hi nk" a sked D or ot hy a nxious ly, " that U gu t he S hoem aker w ould

be wi ck ed e no ug h t o s te al o ur O zma o f O z? "

" An d t he M ag ic P ic tu re ?" a sk ed T ro t.

" An d t he G re at B oo k o f Re co rd s o f G li nd a t he G oo d? "

a s ke d B e ts y.

" An d m y o wn m ag ic t oo ls ?" a sk ed t he W iz ar d.

" r ep li ed t he Cz ar ov er , " I wo n' t s ay t ha t Ug u i s wi ck ed ,

e xa ct ly, but he i s ver y a mbit ious t o bec om e t he m os t pow er ful m agic ia n

in the world, and so I suppose he would not be too proud to steal any

m a gi c t hi ng s t ha t b el on ge d t o a ny bo dy e ls e- -i f h e c ou ld m an ag e t o d o

" Bu t h ow a bo ut O zm a? W hy w ou ld h e w is h t o s te al H ER ?" qu es ti on ed

Dorothy.

" Do n' t a sk m e, m y d ea r. U gu d oe sn 't t el l m e wh y h e do es t hin gs , I

assure you."

T he n w e m us t g o a nd a sk h im o ur se lv es ," d ec la re d t he l it tl e g ir l.

" I w ou ld n' t d o t ha t i f I w er e y ou ," a dv is ed t he C za ro ve r, l oo ki ng

fi rst a t t he t hr ee g irl s a nd t he n a t t he b oy a nd t he l it tl e W iz ar d a nd

fi na ll y a t t he s tuff ed P at chwork G ir l. " If U gu has r ea ll y s tole n your

O zma , h e wi ll p ro ba bl y k ee p h er a p ri so ne r, i n s pi te o f a ll y ou r

t hr ea ts o r e nt re at ie s. A nd w it h a ll h is m ag ic al k no wl ed ge h e w ou ld b e

a d an ge ro us p er so n t o a tt ac k. The re fo re , if y ou a re wi se , yo u wi ll g o

h ome ag ai n a nd f in d a n ew Ru le r f or t he Emer ald Ci ty an d t he La nd of

O z. B ut p er ha ps i t i sn 't U gu t he S ho em ak er w ho h as s to le n y ou r O zm a. "

" Th e o nl y w ay t o s et tl e t ha t q ue st io n, " r ep li ed t he W iz ar d, " is t o g o

to Ug u's ca stle an d see if Oz ma is th ere. If she is, we will report

t he m at te r t o t he g re at S or ce re ss G li nd a t he G oo d, a nd I 'm p re tt y s ur e

s he w il l f in d a w ay t o r es cu e o ur d ar li ng r ul er f ro m t he S ho em ak er ."

" We ll , d o a s y ou p le as e," s ai d t he Cz ar ov er , "b ut if y ou a re a ll

t ra ns form ed i nt o hum mi ngbi rds or c at er pi ll ar s, don't bla me m e f or not

warning you."

The y sta yed th e rest o f t hat d ay in th e City o f He rku an d we re fed a t

t he r oy al t ab le o f t he C za ro ve r a nd g iv en s le ep in g r oo ms i n h is

p a la ce . T he s tr on g m on ar ch t re at ed t he m v er y n ic el y a nd g av e t he

Wi za rd a l it tl e go lde n v ia l o f zo so zo t o u se if ev er h e o r a ny o f hi s

E ve n a t t he l as t, t he C za ro ve r t ri ed t o p er su ad e t he m n ot t o g o

n ea r U gu t he S ho em ak er , b ut t he y w er e r es ol ve d o n t he v en tu re ,

a nd t he n ex t m or ni ng b ad e t he f ri en dl y m on ar ch a c or di al g oo db ye

a nd , m ou nt in g u po n t he ir a ni ma ls , l ef t t he H er ku s a nd t he C it y o f

He rk u a nd h ea de d f or t he m ou nt ai ns t ha t l ay t o t he w es t.

C H AP TE R 13

T RU T H P ON D

I t se ems a lo ng t ime s in ce we h av e h ea rd a ny thi ng o f t he Fro gma n a nd

C ay ke t he C oo ki e C oo k, w ho h ad l ef t t he Yi p C ou nt ry i n s ea rc h o f t he

dia mond-s tudded dis hpan w hi ch had bee n m ys te ri ousl y s tole n t he s am e

night t ha t O zm a had dis appe ar ed f rom t he E me ra ld C it y.

B ut y ou m us t r em em be r t ha t w hi le t he F ro gm an a nd t he C oo ki e

C oo k w er e p re pa ri ng t o d es ce nd f ro m t he ir m ou nt ai nt op , a nd

e ve n w hi le o n t he ir w ay t o t he f ar mh ou se o f W il jo n t he W in ki e,

Dorothy a nd t he W iz ar d a nd t he ir f ri ends w er e e nc ount er ing

t he a dv en tu re s w e h av e j us t r el at ed .

S o i t w as t ha t o n t he v er y m or ni ng w he n t he t ra ve le rs f ro m t he E me ra ld

Ci ty b ad e f ar ew el l t o t he C za ro ve r o f t he Ci ty o f He rk u, C ay ke a nd t he

Fr og ma n a wo ke i n a g ro ve i n w hi ch t he y h ad p as se d t he n ig ht s le ep in g

o n b ed s o f l ea ve s. T he re w er e p le nt y o f f ar mh ou se s i n t he

nei ghborhood, but no one s ee me d t o w el come t he puf fy, haughty F rogm an

o r t he l it tl e d ri ed -u p C oo ki e C oo k, a nd s o t he y s le pt c om fo rt ab ly

e no ug h u nd er ne at h t he t re es o f t he g ro ve . T he F ro gm an w ak en ed f ir st

o n t hi s mo rn in g, a nd a ft er g oi ng t o t he t re e wh er e Ca yk e s le pt a nd

f in di ng h er s ti ll w ra pp ed i n s lu mb er , h e d ec id ed t o t ak e a l it tl e w al k

an d s ee k s om e b re ak fa st . C om in g t o t he e dg e o f t he g ro ve , h e o bs er ve d

h al f a m il e a wa y a p re tt y y el lo w h ou se t ha t w as s ur ro un de d b y a y el lo w

p ic ke t f en ce , s o h e wa lk ed t ow ar d t hi s h ou se a nd o n e nt er in g t he y ar d

f ou nd a W in ki e w om an p ic ki ng u p s ti ck s w it h wh ic h t o b ui ld a f ir e t o

c ook her m or ni ng m ea l.

" Fo r g oo dn es s s ak e! " s he e xc la im ed o n s ee in g t he F ro gm an . " Wh at a re

y ou d oi ng o ut o f y ou r f ro g- po nd ?"

" I a m t ra ve li ng i n s ea rc h o f a j ew el ed g ol d d is hp an , m y g oo d w om an ,"

h e r ep li ed w it h a n a ir o f g re at d ig ni ty .

" Yo u w on 't f in d i t h er e, t he n, " s ai d s he ." Ou r d is hp an s a re t in , a nd

t he y' re g oo d e no ug h f or a ny bo dy . S o g o b ac k t o y ou r p on d a nd l ea ve m e

alo ne ." Sh e s po ke r at he r c ro ss ly a nd w it h a l ac k o f r es pe ct t ha t

greatly annoyed the Frogman.

"All ow me to te ll y ou, ma da m," sa id h e, "t ha t a lt ho ugh I a m a fr og , I

a m the Great est a nd Wise st Frog in all th e world. I may ad d th at I

pos se ss m uc h m or e w is dom t ha n a ny W inki e- -m an or w om an-- in t hi s l and.

Wh er ev er I g o, p eo pl e f al l o n t he ir k ne es b ef or e m e a nd r en de r h om ag e

to t he Gre at Fro gman ! No o ne e ls e k no ws s o mu ch a s I; no o ne el se is

so grand, so magnificent!"

" If y ou k no w s o m uc h, " s he r et or te d, " wh y d on 't y ou k no w w he re y ou r

dis hpan i s i ns te ad of c ha si ng a round t he c ount ry a ft er i t? "

" Pre se nt ly ," h e a ns wer ed , " I a m g oi ng wh er e i t i s, b ut ju st n ow I am

tr av el in g a nd h av e h ad n o b re ak fa st . T he re fo re I h on or y ou b y a sk in g

you f or s om et hi ng t o e at ."

" Oh o! Th e Gre at Fr og man i s h un gry a s a ny t ra mp , is h e? Th en p ic k u p

t he se s ti ck s a nd h el p me t o b ui ld th e fi re ," s ai d t he wo man

contemptuously.

" Me ! T he G re at F ro gm an p ic k u p s ti ck s? " h e e xc la im ed i n h or ro r. "In

t he Y ip C ou nt ry w he re I a m m or e h on or ed a nd p ow er fu l t ha n a ny K in g

co uld b e, pe opl e we ep wit h joy wh en I a sk th em to fe ed me."

" Th en t ha t' s t he p la ce t o g o f or y ou r b re ak fa st ," d ec la re d t he w om an .

" I f ea r y ou d o n ot r ea li ze m y i mp or ta nc e, " u rg ed t he F ro gm an .

"Exceeding wisdom renders me superior to menial duties."

" It 's a g re at w on de r t o m e, " r em ar ke d t he w om an , c ar ry in g h er s ti ck s

to t he h ou se , " th at y ou r w is do m d oe sn 't i nf or m y ou t ha t y ou 'l l g et n o

b re ak fa st h er e. " A nd s he w en t i n a nd s la mm ed t he d oo r b eh in d h er .

T he Fr og ma n f el t h e h ad b ee n i ns ul te d, s o h e g av e a l ou d c ro ak o f

i ndigna ti on a nd t ur ne d a wa y. A ft er goi ng a s hort dis ta nce , he c am e

u po n a f ai nt p at h wh ic h l ed a cr os s a m ea do w i n t he d ir ec ti on o f a

grove of pre tt y t re es , a nd t hi nking t hi s c ir cl e of e ve rgre ens m us t

s ur ro un d a h ou se w he re p er ha ps h e w ou ld b e k in dl y r ec ei ve d, h e d ec id ed

t o follow the path. And by a nd by h e c ame to the tre es , whi ch wer e

s et c lo se t og et he r, a nd p us hi ng a si de s om e b ra nc he s h e f ou nd n o h ou se

i n si de t he c ir cl e, b ut i ns te ad a v er y b ea ut if ul p on d o f c le ar w at er .

Now the Frogman, although he was so big and well educated and now aped

t he wa ys an d c ust oms of h uma n b ei ng s, wa s st ill a fr og . A s h e g az ed

a t t hi s s ol it ar y, d es er te d p on d, h is l ov e f or w at er r et ur ne d t o h im

w it h i rr es is ti bl e f or ce . " If I c an no t g et a b re ak fa st , I m ay a t l ea st

h av e a f in e s wi m," s aid h e, a nd p us hi ng hi s wa y b et we en t he t ree s, h e

r ea ch ed t he b an k. T he re h e t oo k o ff h is f in e c lo th in g, l ay in g h is

s hi ny p ur pl e h at a nd h is g ol d- he ad ed c an e b es id e i t. A mo me nt l at er ,

h e s pr an g w it h o ne l ea p i nt o t he w at er a nd d iv ed t o t he v er y b ot to m o f

t he p on d.

T he w at er w as d el ic io us ly c oo l a nd g ra te fu l t o h is t hi ck , r ou gh s ki n,

a nd t he F ro gm an s wa m a ro un d t he p on d s ev er al t im es b ef or e h e s to pp ed

t o r e st . T he n h e f lo at ed u po n t he s ur fa ce a nd e xa mi ne d t he p on d w it h

m or e t ha n h is f el lo ws , f or o ne m ay k no w o ne t hi ng , a nd a no th er k no w

a nother t hi ng, s o t ha t w is dom i s e ve nl y s ca tt er ed t hr oughout t he

w or ld . B ut -- ah m e! -- wh at a t er ri bl e f at e w il l n ow b e m in e. Even

Ca yk e t he Co ok ie C oo k wi ll s oo n d is co ve r t ha t m y k no wl ed ge i s n o

g re at er t ha n h er o wn , f or h av in g b at he d i n t he e nc ha nt ed w at er o f t he

T ru th Po nd , I c an n o l on ge r d ec eiv e h er o r te ll a l ie ."

Mo re h um bl ed t ha n h e h ad b ee n f or m an y y ea rs , t he Fr og ma n w en t b ac k t o

t he g ro ve w he re h e h ad l ef t C ay ke a nd f ou nd t he w om an n ow a wa ke a nd

wa sh in g h er fa ce i n a t in y br oo k. " Wh er e h as Yo ur Ho no r b ee n? " s he

asked.

" To a fa rmh ou se to a sk f or s ome th in g t o e at ," s ai d h e, "b ut th e wo ma n

refused me."

" How dre adful! " s he e xc la im ed. " But never m ind, t he re a re other

h ou se s wh er e t he p eo pl e wi ll b e g la d t o f ee d t he W is es t C re at ur e i n

a l l t he W or ld."

" Do y ou m ea n y ou rs el f? " h e a sk ed .

" No , I m ea n y ou ."

T he F rogm an f el t s tr ongl y i mpel le d t o t el l t he t ruth, but s tr uggl ed

h ar d a ga in st i t. H is r ea so n t ol d h im t he re w as n o u se i n l et ti ng

Ca yk e k no w h e w as n ot w is e, f or t he n s he w ou ld l os e mu ch r es pe ct f or

hi m, b ut e ac h t im e h e o pe ne d h is mo ut h t o s pe ak , h e r ea li ze d h e w as

a bo ut t o t el l t he t ru th a nd s hu t i t a ga in a s q ui ck ly a s p os si bl e. H e

t ri ed t o t al k a bo ut s om et hi ng e ls e, b ut t he w or ds n ec es sa ry t o

u nd ec ei ve t he w oma n w ou ld f or ce t he ms el ve s t o h is l ip s i n s pi te o f a ll

his s tr uggl es . F inal ly, knowi ng t ha t he m us t e it he r r em ai n dum b or

le t t he t ru th p re va il , h e g av e a l ow g ro an o f d es pa ir a nd s ai d,

"Ca yke , I am NOT the Wise st Cr eatu re in al l t he Worl d; I am n ot wi se

at all."

" Oh , y ou m us t b e! " s he p ro te st ed . " Yo u t ol d m e s o y ou rs el f, o nl y l as t e ve ni ng ."

" Th en l as t e ve ni ng I f ai le d t o t el l y ou t he t ru th ," h e a dm it te d,

l oo kin g v er y s ham ef ac ed fo r a f ro g. " I a m so rry I t ol d yo u th is l ie ,

m y g oo d Ca yk e, b ut i f y ou m us t k no w t he t ru th , th e wh ol e t ru th a nd

no th in g b ut t he t ru th , I a m n ot r ea ll y a s wi se as y ou a re ."

T he C oo ki e C oo k w as g re at ly s ho ck ed t o h ea r t hi s, f or i t s ha tt er ed o ne

of her m os t ple as ing i ll us ions . S he l ooke d a t t he gorge ous ly dr es s ed

Fr og ma n i n a ma ze me nt . " Wh at h as c au se d y ou t o c ha ng e y ou r m in d s o

suddenly?" she inquired.

" I h av e b at he d i n t he T ru th P on d, " h e s ai d, " an d w ho ev er b at he s i n

t h at w at er i s e ve r a ft er wa rd o bl ig ed t o t el l t he t ru th ."

" Yo u w er e f oo li sh t o d o t ha t, " d ec la re d t he w om an .

" It i s o ft en v er y e mb ar ra ss in g t o t el l t he t ru th . I 'm g la d I d id n' t

bat he i n t ha t dre adful w at er !"

T he F rogm an l ooke d a t his c om pa ni on t hought full y. " Ca yke, " s ai d he,

"I want you to go to the Truth Pond and take a bath in its water. F or

i f w e a re t o t ra ve l t og et he r a nd e nc ou nt er u nk no wn a dv en tu re s, i t

w ou ld n ot b e f ai r t ha t I a lo ne m us t a lw ay s t el l y ou t he t ru th , w hi le

y ou c ou ld t el l me w ha te ve r y ou p le as ed . If w e b oth d ip in t he

e nc ha nt ed w at er , t he re w il l b e n o c ha nc e i n t he f ut ur e o f o ur

deceiving one another."

" No ," s he a ss er te d, s ha ki ng h er h ea d p os it iv el y, " I w on 't d o i t, Y ou r

H on or . Fo r i f I to ld y ou t he t ru th , I 'm s ur e y ou wo ul dn 't l ik e me .

No Tru th Pon d f or me .

I'll be ju st as I a m, a n hon est wo ma n who c an

s ay w ha t s he w ants t o w it hout hur ti ng a nyone' s f ee li ngs. "

W it h t hi s d ec is io n t he F ro gm an w as f or ce d t o b e c on te nt , a lt ho ug h h e

wa s s or ry t he Co ok ie C oo k w ou ld n ot l is te n t o h is a dv ic e.

C H AP TE R 14

THE UNHAPPY FERRYMAN

L ea vi ng t he g ro ve w he re t he y h ad s le pt , t he F ro gm an a nd t he C oo ki e

Co ok t ur ne d t o t he e as t t o s eek an ot he r ho us e, a nd a fte r a s ho rt wa lk

c am e t o o ne w he re t he p eo pl e r ec ei ve d t he m v er y p ol it el y. Th e

c hi ld re n s ta re d r at he r h ar d a t t he b ig , p om po us F ro gm an , b ut t he w om an

o f t he h ou se , w he n Ca yk e a sk ed f or s ome th in g t o e at , a t o nc e b ro ug ht

t he m f oo d a nd s ai d t he y we re w el co me t o i t. " Fe w p eo pl e i n n ee d o f

h el p p as s t hi s w ay ," s he r em ar ke d, " fo r t he W in ki es a re a ll p ro sp er ou s

and love to stay in their own homes. Bu t p erh ap s y ou a re n ot a

W i nki e, " s he a dde d.

"No," said Cayke, "I am a Yip, and my home is on a high mountain at

t he s outhea st of your c ount ry."

" An d t he Fr og ma n, i s h e a ls o a Yi p? "

" I d o n ot k no w wh at h e i s, o th er t ha n a v er y re ma rk ab le a nd h ig hl y

e du ca te d c re at ur e, " r ep li ed t he C oo ki e C oo k. " Bu t h e h as l iv ed ma ny

y ea rs a mo ng t he Y ip s, w ho h av e f ou nd h im s o w is e a nd i nt el li ge nt t ha t

t he y a lw ay s g o t o h im f or a dv ic e. "

" Ma y I as k wh y y ou h av e l eft y ou r h om e an d wh er e yo u a re g oin g? " s ai d

the Winkie woman.

Th en C ay ke t ol d h er o f t he d ia mo nd -s tu dd ed g ol d d is hp an a nd h ow i t h ad

bee n m ys te ri ousl y s tole n f rom her house , a ft er w hi ch s he had

di sc ov er ed t ha t s he c ou ld n o l on ge r c oo k g oo d c oo ki es . S o s he h ad

re so lv ed t o s ea rc h u nt il s he f ou nd h er d is hp an a ga in , b ec au se a C oo ki e

c oo k w ho c an no t c oo k g oo d c oo ki es i s n ot o f m uc h u se . The Fr og ma n,

w ho h ad wa nt ed t o s ee m or e o f t he w or ld , h ad a cc om pa ni ed h er t o a ss is t

i n t he s ea rc h. Wh en t he w oma n h ad l is te ne d t o t hi s s to ry , s he a sk ed ,

" Th en y ou ha ve n o i de a a s y et wh o h as s to le n y ou r d ish pa n? "

" I o nl y k no w i t m us t h av e b ee n s om e m is ch ie vo us f ai ry , o r a m ag ic ia n,

o r s om e s uc h p ow er fu l p er so n, b ec au se n on e o th er c ou ld h av e c li mb ed

t he s te ep m ou nt ai n t o t he Y ip C ou nt ry . A nd w ho e ls e c ou ld h av e

carried away my beautiful magic dishpan without being seen?"

T he w om an t ho ug ht a bo ut t hi s d ur in g t he t im e t ha t C ay ke a nd t he

F rogma n a te t hei r br ea kfa st . W he n t he y had f inis he d, s he s ai d, " Wher e

a re you goi ng next? "

" We h av e n ot d ec id ed ," a ns we re d t he C oo ki e c oo k.

" Our pla n, " e xpla ined t he F rogm an i n his i mpor ta nt w ay, " is t o t ra ve l

f ro m p la ce to pl ac e u nt il w e le ar n wh er e t he th ie f i s lo ca te d a nd t hen

t o f or ce h im t o r et ur n t he d is hp an t o i ts p ro pe r o wn er ."

" Th e p la n i s a ll r ig ht ," a gr ee d t he w oma n, " bu t i t m ay t ak e y ou a l on g

ti me b ef or e y ou s uc ce ed , y ou r m et ho d b ei ng s or t o f h ap ha za rd a nd

in de fin ite . H ow ev er , I a dv is e y ou t o t ra ve l t ow ar d t he e as t. "

" Why?" a sked t he F rogm an.

" Be ca us e i f y ou we nt we st , y ou w ou ld s oo n c om e t o t he d es er t, a nd a ls o

b ec au se i n t hi s p ar t o f t he Wi nk ie Co un tr y n o o ne s te al s, s o y ou r t ime

h er e w ou ld b e w as te d. B ut t owa rd t he e as t, b ey on d t he r iv er , l iv e

m an y s tr an ge p eo pl e w ho se h on es ty I w ou ld n ot v ou ch f or . M or eo ve r, i f

y ou j ou rn ey f ar e no ug h e as t a nd c ro ss t he r iv er f or a s ec on d t im e, y ou

w il l c om e t o t he E me ra ld C it y, w he re t he re i s m uc h m ag ic a nd s or ce ry .

T he E me ra ld C it y i s r ul ed b y a d ea r l it tl e g ir l c al le d O zm a, w ho a ls o

r ul es t he E mp er or o f t he W in ki es a nd a ll t he L an d o f Oz . S o, a s O zm a

i s a fairy, she may be able to tell you just wh o has taken yo ur

p re ci ou s d is hp an . P ro vi de d, o f c ou rs e, y ou d o n ot f in d i t b ef or e y ou

reach her."

. "T hi s s ee ms t o b e t o b e e xc el le nt a dv ic e, " s ai d t he F ro gm an , a nd C ay ke

agreed with him.

. "T he m os t s ensi bl e t hi ng f or you t o do, " c onti nued t he w om an, " woul d

b e t o r et ur n t o y ou r h om e a nd u se a no th er d is hp an , l ea rn t o c oo k

c oo ki es a s o th er p eo pl e c oo k c oo ki es , w it ho ut t he a id o f m ag ic . But

i f y ou c an no t b e h ap py w it ho ut t he m ag ic d is hp an y ou h av e l os t, y ou

a re l ike ly to l ear n mo re a bo ut i t in t he Em er ald Ci ty th an at a ny

o th er p la ce i n O z. "

T he y t ha nk ed t he g oo d wo ma n, a nd o n l ea vi ng h er h ou se f ac ed t he e as t

a nd c onti nued i n t ha t dir ec ti on a ll t he w ay. T ow ar d e ve ni ng t he y c am e

t o t he w es t b ra nc h o f t he Wi nk ie Ri ve r a nd t he re , o n t he r iv er ba nk ,

f ound a f er ryma n w ho l ived a ll a lone i n a l it tl e yel low house . This

f er ry man wa s a Wi nk ie w it h a v er y s ma ll h ead an d a v er y l ar ge b od y.

H e w as s it ti ng i n h is d oo rw ay a s t he t ra ve le rs a pp ro ac he d h im a nd d id

n ot even turn his head to look at them.

"Good evening," said the Frogman.

T he f er ryma n m ade no r eply.

" We w ou ld l ik e s om e s up pe r a nd t he p ri vi le ge o f s le ep in g i n y ou r h ou se

unt il m or ni ng," c onti nued t he F rogm an. " At da ybre ak, w e w ould l ike

s ome b re ak fa st , a nd t he n w e w ou ld l ik e t o h av e y ou r ow u s a cr os s t he

river."

T he f er ry ma n n ei th er m ov ed n or s po ke . H e s at i n h is d oo rw ay a nd

l oo ke d s tr ai gh t a he ad . " I t hi nk h e m us t b e d ea f a nd d um b, " C ay ke

w hi sp er ed t o h er c om pa ni on . T he n s he s to od d ir ec tl y i n f ro nt o f t he

f er ry ma n, a nd p ut ti ng h er m ou th c lo se t o h is e ar , s he y el le d a s l ou dl y

a s s he c ould, " Good e ve ni ng!"

The ferryman scowled.

" Wh y d o y ou y el l a t me , wo man ?" h e a sk ed .

" Ca n y ou h ea r wh at I s ay ?" a sk ed i n h er o rd in ar y t on e o f v oi ce .

" Of c ours e, " r epli ed t he m an.

" Then w hy didn' t you a ns we r t he F rogm an?"

" Be ca us e, " s ai d t he f er ryma n, " I don't under st and t he f rog l anguage. "

"He s pe ak s t he sa me wor ds th at I d o a nd in t he sa me way ," d ec la re d

Cayke.

" Pe rh ap s, " r ep li ed t he f er ry ma n, " bu t t o m e h is v oi ce s ou nd ed l ik e a

f ro g' s c ro ak . I kno w th at in the Land of Oz a nimals can speak our

l an gu ag e, a nd s o c an t he b ir ds a nd b ug s a nd f is he s; b ut i n MY e ar s,

t he y s ou nd m er el y l ik e g ro wl s a nd c hi rp s a nd c ro ak s. "

" Wh y i s t ha t? " a sk ed t he C oo ki e C oo k i n s ur pr is e.

" On ce , m an y y ea rs ag o, I c ut t he t ail o ff a fo x wh ich h ad t au nte d me ,

and I sto le some bird s' egg s from a n est to make an o mel et with , and

al so I p ulle d a fi sh fr om t he ri ve r a nd l ef t it ly in g o n th e b an k to

gasp for lack of water until it died. I d on 't kn ow why I d id t ho se

wi ck ed t hi ng s, b ut I d id t he m. S o t he Em pe ro r o f t he W in ki es -- wh o i s

t he T in W oo dma n a nd h as a v er y t en de r t in h ea rt -- pu ni sh ed me b y

denyi ng m e a ny c om muni ca ti on w it h bea st s, bir ds or f is he s. I c annot

u nd er st an d t he m w he n t he y s pe ak t o m e, a lt ho ug h I k no w t ha t o th er

p eo pl e c an d o s o, n or c an t he c re at ur es u nd er sta nd a wo rd I s ay t o

th em. Eve ry t ime I mee t o ne o f t hem, I a m re min ded of my f orme r

c ruel ty, a nd i t m akes m e ver y unhappy."

" Re al ly," s ai d C ayke , " I' m s or ry f or you, a lt hough t he T in W oodm an i s

not t o bla me f or punis hi ng you."

" What i s he m um bl ing a bout ?" a sked t he F rogm an.

" He i s t al ki ng t o m e, b ut y ou d on 't u nd er st an d h im ," s he r ep li ed . A nd

t he n s he t ol d him of t he f er ryma n' s punis hm ent a nd a ft er wa rd e xpla ined

to th e fe rr yma n t hat th ey wan te d to st ay al l n igh t wi th hi m an d be

fe d. He g av e t he m s om e f ru it a nd b re ad , wh ic h wa s t he o nly s or t o f

f ood he ha d, an d h e a llo wed Ca yk e t o s lee p i n a r oo m of h is co tta ge .

B ut t he F ro gm an h e r ef us ed t o a dm it t o h is h ou se , s ay in g t ha t t he

f ro g' s p re se nc e m ad e h im m is er ab le a nd u nh ap py . A t n o t im e wo ul d h e

d ir ec tl y a t t he F ro gm an , o r e ve n t ow ar d h im , f ea ri ng h e w ou ld

shed te ars if he did so ; s o the big fro g slep t o n the rive rban k whe re

h e c ou ld h ea r l it tl e f ro gs c ro ak in g i n t he r iv er a ll t he n ig ht

t hr ou gh . B ut t ha t d id n ot k ee p h im a wa ke ; i t m er el y s oo th ed h im t o

sl um be r, f or h e r ea li ze d h ow m uc h s up er io r h e w as t o t he m.

J ust as th e su n was r ising on a ne w day, the ferry man rowed t he two

t r av el er s a cr os s t he r iv er -- ke ep in g h is b ac k t o t he F ro gm an a ll t he

w ay -- an d t he n C ay ke t ha nk ed h im a nd b ad e h im g oo db ye a nd t he f er ry ma n

r owe d hom e a gai n.

On t his s ide of th e riv er, the re were n o pa ths a t

a l l, s o it wa s e vi de nt t he y h ad r ea ch ed a p ar t o f t he c ou nt ry l itt le

f re qu en te d b y t ra ve le rs . T he re w as a m ar sh a t t he s ou th o f t he m,

s andhil ls a t t he nor th, a nd a growt h of s cr ubby under br us h l ea di ng

t ow ar d a fo re st a t t he e as t. So t he ea st was re ally the le ast

d if fi cu lt w ay t o g o, a nd t ha t d ir ec ti on w as t he o ne t he y h ad

determined to follow.

Now the Frogman, although he wore green patent-leather shoes with ruby

b ut to ns , h ad v er y l ar ge a nd f la t f ee t, a nd w he n h e t ra mp ed t hr ou gh t he

s cr ub , h is w ei gh t c ru sh ed d ow n t he u nd er br us h a nd m ad e a p at h f or

C ay ke t o f ol lo w h im . T he re fo re t he y s oo n r ea ch ed t he f or es t, w he re

t he t al l t re es w er e s et f ar a pa rt b ut w er e s o l ea fy t ha t t he y s ha de d

a ll t he s pa ce s b et we en t he m w it h t he ir b ra nc he s. " Th er e a re n o b us he s

h er e, " s ai d C ay ke , m uc h p le as ed , " so w e c an n ow t ra ve l f as te r a nd w it h

more comfort."

C H AP TE R 15

THE BIG LAVENDER BEAR

I t w as a p le as an t p la ce t o w an de r, a nd t he t wo t ra ve le rs w er e

p r oc ee di ng a t a b ri sk p ac e w he n s ud de nl y a v oi ce s ho ut ed , " Ha lt !"

T he y l oo ke d a ro un d i n s ur pr is e, s ee in g a t f ir st n o o ne a t a ll . Th en

f ro m b eh in d a t re e t he re s te pp ed a b ro wn , f uz zy b ea r w ho se h ea d c ame

a bo ut a s h ig h a s C ay ke 's w ai st -- an d C ay ke w as a s ma ll w om an . T he b ea r

w as c hu bb y a s w el l a s f uz zy ; h is b od y w as e ve n p uf fy , w hi le h is l eg s

an d a rm s s ee me d j oi nt ed a t t he k ne es a nd e lb ow s a nd f as te ne d t o h is

bo dy b y pi ns or r ive ts. Hi s e ars we re r oun d i n shap e a nd stu ck out in

a c om ic al w ay , w hi le h is r ou nd , b la ck e ye s w er e b ri gh t a nd s pa rk li ng

a s b ea ds . O ve r h is s ho ul de r th e l itt le b ro wn b ea r b ore a g un wi th a

tin barrel. The b arre l h ad a co rk in th e end o f i t, an d a stri ng was

a tt ac he d t o t he c or k a nd t o t he h an dl e o f t he g un . B ot h t he Fr ogm an

a nd C ay ke g az ed h ar d a t t hi s c ur io us b ea r, s ta nd in g s il en t f or s om e

t im e. B ut f inal ly t he F rogm an r ec over ed f rom his s ur pr is e a nd

r em ar ke d, " It s ee ms t o m e t ha t y ou a re s tu ff ed w it h s aw du st a nd o ug ht

n o t t o b e a li ve ."

" Th at 's a ll y ou k no w a bo ut i t, " a ns we re d t he l it tl e B ro wn B ea r i n a

s qu ea ky v oi ce . " I a m s tu ff ed w it h a v er y g oo d q ua li ty o f c ur le d h ai r,

a nd my skin is the best plush that was ever mad e. As for my being

a li ve , t ha t i s m y o wn a ff ai r a nd c an no t c on ce rn y ou a t a ll , e xc ep t

t ha t i t g iv es m e t he p ri vi le ge t o s ay y ou a re m y p ri so ne rs ."

" Pr is on er s! W hy d o y ou s pe ak s uc h n on se ns e? " t he F ro gm an

angrily. " Do y ou t hi nk we a re a fra id o f a t oy b ea r wi th a t oy g un ?"

" Yo u o ug ht t o b e, " w as t he c on fi de nt r ep ly , " fo r I a m m er el y t he

s en tr y g ua rd in g t he w ay t o B ea r Ce nt er , w hi ch i s a c it y c on ta in in g

h un dr ed s o f m y r ac e, w ho a re r ul ed b y a v er y p owe rf ul s or ce re r k no wn

a s t he L av en de r B ea r.

He o ug ht t o b e a p ur pl e c ol or , y ou k no w, s ee in g

h e i s a K in g, b ut h e' s o nl y l ig ht l av en de r, w hi ch i s, o f c ou rs e,

s ec on d c ou si n t o r oy al p ur pl e. S o u nl es s y ou c om e w it h m e p ea ce ab ly

a s m y p ris on er s, I s hal l fi re my g un an d b ri ng a h un dr ed b ea rs o f a ll

si ze s a nd c ol or s t o c ap tu re y ou ."

" Wh y d o y ou w is h t o c ap tu re u s? " i nq ui re d t he F ro gm an , w ho h ad

listened to his speech with much astonishment.

" I d on 't w is h t o, a s a m at te r o f f ac t," r ep li ed t he li tt le Br ow n Be ar ,

" bu t i t i s my d ut y t o, b ec au se y ou a re n ow t re sp as si ng o n t he d oma in

o f H is M aj es ty , t he Ki ng o f B ea r C en te r. Al so, I will ad mit tha t

t hi ng s a re r at he r q ui et i n o ur c it y j us t n ow , a nd t he e xc it em en t o f

your c apture , f ol lowe d by your t ri al a nd e xe cuti on, s houl d a ff or d us

much entertainment."

" We d ef y y ou !" s ai d t he F ro gm an .

" Oh n o, d on 't d o t ha t, " p le ad ed C ay ke , s pe ak in g t o h er c om pa ni on . "He

sa ys his Ki ng is a so rce re r, so p er ha ps it i s he or o ne of h is be ars

w ho v en tu re d t o s te al m y j ew el ed d is hp an . Le t u s g o t o t he C it y o f

th e B ea rs a nd d is co ve r i f m y d is hp an i s t he re ."

" I m us t now r egis te r one m or e c ha rge a ga inst you," r em ar ke d t he l it tl e

B rown B ea r w it h e vi de nt s at is fa ct ion. " You have j us t a cc us ed us of

s tea lin g, a nd t ha t i s su ch a d re ad fu l t hin g t o s ay t ha t I a m q ui te

s ur e o ur n ob le K in g w il l c om ma nd y ou t o b e e xe cu te d. "

" Bu t h ow c ou ld y ou e xe cu te u s? " i nq ui re d t he C oo ki e C oo k.

" I'v e n o id ea . B ut o ur K in g is a w on der fu l i nv en to r, a nd t he re i s n o

d ou bt h e ca n fi nd a pr ope r wa y to d es tr oy y ou. So tell me, are you

go in g t o s tr ug gl e, o r w il l y ou g o p ea ce ab ly t o m ee t y ou r d oo m? "

I t w as a ll s o r id ic ul ou s t ha t C ay ke l au gh ed a lo ud , a nd e ve n t he

F ro gm an 's w id e mo ut h c ur le d i n a s mi le . N ei th er w as a b it a fr ai d t o

go to the Bear City, and it seemed to both that there was a

possibility they might discover the missing dishpan. So the Frogman

s ai d, " Le ad t he w ay , l it tl e B ea r, a nd w e w il l f ol lo w w it ho ut a

struggle."

" That 's ver y s ensi bl e of you, ver y s ensi bl e i ndee d, " dec la re d t he

B ro wn B ea r. " So f or -w ar d, M AR CH !" A nd w it h t he c om ma nd h e t ur ne d

a ro un d a nd b eg an t o wa dd le a lo ng a p at h t ha t l ed b et we en t he t re es .

C ay ke a nd t he F ro gm an , a s t he y f ol lo we d t he ir c on du ct or , c ou ld s ca rc e

f or be ar l aughing a t his s ti ff , a wkwa rd m anne r of w al ki ng, a nd a lt hough

h e mo ve d h is s tu ff y l eg s f as t, h is s te ps w ere s o s ho rt t ha t th ey h ad

t o g o s lo wl y i n o rd er n ot t o ru n i nt o h im. Bu t af ter a ti me th ey

r ea ch ed a l ar ge , c ir cu la r s pa ce i n t he c en te r o f t he f or es t, w hi ch wa s

c le ar o f a ny s tu mp s o r u nd er br us h. T he g ro un d w as c ov er ed b y a s of t,

g ra y m os s, p le as an t t o t re ad u po n. A ll t he t re es s ur ro un di ng t hi s

s pa ce s ee me d t o b e h ol lo w a nd h ad r ou nd h ol es i n t he ir t ru nk s, s et a

l it tl e w ay a bove t he ground, but other wi se t he re w as not hi ng unusual

a bo ut t he p la ce a nd n ot hi ng , i n t he o pi ni on o f t he p ri so ne rs , t o

i nd ic at e a s et tl em en t. B ut t he l it tl e B ro wn B ea r s ai d i n a p ro ud a nd

impressive voice (although it still squeaked), "This is the wonderful

c it y k no wn t o f am e a s B ea r C en te r! "

" Bu t t he re a re n o h ou se s, t he re a re n o b ea rs l iv in g h er e a t a ll !"

exclaimed Cayke.

" Oh i nd ee d! " r et or te d t he ir c ap to r, a nd r ai si ng h is g un h e p ul le d t he

tri gg er . Th e c or k f lew o ut o f th e t in b ar re l wi th a l ou d "p op !" a nd

at o nc e f ro m e ve ry h ol e i n e ve ry t re e wi th in v ie w o f t he c le ar in g

a pp ea re d t he h ea d o f a b ea r. They were of many colors and of many

s izes, but all were made in th e same mann er as the bear who had met

and c a pt ure d t hem .

A t f ir st a c ho ru s o f g ro wl s a ro se , a nd t he n a s ha rp v oi ce c ri ed , " Wh at

has ha ppe ne d, C orpora l W a ddl e? "

" Ca pti ves , Y our M aj e st y!" a nsw er ed t he B rown B ea r. " Intr uder s upon

o ur d om ai n a nd s la nd er er s o f o ur g oo d n am e. "

" Ah, t ha t' s i mport ant, " a ns we re d t he voi ce .

T he n f rom out t he hol low t re es t um bl ed a w hole r egim ent of s tuff ed

b e ar s, s om e c ar ry in g t in s wo rd s, s om e p op gu ns a nd o th er s l on g s pe ar s

w it h g ay r ib bo ns t ie d t o t he h an dl es . T he re w er e h un dr ed s o f t he m,

a lt oget he r, a nd t he y qui et ly f or me d a c ir cl e a round t he F rogm an a nd

t he Co oki e Co ok , b ut k ept a t a d ist an ce an d l eft a l ar ge s pa ce fo r t he

p ri so ne rs t o s ta nd i n. P re se nt ly , t hi s c ir cl e p ar te d, a nd i nt o t he

c en te r o f i t s ta lk ed a h ug e t oy b ea r o f a l ov el y l av en de r c ol or . H e

w al ke d u po n h is h in d l eg s, a s d id a ll t he o th er s, a nd o n h is h ea d h e

wo re a t in c ro wn s et wi th d ia mo nd s a nd a me th ys ts , wh il e i n o ne p aw h e

c ar ri ed a s hort w and of s om e gli tt er ing m et al t ha t r es em bl ed s il ve r

but w a sn' t.

" Hi s M aj es ty t he K in g! " C or po ra l W ad dl e, a nd a ll t he b ea rs

b o we d l ow . So me b owe d s o l ow t ha t t he y l os t t he ir b al an ce a nd t op pl ed

o ve r, b ut t he y s oo n s cr am bl ed u p a ga in , a nd t he L av en de r K in g s qu at te d

o n h is h au nc he s b ef or e t he p ri so ne rs a nd g az ed a t t he m s te ad il y w it h

his bri ght, pink e ye s.

C H AP TE R 16

T HE L IT TL E P IN K B EA R

" On e P er so n a nd o ne F re ak ," s ai d t he b ig L av en de r B ea r w he n h e h ad

carefully examined the strangers.

" I am s orr y t o h ea r yo u c al l p oo r C ay ke t he Co ok ie Co ok a Fre ak ,"

remonstrated the Frogman.

" Sh e i s t he P er so n, " a ss er te d t he K in g. " Un le ss I a m mi st ak en , i t i s

yo u w ho a re t he F re ak ."

T he F rogm an w as s il ent, f or he c ould not t ruthfull y deny i t.

" Wh y h av e y ou d ar ed i nt ru de i n m y f or es t? " d em an de d

d em an de d t he B ea r K in g.

" We d id n' t k no w i t w as y ou r f or es t, " s ai d Ca yk e, " an d we a re o n o ur

w ay t o t he f ar e as t, w he re t he Em er al d C it y i s. "

" Ah , i t' s a l on g w ay f ro m h er e t o t he E me ra ld C it y, " r em ar ke d t he

King. "It is so f ar awa y, i nde ed, t hat no b ear amon g us h as eve n bee n

th er e. B ut w ha t e rr an d r eq ui re s y ou t o t ra ve l s uc h a d is ta nc e? "

" Some one has s tole n m y dia mond-s tudded gold dis hpan," e xpla ined C ayke ,

"an d a s I ca nn ot b e h app y wit ho ut i t, I hav e d ec ide d to se arc h th e

w or ld o ve r u nt il I f in d i t a ga in . T he F ro gm an , w ho i s v er y l ea rn ed

a nd w on de rf ul ly w is e, h as c om e w it h m e t o g iv e m e h is a ss is ta nc e.

I s n' t i t k in d o f h im? "

T he K in g l oo ke d a t t he F ro gm an .

" What m akes you s o w onde rf ul ly w is e? "

h e a sk ed .

" I' m n ot ," w as t he c an di d r ep ly ." Th e C oo ki e C oo k a nd s om e o th er s i n

t he Yip Cou ntry think bec ause I am a big frog an d ta lk an d a ct lik e a

m an t ha t I mu st b e v er y wi se . I h ave l ea rn ed mo re t ha n a f ro g us ual ly

knows, it is true, but I am not yet so wise as I hope to become at

some future time."

T he K in g n od de d, a nd w he n h e d id s o, s om et hi ng s qu ea ke d i n h is c he st .

" D id Y ou r M aj es ty s pe ak ?" a sk ed C ay ke .

" No t j us t t he n, " a ns we re d t he L av en de r B ea r, s ee mi ng t o b e s om ew ha t

e mb ar ra ss e d. " I a m s o b ui lt , y ou m us t k no w, t ha t w he n a ny th in g p us he s

ag ai ns t m y c he st , a s m y c hi n a cc id en ta ll y d id j us t t he n, I m ak e t ha t

s il ly no is e. I n t hi s c it y i t i sn 't c on si de re d g oo d m an ne rs t o n ot ic e.

B ut I l ik e y ou r F ro gm an .

He i s h on es t a nd t ru th fu l, wh ic h i s mo re t ha n c an b e s aid

o f m an y o th er s. A s f or y ou r l at e l am en te d d is hp an , I 'l l

s ho w i t t o y ou ." Wi th t hi s he wa ved t hr ee t imes t he me ta l wan d

w hi ch h e h el d i n h is p aw , a nd i ns ta nt ly t he re a pp ea re d u po n t he g ro un d

mi dw ay b et we en t he Ki ng a nd Ca yk e a b ig , r ou nd p an m ad e o f b ea te n

g ol d. Ar ou nd t he t op e dg e w as a r ow o f s ma ll d ia mo nd s; a ro un d t he

c en te r o f t he p an w as a no th er r ow o f l ar ge r d ia mo nd s; a nd a t t he

b ot to m w as a r ow o f e xc ee di ng ly l ar ge a nd b ri ll ia nt d ia mo nd s. I n

f a ct , t he y a ll s pa rk le d m ag ni fi ce nt ly , a nd t he p an w as s o b ig a nd

bro ad th at it t ook a lot o f dia mo nd s to go aro und it thr ee ti me s.

Ca yk e s tar ed so h ar d t ha t h er e ye s s ee me d ab ou t t o p op o ut o f h er

h ea d . " O- o- o- h! " s he e xc la im ed , d ra wi ng a d ee p b re at h o f d el ig ht .

" Is t hi s your dis hpan?" i nqui re d t he K ing.

" It i s, i t i s! " c ri ed t he C oo ki e C oo k, a nd r us hi ng f or wa rd , s he f el l

o n h er k ne es a nd t hr ew h er a rm s a ro un d t he p re ci ou s p an . Bu t he r ar ms

c am e t og et he r w it ho ut m ee ti ng a ny r es is ta nc e a t a ll . C ay ke t ri ed t o

s ei ze t he e dg e, b ut f ou nd n ot hi ng t o g ra sp . T he p an w as s ur el y t he re ,

s he th ou gh t, fo r s he co ul d s ee i t p la in ly; b ut it wa s n ot so li d; s he

c ou ld n ot f ee l i t a t a ll . W it h a m oa n o f a st on is hm en t a nd d es pa ir ,

s he r ai se d h er h ea d t o l oo k a t t he B ea r Ki ng , wh o w as w at ch in g h er

a ct io ns c ur io us ly . T he n s he t ur ne d t o t he p an a ga in , o nl y t o f in d i t

had completely disappeared.

"Poor creature!" murmured the King pityingly. "You must have thought,

f or t he m om en t, t ha t y ou h ad a ct ua ll y r ec ov er ed y ou r d is hp an . But

wh at y ou s aw wa s m er el y t he i ma ge o f it , co nj ure d u p b y me an s o f my

m ag ic . I t i s a p re tt y d is hp an , i nd ee d, t ho ug h r at he r b ig a nd a wk wa rd

t o h an dl e. I ho pe yo u wi ll some da y fin d it."

C ay ke w as g ri ev ou sl y d is ap po in te d. S he b eg an t o c ry , w ip in g h er e ye s

o n h er a pr on . T he K in g t ur ne d t o t he t hr on g o f t oy b ea rs s ur ro un di ng

h im a nd a sk ed , " Ha s a ny o f y ou e ve r s ee n t hi s g ol de n d is hp an b ef or e? "

" No ," t he y a ns we re d i n a c ho ru s.

T he K in g s ee me d t o r ef le ct . P re se nt ly h e i nq ui re d, " Wh er e i s t he

Little Pink Bear?"

" At h om e, Y ou r M aj es ty ," w as t he r ep ly .

" Fe tc h him her e, " c om ma nded t he K ing.

S ev er al o f t he b ea rs w ad dl ed o ve r t o o ne o f t he t re es a nd p ul le d

f ro m i ts h ol lo w a t in y p in k b ea r, s ma ll er t ha n a ny o f t he o th er s.

A big , white b ear carried the pink one in his arms and set it down

b es id e t he K in g, a rr an gi ng t he j oi nt s o f i ts l eg s s o t ha t i t w ou ld s ta nd u pr ig ht .

T hi s P ink B ea r s ee me d l if el es s unt il t he K ing t ur ne d a c ra nk w hi ch

p ro tr ud ed f ro m i ts s id e, w he n t he l it tl e c re at ur e t ur ne d i ts h ea d

s ti ff ly f rom s ide t o s ide a nd s ai d i n a s ma ll , s hr il l voi ce , " Hurr ah

f or t he K in g o f B ea r C en te r! "

" Ve ry g oo d, " s ai d t he b ig L av en de r B ea r. " He s ee ms t o b e w or ki ng v er y

w el l t od ay . T el l m e, m y P in k P in ke rt on , w ha t h as b ec om e o f t hi s

lady's jeweled dishpan?"

" U- u- u, " s ai d t he P in k B ea r, a nd t he n s to pp ed s ho rt .

T he K in g t ur ne d t he c ra nk a ga in .

" U- g- u t he S ho em ak er h as i t, " s ai d

t he P in k B ea r.

" Who i s U gu t he S hoem aker ?" dem ande d t he K ing, a ga in t ur ni ng t he

crank.

" A m ag ic ia n wh o l iv es o n a m ou nt ai n i n a w ic ke rw or k c as tl e, " w as t he

reply.

" Wher e i s t he m ount ai n? " w as t he next que st ion.

" Ni ne te en m il es a nd t hr ee f ur longs f rom B ea r C ente r t o t he nor thea st ."

" No , f or t ha t is i n t he f ut ure . He can tel l any th ing tha t HAS

h ap pe ne d, b ut n ot hi ng t ha t i s g oi ng t o h ap pe n. D on 't a sk m e w hy , f or

I d on 't k no w. "

" We ll ," s ai d t he C oo ki e Co ok a ft er a l it tl e t ho ug ht , " I me an t o g o t o

th is m ag ic ia n, a ny ho w, a nd t el l h im I wa nt m y d is hp an . I w is h I k ne w

w ha t U gu t he S hoem aker i s l ike. "

" Th en I 'l l s ho w h im t o y ou ," p ro mi se d t he Ki ng . " Bu t d o n ot b e

f ri ghte ne d. I t w on't be U gu, r em em be r, but onl y his i ma ge ." Wi th

t hi s, h e w av ed h is m et al w an d, a nd i n t he c ir cl e s ud de nl y a pp ea re d a

t hi n l it tle ma n, v er y o ld a nd s ki nn y, w ho wa s s ea te d o n a wi ck er s to ol

b ef or e a w ic ke r t ab le . On t he t ab le l ay a Gr ea t B oo k w it h g ol d

cla sps . Th e Bo ok was o pen , a nd th e ma n wa s rea din g in it. He wo re

g re at s pe ct ac le s w hi ch w er e f as te ne d b ef or e h is e ye s b y m ea ns o f a

ri bbo n th at pa sse d a ro und h is he ad a nd wa s t ie d i n a b ow a t t he ne ck.

Hi s h ai r w as v er y t hi n a nd w hi te ; h is s ki n, w hi ch c lu ng f as t t o h is

b on es , w as b ro wn a nd s ea re d wi th f ur ro ws ; h e h ad a b ig , f at n os e a nd

l it tl e e ye s s et c lose t oget he r.

On n o ac cou nt wa s Ug u t he Sho emak er a pl ea san t p ers on to g az e a t. As

his i ma ge a ppea re d bef or e t he , a ll w er e s il ent a nd i nt ent unt il

C or po ra l W ad dl e, t he B ro wn B ea r, b ec am e n er vo us a nd p ul le d t he t ri gg er

o f his gun. I nst an tl y, t he co rk fl ew o ut o f t he t in b ar rel wi th a

l ou d " po p! " t ha t m ad e t he m a ll j um p. A nd a t t hi s s ou nd , t he i ma ge o f

t he m ag ic ia n v an is he d. " So T HA T' S t he t hi ef , i s i t? " s ai d C ay ke i n a n

a ngry voi ce . " I s houl d t hi nk he' d be a sham ed of him se lf f or s te al ing

a p oo r wo ma n' s d ia mo nd d is hp an ! But I me an t o fa ce h im in h is wi ck er

c a st le a nd f or ce h im t o r et ur n m y p ro pe rt y. "

" To m e, " s ai d t he B ea r K in g r ef le ct iv el y, " he l oo ke d l ik e a d an ge ro us

p er so n. I h ope h e wo n't b e so un ki nd as to argu e the mat ter with

T he F ro gm an w as m uc h d is tu rb ed b y t he v is io n o f U gu t he S ho em ak er , a nd

C a yke' s det er mi na ti on t o go t o t he m agic ia n f il le d her c om pa ni on w it h

misgivings. B ut h e w ou ld n ot b re ak h is p le dg ed w or d t o a ss is t t he

C oo ki e C oo k, a nd a ft er b re at hi ng a d ee p s ig h o f r es ig na ti on , h e a sk ed

t he K in g, " Wi ll Y ou r M aj es ty l en d u s t hi s Pi nk B ea r w ho a ns we rs

q ue st io ns t ha t we ma y ta ke h im wit h u s o n o ur j ou rne y? He w ou ld b e

v er y us efu l t o us , a nd we wil l p ro mi se t o b rin g hi m s af el y ba ck t o

Th e Ki ng d id n ot r ep ly a t o nc e. He s ee me d t o b e t hi nk in g.

" PL EA SE l et u s t ak e t he P in k B ea r, " b eg ge d C ay ke . " I' m s ur e h e w ou ld

be a great help to us."

" Th e Pi nk B ea r, " s ai d t he K in g, " is t he b es t b it o f ma gi c I p os se ss ,

and there is not another like him in the world. I d o n ot c ar e t o l et

him out of my sight, nor do I wish to disappoint you; so I believe I

w il l m ak e t he j ou rn ey i n y ou r c om pa ny a nd c ar ry m y P in k B ea r w it h m e.

He ca n w alk wh en y ou wi nd t he o th er s id e o f h im, b ut s o s lo wl y a nd

a wk wa rd ly t ha t h e wo ul d d el ay y ou . But if I go al on g, I ca n c ar ry hi m

in my a rms , s o I wil l jo in y ou r p ar ty . W he ne ve r y ou a re r ea dy t o

s t ar t, l et m e k no w. "

" Bu t Y ou r M aj es ty !" e xc la im ed C or po ra l W ad dl e i n p ro te st , " I h op e y ou

do not i nt end t o l et t he se pri sone rs e sc ape w it hout punis hm ent. "

" Of w ha t c ri me d o y ou a cc us e t he m? " i nq ui re d t he K in g.

" Wh y, t he y t re sp as se d o n y ou r d om ai n, f or o ne t hi ng ," s ai d t he B ro wn

" We d id n' t k no w i t w as p ri va te p ro pe rt y, Y ou r M aj es ty ," s ai d t he

Co ok ie Co ok . " An d t he y a sk ed i f a ny o f u s h ad s to le n t he d is hp an !"

c onti nued C or pora l W addl e i ndigna nt ly. " That i s t he s am e t hi ng a s c al li ng us

th ie ve s a nd r ob be rs a nd b an di ts a nd b ri ga nd s, i s i t n ot ?"

" Ev er y p er so n h as t he r ig ht t o a sk q ue st io ns ," s ai d t he F ro gm an .

" Bu t t he C or po ra l i s q ui te c or re ct ," d ec la re d t he L av en de r B ea r. "I

c on de mn y ou b ot h t o d ea th , t he e xe cu ti on t o t ak e p la ce t en y ea rs f ro m

this hour."

" Bu t we b el on g i n t he La nd o f O z, wh er e n o o ne e ve r d ie s, " C ay ke

reminded him.

"Ve ry tr ue," sa id th e Kin g. "I c on de mn y ou t o d ea th me re ly a s a

m at te r o f f or m. I t s ou nd s q ui te t er ri bl e, a nd i n t en y ea rs w e s ha ll

h av e fo rg ot te n al l a bou t i t. A re y ou r ea dy t o s ta rt f or t he wi ck er

c as tl e of U gu t he S hoem aker ?"

" Quit e r ea dy, Y our M aj es t y. "

"But who wi ll ru le i n y ou r p la ce whi le y ou a re g one ?" a sk ed a b ig

Yellow Bear.

" I my se lf w il l r ul e wh il e I a m g on e, " w as t he r ep ly .

" A Ki ng i sn 't r eq ui re d t o s ta y a t h ome fo re ve r, a nd if h e ta ke s a n ot io n

t o t ra ve l, wh os e b us in es s i s i t b ut h is o wn ? A ll I a sk i s t ha t y ou b ea rs

b eh av e y ou rs el ve s w hi le I a m a wa y. I f a ny o f y ou i s n au gh ty , I 'l l s en d h im

to s ome g ir l o r bo y in Ame ri ca to p la y wit h."

T hi s d re ad fu l t hr ea t m ad e a ll t he t oy b ea rs l oo k s ol em n. T he y a ss ur ed

t he Ki ng i n a c ho ru s o f g ro wl s t ha t t he y wo ul d b e g oo d. Then the b ig

La ve nd er B ea r p ic ke d u p t he l it tl e P in k B ea r, a nd a ft er t uc ki ng i t

ca re fu ll y u nd er o ne a rm , h e s ai d, " Go od by e t il l I c om e b ac k! " a nd

wa dd le d a lo ng t he p at h t ha t l ed t hr ou gh t he f or es t. T he F ro gm an a nd

C ay ke t he C oo ki e C oo k a ls o s ai d g oo db ye t o t he b ea rs a nd t he n f ol lo we d

a ft er t he Ki ng , m uc h t o t he r eg re t o f t he l it tl e Br own Be ar , wh o

p ul le d t he t ri gg er o f h is g un a nd p op pe d t he c or k a s a p ar ti ng s al ut e.

C H AP TE R 17

THE MEETING

W hi le t he F ro gm an a nd h is p ar ty w er e a dv an ci ng f ro m t he w es t, D or ot hy

a nd h er p ar ty w er e a dv an ci ng f ro m t he e as t, a nd s o i t h ap pe ne d t ha t o n

t he f ol lo wi ng n ig ht t he y a ll c amp ed a t a l it tl e h il l t ha t wa s o nl y a

f ew m il es f ro m t he w ic ke r c as tl e o f U gu t he S ho em ak er .

Bu t t he t wo p ar ti es d id n ot s ee o ne a no th er t ha t n ig ht , f or o ne

c a mp ed o n o ne s id e o f t he h il l w hi le t he o th er c amp ed o n t he o pp os it e

s i de . B ut t he next m or ni ng, t he F rogm an t hought he w ould c li mb t he

hill a nd se e wh at wa s on to p of it, and a t the sa me t ime Scra ps, the

P at ch wo rk G ir l, a ls o d ec id ed t o c li mb t he h il l t o f in d i f t he w ic ke r

castle was visible from its top. So sh e s tu ck h er h ead o ve r a n e dg e j ust a s th e

F ro gm an 's h ea d a pp ea re d o ve r a no th er e dg e, a nd b ot h, b ei ng s ur pr is ed ,

ke pt s ti ll w hi le t he y t oo k a g oo d l oo k a t o ne a no th er .

S cr aps r ec ove re d f rom her a s toni shme nt f ir st , a nd boundi ng upw ar d, s he

t ur ne d a s om er sa ul t a nd l an de d s it ti ng d ow n a nd f ac in g t he b ig

F ro gm an , w ho s lo wl y a dv an ce d a nd s at o pp os it e h er . "We ll me t,

S tr ange r! " c ri ed t he P at chwork G ir l w it h a w hoop of l aughte r. " You

a re qui te t he f unni es t i ndividua l I have s ee n i n a ll m y t ra ve ls ."

" Do y ou s up po se I c an b e a ny f un ni er t ha n y ou ?" a sk ed t he Fr og ma n,

g az in g a t h er i n w on de r.

" I' m n ot f un ny t o m ys el f, y ou k no w, " r et ur ne d S cr ap s. " I w is h I w er e.

An d p er hap s y ou a re so u sed t o yo ur o wn a bs ur d s ha pe th at yo u d o n ot

l au gh w he ne ve r y ou s ee y ou r r ef le ct io n i n a p oo l o r i n a m ir ro r. "

"No," said the Frogman gravely, "I do not. I u se d to b e pr oud o f my

g re at s iz e a nd v ain o f m y cu lt ur e an d e du ca tio n, b ut s in ce I b at he d i n

t he Tr ut h Po nd , I s ome ti me s th in k it i s no t r ig ht th at I sh ou ld be

different from all other frogs."

" Ri gh t o r w ro ng ," s ai d t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, " to b e d if fe re nt i s t o b e

d is ti ng ui sh ed . N ow i n m y c as e, I 'm j us t l ik e a ll o th er P at ch wo rk

G ir ls b ec au se I' m t he o nl y o ne t he re i s. Bu t t ell me, wh er e di d y ou

come from?"

" The Y ip C ount ry," s ai d he.

"I s t ha t in t he La nd o f Oz ?"

" Of c ours e, " r epli ed t he F rogm an.

" An d d o y ou k no w t ha t y ou r Ru le r, Oz ma o f Oz , h as b ee n s to le n? "

"I wa s n ot a war e th at I h ad a Rul er , s o o f c ou rs e I c ou ld n't k now th at

s he w as s tole n. "

" We ll , y ou h av e. A ll t he p eo pl e o f O z, " e xp la in ed S cr ap s, " ar e r ul ed

b y Oz ma , w he th er t he y k no w i t o r n ot . A nd s he h as b ee n s to le n.

A re n' t you a ngry? A re n' t you i ndigna nt ? Y our R ul er , w hom you didn' t

know you had, has pos it ivel y bee n s tole n! "

"That is queer," remarked the Frogman thoughtfully.

" St ea li ng i s a t hi ng pra ct ic al ly unknown i n O z, yet t hi s O zm a has

b ee n t ak en , a nd a f ri en d o f mi ne h as a ls o h ad h er d is hp an s to le n.

W it h h er I h av e t ra ve le d a ll t he wa y f ro m th e Yi p Co un tr y i n o rd er t o

recover it."

" I d on 't s ee a ny c on ne ct io n b et we en a R oy al R ul er o f O z a nd a

dishpan!" declared Scraps.

" They've bot h bee n s tole n, haven't t he y? "

" Tr ue . B ut w hy c an't your f ri end w as h her dis he s i n a nother dis hpan?"

a s k ed S c ra p s.

" Wh y ca n' t y ou u se a not he r Ro ya l Ru ler ? I s up po se y ou p re fe r t he o ne

wh o i s l os t, an d my f rie nd wa nt s h er o wn d ish pa n, wh ich i s ma de o f

g ol d a nd s tu dd ed w it h d ia mo nd s a nd h as m ag ic p ow er s. "

" Ma gi c, e h? " e xc la im ed S cr ap s. " TH ER E i s a l in k t ha t c on ne ct s t he t wo

s te al s, a ny ho w, fo r i t s eem s t ha t a ll t he ma gic i n t he La nd o f Oz wa s

s to len a t t he s ame ti me, wh eth er i t was i n t he Eme ral d Cit y of in

G li nd a' s c as tl e o r i n t he Y ip C ou nt ry . S ee ms m ig ht y s tr an ge a nd

mysterious, doesn't it?"

" It u se d t o s ee m t ha t w ay t o me ," a dm it te d t he Fr og ma n, "b ut we h av e

n ow d is co ve re d w ho t oo k o ur d is hp an . I t w as U gu t he S ho em ak er ."

" Ugu? G ood gr ac i ous ! T ha t' s t he s am e m agic ia n w e t hi nk has s tole n

Oz ma . W e a re n ow o n o ur w ay t o t he c as tl e o f t hi s S ho em ak er ."

" So a re w e, " s ai d t he F ro gm an .

" Th en f ol lo w me , q ui ck ! A nd l et m e i nt ro du ce y ou t o D or ot hy a nd t he

othe r girls and to the Wizard o f Oz and all the rest of us."

S he s pr ang up a nd s ei ze d his c oa ts le eve, dra gging him off t he hil lt op

and d own th e oth er sid e from tha t wh enc e he ha d co me . And at t he fo ot

of t he h il l, t he F ro gm an w as a st on is he d t o f in d t he t hr ee g ir ls a nd

t he W iz ar d a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht , w ho w er e s ur ro un de d b y a w oo de n

S aw ho rs e, a l ea n M ul e, a s qu ar e W oo zy , a nd a C ow ar dl y L io n. A little

b la ck d og r an u p a nd s me ll ed a t t he Fr og ma n, b ut c ou ld n' t g ro wl a t

" I' ve d is co ve re d a no th er p ar ty t ha t h as b ee n r ob be d, " s ho ut ed S cr ap s

a s s he j oi ne d t he m. " Th is i s t he ir l ea de r, a nd t he y' re a ll g oi ng t o

U gu's c as tl e t o f ight t he w ic ke d S hoem aker !"

T he y r egar de d t he F rogm an w it h m uc h c ur iosi ty a nd i nt er es t, a nd

f indi ng a ll e ye s f ixed upon him , t he new come r a rr ange d his nec kt ie a nd

s mo ot he d h is b ea ut if ul v es t a nd s wu ng h is g ol d- he ad ed c an e l ik e a

r eg ul ar d an dy . T he b ig s pe ct ac le s o ve r h is e ye s q ui te a lt er ed h is

f rogl ike c ount enance a nd gave him a l ea rned a nd i mpre ss ive l ook. U s ed

a s s he w as t o s ee in g s tr an ge c re at ur es i n t he L an d o f O z, D or ot hy w as

a ma ze d a t dis cove ri ng t he F rogm an. S o w er e a ll her c om pa ni ons .

To to w an te d t o g ro wl a t h im, b ut c ou ld n' t, a nd h e d id n' t d ar e b ar k. The

S aw hors e s nor te d r a ther c ont em pt uousl y, but t he L ion w hi s pe re d t o t he

w oo de n s te ed , " Be ar w it h t hi s s tr an ge c re at ur e, m y f ri en d, a nd

r em em be r h e i s n o m or e e xt ra or di na ry t ha n y ou a re .

Indee d, it is mo re n atura l fo r a fro g t o b e b ig than fo r a Sa who rse to be alive ."

O n b ei ng q ue st io ne d, t he F ro gm an t ol d t he m t he w ho le s to ry o f t he l os s

o f C ay ke 's h ig hl y p ri ze d d is hp an a nd t he ir a dv en tu re s i n s ea rc h o f i t.

Wh en h e c ame t o t el l o f t he La ve nd er Be ar Ki ng a nd o f th e Li tt le Pi nk

B ea r w ho c ou ld t el l a ny th in g y ou w an te d t o k no w, h is h ea re rs b ec am e

e ag er t o s ee s uc h i nt er es ti ng a ni ma ls . " It w il l b e b es t, " s ai d t he

W iz ar d, " to u ni te o ur t wo p ar ti es a nd s ha re o ur f or tu ne s t og et he r, f or

we a re a ll bo und on th e s ame er ra nd , an d a s o ne b an d we ma y mo re

e as il y def y t hi s s hoem aker m agic ia n t ha n i f s epar at e.

L et u s b e a ll ie s. "

" I w il l a sk m y f ri en ds a bo ut t ha t, " r ep li ed t he F ro gm an , a nd h e

c li mb ed o ve r t he h il l t o f in d C ay ke a nd t he t oy b ea rs . T he P at ch wo rk

Gi rl a cc omp an ie d h im , a nd wh en t he y c am e u po n t he C oo ki e C oo k a nd t he

L av en de r B ea r a nd t he P in k Be ar , i t wa s h ar d t o t el l wh ic h o f t he l ot

w as t he m os t s ur pr is ed .

" Me rc y m e! " c ri ed C ayke, a ddr es s ing t he P at c hw or k G ir l. " Howe ve r did

you come alive?"

S cr ap s s ta re d a t t he b ea rs .

" Me rc y m e! " s he e ch oe d, " Yo u a re s tu ff ed ,

a s I a m, w it h c ot to n, a nd y ou a pp ea r t o b e l iv in g. Tha t ma kes me fe el

a sh am ed , f or I h av e p ri de d m ys el f o n b ei ng t he o nl y l iv e

c ott on-s tuff e d per s on i n O z. "

" Pe rh ap s y ou a re ," r et ur ne d t he L av en de r B ea r, " fo r I a m s tu ff ed w it h

e xt ra -qua li ty c ur le d hai r, a nd s o i s t he L it tl e P ink B ea r. "

" Yo u h av e r el ie ve d m y m in d o f a g re at a nx ie ty ," d ec la re d t he P at ch wo rk

G ir l, now s pe aking m or e c he er full y. " The S ca re cr ow i s s tuff ed w it h

st ra w an d yo u wi th h ai r, s o I am s ti ll t he Ori gin al an d On ly

Cotton-Stuffed!"

" I h op e I a m t oo p ol it e t o c ri ti ci ze c ot to n a s c om pa re d wi th c ur le d

ha ir ," s ai d t he K ing, " es pe ci al ly a s you s ee m s at is fi ed w it h i t. "

Th en t he F ro gm an t ol d o f h is i nt er vi ew w it h t he p ar ty f ro m t he E me ra ld

C it y a nd a dd ed t ha t t he W iz ar d o f Oz h ad i nv it ed t he b ea rs a nd Ca yk e

a nd h im se lf t o t ra ve l i n c om pa ny w it h t he m t o t he c as tl e o f U gu t he

Sh oe ma ke r. C ay ke w as m uc h p le as ed , b ut t he B ea r K in g l oo ke d s ol em n.

He set the Little Pink Bear on his lap and turned the cran k in its

s id e a nd a sk ed , " Is i t s af e f or u s t o a ss oc ia te w it h t ho se p eo pl e f ro m

the Emerald City?"

An d t he Pi nk B ea r a t o nc e r ep li ed , " Sa fe f or y ou a nd s af e f or me ;

P er ha ps n o o th er s s af e w il l b e. "

" Th at ' pe rh ap s' n ee d n ot w or ry u s," s ai d t he Ki ng , " so l et u s j oi n t he

othe rs a nd off er t he m our prote ct ion. "

E ve n t he L avende r B ea r w as a st onis he d, how ever , w he n on c li mbing ove r

t he hi ll h e f ou nd o n t he o th er si de th e g ro up o f q ue er a nim al s a nd th e

p eo pl e f ro m t he E me ra ld C it y. T he b ea rs a nd C ay ke w er e r ec ei ve d v er y

cordially, although Button-Bright was cross when they wouldn't let him

pla y w it h t he L it tl e P ink B ea r. T he t hr ee gir ls gre at ly a dm ir ed t he

t oy b ea rs , a nd e sp ec ia ll y t he p in k o ne , w hi ch t he y l on ge d t o h ol d.

" You s ee ," e xpla ined t he L avende r K ing i n denyi ng t he m t hi s pri vi le ge ,

" he 's a v er y v al ua bl e b ea r, b ec au se h is ma gi c i s a c or re ct g ui de o n

a ll occ as ions , a nd e spec ia ll y i f one i s i n dif fi cult ie s. I t w as t he

P in k Be ar w ho t ol d u s t ha t U gu t he Sh oe ma ke r h ad s to le n t he Co ok ie

Cook's dishpan."

" An d t he K in g' s m ag ic i s j us t a s w on de rf ul ," a dd ed C ay ke , " be ca us e i t

showed us the Magician himself."

" What did he l ook l ike? " i nqui re d D or ot hy.

"He was dreadful!"

" He w as s it ti ng a t a t ab le a nd e xa mi ni ng a n i mm en se B oo k w hi ch h ad

thre e gol de n c la s ps ," r em ar ke d t he K ing.

" Why, t ha t m us t have bee n G li nda' s G re at B ook of R ec or ds !" e xc la im ed

D or ot hy . " If i t i s, i t p ro ve s t ha t U gu t he S ho em ak er s to le O zm a, a nd

w it h her a ll t he m agic i n t he E me ra ld C it y. "

" And m y dis hpan," s ai d C ayke .

A nd t he W iz ar d a dd ed , " It a ls o p ro ve s t ha t h e i s f ol lo wi ng o ur

a dv en tu re s i n t he B oo k o f R ec or ds , a nd t he re fo re k no ws t ha t w e a re

s ee kin g h im a nd th at we a re d et erm in ed t o f in d h im a nd r eac h O zm a a t

all hazards."

" If w e c an ," a dd ed t he W oo zy , b ut e ve ry bo dy f ro wn ed a t h im .

T he W iz ar d' s s ta te me nt w as s o t ru e t ha t t he f ac es a ro un d h im w er e v er y

s er io us u nt il t he P at ch wo rk G ir l b ro ke i nt o a p ea l o f l au gh te r.

" Wo ul dn 't i t b e a r ic h j ok e i f h e m ad e p ri so ne rs o f u s, t oo ?" s he

" No o ne b ut a c ra zy Pa tc hwo rk G ir l w ou ld c on si de r t ha t a j ok e, "

grumbled Button-Bright.

A nd t he n t he La ve nd er B ea r K in g a sk ed , " Wo ul d y ou l ik e t o s ee t hi s

magical shoemaker?"

"Wouldn't he know it?" Dorothy inquired.

" No , I t hi nk n ot ."

T he n t he K in g wa ve d h is me ta l wa nd a nd b ef or e t he m a pp ea re d a r oo m i n

t he w ic ke r c as tl e o f U gu . On t he wa ll o f t he r oo m hu ng Ozm a' s Mag ic

P ic tu re , a nd s ea te d b ef or e i t w as t he M ag ic ia n. T he y c ou ld s ee t he

P ic tu re a s we ll a s h e c ou ld , b ec au se i t f ac ed t he m, a nd i n t he Pi ct ur e

w as t he hil ls ide w he re t he y w er e not s it ti ng, a ll t he ir f or ms bei ng

r eproduce d i n m inia ture . A nd c ur ious ly e nough, w it hi n t he s ce ne of

t he Pi ct ur e wa s t he s ce ne t he y w er e n ow b eh ol di ng , s o t he y k ne w t ha t

t he M ag ic ia n w as a t t hi s m om en t w at ch in g t he m i n t he P ic tu re , a nd a ls o

t ha t he s aw h ims el f a nd t he r oom h e wa s in b ec ome v is ib le t o th e

p e op le o n t he h il ls id e. T he re fo re h e k ne w v er y w el l t ha t t he y w er e

watching him while he was watching them.

I n p ro of o f t hi s, Ug u s pr an g f ro m h is s ea t an d tu rn ed a s co wl in g f ac e

i n t he ir d ir ec ti on ; b ut n ow h e c ou ld n ot s ee t he t ra ve le rs w ho w er e

s ee ki ng him , a lt hough t he y c ould s ti ll s ee him . H is a c ti ons w er e s o

d is ti nc t, i nd ee d, t ha t i t s ee me d h e w as a ct ua ll y b ef or e t he m. " It is

o nl y a g ho st ," s ai d t he Be ar Ki ng . " It i sn 't r eal a t a ll e xc ep t t ha t

it shows us Ugu just as he looks and tells us truly just what he is

doing."

"I d on' t se e an yth in g o f my lo st g rowl , th ou gh," sa id To to a s if t o

himself.

T he n t he v is io n f ad ed a wa y, a nd t he y c ou ld s ee n ot hi ng b ut t he g ra ss

a nd t re es a nd b us he s a ro un d t he m.

C H AP TE R 18

THE CONFERENCE

" No w t he n, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, " le t u s t al k t hi s m at te r o ve r a nd d ec id e

wha t to d o whe n we ge t to Ugu 's wick er ca st le . Th ere c an b e n o d ou bt

t ha t t he S ho em ak er i s a p ow er fu l M ag ic ia n, a nd h is p ow er s h av e b ee n

i nc re as ed a h un dr ed fo ld s in ce h e s ec ur ed t he G re at B oo k o f R ec or ds ,

th e M ag ic P ic tu re , a ll o f G li nd a' s r ec ip es f or s or ce ry , a nd m y o wn

b la ck b ag , wh ich wa s fu ll o f to ol s o f wi za rdr y. T he ma n wh o c ou ld r ob

u s o f t hos e th in gs a nd t he ma n wi th al l t hei r p ower s a t h is c omma nd i s

one w ho m ay prove s om ew ha t dif fi cult t o c onquer , t he re fore w e s houl d

p la n o ur a ct io ns w el l b ef or e w e v en tu re t oo n ea r t o h is c as tl e. "

" I d id n' t s ee O zm a i n t he M ag ic P ic tu re ," s ai d T ro t.

" Wh at d o y ou s up po se Ug u h as d on e wi th h er ?"

" Co ul dn 't t he L it tl e P in k B ea r t el l u s w ha t h e d id w it h O zm a? " a sk ed

Button-Bright.

" To b e s ur e, " r ep li ed t he L av en de r K in g. "I' ll as k h im." S o h e

t u rn ed t he c ra nk i n t he L it tl e P in k B ea r' s s id e a nd i nq ui re d, " Di d U gu

t he S ho em ak er s te al O zm a o f O z? "

" Ye s, " a ns we re d t he L it tl e P ink B ea r.

" Th en w ha t d id h e d o wi th h er ?" a sk ed t he Ki ng .

" Sh ut h er u p i n a d ar k p la ce ," a ns we re d t he L it tl e Pi nk B ea r.

" Oh, t ha t m us t be a dunge on c el l! " c ri ed D or ot hy, hor ri fi ed. " How

dreadful!"

" We ll , we mu st ge t h er o ut o f i t," s ai d th e Wi zar d.

"T ha t i s wh at we c am e f or , a nd o f c ou rs e we m us t r es cu e Oz ma . But how?"

Ea ch o ne l oo ke d a t s om e o th er o ne f or a n a ns we r, a nd a ll s ho ok t he ir

h ea ds in a g ra ve an d d is ma l ma nn er . A ll b ut S cr ap s, w ho d an ce d a ro un d

t he m gle ef ul ly. " You' re a fr ai d, " s ai d t he P at chwork G ir l, " be c ause s o

ma ny th ing s c an h ur t y ou r m ea t b od ies . W hy d on 't y ou gi ve it u p an d

g o h om e? Ho w c an y ou f ig ht a g re at m ag ic ia n wh en y ou h av e n ot hi ng t o

fight with?"

D or ot hy l ooke d a t her r ef le ct ivel y.

" Sc ra ps ," s ai d s he , " yo u k no w t ha t U gu c ou ld n' t h ur t y ou a

bi t, wh at ev er h e di d, no r c ou ld h e h urt ME, 'c au se I we ar th e

Gn ome Kin g's Ma gi c Be lt. S 'p os e j us t w e t wo g o o n t og et he r

an d l ea ve t he o th er s h er e t o wa it f or u s. "

" No , n o! " s ai d t he W iz ar d p os it iv el y. " Th at w on 't d o a t a ll . O zm a i s

m or e p ow er fu l t ha n e it he r o f y ou , y et s he c ou ld n ot d ef ea t t he w ic ke d

Ugu, who has shut her up in a dungeon. We must go to th e Shoemaker in

one m ight y band, f or onl y i n uni on i s t he re s tr engt h. "

" That i s e xc el le nt a dvic e, " s ai d t he L avende r B ea r a pprovi ngly.

L it tl e P in k B ea r t el l u s h ow ?" h e a sk ed , t ur ni ng t o t he B ea r K in g.

" No , f or t ha t i s s om et hi ng t ha t i s G OI NG t o h ap pe n, " r ep li ed t he

L av en de r B ea r. " He c an o nl y t el l u s w ha t a lr ea dy H AS h ap pe ne d. "

A ga in , t he y w er e g ra ve a nd t ho ug ht fu l. B ut a ft er a t im e, B et sy s ai d

i n a h es it at in g v oi ce , " Ha nk i s a g re at f ig ht er . P er ha ps H E c ou ld

conquer the magician."

T he M ul e t ur ne d h is h ea d t o l oo k r ep ro ac hf ul ly a t h is o ld f ri en d, t he

young gir l. " Who c an f ight a ga inst m agic ?" he a sked.

" The C ow ar dl y L ion c ould," s ai d D or ot hy.

Th e L io n, w ho w as l yi ng wi th h is f ro nt l eg s s pr ea d o ut , h is c hi n o n

h is p aw s, r ai se d h is s ha gg y h ea d. " I c an f ig ht wh en I 'm n ot a fr ai d,"

sa id h e c alml y, " bu t t he mer e men ti on o f a f ig ht se ts me t o

trembling."

" Ugu' s m agic c ouldn' t hur t t he S aw hors e, " s ugge st ed t iny T rot.

" And t he S aw hors e c oul dn't hurt t he M agic ia n, " dec la re d t ha t w oode n

animal.

" Fo r m y p ar t, " s ai d T ot o, " I a m h el pl es s, h av in g l os t m y g ro wl ."

" Th en ," s ai d C ay ke t he C oo ki e C oo k, " we m us t d ep en d u po n t he F ro gm an .

H is m ar ve lous w is dom w il l s ur el y i nf or m him how t o c onquer t he w ic ke d

M ag ic ia n a nd r es to re t o m e m y d is hp an ."

A ll e ye s w er e now t ur ne d que st ioni ngly upon t he F rogm an. Fi nding

him se lf t he c ente r of obs er va ti on, he s wung his gol d- he aded c ane,

a dj us te d his big s pe ct ac le s, a nd a ft er s we ll ing out his c he st , s ighe d

a nd s ai d i n a mo de st t on e o f v oi ce , " Re sp ec t f or t ru th o bl ig es m e t o

c on fe ss t ha t C ay ke i s m is ta ke n i n r eg ar d t o m y s up er io r w is do m. I a m

no t v er y w is e. N ei th er h av e I h ad a ny p ra ct ic al e xp er ie nc e i n

c onquer ing m agic ia ns . B ut l et us c onsi der t hi s c as e.

Wh at i s Ug u, a nd wh at i s a ma gic ian ? Ug u i s a r en eg ad e s ho ema ke r,

a nd a mag ic ia n i s an o rd in ar y man wh o, h av in g l ear ne d h ow to d o

m agic al t ri cks, c onsi de rs him se lf a bove his f el lows . I n t hi s c a se , t he

S ho em ak er h as b ee n n au gh ty e no ug h t o s te al a l ot o f m ag ic al t oo ls a nd

t hi ng s t hat di d n ot b el on g t o h im, a nd h e i s mo re wi ck ed t o s tea l t ha n

t o b e a m ag ic ia n. Yet with a ll th e arts a t his c ommand , Ugu i s sti ll

a ma n, a nd s ur el y t he re a re wa ys i n w hi ch a m an m ay b e c on qu er ed .

Ho w, do yo u s ay , h ow? Al lo w me to s ta te th at I d on 't k no w.

I n my j ud gme nt, w e c an no t d ec id e h ow b es t to a ct u nti l we

get to Ugu's castle. So let us go to it and take a look at it.

A ft er t ha t, w e m ay d is co ve r a n i de a t ha t w il l g ui de u s t o v ic to ry ."

"T ha t m ay n ot b e a wi se s pe ec h, b ut i t s ou nd s g oo d, " s ai d Do ro th y

ap pr ov in gl y. " Ug u t he S ho em ak er i s n ot o nl y a c om mo n m an , b ut h e' s a

w ic ke d m an a nd a c ru el m an a nd d es er ve s t o b e c on qu er ed . W e m us n' t

have any mercy on him till Ozma is set free. So l et 's g o t o hi s

c as tl e a s t he F ro gma n s ay s a nd s ee w ha t t he p la ce l oo ks l ik e. "

No one offered any objection to this plan, and so it was adopted.

T he y b ro ke c amp a nd w er e a bo ut t o s ta rt o n t he j ou rn ey t o Ug u' s c as tl e

w he n t he y dis cove re d t ha t B ut ton- Br ight w as l os t a ga in. T he gir ls a nd

t he W iz ar d s ho ut ed h is n ame , a nd t he Li on r oa re d a nd t he D on ke y b ra ye d

a nd t he Fr og ma n c ro ak ed a nd t he Bi g La ve nd er Be ar g ro wl ed ( to t he e nv y

o f T ot o, w ho c ou ld n' t g ro wl b ut b ar ke d h is l ou de st ), y et n on e o f t he m

c ould m ake B ut ton- Br ight hea r. S o a ft er vai nl y s ea rc hi ng f or t he boy

a f ul l h ou r, t he y f or me d a p ro ce ss io n a nd p ro ce ed ed i n t he d ir ec ti on

o f t he w ic ke r c as tl e o f U gu t he S ho em ak er .

"Button-Bright's always getting lost," said Dorothy.

" An d i f h e w as n' t a lw ay s g et ti ng f ou nd a ga in , I 'd p ro b' ly w or ry . H e m ay h av e

g on e a he ad o f u s, a nd h e ma y h av e g on e b ac k, b ut w he re ve r h e i s, w e' ll

f ind him s om et im e a nd s om ew he re , I 'm a lm os t s ur e. "

C H AP TE R 19

U GU T HE S HO EM AK ER

A c ur io us t hi ng a bo ut U gu t he S ho em ak er w as t ha t h e d id n' t s us pe ct i n

t he l ea st t ha t h e wa s w ic ke d. H e w an te d t o b e p ow er fu l a nd g re at , a nd

he ho pe d t o ma ke h imse lf ma ste r of a ll t he La nd o f Oz t ha t h e mig ht

c om pe l e ve ryone i n t ha t f ai ry c ount ry t o obe y him , H is a mbit ion

b li nd ed h im t o t he r ig ht s o f o th er s, a nd h e i ma gi ne d a ny on e e ls e w ou ld

a ct j us t a s h e d id i f a ny on e e ls e h ap pe ne d t o b e a s c le ve r a s h ims el f.

W he n h e i nh ab it ed h is l it tl e s ho em ak in g s ho p i n t he C it y o f H er ku , h e

h ad b ee n d is co nt en te d, f or a s ho em ak er i s n ot l oo ke d u po n w it h h ig h

r e sp ec t, a nd U gu k ne w t ha t h is a nc es to rs h ad b ee n f am ou s m ag ic ia ns f or

m any c enturi es pas t a nd t he re fore his f am il y w as a bove t he ordinar y.

Ev en h is f at her p ra ct ic ed m ag ic w hen Ug u wa s a b oy , b ut h is f at he r h ad

wa nd er ed a wa y f ro m H er ku a nd h ad n ev er c om e b ac k a ga in . So wh en Ugu

g re w u p, h e wa s fo rc ed to ma ke s ho es f or a l iv in g, k no wi ng n ot hi ng o f

t he m ag ic o f h is f or ef at he rs . B ut o ne d ay , i n s ea rc hi ng t hr ou gh t he

a tt ic o f h is h ou se , h e d is co ve re d a ll t he b oo ks o f m ag ic al r ec ip es a nd

many magical instruments which had formerly been in use in his family.

Fr om t ha t d ay , h e s to pp ed m ak in g s ho es a nd b eg an t o s tu dy m ag ic .

Fi na ll y, h e a sp ir ed t o b ec om e t he g re at es t m ag ic ia n i n O z, a nd f or

d ay s a nd we ek s a nd m on th s h e t ho ug ht o n a p la n t o r en de r a ll t he o th er

so rc er er s a nd w iz ar ds , a s w el l a s t ho se w it h f ai ry p ow er s, h el pl es s t o

oppos e hi m.

F ro m t he b oo ks o f h is a nc es to rs , h e l ea rn ed t he f ol lo wi ng f ac ts :

( 1) Th at Oz ma o f Oz wa s t he f ai ry r ule r o f t he Em er al d Ci ty a nd t he

W iz ar d of O z of a ll t he ir m agic , t hus bec om ing him se lf t he m os t

p owe rfu l p ers on i n al l t he l an d. H is f ir st a ct w as t o g o a wa y fr om

t he C it y o f H er ku a nd b ui ld f or h im se lf t he W ic ke r C as tl e i n t he

h ills. H er e h e c ar ri ed h is b oo ks a nd i ns tr um en ts o f m ag ic , a nd h er e

f or a f ul l yea r he dil igentl y pra ct ic ed a ll t he m agic al a rt s l ea rned

from his ancestors. At the end of that time, he cou ld d o a go od man y

wonderful things.

T he n, wh en a ll h is p re pa ra ti on s w er e m ad e, h e s et o ut f or t he Y ip

C ount ry, a nd c li mbing t he s te ep m ount ai n a t night he e nt er ed t he house

o f C ay ke t he C oo ki e C oo k a nd s to le h er d ia mo nd -s tu dd ed g ol d d is hp an

w hi le a ll t he Y ip s w er e a sl ee p, T ak in g h is p ri ze o ut si de , h e s et t he

p an u po n t he g ro un d a nd u tt er ed t he r eq ui re d m ag ic w or d. I ns ta nt ly ,

t he d is hp an g re w a s la rg e a s a b ig wa sh tu b, a nd Ug u se at ed h ims el f in

i t a nd g ra sp ed t he t wo h an dl es . Th en h e w is he d h ims el f i n t he g re at

d ra wi ng r oo m o f G li nd a t he G oo d.

He was there in a flash. Fi rs t h e t oo k th e Gre at Bo ok o f R ec or ds a nd

p ut i t i n t he d is hp an . Th en h e we nt t o Gl in da 's l ab or at or y a nd t oo k

a ll her r ar e c he mi ca l c om pounds a nd her i ns tr um ents of s or ce ry,

p la ci ng t he se a ls o i n t he d is hp an , w hi ch h e c au se d t o g ro w l ar ge

e no ug h t o h ol d t he m. N ex t h e s ea te d h im se lf a mo ng st t he t re as ur es h e

h ad s to le n a nd w is he d h im se lf i n t he r oo m i n Oz ma 's p al ac e w hi ch t he

Wi za rd o cc up ie d a nd w he re h e k ep t h is b ag o f ma gi c t oo ls . Th is ba g

U gu a dd ed t o h is p lu nd er a nd t he n w is he d h im se lf i n t he a pa rt me nt s o f

H er e h e f ir st t oo k t he M ag ic P ic tu re f ro m t he w al l a nd t he n s ei ze d a ll

t he other m agic al t hi ngs w hi ch O zm a pos se ss ed. H aving pla ce d t he se i n

t he d is hp an , h e wa s a bo ut to cl imb i n h ims el f wh en h e l oo ked u p a nd

s aw O zm a s ta nd in g b es id e h im . H er f ai ry i ns ti nc t h ad w ar ne d h er t ha t

dange r w as t hr ea te ni ng her , s o t he bea ut if ul gir l R ul er r os e f rom her

c ou ch a nd l ea vi ng h er b ed ch am be r a t o nc e c on fr on te d t he t hi ef .

U gu h ad t o t hi nk q ui ck ly , f or h e r ea li ze d t ha t i f h e p er mi tt ed O zm a t o

r ou se t he i nm at es o f h er p al ac e, a ll h is p la ns a nd h is p re se nt

s uc ce ss es we re l ik el y t o c ome t o n au gh t. So h e t hr ew a s ca rf o ve r t he

g ir l' s h ea d s o s he c ou ld n ot s cr ea m, a nd p us he d h er i nt o t he d is hp an

an d t ie d h er f as t s o s he c ou ld n ot mo ve . The n h e cl imb ed i n b es ide

her a nd w is he d him se lf i n his own w ic ke r c as tl e. T he M agic D is hpan

w as t he re i n a n i ns ta nt , w it h a ll i ts c on te nt s, a nd U gu r ub be d h is

h an ds t og et he r i n t ri um ph an t j oy a s h e r ea li ze d t ha t h e n ow p os se ss ed

a ll th e imp ort an t mag ic i n th e La nd of Oz a nd co uld f or ce a ll th e

i nh ab it an ts o f t ha t f ai ry la nd t o d o a s h e w il le d.

S o qui ckly had his j ourney bee n a cc om pl is he d t ha t bef or e dayli ght t he

r ob be r m ag ic ia n h ad l oc ke d O zm a i n a r oo m, m ak in g h er a p ri so ne r, a nd

h ad u np ac ke d a nd a rr an ge d a ll h is s to le n g oo ds . Th e n ex t d ay h e

pl ac ed t he B oo k o f R ec or ds o n h is t ab le a nd h un g t he Ma gi c Pi ct ur e o n

h is wa ll an d p ut a wa y i n h is c up bo ar ds a nd d ra we rs a ll t he e lix ir s a nd

m agic c om pounds he had s tole n. T he m agic al i ns tr um ents he pol is he d

a n d a rr an ge d, a nd t hi s w as f as ci na ti ng w or k a nd m ad e h im v er y h ap py .

B y t ur ns t he i mp ri so ne d R ul er w ep t a nd s co ld ed t he S ho em ak er ,

haughtily threatening him with dire punishment for the wicked deeds

h e h ad d on e. U gu b ec am e s om ewh at a fr ai d o f h is f ai ry p ri so ne r, i n

spi te of t he fa ct th at he b eli eve d he h ad ro bb ed h er of a ll her p owers ;

so h e p er fo rm ed a n e nc ha nt me nt t ha t q ui ck ly d is po se d o f h er a nd p la ce d

h er o ut o f h is s ig ht a nd h ea ri ng . A ft er t ha t, b ei ng o cc up ie d w it h o th er

t hi ng s, h e s oo n f or go t h er .

Bu t n ow , w he n h e l oo ke d i nt o t he M ag ic P ic tu re a nd r ea d t he Gr ea t B oo k

o f Re co rd s, t he S ho em ak er l ea rn ed t ha t h is w ic ke dn es s w as n ot t o g o

unc ha ll enge d. T wo i mpor ta nt e xpedit ions had s et out t o f ind him a nd

fo rce h im t o g iv e u p h is st ol en p ro pe rty . O ne w as t he p ar ty h ea de d b y

t he W iz ar d a nd D or ot hy , w hi le t he o th er c on si st ed o f C ay ke a nd t he

F ro gm an . O th er s w er e a ls o s ea rc hi ng , b ut n ot i n t he r ig ht p la ce s.

T he se t wo g ro up s, h ow ev er , w er e h ea de d s tr ai gh t f or t he w ic ke r c as tl e,

and so Ugu b eg an to pla n ho w b est to me et th em and to de fea t the ir

e ff or ts t o c onquer him .

C H AP TE R 20

MORE SURPRISES

A ll t ha t f ir st d ay a ft er t he u ni on o f t he t wo p ar ti es , o ur f ri en ds

m ar ch ed s te ad il y t ow ar d t he w ic ke r c as tl e o f U gu t he S ho em ak er . W he n

n ig ht c am e, t he y c am pe d i n a l it tl e g ro ve a nd p as se d a p le as an t

e ve ni ng t oget he r, a lt hough s om e of t he m w er e w or ri ed bec ause

Button-Bright was still lost.

" Pe rh ap s, " s ai d T ot o a s t he a ni ma ls l ay g ro up ed t og et he r f or t he

n ig ht , " th is S ho em ak er w ho s to le m y g ro wl a nd w ho s to le O zm a h as a ls o

stolen Button-Bright."

" Ho w d o y ou k no w t ha t t he S ho em ak er s to le y ou r g ro wl ?" d em an de d t he

Woozy.

" He h as s to le n a bo ut e ve ry th in g e ls e o f v al ue i n O z, h as n' t h e? "

r ep li ed t he d og .

" He has s tole n e ve rything he w ants , per ha ps ," a gr ee d t he L ion, " but

what c ould a nyone w ant w it h your growl ?"

"Well," said the dog, wagging his tail slowly, "my recollection is

t ha t i t w as a w on de rf ul g ro wl , s of t a nd l ow a nd -- an d- -"

" An d r ag ge d a t t he e dg es ," s ai d t he S aw ho rs e.

" So," c onti nued T ot o, " if t ha t m agic ia n hadn' t a ny growl of his own,

he m ight have w ante d m ine a nd s tole n i t. "

" An d i f h e h as , h e w il l s oo n w is h h e h ad n' t, " r em ar ke d t he M ul e.

" Al so, i f he has s tole n B ut ton- Br ight , he w il l be s or ry."

" Don' t you l ike B ut ton- Br ight , t he n? " a sked t he L ion i n s ur pr is e.

" It i sn 't a q ue st io n o f l ik in g h im ," r ep li ed t he M ul e. " It 's a

que st ion of w at ching him a nd l ooki ng a ft er him . A ny boy w ho c ause s

h i s f ri en ds s o m uc h w or ry i sn 't w or th h av in g a ro un d. I n ev er g et

lost."

" If y ou d id ," s ai d T ot o, " no o ne wo ul d wo rr y a b it. I think

B ut to n- Br ig ht i s a v er y l uc ky b oy b ec au se h e a lw ay s g et s f ou nd ."

" Se e h er e, " s ai d t he L io n, " th is c ha tt er i s k ee pi ng u s a ll a wa ke , a nd

tomorrow is lik ely to be a busy d ay. Go t o sle ep a nd for get y ou r

quarrels."

" Fr ie nd L io n, " r et or te d t he d og , " if I h ad n' t l os t m y g ro wl , y ou w ou ld

hear it now. I have as much right to talk as you have to sleep ."

The Lion sighed.

"I f o nl y y ou h ad lo st yo ur v oi ce whe n y ou l os t y ou r

g ro wl ," s ai d h e, " yo u w ou ld b e a m or e a gr ee ab le c om pa ni on ."

Bu t t he y q ui et ed d ow n a ft er t ha t, a nd s oo n t he e nt ir e c am p w as w ra pp ed

i n s lu mb er . N ex t m or ni ng t he y m ad e a n e ar ly s ta rt , b ut h ad h ar dl y

p ro ce ed ed o n t he ir w ay a n h ou r w he n, o n c li mb in g a s li gh t e le va ti on ,

t he y b eh eld in th e di st an ce a l ow mo un ta in o n t op o f wh ic h s to od Ug u' s

w i ck er c as tl e. I t w as a g oo d- si ze d b ui ld in g a nd r at he r p re tt y b ec au se

t he s id es , r oo fs a nd d ome s w er e a ll o f wi ck er , c lo se ly wo ve n a s i t i s

i n f ine bas ke ts .

" I w on de r i f i t i s s tr on g? "s ai d D or ot hy m us in gl y a s s he e ye d t he

que er c a st l e.

" I s up po se i t i s, s in ce a m ag ic ia n b ui lt i t, " a ns we re d t he W iz ar d.

"W it h m ag ic t o p ro te ct i t, e ve n a p ap er c as tl e mi gh t b e a s s tr on g a s

if made of stone. Th is Ug u mus t b e a man of id eas, beca use he d oes

t hi ngs i n a dif fe re nt w ay f rom other peopl e. "

" Ye s. N o o ne e ls e w ou ld s te al o ur d ea r O zm a, " s ig he d t in y T ro t.

" I w on de r i f O zm a i s t he re ?" s ai d B et sy , i nd ic at in g t he c as tl e wi th a

n od of h er h ea d.

" Wh er e e ls e c ou ld s he b e? " a sk ed S cr ap s.

" Su pp os e w e a sk t he P in k B ea r, " s ug ge st ed D or ot hy .

T ha t s ee me d a g oo d i de a, s o t he y h al te d t he p ro ce ss io n, a nd t he B ea r

Ki ng h el d t he li ttl e Pi nk Be ar o n hi s la p a nd tu rne d t he c ran k i n i ts

si de a nd a sk ed , " Wh er e i s O zm a o f O z? "

An d t he l it tle Pi nk Be ar a nsw er ed , " Sh e is i n a h ol e in t he g ro und a

ha lf m il e a wa y a t your l ef t. "

"Good gracious!" cried Dorothy.

" Th en s he i s n ot i n U gu 's c as tl e a t a ll ."

" It i s lu ck y we a sk ed t ha t q ue st io n," s ai d t he Wi za rd , " fo r i f we c an

f in d Oz ma a nd r es cu e h er , th er e w il l b e n o n ee d fo r u s to f ig ht t ha t

wicked and dangerous magician."

" Indee d!" s a id C a yke . " Then w ha t a bout m y dis hpan?"

Th e W iz ar d l oo ke d p uz zl ed a t h er t on e o f r em on st ra nc e, s o s he a dd ed ,

" Di dn 't y ou p eo pl e f ro m t he E me ra ld C it y p ro mi se t ha t w e w ou ld a ll

s ti ck to ge th er , a nd t ha t y ou wo ul d h el p me t o g et my d is hp an i f I

w ou ld h el p y ou t o g et y ou r Oz ma ? And d id n't I b ri ng to y ou th e l it tl e

Pi nk B ea r, w hi ch h as t ol d y ou w he re O zm a i s h id de n? "

" She' s r ight ," s ai d D or ot hy t o t he W iz ar d.

"We mu st d o a s we a gr ee d."

" We ll , f ir st o f a ll , l et u s g o a nd r es cu e O zm a, " p ro po se d t he W iz ar d.

"Th en o ur b el ov ed Ru le r ma y b e a bl e t o a dv is e u s h ow t o c on qu er Ug u

t he Sh oe ma ke r." So t he y t ur ne d t o t he l ef t a nd m arc he d f or h al f a

mil e u nt il t he y c ame to a sma ll b ut de ep h ol e in th e g ro un d. A t o nc e,

a ll r ush ed to t he br im to p ee r i nto t he ho le , b ut i nst ead o f f in din g

t he re P ri nc es s O zm a o f O z, a ll t ha t t he y s aw w as B ut to n- Br ig ht , w ho

w as l yi ng a sl ee p o n t he b ot to m.

T he ir c ri es s oo n w ak en ed t he b oy , w ho s at u p a nd r ub be d h is e ye s.

W he n he r ec ogni ze d his f ri ends , he s mi le d s we et ly, s aying, " Found

again!"

"Where is Ozma?" inquired Dorothy anxiously.

" I d on 't k no w, " a ns we re d B ut to n- Br ig ht f ro m t he d ep th s o f t he h ol e.

" I g ot l os t y es te rd ay , a s y ou m ay r em em be r, a nd i n t he n ig ht w hi le I

w as w an de ri ng a ro un d i n t he m oo nl ig ht t ry in g t o f in d m y w ay b ac k t o

you, I s udde nl y f el l i nt o t hi s hol e. "

" And w as n' t O zm a i n i t t he n? "

" Th er e w as n o o ne i n i t b ut me , a nd I wa s s or ry i t w as n' t e nt ir el y

e mp ty . Th e s id es a re s o s te ep I c an 't c li mb o ut , s o t he re w as n ot hi ng

t o b e d on e b ut s le ep u nt il s om eo ne f ou nd m e. T ha nk y ou f or c om in g.

I f y ou 'l l p le ase l et d own a r op e, I 'll e mp ty t hi s h ol e in a h urr y."

"How strange!" said Dorothy, greatly disappointed.

" It 's e vi de nt t he P in k B ea r d id n' t t el l t he t ru th ."

" He n ev er m ak es a m is ta ke ," d ec la re d t he L av en de r B ea r K in g i n a t on e

t ha t s ho we d h is f ee li ng s w er e h ur t. A nd t he n h e t ur ne d t he c ra nk o f

t he l itt le Pi nk Be ar a ga in a nd a sk ed , "I s t hi s t he h ole t ha t Oz ma o f

O z is in?"

" Ye s ," a nsw er ed t he P ink B ea r.

" That s et tl es i t, " s ai d t he K ing pos it ivel y. " Your O zm a i s i n t hi s

hol e i n t he ground. "

"Don't be silly," returned Dorothy impatiently. "Even your beady eyes

c an s ee t he re i s n o o ne i n t he h ol e b ut B ut to n- Br ig ht ."

"Perhaps Button-Bright is Ozma," suggested the King.

" An d p er ha ps h e i sn 't !

O zm a i s a g ir l, a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht i s a b oy ."

" Yo ur Pi nk Be ar m us t b e o ut o f o rd er ," s ai d t he Wi za rd , " fo r, t hi s

t im e a t l ea st , h is m ac hi ne ry h as c au se d h im t o m ak e a n u nt ru e

statement."

Th e Be ar Ki ng wa s s o a ng ry a t t hi s r ema rk th at h e t ur ne d a wa y, h ol di ng

t he Pi nk Be ar i n h is p aws , a nd r ef us ed t o d is cu ss t he m at te r i n a ny

further way.

" At a ny r at e," s ai d t he Fr og ma n, " th e Pi nk Be ar h as l ed u s t o y ou r b oy

f ri en d a nd s o e na bl ed y ou t o r es cu e h im ."

Sc ra ps was l ean in g so f ar o ve r t he ho le tr yin g t o fi nd Ozm a i n it t hat

s u dd en ly s he l os t h er b al an ce a nd p it ch ed i n h ea d f or em os t. She f el l

u po n B ut to n- Br ig ht a nd t um bl ed h im o ve r, b ut h e w as n ot h ur t b y h er

s of t, s tu ff ed b od y a nd o nl y l au gh ed a t t he m is ha p. T he W iz ar d b uc kl ed

s om e s tr ap s t og et he r a nd l et o ne e nd o f t he m d ow n i nt o t he h ol e, a nd

s oo n b ot h Sc ra ps a nd t he b oy h ad c li mb ed u p a nd we re s ta nd in g s af el y

b es id e t he o th er s. T he y l oo ke d o nc e mo re f or O zm a, b ut t he h ol e wa s

no w a bso lu te ly v ac an t. I t wa s a r ou nd h ol e, s o f ro m t he t op t he y

c ou ld p la in ly s ee e ve ry p ar t o f i t. B ef or e t he y l ef t t he p la ce ,

D or ot hy w en t t o t he B ea r K in g a nd s ai d, " I' m s or ry w e c ou ld n' t b el ie ve

w ha t t he l it tl e Pi nk B ea r s ai d, ' ca us e we d on 't wa nt t o m ak e y ou f ee l

b ad b y d ou bt in g h im . T he re m us t b e a m is ta ke , s om ew he re , a nd w e

p ro b' ly d on 't u nd er st an d j us t w ha t t he l it tl e P in k B ea r s ai d. Will

y ou l et m e a sk h im o ne m or e q ue st io n? "

T he L av en de r B ea r K in g w as a g oo d- na tu re d b ea r, c on si de ri ng h ow h e w as

m ad e a nd s tu ff ed a nd j oi nt ed , s o h e a cc ep te d D or ot hy 's a po lo gy a nd

tu rn ed t he c ra nk a nd a ll ow ed t he l it tl e g ir l t o q ue st io n h is w ee P in k

" Is O zm a R EA LL Y i n t hi s hol e? " a sked D or ot hy.

" No ," s ai d t he l it tl e P in k B ea r.

T hi s s ur pr is ed e ve ry bo dy . E ve n t he B ea r K in g w as n ow

puzz le d by t he c ontr adic tory s ta te me nt s of his ora cl e.

" Wh er e I S s he ?" a sk ed t he K in g.

" He re , a mong you," a ns we re d t he l it tl e P ink B ea r.

" We ll ," s ai d D or ot hy, " this bea ts m e e nt ir el y! I gue ss t he l it tl e

P i nk B ea r h as g on e c ra zy ."

"Perhaps," called Scraps, who was rapidly turning "cartwheels" all

around the perplexed group, "Ozma is invisible."

" Of c ours e! " c ri ed B et sy. T ha t w ould a cc ount f or i t. "

" We ll , I 'v e n ot ic ed t ha t p eo pl e c an s pe ak , e ve n w he n t he y' ve b ee n m ad e

i nv is ib le ," s ai d t he Wi za rd . A nd t he n h e l oo ke d a ll a ro un d h im a nd

s ai d i n a s ol em n v oi ce , " Oz ma , a re y ou h er e? "

T he re w as n o r ep ly . D or ot hy a sk ed t he q ue st io n, t oo , a nd s o d id

B ut to n- Br ig ht a nd T ro t a nd B et sy , b ut n on e r ec ei ve d a ny r ep ly a t a ll .

" It 's s tr an ge , i t' s t er ri bl e s tr an ge !" m ut te re d C ay ke t he C oo ki e C oo k.

" I w as s ur e t ha t t he l it tl e P in k B ea r a lw ay s t el ls t he t ru th ."

" I s ti ll bel ie ve i n his hones ty," s ai d t he F rogm an, a nd t hi s t ri bute

s o p le as ed t he Be ar K in g t ha t h e g av e t he se l as t s pe ak er s g ra te fu l

l o ok s, b ut s ti ll g az ed s ou rl y o n t he o th er s.

" Co me t o t hi nk o f i t, " r em ar ke d t he W iz ar d, " Oz ma c ou ld n' t b e

i nvis ible , f or s he i s a f ai ry, a nd f ai ri es c annot be m ade i nvis ible

a ga in st t he ir wi ll. O f c ou rs e, s he c ou ld b e i mp ri so ne d b y t he

m ag ic ia n o r e nc ha nt ed o r t ra ns fo rm ed , i n s pi te o f h er f ai ry p ow er s,

b ut U gu c ou ld n ot r en de r h er i nv is ib le b y a ny m ag ic a t h is c om ma nd ."

" I w onde r i f s he 's bee n t ra ns form ed i nt o B ut ton- Br ight ?" s ai d D or ot hy

n er vo us ly . T he n s he l oo ke d s te ad il y a t t he b oy a nd a sk ed , " Ar e y ou

Ozma? Tell me truly!"

Button-Bright laughed.

c ir cl e of f la mi ng t ongues of f ir e t al le r t ha n a ny of t he ir hea ds qui te

s ur ro un de d t he h il l o n w hi ch t he w ic ke r c as tl e s to od . W he n t he y

a pp ro ac he d t he f la me s, t he h ea t w as s o i nt en se t ha t i t d ro ve t he m b ac k

again.

" This w il l never do f or m e! " e xc la im ed t he P at chwork G ir l. " I c at ch

fire very easily."

" It w on 't d o f or m e e it he r, " g ru mb le d t he S aw ho rs e, p ra nc in g t o t he

" I a ls o s tr on gl y o bj ec t t o f ir e, " s ai d t he Be ar K in g, f ol lo wi ng t he

S a wh or se t o a s af e d is ta nc e a nd h ug gi ng t he l it tl e P in k B ea r w it h h is

" I s uppose t he f ooli sh S hoem aker i ma gi ne s t he se bla ze s w il l s top us, "

r ema rk ed t he Wi za rd wi th a s mi le o f s co rn f or Ug u. " Bu t I am a bl e t o

i nf or m y ou t ha t t hi s i s m er el y a s im pl e ma gi c t ri ck w hi ch t he r ob be r

s to le f ro m G li nd a t he Go od , a nd b y g oo d f or tu ne I k no w h ow t o d es tr oy

th es e f la me s a s we ll a s h ow t o p ro du ce t he m. Will so me on e of y ou

kindl y give m e a m at ch?"

Y ou ma y b e s ur e t he g ir ls c ar ri ed n o ma tc he s, n or d id t he Fr og ma n o r

any of the animals. But Button-Bright, after searching carefully

t hr ough his poc ke ts , w hi ch c onta ined a ll s or ts of use ful a nd use le ss

th in gs , f in al ly p ro du ce d a m at ch a nd h an de d i t t o t he W iz ar d, w ho t ie d

it to the end of a branch which he tore from a small tree growing near

them. Then the little Wizard carefully lighted the match, and running

f or wa rd t hr us t i t i nt o t he nea re st f la me . I ns ta nt ly, t he c ir cl e of

f ir e b eg an t o d ie a wa y, a nd s oo n v an is he d c om pl et el y l ea vi ng t he w ay

c le ar f or t he m t o p ro ce ed .

"That was funny!" laughed Button-Bright.

" Ye s, " a gr ee d t he W iz ar d, " it s ee ms o dd t ha t a l it tl e m at ch c ou ld

d es tr oy s uc h a g re at c ir cl e o f f ir e, b ut w he n G li nd a i nv en te d t hi s

t ri ck , s he b el ie ve d n o o ne w ou ld e ve r t hi nk o f a m at ch b ei ng a r eme dy

f or fi re . I s up po se e ve n U gu d oe sn 't k no w h ow w e m an ag ed t o q ue nc h

t he f la me s o f h is b ar rie r, f or o nl y Gl in da a nd I k no w th e s ec re t.

G li nd a' s B oo k o f M ag ic w hi ch U gu s to le t ol d h ow t o m ak e t he f la me s,

b ut not how to put them out."

Th ey n ow f or me d i n m ar ch in g o rd er a nd p ro ce ed ed t o a dv an ce u p t he

s lo pe o f th e h il l, b ut h ad n ot g on e f ar wh en b ef or e t he m ro se a wa ll

o f s te el , t he s ur fa ce o f w hi ch w as t hi ck ly c ov er ed w it h s ha rp ,

gleaming points resembling daggers. The wall completely surrounded

t he w ic ke r c as tl e, a nd i ts s ha rp poi nt s pre ve nt ed a nyone f rom c li mbing

i t. Ev en t he Pa tc hwo rk Gi rl mi gh t b e r ip pe d t o p ie ce s i f s he d ar ed

attempt it. "Ah!" exclaimed the Wizard cheerfully, "Ugu is now using

o ne o f my o wn t ric ks a ga in st me . Bu t t hi s i s mo re s er io us t ha n t he

Ba rr ie r o f Fi re , b ec au se t he o nl y wa y t o d es tr oy t he wa ll i s t o g et o n

t he o th er s id e o f i t."

" Ho w c an t ha t b e d on e? " a sk ed D or ot hy .

T he W iz ar d l ooke d t hought full y a round his l it tl e par ty, a nd his f ac e

g re w t ro ub le d. " It 's a p re tt y h ig h w al l, " h e s ad ly r em ar ke d. "I'm

p re tt y s ur e t he C ow ar dl y L io n c ou ld n ot l ea p o ve r i t. "

" I' m s ur e o f t ha t, t oo !" s ai d t he Li on w it h a s hu dd er o f f ea r. "If I

f oo li sh ly t ri ed s uc h a l ea p, I w ou ld b e c au gh t o n t ho se d re ad fu l

spikes."

"I think I could do it, sir," said the Frogman with a bow to the

Wi za rd . "It is an u phil l ju mp a s well as be ing a hig h jump, b ut I'm

c on si de re d s om et hi ng o f a j um pe r b y m y f ri en ds i n t he Y ip C ou nt ry , a nd

I b el ie ve a g oo d, s tr on g l ea p wi ll c ar ry me t o t he o th er s id e. "

" I' m s ur e i t w ou ld ," a gr ee d t he C oo ki e C oo k.

"Leaping, you know, is a froglike accomplishment," continued the

F ro gma n mo de st ly , " bu t p le as e t el l me w ha t I a m t o d o wh en I r ea ch t he

" You' re a bra ve c re at ur e, " s ai d t he W iz ar d a dm ir ingl y. " Ha s a nyone a

B et sy h ad o ne , w hi ch s he g av e h im . " Al l y ou n ee d d o, " s ai d t he W iz ar d

t o t he F ro gm an , g iv in g h im t he p in , " is t o s ti ck t hi s i nt o t he o th er

s id e o f t he wa ll ."

" Bu t t he wa ll i s o f s te el !" e xc la ime d t he b ig f ro g.

"I k now. At l ea st , it SEEMS t o b e s te el , b ut d o a s I t el l y ou . Stic k

t he p in i nt o t he w al l, a nd i t w il l d is ap pe ar ."

T he F ro gm an t oo k o ff h is h an ds om e c oa t a nd c ar ef ul ly f ol de d i t a nd

l ai d i t o n t he g ra ss . Th en h e r em ov ed h is h at a nd la id it to ge th er

w it h h is g ol d- he ad ed c an e b es id e t he c oa t. H e t he n we nt b ac k a w ay

a nd m ad e t hr ee p ow er fu l l ea ps i n r ap id s uc ce ss io n. T he f ir st t wo

l ea ps t oo k h im t o t he wa ll , an d th e t hi rd l ea p c ar ri ed h im we ll ov er

it , to t he a maz eme nt o f al l. F or a s ho rt t im e, h e d is ap pe ar ed f ro m

th ei r v ie w, b ut w he n h e h ad o be ye d t he W iz ar d' s i nj un ct io n a nd h ad

t hr us t t he p in i nt o t he w al l, t he h ug e b ar ri er v an is he d a nd s ho we d

t he m t he f or m o f t he Fr og ma n, wh o n ow we nt t o wh er e h is c oa t l ay a nd

p ut i t on a ga in .

" We t ha nk you ver y m uc h, " s ai d t he del ight ed W iz ar d.

"T ha t wa s t he m os t wo nd er fu l l ea p I e ve r s aw , a nd i t h as s av ed u s

f ro m d efe at b y o ur e ne my . L et u s n ow h ur ry o n t o t he c as tl e b ef or e

U gu t he Sh oe ma ke r t hi nk s u p s ome o th er m ea ns t o s to p u s."

" We m us t have s ur pr is ed him s o f ar ," dec la re d D or ot hy.

" Ye s i nd ee d. T he f el lo w k no ws a l ot o f m ag ic -- al l o f o ur t ri ck s a nd

so me o f h is o wn ," r ep li ed t he Wi za rd . " So i f h e i s ha lf as c le ver as

h e o ug ht t o b e, w e s ha ll h av e t ro ub le w it h h im y et ."

He h ad s ca rc el y s po ke n t he se w or ds w he n o ut f ro m t he g at es o f t he

w ic ke r c as tl e m ar ched a r egim ent of s ol di er s, c la d i n gay uni form s a nd

a ll b ea ri ng l on g, p oi nt ed s pe ar s a nd s ha rp b at tl e a xe s. T he se

s ol di er s w er e g ir ls , a nd t he u ni fo rm s w er e s ho rt s ki rt s o f y el lo w a nd

bl ac k s at in , g ol de n s ho es , b an ds o f g ol d a cr os s t he ir f or eh ea ds a nd

nec kl ac es of gli tt er ing j ew el s. T hei r j a cke ts w er e s c ar l et , br ai ded

w it h s il ve r c or ds . T he re w er e hundre ds of t he s e gi rl -s ol di er s, a nd

t he y w er e m or e t er ri bl e t ha n bea ut if ul , bei ng s tr ong a nd f ie rc e i n

a p pe a ra n ce . T he y f or me d a c ir cl e a ll a ro un d t he c as tl e a nd f ac ed

o ut wa rd , t he ir s pe ar s p oi nt ed t ow ar d t he i nv ad er s, a nd t he ir b at tl e

a xe s h el d o ve r t he ir s ho ul de rs , r ea dy t o s tr ik e. O f c ou rs e, o ur

f ri en ds h al te d a t o nc e, f or t he y h ad n ot e xp ec te d t hi s d re ad fu l a rr ay

of s ol di er y. T he W iz ar d s ee me d puz zl ed, a nd his c om pa ni ons e xc ha nged

discouraged looks.

" I' d n o i de a Ug u h ad s uc h a n a rmy a s t ha t," s ai d Do ro th y. "Th e ca stl e

d o es n' t l oo k b ig e no ug h t o h ol d t he m a ll ."

" It i sn't ," dec la re d t he W iz ar d.

" Bu t t he y a ll ma rc he d o ut o f i t. "

"They seemed to, but I don't believe it is a real army at all. If Ugu

t he S ho em ak er h ad s o m an y p eo pl e l iv in g w it h h im , I 'm s ur e t he

C za ro ve r o f H er ku w ou ld h av e m en ti on ed t he f ac t t o u s. "

"They're only girls!" laughed Scraps.

" Gi rl s a re t he f ie rc es t s ol di er s of a ll ," dec la re d t he F rogm an. "They

a re m or e b ra ve t ha n m en , a nd t he y h av e b et te r n er ve s. That is

p ro ba bl y w hy t he m ag ic ia n u se s t he m f or s ol di er s a nd h as s en t t he m t o

oppose us ."

No one argued this statement, for all were staring hard at the line of

s ol di er s, w hi ch now , having t aken a def ia nt pos it ion, r em ai ne d

motionless.

" He re i s a t ri ck o f m ag ic n ew t o m e," a dmi tt ed t he W iz ar d a ft er a

time. " I d o n ot b el ie ve t he a rm y i s r ea l, b ut t he s pe ar s m ay b e s ha rp

e no ug h t o p ri ck u s, n ev er th el es s, s o we m us t b e c au ti ou s. L et u s t ak e

t im e t o c onsi de r how t o m ee t t hi s dif fi cult y. "

W hi le t he y w er e t hi nk in g i t o ve r, S cr ap s d an ce d c lo se r t o t he l in e o f

g ir l s ol di er s. H er b ut to n e ye s s om et im es s aw m or e t ha n d id t he

n at ur al e ye s o f h er c omr ad es , a nd s o a ft er s ta ri ng h ar d a t t he

ma gi ci an's a rm y, s he bol dl y a dvance d a nd dance d r ight t hr ough t he

t h re at en in g l in e! O n t he o th er s id e, s he w av ed h er s tu ff ed a rm s a nd

ca ll ed o ut , " Co me o n, f ol ks . T he s pe ar s c an 't h ur t y ou ."

s ai d t he W iz ar d gai ly. " An opt ic al i ll us ion, a s I t hought . L et

us a ll f ol low t he P at chwork G ir l. " T he t hr ee l it tl e gir ls w er e

s om ew ha t n er vo us i n a tt em pt in g t o b ra ve t he s pe ar s a nd b at tl e a xe s,

b ut a ft er t he o th er s h ad s af el y p as se d t he l in e, t he y v en tu re d t o

f ol lo w. A nd w he n a ll h ad p as se d t hr ou gh t he r an ks o f t he g ir l a rm y,

the army itself magically disappeared from view.

Al l t hi s t ime o ur f ri en ds h ad b ee n g et ti ng f ar th er u p t he h il l a nd

ne ar e r t o t he w ic ker c a st l e. N ow , c onti nuing t he ir a dvance , t he y

e xp ec te d s om et hi ng e ls e t o o pp os e t he ir w ay , b ut t o t he ir a st on is hm en t

nothing happened, a nd pre s entl y t he y a rr ived a t t he w ic ke r gat es ,

w hi ch s to od w id e o pe n, a nd b ol dl y e nt er ed t he d om ai n o f U gu t he

Shoemaker.

C H AP TE R 22

No sooner were the Wizard of Oz and his followers well within the

c as tl e e nt ra nc e w he n t he b ig g at es s wu ng t o w it h a c la ng a nd h ea vy

b ar s d ro pp ed a cr os s t he m. T he y l oo ke d a t o ne a no th er u ne as il y, b ut n o

o n e c ar ed t o s pe ak o f t he i nc id en t. If t he y we re i nd ee d p ri so ne rs i n

t he wi ck er c as tl e, i t w as e vi de nt t he y mu st f in d a w ay t o e sc ap e, b ut

th ei r f ir st d ut y wa s t o a tt en d t o t he e rr an d o n wh ic h t he y h ad c om e

a nd s ee k t he Ro ya l Oz ma , wh om t he y b el ie ve d t o b e a p ri so ne r o f t he

m a gic ia n, a nd r es cue her .

T he y f ou nd t he y h ad e nt er ed a s qu ar e c ou rt ya rd , f ro m w hi ch a n e nt ra nc e

led in to th e main b uild ing of th e cast le. N o p er so n h ad a pp ea re d t o

g re et t he m s o f ar , a lt ho ug h a g au dy p ea co ck p er ch ed u po n t he w al l

c ac kl ed w it h l aughte r a nd s ai d i n i ts s ha rp, s hr il l voi ce , " Poor

f ools ! P oor f ools !"

" I h op e t he p ea co ck i s m is ta ke n, " r em ar ke d t he F ro gm an , b ut n o o ne

el se p ai d a ny a tt en ti on t o t he b ir d. T he y we re a l itt le a we d b y th e

st il ln es s a nd l on el in es s o f t he p la ce . A s t he y e nt er ed t he d oo rs o f

t he c as tl e, w hi ch s tood i nvit ingl y ope n, t he se a ls o c lose d behind t he m

a nd h ug e b ol ts s ho t i nt o p la ce . T he a ni ma ls h ad a ll a cc om pa ni ed t he

p ar ty i nt o t he c as tl e b ec au se t he y f el t i t w ou ld b e d an ge ro us f or t he m

t o s e pa r at e . T he y w er e f or ce d t o f ol lo w a z ig za g p as sa ge , t ur ni ng

t hi s w ay a nd t ha t, unt il f inal ly t he y e nt er ed a gre at c entr al hal l,

ci rc ul ar i n f or m a nd w it h a h ig h d om e f ro m w hi ch w as s us pe nd ed a n

enormous chandelier.

T he W iz ar d w en t f ir st , a nd D or ot hy , B et sy a nd T ro t f ol lo we d h im , T ot o

k e ep in g a t t he h ee ls o f h is l it tl e m is tr es s. T he n c am e t he L io n, t he

W oo zy a nd t he S aw ho rs e, t he n C ay ke t he C oo ki e C oo k a nd B ut to n- Br ig ht ,

t he n t he L avende r B ea r c ar rying t he P ink B ea r, a nd f inal ly t he F rogm an

a nd t he Pa tc hw or k G ir l, w it h H an k t he M ul e t ag gi ng b eh in d. S o i t w as

t he W iz ar d w ho c au gh t t he f ir st g li mp se o f t he b ig , d om ed h al l, b ut

t he other s qui ckly f ol lowe d a nd gat he re d i n a w onde ri ng group j us t

within the entrance.

U po n a r ai se d p la tf or m a t o ne s id e wa s a h ea vy t ab le o n w hi ch l ay

G li nda' s G re at B ook of R ec or ds , but t he pla tf or m w as f ir ml y f as te ne d

t o t he f lo or a nd t he t ab le wa s f as te ne d t o t he p la tf or m a nd t he B oo k

wa s cha ined fast to the ta ble , ju st as it h ad be en when i t was k ept i n

G l in da 's p al ac e. O n t he w al l o ve r t he t ab le h un g O zm a' s M ag ic

Pi ct ur e. O n a r ow o f s he lv es a t t he o pp os it e s id e o f t he h al l s to od

a ll t he c he mi ca ls a nd e ss en ce s o f m ag ic a nd a ll t he m ag ic al

i ns tr um en ts t ha t h ad b ee n s to le n f ro m G li nd a a nd O zm a a nd t he W iz ar d,

w it h g la ss d oo rs c ov er in g t he s he lv es s o t ha t n o o ne c ou ld g et a t

A nd i n a f ar c or ne r s at U gu t he S ho em ak er , h is f ee t l az il y e xt en de d,

h is s ki nn y h an ds c la sp ed b eh in d h is h ea d. H e w as l ea ni ng b ac k a t h is

e as e a nd c al ml y s mo ki ng a l on g p ip e. A ro un d t he m ag ic ia n w as a s or t

o f c ag e, s ee mi ng ly ma de o f g ol de n b ar s s et wi de a pa rt , a nd a t h is

f e et , a ls o w it hi n t he c age , r epose d t he l ong-s ought dia mond- st udded

d is hp an o f C ay ke t he C oo ki e C oo k. P ri nc es s O zm a o f Oz w as n owh er e t o

b e s ee n.

" We ll , w el l, " s ai d U gu w he n t he i nv ad er s h ad s to od i n s il en ce f or a

mome nt , s ta ri ng a bout t he m. " This vis it i s a n une xpec te d ple as ur e, I

as su re yo u. I kne w you were co min g, an d I k now why yo u are here . You

are no t welc ome, fo r I c ann ot use an y of yo u to my a dva ntag e, b ut as

y o u h av e i ns is te d o n c om in g, I h op e y ou w il l m ak e t he a ft er no on c al l

a s b ri ef a s p os si bl e. I t w on 't t ak e l on g t o t ra ns ac t y ou r b us in es s

with me. Yo u wil l as k me f or Oz ma, an d my r ep ly wi ll b e t ha t yo u ma y

f i nd her -- if you c an."

"S ir ," a ns we re d t he W iz ar d i n a t on e o f r eb uk e, " yo u a re a v er y w ic ke d

a nd c ru el p er so n. I s up po se y ou i ma gi ne , b ec au se y ou h av e s to le n t hi s

p oo r wo ma n' s d is hp an a nd a ll t he b es t m ag ic i n O z, t ha t y ou a re mo re

p owe rfu l t ha n we a re an d w il l b e a ble t o t riu mp h ov er u s."

" Ye s, " s ai d U gu t he S hoem aker , s lowl y f il li ng his pipe w it h f re sh

to ba cc o f ro m a s il ve r b ow l t ha t s to od b es id e h im , " th at i s e xa ct ly

what I ima gine. It wi ll d o y ou n o g oo d to d eman d f ro m m e t he gi rl wh o

wa s f orme rl y th e Ru le r o f Oz , b ec aus e I wi ll n ot t el l y ou wh ere I h av e

h id de n h er , a nd y ou c an 't g ue ss i n a t ho us an d y ea rs . Neither will I

res tore t o yo u any of th e ma gic I h ave c ap ture d. I am not so foolish.

Bu t b ea r t his i n mi nd : I me an t o be t he Ru ler o f Oz my sel f, he rea fte r,

s o I a dv is e y ou t o b e c ar ef ul h ow y ou a dd re ss y ou r f ut ur e M on ar ch ."

" Oz ma i s s ti ll R ul er o f O z, wh er ev er y ou m ay h av e h id de n h er ,"

de cl a re d t he W iz a rd. " And bea r t hi s i n m ind, m is er able S hoem aker : w e

i nt en d t o f in d h er a nd t o r es cu e h er in ti me , b ut o ur fi rs t d ut y a nd

p le as ur e w il l b e t o c on qu er y ou a nd t he n p un is h y ou f or y ou r

misdeeds."

" Ve ry w el l, g o a he ad a nd c on qu er ," s ai d U gu . " I' d r ea ll y l ik e t o s ee

h ow y ou can do it."

Now although the little Wizard had spoken so boldly, he had at the

m om en t n o i de a h ow t he y m ig ht c on qu er t he ma gi ci an . H e h ad t ha t

m or ni ng g iv en t he F ro gm an , a t h is r eq ue st , a d os e o f z os oz o f ro m h is

b ot tl e, a nd t he Fro gm an h ad p ro mi sed t o f ig ht a g oo d f ig ht i f i t wa s

n ec es sa ry , b ut t he W iz ar d k ne w t ha t s tr en gt h a lo ne c ou ld n ot a va il

a ga in st m ag ic al a rt s. T he t oy B ea r K in g s ee me d t o h av e s om e p re tt y

g oo d m ag ic , h ow ev er , a nd t he W iz ar d d ep en de d t o a n e xt en t o n t ha t.

B ut s om et hi ng o ug ht t o b e d on e r ig ht a wa y, a nd t he W iz ar d d id n' t k no w

w ha t i t w as .

W hi le he c ons ide re d t hi s per pl exing que st ion a nd t he other s s tood

l oo ki ng a t h im a s t he ir l ea de r, a q ue er t hi ng h ap pe ne d. T he f lo or o f

t he gre at c ir cula r hal l on w hi ch t he y w er e s ta nding s udde nl y began t o

t ip . I ns te ad o f b ei ng fl at a nd l ev el , i t b ec ame a s la nt , a nd t he

s la nt g re w s te ep er a nd s te ep er u nt il n on e o f t he p ar ty c ou ld m an ag e t o

s ta nd u po n i t. P re se nt ly t he y a ll s li d d ow n t o t he w al l, w hi ch wa s

n ow u nd er t he m, a nd t he n i t b ec am e e vi de nt t ha t t he w ho le v as t r oo m

w as s lo wl y t ur ni ng u ps id e d ow n! O nl y U gu t he S ho em ak er , k ep t i n p la ce

b y t he b ar s o f h is g ol de n c ag e, r em ai ne d i n h is f or me r p os it io n, a nd

t he w ic ke d m agic ia n s ee me d t o e nj oy t he s ur pr is e of his vic ti ms

immensely.

First they all slid down to th e wall back of them, but as the ro om

c on ti nu ed t o t ur n o ve r, t he y n ex t s li d d ow n t he w al l a nd f ou nd

t he ms el ve s a t t he b ot to m o f t he g re at d om e, b um pi ng a ga in st t he b ig

c hande li er w hi ch, l ike e ve rything e ls e, w as now ups ide dow n. T he

t ur ning m ovem ent now s topped, a nd t he r oom bec am e s ta ti onar y. L ooki ng

f ar u p, t he y s aw U gu s us pe nd ed i n h is c ag e a t t he v er y t op , wh ic h h ad

o nc e b ee n t he f lo or .

" Ah ," s ai d h e, g ri nn in g do wn at t he m, " th e wa y t o c onq ue r i s to a ct ,

a nd he who acts pro mptl y is sure to win . This mak es a very good

p ri so n, f ro m w hi ch I a m s ur e y ou c an no t e sc ap e. P le as e a mu se

yourselves in any way you like, but I must beg you to excuse me, as I

h av e b us in es s i n a no th er p ar t o f m y c as tl e. "

S ay in g t hi s, h e o pe ne d a t ra p d oo r i n t he fl oo r o f h is c ag e ( wh ic h w as

n o w o ve r h is h ea d) a nd c li mb ed t hr ou gh i t a nd d is ap pe ar ed f ro m t he ir

v ie w. T he d ia mo nd d is hp an s ti ll r em ai ne d i n t he c ag e, b ut t he b ar s

k ep t i t f ro m f al li ng d ow n o n t he ir h ea ds .

" We ll , I d ec la re ," s ai d t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, s ei zi ng o ne o f t he b ar s o f

t he c ha nd el ie r a nd s wi ng in g f ro m i t, " we m us t p eg o ne f or t he

S ho em ak er , f or h e h as t ra pp ed u s v er y c le ve rl y. "

" Ge t o ff m y f oo t, p le as e, " s ai d t he L io n t o t he S aw ho rs e.

" An d o bl ig e m e, M r. M ul e, " r em ar ke d t he W oo zy , " by t ak in g y ou r t ai l

o ut o f my l ef t e ye ."

" It ' s r at her c r ow de d dow n he re ," e xpl a ine d D or othy, " bec a us e t he dome

is ro un di ng a nd we ha ve a ll sl id in to t he mid dle of it . But le t us

k ee p a s q ui et a s p os si bl e u nt il w e c an t hi nk wh at 's b es t t o b e d on e. "

" De ar , d ea r! "w ai le d C ay ke , " I w is h I h ad m y d ar li ng d is hp an ," a nd s he

hel d her a rm s l ongi ngly t ow ar d i t.

" I w is h I h ad t he m ag ic o n t ho se s he lv es u p t he re ," s ig he d t he W iz ar d.

" Do n' t y ou s 'p os e w e c ou ld g et t o i t? " a sk ed T ro t a nx io us ly .

" We 'd have t o f ly," l aughed t he P at chwork G ir l.

B ut t he W iz ar d t oo k t he s ug ge st io n s er io us ly , a nd s o d id t he F ro gm an .

Th ey t al ke d i t o ve r a nd s oo n p la nn ed a n a tt em pt t o r ea ch t he s he lv es

w her e t he m agic al i ns tr um ents w er e. F ir st t he F rogm an l ay a ga inst t he

r ou nd in g d om e a nd b ra ce d h is f oo t o n t he s te m o f t he c ha nd el ie r; t he n

t he Wi za rd cl imb ed ov er h im a nd l ay o n th e d ome wi th h is f ee t on t he

F r ogma n' s s houlde rs ; t he C ookie C ook c a me next ; t he n B ut ton-B ri ght

c li mbed t o t he w om an's s houl de rs ; t he n D or ot hy c li mbed up a nd B et sy

a nd T ro t, a nd f in al ly t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, a nd a ll t he ir l en gt hs m ad e a

c a rpe nt er w it hout a ham me r or s aw ."

" Don' t give up, " ple aded B ut ton- Br ight , " 20'c ause i f w e c an't get

o ut o f t hi s q ue er p ri so n, w e' ll a ll s ta rv e t o d ea th ."

" No t I !" l au gh ed t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, n ow s ta nd in g o n t op o f t he

c ha nd el ie r a t t he p la ce t ha t wa s m ea nt t o b e t he b ot to m o f i t.

" Don' t t al k of s uc h dre adful t hi ngs, " s ai d T rot, s hudder ing. " We c am e

he re t o c ap tu re t he S ho em ak er , d id n' t w e? "

" Ye s, a nd t o s av e O zm a, " s ai d B et sy .

" An d h er e w e a re , c ap tu re d o ur se lv es , a nd m y d ar li ng d is hp an u p t he re

i n p la in s ig ht !" w ai le d t he C oo ki e C oo k, w ip in g h er e ye s o n t he t ai l

o f t he F ro gm an 's c oa t.

" Hu sh !" c al le d t he L io n w it h a l ow , d ee p g ro wl . " Gi ve t he Wi za rd t ime

to think."

" He h as p le nt y o f t ime ," s ai d Sc ra ps . " Wh at h e n ee ds i s t he

Scarecrow's brains."

A ft er a ll , i t w as l it tl e D or ot hy w ho c am e t o t he ir r es cu e, a nd h er

ab il it y to s av e th em w as a lmo st a s mu ch a s urp ri se t o t he g ir l a s i t

w as t o h er f ri en ds . D or ot hy h ad b ee n s ec re tl y t es ti ng t he p ow er s o f

h er M ag ic B el t, wh ic h s he h ad o nc e c ap tu re d f ro m t he N om e K in g, a nd

e xp er im en ti ng w it h i t i n v ar io us w ay s e ve r s in ce s he h ad s ta rt ed o n

t hi s e ve nt ful j ourney. A t dif fe re nt t im es s he had s tole n a wa y f rom

t he o th er s o f h er p ar ty a nd i n s ol it ud e h ad t ri ed t o f in d o ut wh at t he

Ma gic Be lt cou ld do an d wh at it c oul d not do . The re were a l ot o f

th in gs i t c ou ld n ot d o, s he d is co ve re d, b ut s he l ea rn ed s om e t hi ng s

a bo ut t he B el t w hi ch e ve n h er g ir l f ri en ds d id n ot s us pe ct s he k ne w.

Fo r o ne t hi ng , s he h ad r eme mb er ed t ha t wh en t he N om e K in g o wn ed i t,

t he M agic B el t use d t o per form t ra ns form at ions , a nd by t hi nking har d

s he had f inal ly r ec al le d t he w ay i n w hi ch s uc h t ra ns form at ions had

bee n a c compli s he d. B et t er t ha n t hi s , how eve r, w as t he dis cover y t hat

t he Ma gi c Be lt wo ul d g ra nt i ts we are r o ne wi sh a d ay . A ll s he n ee d d o

wa s c lo se h er ri gh t e ye a nd wi gg le h er l ef t t oe a nd t he n d ra w a l on g

br ea th a nd m ak e h er w is h. Y es te rd ay s he h ad wi sh ed i n s ec re t f or a

b ox o f c ar am el s, a nd i ns ta nt ly f ou nd t he b ox b es id e h er . T od ay s he

h ad s av ed he r d ail y wis h in c as e s he m ig ht n ee d it i n a n eme rge ncy ,

an d the time had no w co me when she must use the wish to enable her to

e sc ap e w it h h er f ri en ds f ro m t he p ri so n i n w hi ch Ug u h ad c au gh t t he m.

S o w it ho ut t el li ng a ny on e w ha t s he i nt en de d t o d o- -f or s he h ad o nl y

u se d t he w is h o nc e a nd c ou ld n ot b e c er ta in h ow p ow er fu l t he M ag ic

B el t m ig ht b e- -D or ot hy c lo se d h er r ig ht e ye a nd w ig gl ed h er l ef t b ig

t oe a nd d rew a l on g b re at h a nd wi sh ed wi th al l h er mi gh t. The ne xt

m om en t t he r oo m b eg an t o r ev ol ve a ga in , a s s lo wl y a s b ef or e, a nd b y

d eg re es t he y a ll s li d t o t he s id e wa ll a nd d own t he wa ll t o t he

f lo or -- al l b ut S cr ap s, w ho w as s o a st on is he d t ha t s he s ti ll c lu ng t o

t he c ha nd el ie r. W he n t he b ig h al l wa s i n i ts p ro pe r p os it io n a ga in

a nd t he o th er s s to od f irm ly u po n t he f lo or o f i t, t he y l oo ke d f ar u p

t he dom e a nd s aw t he P at chwork gir l s wi nging f rom t he c ha ndel ie r.

" Good gra ci ous! " c ri ed D or ot hy." How e ve r w il l you get dow n? "

" Wo n' t t he r oo m k ee p t ur ni ng ?" a sk ed S cr ap s.

" I h op e n ot . I b el ie ve i t h as s to pp ed f or g oo d, " s ai d P ri nc es s

Dorothy.

" Th en s ta nd f ro m u nd er , s o y ou w on 't g et h ur t! " s ho ut ed t he

P at ch wo rk Gi rl , a nd a s s oo n a s t he y h ad o be ye d t hi s r eq ue st , s he l et g o t he

c ha ndel ie r a nd c am e t um bl ing dow n hee ls ove r hea d a nd t wi st ing a nd

t ur ni ng i n a ver y e xc it ing m anne r. Pl um p! S he f el l on t he t il ed

f lo or , a nd t he y r an t o h er a nd r ol le d h er a nd p at te d h er i nt o s ha pe

again.

C H AP TE R 23

T H E D EF IA NC E O F U GU T HE S HO EM AK ER

T he d el ay c au se d b y S cr ap s h ad p re ve nt ed a ny on e f ro m r un ni ng t o t he

s he lv es t o s ec ur e t he m ag ic i ns tr um en ts s o b ad ly n ee de d. E ve n C ay ke

negl ec te d t o get he r dia mond- s tudde d di shpan bec a us e s he w as w at chi ng

t he Pa tc hwo rk G ir l. A nd n ow t he m ag ic ia n h ad o pe ne d h is t ra p d oo r a nd

a ppe ar ed i n his gol de n c age a ga in, f rowning a ngri ly bec ause his

p ri so ne rs h ad b ee n a bl e t o t ur n t he ir u ps id e- do wn p ri so n r ig ht s id e

u p. " Wh ic h o f y ou h as d ar ed d ef y m y m ag ic ?" h e s ho ut ed i n a t er ri bl e

voice.

" It w as I ," a ns we re d D or ot hy c al ml y.

"Th en I s hal l de str oy yo u, f or y ou ar e on ly an Ea rt h gi rl a nd no

f ai ry ," h e s ai d, a nd b eg an t o m um bl e s om e m ag ic w or ds .

Do ro th y n ow r ea li ze d t ha t Ug u m us t b e t re at ed a s a n e ne my , s o s he

a d va nc ed t owa rd t he c or ne r i n wh ic h h e s at , s ay in g a s s he we nt , " I a m

n ot a fr ai d o f y ou , M r. S ho ema ke r, a nd I t hi nk y ou 'l l b e s or ry , p re tt y

s oo n, th at y ou 're su ch a b ad man . You c an' t de str oy me , a nd I won 't

d es tr oy y ou , b ut I 'm g oi ng t o p un is h y ou f or y ou r w ic ke dn es s. "

U gu l au gh ed , a l au gh t ha t wa s n ot n ic e to h ea r, a nd th en h e wa ve d h is

ha nd . D or ot hy w as h al fw ay a cr os s t he r oo m w he n s ud de nl y a w al l o f

g la ss r os e b ef or e h er a nd s to pp ed h er p ro gr es s. Thro ug h t he g las s sh e

c ou ld s ee t he m ag ic ia n s ne er in g a t h er b ec au se s he w as a w ea k l it tl e

g ir l, a nd t hi s p ro vo ke d h er . A lt ho ug h t he g la ss w al l o bl ig ed h er t o

h al t, s he i ns ta nt ly p re ss ed b ot h h an ds t o h er M ag ic B el t a nd c ri ed i n

a l ou d v oi ce , " Ug u t he S ho em ak er , b y t he m ag ic v ir tu es o f t he M ag ic

Be lt , I c omm an d y ou t o b ec om e a d ov e! "

T he m agic ia n i ns ta nt ly r ea li ze d he w as bei ng e nc ha nt ed, f or he c ould

f ee l his f or m c ha nging. H e s tr uggl ed des pe ra te ly a ga inst t he

enchantment, mumbling magic words and making magic passes with his

h an ds . A nd i n o ne w ay h e s uc ce ed ed i n d ef ea ti ng D or ot hy 's p ur po se ,

fo r while h is fo rm soon chang ed to tha t of a g ray d ove, the dov e was

o f a n e no rmo us s iz e, b ig ge r e ve n th an Ug u h ad b ee n a s a m an , a nd t hi s

f ea t h e h ad b ee n a bl e t o a cc om pl is h b ef or e h is p ow er s o f m ag ic w ho ll y

deserted him.

An d t he d ov e wa s n ot g en tl e, a s d ov es u su al ly a re , f or

U gu w as t er ri bl y e nr ag ed a t t he l it tl e g ir l' s s uc ce ss . H is b oo ks h ad

to ld h im n ot hi ng o f t he N om e Ki ng 's M ag ic B el t, t he C ou nt ry o f t he

No me s b ei ng o ut si de t he La nd o f O z. H e k ne w, h ow ev er , t ha t h e w as

l ik el y t o b e c on qu er ed u nl es s h e ma de a f ie rc e f ig ht , s o h e s pr ea d h is

w in gs a nd r os e i n t he a ir a nd f le w d ir ec tl y t ow ar d D or ot hy . Th e W al l

of G la s s ha d dis a ppea r ed t he i ns t ant U gu bec a me t ra nsf or me d.

D or ot hy h ad m ea nt t o c om ma nd t he B el t t o t ra ns fo rm t he m ag ic ia n i nt o a

D ov e o f Pe ac e, b ut i n h er e xc it eme nt s he f or go t t o s ay mo re t ha n

"do ve ," a nd n ow Ug u was n ot a Dov e o f Pe ace b y an y mea ns , b ut ra the r a

s pi te fu l D ov e o f W ar . H is s iz e ma de h is s ha rp b ea k a nd c la ws v er y

d an ge ro us , b ut D or ot hy w as n ot a fr ai d w he n h e c am e d ar ti ng t ow ar d h er

w it h h is t al on s o ut st re tc he d a nd h is s wo rd -l ik e b ea k o pe n. S he k ne w

t h e M ag ic B el t w ou ld p ro te ct i ts w ea re r f ro m h ar m.

Bu t t he Fr og ma n d id n ot k no w t ha t f ac t a nd b ec am e a la rm ed a t t he

l it tl e g ir l' s s ee mi ng d an ge r. S o h e g av e a s ud de n l ea p a nd l ea pe d

f ul l u po n t he b ac k o f t he g re at d ov e. T he n b eg an a d es pe ra te

struggle. Th e d ove was as st ron g as Ug u had b een, and in s ize it wa s

c on si de ra bl y b ig ge r t ha n t he F ro gm an . B ut t he F ro gm an h ad e at en t he

z os ozo , an d i t h ad ma de h im f ul ly a s s tro ng a s Ug u t he Do ve . At th e

first leap he b ore the do ve to the floo r, bu t th e g iant bir d g ot free

a nd b eg an t o b it e a nd c la w t he F ro gm an , b ea ti ng h im d ow n w it h i ts

g r ea t w in gs w he ne ve r h e a tt em pt ed t o r is e. T he t hi ck , t ou gh s ki n o f

t he b ig f ro g w as n ot e as il y d am ag ed , b ut D or ot hy f ea re d f or h er

c ha mpion, a nd by a ga in usi ng t he t ra ns form at ion pow er of t he M agic

B el t, s he ma de th e d ov e gr ow s ma ll u nt il i t was n o l ar ge r th an a

c an ar y b ir d. U gu h ad n ot l os t h is k no wl ed ge o f m ag ic w he n h e l os t h is

sh ape as a ma n, an d h e no w re al iz ed it was h op el es s to op pos e t he

p owe r o f t he M ag ic Be lt a nd k ne w t ha t h is o nl y h op e o f e sc ap e l ay in

i ns ta nt a ct io n. So h e q ui ck ly f le w i nt o t he g ol de n j ew el ed d is hp an h e

h ad s to le n fr om Ca yk e t he Co ok ie Co ok, a nd a s bi rd s ca n ta lk a s we ll

as b ea st s o r m en i n t he Fa ir yl an d o f O z, h e mu tt er ed t he m ag ic wo rd

t ha t w as r equi re d a nd w is he d him se lf i n t he C ount ry of t he Q ua dl ings ,

w hi ch wa s a s f ar a wa y f ro m t he w ic ke r c as tl e a s h e b el ie ve d h e c ou ld

O ur f ri en ds d id n ot k no w, o f c ou rs e, w ha t U gu w as a bo ut t o d o. They

s aw t he d is hp an t re mb le a n i ns ta nt a nd t he n d is ap pe ar , t he d ov e

dis appe ar ing w it h i t, a nd a lt hough t he y w ai te d e xpec ta nt ly f or s om e

m in ut es f or t he m ag ic ia n' s r et ur n, U gu d id n ot c om e b ac k a ga in .

" Se em s t o m e, " s ai d t he W iz ar d i n a c he er fu l v oi ce , " th at w e h av e

c onque re d t he w ic ke d m agic ia n m or e qui ckly t ha n w e e xpec te d t o. "

" Don't s a y ' w e. ' D or ot hy did i t! " c ri ed t he P at chwork G ir l, t ur ni ng

t hr ee s om er sa ul ts i n s uc ce ss ion a nd t he n w al ki ng a round on her hands .

"Hurrah for Dorothy!"

"I thought yo u said you d id not know how to use the magic of the Nome

K in g' s B el t, " s ai d t he W iz ar d t o D or ot hy .

" I d id n' t k no w a t t ha t t im e, " s he r ep li ed , " bu t a ft er wa rd I r em em be re d

ho w t he N om e Ki ng o nc e u se d t he M ag ic B el t t o e nc ha nt p eo pl e a nd

t ra ns fo rm ' em i nt o o rn am en ts a nd a ll s or ts o f t hi ng s, s o I t ri ed s om e

e nc ha nt me nt s i n s ec re t, a nd a ft er a w hi le I t ra ns fo rm ed t he S aw ho rs e

in to a p ot at o m as he r a nd b ac k a ga in , a nd t he Co wa rd ly Li on i nt o a

p us sy ca t a nd b ac k a ga in , a nd t he n I k ne w t he t hi ng wo ul d wo rk a ll

right."

" When did you per form t hose e nc ha nt me nt s? " a sked t he W iz ar d, m uc h

surprised.

"O ne n ig ht w he n a ll t he r es t o f y ou we re a sl ee p b ut Sc ra ps , a nd s he

had gone chasing moonbeams."

" We ll ," r em ar ke d t he W iz ar d, " your dis cove ry has c er ta inly s aved us a

l ot o f t ro ub le , a nd w e m us t a ll t ha nk t he F ro gm an , t oo , f or m ak in g

s uc h a g oo d f ig ht . T he d ov e' s s ha pe h ad U gu 's e vi l d is po si ti on i ns id e

i t, a nd t ha t m ad e t he m on st er b ir d d an ge ro us ."

T he F ro gm an w as l oo ki ng s ad b ec au se t he b ir d' s t al on s h ad t or n h is

pre tt y c lothes , but he bow ed w it h m uc h digni ty a t t hi s w el l- de se rved

p ra is e. C ay ke , h ow ev er , h ad s qu at te d o n t he f lo or a nd w as s ob bi ng

bit te rl y. " My pre ci ous dis hpan i s gone! " s he w ai le d. " Gone , j us t a s

I h ad f ou nd i t a ga in !"

" Ne ve r m in d, " s ai d T ro t, t ry in g t o c om fo rt h er , " it 's s ur e t o b e

S OM EW HE RE , s o w e' ll c er t' nl y r un a cr os s i t s om e d ay ."

" Ye s i nd ee d, " a dd ed B et sy , " no w t ha t w e h av e O zm a' s M ag ic P ic tu re , w e

c an t el l j us t w he re t he D ov e w en t w it h y ou r d is hp an . They al l

a pp ro ac he d t he M ag ic P ic tu re , a nd D or ot hy w is he d i t t o s ho w t he

e nc ha nt ed f or m o f U gu t he S ho em ak er , w he re ve r i t m ig ht b e. A t o nc e

t he re a pp ea re d i n t he f ra me o f t he Pi ct ur e a s ce ne i n t he f ar Qu ad li ng

C ou nt ry , w he re t he D ov e w as p er ch ed d is co ns ol at el y o n t he l im b o f a

t re e a nd t he j ew el ed d is hp an l ay o n t he g ro un d j us t u nd er ne at h t he

" Bu t wh er e i s t he p la ce ? Ho w f ar o r h ow n ea r? " a sk ed Ca yk e a nx io us ly .

" Th e B oo k o f R ec or ds w il l t el l u s t ha t, " a ns we re d t he W iz ar d. S o t he y

lo ok ed i n t he G re at B oo k a nd r ea d t he f ol lo wi ng :

" Ugu t he M agic ia n, bei ng t ra ns form ed i nt o a dove by P ri nc es s D or ot hy

o f O z, h as u se d t he m ag ic o f t he g ol de n d is hp an t o c ar ry h im i ns ta nt ly

t o t he nor thea st c orne r of t he Q ua dl ing C ount ry."

" Do n' t w or ry , C ay ke , f or t he

S ca re cr ow a nd t he Ti n W oo dm an a re i n t ha t p ar t o f t he c ou nt ry l oo ki ng

f or O zm a, a nd t he y' ll s ur el y f ind your dis hpan."

"Good gracious!" exclaimed Button-Bright. "We've forgot all about

O zm a. L et 's f ind out w he re t he m agic ia n hid her ."

Ba ck t o t he M ag ic Pi ct ur e t he y t ro op ed , b ut w he n t he y wi sh ed t o s ee

O zm a w he re ve r s he m ig ht b e h id de n, o nl y a r ou nd b la ck s po t a pp ea re d i n

t he c en te r o f t he c an va s. " I d on 't s ee h ow T HA T c an b e Oz ma !" s ai d

Dorothy, much puzzled.

" It s ee ms t o b e t he b es t t he M ag ic Pi ct ur e c an d o, h ow ev er ," s ai d t he

W i za rd , n o l es s s ur pr is ed . " If i t' s a n e nc ha nt me nt , l oo ks a s i f t he

ma gi ci an had t ra ns form ed O zm a i nt o a c hunk of pit ch."

C H AP TE R 24

T HE L IT TL E P IN K B EA R S PE AK S T RU LY

F or s ev er al mi nu te s t he y a ll s to od s ta ri ng a t t he b la ck s po t o n t he

c an va s o f t he M ag ic P ic tu re , w on de ri ng w ha t i t c ou ld m ea n. " P' r' a ps

we 'd b et te r a sk t he l it tl e P in k B ea r a bo ut O zm a, " s ug ge st ed T ro t.

"Pshaw!" said Button-Bright. "HE don't know anything."

" He n ev er m ak es a m is ta ke ," d ec la re d t he K in g.

" He d id o nc e, s ur el y, " s ai d B et sy . " Bu t p er ha ps h e w ou ld n' t m ak e a

mistake again."

" He w on 't h av e t he c ha nc e, " g ru mb le d t he B ea r K in g.

" We mi gh t h ea r wh at h e h as to s ay ," s aid Do ro th y. " It w on 't d o a ny

ha rm t o a sk t he P in k Be ar w he re O zma i s. "

" I w il l n ot h av e h im q ue st io ne d, " d ec la re d t he Ki ng i n a s ur ly v oi ce .

"I d o no t in ten d to a ll ow my l itt le Pin k Be ar to b e ag ain i ns ult ed b y

y ou r f oo li sh d ou bt s. H e n ev er m ak es a m is ta ke ."

" Di dn 't h e s ay O zm a w as i n t ha t h ol e i n t he g ro un d? "

a s ke d B e ts y.

" He d id , a nd I a m c er ta in s he w as t he re ," r ep li ed t he La ve nd er B ea r.

S cr ap s l au gh ed j ee ri ng ly , a nd t he o th er s s aw t he re w as n o u se a rg ui ng

w it h t he s tu bb or n B ea r K in g, w ho s ee me d t o h av e a bs ol ut e f ai th i n h is

P in k B ea r. T he W iz ar d, w ho k ne w t ha t m ag ic al t hi ng s c an u su al ly b e

d e pe nd ed u po n a nd t ha t t he l it tl e P in k B ea r w as a bl e t o a ns we r

q ue st io ns b y s om e r em ar ka bl e p ow er o f m ag ic , t ho ug ht i t w is e t o

ap ol og iz e t o t he L av en de r B ea r f or t he u nb el ie f o f h is f ri en ds , a t t he

s am e t im e u rg in g t he K in g t o c on se nt t o q ue st io n t he P in k B ea r o nc e

m or e. C ay ke a nd t he F ro gma n a ls o p le ad ed w it h t he b ig B ea r, wh o

finally agreed, although rather ungraciously, to put the little Bear's

w isd om t o t he tes t o nc e mo re . So he sat the little on e on his k nee

a nd t ur ne d t he c ra nk , a nd t he W iz ar d h im se lf a sk ed t he q ue st io ns i n a

v er y r es pe ct fu l t on e o f v oi ce . " Wh er e i s O zm a? " wa s h is f ir st q ue ry .

" He re i n t hi s r oom, " a ns we re d t he l it tl e P ink B ea r.

Th ey a ll l oo ke d a ro un d t he r oo m, b ut o f c ou rs e d id n ot s ee h er . "In

w ha t p ar t o f t he r oo m i s s he ?" w as t he W iz ar d' s n ex t q ue st io n.

" In B ut ton- Br ight 's poc ke t, " s ai d t he l it tl e P ink B ea r.

T hi s r ep ly a ma ze d t he m a ll , y ou m ay b e s ur e, a nd a lt ho ug h t he t hr ee

gir ls s mi le d a nd S cr aps yel le d " Hoo- ra y! " i n der is ion, t he W iz ar d

t ur ne d t o c onsi de r t he m at te r w it h gra ve t hought fulnes s. " In whic h

one of B ut ton- Br ight 's poc ke ts i s O zm a? " he pre se nt ly i nqui re d.

" In t he l ef t- ha nd j ac ke t p oc ke t, " s ai d t he l it tl e P in k B ea r.

"The pink one has gone crazy!" exclaimed Button-Bright, staring

ha rd at t he l itt le b ea r o n th e b ig b ea r' s kn ee .

"I a m n ot s o s ur e o f t ha t, " d ec la re d t he W iz ar d. " If Oz ma p ro ve s t o

b e r ea ll y i n y ou r p oc ke t, t he n t he l it tl e P in k B ea r s po ke t ru ly w he n

he said Ozma was in that hole in the ground. For at that time yo u

were also in the ho le, and after we had pulled you o ut of it, the

l it tl e P in k B ea r s ai d O zm a w as n ot i n t he h ol e. "

" He n ev er m ak es a m is ta ke ," a ss er te d t he B ea r K in g s to ut ly .

" Em pt y t ha t poc ke t, B ut ton- Br ight , a nd l et 's s ee w ha t' s i n i t, "

requested Dorothy.

S o B ut to n- Br ig ht l ai d t he c on te nt s o f h is l ef t j ac ke t p oc ke t o n t he

t ab le. The se p rov ed t o be a pe g to p, a bu nc h of s tri ng , a s ma ll

r ub be r b al l a nd a g ol de n p ea ch p it . " Wh at 's t hi s? " a sk ed t he W iz ar d,

pic ki ng up t he pea ch pit a nd e xa mi ni ng i t c lose ly.

" Oh ," s ai d t he b oy , " I s av ed t ha t t o s ho w t o t he g ir ls , a nd t he n

f org ot a ll a bo ut i t. I t c ame o ut o f a l on es ome p ea ch t ha t I f ou nd i n

th e or ch ar d ba ck yo nd er , a nd wh ic h I a te wh ile I wa s lo st . I t l ook s

l ik e g ol d, a nd I n ev er s aw a p ea ch p it l ik e i t b ef or e."

" No r I ," s ai d t he W iz ar d, " an d t ha t m ak es i t s ee m s us pi ci ou s. "

Al l h ea ds we re b en t o ve r t he g ol de n p ea ch p it . Th e Wi zar d t urn ed i t

o ve r s ev er al t ime s a nd t he n t oo k o ut h is p oc ke t k ni fe a nd p ri ed t he

p it o pe n. As t he t wo h al ve s f el l a pa rt , a p in k, c lo ud -l ik e h az e c am e

pouri ng f rom t he gol de n pea ch pit , a lm os t f il li ng t he big r oom, a nd

f ro m t he h az e a f or m t oo k s ha pe a nd s et tl ed b es id e t he m. Th en , a s t he

h az e f ad ed a wa y, a s we et v oi ce s ai d, " Th an k y ou , m y f ri en ds !" a nd

t he re b ef or e t he m s to od t he ir l ov el y g ir l R ul er , O zm a o f O z.

W it h a c ry o f d el ig ht , D or ot hy r us he d f or wa rd a nd e mb ra ce d h er .

Scraps turned gleeful flipflops all around the room. Button-Bright

g av e a l ow w hi st le o f a st on is hm en t. T he F ro gm an t oo k o ff h is t al l h at

a nd b owe d l ow b efo re t he b ea ut if ul g ir l wh o h ad b ee n fr ee d f ro m h er

e nc ha nt me nt i n s o s ta rt li ng a m an ne r. F or a t im e, n o s ou nd w as h ea rd

b e yo nd t he l ow m ur mu r o f d el ig ht t ha t c am e f ro m t he a ma ze d g ro up , b ut

p re se nt ly t he g ro wl o f t he b ig L av en de r B ea r g re w l ou de r, a nd h e s ai d

i n a t on e o f t ri um ph , " He n ev er m ak es a m is ta ke !"

C H AP TE R 25

OZMA OF OZ

" It 's f unny," s ai d T ot o, s ta nding bef or e his f ri end t he L ion a nd

w ag gi ng h is t ai l, " bu t I 'v e f ou nd my g ro wl a t l as t! I a m p os it iv e n ow

t ha t i t w as t he c ru el m ag ic ia n w ho s to le i t. "

" Le t' s hea r your growl ," r eques te d t he L ion.

" G -r - r -r - r- r ! " s a i d T oto.

" Th at i s f in e, " d ec lar ed t he b ig be as t. " It i sn 't a s l ou d o r a s d ee p

a s t he g ro wl o f t he b ig La ve nd er Be ar , b ut i t i s a v er y r es pe ct ab le

g rowl f or a s ma ll d og. Wh er e d id yo u f in d i t, To to ?"

" I w as s me ll in g i n t he c or ne r y on de r," s ai d T ot o, " wh en s ud de nl y a

m ou se r an o ut -- an d I g ro wl ed ."

T he o th er s w er e a ll b us y c on gr at ul at in g O zm a, w ho w as v er y h ap py a t

b ei ng r el ea se d f ro m t he c on fi ne me nt o f t he g ol de n p ea ch p it , w he re t he

m ag ic ia n h ad p la ce d h er w it h t he n ot io n t ha t s he n ev er c ou ld b e f ou nd

or l i be r at e d.

" And onl y t o t hi nk," c ri ed D or ot hy, " that B ut ton- Br ight has bee n

c ar ry in g y ou i n h is p oc ke t a ll t hi s t im e, a nd we n ev er k ne w i t! "

" Th e l it tl e Pi nk B ea r t ol d y ou ," s ai d t he B ea r K in g, " bu t y ou w ou ld n' t

believe him."

" Ne ve r m ind, m y dea rs ," s ai d O zm a gra ci ousl y, " al l i s w el l t ha t e nds

we ll , a nd y ou c ou ld n' t b e e xp ec te d t o k no w I w as i ns id e t he p ea ch p it .

I nd ee d, I f ea re d I wo ul d r em ai n a c ap ti ve mu ch l on ge r t ha n I d id , f or

U gu i s a b ol d a nd cl ev er ma gic ia n, a nd h e h ad h id de n me v er y

securely."

" Yo u w er e i n a f in e p ea ch ," s ai d B ut to n- Br ig ht , " th e b es t I e ve r a te ."

" The m agic ia n w as f ooli sh t o m ake t he pea ch s o t em pt ing, " r em ar ke d t he

W iz ar d, " but O zm a w ould l end bea ut y t o a ny t ra ns form at ion. "

" Ho w d id y ou m an ag e t o c on qu er U gu t he S ho em ak er ?"

i nqui re d t he gir l R ul er of O z.

D or ot hy s ta rt ed t o t el l t he s to ry , a nd T ro t h el pe d h er , a nd

Bu tt on -B ri gh t w an te d t o r el at e i t i n h is o wn w ay , a nd t he W iz ar d t ri ed

t o ma ke i t c le ar t o Oz ma , a nd Be ts y h ad t o re mi nd t he m o f i mp or ta nt

t hi ng s t he y l ef t o ut , a nd a ll t og et he r t he re w as s uc h a c ha tt er t ha t

i t wa s a wo nd er t ha t O zm a u nd er st oo d a ny o f i t. But sh e li ste ne d

p at ie nt ly , w it h a s mi le o n h er l ov el y f ac e a t t he ir e ag er ne ss , a nd

pr es entl y had gle aned a ll t he det ai ls of t he ir a dventure s.

O zm a t ha nk ed t he F ro gm an v er y e ar ne st ly f or h is a ss is ta nc e, a nd s he

a dv is ed C ay ke t he C oo ki e C oo k t o d ry h er w ee pi ng e ye s, f or s he

p r om is ed t o t ak e h er t o t he Em er al d C it y a nd s ee t ha t h er c he ri sh ed

d is hp an w as r es to re d t o h er . Th en t he b ea ut if ul R ul er t oo k a c ha in o f

em er al ds f ro m a ro un d h er o wn n ec k a nd p la ce d i t a ro un d t he n ec k o f t he

little Pink Bear.

" Your w is e a ns we rs t o t he que st ions of m y f ri ends ,"

s ai d s he , " he lp ed t he m t o r es cu e m e. T he re fo re I a m d ee pl y g ra te fu l

to y ou a nd t o y ou r n ob le K in g."

T he b ea d e ye s o f t he l it tl e P in k B ea r s ta re d u nr es po ns iv e t o t hi s

pr ai se u nt il t he B ig L av en de r B ea r t ur ne d t he c ra nk i n i ts s id e, w he n

it s ai d i n i ts s qu ea ky v oi ce , " I t ha nk Y ou r M aj es ty ."

" Fo r m y p ar t, " r et ur ne d t he B ea r K in g, " I r ea li ze t ha t y ou w er e w el l

wo rt h s av in g, M is s Oz ma , a nd s o I a m m uc h p le as ed t ha t w e c ou ld b e o f

s e rv ic e t o y ou . By m ea ns o f my M ag ic Wa nd I h av e b ee n c re ati ng e xac t

i ma ge s o f y ou r E me ra ld C it y a nd y ou r R oy al P al ac e, a nd I m us t c on fe ss

t ha t t he y a re m or e a tt ra ct iv e t ha n a ny p la ce s I h av e e ve r s ee n- -n ot

excepting Bear Center."

" I w ou ld l ik e t o e nt er ta in y ou i n m y p al ac e, " r et ur ne d O zm a s we et ly ,

t he y s et o ut f or t he r iv er , t ak in g a mo re d ir ec t r ou te t ha n t ha t b y

wh ic h Ca yk e a nd t he F ro gma n h ad c ome . I n th is wa y th ey a vo id ed th e

Ci ti es o f Th i a nd H er ku a nd Be ar Ce nt er a nd a ft er a p le as an t j ou rn ey

r ea ch ed t he W in ki e R iv er a nd f ou nd a j ol ly f er ry ma n w ho h ad a f in e,

b ig b oa t a nd w as wi ll in g t o c ar ry t he e nt ir e p ar ty b y w at er t o a p la ce

q ui te n ea r t o t he E me ra ld C it y.

T he r iv er h ad m an y w in di ng s a nd m an y b ra nc he s, a nd t he j ou rn ey d id n ot

e nd i n a d ay , b ut fi na lly t he b oa t fl oa ted in to a p re tt y l ak e wh ic h

w as b ut a s ho rt d is ta nc e f ro m O zm a' s h om e. H er e t he j ol ly f er ry ma n

wa s r ew ar de d f or h is l ab or s, a nd t he n t he e nt ir e p ar ty s et o ut i n a

g ra nd p ro ce ss io n t o m ar ch t o t he E me ra ld C it y. N ew s t ha t t he R oy al

O zm a ha d bee n f ound s pr ea d qui ckly t hr oughout t he nei ghborhood, a nd

b ot h s id es o f t he r oa d s oo n b ec ame l in ed w it h l oy al s ub je ct s o f t he

bea ut if ul a nd bel oved R ul er . T he re fore O zm a' s e ar s hea rd l it tl e but

c he er s, a nd her e ye s behel d l it tl e e ls e t ha n w aving handker chie fs a nd

b an ne rs d ur in g a ll t he t ri ump ha l ma rc h f ro m t he l ak e t o t he c it y' s

gates.

A nd t he re s he m et a s ti ll g re at er c on co ur se , f or a ll t he i nh ab it an ts

o f t he E me ra ld Ci ty t ur ne d o ut t o we lc ome h er r et ur n, a nd a ll t he

h ou se s w er e d ec or at ed w it h f la gs a nd b un ti ng , a nd n ev er b ef or e w er e

t he p eo pl e s o j oy ou s a nd h ap py a s a t t hi s mo me nt wh en t he y we lc ome d

ho me their girl Ruler. F or s he h ad b ee n l os t a nd w as n ow f ou nd a ga in ,

a nd s ur el y t ha t w as c au se f or r ej oi ci ng . G li nd a w as a t t he r oy al

p al ac e t o m ee t t he r et ur ni ng p ar ty , a nd t he g oo d So rc er es s w as i nd ee d

gl ad to h av e h er Gr eat Bo ok of Re co rd s re tu rn ed to h er , a s wel l as al l

the precious collection of magic instruments and elixirs and chemicals

t ha t h ad b ee n s to le n f ro m h er c as tl e. Ca p' n Bi ll a nd t he W iz ard a t

o nc e h un g t he M ag ic P ic tu re u po n t he w al l o f O zm a' s b ou do ir , a nd t he

W iz ar d w as s o l ig ht -h ea rt ed t ha t h e d id s ev er al t ri ck s w it h t he t oo ls

i n h is b la ck b ag to a mu se h is c omp an io ns a nd p ro ve t ha t o nc e a ga in h e

w as a pow er ful w iz ar d.

F or a wh ol e we ek t he re wa s f ea st in g a nd me rr im en t a nd a ll s or ts o f

j oy ou s f es ti vi ti es a t t he p al ac e i n h on or o f O zm a' s s af e r et ur n. Th e

L av en de r B ea r a nd t he l it tl e P in k B ea r r ec ei ve d m uc h a tt en ti on a nd

w er e h on or ed b y a ll , m uc h t o t he B ea r K in g' s s at is fa ct io n. Th e

F ro gm an s pe ed il y b ec am e a f av or it e a t t he E me ra ld C it y, a nd t he S ha gg y

M an a nd T ik -T ok a nd J ac k P um pk in he ad , w ho h ad n ow r et ur ne d f ro m t he ir

s ea rc h, we re v er y p ol it e t o t he b ig f ro g a nd ma de h im f ee l q ui te a t

ho me . E ve n t he C oo ki e C oo k, b ec au se s he w as q ui te a s tr an ge r a nd

Oz ma 's g ue st , wa s s ho wn a s m uc h d ef er en ce a s i f s he h ad b ee n a q ue en .

" Al l t he s am e, Y ou r M aj es ty ," s ai d C ay ke t o O zm a, d ay a ft er d ay w it h

t ir es om e r epet it ion, " I hope you w il l s oon f ind m y j ew el ed dis hpan,

f or n ev er c an I b e q ui te h ap py wi th ou t it ."

C H AP TE R 26

DOROTHY FORGIVES

Th e g ra y d ov e wh ic h h ad o nc e b ee n Ug u t he S ho ema ke r s at o n i ts t re e i n

t he f ar Q ua dl ing C ount ry a nd m oped, c hi rping dis ma ll y a nd brooding

o ve r i ts m is fo rt un es . A ft er a t im e, t he S ca re cr ow a nd t he T in W oo dm an

c am e a lo ng a nd s at b en ea th t he t re e, p ay in g n o h ee d t o t he m ut te ri ng s

o f t he g ra y d ov e. The Tin Woo dman t oo k a small o ilc an fr om h is ti n

poc ke t a nd c ar ef ul ly oil ed his t in j oi nt s w it h i t.

W hi le h e w as t hu s e ng ag ed , t he S ca re cr ow r em ar ke d, " I f ee l m uc h b et te r,

d e ar c omr ad e, s in ce w e f ou nd t ha t h ea p o f n ic e, c le an s tr aw a nd y ou

s tuff ed m e a ne w w it h i t. "

" An d I f ee l m uc h b et te r n ow t ha t m y j oi nt s a re o il ed ," r et ur ne d t he

Ti n W oo dm an w it h a s ig h o f p le as ur e. " Yo u a nd I , f ri en d S ca re cr ow ,

a re m uc h m or e e as il y c ar ed f or t ha n t ho se c lu ms y m ea t p eo pl e, w ho

s pe nd hal f t he ir t im e dre ss ing i n f ine c lothes a nd w ho m us t l ive i n

s p le nd id d we ll in gs i n o rd er t o b e c on te nt ed a nd h ap py . Y ou a nd I d o

n ot e at , a nd s o w e a re s pa re d t he d re ad fu l b ot he r o f g et ti ng t hr ee

m ea ls a d ay . No r d o w e w as te h al f o ur l iv es i n s le ep , a c on di ti on

t ha t c au se s t he m ea t p eo pl e t o l os e a ll c on sc io us ne ss a nd b ec om e a s

t hought le ss a nd hel pl es s a s l ogs of w ood. "

" Yo u s pe ak t ru ly ," r es po nd ed t he S ca re cr ow , t uc ki ng s om e w is ps o f

s t ra w i nt o h is b re as t w it h h is p ad de d f in ge rs . " I o ft en f ee l s or ry

f or t he me at p eo pl e, m an y of w hom a re my f rie nd s. Ev en t he b ea st s a re

h ap pi er t ha n t he y, f or t he y r eq ui re l es s t o m ak e t he m c on te nt . A nd

t he b ir ds a re t he l uc ki es t c re at ur es o f a ll , f or t he y c an f ly s wi ft ly

w he re t he y wi ll a nd f in d a h ome a t a ny p la ce t he y c are t o p er ch .

T he ir f oo d c on si st s o f s ee ds a nd g ra in s t he y g at he r f ro m t he f ie ld s,

a nd th ei r d ri nk i s a si p o f wa te r f ro m s ome r un ni ng b ro ok . I f I c oul d

no t b e a Sc are cro w o r a Tin Wo odma n, my n ext c ho ice wou ld be t o liv e

as a b ir d d oe s."

T he g ra y d ov e h ad l is te ne d c ar ef ul ly t o t hi s s pe ec h a nd s ee me d t o f in d

c om fo rt i n i t, f or i t h us he d i ts m oa ni ng . A nd j us t t he n t he Ti n

W oo dm an d is co ve re d C ay ke 's d is hp an , w hi ch w as o n t he g ro un d q ui te n ea r

t o h im . " He re i s a r at he r p re tt y u te ns il ," h e s ai d, t ak in g i t i n h is

t in h an d t o e xa min e it , "b ut I w ou ld n ot c are to o wn i t. Wh oe ve r

f a sh io ne d i t o f g ol d a nd c ov er ed i t wi th d ia mo nd s d id n ot a dd t o i ts

u se fu ln es s, n or d o I c on si de r i t a s b ea ut if ul a s t he b ri gh t d is hp an s

of t in o ne u su al ly s ee s. N o y el lo w c ol or i s e ve r s o h an ds om e a s t he

s il ver s he en o f t in ," a nd h e t ur ne d t o l oo k at h is t in l eg s a nd b od y

with approval.

" I c an no t q ui te a gr ee w it h y ou t he re ," r ep li ed t he S ca re cr ow . "My

s tr aw s tu ff in g h as a l ig ht y el lo w c ol or , a nd i t i s n ot o nl y p re tt y t o

l ook a t, but i t c runkle s m os t del ight full y w he n I m ove. "

" Le t u s a dm it t ha t a ll c ol or s a re g oo d i n t he ir p ro pe r p la ce s, " s ai d

t he T in W oo dm an , w ho w as t oo k in d- he ar te d t o q ua rr el , " bu t y ou m us t

a gr ee wi th m e t ha t a d is hp an t ha t i s y el lo w i s u nn at ur al . W ha t s ha ll

we d o wit h t hi s o ne, wh ic h we h av e ju st fo un d?"

" Le t u s c ar ry i t b ac k t o t he E me ra ld C it y, " s ug ge st ed t he S ca re cr ow .

" Some o f o ur f rie nd s mi gh t l ik e t o h av e i t f or a fo ot -b at h, an d i n

usi ng i t t ha t w ay, i ts gol de n c ol or a nd s pa rkli ng ornam ents w ould not

injure its usefulness."

So t he y w en t a wa y a nd t oo k t he j ewe le d d is hp an wi th t he m. A nd a ft er

w an de ri ng t hr ou gh t he c ou nt ry f or a d ay o r s o l on ge r, t he y l ea rn ed t he

n ew s t ha t O zm a h ad b ee n f ou nd . T he re fo re t he y s tr ai gh tw ay r et ur ne d t o

t he Em er al d C it y a nd p re se nt ed t he d is hp an t o P ri nc es s O zm a a s a t ok en

o f t he ir j oy t ha t s he h ad b ee n r es to re d t o t he m. Ozma p ro mp tly ga ve

t he d ia mo nd -s tu dd ed g ol d d is hp an t o C ay ke t he C oo ki e C oo k, w ho w as

de li gh te d a t r eg ai ni ng h er l os t t re as ur e t ha t s he d an ce d u p a nd d ow n

i n g le e a nd t he n t hr ew h er s ki nn y a rm s a ro un d O zm a' s n ec k a nd k is se d

her gratefully. Cayke's mission was now successfully accomplished,

b ut s he w as h av in g s uc h a g oo d t ime a t t he Em era ld C it y th at s he

s ee me d in no h urry to go b ack to the Coun try o f the Yips .

I t w as s ev er al w ee ks a ft er t he d is hp an h ad b ee n r es to re d t o t he C oo ki e

Co ok wh en o ne d ay , a s Do ro th y wa s s ea te d i n t he r oy al g ar de ns wi th

T ro t a nd B et sy b es id e h er , a g ra y d ov e c am e f ly in g d ow n a nd a li gh te d

a t t he g ir l' s f ee t.

" I a m Ug u t he Sh oe ma ke r," s ai d t he d ov e i n a

s of t, mo ur nin g vo ic e, " an d I h av e c ome to a sk y ou t o f or giv e m e fo r

t he g re at wr on g I d id in s te ali ng Oz ma a nd t he ma gic t ha t b elo ng ed t o

h er a nd t o o th er s."

" Ar e y ou s or ry , t he n? " a sk ed D or ot hy , l oo ki ng h ar d a t t he b ir d.

" I a m V ER Y s or ry," dec la re d U gu. " I' ve bee n t hi nking ove r m y m is de eds

f or a lo ng t ime , f or d ov es h av e l it tl e e ls e to d o b ut t hi nk , a nd I 'm

s ur pr is ed t ha t I w as s uc h a w ic ke d m an a nd h ad s o l it tl e r eg ar d f or

t he r ig ht s o f o th er s. I a m n ow c on vi nc ed t ha t e ve n h ad I s uc ce ed ed i n

m ak in g m ys el f r ul er o f a ll O z, I s ho ul d n ot h av e b ee n h ap py , f or m an y

d ay s o f q ui et t ho ug ht h av e s ho wn m e t ha t o nl y t ho se t hi ng s o ne

a cq ui re s h on es tl y a re a bl e t o r en de r o ne c on te nt ."

" I g ue ss t ha t' s s o, " s ai d T ro t.

" An yh ow ," s ai d B et sy , " th e b ad m an s ee ms t ru ly s or ry , a nd i f h e h as

n ow b ec ome a g oo d a nd h on es t ma n, we o ug ht t o f or gi ve h im."

"I f ea r I c an no t b ec om e a g oo d M AN a ga in ," s ai d U gu , " fo r t he

t ra ns fo rma ti on I a m u nd er wi ll a lwa ys k ee p me i n t he fo rm o f a d ov e.

B ut w it h t he k in d f or gi ve ne ss o f m y f or me r e ne mi es , I h op e t o b ec om e a

ve ry good dove a nd highl y r es pe ct ed."

" Wa it h er e t il l I r un f or m y M ag ic B el t, " s ai d Do ro th y, " an d I 'l l

t ra ns fo rm y ou b ac k t o y ou r r eg 'l ar s ha pe i n a j if fy ."

" No , d on 't d o t ha t! " p le ad ed t he d ov e, f lu tt er in g i ts w in gs i n a n

e xc it ed w ay . "I o nly want yo ur forg ive ness . I d on 't w an t t o b e a m an

ag ain . A s Ug u t he Sh oe ma ke r I wa s sk in ny a nd o ld a nd u nl ov ely . A s a

d ov e I a m q ui te p re tty to l oo k a t. As a man I was ambitious and

cruel, while as a dove I can be content with my lot and happy in my

si mp le lif e. I h av e l ea rn ed t o l ov e t he f re e a nd i nd ep en de nt l if e o f

a b ir d, a nd I 'd r at he r n ot c ha ng e b ac k. "

" Just a s you l ike, U gu," s ai d D or ot hy, r es um ing her s ea t. " Pe rhaps

y o u a re r ig ht , f or y ou 'r e c er ta in ly a b et te r d ov e t ha n y ou w er e a ma n,

a nd i f y ou s ho ul d e ve r b ac ks li de a n' f ee l w ic ke d a ga in , y ou c ou ld n' t

d o much harm as a gray dove."

" Th en y ou f or gi ve m e f or a ll t he t ro ub le I c au se d y ou ?" h e a sk ed

earnestly.

" Of c ou rs e. A ny on e w ho 's s or ry j us t h as t o b e f or gi ve n. "

" Th an k y ou ," s ai d t he g ra y d ov e, a nd f le w a wa y a ga in .

T HE E ND

Th e W on de rf ul O z Bo ok s b y L . Fr an k B au m

T he W iz ar d o f Oz

The La nd of Oz

O zma of Oz

D or ot hy a nd t he W iz ar d i n Oz

the lost princess of oz - l. frank baum

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