gnome king of oz - l. frank baum

8/10/2019 Gnome King of Oz - L. Frank Baum

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Gnome King Of Oz Oz 21

L . F ra nk B au m

T hi s B oo k I s D ed ic at ed t o M y N ep he w

Richard Shuff Thompson, Jr.

W it h l ot s o f l ove a nd a l it tl e l au gh ,

Fo r a l it tl e boy a lm os t t hr ee a nd a ha lf !

If I had a wish, I'd wish it quick

And keep him always "Little Dick."

Ruth Plumly Thompson

T he G no me K in g o f O z

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Li s t o f C hapt ers

Chapter

1 Q ueen C r os s P at ch F li t s

2 T he N ew Q ue en o f t he Q ui lt ie s

3 D u ti es o f t he Q ui lt y Q ueen

4 P et er F li es w it h a n O dd B ir d

5 S ea T ip s U ps id e D ow n i n Q ua ke

6 Ruggedo Discovers Pirate's Treasure

7 KalikoFallsas King of Gnomes

8 P et er M ee ts K um a P ar ty

9 Qu ee n S cr ap s M ee ts P et e r

1 0 E sc ap e f ro m P at ch a t L as t

1 1 Sc ra ps M ee ts S ul ta n o f S ud s

1 2 F ri en d O zt ri ch O ff er s t o H el p

13 TuneTownSings the Wanderers Onward

1 4 O zw ol d a nd H is F ri en ds R us h O n

1 5 W u mb o, W on de r W or ke r, a t H om e

1 6 Ku ma 's Ha nd I s a t W or k A ga in

17 Mystery in theEmeraldCity

1 8 T he Th ef t o f t he M ag ic B el t

1 9 T he W izar d M ak es t he G no me K in g V is ib le

20 P ete r I s Ma de a Pr inc e of Oz

C HA FT ER 1



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Q ue en C ro ss P at ch F li ts

Q UE EN C RO SS P AT CH , t he S ix th , s to od a t h er c as tl e w in do w s ta ri ng c ro ss ly d ow n a t h er

cro ss -p at ch cou nt ry . F ro m abo ve i t l oo ked l ik e a h ug e p at ch -w or k q ui lt , s pr ead o ver t he r ol li ng h il ls o f t he W in ki e Co unt ry i n O z. Ea ch o f h er s ub je ct s h ad a s ep ar at e c ot ton -p at ch, a nd a s e ac h pa tc h

produced a different color of cotton and each patch-worker dressed himself and his family in the color of

h is p at ch a nd p ai nt ed h is h ou se t he s am e c ol or t oo , y ou c an i ma gi ne t he o dd a pp ea ra nc e o f t he K in gd om

i ts el f. T he Q ui lt ie s, a s t he p eo pl e o f P at ch w er e p le as ed t o c al l t he ms el ve s, d id m os t o f t he p at ch -w or k i n

O z a nd , a s t he K in gd om s o f O z a re n ea rl y a ll o ld -f as hi on ed e no ug h t o u se a nd a pp re ci at e p at ch -w or k

q ui lt s, t he re w as p le nt y o f w or k t o b e d on e. N ot o nl y d id t he i nd us tr io us Q ui lt ie s g at he r t he s ma ll

cot to n- patches f ro m t heir g ar den p at ch es and s ti tch t hem i nt o g ay q ui lt s b ut t hey d id m en di ng and d ar ni ng

as w el l.

F or m il es a ro un d p eo pl e b ro ug ht t he ir o ld c lo th es t o Q ue en C ro ss P at ch f or r ep ai rs , s o t ha t

P at ch w as a s b us y a nd p ro sp er ou s a l it tl e K in gd om a s y ou w ou ld f in d a ny wh er e, b ut b y n o m ea ns a

pleasant one. Constant picking of the scraps in their garden patches had made the Quilty men

exceedi ng ly s cr ap py , and con st an t s ti tchi ng u po n t he p at ch -w or k q ui lt s h ad m ad e t he Q ui lt y l ad ies

ext remely cro ss and cro tchety . I nd eed, every th in g abo ut t hi s l it tl e cou nt ry w as cro ss and p at ch y. A ll t he

r oa ds w er e c ro ss r oa ds , a nd t he ho us es a s pa tc he d a nd s ha bby a s t he c lo th es o f t he p eop le w ho l iv ed i n

them.

B ut p er ha ps , o f a ll t he Q ui lt ie s, t he Q ue en , h er se lf , w as t he c ro ss es t a nd p at ch ie st . S he e ve n

h ad a p at ch o ve r h er e ye . S he h ad s tr ai ne d i t f ro m t oo m uc h f in e s ew in g. J us t n ow s he w as s tr ai ni ng t he

ot he r one i n a n e ff or t t o s ee t ha t a ll o f he r s ubj ec ts w er e h ar d a t wo rk. Fi nd ing t ha t t he y w er e, s he

f lo un ce d a cr os s t he r oo m a nd s at d ow n a t h er s ew in g t ab le . H er e, g ru mb li ng a nd s co ld in g t o h er se lf , s he

began sorting patches into separate piles, according to their size and color. Except for her Majesty's

m um bl es a nd t he oc ca si ona l s no re s o f a s ci ss or b ir d, w ho d oz ed o n a pe rc h b y t he w ind ow , t he re wa s

n ot a s oun d i n t he g re at c ha mbe r. B ut s ud de nl y, w it h a s hr il l s cr ea m, t he Q ue en f lun g a h an df ul o f pa tc he s

i nt o t he air , t op pl ed o ff h er t hr ee-l eg ged t hr on e and w en t ent ir el y t o p ieces ext remely s mall p ieces, t oo .

" Help !" s hr ieked t he S ci ss or B ir d, w ak en in g w it h a b ou nce. " Help ! H el p! T he Q ueen h as g on et o p ie ce s! " A t t he S ci ss or B ir d' s s ha rp o ut cr ie s, t he P ri me P ie ce r a nd C hi ef S cr ap pe r o f P at ch f ai rl y

rushed through the doorway.

" I' ve b ee n e xp ec ti ng t hi s! " g roa ne d t he P ri me P ie ce r, a nd t ak in g a h ug e b it e f ro m t he c hu nk o f

beeswax he held in one hand began to chew it gloomily.

" Well , i f y ou 'v e b een exp ecti ng i t y ou 'r e n ot s ur pr is ed ," s ni ff ed t he C hi ef S cr ap per cro ss ly , " bu t

i t' s t oo ba d t o ha ve i t h ap pe n a t t he b us ie st s ea so n of t he y ea r. N ow we 'l l h av e t o s to p e ve ry th ing a nd

f in d a n ew r ul er . H ol d y ou r b il l, N ip per! "



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S ta mp in g h is f oo t a t t he S ci ss or B ir d, t he C hi ef S cr ap pe r o f P at ch m ar ch ed s ti ff ly f ro m t he

r oom . Ne it he r t he P ri me P ie ce r n or t he C hi ef S cr app er s ee me d t o t hi nk i t q ue er f or t he Q ue en t o go t o

pieces. And no doubt this is because, sooner or later, all of the Quilties do this very thing. Living in a fairy

cou nt ry and b ei ng m ag ical ly con st ru ct ed t hey can no t d ie, s o w hen t hey w ear o ut , t hey s im pl y g o t opieces. When a Quilty goes to pieces, his relatives or friends sweep up the scraps and put them away in'

a tidy scrap-bag and in ten years or so he comes out of the bag as good as ever. This does seem a

c ur io us c us to m, b ut c ur io us o r n ot , t ha t i s e xa ct ly w ha t h ap pe ns , a nd w hi le S cr ap pe r w en t t o f et ch t he

R oy al s cr ap -b ag a nd P ie ce r t he R oy al d us t- pa n, t he S ci ss or B ir d f le w o ut o f t he w in do w t o b re ak t he

n ew s t o t he p at chw or ki ng p op ul ace.

I n a hu ge s ewi ng c ir cl e, t he Q ui lt y D am es w er e s ti tc hi ng u pon a qu il t a nd i n t he ir s ep ar at e

g ar den p at ch es , t he Q ui lt y m en w er e b us il y p icki ng cot to np at ch es . B ut as t he S ci ss or B ir d f lews cr ea mi ng o ve rh ea d a nd t he y r ea li ze d t ha t Q ue en C ro ss P at ch h ad g on e t o p ie ce s a t l as t, t he y a ll

s to pp ed w or ki ng a nd l oo ke d f ea rf ul ly a t o ne a no th er . W ho w ou ld b e t he n ex t r ul er o f P at ch ? W he ne ve r

a r ul er w en t t o p ie ce s a no th er w as i mm ed ia te ly c ho se n b y t he m et ho d l ai d d ow n i n t he I mp er ia l S cr ap

B oo k a nd a lw ay s o ne o f t he Q ui lt ie s h ad b ee n c ho se n.

Now, curiously enough, no one wanted to be King or Queen, for the ruler of this cross little

c ou nt ry h ad t o w or k s ix t im es a s h ar d a s a ny on e e ls e a nd c on se qu en tl y w en t t o p ie ce s s ix t im es f as te r.

T herefo re, d ro pp in g t heir t hi mb les and s ci ss or s, t he Q ui lt ies s tart ed t o r un i n every d ir ecti on , p el ti ng i nt o

h ou ses and d ow n cel lars , creep in g i nt o b ar rels and h id in g t hems el ves b eh in d t rees -s o t hat w hen P iecer a nd S cr ap pe r i ss ue d f ro m t he p al ac e n ot a p er so n w as i n s ig ht . T he y h ad c ar ef ul ly s we pt u p Q ue en

C ro ss P at ch a nd hu ng h er i n a c lo se t, a nd n ow , g ru mb li ng a l it tl e f or c ho os in g a n ew s ov er ei gn w as

a lw ay s a t ro ub le so me m at te r- th ey s te pp ed s te rn ly t ow ar d t he c ot to n- wo od t o t he l ef t o f t he p al ac e. I n

t hi s w oo d g re w h un dr ed s o f s po ol c ot to n- tr ee s e no ug h, i n f ac t, t o f ur ni sh a ll t he t hr ea d u se d i n t he

K i ng do m. T her e w ere p i nk s p oo l co tt o n- t rees, r ed s p oo l co tt on - tr ees , g reen s p oo l co tt on - tr ees , o ran ge

s po ol c ot to n- tr ee s, a nd e ve ry o th er c ol or y ou c ou ld i ma gi ne . I n t he c en te r o f t he l it tl e c ot to nw oo d g re w a

s om ew ha t t al le r t re e, b ea ri ng a lw ay s o ne g ol de n s po ol . I t w as t o t hi s t re e t ha t t he P ri me M in is te rs o f

P at ch h ur ri ed , f or t hi s g ol de n s po ol w as t he r oy al s po ol o f s uc ce ss io n, a nd w he n c ut f ro m t he t re e l ed

d ir ectl y t o t he n ex t r ul er o f t he K in gd om .

P ie ce r h ad a l ar ge r ag -b ag o ve r h is s ho ul de r, f or i t w as u su al ly n ec es sa ry t o c ap tu re a r ul er b y

f or ce ; S cr ap pe r h ad a p ai r o f g ol d s he ar s a nd n ow , s ta nd in g o n t ip to e, h e s ni pp ed t he g ol de n s po ol f ro m

t he g ol de n b ra nc h a nd h el d i t e xp ec ta nt ly i n h is h an d. T he re w as a r eg ul ar s pe ec h w ri tt en o ut i n t he R oya l

S cr ap B oo k, a nd a s S cr ap pe r h ad a lr ea dy c ho se n t hr ee r ul er s, h e k ne w i t b y h ea rt .

"Unwind, Oh, Royal Spool of Succession," commanded the little Quilty importantly, "Un-wind

a nd l ea d u s t o t he I mp er ia l Po te nt at e o f Pa tc h! " As he c ame t o t he w or d " pa tc h," S cr ap pe r s et t he s poo l

o n t he g ro un d a nd , k ee pi ng h ol d o f t he g ol de n t hr ea d, w ai te d s ol em nl y f or s om et hi ng t o h ap pe n. F or a

m om en t t he s po ol l ay q ui et ly w here h e h ad p laced i t- th en w it h a l it tl e b ou nce i t b eg an t o u nw in d. L et ti ng



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t he g ol d t hr ead s li p t hr ou gh h is f in gers , S cr ap per s ki pp ed n im bl y aft er t he s po ol , P iecer f ol lo wi ng

e ar ne st ly b eh in d h im . U p o ne c ro ss r oa d a nd d ow n a no th er r ol le d t he R oy al S po ol o f S uc ce ss io n, p as t

t he p at ch ed p al ac e, p as t a d oz en p at ch ed c ot ta ge s, o n a nd o n a nd o n.

A s i t p as se d e ac h c ot ta ge , t he Q ui lt ie s w it hi n w ou ld g iv e a r oa r o f r el ie f, f or t he y k ne w t ha t f or t he p re se nt t he d an ge r o f b ei ng K in g o r Q ue en h ad p as se d t he m em be rs o f t he ir h ou se ho ld . S om et im es

t he g ol de n s po ol w ou ld r ol l r ig ht i nt o t he f ro nt d oo r o f a c ot ta ge a nd S cr ap pe r a nd P ie ce r, t hi nk in g t he ir

s ea rc h ove r, w ou ld pr epa re t o s ei ze a s ov er ei gn b ut , j us t a s t he y di d, t he s pool w ou ld w hi rl o ut t he ba ck

doo r a nd r ol l o n m er ri ly dow n t he r oa d. B ut n eve r be for e i n t he hi st or y o f Pa tc h ha d i t g one s o f ar n or s o

f as t, s o t ha t s oo n t he f at Q ui lt y m in is te rs , p an ti ng a lo ng a ft er i t, w er e c om pl et el y o ut o f b re at h a nd

t em per . N ow t he cot to n- pat ch es g rew t hi nn er and t hi nn er , t he l it t le cot tages f ar th er and f ar th er apar t, and

before they half realized it, the golden spool was rolling briskly down a yellow brick highway and the

K in gd om o f P at ch l ay f ar b eh in d t hem.

" St op !" g ru nt ed P iecer, l et ti ng g o S cr ap per' s coat- tail s t o w hi ch h e u p t o t hi s t im e h ad d ut if ul ly

c lu ng . " St op ! I c an g o n o f ar th er ."

" Do n' t l eave m e, " w ai led p oo r S cr ap per, r ol li ng h is eyes b ackw ar d i n g reat d is tr es s . N ei th er o f

t he Q ui lt ie s h ad b ee n o ut o f P at ch b ef or e a nd t he p ro sp ec t w as t ru ly t er ri fy in g. N ow , w he th er t he m ag ic

s po ol h ea rd t he t wo c on ve rs in g i s h ar d t o t el l b ut , q ui te s ud de nl y, i t s to pp ed a nd s in ki ng d ow n b y t he

r oadw ay , P iecer and S cr app er b eg an t o m op t hei r f or eheads w it h t hei r p at ched h an dk er chi efs and f an

themselves with their hats.

" Le t' s g o b ac k, " q ua ve re d P ie ce r i n a l ow v oi ce .

" But w e c an no t g o b ac k w it ho ut a r ul er ," ob je ct ed Sc ra pp er , wh o wa s t he bo ld er of t he t wo .

"I f we do not fi nd a rul er in four days you ve ry we ll know that Pat ch a nd a ll of the Quil ti es wi ll go to

pieces. Do you want to go to pieces?" he asked severely.

" No !" s ai d P iecer m ou rn fu ll y, " I d on 't , b ut w e' ll g o t o p ieces any way, r un ni ng o n at t hi s r at e.

S om et hi ng i s w ro ng ," p uf fed t he P ri me P iecer d ol ef ul ly . " Th e s po ol n ev er t oo k u s o ut o f t he K in gd om

before. It's twisted, I tell you, and dear knows where it will take us."

" It w il l t ak e u s t o t he n ex t r ul er ," d ec la re d S cr ap pe r, w ho h ad r ec ov er ed s om e o f h is b re at h

a nd m os t o f h is c ou ra ge . " It i s o ur d ut y t o f ol lo w. C om e! "



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" Oh , v er y w el l, " s ig he d P ie ce r, r is in g t o hi s f ee t w it h a g re at g ro an , " but do n' t bl am e m e i f i t

le ads us into a f or es t a nd we a re torn to bi ts by bea rs ."

A s P iecer f in is hed t hi s cheer in g s peech t he t hr ead i n S cr ap per' s h an d g av e a l it tl e p ul l. T heg ol den s po ol h ad s tart ed o ff again . T hi s t im e, h ow ev er , i t r ol led alo ng m or e s lo wl y and , i n s pi te o f t heir

u neas in es s, t he t wo Q ui lt ies cas t i nt er es ted g lances t o t he r ig ht and l ef t. I t w as all s o d if ferent f ro m t heir

o wn p at ch ed and s habb y l it tl e K in gd om . P leasant y el lo w cot tages and f ar ms d ot t ed t he l an ds cape, and

t he f ie ld s a nd m ea do ws , f ul l o f b ut te rc up s a nd d ai si es , d id n ot l oo k a b it d an ge ro us . O n t he h il l a s pl en di d

t in c as tl e s ho ne a nd g li tt er ed i n t he s un , a nd t ho ug h S cr ap pe r a nd P ie ce r w er e q ui te u na wa re o f i t, t hi s

wa s t he r es id enc e of t he T in Wo odm an, who r ul ed ove r t he La nd o f t he E as t.

Nowhere in Oz is there a more cheerful land than the Country of the Winkies. But just as thet wo t ravell er s w er e b eg in ni ng t o enj oy t hems el ves, t he s po ol t ur ned s harp ly o ff t he h ig hw ay and p lu ng ed

dow n a s te ep hi ll . Th e f ir st j er k f lu ng S cr appe r on hi s f ac e, a nd a s P ie ce r h ad h ol d o f hi s c oa t- ta il s he l os t

hi s ba la nc e t oo , a nd ov er a nd o ve r t he y r ol le d t o t he bo tt om .

" No w f or t he n ex t r ul er !" g as ped S cr ap per. S cr am bl in g t o h is f eet, and w it ho ut p au si ng t o

brush off the dust, he bounded after the spool. It was fairly whistling ahead now, bouncing over rocks

a nd t re e s tu mps , s o t ha t t he t wo P at ch y S ta te sm en , i n t he ir e nd ea vo r t o ke ep u p wi th i t, l ooke d l ik e a

c oup le o f bo ys p la yi ng l ea p f rog . W he n i t di d s to p P ie ce r w as t oo gi ddy t o s ee , bu t Sc ra ppe r ga ve a l ou d

r oa r o f a ng er .

" I d on 't c ar e w ha t i t s ay s, " s ho ut ed t he l it tl e Q ui lt y a ng ri ly , " I r ef us e t o t ak e o rd er s f ro m a c ow .

I s t hi s o ur f ut ur e s ov er ei gn ?" h e d em an ded i nd ig nant ly . T he s po ol h ad s to pp ed i nd eed, and u nd er t he

v er y ho rns o f a c ro ss b ro wn c ow .

"Moo!" bellowed the cow, lowering her head threateningly.

" Th at 's j us t w ha t w e w il l d o, " s ni ff ed S cr ap pe r, " mo ve o n! " A t S cr ap pe r' s w or ds , t he S po ol o f

S uccess io n, as i f i t h ad b een w ai ti ng f or a s ig nal, zip ped u nd er t he cow , d ragg in g b ot h m in is ters alo ng ,

a nd f ro m t he w ay i t be ha ve d i n t he n ex t ha lf h our , I a m c onv inc ed t ha t s om e m igh ty ba d m ag ic h ad go ne

i nt o i ts m ak in g. I t r us hed f ur io us ly u nd er f en ces, o ver w hi ch t he b reat hl es s Q ui lt ies w er e f or ced t o cli mb ,

' ro un d and ' ro un d t rees , t il l t hey w er e alm os t t oo d izzy t o s tand , u p h il ls and d ow n h il ls , t hr ou gh s ti ck er y

bushes and over sharp stones. It even dragged them head first into a muddy river.

" Let' s g o h om e, " b lu bb er ed P iecer, s haki ng h im self l ik e a b ig d og . F or tu nately t he Q ui lt ies



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c ou ld s wi m, b ut s wi mm in g i n q ui lt ed t ro us er s a nd c oa ts w as n o f un a t a ll a nd , dr ipp in g w at er a nd m ud ,

t he t wo s ov er ei gn s ee ke rs f el t m or e d ep re ss ed t ha n e ve r.

" It 's b ew it ch ed ," i ns is ted P iecer, t ug gi ng at S cr app er ' s coat- tai ls . " Let 's g o b ack! "

B ut S cr ap per s tu bb or nl y s ho ok h is h ead and t ru dg ed s tu bb or nl y aft er t he m is ch ievo us S po ol

o f S uccess io n. I t w as u nw in di ng q ui te d el ib er -ately n ow , b ut l eadi ng t hem d eep i nt o a d an gero us l oo ki ng

forest.

" I w is h C ro ss P at ch h ad n ev er g on e t o p ie ce s, " m oa ne d P ie ce r d is ma ll y. " I d on 't c ar e w ho 's

I mp er ial P ot en tate. I w is h s om eo ne els e h ad m y p os it io n. I w is h- "

"There's a sign," interrupted Scrapper. "Look! It says 'Emerald City, thirty-five miles'."

" Em er al d C it y! " p an ted P iecer, f or gett in g h is w eari ness f or a m om en t. " Wh y, t hat' s t he cap it al

o f O z. P at ch es a nd p in cu sh io ns ! W hy , I n ev er e xp ec te d t o s ee t he E me ra ld C it y! M ay be o ur n ex t

Q ueen 's i n t he cap it al , o ld f el lo w! "

" We ll , t he n s he o ug ht t o m ak e a c ap it al Q ue en ," s ig he d S cr ap pe r, l ea ni ng o ve r t o u nt wi ne a

bramble from his left shin, "but who wants to walk thirty-five miles?"

A s h e s tr ai gh te ne d u p, t he g ol d s po ol w hi rl ed b et we en t wo t al l t re es a nd c am e t o a c om pl et e

s ta nd st il l on a s ho rt f oo t- pa th . A r us ti c r ai li ng r an a lo ng t he e dg e o f t he p at h a nd , t ak ing h ol d of t he

railing, Scrapper began looking anxiously around for the future ruler of Patch.

" Do y ou s ee any th in g?" h e q ueri ed , l oo ki ng o ver h is s ho ul der.

" No , b ut I f eel s om et hi ng ," g ru nt ed P iecer, p eeri ng anx io us ly d ow n at h is f eet. " Bees wax and

basting threads!"

Next instant both Quilties leapt into the air. Then, taking a firmer hold upon the railing and on



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e ac h o th er , t he y c lu ng d es pe ra te ly t og et he r, f or t he f oo t- pa th , r is in g u p o n i ts h un dr ed b ro ad f ee t, w as

rushing like the wind through the gloomy forest.

" Ar e-w e- go in g- to -p ieces ?" s ho ut ed t he P ri me P iecer , n ot d ar i ng t o o pen h is eyes.

C au ti ou sl y S cr ap pe r o pe ne d o ne e ye a nd t he f ir st t hi ng t ha t m et h is g az e w as a n ea t n ot ic e

t ac ke d o n t he r us ti c r ai li ng . I t w as o nl y a b lu r, s o f as t w er e t he y t ra ve ll in g, b ut o pe ni ng t he o th er e ye h e

m an ag ed t o d ecip her i t.

" Th is f oo t- path r un s s tr ai gh t t o t he E merald C it y. H ol d t ig ht . N o s tamp in g o r k icki ng all ow ed .

" Pr iv at e P ro pert y o f t he W izar d o f O z. "

"Well, hurrah!" exclaimed Scrapper, thump-ing his companion on the chest. "We're not going

t o p ie ce s, w e' re g oi ng t o t he E me ra ld C it y! G oi ng ! G oi ng ! W hy , h er e w e a re !"

A nd t he y w er e t oo . R ig ht a t t he g at es o f t he l ov el ie st c it y i n O z. T he f oo t- pa th , ha vi ng

accom pl is hed i ts j ou rn ey i n l es s t han a m in ut e, n ow t il ted i ts p as seng er s r ud el y o ff and , coi li ng u p l ik e a

s er pe nt , w en t t o s le ep u nd er a l im e d ro p t re e. T oo o ve rc om e t o d o a ny th in g b ut b li nk a t t he g le am in g

s pi res and t ur rets o f t he cap it al , t he t wo s im pl e Q ui lt ies s to od s tu nn ed and s ti ll . B ut a b us in es s- li ke t ug

f ro m t he g ol d t hr ea d b rou gh t t he m o ut o f t he ir t ra nc e.

T he Sp ool of Su cc es si on h ad s li d of f t he pa th w it h t he m a nd w as n ow r ol li ng ga il y t hr ou gh t he

g at es o f t he c it y. H ol di ng f as t t o o ne a no th er , a nd s ca rc el y d ar in g t o b re at he , t he f at l it tl e m in is te rs o f P at ch w en t t ip to ei ng aft er t he g ol den s po ol .

######################## CHAPTER 2

T he N ew Q ue en o f t he Q ui lt ie s

T HE E ME RA LD C IT Y, w hi ch S cr ap pe r a nd P ie ce r w er e n ow e nt er in g, i s t he c ap it al o f O z

a nd li es in t he exa ct ce nt er of tha t me rr y a nd ma gic al K ingdom. Oz , a s ma ny of you know, is a f unny a nd

f as ci nati ng f ai ry land , o bl on g i n s hape and s ur ro un ded, f or p ro tect io n, b y a d eadl y d es er t o f s an d. T here



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are f ou r l ar ge cou nt ri es i n O z; t he y el lo w W in ki e L an d o f t he E as t, t he p ur pl e G il li ki n cou nt ry o f t he

North, the blue Munchkin country of the West and the red lands of the Quadlings in the South. Each of

t hese f ou r cou nt ri es i s d iv id ed i nt o m an y s mall er cou nt ri es o f w hi ch P at ch i s t he s ev en h un dr ed and f if th ,

but all are subject to one ruler and governed by laws laid down by the Queen of the realm.

T he r ul er s o f O z a lw ay s l iv ed i n t he c ap it al , n ot o nl y b ec aus e i t i s s o c en tr al a nd c onv en ie nt ,

but because it is the most beautiful and enchanting city in the whole fairy world. Its cottages and castle

f ai rl y t wi nk le w it h emerald s and t hese p reci ou s s to nes, s tu dd in g t he w al ls and even t he m ar bl e w al ks , g iv e

t he air a s of t g lo w and s hi mm er , m ak in g g ar dens g reen er , f ou nt ai ns m or e s park li ng and every th in g m or e

glittering and gay.

O zm a, a l it tl e gi rl f ai ry , i s t he p re se nt r ul er o f O z a nd t he w is es t a nd ge nt le st s ove re ign t he f ai ry

cou nt ry h as ever k no wn . W it h h er i n t he E merald C it y l iv e f if ty s ev en t ho us an d, t hr ee h un dr ed ande ig ht ee n g ay O zi te s a nd n ea rl y a h un dr ed c el eb ri ti es , f or O zm a h as i nv it ed t o h er c ou rt t he m os t

interesting characters from her four fairy kingdoms.

T he S ca re cr ow , a l iv el y f el lo w s tu ff ed w it h s tr aw , i s p er ha ps t he m os t f am ou s, H e h as a p al ac e

o f h is o wn , b ut i s a f re qu en t v is it or a t t he c ap it al . T he n t he re i s t he T in W oo dm an , w ho r ul es o ve r t he

W in ki es and i s a s pl en di dl y p ol is hed g en tl em an o f t in , and S ir H ok us o f P ok es , a k ni gh t s ev en cen tu ri es

o ld , J ac k P um pk in he ad , a s in gu la r p er so n c ar ve d f ro m w oo d w it h a l ar ge p um pk in f or a h ea d, T ik T ok ,

a ma chi ne ma n who wi nds up li ke a c loc k a nd doe s e ve rythi ng but l ive , t he f amous Wi za rd of Oz a nd s o

m an y m or e t hat t went y h is to ri es h av e alr eady b een w ri tt en abo ut t heir q ueer d oi ng s.

O n t hi s l at e a ft er no on , a s t he t wo b ew il de re d Q ui lt ie s t ro d t im id ly d ow n t he s tr ee ts o f t he

cap it al , O zm a w as b us il y con ferr in g w it h P ri nces s D or ot hy abo ut cur tain s. D or ot hy i s a l it tl e K an sas g ir l,

wh o w as bl own t o O z i n a c yc lone a nd l at er wa s m ade a Pr inc es s a nd i nv it ed t o l ive i n t he pa la ce . S he i s

O zm a' s f av or it e a dv is er a nd n ot o nl y h el ps h er r ul e o ve r t he t ur bu le nt t ri be s o f O z, b ut i s c on su lt ed a bo ut

e ve ry th in g, e ve n s uc h s ma ll m at te rs a s n ew r ib bo ns f or t he p al ac e p et s o r, a s n ow , a bo ut c as tl e c ur ta in s.

C ho os in g c ur ta in s i s f un a nd t he re w er e s o m an y c ol or s a nd f ab ri cs , i t t oo k t he t wo g ir ls q ui te a l on g t im e

t o d ec id e. T he y h ad a bo ut s et tl ed o n g re en t af fe ta , e dg ed w it h g ol d f ri ng e, w he n a t er ri fi ed c ry c am eech oi ng i n f ro m t he g ar den.

" Wh at w as t ha t? " c ri ed D or ot hy , a nd d ro pp in g a r ol l o f t af fe ta , s he r us he d t o t he w in do w.

O zm a f ol lo we d q ui ck ly a nd , i n s om e a la rm , t he t wo s ta re d d ow n o ve r t he f lo we re d s lo pe s a nd g re en

t er ra ce s. B ut n ot a s ou l w as i n s ig ht a nd a ft er w ai ti ng f or a no th er s cr ea m, t he y c on cl ud ed t ha t t he f ir st

w as t he s ho ut o f s om e m is ch ievo us b oy and g ai ly r et ur ned t o t heir cur tain s. H ad t hey l oo ked f iv e m in ut es

s oo ner, t hey w ou ld h av e b een s ur pr is ed i nd eed. F iv e m in ut es b ef or e S cr ap per and P iecer, t oi l in g

breathlessly after the Spool of Succession, had run straight into the palace garden. Darting here and

t he re , i t h ad l ed t he m t o a s ec lud ed g ra pe a rb or . O n a g re en b en ch un de r t he a rbo r s at a m os t a ma zi ng

y ou ng l ad y, and as t he t wo Q ui lt ies s tared at h er i n p er fect ast on is hm en t and adm ir at io n t he g ol den s po ol

s to pp ed a t h er f ee t.



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I t wa s t he P at chw or k G ir l, on e o f t he v er y j ol li es t of O zm a' s s ubj ec ts . S he ha d be en ma de

o ri gi na ll y b y a w iz ar d' s w if e o ut o f a n o ld c ra zy q ui lt a nd n ea tl y s tuf fe d w it h c ot to n. H er e ye s w er e s il ve r

s us pe nde r but tons , he r t on gue a pi ec e of r ed ve lv et a nd he r h ai r a b unc h of ya rn t ha t r ef us ed t o s ta y

d ow n. M ar go lo tt e, t he w iz ar d' s w if e, h ad i nt en de d S cr ap s f or a s er va nt , b ut w he n t he w iz ar d m ix ed u ph er b ra in s a d ou bl e p or ti on o f f un a nd c le ve rn es s h ad g ot i n b y m is ta ke . W he n h e b ro ug ht h er t o l if e,

S cr ap s r ef us ed t o w or k a nd r an o ff t o t he E me ra ld C it y w he re s he h as l iv ed e ve r s inc e, m ak in g l if e l iv el y

f or every on e and h av in g m or e f un h er self t han a cag ef ul o f m on keys . B ei ng con st ru ct ed f ro m a crazy q ui lt

m ak es h er e xc ee di ng ly r ec kl es s a nd g ay a nd a s m or e t ha n h al f h er c on ve rs at io n i s i n v er se , S cr ap s i s a

m os t amu si ng and d el ig ht fu l com pani on . T o t he w eary and alr eady h om es ick Q ui lt ies s he s eemed a v is io n

of perfect loveliness.

" Su perb !" g lo at ed P iecer, t hr ow in g b ot h arm s r ou nd S cr ap per' s n eck i n h is excit em en t.

" A b eaut y! " exu lt ed S cr ap per, r et ur ni ng P iecer' s emb race w it h i nt er est . I nd eed, s o d el ig ht ed

w er e t he y a t t he a pp ea ra nc e o f t he ir f ut ur e s ov er ei gn t ha t t he y b eg an t o d an ce u p a nd d ow n a nd f ai rl y

h ug o ne a no th er f or j oy . A s ha rp e xc la ma ti on f ro m t he P at ch wo rk G ir l m ad e t he m s to p.

" Ragm en app ly at t he r ear! " cri ed S cr ap s, p oi nt in g i mp er io us ly t ow ar d t he b ack o f t he cas tl e.

" Ragm en !" T he Q ui lt ies exchang ed i nd ig nant g lances . T he s po ol h ad l ed t hem s uch a chase

t ha t t he ir c lo th es w er e t or n a nd d us ty a nd t he b ag o ve r P ie ce r' s s ho ul de r a dd ed a c on vi nc in g t ou ch t o t he

picture. No wonder Scraps thought them ragmen. Piecer was about to explain, but Scrapper, afraid that

this bewitching damsel might escape them, rushed forward impetuously and seized her hand.

" Scat !" s cr eamed t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, s natch- in g i t ang ri ly away. " Wh at d o y ou t ak e m e f or ?"

" Becaus e w e h av e t o, " con fi ded t he C hi ef S cr ap per m ys teri ou sl y. " We t ak e y ou f or w hat y ou

a re , a Q ue en . T hr ee c he er s f or t he Q ue en o f t he Q ui lt ie s! " w he ez ed S cr ap pe r, s ig na li ng s ly ly t o P ie ce r.

A nd w hi le t he P at ch wo rk G ir l f el l b ack, s ti ff w it h ast on is hm en t, P iecer clapp ed t he b ag o ver h er h ead.

T he n t og et he r t he t wo l it tl e Q ui lt ie s s ho ok h er d ow n i nt o t he b ot to m a nd p ul le d t he s tr in g t ig ht . I t w as t he

f ri gh te ne d s cr ea m o f S cr ap s, a s s he d is ap pe ar ed i nt o t he r ag b ag t ha t D or ot hy a nd O zm a h ad h ea rd , b ut

by the time they reached the window, she was out of the garden. Thrusting a sharp stick through the neck

o f t he s ack, t he M in is ters o f P at ch h oi st ed i t t o t heir s ho ul ders and , w it h t he b ag i ts el f s wi ng in g v io lent ly

between them, started on a run for the gates. They would never have succeeded in kidnapping Scraps

n or e sc ap in g u no bs er ve d h ad i t n ot b ee n f or t he f oo t- pa th . A ft er a s ho rt n ap i t h ad g ro wn c ur io us a bo ut

t he t wo s tr an ge rs i t h ad b ro ug ht t o t he c it y a nd p at te ri ng i nt o t he r oy al g ar de n b eg an t o s ea rc h f or t he m.



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U su al ly t he W iz ar d o f O z k ep t t hi s m is ch ie vo us p ie ce o f p ro pe rt y t ie d u p w he n n ot i n u se , b ut t od ay h e

h ad f or go tt en t o d o s o and , enj oy in g i ts h ol id ay , t he l it tl e f oo t- path w as r un ni ng p er fect ly w il d. C om in g

u po n P ie ce r a nd S cr ap pe r a s t he y d as he d h ea dl on g o ve r f lo we r b ed s a nd b or de rs , i t s co op ed t he m

n ea tl y u p a nd b y a s ho rt , l it tl e k no wn r ou te c ar ri ed t he m s tr ai gh t o ut o f t he E me ra ld C it y.

F or a t im e t he Q ui lt ie s w er e t oo s ho ck ed t o r ea li ze w ha t h ad h ap pe ne d. T he n S cr ap pe r,

s ha ke n o ut o f h is s tu po r b y a t er ri bl e j ol t a s t he f oo t- pa th j um pe d o ve r a b ou ld er , g as pe d w ea kl y. " Wh y,

i t' s t he s am e f ly in g p at h t hat b ro ug ht u s t o t he cap it al !"

" Yes, b ut w here i s i t f ly in g n ow ?" w ai led P iecer, t ig ht en in g h is h ol d u po n t he r ag b ag . I ns id e

S cr ap s w as t hr as hi ng a ro un d i n a f ra nt ic e ff or t t o e sc ap e, h er s cr ea ms a nd t hr ea ts s om ew ha t m uf fl ed b y

t he c ol le ct io n o f p ie ce s a lr ea dy i n t he b ag . " Ca n' t w e s te er i t? " p an te d t he P ri me P ie ce r w il dl y, " or s to p i t

o r s om e- th in g? " S cr ap pe r s ho ok h is h ea d v io le nt ly , t he n c at ch in g s ig ht o f a g re en c ar d t ac ke d o n t herustic railing fairly pounced upon it.

" Wr it e d ir ec ti on s h er e, " a dv is ed t he c ar d T he re w as a p en ci l a tt ac he d t o t he r ai li ng b y a l on g

c or d, s o S cr ap pe r s ei ze d t he p en ci l a nd w ro te h as ti ly , " Ta ke u s t o t he K in gd om o f P at ch ."

T he f oo t- path j ig gl ed s o f ri gh tf ul ly w hi le h e w ro te ' ti s a w on der i t cou ld u nd er st an d t he

d ir ec ti on s a s a ll , b ut a s h e l et t he p en ci l d ro p, i t t ur ne d s ha rp ly i n i ts t ra ck s a nd s ta rt ed r ac in g i n t heo pp os it e d ir ecti on , t ri pp in g and s tu mb li ng i n i ts eag er ness t o g et ahead . B y t he t im e t hey r each ed t he

Q ui lt y K in gd om , t he t hr ee t ra ve l- le rs w er e s o s ha ke n u p a nd d ow n t he y t um bl ed o ff t he p at h i n a p er fe ct

h eap o f exh au st io n. E ven S cr ap s, i n h er i mp ri so ni ng b ag , h ad n ot hi ng at all t o s ay . N ot s at is fi ed w it h

s haki ng t hem n earl y t o b it s, t he f oo t- path g av e P iecer a p layf ul k ick w it h i ts f or ty -n in th f oo t and t hen,

jumping over a green cotton patch, gaily took its departure. Now, ever since morning, the Patch-workers

h ad b een anx io us ly await in g t he r et ur n o f t heir m in is ters and , as t he t wo exh au st ed s ov er ei gn s eekers

r ol led t hr ou gh t he g at es , a g reat cro wd o f Q ui lt ies cam e h ur ry in g t o m eet t hem.

" Wh at h av e y ou b ag ge d? W ho i s o ur r ul er ? S ho w u s t he I mp er ia l P ot en ta te ," t he y c ri ed ,

clatt er in g t heir s hear s and s haki ng t heir s ew in g b ox es . S eein g t hat n ot hi ng w ou ld s at is fy t hem b ut an

i mm ed iate s ig ht o f t he Q ueen , S cr ap per s cr am bl ed w eari ly t o h is f eet and b eg an f um bl in g w it h t he s tr in gs

of t he ba g.

" Wi ll y ou r I mp er ial H ig hn es s d ei gn t o s tep o ut ?" s ug gest ed S cr ap per, s ti ck in g h is h ead

cautiously into the bag.

" Ou t! " s hr il led S cr ap s, and b ou ncin g u p l ik e a J il l i n t he b ox , g av e S cr ap per a r es ou nd in g



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s ma ck o n t he e ar .

" Yo u v il la in r ag ma n T ak e m e b ac k. H ow d ar e y ou h ur l M e i n a s ac k? "

s he c ri ed f ur io us ly a nd , w hi rl in g u po n P ie ce r, b ox ed h is e ar s a s s ou nd ly a s s he h ad b ox ed

S cr ap pe r' s. A t t hi s t he d el ig ht o f t he Q ui lt ie s k ne w n o b ou nd s. T he y b eg an t o c he er a nd s ta mp w it h

approval.

" Wh at a f in e t em pe r! W ha t a m ar ve lo us b ea ut y! S he 's t he Q ue en f or u s. " A nd r ai si ng t he ir

s hear s t hey s ho ut ed alt og et her, " Hu rr ah f or t he Q ueen o f t he Q ui lt ies! "

" Tr y t o a ct l ik e a Q ue en , c an 't y ou ?" p uf fe d S cr ap pe r, s ei zi ng t he a gi ta te d P at ch wo rk G ir l b y

t he arm .

" Yo u' re m ak in g a g reat h it !" w hi sp er ed P iecer p er su as iv el y. " Gi ve m e y ou r n am e, m ai den, s o I

c an a nn ou nc e i t t o y ou r s ub je ct s. " B y t hi s t im e S cr ap s h ad r ec ov er ed e no ug h t o l oo k a ro un d a nd w ha t

s he s aw i nt er es ted h er g reat ly . T he g au dy Q ui lt y K in gd om , w it h i ts g ay cot to n p at ch es , t he Q ui lt ies

t he ms el ve s, i n t he ir o dd ly p at ch ed c lo th es , s ee me d a s b ea ut if ul t o S cr ap s a s s he s ee me d t o t he m.

" Wh at d o y ou m ea n? A m I a Q ue en ?" s he d em an de d, r ol li ng h er s us pe nd er b ut to n e ye s f ro ms id e t o s id e. T he P ri me M in is te rs o f P at ch n od de d a nd , a s t he y d id , t wo Q ui lt ie s, w it h a h ug e p at ch wo rk

arm chair o n w heel s, p us hed t heir w ay t hr ou gh t he cro wd .

" Qu ick, n ow , y ou r n am e, " b eg ged P iecer . W hen S cr ap s, i n an exci ted w hi sp er , i mp ar ted t he

i nf or ma ti on , h e c ri ed i n a l ou d v oi ce : " Ha ts o ff t o H er P at ch es ty ! T hr ee c he er s f or Q ue en S cr ap s o f

Patch!"

T he c he er s w er e g iv en w it h a w il l a nd , a s P ie ce r g ra nd ly h an de d t he P at ch wo rk G ir l i nt o t he

r oy al r ol li ng chair , t he excit ed Q ui lt ies f ai rl y p el ted h er w it h p at ch es , t om at o p in -cus hi on s and h ar d s po ol s

o f c ot to n. L uc ki ly S cr ap s i s a s tu ff ed p er so n, w it h n o f ee li ng a t a ll , o th er wi se s he m ig ht h av e b ee n h ur t b y

t he se f ly in g m is si le s. A s i t w as , s he s at b ac k gr an dl y, b owi ng n ow t o t he l ef t, n ow t o t he r ig ht a nd f ee li ng

m or e i mp or ta nt t ha n s he h ad e ve r f el t i n h er w ho le c ot to n c ar ee r. W he n t he y r ea ch ed t he p at ch ed p al ac e,

t wo Q ui lt y b oy s w er e w ai ti ng o n t he s te ps , o ne w it h t he c or on et a nd t he o th er w it h t he c ro wn j ew el s a nd ,

a mi d t he f ur th er c he er s o f t he p op ul ac e, S cr ap s w as c ro wn ed Q ue en o f t he K in gd om a nd l ed

t ri um ph an tl y i nt o h er c as tl e. T he c ro wn w as a r ou nd s ew in g b as ke t, t he c ro wn j ew el s a s tr in g o f o ld

s po ol s, b ut s ca rc el y n ot ic in g t he o dd c ha ra ct er o f h er r oy al r eg al ia , S cr ap s s tr ut te d p ro ud ly u p a nd d ow n

t he s ha bb y h al l o f t he p al ac e, r eh ea rs in g g ra nd s pe ec he s a nd q ue en ly g es tu re s. A s f or S cr ap pe r a nd

P ie ce r- to o w ea ry t o b ot he r a bo ut s up pe r o r b ed -t he y i mm ed ia te ly l oc ke d a ll t he w in do ws a nd d oo rs a nd

f el l i nt o a he av y s lu mbe r o n a ha ll b enc h.



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C HA PT ER 3

D ut ies o f t he Q ui lt y Q ueen

H UN GR Y f ro m t he ir l on g f as t, f or t he y h ad e at en n ot hi ng t he d ay b ef or e, a nd w ea ri ed b y t he ir

l on g q uest , t he t wo Q ui lt y s tatesm en aro se ear ly n ex t m or ni ng . " Hi gh t im e t o i ns tr uct h er H ig hn es s i n t he

d ut ies o f h er o ff ice, " y aw ned S cr ap per, r uf fl in g u p h is h ai r.

" I h op e s he h as b reak fast r eady ," m ut tered P iecer, g ro an in g a l it tl e as h e s tr ai gh tened h is k nees

a nd s tr et ch ed o ut h is a rm s. " An d I h op e t hi s Q ue en l as ts a l on g t im e, S cr ap pe r, f or a no th er d ay l ik e

ye st er da y w ou ld b e t he e nd o f m e. C ome o n, l et 's s ee w ha t s he 's do in g. "

Not requiring any sleep, Scraps had spent the first half of the night wondering how she had

com e t o b e Q ueen . T hen, g iv in g i t u p, s he s pent t he o th er h al f d an ci ng and s in gi ng and com po si ng l on g

s pe ec he s t o de li ve r t o h er s ubj ec ts . A s P ie ce r a nd S cr ap pe r s te pp ed i nt o t he m ai n h al l o f t he p al ac e, s he

w as arr an gi ng h er y ar n h ai r b ef or e a l on g m ir ro r. C at ch in g s ig ht o f t hem i n t he g lass , s he s pu n g ai ly r ou nd

and clapping her crown on sideways cried haughtily:

" Vass al s, f et ch m y r ol li ng chair . Y ou r Q ueen d es ir es t o t ak e t he air !"

" St uf f and N on sens e! " s pu tt ered S cr app er , amazed at t he P at ch wo rk G ir l 's aud aci ou s v er s e.

" Do n' t y ou k no w t he c or on at io n i s o ve r a nd i t' s t im e t o g et t o w or k? "

" Wo rk ?" s hr i ll ed S cr ap s, cat ch in g h ol d o f a p at ch ed p or ti ere t o s t eady h er sel f. " Qu eens are

n ot s up po se d t o w or k. W he re a re t he s er va nt s? "

" Th er e a re n o s er va nt s, " a ns we re d S cr ap pe r c al ml y. " Th e Q ue en d oe s a ll t he w or k h er e. J us t

r ea d o ff t he l is t o f h er M aj es ty 's d ut ie s, P ie ce r, o ld f el lo w. "

P ut ti ng o n h is s pe cs , P ie ce r d re w a l on g s he et o f p ap er f ro m h is p at ch ed p oc ke t a nd b eg an :

" Th e Q ueen o f P at ch , o n ari si ng , s hall p repare t he b reak fast o f h er t wo chi ef adv is er s ( mean in g u s) ,"

exp lain ed P iecer, l oo ki ng s ev er el y at t he P at ch wo rk G ir l o ver h is s pect acles. " Sh e s hall m ak e t he b ed s, "



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he continued complacently, his voice growing higher with each item, "sweep the floors, dust the furniture,

s cr ub t he s te ps , w as h t he w in do ws , s or t t he p at ch es , c ou nt t he c ot to n s po ol s, s ep ar at e t he o ld c lo th es f or

m en di ng , f eed t he S ci ss or B ir d, h el p p ick t om at o p in -cus hi on s, s col d t he P at ch -w or kers - an d- "

"Stop!" commanded Scraps, flinging up her arm imperiously.

"But I'm not nearly finished," objected Piecer, rattling the paper impatiently.

" Well , I am! " T he P at ch wo rk G ir l' s s us pend er b ut to ns g li tt er ed ang ri ly b eh in d t he s teel

s pe ct ac le s. " Ge t s om eo ne e ls e t o b e y ou r s ov er ei gn ," s he c ri ed . " Yo u d on 't w an t a Q ue en , y ou w an t a

c oo k, a ho us eke ep er a nd a G ra nd ma !" S na tc hi ng t he w or k b as ke t f ro m he r h ea d, s he d as he d i t t o t hef lo or and j um pi ng o n i t w it h b ot h f eet s ho ut ed d ef iant ly :

" Ee ej ee , w ee je e, s qu ee je e, s qu b! I w il l n ot s we ep , I w il l n ot s cr ub ! I w il l n ot s cr ub ! I w il l n ot

d us t! S o l et t ho se d us t a nd s cr ub w ho m us t! "

" Be tt er s av e y ou r s tr en gt h f or y ou r w or k, " a dv is ed P ie ce r, s te pp in g b ac k a f ew p ac es . " Yo u' re

C hi ef S cr ap per, " h e w hi sp er ed h ur ri ed ly t o h is com pani on . " Yo u s et tl e h er w hi le I f et ch t he S ci ss or B ir d. "

A s t he d oo r s la mm ed u po n P ie ce r, t he C hi ef S cr ap pe r f ac ed t he P at ch wo rk G ir l. " Go o n, g et

a s m ad a s y ou p le as e, " h e u rg ed c he er fu ll y. " Th e m ad de r y ou a re t he b et te r w e l ik e y ou . T he c ro ss er y ou

g ro w t he b et te r q ue en y ou 'l l m ak e f or P at ch , o ur Q ue en s m us t b e g oo d s co ld er s, " h e c hu ck le d, r ub bi ng

his hands gleefully together.

" I' m n ot y ou r q ue en ," s cr ea me d S cr ap s, s ta mp in g o ne f oo t a nd t he n t he o th er . " Ta ke m e b ac k

t o t he E me ra ld C it y, y ou m is er ab le r ag am uf fi n. I a m a f re e s ubj ec t o f O zm a o f O z. "

" Oh , n o! Y ou 'r e Q ue en o f P at ch , n ow , c or re ct ed S cr ap pe r, p ic ki ng u p t he w as te b as ke t a nd

jamming it down upon her cotton forehead. "You were chosen by the royal Spool of Succession to be

our ruler!"

W hi le S cr ap s l is tened i n amazement , h e exp lain ed h ow t he f or mer q ueen h ad g on e t o p ieces

a nd h ow t he g ol de n s po ol h ad l ed t he m t o t he E me ra ld C it y.



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" I' ll w ai t! " y aw ned t he S ci ss or B ir d, " bu t y ou 'l l h av e t o w ai t t oo , and w hi le w e' re w ai ti ng

s up po se y ou g o o n w it h t he s cr ub bi ng ."

P oo r S cr ap s, s he c ou ld h av e w ep t w it h a ng er , b ut s he h ad n ot b ee n c on st ru ct ed f or c ry in g a nd

h av in g n ot a t ear i n h er cot to n con st it ut io n w as f or ced t o exp ress h er i nd ig nati on i n g ro an s, s ho ut s andt hr eateni ng v er ses. T o t hese t he S ci s so r B ir d p ai d n o att en ti on w hat so ev er and b y n ig ht -f al l S cr ap s h ad

n ot even energ y eno ug h t o m ak e v er ses. A ft er com pl ai ni ng b it terl y abo ut t heir d in ner, and i t m us t b e

c on fe ss ed t ha t S cr ap s, h av in g h ad n o e xp er ie nc e, p ro ve d a p oo r c oo k, t he t wo Q ui lt ie M in is te rs l oc ke d

h er s ecur el y i n t he p al ace s it ti ng -r oo m and w en t o ff t o t el l t heir f el lo w t ow ns men abo ut t he E merald C it y.

Th ey t ook t he S ci ss or Bi rd wi th t he m a nd, l ef t t o he r o wn de vi ce s a t l as t, t he Pa tc hwo rk G ir l s ank i nt o a

broken chair and began to rock to and fro.

" No w on de r t he Q ue en s g o t o p ie ce s s o f as t, " g ro an ed S cr ap s, a nx io us ly e xa mi ni ng a r ip i nh er c ot to n f in ge r. S he h ad c au gh t i t o n a na il w hi le s cr ub bi ng t he c as tl e s te ps .

" Ka zu pp K az oo , w ha t s ha ll I d o? St ay he re a nd g o t o p ie ce s, t oo? N eve r! "

S pr in gi ng u p, s he t oo k t he c an dl e t he Q ui lt ie s h ad p la ce d o n t he c en te r t ab le a nd r an f ro m o ne

w in do w t o t he o th er . B ut t he w in do ws w er e a ll l oc ke d a nd b ar re d a nd , a ft er r at tl in g t he d oo r k no bs a nd

pounding on the wall, she sat dejectedly down in the rocking chair again. There was nothing in the room

t o a mu se h er . A ll t he b oo ks i n t he b oo kc as e w er e n ee dl e- bo ok s, a ll t he c us hi om s w er e p in -c us hi on s a nd

t he w al l w as s im pl y cov er ed w it h cro ss s ti tched m ot to es .

" A s ti tch i n t im e s av es n in e! " s ni ff ed S cr ap s, s co rn fu ll y r eadi ng t he o ne n earest h er . " Well , w ho

w an ts t o s av e ni ne ? W hy s ho ul d n in e b e s av ed a ny m or e t ha n s ix or s ev en ?"

T he re w as n o o ne t o a rgu e i t w it h, s o a ft er a l it tl e s il en ce s he m ur mu re d: " I w ond er w ha t' s i n

t ha t c he st ?" E xc ep t f or a f ew r ic ke ty c ha ir s a nd t he s ew in g- ta bl e, t he c he st w as t he o nl y o th er p ie ce o f f ur ni tu re i n t he r oo m. T ak in g t he c an dl e, S cr ap s w al ke d o ve r t o t he c he st , a nd d ro pp in g o n h er k ne es ,

c au ti ou sl y l if te d t he l id . A t f ir st s he t ho ug ht i t w as e mp ty , b ut , a s t hr ee o r f ou r d ro ps o f h ot c an dl e g re as e

d ri pp ed i ns id e, a l ow g ro wl r um bl ed o ut o f t he d ar kn es s. I n s om e a la rm S cr ap s j um pe d b ac k.

" Go a wa y! " r oa re d a g ru ff v oi ce . " Do y ou r ow n s col di ng , I 'm s le ep y! S hut t ha t l id, I t el l yo u! "

" Sh ut i t y ou rs el f! " cri ed t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, w ho w as ext remely t ir ed o f b ei ng o rd er ed abo ut .

B es id es s he w as a l it tl e f ri gh te ne d. A t t hi s, t he re w as a s ho rt p au se , f ol lo we d b y a s ur pr is ed g ru nt , a nd

presently a rumpled head appeared above the edge of the chest. It was a small brown bear. Blinking at



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S cr ap s, i t g ru mb le d c ro ss ly , " Wh er e' s t he Q ue en ? W ho i n s cr at ch a re y ou ?"

" I' m t he Q ue en , w ho i n P at ch a re y ou ?" a ns we re d t he P at ch wo rk G ir l s au ci ly . T he b ea r

r eg ar de d h er a tt en ti ve ly f or s om e t im e b ef or e h e a ns we re d. T he n p ut ti ng h is h ea d o n o ne s id e h e

e xp la in ed c al ml y, " Wh y, I 'm a p et o f t he l at e Q ue en C ro ss P at ch . H as s he g on e t o p ie ce s? "

S cr ap s n odd ed . " I d on 't s ee w hy s he w an te d a be ar f or a p et ," s he a dd ed f ra nk ly.

" Yo u l oo k b ri gh t, b ut I 'm afr ai d y ou 'r e q ui te d um b, " s ni ff ed t he b ear, cli mb in g o ut o f t he chest .

" Wh y s ho ul dn' t s he h ave a b ea r f or a pe t? I sn 't a b ea r a bo ut t he c ro ss es t p et o ne c ou ld f in d? I h el pe d

C ro ss P at ch w it h t he g ru mb li ng and g ro wl in g w hen s he w as t ir ed . I 'l l h el p y ou i f y ou w is h, t ho ug h i t w il lbe a little harder. Just looking at you makes me want to laugh."

" Well , w hy d on 't y ou ?" ask ed S cr ap s, s eati ng h er self i n t he r ocker again .

" Sh -h h! D o y ou w an t m e t o l os e m y p os it io n?" b reat hed t he l it tl e b ear, l oo ki ng aro un d

a nxi ou sl y. " I m us tn 't l augh . D on' t y ou kno w a b ea r i s s upp os ed t o be c ros s? Y ou ha ve t o b e pr et ty c ros s

t o k ee p y our p la ce i n t hi s c ou nt ry !"

" Well , I d on 't i nt en d t o s tay i n t hi s cou nt ry ," ann ou nced S cr ap s, r ocki ng v ig or ou sl y b ackw ar d

a nd f or wa rd. " I w as ki dn app ed a nd c rown ed Qu ee n a ga ins t m y wi ll a nd I i nt en d t o r un a wa y a s s oo n a s

I c an. Pr inc es s Oz ma ma y s end f or m e a ny m inut e, to o. A ll s he ha s t o do i s t o l ook i n t he Ma gi c P ic tur e. "

T hi s w as q ui te t ru e, f or i n O zm a' s p al ac e h an gs a n e nc ha nt ed p ic tu re , s ho wi ng a c ou nt ry l an ds ca pe . I f t he

l it tl e f ai ry r ul er w is he s t o l oc at e a ny o f h er s ub je ct s, s he h as b ut t o c om ma nd t he m t o a pp ea r a nd t he

M ag ic P ic tu re i mm ed ia te ly s ho ws w he re t he y a re a nd w ha t t he y a re d oi ng . A ll o f t hi s, a nd a b it a bo ut

O zm a a nd t he E me ra ld C it y, S cr ap s e xp la in ed t o t he c ro ss l it tl e b ea r a nd h e l is te ne d m os t e ar ne st ly ,wiggling his buttony nose with interest.

" Wh at ' s y ou r n am e?" ask ed S cr aps p resent l y.

"Grumpy!" answered the bear gruffly. "What's yours?"

" Scraps !" s ai d t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, k icki ng h er h eels again st t he r ocker.



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Now, one of the delightful things about Oz is that all the animals and birds can talk; and as talk

o f a ny k in d i nt er es te d S cr ap s s he b eg an t o f ee l q ui te c he er fu l a nd l ik e h er se lf .

" Yo u m ea n Q ue en S cr ap s, " c or re ct ed t he l it tl e b ea r, e ye in g t he w or k- ba sk et o n h er h ea d w it h

g r eat r esp ect .

" No t i f I c an he lp i t! " c ri ed t he P at ch wor k G ir l, s pr in gi ng o ut o f h er s ea t a nd r at tl ing t he c ro wn

jewels defiantly. "The country is all right, but who ever heard of a Queen doing all the work? It's

ridiculous."

" Qu een C ro ss P at ch l ik ed t o w or k, " m ut tered G ru mp y. T hen, s it ti ng d ow n t ho ug ht less ly o n a

pin-cushion, he arose with a loud roar. "Well, I don't," said Scraps, while Grumpy, growling furiously,

pulled two needles from his fur. "So I hope Ozma looks in the Magic Picture soon, but whether she does

or not I s hal l r un of f fi rs t c hanc e I ge t-

" Ba ck to t he c it y of s un a nd s ong, B ac k t o t he c it y whe re I be long !"

" It 'l l b e a l on g t im e b ef or e t hey l et y ou ," o bs er ved G ru mp y t ho ug ht fu ll y, " an d i f y ou t ry t o

e sc ap e t he S ci ss or B ir d w il l c ut o ff y ou r h ea d. W ha t w ou ld y ou d o t he n? "

" Ha ve i t s ew ed o n a ga in ," d ec la re d S cr ap s s to ut ly , b ut s he s hi ve re d a l it tl e a t t he p ro sp ec t a nd

i n a s li gh tl y s ha ky v oi ce i nq ui re d, " Do n' t y ou k no w a ny g am es o r r id dl es ? N o o ne 's a ro un d n ow a nd w e

m ig ht as w el l h av e s om e f un ."

G ru mp y s hoo k h is h ea d, t he n b ri gh te ni ng u p a l it tl e he s li d o ut of h is c ha ir . " Cr os s P at ch a nd I

alw ay s cuf fed each o th er a b it aft er d in ner, " h e s ai d cas uall y.

" Cu ff ed each o th er !" g as ped S cr ap s. " Wh at f or ?"

" Fo r p ract ice, " exp lain ed G ru mp y s ol em nl y. " Yo u h av e n o i dea h ow m an y n ew cro ss w or ds

w e l earn ed t hat w ay . I t' s s im pl y ast on is hi ng w hat cro ss w or ds y ou can t hi nk o f w hen s om eo ne t hu mp s

you o n t he e ar . Com e on- le t' s t ry i t. You' ll n ee d t o know a l ot of c ros s w or ds ." D ra wi ng b ac k hi s f uz zy



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a rm , G rum py ga ve t he P at ch wor k G ir l a c uf f t ha t s ent h er f ly in g i nt o t he c or ne r.

" Wh at a p leas an t p as ti me!" p uf fed S cr ap s, p icki ng h er self u p w it h a f lo un ce. " Do y ou cal l t hat

f un ?" s he d em an ded, s haki ng t he d us t s co rn fu ll y o ut o f h er s ki rt s.

" We ll , w ha t d o y ou wa nt t o d o t he n? " m um bl ed t he l it tl e be ar s ul le nl y. " Tha t' s t he o nl y g am e I

k no w. S ay , s om eo ne 's a t t he d oo r! L is te n! "

S om eo ne cer tain ly w as . F ir st , t he b el l r an g l on g and clang in gl y. T hen cam e s uch a s er ies o f

t hu mp s, k icks and s lams t hat all t he cro ss s ti tched m ot to es f el l s id ew ay s.

" Oh !" s hr il led t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, f li ng in g u p h er arm s j oy ou sl y, " I k no w. O zm a h as s en t

s om eo ne t o r es cu e m e. C om e o n G ru mp y, w e' ll l et t he m i n.

" Ho w d o y ou k no w i t' s r es cu er s?" s hi vered t he l it tl e b ear anx io us ly . " Th ey s ou nd l ik e r ob bers

t o m e! "

" Ge t o ut !" c ri ed S cr ap s, r un ni ng o ve r t o t he d oo r.

" We can 't g et o ut ," G ru mp y r em in ded h er p at ient ly , " fo r w e' re l ocked i n g oo d and t ig ht ."

" Th at 's s o, " s ig hed t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, p ress in g h er cot to n n os e t o t he w in do w b ar s. " Th ey 'l lh av e t o b re ak d ow n t he d oo r. "

" So un ds a s i f t he y h ad ," s pu tt er ed t he l it tl e b ea r, a s a t er ri bl e c ra sh s ou nd ed f ro m t he h al lw ay .

" Here t hey com e! " J um pi ng h ead f ir st i nt o t he chest G ru mp y p ul led d ow n t he l id .

C HA PT ER 4



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Pe te r Fl ie s w it h a n O dd B ir d

NOTHING at all ever happens here," exclaimed Peter, digging his hands deep into his

pockets and staring discontentedly out of the window.

" Th er e' s a b al lo on m an o n t he cor ner, chu ck led h is g rand fath er , w ho w as s tand in g j us t b eh in d

P et er . " Go b uy y ou rs el f a b al lo on ." W it h a no th er c hu ck le h e d ro pp ed a q ua rt er i nt o P et er 's h an d a nd

w en t b ac k t o h is e ve ni ng p ap er .

" I' m t oo o ld f or b al lo on s, " s ai d P et er w it h g reat d is gu st . " I s ho ul d t hi nk y ou 'd k no w t hat,

grandfather."

" Th en b uy m e o ne," l au gh ed t he o ld g en tl e- man, w in ki ng p ro vo ki ng ly . T here w as n o u se

a rg ui ng w it h a p er so n l ik e t ha t, s o P et er , f ul ly i nt en di ng t o bu y s om e m ar bl es a nd a d ou bl e n ut s un da e,

r an ou t o f t he h ous e.

P et er 's h om e w as i n P hi ladelp hi a, f acin g o n a l ar ge p ub li c s qu ar e and t he b al lo on m an , h is

boisterous wares nearly tugging him off his feet, stood on the corner nearest Peter. There was somethingm ys te ri ou s a bo ut t he m an . H is f ac e w as d ar k a nd m er ry a nd h is l on g p oi nt ed b ea rd a nd s lo uc h h at g av e

h im t he a pp ea ra nc e o f a m er ch an t f ro m s om e f ar c ou nt ry , s o t ha t i n s pi te o f h im se lf P et er s to pp ed .

"A balloon, young gentleman?" inquired the dealer, bowing politely to the little boy. "What do

y ou s ay t o t hi s o ne?" S ep ar at in g a b ri gh t g reen o ne f ro m t he b un ch , h e h el d i t o ut i nv it in gl y.

" Ho w m uch?" ask ed P et er d ou bt fu ll y. H e l ik ed b ei ng cal led a y ou ng g en tl em an , and t he m or e

h e l oo ke d a t t he g re en b al lo on , t he m or e i t f as ci na te d h im . T he b al lo on m an h ad a lr ea dy s ee n t he q ua rt er

i n P et er 's h an d a nd q ui ck ly s ta ti ng t ha t t we nt y- fi ve c en ts w as t he p ri ce , h e t hr us t t he b al lo on u po n P et er

a nd p oc ke te d h is q ua rt er , a ll s o q ui ck ly t he l it tl e b oy f ai rl y g as pe d. W hy , h e h ad n ot e ve n m ad e u p h is

mi nd to buy, a nd ye t he re he wa s wi th t he gre en ba lloo n a nd t he re w as t he ma n wi th hi s qua rt er .

U ncer tain ly , P et er s to od s tari ng at t he b al lo on m an .

" It 's a b ir d! " w hi sp er ed t he m er ch an t, l eani ng f or ward t o t ou ch t he b al lo on l ov in gl y w it h t he

t ip s o f h is f in ge rs . " Ah -h -h !" A s t he b al lo on m an s ai d " Ah !" a c ro wd o f P et er 's f ri en ds t ur ne d t he c or ne r

a nd n ot w is hi ng t he m t o c at ch h im w it h a ny th in g s o b ab yi sh a s a b al lo on , P et er s ta rt ed t o r un a cr os s t he

s qua re . An d ne ve r h ad P et er r un s o e as il y. Ea ch s te p t ook hi m f our or f ive p ac es a he ad, a nd w he n he



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f ou nd h im self b ou nd in g ent ir el y o ver t he f ou nt ai n i n t he cen ter o f t he s qu ar e, h e w is el y d ecid ed t o s to p

r un ni ng . S o h e d id , b ut i t m ad e n o d if fe re nc e. H is l eg s s to pp ed m ov in g, t o b e s ur e, b ut P et er h im se lf s ho t

u pw ar d, s oari ng l ig ht ly as a f eath er o ver t ree t op s, h ou se t op s, h ug e b ui ld in gs and chu rch s teep les. N ot

u nt il t he t al l f ig ur e of W il li am Pe nn, o n t he To wn H al l, f ad ed i nt o t he m er es t do t, d id P et er r em em be r t he

balloon man's words.

" Wh y, i t i s a b ir d, " m ur mu red t he s tart led b oy , b li nk in g at t he com ical creat ur e abo ve h im . T he

s te m o f t he ba ll oo n t o w hi ch h e c lu ng ha d t ur ne d t o a s tr ong s ti ff l eg, w hi le t he b al lo on i ts el f ha d

exp an ded i nt o a p lu mp , g reen b al lo on b ir d. I t car eened t hr ou gh t he air w it ho ut any m ot io n o f w in gs o r

body and for a while, Peter, hanging to its leg, was too frightened to open his mouth. The city had

d is ap pe ar ed l on g a go a nd , a s t he y p us he d u p t ow ar d t he c lo ud s, P et er , r eg ai ni ng a l it tl e o f h is c ou ra ge ,

g av e t he b ir d' s l eg a s ha rp p ul l. " St op !" s ho ut ed P et er i n a s c om ma nd in g a v oi ce a s h e c ou ld m us te r.

" St op y ou rs el f, " r et or ted t he b al lo on b ir d s harp ly , and t he w or ds cam e i n t in y exp lo si on s l ik e

t he p op p op o f an air g un . " Do y ou t hi nk I enj oy h av in g m y l eg p ul led?" i t chi rp ed i nd ig nant ly .

" Bu t w here are w e g oi ng ?" cri ed P et er anx io us ly .

" Ba ll oo n I sl an d! " p op pe d t he b ir d, b en di ng i ts h ea d t o g et a b et te r v ie w o f t he l it tl e b oy . " Ho ld

t ig ht , f or i f y ou l et g o, y ou 'l l p ro babl y p un ct ur e y ou rs el f o n a s teep le."

P et er h ad b een t hi nk in g t hi s v er y t hi ng h im self . " Yo u are a p resent t o Q ueen L un a f ro m

S an da ro o, " c on ti nu ed t he b ir d c al ml y. " Sh e n ee de d a n a ir re nd b oy , s o S an da ro o s en t y ou .

"The balloon man?" gasped Peter, scarcely believing his ears.

" He's n ot a b al lo on m an ," r ep li ed t he b ir d d is dain fu ll y. " He's L or d H ig h B ou ncer o f B al lo on a.

Y ou w er e p ic ke d f or a ir re nd b oy ," h e c on ti nu ed p la ci dl y, " be ca us e y ou l oo k s tr on g a nd s to ut a nd

because the balloon boys on the island are always puncturing themselves or exploding. Did you ever

exp lo de?" ask ed t he b ir d s ev er el y.

" Peop le d on 't exp lo de," ans wered t he l it tl e b oy s co rn fu ll y, " an d I 'm n ot g oi ng t o b e an err an d

boy for a lot of balloonatics either," he shouted angrily. "You'd better let me go or I'll tell my grandfather

o n y ou .



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" Le t go i f yo u w an t t o, " s ai d t he bi rd c ar el es sl y. " Yo u' re h ol di ng o n t o m e, a re n' t y ou ?" T hi s

w as o nl y t oo t ru e, a nd a ft er o ne d iz zy l oo k d ow nw ar d, P et er t ig ht en ed h is c lu tc h o n t he b al lo on b ir d' s l eg

a nd w on de re d d es pe ra te ly w ha t t o d o. " Yo u m us t t re ad l ig ht ly w he n w e l an d o n t he i sl an d, " w ar ne d t he

balloon bird, after a short silence, during which they covered miles of air, "but I daresay it will be all right

a ft er y ou a re b lo wn u p.

" Bl ow n u p, " cou gh ed P et er , " wh y, w hat d o y ou m ean?"

" Well , y ou w ou ld n' t d o as y ou are," m ur mu red t he b ir d, r ol li ng i ts eyes d is ap pr ov in gl y d ow n at

t he li ttl e boy, " so the Que en ha s a spl endid pl an. She wi ll c ut a t iny hol e in your ba ck a nd the n ha ve you

blown up till you can float as easily as we do. Oh, you'll enjoy floating," promised the balloon bird, divingt hr ou gh a m oi st clo ud b an k.

P et er d ou bt ed t ha t h e w ou ld e nj oy f lo at in g, h e d ou bt ed i t v er y m uc h, a nd t he m or e h e t ho ug ht

a bou t be ing bl ow n u p a nd t he hol e t ha t w as t o be c ut i n hi s ba ck t he m or e dr ea df ul ly une as y he be ca me .

H is arm s ach ed f ro m t he l on g s wi ng t hr ou gh t he air and , as t he b al lo on b ir d p lu ng ed t hr ou gh a p ar ti cu larl y

black cloud, Peter took a long breath and let go.

"Maybe . . . I'll land . . . on . . . something soft!" panted Peter, as he turned over and over and

t he n d ro pp ed s tr ai gh t d ow nw ar d. " An yw ay , i t w on 't b e a ny w or se t ha n b ei ng c ut a nd b lo wn u p. " H e h ad

f al len s ev er al m il es b y t hi s t im e and i t w as s o con fu si ng , t um bl in g t hr ou gh clo ud s and air -w ay s, and t he

w in d m ad e s uch a f ri gh tf ul w hi st li ng i n h is ear s, h e f in al ly g av e u p t hi nk in g alt og et her and clo sed h is eyes.

S pl as h! W it h a t er ri fi c s la p, P et er s tr uc k t he s ur fa ce o f a s hi ni ng b lu e o ce an, t he f or ce o f h is f al l

c ar ry in g h im t o t he v er y b ot to m, w he re h e b um pe d h is h ea d s ev er el y o n a c la m s he ll . D az ed a nd c ho ki ng ,

P et er r os e t o t he s ur fa ce a nd a lm os t m ec ha ni ca ll y b eg an t o s wi m. A ft er s ev er al s tr ok es , h e s ho ok t hew at er f ro m h is eyes and l oo ked aro un d h im . T hen h e g av e a l it tl e exclamati on o f excit em en t and r el ief.

Not more than twenty paces off lay a small, straggly looking island.

" Well , t hi s i s b et ter t han b ei ng b lo wn u p, g ul ped P et er , h eadi ng s tr ai gh t f or t he i sl an d. " Mayb e

s om e f is herm en l iv e h er e and m ay be s om e b oats p as s. G ee w hi ll ik en s, w on 't g rand -f at her b e s ur pr is ed

w hen h e h ears abo ut t hi s, t ho ug h! "

I mm en sely cheer ed , P et er cut s wi ft ly t hr ou gh t he cho pp y b lu e w av es , and t he w at er w as s oo n

s ha ll ow e no ug h f or h im t o w ad e a sh or e. T he i sl an d w as n ot m uc h l ar ge r t ha n t he p ub li c s qu ar e a t h om e.



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A f ew s ea gu ll s c ir cl ed a im le ss ly ov er he ad , bu t s o f ar a s P et er c ou ld s ee t he re we re no pe opl e o r ho us es .

F ir s t h e w al ked com pl etely r ou nd t he i sl an d, t hen, f eeli ng r at her d ep res sed, s t ar ted acr os s. T he s oi l w as

poor and rocky and there were only about a dozen trees altogether. When he had come to the top of a

s ma ll hi ll , Pe te r s ank dow n on a h ea p o f r oc ks a nd be ga n t o wr ing t he w at er f ro m h is c oa t. H ow l ong he

s at t he re w on de ri ng w ha t h e s ho ul d e at , h ow h e s ho ul d e nd ur e t he l on el in es s o r e ve r f in d h is w ay b ac k t o

P hi la de lp hi a, P et er n ev er k ne w. B ut h e s ud de nl y b ec am e a wa re o f a r at tl e a nd r um bl e b el ow a nd o ut

f ro m t he o pp os it e s id e o f t he r oc k h ea p s pr an g a p er fe ct ly f ur io us l it tl e m an . H e w as g ra y a s t he r oc ksh im se lf , a nd hi s l on g, w is py w hi te h ai r a nd b ea rd b le w a nd s na pp ed i n t he w in d.

"Get off my chimney, idiot!" screamed the old gentleman, dancing wrathfully up and down.

" Can' t y ou s ee y ou 'r e f il li ng m y cav e w it h s mo ke?"

S to pp in g r ig ht i n t he m id dl e o f h is d an ce, h e g lared l on g and s earchi ng ly at t he l it tl e b oy . T hen,bursting into loud sobs, he began to hop 'round and 'round on one leg, wiping his tears on his whiskers

and fairly sizzling with indig-nation.

" To t hi nk !" h e s ho ut ed , r ai si ng h is arm s t o t he h eavens , " To t hi nk , t hat aft er f iv e y ears o f

l on el in es s a m is er abl e m or ta l s ho ul d f al l o n t hi s i sl and ! W hy c oul dn' t i t h av e b ee n a g nom e or a w it ch o r

s om eb od y r eal and i nt er es ti ng ? I h at e chi ld ren, " s hr ieked t he ang ry l it tl e f el lo w, s tamp in g h is cur ly f oo t at

Peter.

Pe te r h ad b ee n s o s ta rt le d by t he s udd en a ppe ar an ce of t he ol d g en tl em an a nd t he n s o

s ur pr is ed a t h is c ur io us a ct ion s t ha t h e ha d s ai d n ot hi ng a t a ll . B ut n ow h e j um pe d a ng ri ly o ff t he r oc k

h ea p. H e' s n o b ig ge r t ha n I a m, t ho ug ht P et er c ou ra ge ou sl y, a nd h e n ee dn 't t hi nk h e c an t al k t o m e l ik e

t hat. " Is t hi s y ou r i sl an d?" h e ask ed s ti ff ly .

" Of cou rs e i t' s m y i sl an d! " s pl ut tered t he l it tl e m an . " Go away, I h at e chi ld ren. "

" We ll , I c an 't h el p t ha t, " a ns we re d P et er . " Be si de s, I 'm n ot a c hi ld . I 'm n in e y ea rs o ld a nd i n

the Fifth-B."

" I do n' t c ar e wh at y ou 'r e i n, " s hr il le d t he l it tl e i sl an de r. " Yo u' re i n m y w ay n ow , a nd i f I h ad m y

m agi c b el t I 'd t ur n you t o a p ot at o a nd m as h y ou f or s upp er . D on' t y ou k now I 'm a Ki ng? " he s que al ed ,

thumping himself three times upon the chest.



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" We ll , y ou d on 't a ct l ik e o ne ," a ns we re d P et er , i n d is gu st . " If y ou a re t he K in g o f t hi s i sl an d I

wi sh you' d g ive me s ome s up pe r a nd a pl ac e t o s le ep. "

" Ki ng o f t hi s i sl an d! " s cr eamed t he ang ry l it tl e m an . " I' m R ug gedo , t he R ou gh , t he o ne and o nl y

M et al M on ar ch and r ul er o ver f iv e h un dr ed t ho us an d g no mes b es id es ."

" Gn om es !" m ur mu red P et er , p us hi ng b ack h is cap . H e h ad r ead abo ut t hese u nd er gr ou nd

e lv es , w ho m in e a ll t he p re ci ou s s to ne s i n a nd o ut o f t he w or ld , b ut he h ad n eve r r ea ll y be li ev ed i n t he m.

"Yes, gnomes!" boasted the little gray gentle-man, marching proudly up and down.

" Wh er e are t hey?" i nq ui red P et er , a l it tl e anx io us ly . F or , t ho ug ht P et er t o h im self , i f t hey are all

a s c ro ss a nd t em pe ry a s t hi s o ne , l if e o n t he i sl an d i s g oi ng t o b e v er y u np le as an t a nd d an ge ro us .

" Yo u s tand t here and ask m e t hat, " h ow led t he G no me K in g f ur io us ly . " Do n' t y ou k no w I 'v e

been banished from my Kingdom for years and made a prisoner on this ridiculous little island, just

because I tried to get back my magic belt from Ozma of Oz? Don't you know it was a miserable child

w ho s to le i t i n t he f ir st p lace. I h at e chi ld ren, " r ep eated t he G no me K in g, clu tchi ng h is h ai r w it h b ot hh an ds a nd s na pp in g h is w ic ke d l it tl e e ye s a t P et er .

" If y ou 'v e be en h er e a ll t ha t t im e b y y ou rs el f I s ho ul d t hi nk y ou 'd be gl ad t o h av e s om eo ne t o

t al k t o, " v en tu re d t he l it tl e b oy , s ea ti ng h im se lf c ar ef ul ly o n a r oc k. " I r ea d a b oo k a bo ut O z o nc e, h e

we nt on i n a n i nt er es te d voi ce , "bu t I di dn' t know i t wa s r ea lly t rue . I s Oz ma s ti ll Qu ee n a nd doe s

Dorothy still live in the Emerald City?"

" Do ro th y' s t he g ir l w ho s to le m y b el t, " s pu tt er ed R ug gedo , f or i t w as t he G no me K in g. " If y ou

h av e r ea d a bo ut D or ot hy , y ou m us t k no w a bo ut m e.

" Yo u w er en 't i n t he b oo k I r ea d, " e xp la in ed P et er p at ie nt ly , " bu t i f y ou k no w D or ot hy a nd

Ozma, they must be real and if we are near Oz, ma ybe you c an tell me how to get there? "

" If I kne w do you s uppos e I 'd be he re ?" ye ll ed R ugge do . Pi cki ng up a r oc k, he f lu ng i t a t

P et er 's h ea d a nd r us he d v io le nt ly i nt o h is c av er n. P et er d od ge d t he r oc k a nd , a lm os t w is hi ng h e h ad



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s tu ck w it h t he b al lo on b ir d, s ta re d d ej ec te dl y o ut t o s ea . T he s un w as s in ki ng i n t he w es t a nd t he

prospect of a long stay on the barren island with the dreadful little Gnome King was not at all cheering.

" I' ll p ro babl y s tarv e t o d eath ," s ig hed P et er , k icki ng g lo om il y at a s to ne. T hen, r em em beri ng

s om e s tr in g i n hi s p oc ke t, h e p ul le d i t o ut a nd , f as te ni ng a s ma ll p ie ce o f w ir e o n t he s tr in g, s ta rt ed t ow ar dt he b ea ch w it h t he i nt ent io n o f c at ch in g a f ew f is h f or h is d in ne r. H al fwa y t he re , he c am e t o a s ma ll

s lu gg is h s tr ea m a nd , c as ti ng h is l in e i nt o i ts m ud dy w at er s, s at d ow n t o w ai t f or a b it e. H e h ad n o m at ch es

but thought maybe if he caught a few fish and offered Ruggedo one he might allow him to cook over his

fire.

Now Ruggedo had fully intended to stay in his cave and not speak another word to Peter, but

f in al ly hi s c ur ios it y g ot t he be st o f h im . A ft er yo u ha ve b ee n a ll a lo ne f or f iv e ye ar s, e ve n a c re at ur e yo u

d es pi se i s b et te r t ha n n o o ne a t a ll , s o p re se nt ly h e c am e s ta lk in g o ut a ga in . P et er h ad i n t he m ea nt im ede ci de d t o be a s p ol it e a s pos si bl e t o t he o ld gno me , f or n o on e c oul d he lp h im . Th er ef or e, a s Ru gg edo

app ro ached, p uf fi ng away at a s ho rt clay p ip e, h e w av ed t o h im q ui te cheer fu ll y.

" Do n' t w av e at m e, " w heezed R ug gedo , t ak in g h is p ip e o ut o f h is m ou th and f ro wn in g d ar kl y.

"I' m a King, I am!"

" Oh , w hat d if ference d oes t hat m ak e?" s ai d P et er i mp at ient ly . " We'r e b ot h s tr an ded, ar en 'tw e? Le t' s s to p qu ar re li ng a nd t ry t o f ind a w ay of f t he i sl and . Do n' t b oa ts e ve r s top he re a nd how f ar

a wa y i s t hi s l an d of O z, a ny wa y? "

" Bo at s! " s co ff ed t he G no me K in g, " I' ve b ee n h er e f iv e y ea rs a nd n ot o ne b oa t h as p as se d. A s

f or Oz , you a re i n t he ve ry m iddl e of t he No ne st ic O ce an a nd a bout a s f ar f rom O z a s yo u c oul d po ss ibl y

be."

" Yo u m ean t o s ay y ou 'v e b een h er e f iv e y ears ?" g as ped P et er i ncredu lo us ly , " an d n ot hi ng h as

happened in all that time?"

" No th in g - b ut y ou ," ans wered t he G no me K in g.

" Well , y ou n eedn 't t hi nk I 'm g oi ng t o s tay t hat l on g, " b lu st er ed P et er , j er ki ng at h is f is h l in e i n

g reat agi tati on . " I' ll b ui ld a b oat, o r a r af t o r s om et hi ng ."



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T ak in g h is p ip e f ro m h is m ou th , t he o ld g no me l oo ked at P et er alm os t r es pect fu ll y. H e h ad

o ft en t ho ug ht o f b ui ld in g a r af t h im self b ut , b ei ng a K in g and n at ur al ly q ui te u ns ki ll fu l and l azy, h e h ad

n ev er r eall y g ot ten d ow n t o i t.

" If y ou h el p m e o ff t hi s i sl an d, " h e p uf fed

a ft er a s ho rt p au se , " I' ll m ak e y ou t he r ic he st b oy i n t he w or ld ."

" Hu mp h! " g ru nt ed P et er , n ot m uch i mp ress ed b y t he o ld g no me's p ro mi ses.

J us t t he n, h is l in e ga ve a t ug a nd h e wa s pu ll in g i t up q ui te j oy ful ly wh en R ug ge do s ei ze d hi s a rm.

" Lo ok !" s hu dd er ed t he g no me, p oi nt in g a t remb li ng f in ger o ut t o s ea. N ot f ar f ro m t he i sl an d,

t he w at er s o f t he N on es ti c O ce an w er e b oi li ng a nd c hur ni ng i n a t er ri fy in g m an ne r. A s P et er j um pe d t o

h is f ee t, t he w av es a ro se i n a m ig ht y g re en w al l a nd , w it h a d ea fe ni ng r oa r, c am e c ra shi ng d ow nw ar d.

C HA PT ER 5

S ea T ip s U ps id e D ow n i n Q ua ke

F LU NG f la t u po n t he ir f ac es b y t he t er ri fi c s ho ck , i t w as s om e t im e b ef or e e it he r R ug ge do o r

P et er h ad t he c our age t o l oo k u p. T he n Pe te r, r ubb ing t he s and a nd d us t f rom hi s e ye s, r ai se d h is he ad

a nd s ta re d f ea rf ul ly o ut t o s ea . W ha t h e s aw m ad e h im bl in k w it h a st on is hm en t. T he s ea h ad t ur ne d i ts el f

u ps id e d ow n and o n t op o f t he w av es , and alm os t t ou ch in g R ug gedo 's i sl an d, l ay a l on g g leam in g s tr et ch

o f s ea b ot to m.

C ry st al c av er ns a nd s ea g ro tt os , c or al w al ls a nd c as tl es g li tt er ed a nd s hi mm er ed i n t he l as t r ay s

o f t he s et ti ng s un a nd , r us hi ng t ow ar d t he e dg es o f t he s tr an ge m or as s w as e ve ry s or t o f s ea c re at ur e

P et er ever h ad i magi ned. G iant f is h w al lo wed d es perately t ow ar d t he s id es and h ur led t hems el ves b ack

i nt o t he wa te r. P et er r ub be d hi s e ye s a ga in t o b e s ur e he w as n ot d re ami ng a nd, a s a g ol de n h ai re d

m er ma id p lu ng ed b ol dl y f ro m t he w in do w o f a c or al c as tl e, h e m ad e a g ra b f or R ug ge do . B ut R ug ge do

w as a lr ea dy o n h is c ro ok ed l it tl e l eg s.

" Co me o n! C om e o n! " w he ez ed t he o ld G no me K in g f ra nt ic al ly . " Ca n' t y ou s ee i t' s a w ay o ff

the island?"



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I n a d az e, P et er r an a ft er h im a nd j um pe d a cr os s t he s ma ll s tr et ch o f w at er s ep ar at in g t he ir

i sl an d f ro m t he m ys te ri ou s s ea c ou nt ry . I t e xt en de d a s f ar a he ad a s t he y c ou ld s ee .

"Hurry! Hurry!" urged Ruggedo, stumbling over slippery rocks and pausing every few

m om en ts t o d is en tang le h im self f ro m t he o ozy arm s o f s om e clu tchi ng s ea p lant . " It m ay g o s tr ai gh t t o t he

s ho res o f E v! " p an ted t he g no me, g iv in g n o att en ti on t o t he f ri gh tf ul s ea m on st er s w ho w er e r us hi ng p as t

h im i n a n e ff or t t o f li ng t he ms el ve s b ac k i nt o t he w at er . " Co me on ! C om e o n! "

S hu dd er in g a l it tl e, a s h e c ol li de d w it h a n o ct op us , P et er c am e. N ow t he y w er e w ad in g k ne e

deep in green slime, with lobsters, crabs, turtles, jiggers and jelly fish squirming and wigglinguncomfortably against their legs.

P et er w an te d t o s to p a t t he f ir st c or al c as tl e, b ut R ug ge do r an s co rn fu ll y p as t. A n o ld M er ma n,

s it ti ng s ad ly o n t he t op s te p, r em in de d P et er o f h is g ra nd fa th er . H e w an te d t o s to p a nd s ym pa th iz e w it h

t he o ld g en tl em an , b ut f ea ri ng t o b e l ef t a lo ne i n s o s ca re so me a nd s tr an ge a c ou nt ry , h e h ur ri ed a ft er t he

G no me K in g. T he n P et er s aw t ha t w hi ch m ad e a ll e ls e f ad e f ro m h is m in d. I t w as t he b at te re d h ul k o f a n

o ld s hi p, r es ti ng a ga in st t he s id e o f a g re en s ea c av er n. I t w as o ve rg ro wn w it h s ea m os s a nd b ar na cl es ,

but the name, in raised letters of pure gold, was still visible.

" Bl un dero o! " b reat hed P et er s of tl y. T hen s natchi ng at R ug gedo 's coat- tail s f or ced h im t o s to p.

" Let' s g o abo ar d! " p uf fed P et er . " I' ll b et w e' ll f in d all s or ts o f u sefu l t hi ng s. O h J im mi nee!

L oo k! I t' s a p ir at e s hi p! "

P et er p oi nt ed t o t he g ol d s ku ll a nd c ro ss b on es b el ow t he s hi p' s n am e, h is v oi ce t re mb li ng w it h

eag er ness . E ven R ug gedo 's eyes b eg an t o s nap and s park le w it h exci tement .

" Th at w ou ld m ean t reas ur e chest s, " m ut tered t he o ld g no me g reed il y. T here w as a r us ty chain

l ad der h an gi ng o ver t he s hi p' s s id e and , s ei zi ng t he l ow es t r un g, P et er s wu ng h im self u p and i n l es s t han

no time ha d rea ched the ship' s de ck. How l ong it ha d lai n at t he bottom of the sea was hard to sa y, but

t he p la nk s w er e w at er s oa ke d a nd r ot te n a nd e ve ry th in g w as c ru mb li ng w it h r us t a nd d ec ay . A s t he

G no me K in g d ro pp ed d ow n b es id e P et er , a t hu nd er ou s e xp lo si on s ho ok t he b oa rd s b en ea th t he ir f ee t.



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" An ot her o ne!" r oared R ug gedo , clapp in g h is h an ds o ver h is ear s.

" An ot he r w ha t? " s ho ut ed P et er , w ho w as n ot q ui te s ur e w ha t h ad h ap pe ne d i n t he f ir st p la ce .

" Sea q uake!" q uavered t he g no me, cow er in g b ack again st t he s hi p' s cab in . A nd R ug gedo w as

r ig ht . F or a m om en t l on ge r t he s tr an ge s tr et ch o f s ea b ed q ui ve re d o n t he s ur fa ce o f t he w av es . T he n,

w it h a s pl as h, g ri nd a nd r um bl e, i t w en t c ra sh ing b ac k t o t he b ot to m a nd t he h un gr y w av es o f t he

Nonestic Ocean tossed and tumbled over the place where it had been.

Now the same terrific shock that hurled the sea land back to the depths of the oceand is lo dg ed t he cru mb li ng o ld p ir at e w reck and h ur led i t h ig h i nt o t he air . W it h a s hatt er in g s mack i t s mo te

the churning waters, rocked violently backward and forward, finally righting itself.

" We ll , I 'l l b e s cup pe re d! " L et ti ng go o f t he r ing i n t he c ab in do or t o w hi ch h e h ad c lu ng d ur ing

t he w ho le e xc it em en t, R ug ge do s li d d ow n t o a s it ti ng p os it io n o n t he d ec k. P et er , w it h o ne a rm h oo ke d

a bo ut t he s hi p' s r ai li ng , w as s o s ur pr is ed t o f in d h im se lf a li ve t ha t h e d id n ot s pe ak f or s ev er al m om en ts .

" Well !" h e cou gh ed f in al ly , " at l east w e h av e a b oat! "

" If w e ha dn 't c om e a bo ar d we 'd h av e be en a t t he b ot tom of t he s ea by t hi s t im e, " s hu dd er ed

R ug ge do , a s P et er s an k d ow n b es id e h im . " I b el ie ve y ou 'v e b ro ug ht m e g oo d l uc k, b oy , a nd w he n I

r each m y k in gd om I 'l l m ak e y ou g en er al o f all m y arm ies. "

"Thanks," murmured Peter, smiling faintly, "but I'll have to be getting back to Philadelphia. My

g ra nd fa th er w il l b e w or ri ed , b es id es I 'm c ap ta in o f o ur b as eb al l t ea m a nd t he re 's a b ig g am e o n s oo n.

" Wo ul d y ou r at he r b e c ap ta in o f a b as eb al l t ea m t ha n a n a rm y? " a sk ed R ug ge do , s ta ri ng a t t he

l it tl e b oy i n r ea l a ma ze me nt . H e d id n' t kn ow j us t w ha t a ba se ba ll t ea m w as , b ut f el t t ha t i t c ou ld n ot

com pare w it h h is arm y o f g no mes.

" Of c ou rs e, " a ns we re d P et er , i n a m at te r o f f ac t v oi ce , " bu t i f w e' re g oi ng t o g et a ny wh er e

we 'l l ha ve t o s te er t he sh ip. " The s un ha d s unk down i nt o t he s ea by thi s ti me a nd i t wa s gro wi ng da rke r



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and d ar ker. S tepp in g car ef ul ly alo ng t he r ai l, f or t he s hi p w as s ti ll p lu ng in g and p it ch in g t er ri bl y, P et er

m ad e a c ar ef ul s ur ve y. B ut t he r ud de r w as g on e, t he m as ts c ru mb le d t o m er e s tu mp s a nd n ot a v es ti ge o f

the sails remained.

" We'l l h av e t o d ri ft ," cal led P et er r es ig nedl y. S carcel y h eari ng h im , t he o ld g no me n od ded.A lr eady a h un dr ed p lans w er e s ki mm in g t hr ou gh h is w icked l it tl e h ead- pl an s t o r ei ns tate h im self as M et al

M on ar ch , r ev en ge h im se lf u po n O zm a a nd D or ot hy a nd d es tr oy o nc e a nd f or a ll t he E me ra ld C it y o f O z.

T he t ide s o f t he N one st ic O ce an w er e v er y s tr ong , a nd he f el t t ha t s oo ne r o r l at er t he y w ou ld be c ar ri ed

t o t he s ho re s o f E v, u nd er t he s ur fa ce o f w hi ch l ay h is o wn v as t d om in io ns . D ir ec tl y a cr os s t he D ea dl y

D es er t f ro m E v, l ay O z, a nd w he n h e r ea ch ed h is o wn k in gd om s om e m ea ns o f c ro ss in g t he d es er t

w ou ld h av e t o b e d ev is ed .

W hi le R ug gedo w as p lann in g all t hi s, P et er w as b us il y exp lo ri ng t he s hi p. H e w ou ld h av e l ik edt o de sc en d i nt o t he ho ld of t he pi ra te v es se l, b ut i t w as a lr ea dy t oo d ar k t o v en tu re d own , a nd a s h e w as

v er y h un gr y, h e b eg an t o l oo k a ro un d f or s om et hi ng t o e at . F or tu na te ly t he d ec ks w er e s ti ll f ul l o f

wi ggl in g s ea c re at ur es t ha t ha d f ai le d t o ge t ba ck i n t he wa te r a ft er t he s ea q ua ke . Pe te r t hr ew mos t o f

t hem o verb oard , k eepi ng o nl y t hr ee t in y f is h f or h is d in ner. T hese h e k il led, clean ed and s caled w it h h is

pocket knife and, borrowing Ruggedo's pipe which quite miraculously had stayed lit, kindled a small fire

i n an i ro n p ot and b ro il ed t hem m os t s at is fact or il y.

R ug ge do r ef us ed t o s ha re P et er 's d in ne r, c ru nc hi ng u p i ns te ad a h an df ul o f p eb bl es h e h ad i n

hi s p oc ke t. A s t he m oon r os e t he s ea gr ew c al me r a nd, r idi ng u p a nd d own t he s il ve re d w av es , t hes tr an ge s hi p m at es s at con vers in g t og et her. D el ig ht ed t o b e o ff t he l on el y i sl an d, i mp ress ed b y P et er 's

enterprise and spirit, Ruggedo had grown almost friendly. He listened quite pleasantly, while Peter told

h ow t he ba ll oo n bi rd h ad c ar ri ed h im o ff a nd t he n i n h is t ur n r el at ed a b it o f h is o wn hi st or y. H e f ir st

e xp la in ed t o t he l it tl e b oy h ow D or ot hy h ad c ap tu re d h is m ag ic b el t, w hi ch s ee me d t o b e h is m os t

t re as ur ed p os se ss io n, a nd h ow s he h ad g iv en i t t o O zm a. P ul li ng a wa y a t h is p ip e, h e s po ke o f h is m an y

e ff or ts t o r ec ov er h is p ro pe rt y, b ut a lw ay s, i t s ee me d, t hr ou gh n o f au lt o f h is o wn , h e h ad b ee n d ef ea te d.

A ft er h is l as t a tt em pt h e r el at ed h ow O zm a h ad b an is he d h im t o t he l on el y i sl an d w he re P et er h ad f ou nd

him.

" We ll , w hy b ot he r w it h t he b el t? " a sk ed P et er , a l it tl e s le ep il y, a s t he g no me p au se d t o k no ck

t he a sh es f ro m h is p ip e. " If y ou h av e a ll t he r ic he s y ou s ay y ou h av e, a nd a re r ul er o ve r f iv e h un dr ed

t ho us an d g no mes, w hy d o y ou n eed t hi s b el t?"

"Because it is my most magic possession," explained Ruggedo impatiently. "With the magic

belt one can change people into any shape or form whatsoever and transport them where one desires.

And don't you s ee t hat so long as Ozma has this bel t, I am in her powe r?"



30/103

"I s up po se s o, " y aw ne d P et er , b ut h e c ou ld n' t h el p r ef le ct in g, f ro m w ha t h e h ad r ea d o f O zm a

a nd w ha t h e a lr ea dy k ne w o f R ug ge do , t ha t t he m ag ic b el t w as f ar s af er w it h t he l it tl e f ai ry r ul er o f O z.

" Wh y d id D or ot hy t ak e i t f ro m y ou i n t he f ir st p lace?" h e i nq ui red d ro ws il y.

" Ju st b ec au se I w an te d t o t ra ns fo rm h er a nd a f ew o f t ho se u se le ss O z p eo pl e i nt o o rn am en ts

f or m y p al ace, " com pl ai ned R ug gedo i n a g ri ev ed v oi ce.

" Oh !" m ur mu red P et er and , chu ck li ng a l it tl e t o h im self , cur led i nt o a m or e com fo rt ab le

position. The deck was hard and wet, but Peter, thinking over the strange events of the day, did not even

n ot ice. U p t o n ow , h e h ad b el ieved i n t he u su al t hi ng s o f l if e, l ik e g rand fath er s, s ch oo l, b as eb

gnome king of oz - l. frank baum

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