the lost king of oz - l. frank baum

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The Lost King Of Oz – Oz 19

L . F ra nk B au m

T hi s b oo k i s d ed ic at ed t o

My Best Girl-Mother

-Ruth Plumly Thompson

THE LOST KI NG OF OZ

L is t o f C hapt ers

Chapter

1 In Jolly Kimbaloo

2 Snip's Great Adventure

3 K in g K in da J ol ly I s S ad

4 In thePurpleForest

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5 The Rolling Hoopers

6 I n C at ty C or ne rs

7 The Magic Pudding

8 The Mysterious Message

9 In theCastleofMorrow

10 Dorothy and the Dummy

11 ARealOzAdventure

12 The Playful Scooters

1 3 S ni p M eets t he B lank s

1 4 T he O ld T ai l or 's S to ry

1 5 K ab um po t o t he R es cu e

16 Humpy Hailed as King

17 Mombi's Magic

18 Ozma's Odd Home-Coming

1 9 T he W iz ar d T ak es a H an d

2 0 T he L os t K in g I s F ou nd

21 The Grand Procession

C HA PT ER 1

In Jolly Kimbabo

T HE K IN G O F K IM BA LO O w as k in d' a j ol ly , a nd K in da J ol ly w as t he K in g o f K im ba lo o.

An d no wo nde r h e w as ki nd' a j ol ly! He ha d m ad e a gr ea t f or tu ne i n but tons , a nd ha d one of t he c oz ie st

c as tl es i n O z. It wa s s et in t he ve ry c ent er of a t hi ck but ton wood in t he G il li ke n c ount ry, a nd ha d mor e

chi mn ey s and w in do ws t han any d ozen cas tl es I can t hi nk o f.





T he c as tl e o we d m uc h o f i ts c oz in es s t o R os a M er ry , t he q ua in t l it tl e Q ue en o f K im ba lo o, w ho

k ept i t s pi ck a nd s pa ndy a nd s im pl y b lo om in g w it h f lo we rs . T hi s s he c ou ld e as il y d o, f or i n t he c as tl e

g ar den g rew a s im pl y eno rm ou s b ou qu et b us h, w here o ld and n ew f as hi on ed b ou qu et s b lo ss om ed i n

bewildering profusion. There were violets and rosebuds edged with lace paper, lovely red roses tied with

s at in b ow s, d ai si es and d af fo di ls , p in ks and l ar ks pu r, and every o th er s or t o f d el ig ht fu l n os eg ay y ou cou ld

ever i magi ne. N o m at ter h ow m an y w er e g at hered, o th er s i mm ed iately b lo ss om ed , s o t hat R os a M er ry

h ad m ad e a lm os t a s m uc h o f a f or tu ne i n b ou qu et s a s K in da h ad i n b ut to ns , a nd c ou ld h av e j el ly -r ol levery l un ch -t im e i f s he car ed t o.

T he re w er e s om e w ho t ho ug ht t he c as tl e, b ui lt a s i t w as o f d ar k p ur pl e b ut to n w oo d, s tu dd ed

w it h r ow s a nd r ow s o f b ri gh t b ut to ns ; e xt re me ly o dd , b ut i t s ui te d K in da J ol ly a nd R os a M er ry r ig ht

d ow n t o t he cel lar and t he f iv e h un dr ed i nh ab it an ts o f K im balo o t ho ug ht i t ext remely m ag ni fi cent . N o

d ou bt t he y w er e r ig ht . H ow ev er t ha t m ay b e, a ny on e w ho h ad s ee n K in da J ol ly a nd R os a M er ry w al ki ng

i n t he g ar dens o n p leas an t s um mer eveni ng s w ou ld h av e h ad t o adm it t hey w er e t he m os t l ov ab le l it tl e

c ou pl e i n t he l an d. K in da w as s ho rt a nd f at a nd Ro sa wa s s ho rt a nd m er ry . T he y b ot h d re ss ed i n t he

purple costumes of the Gillikens, but their robes were trimmed all over with buttons that chinked

d el ig ht fu ll y w hen t hey w al ked and alm os t d azzl ed o ne b y t he b ri ll iance o f t heir col or s.

K in g K in da 's c ro wn w as m ad e o f s il ve r b ut to ns t o m at ch h is w hi sk er s a nd Ro sa 's w as o f g ol d

t o m at ch h er c ur ls . B ot h h ad c he er ful d is po si ti on s t o m at ch t he ir c ro wn s, s o t ha t l if e i n K im ba lo o w as

cheer fu l f or every on e. T he K im bl es t hems el ves l iv ed i n t in y cot tages s catt er ed abo ut u nd er t he t rees , and

a s t he y w er e a ll gi rl s a nd boys , t he y w ere a ll ha ppy a nd li ght he ar te d a s bi rds i n t he but ton wood. Ha lf of

t he m w or ke d f or t he K in g a nd h al f f or t he Q ue en . Y es , e ve ry m or ni ng , t he t wo h un dr ed a nd f if ty m er ry

l it tl e m ai ds w ou ld r un i nt o t he cas tl e g ar den, w here R os a M er ry w ou ld f il l t heir arm s w it h b ou qu et s f ro m

t he b ou qu et b us h. T he n a wa y d ow n t he Q ue en 's H ig hw ay , t ha t l ed t hr ou gh t he w oo d i nt o t he W in ki e

C ou nt ry , t hey w ou ld h ur ry -and s o charm in g and q uain t w er e t he Q ueen 's l it tl e f lo wer g ir ls n o o ne cou ld

h el p b uy in g t heir p os ies. S o b yn oo nt im e t hey w ou ld com e b ack w it h emp ty arm s and h eavy p ockets and

not hi ng to do f or t he r es t of t he da y but s wi ng i n t he ha mm oc ks or da nc e i n t he ga rde ns .

T he b oy s' w or k w as alm os t as d el ig ht fu l. E very m or ni ng t hey w ou ld s camp er i nt o t he b ut to n

w oo d w it h K in da J ol ly a nd s ha ke d ow n a g oo d c ro p o f b ut to ns . T he n e ac h b ut to n b oy w ou ld f il l h is

button box with a gay assortment and set off down the King's Highway to sell them to the good dames in

t he G il li ke n C ou nt ry . T he re a re n o s to re s i n O z, s o t he y n ev er h ad a ny t ro ub le i n d is po si ng o f t he ir w ar es ,

esp eciall y t he col lar b ut to ns . T he m en o f t he G il li ken cou nt ry are as g oo d at l os in g col lar b ut to ns as m en

i n y ou r o wn t ow n, s o b y n oo n t im e t he b ut to n b ox es w ou ld b e f ul l o f c oi ns a nd b ut to n b oy s w ou ld c om e

r ac in g b ac k t o t he c as tl e wi th no thi ng m or e t o d o f or t he r es t of t he da y bu t pl ay q uoi ts or

"button-button-who's-got-the-button?"

A lt og et he r, l if e i n K im ba bo w as a s j ol ly a s p os si bl e. I nd ee d, t he re w as s o m uc h l au gh in g t o b e

d on e t ha t K in g K in da ha d a T ow n L au gh er t o he lp o ut o n p ar ti cul ar ly f un ny d ay s a nd t o k ee p h im f ro m

busting all the buttons from his purple vest. Yes sir, everybody in Kimbaloo was laughing and

h ap py -e xc ep ti ng o ne a nd t ha t p er so n w as t he K in g' s c oo k. M om bi n ev er l au gh ed a t a ll , a nd h ow s he

came to be cook I will tell you a t once. She was not a native of Kimbabo and, though no one in the

k in gd om k new i t, M om bi w as r eall y an o ld G il li ken w it ch . L on g ago , f or h er w icked t rans fo rm at io ns , s he

h ad b ee n d ep ri ve d o f h er m ag ic p ow er s b y G li nd a, t he g oo d s or ce re ss , a nd g iv en e no ug h t o l iv e o n

honestly and comfortably.

B ut a ft er yo u h av e b ee n a w it ch a ll of y our l if e, i t i s d re ad ful ly h ar d t o s et tl e d ow n t o be in g j us t

a n ug ly ol d wo ma n. M om bi ha d s to od i t a s l ong a s s he c oul d, a nd t he n one da y s he ha d c lo se d up he r

l it tl e h ut a t t he f oo t o f t he G il li ke n m ou nt ai ns , t ak en h er c ro ok ed s ti ck , a nd s et o ut t o s ee k a p os it io n a s

c oo k i n o ne o f t he c as tl es o f O z- fo r s he f el t t ha t o nl y a mo ng a g re at m an y k et tl es a nd c au ld ro ns c ou ld





s he e ve r be c on te nt ed o r a t h om e. Be si de s be in g c ros s a nd c ro ok ed, M om bi wa s s o ug ly a nd

i ll -t em pe re d t ha t m os t o f t he c as tl e do or s w er e s la mm ed i n h er f ac e, bu t o ne da y s he h ad c om e t o

K im balo o. H ob bl in g t hr ou gh t he b ut to n w oo d s he f ou nd K in g K in da J ol ly u nd er a s ho e b ut to n t ree.

F al li ng u po n h er k ne es M om bi b eg ge d h im s o h ar d t o l et h er r em ai n a s c oo k t ha t t he g en tl e o ld m on ar ch

finally consented, though much against the advice of Hah Hoh, the Town Laugher. But Kinda, thinking

h er a p oo r a nd n ee dy o ld w om an , h ad k ep t h er n ev er th el es s, a nd a s M om bi , l ik e m an y a no th er o ld

w it ch , w as a n e xc el le nt c oo k, h e h ad n ev er r eg re tt ed h is b ar ga in . I n s pi te o f h er w on de rf ul c oo ki ng n oo ne h ad e ve r g ro wn r ea ll y f on d o f h er , b ut s he w as t re at ed w it h c on si de ra ti on a nd r es pe ct a nd a ll ow ed t o

d o p re tt y m uc h a s s he p le as ed i n t he c as tl e k it ch en .

S o w hi le every on e els e i n t he k in gd om w as b ei ng u sefu l and h ap py , M om bi w en t m ut teri ng

a nd s pu tt er in g a bo ut a mo ng t he p ot s a nd k et tl es a nd e ve ry m in ut e w he n s he w as n ot c oo ki ng s he w as

trying to remember her magic formulas, mixing pepper with onions, onions with cinders, and cinders with

s us pe nd er b ut to ns . B ut s ti r a s s he w ou ld , n ot hi ng e ve r c am e o f i t, f or M om bi h ad f or go tt en e ve ry w it ch

w or d s he h ad e ve r kn ow n. Sh e kne w a g ood m any ot he r w or ds , ho we ve r, a nd s ai d ve ry ne ar ly a ll of

t he m w he n he r m agi c f ai le d t o w or k, f li ng in g h er s ti ck i nt o t he a ir a nd ho ppi ng up a nd d ow n w it h r ag e

a nd d is ap po in tm en t. B ut a s s he n ev er a ll ow ed a ny on e i n t he k it ch en b ut h er se lf , t he re w as n o o ne t ow it ness h er s ho ck in g b eh av io r, u nt il S ni p, o ne o f t he K in g' s b ut to n b oy s, cli mb in g t hr ou gh t he w in do w

o ne aft er no on t o s teal a coo ky , cau gh t h er r ig ht i n t he m id st o f a f ri gh tf ul i ncan tati on .

"Salt-vinegar-mustard-mutton!

T he k in g s hall b e a col lar b ut to n! "

T ha t w as w ha t S ni p h ea rd M om bi m um bl e, b en di ng o ve r a p ep pe ry m ix tu re o n t he f ir e. S o

d read fu l w as h er exp ress io n as s he s co wl ed i nt o t he f ry in g p an t hat S ni p t um bl ed f ro m t he w in do w s il l

i nt o a r os e b us h. P ic ki ng h im se lf u p, h e r us he d d ow n t he g ar de n p at h c on vi nc ed t ha t t he K in g w as d on e

f or . B ut t here w as K in da J ol ly , w it h h is s il ver cro wn , w al ki ng cal ml y u nd er t he b ut to n t rees . S ni p l oo ked

a ga in t o b e s ur e K in da w as n ot t ur ni ng t o a c ol la r b ut to n a nd t he n, a l it tl e a sh am ed o f b ei ng s o e as il y

f ri ght ene d, h e c re pt ba ck t o t he l ed ge t o s ee w ha t M om bi w ou ld d o ne xt . H e wa s j us t i n t im e t o s ee he r

f li ng t he f ry in g p an d ow n t he c el la r s te ps a nd k ic k o ve r a b as ke t o f p ot at oe s. T he n, g ru mb li ng a nd

s narl in g and r ub bi ng h er s hi ns , s he l im ped i nt o t he g ar den t o f et ch t he g oo se K in da J ol ly h ad b ou gh t f or

d in ne r- fo r m ag ic o r n o m ag ic t he c oo ki ng h ad t o b e a tt en de d t o. T he g oo se h ad c om e s tr ai gh t f ro m a

neighboring farm and was still in the flimsy wooden crate. Scowling and scolding, Mombi slammed thec ra te o n t he t abl e a nd r ip pe d of f t he t op s la ts .

A s s oon a s t he s la ts w er e r em ove d, t he go os e t hr us t i ts h ea d o ut o f t he c ra te a nd p ee re d

a bo ut t he k it ch en . A s h e l oo ke d a t t he b ig w hi te b ir d, S ni p h ad a f ee li ng t ha t t he re w as s om et hi ng h um an

a bo ut h im . T he o ld w it ch -c oo k m ad e a g ra b a t t he b ob bi ng w hi te h ea d.

" Help !" s qu aw ked t he l uckl es s b ir d, as M om bi s ei zed i t r ou gh ly b y t he f eath er s. T hen, cat ch in g

a r ea ll y good l ook a t M ombi , i t r ea re d up i ts ne ck ti ll i ts e ye s we re on a l eve l wi th he r ow n. " YO U! "

c ri ed t he goos e, s o s hr il ly t ha t S ni p' s ha ir r os e up a nd wa ve d t o a nd fr o unde r hi s s ti ff l itt le ha t. H e wa s

no t s ur pr is ed t o h ea r t he goo se t al k, f or a ll b ea st s a nd bi rd s i n t he La nd of O z c on ve rs e, but i ts ne xt

w or ds w er e s o s tr an ge and m ys teri ou s t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy n earl y l os t h is b al an ce again .

" Wo man! " h is sed t he g oo se, t hr us ti ng i ts b il l u nd er M om bi 's l on g n os e, " Wo man, w hat h av e





y ou d on e w it h t he K in g?"

C HA PT ER 2

Snip's Great Adventure

T HE K in g! P oo r S ni p, cro uched u ncom fo rt ab ly o n t he n ar ro w s il l, t remb led w it h t er ro r, f or

t hi s t im e h e w as s ur e M om bi 's i nc an ta ti on h ad t ak en e ff ec t a nd h ad t ur ne d K in g K in da t o a c ol la r b ut to n.

M om bi h er se lf s ee me d a s a st on is he d a s h e. D ro pp in g h er h an ds a t h er s id es , s he p ee re d s ha rp ly a t t he

g reat w hi t e g oo se.

" Well !" w heezed t he o ld w it ch , b li nk in g h er eyes r ap id ly , " Well , i f i t i sn 't P aj uk a, and s im pl e as

e ve r h e w as !"

" Wh os e f au lt i s t hat?" com pl ai ned t he g oo se b it terl y. " Wh o t oo k away m y elegant f ig ur e and

gave me this ridiculous shape?"

" Yo u a lw ay s w er e a go os e, " s ni ff ed M om bi . " Al l y ou n ee de d w as a b il l a nd f ea th er s. Y ou 'r e

o ne o f t he b es t t rans fo rm at io ns I ever d id ," s he add ed p ro ud ly . " Wh at are y ou f us si ng abo ut any way?"

" Wo ul d y ou l ik e t o b e a g oo se ?" a sk ed t he b ir d i nd ig na nt ly . " I s ho ul d t hi nk y ou 'd b e a sh am ed

of yourself, you old Scundermutch!"

" I d on' t c ar e a w af fl e w ha t y ou t hi nk ," r et or te d M om bi , " bu t i f y ou c ar e t o t hi nk a ny th in g m or e,

be quick about it, for your time has come."

"Time?" puffed the goose. "What time?"

" Di nn er t im e, " s ai d M oi nb i u nf eeli ng ly . " Yo u are t ir ed o f b ei ng a g oo se. W el l t hen, y ou s hall b e

a d in ne r a nd I t ru st y ou wi ll p an o ut we ll !"

" Di nn er !" s cr eamed t he g oo se, f lu tt er in g all o f h is f eath er s. " Yo u w ou ld n' t d ar e s er ve m e f or d in ne r. I 'm a P ri me M in is te r a nd y ou k now i t. "

"P ri me g oo se, y ou m ean, " s ni ck er ed M om bi , r each in g b eh in d t he t ab le f or t he ax.

Now all this, as you may well imagine, was frightfully interesting to Snip. Raising himself on his

elb ow h e s aw t he t wo g lari ng f ur io us ly at o ne ano th er .

"Don't sass me woman!" hissed Pajuka, flapping his wings.

"I 'l l a pp le s as s y ou ," s ne er ed M om hi . " Th e s oo ne r y ou a re r oa st ed t he b et te r. Y ou k no w f ar

t oo m uc h. " S he m ad e a s na tc h a t t he g oo se , b ut P aj uk a, w it h a q ui ck f lo un ce , f re ed h im se lf f ro m t he

c ra te a nd s oa re d i nt o t he a ir .





" Help ! H el p! T hi s w om an i s a w it ch ," h e h on ked l ou dl y. " Help . H el p! "

"H us h! " r ag ed t he o ld w om an , d ro pp in g t he a x a nd r un ni ng t o s la m t he d oor . " Do y ou w an t t o

r ou se t he c as tl e? " I t w as h er t ur n t o b e a la rm ed n ow , f or i n K im ba bo M om bi e nj oy ed m or e p ri vi le ge s

t ha n s he wou ld a nyw he re e ls e, a nd s he w as not a nxi ou s t o ha ve i t k now n t ha t s he w as a w it ch a nd s o b e

t ur ne d o ut o f t he k in gd om . " Be q ui et I t el l y ou, " s he w he ez ed a ng ri ly . " Wh at a re y ou m aki ng s uc h a

racket about?"

" Mo mb i a w it ch! " S ni p c ou ld ha rd ly b el ie ve h is e ar s, b ut f ri gh te ne d a s he w as he c ou ld n ot

h el p chu ck li ng . " Wh o w ou ld n' t m ak e a f us s at r oast in g, " t ho ug ht S ni p, p eeri ng aro un d t he edg e o f t he s il l

t o s ee w ha t P aj uka w oul d do . T he g oo se h ad s et tl ed o n a c upb oa rd h ig h a bo ve M om bi 's h ea d.

" Ve ry w el l, " he br ea the d h ea vi ly . " I wi ll b e q ui et , b ut n ow y ou wi ll l is te n t o m e. I de ma nd t ha t

yo u i ns ta nt ly r es tor e my p rope r s ha pe o r- " H e ga ve a l ou d s qua wk t ha t m ad e M om bi l ea p a f oot i nt o t he

air.

" Ho w c an I ? H ow c an I ?" c ha tt er ed t he w it ch, w ri ngi ng h er h and s. " I' ve f or go tt en a ll m ywi tc hc ra ft . Do y ou s up pos e I 'd b e h er e a s a c ook i f I h ad my m agi c p owe rs , yo u r idi cul ous ol d bi rd! "

S ni p c ou ld s ee P aj uk a' s e ye s g ro w r ou nd a s b ut to ns a t t hi s d is ma l n ew s.

" Wh at ?" w ai led t he u nh ap py g oo se. " Mu st I con ti nu e f or ev er t o l ead t hi s s im pl e l if e? M us t I

a ss oc ia te w it h d uc ks a nd f ar me rs t o t he e nd o f m y d ay s? "

" Yo u o ug ht t o b e g lad y ou 'r e ali ve at all ," m um bl ed M om bi u ncom fo rt ab ly . T hese w or ds h ad a

startling effect on Pajuka.

" Ah !" g ro an ed t he g oo se r em or sefu ll y. " Here I 'v e b een t hi nk in g o f m ys el f w hen i t i s t he K in g

w ho m at te rs ." A nd s tr et ch in g h is l on g n ec k h e r ep ea te d t he q ue st io n t ha t h ad s o a la rm ed S ni p i n t he f ir st place. "Woman!" rasped Pajuka hoarsely, "Woman, what have you done with the King?"

" No t s o l ou d, " b eg ged M om bi , r ai si ng h er s ti ck and g lancin g u neas il y o ver h er s ho ul der, as i f

s he h al f s us pect ed s om eo ne w er e l is teni ng . T hen, s eein g P aj uk a w as g oi ng t o h on k again , s he add ed

d ef iant ly , " I d on 't r em em ber w hat I d id w it h h im !"

N ow S ni p, w ho l ov ed K in g K in da J ol ly w it h a ll hi s h ea rt , w as s tu nn ed a t t hi s d re ad fu l n ew s.

U nd ec id ed w he th er t o r un f or h el p o r s ta y a nd l is te n, h e f in al ly d ec id ed t o s ta y a nd c re pt c lo se t o t he

i nn er edg e o f t he s il l.

P aj uk a s eemed s tu nn ed t oo . " Ho w f ri gh tf ul ," cho ked t he g oo se d ol ef ul ly , " ho w car el es s o f y ou

t o m is la y t he K in g. H ow d ar e y ou f or ge t? "

" W el l, t here's n o u se q uarr el in g abo ut i t, " g ru mb led M om bi . " Wh o car es any way? O zm a i s

Q ue en n ow a nd nob ody e ve n r em em be rs t he re w as a Ki ng of Oz !"

" Of O z! " S ni p, b et ween r el ief at f in di ng n ot hi ng h ad h ap pened t o K in g K in da J ol ly and s ho ck

a t t he o ld w it ch 's w or ds , l os t h is h ol d o n t he w in do w b ar s a nd f el l s tr ai gh t i nt o M om bi 's a rm s.

"A s py !" s hr ieked M om bi , b eg in ni ng t o s hake h im b ackw ar d and f or ward . " A s py !"

"N ow w ho 's m ak in g a r acket, " d em an ded P aj uk a t ri um ph an tl y. " Keep t hat u p and y ou 'l l h av e

t he w hol e c as tl e a bou t o ur e ar s. B es id es , i f he 's a s py, w he re i s hi s s py g la ss ?"





" Id io t! " h is sed M om bi , b ut s he l ow er ed h er v oi ce and s to pp ed s haki ng S ni p. " Wh y, y ou 'r e as

simple as you look," she muttered contemptuously.

" An d y ou 'r e a s w ic ke d, " r et or te d t he g oo se , s ta ri ng s ha rp ly a t S ni p. " Le t t ha t b oy a lo ne o r I 'l l

h on k m y h ead o ff ." S ni p' s ear s w er e b uzzi ng f ro m t he s haki ng and h e l oo ked g ratefu ll y at P aj uk a.

" Do yo u t hi nk I 'm go in g t o l et h im c ar ry h is t al es t o K ind a J ol ly ? N o s ir ! I nt o t he s ou p k et tl e

w it h h im ," p uf fed M om bi , r us hi ng S ni p t ow ar d t he s to ve. B ut at h er f ir st s tep, t he w hi te g oo se f lu ng

h im se lf a t h er h ea d w it h s uc h a n o ut cr y t ha t s he s to pp ed a t o nc e.

"L et t he b oy a lo ne ," p an te d P aj uk a. T he n, s ee in g t ha t i t w as u se le ss t o a pp ea l t o M om bi 's

g oo dn es s h e b eg an t o a pp ea l t o h er b ad ne ss . " Th e K in g w il l r ew ar d y ou g en er ou sl y, i f y ou r es to re h im t o

t he t hr on e, " b eg an P aj uk a c ra ft il y. " No th in g i s t o b e g ai ne d b y t hi s qu ar re li ng . L et u s p ut o ur h ea ds

t og et he r a nd f in d t he K in g o f O z. "

S ti ll h ol di ng S ni p t ig ht ly b y t he w ri st , M om bi s an k u po n a cro ok ed s to ol and , h al f clo si ng h er e ye s, be ga n t o t hi nk of t he ba d o ld da ys b ef or e l it tl e Oz ma w as Q ue en- the ba d ol d da ys wh en w it ch es

ha d be en f re e t o p ra ct ic e t he ir a rt s a nd s he he rs el f wa s on e of t he mos t pow er ful wi tc he s i n t he l and.

" I' ll d o i t! " d ec la re d Mo mbi s udd en ly. " Bu t ho w s ha ll w e f ind hi m w he n I f or ge t w ha t I ha ve

done with him?"

" I' d k no w h im a nyw he re ," g ul pe d P aj uk a, t wo t ea rs d ro pp in g o ff t he e nd o f h is b il l. " Ha ve n' t I

been hunting him all these years?"

"Y es , b ut I t hi nk h e i s t rans fo rm ed ," m ut tered M om bi u neas il y. " If t he K in g i s n ot h im self h ow

d o y ou exp ect t o r ecog ni ze h im ?"

" I' d k no w h im i n a ny s ha pe ," i ns is te d t he g oo se . " Bu t t ry -t ry t o r em em be r. Y ou t ur ne d O zm a

to a boy and me to a goose. What did you do with the King? "

So i nt er es te d h ad t he t wo b ec om e b y t hi s t im e, t he y h ad a lm os t f or go tt en t he p re se nc e o f

Snip. But Snip was listening with all his might, his ears fairly tingling with curiosity. The lad, like many

ano th er G il li ken b oy , w as p er fect ly f am il iar w it h t he h is to ry o f O z. F or w hi le t hey g at hered b ut to ns i n t he

w oo d, K in g K in da h ad r ea d t he m m an y a s tr an ge c ha pt er f ro m t he b ig p ur pl e h is to ry b oo ks .

S ni p k ne w t ha t O z w as a g re at o bl on g K in gd om d iv id ed i nt o f ou r p ar ts w it h t he c ap it al , as pl en di d E merald C it y, i n t he exact cen ter. T he N or th er n L an d w as t he G il li ken cou nt ry and K im balo o

w as b ut o ne o f t he m an y k in gd om s i n t ha t i nt er es ti ng s ec ti on . T he E as te rn p ar t o f O z b el on ge d t o t he

W in ki es ; t he S ou th er n cou nt ry w as t he Q uadl in g C ou nt ry ; w hi le t he W es tern l an ds b el on ged t o t he

Munc hki ns . Snip kne w t he na me s of t he r ul er s of Oz a s we ll as you know t he na me s of t he

P re si de nt s- pe rh ap s e ve n b et te r- fo r a s o nl y a p ar t o f O z h is to ry h as b ee n w ri tt en d ow n t he re h av e n ot

been so many. The first ruler mentioned was the famous Wizard of Oz, who had flown to the marvelous

c ou nt ry i n a b al lo on f ro m O ma ha . I t w as t he W iz ar d w ho h ad b ui lt t he f am ou s E me ra ld C it y, a nd w ho

h ad g iv en O zm a, t he l it tl e g ir l r ul er , i nt o t he ke epi ng o f a n o ld w it ch . T hi s w it ch h ad a lr ea dy c ap tur ed t he

K in g, O zm a' s f at her, and v er y l it tl e w as k no wn abo ut t he r oy al g en tl em an .

The W iz ar d ha d r ul ed O z f or ye ar s. At l as t, de si ri ng t o r et ur n t o Am er ic a, h e ha d m ade t he

S carecr ow E mp er or . T hi s l iv el y m an o f s tr aw h ad h el d t he t hr on e u nt il cap tu red b y an amb it io us g ir l

n am ed J inj ur , a nd h er a rm y o f g ir ls . B ut J inj ur w as o nl y r ul er f or a f ew da ys a nd w as h er se lf c ap tu re d b y





G li nd a, t he g oo d s or ce re ss o f t he S ou th , t o w ho m t he s ca re cr ow h ad g on e f or h el p. G li nd a, l oo ki ng

t hr ou gh h er m ag ic r ec or d b oo ks , h ad d is co ve re d t ha t O zm a, w ho h ad b ee n d ep os ed b y t he W iz ar d, w as

s ti ll i n t he o ld w it ch 's c lu tc he s. S o G li nd a h ad c om pe ll ed h er t o r es to re O zm a t o t he t hr on e. T he w it ch

h ad t ra ns fo rm ed t he l it tl e P ri nc es s i nt o a b oy n am ed T ip , b ut w as f or ce d b y G li nd a t o d is en ch an t h er a nd

a mi d g en er al r ej oi ci ng O zm a w as p ro cl ai me d Q ue en o f O z a nd h ad b ee n r ul er e ve r s in ce , w hi le t he o ld

w it ch h ad b ee n d ep ri ve d o f h er m ag ic p ow er s a nd b an is he d f ro m t he E me ra ld C it y f or ev er .

T he W iz ar d o f O z h ad l at er r et ur ne d a nd b ec om e o ne o f O zm a' s m os t t ru st ed c ou ns el or s,

r eg rett in g exceedi ng ly h is p ar t i n g iv in g h er t o t he w it ch . A s S ni p l is tened, all o f t hese f acts w en t s cu rr yi ng

t hr ou gh h is h ead, and w hi le P ro fess or W og gl eb ug i n h is h is to ry h ad n eg lect ed t o p ut i n t he w it ch 's n am e,

l oo ki ng at t he d read fu l o ld w om an b es id e h im , S ni p r eali zed w it h a s hu dd er t hat M om bi w as t hat w it ch .

I t h ad b ee n g en er al ly s up po se d t ha t t he K in g, O zm a' s f at he r, h ad b ee n u tt er ly d es tr oy ed b y

M om bi 's m ag ic , b ut i f w ha t P aj uk a s ai d w er e t ru e, t he K in g i n s om e s ha pe o r o th er w as s ti ll a li ve a nd t he

r ig ht fu l r ul er o f O z, w hi le t hi s f ai th fu l g oo se w as h is p ri me m in is ter. S ni p l on ged t o r un t o K in da J ol ly w it h

t he a ma zi ng n ew s a nd t o wa rn h im a ga in st M om bi he rs el f, b ut t he o ld h ag h ad h im f as t b y t he w ri st , s o

t he re w as n ot hi ng t o d o b ut l is te n. E ve n t hi s w as b ec om in g h ar de r a nd h ar de r, f or M om bi a nd P aj uk aha d l owe re d t he ir voi ce s t o a w hi spe r. J us t a s S ni p ha d de te rm in ed t o j er k a wa y a nd m ak e a r un f or i t,

M om bi s pr an g t o h er f ee t.

" We 'l l s ta rt a t o nc e! " s he c ri ed d et er mi ne dl y, a nd j er ki ng o ff h er c oo k' s c ap a nd w it ho ut

r el ea si ng h er h ol d o n S ni p, s he s na tc he d h er p ea ke d w it ch h at f ro m a l ow c up bo ar d a nd s et i t j au nt il y o n

t he s id e o f h er h ead. T hen, d ragg in g S ni p w it h h er , s he b eg an h ob bl in g abo ut t he k it ch en , col lect in g

pepper shakers, mustard boxes, spices, herbs and various other supplies from the shelves. These she

t os se d q ui ck ly i nt o a b as ke t w it h a l oa f o f br ea d, a c ol d c hi ck en a nd s om e c he es e.

" C' mo n! " cro ak ed t he w it ch , m ot io ni ng t o P aj uk a. " C' mo n b ef or e any on e m is ses u s.

"W hat abo ut t he b oy ?" ask ed t he g oo se d ou bt fu ll y.

" Let h im car ry t he b as ket, " s napp ed t he w it ch .

T hr us ti ng t he b as ke t i nt o S ni p' s h an ds , M om bi g av e h im s uc h a g la re t ha t t he p oo r l ad 's h ea rt

d ro pp ed i nt o h is b oo ts . T hen, g rabb in g h im b y t he s leev e, s he r us hed h im t hr ou gh t he d oo r l eadi ng i nt o

t he k it ch en g ar de n. A h ig h h ed ge s ur ro un de d t he g ar de n, s o n o o ne s aw t he m g o. T he g ar de n r an d ow n

t o t he e dg e o f a gl oo my f or es t. I nt o t hi s f or es t p lu ng ed M om bi , P aj uk a w ad dl in g a nd f ly in g a ft er h er a nd

poor Snip, casting many longing glances over his shoulder at the dear old castle of Kimbaloo where life

h ad b ee n s o c ar ef re e a nd s o m er ry .

I t i s one t hi ng t o s et ou t on a j our ne y of a dve nt ur es you rs el f, but t o be dr ag ge d a wa y a ga ins t

y ou r w il l b y a w ic ke d o ld w it ch i s a no th er p ai r o f p ic kl es e nt ir el y, a nd t ho ug h S ni p w as a s b ra ve a s t he

n ex t f el lo w h e c ou ld n ot k ee p b ac k h is t ea rs a t p ar ti ng f ro m K in da J ol ly , R os a M er ry a nd h is m an y g ay

com rades i n t he b ut t on w oo d.

C HA PT ER 3

K in g K in da J ol ly I s S ad





W HI LE all t hi s w as h ap peni ng i n t he K in g' s k it ch en , K in da J ol ly s at cheer fu ll y o n h is t hr on e,

t al ki ng t o h is p rett y l it tl e Q ueen .

" Ro sa, m y d ear, " s mi led K in da, t ug gi ng at h is s il ver w hi sk er s, " gu es s w hat w e' re g oi ng t o h av efor dinner."

R os a M er ry , w ho w as s ew in g a b ut to n o n t he K in g' s s us pe nd er s, p au se d w it h h er n ee dl e i n

t he air .

" Wh at d oe s i t b eg in w it h? " a sk ed R os a c ur io us ly . T he Q ue en s im pl y d ot ed o n a r id dl e.

" Wi th a G ," a ns we re d K in da J ol ly , l ea ni ng d ow n t o p at T ri pp sy , h is p et f oo t s to ol , T ri pp sy i s

t he o nl y l iv e f oo ts to ol , I t hi nk , I h av e e ve r h ea rd o f. H e f ol lo we d K in da w he re ve r h e w en t, w hi ch w as

f or tu na te , f or t he K in g' s l eg s w er e s o s ho rt t ha t n o m at te r h ow l ow t he c ha ir o r b en ch , h is f ee t n ev er t ouc he d t he f loo r. I n s om e wa ys T ri pps y wa s a m or e u se ful p et t ha n a dog . H e n eve r c ha se d c at s, no r

g ot i nt o f ig ht s, n or ba rk ed , e xc ep t a f ew s hi ns , s o t ha t K in da J ol ly w as a wf ul ly f on d of h im .

" Is i t a g oa t? " g igg le d R os a M er ry , b it ing o ff h er t hr ea d.

" Go at !" s pu tt er ed K in da J ol ly . " I s ho ul d s ay n ot ! T ri pp sy , o ld b oy , s he s ay s w e' re g oi ng t o

h av e g oa t f or d in ne r. " T ri pp sy , w ho h ad b ee n t o m ar ke t w it h t he K in g- Ki nd a b ei ng o ne o f t ho se d ea r o ld

f as hi on ed f el lo ws w ho d o t heir o wn m ar keti ng -w av ed h is t as sel f ai nt ly t o s ho w t hat h e app reci at ed t he

joke, while General Whiffenpuff, the King's body guard, and Hah Hoh, the Town Laugher burst into loud

roars of merriment.

"Guess again," invited Kinda Jolly, putting his finger tips together, and beaming on his pretty

wife.

" Gr ap es , g lu e, g um d ro ps ?" v en tu red t he Q ueen , p uckeri ng u p h er f or eh ead. " Gr av y, g in ger,

g ri dd le cakes . I k no w, i t 's g ri dd le cakes !"

" Gr ap es and g lu e and g ri dd le cak es

Will give us frightful stomach aches!

Gi ng er , g rapes and g lu e and g ravy

O h, s om e k in d d oc tor c om e a nd s av e y e! "

T ha t w as t he be st t ha t H ah H oh c ou ld t hi nk o f, b ut t he y a ll l au gh ed s o l oud t ha t s ev en l it tl e

button boys stuck their heads in the window to see what all the fun was about.

" We ll , d o y ou g iv e i t u p? " a sk ed K in da , a ft er R os a h ad m ad e s ev en m or e m er ry g ue ss es .





" Yes, " s ai d t he Q ueen , s haki ng h er h ead t il l t he cur ls f lew o ut i n every d ir ecti on . " Wh at i s i t?"

" A g oo se!" p uf fed K in da J ol ly , s et tl in g b ack com fo rt ab ly o n h is t hr on e. " Th e f in es t, f at test

g oos e y ou e ve r s aw i n y our l if e. C os t m e a t ho us an d g ol d bu tt on s, " h e f in is he d, s ma cki ng hi s l ip s a nd

w in ki ng at G en er al W hi ff en pu ff . T he G en er al , w ho w as f on der o f eat in g t han o f any th in g els e, b eg an t o

pat his stomach absently and Trippsy, though far too well stuffed to require food, gave a skip of

satisfaction that nearly upset the King.

"Roast goose and apple sauce," mused Kinda, regaining his balance. "Yum-yum, Whiffen, old

r as ca l, j us t s te p o ut t o t he p an tr y, a nd s ee h ow t he d in ne r' s p ro gr es si ng . I t' s h ig h t im e o ur g oo se w as

c ook ed , a nd I f or o ne a m h un gr y a s a h ip po gr if f. " T he y w er e s ti ll l au gh in g a t H ah H oh' s j oke s, w he n

W hi ff en pu ff r et ur ne d, b ut o ne l oo k a t t he G en er al s ob er ed t he m a t o nc e.

" Gu es s w hat w e' re g oi ng t o h av e f or d in ner?" p an ted W hi ff en pu ff , v er y r ed i n t he f ace f ro m h is

hurry.

" W hat ?" ask ed R os a i n s ur pr is e.

" Nu th in ' " g ul ped t he G en er al d ol ef ul ly . " Th e d in ner' s n ot g oi ng , i t' s G ON E! O ur g oo se i s

hooked, tooked, crooked," finished Whiffen-puff, forgetting his grammar entirely. (Of course, we have

know n t hi s a ll a lon g, bu t i t wa s a gr ea t s hoc k t o t he Ki ng.)

"Gone!" gasped Kinda Jolly. "But where is Mombi?"

"Gone too!"

"To where?"

W hi ff en pu ff s ho ok h is h ead g lu ml y and i mm ed iately R os a M er ry , K in da J ol ly and all t he r es t

r us hed i nt o t he k it ch en t o s ee f or t hems el ves h ow g on e every th in g w as . N at ur al ly eno ug h t hey f ou nd

n ei th er M om bi n or P aj uk a and , o n t he w ho le, t hi s w as m os t f or tu nate, f or o th er wi se t hey m ig ht h av e

e at en t he P ri me M in is te r o f O z a nd s wa ll ow ed w it h h im t he w hol e of t hi s s to ry.

"Our di nner be ga n wi th a G and now it 's gone ! Gone be gins wi th a G. Our di nner i s gone wit h

a G ! Sh al l I l au gh ?" a ske d H ah H oh , b eg in ni ng t o t ic kl e hi ms el f i n t he r ib s.

" I s hou ld s ay n ot . W hy , t hi s i s n o l augh ing m at te r. No c ook ! N o goo se ! N o d inn er ! Oh ! I 'm s o

d is ap po in ted I cou ld cry !" cho ked K in da J ol ly , p uf fi ng o ut h is cheek s.

" Do n' t d o t ha t! D on 't d o t ha t! " b eg ge d R os a M er ry , a nd t um bl in g o ff h er h ig h s to ol s he s en t a

page flying for the Town Crier. I never told you there was one, but Kimbaloo has a Town Crier as well

a s a T ow n L au gh er , f or n o o ne i n t ha t m er ry K in gd om e ve r t hi nk s o f s he dd in g t ea rs .

S o b ef or e on e c ou ld w in k t he T own C ri er c am e r un ni ng i n w it h a p age , a nd w he n W hi ff en puf f

t ol d h im a bo ut t he l os t d in ne r, t he l os t g oo se a nd t he l os t c oo k, h e s im pl y b ur st i nt o t ea rs .

" Ho w l on g s hall I cry ?" h e s ob bed, l oo ki ng aro un d h is h an dk er ch ief at K in da J ol ly .

" Seven m in ut es f or t he g oo se and t h- th ree f or M om bi ," s ni ff ed t he K in g, b it in g h is l ip t o k eep

f ro m c ry in g h im se lf . S o t he T ow n C ri er j er ke d o ut a no th er h an ky , a nd w hi le a ll t he r es t s to od a ro un d a nd

l oo ke d s ol em n a nd K in da h el d h is w at ch , h e w ep t e ye a ft er e ye f ul l o f t ea rs .





" Do y ou f eel b et ter?" as ked R os a M er ry p resent ly , p at ti ng K in da's p lu mp h an d.

" A l it tl e, a l it tl e, " ack no wl ed ged t he K in g, " bu t d o y ou s 'p os e M om bi 's g on e f or g oo d?"

" Well , I t ru st s o, " s ni ff ed t he T ow n L au gh er , s hr ug gi ng h is s ho ul ders , " bu t I 'm afr ai d s he h as

go ne f or b ad , y ou r M aj es ty . A m or e e vi l a ppe ar in g o ld w re tc h I 'v e ne ve r s ee n i n Oz , a nd p er ha ps w e a rew el l r id of he r. O nl y a w ee k a go I ha d a l et te r f rom a s ixt ee nt h c ou si n o f m ine i n t he E me ra ld Ci ty t el li ng

o f a f am ou s i nv is ib le coo k w ho l iv ed n ear h er . W hy n ot s en d f or t hi s i nv is ib le coo k y ou r H ig hn es s?"

" Th at 's w hat w e' ve g ot n ow , i sn 't i t?" p ut i n G en er al W hi ff en pu ff , g lo om il y, b ut K in da's eyes

began to snap at the Town Laugher's suggestion.

" Wh y an i nv is ib le coo k w ou ld b e s im pl y o ut o f s ig ht !" cri ed t he K in g, m ot io ni ng f or t he T ow n

C ri er t o c ea se h is l am en ta ti on s. " Le t u s s en d f or h er a t o nc e! "

" A nd m eanw hi le I 'l l b e coo k, " s mi led R os a M er ry , h ap py t hat every th in g w as t ur ni ng o ut s ow el l. " Gu es s w hat w e' re g oi ng t o h av e f or d in ner?"

"Omelet!" gulped the Town Crier, wringing out his handkerchiefs in a business-like fashion and

i mm edi at el y t he r es t b eg an t o gu es s t hi s a nd t he n t ha t t il l t he y w er e a ll a s j ol ly a s po ss ib le . B ut r ig ht i n t he

m id st o f t he m er ri me nt , i n c am e t en l it tl e b ut to n b oy s t o r ep or t t he d is ap pe ar an ce o f S ni p.

"S ni p g on e, " g ro an ed K in da J ol ly , clapp in g h is h an d t o h is h ead and f al li ng b ack again st t he

f lo ur b ar re l. " Oh ! T hi s i s t he w or st o f a ll . W hy h e' s t he b ri gh te st b oy i n K im ba lo o a nd t he b es t b ut to n

picker I've got. Cry! Cry some more, cry a lot!" wailed the poor King, shaking the Town Crier by the

a rm. So he di d, a nd t he Tow n La ug he r ha d t o bl ow hi s nos e ha rd, to ke ep f rom c ryi ng hi ms el f, f or Sni p

w as a g re at f av or it e i n t he p al ac e.

A s s oo n a s t he n ew s g ot a bo ut , a ll t he r es t o f t he K im bl es c am e t um bl in g i nt o t he k it ch en , a nd

t he t wo h und re d a nd f or ty n in e l it tl e b ut to n bo ys b eg an t o h ug K in da J ol ly , a nd t he t wo h un dr ed a nd f if ty

l it tl e f lo we r g ir ls b eg an t o h ug R os a M er ry . T ri pp sy , t he p et f oo t s to ol , w ho l ov ed S ni p a lm os t a s m uc h a s

K in da J ol ly , w as s o u ps et h e d as he d h er e a nd t he re t il l e ve ry on e e ls e w as t ha t w ay , t oo , e sp ec ia ll y

General Whiffenpuff. Altogether the confusion was terrific.

"Wait!" grunted the General, picking himself up for the fifth time. "Wait! I will find them all!"

S ei zi ng h is g un , and w it h n ev er a t ho ug ht o f d in ner, h e p lu ng ed b ol dl y o ut i nt o t he n ig ht t o f in d M om bi ,

t he go os e, S ni p a nd a n i nv is ib le c oo k. A ft er t ha t t hi ngs g re w c al me r, f or t he K in g h ad g re at c on fi de nc e i nW hi ff en pu ff . T he b oy s a nd g ir ls t ro op ed b ac k t o t he ir c ot ta ge s a nd t he r es t s at d ow n t o a p ic ni c s up pe r

out of the i ce box.

"Whiffenpuff will find 'em, no fear," whispered Hah Hoh, squeezing Kinda Jolly's hand

com fo rt in gl y, " an d i f h e d oesn 't j us t r em em ber t hat I als o h av e s om et hi ng u p m y s leev e! "

" Wh at i s i t? " a sk ed t he K in g m ou rnf ul ly , a nd a s c le ar ly a s h e c ou ld , f or h e h ad ha lf a c hi ck en

s an dw ich i n t he o th er cheek .

" A f un ny b on e, " con fi ded t he T ow n L au gh er , w it h s o com ical and i mp or tant an exp ress io n t hat

K in da ha d t o b e t hu mpe d o n t he ba ck t o ke ep f rom c ho ki ng .

" A f un ny b on e! " g as pe d t he K in g, a s h e r ec ov er ed h is b re at h. " Le t m e s ee i t, y ou r as ca l. "





S o t he T ow n L au gh er s ho we d K in da J ol ly h is l ef t e lb ow a nd t he y b ot h r oa re d a t t he j ok e.

C HA PT ER 4

I n t he P ur pl e F or es t

S NI P t ho ug ht o f a g re at m any t hi ng s t o t el l M om bi a s h e w as b ei ng d ra gg ed a lo ng t hr ou gh t he

for es t, but s he r an so f ar and so fa st tha t by the t ime she st oppe d he wa s t oo bumpe d about and

breathless to say any of them.

" No w w ha t? " p uf fe d P aj uk a, s et tl in g o n t he l ow es t b ra nc h o f a p ur pl e p in e.

" We ll , do yo u e xpe ct t o f ind t he Ki ng unde r t he f ir st t re e we c ome t o? " pa nt ed t he ol d w it ch,

d ro pp in g d ow n o n a s tu mp a nd m op pi ng h er f or eh ea d w it h h er a pr on . " Ha nd o ve r t ha t b as ke t, y ou ."

B ef or e h e c ou ld c om pl y, M om bi h ad s na tc he d t he b as ke t f ro m S ni p a nd , l oo se ni ng h er h ol d u po n h is

arm , b eg an r um magi ng amo ng i ts con tent s t il l s he f ou nd a s mall p ur pl e s cr ol l. " Keep y ou r eye o n t he

boy," ordered Mombi, snapping the scroll open, "and if he tries to escape nip off his nose, d'ye hear?"

" Oh , I 'm s ur e h e w ou ld n' t d o t hat, " s ai d P aj uk a, f lu tt er in g h is w in gs . " He'd m uch r at her com e

w it h u s t o f in d t he K in g a nd s ha re t he r ew ar d, w ou ld n' t y ou l ad ?"

S ni p g lanced f earf ul ly aro un d h im . T he s hado ws w er e g ro wi ng l on ger and l on ger, and i n t he

d im p ur pl e t wi li gh t t he f or es t l oo ked s o g ri m and f or bi dd in g t hat h e d ecid ed even b ad com pany w as

better than none. So he shook his head and swallowing the lump in his throat resolved to make the best

o f t hi ngs , a nd a t t he s am e t im e f ind ou t a ll h e c ou ld a bou t t hi s m ys te ri ous a ff ai r.

" Wh at d id I t el l y ou ," c lu ck ed P aj uk a, p re en in g h is f ea th er s. " I s ho ul dn 't b e s ur pr is ed i f h e' d b e

a g re at h el p t o u s, M om bi !"

"T hen l et h im b eg in b y g at heri ng s om e w oo d, " g ru nt ed M om bi , " an d n on e o f y ou r t ri ck s S ni p

my boy, or I' ll tur n you to a muf fin a nd e at you f or br eakf ast ."

" Is S ni p y ou r n am e?" ask ed P aj uk a, w ad dl in g aft er t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy . S ni p n od ded and

began slowly picking up twigs and putting them in a heap.

" A h ea rt le ss o ld w re tc h, " w he ez ed t he g oo se , w he n t he y w er e o ut o f e ar s ho t. " Do n' t m in d

her. She can no more turn you to a muffin than I can, but she is the only one who can help me find the

Ki ng s o we m ust hum or he r. Sti ck by m e Snip and I' ll s tic k by you. I s it a bar ga in? " I n t he s tr ange , si le nt

f or es t, t he w hi te g oo se l oo ke d s o b ig a nd f ri en dl y t ha t S ni p d ro pp ed h is t wi gs a nd f lu ng b ot h a rm s

aro un d h is n eck.

" I l ik e y ou P aj uk a, " s ai d t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy , g iv in g h im a q ui ck h ug .

" An d I l ik e y ou , S ni p, " r ep li ed t he g oo se, s nu gg li ng clo se t o h im . T hen, as M om bi g lanced u p





s us pi ci ou sl y, t hey b ot h f el l t o g at heri ng t wi gs and i n a f ew m om en ts h ad eno ug h f or a f in e f ir e. M om bi

wa s s ti ll po rin g ov er t he s cr ol l. Looki ng ove r he r s houl de r, Sni p s aw t ha t i t wa s a m ap of Oz -s uc h a ma p

a s he ha d of te n s ee n i n h is ge oz iphy books a t h ome . M omb i he ld t he ma p c los e t o he r nos e, f or i n t he

f ai li ng l ig ht i t w as h ar d t o s ee any th in g.

" If I cou ld o nl y r em em ber! I f I cou ld o nl y r em em ber! " m ut tered M om bi , r ocki ng b ackw ar d

a nd f or wa rd on t he s tum p. " Wha t di d I d o w it h t he Ki ng ? W he re di d I put hi m? W ha t di d I us e- gr ee nm ag ic o r b lu e, w or d m ag ic o r n um ber m ag ic, f ir e m ag ic o r s mo ke m ag ic? C an 't y ou r em em ber any th in g?"

S he w hi rl ed i n g reat exasp er at io n u po n P aj uk a.

" We ll , no t m uc h," s ig he d t he go os e, r ubb in g h is he ad wi th h is wi ng . " You s ee i t w as s o l ong

a go . I d o r eme mbe r w e w er e i n a s ma ll gr ee nw ood ne ar w he re t he Em er al d C it y s ta nds t oda y w he n you

c ha nge d me t o a g oos e. B ut a s y ou d rove me a wa y i mme di at el y, I ne ve r k ne w wha t be ca me of t he

King."

" Th en i t w as g reen m ag ic!" cri ed M om bi , s pr in gi ng u p exu lt an tl y. " We m us t g o t o t he E merald

C it y a nd f in d t ha t w oo d, f or i f t he K in g w as t ra ns fo rm ed b y g re en m ag ic h e m us t b e r es to re d b y g re enm ag ic , a nd t he o nl y p la ce w he re g re en m ag ic t ak es e ff ec t i s i n a nd a ro un d t he E me ra ld C it y. O nc e t he re I

w il l d ou bt less r em em ber every th in g, " chu ck led M om bi . " If I d on 't , I 'l l j us t s teal s om e o f O zm a' s m ag ic. I 'l l

s te al t he m ag ic b el t, r es to re t he K in g t o t he t hr on e a nd h av e m y r ev en ge f or a ll t he se w ea ry y ea rs . I 'l l t ur n

O zm a t o a p iano and t hu mp h er every d ay ," con ti nu ed M om bi , r ub bi ng h er h an ds g leef ul ly t og et her. " I' ll

t ur n e ve ry on e e ls e i n t he p al ac e t o o ne o bj ec t a nd t he n d es tr oy t ha t o bj ec t

" I o bj ect! " s pl ut tered P aj uk a, t read in g o n t he o ld w it ch 's t oes i n h is excit em en t.

" So w il l t hey, " g ri nn ed M om bi , s ho wi ng h er y el lo w t us ks , " bu t i t w il l d o t hem n o g oo d. D on 't

stand staring at me, simpleton. Light the fire." Whirling upon Snip, Mombi raised her stick threateningly,

a nd S ni p, w ho h ad b ee n s ta ri ng w it h o pe n m ou th ( fo r h e h ad n ev er h ea rd s o m uc h b ad ne ss i n h is w ho leli fe ) made ha st e to do as he wa s told.

M om bi , s ti ll m ut teri ng and chu ck li ng , b eg an t o l ay o ut t he chi ck en and chees e u po n t he t ree

s tum p. T ho ug h t he f ir e s na pp ed m er ri ly e no ug h, s up pe r w as n ot v er y c he er fu l f or S ni p, b ut he a te t he

c hi cke n w in g a nd s ma ll b it o f c he es e t ha t M om bi g rud gi ng ly g av e h im a nd b ro ke up s om e b re ad f or

Pajuka.

" Wh er e' ve y ou b ee n a ll t he se y ea rs ?" a sk ed t he o ld w it ch , l oo ki ng c ur io us ly a t t he g oo se o ve r

h er m ug o f cof fee.

" Ev er yw here, every wh er e i n O z, s earchi ng f or y ou and t he K in g, " p uf fed P aj uk a. " I' ve l iv ed

w it h m is er ab le b ar ny ar d f ow ls , eat in g f ar mer' s s cr ap s, and i n con st an t d an ger o f t he ax. Y ou m ig ht h av e

ma de m e a wi ld goo se , t he n a t l ea st I s houl d ha ve ha d s om e f un. I s hud de r w he n I t hi nk ho w n ea r I 'v e

been to roasting."

"Well, didn't they roast you in the old days?" replied Mombi unfeelingly. "Prime ministers are

a s o ft en r oa st ed a s g ee se !"

" Ye s, b ut n ot i n t he s am e w ay ." P aj uk a r ol le d h is e ye s s ad ly a t S ni p.

" Wh y d id n' t y ou t el l O zm a o r G li nd a o n h er ," a sk ed t he l it tl e b ut ton b oy b ol dl y.

" Ah a! B ec au se h e k ne w i f h e d id h e' d d is ap pe ar e nt ir el y. T ha t w as p ar t o f t he t ri ck ," s hr il le d





M om bi . " Wasn 't i t, o ld f eath er h ead?"

" Yes, i t' s b et ter t o b e a g oo se t han n ot hi ng at all ," adm it ted P aj uk a m ou rn fu ll y. " Bu t n ev er

m ind , w he n w e f ind t he K in g, h e w il l r es to re M om bi 's p ow er s a nd s he w il l r es tor e m y e le ga nt f ig ur e a nd

"Oh, hold your bill," snapped Mombi crossly.

L oo ki ng v er y r uf fl ed , P aj uk a r et ir ed t o t he o th er s id e o f t he f ir e, w he re h e a nd S ni p c on ve rs ed

i n l ow t on es , w hi le M om bi c le ar ed a wa y t he s up pe r a nd b eg an h er e nd le ss e xp er im en ts i n t he o ld b la ck

frying pan.

" I s ho ul d t hi nk i n s om e w ay s, b ei ng a g oo se w ou ld b e r at he r n ic e, " o bs er ve d S ni p, l oo ki ng

i nq ui si ti vely at P aj uk a. " Havi ng w in gs f or i ns tance, and n ev er n eedi ng t o g et u nd ress ed o r h av e y ou r h ai r

cut."

" Well ," agr eed P aj uk a s lo wl y, " feat hers are m or e con veni en t t han clo th es and w hi le t he l if e o f a

g oo se i s v er y s im pl e, i t i s n ot a ll u np le as an t. I 'v e e nj oy ed f ly in g a l ot , a nd I n ev er n ee d t o w or ry a bo utr ub bers o r car ry in g an u mb rell a. B ut aft er all ," P aj uk a s ig hed and g azed s ad ly i nt o t he f ir e, " af ter all , m y

boy, there is nothing like being yourself."

S ni p con si dered t hi s f or a l it tl e w hi le i n s il en ce, t ry in g t o f an cy h im self i n P aj uk a' s p lace. " Well ,

w ha t d o y ou m is s t he m os t? " h e i nq ui re d s ud de nl y. P aj uk a h ad o ne e ye s hu t a nd w as p re pa ri ng t o c lo se

t he o th er , b ut a t S ni p' s w or ds b ot h f le w w id e o pe n.

" My p oc ke ts ," g as pe d P aj uk a, w it h a g re at g ro an . " Wh at i s a m an w it ho ut h is p oc ke ts ? N o

place to put his hands or his bills!" Clapping his wing to his side, Pajuka looked tragically at Snip, and

S ni p p at ti ng h is o wn b ul gi ng p ockets -p ockets f ul l o f cak e cru mb s, m ar bl es , p en ci l s tu bs and

s tr in g- no dd ed s ym path et ical ly . " An d n ot o nl y t hat, " con ti nu ed t he g oo se i n a g ri ev ed v oi ce, " I w ak en ats uch r id icul ou s h ou rs . H ah , h oh ! I f in d m ys el f f al li ng asl eep. " P aj uk a p au sed h er e f or a s im pl y t remend ou s

yawn. "Right after supper, Hoh hum!" finished the goose apologetically. Then, tucking his head under his

w in g a nd d ra wi ng u p o ne l eg, h e f el l f as t a sl ee p b ef or e S ni p c ou ld a sk h im a not he r q ue st io n.

P aj uk a w as s o c lo se t o t he f ir e t ha t t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy w as a fr ai d h e w ou ld s in ge h is f ea th er s.

S o, p ic ki ng h im u p c ar ef ul ly , h e s et h im b ac k a ga in st a g na rl ed ol d t re e a nd , c ur li ng u p o n a p il e o f l ea ve s

beside him, lay watching old Mombi. The wind fortunately was blowing away from him, or he certainly

w oul d ha ve b ee n c ho ke d b y t he a wf ul m ix tu re s i n t he b la ck f ry ing p an . I f h e h ad no t k no wn p os it iv el y

t ha t he r m agi c pow er s we re go ne , he wo ul d ha ve t ak en t o h is h ee ls a t onc e, f or t he m ons te rs t ha t Mo mbi

w as t ryi ng t o c on jur e u p o ut o f t he f ryi ng p an , w ou ld h av e d evo ur ed h im i n a m in ut e.

"Magicum squadgicum squidgicum squdge

I or de r a s nooc h t o c ome ou t of t hi s s mudg e! "

M om bi f ro wn ed d ar kl y a s s he h is se d t hi s, b ut o nl y a d en se s mo ke r os e f ro m t he f ry in g p an ,

and after listening nervously to ten separate incantations and finding that nothing at all happened, Snip

c ur le d d ow n a mo ng t he l ea ve s a nd w as s oo n a s f as t a sl ee p a s P aj uk a- as le ep - an d d re am in g h e, h im se lf ,

wa s a goos e be ing c ha se d up a pi nk m ount ai n by a gi ant wi th a bl ue a x.





Mo mb i con ti nu ed h er exp er im en ts w it h t he f ry in g p an l on g aft er S ni p and P aj uk a w er e asl eep,

but finally she gave up in disgust and then she, too, lay down for a nap, which lasted until dawn.

C HA PT ER 5

The Rolling Hoopers

S NI P w as a wa ke ne d b y a t ic kl in g f ee li ng o f h is n os e a nd , o pe ni ng h is e ye s, s aw P aj uk a

s tand in g o ver h im w it h a b ig b un ch o f g rapes i n h is b il l. " Hell o! " y aw ned S ni p, s it ti ng u p and r ub bi ng h is

eyes sleepily. "Is it morning?"

Pa juka dr oppe d t he gr ape s i nto hi s l ap. " Ha lf p as t i t. B ee n up s inc e f ive , ha d a f ly a nd a s wi m

a nd b ro ug ht y ou t he se f or b re ak fa st ," c lu ck ed t he g oo se , w ho s ee me d t o b e i n a f in e h um or . " Mo mb i' s

eat en all t he r es t o f t he chi ck en h er self , t he o ld S cu nd er mu tch! "

T he s un f il te re d d ow n c he er il y t hr ou gh t he t re et op s a nd a f re sh l it tl e b re ez e h ad s et a ll t he

f or es t l eaves t o d an ci ng . S ni p, h im self , f el t cur io us ly l ig ht h eart ed and g ay . P er haps i t w as t he l on g s leep

h e h ad h ad i n t he o pe n, o r t he f ri en dl y p re se nc e o f P aj uk a, o r t he t ho ug ht o f t he s tr an ge a dv en tu re s t ha t

l ay a he ad. A ny wa y, h e j um pe d u p w it h a w il l a nd e ve n t he s co wl o ld M om bi ga ve h im f ai le d t o d am pe n

h is s pi ri ts . S he h ad a lr ea dy p re pa re d a nd e at en h er b re ak fa st a nd w as b ea ti ng o ut t he f ir e w it h h er s ho e.

F ol lo wi ng P aj uk a t o a s mall s park li ng b ro ok , S ni p s pl as hed h is f ace and h an ds v ig or ou sl y, ate h is g rapesa nd a l ar ge s ug ar bu n t ha t t he t ho ug ht fu l P aj uk a h ad pl uc ke d f ro m a n ea rb y b un b us h. B y t hi s t im e

M om bi h ad h er b as ke t p ac ke d a nd , s ha ki ng h er s ti ck c ro ss ly , a nn ou nc ed i t w as t im e t o s ta rt .

" Wh ic h w ay a re w e g oi ng ?" a sk ed S ni p, t ak in g t he b as ke t a nd f al li ng i nt o s te p be si de h er .

"My way!" snapped Mombi fiercely.

" W el l, t ha t' s a w it ch w ay , i sn t i t, ,, o bs er ve d P aj uk a, f lo pp in g a lo ng a f ew f ee t o ve rh ea d a nd

w in ki ng d ow n s ly ly a t S ni p, a s h e p lo dd ed d ow n t he r oa d.

" Ho ld y ou r b il l, " s napp ed M om bi , h ob bl in g alo ng s o f as t t hat t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy h ad t o s ki p

t o ke ep pa ce wi th he r. "I t ol d you l as t ni ght we w ere going to the Eme ra ld Ci ty."

" Bu t I t ho ug ht yo u w er e b ani she d f ro m t he re f or ev er ," p ut i n S ni p, w ho kn ew h is O z h is to ry b y

heart.

"I shall disguise myself," shrilled Mombi triumphantly. "I'll pretend I'm a market woman selling

a f at g oo se a nd w hi le I 'm a rg ui ng w it h t he c oo k, P aj uk a s ha ll f ly i nt o t he p al ac e a nd s te al s om e o f O zm a' s

magic."

" Ho w do y ou k no w I s ha ll ?" h on ke d P aj uk a s ul ki ly . " Oz ma h as n ev er d on e m e a ny h ar m. T he

t hi ng f or us to do i s to fi nd t he K ing. Onc e we 've c ome t o t he l itt le wood w her e you tr ans form ed hi m

y ou 'l l r em em ber w here h e i s. W hy , m ay be w e' ll f in d h im b ef or e t hen. "





" Yes, b ut w hat g oo d w il l i t d o i f I d on 't r em em ber m y m ag ic," s ni ff ed M om bi . " Un less y ou

want to be a goos e for the re st of your li fe, you' d bett er make up your mind to do what I sa y. As for

y ou ," t he o ld w it ch w hi rl ed a ngr ih y u pon S ni p, " an y m or e o f t hi s s upp os in g a nd I 'l l t ur n y ou t o a s ix pe nc e

and s pend y ou at t he f ir st v il lage."

S ni p m er el y w hi st le d a nd t ur ne d u p h is n os e a t t hi s, f or he k ne w p er fe ct ly we ll M om bi c ou ldno t c ar ry out he r t hr ea t. B es id es Sni p h ad a pl an of hi s o wn. The l it tl e b ut to n b oy ha d d ec ide d t ha t a s

s oo n a s t he y r ea ch ed t he f am ou s c ap it ol o f O z h e w ou ld s li p a wa y f ro m M om bi a nd t el l P ri nc es s O zm a

t he w ho le s to ry . T he n s he h er se lf c ou ld u se h er m ag ic t o h el p P aj uk a f in d t he K in g. S o h e s te pp ed

jauntily along, paying no attention to Mombi's mutterings, looking curiously to the right and left and

t hi nk in g h ow m uch h e s ho ul d h av e t o t el l K in da J ol ly w hen h e r et ur ned t o K im balo o.

T he f or es t, l ik e all t he n or th er n l an ds o f O z, w as s li gh tl y t in ged w it h p ur pl e, t he n at io nal col or

o f t he G il li ke ns . P an si es a nd t al l p ur pl e f la gs g re w a ro un d t he b as es o f t he g ia nt t re es a nd h er e a nd t he re

clu st er s o f v io lets n od ded t heir p rett y l it tl e h eads i n t he b reeze. P ur pl e b ir ds d ar ted t hr ou gh t he l eaves

o ve rh ea d a nd t he a ir w as s we et f ro m h id de n b ed s o f l av en da r, s o t ha t n ot hi ng c ou ld h av e b ee n pleasanter than the first part of the day's journey. But toward noon they reached a portion of the forest so

d ar k and i mp en et rabl e t hat t hey h ad t o g o s in gl e f il e, and even t hen h ad g reat d if fi cu lt y i n f or ci ng t heir

w ay t hr ou gh t he t r ees and d en se u nd er br us h.

G ro wl s and r oars add ed s ti ll f ur th er t o t heir d is co mf or ts , u nt il S ni p, f eeli ng i n h is p ocket f or h is

t ru st y p en k ni fe , b eg an t o w is h h im se lf s af el y b ac k i n t he b ut to n w oo d. P aj uk a h al f r an a nd w ad dl ed a ft er

h im , g ivi ng e ve ry n ow a nd t he n a g re at f lop o f t er ro r a s a p ar ti cu la rl y f ie rc e r oa r c am e e cho ing t hr ou gh

t he f or es t . M om bi , alo ne, s eem ed p er fect l y u ncon cer ned and h ob bl ed ahead w hacki ng b ranches and

bushes out of the way with her crooked stick.

" Mu st b e l un ch t im e, " s he cal led b ack h oars el y o ver h er s ho ul der.

" Ho wj a g ue ss ?" p an te d P aj uk a, k ee pi ng a s c lo se t o S ni p a s h e c ou ld , f or h e w as t er ri bl y

frightened.

" Do n' t y ou h ear t he l io ns ?" ask ed t he o ld w it ch m al icio us ly .

" Me rc if ul f ea the rs !" g as pe d t he g oos e. " Ha ve I c om e a ll t hi s w ay t o b e a l io n' s l un ch ?"

" Here com es o ne n ow ," s hu dd er ed S ni p, f latt en in g h im self again st a t ree. B ut i t w as n ot a l io n

t ha t c am e hu rt li ng out of t he b rus h. I t wa s a w ee ni x, a w il d, be ar -l ik e b ea st w it h a w al rus he ad. O ne l ook at i ts t us ks s et S ni p' s h eart b eati ng l ik e a d ru m. P aj uk a f lu ng i nt o t he air , f lapp in g h is w in gs and h is si ng

f ur io us ly , b ut t he w eeni x cam e s tr ai gh t o n and S ni p, t ho ug h d et er mi ned t o d ie w it h h is p en k ni fe i n h an d,

t remb led s o v io lent ly h e cou ld s carcel y s tand u p. E ven M om bi l oo ked f ri gh tend . G rabb in g t he b as ket

f ro m S ni p, s he f um bl ed a mo ng i ts p ac ka ge s a nd p an s a nd j us t a s t he w ee ni x, w it h o ut sp re ad p aw s,

l ea pe d u po n h er , t he o ld w it ch s na tc he d o ut t he p ep pe r b ox a nd s ho ok t he e nt ir e c on te nt s u po n i ts n os e.

I t w as p ur pl e p ep per, f or tu nat el y, w hi ch i s even s tr on ger t han r ed .

"Kawoosh!" spluttered the weenix falling backwards. "Kawoosh-Kawush! Kawoo!" With

t ears s tr eami ng d ow n i ts t us ks and t remb li ng w hi sk er s, i t d as hed i nt o t he s hado ws , w here i t cou ld s ti ll b e

h eard s neezin g b ro ken h eart ed ly . I t evi dent ly t ol d i ts f am il y and f ri en ds all abo ut t he d an gero us t ravell er s,

f or n ot a no th er w ee ni x s o m uc h a s s ho we d a w hi sk er a ft er t ha t.

" Hu mp h! " s no rt ed M om bi , s et tl in g h er h at , w hi ch h ad g on e t er ri bl y ask ew . " I m ay h av e





f or go tt en m y m ag ic , b ut I s ti ll k no w a f ew t ri ck s, e h P aj uk a? "

" Oh , m y f eath er s, " p an ted t he g oo se, l eani ng u p again st a t ree, " th at w as w or se t han r oast in g. "

" Ho w d id y ou e ve r t hi nk o f p ep pe r? " a sk ed S ni p, w ho c ou ld n ot h el p a dm ir in g M om bi 's

q ui ck ness . B ut M om bi m er el y g av e a g ru nt , t hr us t t he b as ket b ack i nt o h is h an ds and b eg an l im pi ng alo ng

f as te r t ha n e ve r. S ni p w as t ir ed a nd h un gr y, bu t t he t ho ug ht o f b ei ng l ef t a lo ne i n t he f or es t w as s o m uc hw or se t han b ei ng i n t he com pany o f a w it ch t hat h e s tu mb led and r an aft er h er , com fo rt in g h im self w it h

t he t ho ug ht o f t he f in e s igh ts h e s ho ul d s ee i n t he E me ra ld Ci ty .

Pa ju ka w as t ir ed t oo, b ut he h opp ed a nd f lo pp ed a ft er S ki p a nd a not he r h ou r b ro ug ht t he m t o

t he edg e o f t he f or es t. T he cou nt ry si de, s tr et chi ng p leas an tl y ahead, w as s haded w it h p ur pl e, s o t hey

k ne w t he y w er e s ti ll i n t he l an d o f t he G il li ke ns . Th e o ld w it ch o rd er ed a h al t, w hi le s he c on si de re d t he

road.

M om bi p eg ge d h er m ap d ow n o n t he g ra ss a nd b eg an s tu dy in g i t c ar ef ul ly . S ni p s at d ow n

u nd er a t re e a nd b eg an f ann ing h im se lf w it h h is h at , w hi le P aj uka f le w o ff t o f in d a s tr ea m, f or t he p oo r g oo se w as p ar ch ed b y h is f li gh t t hr ou gh t he f or es t a nd n ev er f el t q ui te h ap py o ut o f w at er .

" Ho w f ar i s t he E me ra ld C it y? " a ske d Sn ip, a ft er w at chi ng M om bi f or a t im e i n s il en ce .

" Ou gh t t o b e t here b y n ig ht t im e, " m ut tered t he w it ch , f or gett in g f or o nce t o s co wl . " Al l w e

ha ve t o d o i s t o k ee p go ing s ou thw es t. " R ol li ng u p t he ma p, Mo mb i t ook t he r es t of t he b re ad a nd

c he es e f ro m t he b as ke t. S ee in g s he m ea nt t o g iv e h im n on e, S ni p w en t o ff i n s ea rc h o f a b it e f or h im se lf .

I n O z t hi s i s n ot d if fi cul t, f or t he m os t m ar ve lo us p la nt s a nd t re es g ro w i n a ll of i ts ki ng do ms . S ca rc el y a

s to ne 's t hr ow a wa y S ni p f ou nd a h uc kl eb er ry -p ie p la nt . H e a te s ev er al o f t he s ma ll t ar ts , a nd t he n p ic ke d

a po cke t f ul l o f p lum s f ro m a pr et ty l it tl e p lu m t re e t ha t gr ew by t he r oa ds id e. T he pu rpl e G il li ke n c ou nt ry

i s a s f amous f or i ts pl um s a s t he ye ll ow Wi nki e L and i s f or i ts pe ache s a nd pe ar s.

F ee li ng q ui te r ef re sh ed , S ni p w en t t o s ea rc h f or P aj uk a. J us t b ey on d a t hi n f ri ng e o f t re es r an a

s ha ll ow s tr ea m, a nd P aj uk a, i n t he s tr an ge m an ne r o f g ee se , w as s ta nd in g o n h is h ea d, e at in g h is - l un ch

o ff t he b ot to m. H e l oo ked s o com ical t hat S ni p n earl y b ur st o ut l au gh in g, b ut r em em beri ng j us t i n t im e

t ha t P aj uk a w as t he K in g' s p ri me m in is te r h e c le ar ed h is t hr oa t i ns te ad . W it h a g re at b ou nc e, P aj uk a

c am e r ig ht s id e t ip a nd a ft er a f ew d iv es a nd s pl as he s w ad ed a sh or e.

" Wh at d id y ou f in d t o eat ?" ask ed S ni p cur io us ly .

" Oh s om e w at er r oo ts a nd e r o th er t hi ng s, " a ns we re d P aj uk a. S ee in g h e w as e mb ar ra ss edSnip politely changed the subject.

" Te ll m e a bo ut t he K in g, " s ai d t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy , " an d a bo ut O z b ef or e O zm a w as Q ue en ."

"W el l, t here w as n ev er a k in dl ier k in g any wh er e, " b eg an P aj uk a, s haki ng t he w at er f ro m h is

feathers.

" Wh at k in d?" ask ed S ni p, b it in g i nt o a p lu m. " Ho w d id h e l oo k?"

" Pl easant ," exp lain ed P aj uk a, p ut ti ng o ne f oo t b ef or e t he o th er and w ad dl in g f ro m s id e t o s id e

i n h is q ue er g oo se y f as hi on . " He w as t al l a nd g en tl e a nd v er y a bs en t- mi nd ed , a nd s o k in d t ha t h e n ev er

punished anyone at all."





"Then that's why there were so many witches," cried Snip triumphantly.

" Ye s, a nd t ha t' s w hy it wa s s o e as y f or Mom bi t o ge t hi m i nt o he r pow er ," s igh ed Pa ju ka

m ou rn fu ll y. " He w ou ld b el ieve evi l o f n o o ne-n ot even o f a w it ch ."

" Se em s t o m e O zm a m ak es a b et te r r ul er ," o bs er ve d S ni p, t hr ow in g h is p lu m o ve r a t re e a nd

s ta nd in g o n h is t ip t oe s t o s ee h ow f ar i t h ad g on e. " Sh e d oe sn 't a ll ow a ny on e t o p ra ti ce m ag ic , e xc ep ti ngh er se lf , G li nd a a nd t he W iz a rd ." T hi s i s p er fe ct ly t ru e a nd O z ha s e nj oy ed u nd er t he l it tl es t P ri nc es s i n

h is to ry a n e ra o f g re at p ea ce a nd p ro sp er it y.

" Ozma i s a p retend er ," i ns is ted P aj uk a s ti ff ly . " Bu t s he d oesn 't even k no w h er f at her' s ali ve,"

protested Snip. Though he had never seen Ozma, he had a great affection for the little Queen. "What will

become of Ozma when we find the King?" he asked doubtfully.

"O h, s he c an g o b ac k a nd p la y w it h h er d ol ls . S he 's o nl y a l it tl e g ir l a ny wa y, " a ns we re d t he

g oo se c ar el es sl y. S ni p d id n ot q ui te a pp ro ve o f t hi s e it he r, s o h e c ha ng ed t he s ub je ct a ga in .

"T here w as n' t any E merald C it y t hen, w as t here P aj uk a?"

" No , b ut w e h ad a s pl en di d c as tl e w he re t he E me ra ld C it y n ow s ta nd s a nd h un ti ng p ar ks i n

e ve ry c ou nt ry o f O z. A h, t ho se w er e t he g oo d o ld d ay s, " s ig he d P aj uk a s or ro wf ul ly . " If I c ou ld b ut s ee

my de ar m as te r a ga in I 'd be c ont ent t o r ema in a goo se f or t he r es t of m y l if e."

" I s 'p os e y ou d o m is s h im ," s ai d S ni p s ym path et ical ly .

" Mi ss h im !" P aj uk a g ave a g re at g ul p a nd t ur ne d h is h ea d t o w ip e h is t ea rs o n h is f ea th er s.

" Wh y, I m is s h im e ve n m or e t ha n m y p oc ke ts ," g ro an ed t he p oo r g oo se i n a s mo th er ed v oi ce .

S ni p w ou ld h av e l ik ed t o h ea r m or e a bo ut t he K in g, b ut a l ou d s cr ee ch f ro m M om bi

i nt er ru pt ed t he s to ry . " Wh er e' ve y ou b een?" cro ak ed t he w it ch , emerg in g f ro m a l it tl e p at ch o f t rees and

blinking at them crossly. "I've been ready for hours. C'mon! Do you think this is a picnic?"

" Do n' t s as s m e w om an ," w he ez ed P aj uk a w it h g re at d ig ni ty , " or I 'l l n ot h el p y ou a m it e. W ho

g ot us i nt o t hi s r id ic ul ous m es s, m ay I a sk? "

M om bi p ai d n o a tt en ti on t o P aj uk a' s r em ar ks , b ut b eg an h ob bl in g d ow n t he r oa d a nd S ni p,

w ho cou ld h ar dl y w ai t t o r each t he E merald C it y, h ur ri ed aft er h er , s ti ll m um bl in g cro ss ly t o h er self . T he

g oo se s ul ki ly b ro ug ht u p t he r ear. T he r oad w as f ai rl y g oo d, and zig zagg ed p leas an tl y eno ug h t hr ou ghmeadows and fields.

"B ut a re n' t t he re a ny h ou se s? " a sk ed S ni p, a s t he y p as se d t hr ou gh a d es er te d s tr et ch o f

w oo dl an d. " Ar en 't t here any p eo pl e o r v il lages o r t ow ns ?"

" Th er e o ug ht t o b e, " h on ke d P aj uk a, w ho w as r es ti ng h is f ee t i n t he a ir . ( Th at 's o ne a dv an ta ge

o f ha vi ng wi ng s, w he n y ou r f ee t a re t ir ed yo u c an f ly .)

" Th er e a re !" s na pp ed M om bi g ru ff ly , a nd M om bi w as r ig ht , f or j us t t he n t he w oo d c am e t o a n

end and t hey f ou nd t hems el ves f acin g a l ar ge, p leas an t p ar k, w it h d azzl in g w hi te p at hs r un ni ng i n every

d ir ec ti on . S ni p w as l oo ki ng a ro un d w it h d ee p i nt er es t, w he n s ix o f t he s tr an ge st b ei ng s h e h ad e ve r s ee n

r os e u p f ro m a b en ch a l it tl e d is tance o ff and s to od exami ni ng t hem cri ti call y. T hey w er e cer tain ly t en f eet

h ig h a nd s o t hi n a nd f la t t ha t S ni p c ou ld s ca rc el y b el ie ve t he y w er e p eo pl e a t a ll . B ut a s t he y h ad h ea ds ,





a rm s, l eg s a nd t he u su al n um be r o f e ye s, e ar s a nd n os es , h e c on cl ud ed t he y m us t b e p eo pl e. A s t he l it tl e

button boy stared at them, the first of the creatures leaned down, caught hold of its toes and came

hurtling at the travelers like a hurricane.

" Wh oo p! " s hr ie ke d t he s ec on d o ne , b en di ng o ve r a s t he f ir st h ad d on e a nd t ur ni ng i ts el f i nt o a

sure enough hoop. "Whoop, whoop!"

" Ho nk !" s cr eamed P aj uk a d ef iant ly , b ut b ef or e S ni p and M om bi h ad t im e t o r ecov er f ro m

t heir s ur pr is e t he s ix H oo pers h ad r ol led u po n t hem f ul l- sp eed, k no ck in g t hem f lat u po n t heir b acks .

P aj uk a j us t s av ed h im self b y a q ui ck f lo p i nt o t he air . T hen, w it ho ut u nr ol li ng , t he s ix w hi zzed o ff

backwards and by the time Snip and Mombi had scrambled up were ready for another dash.

" Ge t t he p ep pe r! G et t he p ep pe r! " s qu aw ke d t he g oo se w il dl y, b ut M om bi , f ur io us a t h er f al l,

d id n ot hi ng b ut h op a nd h ow l w it h r ag e a nd S ni p, s ee in g t ha t s om et hi ng m us t be do ne , s na tc he d u p h er

c ro ok ed s ti ck . A s t he f ir st H oo pe r c am e p el ti ng u po n t he m, h e g av e i t a s ha rp c ra ck t ha t s en t i t w hi rl in g

d ow n t he w al k. T he s ec on d a nd t hi rd h e s er ve d i n t he s am e f as hi on . T he f ou rt h h e m is se d, s o t ha t

M om bi again w as r ol led i n t he d us t, b ut t he f if th and s ix th h e cau gh t f ai rl y and , b eg in ni ng t o enj oy t he f un ,s ta rt ed r ol li ng t he m l ik e h oo ps a s f as t a s h e c ou ld , w ha ck in g f ir st o ne a nd t he n a no th er a nd s cr ea mi ng

w it h l au gh ter at t he com ical exp ress io ns o n t heir f aces , w hen t heir f aces cam e u pp er mo st .

" Go i t, S ni p! G o i t! " exu lt ed P aj uk a, f lapp in g h is w in gs d el ig ht ed ly . B ut S ni p n eeded n o

encou ragement and o nl y s t op ped at l ast f or l ack o f b reath . I mm ed iately t he H oo pers u nr ol led and ,

g ro an in g and w ho op in g and h ol di ng t heir s id es , l im ped o ff i nt o t he b us hes. H un dr ed s o f t he creat ur es h ad

ga th er ed by t hi s t ime a nd , a s S ni p s ank do wn on a b enc h t o r es t, t he ve ry t al le st H oope r c am e r ol li ng

toward them.

" Wh at d o y ou m ean b y b eati ng m y s ub ject s i n t hi s h eart less f as hi on ?" d em an ded t he g reat

fellow, unrolling to his full height and glaring sternly down at the little button boy.

"W el l, t hey s tart ed i t, " r ep li ed S ni p, k eepi ng a f ir m h ol d o n M om bi 's s ti ck . " Di dn 't t hey

Pajuka?"

" Th ey c er ta in ly d id ," a ss er te d t he g oo se , s et tl in g d ow n o n t he b en ch b es id e S ni p. " Is i t u su al t o

k no ck d ow n i nn oc en t t ra ve le rs w it ho ut r ea so n o r c er em on y? " - " Is i t u su al t o s it i n t he p re se nc e o f a

k in g?" r et or ted t he H oo per s ti ff ly . A t t hi s all h is s ub ject s b eg an w ho op in g f ai nt ly , " Bo w d ow n t o R ol lo t he

R oy al , b ow d ow n t o K in g R ol lo t he W or st !"

" Oh , r ol l u p! " s ai d S ni p s co rn fu ll y. " Yo u' re o nl y a l ot o f l iv e h oo ps any way. W hy s ho ul d w e bow?"

" L eave t he p ar k i ns tant ly !" r oared R ol lo , b ou ncin g u p and d ow n w it h r ag e.

" Let' s, " s ai d S ni p, g ri nn in g o ver at P aj uk a.

" I' m r eady ," agr eed t he g oo se, " bu t w here's M om bi ?"

" Here!" s pl ut tered t he w it ch , r ol li ng o ut o f a b on net b us h. " An y m or e n on sens e f ro m t hese

c re at ur es a nd I 'l l t ur n t he m t o b re ak fa st r ol ls a nd e at t he m f or s up pe r. "

" A w it ch !" w ho op ed t he K in g.





"A w it ch !" cou gh ed all t he o th er s and , s ei zi ng t heir t oes, t he w ho le com pany o f t hem w hi rl ed

o ff t og et her and d is ap pear ed i n a clo ud o f d us t. S o w it ho ut f ur th er excit em en t, t he t hr ee adv en tu rers

r ea ch ed t he o th er s id e o f t he H oo pe rs ' p ar k a nd , o pe ni ng a s ma ll g at e i n t he f en ce t ha t s ur ro un de d i t,

f ou nd t hems el ves again o n t he zig -zag p at hw ay . A l ar ge s ig n p os ted o n o ne o f t he t rees i mm ed iately

attracted Snip's attention.

"Fifty leaps to the Corners," announced the sign curiously enough.

"L ea ps !" g as pe d S ni p, w hi le M om bi p us he d b ac k h er h at a nd s to od o n t ip -t oe t o e xa mi ne t he

c ro ok ed l et te rs . " Mu st w e l ea p a ll t he w ay ?"

" Be tt er l oo k b ef or e w e d o, " c hu ck le d P aj uk a, s cr at ch in g h is h ea d w it h t he t hi rd t oe o f h is l ef t

f oo t. " I' ve b ee n i n s om e p re tt y t ig ht c or ne rs i n m y t im e, a nd p re fe r t o g o a ro un d t he r es t o f t he m. "

" We'l l g o s tr ai gh t o n. W ho 's afr ai d?" s neer ed M om bi . S ni p, t hi nk in g o f t he w ay s he h ad h id den

i n t he b on ne t b us h w hi le h e b ea t o ff t he H oo pe rs , w in ke d a t P aj uk a a nd P aj uk a, w it h a l it tl e f lu tt er o f h is

w in gs , w in ked b ack. T hen all t hr ee s tart ed alo ng t he n ar ro w p at h t og et her.

C HA PT ER 6

I n C at ty C or ne rs

S UP PO SE t he K in g w er e a g oa t, d o y ou t hi nk y ou w ou ld s ti ll r em em be r h im ?" a sk ed S ni p, a s

they zig-zagged along the strange pathway.

" Cert ai nl y! " h on ked P aj uk a, f lu tt er in g d ow n. " I' d k no w h im i n any s hape. B ut w hy d o y ou ask ?

W ha t m ak es y ou t hi nk t he K in g i s a g oa t? A re t he re a ny g oa ts a ro un d h er e? " S ho ot in g o ut h is n ec k, -

P aj uk a b eg an p ee ri ng t hi s w ay a nd t ha t.

" I d on 't k no w, " adm it ted S ni p f rank ly . " I w as j us t w on deri ng ."

" Yo u t al k t oo m uch, " s napp ed M om bi , s to pp in g t o p ul l u p h er s to ck in g. " If I cou ld r em em ber.my ma gi c I 'd t urn you t o a pa rr ot !"

A t t hi s s ev er al o f t he t re es t ha t e dg ed t he - pa th wa y b ur st i nt o l ou d r oa rs o f l au gh te r, s ha ki ng

all o ver and clasp in g t hein selv es abo ut t he t ru nk w it h t heir b ranches. S ni p w as s o ast on is hed t hat h e

jumped backward and Pajuka, stepping on his own toes, fell forward on his head.

" Oh , m y d ea r W il l, t he se a re f un ny o ne s, c ho rt le d t he f ir st t re e. " Lo ok a t t ha t r id ic ul ou s b ir d

a nd t ha t s qu id ge ty o ld s ku mp us , a nd w ou ld y ou c ou nt t he b ut to ns o n t he b oy 's s ui t. O h! O h! I s ha ll d ie

laughing!"

N ow S ni p' s s ui t, l ik e a ll t he s ui ts o f t he b ut to n w oo d b oy s, w as ge ne ro us ly t ri mm ed w it h

buttons. He had always considered it quite handsome, but now, as the trees continued to rock and roar

w it h m er ri ment , h e b eg an t o f eel u ncom fo rt ab le and a l it tl e p ro vo ked.





"Quit your laughing!" puffed Pajuka indignantly. "What right have trees to laugh at people?"

" Ev er y r ig ht i n O z, " chu ck led t he s econ d t ree, l eani ng d ow n t o t ickl e M om bi u nd er t he chi n

w it h on e o f i ts t wi gs . " We 'r e l au ghi ng w il lo ws , w e a re , a lw ay s l oo ki ng f or a g oo d j oke , H ah! H ah ! A nd

t he la ugh i s on us , H o! H o! I sn' t t ha t f unny, Tr ee He ?"

" Well , w e' re n ot j ok es ," s ai d S ni p s ti ff ly . " Co me o n, P aj uk a! " T hi s s et t he w il lo ws t o l au gh in g

s o h ea rt il y t ha t t he ir l ea ve s f el l i n p er fe ct s ho we rs . M om bi , i n a r ag e, c la pp ed h er h an ds t o h er e ar s a nd

h ob bl ed o ff a nd S ni p, a ft er a f ew m or e r em ar ks w hi ch o nl y m ad e t he t re es l au gh h ar de r, r an a ft er h er .

" I m us t s ay I p refer w eepi ng w il lo ws ," w heezed P aj uk a, cat ch in g u p w it h S ni p and s mo ot hi ng

o ut h is f ea the rs w it h h is bi ll . O ne o f t he w il lo ws h ad a ct ua ll y h ad t he t em er it y t o t we ak hi m b y t he t ai l.

" Wh en I f in d t he K in g, I 'l l h av e y ou c ho pp ed d ow n a nd u p! " s cr ea me d M om bi , t ur ni ng t o

s ha ke h er s ti ck a t t he o ff en di ng t re es , b ut n ei th er S ni p n or P aj uk a b ot he re d t o l is te n t o h er . T he y w er e

s ta ri ng a he ad i n g re at a st on is hm ent , f or t he l as t z ig i n t he r oa d h ad b ro ug ht t he m q ui te s udd en ly t o t heedg es o f a s park li ng i nl an d s ea.

" Water! " exu lt ed t he g oo se, i ns tant ly r es to red t o g oo d h um or . " Oh , l et 's g o s wi mm in g! "

"Swimming!" shuddered Mombi, whirling around in a hurry. "Don't you know water is death

and destruction to witches?"

" Is i t? " a sk ed S ni p i n p le as ed s ur pr is e, a nd s ec re tl y w on de re d w he th er h e h ad n' t b et te r p us h

M om bi i n at o nce. B ut P aj uk a, h al f g uess in g w hat w as i n h is m in d, s ho ok h is h ead r ep ro vi ng ly .

" Bu t h ow a re we t o g et a cr os s? " de ma nd ed t he go os e. " I d on' t s ee a ny bo at s o r f er ri es a nd

" It 's p rett y w id e t o s wi m, " v en tu red S ni p, s hadi ng h is eyes w it h h is h an ds and l oo ki ng anx io us ly

o ver t he t um bl in g w av es . S ni p' s o nl y exp er ience w it h s wi mm in g h ad b een i n a s mall p oo l i n t he b ut to n

wood a nd he was not at all s ur e he would e ve r re ac h the other s ide.

" I c ou ld t ug y ou a cr os s, ' s ai d P aj uk a, " bu t w ha t a bo ut M om bi ?"

" Ho ld y ou r b il l! " s napp ed t he w it ch i n h er u su al p leas an t f as hi on , and s it ti ng o n a s to ne s he

s cow le d d ow n a t t he s an dy be ac h. Th en a ll a t o nc e s he h op pe d u p a nd, h ob bl ing ov er t o S ni p, t ook t he

basket again.

" No w w hat?" w hi sp er ed t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy . P aj uk a s hr ug ged h is w in gs and r ol led u p h is

e ye s. b ut t he y h ad n ot l on g t o w ai t o r w on de r, f or M om bi , h av in g f ou nd w ha t s he w an te d, s pr an g o n a

big rock and hurled a small purple can as far as she could into the rippling blue waters. Then with a grunt

o f s at is fa ct io n, s he r es um ed h er s ea t u po n t he s to ne .

"Well?" wheezed Pajuka inquiringly.

" W hat are w e w ai ti ng f or ?" d em an ded S ni p.

" Fo r t he s ea t o j el l, i di ot !" s ni ff ed M om bi . " In t ha t c an i s t he s tr on ge st g el at in i n O z. I t t oo k m e

s ix ye ar s t o r ef ine a nd c ol le ct i t. Wa tc h t he s ea a nd we s ha ll s ee .





" It i s j el li ng ," m ar vell ed S ni p, h op pi ng u p and d ow n. " Lo ok , P aj uk a, t he w av es h av e s to pp ed

rolling!" This was quite true. The dancing blue waters, caught in their liveliest tumbling, had stiffened with

t he ir w hi te f ri ll s s ti ll up on t he m a nd t he wh ol e s ea w as be co mi ng s mo ot h a nd gl as sy a s a b owl of ge la ti n,

o nl y n o g el at in S ni p e ve r h ad s ee n w as h al f s o be au ti fu l, f or t he b lu e s ea , t in ge d i n s po ts w it h p ur pl e a nd

g reen , s park led i n t he s un sh in e l ik e s om e l ar ge and l ov el y ameth ys t.

" Well , d o I k no w any t ri ck s o r n ot ?" s hr il led M om bi , s napp in g h er f in gers u nd er P aj uk a' s b il l." Co me o n! L et 's c ro ss !" S he r os e s ti ff ly a nd S ni p, t ak in g u p t he b as ke t, s et o ne f oo t e xp er im en ta ll y u po n

t he j el ly . I t s ho ok a l it tl e u nd er h is w ei gh t, b ut s ee me d f ir m a nd s ol id , s o t he t hr ee s te pp ed o ut a nd w er e

s oo n h al f w ay o ve r.

"H ow abo ut t he f is h?" ask ed P aj uk a, l oo ki ng d ow n t hr ou gh t he clear , j el li ed w at er .

" The y' ll b e j el ly f is h f or a wh il e, " s ni cke re d M omb i, w ho wa s i n a f ine hu mo r a t t he t ri ck s he

ha d t ur ne d. " I w is h t he W iz ar d o f Oz c oul d s ee t hi s. I 'll wa ge r I c an ge t a s m uc h ma gi c out of a c ook

book as he can out of a whole library of sorcery."

" It c er ta in ly l oo ks g oo d e no ug h t o e at ," a dm it te d S ni p. " Wo nd er i f i t i s? " H e s co op ed u p a b it

to tast e, but it wa s s o s alty it choked him. If it was not good to eat it was surely fine to walk on and Snip,

bouncing along beside Pajuka, was quite sorry when they reached the other side. "I think traveling's

pretty interesting," observed the little button boy, looking back over his shoulder. "Don't you Pajuka?"

T he g oo se s ig he d. " I u se d t o t hi nk s o, S ni p, b ut I 'v e t ra ve le d s o f ar s ea rc hi ng f or t he K in g, I 'm

ho me si ck f or m y s li ppe rs , a qui et o ld c as tl e a nd m y pi pe . Ha ve n' t h ad a s moke s inc e I wa s a go os e,"

mourned the poor prime minister, rolling his eyes sadly. Snip couldn't help thinking how funny Pajuka

w ou ld l oo k w it h a p ip e a nd a p ai r o f s li pp er s. B ut he s ti fl ed t hi s t ho ug ht q ui ck ly .

" Do n' t y ou car e! " h e w hi sp er ed com fo rt in gl y. " Yo u' ll f in d t he K in g and w hen w e r each t heE merald C it y, I 'l l t el l O zm a all abo ut y ou ," h e p ro mi sed, l ow er in g h is v oi ce s o M om bi cou ld n ot h ear. " I

a m s ur e s he 'l l h el p us .

"What are you whispering about?" snarled the witch, glaring back suspiciously.

" Ab ou t a s econ d, " w hi st led P aj uk a, s oari ng i nt o t he air . " Hell o, w hat' s t hi s?"

" Wh y, i t' s t he C or ne rs ," c ri ed S ni p, r un ni ng a he ad t o r ea d a l ar ge s ig n s us pe nd ed f ro m a p us sy

w il lo w u nd er t he g reat g ray w al ls .

" Catt y C or ners ," ann ou nced t he s ig n, i n b lack s cr at ch y l et ters .

" Ca tt y C or ne rs ," h is se d t he g oo se . " We ll , t hi s i s n o p la ce f or m e. L et u s f ly a t o nc e! "

"B ut I a do re c at s, " d ec la re d M om bi a nd , b ef or e a ny on e c ou ld s to p h er , s he t hu mp ed h ar d

u po n t he g at es . T he w al ls s ur ro un di ng C at ty C or ne rs f or me d a h ug e t ri an gl e a nd w er e s o h igh t ha t e ve n

by bending backward Snip could not see the top. As he straightened up, a door in the gray wall flew

op en a nd a s im pl y e no rm ou s Ta bb y Ca t, dr es se d a s a g ua rd, s ei ze d Pa juk a by t he w ing a nd Mo mbi by

t he arm .

" N o b oy s all ow ed !" b aw led t he g uard , b ri st li ng h is w hi sk er s at S ni p. B ef or e t he l it tl e b ut to n

boy could even wink, the cat had dragged his two companions in and slammed the door. Snip could hear

P aj uk a h is si ng and M om bi p ro test in g i n a s hr il l v oi ce and n ex t i ns tant t he d oo r f lew o pen and h e, h im self ,





w as s ei ze d b y a c at g ua rd a nd j er ke d t hr ou gh .

" He 's m y p ri so ne r, " c ri ed M om bi d ef ia nt ly , a s S ni p w as l in ed u p b es id e h er . S he h ad n o

i nt en ti on o f l et ti ng S ni p o ut o f h er clu tches. H e k new ent ir el y t oo m uch f or t hat.

" Well , h e' s m y p ri so ner n ow ," s narl ed t he g uard , g iv in g S ni p a s hake. T hen, l oo ki ng m or e

c lo se ly a t M om bi , h is e ye s b eg an t o s pa rk le w it h p le as ur e. " Wh o a re y ou , b ea ut eo us b ei ng ?" p ur re d t hecat , d of fi ng h is cap . P aj uk a, t ho ug h b ad ly s cared b y h is p redi cament , cou ld n ot r est rain a l ou d chu ck le.

"I'm a witch!" answered Mombi, drawing herself up proudly.

" A w it ch !" c ri ed t he s ec on d c at g ua rd , r el ea si ng h is h ol d o n M om bi 's a rm . " Oh c ou si n, h ow

s pl en di d! T he Q ueen m us t k no w o f t hi s. "

T hr ow in g b ac k h is h ea d h e be ga n t o y ow l i n a hu nd re d p ie rc in g a nd a la rm in g c at c ri es .

"What's he saying?" gasped Snip.

" So un ds l ik e cat f is h t o m e, " g ur gl ed P aj uk a, d ucki ng h is h ead u nd er h is w in g.

A t t he c at g ua rd 's c al l, h un dr eds of c at s be ga n t o r ac e t ow ar d t he p ri so ne rs . Th ey w er e a s

l ar ge a s S ni p h im se lf , a nd o f e ve ry k in d a nd c ol or i ma gi na bl e. A s s oo n a s t he y s aw M om bi , t he y b eg an

t o p ur r w it h p leas ur e and d el ig ht , r ub bi ng again st h er k nees , k no ck in g h er h at s id ew ay s and p ress in g s o

clo se t hat S ni p and P aj uk a w er e alm os t s uf fo cated. T hen, f or mi ng a t ri um ph an t p ro cess io n, t hey s tart ed

f or t he c en te r o f C at ty C or ne rs . M om bi , l ik e a ll w it ch es , w as f on de r o f c at s t ha n o f a ny th in g e ls e a nd

w al ked alo ng f on dl in g f ir st o ne and t hen ano th er , w hi le S ni p and P aj uk a, s ti ll i n t he clu tches o f t he g uard s,

f ol lo we d i n h ug e d is gu st . S ev er al o f t he c at s c as t h un gr y l oo ks a t t he g oo se , b ut m os t o f t he m w er e t oo

t ak en u p w it h M om bi t o e ve n n ot ic e h im .

" Di d y ou ever s ee s uch a p lace?" s ni ff ed t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy s co rn fu ll y. " Wh y, i t' s all f en ces. "

Eve n a s he s poke , hi s c at gua rd s pr ang up on a whi te fe nc e, dr aggi ng hi m a long. I t wa s s o

perfectly unexpected that Snip nearly fell on his nose but, glancing ahead, he saw Mombi nimbly walking

t he f en ce b et we en t wo b la ck c at s. P aj uk a h ad n o t ro ub le w al ki ng t he f en ce e it he r, t ho ug h h e w as g re at ly

i ncon veni en ced b y t he g uard w ho h ad h ol d o f h is w in g.

" I f I j us t h ad a p ai r o f clo th es p ro ps ," s ig hed S ni p, b al an ci ng h im self p recari ou sl y.

" T ak e h ol d o f m y t ai l, " adv is ed t he g uard g ru ff ly , " an d i f y ou f al l I 'l l s cr at ch y ou ."

An ot he r c at s pr an g u p be hi nd h im a nd put on e pa w unde r hi s a rm , s o be tw ee n t he t wo S ni p

ma na ge d f ai rl y w el l. He ha d t o ke ep hi s e ye s s o c los el y on t he f enc e t ha t he di d not s ee a s muc h of Ca tt y

C or ners as h e o th er wi se m ig ht h av e. B ut h e s aw eno ug h t o i nt er es t h im t remend ou sl y. A p er fect n et wo rk

o f f en ces d iv id ed t hi s cur io us cit y i nt o a g reat m an y l it tl e enclo su res. S ni p w ou ld h av e cal led t hem b ack

ya rds . I n e ac h y ar d w as a c at ni p be d, a pus sy wi ll ow t re e, a nd a l ove ly f oun ta in o f c re am . T he y pa ss ed

m an y p on ds w el l s to ck ed w it h f is h, and S ni p s hi vered u ncom fo rt ab ly as o ne o f t he T ab by C at s j um ped

down f rom th e f enc e, s na tc he d a gol d f is h f rom a po nd, a nd be ga n e at in g i t a s if i t we re a c ra cke r, s al ti ng

i t g en er ou sl y f ro m a s ha ke r h e c ar ri ed a ro un d h is n ec k.

" Hatefu l t hi ng s, " t ho ug ht t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy , l oo ki ng anx io us ly ahead t o s ee h ow P aj uk a w as

f ar in g. " I h op e w e d on 't h av e t o s tay h er e l on g. " A s ud den y ow li ng and w av in g o f t ai ls t ol d h im s om et hi ng





w as h ap pe ni ng . S tr et ch in g h is n ec k, h e s aw t ha t M om bi h ad r ea ch ed t he Q ue en 's g ar de n.

" Ar e y ou p repared t o m eet T he I mp er ial and P ui ss an t P us sy ?" as ked t he g uard , l oo ki ng

severely over his shoulder.

"Another cat?" groaned Snip.

" Scratch h im ," h is sed a b ig g rey T om , b ut t he T ab by C at m er el y r each ed d ow n, and clu tchi ng

S ni p b y t he f ro nt o f h is j ac ke t, j um pe d d ow n f ro m t he f en ce .

H er M aj es ty l ay l ux ur io us ly u nd er a cat su p t ree. T en s mall k it tens f an ned h er w it h l ar ge l eaves

a nd t he re wa s a Ta bb y Ca t G ua rd i n e ve ry c or ne r of t he g ar de n. T he re w as n ot r oom f or a ll t he o the r

cat s, s o t hey r an ged t hems el ves exp ectant ly o n t he s ur ro un di ng f en ces w hi le M om bi , P aj uk a and S ni p

w er e b ro ug ht f or wa rd . T he Q ue en , a s le ek m al te se , o pe ne d h er e ye s l an gu id ly a s t he y a pp ro ac he d, b ut

a t s ig ht o f M om bi s he s pr an g u p s o i mp ul si ve ly , s he b um pe d h er h ea d o n a c at su p b ot tl e.

" Wh y, y ou d ear, b eaut if ul , d read fu l o ld t hi ng !" p ur red t he Q ueen , clasp in g h er p aw sdelightedly.

"Dear, beautiful, dreadful old thing!" purred all the other cats, waving their tails approvingly.

"You shall stay and bewitch us forever," murmured her Highness, stroking Mombi's wrinkled

cheek aff ecti on at el y. " Bu t w ho l et t hi s b oy i n?" s he s cr eamed f ur io us ly , cat ch in g a g li mp se o f S ni p.

" Mean , h or ri d, n au gh ty l it tl e w retch, p ul ler o f t ai ls and t hr ow er o f s to nes! " H er eyes f lash ed s o

t hr ea te ni ng ly S ni p w as r ea ll y a la rm ed a nd b eg an t o l oo k a ro un d f or s om e w ay t o e sc ap e.

" He n ev er p ul led a cat -t ai l i n h is l if e, " b lu st er ed P aj uk a i nd ig nant ly , " ex cept i n a s wamp !"

" In a s wa mp ?" s hr ie ke d t he Q ue en . " Wh at r ig ht h as h e t o p ul l c at -t ai ls i n a s wa mp . W ho a re

you?"

"A Prime Minister when I am myself," answered Pajuka promptly, "but unfortunately just now

I am n ot m ys el f. "

" A g oos e! " pu rr ed t he c at Q ue en , l ic ki ng h er l ip s h un gr il y. " Ah , i t' s y ea rs s in ce I 'v e t as te d a

go os e. How o ld a re yo u? How muc h do you w ei gh ? Ar e yo u t ende r? "

A t e ac h d re ad fu l q ue st io n, h er M al te se M aj es ty d re w n ea re r t o P aj uk a. S ni p l oo ke d

app eali ng ly at M om bi , b ut t he o ld w it ch h ad f or go tt en t hem b ot h and w as s eated b li ss fu ll y u nd er t he

c at su p t re e, h er l ap f ul l o f k it te ns .

" As a m an I w as i n m y p ri me , b ut I 'm a v er y o ld g oo se ," p an te d P aj uk a, e dg in g n er vo us ly

away f ro m t he g reed y Q ueen .

" I d on' t b el ie ve i t, " s ai d he r M aj es ty, g iv in g P aj uk a a pl ayf ul po ke . " Wha t f un ! A g ue st ! A

prisoner and a dinner! The witch shall stay, the boy shall be publicly chased and scratched and the goose,

ah t he g oo se s hall b e eat en ! Y ou m ay k is s m y p aw !" p ur red h er H ig hn es s, adv an ci ng g raci ou sl y t ow ar d

Snip.

"Mombi ! Mom bi ! D o y ou h ea r t ha t? " s cr ea me d P aj uk a w il dl y. " I' m t o b e s er ve d u p f or





dinner!"

"Serve you right," yawned the witch drowsily.

" I' ll n ot l et t hem eat y ou !" s ho ut ed S ni p, b ru sh in g asi de t he Q ueen 's p aw and s tr ug gl in g t o f ree

h im self f ro m t he cat g uard .

" Ta ke t he m a wa y! " c om ma nd ed t he Q ue en , w it h a w av e o f h er t ai l. " An d k ee p t ab s o n t he m

until wanted."

" Yo u' ll b e s or ry f or t hi s! " h on ke d P aj uk a. " I' m v er y b ad f or c at s. I f y ou e at m e I 'l l g iv e y ou

fits."

" H us h! " h is sed h er H ig hn es s h au gh ti ly . " Yo u are n ow t he d in ner and t he d in ner i s n ot s up po sed

to converse."

" Co me alo ng , d in ner! " s ai d t he g uard g ru ff ly , and d ragg in g P aj uk a b y t he w in g and S ni p b y t hearm , h e m ar ch ed t hem s tern ly away, w hi le all t he i nh ab it an ts o f C at ty C or ners h ow led w it h d er is io n and

delight.

C HA PT ER 7

The Magic Pudding

S NI P, " w he ez ed P aj uk a m our nf ul ly , " wh en I a m c oo ke d a nd e at en , w il l y ou s av e a f ew o f m y

f ea th er s f or Oz ma ? A nd i f yo u f ind t he K in g w il l y ou t el l hi m t ha t o ld P aj uk a w as f ai th fu l t o- to t he l as t? "

I n s pi te o f h ims el f t he po or goo se 's vo ic e br ok e a nd e nde d i n a gr ea t g ul p.

" Wh en t hey g et t hr ou gh w it h m e t here'l l b e j us t eno ug h f eath er s l ef t t o s tu ff a p il lo w, " cho ked

Pajuka.

" Do n' t! " b eg ged t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy , f li ng in g h is arm s aro un d h is f ri en d' s n eck. " Besi des, i f I 'm

t o be c ha se d a nd s cr at che d by a ll t hos e c at s, t he re wo n' t be a nyt hi ng l ef t of me a t a ll ."

" I' ll n ip o ff t heir t ai ls , I 'l l s natch o ut t heir w hi sk er s! " r ag ed P aj uk a, t hr us ti ng h is b il l t hr ou gh t he

bars of their prison. The two had been thrown unceremoniously into a small summer house at the end of

t he Q ue en 's g ar de n. I t w as s ur ro un de d by c at g ua rd s, s o t he ir c ha nc es f or e sc ap e w er e c ut of f o n e ve ry

side.

" Mayb e s om et hi ng 'l l h ap pen, " s ig hed S ni p, p ress in g h is n os e again st t he s lats . I t h ad b een l at e

aft er no on w hen t hey r each ed C at ty C or ners and i n t he g at heri ng g lo om t he g iant cat s, p ar ad in g u p and

d ow n, l oo ked l ik e s om e d readf ul s or t o f g ob li ns . T ur ni ng b ack t o P aj uk a f or com fo rt , S ni p w as h or ri fi ed

to s ee t ha t t he goos e ha d dr awn up one f oot a nd c lose d hi s eye s.





"Don't fall asleep, Pajuka," begged the little boy, shaking him frantically. "Don't fall asleep and

l eave m e all alo ne."

"C an 't h el p i t S ni p h ah h oh ! T hi s i s w ha t c om es o f b ei ng a g oo se -h um !" y aw ne d t he p oo r

prime minister. He blinked rapidly, stamped both feet and fluttered his feathers, but it was no use. His

eyes s im pl y w ou ld n ot s tay o pen.

" We ll , i f I 'm t o b e e at en ," g ul pe d P aj uk a s ad ly , w it h a l as t m on st ro us y aw n, ' I m ig ht a s w el l b e

asl eep any way. " F ol di ng h is h ead away d ej ectedl y u nd er h is w in g, h e s to od p er fect ly s ti ll . A t t hi s S ni p f el t

s o do wn- he ar te d t ha t h e s at o n t he f lo or a nd t oo k t he g oos e i n hi s l ap.

" Wo nd er w hat M om bi 's d oi ng ," h e s hu dd er ed , t ry in g t o cat ch a g li mp se o f t he o ld w it ch

t hr ou gh t he c hi nk s i n t he l at ti ce . T o t el l t he t ru th, M om bi w as i n a s t ig ht a c at ty c or ne r a s S ni p. H av ing

i nd ul ged h er f on dn es s f or cat s t o t he f ul lest ext en t and , n ot in g w it h alarm and app ro ach o f n ig ht , s he h ad

f in al ly r is en and b id di ng t he C at ty Q ueen an aff ecti on at e f ar ew el l, d eclared h er self r eady t o d ep ar t. " An d

t he g oo se a nd b oy m us t c om e w it h m e, " c ro ak ed M om bi , g ri nn in g s ec re tl y a t t he j ok e s he h ad p la ye d o n

them.

" Wi th y ou ," cri ed t he C at Q ueen , s pr in gi ng u p i n alarm . " Wh y, y ou d ear, u gl y o ld d ar li ng , d o

yo u s upp os e I a m e ve r go ing t o l et yo u go ? Ne ve r! As f or t he b oy- wh o c ar es f or b oy s? H e s ha ll

e nt er ta in u s a ll da y t o- mo rr ow . I 'l l c al l o ut m y g ra nd a rm y o f M al te se rs , a nd t he y s ha ll m au l a nd t ea se h im

t o d ea th . W ha t f un . A nd t he g oo se ! I c ou ld h ug y ou f or b ri ng in g t ha t g oo se .

" But s ee he re ," p ant ed M ombi i n a la rm, " I ne ed t ha t go os e. I' m t aki ng hi m a s a pr es ent t o

O zm a, t he Q ueen ."

" We ll , I 'm a Que en," s ni ff ed t he C at c ro ss ly, a nd I d on' t g ive a yow l f or Oz ma . Com e on, l et 's

pluck out his feathers." And away across the garden scampered her Majesty. Mombi picked up her basket and followed in great haste. She knew that without Pajuka she would never recognize the King,

n or r eg ai n h er m ag ic p ow er s. T he re fo re , t ho ug h s he h ad n o g re at l ov e f or t he g oo se , s he m us t f in d s om e

w ay t o s av e h im .

" Wait !" p uf fed t he o ld w it ch , cat ch in g u p w it h t he Q ueen . " Wait ! I , m ys el f, w il l p repare a f east

t o g o w it h t he g oo se . I a m a f amo us c oo k a nd kn ow m or e a bo ut r oa st s a nd s auc es t ha n a ny on e i n O z. "

Mombi rolled her eyes boastfully.

"Do you?" murmured the Imperial Pussy, stopping short and l6oking admiringly at the old

witch.

"Did your Highness ever taste rice cream pudding?" inquired Mombi mysteriously. "No goose

s ho ul d b e e at en w it ho ut a d is h o f p udd in g b ef or eha nd . K ee ps o ff t he m ul ly gr ub s. J us t l et m e m ak e y ou a

delicious little rice cream pudding!"

" Ri ce cream p ud di ng ? W hy t hat s ou nd s d el icio us !" p ur red t he Q ueen , w av in g h er t ai l

r ap tu ro us ly . " Ma ke e no ug h f or u s a ll , d ea r o ld u gl in es s, a nd I 'l l t ak e a c at n ap w hi le y ou d o. "

" Wh er e' s t he k it ch en ?" d em an ded M om bi w it h a w icked g ri n. A lr eady s he h ad t ho ug ht o f a

w ay ou t o f he r d if fi cu lt ie s. O nc e i n t he c at ty k it ch en , r ea ll y on ly a n e nc lo se d c or ne r o f t he g ar de n w it h a

s to ne f ir ep lace and i ro n crane, M om bi s et q ui ck ly t o w or k. F il li ng t he l ar gest cau ld ro n w it h r ice cream

f ro m t he f ou nt ai n, s he p ou re d i n a ll t he b ox es o f r ic e s he h ad i n h er b as ke t a nd a ll t he r ai si ns . T he n,

s et ti ng i t o ve r t he f ir e, w hi ch t wo t or to is e s he ll c at s k ep t a t b la zi ng p oi nt , s he s ti rr ed a nd m ut te re d a nd





m ut te re d a nd s ti rr ed , a nd j us t b ef or e i t w as d on e d ro pp ed i n t he c on te nt s o f a no th er o f h er p ur pl e c an s.

M ea nw hi le , n ew s o f t he c om in g t re at ha d s pr ea d, a nd b y t he t im e t he p ud di ng w as f in is he d,

t he f en ce s w er e s im pl y c ro wd ed w it h c at s, t he ir e ye s s ho wi ng l ik e g re en b al ls o f f ir e i n t he d ar kn es s.

The re we re onl y a f ew d im l an te rns i n Ca tt y Co rne rs , f or c at s c an s ee qui te a s we ll by ni ght a s by da y.

E ac h c at h ad b ro ug ht a s au ce r, a nd f or mi ng i n a n o rd er ly p ro ce ss io n, t he y l in ed u p b ef or e t he o ld w it ch ,

w hi le M om bi l ad led o ut h el pi ng aft er h el pi ng o f t he p ud di ng , p au si ng every n ow and t hen t o w ip e h er f or eh ead o n h er s leev e and g ri n w ickedl y t o h er self .

N on e o f t he c at s d ar ed e at u nt il t he Q ue en a rr iv ed , a nd w he n h er H ig hn es s f in al ly d id a pp ea r,

a l on g s ig h o f ant icip at io n w en t u p f ro m t he f en ces. M om bi h ad s av ed a p ar ti cu larl y l ar ge h el pi ng f or t he

Q ue en , a nd w he n h er M al te se M aj es ty l ow er ed h er c hi n o ve r h er s au ce r a nd a ll t he o th er c at s s ta rt ed

l ap pi ng u p t he p ud di ng , M om bi cou ld h ar dl y r es tr ai n h er chu ck les. T he p ud di ng r eall y w as d el icio us and

t he Q ue en l ap pe d f as te r a nd f as te r, a s d id t he r es t, s o t ha t i n s ca rc el y a mo me nt t he s auc er s w er e q ui te

emp ty and t he com pany q ui te t he r ev er se.

W it h h al f- cl os ed e ye s t he Q ue en l if te d h er h ea d t o t ha nk M om bi b ut b ef or e s he c ou ld p ur r a purr, she, and that whole collection of cats, simply catapulted into the air and, while Mombi held her

s id es and r ocked t o and f ro w it h m al icio us m er ri ment , t hey r ol led and t um bl ed t ow ar d t he clo ud s l ik e

balloons released from their strings. No wonder! In that purple can was a baking powder powerful

eno ug h t o r ai se an arm y- baki ng p ow der t hat t he o ld w it ch h ad b een col lect in g and r ef in in g f or t went y

years.

"Hah," snorted Mombi, rubbing her hands with satisfaction. Leaning over the fountain, she

t oo k a l on g d ri nk o f cream , f or s ti rr in g t he p ud di ng h ad m ad e h er m ig ht y t hi rs ty . T hen, w it ho ut t ho ug ht o f

h er l uc kl es s v ic ti ms , s he p ic ke d u p h er b as ke t a nd h ob bl ed o ff t o t he s um me r h ou se . S ni p, a ft er w ai ti ng i n

t er ro r f or t he c at s t o c om e f or P aj uk a, h ad f in al ly d ro pp ed i nt o a n u ne as y s lu mb er , a nd w he n M om bi

f la sh ed a s ma ll l an te rn i n h is e ye s h e a lm os t j um pe d o ut o f h is j ac ke t.

" Co me alo ng , y ou l it tl e l azy b on es ," g ru mb led t he w it ch , j er ki ng h im r ou gh ly b y t he s leev e. " Is

t hat s il ly o ld g oo se asl eep t oo ?"

"I 'l l car ry h im ," s ai d S ni p s ti ff ly and , b en di ng o ver, h e p icked P aj uk a car ef ul ly u p i n h is arm s.

H e w as q ui te a n a rm fu l, b ut n ev er s ti rr ed n or w ak en ed a t a ll . S ni p l on ge d t o t el l M om bi w ha t h e t ho ug ht

of he r, but she l ooke d s o f ie rc e he dec ided not to tr y i t.

" Wh er e are t he cat s?" h e s hi vered, t ip to ei ng n er vo us ly aft er t he o ld w it ch . M om bi w av ed h er

s ti ck a lo ft , a nd yo u c an i ma gi ne t he a st on is hm en t o f t he l it tl e b oy t o s ee a pe rf ec t c lo ud of c at s s ai li ngacro ss t he m oo n.

" Gave ' em r ice p ud di ng and t hey r iz," w heezed t he o ld w it ch g leef ul ly . H av in g n o o ne els e t o

boast to, Mombi condescended to explain her trick to Snip. Snip, on his part, was glad to escape from

t he c at ty c re at ur es , b ut h e c ou ld n ot h el p f ee li ng a b it s or ry f or t he m.

" Ho w l on g w il l t hey h av e t o s tay u p t here?" h e i nq ui red cur io us ly .

" Ti ll i t r ai ns ," g ru nt ed M om bi , s wi ng in g t he l an tern car el es sl y. " Bu t com e o n, I can 't s tand h er e

t al ki ng all n ig ht . W e' ll n ev er r each t he E merald C it y at t hi s r at e. "

" An yw ay ," t ho ug ht S ni p, s tepp in g alo ng car ef ul ly s o as n ot t o w ak e P aj uk a, " an yw ay t hey can

e at t he ir s up pe r i n t he m il ky w ay a nd w on 't i t be r ai ni ng c at s w he n t he y d o c om e d ow n t ho ugh !"





W hi le M om bi s to pp ed t o s tr ai gh te n h er h at , S ni p t oo k a l on g d ri nk f ro m o ne o f t he c re am

f ou nt ai ns . " No bo dy k no ws w hen w e' ll g et any th in g t o eat , s ai d t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy t o h im self .

" Ar e w e g oi ng t o t ravel all n ig ht ?" h e p uf fed, r un ni ng t o cat ch u p w it h M om bi .

" Mi nd y ou r o wn b ut to ns ," h is sed t he o ld w it ch , l ap si ng i nt o h er u su al i ll -t em per, and as s her ef us ed t o s ay a no th er w or d, t he re w as n ot hi ng t o d o b ut f ol lo w t he u nc er ta in f li ck er o f h er l an te rn . A ft er

a n h ou r o f z ig -z ag gi ng a lo ng t he f en ce s, t he y r ea ch ed t he o th er s id e, u nb ol te d t he g re at i ro n d oo rs i n t he

wall and found themselves in another forest.

Snip thought surely Mombi would stop, but the old witch went muttering and mumbling along,

h er e ye s g le am ing l ik e h ot c oa ls i n t he d ar kn es s. E ve ry o nc e i n a w hi le , s he w ou ld g la nc e s id ew ay s a t

S ni p i n a w ay t ha t c au se d h im g re at u ne as in es s. T o t el l t he t ru th , M om bi h ad a bo ut d ec id ed t o r id h er se lf

o f t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy . H e k ne w t oo m uc h a nd m ig ht r un o ff a nd t el l O zm a h er p la ns b ef or e s he c ou ld

r ea ch t he E me ra ld C it y, h er se lf . W it h P aj uk a' s he lp , M om bi m ea nt t o f in d t he o ld K in g, i f s he c ou ld , b ut

w he n h e h ad r es tor ed he r m ag ic pow er s M om bi i nt en de d t o b e t he r ea l r ul er o f Oz .

S o, h ur ry ing a lo ng t hr ou gh t he i nk y f or es t, s he be ga n c as ti ng a bou t i n h er m in d f or a w ay t o

destroy Snip.

" I' ll w ai t t il l I r each t he cen ter o f t he f or es t, " h is sed M om bi , s tu mp in g alo ng u nd er t he s il en t

t rees , " an d t hen

" Wh at d id y ou s ay ?" ask ed S ni p anx io us ly .

"Nothing," grunted Mombi, smiling sourly to herself, "at least nothing that concerns you.

C HA PT ER 8

The Mysterious Message

S CR AP S, t he P at ch W or k G ir l, d an ce d c ra zi ly d ow n t he f lo we r- bo rd er ed p at h i n O zm a' s

lovely garden in the Emerald City, shouting this verse:

" Ha nk h an ke rs f or a h an ky

To b lo w h is f un ny n os e,

H an k h an ke rs f or a h an ky ,

I h an ke r f or a r os e! "





" I d o n ot ," b rayed H an k, B et sy B ob bi ns ' l it tl e m ul e, f lapp in g h is ear s s ul ki ly . " Yo u d on 't k no w w hat y ou

a re s in gi ng a bo ut , S cr ap s. G o a wa y a nd s to p j ee ri ng m e. H ow c ou ld I u se a h an ky , y ou s il ly g ir l? "

" Ha nk , y ou 'r e a c ra nk !" s ho ut ed S cr ap s, a nd c ap er ed o n d ow n t he p at h, s to pp in g t o c hi n

h er se lf o n a t ul ip t re e a nd d ro pp in g i n a w ob bl y h ea p b es id e t he l it tl e t ab le w he re O zm a, B et sy B ob bi nand T ro t w er e h av in g b reak fas t.

" Yo u s ho ul dn 't t ease H an k l ik e t hat, " s ai d O zm a, l oo ki ng r ep ro achf ul ly at S cr ap s o ver h er g ol d

breakfast cup.

" I' ll t ease, I 'l l t ease,

w h om I p le as e,

I 'l l c ro ss m y e ye s

a nd c ro ss m y k ne es !"

c ho rt le d S cr ap s, a nd s he l oo ke d s o c om ic al d oi ng b ot h o f t he se c ro ss in gs a t o nc e t ha t t he l it tl e

g ir ls s im pl y b ur st i nt o l au gh ter, w hi le H an k, w it h a s no rt o f d is gu st , g al lo ped o ff at f ul l s peed .

" Yo u' re awf ul ," s ig hed B et sy B ob bi n, n earl y cho ki ng o n h er b is cu it , and B et sy w as p rett ynearly right, for this ridiculous maiden who lived luxuriously in Ozma's palace was made entirely of

patchwork. She had been cut from an old quilt, stuffed and sewn together by a wizard's wife who

i nt en de d h er f or a s er va nt . B ut w he n t he w iz ar d m ix ed u p h er b ra in s, a l ot o f f un a nd c le ve rn es s h ad g ot

i n, s o t ha t Sc ra ps h ad r ef us ed t o be a s er va nt a nd ha d r un of f t o t he E me ra ld C it y. S he w as s o c omi ca l

a nd e nt er ta in in g t ha t O zm a h ad a ll ow ed h er t o r em ai n a t t he c ap it ol , a nd S cr ap s i s n ow o ne o f t he m os t

celebr ated character s i n t he cast le.

B et sy B ob bi n w as a l it tl e g ir l f ro m t he U ni te d S ta te s. S he a nd H an k h ad b ee n s hi p- wr ec ke d

o n t he s ho re s o f a s tr an ge l an d n ea r O z a nd , a ft er s om e t er ri bl e a dv en tu re s w it h t he o ld G no me K in g,

h ad r ea ch ed O z i ts el f a nd b ee n t ak en i n b y t he k in d- he ar te d l it tl e Q ue en . T ro t a ls o h ad c om e f ro mA me ri ca a nd l ik ed O z s o w el l s he h ad n ev er r et ur ne d h om e. T he se t wo , w it h P ri nc es s D or ot hy , a re t he

clo sest f ri en ds o f t he f ai ry r ul er , f or O zm a h er self i s o nl y a l it tl e g ir l f ai ry , and t hese f ou r t og et her h av e t he

merriest times imaginable.

L iv in g i n a g reen s to ne cas tl e s tu dd ed w it h emerald s i s f un eno ug h, d ear k no ws , b ut l iv in g i n a

green stone castle with forty-nine courtiers, thirty-nine footmen, thirty-seven handmen, twenty-six serving

m ai ds , t en c oo ks a nd a f lo ck o f p ag es i s l ux ur y i nd ee d, e sp ec ia ll y i n a m ag ic al l an d w he re a dv en tu re s a re

l ia bl e t o h ap pe n e ve ry f ew m in ut es . W hy , i t' s t he m os t f un ye t!

P er haps D or ot hy i s O zm a' s p ri me f av or it e, f or D or ot hy w as t he f ir st l it tl e g ir l t o d is co ver O z

a nd h as be en s o m ix ed u p i n i ts m ag ic al h is to ry t ha t O zm a w ou ld s ca rc el y k no w h ow t o r ul e h er

i nt er es ti ng s ub ject s w it ho ut h er h el p. I t w as o f D or ot hy t hat O zm a w as t hi nk in g, as s he w at ch ed S cr ap s

turning reckless handsprings under the tulip trees.





" I w on der w hen D or ot hy w il l r et ur n?" s ig hed t he l it tl e Q ueen , p us hi ng b ack h er chair and

s ig nall in g f or t he t hi rt y- ni nt h f oo tm an t o r em ov e t he g ol d b reak fast p lates. D or ot hy h ad g on e o n a s ho rt

v is it t o P er ha ps C it y a nd a lr ea dy t he o th er s w er e l on gi ng f or h er r et ur n.

" Let 's ask t he S car ecro w, " p ro po sed B et sy , w av in g t o t he j ol l y s tr aw m an w ho , arm -i n- arm

w it h S ir H ok us o f P ok es , w as c om in g d ow n t he p at h. B ot h t he se d el ig ht fu l f el lo ws a re gr ea t f ri en ds of D or ot hy 's . I n f ac t s he d is co ve re d t he m. T he S ca re cr ow s he h ad l if te d d ow n f ro m a p ol e o n h er v er y f ir st

t ri p t o O z. H e h ad a cc omp ani ed h er t o t he Em er al d C it y a nd be en gi ve n a s pl end id s et of br ai ns by t he

W iz ar d o f Oz , s o t ha t he i s on e of t he w it ti es t a nd m os t a bl e o f Oz ma 's c our ti er s. He h as a c oz y c or n- ea r

c as tl e i n t he W ink ie C ou nt ry , b ut pr ef er s t o s pe nd m os t of h is t im e i n t he c ap it ol w it h t he g ir ls . S ir H ok us

h ad b ee n r es cu ed f ro m P ok es b y D or ot hy o n a no th er o f h er w on de rf ul a dv en tu re s, a nd s in ce t he K ni gh t

ha d t ak en up h is r es ide nc e i n t he pa la ce Oz ma f el t mo re s ec ur e t ha n e ve r be for e, f or S ir Ho kus w as a

s pl en di d s wo rd sm an a nd f ea re d n ei th er m an n or m on st er . I t i s p eo pl e l ik e S cr ap s, S ir H ok us a nd t he

S ca re cr ow w ho m ak e l if e i n t he E me ra ld C it y s o j ol ly a nd s o d if fe re nt .

" Yo o h oo ! D on 't y ou t hi nk i t' s t im e D or ot hy w as b ac k? " c al le d B et sy , a s t he t wo c am e n ea re r.

" Hi gh t im e! H ig h t im e! " a ns we re d t he Sc ar ec row , w avi ng h is o ld bl ue h at u p a t t he c lo ck i n t he

t al le st t ow er o f t he c as tl e. " And w e' ll h av e a h ig h t im e w he n s he d oe s c om e, " h e s mi le d g ai ly. " I' ve

t ho ug ht u p a d ozen n ew g am es and .. .. W hat' s t hat?" cri ed t he S carecr ow , i nt er ru pt in g h im self s ud denl y

a nd b li nk in g h is p ai nt ed e ye s s o f as t t ha t B et sy b ou nd ed o ut o f h er c ha ir .

" Wh at 's t hat?" ech oed t he l it tl e Q ueen o f O z, s pr in gi ng u p i n alarm . S om et hi ng g ol d and

brilliant had flashed through the air and fallen upon the walk.

" A f eath er !" p uf fed S ir H ok us . " Od ds g ob li ns and h ob li ns , a f eath er !" H e s to op ed creak il y t o

pick it up, but as he did the golden quill righted itself and began to move rapidly across the marble walk.

" It 's w ri ti ng !" g as ped T ro t, clu tchi ng t he S carecr ow b y t he arm , and i n d azed f as ci nati on - ' t hey

w at ch ed t he f ea th er t ra ci ng a s en te nc e. W he n i t h ad s et d ow n f iv e w or ds , i t m ad e a l it tl e g ol d d ot a nd f el l

lifelessly at Ozma's feet.

" Dang er -- G o t o M or r ow t od ay !" s tu tt ered t he S car ecr ow , r eadi ng t he g ol den m es s ag e al ou d.

" Ho w n ow ," t hu nd er ed S ir H ok us , l et ti ng h is v is or f al l w it h a crash , " wh at m eans t hi s

message?"

" Go t om or ro w! " g ul ped t he S carecr ow , clapp in g o n h is h at and s qu in ti ng d ow n at t he g ol den

l eg en d o n t he w al k.

"Not tomorrow, today," corrected Betsy Bobbin breathlessly.

" Bu t i f w e g o t od ay , h ow c an w e g o t om or ro w? " a sk ed O zm a, g ro wi ng m or e b ew il de re d

every minute.

"Danger!" shuddered Trot, pointing a trembling finger at the first word.

" Wh at 's all t he excit em en t?" d em an ded S cr ap s, d an ci ng u p o n o ne t oe. T hen, s eein g t hey w er e

a ll s ta ri ng d ow n a t t he m ar bl e, s he b en t o ve r a nd r ea d t he m es sa ge a lo ud h er se lf .





" Go t o- mo rr ow t o- da y. I t c an n ev er b e d on e!

Jus t to thi nk of it give s me a pai n in the bun."

s cr ea me d t he P at ch W or k G ir l, c la pp in g h er h an d t o h er c ot to n f or eh ea d.

"Hush, Scraps!" begged Ozma. "This is serious!"

" So meon e i s d el ir io us , o r t hey' d n ev er w ri te s uch n on sens e, d eclared S cr ap s d ef iant ly . " Wh at

a re you goi ng t o do a bout i t? "

" Th in k! " m um bl ed t he S carecr ow , d ro pp in g d ow n o n a g ol d g ar den b en ch .

" S en d f or t he W izar d! " adv is ed B et sy B ob bi n, j um pi ng u p and d ow n i n h er excit em en t. " Wait !

I'll get him!"

" It 's a g oo se q ui ll ," a nn ou nc ed S ir H ok us , a s B et sy r an o ff t ow ar d t he p al ac e. H e h ad p ic ke d

up the golden feather and was examining it carefully.

" A g oo se q ui ll ?" g as pe d O zm a. " Wh y w ha t c an t ha t m ea n? O h d ea r, I d o w is h D or ot hy w er e

back."

" My g oo seness !" g ig gl ed S cr ap s. " No w on der i t' s a s il ly m es sage. D o y ou k no w any g eese?"

" No ne b ut y ou !" s ni ff ed T ro t, p ut ti ng h er arm s abo ut O zm a.

"Silence, wench!" commanded Sir Hokus, pushing Scraps aside and seating himself beside the

S carecr ow . " Meth in ks d ar k d eeds are b rewi ng h er e. H as t t ho ug ht o f any th in g f ri en d?"

" No t y et ," s ig hed t he S carecr ow , r ub bi ng h is f or eh ead s ad ly w it h h is w ob bl y f in ger. " Let m e

think some more.

A ll w er e s il en t u nt il B et sy B ob bi n cam e h ur ry in g b ack, b ri ng in g w it h h er t he W izar d o f O z and

T ik T ok . A s e ve ry on e i n O z k no ws , T ik T ok i s a no th er g re at c el eb ri ty , a m ac hi ne m an o f b ur ni sh edc op pe r w ho c an t al k, w al k a nd e ve n t hi nk w he n p ro pe rl y w ou nd . B et sy w as w in di ng u p h is t hi ck k ey , a s

s he r an a lo ng , f or T ik T ok 's b ra in s, i n s pi te o f t he ir w he el s, w or ke d q ui te a s w el l a s t he S ca re cr ow 's , a nd

t he re c er ta in ly w as a l ot o f t hi nk in g t o b e d on e.

" Yo u s ay i t w as a go ld en g oo se f ea th er ?" p an te d t he l it tl e W iz ar d o f O z, q ui ck en in g h is s te ps .

" A g oo se f eath er ! H um ph !" N ex t i ns tant h e w as b en di ng o ver t he s tr an ge i ns cr ip ti on o n t he w al k, w hi le

O zm a and T ro t b reat hl es sl y exp lain ed j us t h ow and w hen i t h ad all h ap pened.

" To -m or ro w t o- day! " m ur mu red t he W izar d, m op pi ng h is b al d h ead w it h h is g reen h an ky .

" Wh y t hat' s i mp os si bl e, t here's s om e t ri ck t o i t. "

Th e Wi za rd d re w a s ma ll gr ee n boo k f ro m hi s p oc ke t. I t wa s t he bo ok of m agi c me ss ag es a nd

t he l it tl e com pany w ai ted anx io us ly w hi le h e f li pp ed o ver t he p ag es . B ut alt ho ug h every o th er k in d o f





m es sa ge w as t ou ch ed u po n, t he re w as n ot hi ng a t a ll a bo ut g oo se f ea th er s. W it h a s ig h, t he W iz ar d

r et ur ne d t he b oo k t o h is p oc ke t, a nd d ro pp in g u po n h is k ne es b eg an t o e xa mi ne t he l et te rs t hr ou gh h is

smallifying glass.

T ik T ok , e xc ep t f or t he c hu g a nd w hi rr o f h is m ac hi ne ry , h ad b ee n p er fe ct ly q ui et . N ow ,

l ea ni ng o ve r s o f ar h e n ea rl y t um bl ed o n h is c op pe r n os e, h e b eg an t o r ea d t he m es sa ge a lo ud .

" Go -t o -m or r ow -t o- d ay ! G o- o- m or r ow - to - day !" r asp ed T i k T ok , i n h is h ar s h r asp in g v oi ce,

ov er a nd o ve r a nd o ve r, u nt il Oz ma a nd B et sy c la ppe d ha nds t o t he ir e ar s a nd T rot b eg ge d hi m t o s top .

" Th at 's f un ny -, " t ic ke d t he c op pe r m an a t l as t. " It t el ls u s w he n t o g o- bu t n ot -w he re . T oo m an y t im es

and-no-place, Go-to-mor--

W hi rr -c li ck ! T ik T ok 's v oi ce r an d ow n a nd t he s en te nc e s to pp ed i n m id a ir .

"Thank goodness!" cried Betsy Bobbin fervently.

"W el l, y ou 'd b et ter t hank T ik T ok ," s pl ut tered t he S carecr ow , l eapi ng o ff t he g ol den b en ch ." Hu rr ah ! I ha ve i t n ow . One 's a t ime a nd one 's a p la ce . I s t he re a Ki ngdo m c al le d Mo rr ow a nyw he re i n

O z, m y d ea r? "

" Mo rr ow !" exclaim ed O zm a, " Wh y, t hat d oes s ou nd f am il iar, s om eh ow . M or ro w? Y es , I f eel

s ur e t here i s. "

" Ge t a m ap ," o rd er ed t he S ca re cr ow i n g re at e xc it em en t, a nd a ll b ut t he W iz ar d s at d ow n a nd

s mi le d a t t he c le ve rn es s o f t he w is e s tr aw m an .

C HA PT ER 9

I n t he C as tl e of M or ro w

T HE W iz ar d o f O z k ne w t he g eo gr ap hy o f O zm a' s w on de rf ul l an d b y h ea rt a nd h e

r em em be re d t he K in gd om o f M or ro w p er fe ct ly . H e f el t a b it j ea lo us t ha t t he S ca re cr ow w as a bo ut t os ol ve t he m ys te ry wi th ou t hi s he lp a nd s o he p opp ed a s ma ll w is hi ng p il l i nt o h is m out h a nd b eg an

speaking rapidly in magic.

N ow m ag ic i s a l an gu ag e w hi ch I d o n ot p ro fe ss t o u nd er st an d, b ut t he r es ul ts o f t he W iz ar d' s

s peech w er e i ns tant an eo us and ast on is hi ng . S o s wi ft ly t hat t he h ai r o f t he t hr ee l it tl e g ir ls w as n earl y

jerked from their heads, so swiftly that Sir Hokus lost his sword and Ozma her crown, they were all

h ur le d t hr ou gh t he a ir a nd d as he d d ow n i n a v er y s ho rt t im e o n t he s te ps o f a n a nc ie nt a nd g lo om y c as tl e.

I ts o nc e s pl endi d ga rde n w as c hok ed u p wi th we eds . V ine s h ad r un up a nd o ve r t he e nt ir e

s tr uctu re, cov er in g even t he w in do ws and chi mn ey s w it h a w av in g cur tain o f g reen . O wl s h oo ted d is mall y

f ro m t he t ow er s and t he s cu rr y and s camp er o f f ri gh tened f eet t ol d t hat m an y l it tl e f or es ted ani mals h ad

made themselves at home within.





" Mercy, " g as ped B et sy B ob bi n, exami ni ng anx io us ly a l on g s cr at ch o n h er k nee, " ho w d id w e

get here?"

" Whe re a re w e? " i nq ui re d S ir H ok us , b li nk mg v er y f as t f ro m h is s ea t u po n a s to ne l io n, w he re

h e h ad l an ded a l it tl e t oo s ud denl y and emp hati call y f or com pl et e com fo rt .

"W e a re i n M or ro w, " r epl ie d t he W iz ar d, r is in g f ro m t he l as t s te p o ut o f t he c as tl e a nd d us ti ngo ff h is g reen t ro us er s. " In M or ro w, b y m y exp ress w is h and D r. N ik id ik 's w is hi ng p il ls ."

" We ll , y ou m igh t h ave t ol d u s w e we re c om ing ," s ai d T ro t a b it c ro ss ly, b eg inn in g t o l ook

a ro un d f or h er s id e c om b.

" Mo rr ow !" m ur mu red O zm a, w al ki ng d ream il y u p t he cas tl e s teps . " Wh y I 'v e b een h er e

before, dozens and dozens of times."

"Got another pill, Wizard?" asked Scraps grimly.

" Ah em ! N o, I d on 't b el ieve I h av e, " cou gh ed t he l it tl e m an n er vo us ly . " Wh y?"

" I w an na g o h om e, " s hu dd er ed t he P at ch W or k G ir l, l oo ki ng f earf ul ly at t he d is mal f or es t

s ur ro un di ng t he cas tl e and a f lo ck o f b lack b ir ds cir cl in g o mi no us ly o verh ead. " I w an na g o h om e! "

" Yo u s ho ul d t hi nk b ef or e y ou w is h, o ld f el lo w, " g ul ped t he S carecr ow w eakl y. " Bets y, m y

d ea r, w il l y ou g iv e m e a s ha ke . A ll o f m y s tr aw h as f al le n i nt o m y l ef t b oo t. A nd w he re 's T ik T ok , p ra y? "

"I t ho ug ht h e' d b et ter s tay h om e, " r ep li ed t he W izar d, l oo ki ng aro un d u neas il y. N ow t hat t hey

w er e r ea ll y i n M or ro w, h e b eg an t o d ou bt t he w is do m o f h is q ui ck w is h. W hy h ad h e n ot t ho ug ht t o b ri ng

h is m ag ic b ag o r ano th er w is hi ng p il l i n cas e o f d an ger?

"A rare and imposing old edifice!" observed Sir Hokus, dismounting stiffly from the stone lion,

and l oo ki ng u p cur io us ly at t he cas tl e.

"W el l, n ow t ha t w e a re h er e, w e m ig ht a s w el l l oo k a ro un d, " p uf fe d t he S ca re cr ow , m or e

cheer fu l s in ce B et sy h ad s haken h im u p and s mo ot hed o ut h is s tu ff in g. " Co me alo ng !"

O zm a w as a lr ea dy s ta nd in g b ef or e t he d ul l g ol de n d oo rs , t he o nl y p or ti on o f t he c as tl e n ot

o ve rg ro wn w it h vi ne s. S te pp in g u p b eh in d h er , S ir H oku s l if te d t he hu ge kn oc ke r a nd l et i t f al l w it h a

great clank against the tarnished metal.

" Wh at h o, w it hi n! " r oared t he g oo d K ni gh t l us ti ly . B ut o nl y a h ol lo w ech o and t he d er is iv e h oo t

o f a n o wl c am e s hi ve ri ng ou t t o t he m.

" Wh at m ak es y ou t hi nk i t i s a H o? " c ha tt er ed S cr ap s n er vo us ly .

" I w is h y ou 'd n ev er w is he d u s h er e.

T hi s cas tl e' s f ul l o f s po ok s, I f ear! "





f in is hed t he P at ch W or k G ir l, s haki ng h er f in ger r ep ro achf ul ly at t he W izar d.

" Fear nothi ng," b o om ed S ir H ok us g rand ly , " I w il l p ro tect y ou ." P ut ti ng h is m ai led s ho ul der t o

t he d oo rs , h e p re ss ed w it h a ll hi s m ig ht . T he b ol ts h ad e vi de nt ly n ot b ee n d ra wn a nd w he n t he t hr ee l it tl e

g ir ls a nd t he W iz ar d a dd ed t he ir s tr en gt h t o h is , t he do or s f le w op en s o s ud de nl y t he y a ll t um bl ed t hr ou gh

t og et he r. T hr ee j ac k r ab bi ts a nd a t in y f aw n l ea pe d t hr ou gh a b ro ke n w in do w p an e a s t he d oo rs c ra sh edo pe n a nd s ev er al b at s, s ha ke n f ro m t he ir h ol d o n t he b ea me d c ei li ng b y t he j ar , b eg an t o c ir cl e r ou nd a nd

round, screeching dismally. The hall had once been furnished with great splendor and magnificence, but

n ow every th in g w as cov er ed w it h cob webs , d us t and d ecay . T he d im g reen l ig ht f il teri ng i n t hr ou gh t he

vine covered windows made everything seem more ghastly still.

"I wanna go home!" whispered Scraps plaintively.

" Oh !" w ai led B et sy B ob bi n, h id in g h er f ace i n t he S carecr ow 's coat, " I d on 't l ik e t hi s. "

" Sh oo !" cou ch ed t he S carecr ow , s tamp in g h is f oo t at a f lo ck o f m ice t hat cam e s cu rr yi nga cr os s t he f lo or a nd w hi rl in g h is h at a bo ut h is h ea d t o k ee p o ff t he b at s. " Sh oo , I t el l y ou !"

" Wh at d o y ou s 'p os e a ny on e w an te d u s t o c om e h er e f or ?" g ro an ed T ro t, c li ng in g n er vo us ly t o

Scraps.

" Well , t here m us t b e s om e r easo n, " ans wered O zm a t ho ug ht fu ll y. " I s eem t o r em em ber t hi s

cas tl e. " D is regard in g t he g ri me and d us t, t he l ov el y l it tl e Q ueen w al ked s lo wl y acr os s t he h al l and s at

d ow n on a g ol de n c he st b es id e t he l on g t ab le . S ir H ok us , f in di ng n ot hi ng b et te r t o f ig ht t ha n m ic e a nd

bats, began briskly to clear the room of the pests, while Trot, Betsy and the Patch Work Girl tiptoed

h er e a nd t he re t al ki ng i n t en se w hi sp er s, f or i n t he s il en ce o f t he d es er te d c as tl e t he ir w or ds e ch oe d a nd

r e- echo ed u np leas an tl y. H av in g ass ur ed t hems el ves t hat t here w as n ot hi ng o f i nt er es t i n t he g reat h al l, S ir H ok us , t he W iz ar d a nd t he S ca re cr ow w en t b ra ve ly o ff t o e xa mi ne t he r es t o f t he c as tl e.

" I w is h t hey' d com e b ack, " w hi sp er ed T ro t, aft er t hey' d b een g on e abo ut f iv e m in ut es . " Oo oh ,

what's that?"

"The wind," quavered Betsy doubtfully.

" I d on 't b el ieve i t, " s hu dd er ed S cr ap s, t ri pp in g o ver t he f ir e i ro ns and s pr aw li ng u po n t he

h ea rt h. " It 's a s po ok . I w an na g o h om e! J us t l oo k a t m e! " B et sy a nd T ro t g ig gl ed n er vo us ly , f or S cr ap s,

c ove re d w it h gr im e a nd s oo t f rom he r f al l, w as e no ugh t o m ak e a ny on e l au gh .

" Ne ve r m in d, " c om fo rt ed O zm a, " I' ll h av e y ou d ry c le an ed w he n w e g et b ac k h om e, b ut n ow

I 'm t ry in g t o t hi nk , s o p le as e d o b e q ui et ."

Qu ie t! S ca rc el y w as t he w or d o ut o f h er m ou th , b ef or e t he re w as s uc h a s hi ve ri ng s la m

o ve rh ea d t ha t a ll t hr ee g ir ls j um pe d w it h t er ro r a nd S cr ap s, f or g re at er s ec ur it y l ea pe d c le ar o nt o t he

t ab le , t ou ch in g a s s he d id s o a h id de n s pr in g i n t he t op. A t t hi s t he re w as a b li nd in g f la sh a nd w hi le O zm a,

B et sy a nd T ro t c lu ng d es pe ra te ly t og et he r a nd S cr ap s g av e a no th er j um p t ha t c ar ri ed h er c le ar t o t he

c ha nd el ie r, t he c en te r o f t he t ab le r os e u p b ef or e t he ir e ye s, d is cl os in g a l on g s il ve r c as ke t.

" Do n' t t ou ch i t! " w ar ned t he P at ch W or k G ir l, s wi ng in g d izzi ly ' ro un d and ' ro un d.

" A g ob li n. a g ob li n wi ll j um p ou t a nd b it e u s, Th er e' s a g ia nt u ps ta ir s a nd he 's c om ing t o s mi te





us!"

S om eo ne cer tain ly w as com in g d ow n t he s tair s. S carcel y d ar in g t o l oo k, t hey w ai ted anx io us ly

for the next happening.

" Wha t be fe ll ?" I t wa s Si r Ho kus of Poke s a nd not a gi ant who s tuc k hi s he ad t hro ugh t he

d oo rw ay . " Di d' st cal l m ai dens ?" ask ed t he K ni gh t, l oo ki ng u p at S cr ap s i n v ag ue d is ap pr ov al .

W it ho ut s to pp in g t o exp lain w hat h ad f ri gh tened t hem, O zm a p oi nt ed a t remb li ng f in ger at t he

s il ve r c as ke t a nd be for e a ny o f t he m c oul d be g hi m not t o, S ir H ok us s tr od e f or wa rd a nd ope ne d t he

m ys teri ou s chest . S cr ap s h id h er h ead i n h er arm . T hen, h eari ng n o s cr eams n or exp lo si on s, s he f in al ly

s cr ew ed up e nou gh c ou ra ge t o l oo k d own . Th e W iz ar d of Oz a nd t he Sc ar ec ro w h ad r et ur ne d a nd t he y

w er e a ll s ta ri ng i n a ma ze me nt a t a g re en v el ve t r obe w hi ch S ir H ok us h ad t ak en f ro m t he c he st .

" Ro ya l r ob e o f h is M aj es ty, t he K in g of O z! " b oo me d t he K ni gh t, r ea di ng f ro m a s ma ll t ag o n

the ermine collar.

" Th e K in g o f O z?" cho ked O zm a, clasp in g h er h an ds i n excit em en t. ' Wh y t hat' s m y f at her, and

I r em em be r n ow . T hi s i s t he hu nt in g l odg e w he re w e u se d t o hi de f rom M om bi wh en I wa s a l it tl e g ir l! "

" Bu t I t ho ug ht M om bi d es tr oy ed y ou r f at he r w he n s he t ur ne d y ou t o a b oy ," p uf fe d B et sy

Bobbin, her eyes sticking out with astonishment and surprise.

" So d id I ," m ut te re d t he l it tl e W iz ar d. H e a lw ay s f el t u ne as y a nd u nh ap py w he n t he o ld w it ch

w as m en ti on ed , f or h e, h im self , h ad g iv en O zm a i nt o M om bi 's k eepi ng w hen h e t oo k p os sess io n o f t he

K in gd om . T he o ld w it ch h ad alr eady s pi ri ted away t he l it tl e g ir l' s f at her and O zm a h er self w as t oo y ou ng

t o r ul e. B ut t he W iz ar d, c ha ng ed v er y m uc h s in ce t ho se o ld d ay s, r ea li ze d n ow h ow w ro ng i t h ad b ee n

a nd di d not l ik e t o r ec all th e pa rt he ha d pl aye d in t he a ff ai r at a ll .

" Well , n o w on der y ou r em em bered t he cas tl e, " p ut i n T ro t.

" Bu t w ai t! " cri ed S ir H ok us h oars el y. " Th er e i s m or e. " A nd t ur ni ng o ver t he t ag h e r ead: " Th is

r ob e h as b een p reserv ed b y t he F ai ry L ur li ne, and i f p laced u po n t he K in g' s s ho ul ders w it h I ncan tati on

No. 986 from the Green Book of Magic, will restore him to his proper shape. If the incantation is used

w it ho ut t he r ob e a g reat d is as ter w il l b ef al l. "

" Wh o' s L ur li ne?" ask ed T ro t, h er eyes w in ki ng v er y f as t i nd eed.

"W hy L ur li ne i s m y F ai ry G odm ot he r a nd t he Q ue en of t he f ai ry b an d w e a re a ll d es ce nd ed

from," explained Ozma breathlessly. "Oh girls! To think my father is really alive!" The delighted little ruler

hu gge d B et sy a nd Tr ot s o ha rd t ha t t he y h ad t o s qu ea l f or me rc y.

" I s ho ul d t hi nk y ou 'd r at her b e Q ueen y ou rs el f, " s ni ff ed S cr ap s, d ro pp in g s ul ki ly f ro m t he

c ha nde li er a nd c om ing o ve r t o s ta re a t t he K ing' s r obe . " He 'l l wa nt t o bos s y ou ' ro und a nd ma ke yo u go

t o b ed a t e ig ht , w ea r r ub be rs a nd a ll t ha t o th er f at he ri sh s tu ff . L et 's g o h om e a nd n ot b ot he r w it h h im .

W ho w an ts a K in g a ny wa y, I l ik e y ou! "

B et sy l oo ke d s ho ck ed a t t he P at ch W or k G ir l' s h ea rt le ss s pe ec h, b ut O zm a, p ay in g n o h ee d

t o S cr ap s, b eg an t o c on fe r e xc it ed ly w it h t he W iz ar d.

" Who s ent t he qui ll ? Whe re s ha ll we l ook f ir st ? Wha t doe s it me an by t he Gr ee n Book of





M ag ic?" s he ask ed , o ne q uest io n f ol lo wi ng ano th er s o f as t t he W izar d b li nk ed w it h d is co mf or t.

" If y ou t ak e m y adv ice, " o bs er ved t he S carecr ow , r ub bi ng h is n os e w is el y, " yo u' ll r et ur n

i mm ed ia te ly t o t he E me ra ld C it y. O nc e t he re w e h av e b ut t o l oo k i n t he M ag ic P ic tu re t o d is co ve r t he

whereabouts of your royal parent."

A mo ng t he m an y t re as ur es i n O zm a' s p al ac e i s t he M agi c P ic tur e, i n w hi ch y ou m ay s eea ny on e y ou w is h b y m er el y e xp re ss in g t he d es ir e t o s ee t he m. I t a ls o s ho ws t he c ou nt ry a nd e xa ct

s it ua ti on t he y a re i n, s o y ou c an s ee h ow s en si bl e t he S ca re cr ow 's s ug ge st io n r ea ll y w as .

" Bu t w hat m ad e t hat t er ri bl e r acket u ps tair s?" d em an ded S cr ap s, s ud denl y r em em beri ng h er

scare.

" Oh t ha t! " S ir H oku s s hu ff le d hi s f ee t i n e mb ar ra ss me nt . " I f el l t hr ou gh a t ra p do or i nt o a c los et

full of tins," explained the Knight sheepishly.

" It 's a g oo d t hi ng y ou d id ," l au gh ed B et sy B ob bi n, " fo r i f y ou h ad n' t f ri gh tened S cr ap s w em ig ht n ev er h av e f ou nd t he s il ver chest at all ."

" No w t ha t w e h av e f ou nd i t, " s hi ve re d T ro t, " le t' s g o. I t' s c ol d i n h er e. "

" An d l et 's h ur ry !" cri ed O zm a, s ei zi ng t he S carecr ow aff ecti on at el y b y t he arm . " Oh , I can

s ca rc el y w ai t t o s ee m y f at he r. "

"Why didn't you bring along another wishing pill, Wizard?" sighed Betsy. "We're in Morrow,

s ur e e no ugh , b ut w he re i s Mo rr ow ? An d ho w d o w e ge t ba ck t o t he E me ra ld C it y, a ny wa y? " N o o ne

c ou ld a ns we r Be ts y' s que st ion, f or i t ha d be en s o l on g s in ce O zm a ha d b ee n i n t he o ld c as tl e s he

remembered nothing of its location.

" We 'l l h av e t o w al k, I s 'p os e, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow , d et ac hi ng a c ob we b f ro m h is e ar , " an d t he

s oo ne r w e s ta rt , t he s oo ne r w e' ll a rr iv e.

" Ri gh t, as u su al !" app ro ved t he K ni gh t, t ak in g t he S carecr ow b y t he arm . " Fo rw ar d f or t he

K in g a nd f or Oz !"

S o, a ft er a no th er s ho rt l oo k a bo ut , t he s ev en a dv en tu re rs c lo se d t he c as tl e d oo rs a nd b eg an t o

m ak e t heir w ay cau ti ou sl y t hr ou gh t he d es er ted p ar k.

" I f I o nl y kn ew w ho s en t t he f ea th er ," m ur mu re d O zm a, h ol di ng u p h er l ac e s ki rt s t o k ee p

t hem f ro m cat ch in g o n t he b us hes and t ho rn s.

" I' ll b et i t w as y ou r F ai ry G od mo th er ," s ai d T ro t, s ki pp in g alo ng excit ed ly .

" We ll , I w is h t he g oo se h ad c om e w it h t he f ea th er ," s igh ed B et sy B ob bi n. " I' m hu ng ry a s t he

Hungry Tiger!"

" If y ou w er e s tu ff ed w it h cot to n,

yo u' d n ev er ha ve t o e at .





I' m gl ad I 'm m ad e of pa tc h w or k

a nd n ot of bo ne a nd m ea t."

sang Scraps, dancing ahead in her ridiculous fashion.

" Th er e' s a h ou se!" cal led B et sy , t ug gi ng t he K ni gh t s ud denl y b y t he arm and p oi nt in g t o a s mall

red building.

" Oh !" cri ed O zm a, clasp in g h er h an ds , " Perh ap s s om eo ne l iv es t here w ho can t el l u s abo ut m y

father!"

" He m ay b e n ea r a nd h e m ay b e f ar th er ," g ig gl ed S cr ap s s ta rt in g t o r un t ow ar d t he l it tl e r ed

house. "Come on everybody!"

L ed b y t he P at ch W or k G ir l, t he l it tl e c om pa ny h ur ri ed t ow ar d t he l it tl e r ed h ou se . N o o ne

wa s t o be s een a t t he wi ndows , a nd whe n Si r Hokus pounde d on t he door t her e wa s no a nswe r.

"We a re w as ti ng t im e h er e, " s ai d t he Sc ar ec row a t l as t. " Le t us be o n o ur wa y." An d s o t he

homeward march was resumed.

C HA PT ER 1 0

Dorothy and the Dummy

O N t he s am e b ri gh t m or ni ng t hat t he g ol den g oo se f eath er h ad com e f lash in g d ow n i nt o

O zm a' s g ar de n i n t he E me ra ld C it y, D or ot hy h ad s ai d g oo db ye t o h er o ld f ri en ds i n P er ha ps C it y a ndstarted gaily homeward.

He r v is it o n M ay be M ou nt ai n, w he re o ld P ee r H ap s h ol ds c ou rt a nd t he F or ge tf ul P oe t m ak es

v er ses f ro m m or ni ng u nt il n ig ht , h ad b een s o i nt er es ti ng and j ol ly t hat D or ot hy s ti ll f el t h ap py and s he w en t

s ki pp in g d ow n t he s te ep m ou nt ai n p at h a lm os t a s f as t a s t he l it tl e b ro ok t ha t r us he d a lo ng a t h er s id e. A s

s he s ki pp ed alo ng s he s an g t hi s m er ry d it ty :

"I sa w one da y, the las t of May,

A f oo li sh and abs ur d





Old yellow fellow calling 'Hello,

I 'm a b an an a b ir d! '

" A b an an a b ir d! M y e ye s g re w b lu rr ed ;

I t ook t o my toe s a nd he els ,

Then a wa y he f le w wi th a fl ap or two,

O f h is y el lo w b an an a p eals ."

" I m us t t ry t o r em em be r t ha t f or S cr ap s, D or ot hy g ig gl ed s of tl y t o he rs el f. H er h ea d w as f ul l o f t he F or getf ul P oet' s r id icul ou s r hy mes, and s he w as s o b us y r em em beri ng t hem and t he m an y b it s o f

n ew s s he h ad f or O zm a t ha t s he r ea ch ed t he bo tt om o f t he m ou nt ai n i n a lm os t n o t im e a nd , w it ho ut

n ot icin g w here s he w as g oi ng , t ur ned i nt o an i nv it in g s mall l an e. T here w as a s ig n s wi ng in g f ro m a y el lo w

post at the head of the lane, but Dorothy never saw it. She knew she was in the familiar Winkie Country,

f or t he w in d m il ls , f lapp in g l azil y i n t he m or ni ng b reeze, w er e y el lo w, t he h ou ses w er e y el lo w and i f t hat

w er e n ot p ro of e no ug h, t he l an e w as f ul l o f d ai si es a nd b ut te rc up s a nd e dg ed w it h g ol de n p ea ch a nd p ea r

trees.

"I don't believe," sighed Dorothy, hurrying happily along under the lovely branches, "I don't

believe there is any place so interesting as Oz. How pretty this road is!"

St oo pi ng do wn, s he s co op ed up a bi t o f t he s and t ha t m ade t he be d o f t he l an e s pa rkl e l ike

s il ver i n t he s un li gh t. I t w as s il ver, t o b e p er fect ly t ru th fu l, and w it h a l it tl e s mi le D or ot hy s li pp ed s om e i nt o

h er p ock et .

" Ho w s ur pr is ed any on e i n K an sas w ou ld b e t o f in d s il ver d us t i n t he r oad, " t ho ug ht t he l it tl e

g ir l, r ecal li ng h er o ld h om e w it h a l it tl e chu ck le o f amu sement . " No , n ot hi ng l ik e t hi s ever h ap pens i n

A meri ca at all , and y et -" D or ot hy p au sed t o p ick an u nu su al ly l ar ge b ut tercup and t wi rl i t abs en tl y u nd er

h er c hi n, " an d y et I s om et im es w is h I w er e i n A me ri ca a ga in, j us t t o s ee

W he ee -e ! O ff f le w h er h at , u p f le w h er h ee ls a nd i n a w hi rl o f s il ve r d us t a nd p ea ch b lo ss om s,o ff f le w D or ot hy h er se lf . O ff , u p, a wa y a nd d ow n a ga in , s o s wi ft ly s he ha d n ot e ve n t im e t o s wa ll ow .

"T hi rt y m il es t o H ol ly wo od ," s ai d t he s ig n n ear t he h ug e r ock w here s he s at b li nk in g w it h

shock and astonishment.

"Hollywood!" panted Dorothy. "Why that's in California and California's in the United States.

Bu t h ow d id I g et h er e? " Th er e wa s n o one t o a ns we r h er que st ion, a nd a s s he c oul dn' t a ns we r i t he rs el f

s he j um pe d u p, s mo ot he d o ut h er d re ss a nd l oo ke d a nx io us ly a bo ut . A s mo ot h w hi te r oa d r an e ve nl y

a he ad , o ne s id e s lo pe d d ow n i nt o a d ee p r av in e, o n t he o th er s id e w as a l on g, u ni nt er es ti ng s tr et ch o f

m ea do w. T hr ou gh t he t re es a t t he b ot to m o f t he r av in e, D or ot hy c au gh t a g li mp se o f s om e h ou se s.

F eeli ng t er ri bl y p uzzl ed and n ot ent ir el y p leas ed , s he l ef t t he r oad and s tart ed d ow n t hr ou gh

t he t re es . H al fw ay d ow n, s he p au se d t o m ak e s ur e s he w as g oi ng t ow ar d t he h ou se s, w he n t he f ur io us





c la tt er o f h oo fs o n t he r oa d a bo ve m ad e h er g la nc e u p i n d is ma y. A g re at c om pa ny o f h or se me n, a rm ed

w it h p ik es , s taves, s wo rd s and p it ch f or ks w er e g al lo pi ng p el l m el l alo ng t he h ig hw ay . G iv in g a s cr eam o f

f ri ght , D or ot hy s aw t he m t ur n a nd p lu ng e do wn t he r av in e. W it h a s ma sh a nd a c ra sh t he y c am e r id in g

u po n h er . G as pi ng i n t er ro r, D or ot hy s pr an g b eh in d a b ig t re e a nd i n a w hi rl o f s ti ck s, d us t a nd c ol or t he

h or se me n p ou nd ed p as t. T he y w er e d re ss ed i n g re en d ou bl et s a nd h os e. T he y w or e w id e f ea th er ed h at s

a nd we re not a t a ll t he s or t o f f ol k Dor ot hy e xpe cte d t o f ind i n Am er ic a.

Wi th h er ha nd p re ss ed t o h er he ar t, D or ot hy p ee re d a ro und t he t re e. A s s he d id s o t he w il d

r id er s r ei ned u p s ho rt and t wo o f t he m os t v il lain ou s l oo ki ng s natched a g reen -clo ak ed f ig ur e f ro m t he

s ad dl e and h ur led h im v io lent ly o ver t he cli ff . T hen s wi ng in g t heir h or ses r ou nd , t hey g al lo ped o ff as

s ud de nl y a s t he y h ad c om e, l ea vi ng D or ot hy , a s s he a ft er wa rd s e xp la in ed t o S ir H ok us o f P ok es ,

perfectly petrified. Not until the last green doublet flashed out of sight did she dare stir. Then breathlessly

s he t ipt oe d t o t he e dge of t he c li ff a nd l oo ke d o ve r.

"Oooh-they've killed him!" gasped Dorothy, in horrified tones. Now many another small girl

w ou ld h av e r un o ff a t o nc e, b ut D or ot hy h ad b ee n i n t oo m an y s tr an ge a dv en tu re s f or t ha t. I ns te ad s he

r an j us t a s f as t a s s he c ou ld d ow n t he s te ep , s ton y p at h t o t he bo tt om o f t he r avi ne . T he re o n t he s to ne s,w it h h is h ea d i n a s ha ll ow b ro ok , l ay t he u nf or tu na te r id er . C lo se b es id e h im w as a g re at j ew el -s tu dd ed

crown.

" A ki ng !" ma rv el le d D or ot hy, w ho h ad m et a gr ea t m any m on ar ch s i n O z. " Bu t w ha t i s h e

doing here? And why?"

H ol di ng h er b reat h, s he l eaned o ver and t ou ch ed t he q ui et f ig ur e. T hen, t ak in g h er cou rage i n

both hands, she seized him by the arms and dragged him out of the brook. He came so suddenly and

u nexp ectedl y t hat D or ot hy f el l o ver b ackw ar ds . M or e m ys ti fi ed t han ever, s he p icked h er self u p.

"Mercy!" stuttered the little girl, turning him over gingerly. "He's not alive at all; he's stuffed.W hy h e' s o nl y a d um my ."

H al f r el ie ve d a nd h al f d is ap po in te d, s he g az ed i nt o t he b la nd f ac e o f t he f al le n k in g. I t w as a

h an ds om el y p ai nt ed f ac e, w hi ch e ve n t he b ro ok m ud c ou ld n ot e nt ir el y s po il , a nd i t w as t op pe d b y a

s pl en di d s il ve r w ig. B ut w ha t o n e ar th di d i t a ll m ea n? I f D or ot hy h ad b ee n i n O z s he m ig ht h av e f ou nd i t

m or e u nd er st an dabl e, f or s tr an ge t hi ng s are alw ay s h ap peni ng i n O z. B ut i n A meri ca! D or ot hy cou ld n ot

puzzle it out. Sitting down on a fallen tree she stared at the dummy in perfect astonishment. How had she

c ome he re he rs el f? H ow w as s he t o ge t b ac k t o t he Em er al d C it y? W ho w er e t he w il d gr ee n r ide rs , a nd

w hy h ad t hey f lu ng t he d um my o ver t he cli ff ?

" I w is h, " s ig hed D or ot hy at l as t, l oo ki ng p en si vely at t he l on g g reen f ig ur e s tr et ch ed s o

s ol em nl y a t he r f ee t, " I w is h y ou w er e a li ve a nd t he n m ay be

" Mayb e w hat?" w heezed t he d um my , r ai si ng h is h ead abo ut an i nch and b li nk in g at h er

cur io us ly . " Say, w ho p ul led m e o ut o f t he b ro ok ?"

D or ot hy g av e a l it tl e s cr eam and t hen, r ecov er in g h er self and s wall ow in g h ar d, ans wered

breathlessly, "I did!"

" Well , I 'm s up po sed t o b e d ead, " p uf fed t he d um my r ep ro achf ul ly . " Tr y t o g et t hat t hr ou gh

y ou r h ai r, can 't y ou ? I 'v e j us t b een t hr ow n o ver t he cli ff b y t he r ev ol ut io ni st s. Y ou s ho ul dn 't h av e r es cu ed

m e, l it tl e g ir l. I t w il l s po il t he p ic tu re . I s t he re a c am er a m an a ny whe re a bou t? "





" Ca me ra ?" g as pe d D or ot hy f ai nt ly , " Oh , I d on 't k no w. " I t h ad b ee n a l on g t im e s in ce D or ot hy

h ad b ee n i n A me ri ca , a nd t he re h ad b ee n v er y f ew m ov in g p ic tu re s i n t ho se o ld d ay s o n t he K an sa s f ar m.

B ut Tr ot , wh o ha d c om e t o O z f rom S an Fr an ci sc o, h ad t ol d D or ot hy a l ot a bou t t he s cr ee n s ta rs a nd

m ov in g p ictu re s tu nt s. A s s he r ecal led T ro t' s s to ri es , D or ot hy clapp ed h er h an ds . S mi li ng at t he d um my

s he s ai d, " I k no w! Y ou 'r e a m ov in g p ictu re d um my , aren' t y ou ?"

" Ri gh t t he f ir st t im e, " s ai d t he d um my , as h e r ai sed h is h ead ano th er i nch and s mi ledapp ro vi ng ly at D or ot hy . " I t ak e all t he r is ks ," h e exp lain ed com pl acen tl y. " I f al l f or t he s tars . N ow t hi s

s ta r w as a f ool is h o ld K in g, bu t t he l as t s ta r I f el l f or w as a s hoo ti ng s ta r- a c ow -b oy , y ou k no w. I wa s

t hr ow n f ro m a h or se u nd er a s ta mp ed in g h er d o f s te er s, " h e m us ed d re am il y, " an d h ad t o b e e nt ir el y

remade.

" Bu t y ou h ad b et te r r un a lo ng n ow , l it tl e g ir l. I 'm s up po se d t o b e d ea d. I t d oe sn 't h ur t, " h e

o bs er ved g raci ou sl y, as D or ot hy con ti nu ed t o s tare at h im i n amazement . " I' ve d ied a h un dr ed t im es and

k now a ll a bou t i t. R un a lon g n ow , l ik e a g oo d c hi ld. " L ow er in g h is h ea d, h e s et tl ed d ow n r es ign ed ly i n t he

m ud a nd s ta re d s to li dl y u p a t t he s ky .

" We ll , of c our se i f y ou p re fe r t o b e d ea d, " b eg an D or ot hy a b it s ti ff ly, " I' ll g o. B ut w hy y ou

s ho ul d w an t t o l ie t he re i n t he m ud, w he n t he s un i s s hi ni ng a nd e ve ry th in g s o n ic e a nd i nt er es ti ng, I d on 't

se e. You' re not de ad at al l. You'r e as al ive a s I a m!"

T he d um my s at b ol t u pr ig ht at D or ot hy 's w or ds and s tart ed t o p in ch h im self cur io us ly . " Wh y

s o I am, " h e p uf fed, r ub bi ng h is n os e t ho ug ht fu ll y w it h h is s tu ff ed and p ud gy f in ger. " Si t d ow n again m y

de ar , unt il I ge t us ed t o t he i de a of i t, w il l you? I t f ee ls ve ry o dd a nd da ng er ous !" He s hook one l eg, t he n

t he o th er a nd r os e u ns te ad il y t o h is f ee t.

" Hu rr ah !" c ri ed D pr ot hy . " Wh y I b el ie ve y ou c an w al k. H er e, l ea n o n t hi s. " S he t hr us t a s ti ck

i nt o t he d um my 's h an d a nd a ft er a f ew u nc er ta in w ob bl in gs , h e b eg an t o p ac e b ri sk ly u p a nd d ow n, h isg reen v el vet clo ak s lapp in g m er ri ly at h is h eels . D or ot hy w as s o i nt er es ted i n h is p ro gr es s t hat s he alm os t

f or got h ow r id ic ul ous i t w as f or a d um my t o be a li ve , b ut a s he l ow er ed h im se lf c ar ef ul ly t o t he l og be si de

h er , s he b eg an t o w on de r a ga in h ow i t h ad a ll h ap pe ne d.

" Were y ou ever ali ve b ef or e?" ask ed D or ot hy cur io us ly .

T he d um my s ho ok h is h ead. " If t al ki ng and w al ki ng aro un d l ik e t hi s i s b ei ng ali ve, t hen I n ev er

h av e, " s ai d t he d um my p os it iv el y. " Wh at s hall I d o n ow ?"

"Why anything you like," laughed Dorothy, beginning to enjoy herself.

" But a d um my c an o nl y d o a s h e' s t ol d, " s ig he d t he s tu ff ed k in g do ub tf ul ly . " And w ho a re y ou

m y d ea r? H av e y ou r un of f t o go i nt o t he m ov ie s? " H e l ook ed a t D or ot hy c ri ti ca ll y f ro m a ll s ide s. " No t

bad at all," he murmured approvingly. "They'll be glad to get you, I'm sure. Just stay here with me and

presently they will come in a truck and collect us. Yes, that's the ticket, we'll wait until we are collected."

" We ll , I 'm n ot a t ic ke t, " g ig gl ed D or ot hy ," a nd I d on 't w an t t o b e c ol le ct ed o r g o i nt o t he

m ovi es e it he r. I 'm go ing s tr ai gh t b ac k t o Oz , a s s oo n a s I c an ."

" Oz ?" q ue ri ed t he d um my , pr es si ng hi s f in ge r t o h is f or eh ea d. " Is t ha t a p la ce or a t on ic ?"

" It 's a p la ce ," s pu tt er ed D or ot hy . " Oh d ea r, w ou ld n' t O zm a b e s ur pr is ed t o s ee y ou ! Y ou

k no w, y ou 'r e awf ul ly l ik e S cr ap s and t he S carecro w. "





"They sound rather awful," smiled the dummy, folding his cloak around him dubiously. "Are

they dummies too?"

"No, but they're stuffed," explained Dorothy, leaning over to poke him experimentally in the

c he st . " Yo u t al k v er y q ue er ly . I d o w on de r w ha t y ou a re s tu ff ed w it h! "

" Hair , I t hi nk ," y aw ned t he d um my i nd if ferent ly , and l eani ng o ver h e p icked u p h is cro wn and

s et i t ja unt ily upon t he s ide of hi s h ea d. "I woul dn' t go ba ck t o t ha t Oz pl ac e i f I w er e you, " he a dvi se d

ear nest ly . " St ay h er e and y ou can s ee a m ov in g p ictu re every d ay - excit in g and adv en tu ro us s tu ff t oo ."

" B ut w hat' s t he f un o f l oo ki ng at o th er f ol ks h av in g adv en tu res, " s ni ff ed D or ot hy . " In O z w e

h av e a dv en tu re s o ur se lv es , a nd i n O z I 'm a P ri nc es s a nd l iv e i n a c as tl e. "

T he d um my t ur ned and l oo ked at h er r es pect fu ll y. " A P ri nces s, " h e m ur mu red i n a f ai nt v oi ce.

"Oh!"

" Ha ve y ou a ny n am e? " a sk ed D or ot hy , r at he r a sh am ed o f h er b oa st a bo ut b ei ng a P ri nc es s.

" We ll , t he re 's a n um be r on t he ba ck o f m y ne ck , but I don 't t hi nk I ha ve a ny n ame , a ns we re d

t he s tu ff ed m an u neas il y. " I' m j us t a d um my , y ou k no w. "

" Bu t I w ou ld n' t l ik e t o cal l y ou a d um my ," s ai d D or ot hy g en tl y.

"Well that's what I am," insisted the stuffed king cheerfully, "a regular dummy."

T ip to ei ng r ou nd b ac k o f hi m, D or ot hy pu ll ed o ut a l it tl e t ag on t he b ac k o f h is c ol la r.

" 20 2- B- E- l0 -B -4 7, " r ead t he l it tl e g ir l. " My w hat a l on g n um ber. "

" Yes, i sn 't i t, " r ep li ed t he d um my p ro ud ly . " Co ul dn 't y ou cal l m e b y t hat?"

" I cou ld n ev er r em em ber i t, " o bj ected D or ot hy . " Let- me-s ee, I m ig ht cal l y ou C li ff or d cau se

y ou f el l o ff a c li ff , o r C al , ' ca us e I f ou nd y ou i n C al if or ni a? D o yo u k no w, y ou a re d re ad fu ll y hu mpy i n

s po ts . H um py ! W hy I b el ieve I 'l l cal l y ou H um py !" cri ed D or ot hy , clapp in g h er h an ds s of tl y.

" Oo oh ! O uc h! W ha t' s t ha t? " I n s ud de n t er ro r D or ot hy c lu tc he d a t h er l ef t s ho e.

" I d on 't c ar e w ha t y ou c al l m e, b ut I 'd c al l y ou v er y o dd !" s ai d t he d um my i n a la rm . " Yo u' vegr own a t l ea st a f oo t w hi le I 've be en l ook ing a t you . Pe op le i n t hi s c ou nt ry a re s up pos ed t o s ta y t he s am e

s ize, " h e m ut tered, edg in g away u neas il y. B ut D or ot hy s carcel y h eard h im . T here w as a f ri gh tf ul p ai n i n

h er h ea rt a nd b ot h s ho es p in ch ed s o t er ri bl y t ha t s he s cr ea me d a lo ud . A t t he s am e i ns ta nt a ll t he b ut to ns

f le w of f t he b ac k h er dr es s.

" Ar e y ou g oi ng t o b ur st ?" ask ed t he d um my anx io us ly .

" Oh ! O h! I 'm a fr ai d s o, " g as pe d t he l it tl e g ir l, c lu tc hi ng h er se lf a bo ut t he w ai st . A t e ac h w or d

s he s hot up a not he r i nc h, f or Dor ot hy, who ha d l ive d i n t he Fa ir y La nd of Oz f or ma ny ye ar s, wa s

suddenly growing up.

I n Oz , no o ne e ve r gr ows up, b ut i n Am er ic a Dor ot hy w oul d be qu it e a young la dy by t hi s

t im e and , r em ov ed f ro m t he m ag ical i nf lu en ces o f t hat m ag ical l an d, s he w as g ro wi ng all at o nce and





f in di ng i t, a s m os t o f t he r es t o f u s d o, a n e xc ee di ng ly u nc om fo rt ab le b us in es s. H er s cr ea ms a s s he g re w

t al le r a nd t al le r w er e s o p it eo us t ha t Hu mp y f el l of f t he l og .

" Help ! H el p! H el p! " w ai led t he d um my , b eati ng h is f li ms y arm s u p and d ow n amo ng t he

leaves.

" Oh ! O h! O h! " p an te d D or ot hy d es pe ra te ly . " I c an 't s ta nd t hi s a no th er m in ut e. I w is h I w er e back. I wish I were back!"

Ne xt mo me nt t he re wa s not a s ou nd i n t he r avi ne , n or a pe rs on , nor e ve n a dum my . Onl y a

s tart led s qu ir rel r an u p and d ow n t he l og , chatt er in g w it h f ri gh t and ann oy an ce. C er tain ly h e h ad s een t wo

people on that log. Well, where were they now? He frisked his tail, he wiggled his nose and scratched his

h ea d a nx io us ly . T he n, w it h a l it tl e b ou nc e, h e g av e i t u p a nd w en t o ff t o c ra ck s om e n ut s f or s up pe r.

C HA PT ER 1 1

A R ea l O z A dv en tu re

" Th e l as t t hi ng I r em em ber, " m ut tered t he d um my t hi ck ly , " was a l it tl e g ir l s ho ot in g u p l ik e a

f ou nt ai n. N ow w hat h ap pened aft er t hat?" D or ot hy r ai sed h er h ead and l oo ked cau ti ou sl y i n t he d ir ecti on

f ro m w hi ch t he v oi ce wa s c om in g. T he d um my l ay, f ac e d ow n, i n a h ea p o f l ea ve s a nd, w it hou t m aki ng

any att em pt t o r is e, w en t s tu ff il y o n w it h t he con vers at io n. " I d on 't m in d f al li ng f or s tars , b ut b ei ng f lu nga round l ike a be an ba g f or a pe rs on who i s one s iz e t his m inute a nd anot he r s iz e t he ne xt is a ll w rong. I

w on de r w he re s he i s n ow !"

" He re I a m, " c al le d D or ot hy b re at hl es sl y, r ol li ng o ut o f a p il e o f l ea ve s o n t he o th er s ide o f h im .

" Ho w d o yo u s 'po se w e g ot he re ?"

"L it tl e again !" g ro an ed t he d um my , j us t l if ti ng h is h ead l on g eno ug h t o l oo k at h er , and t hen

l et ti ng i t d ro p b ack amo ng t he l eaves. " Li tt le again !"

" Oh , a m I ?" D or ot hy j um pe d u p i n g re at e xc it em en t a nd b eg an m ea su ri ng h er se lf a s b es t s hec ou ld . H er s to ck in gs w er e s tr et ch ed a nd t or n, h er d re ss w as r ip pe d i n s ev er al s ea ms a nd m in us a ll o f i ts

buttons. But outside of this she was her old, or rather her young, sweet self again.

" Wh y w e m us t b e b ac k i n O z, " s ig he d D or ot hy , l oo ki ng w it h d ee p r el ie f a t a s tr et ch o f p ur pl e

hills in the background. "This is the Gilliken Country."

" Ar e y ou s ti ll t he s am e s iz e, or a re y ou g oi ng t o s ho ot u p i nt o a y ou ng l ad y a ga in ? D on 't

shoot," begged the dummy quickly. "It makes me nervous!"

" We ll , I do n' t kn ow, " s ai d D or ot hy d ou bt fu ll y. To t el l t he t ru th t he l it tl e g ir l h ad no t ha d t im e t o

t hink at a ll , nor di d s he qui te re al ize tha t s he wa s one a ge i n Oz a nd a not he r age in A me ri ca . " I' ll ha ve t o

a sk t he W iz ar d a bo ut i t w he n w e g et b ac k t o t he E me ra ld C it y, " s he s ig he d, w it h a v er y p uz zl ed

exp ress io n. " It 's all v er y f un ny , d on 't y ou t hi nk s o, H um py ?"





" Can' t g et i t t hr ou gh m y h ai r at all ," p uf fed t he d um my . S it ti ng u p s ti ff ly h e r each ed f or h is

c ro wn . " Wh er e a re w e n ow a nd w he n d oe s t he n ex t r ee l b eg in ?"

I ns tead o f ans weri ng D or ot hy p lu mp ed d ow n amo ng t he l eaves and , w it h h er elb ow s o n h er

knees, stared thoughtfully at the dummy.

"I wis h I knew how you came to be al ive, and how we got ba ck to Oz ," mused Dorothy

s low ly. The re wa s a f la sh a nd f lut te r i n t he a ir a nd down a t h er f ee t dr opp ed a c ri sp whi te c ar d. Hu mpy

promptly toppled over backward and Dorothy, herself, gave a little gasp of surprise.

" By w is hi ng ," s ai d t he c ar d i n p in k l et te rs , j us t a s i f i t h ad he ar d h er q ue st io ns . B el ow t he re

w as s om e s ma ll er pr in ti ng a nd p ic ki ng u p t he c ar d D or ot hy q ui ck ly r ea d o n: " Wi sh W ay i s a t t he f oot o f

M ay be M oun ta in . Th is m or ni ng y ou we re on W is h W ay. Y ou p ut s om e o f t he s il ve r w is hi ng s an d i n y ou r

pocket. You wished yourself in America."

" Me rc y! " c ri ed D or ot hy , d ro pp in g t he c ar d i n h er a st on is hm en t. " Wh y s o I d id , a nd I w is he dyou we re a li ve , a nd I w is he d w e w er e ba ck a nd now I 'm goi ng t o wi sh us b ot h s tr ai ght t o t he E me ra ld

C it y. I w as o n W is h W ay o nc e b ef or e a nd k no w a ll a bo ut w is hi ng ."

" Wait ! W ai t a m in ut e, " p an ted t he d um my , clu tchi ng h is cro wn . " I' m u sed t o b ei ng f lu ng abo ut ,

t o d yi ng and all t hat S or t o f t hi ng , b ut t hi s w is hi ng b us in es s m ak es m e b reat hl es s. W ai t! "

D or ot hy h ad alr eady m ad e h er w is h and , clo si ng h er eyes, s at p er fect ly s ti ll . A ft er a m om en t

s he o pe ne d t he m bu t n ot hi ng a t a ll h ad h ap pe ne d. S he a nd H um py s ti ll s it ti ng o n t he p il e o f l ea ve s a nd t he

w hi te car d h ad v an is hed. B li nk in g r ap id ly , D or ot hy f el t i n h er p ocket. " No w on der i t d id n' t w or k, "

m ut te re d D or ot hy . " Th e w is hi ng s an d' s a ll g on e. I m us t ha ve u se d t he l as t g ra in w he n I w is he d w e w er e

back. Oh dear, we'll have to walk!"

" Wh er e?" H ol di ng h is cro wn w it h b ot h h an ds , t he d um my s at u p and l oo ked anx io us ly at t he

little girl.

" To t he E merald C it y, w here I l iv e, i n a s pl en di d p al ace w it h O zm a, t he Q ueen ," exp lain ed

Dorothy patiently.

" We ll , I w ou ld n' t m in d l iv in g i n a p al ac e a t a ll . I 'm d re ss ed f or t he p ar t. L et 's go o n, " s ai d t he

d um my c he er fu ll y. A ft er a f ew b en ds b ac kw ar ds a nd a f ew b en ds f or wa rd s, h e r os e a nd s ta rt ed

u ns te ad il y d ow n t he r oa d. " Yo u c an b e t he s ta r i n t hi s p ic tu re ," h e a dd ed g en er ou sl y, " an d I 'l l b e y ou r d ou bl e a nd f al l f or y ou a ny t im e y ou s ay.

" Al l r ig ht !" agr eed D or ot hy , t ak in g h im cozil y b y t he arm . H av in g h ad g reat exp er ience w it h

s tu ff ed p er so ns , and h av in g b ro ug ht H um py t o l if e, s he f el t m or e o r l es s r es po ns ib le f or h im .

A s t he y w al ke d a lo ng t og et he r, s he t ol d hi m a l it tl e a bo ut h er se lf a nd a s m uc h a bo ut t he

w on derf ul L an d o f O z as s he t ho ug ht a m an w it h h ai r b rain s cou ld u nd er st an d. S o m an y m ar velo us t hi ng s

h ad h ap pe ne d t o H um py i n t he m ov ie s t ha t h e e vi nc ed n o s ur pr is e a t D or ot hy 's s to ri es .

A s t he d um my a nd D or ot hy h ur ri ed o n, a g re at s cr ea mi ng a nd s co ld in g m ad e t he m s to p s ho rt .

A s cr ag gy -l oo ki ng w oo ds c ut o ff t he r oa d a he ad a nd , a dv an ci ng b ac kw ar d u po n t he m, t he re c am e t wo





cro ok ed and cur io us w oo ds men b eari ng a f lag. A s t he f lag f lu tt er ed and r ip pl ed i n t he w in d, D or ot hy

t ri ed t o m ak e o ut t he s tr an ge w or ds e mb ro id er ed i n w hi te u po n i ts p ur pl e b ac kg ro un d.

" Eh t K cab S do ow !" s ai d t he f lag m ys teri ou sl y. " Og y aw a! O g y aw a! " s ho ut ed t he w oo ds men

r ud el y. " Teg t uo ! T eg t uo ! T eg t uo !"

" Is t hi s O z t al k, " g as pe d H um py , f al li ng b ac k i n di sm ay , " or A ra bi c? I w as i n a n A ra bi an

picture once and it sounded something like this. Tuo teg, yourselves," he shouted defiantly, as the

w oo ds me n d re w n ea re r, " an d n on e o f y ou r b ac k t al k e it he r! "

" Back t al k! " cri ed D or ot hy , clu tchi ng h im s ud denl y b y t he s leev e. " Oh , t hat' s j us t w hat t hey aretalking, Humpy. They're talking 'back talk.' Wait a minute!" Closing her eyes, Dorothy began writing

i magi nary l et ters i n t he air and , as t he t wo w oo ds men r each ed t hem, s he b ur st o ut t ri um ph an tl y, " It s ay s

' The B ac k Woods ' on t ha t fl ag. Oh de ar , I wi she d we we re bac k a nd now we ar e!"

"You think awful fast," blinked the dummy admiringly. "The mere look of that language makes

m e d iz zy . S o t he y' re t al ki ng b ac k t al k a re t he y? W el l, w ha t d o t he y s ay ? A re t he y g oi ng t o h it u s? "

" Th ey 'r e t el li ng u s t o g o away, m ut tered D or ot hy , p ut ti ng h er f in gers i n h er ear s, f or t he t wo

l ea de rs h ad b ee n j oi ne d b y a hu nd re d mo re a nd a ll we re s cr ea mi ng a t t he t op o r r at he r, I s hou ld s ay, t he

bottom of their voices. They kept their backs to the travellers and shouted the dreadful back talk over

t heir s ho ul ders . T hey all car ri ed g leam in g axes and , w hen D or ot hy m ad e an att em pt t o adv an ce, t hey brandished them threateningly.

" I f I c oul d o nl y t al k ba ck, " w ai le d t he l it tl e g ir l, " I' d t el l t he m I a m a P ri nc es s. T he n m ay be

they'd let me through."

"Couldn't you write it?" suggested Humpy, looking at the angry horde with growing alarm.

"W hy , h ow d id y ou t hi nk o f t hat?" D or ot hy s tared at h im i n h on es t amazement . T hen, f eeli ng i n

h er p oc ke t, s he br ou gh t o ut a s tu b o f pe nc il a nd a c rum pl ed pi ec e of pa pe r. T he w oo ds me n w at ch ed he r

cur io us ly o ver t heir s ho ul ders as s he s lo wl y w ro te h er m es sage.

" I m a S se cn ir p Y ht or od , d ne ir f f o A mz o f o Z o. Y am e w s sa p h gu or ht r uo y s do ow ?" p ri nt ed

D or ot hy a ft er a g re at m an y p au se s a nd e ra su re s. R at he r t im id ly s he h an de d i t t o o ne o f t he f la g b ea re rs

and aft er a g reat s co wl in g and h ead- sh ak in g, t he w oo ds men r ai sed t hei r axes and s ho ut ed i n cho ru s,

"Sey! Sey!"

" Th at m eans ' yes' ," b reat hed D or ot hy , t ak in g H um py 's arm . " C' mo n, l et 's h ur ry , b ef or e t hey

c ha ng e t he ir m in ds ." T he w oo ds me n p ar te d s ol em nl y t o m ak e a p at h, b ut w he n t he y r ea ch ed t he

backwoods itself, Dorothy took one step and was immediately flung upon her nose.

" Ah , I s ee y ou d o y ou r o wn f al li ng ," m um bl ed t he d um my . " Wh y d id n' t y ou w ai t f or m e?"

H um py wa s s ev er al p ac es be hi nd D or ot hy a nd a s h e s po ke , h e a ls o a tt em pt ed t o e nt er t he w oo ds . Bu t

t he s am e h id den f or ce p us hed h im o ver b ackw ar ds . I mm ed iately t he i nh ab it an ts o f B ack b eg an t o r oar





w it h d el ig ht , a nd i f y ou h av e n ev er h ea rd a ny on e r oa ri ng b ac kw ar ds , y ou h av e n o i de a h ow h or ri d i t

s ou nd s. I t w as s om et hi ng b et we en a , c ou gh a nd a c ho ke . E ve n t he d um my k ne w t ha t h e w as b ei ng

insulted, and waved his arms about indignantly.

" Th er e' s s om e t ri ck t o i t, " p an ted D or ot hy , s it ti ng u p q ui ck ly . " Watch! "

S ev er al o f t he w oo ds men b eg an t o m ov e s lo wl y t ow ar d h er and , o bs er vi ng t hem clo sely , t hel it tl e g ir l s aw t ha t t he y w er e, t ur ne d b ac kw ar d b ut r ea ll y w al ki ng f or wa rd . " We h av e t o g o b ac kw ar d

f or ward !" cri ed D or ot hy . " Hu rr y u p, b ef or e t hey cat ch u s. "

" Th is i s w or se t ha n d yi ng ," g ro an ed H um py . " Ho w d o y ou g o b ac kw ar ds a nd f or wa rd s a t t he

same time?"

" Watch m e, " s ai d D or ot hy , s pr in gi ng u p d et er mi nedl y. T ur ni ng h er b ack t o t he w oo ds , s he

s ta rt ed t o r un a wa y f ro m i t, a nd H um py , g oa de d i nt o a ct io n b y t he t hr ea te ni ng a pp ea ra nc e o f t he t er ri bl e

w oo ds me n, d id t he s am e. F or e ve ry s te p t he y r an b ac kw ar d f or wa rd , t he y w en t f or wa rd b ac kw ar d t wo

s teps , b um pi ng i nt o t rees , w hi ch h ad t heir r oo ts w av in g m ud di ly i n t he air and t heir l eaves u nd er gr ou ndand crash in g i nt o b us hes o f t he s am e cur io us charact er . W it ho ut s to pp in g t o exami ne t he b ack s cenery at

a ll , t he y r an f or t he ir l iv es , r ea chi ng t he e dg e o f t he w oo ds j us t a s t he w oo ds me n c au gh t u p w it h t he m.

T he w icked f el lo ws h ad r eall y n o i nt en ti on o f l et ti ng t hem g o, and h ow led m os t awf ul ly as H um py and

D or ot hy m ad e t he ir e sc ap e. S ev er al o f t he l ea de rs s ta rt ed i n p ur su it , b ut e ac h t im e t he y s et f oo t o ut o f

t heir f or es t t hey w er e f lu ng d ow n b y t he i nv is ib le b ack w in d and f in al ly g av e i t u p. S eein g t hat t hey w er e

s af e a t l as t, D or ot hy s an k d ow n u nd er a t om at o t re e a nd f an ne d h er se lf v ig or ou sl y w it h h er h at .

" Do w e d o t hi s o ft en? " pu ff ed t he d umm y, g iv in g hi ms el f a s ha ke . " I s ee t hi s i s go ing t o b e a

funny picture."

"I t' s not a pic tur e a t a ll ," a ns we re d t he l it tle gi rl a bi t c ros sl y. "I t' s r ea l. I t ol d you we ha ve l ot so f a dv en tu re s i n O z. W el l, t hi s i s a r ea l a dv en tur e. "

" Real ly !" s mi led t he d um my , s tr ai gh teni ng h is cro wn . " Well , i f w e' re n ot i n a p ictu re w e o ug ht

t o b e. I 'l l b et w e l oo ke d r id ic ul ou s r un ni ng f or wa rd b ac kw ar d. I s ay , i f i t i sn' t a f un ny r ee l i t' s r ea l f un ny

and I h op e y ou 'l l adm it t hat, M is s D or ot hy ."

" Ar e y ou s ur e t here's n ot hi ng i n y ou r h ead b ut h ai r?" ask ed t he l it tl e g ir l s us pi ci ou sl y. H um py

t oo k o ff h is c ro wn a nd s mo ot he d h is s il ve r w ig s ol em nl y. " I d on' t t hi nk s o, " he s ai d. " Wh y do y ou a sk ?"

" Well ," D or ot hy g av e a l it tl e chu ck le i n s pi te o f h er self , " yo u j us t m ad e a j ok e and y ou t ho ug hta bo ut w ri ti ng b ac k. Y ou s ou nd k in da s ma rt t o m e.

"You're wrong, sighed Humpy, gravely replacing his crown. "I'm only a hair-brained dummy,

but I like being alive and I like having you for my star and after this-" Humpy shook his fist angrily at the

s ti ll m ut teri ng w oo ds -m en -" af ter t hi s I 'l l t ak e all t he k no ck s and h ar d f al ls f or y ou . T hen m ay be, i f y ou

t ri ed ha rd, yo u m ig ht gr ow t o l ike m e a l it tl e? "

" Wh y, I l ik e y ou alr eady , y ou d ear, g en er ou s o ld t hi ng . " J um pi ng u p, D or ot hy g av e H um py an

i mp ul si ve h ug . T hen, p icki ng a l ar ge t om at o, s he ate i t h un gr il y. I t s eemed a l on g t im e s in ce s he h ad

breakfasted with the Forgetful Poet in Perhaps City.

" We'd b et ter s tart o n n ow ," s ai d t he l it tl e g ir l, f in is hi ng o ff t he t om at o w it h a l on g s ig h o f

s at is fact io n. " We'r e i n t he G il li ki n C ou nt ry and i f w e w al k f as t w e m ay r each t he E merald C it y b ef or e





night comes.

" Al l r ig ht , M is s S tar. " P icki ng u p a cro ok ed b ranch t o b al an ce h im self , H um py s tepp ed o ut

cheer fu ll y and , t al ki ng o f o ne t hi ng and ano th er , t hey j ou rn ey ed f or m or e t han an h ou r t hr ou gh t he

pleasant fields and lanes, causing no small wonder to the Gilliken farmers whom they passed on the way,

f or D or ot hy i n h er t or n s to ck in gs a nd f ro ck a nd t he d um my i n h is r eg al r ob es a nd c ro wn m ad e a s tr an ge

pair, even for Oz.

W i th ou t exp lain in g t hems el ves at all , t he t wo h ur ri ed o n, n ev er s to pp in g u nt il t hey cam e t o a

broad purple river. Humpy looked inquiringly at Dorothy and Dorothy with a puzzled little sigh sat down

u po n t he r iv er b an k.

" I' m s ur e w e o ug ht t o cro ss t hi s r iv er ," s ai d D or ot hy t ho ug ht fu ll y, " bu t h ow ?"

H um py p ut o ne f ing er i n t he wa te r. " Do y ou w an t m e t o f al l i n f or y ou ?" a sk ed t he d um my

obligingly.

" We ll , I d on 't s ee w ha t g oo d t ha t w ou ld d o, " f ro wn ed D or ot hy . " Le t m e s ee !" D or ot hy l oo ke d

r ef le ct iv el y a t h er t oe s, s o o f c ou rs e s he s aw n ot hi ng b ut h er b oo ts , b ut H um py l oo ke d o ff a cr os s t he

r ive r, a nd s o i t wa s Humpy w ho s aw the m fi rs t.

" Oh , l oo k! " s tu tt er ed t he d um my , g rasp in g D or ot hy b y t he s leev e. " Here com es ano th er

adventure, Miss Star!"

J um pi ng u p i n alarm , D or ot hy s aw a cur io us com pany s co ot in g abo ut u po n t he s ur face o f t he

w at er . A t t he v er y s am e m om en t t he y s aw D or ot hy , a nd c am e s ka ti ng a nd s li di ng a cr os s t he r iv er l ik e a

s warm o f g iant w at er b ug s.

" No w d on 't t el l m e t hi s i s r eal, " g ru nt ed t he d um my , s it ti ng d ow n w it h a t hu d. " I w ou ld n' t

believe them, even in a picture."

" Bu t t hey' re n ot i n a p ictu re," w ai led D or ot hy . " Th ey 'r e h er e, w heth er y ou b el ieve t hem o r n ot .

W hy t he y h av e s ai ls ! Oh H um py, g et u p q ui ck . A re n' t yo u g oi ng t o h el p m e? " W it h a m igh ty e ff or t

Humpy pulled himself together and arose.

"Teg tuo! Teg tuo!" shrilled the dummy, lapsing in his fright and excitement into the terrible

l an gu ag e o f B ac k. " Og y aw a! O g y aw a! K ca b S do ow !" A nd s na tc hi ng o ff h is c ro wn , h e h ur le d i t

violently at the heads of the approaching rivermen.

C HA PT ER 1 2

The Playful Scooters

T HE f ir st o f t he r iv er me n c aug ht t he d um my 's c row n n ea tl y a nd t os se d i t b ac k. " Is i t a g am e? "

h e c al le d h oa rs el y. D or ot hy h ad n o t im e t o d od ge , s o s he q ui ck ly c au gh t t he c ro wn , w hi ch c am e w it h





s uc h f or ce t ha t s he s at dow n wi th a j ol t.

T he d um my d an ced u p and d ow n and w av ed h is arm s t hr eateni ng ly .

" Co me o n, F lub B lu b. I t' s a g am e, " c al le d t he f ir st r iv er ma n t o t he m an j us t b ehi nd h im . " Tw o

S co ot s p la yi ng a g am e! H er e, " h e c ro ak ed i n h is d ee p, f ro g- li ke v oi ce , " th ro w i t t o m e! " H e r ai se d h is

s ai ls c oa xi ng ly a t D or ot hy a nd , p ar tl y b ec au se s he w as a fr ai d t o h av e h im c om e n ea re r a nd p ar tl y because she didn't know what else to do, the little girl pitched back the crown with all her might. The one

cal led F lu b B lu b cau gh t i t i mm ed iately . T he n ex t t hr ow w as t o H um py and b ackw ar d and f or ward

between the puzzled travellers on the bank and curious creatures on the water flew the dummy's crown,

and breathlessly between catches Dorothy examined these strange playfellows.

T he y w er e t al l a nd a ng ul ar a nd s o s un bu rn ed t ha t t he y a lm os t a pp ea re d t o b e I nd ia ns . T he y

w er e c la d i n s hi ny w at er p ro of h at s a nd s li ck er s. O n t he ir l on g, t hi n f ee t, s ha pe d s om ew ha t l ik e s ki s a nd

s om ew ha t l ik e n ar ro w b oa ts , t he y s li d o ve r t he w at er a s s ur el y a nd c ar el es sl y a s w e s ka te a bo ut o n i ce .

Ext en di ng f rom t he a nkl e t o t he f inge r t ip s, a nd a s mu ch a pa rt of t he we ar er a s w ings a re pa rt of a bi rd,

w er e b ri gh t y el lo w s ai ls . W he n t he ir a rm s w er e d ow n a t t he ir s id es , t he s ai ls w er e f ol de d i n a nd a lm os tu nn ot iceabl e, b ut w it h ar ms o ut st retched t he r iv er men h ad t wo w id e- sp read s ai ls t o h el p t hem s co ot o ver

t he w at er . B y l ow er in g t he r ig ht a rm o r t he l ef t, t he y c oul d t ur n, t ac k a nd g et a bo ut f as te r t ha n a ny s ai li ng

boat you have ever seen. Their faces, under the broad souwesters, were child-like and pleasant and,

finding them more interesting than dangerous, Dorothy motioned for Humpy to hold the crown, which

h ad l an ded f or abo ut t he t en th t im e w it h a r es ou nd in g t hw ack again st h is chest .

" Bu t I w as j us t g et ti ng g oo d, " o bj ected t he d um my , p laci ng t he cro wn r eg retf ul ly o n h is h ead.

" Wh at n ow ?" H um py h ad b ec om e s o e ng ro ss ed i n c at ch in g t he c ro wn t ha t h e h ad q ui te f or go tt en h is

f ri gh t a nd , a s t he l ea de r c am e i n c lo se t o t he s ho re , h e l oo ke d a t h im w it h f ra nk c ur io si ty .

" Well , S co ot s, " b ub bl ed t he o ne cal led F lu b B lu b, r ocki ng g en tl y b ackw ar d and f or ward o nt he w at er , " wh o w on ?"

" I t hi nk i t w as a t ie ," a ns we re d D or ot hy p ol it el y, " bu t w hy d o y ou c al l us S co ot s? "

" Becaus e y ou r s ai ls h av en 't g ro wn , g ur gl ed t he r iv er man, t ak in g a w hi te b ub bl e p ip e f ro m h is

m ou th a nd s mi li ng b ro ad ly a t t he l it tl e gi rl . " Bu t do n' t m in d, m y d ea r. W e m us t a ll b e Sc oo ts b ef or e w e' re

S co ot er s. J us t s ti ck i n t he m ud a l it tl e l on ge r a nd y ou r s ai ls w il l g row a s l ar ge a s m ine ."

" Dor ot hy 's n ot a Sc oo t, s he 's a s ta r, " pr ot es te d H um py , " and I 'm h er d ou bl e a nd d o a ll t he

h ar d f al li ng . D on 't y ou k no w' a s ta r w he n y ou s ee o ne ?"

T he S co ot er t ur ne d h is p al e b lu e e ye s c ur io us ly o n H um py . " Yo u l oo k a bo ut a s m uc h l ik e h er

a s a p um pk in l oo ks l ik e a p ea ch ," h e o bs er ve d m il dl y. " Wh y d o y ou c al l y ou rs el f h er d ou bl e? A nd i f s he 's

a s ta r w ha t' s s he d oi ng o ut n ow ? I t' s o nl y t en o 'c lo ck ." A t t hi s a ll t he o th er S co ot er s r em ov ed t he ir p ip es

and nodded gravely.

" Is s he a n o ut -a nd -o ut s ta r, o r a d ow n- an d- ou t s ta r? " i nq ui re d F lu b B iu b, b lo wi ng a w ho le

f lo ck o f s oap b ub bl es f ro m h is p ip e and w at ch in g t hem f lo at l azil y u p t he r iv er .

"I'm a Princess," put in Dorothy, seeing that everything was becoming hopelessly confused,

" an d w e' re o n o ur w ay t o t he E me ra ld C it y. "

" A P ri nces s! " exclaim ed t he S co ot er i n amazement . H e t oo k o ff h is s ou west er and s cr at ch ed





h is h ea d i n a p uz zl ed w ay . D or ot hy w as s o a st on is he d t o f in d t ha t h is h ai r w as m os s t ha t s he s ai d n ot hi ng

a t a ll f or a wh ol e m in ut e.

" If y ou 'r e a P ri nc es s, w hy a re y ou s o s ha bb y? " c ho ke d a S co ot er n am ed M ou ld y.

" Do n' t m ind h im , h e h as a ba d c ol d, " a pol ogi ze d F lu b, p ut ti ng h is h at o n a ga in . " He w oul d go a

picking daisies on the shore yesterday and got his feet dry. Now look at him!"

T he S co ot er cou gh ed m is er ab ly . " Th at 's r ig ht ," h e w heezed , d ab bi ng at h is eyes w it h h is r ig ht

s ai l. " Never g et y ou r f eet d ry l it tl e S co ot , i t' s t ur ri bl e! "

A t t hi s D or ot hy g ig gl ed i n s pi te o f h er self . T hen s eein g t he p oo r f el lo w w as o ff en ded s he ask ed

q ui ck ly , " Is t he re a ny w ay w e c ou ld c ro ss t hi s r iv er , M r. M ou ld y? "

" Th er e' s a b ri dg e a b it f ur th er o n, " s ni ff ed t he S co ot er , w av in g h is s ai l s ul ki ly . F ol lo wi ng t he

d ir ec ti on , D or ot hy s aw w ha t a t f ir st l oo ke d l ik e a s il ve r b ri dg e. B ut o n c lo se r i ns pe ct io n i t p ro ve d t o b e a

g re at t or re nt o f w at er s po ut in g a cr os s t he r iv er l ik e t he s tr ea m f ro m a g ia nt h os e.

" Bu t i t' s w at er !" g as ped t he l it tl e g ir l i n d is may.

" Of c ou rs e i t' s wa te r. W ha t s hou ld a b ri dge b e bu t wa te r? " de ma nd ed t he l ea de r o f t he

S co ot er s i mp at ie nt ly . " Ju st s ta nd o n o ne s id e a nd i t w il l s ho ot y ou a cr os s.

"How dreadfully wet," sighed the dummy dolefully, "but I'll cross if you will Dorothy."

" Th at 's r ig ht ," s ai d F lu b B lu b app ro vi ng ly , " an d h er e' s t he w ay t o d o i t. " F ol lo wed b y t he

o th er s, t he S co ot er s ai le d u p t he r iv er a nd l ea pe d l ig ht ly o n t he g le am in g a rc h o f w at er . D or ot hy ,

w at ch in g t hem s ho ot acr os s w it h s ai ls o ut sp read , t ho ug ht s he h ad n ev er s een a m or e i nt er es ti ng s ig ht . J us t before they reached the opposite bank, they jumped into the water and in less than a minute they all were

back.

" See, " s mi led t he l eader cheer fu ll y, " it 's as eas y as s ai li ng , M is s S tar o r P ri nces s o r w hatever

else you call yourself."

" Ju st a l it tl e g ir l, t hank y ou ," s mi led D or ot hy , l oo ki ng v er y d ou bt fu ll y at t he w at er b ri dg e.

"I s h e a l it tl e g ir l t oo ?" ask ed t he r iv er man, eyein g H um py att en ti vely . A t t hi s t he p oo r d um my

l oo ked s o i nd ig nant t hat D or ot hy q ui ck ly t ol d abo ut h er f al l i nt o A meri ca, h er m eeti ng w it h H um py andt he s tr an ge m an ne r i n w hi ch h e h ad b ee n w is he d t o l if e. B ut a s t he S co ot er s h ad n ev er h ea rd o f A me ri ca ,

nor of a moving pi ctur e dummy, he r s tory w as not a t a ll c le ar t o t he m. And whe n s he we nt on to e xpl ain

t ha t c ro ss in g t he r iv er o n t he w at er b ri dg e a nd g et ti ng h er f ee t w et w ou ld g iv e h er a c ol d, t he y w er e m or e

astonished than ever.

"C ou ld n' t y ou car ry h er acr os s?" ask ed H um py , as t hey s to od arg ui ng excit ed ly t og et her. " I

d on 't m in d t he w at er m ys el f and am q ui te u sed t o f lo at in g and f al li ng , b ut D or ot hy

"Ever try a water fall?" interrupted Mouldy inquisitively.

" Le t' s t ak e h er a cr os s, b oy s! " c al le d F lu b B lu b b ef or e H um py h ad a c ha nc e t o a ns we r. " Co me

alo ng P ri nces s L it tl e G ir l and M r. D um my !" W it h h oars e s ho ut s t he S co ot er s s tr et ch ed t heir l on g arm s. A

d ozen s ei zed u po n H um py and , h ol di ng h im awk ward ly b et ween t hem, s tart ed s co ot in g acr os s t he r iv er .





Humpy nodded, his eyes wandering over the fields and hills, spreading out invitingly before

t he m. " Is t hi s t he w ay t o y ou r p al ac e? " h e d em an de d, t hr ow in g h is c lo ak b ac k o ve r o ne s ho ul de r a nd

waving his stick ahead.

" It 's n ot m y p al ac e, " e xp la in ed D or ot hy , t ak in g h is a rm , " it 's O zm a' s. S he i s t he Q ue en o f O z,

y ou k no w, b ut I h av e t he d ea re st l it tl e a pa rt me nt t he re , w it h a h un dr ed f ai ry t al e b oo ks , a h un dr edg am es , a h un dr ed d re ss es , a d og n am ed T ot o a nd a l it tl e w hi te k it te n. "

" We ll , I h op e y ou r do g w on 't c he w m e, " s ai d H um py u ne as il y. " I w as i n a p ic tu re w it h a d og

on ce . H e wa s s up po se d t o kn oc k m e dow n. W el l, he di d a nd , be for e t he y c oul d pul l hi m a wa y h e ha d

c he we d of f m y e ar a nd e at en up m y w ig. I ha te do gs ."

" Bu t T ot o' s o nl y a l it tl e d og , y ou 'l l j us t l ov e T ot o, " D or ot hy ass ur ed h im q ui ck ly .

Humpy still looked doubtful and, seeing that dogs made him unhappy, Dorothy began telling

h im all abo ut t he S carecr ow and S cr ap s. C hatt in g p leas an tl y, t hey w al ked alo ng f or m or e t han an h ou r,w hen H um py , ever o n t he l oo ko ut f or adv en tu res, g av e D or ot hy 's arm a q ui ck j er k. M ov in g s lo wl y

behind a thin fringe of trees to the right was a great gray shadow. As they stopped, the shadow stopped

t oo and o ut t hr ou gh t he t rees s om et hi ng t hat l oo ked l ik e a l on g g rey s nake cam e cur io us ly cur li ng .

" Ru n! " p uf fed t he v al iant d um my . " Ru n, D or ot hy ! T hi s i s m y p ar t o f t he s ho w f or i t can 't b it e

me!"

R ai si ng h is s ti ck, H um py b ro ugh t i t d ow n s ha rp ly o n t he t hi ck g ra y bo dy . T he re w as a n

e nr ag ed s no rt a nd s nu ff le i n t he b us he s. T he n, b ef or e D or ot hy c ou ld r un o r H um py c ou ld u se hi s s ti ck

again , a p er fect ly eno rm ou s eleph an t cam e charg in g o ut b et ween t he t rees . H is s id es w er e h eavi ng w it h

r ag e and h is t us ks w er e t remb li ng w it h t em per.

"Who hit me?" screamed the elephant, lashing about furiously with his trunk. "I'll mash him, I'll

crash h im ! A h h ah !" H is l it tl e eyes s napp ed w ickedl y as t hey f el l u po n H um py 's s ti ck . T he n ex t i ns tant t he

gr ea t b ea st ha d s ei ze d t he d um my i n hi s t ru nk a nd f lun g hi m f if ty f ee t i nt o t he a ir . T he n, p aus ing t o

s tr ai gh ten h is p earl h ead- pi ece, h e g lared i nd ig nant ly at D or ot hy . T here i s o nl y o ne eleph an t i n O z w ho i s

elegant eno ug h t o o wn a h eadb an d o f p earl s and , w it h a l it tl e s hr iek o f s ur pr is e and r ecog ni ti on , D or ot hy

r an f or wa rd j us t i n t im e t o s av e H um py f ro m a no th er t os s i n t he a ir .

"Why Kabumpo!" cried the little girl in delight. "Wait! Wait a minute!" The Elegant Elephant,

a fte r a qui ck l ook a t t he l it tl e gi rl , sna tc he d a huge s il k ha nky fr om a poc ket i n hi s r obe a nd bl ew hi s t runk violently.

" Well , I 'l l b e b lo wed i f i t i sn 't D or ot hy ," w heezed K ab um po , h al f- ch ok ed b et ween

embarrassment and surprise. "What brings you here?"

J us t a s h e s po ke h e c au gh t a no th er g li mp se o f H um py , w ho h ad r is en a nd w as a dv an ci ng

u ns tead il y. " Ex cu se m e u nt il I m as h t hat i di ot ," h e r oared.

" Oh p le as e do n' t m as h h im ," b eg ge d D or ot hy i n a la rm . " Yo u s ee h e' s o nl y a d um my a nd h e

d id n' t m ea n t o h it y ou . B es ide s h e' s a f ri en d o f m in e. "

K ab um po s wayed u ncer tain ly f or a m om en t and t hen s tu ff ed h is h an dk er ch ief b ack i nt o h is

pocket. "Well, nobody but a dummy would hit an elephant on the trunk. Why have such dumb friends?"





he asked sulkily.

A s q ui ck ly as s he cou ld , D or ot hy exp lain ed h er s tr an ge m eeti ng w it h t he d um my , h is com in g t o

l if e and h er cur io us adv en tu res s in ce. I t w as s uch an amazi ng s to ry t hat K ab um po n ow r eg ar ded H um py

w it h m or e i nt er es t t han ang er . D or ot hy , s eein g t hat t he d um my s ti ll t ho ug ht h er i n d an ger, h as ti ly t oo k

away h is s ti ck and i nt ro du ced h im . t o t he E legant E leph an t.

K ab um po , y ou k no w, b el on gs t o t he r oy al f am il y o f P um perd in k, a cozy o ld -f as hi on ed

c ou nt ry i n t he G il li ke n c oun tr y, a nd he i s o ne o f t he c hi ef o rn am en ts o f i ts c ou rt a nd a p ri me f avo ri te o f

P om pa do re , t he y ou ng P ri nc e. H e h as a s ui te o f r oo ms i n t he p al ac e, a nd m or e j ew el s a nd e mb ro id er ed

r ob es t ha n a ny o th er e le ph an t i n a ll o f O z.

On ce u po n a t im e K ab um po h ad h el pe d P om pa s av e P eg A my , a n e nc ha nt ed P ri nc es s, f ro m

a d read fu l o ld w izar d n am ed G legg . T hi s l it tl e P ri nces s h ad aft er ward s m ar ri ed t he P ri nce o f P um perd in k

and i t w as o n t hi s adv en tu re t hat D or ot hy h ad f ir st m et t he E legant E leph an t.

" Bu t w hy d id h e t hr ow m e away?" ask ed H um py s us pi ci ou sl y, w hen D or ot hy h ad t ol d h im allt ha t I ha ve j us t t ol d yo u.

" I' ll t hr ow y ou a wa y e ve ry t im e y ou h it m e, s o y ou 'd b et te r g et t ha t t hr ou gh y ou r h ea d a t

once," trumpeted Kabumpo indignantly.

" Well , j us t s o y ou d on 't t hr ow D or ot hy , i t w il l b e all r ig ht ," s ig hed t he d um my r es ig nedl y. " I' m

q ui te us ed t o b ei ng f lu ng a bou t, b ut I 'v e n ev er b ee n i n a p ic tu re w it h a n e le ph an t b ef or e. "

" Th is i sn 't a p ictu re. I t' s O z, " s napp ed K ab um po l of ti ly . " Do n' t y ou k no w any th in g at all ?"

" Ah , d on 't q uarr el ," b eg ged D or ot hy anx io us ly . " Tell m e abo ut P om pa and P eg A my ,Kabumpo, and how's everything in Pumperdink?"

"Well," mused the Elegant Elephant, taking out his handkerchief again and mopping his

f or eh ead t ho ug ht fu ll y, " th in gs are k in da s lo w. S in ce P om pa m ar ri ed P eg t here's b een n o excit em en t at all .

F ac t i s, " a dm it te d K ab um po c on fi de nt ia ll y, " I w as j us t o n m y w ay t o t he E me ra ld C it y t o s ee w he th er I

cou ld s ti r u p a l it tl e f un ."

" Wh y s o a re w e! " c ri ed D or ot hy i n d el ig ht . " Le t' s a ll g o t og et he r. O h K ab um po , w on 't t ha t b e

fun?"

Th e E legant E leph an t l oo ked d ub io us ly at t he d um my . " Well , s o l on g as y ou 'r e g oi ng i n t he

s am e d ir ecti on y ou m ig ht as w el l r id e o n m y b ack, " h e r em ar ked car el es sl y. T hen, w in di ng h is t ru nk

abo ut D or ot hy K ab um po , u nd er h is p om po us m an ner, w as r eall y a k in d- heart ed o ld f el lo w] h e s et t he

l it tl e g ir l alo ft and , s natchi ng u p t he d um my , h e t os sed h im r eckl es sl y o ver h is s ho ul der.

W it h a b last f ro m h is t ru nk l ik e a s team bo at w hi st le, K ab um po g ot u nd er w ay , p lu ng in g ahead

s o s wi ft ly t ha t D or ot hy a nd H um py h ad a ll t he y c ou ld d o t o k ee p t he ir s ea ts .

" Is n' t t hi s f un ?" cal led D or ot hy , h ol di ng f as t t o t he E legant E leph an t' s g reat ear .

"Is it?" inquired the dummy, clinging desperately to Kabumpo's jewelled harness and fluttering

up a nd down l ike a ba nne r at e ac h s tep. " So t hi s i s f un? A h, how f ast I a m l ea rni ng."





C HA PT ER 1 3

S ni p M eets t he B lank s

O N T HE n ig ht b ef or e O zm a r ec ei ve d t he m ys te ri ou s w ar ni ng , S ni p a nd M om bi - a s w e w el l

kn ow - w er e m ak in g t he ir w ay t hr ou gh t he d ee p f or es t on t he o the r s id e o f Ca tt y C or ne rs . Ea ch s te p

w as g ro wi ng h ar de r a nd h ar de r f or t he w ea ry l it tl e b ut to n b oy . H ol di ng t he g re at g oo se i n h is a rm s, h e

staggered along, guided by the flicker of Mombi's lantern, stumbling over roots, brushing against trees

and shivering with the clammy chill of midnight. The old witch seemed positively tireless and Snip had

a bo ut d ec id ed h e c ou ld g o n o f ur th er , w he n s he s to pp ed s ud de nl y b es id e a r ou gh s to ne w el l.

" Sn ip ," w heezed M om bi craft il y, " I' m t hi rs ty . N ow y ou 'r e y ou ng er t han I am. J us t g et m e a

d ri nk , w il l y ou ?" H er v oi ce w as s o p leas an t t hat S ni p u ns us pect in gl y s et P aj uk a o n t he g ro un d and

peered down into the dark depths of the well, while Mombi held the lantern. There was a chain at the

s id e a nd , g ra sp in g i t i n b ot h h an ds , S ni p l ea ne d o ve r a nd b eg an t o h au l u p t he b uc ke t.

T hi s w as t he chance M om bi h ad b een w ai ti ng f or all eveni ng and , s ei zi ng S ni p b y t he h eels ,

s he h eart less ly t um bl ed h im i nt o t he w el l. H er w icked s ho ut o f t ri um ph and S ni p' s s hr il l o ut cr y awakened

P aj uk a. F lu tt er in g i nt o t he a ir , h e m ad e a g re at s na tc h a t t he d is ap pe ar in g l it tl e b ut to n b oy .

S ni p, o n h is p ar t, clu tchi ng d es perately at t he r ou gh s to nes t o s av e h im self , cau gh t i ns tead a

h an df ul o f g oo se f eath er s and w en t p lu ng in g d ow n i nt o t he d read fu l d ar kn es s. D ow n, d ow n, d ow n h e f el l,l ik e a l um p o f l ea d, t o t he v er y b ot to m. W it h e ye s s hu t t ig ht a nd c le nc he d f is ts , S ni p w ai te d f or t he

t er ri bl e bum p t ha t s hou ld e nd h is f al l. B ut i ns te ad of a bum p, t he re wa s a s of t t hud a nd bounc e a nd he

f ou nd h im se lf w ed ge d f as t i n a p ad de d b uc ke t. T he j ar s et t he b uc ke t i n m ot io n a nd f or a m om en t S ni p

t ho ug ht i t w as g oi ng t o s ho ot u p t o t he t op a ga in . I ns te ad i t b eg an t o m ov e s id ew ay s, f or o pe ni ng o ut

f ro m t he b ot to m o f t he w el l w as a l on g, d am p p as sa ge wa y, a nd t he b uc ke t s wi ng in g o n a h ea vy c ab le

shot rapidly along through this underground tunnel.

I t w as t oo da rk f or Sni p t o s ee but , s tr et ch ing h is a rm s c ar ef ul ly, he f el t t he w al ls a bove a nd a t

t he s ide . Cl ea rl y t he o ld wi tc h ha d m ea nt t o de st roy hi m, s o s he c oul d w or k out he r wi cke d pl ans

u nd is tu rb ed . " Bu t m ay be," w hi sp er ed p oo r S ni p, cro uchi ng l ow t o k eep f ro m b um pi ng h is h ead, " mayb e Ic an g et o ut a ft er a ll a nd m an ag e t o r ea ch t he E me ra ld C it y f ir st a nd w ar n O zm a o f M om bi 's t re ac he ry .

T he n s ur el y O zm a w il l he lp m e f ind Pa ju ka a nd s he , h er se lf , c an h un t f or t he l os t K in g. "

I t w as a l on g a nd t er ri bl e r id e, a nd m an y t im es S ni p' s h ea rt t hu mp ed s o l ou dl y t ha t i t d ro wn ed

o ut t he c re ak o f t he s tr ai ni ng c ab le . W he re u nd er t he e ar th w as h e g oi ng ? W ou ld t he f ly in g b uc ke t n ev er

s to p? J us t a s h e wa s l os ing h is c our age e nt ir el y, Sni p s aw a s ta r. T he bu cke t ha d c om e t o t he e nd o f t he

t un ne l a nd w as s ho ot in g u p a no th er w el l a s s wi ft ly a s S ni p h ad f al le n do wn t he f ir st o ne . A lm os t a s s oo n

a s h e m ad e t hi s j oy fu l d is co ve ry , t he b uc ke t r ea ch ed t he t op , s pi ll ed h im c ar el es sl y o ve r t he e dg e a nd

d ro pp ed b ac k w it h a h ol lo w r in g t o t he b ot to m.

F or s ev er al m in ut es S ni p l ay w he re h e h ad f al le n, t oo s ha ke n a nd b re at hl es s t o c ar e w he re h e

w as . T hen, r ol li ng o ver, h e l oo ke anx io us ly aro un d. I n t he f ai nt s tarl ig ht , n ot m uch w as v is ib le. H e s eemed

t o be i n a s ma ll or cha rd a nd j us t be yond t he t re es he c ou ld s ee t he di m out li ne s o f a s tr ange c it y.





S at is fy in g h im self t hat n o i mm ed iate d an ger t hr eatened and t oo w eary t o g o ano th er s tep, t he w or n- ou t

l it tl e adv en tu rer f lu ng h im self d ow n b es id e t he w el l and w as s oo n f as t asl eep.

I t w as m or ni ng a nd n ea rl y n in e o 'c loc k w he n h e w as a wa ke ne d b y t he s ou nd o f hu rr yi ng

foot-steps and shrill cries.

" He h as f reck les, " s cr eamed t he f ir st v oi ce.

" Hi s n os e t ur ns u p, " s ho ut ed t he s eco nd .

" Who t hr ew h im i n ou r w el l? " de ma nd ed a t hi rd f re tf ul ly . " Is he w el com e o r i s h e no t? "

"Not!" boomed the voices altogether.

" Ta ke hi s ha t, g et h is b ut ton s! " g ro wl ed a d ee p b as s v oi ce . A t t hi s t he s te ps pa tt er ed s o c lo se

t ha t S ni p r ol le d ov er a nd s at up , c on fr ont ing a s he di d s o t he ve ry o dd es t c om pa ny he h ad e ve r s ee n. Fo r

o ne u nb el ievabl e s econ d h e s tared, t hi nk in g h e m us t s ti ll b e asl eep and d ream in g. T he com pany o n t heir part regarded him with blank looks. And no wonder. They had not a face among them!

" If i t w er e p eo pl e w it ho ut c lo th es I s ho ul d s ay t he y w er e s av ag es ," g as pe d S ni p, " bu t c lo th es ,

w it hou t p eo pl e! W he w! " L ea pi ng t o h is f ee t, h e t ur ne d t ow ar d t he t ow n a nd r an a s i f f or h is l if e.

S cr ea mi ng f ur io us ly , t he B la nk s s ta rt ed i n p ur su it . N ow t o l oo k o ve r y ou r s ho ul de r a nd s ee a

col lect io n o f s ui ts , h at s, s ho es and g lo ves, all i n t heir p ro per p laces u po n p er fect ly i nv is ib le w earers ,

c ha si ng a ft er y ou i s a f ea rs om e b us in es s, a nd a s t he y c am e n ea re r a nd n ea re r S ni p f ai rl y s te pp ed u po n h is

ow n t oe s i n hi s h ur ry t o e sc ape .

"H ow d ar e y ou s ho w y ou r f ace aro un d h er e?" r ag ed t he l eader, b rand is hi ng w it h an i nv is ib leh an d a d read fu ll y v is ib le and d an gero us l oo ki ng u mb rell a. " Do n' t y ou k no w i t' s again st t he l aw t o s ho w

your face in Blankenburg?"

" I- ca n' t- he lp -i t! " p an te d S ni p a nd t he n a s t he t er ri bl e c ro wd b eg an t o g ai n o n h im , h e r ea ch ed

i n h is po ck et s, s ei ze d a h an df ul o f b ut to ns a nd f lu ng t he m w il dl y o ve r h is s ho ul de r. W he n h e d ar ed t o

l oo k b ack again , t he B lank s w er e q uarr el in g b it terl y o ver t he b ut to ns .

Taki ng adv an tage o f t heir g reed in es s, S ni p l un ged i nt o t he t ow n, ent er ed t he f ir st h ou se h e

c am e t o a nd s la mm ed t he do or . A t f ir st h e t hou gh t t he g re at d im r oo m w as e mpt y b ut h e f in al ly m ad e o ut

a n o ld m an w it h s il ve r h ai r a nd b ea rd s it ti ng c ro ss -l eg ge d o n a l on g t ab le a t t he b ac k w in do w. H e w ass ti tc hi ng s ol em nl y u po n a r ed ve lv et c lo ak a nd l oo ke d s o ki nd a nd g ent le t ha t S ni p p ro mp tl y b ur st i nt o a n

a cc ou nt o f h is t rou bl es . B ut t o h is d is ma y, t he t ai lo r w en t c al ml y on w it h h is w or k, n eve r g la nc ing u p a t

a ll . S ni p c ou ld h ea r t he B la nk s c la tt er in g o ve r t he p av in g s to ne s s o, r us hi ng f or wa rd , h e s ho ok t he o ld

m an d es perately b y t he s leev e.

W it h a s ta rt t ha t s en t h is s pe ct ac le s f ly in g a cr os s t he s ho p, t he t ai lo r l ea pe d t o h is f ee t. " A

boy!" he stuttered, seizing Snip by the shoulders. "Why, how did you get here? No, don't tell me now for

I coul dn' t he ar you i f you did. You s ee my e ars ha ve f lown of f a nd we 'l l ha ve to wa it t ill the y re turn. A

boy! Bless my heart, yours is the first face I've seen in years and years."

I n g ro wi ng a ma ze me nt a nd a la rm , S ni p w av ed t ow ar d t he w in do w. W it h a q ui ck n od , t he

t ai lo r s wept h im i nt o a b ig cup bo ar d. " Th ey s han' t h av e y ou ," d eclared t he o ld m an d et er mi nedl y and ,

w he n a m om en t l at er t he B la nk s r us he d i nt o t he s ho p, h e s ho ok h is h ea d c ro ss ly a t a ll o f t he ir t hr ea ts a nd





inquiries.

" C an 't y ou s ee m y e ar s a re o ff ?" he m um bl ed f re tf ul ly . " Wh om d o y ou w an t? W ha t a re y ou

screeching about?"

T he B la nk s c ri ed l ou dl y t ha t t he y w er e s ea rc hi ng f or a b oy , b ut t he t ai lo r p re te nd ed n ot t o

u nd er st an d a nd , a ft er p ok in g a bo ut t he s ho p a b it , t he y f in al ly t oo k t he ms el ve s o ff . S ni p, w ho h ad o neeye g lu ed t o t he cup bo ar d d oo r, s aw t hem s tr eami ng i nt o t he s tr eet, t heir p lu med h at s t remb li ng w it h

indignation, their buckled shoes twinkling with the speed of their invisible feet.

As t he l as t Bl ank tur ne d t he c or ne r, t he re w as a whi rr i n t he a ir a nd i n t hr ough t he wi ndow

f lash ed t wo b ut terf li es . B ut w er e t hey b ut terf li es ? N ex t i ns tant t hey h ad f lu tt er ed o ver and att ached

t hems el ves t o t he o ld t ail or 's h ead.

"Not butterflies, but butterfly ears!" gasped Snip, falling headlong from the cupboard with the

s ho ck o f t he t hi ng .

" It 's all r ig ht ," s mi led t he t ai lo r, adj us ti ng t he ear s q ui ck ly and l oo ki ng k in dl y o ver at S ni p. " An d

d ea r, d ea r, w ha t a s tr an ge s to ry m y l ef t e ar i s t el li ng m e! "

" Do y ou r. ear s t el l y ou s to ri es ?" ask ed S ni p, f or gett in g h is o wn t ro ub les f or a m om en t.

" Yes. T he l ef t o ne t el ls m e t hat an eleph an t h as r un o ff w it h a l it tl e g ir l, " m us ed t he t ai lo r, w ip in g

h is s pecs . " Fancy t hat, n ow !"

S ni p cou ld h ear a f ai nt b uzzi ng and eyed t he o ld g en tl em an 's ear s w it h g ro wi ng i nt er es t and

respect.

" The re , t he re , t ha t w il l d o, " m ut te re d t he Ta il or a t l as t, gi vi ng h is l ef t e ar a l it tl e pi nc h. " I wi sh t o

h ear t hi s y ou ng g en tl em an 's s to ry , s o p leas e b e q ui et and att en d. "

Im medi at el y b ot h ear s t il ted t ow ar d S ni p and , f earf ul l es t t hey f ly o ff b ef or e h e cou ld f in is h, t he

l it tl e b ut to n b oy p ou red o ut t he w ho le h is to ry o f h is adv en tu res f ro m t he t im e h e l ef t K im balo o t o h is f al l

d ow n t he s tr an ge w el l.

" Ozma!" s ig hed t he t ai lo r, b ru sh in g h is h an d abs en tl y acr os s h is b ro w. " Is O zm a Q ueen o f O z

n ow ? I 'v e b een p ri so ner h er e s o l on g I 'v e f or go tt en every th in g. Y ou s ay t hat t hi s w it ch , M om bi ,

t ra ns fo rm ed a nd h id h er f at he r a nd n ow p ro po se s t o f in d a nd r es to re h im t o t he t hr on e? A nd t he g oo se ?Whom di d you s ay he wa s? "

" Paju ka i s t he P ri me M in is ter, " p uf fed S ni p h as ti ly . " He's b een t ry in g f or y ears and y ears t o

f in d t he K in g hi ms el f. I f s om eon e d oe sn' t he lp h im s oo n, a nd ge t hi m a wa y f ro m M om bi , h e' ll b e r oa st ed

or e at en or l os t! "

S ni p o pe ne d h is h an d, w he re s ti ll c lu tc he d i n h is m oi st g ra sp w er e t he f ea th er s he h ad p ul le d

f ro m P aj uk a' s w in g a s h e f el l d ow n t he w el l. T he t ai lo r l ea ne d f or wa rd t o e xa mi ne t he m. A s h e d id s o, a

g ol d f eath er s ep ar at ed i ts el f f ro m t he w hi te, f lu tt er ed f or a m om en t i n t he air and t hen s ai led s tr ai gh t

t hr ou gh t he w in do w. I t w as t he g ol de n f ea th er t ha t, w e k no w, t oo k t he m ag ic m es sa ge t o t he E me ra ld

C it y, bu t a s ne it he r S ni p n or t he o ld t ai lo r c oul d f ol low i ts f li gh t, t he y s to od g ap ing a ft er i t i n p er fe ct

astonishment.





"W hy I di dn' t know Pa ju ka ha d a ny gol d f ea the rs. How di d i t f ly of f by i tse lf ? Oh de ar, I wi sh

someone would help me find him," wailed the little button boy dismally. "Couldn't you, Mister-Mister-?"

" Ju st p lain T or a, " p ut i n t he t ai lo r, r ub bi ng h is f or eh ead abs en tl y. " Well , i t' s a m ig ht y q ueer

business, Snip. I'd like to help you, but I've all this work to do." The old man waved wearily toward the

r acks and s tacks o f u nf i ni sh ed cl oaks and w ai s tcoats .

" Do y ou m ean t o s ay y ou m ak e clo th es f or t hem?" S ni p j er ked h is t hu mb i nd ig nant ly o ver h is

shoulder.

T he t ai lo r n od de d. " Ha ve t o, " h e a dd ed m is er ab ly . " Be en a t i t f or y ea rs a nd y ea rs ."

" Do t he y p ay y ou ?" a sk ed t he l it tl e bu tt on b oy i n s ur pr is e.

" We ll , t he y l et m e l iv e i n t hi s h ou se , a nd t he y g ive m e p le nt y t o e at . B es id es , I c an 't g et a wa y, "

f in is hed t he o ld m an , s in ki ng d ow n o n a t hr ee-l eg ged s to ol and l et ti ng h is h ead d ro p h eavi ly i n h is h an ds .

" Bu t y ou' re n ot i nv is ib le l ik e t he y a re . H ow d id y ou h ap pe n t o c om e h er e a ny wa y? "

T he t ai lo r p us he d h is s pe cs u p o n h is f or eh ea d. " Se em s a s i f I 'd a lw ay s b ee n h er e, " h e

mourned dolefully, "stitching, stitching, stitching and never getting done. If I try to pass through that gate,"

h e p oi nt ed t hr oug h t he w in dow i nt o a s ma ll ya rd, " if I t ry t o p as s t hr oug h t ha t g at e s om e i nv is ib le f or ce

hol ds me b ac k. S o wh at c an I do? B ut I ha ve my e ar s, he c ont inue d mor e c he er ful ly. "T he y c an go of f

w he ne ve r t he y p le as e a nd t he y t el l m e w ha t' s g oi ng o n a nd k ee p m e p re tt y h ap py ."

"W el l, I w ou ld n' t s tand i t, " exclaim ed S ni p, t hr us ti ng h is h an ds d eep i nt o h is p ockets and

s tari ng d ow n s ym path et ical ly at t he o ld m an . I n s pi te o f h is s tr an ge ear s, t here w as s om et hi ng s o g en tl e

a nd l ov ab le a bo ut t he o ld t ai lo r t ha t S ni p c ou ld n ot b ea r t o h av e h im u nh ap py . " I' d g et a wa y s om eh ow ,"declared the little boy earnestly.

T or a s ho ok h is h ea d h op el es sl y. " Th e t hi ng t o d o, i s t o g et y ou a wa y b ef or e t he y c om e b ac k, "

h e s ig he d, t ak in g a n o ld s il ve r w at ch f ro m h is v es t p oc ke t. " Th e B la nk s a re g re at e at er s a nd w ou ld n' t m is s

t he ir br ea kf as ts f or a f or tu ne . So now 's t he be st t im e f or you t o go . C om e on, I 'l l s ho w yo u t he w ay t o

t he F ar ew el l. Y ou c an s ee i t f ro m t he g at e. "

" Is t ha t t he o nl y w ay o ut ?" g ro an ed S ni p. H e f el t t ha t on e e xp er ie nc e w it h a w el l w oul d b e

quite enough for him.

" On ly w ay I k no w, " a ns we re d T or a, t ak in g d ow n h is c oa t f ro m a p eg . " Yo u r ea ch

B lank en -b ur g b y t he W el l- co me and l eave b y t he F ar e- well ."

S ti ck in g h is n eedl e i n h is l ap el , h e s tart ed r ap id ly f or t he d oo r and , f eeli ng v er y m ix ed u p

i nd ee d, S ni p h ur ri ed a ft er h im . T he re w as n ot a B la nk i n s ig ht a s t he y s te pp ed i nt o T or a' s y ar d a nd S ni p,

l oo ki ng a t t he h an ds om e d we ll in gs o n b ot h s id es o f t he s tr ee t, t ho ug ht h e w ou ld l ik e t o s ee m or e o f t hi s

s tr ange c it y. A br ight pi nk bl anke t f le w f rom a c as tl e wh ic h s to od a t t he e nd o f t he s qua re a nd Tor a

exp lain ed t hat t hi s w as t he n at io nal emb lem o f t he B lank s.

T he re w er e a h un dr ed q ue st io ns o n t he t ip o f S ni p' s t on gu e. F or i ns ta nc e, h e w an te d t o k no w

h ow t he B la nk s h ad c om e t o b e i nv is ib le a nd h ow T or a h im se lf h ad c om e t o h av e s uc h w on de rf ul e ar s,

but the old gentleman was so anxious for him to get safely off that he had not time for a single question.





" If t he y c ap tur e you be for e yo u r ea ch t he we ll , be s ur e not t o l et t he m w as h your f ac e,"

w ar ned T or a ear nest ly , " fo r i f t hey w as h y ou r f ace, i t w il l d is ap pear . R em em ber d on 't w as h y ou r f ace,

whatever happens."

T hi s w as a n e as y p ro mi se f or a l it tl e b oy t o m ak e a nd , f ol lo wi ng t he d ir ec ti on o f T or a' s l on g

f inge r, Sni p s aw a s tone w el l i n t he s ma ll pa rk a t th e c or ne r of t he s tr ee t.

" Go od -b ye!" s ig hed t he o ld m an , g iv in g h im a w is tf ul p at o n t he s ho ul der. " If y ou ever f in d t hi s

K in g o r r ea ch t he E me ra ld C it y, t el l s om eon e a bo ut ol d T or a, w il l y ou ?"

"I'll tell Ozma; I'll tell everybody!" promised the little button boy settling his cap determinedly.

T he n, b ec au se h e h at ed t o l ea ve T or a l oo ki ng s o s ad , h e s ei ze d h im s ud de nl y b y t he h an d. " Wh y d on 't

you t ry t o ge t t hr ough t he ga te now ?" ur ge d S ni p. " Com e on, I 'l l he lp you! " As he s poke , he ki ck ed o pe n

t he ga te w it h h is he el , s te ppe d o ut a nd be ga n t o t ug a t t he t ai lor 's c oa t.

" No use," began t he old man. "No us e f or me to tr y to get away

B ef or e h e cou ld f in is h t he s en tence S ni p h ad d ragg ed h im ent ir el y t hr ou gh . F or an i ns tant h e

s to od s tari ng b ack u ncer tain ly at h is l it tl e s ho p w it h i ts s habb y s ig n, " Th e T ir ed T ai lo r o f O z. " H e h ad

printed it to amuse himself one stormy evening. Snatching a piece of chalk from his pocket, while Snip

d an ce d u p a nd d ow n w it h a nx ie ty a nd i mp at ie nc e, T or a d as he d b ac k a nd s cr ib bl ed t wo l et te rs b ef or e t he

s econ d w o rd .

" Th e R e- Ti re d T ai lo r o f O z, " s ai d t he s ig n n ow , a nd w it h a l on g, gu st y c hu ck le , t he o ld m an

g ra sp ed S ni p b y t he h an d a nd r an w it h a ll h is m ig ht t ow ar d t he F ar e- we ll .

T he B la nk s w er e e vi de nt ly s ti ll a t b re ak fa st , a nd T or a a nd S ni p m ad e t he ir w ay t hr ou gh t he

d es er te d s tr ee ts o f B la nk en bu rg w it ho ut m ee ti ng a s ou l. I n a j if fy t he y c am e t o t he F ar e- we ll , b ot h o ut o f breath but happy to be near to freedom.

C HA PT ER 1 4

T he O ld T ai l or 's S to ry

S NI P w as j us t g at he ri ng h is c ou ra ge f or a j um p d ow n t he w el l w he n T or a l if te d h im u p a nd

d ro pp ed h im g en tl y o ver t he edg e. A gain t hat t er ri fy in g s wo op i nt o t he d ar kn es s. " Af ter t hi s, " g ul ped S ni p

d iz zi ly, a s he t ur ne d o ve r a nd o ve r, " I s ha ll t hi nk n ot hi ng of f al li ng o ut of a bu tt on t re e, or do wn a f li ght of

s te ps . P er ha ps I 'l l t ry a f al l e ve ry d ay j us t t o k ee p i n p ra ct ic e. " W it h a b re at hl es s b um p, S ni p l an de d i n

t he p ad de d b uc ke t, p ut ti ng a n e nd t o t he se c ur io us t ho ug ht s. B ef or e h e h ad t im e f or a ny o th er s, h e h ad

s ho t t hr ou gh a no th er u nd er gr ou nd p as sa ge a nd u p a nd o ut o f t he w el l w it h s uc h f or ce t ha t h e r ol le d l ik e a

ball on the soft green moss. When he stopped rolling he saw Tora sitting beside him, smoothing down his

long silver locks and untangling his whiskers.

" Ar e y ou r ear s o n t ig ht ?" ask ed S ni p anx io us ly , f or i t w ou ld cer tain ly b e a d read fu l t hi ng i f t he

t ai lo r' s e ar s h ad b ee n l ef t b eh in d. T or a p ut u p h is h an d q ui ck ly t o t ou ch t he m a nd t he n, w it h a p le as ed





n od, a ros e t o h is f ee t.

" Yo u' ve b ro ug ht m e g oo d l uck, S ni p, " s mi led t he o ld g en tl em an . " I' ve t ri ed a h un dr ed t im es t o

escap e f ro m t he B lank s, b ut n ev er cou ld g et t hr ou gh t hat g at e. "

"W el l, I a m gl ad I c oul d he lp you, f or you he lpe d me ," sa id Sni p. "N ow tha t you ha ve

e sc ap ed , w he re w il l y ou g o? D o y ou r em em be r w he re y ou l iv ed b ef or e? "

"I remember nothing," acknowledged the tailor sorrowfully, "so I'm going with you and after

we f in d t hi s goo d g oos e yo u s pe ak o f a nd t he Ki ng, I 'l l j us t l ook a rou nd f or a not he r s hop . A t ai lo r h as n o

cau se t o w or ry , and I 'v e all m y t oo ls r ig ht w it h m e. " H e chu ck led, j in gl in g h is p ockets cheer fu ll y.

S ni p h ad t o s mi le h im self , f or T or a cer tain ly d id l oo k l ik e a w al ki ng w or ks ho p. A ro un d h is

n ec k w er e t hr ee l on g t ap e m ea su re s. T hr ou gh t ap es i n h is v es t t he re h un g a d oz en p ai rs o f s ci ss or s a nd

s he ar s o f a ll s iz es . F as te ne d t o h is c oa t w as a h ug e p in c us hi on a nd b ot h l ap el s w er e s tu ck f ul l o f n ee dl es .

A s f or h is p oc ke ts , t he y s im pl y b ul ge d w it h s po ol s o f s il k, b ee sw ax a nd t hr ea d.

S ni p t ho ug ht h e h ad n ev er s een a m or e i nt er es ti ng t ravell er and , f eeli ng h ap pi er t han h e h ad

s in ce h e l ef t K im balo o, and q ui te h op ef ul o f f in di ng P aj uk a, h e b eg an t o exami ne t he s ur ro un di ng cou nt ry .

T he F ar e- we ll h ad s pi ll ed t he m i nt o a l ar ge f ie ld o f w he at a nd , f ro m s ev er al p ur pl e b ar ns i n t he d is ta nc e,

S ni p k new t hey w er e s ti ll i n t he l an d o f t he G il li kens .

" Yo u' ll h av e t o b e g ui de, S ni p, " s ig hed t he t ai lo r, g azin g aro un d w it h a b ew il dered exp ress io n.

" I' ve l iv ed s o l on g w it h t he B la nk s t ha t I k no w n ot hi ng o f t he se p ar ts a t a ll . A s f or t he E me ra ld C it y, I

can 't r em em ber even h eari ng o f i t. "

" We ll , I 've ne ve r be en t he re ," a dm it te d Sni p, "but I know i t i s i n t he v ery c ent er of Oz a nd we

w er e go ing s ou th w he n M om bi t hr ew m e d ow n t he w el l. S o i f w e c an f in d o ut w hi ch d ir ec ti on i s s ou thw e o ug ht t o r ea ch t he Em er al d C it y by n ig ht t im e. W hi ch wa y d o y ou t hi nk i t i s? "

T he t ai lo r s qu in te d d ou bt fu ll y u p a t t he s un a nd , a ft er a f ew m or e u se le ss g ue ss es , t he y

d et er mi ne d t o t ak e a c ha nc e a nd s ta rt ed d ia go na ll y a cr os s t he f ie ld .

" I w on der w hat s hape M om bi d id t ur n t he K in g i nt o, " m ut tered S ni p, as t hey h ur ri ed alo ng

t hr ou gh t he w he at . " An d I w on de r w he th er O zm a c an c ha ng e P aj uk a b ac k t o h is o wn s el f a ga in . H e' s s o

t ir ed o f b ei ng a g oo se !"

" It m us t b e p rett y t ir es om e, " o bs er ved T or a, p us hi ng h is s pecs u p o n h is f or eh ead, " th ou gh n ow or se t han t ai lo ri ng f ro m m or ni ng t il l n ig ht f or a cit y f ul l o f i nv is ib le and u ng ratefu l r as cals . N ot t hat I m in d

t he t ai lo ri ng ," h e exp lain ed h as ti ly , l oo ki ng d ow n s id ew ay s at S ni p. " I l ov e t hat, and s ay , I 'd l ik e t o m ak e

y ou a l it tl e s ui t s om et im e w he n I 'v e s et up m y s ho p. N o, i t w as n' t t he t ai lo ri ng , bu t t he i mpr is on me nt t ha t I

minded."

" Do y ou ' sp os e t he y' ve m is se d y ou y et ? W ha t w il l t he y d o w he n t he y f in d y ou' re g on e? "

chu ck led t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy . H e l oo ked u p exp ectant ly , b ut t he o ld m an w as s tari ng t ho ug ht fu ll y o ver an

o li ve t re e a nd d id n ot s ee m t o h ea r S ni p' s q ue st io n.

"Oh bother!" exclaimed Snip. "His ears have gone off again. How awfully inconvenient!"

" I alw ay s l et t hem o ff aft er b reak fast ," exp lain ed t he t ai lo r apo lo geti call y and j us t as i f h e h ad

r ead S ni p' s t ho ug ht s. " It r es ts t hem, y ou k no w. "





" Bu t w e' ve h ad n o b reak fast ," b eg an S ni p i mp at ient ly . T hen, r eali zi ng t hat T or a cou ld n ot h ear

o ne w or d, h e w al ked alo ng i n a r es ig ned s il en ce, t hi nk in g h ow ann oy in g i t m us t b e t o h av e b ut terf ly ear s.

" An d y et ," m us ed S ni p s lo wl y, " it m ig ht b e r at he r f un , t oo . O ne c ou ld s en d o ne 's e ar s t o p la ce s o ne d id n' t

c ar e t o g o t o s ch ool a nd t o l ec tu re s a nd a ll t ha t s or t o f t hi ng , a nd t ake t he m of f w he n f ol ks s co lde d o r t he

con vers at io n g rew d ul l. " H e h ad t ho ug ht u p q ui te a n um ber o f u ses f or b ut terf ly ear s, w hen t he t ai lo r,

himself, broke the silence.

" Pe rh ap s i t w ou ld a mu se y ou t o h ea r a l it tl e a bo ut t he B la nk s, " b eg an T or a i n h is p le as an t

v oi ce. " Th ey w er e n ot alw ay s i nv is ib le as n ow , b ut t hey w er e alw ay s v ai n and h au gh ty and t ry in g t o

o ut sh in e o ne a no th er i n a pp ea ra nc e. I n f ac t, " s ig he d t he o ld m an , w it h a g ra ve n od , " the y t ho ug ht o f

n ot hi ng b ut d re ss a nd a ll t he ir t im e a nd m on ey w as s pe nt f or n ew a nd s pl en di d a pp ar el . A s s om e o f t he

i nh ab it an ts w er e h an ds om er t ha n o th er s t he re w as a lw ay s a n a rg um en t a s t o w ho r ea ll y l oo ke d t he b es t.

"S ho rt ly aft er I , m ys el f, cam e t o B lank en bu rg , V an et te, t he Q ueen , w al ki ng i n a s mall w oo ds

behind the palace, discovered a hidden pool. Looking into the water to admire her reflection, she

acci dent al ly d ro pp ed h er h an dk er ch ief. B ef or e s he cou ld s natch i t o ut t he h an dk er ch ief h ad d is ap pear eda nd , w he n s he r ea ch ed i nt o t he p on d t o s ea rc h f or i t, h er h an d a nd a rm s ud de nl y b ec am e i nv is ib le ."

T or a l oo ke d d ow n t o s ee h ow S ni p w as t ak in g t he s to ry a nd , f in di ng h im i nt er es te d, c on ti nu ed

d re am il y: " Fo r a t im e t he Q ue en w as e xc ee di ng ly f ri gh te ne d, b ut a ll a t o nc e a w ic ke d p la n p op pe d i nt o

h er h ea d. Hu rr yi ng b ac k t o t he p al ac e, s he or de re d h er s er va nt s t o c ar ry a bu cke t o f t he m ag ic wa te r t o

e ve ry on e i n t he c it y. S he t he n c om ma nd ed t he m t o b at he i n t he e nc ha nt ed w at er a nd s in ce t he n t he y h av e

been perfectly invisible. Vanetta, herself, who is old and fat and exceedingly jealous of the young girls.

bathed in the water too and now as invisible as the rest of her subjects. So now, when they dress up in

t he ir f in e c lo th es , f ac es d on 't c ou nt a t a ll , a nd t he Q ue en a lw ay s w in s a ll t he b ea ut y p ri ze s. T ha t' s w hy i t' s

again st t he l aw t o h av e a f ace i n B lank en bu rg ," con ti nu ed T or a s ol em nl y. " I' m g lad w e escap ed b ef or e

t hey g ot y ou rs .

S ni p w as gl ad , t oo, b ut w an te d t o a sk ho w To ra h ad ma na ge d t o s ave hi s o wn f ac e, a nd t he

t ai lo r, g uess in g w hat w as i n t he l it tl e b oy 's m in d, f in is hed u p q ui ck ly : " Fo r s om e r easo n o r o th er t he m ag ic

wat er had no e ffe ct upon me a nd a s I was old and ugl y a nd quit e us ef ul in my own wa y, t he y fi na lly

stopped bothering me.

P icki ng u p a l on g, cro ok ed s ti ck and evi dent ly t hi nk in g h e h ad t al ked eno ug h, T or a b eg an t o

w hi st le an o ld O z t un e. W al ki ng alo ng s ol em nl y b es id e h im S ni p cou ld n ot h el p w on deri ng h ow t he o ld

t ai lo r h ad e ve r c om e t o b e a p ri so ne r i n B la nk en bu rg a nd w he th er h e h ad a lw ay s h ad b ut te rf ly e ar s.

" I' ll a sk h im a s s oo n a s t he y c om e b ac k, " d ec id ed S ni p, b ut m ea nt im e h e w as g row in g h un gr ie r

a nd hu ngr ie r, f or s in ce t he d ri nk of c re am i n Ca tt y C or ne rs he ha d ha d no thi ng a t a ll t o e at . He ke pt a

s ha rp l oo ko ut f or f ru it a nd n ut t re es a nd p re se nt ly , i n a s ma ll g ro ve t o t he r ig ht , h e c au gh t a g li mp se o f a

perfectly enormous breakfast bush.

Mo ti on in g f or T or a t o w ai t f or h im , S ni p d ar ted o ff . T he t ai lo r l oo ked s li gh tl y p uzzl ed b ut ,

m ak in g n o o bj ec ti on , s at d ow n o n a r oc k a nd w en t o n w it h h is w hi st li ng . H as te ni ng b ac k w it h t wo

s team in g b reak fast d is hes i n h is h an ds , S ni p w as s ur pr is ed t o h ear a l ou d, p lain ti ve v oi ce m in gl in g w it h

T or a' s t un e. Q ui ck en in g h is s teps t he l it tl e b oy s aw a t al l, k in gl y f ig ur e w av in g i nd ig nant arm s at t he t ai lo r.

" Ar e you c ra zy ?" he s hou te d a ngr il y. " I a sk you onc e a ga in, ma y I bor row a br ea kf as t o r a bi te

of l un ch ? I t' s f or a Pr inc es s. Ca n' t yo u a ns we r m e? " Bu t To ra , f ix ing hi s e ye on a f luf fy c lou d s ki mm in g

a cr os s t he s ky, w en t c al ml y o n w it h h is t un e. " He i s d ea f t o m y p le as ," pu ff ed t he s tr an ge r, w hi rl ing r ou nd





unsteadily and almost bumping into Snip. "Deaf and dumb!"

" He i sn 't d eaf, " exp lain ed t he l it tl e b oy b reat hl es sl y. " He h as j us t m is laid h is ear s. I m ean h e' s

let them off for awhile."

" Le t t he m o ff ? D or ot hy! D or ot hy ! C om e a t o nc e! H er e i s a m an w it h m is la id e ar s! " s hr il le d t he

s tr an ger, h ob bl in g o ff . S ni p s tared aft er h im , o pen m ou th ed , as h e w ob bl ed w il dl y d ow n t he r oad.

C HA PT ER 1 5

K ab um po t o t he R es cu e

YO U ha ve gu es se d t ha t i t w as o ur ol d f ri end H um py w ho h ad be gge d a br ea kf as t of To ra , t he

t ai lo r. Y ou s ee t he E legant E leph an t, t ravell in g l ik e t he w in d i ts el f, h ad car ri ed D or ot hy and t he d um my

a lm os t t o t he e xa ct s po t w he re S ni p a nd T or a h ad f al le n o ut o f t he F ar e- we ll . T he n, e xc ee di ng ly f at ig ue d

by his unaccustomed exertion, Kabumpo had gone off in search of some lunch.

S ni p h ad s ca rc el y r ec ov er ed f ro m t he s ho ck o f H um py 's s ud de n d is ap pe ar an ce w he n b ac k h e

cam e, h ol di ng D or ot hy t ig ht ly b y t he h an d. N ow t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy h ad o ft en s een p ictu res o f D or ot hy

i n t he hi st or y bo ok s of Ki mba loo , b ut s he ha d a lw ay s be en dr es se d a s a P ri nc es s, s o w e c an no t bl am e

h im f or f ai li ng t o r ecog ni ze t he s habb y l it tl e g ir l w ho s to od s tari ng s o ear nest ly at t he t ir ed t ai lo r o f O z.

" Wh y h e h as n o e ar s a t a ll ," c ri ed D or ot hy . T he n, c at ch in g s ig ht o f S ni p, s he s to pp ed s ho rt .

" We w er e w on deri ng w heth er y ou cou ld l en d u s s om e l un ch ," f al tered D or ot hy , t al ki ng v er y f as t t o cov er

h er e mb ar ra ss me nt . " Ka bu mp o c an e at t re e- to ps a nd H um py d oe s n ot e at a t a ll , b ut I 'v e h ad n ot hi ng b ut

a t om at o s in ce b reak fast and I 'm v er y h un gr y. "

" Th er e' s a b reakf as t b us h o ver y on der, " ans wered S ni p, w av in g s ul ki ly t ow ar d t he g ro ve. T or a

ha d s ave d hi s f ac e a nd h e wa s not goi ng t o ha ve hi m l aughe d a t. D or ot hy t ur ne d t o s ee f or he rs el f a nd, a s

s he d id , T or a a ro se a nd m ov ed q ui ck ly o ve r t o t he d um my .

" Y ou r em in d m e o f s om eo ne I u sed t o k no w, " s ig hed t he t ai lo r, f in geri ng H um py 's g reen v el vetr ob e d re am il y. " Wh o a re y ou ? A re y ou r ea l? "

"Well, not quite. You see," began Dorothy, "he's a moving picture dummy." Suddenly

r em em be ri ng t ha t t he t ai lo r c ou ld n ot h ea r h er , s he t ur ne d b ac k t o S ni p. " Wh er e a re h is e ar s? " a sk ed t he

little girl nervously.

" Here t hey com e n ow !" cri ed S ni p, f or gett in g h is v ex at io n and , s et ti ng d ow n t he t wo b reak fast

d is he s, h e w av ed h is c ap e xc it ed ly i n t he a ir . A s S ni p w av ed a nd p oi nt ed , D or ot hy s aw t he t ai lo r' s e ar s

w hi zz g idd il y o ve r a l il ac b us h a nd t he n s et tl e s of tl y, o ne o n e ac h s ide o f h is h ea d.

" Wh o d id y ou s ay y ou w er e?" ask ed T or a cal ml y, con ti nu in g h is con vers at io n w it h H um py and

paying no more attention to his ears than we would pay to a couple of flies.





"A dummy!" whispered Humpy, blinking his painted eyes, while his voice grew fainter and

f ai nt er w it h ast on is hm en t. " I am a d um my , b ut w hat i n O z are y ou ?"

" A t ai lo r, " a ns we re d T or a w it h a w in k a t S ni p. " We ll , t ha t' s a s pl en di d c lo ak y ou 'r e w ea ri ng ,

a nd a c rown t oo. Ar e you a ki ng, dum my? "

" No , h e' s a d um my k in g, " exp lain ed D or ot hy , l oo ki ng l on gi ng ly at t he h ot b reak fast s. " If w ec ou ld j us t s it d ow n a nd h av e s om et hi ng t o e at I c ou ld t el l yo u a ll a bo ut h im . Th en , m ay be , yo u w oul d t el l

m e a l it tl e a bo ut y ou r- -- Do ro th y w as g oi ng t o s ay e ar s b ut , f ea ri ng t hi s m ig ht n ot b e q ui te p ol it e, s he

c ha ng ed i t q ui ck ly t o s el ve s. T he l it tl e g ir l c as t a c ur io us s id el on g gl an ce a t S ni p, b ut t he b ut to n b oy w as

gazing intently at the dummy.

" Wh y w e' re l oo ki ng f or a k in g, " exp lo ded S ni p excit ed ly . " Oh T or a, d o y ou s up po se t hi s cou ld

be he?"

" Wh y n ot d o a s t hi s l it tl e l ad y s ug ge st s? " i nt er ru pt ed T or a, f or h e c ou ld s ee t ha t D or ot hy w as

w ea ry a s w el l a s h un gr y. " Le t' s h ave b re ak fa st t og et he r a nd t he n t al k t hi ng s o ve r. " We ll , d on 't s ta rt u nt il Ic om e b ac k, " c al le d t he l it tl e b oy , a s D or ot hy s et tl ed c om fo rt ab ly d ow n b es id e t he t ai lo r. I n a m om en t

S ni p h ad r et ur ned w it h ano th er b reak fast and , w hi le H um py l oo ked o n cur io us ly , t hey o pened t he s il ver

d is he s S ni p h ad p ic ke d f ro m t he b re ak fa st b us h. W ha t c ou ld b e c oz ie r? B ac on , e gg s, t oa st a nd a s ma ll

s ea le d c up of c of fe e g re w n ea tl y i n e ac h on e, b ut i t ne ve r oc cur re d t o D or ot hy , Sn ip or t he t ai lo r t o be

s ur pr is ed at t hi s, f or b reak fast b us hes are q ui te com mo n i n O z. H um py , h ow ev er , h ad s een n ot hi ng l ik e

t hi s i n t he m ov ie s a nd k ep t u p a l ow m ut te ri ng t o h im se lf , a s h e w at ch ed t he m e at o ne a nd t he n a no th er

dainty from the dishes.

" Now t he n, " s mi le d t he t ai lo r, a ft er h e h ad t ak en a l on g s ip o f c of fe e, " su pp os e y ou b eg in ." H e

l oo ke d e xp ec ta nt ly a t D or ot hy. " I t hi nk y ou m us t be t he l it tl e g ir l m y e ar s w er e t el li ng m e o f a w hi le ba ck,

but where is the elephant?"

"Mercy!" spluttered Dorothy, nearly choking on her coffee. "Do your ears tell you everything?"

" Oh n o, j us t o dd s a nd e nd s o f t hi ng s, " a ns we re d T or a, r ea ch in g u p t o t ou ch t he m

affectionately.

"Well, did they tell you about me?" inquired Humpy, straightening his crown importantly.

"N o, " s mi le d t he o ld m an . " Th at 's j us t w ha t w e' re w ai ti ng t o h ea r, t ho ug h I d ec la re I h av e s ee n

y ou s om ew he re b ef or e. H av e y ou e ve r s ee n m e? "

H um py s ho ok h is h ead v er y p os i ti vely and D or ot hy , s et tl in g b ack again st a t ree, p ro ceed ed

with her story. Introducing herself modestly and beginning with Wish Way, she related every single thing

t hat h ad h ap pened s in ce h er f al l i nt o C al if or ni a.

S ni p w as esp eciall y i nt er es ted i n D or ot hy 's s ud den chang e i n s ize. " Is t hat w hat t or e y ou r

dress?" he asked curiously.

T he l it tl e g ir l n od ded and T or a, r uf fl in g u p h is s il ver l ocks and l oo ki ng f ir st at D or ot hy and t hen

a t H um py , m ur mu re d o ve r a nd' o ve r: " We ll , I c an h ar dl y b el ie ve m y e ar s, I c an ha rd ly b el ie ve m y e ar s! "

D or ot hy c ou ld n ot h el p t hi nk in g t ha t t he t ai lo r' s e ar s w er e h ar d f or a ny on e t o b el ie ve , b ut

f eeli ng i t w ou ld b e r ud e t o s ay s o, w en t h ur ri ed ly o n w it h h er adv en tu res, t el li ng o f h er m eeti ng w it h t he





S co ot er s and w it h t he E legant E leph an t, w ho m s he d es cr ib ed at s om e l en gt h.

" An d n ow ," con cl ud ed t he l it tl e g ir l, f in is hi ng o ff t he l as t o f t he t oast , " we'r e g oi ng s tr ai gh t t o t he

E merald C it y. W here are y ou g oi ng ?"

" Wh y w e' re go in g t o t he E me ra ld C it y t oo !" b ur st o ut S ni p, " an d m ay be D or ot hy c an h el p u s

f in d P aj uk a and w ar n O zm a! "

" Warn O zm a?" cri ed D or ot hy , j um pi ng u p i n a h ur ry . " Wh y, w hat i s t he m at ter?"

"B et ter t el l h er ," adv is ed t he t ai lo r g ravely , w hi le H um py edg ed clo se t o t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy

a nd l oo ke d e ar ne st ly u p i nt o h is f ac e.

" W e' ll ," b eg an S ni p, f ee li ng a b it s hy i n t he p re se nc e o f a p er so n a s i mp or ta nt a s P ri nc es s

Dor ot hy of O z, " Mombi i s t ryi ng t o fi nd t he l os t Ki ng of Oz a nd t ur n O zma to a pi ano . Pa juk a, he 's a

goos e, I me an a Pr ime Mi ni st er , a nd he 's t ryi ng to f ind t he f ind t he Ki ng to o, a nd i f we don' t ge t t o the

E merald C it y f ir st t hat o ld w it ch w il l s teal all t he m ag ic and cap tu re every bo dy ."

" Wh y t hi s i s a r eg ul ar t hr il ler, " p uf fed t he d um my , p us hi ng b ack h is cro wn . " Wi tches, g eese,

l os t k in gs and every th in g. O h, I 'm enj oy in g t hi s p ictu re i mm en sely . C ou ld n' t I f al l f or t hi s l os t k in g,

Dorothy?"

"I t ho ug ht y ou w er e t he K in g, y ou rs el f, at f ir st ," exp lain ed S ni p, " bu t o f cou rs e, i f D or ot hy

f ou nd y ou i n A me ri ca , y ou c ou ld n' t p os si bl y b e t he K in g o f O z. B es id es , I d on 't b el ie ve M om bi w ou ld

t ur n t he K in g t o a d um my, d o y ou ?"

"Oh, anything can happen in the pictures," said Humpy carelessly.

No one ha d t im e t o te ll Humpy he w as not i n a pi ct ur e, f or Dor ot hy , s hud de rin g a t t he me re

m en ti on o f o ld M om bi , i ns is ted o n S ni p t el li ng all o ver again j us t h ow h e h ad d is co vered t he w it ch 's

w icked p lans . T hi s S ni p d id , f ro m t he s tr an ge con vers at io n b et ween P aj uk a and M om bi i n t he cas tl e

k it ch en o f K im ba lo o t o h is e nc ou nt er w it h t he B la nk s a nd h is e sc ap e w it h t he t ir ed t ai lo r o f O z. W he n h e

c am e t o t he p ar t i n t he s to ry w he re M om bi h ad f lu ng h im d ow n t he w el l, H um py f el l o ve r b ac kw ar ds a nd

Dorothy gasped with indignation.

" Oh , w e' ll h av e t o h ur ry , w e' ll h av e t o h ur ry !" exclaim ed t he l it tl e g ir l, clasp in g h er h an ds

anxiously, "for if Mombi reaches the Emerald City first something dreadful will happen. I'm glad the King

of O z i s a li ve , b ut I 'm no t go ing t o ha ve O zm a t ur ne d t o a pi ano . O h de ar ! O h de ar ! W hy do es n' tKabumpo hurry back?"

" Ha dn 't w e b et te r s ta rt a ny wa y? " a sk ed S ni p, w ho w as g ro wi ng m or e a nd m or e w or ri ed

a bout P aj uka . H e f el t s ur e M om bi m ea nt t o ge t r id of t he g oo se a s s oon a s s he f ou nd t he Ki ng. " Le t' s go

without the elephant," he proposed eagerly.

" No , w e' d b et te r w ai t, " a dv is ed D or ot hy , " fo r K ab um po c an t ra ve l a h un dr ed t im es f as te r t ha n

w e c an , a nd a h un dr ed t im es f as te r t ha n M om bi c an .

" Wh il e w e are w ai ti ng ," s ug gest ed T or a, w ho h ad b een car ef ul ly t hr eadi ng h is n eedl e, " I' ll

m en d y ou r f ro ck , m y d ea r. H av e y ou a ny m or e b ut to ns , S ni p? "

S ni p f el t i n h is p oc ke ts a nd b ro ug ht o ut a h an df ul of g ol d a nd s il ve r b ut to ns a nd a s D or ot hy





s to od s ha di ng h er e ye s a nd k ee pi ng a n a nx io us l oo ko ut f or K ab um po , T or a s ew ed t he m n ea tl y i n p la ce .

" It m us t h av e b een m ig ht y q ueer , g ro wi ng u p all at o nce, " o bs er ved t he o ld t ai lo r, b it in g o ff h is

t hr ead and g iv in g t he l it tl e g ir l an aff ecti on at e p at o n t he s ho ul der.

" I t w as ," ans wered D or ot hy , g ro an in g at t he r ecol lect io n. " I can 't i magi ne w hat h ap pened t o

me, but then everything's very queer lately."

W it h h er f ro ck n eatl y b ut to ned, D or ot hy b eg an t o f eel m or e l ik e h er self . S he t hank ed T or a

sweetly and smilingly invited him to tell them something about himself.

" Ye s, d o, " u rg ed S ni p, c om in g t o s ta nd b es id e h er .

" Well ," s ig hed t he o ld m an , s ti ck in g h is n eedl e b ack i n h is l ap el and t ak in g o ff h is s pecs ,

" the re 's no t m uc h t o t el l. I 'm a t ai lor , a s you c an r ea di ly s ee . H ow I got t o B la nk enbu rg, I do n' t kn ow, b ut

t her e I 've bee n f or s o long t ha t it gi ve s me r he uma ti sm t o thi nk of i t. But it 's a ll ove r now. Whe n we r ea ch

t hi s m ar ve lo us c it y y ou t wo y ou ng p eo pl e s pe ak o f, I s ha ll s et u p a s ho p a nd l iv e h ap pi ly e ve r a ft er wa rd ."

" Wh at ? W it h t ho se ear s?" s ho ut ed H um py , f al li ng u p again st a t ree. " Oh , I d on 't b el ieve i t! "

"Hush," begged Dorothy and, turning apologetically to the tailor, she whispered earnestly:

" You r ea ll y mu st n' t mi nd H um py . Y ou s ee hi s h ea d i s s tu ff ed wi th ha ir a nd i t ma ke s h im k ind o f

ridiculous." The tailor chuckled under his breath and Snip giggled outright.

J us t at t hi s m om en t K ab um po , m ag ni fi cent i n h is p earl s and v el vet r ob es , s wu ng p on dero us ly

into view.

"Dorothy,"trumpeted the Elegant Elephant, stopping a good twenty feet from the little groupand elevati ng h is t ru nk h au gh ti ly , " wh at are y ou d oi ng w it h t ho se s habb y f el lo ws ? D on 't y ou r eali ze y ou 'r e

a P ri nc es s. A t ai lo r! G re at G ru mp ! D o y ou e xp ec t m e t o a ss oc ia te w it h a t ai lo r? "

" Bu t g aze u po n h is ear s, " cri ed H um py , w av in g h is clo ak t ri um ph an tl y at T or a. " Th ey w ag ,

w ig gl e a nd f ly of f b y t he ms el ve s. A nd w e' re hu nt ing a ki ng, a w it ch a nd a go os e. H ur ry u p, y ou e le ga nt

o ld t hi ng , w e n eed y ou i n t hi s p ictu re."

" No w e d on 't , w e' ll g o o n b y o ur se lv es ." S ni p l oo ke d a ng ri ly a t K ab um po a nd , t ak in g T or a' s

a rm , b eg an t o w al k o ff .

" Oh w ai t! " g as ped D or ot hy , m or e emb ar r as sed b y K ab um po 's r ud en es s t han b y t he d um my 's

r id icul ou sn es s. " Kabu mp o d oesn 't m ean t hat. H e' s r eall y awf ul ly j ol ly w hen y ou g et t o k no w h im b et ter. "

"D on 't b ot he r, m y d ea r, " T or a s mi le d, a l it tl e s ad ly . R ea ch in g u p h e t oo k o ff b ot h h is e ar s a nd

put them quietly into his pocket. "I never listen to unpleasant conversations," explained the old man

simply.

" G oo d- by e, " s ai d S ni p, b ow in g r at her s ti ff ly t o D or ot hy . " If y ou r each t he E merald C it y b ef or e

w e do , b e s ur e t o t el l O zm a a bou t he r f at he r."

" No w p le as e d on 't g o, " b eg ge d D or ot hy . " Wa it ! W ai t! " I n g re at d is tr es s s he d as he d o ve r t o

t he E le ga nt E le ph an t a nd p ou re d o ut t he w ho le s to ry o f t he l os t K in g ' of O z a nd o f M om bi 's w ic ke dn es s.





W hen T or a h ad s o u nexp ectedl y t ak en o ff h is ear s K ah um po 's l it tl e eyes h ad f ai rl y r ol led i n h is

h ea d a nd n ow , a s h e l is te ne d t o D or ot hy 's s tr an ge r ec it al , t he y b eg an t o s na p a nd s pa rk le w it h i nt er es t. I f

t he re w as on e t hi ng K ab um po e nj oy ed , i t w as b ei ng m ix ed u p i n a r oy al a dv en tu re . F in di ng t he l os t K in g

o f O z w oul d b e a ve ry c re di ta bl e t hi ng, e ve n f or a n e le pha nt s o e le ga nt a s h ims el f. I t m ig ht e ve n g ai n h im

a n i mp or ta nt p os it io n a t c ou rt , t ho ug ht K ab um po c ra ft il y. A nd w ha t a c ho ic e b it o f n ew s t o c ar ry h om e

t o P um pe rd in k- th at O zm a w as n ot t he Q ue en a t a ll , a nd t ha t h e, K ab um po t he M ag ni fi ce nt , h ad h el pe d

f in d t he r eal m on ar ch and h ad b een p resent at t he cor on at io n. A lr eady h is i magi nati on l eaped ahead t othis important event.

Concealing, in his pompous and provoking fashion, his real interest and excitement, Kabumpo

s et D or ot hy u po n h is b ac k a nd s ta rt ed i n a d ig ni fi ed a nd s ta te ly m an ne r t ow ar d T or a a nd S ni p.

"I u nd er st an d y ou a re f ri en ds o f t he l os t K in g o f O z, " w he ez ed K ab um po g ra nd ly , a s h e c am e

u p b es id e t he m. " Ar e y ou g oi ng o n t o t he E me ra ld C it y? C ar e t o r id e? " h e a sk ed g ra ci ou sl y. T hi s w as a s

n ea r a n a po lo gy a s K ab um po e ve r g ot .

"Hear! Hear!" spluttered the dummy, who was walking stiffly behind the tailor.

Of c our se To ra c oul d not do t hi s, a s hi s e ar s w er e s ti ll i n hi s poc ke t, but Sni p, l ooki ng

i nq ui ri ng ly u p at D or ot hy s aw h er m ot io n ear nest ly f or h im t o y ield . H e d ecid ed t o o verl oo k t he

eleph an t' s r ud en es s and g av e K ab um po a s ig nal t o l if t h im u p.

" Di d s he s ay y ou w er e a m ut to n b oy ?" a sk ed K ab um po , a s h e p la ce d S ni p b es id e t he l it tl e

girl.

" N o, a b ut to n b oy ," cor rect ed D or ot hy h as ti ly , " fr om t he K in gd om o f K im balo o, y ou k no w. "'

"Ah yes," grunted Kabumpo condescendingly, "I remember hearing of Kimbalo-a buttony sortof place across the mountains from Pumperdink."

S ni p w as a bo ut t o r et or t w it h s om et hi ng s ho rt a nd s as sy , w he n K ab um po l if te d u p t he t ai lo r

a nd a s T or a s ee me d t er ri bl y a la rm ed b y t he s ud de nn es s o f h is t ra ns it t hr ou gh t he a ir , S ni p h el pe d h im t o

s et tl e com fo rt ab ly i ns tead o f t al ki ng . H e j us t g ot T or a f ir ml y s eated i n t im e t o cat ch H um py , w ho m t he

E le ga nt E le ph an t t os se d a lo ft a s c ar el es sl y a s h e w ou ld a b al e o f h ay .

" Al l r eady ?" b oo med K ab um po i mp or tant ly . " Well , t hen h er e w e g o. " A nd b ef or e any on e

cou ld ans wer h e w as o ff , m ov in g s wi ft ly and s ur el y as a b at tl es hi p t hr ou gh t he w av in g b il lo ws o f w heat .

" Wh at d id y ou f in d f or l un ch ?" cal led H um py cur io us ly . S ni p and T or a h ad n' t b reat h t o s ay

a ny th in g, a nd D or ot hy w as t oo w or ri ed a bo ut O zm a t o w an t t o t al k. B ut K ab um po , i ns te ad o f

ans weri ng , t hr ew u p h is t ru nk , s en di ng f or th s uch a v ol ley o f s hr il l b el lo ws t hat S ni p' s h ai r r os e o n end

a nd t he e ar s i n T or a' s p oc ke t g av e a t er ri fi ed b ou nc e. H um py c hu ck le d, a s h e l is te ne d t o t he s hr il l

t ru mp et in g o f t he E legant E leph an t. H e h ad t ho ug ht o f a j ok e!

" Ah , h e h as e at en a t ru mpe t v in e, " m us ed t he d um my d re am il y, a s t he no is e d ie d a wa y. B ut i t

c ea se d f or o nl y a m om en t, f or t ru mp et in g w as K ab um po 's w ay o f c le ar in g a p at h f or hi ms el f a nd ,

d et er mi ned t o r each t he cap it ol b ef or e M om bi , t he w it ch , h e t ravell ed as n ev er b ef or e and , cli ng in g t o

e ac h o th er a nd t o K ab um po 's h ar ne ss a nd r obe , t he f our r ide rs m ad e t he b es t t he y c oul d o f t he w or st

journey they had ever taken.





C H AP TE R 1 6

Humpy Hailed As King

K AB UM PO w ou ld n ev er h av e s to pp ed u nt il h e r ea ch ed t he E me ra ld C it y i ts el f, h ad i t n ot

been for the mountain. Rushing like an express train from a small dim wood, the Elegant Elephant came

u ne xp ec te dl y u po n a s te ep w al l o f r oc k. W it h a s no rt o f s ur pr is e h e s to pp ed s o s ha rp ly t ha t e ve ry on e i n

t he p ar ty w en t s ai li ng o ver h is h ead. H um py ,' w ho w as l ig ht es t, s ai led f ar th es t and , l an di ng f ir st , m ad e a

s pl en di d cus hi on f or S ni p and D or ot hy t o f al l o n. T or a, f or tu nately , p lu mp ed i nt o a p at ch o f g oo seberr y

bushes, so that no one was really hurt.

" Di dn' t I d o t ha t w el l? " a sk ed t he du mm y, a s D or ot hy a nd S ni p j um pe d u p. " Fa ll ing 's m ys peci al ty and f al li ng f or y ou , P ri nces s, " h e r os e and m ad e D or ot hy an exceedi ng ly s haky b ow , " fall in g f or

y ou , i s a r ea l p le as ur e. "

" Well I 'm k in da g lad y ou d id f al l f ir st ," g as ped t he l it tl e g ir l, r un ni ng t o h el p S ni p p ul l T or a o ut

o f t he b us hes.

" D id I u nd er st an d D or ot hy t o s ay y ou r n am e w as K ab um po ?" i nq ui red t he d um my , add ress in g

h im self b land ly t o t he E legant E leph an t. K ab um po n od ded w it ho ut t ak in g h is eyes f ro m t he m as s o f

jagged stone ahead.

" Well , t hat accou nt s f or t he b um po . I u nd er st an d p er fect ly n ow ," con ti nu ed H um pyc on ve rs at io na ll y, a s h e p ic ke d u p h is c ro wn a nd s et i t s ol em nl y o n h is h ea d. " Bu t ne xt t im e, ne xt t im e, o ld

rascal!" He wagged his finger playfully at the Elegant Elephant.

" Ol d r as ca l! O ld r as ca l! " s pu tt er ed K ab um po , s wi ng in g r ou nd i n a f ur y. " Ho w d ar e y ou t al k t o

m e l ik e t ha t, yo u g oo d f or no th in g s on o f a s of a, y ou h ai r b ra in ed p ie ce o f a n ig ht s hi rt !"

" We ll , I m ay b e s tu ff ed w it h ha ir , b ut yo u' re s tu ff ed w it h ha y a nd I d on 't s ee m uc h d if fe re nc e

excep t, " H um py b acked r ap id ly o ut o f K ab um po 's r each, " ex cept t hat t he p er so n w ho s t uf fed y ou d id n' t

finish the job. You're full of wrinkles," he announced judicially.

K ab um po m ad e a s wi ng a t t he du mm y w it h hi s t run k a nd t he n, t hi nk in g be tt er o f i t, t ur ne d

ang ri ly away and , m um bl in g and w heezin g u nd er h is b reat h, b eg an t o m ov e m aj es ti call y t ow ar d t he r ocky

barrier. Seeing that no more fun was to be had out of him, Humpy hurried over to the tailor, who was

w al ki ng u ns tead il y b et ween D or ot hy and S ni p. H e h ad p ut o n h is ear s and w as l is teni ng att en ti vely t o t he

little girl's remarks about the Elegant Elephant. Dorothy was telling how faithfully Kabumpo had served

h is m as ter, t he P ri nce o f P um perd in k.

" It m ay b e s o, i t m ay b e s o, " m ut te re d T or a, g az in g a ft er t he g re at b ea st d ou bt fu ll y, " bu t h e

s eems t o m e a t ri fl e abr up ter, alm os t d an gero us !"

" Bu t h e' s v er y f as t, " s ai d D or ot hy c oa xi ng ly , " an d i f h e h ad n ot s to pp ed w he n h e d id w e' d h av e

been thrown upon the rocks."





" Th at 's s o, " p ut i n S ni p, w ho h ad r at he r e nj oy ed h is w il d r id e u po n t he e le ph an t' s b ac k.

" Well , w el l, I d ar es ay I am o ld f as hi on ed ," s ig hed t he t ai lo r, s et tl in g h is s pecs r es ig nedl y, " an d

i f y ou a nd D or ot hy c an s ta nd t hi s m ad m od e o f t ra ve l, I 'l l t ry n ot t o m in d i t e it he r. "

" Fall o n m e n ex t t im e, " i nv it ed t he d um my g en er ou sl y. H um py 's exp ress io n as h e m ad e t hi s

s ug gest io n w as s o com ical t hat T or a l au gh ed i n s pi te o f h im self .

" Bu t h ow a re w e g oi ng t o c ro ss t he m ou nt ai n? " p ut i n S ni p d is ma ll y. " It 's t oo s te ep f or

K abu mpo t o c li mb a nd I do n' t s ee a ny w ay ' ro un d do yo u? "

D or ot hy s ho ok h er h ead. " I d on 't even r em em ber a m ou nt ai n b ei ng h er e, " o bs er ved t he l it tl e

g ir l w it h a t ro ub led f ro wn . T hey h ad j oi ned t he E legant E leph an t b y t hi s t im e and , s tand in g i n a d ej ected

r ow , t he y s ur ve ye d t he g re at m as s o f t um bl ed r oc ks -r oc ks s o s te ep a nd j ag ge d t ha t e ve n S ni p s hu dd er ed

at t he t ho ug ht o f clamb er in g o ver t heir p er il ou s p eaks .

" I h op e y ou d on 't e xp ec t m e t o c ar ry y ou o ve r, " s ni ff ed K ab um po . " On ly a b ir d c ou ld c ro sst hi s. A b ir d! G reat G ol ly wo ck er s! L oo k! "

B ut D or ot hy a nd t he o th er s h ad a lr ea dy s ee n f or t he ms el ve s. A n o ld w om an a nd a g oo se w er e

w al ki ng c al ml y t hr ou gh t he m oun ta in j us t a s i f i t d id no t e xi st a t a ll -a n o ld wo ma n a nd a g oo se ! T he

f or me r w as d re ss ed i n t he s im pl e c os tu me o f a G il li ke n f ar me r' s w if e. I n o ne h an d s he c ar ri ed a l ar ge

basket and with the other she held her stick and a long rope attached to the goose's neck.

" It 's M om bi !" cri ed D or ot hy , clu tchi ng S ni p i n t er ro r, f or i n s pi te o f t he d is gu is e, t here w as n o

mistaking that wicked old face.

" An d P aj uk a! " g as ped S ni p, s carcely d ar in g t o b reat he. T or a' s ear s w er e f lu tt er in g l ik e l eavesi n a g al e, and even K ab um po t remb led s li gh tl y.

" Sh e m us t h av e g ot h er m ag ic p ow er s b ac k, " w hi sp er ed S ni p h oa rs el y, " or h ow c ou ld s he

w al k t hr ou gh a m ou nt ai n? O h D or ot hy , w hat s hall w e d o n ow ?"

As i t ha ppe ne d, t he y h ad t im e t o do not hi ng, f or j us t t he n Pa juka l ooke d up a nd s aw t he l it tl e

button boy.

" S ni p! " s cr eamed t he g oo se j oy fu ll y. S pr eadi ng b ot h w in gs , h e f lew f or ward s o f as t t hat

Mo mbi h ad t o ru n t o ke ep up' wi th hi m. " I t hought s he ha d done f or you, " pa nt ed t he goo se , p ayi ng noa tt en ti on t o M om bi 's j er ks u po n t he r op e. H e b eg an t o c ar es s S ni p w it h b ot h w in g a nd b il l.

S ni p f or go t h is f ri gh t f or a m om en t, i n h is d el ig ht at s eein g h is o ld f ri en d again and , d ro pp in g o n

h is k nees , h ug ged P aj uk a f or d ear l if e. D or ot hy i nv ol un tari ly d rew b ack f ro m t he w it ch , w ho w as

m um bl ing a l ong r iga ma ro le a bou t b ei ng on he r w ay t o t he Em er al d C it y w it h a f in e g oo se f or O zm a o f

O z. H um py , s tepp in g f ro m b eh in d t he E legant E leph an t, f ol ded h is arm s and g azed d ow n b en ev ol en tl y

u po n t he l it tl e s cene. ' Remi nd s m e o f t he h ap py end in gs i n t he p ictu re g am e, o bs er ved t he d um my

i nd ul ge nt ly t o t he t ir ed t ai lo r. " I' m f or t ha t b ir d, a nd I d on 't c ar e w ho k no ws i t, " h e s ai d.

" Hu sh !" w ar ned t he t ai lo r, l oo ki ng n er vo us ly at M om bi . B ut at t he f ir st s ou nd o f H um py 's

v oi ce, P aj uk a h ad g iv en a g reat b ou nce and , ext ri cati ng h im self f ro m S ni p' s emb race, cam e h ur tl in g

through the air.





" Mast er !" s hr ieked t he g oo se and f lapp ed h is w in gs s o v io lent ly t hat t he f li ms y d um my f el l

backward over Kabumpo's trunk. With a surly flounce the Elegant Elephant shook him off.

" Mo ns te r! " h is se d P aj uk a, w it h a w il d p ec k a t t he e le ph an t' s t ru nk . " Ho w d ar e y ou i ns ul t h is

M aj es ty ?" B ow in g and w eepi ng alt er nately h e cri ed s hr il ly , " Th e K in g! A t l as t I h av e f ou nd t he K in g! "

By t hi s t im e t he ta il or ha d got Humpy to his f ee t, a nd i t i s ha rd t o s ay who wa s t he m osta st on is he d o f t ha t a st on is he d l it tl e g ro up . M om bi d ro pp ed h er b as ke t w it h a c ra sh a nd c am e o ve r t o

s tare at t he g reen clad f ig ur e. K ab um po , t hi nk in g o f h is l at e s peeches, b eg an t o b ack u ncom fo rt ab ly

away.

" But i t c an' t b e t he K ing ," be ga n Do ro th y, c at ch in g ho ld of Sn ip . " I f ou nd H um py m y ow n s el f

i n C al if or ni a and h ow ev er cou ld h e h av e g ot ten t here?"

" Gi rl ," s ai d t he g oo se s te rn ly , " do n' t y ou s up po se I k no w m y o wn M as te r? "

" An d I 'v e s een h im b ef or e t oo ," m ur mu red t he o ld t ai lo r, h al f clo si ng h is eyes. " Let m e t hi nk !Let me think!"

" Di d y ou ever s ee t he K in g y ou rs el f?" ask ed S ni p, t ur ni ng excit ed ly t o D or ot hy . T he l it tl e g ir l

h ad t o a ck no wl ed ge t ha t s he h ad n ot , f or M om bi h ad h id de n t he o ld m on ar ch a wa y b ef or e D or ot hy h ad

c ome to Oz .

"Y ou d on 't m in d m y b ei ng K in g, d o y ou D or ot hy ?" T he d um my t ur ned t o h er coaxi ng ly . " I' d

l ove t o be t he s ta r i n j us t on e p ic tur e. Le t m e b e K ing a nd you s ha ll be Que en."

" S tar! P ictu re! Q ueen !" cho ked P aj uk a, g azin g f ro m o ne t o t he o th er i n b ew il derm en t. " Wh at

d oe s t hi s m ea n? W om an , w om an w ha t h av e y ou d on e t o t he K in g? "

H e t ur ned accus in gl y t o M om bi , b ut M om bi , b ru sh in g h im r ou gh ly asi de, h ad r un u p t o H um py

and w as exami ni ng h im car ef ul ly f ro m all s id es . C at ch in g s ig ht o f a w hi te t ap e p ro tr ud in g f ro m t he col lar

o f h is r ob e, t he o ld w it ch j er ke d h im s id ew ay s a nd a ft er o ne t ri um ph an t l oo k a t t he n um be r o n t he t ap e,

began to jump up and down like a child on a pogo stick.

" Th e Ki ng! " s hr il le d M omb i, t hr owi ng up h er s ti ck . " It i s t he Ki ng o f Oz h ims el f! A nd I a m t he

o nl y o ne w ho c an r es to re h im t o h im se lf a nd t o t he t hr on e. " S he l oo ke d s ha rp ly a t D or ot hy , w ho m s he

h ad alr eady r ecog ni zed, as i f d ar in g h er t o con tr ad ict t hi s s tatement .

" Bu t I d on 't s ee h ow a d um my c ou ld b e a k in g, " o bj ec te d D or ot hy , s ti ll t ry in g t o p uz zl e o ut t he

mystery.

" Th at 's b ecau se y ou are o nl y a l it tl e g ir l, " exp lain ed P aj uk a g en tl y. " I s up po se y ou d on 't s ee

ho w a go os e c ou ld b e a pr ime mi ni st er e it he r, or how t ha t w ic ke d o ld w om an wou ld da re t o t ur n he r

K in g t o a s tu ff ed m an a nd h is t ru st ed c ou nc il lo r t o a g oo se , o r t hr ow a n i nn oc en t l it tl e b oy d ow n a w el l, "

h is sed P aj uk a, w it h an ang ry g lare at M om bi .

"A meddlesome little vagabond," mumbled Mombi, holding her ground stubbornly. She was

n ot g oi ng t o b e f ri gh te ne d o ut o f h er r ew ar d b y a ny on e n ow , a nd s ta re d d ef ia nt ly a t t he l it tl e c om pa ny .

" Bu t h ow d id y ou g et o ut o f t he w el l a nd w ho a re a ll t he se p eo pl e? " pu ff ed P aj uk a, l oo ki ng

cur io us ly f ro m T or a t o K ab um po and t hen l et ti ng h is eyes r es t f on dl y o n t he K in g.





M om bi s carcel y l is tened as S ni p t ol d o f h is f al l i nt o B lank en bu rg , h is escap e w it h t he t ai lo r and

t heir m eeti ng w it h D or ot hy , K ab um po and t he d um my . S he w as h ur ri ed ly t ur ni ng o ver a p lan t o g et

H um py a wa y f ro m hi s f ri en ds . W hi le P aj uk a, i n hi s t ur n, t ol d h ow h e h ad t ri ed t o f ly d own t he w el l, ho w

he ha d b ee n c aught a nd t ie d up by t he ol d wi tc h a nd f or ce d t o a cc ompa ny he r unt il n ow, Mo mbi

d ro pp ed t he r ope t ha t wa s t ie d t o h is ne ck a nd m ad e a s ly m ove t ow ar d t he K in g.

" Yo ur M aj es ty ," w hi sp er ed M om bi craft il y, " may I h av e a f ew w or ds w it h y ou ?"

"Certainly. Certainly!" puffed the dummy King, stepping along pompously at her side. Tora,

S ni p a nd D or ot hy w er e s o i nt er es te d i n P aj uk a' s s to ry t ha t t he y d id n ot n ot ic e M om bi 's m ov e, b ut

K ab um po , w ho h ad b ee n k ee pi ng a n a st on is he d e ye a nd e ar u po n t he w ho le p ro ce ed in g, s te pp ed

n oi sel es sl y af ter t he t wo . H er e, r easo ned K ab um po anx io us ly , w as an o pp or tu ni ty t o m ak e u p f or h is

r ud e s pe ec he s a nd r es to re h im se lf t o f av or w it h t hi s i mp os si bl e p er so n w ho w as t ur ni ng o ut t o b e t he

King.

N o s oo ne r h ad M om bi p ut a f ew t re es be tw ee n h er se lf a nd t he o th er s t ha n s he gr as pe dH um py b y h is h an d and b eg an r un ni ng l ik e t he w in d.

"We'll hide," grunted the old witch, paying no attention to the dummy's expostulations, "and

w he n t he y' ve s to pp ed l oo ki ng f or u s w e' ll g o o n t o t he E me ra ld C it y a nd I w il l r es to re y ou r M aj es ty t o

t he t hr on e. B ut f ir st ," p an te d M om bi , s to pp in g a m om en t t o c at ch h er b re at h, y ou m us t p ro mi se t o g iv e

m e b ac k m y ma gi c pow er s a nd ha lf of t he K ing dom o f O z. D o you p rom is e? Y ou' d b et te r," s he a dde d

threateningly, giving Humpy a vicious shake.

" Bu t I 'm g oi ng t o t he E merald C it y w it h D or ot hy ," o bj ected t he K in g i n d is may. " Let m e g o,

you old ragbag."

" Y es , h ow d ar e y ou s hake h is M aj es ty !" t hu nd er ed an i mp er io us v oi ce and , w hi rl in g ' ro un d i n

a f ri gh t, M om bi s aw t he E legant E leph an t l oo mi ng u p b et ween t wo t rees . H e h ad f ol lo wed t hem w it ho ut

a s ou nd and n ow , s natchi ng H um py f ro m t he clu tches o f t he o ld w it ch , p laced h im car ef ul ly u po n h is

back.

W it h a c ry of r age , Mo mb i t ri ed t o ge t a wa y, b ut Ka bum po wa s t oo qui ck f or he r. Se iz ing t he

wi tc h i n hi s t runk a nd s ha ki ng he r t o a nd f ro l ike a r at tl e, h e r an t rumpe ti ng ba ck t o t he ot he rs . The y ha d

just discovered Humpy's absence and Pajuka with a hoarse shriek came flying toward the Elegant

Elephant.

" Sh e w as t ry in g t o s teal t he K in g! " p an ted K ab um po i nd ig nant ly . " Sh al l I t hr ow h er o ver t he

m ou nt ai n o r s tep o n h er ?"

" St ep o n h er ," c om ma nd ed t he d um my , e xt en di ng t wo f in ge rs o f h is r ig ht h an d a s h e h ad s ee n

k in gs i n t he m ov ie s do t im e a nd t im e a ga in . M om bi g av e a t er ri bl e s cr ee ch a nd D or ot hy a nd S ni p l oo ke d

uneasily at one another.

"The King has spoken," honked Pajuka, settling down gravely beside the dummy, "therefore

l et t he s en te nc e b e c ar ri ed o ut ."

D or ot hy c lo se d h er e ye s a nd c lu ng t o S ni p, b ut j us t t he n, t he c al m v oi ce o f t he t ai lo r

intervened.





" Yo ur H ig hne ss ," b eg an T or a g ra ve ly , " as t hi s w om an i s t he o nl y o ne i n O z w ho c an r es to re

yo u t o y our pr op er s el f, d o y ou t hi nk t hi s s te p a wi se on e? "'

T he t ai lo r' s ear s f lu tt er ed anx io us ly as h e w ai ted f or t he K in g' s d ecis io n. F or an i ns tant H um py

l ook ed d ou bt fu ll y a t M om bi , t he n w it h a s ig h l ow er ed h is f in ge rs . " Pe rh ap s i t w ou ld b e a r as h s te p, " h e

admitted regretfully.

" We ll , s om e s te ps m us t b e t ak en ," h on ke d P aj uk a a ng ri ly . " Ar e w e t o p ut u p w it h t hi s

treachery forever?"

" N o, j us t u nt il s he r es to res t he K in g, " ans wered T or a m il dl y.

" Th en I s hall s tep o n h er ," p ro mi sed K ab um po , g iv in g M om bi ano th er s hake.

" Th at 's r ig ht ," s ai d D or ot hy , g lad t o h av e t he d read fu l b us in es s d el ay ed . " Mo mb i m us t f ir st

restore the King."

" I' ll n ot d o i t w it ho ut a r ew ar d, " s cr ea me d t he w it ch d ef ia nt ly . " Do I g et a r ew ar d o r n ot ?"

The others were silent but Humpy, again extending his fingers, announced grandly, "You shall

be rewarded as you deserve!" He winked at Pajuka as he said this, but Mombi apparently was satisfied

and stopped squirming.

" Well , I can 't d o i t h er e, " s he m ut tered s ul ki ly . " Th e t rans fo rm at io n w as m ad e n ear t he E merald

C it y and t he enchant ment can no t h e b ro ken u nt il w e r each t he g reen cou nt ry ."

" Th en l et 's g o o n t o t he E me ra ld C it y, " p ro po se d D or ot hy e ag er ly . O nc e t he re , r ef le ct ed t he

little girl, Ozma herself could settle the whole troublesome business. Somehow Dorothy could not imagineO z w it ho ut t he l it tl e f ai ry a s i ts Q ue en , a nd w hi le s he w as g la d i nd ee d t o h av e f ou nd t he l os t K in g, s he

c oul d n ot g et u se d t o t he i de a o f H um py o n t he t hr on e a nd a dm in is te ri ng a ff ai rs i n O z.

H um py , h im self , w as enj oy in g i t all t remend ou sl y. H e r em em bered n ot hi ng o f h is p as t, i t i s

true, but the present was sufficiently interesting and exciting to make up for everything.

" On t o t he E merald C it y! " h e com mand ed , p om po us ly w av in g h is arm s.

" I h ea r a nd I o be y, y ou r M aj es ty ," w he ez ed K ab um po , a nd h ar dl y g iv in g t he t wo c hi ld re n a nd

t he o ld t ai lo r t im e t o c li mb a boa rd , h e w as o ff , s ti ll h ol di ng M om bi f as t i n h is t ru nk.

" Bu t w hat abo ut t he m ou nt ai n?" ask ed S ni p, as i t l oo med u p s ud denl y ahead .

" Watch, " cal led P aj uk a and w hi le K ab um po s wayed u ncer tain ly b ef or e i t, h e f lew s tr ai gh t

t hr ou gh t he w al l of r oc ks . L ik e m any a no th er m ou nt ai n w he n y ou c om e r ig ht t o i t, t hi s w as n o m oun ta in a t

all only a shadow mountain.

" No w on der M om bi cou ld w al k t hr ou gh ," s ig hed S ni p, g reat ly r el ieved t hat t he w it ch h ad n ot

r eco ver ed h er m agi c p ow ers .

C HA PT ER 1 7





Mombi's Magic

T HE t ho ug ht s o f t he l it tl e c om pa ny , a s t he y s pe d t ow ar d t he E me ra ld C it y, w er e m an y a nd

v ar ied. M om bi , s us pend ed p recar io us ly i n K ab um po 's t ru nk , s mi led d ar kl y t o h er self , f or M om bi , as

u sua l, h ad a p la n t o ou tw it h er e ne mi es . S he c ou ld n ot r em em be r c ha ng ing t he K in g t o a d um my a t a ll ,

a nd ha d a t f irs t doubt ed t ha t Hu mpy r ea lly wa s t he K in g, b ut whe n s he ha d r ea d upon hi s c ol la r t he

f or go tt en g reen m ag ic f or mu la, even M om bi w as con vi nced . A ll t hat w as n ow n eces sary t o d is pel t he

enchant ment w as t o r each t he E merald C it y.

" On ce t here, I 'l l s ho w t hem, " t he o ld w it ch chu ck led w ickedl y t o h er self , as s he t ho ug ht o f

w hat w ou ld h ap pen t hen.

P aj uk a, l oo ki ng at t he s tu ff ed K in g b es id e h im , w as w on deri ng s ad ly w heth er h e and h is r oy al

m as te r w ou ld e ve r b e q ui te t he s am e, w he th er t he g oo d o ld O z d ay s t he y h ad e nj oy ed t og et he r w ou ld

ever r et ur n again . F lu tt er in g h is w in gs , and k eepi ng h is b al an ce w it h d if fi cu lt y, t he p oo r g oo se d ream ed

l on gi ng ly o f t he com fo rt ab le chair s i n t he o ld h un ti ng l od ge, o f h is p ip e and h is s mo ki ng j acket w it h

sixteen pockets.

S ni p w as t ry in g t o p uz zl e o ut h ow t he K in g h ad e ve r f al le n i nt o C al if or ni a, h ow T or a h ad g ot

hi s s tr ange e ar s, how Pa juka w oul d l ook a s a ma n a nd how Oz ma woul d l ike gi vi ng up t he t hr one t o he r

father.

Tor a, ho ldi ng fa st t o hi s p re ci ous e ar s, ha d c los ed hi s e ye s a nd be gu n t o pl an a bl ue s ui t f or S ni p a nd a v el ve t c lo ak f or D or ot hy . H e h ad t ak en a g re at f an cy t o t he l it tl e g ir l. " Le t t he o th er f el lo ws

w or ry abo ut t hi s k in g, " t ho ug ht t he t ai lo r w it h a t ir ed s ig h.

D or ot hy , f or h er p ar t, w as t ry in g t o i ma gi ne w ha t w ou ld h ap pe n w he n t he y r ea ch ed t he

cap it ol . S he f el t s ur e M om bi m eant s om e m is ch ief b ut , com fo rt in g h er self w it h t he t ho ug ht o f S ir H ok us

o f P ok es a nd t he o th er b ra ve i nh ab it an ts o f t he c as tl e, s he f in al ly s to pp ed w or ry in g a nd b eg an t o w on de r

h ow H um py w ou ld l oo k w he n h e w as c ha nge d t o h im se lf a nd w ha t w ou ld be co me o f he r a pa rt me nt i n

t he p al ac e. I t w as a ll s o s tr an ge a nd c on fu si ng t ha t D or ot hy c ou ld h ar dl y w ai t t o s ee h ow i t w ou ld t ur n

o ut , a nd w at ch ed a nx io us ly f or t he f ir st s ig ht o f t he g re en t ow er s a nd s pi re s o f O zm a' s p al ac e.

H um py w as t oo b us y h ol di ng o n t o h is c ro wn a nd t o K ab um po t o t hi nk o f a ny th in g, b ut t he

E legant E leph an t w as b us il y con si deri ng t he app earance h e w ou ld m ak e at t he K in g' s cor on at io n. " I' ll j us t

h av e t ha t o ld t ai lo r c ut m e a w hi te v el ve t r ob e, " d ec id ed K ab um po i mp or ta nt ly . " I' ll w ea r m y p ea rl s a nd a

s at in bow on my ta il a nd

J us t t he n, S ni p g ave a l it tl e s cr ea m o f d el ig ht , f or , s pr ea di ng o ut s ud de nl y b ef or e t he m l ik e a

picture from fairyland itself, was the enchanting Emerald City of Oz. Its lacy turrets and spires sparkled

w it h e me ra ld s, i ts m ar bl e s tr ee ts g lo we d w it h t he s am e p re ci ou s s to ne s. T he a ir w as s we et w it h r os es a nd

h on ey su ck le and every wh er e w er e f lo weri ng p ar ks and t ree l in ed avenu es .

H um py , P aj uk a, S ni p and t he t ai lo r w er e s im pl y s tu nn ed b y t he m ag ni fi cence o f t he cap it ol ,

but to Dorothy, Mombi and Kabumpo, the Emerald City was an old story. Accustomed to its beauty and

f am il iar w it h i ts g rand eu r, t hey s carcel y g av e i t a s econ d g lance. M an y o f t he t ow n' s p eo pl e, r ecog ni zi ng





D or ot hy , w av ed c he er fu ll y a s t he y p as se d a nd a ll t oo s oo n f or S ni p, w ho c ou ld h av e r id de n u p a nd d ow n

i ts e nc ha nt ed s tr ee ts a ll d ay , t he E le ga nt E le ph an t c ha rg ed i nt o t he r oy al p ar k a nd a pp ro ac he d t he P al ac e

of Emeralds itself.

"Master," choked the goose, touching Humpy tremulously with his wing, "our castle was never

s o f ine a s t hi s. T o t hi nk t ha t a ll o f t hi s b el on gs t o yo u! " P aj uka s tr et ch ed h is n ec k e xu lt an tl y. " I w on de r i f

t here's a p ip e any wh er e i n t he cas tl e?" h e p uf fed s ud denl y.

" Yo u s hall h av e t went y p ip es , m y g oo d g oo se!" p ro mi sed t he d um my . " Ev er yb od y s hall h av e a

pipe!"

D or ot hy a nd S ni p g ig gl ed a l it tl e a t t hi s. T he n, a s K ab um po s te pp ed u po n t he b ro ad p or ti co ,

P aj uk a, r ememb er in g M om bi ' s p as t t hr eat s, b eg an t o s cr eam h oars ely , " Th e w it ch- do n' t l et h er g o, d on 't

l et h er g o, w ha te ve r y ou d o! S he 'l l s te al O zm a' s m ag ic a nd d es tr oy u s a ll . H ol d o n t o M om bi !"

K ab um po h ad b ee n o n t he p oi nt o f d ro pp in g t he o ld w om an s o h e c ou ld p ul l t he j ew el le d b el l

r op e, b ut at P aj uk a' s w ar ni ng h e t ig ht en ed h is g ri p.

"Pray alight, Dorothy, and announce his Majesty!" puffed the Elegant Elephant, forgetting that

not mo re tha n a n hour a go he ha d c al le d t he Ki ng a pi ec e of a ni ght s hi rt . Dor ot hy and Sni p s li d down

t og et her and , b ot h s ei zi ng t he r op e, s et i t t o j in gl in g m er ri ly .

" W on 't t hey b e s ur pr is ed ," m ur mu red D or ot hy , l oo ki ng o ver h er s ho ul der at K ab um po and h is

s tr an ge p as se ng er s. " Wo n' t t he y b e s ur pr is ed w he n t he y s ee w ho i s h er e? B ut w hy d on 't t he y c om e t o t he

door?"

W hy i nde ed? Fo r t he v er y s im pl e r ea son , t ha t t he re w as n o o ne t o c om e- no t e ve n t he c oo k' s

boy. For that morning, Jellia Jamb, Ozma's small serving maid, looking from the castle window, had seenh er m is tr es s a nd t he l it tl e gr ou p w ho w er e w it h h er i n t he g ar de n v an is h b ef or e h er e ye s. R us hi ng

f rant ical ly t hr ou gh t he p al ace, s he s pr ead t he d ir e n ew s, and i mm ed iately t he ent ir e h ou seho ld h ad s et o ut

t o f in d t he l os t o nes- th e ent ir e h ou seho ld f ro m t he t al lest cou rt ier t o t he t in iest p ag e. T ik T ok m ig ht h av e

e nl igh te ne d t he m, b ut t he m ac hi ne m an h ad r un d ow n. N o on e t ho ug ht t o w in d hi m u p a nd e ve n T ik T ok

di d no t kn ow t ha t O zm a a nd h er f ri en ds h ad g one t o M or row .

I n p uz zl ed d is ma y, D or ot hy p re ss ed h er n os e t o t he d ia mo nd p an es i n t he d oo r. T he n, s ee in g

t ha t t he g re at h al l w as e mp ty , s he t ri ed t he k no b. I n t he ir e xc it em en t t he s ea rc he rs h ad l ef t t he d oo r

u nl ocked and , w it h a l it tl e exclamati on o f s ur pr is e, D or ot hy o pened i t and m ot io ned f or K ab um po t o

follow with his passengers.

K ab um po w as b it te rl y d is ap po in te d t ha t t he re w as n o o ne t o w it ne ss h is g ra nd e nt ry w it h t he

K in g and , w hen t hey r each ed t he t hr on e r oo m i ts el f w it ho ut encou nt er in g any on e, h e l oo ked p os it iv el y

crest fall en . " A f in e w el co me f or h is H ig hn es s! " h e g ru nt ed i rr it ab ly . " Wh er e i s t he cou rt ? W here are t he

attendants. A thing like this would never have happened in Pumperdink!"

" Ha, h a! " cro ak ed M om bi m al icio us ly , b ut s ub si ded at o nce w hen t he E legant E leph an t g av e

h er a s ha ke . P aj uk a a nd T or a h ad a li gh te d w it h S ni p a nd a ll w er e s ta ri ng a bo ut t he b ea ut if ul r oo m i n

admiration.

B ut K ab um po w as s ti ll a ng ry . " Is t hi s t ai lo r t o b e a dm it te d t o t he p re se nc e? " h e d em an de d

l of ti ly , f ix in g h is eyes u po n T or a' s s habb y s ui t. " In P um perd in k s uch t hi ng s are n ot d on e. "





D or ot hy w as t oo w or ri ed o ve r t he s tr an ge s il en ce i n t he c as tl e t o b ot he r w it h K ab um po 's

s au cy s peeches, b ut t he d um my , f al li ng h ead- lo ng f ro m t he E legant E leph an t' s b ack, p ut h is arm

affectionately through Tora's.

H um py w av ed K ab um po a si de a nd p ul le d t he o ld t ai lo r t o a s ea t b es id e h im . T or a s ho ve d h is

s pe ct ac le s u p o n h is f or eh ea d a nd l oo ke d g ra ve ly a t t he p om po us d um my .

"Let him stay by all means," said Humpy condescendingly. "Every King must have his tailor

a nd h e' s m in e. B es id es , h as a ny on e e ls e i n t hi s r oom f ly in g e ar s, I w an t t o k no w? "

"Well, I prefer my ears on," grunted the Elegant Elephant disdainfully.

" I' m g lad t hey' re o n y ou ," s ni ff ed P aj uk a. H e f el t u naccou nt ab ly d rawn t o t he g en tl e o ld t ai lo r,

but Tora himself was too taken up with his splendid surroundings to mind Kabumpo's remarks. Just then

H um py , cat ch in g s ig ht o f t he g li tt er in g emerald t hr on e, l et g o o f t he t ai lo r' s arm and s tart ed r un ni ng acr os s

t he r oo m. T he o th er s ga ve l it tl e he ed, f or c er ta inl y i t wa s r ig ht a nd f it ti ng f or t he Ki ng t o oc cup y h is

proper place in the palace.

Mombi, seeing the dummy's move, fairly trembled with excitement. Without being at all aware

o f i t, H um py w as p la yi ng d ir ec tl y i nt o h er h an ds a nd a s h e s an k d ow n u po n t he t hr on e t he w it ch g av e a

s hr iek o f t ri um ph . H el d f as t t hr ou gh s he w as i n K ab um po 's t ru nk , h er arm s w er e s ti ll f ree. B eg in ni ng w it h

Snip and going on to Dorothy, Mombi began to count, "One-two-three-four-five-six-seven!"

A t s ev en h er f in ge r p oi nt ed t o P aj uk a, w ho se e ve ry f ea th er s to od e re ct w it h t er ro r. S na tc hi ng

t wo b ut to ns f ro m K ab um po 's r ob e, M om bi p op ped t hem i nt o h er m ou th and s ho ut ed t he m ag ic f or mu la

on t he dum my' s c ol la r. "2 02 B E -10 B- 4 7," r an t he n umb er , but a s M om bi s ai d i t, i t s oun de d l ike t hi s,

" Tw o o ug ht t o b e e at en b ef or e s ev en ."

T ha t d on e, M om bi g la re d a t t he K in g. " I c om ma nd y ou t o a ss um e y ou r p ro pe r f or m, " s he

screamed.

W el l, s ur el y n ot hi ng cou ld h av e b een w or se t han t he n ex t h ap peni ng . W it h a g ri nd in g, crash in g

s ud de nn es s, t he p al ac e b eg an t o s in k, g ai ni ng s pe ed a s i t w en t. D ow n, d ow n, d ow n, t il l t he w in do ws a nd

d oo rw ay s w er e b lo tt ed o ut w it h e ar th a nd m ud a nd t he w ho le c om pa ny l os t i n t he c ho ke o f u tt er a nd

awf ul d ar kn es s. O f all t he s cr eams i n t he r oo m, M om bi 's w as l ou dest . N ev er i n h er d ar kest i magi ni ng s

h ad M om bi ant icip at ed any th in g l ik e t hi s! W hat u nk no wn and d read fu l m ag ic h ad s he s et i n m ot io n?

C HA PT ER 1 8

Ozma's Odd Home-Coming

W HI LE t he d um my K ing a nd hi s f ri end s w er e m ak in g t he ir w ay t o t he Em er al d C it y f rom t he

North, Ozma and her faithful followers were plodding wearily up from the South through a lonely section

o f t he Q ua dl in g C ou nt ry . T he r ed h ou se i n t he h un ti ng p ar k h ad b ee n t ot al ly d es er te d b ut t he S ca re cr ow ,

cli mb in g an o ld w in dm il l n earb y, h ad s een d im ly t hr ou gh t he t ree t op s t he g li tt er in g s pi res o f t he cap it ol .





C on si derabl y cheer ed t herefo re, t he l it tl e p ar ty h ad con ti nu ed i ts j ou rn ey h om e.

A t a bo ut t he t im e K ab um po w as m ak in g h is g ra nd e nt ry i nt o t he c it y, S cr ap s, t ur ni ng t o a sk

S ir H ok us a q uest io n, n ot iced t hat t he K ni gh t w as f id geti ng abo ut i n an ext remely o dd and alarm in g

m anne r. Th ey w er e a bi t a he ad of t he ot he rs a nd f or a t im e S cr ap s r ega rde d h er c om pa ni on w it h he r

he ad on on e s ide . Bu t s il enc e i s n ot o ne o f t he P at ch Wor k G ir l' s s tr ong po int s a nd a s t he K ni gh t

c on ti nu ed t o s qu ir m a nd b ou nc e, s he s to pp ed s ho rt i n t he r oa d.

" Why do you j ump f rom s ide t o s ide a nd ra tt le a bo ut l ike a s al t s ha ke r? Ha ve you f le as ?"

i nq ui re d S cr ap s, l oo ki ng s ha rp ly a t S ir H ok us . " Is t he re a n a nt i n y ou r a rm or , o r w ha t? "

"Something-something's tickling me," confessed the Knight, wriggling his shoulders

d es perately . " So meth in g l ik e- li ke a s parr ow . O uch! " g as ped S ir H ok us , g iv in g h im self a s hake t hat

u nf as tened t he t op b uckl e o f h is m ai led s hi rt .

A t S ir H oku s' c ry , Sc ra ps , t oo , ga ve a s ta rt le d s hr ie k, f or o ut o f t he K ni gh t' s s hi rt s pe d t he

g ol de n g oo se f ea th er h e h ad t uc ke d t he re f or s af e- ke ep in g. B ef or e e it he r o f t he m h ad r ec ov er ed f ro mt heir s ur pr is e i t p oi sed i n t he air and b eg an t o w ri te f ur io us ly o n t he K ni gh t' s b ur ni sh ed s hi el d, w hi le

S cr aps and S i r H ok us w at ched b reath les sl y.

" Th e K in g o f O z i s i n t he p al ace, " ann ou nced t he f eath er w it h a f lo ur is h, t hen f lu tt er ed d ow n

lifelessly in the dust.

" Od ds b lo od ! I t t hi nk s I 'm a b lack bo ar d, " g ru nt ed S ir H ok us i nd ig nant ly , and n earl y b en di ng

d ou bl e t o g et a g li mp se o f t he w ri ti ng . " Ozma, B et sy , T ro t, W izar d, com e q ui ck ly !"

A t t he e xc it ed c ri es , t he ot he rs , w ho w er e j us t a rou nd a b en d i n t he r oa d, b ro ke i nt o a r un . S ir

H ok us , p uf fi ng and s ti ll i nd ig nant , p oi nt ed t o h is s hi el d. T he s econ d m es sage o f t he m ag ic q ui ll w as asa ma zi ng a s t he f ir st , w hi ch h ad s en t t he m t o M or ro w.

" Well , t hat s av es u s h un ti ng f or h im ," o bs er ved t he S carecr ow , cheer fu ll y p icki ng u p t he g oo se

q ui ll . " He m us t h av e f ou nd h im self , y ou k no w. S hall I k eep t hi s m y d ear?"

" Pl ease d o, " s ig hed O zm a, s tari ng h ar d at t he m es sage, w hi ch t he K ni gh t w as v ai nl y t ry in g t o

r ub f ro m h is s hi el d, " an d l et 's h ur ry . J us t t hi nk , m y f at her i s i n t he cas tl e! H ur ry ! H ur ry ! W e' re alm os t

h om e! " A nd s et ti ng an examp le h er self , t he l it tl e f ai ry g ir l f ai rl y f lew d ow n t he r oad.

" I f or o ne s hall n ot r ecog ni ze t hi s K in g, " s ho ut ed S cr ap s, r un ni ng awk ward ly aft er O zm a.

" I w on de r w he th er he 'l l l et us l iv e i n t he c as tl e? " p uf fe d Tr ot , w ho w as r unn in g h an d i n ha nd

w it h B et sy B ob bi n. " I k in da w is h h e' d n ev er t ur ned u p, d on 't y ou ?"

B et sy n od de d e mp ha ti ca ll y, a nd i t m us t b e c on fe ss ed t ha t a ll o f t he o th er s s ha re d T ro t' s w is h.

B ut a s O zm a h er se lf s ee me d s o h ap py a t h er f at he r' s r es to ra ti on , s uc h t ho ug ht s s ee me d a lm os t

t re as on ab le a nd n o o ne b ut S cr ap s v oi ce d h is r ea l o pi ni on .

Oz ma , be ing a f ai ry, d id not t ir e a s e as il y a s t he r es t, b ut e ve n Oz ma h ad t o s la cke n he r pa ce

before they came to the Emerald City. Indeed, it was a hard two-hour journey before they reached the

o ut sk ir ts o f t he c ap it ol . H ot , t ir ed a nd d us ty , t he y h ur ri ed t hr ou gh t he q ui et s tr ee ts . N o o ne i n t he c it y h ad

d is co vered O zm a' s abs en ce, f or t he s earchers i n t he p al ace h ad g on e o ff w it ho ut n ot if yi ng any on e, s o

t hey s tared i n s ur pr is e at t he b reat hl es s l it tl e com pany . W it ho ut s to pp in g t o exp lain , t he r oy al p ar ty





h ur ri ed o n t o t he p al ac e i ts el f, f or w as n ot t he K in g a lr ea dy t he re a nd w ai ti ng f or t he m?

S ir H ok us w as t he f ir st t o b ur st t hr ou gh t he t al l h ed ge e nc lo si ng t he r oy al r es id en ce . H e

paused, brushed his mailed fist across his eyes and then fell with a crash to the jewelled walk. The

S carecr ow , clo se b eh in d, p ro mp tl y f el l o n t op o f h im and S cr ap s, t he W izar d and t he l it tl e g ir ls , b um pi ng

i nt o t he t wo , s top pe d s hor t i n t he ir t ra cks . F or w he re t he c as tl e ha d s tood , t he re w as n ot hi ng a t a ll

e xc ep ti ng a s tr et ch o f l aw n, a l it tl e g re en er , p er ha ps , t ha n i n o th er p ar ts o f t he g ar de n, b ut s o s mo ot h, n oo ne w oul d h ave s us pe ct ed t ha t a c as tl e e ve r h ad s too d t he re !

" Th e K in g i s i n t he c as tl e, b ut w he re i s t he c as tl e? " g ro an ed t he S ca re cr ow , r ai si ng h is h ea d

and p eeri ng o ver t he K ni gh t' s s ho ul der.

"Gone!" wailed the little Queen, rushing forward in dismay. "Everything's gone!" And

o ve rc om e b y t he f at ig ue s a nd d is ap po in tm en ts o f t he d ay , O zm a t hr ew h er se lf d ow n u po n t he g ra ss a nd

w ept a s i f he r he ar t wo ul d br ea k. Be ts y a nd T ro t di d t he ir be st t o c omf or t h er , bu t w ha t c oul d t he y s ay ?

W ha t c ou ld a ny on e s ay i n t he f ac e o f s o a ma zi ng a c al am it y?

"Come out you villain King and thief!

B ri ng b ack o ur h om e, y ou r ob ber C hi ef !"

s cr ea me d S cr ap s, m ak in g l it tl e d as he s b ac kw ar d a nd f or wa rd . O f c ou rs e S cr ap s d id n ot

e xpe ct t he K ing t o c om e o ut but , a s i f i n a ns we r t o he r c al l, t he re w as a s hud de r a nd r um bl e be low .

The rumbling continued, grew worse and worse and finally, with an explosion like forty-nine

r om an c an dl es g oi ng o ff a t o nc e, t he t ow er s, t ur re ts a nd g le am in g r oo f o f t he c as tl e b ur st t hr ou gh t he

earth and, impaling the frightened company upon its spires, carried them kicking and struggling into the

a ir . U p, u p, a nd u p s ho t t he c as tl e, t il l t he e nt ir e s tr uc tu re w as s ta nd in g o n i ts p ro pe r f ou nd at io ns . T he f la g

pole had caught Sir Hokus between his mailed shirt and his armor and the Knight was spinning around

l ik e a w ea th er c oc k i n a g al e. O zm a a nd t he l it tl e g ir ls h ad f or tu na te ly b ee n c ar ri ed a lo ft o n o ne o f t he

r ou nd ed d om es and w hi le t heir p os it io n w as ext remely p recari ou s i t w as at l east com fo rt abl e. S cr ap s

h un g l im pl y o ver a f il ig reed b al co ny , t he W izar d b es id e h er , and t he S carecr ow d an gl ed f ro m a s pi re.

" Wa it ! D on 't m ov e a ny o f yo u, " c ou gh ed t he s tr aw ma n. " Wa it , I 'l l f al l d ow n a nd g et a l ad de r! "

A nd d ow n h e p lu ng ed !

C HA PT ER 1 9

Th e W iz ar d Ta ke s a H an d





T HE p eo pl e c li ng in g t o t he r oo f o f t he p al ac e w er e n o m or e p uz zl ed a nd a la rm ed t ha n t he

o nes r at tl in g aro un d b en eath t he r oo f. T o u nd er st an d all o f t hese s tr an ge and con fu si ng event s, w e m us t

g o b ac k t o M om bi 's i nc an ta ti on . M om bi , y ou s ee , h ad u se d t he m ag ic f or mu la w it ho ut t he K in g' s r ob e.

I nd eed, M om bi h ad f or go tt en t hat p ar t o f t he t rans fo rm at io n ent ir el y, and i n con sequ en ce t he g reat

d is as t er p redi cted b y t he F ai ry Q ueen L ur li ne h ad o ccur red.

W he n t he p al ac e h ad s un k s o s ud de nl y i nt o t he e ar th , D or ot hy a nd h er c om pa ni on s h ad b ee nt oo s tart led t o even m ov e. B ut w hen i t f in al ly s et tl ed d ow n and t hi ng s g rew q ui et again , D or ot hy , f eeli ng

h er w ay cau ti ou sl y, p ress ed a s mall r ad io b ut to n i n t he w al l. F or tu nately t he l ig ht in g s ys tem h ad n ot b een

t hr ow n o ut o f o rd er a nd , a s t he e me ra ld l am ps f lo od ed t he t hr on e r oo m w it h t he ir r ea ss ur in g g lo w,

every on e g av e a s ig h o f r el ief.

K ab um po h ad w ou nd h is t ru nk a ro un d o ne o f t he p al ac e p il la rs a nd c lo se d h is e ye s. N ow h e

l et g o a nd l oo ke d f ea rf ul ly a ro un d h im . M om bi h ad r ol le d i nt o a c or ne r a nd P aj uk a l ay f la t o n h is b ac k

w it h h is f ee t i n t he a ir . T or a' s e ar s h ad f lo wn o ff f rom t he s ho ck, c ar ry in g h is s pe ct ac le s w it h t he m, a nd

t he p oo r t ai lo r w as u ncer tain ly g ro pi ng h is w ay t ow ar d t he d oo r. S ni p, w ho s uf fered n ot hi ng w or se t han a

bump over the eye, ran hastily to his assistance, leading him gently to a large arm chair. Sinking into itscom fo rt ab le d ep th s, T or a p ul led o ut a r ed h an dk er ch ief and b eg an m op pi ng f ir st h is cheek s and t hen h is

brow and muttering unintelligibly to himself.

Hu mp y w as s pr aw le d o n t he f lo or , h is c ro wn j am me d d ow n o ve r h is n os e a nd h is h ea d r es ti ng

on t he l as t s te p o f t he da is . As D or ot hy r an t o he lp hi m up , he m ad e a f ee bl e ge st ur e o f pr ot es t.

" Th e k in gd om h as f al len, " p uf fed t he d um my i nd ig nant ly , " an d t hat l et s m e o ut . I f t hi s i s t he w ay

y ou t re at y ou r s ov er ei gn s, I 'm t hr ou gh . I r es ig n! I a bd ic at e. L et m e b e t he b el l b oy , o r t he f ur na ce m an .

W hy e ve n i n t he m ov ie s I h av e n ev er b ee n t re at ed l ik e t hi s. I t' s a c ri me . I t' s a n o ut ra ge !" c ou gh ed

H um py , s tr ug gl in g t o a s it ti ng p os it io n and t ry in g t o p ry h is cro wn u pw ar d.

" No w H um py ," b eg an D or ot hy r ep ro vi ng ly , y ou r e t al ki ng l ik e a d um my i ns tead o f a K in g.

J u st w ait - -

" I am a d um my ," i ns is ted t he p oo r f el lo w, f eeli ng o f h im self t o m ak e s ur e. " Has t hat o ld w retch

c ha ng ed m e o ne h ai r' s b re adt h b y h er v il la in ou s m agi c? O h, t o t hi nk I s hou ld h ave s un k s o l ow !"

" Sh e' s a f ra ud ," h is se d P aj uk a, w ho h ad a ls o p ic ke d h im se lf u p. " Wo ma n, h ow d ar e y ou s in k

t he c as tl e i n t hi s s ho cki ng a nd i nf or ma l m an ne r? W he re a re w e a nd w ha t i s t o b ec om e of h is M aj es ty ?"

"L oo k o ut , s he 's t ry in g t o g et a wa y, " w ar ne d S ni p. T he l it tl e b ut to n b oy w as r ig ht , f or a t e ac hq ue st io n M om bi w as c re ep in g n ea re r t o t he d oo r.

" No y ou d on 't !" s hr il led K ab um po , s natchi ng h er b ack w it h h is t ru nk . " I' ll t each y ou t o s in k

e le ph an ts l ik e a s hi p a nd p la y s uc h t ri ck s u po n t he K in g! " H e b eg an s ha ki ng h er b ac kw ar d a nd f or wa rd

t il l h er v er y b on es r at tl ed .

" Un do t hi s m is ch ie f a t o nc e. G iv e m e b ac k m y o wn s ha pe . R es to re t he K in g! " s cr ea me d

Pajuka, flapping his wings in Mombi's face.

"R ai se u p t hi s cas tl e o r I 'l l s tep o n y ou !" p ro mi sed K ab um po f ur io us ly .

M om bi l oo ke d p le ad in gl y a t D or ot hy a nd S ni p, b ut t he l it tl e b oy a nd g ir l f el t n ow t ha t a ny

punishment was too good for the old witch.





" Gi ve m e t im e, " m ut tered M om bi , cas ti ng u neas y g lances f ro m o ne t o t he o th er . " Th e f or mu la

s ho ul d h av e r es to red t he K in g, b ut s om et hi ng w en t w ro ng . I m us t h av e m or e t im e. "

" Here, t ak e i t. " S tu mb li ng acr os s t he r oo m, I lu mp y p ress ed a d ol lar w at ch i nt o t he o ld w it ch 's

h an ds . " He re 's a ll t he t im e i n t he w or ld ," s ai d t he du mm y d ol ef ul ly , " but d on 't a sk m e t o b e K in g a ga in .

Le t Ka bump o s it on t he t hr on e a nd s ee ho w h e l ik es i t. "

T ur ni ng h is b ac k u po n t he c om pa ny , H um py b eg an t o r un a ft er T or a' s e ar s. F as te ne d t og et he r

by the tailor's spectacles, they were flapping wildly around the apartment. Pajuka groaned and covered

h is e ye s w it h h is w ing , f or t he h on es t g oo se c ou ld n ot be ar t o s ee h is ol d m as te r c on duc ti ng h im se lf s o

foolishly.

" Well , w hat s hall I d o w it h h er ?" K ab um po s ho ok M om bi again and s napp ed h is eyes ang ri ly

at Dorothy.

" Sh e g ot us i nt o t hi s t ro ub le a nd no w s he m us t g et us o ut ," de ci de d t he l it tl e g ir l w is el y. " Doyou think you can?"

The ol d w it ch n odde d a nd, a t a s ign f rom Do rot hy, K abum po l et he r go, a t t he s am e t im e

ke epi ng a c los e g ua rd u po n he r. M omb i, i t m us t be c onf es se d, wa s a s s ur pr is ed a t t he f al l o f t he c as tl e a s

a nyo ne e ls e, n or c ou ld s he a cc ou nt f or t he f ai lu re of t he m ag ic f or mu la . H em me d i n a c or ne r by t he

g ig an ti c K ab um po , s he b eg an m um bl in g i n m ag ic and m ak in g q ueer p as ses i n t he air j us t t o g ai n t im e.

D or ot hy w at ch ed a nx io us ly , b ut S ni p, w ho h ad a lr ea dy h ad a n i de a o f h is o wn , t ip to ed a cr os s

t he r oo m a nd p ic ke d u p M om bi 's b as ke t. I n a s ud de n f la sh S ni p r ec al le d t he s ky wa rd f li gh t o f t he c at s i n

C at ty C or ners . W as t here any m or e o f t he m ar velo us b ak in g p ow der? T um bl in g every th in g o ut o f t he

basket, Snip fumbled hurriedly among its contents and with a little cry of triumph found what he wasl oo ki ng f or -a s mall p ur pl e can o f t he m ag ical p ow der. A nd , b et ter s ti ll , p ri nt ed i n M om bi 's cro ok ed

w ri ti ng , w er e t he d ir ec ti on s f or i ts us e. T hi s i s w ha t S ni p r ea d:

" To r ai se h ai r- on e d ro p i n w at er .

"T o r ai se t he r oo f- on e p in ch d ow n t he chi mn ey .

"To raise the rent-five teaspoon's full in vinegar.

" To r ai se a c as tl e o r c it y e mp ty e nt ir e c on te nt s o f c an o n s po t d es ir ed . S pr in kl e w it h w at er a ndcount ten."

S ei zi ng a f lo we r v as e f ro m a n ea rb y s ta nd , S ni p d um pe d o ut t he p ow de r a nd m oi st en ed i t

f rom t he v as e. T he n, h ar dl y da ri ng t o t hi nk w ha t w ou ld h ap pe n, t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy b eg an t o c ou nt .

W it h a r oa r a s s ud de n a nd f ri gh tf ul a s w he n i t h ad f al le n, t he c as tl e s ho t u pw ar d, g ai ni ng s pe ed

a s i t w en t, u p, u p, u p, t il l t he d ar k e ar th w as l ef t f ar b el ow a nd t he m as si ve s tr uc tu re s to od o n i ts r ig ht fu l

foundations again.

Ho w Oz ma a nd he r f ri end s w er e c aug ht upon i ts r oo f, we a lr ea dy know , f or Sn ip h ad s et of f

t he p ow de r, j us t a s t he L it tl e Q ue en f lu ng h er se lf u po n t he g ra ss t o w ee p.

W hi le t he S ca re cr ow , w it h a l on g l ad de r f ro m t he g ar de n, w as h el pi ng t ho se o n t he r oo f t o g et





"H e' s b ew it ch ed , I t el l y ou ," p uf fed P aj uk a, t ry in g t o g et s om e att en ti on . " Make h er d is en ch an t

u s! " H e s ho t h is n eck ang ri ly i n M om bi 's d ir ecti on and i mm ed iately every on e' s att en ti on w as d ir ected t o

t he o ld w it ch , w ho m t he E legant E leph an t s ti ll g uard ed i n t he cor ner.

" Wh y, t here's K ab um po !" cri ed O zm a and t hen, cat ch in g h er f ir st g li mp se o f t he t ai lo r w it ho ut

ear s, s he s an k l im pl y i nt o a chair and b eg an t o f an h er self w it h a d oi ly . " Ev er yt hi ng , every th in g' s s o

queer," murmured the little Queen, looking appealingly at Betsy and Trot.

" Fe tc h t he G re en B oo k o f M ag ic f ro m t he l ib ra ry ," o rd er ed t he W iz ar d, g iv in g S ir H ok us a

push. "Fetch the book and I will put an end to this nonsense!"

S ir H ok us m ad e h as te t o o be y a nd , b ef or e D or ot hy c ou ld e xp la in a ll t ha t h ad h ap pe ne d o r

i nt ro du ce h er f ri en ds t he K ni gh t c am e b ac k w it h t he g re en b oo k.

" Here, g iv e m e m y ear s, " cri ed t he t ai lo r, w ho h ad m is sed m os t o f t he excit em en t. S natchi ng

t he m f ro m H um py , h e c la pp ed t he m q ui ck ly i n p la ce a nd t ur ne d t ow ar d t he W iz ar d. T he W iz ar d l oo ke d

slightly cross-eyed from astonishment, but swallowing quickly and, determined not to delay the King'sr es to ra ti on a no th er m in ut e, b eg an t o f li p o ve r t he l ea ve s o f t he b oo k.

"T hi s i s i t, I ncan tati on N o. 98 0! " p an ted t he l it tl e m an j oy fu ll y. " Tw o o ug ht t o b e eat en b ef or e

seven.

" Th at 's n ot an i ncan tati on , t hat' s H um py 's n um ber, " cri ed D or ot hy , p ul li ng o ut t he w hi te t ag o n

the dummy's collar.

"Why, that's what Mombi tried," put in Snip anxiously. "Look out! Something else awful will

happen!"

B ut t he W izar d w av ed t hem i mp at ient ly asi de and , t hr ow in g t he r oy al r ob e h e h ad car ri ed all

t he w ay f ro m M or ro w abo ut H um py 's s ho ul ders , p us hed h im d ow n u po n t he t hr on e.

" Al l b ut s ev en l ea ve t he r oo m, " h e o rd er ed c ri sp ly a nd a ft er a s ho rt d el ay t he o rd er w as

car ri ed o ut . T he s ev en w ho r em ai ned w at ch ed t en sely as t he W izard app ro ached t he s t uf fed K in g.

P op pi ng t wo s mall crack er s i nt o h is m ou th , h e g azed f ix ed ly at t he d um my . " I com mand y ou t o ass um e

your natural shape," choked the Wizard, throwing up his arms impressively.

'The King's himself! Long live the King!" shrieked Pajuka, falling flat upon his bill.

E ve ry on e c ro wd ed f or wa rd t o s ee w ha t h ap pe ne d t o H um py -b ut t he d um my r em ai ne d a s h e

was.

" Wh y h e' s n ot c ha ng ed a t a ll ," c ri ed S cr ap s s co rn fu ll y, a nd t he P at ch W or k G ir l w as p er fe ct ly

r ig ht . E xcep t f or a s li gh t s lu mp t o t he l ef t, H um py h ad n ot even chang ed h is p os it io n.

" Tw o o ug ht t o b e e at en b ef or e s ev en ! T wo o ug ht t o b e e at en b ef or e s ev en !" m ut te re d t he

W izar d, b eg in ni ng t o p ace anx io us ly u p and d ow n.

"T wo w hat?" ask ed S ni p. " Ar e y ou s ur e y ou 'v e eat en t he r ig ht t hi ng ? M om bi s wall ow ed

buttons."

" Well , I 'm n o o st ri ch and t he f oo t n ot e s ay s t wo o f any th in g, " ans wered t he l it tl e m an , k eepi ng





h is p lace i n t he b oo k w it h h is f or ef in ger and g azin g at t he d um my i n exasp er at io n.

C HA PT ER 2 0

T he L os t K in g I s F ou nd

T HE W iz ar d o f O z w as p uz zl ed a nd m or ti fi ed . H is m ag ic s ee me d t o b e n o m ag ic a t a ll . T he

l it tl e m an w as s il en t. H e cou ld t hi nk o f n ot hi ng b ut h is f ai lu re.

" Le t' s a ll s it d ow n i n a c ir cl e a nd t hi nk ," p ro po se d t he S ca re cr ow , t ak in g O zm a' s h an d, f or h e

c ou ld s ee t he l it tl e f ai ry w as r ea dy t o c ry w it h d is ap po in tm en t. " Th e g oo se f ea th er s ai d t he K in g w as i nt he c as tl e, s o h e m us t b e he re ," h e i ns is te d c he er fu ll y. " Le t D or ot hy t el l h er s to ry a nd w e' ll t el l o ur s a nd

t he n p er ha ps w e c an f in d o ut w ha t' s w ro ng w it h o ur m ag ic ."

" No w y ou 'r e t al ki ng s ens e, " app ro ved S cr ap s, p lu mp in g d ow n b es id e t he s t raw m an . " Have

Dorothy explain this old goose, this button-button-who's-got-the-button boy and the fellow with the

fluttering ears."

" I g ue ss t ha t w ou ld b e b es t, " s ig he d D or ot hy . S o i n l es s t ha n a w in k t ha t w ho le s tr an ge

com pany , w it h H um py i n t he cen ter, d ro pp ed d ow n i n a cir cl e u po n t he f lo or . K ab um po , h ol di ng M om bi

f as t i n h is t ru nk, s to od j us t b eh in d D or ot hy, p ut ti ng i n a w or d n ow a nd t he n o r g iv in g M om bi a s ha ke

w he n s he ob je ct ed t o a ny pa rt o f t he s to ry .

Ozma and h er f ri en ds cou ld s carcel y r ep ress t heir ast on is hm en t and s ur pr is e as D or ot hy

r ecou nt ed h er w on derf ul adv en tu res w it h t he d um my and t ol d o f S ni p' s excit in g j ou rn ey w it h t he g oo se

a nd t he o ld w it ch . I nd ee d, a s t he s to ry p ro ce ed ed , t he y b eg an t o r eg ar d S ni p a nd P aj uk a w it h g ro wi ng

a dm ir at io n a nd r es pe ct , f or c er ta in ly t he se t wo h ad p la ye d a n u nf or ge ta bl e p ar t i n t he h is to ry o f O z.

W he n D or ot hy t ol d h ow S ni p h ad r ai se d t he c as tl e w it h M om bi 's b ak in g p ow de r, t he

c om pa ny b ur st i nt o s uc h l ou d c he er s a nd c ri es o f a pp ro va l t ha t t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy t ri ed t o h id e b eh in d

t he t ai lo r. T or a, h im se lf , c am e i n f or a g oo dl y s ha re o f t he i nt er es t t oo , a nd h e s mi le d p le as an tl y a s

D or ot hy exp lain ed h is s in gu lar ear s and d es cr ib ed h is escap e f ro m t he B lank s. W hen D or ot hy h adf ini she d, Oz ma qui ckl y r el at ed a ll t ha t h ad h ap pe ne d i n t he E me ra ld C it y a nd i n M or ro w. S he t ol d o f t he

d es ert ed cast le and t he m ys ter io us m es sages, and t he S car ecro w g ravely p as s ed aro un d t he g ol den q ui l l

"I s ee m t o r eme mbe r t hi s," puff ed Pa juka whe n i t ha d c ome t o hi m. " Ah, I know! I t i s t he

m ag ic q ui ll t he K in g g av e m e o n m y l as t b ir th da y i n t he c as tl e. I t a lw ay s w ar ne d on e o r t he ot he r w he n

e it he r wa s i n da nge r a nd I ha d i t i n m y poc ke t wh en M om bi t ur ne d me t o a g oos e.

" And I pu ll ed i t o ut w he n I f el l do wn t he we ll !" c ri ed S ni p e xc it edl y.

" An d i t r et ur ne d t o t he s po t w he re t he o ld c as tl e h ad s to od ," p ut i n t he W iz ar d, l ea ni ng

forward sagely.

" Well , t hat exp lain s t he f eath er , b ut w ho w il l exp lain t he K in g?" d em an ded t he S carecr ow ,





l oo ki ng a t t he d um my w it h hi s h ea d on o ne s id e.

" I' m abo ut t ir ed o f b ei ng exp lain ed ," m um bl ed H um py s ul ki ly . " If y ou d on 't p rett y s oo n d ecid e

s om et hi ng , I 'l l g o b ac k t o A me ri ca . I 'v e f al le n a nd I 'v e r is en a nd n ow I w an t t o s it s ti ll ."

" Perh ap s, " s ug gest ed t he t ir ed t ai lo r t im id ly , f or h e f el t s hy i n t he p resence o f s o m an y

c el eb ri ti es , " pe rh ap s H um py i s n ot t he l os t K in g a t a ll ! T he f ea th er s ai d t he K in g w as i n t he pa la ce , b ut i td id no t s ay t he d um my w as K ing ."

" Bl es s m e, " c ri ed t he s ca re cr ow t os si ng u p h is h at , " hi s b ra in w or ks a s f as t a s h is e ar s. T ha t i s

a n i de a! " I t ha d not oc cur re d t o an y of t he m t ha t Hum py mi ght not be t he Ki ng, but now t he y be ga n t o

look at one another questioningly.

" Bu t h e' s t he i ma ge o f P as to ri a! " i ns is te d P aj uk a. " Do n' t y ou s up po se I k no w m y o wn

s ov er ei gn ? O zm a m y d ear, i s t hi s d um my n ot l ik e y ou r f at her?"

O zm a n od ded. " Bu t i t w ou ld n' t d o any h ar m t o l oo k aro un d, " s he add ed t ho ug ht fu ll y.

" Co me o n, " cri ed t he S carecr ow w av in g h is h at , " we'l l h un t f ro m cel lar t o g ar ret! "

" Ke ep a t ru nk o n t ha t w it ch !" c al le d S cr ap s t o t he E le ga nt E le ph an t, a s t he y a ll j um pe d u p a nd

s ta rt ed t o f ol lo w t he S ca re cr ow f ro m t he r oo m.

" Bu t w ai t! " exclaim ed t he t ir ed t ai lo r, cat ch in g h ol d o f t he s tr aw m an 's arm . " Ho w d o k no w

y ou are n ot t he K in g y ou rs el f?"

" Me t he K in g! " ejacu lated t he S carecr ow f al li ng b ack again st a p il lar.

" Well , M om bi cou ld eas il y h av e chang ed y ou t o a S carecr ow ," m us ed T or a, b ut D or ot hy

h as ti ly s ho ok h er h ea d, f or t he S ca re cr ow 's p as t w as w el l k no wn a nd t ho ug h h e h ad b ee n p ro ve d a n

Emp eror of Si lve r I sl and, s he f el t he c oul d not be t he l os t Ki ng of Oz .

"Well, somebody in this castle is King," insisted Tora positively.

" Bu t h ow s hall w e k no w?" g as ped D or ot hy , w hi le t he o th er s l oo ked equ al ly p uzzl ed .

" Fi nd t he m an w ho f it s t he K in g' s r ob e, " cri ed T or a, w av in g h is t ap e m easu re. " Tr y h im ," h e

finished, indicating Sir Hokus of Pokes.

" Ho w d id y ou ever t hi nk o f t hat?" ask ed t he W izar d adm ir in gl y. " Fi nd t he m an w ho f it s t he

r ob e! W hy i t' s a s s im pl e a s a ri th me ti c. B ut ho w d id y ou e ve r t hi nk o f i t? "

" We ll , b ei ng a t ai lo r, i t o cc ur re d t o m e a t o nc e, " a ns we re d T or a m od es tl y. " Th e r ob e f it s t he

d um my p er fe ct ly , s o I t ho ug ht a t f ir st h e m us t b e t he K in g, bu t w he n t he m ag ic f ai le d t o w or k I c on cl ud ed

t hat h e w as n' t. "

Mombi sniffed scornfully as the Knight stepped forward but Dorothy and Ozma, remembering

S ir H ok us 's s tr an ge h is tor y, f el t t ha t h e m igh t e as il y be t he l os t K in g o f O z.

A ga in a ll b ut s ev en l ef t t he t hr on e r oo m, a nd t he t ai lo r pl ac ed t he K in g' s r obe s c ar ef ul ly a bo ut

t he K ni gh t' s s ho ul ders . T hen t he W izar d, t ak in g t wo m or e crack er s, g ravely r ep eated t he m ag ic f or mu la.





Oz ma ke pt he r e ye s f ixe d i nt ent ly on Si r H okus . She r at he r h ope d h e w oul d t ur n o ut t o be he r

f at he r, f or s he w as v er y f on d o f t he bl us te ry K ni gh t. B ut n ot hi ng a t a ll h ap pe ne d a ft er t he W iz ar d' s

i ncan tati on and S ir H ok us s tepp ed d ow n f ro m t he t hr on e w it h r eal r el ief.

" Od ds b uc kl es a nd b on ne ts , m y d ea r, I w ou ld l ik e t o b e y ou r f at he r b ut n ot y ou r K in g, " s ig he d

the Knight. "I prefer fighting to governing any day."

Th e W iz ar d c as t hi s e ye a bou t f or a not he r c an di da te of p ro pe r s iz e a nd s ha pe t o f it t he r obe ,

but no one in the room seemed to qualify.

"You're wasting time," grunted Kabumpo irritably. "This person," he waved loftily at the old

t ai lo r, " th is p er so n h ad b et te r h av e k ep t o ut o f i t. W ha t d oe s a t ai lo r k no w o f m ag ic ?"

D or ot hy l oo ked r ep ro vi ng ly at t he E legant E leph an t and j us t t hen, cat ch in g a g li mp se o f t he

S ol di er w it h t he G re en W hi sk er s i n t he d oo rw ay , r us he d o ve r a nd p ul le d h im i nt o t he r oo m. T he S ol di er

w it h t he G re en W hi sk er s i s t he e nt ir e a rm y o f O z a nd , w hi le n ot n ot ed f or h is b ra ve ry , i s a g re at f av or it ei n t he E me ra ld C it y. E ve r s in ce t he d is ap pe ar anc e o f O zm a, h e h ad b ee n h id in g i n t he c as tl e c el la r,

t er ri bl y f ri gh tened b y i ts f al l and r is e. F in al ly h e h ad s cr ew ed u p eno ug h cou rage t o v en tu re f or th and

i nv es ti ga te . T oo a st on is he d t o m ov e, h e h ad l is te ne d t o t he p ro ce ed in gs i n t he t hr on e r oo m a nd w at ch ed

the Wizard's magic experiments.

"Try him!" puffed Dorothy, hurrying him toward the throne. As the tailor carefully adjusted the

r ob e, every on e g as ped at t he f it and b ecom in gn es s o f t he g reen g ar ment . I t q ui te t rans fo rm ed t he t im id

o ld s ol di er and , com pl acen tl y s tr ok in g h is b eard , h e w ai ted f or t he W izar d' s f or mu la t o t ak e eff ect. B ut

a ga in , n ot hi ng a t a ll h ap pe ne d a nd , d as hi ng t he g re en b oo k o f m ag ic i nt o a c or ne r, t he W iz ar d r us he d o ut

of t he r oom. A t l as t he h ad h ad a n i de a of hi s o wn. He wo ul d l ook i n t he ma gi c pi ct ur e a nd di sc ove r a t

o nce w ho w as t he m is si ng K in g.

Mean wh il e T or a, l oo ki ng v er y apo lo geti c, h ad t ak en t he clo ak f ro m t he g rand arm y' s

s ho ul ders . " I w as w ro ng ," s ig hed t he t ai lo r s haki ng h is h ead s or ro wf ul ly , " an d n ow t here i s n o o ne els e t o

try."

E very on e j oi ned i n t he t ai lo r' s s ig h, f or t he aft er no on h ad l en gt hened i nt o eveni ng and t hey

w er e s ti ll a s f ar a s e ve r f ro m s ol vi ng t he m ys te ry . A t e ac h d is app oi nt me nt P aj uk a h ad g ro wn m or e

g lo om y and n ow , w ad dl in g u p t o M om bi , h e cri ed ang ri ly , " Wo man, w hat h av e y ou d on e w it h t he k in g?

S pe ak ! Sp ea k, or I 'l l p ec k o ff y our n os e! "

"Yes, say something!" shrilled Kabumpo, shaking her violently.

"I remember nothing! I remember nothing! Let me go!" wailed the old witch, howling dismally.

M om bi ' s s cr eam s, P aj uk a' s t hr eat s and K ab um po 's t ru mp et in g alm os t d ro wn ed o ut ano th er

v oi ce t hat h ad r is en t ri um ph an tl y abo ve t he con fu si on . I t w as S ni p. J um pi ng t o h is f eet and r un ni ng acr os s

t he r oo m, t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy f lu ng h is arm s ' ro un d t he o ld t ai lo r.

" Yo u n ev er t ri ed i t o n y ou rs el f! Y ou n ev er t ri ed i t o n y ou rs el f! " p an ted S ni p, t remb li ng w it h

i mp at ience. " Here, g iv e i t t o m e! "

W hi le K ab um po s ni ff ed and t he o th er s w at ch ed h al f h eart ed ly , t he l it tl e b oy w rapp ed t he

K in g' s r ob e aro un d t he t ir ed t ai lo r, p op ped t wo s ug ar l um ps i nt o h is m ou th and s ho ut ed h oars el y, " Tw o





o ug ht t o b e e at en b ef or e s ev en ! I c om ma nd y ou t o r es um e y ou r n at ur al s ha pe !"

Fo r a s l ong a s you c oul d c ount t en t he re wa s a bs ol ut e s il enc e. Th en a d ee p vo ic e, v er y r ou gh

and husky, called wildly, "The King! Long live the King!"

" Paju ka!" cri ed t he t ir ed t ai lo r. R us hi ng j oy ou sl y d ow n t he s teps o f t he t hr on e, h e t hr ew b ot h

a rms ' rou nd a f at , j ol ly ol d ge nt le ma n. Th e t ir ed t ai lor , di d I s ay? Bu t no! He wa s t he ti re d t ail or nol on ger! T he r ou nd ed s ho ul ders h ad s tr ai gh tened u p u nd er t he v el vet r ob e, t he t ir ed eyes s park led w it h

pleasure and kindliness. Tora, the tailor, no longer, but Pastoria, the King, stood embracing his prime

m in is ter, f or t he s am e g reen f or mu la t hat h ad r es to red h is m aj es ty h ad als o r el eased P aj uk a f ro m h is

weary enchantment.

" I r em em be r! I r em em be r! I t ur ne d hi m t o a t ai lo r a nd f lun g h im d ow n a we ll !" s que al ed

M om bi , b ut i n t he e xc it em en t n o o ne e ve n h ea rd h er . T he s ud de nn es s o f t he K in g' s r es to ra ti on h ad t ak en

even S ni p b y s ur pr is e, b ut r ecov er in g q ui ck ly t hey all p ress ed f or ward .

H um py w as t he f ir st t o r each t he t hr on e. " Gl ad y ou g ot t he j ob ," g ri nn ed t he d um my cheer fu ll y." Bu t l et m e b e y our d ou bl e, o ld f el lo w. I 'l l f al l o r di e f or y ou a ny t im e. " M ak ing h is w or d g oo d a t o nc e,

H um py t ri pp ed o ve r t he K in g' s f oo t a nd f el l f la t u po n h is n os e.

" Wh y h e i s y ou r d ou bl e, " g as ped D or ot hy eag er ly . " Th e v er y i mage o f y ou ."

"King, King, double King,

n ever g et h im b ack again !"

s cr ea me d t he P at ch W or k G ir l, a nd f ro m t he n o n t he u pr oa r w as t re me nd ou s. T he c ou rt ie rs a nd

s er va nt s, b ac k f ro m t he l on g d ay 's s ea rc h, c am e c ro wd in g i nt o t he t hr on e r oo m, a nd w he n t he y h ea rd t he

w ho le s to ry f ro m t he S ol di er w it h t he G re en W hi sk er s t he y a dd ed t he ir v oi ce s t o t he g en er al c la mo r.

" Wh y t he n am es s ho ul d h av e t ol d u s, " w hi sp er ed D or ot hy t o S ni p, w ho m s he h ad d ra gg ed i nt o

a c or ne r f or t he c on fi de nc e. " To ra t he t ai lo r a nd P as to ri a, t he K in g. H ow d id w e e ve r m is s i t? "

Sn ip s ho ok hi s h ea d a nd l ooke d o ve r c ont ent ed ly a t hi s t wo be st f ri ends . I t s ee me d a s i f Oz maa nd h er f at he r w ou ld n ev er s to p h ugg ing o ne a no th er b ut a t l as t, w it h h is l it tl e da ugh te r on h is r igh t a nd

f ai th fu l P aj uk a o n h is l ef t, w it h H um py s tand in g i mp or tant ly b eh in d h im and S ni p i n h is l ap , t he K in g s at

d ow n u po n h is t hr on e a nd i ns is te d u po n h ea ri ng a ll t ha t h ad h ap pe ne d d ur in g h is w ea ry e xi l - - f or t he

y ea rs h e h ad b ee n i n B la nk en bu rg h ad b ee n b la nk i nd ee d.

T ak in g t ur ns , D or ot hy , T ro t and O zm a d id t heir b es t t o s at is fy h im . T hen P as to ri a, h im self , t ol d

h ow L ur li ne , Q ue en o f t he F ai ry B an d, h ad c om e t o h is s ho p, t ri ed t o d is en ch an t h im a nd w he n s he f ou nd

M om bi 's m ag ic t oo s tr on g f or h er , h ad b es to wed u po n h im h is r em ar kabl e f ly in g ear s.

" I' m g oi ng t o m is s t ho se ear s, " s ig hed t he K in g, t ou ch in g h is t ig ht -o n o nes r eg retf ul ly , " bu t i t' s

f ine t o be ba ck jus t t he s ame a nd t o fi nd my own de ar l it tl e gi rl a ga in! "

" Th er e are s ti ll t wo t hi ng s I d on 't u nd er st an d, " m us ed D or ot hy , as P as to ri a f in is hed s peak in g.





" Wh y d id I c ha ng e s iz e i n Ca li for ni a, a nd h ow wa s i t yo u c ou ld n ot ge t a wa y f rom B la nke nb ur g t il l Sn ip

helped you?"

" Bo th v er y e as y t o a cc ou nt f or ," e xp la in ed t he W iz ar d o f O z, w ho w as g la d t o h av e s om e p ar t

i n c le ar in g u p t he m ys te ri es . " If y ou ha d l iv ed i n A me ri ca a s l ong a s y ou ha ve l ive d i n O z, yo u w oul d be

q ui te a y ou ng l ad y b y n ow , s o o f c ou rs e, w he n y ou r ea ch ed C al if or ni a, y ou r es um ed y ou r p ro pe r a ge .

" Th en I 'm n ev er g oi ng b ack, " d ecid ed D or ot hy , r ecal li ng h er s tr an ge exp er ience w it h a

s hud de r, " for I 'm n ev er go in g t o g row u p a t a ll ."

" Th e K in g w as r el eased b y S ni p, " con ti nu ed t he W izar d, p ay in g n o att en ti on t o D or ot hy 's

r em ar ks , " becaus e k in dn es s and g en er os it y alw ay s d ul l g reen m ag ic, and , w hi le S ni p cou ld n ot ent ir el y

r es to re t he K in g, h e b ro ke p ar t o f t he e nc ha nt me nt ."

The re wa s s ti ll s o muc h t o wonde r a nd exc la im a bout a nd t he y we re a ll by t his t ime s o

f am is he d w it h h ung er t ha t O zm a or de re d up a s pl en di d f ea st a nd i n a ll t he a nn al s o f O z t he re ha s n ev er

been a more delightful nor a merrier one.

The K ing a nd Oz ma s at a t t he he ad o f t he l ong t abl e, S ni p a nd Pa ju ka a t t he f oot , wh il e

r an ge d b et we en w er e a ll o f t he a dv en tu re rs a nd a ll t he d ea r c el eb ri ti es o f O z. M om bi h ad b ee n s ec ur el y

l oc ke d u p i n t he c el la r w it h a s up pe r o f b re ad a nd m il k a nd K ab um po , f re e f ro m h is t ro ub le so me c ha rg e,

h ad t hr ee b al es o f h ay , n icel y m ix ed w it h p eanu ts .

S ni p, l oo ki ng s id ew ay s a t P aj uk a, m ar ve le d t o t hi nk h ow h e h ad o nc e c ar ri ed t he h ug e P ri me

M in is ter t hr ou gh t he f or es t. T here w as s ti ll s om et hi ng i n P aj uk a' s w al k and exp ress io n t hat r em in ded S ni p

o f t he w hi te g oos e, f or a ll d ur ing t he e ve ni ng h e w as a t s om e pa in s t o c on ce al h is y aw ns .

W el l, w it h o ne d ai nt y com in g aft er t he o th er , and o ne s to ry f ol lo wi ng t he n ex t, t he d in ner proceeded gaily enough, till no one, not even the Hungry Tiger, could eat another bite. And then it was

t hat P as to ri a r os e and , t ur ni ng t o O zm a, f ur ni sh ed t he l as t s ur pr is e o f t hat exceedi ng ly s ur pr is in g d ay .

" I am r ej oi ced, " b eg an t he K in g i n h is d eep, p leas an t v oi ce, " to f in d t hi s b eaut if ul cas tl e and

c it y, b ui lt d ur in g m y a bs en ce b y o ur c le ve r W iz ar d, a nd t o s ee t ha t t he p ro sp er it y a nd g re at ne ss o f O z

h av e i ncreas ed d ur in g m y exi le. F eeli ng t hat t hi s i s l ar gely d ue t o t he w is e r ul e o f m y l ov el y l it tl e d au gh ter,

I n ow a nd h er eb y a bd ic at e i n h er f av or !"

R em ov in g t he emerald cro wn t he S carecr ow h ad h as ti ly b ro ug ht f ro m t he t reas ur y, t he K in g

placed it solemnly on Ozma's dark curls.

" Bu t y ou 'r e n ot g oi ng away! " cri ed O zm a, cat ch in g h ol d o f h is arm i n g reat d is tr es s.

" Has y ou r M aj es ty con si dered t hi s eno ug h?" p ro test ed P aj uk a, j um pi ng u p i n a h ur ry . " Wh at

a re y ou -w ha t a re w e- go in g t o d o? "

" Op en a t ai lo r s ho p, " s mi led t he K in g, " ri gh t h er e i n t he E merald C it y- th e f in es t t ai lo ri ng s ho p

i n O z. Y ou s ee," con ti nu ed h is M aj es ty , l oo ki ng a t ri fl e emb ar rass ed , " I' ve g ro wn awf ul ly f on d o f t ai lo ri ng

a nd I t hi nk on t he whol e I 'm a be tt er t ail or t ha n a Ki ng! "

There was a moment's silence after this singular announcement. Then, realizing the geneosity

and w is do m o f t he d ecis io n, t he w ho le com pany b ur st i nt o t hu nd er ou s app laus e.





" Th en every th in g w il l b e t he s am e. O h, g oo dy g oo dy !" exu lt ed B et sy B ob bi n, s qu eezi ng T ro t' s

h an d u nd er t he t ab le . " Is n' t h e a p er fe ct d ea r? "

" In st ead o f a K in g' s d ou bl e, I 'm a t ai lo r' s d um my ," s ig hed H um py r es ig nedl y. " Oh w el l, I d on 't

c ar e, b ut y ou 'l l h av e t o m ak e m e a no th er s ui t. "

" I' ll m ak e y ou a t ai lo red s ui t. I 'l l m ak e y ou all s ui ts ," p ro mi sed t he K in g ent hu si as ti call y.

" Pu t p lent y o f p ockets i n m in e! " p uf fed P aj uk a s in ki ng i nt o h is s eat w it h ano th er y aw n.

" I' ll n ee d a b oy i n m y s ho p, t oo ," s mi le d t he K in g, l oo ki ng d ow n t he l on g t ab le . " Ho w a bo ut i t,

Snip? Will you stay?"

" A g oo d p lace f or a b ut to n b oy ," g ig gl ed S cr ap s, w hi le S ni p h im self b lu sh ed w it h p leas ur e and

excitement.

" Oh , I 'd l ov e t o! " c ri ed S ni p. " Bu t m ay I g o b ac k t o K im ba lo o f ir st a nd t el l K in da J ol ly w he reI a m? "

" Of cou rs e, o f cou rs e, " p ro mi sed t he r oy al t ai lo r, b eami ng u po n every on e. " An d n ow , as w e

a re a ll t ir ed a nd s le ep y" ( th e K in g w in ke d a t P aj uk a w ho w as t ry in g t o h id e a no th er m on st ro us y aw n) " I

m ov e t hat w e all r et ir e. "

" Th at w il l b e t he s econ d t im e y ou 'v e r et ir ed t od ay ," l au gh ed S ni p, p us hi ng b ack h is chair and

r un ni ng t o o pe n t he d oo r f or h is M aj es ty . F or i n s pi te o f h is a bd ic at io n t he y a ll f el t t ha t P as to ri a w as a

real King.

"Oh, isn't everything turning out splendidly?" sighed Dorothy, pressing the Scarecrow's arm." The K ing wi ll b e a l ot ha ppi er a s a t ail or a nd e ve ry t ai lo r ne eds a dumm y, s o t ha t t ake s c are of H umpy.

A nd w on 't i t b e f un t o h ave S ni p i n t he E me ra ld C it y? "

" I s ho ul d s ay !" g ri nn ed t he S carecro w, and t hen, b ecau se n ob od y cou ld s tay awake ano th er

m in ut e, t he y b ad e e ac h o th er g oo d n ig ht a nd h ur ri ed o ff t o b ed .

S ni p a nd t he P ri me M in is te r s ha re d a s um pt uo us a pa rt me nt i n t he e as t w in g a nd , h ea ri ng a

s tr an ge n oi se i n t he n ig ht , S ni p s at u p i n a la rm . P aj uk a' s b ed w as e mp ty , b ut s ta nd in g o n o ne l eg o ve r b y

t he w in do w and s no ri ng l ik e a g oo df el lo w ( wh ich i nd eed h e w as ) s to od t he h ug e P ri me M in is ter, h is h ead

resting peacefully on his shoulder.

" He t hi nk s h e' s s ti ll a g oo se," s mi led S ni p, s nu gg li ng d ow n u nd er t he cov er s.

C HA PT ER 2 1

The Grand Procession





TH E n ex t d ay t he re w as a g ra nd p ro ce ss io n t hr ou gh t he s tr ee ts o f t he E me ra ld C it y, i n h on or

o f t he l on g l os t K in g o f O z. T he E le ga nt E le ph ant l ed o ff , t he K ing a nd H um py d re ss ed e xa ct ly a li ke

r id in g p ro ud ly o n h is b ac k. N ex t r od e O zm a u po n t he f am ou s S aw H or se ; t he n c am e t he C ow ar dl y L io n,

car ry in g D or ot hy and S ni p; t hen t he H un gr y T ig er w it h B et sy and T ro t.

P aj uk a, ast ri de t he C om fo rt ab le C am el , w as a s ig ht w or th s eein g, f or t he h ug e P ri me M in is ter

w as s pl en di dl y c os tu me d. B es id es t hi s, h e h ad a p ip e i n e ac h h an d, t ak in g f ir st a p uf f f ro m o ne a nd t he n a puff from the other, so that he was almost hidden in clouds of smoke. Sir Hokus, upon the Doubtful

D ro medary , b ow ed p ol it el y t o h is m an y f ri en ds and acq uain tances . S cr ap s and t he S carecr ow f ol lo wed

t he K ni gh t a nd a ft er t he m m ar ch ed T ik T ok , t he S ol di er w it h t he G re en W hi sk er s a nd a ll t he o th er

f am ou s f ol k f ro m t he p al ace, d ow n t o t he s mall es t p ag e. S lo wl y and m aj es ti call y t hey cir cl ed t he cit y,

r et ur ni ng t ir ed o ut , b ut w el l s at is fi ed , t o t he coo l and f ragr an t g ar dens o f t he p al ace.

" No w, " s ig hed O zm a, s li di ng d ow n f ro m t he S aw H or se, " th er e i s n ot hi ng l ef t t o d o b ut p un is h

M om bi . W hat s hall w e d o w it h M om bi ?"

" Tu rn h er t o a c oo ky , a nd t he n I c an e at h er u p w it ho ut m y c on sc ie nc e t ro ub li ng m e, " p ur re dt he H un gr y T ig er , t hu mp in g h is t ai l l azil y u p and d ow n i n t he g rass .

" Sh e' d m ak e an awf ul ly s tale coo ky ," s ni ff ed S cr ap s, s wi ng in g h er self exp er tl y u p i nt o a t ree.

" Tur n he r i nt o a r oc k a nd t hr ow he r a wa y.

" Wh y n ot p ut h er o ut l ik e I d id t he o the r w it ch es ?" a sk ed D or ot hy , f an ni ng he rs el f w it h h er

best crown, which she had worn in honor of the occasion. "Water will finish her once and forever!"

" I b el ieve I w il l, " m us ed O zm a. " Th at i s, i f f at her t hi nk s i t i s all r ig ht ?" T he K in g, w it h a h ug e

pair of gold specs on his nose, was busily measuring Snip for a suit, and nodded absently at his royal

d au gh ter. " An yt hi ng y ou s ay , m y d ear, " s ai d t he r oy al t ai lo r, w ri ti ng d ow n t he m easu rement s i n a l it tl e book.

S o o ff r an S ir H ok us a nd t he S ca re cr ow t o c ar ry o ut t he s en te nc e, r et ur ni ng i n a f ew m in ut es

w it h M om bi 's b uc kl ed s ho es , a ll t ha t r em ai ne d o f t he o ld G il li ke n W it ch a nd h er t em pe r. S he h ad b ee n

w as he d o ut w it h w at er , a nd w ou ld n ev er b ot he r a ny on e i n O z a ga in .

J us t a s t he r oya l pa rt y w as t roo pi ng i nt o t he pa la ce f or l unc h, a pa ge r us he d ou t t o a nnou nc e a

v is it or . I t w as G en er al W hi ff en pu ff and a l ou d n oi se w ho m h e i nt ro du ced as t he I nv is ib le C oo k.

T ravell in g n ig ht and d ay , and s earchi ng every wh er e f or M om bi and S ni p, h e h ad f in al ly r each ed t he

E merald C it y and f ou nd t he f am ou s coo k r ecom mend ed b y t he T ow n L au gh er o f K im balo o. H is d el ig htat s eein g t he l it tl e b ut to n b oy s af e and s ou nd w as o nl y exceeded b y h is ast on is hm en t at S ni p' s m ar velo us

a dv en tu re s, b ut a s t he c oo k, f or a ll h er i nv is ib il it y, h ad a b ad h ab it o f t re ad in g o n t he g en er al 's t oe s, h e

w as a nx io us t o r et ur n t o K im ba lo o a nd t ur n h er o ve r t o K in da J ol ly .

" I' ll t ak e y ou b ack, " v ol un teer ed K ab um po car el es sl y. " It 's o n m y w ay h om e any ho w. " T he

E legant E leph an t w as als o anx io us t o b e o ff and acq uain t t he cou rt o f P um perd in k w it h t he i mp or tant

event s t hat h ad t rans pi red. H e w is hed t o d is pl ay t he emerald h ead- pi ece O zm a h ad g iv en h im , and d azzl e

t he c ou rt ie rs w it h t he s il ve r r ob e b es to we d u po n h im b y t he ki ng ly t ai lo r o f O z. S o a ft er a q ui ck l un ch eo n,

a q ui ck e xc ha ng e o f g oo d- by es a nd g oo d w is he s, t he p om po us o ld e le ph an t t oo k h is d ep ar tu re , c ar ry in g

o n h is b ack b rave G en er al W hi ff en pu ff , t he I nv is ib le C oo k and t he g al lant l it tl e b ut to n b oy o f K im balo o.

" Hu rr y b ack! " cal led t he K in g, w av in g h is s il ver s hear s anx io us ly at S ni p. " I n eed y ou !"





" Hu rr y b ack, " cal led P aj uk a, b li nk in g h is eyes t o k eep f ro m cry in g, " I' ll m is s y ou !"

"I will!" promised Snip, nearly crying himself. "I will!" The last thing the little button boy saw

w as t he P ri me M in is te r d iv in g f ul ly dr es se d i nt o t he p on d. P aj uk a h ad a ga in f or go tt en h e w as n o l on ge r a

goose.

* * *

I f y ou cou ld p eek i nt o t he E merald C it y t hi s v er y m in ut e y ou w ou ld s ee t hat a s pl en di d t ai lo ri ng

s ho p h as b ee n s et u p n ex t t o t he p al ac e- a s pl en di d s ho p, w he re t he r et ir ed K in g a nd S ni p w or k h ap pi ly

f or pa rt of t he da y a nd ho ld c our t f or t he r es t. A nd whe re ve r you f ind t he r oya l t ai lor you' ll be pr et ty s ur e

t o s ee h is cheer fu l d ou bl e.

T HE E ND




the lost king of oz - l. frank baum

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