lucky bucky in oz - l. frank baum

8/10/2019 Lucky Bucky in Oz - L. Frank Baum

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Lucky Bucky In Oz Oz 36

L . F ra nk B au m

CHAPTER

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1 Th e V ol cani c B ak e S ho p

2 T he W oo den W hal e

3 The Jones Cousins

4 TheScho olofDollfins

5 T he M ap

6 O ver t he H um p

7 Beginning a Long Journey

8 The Army Resigns

9 T he C WO P ai nt er s' P ro je ct

1 0 K al iko i n a R ag e

11 King Bucky

1 2 O ver t he R ai nb ow

13 Winning Their Way

14 Tea and Thunderbugs

15 Slippery Going

1 6 I n Se ar ch o f a Ri ve r

17 Scarecrow Entertains

18 The Uncles

19 Witch Hunt

20 TheEmeraldCityat Last

21 LakeQuad

C HA PT ER 1



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Th e V ol can ic B ak e S ho p

C HU G- CH UG , C hu g- ch ug . T he eng in e i n t he t ug

boat sputtered monotonously.

L yi ng i n t he w ar m s un sh in e on t he up pe r de ck o f

h is u nc le 's t ug b oa t, L uc ky B uc ky l oo ke d u p i nt o t he

sky.

S om ew here i ns id e t he b oat t he s hi p' s cl ock s t ru ck

eig ht b el ls . I t w as tw el ve o 'clo ck .

"Time for lunch, almost," he thought drowsily,

watching the engine strain on the long towing line

t ha t p ul le d t hr ee b ar ge s a t a s lo w s pe ed t hr ou gh u p-

pe rN ew Y or k B ay . Th e c ou rs e t ook t he m c lo se t o t he

h ug e b ro nze f ig ur e o f t he G od dess o f L ib er ty .

T he b oy l oo ke d u p r ev er en tl y i nt o t he f ac e o f t he

G re at G od de ss . S he s ee me d t o b e l oo ki ng s tr ai gh t a t

h im a nd h er e ye s h el d a n e xp re ss io n o f a la rm

p er ha ps s he w as a bo ut t o s pe ak .. . w he n. .. B am !! !

A t er ri fi c e xpl os ion . . . a s ha rp h is s o f s te am a nd

Bu cky s ho t up i nt o t he a ir w it h t he s pe ed o f a r oc ke t!

R ecov er in g f ro m h is f ir st s ur pr is e, t he b oy l oo ked

d ow n a nd s aw , f ar b el ow h im , h is u nc le 's t ug b oa t

w it h a gr ea t h ol e i n t he c abi n r oo f on t he e xa ct s po t

w he re h e h ad be en l yi ng . H e r os e h igh er a nd h ig he r

i n t he a ir . T he t ug bo at , t he G re at G odd es s of Li b-



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erty and all the familiar landmarks grew smaller

and smaller. Gradually they faded completely into

the mist.

B uc ky l os t a ll t ra ck o f t im e a s h e w hi rl ed t hr oug h

s pace, w on der in g w hat i n t he w or ld w ou ld h ap pen

n ex t, w he re h e w ou ld l an d- an d h ow . H e w as n' t e x-

actly pleased with the unexpected situation in which

he found himself.

" Th at o ld b oi le r m us t ha ve bu rs t, " h e s ai d t o h im -

s el f, u ne as il y. " We ll , I 'l l j us t ha ve t o m ak e t he be st

of t he b us t, I gue ss ."

A s h e s oa re d b ey on d t he h ig he st c lo ud s, h e r es o-

l ut el y p ul led h is s weat er clo se aro un d h is n eck and

but tone d up hi s c oa t t ight ly. O n a nd on he s pe d.

" Ev er yt hi ng s o f ar s eems o kay, " h e m ut tered, " no

b on es b ro ke n. I g ue ss I r ea ll y a m L uc k. "

F ro m b eh in d t he l as t l azy clo ud d ar ted a p er sp ir in g

clo ud -p us her and a b ar rel- bi rd h al f f ul l o f s tar d us t.

"Ker-swisssh!" sneezed the large, round barrel-

bi rd, a s i t f le w c los e t o B uc ky . T he b oy t ri ed t o s te ady

h im se lf t ha t h e m ig ht g et a b et te r l oo k a t t he q ue er

thing. "Where do you think you're going, Stranger?"

enquired the inquisitive bird.

" Ma ybe y ou c an t el l m e, f or I ha ve n' t t he s li gh te st

id ea ," r es po nd ed t he b oy a s t he y a ll s ho t f or wa rd ,

si de b y s id e.



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" Bu mp s and b li th er s are ahead ," w ar ned t he b ar rel-

bi rd . " Yo u h ad b et te r b e c ar ef ul w he re y ou g o. "

N ow t hey w er e s ki mm in g o ver an end less p in k

o ce an . F ar b ey on d, r is in g f ro m t he o ce an , B uc ky n o-

t ic ed t he t op o f a s ma ll , a ct iv e vo lc ano . He w as he ad-

i ng s tr ai gh t t ow ar d i t. H e t ri ed t o c he ck h is s pe ed

b ut h e d id n' t k no w h ow t o a cc om pl is h t hi s.

" If I w er e y ou- whi ch I a m v er y t ha nkf ul I a m n ot

I w ou ld k eep away f ro m t hat v ol cano ," v en tu red

t he b ir d.

"Don't bother me now with silly suggestions," re-

plied Bucky, trying desperately to brace himself

a g ai ns t w ha t h e j ud ge d w as l ik el y t o h ap pe n. H e

c oul dn' t s to p . . . he di dn' t e ve n h ave t im e t o t hi nk

o r to act.

"H er e i s w here L ucky B ucky t ru st s com pl et el y t o

h is l uck, " h e m ut tered and clo sed h is eyes t ig ht . T hen,

r ight up to his ne ck, he pl unge d i nto a s oft ma ss of

w ar m d ou gh . L it tl e b ub bl es o f s ou r y east s izzl ed and

b ur st all aro un d h im . O ne q ui ck g lance s ho wed B ucky

t ha t h e ha d l and ed h al f- wa y u p t he s lop e of t he s te ep

v ol cano . F ro m t he crater s pu rt ed p uf fs o f f ragr an t

s team , p un gent w it h t he s tr on g o do r o f cin namo n.

" If I 'm s ti ll ali ve, I can t hank m y l ucky s tars ," t ho ug ht

t he b oy a s he t wi st ed hi s h ea d f re e f ro m t he dough .



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H e g azed aro un d, h ol di ng h is b reat h i n amazement .

H e h ea rd a b ab bl e o f s qu ea ky v oi ce s a bo ve h im :

"Goodness gracious sakes!!!" exclaimed one fussy

v oi ce. " Bees , b at s and b uzzar ds ! W hat' s t hi s?" cr ied

another.

F ro m a r id ge a bo ve t he d ou gh , h al f a d oz en f la t

w oo de n p ad dl es p ok ed t he b oy i n t he b ac k. T he se p ad -

d le s w er e a tt ac he d t o t he e nd s o f v er y l on g h an dl es

a nd B uc ky , w ho h ad m an ag ed t o p ul l h is a rm s f re e,

g ra bb ed o ne o f t he b la de s w it h h is s ti ck y f in ge rs . H e

called out:

" You f el low s b e c ar ef ul up t he re . . . s top p oki ng

me...

A row of a ngry f ac es poppe d up over t he uppe r

ridge.

"Leave our Doughminion immediately," the mouths

y el led m ad ly . A gai n t he p ad dl es p ro dd ed t he b oy m or e

s av ag el y. I n s pi te o f a ll a tt em pt s t o w re nc h t he b la de

f rom h is ha nd s, B uc ky h el d o n g ri ml y, f or he w as ve ry

s tr ong. The s tr uggl e be ca me a t ug of w ar a nd t he

b oy p resent ly f el t h im self b ei ng s lo wl y d rawn u p, o ut

o f t he s ti ck y m as s, a nd d ro ppe d on t he r idg e. H e s aw

i mm ed iately t hat a s warm o f f ur io us l it tl e coo ks w er e

p ul li ng d es pe ra te ly o n t he o th er e nd o f t he p ad dl e.

T h ey w er e d re ss ed i n l on g w hi te c oa ts r ea ch in g t o t he

gr oun d. E ac h on e w or e a h ig h c oo k' s c ap o n h is h ea d.



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" Do n' t m in ce m at ters w it h u s! !! " s cr eamed a f us sy

m as te r- ba ke r w ho w as w ea ri ng a n e xt ra l ar ge h at .

" Du mp t he d um pl in g i nt o t he o cean ! H e' s t oo d um b

to be put into a lamb s tew!"

As t he c oo ks b ec am e n oi si er , t he w ho le v ol ca no b e-

c a me e xc it ed u nt il , a t t he m en ti on o f l am b s te w, a

s tr ea m o f p ot at oe s, o ni on s a nd c ar ro ts s ho t o ut o f t he

c ra te r. C ri es w en t u p f or " Pa rs ni ps . . . C ar ro ts ..

P um pk in s a nd P ea nu ts . . . C ab ba ge a nd C ak e.

M us h and M ol as s es .. ." A nd , s ur e eno ug h, w it h each

o rd er s cr ea me d, u p f ro m t he c ra te r c am e m or e a nd

m or e v eg et ab le s f or t he s te w, f ol lo we d a t l as t b y a

la rg e m es s o f m us h a nd m ol as se s t ha t d ou se d o ve r t he

s po tl es s w hi te a pr on s of t he c oo ks a nd m ad e t he na r-

r ow r id ge s l ip per y and d an gero us .

B uc ky m an ag ed t o w re nc h t he p ad dl e f ro m t he

l oo se ne d gr as p o f t he b ake rs , a nd w it h i t, h e p ok ed

ba ck a t t he m a nd c ha se d t he m h al f wa y a ro und t he

mountain ledge where they vanished from his sight.

C om in g s ud de nl y u po n a r ow o f o ve ns , B uc ky o pe ne d

o ne. I ns id e t he v ol cani c o ven w er e f ragr an t p ies j us t

turning to a golden brown. Everything about them

l oo ked d el icio us . S li di ng h is p ad dl e i ns id e, as h e h ad

onc e s ee n a ba ke r s li p hi s pe el , Bu cky ge nt ly dr ew ou t

a c ou pl e o f t he p ie s. H is a ct io n t hr ew t he l it tl e c oo ks



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i nt o a l ou d cry o f p ro test . D ef iant ly t hey s wu ng t heir

l on g s co op s a nd a ga in o rd er ed h im t o l ea ve t he ir

Doughmain.

"What in the mischief ails you fellows?" cried the

b oy , s et ti ng h is p ies o n t he g ro un d and s wi ng in g h is

s c oo p a s s ev er al d et er mi ne d b ak er s p re pa re d t o a t-

t ac k hi m. H e wa sn' t goi ng t o b e pu she d ba ck i nt o

t ha t d ou gh w it ho ut a s tr ug gl e. H e d ro pp ed t he p ad -

d le a nd s to od f ac in g t he c oo ks , a s iz zl in g h ot p ie i n

e it he r h an d. T he b ak er s s to pp ed . . . w hi sp er ed t o-

g et he r, a nd w ai te d. .

Bucky took time out to ea t one of the pies . But

b ef or e h e h ad f in is hed i t, t he b ak er s w er e con su lt in g

again i n w hi sp er s. H e w at ch ed t hem f ro m t he cor ner

o f hi s e ye .

I n a f lash t hey charg ed again , s wi ng in g t heir p ad -

d le s d an ge ro us ly c lo se t o h is h ea d. W it h h is o wn

w eapo n h e f ou gh t b ack again st h is ass ai lant s, t um -

b li ng m an y o f t hem i nt o t he s of t d ou gh b el ow .

Though he fought valiantly, the bakers gained

g ro un d; s te p b y s te p, t he y c ro wd ed c lo se r. B y s he er

f or ce o f n um bers t hey s ur ro un ded h im . T he crack ,

c r ac k o f t he s co op s c la sh in g t og et he r c ou ld b e h ea rd

f a r o ut o ve r t he o ce an . B uc ky r ec ei ve d m an y s ma rt

w al lo ps t ha t m ad e h im s ee s ta rs . T he o ut co me o f t he

f ig ht be ga n t o l oo k da rk f or t he boy a s t he Sc ri mma ge



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r o se t o i ts c li ma x.

Suddenly, without warning, the tide of battle turned

t he r ac ke t c ea se d. A p ie rc in g c al l o f a la rm r an g o ut .

" Th e P ie R at s! !! T he W hale!! ! O ur D ou gh main 's

in peril!!!!"

A ll e ye s w er e t ur ne d t ow ar d t he s ea . C los e t o s ho re

t he g re at h ea d o f a h ug e w oo de n w ha le c am e s lo wl y

up o ut of t he p ink o ce an. Fr om b ene at h t he w ha le 's

g il l a s ma ll t ra p- do or f le w o pe n, a nd a g an g o f r ou gh ,

weather-beaten pirates scramhled out. They swarmed

ov er t he b ea ch a nd be ga n t o c li mb t he s te ep s ide s of

the volcano, all the while brandishing their long cut-

l as ses and h ug e p is to ls .

I n t he ir e xc it em en t a nd d re ad o f t he p ir at es , t he

b akers ent ir el y f or go t B ucky , w ho s to od l oo ki ng o n

w it h amazement . T he b ak er s s cu rr ied t o a h ig her

pl ac e o n t he m ou nt ai n r id ge . H er e p il es o f h ar d b is -

cu it s w er e s t acked l ik e cann on b al ls .

E ac h l it tl e b is cu it s ho ot er t oo k a b is cu it o n h is s co op

a nd e xp er tl y s en t i t w hi st li ng do wn o n t he h ea d o f a n

i nv ad er . E ve ry s ho t w as s o w el l a im ed t ha t i t f ou nd

i t s m ar k.

C ra ck ! C ra ck ! S ma ck ! w en t t he b is cu it s a cc om -

p an ie d b y a c ho ru s o f l it tl e s qu ea ls . A c on st an t s tr ea m

f ell o n t he enemy . H un dr ed s o f h ar d, d ry , s li gh tl y



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b ur ned b is cu it s h um med t hr ou gh t he air t hat d ay and ,

as t he i nv ad er s con ti nu ed t he ass au lt , s o t he b is cu it

shooters increased the bombardment.

T he s ie ge w as b egi nni ng t o f ai l a nd t he p ir at es t o

w av er , w it ho ut t he cap tu re o f even a s in gl e cru ll er ,

w he n s ud de nl y, a s t ho ug h t o e nd t he a tt ac k, t he c ra te r

o f t he v ol ca no b el ch ed f or th a c lo ud o f b la ck p ep pe r.

Sneezing and coughing, the invaders turned in utter

con fu si on and f led b ack t ow ar d t he w hale.

W i th d ig ni ty , t he w hale s li pp ed away f ro m t he s ho re

a nd s wa m ou t j us t b eyo nd t he r ea ch o f t he pi ra te s.

Th er e, f lo at in g cal ml y o n t he s er en e p in k o cean , t he

w hale p ai d n ot t he s li gh test att en ti on t o t he p lead in gs

of t he c re w he ha d s o qui et ly l ef t t o me et t he ir f ate .

Majestically swishing his tail, the whale moved slowly

b ey on d r an ge o f any s tr ay b is cu it s t hat m ig ht p op

from above.

F ro m h is h ig h p os it io n, B ucky h ad a s pl en di d v iew

of t he be ac h, t he pi ra te s a nd t he w ha le . The f un wa s

ov er a lm os t a s s oo n a s i t h ad be gu n. N ow t he pi ra te s

w er e t ry in g w il dl y t o escap e, w it h n o r et reat l ef t

them.

P ie s g on e- -- ho pe g on e, a nd w ha le g on e, t he P ie R at s

t hr ew d ow n t heir cut lass es and p is to ls . T hey h oi st ed

a w hi te f lag i n s ur rend er .



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C HA PT ER 2

T he W oo den W hal e

T HE v ol cani c b is cu it s ho ot er s s li d clo ser t o a l ow er

l ed ge , k ee pi ng t he f ie rc e p ir at es a t a s af e d is ta nc e

w it h t he a id o f t he ir l on g p ad dl es .

"Surrender your weapons!" they demanded, "and

w e' ll m ak e g oo d d ou gh bo ys o f y ou all . B ut r em em ber,

no tricks. . .

B ucky w as t hr il led w it h t he o ut co me o f t he g am e

a nd a te a no th er p ea ch p ie t o c el eb ra te t he v ic to ry .

H e s mi led t o h im self as t he b uccaneer s d el iv er ed u p

t h ei r w eapo ns , p repari ng t o t ur n t heir att en ti on t o

mixing dough.

Wi t h d ex ter ou s s coo ps t he s ho ot ers s ent cut l as s es ,

b lu nd er bu ss es a nd a ll t he o th er w ea po ns f ar o ut o ve r

t he o ce an t o d is ap pe ar w he re t he w at er w as d ee pe st .

" No w, h at s and b oo ts ," com mand ed t he b ak er s. " Of f

w it h t hem q ui ck ly o r o verb oard y ou 'l l g o.

A t t hi s, t he p ir at e c ap ta in s co wl ed a nd r ef us ed t o

give up his wide-brimmed hat fringed with heavy gold.

A h ar d b is cu it p ep pered h im , cau si ng h im t o chang e

h is m in d, and s ul lenl y h e h an ded o ver h is t reas ur ed

p os s es si on , n ot d oi ng s o, h ow ev er , u nt il t he q ui ck ac-



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t io n o f t he pa dd le s h ad t um bl ed hi m i nt o t he w at er .

As he s cr ambl ed ba ck t o t he s hor e, h e s aw hi s ha t f lu ng

fa r out t o s ea .

F or m an y y ea rs t he l it tl e b ak er s h ad b ee n a nn oy ed

by t he r ai ds o f t he se p ir at es ; t he ir p ie s a nd bun s ha d

b een p lu nd er ed. N ev er b ef or e h ad r etal iat io n b een

p os si bl e. B ut o n t hi s event fu l d ay , aff ai rs h ad t ur ned

o ut d if ferent ly and n ow t he i nv ad er s m us t b e f ed ; t here

wa s n ot hi ng t o d o bu t pu t t he m t o w or k m ix ing t he ir

own do ugh . To r epa y t he pi ra te s f or t he l os s of t he ir

f an cy c lo th es , t he b ak er s g av e e ac h m an a l on g c oa t

a nd a high hat when he went to work. At la st the

buccaneers were earning an honest living.

P leas ed w it h t heir eas y t ri um ph , t he b is cu it s ho ot er s

c he er ed a nd w av ed t he ir l on g p ie p ok er s a nd B uc ky ,

car ri ed away w it h h is h eart y f eeli ng o f s up po rt i n t he

con test , clapp ed h is h an ds and cheered w it h t hem.

" At -a -b oy , B ak er s! " h e c al le d, f or t he d ou si ng o f t he

pirate captain had filled him with so much amusement

t h at h e cou ld n ot r es tr ai n h is m ir th : " Du ck h im

again," he shouted.

He wa s l ea ni ng f ar o ve r t he e dge i n or de r t o b et -

ter see the proceedings, without realizing his danger.

Befo re h e cou ld col lect h is t ho ug ht s, f iv e exp er t b is -

cu it s ho ot er s h ad p lant ed t heir s ho ot er s b en eath h im

a nd t he s na p o f t he ir p add le s s ent h im hi gh i nt o t he



13/193

a ir ove r t he pi nk oce an int o whic h he fe ll wi th a di s-

m al p lu nk . S pu tt er in g, h e r os e t o t he s ur fa ce a nd b e-

g an t o t re ad w at er .

" I' m be gi nn ing t o t hi nk t hi s pl ac e i s m ade u p of

doughnuts!" he gasped, expelling the water from his

m ou th , " wh at i n b la ze s i s t he m at te r w it h t ho se p ie -

ke rs t ha t t he y don 't know a f ri end w he n t he y s ee one !"

T o h is s ur pr is e, h e w as a ns we re d b y a h ol lo w v oi ce

t ha t s ee me d t o c om e f rom t he w at er .

"I b eg y ou r p ar do n, " s ai d t he v oi ce . " I d id n' t c at ch

your last remark."

B ucky t ur ned. C lo se b es i de h im app eared t he l arg e,

d ri pp in g h ead o f a w hale, h is p ol is hed m ah og an y s id es

g l is teni ng l ik e a m ir ro r. B ucky s tart ed t o s wi m away

a s f as t a s t he c ra wl s tr oke w oul d t ak e hi m.

Up a ga in c am e t he g re at w oo de n h ea d, t hi s t im e

d ir ectl y i n h is cou rs e. B ucky t ur ned t o t he r ig ht , t hen

t o t he le ft , the j it te rs ge tt ing hi m a s he t ri ed to dodge

t he m on st er . B ut , w he re ve r h e s hi ft ed , t he re w as t he

g re at he ad t o b lo ck h is r et ur n t o t he vo lc an o. I t w as

u seless t o t ry evasi on .

T he s ad , h es it at in g v oi ce con ti nu ed t o s peak :

"P le as e, n ow , m y y ou ng f ri en d, d on 't b e s ta rt le d a t a

p ea ce fu l o ld f is h l ik e m e- -I k no w I 'm b lu nt b ut t ha t

w a s t he s ty le o f a rc hi te ct ur e w he n I w as b ui lt .



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T he w ho le f ac e o f t he w ha le s tr et ch ed i n a f ri en dl y

grin.

L uc ky B uc ky e xt en de d a w ea ry h an d a nd c au gh t

h ol d of t he h ig hl y po li sh ed b ra ss d ec k r ai l t ha t r an

aro un d t he w hale's p ro tr ud in g l ow er j aw . H e h au led

hi ms el f ou t of t he wa te r a nd s at do wn o n t he de ck-

j a w t o r eg ai n h is b re at h a nd s ud de nl y h e r ec al le d t he

st or y o f J on ah a nd t he W ha le !

"B ef or e w e g o a ny f ur th er ," s ai d t he w ha le i n a

ti mi d v oi ce , " I' d l ik e t o a sk y ou o ne q ue st io n. A re

y ou , b y a ny m ea ns , a y ou ng p ir at e? "

"I certainly am not!!"

"That's comforting to know," softly whispered the

w ha le w it h a s ig h a nd a s po ut , " no w, m ay I e nq ui re

a bo ut y our F at he r? W as h e a p ir at e? "

B ucky s tared i n amazement , t hen s ho ok h is h ead

s o v io le nt ly t ha t d ro ps o f w at er f ro m h is h ai r s po tt ed

t h e s po tl es s r ai l.

"Definitely NO!"

Som e qu al it y i n t he ol d wha le ga ve hi m a f ee li ng o f

con fi dence. " An d y ou r G rand fath er and y ou r G reat-

Gr an df at her, w er e t hey, b y any chance, p ir ates?" t he

gentle quizzing continued.

"N ev er !" cri ed t he b oy w it h p lent y o f s pi ri t. " My

p eo pl e w er e a ll s ea -c ap ta in s a nd p il ot s, " h e a dd ed

proudly.



15/193

" Pi lo ts ?" q ueri ed t he w hale, cocki ng h is h ead s us -

p icio us ly . " Th at w or d s ou nd s t oo m uch l ik e ' pi rate'

f or m y c omf or t. Yo u' d b et te r ge t o ff , a nd b e qu ic k

a bo ut i t. " W it h t ha t, t he w ha le b eg an t o s in k b el ow

the surface.

"Hol d on a mi nut e . . . le t me e xpl ai n, " pl ea de d

B ucky , h ol di ng t ig ht t o t he r ai l w it h b ot h h an ds .

Lo we r a nd l ow er s et tl ed t he w ha le b ef or e t he b oy 's

pleading words made him hesitate.

"Let me t el l you what a pil ot re ally i s! He 's a n

o ff ic er w ho k no ws a ll a bo ut c ha nn el s a nd d ee p w at er s.

H e d ir ec ts l ar ge s hi ps a nd b oa ts a wa y f ro m d an ge r.

P le as e b e r ea so na bl e, a nd d on 't a cc us e m e a ga in o f

b ei ng a p ir at e. I t' s j us t t oo h um il ia ti ng . . .

"Well . . . " faltered the whale as he puffed up to

t he s ur fa ce . " I a lw ay s t ry t o b e r ea so na bl e a nd w ha t

y ou s ay s ou nd s r ea so na bl e; p ir at es a re m os t u nr ea -

s on ab le , d on 't y ou t hi nk , a nd y ou d on 't s ou nd t ha t

way."

" Yo ur p ir at es a re t he o nl y o ne s I e ve r s aw ," B uc ky

answered.

" My P ir at es !" r oa re d t he w ha le . " Wh at d o y ou

m ean n ow b y m ak in g s uch an u nr easo nabl e r em ar k?"

" I' m s or ry .. ." s ai d B ueky s ob er ly , " so rr y t o h av e

ma de s uc h a mi st ake . I 'm a s tr an ge r i n t he se p ar ts .



16/193

I c am e f ro m N ew Y or k a nd i f.. ."

"Yes, yes," drawled the whale disdainfully, pucker-

mg his forehead with anxiety.

" Ne w Y or k i s a w on de rf ul c it y, " p er si st ed t he b oy ,

" with . .

" Yes, y es , y es ," i nt er ru pt ed t he w hale. " Yo u' ve

n ev er e ve n n ot ic ed m y w ou nd ed e ye ; j us t l oo k a t i t. "

A l ar ge m ar k u nd er o ne e ye s ho we d B uc ky w he re

a h ar d b is cu it h ad s tr uc k h im a nd k no ck ed o ff t he

varnish.

" An d l oo k at t ho se b is cu it s ho ot er s, " con ti nu ed t he

w hale, " dr iv in g t he p ir at es t o w or k clean in g u p t he

i sl an d and p ol is hi ng t he o ven d oo rs . I t' s a s nu g l it tl e

r oo st t hey h av e t her e o n t hat v ol can o. S om eo ne o ug ht

t o wr it e a s ong a bout it for me t o s ing. "

" I w ou ld n' t l ik e t o l iv e t here," B ucky ans wered, " an d

we h av e j us t a s go od p ie s i n C hi ca go o r H ac ke tt s-

town."

" St op !" o rd er ed t he w hal e. " Do n' t s tart t hat again

an d w or ry m e w it h y ou r i mp os si bl e s to ri es . A s I w as

s ay in g, t hat v ol cano i s t he f in es t f lo at in g b ak er y i n

all t he N on en ti c O cean ."

" Yo u m ean A tl an ti c O cean , d on 't y ou ?" B ucky cor -

rected.

"I m ea n e xa ct ly w ha t I s ay . N on en ti c O ce an , a nd

I can no t u nd er st an d w here y ou g et s uch f un ny n am es



17/193

in y ou r h ead- New Y or k, C hi cag o, A tl ant i c O cean!

T he re a re no s uc h pl ac es i n t he L and of Oz ?"

"Do you mean to tell me I am in the Land of Oz?"

Bucky cried.

"You certainly are."

" The n I 'm l os t! H ow c an I ge t b ac k hom e? "

" Ho w s ho ul d I k no w? T he w ay y ou c am e, I g ue ss .. ."

" In O z! " m ut tered t he b oy , w oefu ll y. " Th is i s t er -

r ib le. W il d p ir at es and crazy b is cu it s ho ot er s. "

"You haven't seen half..." suggested the whale

ominously. "This ocean is filled with pirates."

" I alw ay s t ho ug ht O z w as a w on derf ul and f ri en dl y

land," Bucky said in bewilderment.

"Oh, yes . . . tha t's true. You are thi nking of the

E merald C it y w here O zm a l iv es i n h er cas tl e, w it h t he

W iz ar d t o he lp he r. Yo u know t he T in Woo dma n a nd

t he S carecr ow . T he f ou r g ai ly col or ed k in gd om s

ar ou nd t he g re en c ap it ol a re a l on g w ay f ro m h er e. "

"A l ong wa y . . r ep ea te d t he c re st fa ll en bo y. ' 'I t

l oo ks s ti ll l on ger t o C hi cago o r D et ro it o r- "

" Do n' t b eg in t hat again , p leas e, " s ai d t he w hale

i n a s upe ri or t on e o f v oi ce . " Ne ve r he ar d of s uc h

p la ce s, a nd wh at 's m or e, I do n' t t ak e m uc h s to ck i n

w ha t y ou s ay . I f y ou a re a im in g t o g o a ny wh er e, w hy,

i n t hu nd er bu st , d on 't y ou g o t o t he E me ra ld C it y.



18/193

T he re i s a c it y t o r ea ll y t al k a bo ut . T he m os t m ys ti -

c al , m ag ic al c it y i n e xi st en ce , s et i n t he v er y c en te r o f

c re at io n. I t' s a w ha le o f a c ou nt ry !"

" Ha ve y ou e ve r b ee n t he re ?" B uc ky v en tu re d t o a sk .

" Wh at a q uest io n! " s pu tt er ed t he w hale i n d is gu st

a nd he s pout ed a s tr ea m of wa te r hi gh i nt o t he a ir ,

t hen s ub si ded w it h an i mp at ient s no rt . " Si nce y ou

a sk i t, I mu st a dmi t t ha t I 've a lwa ys i nt ende d t o go,

but ne ve r got a ro und t o i t. I n f ac t, I 've r ea ll y be en

s o b us y, w it h o ne t hi ng a nd a no th er .. . b es id e a ll t hi s,

I d on' t k no w ho w t o g et t he re ."

" Do y ou n ee d a p il ot ? I 'm a g oo d p il ot ." B uc ky 's

v o ic e w as e ag er .

" T he v er y w or d g iv es m e t he s hi vers ."

"H ow d o y ou l ik e t he n am e o f S ki pp er ?"

" I' ll t ak e t he a ft er no on o ff t o t hi nk i t o ve r. I 'm t ir ed

o ut . S in ce t ho se p ir at es c ap tu re d m e, I 'v e h ad n o r es t.

F or t wo y ea rs t he y k ep t m e l au gh in g, d ay a nd n ig ht .

W ha t I nee d i s to have a s ad spel l. You amuse your -

se lf w hi le I t ak e a s no oz e. "

A nd t he w ha le b eg an t o h um a h ea rt -b re ak in g s ai l-

o r' s c ha nt y. H e c lo se d h is q ui ve ri ng e ye s s o t ha t B uc ky

c ou ld n ot s ee t he t ea rs t ha t f il le d t he m.

C HA PT ER 3



19/193

T he J on es C ou si ns

I T wa s e vi de nt t ha t t he wh al e di d n ot wa nt t o be

disturbed.

Bu ck y s tepp ed q ui et ly t o o ne s id e, s li di ng h is h an d

alo ng t he s mo ot h h an dr ai l u nt il h e cam e t o a s mall

d oo r o n o ne s id e o f t he w ha le 's he ad . H e o pe ne d t hi s

d oo r a nd s aw t ha t a n o ld s hi p' s l an te rn w as b ur ni ng

beyo nd t he ent rance. H es it at in g f or a m om en t, h e

peered within.

" Make u p y ou r m in d i f y ou are g oi ng i n, " s ug gest ed

t he w hale w it ho ut o peni ng h is eyes, " an d, i f y ou d o,

make yourself at home."

With this encouragement, Bucky stepped quickly

through the door, which closed quietly behind him.

T he s pa ce w as b ui lt i nt o a c oz y, f ai r- si ze d c ab in

w it h b un ks f or s le ep in g. H e c ou ld s ee ve ry c le ar ly b y

t he l ig ht o f t he l an tern t hat s wu ng f ro m a h eavy chain

f as te ne d i n t he c ei li ng . O nc e a ga in t he s tor y o f J on ah

flashed through his mind.

C om pa ct a nd c on ve ni en t a s t he c ab in w as , e ve ry -

t hi ng h ad b een l ef t t op sy -t ur vy b y t he p ir at e b an d.

B lank et s and p il lo ws w er e s tr ew n aro un d. B ro ken

d is hes and cup s l it tered t he f lo or i n car el ess d is or der

a nd c la tt er ed f ro m s id e t o s id e w it h e ve ry p it ch o f t he



20/193

floating whale.

"Only pirates would be so untidy," Bucky thought

a s h e s tu mb le d ov er a r ope t ha t ha d b ec om e e nt ang le d

i n t he w heel s o f a s il ver can no n. E very th in g s eemed

o ut of i ts pl ac e a nd th is wa s a nnoy ing t o t he bo y who

ha d be en t ra ine d t o t he s tr ic t or de r of hi s unc le 's t ug

boa t. I t di dn 't t ake h im l on g t o ma ke t he c abi n s hi p-

s ha pe ; t o f ol d t he b la nk et s, p ic k up t he b ro ke n r ub-

b is h, a nd c ol le ct i n o ne p la ce a g re at n um be r o f i nt er -

e st in g t ra pp in gs t ha t t he p ir at es h ad l ef t w as t he w or k

o f b ut a f ew m om en ts . A nd w hi le b us y w it h t he t idy -

in g, h e h ad t im e t o exp lo re every i nt er es ti ng cor ner.

At the r ea r of the c abin we re a number of doors .

T he y l oo ke d a s i f t he y m ig ht l ea d t o c lo se ts . H e o pe ne d

o ne a nd f ou nd t ha t i t w as pi le d t o t he c ei li ng w it h p ie s

t hat t he p ir ates h ad s t ol en . A pp le, b lu eb er ry , m in ce

and p um pk in p ies, g reat s tack s o f t hem t og et her w it h

cin namo n b un s, b is cu it s and cru ll er s. A ll w er e ar-

r an ge d i n p er fe ct o rd er a nd w ra pp ed i n o il pa pe r t o

k eep t hem f res h.

Recalling the whale's invitation "to make himself

a t h om e, " B uc ky h el pe d h im se lf t o a ha nd fu l of d e-

licious crullers.

" Can any th in g b eat m y l uck?" h e t ho ug ht as h e b it

i n to o ne.

R um magi ng aro un d i n h is s earch f or d ry clo th es , h e



21/193

p ul le d a n o ld , i ro n- bo un d s ea c he st f ro m u nd er t he

t abl e. I t w as f il le d w it h o dds a nd e nd s, i nc lu di ng a

f in e r ed c oa t t ri mm ed w it h g ol d b ra id . I t w as j us t

his size.

H id den u nd er t he cl ot hes w er e g ol d t ri nk et s and

je we ls . A t t he b ot to m of t he c he st h e f oun d a f la t b ox,

marked-

Me dd le w it h u s a nd y ou

m ay E XP LO DE T .D .H . A ND F

It wa s e xa ct ly w ha t t o e xp ec t t o f ind i n a pi ra te 's

c he st a nd t he b oy 's f in ge rs i tc he d t o o pe n i t. F in al ly

h i s c ur io si ty go t t he be tt er o f h im a nd he l if te d t he l id.

I ns i de w er e f ou r s il ver d oo rk no bs m ar ked T om ,

D ic k, H ar ry a nd F lu mm ux . C lo si ng t he b ox h e r e-

t ur ned i t as q ui ck ly as h e cou ld , cov er in g i t car ef ul ly

w it h t he c lo th in g. H e s ho ve d t he c he st b ac k u nd er

t h e t abl e.

" Bett er l eave t hat alo ne. I t m ig ht s po il m y l uck, "

B ucky s ai d t o h im self and t ur ned t o o th er f as ci nati ng

t hi ng s. O ve r e ac h b unk w as a c loc k w it h di al s t o r egu-

l at e t he l engt h of s le ep, f rom a c at na p of t hr ee mi n-

u te s t o a l on g s le ep o f t hr ee w ee ks .

A ft er all h e h ad b een t hr ou gh , h e f el t com pl et el y

w or n o ut , a lt ho ug h i t w as n ot y et b ed ti me . H e k ne w

h e c ou ld s le ep t we lv e h ou rs a t l ea st . " I' ll t ak e a



22/193

c ha nc e, " h e s ai d a nd s et t he c lo ck , j um pe d i nt o t he

b unk a nd w as s oo n f as t a sl ee p.

E xact ly t welv e h ou rs l at er h e awo ke t o f in d h im self

s pr aw le d o n t he f lo or , f or t he b un k h ad t il te d d ow n-

w ar d and s li pp ed h im o ut v er y g en tl y. A t f ir st , B ucky

w as s li gh tl y d az ed , t he n t he e ve nt s o f t he d ay b ef or e

a nd t he p ec ul ia r w or ki ng o f t he c lo ck a ll c am e b ac k

to hi m i n a fla sh. He opened the door, jus t a c rac k,

t o m ak e s ur e h is m em or y w as r ig ht . T he n h e s te pp ed

out into the sunshine.

4 " Happ y d ay br eak! " g reet ed t he w hale w it h a w id e

smile of welcome.

" Su ns hi ne t o y ou !" ans wered t he b oy , " an d h ow i s

your sadness?"

" Re al ly I c an 't t el l yo u h ow a l it tl e s adn es s s pun ks

m e u p. W ha t a r el ie f i t i s a ft er y ea rs o f m on ot on ou s

l au gh in g. F ro m n ow on , I c an t el l y ou , I 'l l f ee l be tt er

without those disgraceful pirates crowded inside my

e r -e r- ca bi n! T o b e s tu ff ed , w ee k a ft er w ee k, w it h

ri di cu lo us b uccaneer s! I nd eed, m y f ri en d, i t i s a h ap py

da y f or me t o ha ve y ou he re ." The wh al e pa us ed,

and then continued, giving an embarrassed little

cou gh : " By -t he- way. .. w e h av e n ev er b een p ro perl y

i nt ro du ced. A ll ow m e t o p resent m ys el f- my n am e i s

D av id . W hat d o y ou cal l y ou rs el f?"

" My f ri en ds cal l m e B ucky -m y l as t n am e i s J on es



23/193

Bu ck y J on es , t o b e e xa ct ."

" No w i sn 't t hat t he s tr an gest t hi ng ?" d rawl ed t he

w ha le . " My l as t n ame i s J one s, t oo . I w onde r i f w e

a re r el at ed . C ou si ns - o r, a t l ea st , s ec on d c ou si ns .

B uc ky a nd D av y J on es ! W e s ho ul d g et a lo ng s wi m-

mingly. Ho! Ho!!"

" If y ou a re w il li ng t o t ak e a p as se ng er , I c an no t

t hi nk o f any th in g t hat w ou ld b e m or e f un ," s ai d t he

b oy , s eati ng h im self o n t he r ai l and g azin g u p i nt o t he

whale's honest face.

" Yo u h av e c om e a bo ar d a s m y f ri en d. M y c ab in i s

yo ur s. Y ou w il l b e m y b os om f ri en d. "

" Th at 's f in e! I cer tain ly t hank y ou . I 'l l t ry t o m ak e

myself useful."

" It 's a b ar ga in !! L et 's g et s ta rt ed -a nd b e c ar ef ul

t hat y ou d on 't f al l o verb oard ," s ug gest ed b ig D av y

a s h e f li pp ed h im se lf a ro un d a nd s ta rt ed f or t he s ho re

a t a s pe ed t ha t a lm os t t oo k a wa y t he b oy 's b re at h.

"Why such a hurry?" faltered Bucky.

"I want to catch something!"

"Catch something? What?"

"The high tide," laughed Davy.

The p in k s pr ay f le w hi gh o n e it he r s ide a s t he w ha le

plunged forward, lightly skipping from wave to wave.

H is s wi ft s pu rt s oo n b ro ug ht t hem i n s ig ht o f l an d



24/193

w he re , t o t he w es t, t ow er in g c li ff s r os e s tr ai gh t o ut o f

t he o ce an . N o be ac h w as t o b e s ee n; n ot hi ng b ut

r ou gh , f or bi dd in g r ocks . T o B ucky i t s eemed i mp os -

s ib le t o f in d a f oo th ol d a ny wh er e o n t ha t r oc k- ri bb ed

shore.

T he w hale w as m or e f am il iar w it h t he coast . W it h-

out the slightest hesitation he swung himself into a

h id de n o pe ni ng t ha t t he b oy h ad n ot n ot ic ed . W it h

j us t eno ug h r oo m t o s qu eeze t hr ou gh , h e s qu eezed.

T he t id e w as r un ni ng i n a t a g re at r at e! T hi s he lp ed

t h em g o f or ward .

"H ol d f as t now, " wa rne d t he w ha le . " If I ge t a good

s ta rt , I c an d o i t e as il y. " H e d ou bl ed h is s pe ed a nd t he

w at er s eet hed and b oi led u nd er h im .

T he y w er e i n a s ma ll r iv er w he re t he w at er t um bl ed

do wn a m ou nt ai n s lo pe w it h t he t hu nd er o f a c as ca de .

Gaining headway every second, Davy bore through

t he r us hi ng r ap id s t hat r oared f ro m t he h ei gh ts abo ve.

W it h t he g oo d m an ag em en t t ha t c am e f ro m a c le ar

h ead, t he g reat w hale s pl as hed and w ri gg led h is w ay

u p a nd u p u nt il h e f in al ly r ea ch ed t he t op o f t he s lo pe .

He was breathing in gasps but grinning happily.

N ow t ha t t he da ng er w as p as t, t he b oy r ub be d t he

wa te r f ro m h is e ye s a nd l oo ke d a bo ut h im . F ro m t hi s

po in t, t he r iv er con ti nu ed d ow n h il l, b ut t he w at er

r an u p.



25/193

Leisurely, Davy floated down.

"Few travelers get through this Up-hill-down-hill

R iv er . Q ui te a s tu nt f or a n o ld f el low l ik e m e. D on 't

y ou t hi nk s o? " a sk ed t he w ha le , w el l p le as ed w it h h im -

s el f. " Al l y ou n ee d i s c onf id en ce . J us t a l it tl e c on -

fidence..."

" An d p lent y o f act io n, " add ed B ucky .

"You are quite right. Action-plenty of action-

t hat' s i t p reci sely ; y ou h av e t he r ig ht i dea. "

D av y w ai te d t o g et h is br ea th b ac k b ef or e h e s pok e

a g ai n. " I o nc e pu ll ed a l ot of D ol lf in s u p he re . Th ey

s ti ll l iv e h er e. I n f act, t hey h av e est ab li sh ed q ui te a

s ch oo l f or t he ms el ve s. I 'd l ik e t o h av e y ou m ee t

them."

O n t he do wn -h il l s id e of t he R iv er , D av y s wa m

w it h a l az y s tr ok e, p oi nt in g o ut t o h is p as se ng er p la ce s

o f i nt er es t i n t he d is tant , r ol li ng h il ls . H e s eemed

p ro ud o f t he s ur ro un di ng cou nt ry b ut t o B ucky i t

l o ok ed b l eak an d d eso l at e.

"You s ee t he t op of t he ne xt hi ll? That i s whe re

we'll find the Dollfins."

A ga in t he R iv er be ga n t o r un up -h il l. T hi s w as a

l onge r s tr et ch a nd a t t im es i t s ee me d t o Buc ky a s

t ho ug h t he y w ou ld n ev er m ake t he g ra de . B ut t he

w ha le d id i t, a nd t he y d ri ft ed i nt o t he q ui et w at er o f



26/193

a l ar ge l ak e.

" Lo ok , l ook !" he c ri ed . " Th er e i s o ne o f t he l it tl e

g id dy heads n ow ! S he s ees m e! " and D av y b el lo wed

a g reet in g t hat ech oed amo ng t he h il ls .

C HA PT ER 4

The School of Dollfins

IMMEDIATELY, hundreds of little wooden heads

p opp ed up ou t o f t he l ake . Ea ge rl y t he y s wa m t o-

w ar d t he b ig , g oo d- natu red v is it or .

These pretty, doll-headed figures were something

like old-fashioned mermaids. They had fish tails, sure

en ou gh , b ut every t im e t hey m ov ed t heir w oo den arm s

o r t he ir n ec ks t he y s qu ea ke d.

S uc h a b ab bl e a nd c ha tt er B uc ky h ad n ev er b ef or e

h ea rd a s c am e w he n t he D ol lf in s c la mb er ed o ve r t he

whale's polished back.

"Meet my friend Bucky Jones," said Davy turning

one e ye t owa rd t he boy a nd t he ot he r i n t he di re ct ion

o f t he g ir ls . " He 's a p as se ng er a s w el l a s m y f ri en d. "

T ur ni ng t heir w oo den h eads t ow ar d t he b oy , t hey

st ared w it h w id e, p ai nt ed eyes.

T he w ha le c ont inu ed t o s pe ak : " My f ri end i s a

st ra ng er i n t he se p ar ts -h e' s a p il ot a nd a n e xp er i-



27/193

e nc ed t ra ve le r- an d, a ls o, h e i s a c ou si n o f m in e-

and-"

" Th at 's eno ug h! " s qu eaked o ne o f t he D ol if in s. " So

m an y t hi ngs a ll i n O NE B OY? I c an ha rd ly b el ie ve i t. "

A r ou nd -f ac ed D ol l t oo k h ol d o f B uc ky 's h an d. A

l it tl e d im pl e i n h er f at , p ai nt ed cheek w as s om et hi ng

s he w an te d e ve ry on e t o s ee . W it h h er r ou nd , p ai nt ed

e ye s c lo se t o t he b oy 's n os e, s he g az ed v ac an tl y o ve r

h is h ead. B y t he t im e s he h ad f in is hed s haki ng h is

h an d, B ucky 's f in gers w er e n um b w it h col d.

A lt ho ug h t he D ol lf in s w er e p leas ed , t hey w er e als o

p uzzl ed . C er tain ly t hey w er e n ot elated as t hey

c r o wd ed a ro un d t he b oy .

" At l as t, " t hey s ig hed i n a h al f- hear ted w ay , " yo u

have brought us our playmate."

H un dr ed s o f d is ap po in te d e ye s g la re d a t t he a st on -

ished boy.

"Well-now-not exactly-" faltered Davy.

"I gue ss w e'l l ha ve t o m ake t he be st of it ," t he D ol l-

fins interrupted. Though their manners were not

c or di al , t he y c am e a l it tl e c lo se r t o B uc ky . O ne

straightened his necktie; another slicked his hair.

" The f ir st t hi ng we wi ll do i s c ha nge hi s na me t o

Ducky."

G en tl y h e e as ed t he m a wa y, a s p ol it el y a s p os si bl e,



28/193

b ut o ne l it tl e g id dy head clu ng t o h is arm s w it h s o m uch

en th us iasm h e h ar dl y k new w hat t o d o. T hi s p er si st en t

l it tl e d ol l g ot o ne c ol d h an d d ow n h is b ac k, a nd w it h

t he o th er , s he gr ab be d h is h ai r a nd h el d h im t ig ht .

R ou gh ly , B ucky s ho ok h er l oo se and s he s qu eaked:

" Th at 's n o w ay t o p la y! " H er p ai nt ed e ye s s na pp ed

s au ci ly a s s he g av e t he b oy a p us h a nd t ur ne d a ng ri ly

to t he w ha le : ' 'H e' s t oo r ou gh .

Th ey a ll b eg an t o c ry , i n c hor us : " Wh y d id n' t y ou

bri ng us a gi rl to pla y wi th? This is onl y a boy- we

w ant a g ir l! "

T he p oo r w ha le w as s o e mb ar ra ss ed h is e ye s r ol le d

u neas il y f ro m s id e t o s id e.

" Li st en t o m e, m y l it tl e f ri en ds . Q ui et , p leas e. M y

cou si n B ucky i s m y p il ot . P il ot s are f or bi dd en t o p lay

w it h d ol ls w hen o n d ut y. " T he w hale t ur ned t o B ucky .

"Isn't that the truth?"

" Th os e are t he f acts ," t he b oy ans wered b ri ef ly .

" Bo sh w it h y ou r f acts -w e w an t a p laym at e, and

h e ha s t o s ta y he re a nd pl ay wi th us whe the r h e w ant s

t o o r n ot ," s hr il led a f at l it tl e D ol lf in clapp in g h er

w oo de n h an ds a ng ri ly t o a dd f or ce t o h er w or ds . " Of

c ou rs e w e p re fe r a g ir l bu t w e' ll c ond es ce nd t o t ake

t hi s b oy a s a p oo r s ub st it ut e. "

" Oh , n o, n o- " T he w hale's v oi ce w as f ir m. " I' ll f in d

a g ir l f or y ou s om e o the r t im e. "



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" Th at 's w ha t y ou 'v e p ro mi se d u s f or y ea rs b ut y ou

have n ot k ep t y ou r p ro mi s e. "

" Th is awf ul b oy w il l s tay r ig ht h er e w it h u s un ti l

you bri ng us a ni ce gir l, a nd tha t's a f act f or you! "

B ucky h ad s tepp ed t o o ne s id e d ur in g t hi s arg um en t.

The whal e whis pe re d to hi m out of t he s ide of his

m ou th : " Ge t i nt o t he c ab in q ui ck ly a nd l oc k t he d oo r.

I f t hey ever g et i ns id e, g oo d- by e t o every th in g. "

O ne s te p f or wa rd a nd t he b oy w as s ur ro un de d b y

chatt er in g d ol ls t ry in g t o p ul l h im i nt o t he l ak e. H e

b eg an t o s in g: " Ol d M ot he r H ub ba rd -s he w en t t o

t he cup bo ar d- " A no th er s tep; h e k ep t o n s in gi ng

t he o ld s on g- "W hen s he g ot t her e- th e cup bo ar d

w as b ar e! " Hi s h an d w as on t he do or , a nd t he d ol ls

w ai te d e xp ec ta nt ly f or h im t o s ho w t he m a c up bo ar d.

B ut h e t ur ne d t he k no b q ui ck ly a nd d ar te d i ns id e,

s lamm in g t he d oo r and f in is hi ng t he s on g as h e s li d

a cr os s t he f lo or , w hi ch g av e a s ud de n t il t d ow nw ar d.

F or , w it h a p layf ul l ur ch , D av y h ad w as hed t he D ol if in s

o ve rbo ar d a nd d ive d t o t he b ot to m o f t he l ake .

T hr ou gh t he t hi ck s id es o f t he w hale, B ucky h eard h im

say:

" Som e o th er t ri p, I m ay br in g yo u a gi rl ."

W it h e ac h f li t of t he w ha le , B uc ky s li d b ac k a nd f or th

acr os s t h e f l oo r.



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"C an al l t his be re al ?" he t hought , " Or am I dr ea m-

i ng ? N o, I 'm n ot d re am in g. I 'm w id e a wa ke -" h e

d ec id ed w he n h is h ea d s tr uc k a h ea vy m ah og an y b ea m.

" A b it f an ta st ic , m ay be , b ut v er y r ea l- " H e w as c on -

vi nc ed of t he re al it y a s he c lung to the be am, not

k no wi ng w hat t o exp ect n ex t.

By a nd b y t he f lo or b ec am e l ev el .

D a vy r os e t o t he s ur fa ce a nd l ol le d h ap pi ly i n t he

b ri gh t s un sh in e. H e h ad l ef t t he d ol ls f ar b eh in d and

w as m ak in g g oo d t im e a s h e c hu rn ed t he b lu e s ur fa ce

o f t he l ak e i nt o s park li ng r ip pl es .

Th rou gh a c ra ck i n t he d oor , Bu cky m ad e s ur e t ha t

t he d ol ls w er e g on e b ef or e h e v en tu re d o n d ec k.

" I' ve s ee n a ll ki nd s of f is h b ut t ho se D ol lf ins a re e x-

traordinary, aren't they?" he asked, still bewildered.

"D on 't ge t u ps et b y a l it tl e f us s l ik e t ha t. F rom

w ha t I 'v e b ee n t ol d t he re a re t ou gh er p ro bl em s t o be

m et t ha n Dol lf ins be for e w e ge t t o whe re we a re

going."

"The question is-where are we going?"

" No q ue st io n a bo ut i t; w e a re g oi ng t o O z. "

"O z? I t hou gh t w e w er e a lr ea dy i n O zI "

" In a w ay, y es -bu t m os tl y n o! O f c our se , you un -

d er st an d t ha t w e a re o nl y o n t he o ut si de e dg e. E ve ry -

t hi ng w il l b e d if ferent w hen w e g et i ns id e t hi s r eall y

t ru ly w on derl an d. I am o nl y a d et er mi ned o ld w hale,



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I know, but I i nte nd t o s ee a ll t he ma rve lous thi ngs I

h av e h eard abo ut ."

T he b oy 's exp ress io n s ho wed h is i nd ecis io n. " I' d l ik e

t o go a long wi th you," he s ai d, " But I c an' t ma ke up

m y m in d. I f i t' s a ny th in g l ike I 've s ee n s o f ar , I 'd

r at he r g o b ac k h om e. "

" I' m n ot f or ci ng y ou t o com e, " r ep li ed t he w hale.

" I c an p ut y ou a sh or e i f y ou p re fe r. "

" D on 't b ot her. I 'l l g o w it h y ou ," B ucky s ai d h ur ri ed -

l y. " You a re t he only pe rs on I 've me t in thi s que er

pl ac e w ho i s n ot q ue er ."

" I' ve l iv ed h er e a l on g t im e, " t he w hale r es po nd ed .

" Lo ng er t ha n I w ou ld l ik e t o a dm it . A nd yo u, m y d ea r

c ou si n, a re t he o nl y o ne I 'v e e ve r m et t ha t I w ou ld a sk

to pilot me to Oz."

The wi se ol d wh al e a t l as t won hi s wa y a nd a n a gr ee -

ment w as r each ed . T he o nl y s ur e i nf or mati on h e cou ld

o ff er t o h is p il ot w as t he g en er al d ir ecti on . T hey m us t

t ra ve l w es t. F ro m t ha t a lo ne t he y m ap pe d t he ir c ou rs e.

T hi s p ro gr es s i n t he ir p la ns pu t t he w ha le i n a n e x-

cellent humor.

Straight ahead were high mountain peaks rising

directly in their path.

" Do n' t g iv e t hem a t ho ug ht ," t he w or ds f ai rl y o ozed

f ro m D av y. " Mo un tain s are n ot hi ng f or m e t o cro ss



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w it h y ou t o p il ot m e! N ow , c ou si n, y ou 'd b es t b ui ld u p

y ou r s tr en gt h. G o r ig ht i nt o t he c up bo ar d a nd g et

yourself a big mince pie!"

B ef or e B ucky h ad f in is hed eat in g t he j ui cy p ie, t here

ca me t o hi s e ar s t he s oun d of a r oa ri ng t or re nt of c le ar

g reen w at er d as hi ng w il dl y o ver t he cli ff s abo ve h im .

C HA PT ER 5

T he M ap

J US T y ou and I t og et her, " chu ck led D av y. " We'r e

o ff !! W he re n o p ir at es w il l c at ch m e n or a ga in

t ur n m e i nt o a w il d, f lo at in g h ot el ."

" Sa y t he w or d a nd I 'm r ea dy . Y ou 'l l f ind m e a f ai rl y

g oo d p il ot ," cri sp ly r ep li ed t he b oy , t ak in g h is p lace

by the r ail at the fr ont of the dec k.

" It 's l ik el y t o be c ol d wh er e w e a re go ing. Yo u h ad

b et te r g et a w ar me r c oa t, " a dv is ed D av y. " I d on 't f ee l

t he c ol d; i n f ac t, I h ave n ev er f el t t he s li gh te st s hi ve r

i n my ti mbe rs . But you ar e ma de of r aw mea t, e ven i f

y ou a re m y c ou si n.

A ft er a q ui ck s ea rc h o f t he c ab in B uc ky r et ur ne d

w it h t he p ir at e' s r ed c oa t. W hi le l oo ki ng f or i t, h e h ad

acci dent all y com e acro ss a p ow er f ul s py -g las s. O pen-

i ng t he c oa t, he hel d it wit h t he l ini ng out, c los e to one



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o f t he w ha le 's e ye s.

" Wh at d o y ou s up po se t hi s i s? " h e a sk ed .

T hey w er e b ot h p uzzl ed b y t he coars e s ti tchi ng

w or ke d i n s om e k in d o f p at te rn ; t he n, a s t he d es ig n

be ca me c le ar er , t he y s aw t o t he ir g re at j oy t ha t i t w as

a r oug hl y s ewn ma p of t he La nd of Oz . S ome one w ho

ha d b ee n t o t he w on de rl an d h ad s ti tc he d t he c ha rt .

"Jumping Jingo! That's what I've been looking for

all my life!!" thundered the whale, spinning around

i n c ir cl es . " At l as t, a t l as t, we a re on t he r igh t t ra ck.

Do n' t l os e t ha t c oa t, w ha te ve r yo u do . I f yo u l os e i t,

w e a re l os t, t oo ."

Bu ck y s hoo k hi s he ad: " I d on' t s ee how I c oul d b e

l os t wo rs e t ha n I a m, s o i t doe sn' t m ake mu ch di ff er -

en ce . L et 's g et s ta rt ed ," h e s ai d.

" Ri gh to ! H ol d t ig ht !! A ll s peed ahead !! ! H er e w e

g o! " L ik e a s tr eak o f l ig ht ni ng , D av y chu rn ed t ow ar d

t he w at er fall . H e l eaped i nt o i t, s wi mm in g f as ter t han

t he s wi rl in g w at er f el l. Up a nd up h e l ea pe d w it h

tr em en do us eff or t u nt il h e s li d o ver t he h ig h b ri nk at

t h e t op o f t he h ig hest m ou nt ai n.

T he s um mi t w as c ov er ed w it h i ce a nd s no w, a nd n ot

a dr op o f de ep wa te r, b ut D avy ma na ge d t o s li p e as il y

o ve r t he f ro ze n c ru st u nt il t he y h ad r ea ch ed t he v er y

highest point. From this height a beautiful hill sloped



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g en tl y d ow nw ar d f or m il es a nd , a s f ar a s t he y c ou ld

s ee w it h t he n ak ed e ye , i t w as b la nk et ed w it h s no w.

Davy's wooden eyes fluttered with delight. Bucky

w as t hr il le d. N ev er h ad e it he r o f t he m s ee n s uc h a

dazzling land of snow.

"W ha t a hone y of a hi ll to c oa st, " s ai d Buc ky a s he

s tu di ed t he s cene. " Ei gh t m il es , I b et , w it ho ut a b reak ."

" Le t' s h av e a no th er l oo k a t t he m ap i n y ou r c oa t, "

said Davy.

S l ip pi ng o ff t he g ar ment , B ucky h el d i t b ef or e t he

w hale w ho car ef ul ly s tu di ed every s ti tch f or a l on g

time without saying a word. Then:

"Kinda clumsy work, don't you think?" Bucky

asked.

" It 's b et te r s ew in g t ha n I c ou ld d o, " a ns we re d

Davy, quietly examining every detail.

" Yo u m ay b e a bl e t o c he ck -u p w it h t hi s s py -g la ss ,"

suggested Bucky, extending the glass to its full-length

a nd ho ld ing i t t o t he wha le 's e ye . " Ca n you s ee a ny-

thing?"

" Oh ! l it tl e J on es ie -m y o wn d ea r c ou si n. I c an s ee

i t all !" D av y ans wered, g iv in g a g reat g ul p.

T ak in g h is t ur n a t t he s py -g la ss , t he b oy s to od s ti ll ,

am azed and ent ranced at t he g li tt er in g r ad iance o f

t he C it y- a g em o f s park in g g reen cry st al .

" Yo u a re r ig ht , D av y, o ld b oy ," c ri ed B uc ky , s la p-



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p in g t he w hale's s id e. " Yo u w in ."

F ar b el ow , t he e dg e o f t he s no w m ou nt ai n m el te d

i nt o a d ens e f or es t a nd b eyo nd t he d ar k m as s o f t re es

a r iv er f ol lo we d a d ir ec t c ou rs e t hr ou gh b ru sh a nd

r ou gh r ocks t o d is ap pear f ro m t heir s ig ht . B ro ken,

d es ol at e cou nt ry s tr et ch ed f or m an y m il es and s ti ll

f ar th er a wa y t he s ol id g ro un d b ec am e a w id e d es er t

t ha t s ee me d t o c om pl et el y s ur ro un d t he l an d t he t ra v-

el ers w er e s eek in g.

B ucky s pr ead h is coat o n t he d eck, l oo ki ng car ef ul ly

a t e ve ry s ti tc h i n h is e nd ea vo r t o f in d o ut j us t w he re

t he y w er e. H e put hi s f in ge r on t he s pot a nd s how ed

i t to Da vy .

" Se e- we h av e j us t p as se d t hr ou gh t he R os e K in g-

do m a nd a re n ow i n t he l and of E v. S tr aig ht a he ad i s

m ar ke d ' Th e D om ai n o f t he G no me K in g' a nd t he n

- a d ea dl y d es er t. T ha t d oe sn 't l oo k s o g oo d! "

" No t t hi nk in g o f t ur ni ng b ack, are y ou ?" D av y d e-

manded.

" Me ? T ur n b ac k? D o I l oo k l ik e a p if fl ep uf f? N o!

Let's start!"

" Wh at o n ear th h as h ap pened?" f um ed t he w hale

a s h e h um pe d h is b ac k a nd f ra nt ic al ly t wi st ed h is b od y

only to find himself stuck.

At the s ame ti me the boy c oul d f ee l t ha t his f eet



36/193

w er e s no w b ou nd . Y an k a nd s tr ai n a s h e w ou ld , B uc ky

r em ai ned f ir ml y h el d t o t he s po t w it h i cy f in gers .

C HA PT ER 6

O ve r t he H um p

" MA YB E w e h av e b een a l it tl e i mp ul si ve, t o com e

s o f ar a wa y, " D av y' s v oi ce w as a nx io us a s h e

felt cold clutching fingers crawling up his sides, and

saw them climbing up Bucky's legs.

D es perately h e w renched h im self t hi s w ay and t hat,

giving impotent grunts. In vain they struggled. Both

wer e f r os t b ou nd .

" No u se t o f lu tt er , b ig b oy ," w hi ned a chi ll in g v oi ce

fr om a f lurr y of s now. " You a re now i n t he power of

t he Z er on s. D on 't t ry t o t ea r y ou rs el ve s a pa rt i n t ha t

absurd manner. Just consider yourselves ice-olated

f o rever, b ot h o f y ou ."

Drifts of Zerons piled around them; nipping, pinch-

i ng and b it in g col d Z er on s!

" F air ly and s qu ar el y y ou 'v e b een cau gh t. S to p t hat

squirming or we'll freeze you stiff," the Zerons called

as t hey s tu ng B ucky .

"I 'l l be j igge re d i f I l et a l ot of l it tl e j igg er s l ik e you

f r ee ze m e o ut o f O z, " b el lo we d t he w ha le .



37/193

" Qu ie t! " o rd er ed t he Z er on s i n i cy t on es . " Yo u a re

i ce-o lated n ow , y ou b ig f is h, n ot j ig gered. "

Every moment the adventurers' plight became

w or se. D av y w as n earl y cov er ed w it h t he f ro st y l it tl e

snow-men. Bucky felt their cold fingers pinching his

ear s and n os e. H is arm s w er e s ti ff en in g, m ak in g h im

p ow er le ss t o b ru sh o ff t he Z er on s.

Tr y a s t he y wo ul d t o b re ak a wa y, t he y c ou ld no t

su cc ee d. E ac h w as e qu al ly h el pl es s. T he b oy c as t a

d es pa ir in g l oo k a t D av y w ho se b ig e ye w in ke d p la y-

f ul ly a nd w ho se b ro ad m ou th s tr et ch ed i nt o a w id e

g ri n. T he w ha le t ook a d ee p br ea th .

Fr om t he t op o f h is he ad a he avy s tr ea m of wa te r

s po ut ed a nd f el l o ve r t he Z er on s i n a w ar m s ho we r.

I ns tant ly every Z er on m el ted away. W it h a n er vo us

s hr ug t he b ig w ha le b ro ke l oo se , a nd B uc ky w as a ls o

f re ed . S lo wl y t he y b eg an t o s li de d ow n t he s id e o f t he

m ou nt ai n i n t he d ir ecti on o f O z.

" Bo y- Oh b oy !" s ho ut ed B uc ky a s t he ir s pe ed i n-

c re as ed b y l ea ps a nd b ou nd s.

The gentle, gliding motion was a glorious sensation.

W it h n ev er a j ol t t o b re ak t he r hy th m, i t f el t l ike

f lyi ng t hr ou gh t he a ir . I t w oul d b e a l on g s li de a nd

t he y k ep t h ea de d i n t he d ir ec ti on o f t he r iv er . O ve r

s li gh tl y r ai sed h um ps t hey clear ed t he g ro un d and



38/193

land ed each t im e i n t he d ri ft s b el ow , g ai ni ng s peed

w i t h every l eap.

S tr ik in g a m or e e le va te d r id ge , t he y c le ar ed i t a nd

c am e d ow n w it h a b um p. T he n a no th er , a nd a no th er ,

e ac h a l it tl e l on ge r. E ac h t im e t he w ha le u tt er ed a

l ou d " Oo om ph " w hen h e l an ded w it h a t hu d t went y

feet below.

T he ir m ad r us h s oo n i nc re as ed t o a b re ak ne ck s pe ed .

To s lo w do wn o r s top w as be yon d t he ir p ow er . T he

s u dd en b um ps b ecam e m or e v io lent . B ucky cou ld h ear

the plates smashing and rattling inside the cabin.

" Oh , f or an ancho r, " h e t ho ug ht , s eein g d an ger

a he ad. " St ee r t o t he r igh t! " he s cr ea me d a s t he y a p-

p ro ac he d t he e dg e o f a hi gh c li ff .

N ot a s ec on d t oo s oo n t he b ul ky w ha le ve er ed t o

on e s id e, t he n s hot a lon g t he da nge ro us e dge t o a

more gradual slope.

" Let m e p il ot y ou ," i ns is ted B ucky w hen h e h ad

c aug ht hi s b re at h a ft er t ha t s ca re . " Now e as e t o t he

left; that's enough!"

H e d ir ected as t hey con ti nu ed t heir w ay s af el y alo ng

t he f oo t o f t he cli ff , avo id in g m an y d an gero us crash es .

By going Quiggley-Diggley back and forth, they

check ed t heir p er il ou s d es cent y et s ti ll w en t alo ng at

a g oo d, f as t cli p. P as si ng t he h al f- way p oi nt , t hey

zig -zag ged s af el y f ro m s id e t o s id e. U nd er p er fect



39/193

c on tr ol , t he y s ki mm ed t he d ee p s no w, e ye s s et o n t he

river below.

I t t oo k e xa ct ly e le ve n m in ut es t o m ak e t he s li de

which covered nearly eight miles.

One final lurch-a hissing splash-and they were

s af e i n t he r iv er . T he w ha le br ea the d a de ep s ig h of

re li ef a nd he ld i t f or a l on g t im e.

"Umph!!" he finally blew it out. "Rough road-

v er y r oug h r oa d. T he re i s n ot hi ng l ik e a n ic e s of t

river under you, I'm finding out."

" I pr ef er a ni ce s of t be d- dr y a nd wa rm, " s ai d

B ucky w it h a y aw n.

"Suit yourself," replied the whale gaily, "so long

a s you a re n' t l ook ing f or i t on t he ot he r s id e of t he

s no w m ou nt ai n. T ho ug h i t w as b um py i n s po ts , i t' s

eas ier s li di ng d ow n t han cli mb in g b ack. " H e r es ted

a l it tl e o n t he s mo ot h w at er . " Th at m ou nt ai n m us t

be three miles high," Davy continued, turning one

e ye b ac k ov er t he ir t ra ck s. " Do yo u s ee w ha t I s ee ?"

" If y ou s ee gi ddy he ads , I s ee t he m t oo. A nd t he y

are following us!" answered Bucky in despair.

S ur e eno ug h, s ki in g o n t heir f is h- tail s cam e t he D ol l-

fins-Evidently the whole school was taking a holiday.

Wi th s hr il l p eals o f l au gh ter t hey s wayed o ver t he

light snow, leaping high into the air or spilling into



40/193

drifts, but always following the definite trail big Davy

had left behind.

Bucky watched their descent with growing alarm

a s h e n er vo us ly p ac ed t he d ec k.

"I do not intend to be a plaything for a lot of wooden

h eaded d ol ls !" h e exclaim ed . " I' d r ath er r is k t he b ur n-

i ng d es er t! Y es !! T went y b ur ni ng d es er ts ! A ho y!

Le t' s be on our wa y a t onc e."

W it ho ut ano th er w or d t hey s t ar ted d ow n t he s tr eam .

They bumped over hidden rocks, squirmed through

seething rapids and wriggled themselves across shal-

l ow s tr et ch es b ef or e t hey f lo at ed p eacefu ll y at l as t

i n t he q ui et er b os om o f t he r iv er t ha t c ar ri ed t he m

i n to t he d en se f or es t. H er e t he y w er e h id de n f ro m

view.

"I h op e t ho se g id dy he ad s g et b ac k t o s ch oo l b ef or e

n i ne o 'clo ck t om or ro w m or ni ng ," s ai d D av y as h e

s et tl ed h im se lf i n a l it tl e c ov e, t o c lo se hi s e ye s bl is s-

f ul ly a nd do ze of f i nt o a s no oz e a ft er a ll hi s e xe rt io n

- -l eavi ng B ucky , t he p il ot , i n charg e o f t he exp ed i-

tion.

C HA PT ER 7

Beginning a Long Journey



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FINDING himself alone in command, Bucky decided

t o g et u nde r wa y a ga in a nd s oo n d is cov er ed a

s im pl e w ay t o s te er t he w ha le . B y s te pp in g e it he r t o

t he r ig ht o r t o t he l ef t, h is w ei gh t c aus ed t he s le ep in g

f is h t o t ur n i n t he d es ir ed d ir ecti on .

H e w or ke d o ut of t he c ove a nd i nt o t he na rr ow p ar t

o f t he r iv er w he re h e h ad n o t ro ub le n av iga ti ng . A s

f ar a s he coul d se e t he re wer e no boa ts to di sput e

his right-of-way.

Al l he ha d t o do w as l et t he c ur re nt c ar ry t he m

alo ng . T he aft er no on d ri ft ed away. T he o nl y s ou nd

t ha t Bu cky he ar d w as t he d ro ws y vo ic e o f D av y o cc a-

sionally murmuring snatches of sea songs in his sleep.

O th er t ha n t ha t, n o e xc it em en t c am e t o b re ak t he

monotony of drifting down the dreamy river.

T hen B ucky n ot iced a l ar ge b ub bl e f lo at in g t ow ar d

him.

Wh en i t c ame qui te c lo se , i t b ur st ; a nd a s i t b ur st ,

i t u tt er ed t he w or d " St op !"

" J us t a n e mp ty w or d, " t ho ug ht t he b oy a nd c on -

t in ued o n h is cou rs e.

H is s er en it y w as i nt er ru pt ed b y t he s ig ht o f f ou r

larger bubbles floating straight toward him.

I n q ui ck s ucces si on each o ne exp lo ded, p op pi ng w it h

a com mand in g r in g, and each u tt er ed a d if ferent



42/193


43/193

t er ed , a bu bbl e a ns we re d a nd l ef t a n e mp ty s pa ce

w he re i t h ad b ee n. T he f as te r t he y j ab be re d, t he f as te r

t he e mp ty g ab bl e d is ap pe ar ed . W or d f or w or d t he y

exp lo ded h un dr ed s o f h ol lo w w or ds w it h all t he emp ty

t al k t ha t c am e i nt o t he ir h ea ds . T hi s b at tl e o f w or ds

became a d in o f l on g- wi nd ed j ab ber w it ho ut m uch

meaning.

"Bam-Bam~puff-" burst the glib words into

nothing. Bucky and Davy were gaining ground, using

s o m an y w or ds t ha t t he y po pp ed a nd pu ff ed a c le ar

s pace i n f ro nt o f t hem. T hey t al ked f as ter, b lo wi ng

u p b ub bl es f as te r t ha n t he y c am e t o r ep la ce t he o ne s

already exploded. Presently this continual talk cleared

t he air eno ug h t hat t he j ou rn ey cou ld b e con ti nu ed .

" We t al ked t hem d ow n all r ig ht ," s ai d B ucky .

"Talked them hollow," chuckled Davy.

Co mi ng again i nt o t he o pen s paces, t hey n ot iced

two bright bubbles following them. Davy slowed down

t o wa it . W he n a t l as t t he bu bbl es ha d c au ght u p w ith

t he w ha le a nd c om e c lo se e no ug h s o t ha t t he ir v oi ce s

c ou ld b e h ea rd , t he y c al le d o ut .

" G oo d- by e! " t hey p uf fed and w er e g on e.

" Go od - by e-and b les s y ou r h ear t s- and t han k y ou .

You a re t he onl y s ens ibl e w or ds I ha ve he ar d s o f ar !"

Da vy c al le d ba ck a s t he y s ta rt ed o ff a ga in a t a g oo d



44/193

s m ar t s p eed .

" I w on de r w he re a ll t ha t v ac an t t al k c am e f rom ,"

remarked Bucky.

" So me t alk ati ve s or cer ess , I s up po se, w ho h as

l ea rn ed t o b oi l h er i dl e c on ve rs at io n i n a w it ch 's c al -

d ro n a nd p ut i t o n t he a ir f or a ny on e w it hi n he ar in g. "

" Wh y s ho ul d any on e d o s uch a u seless t hi ng ?"

B uc ky w an te d t o k no w.

" H ow s ho ul d I k no w?" t he w hale ans wered w eari ly .

" Yo u' ll f in d t he w oo ds are f ul l o f h al f- cr acked- ji m-

crank s. T hat 's t he r eas on t he p ract i ce o f w it ch cr aft

a nd s or ce ry i s f or bi dd en b y t he R ul er s o f O z. " T he

whale's voice brightened. "I haven't the slightest

do ubt bu t w ha t w e' ll m ee t o th er s be fo re w e r ea ch O z.

But we ca n thank your luc ky st ars that we a re on the

rivers instead of the mountains, for the mountain

w it ch es a re t he w or st ." D av y g ri nn ed a t h is c om -

p an io n. " Go i ns id e and g et ano th er h an df ul o f cru ll er s.

T ha t m ay c au se y ou t o t hi nk of O z w he re a ny th in g

y ou de si re yo u c an h av e by j us t w is hi ng f or i t. "

" Th at s eems alt og et her t oo eas y, " m us ed B ucky .

"O f c ou rs e, b ut n ob od y i s g oi ng t o m ak e y ou w is h

f or a ny thi ng i f y ou d on 't w an t t o. Y ou c an s ui t y our -

s el f. E ve ry on e w ho g et s t he re s ta ys f or ev er ." A s h e

s po ke , t he w ha le s wu ng a ro un d a c ur ve o f t he r iv er

a wa y f ro m t he b an k t o a vo id t he b ra nc he s o f a d ro op -



45/193

i n g w il lo w t hat b ru sh ed t he w at er .

" It m ay b e a v er y s we ll p la ce ," a dm it te d t he pu zz le d

b oy , " But yo u c an b et y ou r b oot s I w on 't s ta y f or -

ever-"

" I' d t ake t ha t be t i f I ne ede d boot s. You know, I

w as n' t b ui lt t o w ea r s uc h t hi ng s. L et m e t el l y ou,

Li tt le J on es ie, i t' s m uch m or e d if fi cu lt t o g et i nt o O z

t han i t i s t o g et o ut . E sp eciall y an i nd iv id ual o f m y

s ize, " t he w hale ans wered w it h a n ot e o f m is gi vi ng

i n h is v oi ce.

" Ne ve r m in d, b ig b oy , I 'l l s ta y w it h y ou t o t he e nd

or d ie i n t he a tt em pt ."

" Di e? W ha t d o yo u me an? N ob od y e ve r di es i n Oz .

You live forever-"

Bucky scratched his head and was thoughtful:

" T hat' s g oo d n ew s! V er y g oo d! "

T he t rail in g b ou gh s f ro m t he t rees alo ng t he s ho re

became t hi ck er ; w is ps o f m is t and l it tl e f li ck er s o f

light shone through the leaves. Strangely enough,

th ey h ad n ot s een a s in gl e d well in g.

" Ki nd o f a l on el y p la ce , d on 't y ou t hi nk s o, D av y? "

" I' ve b een i n m uch l on el ier p laces t han t hi s; m an y

and m an y' s t he t im e. "

" Wh at a re O z p ri so ns l ik e? " B uc ky a sk ed .

"Prisons!!!" exclaimed the astonished whale burst-



46/193

i ng i nt o a r oa r. " Pl ea se g et t hi s s tr ai gh t. I n t he E m-

e ra ld Ci ty t he y ne ve r he ar d of a pr is on . T he C it y i s

r ul ed b y Q ue en O zm a, t he k in de st a nd m os t t ho ug ht -

f ul r ul er i n t he w or ld . Th e g re at W iz ar d i s h er m os t

t ru st ed adv is er and o n s pecial o ccas i on s t he p ow er fu l

Gli nda i s r ea dy t o he lp. Al l t he y think of i s how to

m ak e every bo dy h ap py . Y ou 'l l s ee f or y ou rs el f. "

" Wh er e d oe s t hi s w on de rl an d b eg in ? S o f ar , I

h av en 't n ot iced m uch k in dn es s i n t he p eo pl e I 'v e m et ;

except you, of course," said Bucky, trying impatiently

t o f re e hi ms el f f rom a l on g w il lo w w an d t ha t ha d

l o op ed i ts el f aro un d h is n eck.

"Y ou m us t r em em ber, " b eg an D av y, " th at w e are

now i n t he w il de st w il de rne ss o f a ll O z a nd m ay h ave

t o o ve rc om e a f ew o bs ta cl es . I r ec al l s to ri es t he p ir at es

u sed t o t el l- wi ld s to ri es -I d id n' t b el ieve t hem at t he

t im e b ut -" h e p au sed.

"But what?" questioned Bucky.

Davy n ev er f in is hed t he s to ry , f or t he s hado wy w il -

l ow s m ad e a s wo op w it h t he ir l on g l oo ps a cr os s t he

de ck. Bucky was t oo quic k for them as he t ook a f irm

ho ld o n a b ra nc h a nd br ok e i t o ff .

On bo th s ide s of t he r ive r, t he w il low s b ega n t o we ep

and wail, swinging out toward them with long, clutch-

ing arms.

" Send t hem t o T ickl ey B en der! !" t hey s ho ut ed , and



47/193

s ho ve d t he w ha le do wn t he s tr ea m. Fr om t re e t o t re e

Davy was propelled with violent pushes. "Wait till

Tickley get you-Ohoo-Ohooo," wept the willows

s wa yi ng c lo se r t o t he t ra ve le rs t o g iv e t he m o ne l as t

v io lent s ho ve. A nd t he g reat f is h w it h h is l on e p as sen-

ge r wa s s we pt out of t he woods.

The y ca me out into a land of dry rocks and low

bushes.

T he c ur re nt o f t he r iv er s ee me d s ud de nl y t o s to p

f lo wi ng . T hen, j us t as s ud denl y, i t s tart ed again . A t

ti mes t hey w ou ld s tand s ti ll f or a w ho le m in ut e, t hen

s ho ot f or wa rd w he n a h ug e w av e r us he d t he m.

T he w il lo ws h ad s to pp ed w eepi ng and b eg un t o

laugh. "Wait till Tickley gets you," they cried. "He'll

tickle you plenty!"

" He s ee ms t o t ic kl e you m or e t ha n he doe s us !"

ye ll ed B uc ky a s a p ar ti ng s ho t. T he w av e t ha t c ar ri ed

t he w hale g rew h ig her and h ig her.

It rose to s uch a hei ght t ha t i t was re ady t o bre ak

a nd c ra sh i nt o a br ea ke r bu t i ns te ad o f do ing t ha t,

t he f ro th y s pr ay f or me d i ts el f i nt o a h ea d. T he w at er

w as s o c le ar t ha t Da vy a nd Bu cky c oul d s ee f is h s wi m-

m in g and d ar ti ng abo ut i ns id e o f t he w at er y s ku ll .

" Ho w d o y ou d o? " a sk ed B uc ky , g re et in g t he o dd

looking creature.



48/193

" Ho w d o I d o w hat?" g ru mb led T ickl ey .

" W hy -w ha te ve r y ou d o d o, " t he b oy a ns we re d, a

little confused.

" J us t i ma gi ne s uc h a q ue st io n- ho w d o I d o w ha t-

ever I do do? And why should I tell you what I do do

- or d on 't d o? "

" Ma yb e I s ho ul dn' t h av e a ske d y ou i n t he f ir st

place," apologized Bucky, still more confused.

" Fi rs t p lace? F ir s t p lace? W hat' s t hat?"

" I s up po se t he h ea d o f t he r iv er i s t he f ir st p la ce ,"

ans wered B ucky i mp at ient ly . " We exp ect t o f in d o ut ."

" I cer tain ly am t he h ead o f t he r iv er , and any th in g

els e y ou 'l l n ev er f in d o ut . I t' s n on e o f y ou r aff ai r. "

" Co me, com e- " j oi ned i n t he w hale, " th is d o- do t al k

is getting us nowhere."

" Yo u are p er fect ly r ig ht ," g ur gl ed t he w at er y h ead

as t he w at er s ur ge d t hr ou gh h is f ac e a nd l on g

whiskers.

S ev er al l on g, l iq ui d f in gers app eared o ut o f t he

w av es a nd b eg an t o t ic kl e t he w ha le i n h is r ib s. B ut

Davy only squirmed a little-not much-because the

n er ve s i n h is w oo de n b oa rd s w er e n ot v er y s en si ti ve .

Ti ckl ey wa s e nr age d t o s ee t he w ha le t ake h is t ic k-

l in g s o cal ml y and h e r os e h ig her and h ig her, l if ti ng

D av y w it h h im . H is f ace t ur ned i nt o f oam w it h t he

f ur y o f t he r is in g w at er r us hi ng f or ward i nt o a s eeth -



49/193

i ng b reak er . T he g us hi ng s pr ay car ri ed D av y f or ward

w it h t he s pe ed of t he w ind.

B ucky l ocked h is arm s t ig ht ly aro un d t he r ai l -

"come what will, I'll stick with Davy."

T he y b eg an t o f al l. D ow n- do wn i nt o a d ee p o pe n-

i ng i n t he e art h. The r ive r r oa re d wi th gle e a s i t di s-

app eared car ry in g t hem b ot h i nt o an u nd er gr ou nd

cavern.

Everything became dark and noisy.

" Lo ok s l ik e n ow her e, " s no rt ed D av y J on es .

C HA PT ER 8

The Army Resigns

A LO NG t he b ro ad b ou le va rd s o f t he E me ra ld C it y

and t hr ou gh t he s mall er s tr eets , t he h ou ses w er e

awakening.

S om e s tr et ch ed t heir t al l chi mn ey s l ik e arm s o r w id -

e ne d t he ir f ro nt d oo rs t o t he b re ak in g p oi nt i n s le ep y

yawns.

A c ri sp , g re en s pa rk le f il le d t he a ir ; h ap py p eo pl e

h ur ri ed alo ng t he s tr eets .

F ro m t he w es t a b ri gh t b lu e S ca la wa go n t ur ne d

f ro m B an an a B ou levard i nt o P um pk in P lace and cam e



50/193

t o a f ul l s to p b ef or e a q uain t b ui ld in g b eari ng t he s ig n

O Z C RE AM b es id e t he d oo r.

A n e ag er b oy a bo ut t we lv e o r t hi rt ee n y ea rs o ld

st ep pe d f ro m t he c ar .

" Yo u n ee dn 't w ai t f or m e, " h e s ai d. " I' ll w al k t o t he

palace."

The intelligent, expressive eyes of the Scalawagon

l ooke d f ro m i ts t ur re t; o ne of t he m ga ve t he bo y a n

understanding wink. With a disappointed expression

the Scalawagon moved slowly away. Nothing would

ha ve pl ea se d i t be tt er t ha n t o c ar ry t hi s bo y a ll d ay

on h is r ou nd s.

A s t he l ad t ur ne d b ri sk ly t ow ar d t he h ou se , i t d re w

i ts el f u p t o f ul l h ei gh t w it h a w el co mi ng g es tu re and

o pe ne d i ts f ro nt d oo r a s h e a pp ro ac he d. H is b lu e s ui t

an d b lu e s ho es i nd ic at ed t ha t h e c am e f ro m t he l an d

of the Munchkins.

Th e p leas an t f ace o f a y ou ng g ir l s mi led f ro m i ns id e

the entrance.

" Oh , Nu mb er Ni ne , I 'm s o gl ad y ou c am e, " s he e x-

claim ed . " I w an ted t o t el l y ou abo ut E vang el in e and

o ur t wo O z c re am c on ta in er s. T he t wo t en g al lo n c an s

w it h t he n ew b ot to ml es s s up pl y m ay n ot b e eno ug h

t o s er ve a ll o ur c us to me rs a nd E va ng el in e. I w as

ho pi ng y ou mi gh t f in d s om e w ay t o g et m e t wo m or e

c an s. I woul dn 't ha ve you t hi nk we ha d e ve r r un



51/193

s ho rt , b ut , s in ce E vang el in e, w it h h er t wo m ou th s,

dr ops i n, we m igh t n ot be a bl e t o f il l o rde rs . W e a re

ex pect in g h er any m om en t n ow . S he alw ay s com es

e ar ly b ec au se s he p re fe rs m y O z c re am p ar lo r a bo ve

a ll t he o th er s i n t he C it y. "

" No o ne c an b la me h er f or t ha t, " r ep li ed N um be r

N in e. " I l ik e i t, t oo . D on 't w or ry y ou r p re tt y h ea d,

f or I m et E vang el in e y es terd ay . S he s po ke s o h ig hl y

o f y ou r p la ce I t ol d t he W iz ar d a bo ut y ou r p os si bl e

d if fi cu lt y b ef or e w e q ui t w or k l as t n ig ht . J us t t o h ear

E va ng el in e t el l h ow g oo d y our c re am i s ha s m ad e m e

h un gr y f or s om e ever s in ce.

" T hat' s w hat every on e t el ls m e, " b eamed t he p rett y

s ho pk eeper. " Wait o ne m om en t t il l I g et y ou s om e, "

a nd t he g ir l b ou nd ed b ac k i nt o t he s ho p. O nc e b eh in d

t he cou nt er s he u tt er ed a p leas ed l it tl e s hr iek: " Gl or y

b e! G lo ry b e! N ow , i sn 't t ha t j us t l ik e t he W iz ar d! "

Wh er e t he t wo c an s ha d b ee n, t he re w er e n ow f our .

A lt ho ug h i t w as i mp os si bl e ever t o emp ty a s in gl e can

or e ve n ne ar ly t o r ea ch t he b ot to m of i t, t he W iz ar d

h ad d ou bl ed t he s up pl y.

I n O z e ve ry th in g i s s o a bu nd an t t ha t n o o ne e ve r

r un s s hor t, a nd n ev er a ny c ha rg e f or a s in gl e t hi ng .

N um be r N in e h ad b ee n c ho se n t o a ss is t t he W iz ar d

o f O z i n t he e nd le ss de ta il s o f C it y m an age me nt a s



52/193

w el l a s h is w or k i n t he l ab or at or y. H is d ou bl e d ut ie s

ke pt hi m bu sy a ll da y. N o s oon er ha d Nu mbe r N in e

be gun t o e at hi s c re am t ha n t he s oft voi ce o f Eva nge -

l in e w as h ea rd o ut si de a nd h er t wo m on st ro us h ea ds

looked through the window.

" We j us t h ap pe ne d t o b e p as si ng ," b eg an t he g en tl e

v oi ce of t he f ir st he ad, " and we t hought we 'd dr op i n

f or a l it tl e s na ck t o c oo l o ur t hr oa ts ," f in is he d t he

s econ d h ead. " Th an ks t o t he s oo th in g b en ef it o f y ou r

cr eam o ur cou gh s h av e ent ir el y d is ap pear ed . I f y ou

on ly kn ew h ow m or ti fy in g i t ha s b ee n t o a nn oy ou r

f ri en ds b y cou gh in g s mo ke and f lame i n t heir f aces !

I t ' s n ot p ol it e. "

"That's splendid," laughed Number Nine, "but you

a re a lw ay s p ol it e. I n a ll o f O z, t he re i s n o D ra go ne tt e

ha lf a s pol it e a s you , s o t he Wi za rd ha s s ent yo u t wo

ex tr a t ub s o f O z Cr ea m f or y ou r ow n s pe ci al u se . O ne

i s fo r Eva n a nd one for Ge li ne . I ha ve ne ve r be en

ab le t o t el l you a pa rt , s o you wi ll ha ve t o m ake y our

own selection of flavor."

" H or ro rs !" ejacu lated o ne o f t he h eads . " Th is m ay

l ea d t o a m ix up -- we d on 't k no w w hi ch i s w hi ch e it he r. "

N um be r N ine m ad e a r ec or d o f t hi s d if fi cu lt y i n a

s ma ll n ot e- bo ok . B ut t he o th er h ea d c ri ed o ut :

"B le ss m y c la ws a nd s ca le

lucky bucky in oz - l. frank baum

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