the yellow knight of oz - l. frank baum

8/10/2019 The Yellow Knight of Oz - L. Frank Baum

1/76

The Yellow Knight Of Oz Oz 24

L . F ra nk B au m

by Ruth Plumly Thompson

T hi s b oo k i s d ed ic at ed t o m y v er y d ea r a nd v er y l it tl e A un t G er tr ud e!

[Ruth Plumly Thompson, 1930]

L is t o f C hapt ers

Chapter

1 S ir H oku s P la ns a Q ue st

2 The Knight's First Adventure

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html


2/76

3 Q ueen M ar ci a o f M ar sh land

4 P lo pp a a nd S ir H ok us E sc ap e

5 Concerning a Camel

6 Tuz zle a t t he Cour t of Oz

7 T he C ru is e o f t he S ky ro ck et

8 A Golden Princess

9 S ir H oku s M ee ts a n O ld F ri en d

1 0 T he D es ert ed C it y

1 1 T he K ni gh t L os es H is C am el

1 2 C am y a t t he S ul ta n' s C ou rt

1 3 K in g o f t he Q ui x!

14 The EnchantedForest

15 Five Travelers Meet

16 Speedy in Samandra

17 The Restoration of Corumbia

1 8 T he R et ur n o f t he Y el lo w K ni gh t

1 9 F or t he H an d o f a P ri nc es s

20 The Marriage of Marygolden

C HA PT ER 1

S ir H ok us P la ns a Q ue st

" I' AM m in de d s ai d S ir H ok us o f P ok es , d ra wi ng a si de t he g re en c ur ta in s a nd l oo ki ng o ut o ve r

t he s pa rk li ng t ow er s a nd s pi re s o f t he E me ra ld C it y o f O z- " " I' am m in de d t o g o o n a q ue st "

" Qu es t?' ' s ho ut ed S cr ap s, t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, h an ds pr in gi ng o ver t he s of a, caperi ng u p t o t he

K ni gh t, and col laps in g i n f ro nt o f h im w it h a g ig gl e. " Wh at m an ner o f q uest , S ir K ni gh t? R eq uest o r



3/76

conquest?

" Meth in ks w e' ll g o u po n a q uest

E as t, N or th , o r S ou th , S ir H ok e, o r W es t?

T o s la y a dra gon? Or wha t ho!

W ha t h ey ! W ha t s ay ? W he n do we g o? "

" We!" D ro pp in g t he cur tain , S ir H ok us l oo ked s tern ly at t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, t hen s tr id in g o ver

t o a s ma ll s of a s at s ol em nl y do wn b es ide D or ot hy, a l it tl e g ir l f ro mK an sa sa nd a P ri nc es s o f O z. T he

K ni gh t and s ev er al m or e o f D or ot hy 's f ri en ds w er e s pend in g t he eveni ng i n h er cozy apart ment i n O zm a' spalace. "Wait till Monday," smiled Dorothy, looking up from a book she was reading. "Wait till Monday

and I 'l l g o w it h y ou ."

" Ne xt w ee k a q ue st in g w e w il l g o;

I 'l l b re ak t he n ew s t o t ho se b el ow ,"

c ho rt le d S cr ap s w it h a g ay b ou nc e.

' Well , d on 't b reak all t he f ur ni tu re w hi le y ou 'r e abo ut i t, " w ar ned D or ot hy , as t he P at ch wo rk

G ir l v au lt ed e as il y o ve r t he s of a a nd f el l t hr ou gh t he d oo r. " Oh , I d o h op e m y b lu e d re ss w il l b e f in is he d

an time," exclaimed Trot, clasping her hands eagerly.

" Can I t ak e H an k?" i nq ui red B et ts y B ob bi n, w ho w as ext remely f un d o f t he l it tl e m ul e s he h ad

brought fromAmerica. At this, Sir Hokus looked thoughtfully at his boots.

"In my day," mused the Knight mournfully, "maidens remained quietly at home, doinghousehold tasks, embroidering, watching from

t ow er s, a nd s o o n- "

"How stuffy!" sniffed Bettsy Bobbin, sliding carefully into his lap, which his armor made rather

h ar d and u ncom fo rt ab le. " Ho w o ld -f as hi on ed . N ow d on 't b e q uain t! W hat f un i s i t w at ch in g f ro m a

t ow er ? A nd t hi s e mb ro id er y a nd s o o n t ha t y ou t al k a bo ut r ui ns t he e ye s, a nd y ou k no w i t! "

" Well , w el l, " r um bl ed S ir H ok us , l oo ki ng u neas il y i nt o B et ts y' s b ri gh t eyes, " I s ee n o s ig ns o f

r ui n h er e, b ut l et u s s pe ak o f t hi s t o- mo rr ow ," a nd s et ti ng B et ts y g en tl y o n t he f lo or , h e b ow ed t o a ll t hr ee

girls and went clanking down the gold-flagged hallway muttering unhappily to himself. "Odds fish and

f un nels ! W hy d id I ever m en ti on t hi s q uest ? B ef or e m or ni ng every m an , m ai den, chi ld , and k it ten i n t he

c as tl e w il l kn ow of i t. Go t o, n ow ! I t i s t oo ba d! Go t oo, n ow ! Wh y, t ha t' s j us t w ha t t he y' ll a ll wa nt t o do .



4/76

' Tw il l be a p ar ad e a nd n o q ue st a t a ll . B y m y K ni gh t s hi rt , i t i s t oo m uc h! " R ea chi ng h is g re at s to ne

c ha mb er s, S ir H ok us l ea ne d a ga in st h is f ou r- po st b ed a nd s ta re d g lo om il y a t a p ic tu re o f h is f ri en d t he

S ca re cr ow o n t he o pp os it e w al l. A nd h is f ea rs , l et m e t el l y ou , w er e w el l- fo un de d, f or n ew s t ra ve ls f as t

i n t he E me ra ld C it y, e sp ec ia ll y g oo d n ew s. I n l es s t ha n a n h ou r t he re w as n ot a s oul i n t ha t w hol e m er ri e

c as tl e w ho h ad n ot h ea rd f rom Sc ra ps t ha t t he G oo d K ni gh t of O z w as a bo ut t o f ar e f or th u po n a n

adventure.

I n h is t ow er r oo m, T ik T ok , t he m achi ne m an , m ar ch ed s tern ly t o and f ro , p ract icin g t hr us ts

a nd p ar ri es w it h a n o ld c an e. T he S ol di er w it h G re en W hi sk er s b eg an t o b ru sh h is b ea rd v ig or ou sl y a nd

t ry t o r ec al l w ha t h e h ad do ne wi th h is s wo rd , h is m us ke t, a nd h is m il it ar y b rus he s. T he l it tl e W iz ar d o f

O z, i n h is l ab or at or y b ac k o f t he t hr on e r oo m, t oo k d ow n h is b ag a nd b eg an r ub bi ng h is h an ds b ri sk ly a s

be sorted out the magic appliances best suited to a perilous adventure. Even Dorothy's pink kitten

s to pp ed w as hi ng h er f ac e l on g e no ug h t o d ec id e w hi ch b ow s he w ou ld w ea r u po n t hi s g ra nd a nd e xc it in g

occasion.

N ow O z, a s n ea rl y e ve ry on e k no ws , i s t he h ap pi es t K in gd om o ut o f t he w or ld , a K in gd om s o

unfashionable, informal and jolly, that Queen Ozma thinks nothing of jumping rope, and even the mosti mp or ta nt c ou rt o ff ic ia ls p la y t ag a nd c ro qu et i n t he g ar de ns a ft er t ea . P er ha ps t hi s i s b ec au se t he R ul er o f

O z i s a g ir l, a f ai ry , t o b e s ur e, b ut s uc h a n u na ss um in g, g ra ci ou s f ai ry t ha t n o on e f ee ls f ri gh te ne d or

e mb ar ra ss ed b y h er p ow er o r i mp or ta nc e. Y et , O zm a o f O z i s b ot h p ow er fu l a nd i mp or ta nt . I mp or ta nt

eno ug h t o g ov er n t he f ou r g reat cou nt ri es o f h er r ealm w is el y and w el l, p ow er fu l eno ug h t o o vercom e all

h er e ne mi es a nd k ee p h er p eo pl e c on te nt ed a nd h ap py . O f a ll t he f ai ry c it ie s i n e nc ha nt ed c ou nt ri es

any wh er e, t her e i s n on e t o com pare w it h O zm a' s cap it al . I ts s tr eet s s park le and t wi nk le w it h emerald s;

t he t ow er ed g re en c as tl e, s et i n a l ov el y f lo we ri ng p ar k, s hi ne s a nd g lo ws w it h t he s am e p re ci ou s g em s,

c as ti ng a r ad ia nc e t ha t c an be s ee n f or mi le s on a ll s ide s. A nd t o he r c as tl e 0z ma ha s c al le d t he mos t

cel eb rated and i nt er es ti ng o f h er s ub ject s. I n a m ag ical cou nt ry l ik e O z, w here w izar ds , w it ch es and

f ab ul ou s m on st er s s ti ll abo un d, t here are cer tain t o b e u nu su al and amazi ng charact er s. B ut O zm a i s

f on dest o f D or ot hy , B et ts y and T ro t, t hr ee y ou ng g ir ls f ro m t heUn it ed S tates , w ho r each ed t heEm er al dCityat different times after bewildering adventures in herfairyKingdom. All three found life there so

excit in g and g ay t hat t hey h av e n ev er r et ur ned t oA meri caat all , and l iv in g i n t he p al ace w it h t he Q ueen

t he y a dvi se h er i n a ll i mp or ta nt m at te rs o f s ta te , a nd a cc om pa ny h er o n a ll o f h er v is it s a nd a dv en tu re s.

D or ot hy , h av in g com e f ir st , h as h ad m or e s tr an ge exp er iences t han alm os t any on e els e, and h as

d is co ve re d a g re at m an y o f t he O z c el eb ri ti es . O n h er f ir st t ri p s he f ou nd t he S ca re -c ro w, a d el ig ht fu l

s tr aw -s tu ff ed p er so n w ho s pe nd s h al f o f h is t im e i n t he c ap it al a nd t he o th er h al f i n a s pl en di d c or n- ea r

c as tl e n ea r t he R oy al R es id en ce o f h is f ri en d t he T in W oo dm an . N ic k i s a w oo dm an e nt ir el y o f t in ,

a no th er o f D or ot hy 's d is co ve ri es , a nd s o k in d a nd d ep en d- ab le t ha t O zm a h as m ad e h im E mp er or o f t he

E as t a nd R ul er o f t he W in kl es . N ic k' s o nl y w or ry i s t ha t h is j oi nt s w il l r us t, a nd n o o ne t hi nk s i t o dd t ha t

h e c ar ri es a n o il c an w he re ve r h e g oe s a nd o ft en s to ps i n t he m id dl e o f a c on ve rs at io n t o l ub ri ca te h isjaws. Tik Tok, on the other hand, is made of copper and was manufactured by a firm of magicians to be

a s la ve t o t he K ing of Ev. The ma ch ine m an i s gua ra nt ee d t o l as t a t hou sa nd y ea rs a nd c an wa lk, t al k,

t hi nk a nd d o e ve ry th in g b ut l iv e, D or ot hy f ou nd T ik T ok l oc ke d i n a c av e, a nd r el ea si ng t he c op pe r m an ,

brought him to the Emerald City, where he is greatly admired and respected. Like Tik Tok, the

P at ch wo rk G ir l i s o f m ag ic o ri gi n, t oo , h av in g b ee n i nt en de d f or a s er va nt b y h er o wn er . M ad e f ro m a n

o ld p at ch wo rk q ui lt , s tu ff ed w it h c ot to n b y a w iz ar d' s w if e, S cr ap s w as b ro ug ht t o l if e b y t he w iz ar d' s

P ow de r o f L if e. B ut s o m uc h c le ve rn es s a nd f un g ot i nt o S cr ap s' m ak e- up t ha t s he r ef us ed t o w or k a nd ,

t ak in g a n u nc er em on io us l ea ve o f h er m as te r, r an o ff t o t he c ap it al . W he re ve r S cr ap s h ap pe ns t o b e,

t here i s alw ay s p lent y o f f un and excit em en t. T hen, alo ng w it h t he i nt er es ti ng p eo pl e i n t he E merald C it y,

t he re a re m an y a ma zi ng a ni ma ls , e ve ry on e o f t he m a bl e t o t al k a s f as t a s y ou c an . T he re a re t he

C ow ar dl y L io n, t he H un gr y T ig er , a n I ff in, a g la ss c at , a nd s o m any m or e i t w ou ld n ev er d o t o s ta rt t el li ng

y ou a bo ut t he m. I nd ee d, w he n I s ta rt t al ki ng a bo ut t he c el eb ri ti es a t O z- ma 's c ou rt I n ev er d o k no w

w he n t o s to p. T o de sc ri be t he m a ll wo ul d t ake a bou t t hr ee da ys a nd a s yo u pr oba bl y h ave n ot t ha t l ong



5/76

to l iste n, a nd know most of the m as well a s I do, I'l l not t ry, but s hal l get back t o Si r Hokus of Pokes a nd

h is q ue st . N ot m uc h i s k no wn o f t he e ar ly h is tor y o f t hi s b ra ve K ni gh t e xc ep t t ha t f or f iv e c en tu ri es he

w as i mp ri so ne d i n t he K in gd om o f P ok es , u nt il h e w as r es cu ed b y D or ot hy a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n n ot

s o l ong a go. S inc e t he n he ha s l ive d i n t he c api ta l a nd ha s be en of gr ea t a ss is ta nc e t o Oz ma i n t he wa rs

and u pr is in gs t hat d is tu rb h er p eacefu l K in gd om f ro m t im e t o t im e.

To s om e, f ive c ent ur ie s mi ght s ee m t o ma ke a m an a bi t a nc ie nt , but in Oz , w he re no one e ve r r ea ll y g row s o ld , i t i s j us t m id dl e- age d, a nd Si r H ok us c an h ol d hi s o wn w it h a ny o f t he y ou ng f el lo ws i n

t he c as tl e. H ea ri ng a g re at b uz z a nd c la tt er b en ea th h is w in do ws , t he G oo d K ni gh t l oo ke d o ut a nd s aw

f if ty o f O zm a' s g ay cou rt iers d ri ll in g u nd er t he l im e- dr op t rees w it h m or e t han h al f t he p al ace s er vant s

t re ad in g e ar ne st ly b eh in d t he m. L ea rn in g f ro m S cr ap s t ha t S ir H ok us w as a bo ut t o s ta rt u po n a q ue st ,

t he y, t oo , h ad d ec id ed t o a cc om pa ny h im , I n t he r oy al s ta bl es t he e xc it em en t w as n o l es s. T he

S aw -h or se- O zm a' s l it tl e w oo den s teed, m ag ical ly b ro ug ht t o l if e, w as q ui te cer tain h e w ou ld b e cho sen

for the Knight's charger.

" Wh o, " w hi nn ie d t he S aw ho rs e p ro ud ly , " ca n t ra ve l s o f as t o r s o f ar a s I , w it ho ut f oo d, r es t, o r

w at er ?" T he C ow ar dl y L io n and t he H un gr y T ig er exchang ed k no wi ng g lances , f or t hey f el t t hat S ir H ok us w ou ld m uc h p re fe r a s of t s ea t u po n t he ir b ac ks . H an k, B et ts y' s m ul e, e xp la in ed t o e ve ry on e i n a

l ou d b ra y t ha t i f B et ts y B ob bi n w er e g oi ng h e w as g oi ng , a nd t he v oi ce s o f t he C om fo rt ab le C am el a nd

the Doubtful Dromedary grew positively shrill when anyone suggested that they might be left behind.

" Ho ku s i s o ur d ea r d is co ve re r. H e f ou nd a nd b ro ug ht u s t o E me ra ld C it y a nd w ou ld n ot t hi nk

o f g oi ng o n a q uest w it ho ut u s, " q uavered t he C om fo rt ab le C am el , r ol li ng h is eyes app eali ng ly at H an k.

" Yo u e at t oo m uc h, " s ni ff ed t he l it tl e m ul e. " An d he e, ha w H ee , ha w Y ou w ob bl e t oo m uc h! "

" Yo u b ray t oo m uch, " p ut i n t he D ou bt fu l D ro medary , com in g t o t he r es cu e o f h is f ri en d. " An d

d on 't yo u g et he e h au ght y w it h m e, s ir !" A nd s o t he y a rg ue d ba ck a nd f or th , t il l e ve n t he f am il y of m ic e i nt he h ay lo ft k ne w S ir H ok us w as g oi ng u po n a q ue st , a nd t he t in ie st m em be r h ad r es ol ve d t o s li p i n t he

K ni gh t' s b oo t a nd g o, t oo .

N ot hi ng e ls e w as t al ke d o f a t d in ne r t ha t n ig ht i n t he p al ac e, a nd s o i nt er es te d w er e O zm a,

D or ot hy , a nd t he o th er s, t ha t t he y s ca rc el y n ot ic ed t ha t S ir H ok us h im se lf s ai d n ev er a w or d a nd a te

h ar dl y a m ou th fu l. I nd eed, r ig ht i n t he-m id dl e o f an arg um en t as t o t he adv is ab il it y o f t ak in g w at er -p ro of s

o r j us t h ea vy c oa ts , t he K ni gh t t ipt oe d o ff t o h is o wn a pa rt me nt a nd f lu ng h im -s el f w ea ri ly d ow n o n a

s to ne b en ch . " It 's n ot t ha t I d on 't w an t t he m! " g ro an ed S ir H ok us s ad ly , " bu t h ow , w it h a n a rm y l ik e t ha t,

c an I hop e t o r es cue a da ms el , s la y a d ra go n, or c ha ll eng e a gi ant t o m or ta l c omb at ? An d h ow s ha ll I

k now t ha t I a m s ti ll b ra ve a nd f it t o do b at tl e w it h f ab ul ou s m on st er s? T he W iz ar d' s m agi c w il l ov er co meall o ur d if fi cu lt ies, S cr ap s' v er ses w il l m ak e even t he enemy l au gh , and w it h s o m an y m ai dens , h ow can I

ho pe f or a pr op er f igh t? I w oul d n ot mi nd j us t Do rot hy o r O zm a, bu t e ve ry one i n t he c as tl e! O dds bl ac k

a nd b lu e f is h! I t i s t oo m uc h! " F ol di ng hi s a rm s, S ir H ok us gl ar ed a t a l ar ge c al en da r o n h is w al l, t he n

s ud denl y s mo te h is h an ds j oy fu ll y t og et her. T hr ee d ay s b ef or e M on day, t he d ay s et b y D or ot hy f or t he

q ues t. T hr ee d ay s!

"Hah!" breathed the Knight gleefully, and again, "Hah!" Snatching up his battle-axe and seizing

h is s ec on d b es t h el me t f ro m i ts h oo k b eh in d t he d oo r, h e t ro d s of tl y i nt o t he h al l a nd d ow n a l it tl e- us ed

s tai rw ay t o t he g ar den.

A nd w hi le p reparati on s f or h is q uest w en t m er ri ly f or ward , S ir H ok us h im self , w it ho ut even

o ne s an dw ich o r ext ra s ui t o f arm or , m ar ch ed g ri ml y t hr ou gh t he n ig ht .



6/76

C HA PT ER 2

The Knight's First Adventure

W AL KI NG r ap id ly , S ir H ok us s oo n r ea ch ed t he o ut sk ir ts o f t he E me ra ld C it y a nd p au se d o n t he e dg e

of a s ma ll wood t o c ons ide r t he n ext s te p of hi s jou rne y. I n w hi ch of t he fo ur c ount ri es of Oz woul d he be

m os t l ik el y t o f in d a m ai de n i n d is tr es s, a m on ar ch i n n ee d o f h is t rus ty s wo rd , o r a m on st er f er oc io us

eno ug h t o eng ag e I n m or tal com bat?

S ho ul d h e g o t o t he N or th i nt o t he p ur pl e l an d o f t he G il li ki ns a nd o ff er h is s er vi ce s t o J oe

K in g, and Q ueen H yaci nt h? O r i nt o t he r ed Q uadl in g C ou nt ry w here G li nd a, t he G oo d S or cer es s, r ul edo ve r t he t ur bu le nt t ri be s o f t he S ou th ? T o t he W es t s tr et ch ed t he b lu e r ea lm o f t he M un ch ki ns w it h i ts

w on derf ul S ap ph ir e C it y and n ew ly app oi nt ed s ov er ei gn , C heer io bed t he F ir st , S ho ul d h e g o t here? T o

t he E as t l ay t he y el lo w d om ai n o f t he W in kl es r ul ed o ve r b y t he T in W oo dm an , a nd a ft er l oo ki ng

t ho ug ht fu ll y i n each d ir ecti on , S ir H ok us t ur ned h is s teps t ow ar d t he E as t. I t w as i n t he W in kl e C ou nt ry

t ha t h e h ad b ee n f ir st d is co ve re d b y l it tl e D or ot hy a nd i n t hi s s tr an ge a nd e nc ha nt ed E mp ir e h e h op ed t o

learn something of his former history. During his five-century imprisonment in Pokes, Sir Hokus had lost

a ll r ec ol le ct io n o f h is e ar ly l if e a nd s in ce h is r es id en ce i n t he E me ra ld C it y h e h ad b ee n t oo o cc up ie d a nd

i nt er es te d t o b ot he r. B ut n ow , t re ad in g t hr ou gh t he s ta rl it w oo d, h e b eg an t o t hi nk o f t he l on g a go d ay s o f

hi s you th, t o wo nde r whe nc e he ha d c om e, wh o h e r ea ll y wa s a nd wh at g re at pur po se h ad s ent hi m

r id in g u po n t hat f ir st q uest o n a f ar aw ay and b ut d im ly r em em bered m or ni ng . O f h is f at her o r h is f at her' s

cas tl e h e cou ld r ecal l n ot hi ng . H e o nl y r em em bered m eeti ng , n ot f ar f ro m t he p os tern g at es , a s tr an ge,black Knight who had harshly challenged him to battle. Sir Hokus had accepted the challenge at once

a nd u ns ea te d t he s tr an ge r w it h a c le ve r t hr us t o f h is l an ce . I ns ta nt ly t he b la ck K ni gh t h ad s pr un g u p, a nd

cry in g i n a l ou d v oi ce, " li ve, w retch, f or cen tu ri es i n t he s tu pi dest K in gd om i n O z, " h ad d is ap pear ed , and

S ir H ok us h im self , t ho ug h o f cou rs e t hat w as n ot h is n am e at t hat t im e, h ad b een i mm ed iately t rans po rt ed

t o P ok es a nd t he re h e h ad b ee n h el d c ap ti ve f or l on g f or go tt en a ge s u nt il D or ot hy a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n

h ad c om e t he re b y c ha nc e a nd a ll t hr ee h ad m an ag ed t o e sc ap e t og et he r.

"Strange," mused the Knight, shaking his head sorrowfully, "strange that I can remember

n ot hi ng m or e o f i t, " T he l on ger h e t ho ug ht , t he l es s h e cou ld t hi nk o f, and f in al ly h e g av e i t u p alt og et her.

" Af ter all , d oes i t m at ter?" h e m ur mu red, t hr ow in g b ack h is s ho ul ders and s tand in g a t ri fl e m or e s tr ai gh t." A Kn ight 's bu t a Kn ight a nd c an b ut b e b ol d! " Ch ee re d by t he t ho ugh t of hi s ow n bol dn es s, h e p ee re d

a bo ut h op ef ul ly f or s ig ns o f a d ra go n o r s tr ay g un de rs na tc h. " Wh at h o! " h e r oa re d l us ti ly , m or e t o k ee p

h im self com pany t han b ecaus e h e exp ected any ans wer. " Wh at h o, t here! W hat H O! "

" Wh at w ho ?" q ua ve re d a s hr il l v oi ce f ro m t he b ra nc h o f a t re e j us t a he ad , a nd a b ig , y el lo w

o wl b li nk ed d is ag re ea bl y d ow n a t h im . " Wh at w ho -o oo a re y ou , a nd w ha t ' Ho ' i s t hi s y ou a re c al li ng ?" h e

d em an de d s ul ki ly . A h, m y g oo d b ir d, " S ir H ok us b ow ed p ol it el y, " pe rc ha nc e y ou c an d ir ec t m e t o a

m ai de n i n d is tr es s, a m on ar ch i n n ee d o f m y s ha rp s wo rd , o r a m on st er w ho se h ea d I m ig ht h ap ly

d is sever " Di ss ev er ?" s cr eech ed t he o wl , r uf fl in g h is f eath er s. " Well , d id y ou ever! T here are n o m ai dens ,

mona rc hs , or mons te rs i n t hi s wood, a nd I a dvi se you t o go hom e a nd m ind your own bus ine ss ." " It i s a

K ni gh t' s b us in es s t o r en der ass is tance t o o th er s, " S ir H ok us i nf or med h im s tern ly . " Oh , y ou 'r e a K ni gh t

a re you? " The owl ope ne d his e ye s wi de r. "W ell , I 'm a Kni ght , t oo, a ni ght ow l, a nd you ma y r en de r me

a s er vi ce i f y ou w il l. "



7/76

" Name i t! " E ag er ly S ir H ok us d rew h is s wo rd . " Yo u can g o away, " s ni ff ed t he o wl f retf ul ly ,

s et tl in g d ow n o n t he b ra nc h. " Go a wa y, g o a lo ng w it h y ou !" A nd a s S ir H ok us s to od u nc er ta in w he th er

t o c li p a f ew f ea the rs f rom i ts t ai l t o t ea ch i t a l es son i n c our te sy or j us t go of f, t he bi rd c los ed i ts e ye s.

"Good-night, Knight," it yawned sleepily.

" G oo d- ni gh t, n ig ht o wl ," ans wered S ir H ok us , d ecid in g t hat aft er all t he creat ur e w as n otw or th a q ua rr el . " Od ds b od ik en s! I m ig ht a s w el l b e h om e i n b ed f or a ll t he a dv en tu re s I 'm h av in g, " h e

s ig hed, m ov in g m ou rn fu ll y alo ng i n t he m oo nl ig ht . " No t a w il d b east h as cro ss ed m y p at h, n ot a w it ch , a

r ob be r, o r e ve n o ne l it tl e d ra go n! H ah , H oh , H UM !" W it h a no th er g re at y aw n, t he K ni gh t r em ov ed h is

h ea vy a rm or , h un g i t o n a ne ar b y br an ch, a nd w ra pp in g h im se lf i n hi s g ra y c lo ak l ay d ow n u nd er a t re e

and s lept s ou nd ly t il l m or ni ng . T he chatt er o f t he y el lo w b ir ds awakened h im abo ut s ix , and b uckl in g o n

h is a rm or h e q ue nc he d h is t hi rs t i n a c le ar f or es t b ro ok . A s t he re w er e n o b re ak fa st b us he s o r a ft er no on

t ea t re es a bo ut h e m ar ch ed r es ol ut el y o nw ar d. T he f or es t g re w d en se r a t e ve ry s te p a nd h e w as o ft en

f or ce d t o he w o ut a pa th wi th hi s b at tl e- ax e, bu t a bo ut no on he c am e t o a na rr ow f oot wa y s hut i n o n

both sides by giant trees and heavy underbrush. Following this for several miles, Sir Hokus was suddenly

c he er ed b y a br ig ht s ha ft o f s un li gh t a he ad . H ur ry in g f or wa rd j oy ful ly , h e w as a bo ut t o s te p o ut i nt o t heo pe n w he n a h ea vy b an d f el l u po n h is s ho ul de r.

" Halt !" cri ed a d eep v oi ce. " Halt ! S to p! A nd o th er w or ds m eani ng s ur rend er !"

" Su rr en der?" b el lo wed t he K ni gh t, w it h a f ur io us b ou nce. " St an d b ack, k nave! U nh an d m e,

v il la in ! W ho d ar es c ry ' ha lt ' t o S ir H ok us o f P ok es ?"

" Gets om and G ot so m! " ans wered t he s am e d eep v oi ce. " Get so m and G ot su m! M ud G uard s

t o h er M aj es t y, Q ueen M ar cia o f M ar s hl an d. "

" Mu d G uard s! " s pu tt er ed S ir H ok us , s tari ng at t he t wo w it ho ut ent hu si as m. " Well , i n f ai th an'y e l oo k i t! " F or G et so m a nd G ot su m w er e s o s pa tt er ed w it h m ud a nd s tr ea ke d w it h m ir e t ha t s ca rc el y

a ny of t he ir d ar k s ki n w as v is ibl e. T he y w or e r ou gh s wa mp gr as s s ki rt s a nd l it tl e e ls e, a nd t he ir l on g h ai r

w as t an gl ed a nd m at te d a nd h un g h al f o ve r t he ir s ul le n f ac es . A s S ir H ok us c on ti nu ed t o s ta re , t he

s econ d M ud G uard add ress ed h im : " Go od -m or ro w! " h e cro ak ed , j erk in g h is f or e- lo ck . T hen t ur ni ng t o

h is com pani on h e w hi sp er ed h oars el y, " Be car ef ul h ow y ou t reat h im , G et so m, o ld f el lo w. R em em ber h e

is the King!"

"K in g! " exp lo ded S ir H ok us , g ro wi ng q ui te cur io us . " Wh at m er ry n on sens e i t t hi s? I am a

K ni gh t, b ou nd u po n a cur io us q uest ."

" He'l l d o v er y w el l i nd eed, i f w e r em ov e t he s hell ," con ti nu ed G ot so m, eyein g S ir H ok us w it h

f ra nk a pp ro va l. " Ho w w ou ld y ou l ik e t o b e M on ar ch o f t he M ar sh es a nd K in g o f t he

S ti ck -i n- th e- Mu ds ?" h e ask ed coaxi ng ly . " Ou r Q ueen h as s wo rn t o m ar ry t he f ir st s tr an ger w ho ent er s

t he K in gd om ; y ou a re t he f ir st , s o- "

" H ol d, f el lo w! " I mp er io us ly S ir H ok us r ai sed h is arm . " I w ou ld h ear m or e o f t hi s Q ueen ."

"Well," admitted Getsom, looking uneasily at Gotsum, "she has one wonderful eye."

" On e wo nd er ful e ye !" g ul pe d t he K ni gh t. " By m y f at he r' s b ea rd , i t i s n ot e nou gh ! I f I e ve r

m ar ry t wi ll be a P ri nc es s w it h t wo w on de rf ul e ye s a nd c ur ly ha ir l ik e l it tl e D or ot hy' s. B ut I a m n ot m in de d

t o m ar ry at all . I crave adv en tu re, con qu es t, and f ur io us b at tl e! "



8/76

" Marr y M ar ci a, and y ou w il l h av e all t hr ee," p ro mi sed G ot so m q ui ck ly .

"Oh, come on! You're wasting our time," grumbled Getsom, and pressing forward impatiently

t he t wo M ud G ua rd s m ad e r ea dy t o s ei ze t he K ni gh t. B ut S ir H ok us h ad n o i nt en ti on o f b ei ng t ak en .

S tr ik in g t wo w ay s a t o nc e, h e f el le d G et so m w it h h is s wo rd a nd G ot so m w it h h is ba tt le -a xe a nd , l ea pi ng

over their inert bodies, rushed impetuously forward. Almost instantly he regretted this hasty action; for

t ho ug h h e w as i nd ee d o ut o f t he g lo om y f or es t, i n a ll d ir ec ti on s s tr et ch ed a w il d a nd d es ol at e m ar sh , a nds ca rc el y h ad h e r un t hr ee p ac es b ef or e h e b eg an t o s in k d ow n i nt o t he t re ac he ro us , w at er y b og . S ir

H ok us s tr uc k o ut b ra ve ly e no ug h, b ut w ha t g oo d i s b ra ve ry i n t he m ud ? N o m at te r h ow b ra ve y ou a re ,

y ou s ti ll k ee p o n s in ki ng , a nd w ei ghe d d ow n by h is h ea vy a rm or t he K ni gh t w as s oo n i n t o h is w ai st a nd

g oi ng d ee pe r e ve ry m in ut e. I nd ee d, i f h e h ad n ot s na tc he d d es pe ra te ly a t a s cr ag gl y l it tl e t re e, h e w ou ld

have disappeared altogether.

" Meth in ks ," g ro an ed t he K ni gh t r eg retf ul ly , " meth in ks I h ad d on e b et ter t o h av e g on e w it h

t ho se m ud dy r og ue s a nd t ak en m y c ha nc e w it h t he ir o ne -e ye d Q ue en . T he y, n o d ou bt , h av e a w ay o f

cro ss in g t hi s m ir e. " B ut t he M ud G uard s w ou ld n ot r eg ai n t heir s en ses f or h ou rs , and m eanw hi le h e cou ld

d o n ot hi ng b ut cli ng t o t he t ree. " Wh at n ow ? A nd w hat n ex t?" h e m ut tered, l oo ki ng aro un d d es po nd en tl y.T hen h e t oo k a f ir mer h ol d o n h is s wo rd . " Od ds g ob li ns !" b reat hed S ir H ok us , w ri nk li ng h is b ro ws .

A ll a ro und h im gi ant b ub bl es w er e r is in g i n t he m ud , a nd f ro m e ac h bu bb le c am e a gr ea t g re en

f ro g' s h ead. O dd g ob li ns t hey w er e, i nd eed! F ro g g ob li ns , t o b e p er fectl y cor rect , and w it h h ai r- rai si ng

c ro ak s a nd s cr ee ch es t he y p re ss ed c lo se r, t ry in g t o p ul l t he K ni gh t d ow n i nt o t he m ir e. E ac h f ro g g ob li n

w as a bo ut t he s iz e o f a s ma ll c hi ld , a nd a t f ir st Si r H ok us s tr uc k t he m l ig ht ly w it h t he f la t of hi s s wo rd . B ut

as t hey cam e n earer and n earer, s natchi ng w it h t heir l on g, s ki nn y f in gers and t ry in g t o l oo sen h is h ol d o n

t he t re e, h e s wu ng h is s wor d w it h a ll hi s m ig ht a nd br ou ght i t d ow n wi th r es oun di ng w ha cks on t he ir

h ea ds , B ut a s f as t a s h e s tr uc k d ow n f ou r, a d oz en o th er s h ur le d t he ms el ve s u po n h im . H av in g o nl y o ne

ha nd f re e a nd be ing wa is t de ep i n t he mud , Si r H okus f oug ht t he m of f a s be st a s he c oul d, but t he re we re

s o m an y i t s ee me d bu t a qu es ti on o f t im e be for e he w ou ld b e pu ll ed i ng lor iou sl y i nt o t he s wa mp a nds uf fo cated. T hen, s ud denl y, r ig ht at t he h ei gh t o f t he con fl ict, t he f ro g g ob li ns , w it h a h un dr ed d is mal

c ro ak s, d ov e i nt o t he b og . P an ti ng w it h e xh au st io n, S ir H ok us g la re d a ro un d t o d is co ve r t he c au se o f

t heir d is ap pear an ce and s aw a g iant m ud t ur tl e p lo wi ng d et er mi nedl y t ow ar d h im . I ts j aw s s napp ed , i ts

e ye s r ol le d, a nd i t w as a s l ar ge a s a n e le ph an t f la tt en ed o ut .

" A m on st er !" p uf fe d S ir H ok us . " At l as t, a m on st er ! B ut I c ou ld w is h i t h ad c om e a t s om e

h ap pi er m om en t, w hen I h ad m or e b reat h and b et ter f oo ti ng !" N ev er th el es s, h e p ul led h im self r es ol ut el y

u p o ut o f t he m ud a nd , r ai si ng h is s wo rd , c al ml y w ai te d f or t he t ur tl e t o a pp ro ac h. W he n i t h ad a lm os t

r ea ch ed h is t re e, t he c re at ur e s to pp ed , s tr et ch ed u p i ts n ec k a nd r eg ar de d h im l on g a nd s ea rc hi ng ly , a s i f

i t w er e d ecid in g u po n t he b es t p lace t o b eg in b it in g h im . S ir H ok us end ur ed t hi s i ns pect io n f or s ev er alm in ut es i n s il en ce; t hen, as t he m on st er m ad e n o m ov e o r m ur mu r, h e cal led o ut i mp at ient ly :

" Qu ai l, w re tc h! Q ui ve r, o r a t l ea st d o s om et hi ng t o s ho w t ha t y ou a re a fr ai d! '

" I a m n ot a qu ai l, " a ns we re d t he t ur tl e i n a di gn if ie d vo ic e, " an d i n t hi s s he ll , ho w c ou ld I

quiver?"

"W el l, d o w ha t y ou 'r e g oi ng t o d o, t he n, " s ho ut ed t he K ni gh t, " an d b e d on e w it h i t. " L ac k o f

breakfast and the discomforts of the past few hours had not improved his temper. "Do something, d'ye

hear?"

" I am, " s ai d t he t ur tl e, b li nk in g i ts eyes s ol em nl y. " I am adm ir in g y ou , d ear b ro th er . I h av e

a lw ay s s us pe ct ed t ha t s om ew he re a t ur tl e m an e xi st ed a nd h er e, a t l as t, y ou a re ! W ha t a g or ge ou s s he ll ,



9/76

a nd h ow p er fe ct ly i t f it s! ' A t t he se w or ds , a nd s ee in g t he re w as t o b e n o s la yi ng , S ir H ok us r et ur ne d h is

s wo rd t o i ts s cabb ar d and l oo ked t ho ug ht fu ll y at t he g reen m on st er .

" Dear , d ear, " i t con ti nu ed , r ol li ng i ts eyes aff ecti on at el y, " I d ot e o n y ou alr eady . C an I cat ch

y ou s om e n ic e l it tl e f ro gs , o r w ou ld y ou p re fe r a s er pe nt f or b re ak fa st ?"

" Ne it he r, " s hu dd er ed t he K ni ght , " but y ou m ay c ar ry m e o n yo ur b ac k, i f yo u w il l. " I f t hec re at ur e w er e r ea ll y a s f ri en dl y a s i t a pp ea re d t o b e, h e c ou ld s ta nd b ei ng c al le d i ts b ro th er , a t l ea st u nt il

h e w as ou t o f t he s wa mp . A t h is w or ds t he t ur tl e g av e a s qu ea l o f p le as ur e, a nd h ur li ng i ts el f h it o r m is s

t hr ou gh t he m ud , d rew u p l ik e a f er ry bo at b es id e h im . S ei zi ng h ol d o f i ts s tr on g s hell , S ir H ok us p ul led

himself thankfully up on its back.

" A f in e K ni gh t E rr an t I m us t app ear, " h e s ig hed, r eg ar di ng h is m ud dy arm or r uefu ll y. " No

w on de r i t t hi nk s I 'm a t ur tl e m an ! W ha t h o, m y g oo d c re at ur e, " h e c al le d a nx io us ly, " is i t f ar t o t he e dg e

of this marsh?"

" Fa r- fa r- ve ry f ar , b ut n ot t oo f ar f or P lo pp a, " w he ez ed t he m ud t ur tl e, l oo ki ng f on dl y b ac k a tthe Knight.

" Th en p ro ceed , P lo pp a! " cri ed S ir H ok us , chu ck li ng i n s pi te o f h im self at t he t ur tl e' s n am e.

" Pr oc ee d, a nd l et us m ake w ha t s pe ed w e m ay !"

C HA PT ER 3

Q ueen M ar ci a o f M ar s hl an d

W IT H h is s wo rd , S ir H ok us s cr ap ed s om e o f t he m ud f ro m h is arm or ; t hen, s et ti ng h im self cro ss -l eg ged

o n P lo pp a' s b ac k, h e l oo ke d a bo ut w it h d ee p d is ta st e.

" Ar e y ou s ur e y ou w ou ld n ot l ik e t o s qu ir m alo ng b es id e m e?" i nq ui red t he t ur tl e, l oo ki ng

f on dl y o ver h is s ho ul der. " Th e m ar sh i s b eaut if ul t o- day. A h, t o f eel t he d el icio us s qu g and g lu g o f i t, " h e

murmured, rolling his eyes rapturously.

" Nay, an' I car e n ot f or t hi s g lu gg in g, " s hu dd er ed t he K ni gh t, " so s pl as h alo ng b y y ou rs el f, d ear

c re at ur e. " T ak in g s om e c he ss me n f ro m h is b oo t, S ir H ok us s et t he m o ut o n t he n ic el y m ar ke d s qu ar es o f

P lo pp a' s s he ll a nd i n t he p ro bl em s o f t he g am e t ri ed t o f or ge t h is h un ge r a nd t he s tr an ge ne ss o f h is

s it uati on . S ev er al t im es P lo pp a o pened h is m ou th t o s peak , f or h e f el t ext remely cur io us abo ut t hi s

s up er io r b ei ng h e w as car ry in g, b ut t he K ni gh t s eemed s o eng ro ss ed m ov in g t he i vo ry f ig ur es f ro m p lace

t o p la ce t ha t h e d id n ot l ik e t o i nt er ru pt a nd c hu rne d q ui et ly a lo ng s ay in g n ot hi ng . N ow a nd t he n a f ro g

g ob li n r os e f ro m t he m ud , o r a f lo ck o f w il d g ee se f le w s cr ea mi ng o ve rh ea d, b ut f or n ea rl y a n h our t he y

m et n o o ne. T hen, g lancin g u p s ud denl y, S ir H ok us s aw t wo g iant s s tr id in g acr os s t he m ar sh .

" Wh at h o, a nd w ho g oe s t he re ?" c ri ed t he K ni gh t, t hu mp in g P lo pp a o n t he h ea d w it h a r ed

king.



10/76


11/76

"The King!" they shouted, all together. "Long live the King!" And hurling the Knight upon the

f lo or o f t he h ut , t he y s to od p ro ud ly a t a tt en ti on . Q ue en M ar ci a s at c ro ss -l eg ge d o n t he f lo or , e at in g

m ar sh ma ll ow s f ro m a l ar ge b ox a t h er s id e. S he l oo ke d, a t f ir st g la nc e, l ik e a S ou th S ea I sl an de r, w it h

h er d ar k s ki n a nd s ki rt o f s wa mp g ra ss . B ut w he n S ir H ok us , w ho h ad i ns ta nt ly s pr un g t o h is f ee t, g az ed

i nt o t he f ac e o f t hi s r oya l l ady , h e wa s t oo s tun ne d t o s pe ak o r e ve n s tut te r. M ar ci a h ad , i nd ee d, o ne

w on derf ul eye. I t w as l ar ge, b ro wn , and l iv el y, t ur ni ng i n t ow ar d t he n os e. T he o th er , w hi ch w as s malla nd b lu e a nd t ur ne d i mp is hl y o ut wa rd , d id n ot c ou nt a t a ll . T he Q ue en 's h ai r h ad e vi de nt ly n eve r b ee n

com bed, and S ir H ok us i n h is w ho le s ev en cen tu ri es h ad n ot s een any on e s o b ew il deri ng ly w il d and u gl y.

A s h e s to od u ncom fo rt ab ly s hi ft in g f ro m o ne f oo t t o t he o th er , M ar ci a' s d og , a d in gy l it tl e s wamp oo dl e,

r us hed o ut and s napp ed v icio us ly at h is h eels . B ut t he K ni gh t' s arm or s er ved h im w el l, and y el pi ng w it h

pain and bad temper the swampoodle ran back to its mistress. The Queen had been examining Sir Hokus

q ui te as clo sely as h e h ad b een exami ni ng h er , and n ow , p op pi ng ano th er m ar sh mall ow i nt o h er m ou th ,

s he s po ke .

" Well , I 'l l b e s pl at tered! " m um bl ed h er M aj es ty . " I' ll b e s pl as hed and s pl at tered! W hat d o y ou

t hi nk o f h im , M ir a? M y s is te r, t he M ar ch io ne ss o f M uc ke ng oo !" e xp la in ed t he Q ue en , w it h a w av e a t t hed ar k- sk in ne d l ad y a t h er s id e. S ir H ok us b ow ed i n a d az ed f as hi on a nd M ir a, w ho w as w ea vi ng b as ke ts

f ro m d ri ed r eeds , s qu in ted cri ti call y u p at t he K ni gh t.

' Well ," s ai d M ir a, aft er a l on g, ear nest s qu in t, " if y ou d on 't m ar ry h im , s is ter, I s hall !" " Bu t

l ad ies! " p ro test ed S ir H ok us , b acki ng away i n g reat d is tr es s, " th is i s i mp os si bl e! I m us t g o-

" Si lence! " r oared M ar ci a, as w el l as s he cou ld w it h h er m ou th f ul l o f m ar sh mall ow s, " I h av e

s wo rn t o m ar ry t he f ir st s tr an ge r w ho e nt er s m y K in gd om , a nd m ar ry y ou I w il l. G ua rd s! F et ch t he

cro wn , b ri ng o n t he f oo d, and s um mo n t he g uest s! "

" Yo u alw ay s h av e t he b es t o f every th in g, " p ou ted M ir a, t hr ow in g d ow n h er r eeds . " Yo umarried the last stranger. This one is mine!" Swallowing with great difficulty, the Marchioness of

M uc ke ng oo b ur ie d h er f ac e i n h er h an dk er ch ie f a nd s ob be d a s i f h er h ea rt w ou ld b re ak .

" Bu t i f y ou r M aj es ty i s alr eady m ar ri ed ," b eg an S ir H ok us , s tepp in g f or ward h op ef ul ly , " ho w

can y ou m ar ry m e?"

" Si lence! " cri ed t he Q ueen f ur io us ly . " Sp eak w hen y ou 'r e s po ken t o, and b ow w hen y ou

s pe ak t o m e. "

" Th e l as t K in g w as a p -p eer! " s ob bed M ar ci a, com in g o ut f ro m b eh in d h er h an dk er ch ief,

" Well , w hat b ecam e o f h im ?" d em an ded t he K ni gh t, p ay in g n o att en ti on t o M ar ci a' s ang ry

gestures.

"He-he disappeared!" confided the Marchioness, beginning to sob anew.

" Oh , I exp ect h e f el l o ff h is s ti lt s and w as l os t i n t he m ud ," s ni ff ed t he Q ueen u nf eeli ng ly . " Yo u

m us t b e car ef ul w it h y ou r s ti lt s, f el lo w. B y t he w ay , w hat i s y ou r n am e?"

" Y ou s ee i n m e a K ni gh t, b ou nd u po n a c ur io us q ue st ," a nn ou nc ed S ir H ok us , r es ol ve d t o

s peak h is m in d and end t hi s r id icul ou s d is cu ss io n. " Yo u s ee-"

" Tha t w il l do, U se e! Sm ir ch! C onduc t t he Ki ng t o hi s a pa rt me nt a nd s ee t ha t he i s s er ve d a



12/76

portion of the royal duck." At the Queen's last remark, Sir Hokus brightened visibly, for he had not eaten

since the night before.

" D uc k! " m ut te re d S ir H ok us . " We ll , b es hr ew m e n ow , a ft er a p or ti on o f t he r oy al d uc k I 'l l b e.

better able to duck this whole proceeding." A glance at the door had convinced him that escape, for the

t im e b ei ng , w as i mp os si bl e. T en M ud G ua rd s h ad r ep la ce d t he f ir st s ix a nd a t a s li gh t m ov e i n t he ir

d ir ecti on all t en h ad b rand is hed t heir s ti lt s t hr eateni ng ly . S o, r es ol ved t o f al l i n w it h t he p lans o f t he Q ueenf or t he m om en t and m ak e o ff at t he f ir st o pp or tu ni ty . S ir H ok us f ol lo wed S mi rch- in to a s mall , m ean r oo m

a t t he b ac k o f t he r oya l hut . T he re wa s a r ou gh t abl e a nd c ha ir , a nd a p il e of gr as s i n t he c or ne r e vi de nt ly

s er ve d f or a b ed. W hi le t he K ni gh t w as r ef le ct in g u po n t he v er y d ou bt fu l p le as ur es o f b ei ng K in g o f t he

M ar sh , S mi rch b ro ug ht i n a h eapi ng p latt er o f d uck and , r et reat in g, l ocked t he d oo r s ecur el y b eh in d h im .

A lm os t n ev er h ad any th in g t as ted s o d el icio us and S ir H ok us , u nm in df ul o f h is d rear y s ur ro un di ng s and

h is a pp ro ac hi ng m ar ri ag e, f el l u po n t he p la tt er a nd s oo n r ed uc ed t he d uc k t o s ki n a nd b on es . T he n, m uc h

r ef re she d, he r ose up to s ee what wa s t o be done . The r oom' s one window was high a nd ba rr ed, but by

placing a chair upon the table and standing on that, he could manage to see out. What he saw filled him

w it h n ew h op e a nd c ou ra ge . A sl ee p i n t he t al l g ra ss b en ea th t he w in dow l ay t he g ia nt m ud t ur tl e.

"Good, honest, faithful creature!" puffed the Knight, looking around for something to throw at

P lo pp a. T he re w as n ot hi ng i n t he r oo m b ut t he k ni fe , f or k, a nd p la tt er . T he f ir st t wo m ad e n o i mp re ss io n,

but as the platter splintered to bits on his shell, Ploppa raised his head.

" Wh at h o! ' Wh at h o, b el ow !" w hi sp er ed t he K ni gh t, s o a s n ot t o a ro us e t he G ua rd s.

"O h, i t' s y ou, i s i t? W el l, h ow a re y ou e nj oy in g t he f igh ti ng ? I s ou r Qu ee n n ot a f am ou s

fighter?" wheezed Ploppa, blinking his eyes in an interested fashion.

" It i s no t s ee ml y f or a k ni gh t t o f ig ht wi th l adi es ," hi ss ed S ir H oku s e ar ne st ly . " And l es t I f or ge t

I a m a Kn igh t, I mus t g et he nc e. G et me he nc e a t on ce , m y goo d Pl op pa . Wo ul ds t h ave m e m ar ry aw il d- ey ed w it ch and b reak m y h ead l earn in g t o s ti lt ?"

" Bu t t hey w il l f ol lo w u s, " p an ted t he t ur tl e, p ul li ng h im self erect . S o h ug e w as t he t ur tl e t hat i t

t ow er ed a bov e t he ho us e t op a nd ha d t o b end d own t o l ook i n t he wi ndow . " Th e Q ue en wi ll n ot l et you

go"

" Br ea k m e t he se b ar s, " b re at he d S it H ok us i mp at ie nt ly . " Br ea k m e t he se b ar s a nd w e' ll g o

a nyw ay . A nd i f w e a re f ol low ed , I 'l l b re ak a f ew h ea ds . O dd s dr ago ns ! A f ew h ea ds , a nd s hi ns , a nd

wh at not s! " A s e as il y a s y ou or I w oul d b end w ax, P lopp a f or ce d t he wi nd ow ba rs a pa rt w it h hi s s tr ong

c la ws ; t he n, p ee ri ng r ou nd t o b e s ur e n ob od y w as l oo ki ng , h e p ut h is f ac e c lo se t o t he K ni gh t' s.

" I h av e j us t t ho ug ht o f s om et hi ng ," con fi ded t he t ur tl e h oars el y. " Wh en I r et ur n and cal l t hr ee

t im es , b e r ea dy t o j um p! " B ef or e S ir H ok us c ou ld s to p h im o r a sk a bo ut h is p la n, t he g re at m ud t ur tl e

w as f lo pp in g a t a gr ea t pa ce a cr os s t he m ar sh .

C HA PT ER 4

P lo pp a a nd S ir H ok us E sc ap e



13/76

G LO OM IL Y S ir H ok us c li mb ed d ow n f ro m t he t ab le . I f h e j um pe d b ef or e P lo pp a' s r et ur n,

h e c ou ld o nl y r ea ch t he e dg e o f t he c le ar in g a nd t he n s in k i nt o t he t re ac he ro us m ud . B ut s up po se t he

t ur tl e w as t oo l at e? I n g re at a gi ta ti on h e p ac ed u p a nd d ow n t he n ar ro w r oo m. P re pa ra ti on s f or t he

w ed di ng w er e g oi ng f or ward b ri sk ly , j ud gi ng f ro m t he t hu mp s and b an gs and excit ed s hr ieks o n t he o th er

s ide o f t he doo r. " A pr et ty ke tt le o f bl ue f is h! " f um ed S ir Hokus , wh o, l ike mos t of t he r es t of us , ha do ft en d re am ed o f h is o wn w ed di ng a nd p ic tu re d a n a ff ai r o f g re at p om p a nd m ag ni fi ce nc e. " No t a c ak e

no r a c as tl e i n t he w ho le K ing do m. Li ke a s no t t he re 'l l be m ud pi e. N ot a t un e- not a d an ce s te p. A nd

s uc h a b ri de !" C li mbi ng o n t he t ab le a ga in , b e s ta re d a nx io us ly o ut o f t he w in do w. A ll a ro un d t he Q ue en 's

h ut l it tl e b lack p ig s g ru nt ed and s qu ealed. I n t he d is tance h e s aw s ev er al cow s o n s ti lt s n ib bl in g h un gr il y at

t he t re e t ops , but n ow he re i n t ha t w ho le dr ea ry w as te c ou ld he c at ch s o mu ch a s a g li mps e o f Pl oppa . Si r

Hokus tried to imagine himself King of the Marshes, wobbling about uncomfortably on stilts, pointing out

t he s ig ht s t o D or ot hy o r B et ts y B ob bi n, b ut t he m er e t ho ug ht o f M ar ci a f or a Q ue en m ad e h is h ea rt

t hu mp s o h ar d i t r at tl ed a ll hi s a rm or . " As s oon a s t ha t do or op ens , I 'l l ma ke a d as h f or i t," he de ci de d

de sp er at el y, " 'a nd woe t o t he ma n wh o s ta nds i n m y wa y! " Bu t i t wa s not a m an wh o s to od i n t he d oor

w he n i t d id o pe n, b ut M ar ci a h er se lf , s ur ro un de d b y a b ev y o f m ar sh m ai de ns . H er b ro wn e ye r ol le dr oun d a nd r ou nd w it h e xc it em en t, a nd i n h er a rm s s he c la sp ed a h ug e bo uq ue t o f t ig er l il ie s a nd c at ta il s.

"Approach, Usee!" croaked this frightful apparition. "Approach and salute your Queen!"

"Avaunt, woman!" rasped Sir Hokus, backing rapidly toward the window. "Avaunt, wench,

and com e n ot n ear! " T ho ug h M ar ci a r ep el led h im u tt er ly , t he K ni gh t cou ld n ot b ri ng h im self t o p us h h er

a si de a nd f ig ht hi s w ay t hr ou gh t he m ar sh m ai de ns t o t he do or . Q ue en M ar ci a h ad n o s uc h ni ce f ee li ng s

t o h ol d h er b ac k a nd , i nf ur ia te d b y t he K ni gh t' s r em ar ks , s he r us he d u po n h im a nd b ro ug ht h er b ou qu et

d ow n s o ha rd u po n h is h el me t t ha t t ig er l il ie s a nd c at -t ai ls f le w i n e ve ry di re ct io n. I a m n ot s ur e ho w l on g

S ir H oku s w ou ld h av e s ubm it te d t o he r pu mm el in g, o r w he the r h e w oul d no t i n t im e ha ve b ro ke n hi s

K ni gh tl y v ow s a nd s tr uc k o ut a t t hi s m ar sh m ai de n, bu t a t t hi s i ns ta nt t hr ee s hr il l c al ls s ou nde d a t t hewi ndow . I n one l ea p he wa s up on t he t abl e, i n a not he r, o n t he c ha ir .

" Lady !" b oo med S ir H ok us , p ul li ng h im self u p o n t he l ed ge and k is si ng h is m ai led g lo ve t o t he

Q ueen o f t he M ar sh es . " Lady , f ar ew el l! " H eadl on g h e d ov e t hr ou gh t he w in do w and , ami d t he s cr eech es

o f t he S ti ck -i n- th e- Mu ds , d is ap pear ed. T he s ho ck o f h is l an di ng o n P lo pp a' s h ar d s hell r en der ed h im

s pe ec hl es s f or s ev er al s ec on ds , a nd b y t he t im e h e h ad r eg ai ne d h is b re at h a nd h is b al an ce , P lo pp a h ad

r each ed t he edg e o f t he clear in g and p lu ng ed j oy fu ll y i nt o t he i mp en et rabl e s wamp .

" A l ucky and t im el y escap e! " p an ted S ir H ok us , p eeri ng exp ectant ly aro un d f or s ig ns o f t he

enemy . " Ho w, n ow ? D oes n o m an p ur su e?"

" Tr us t P lo pp a f or t hat, " g ru nt ed t he t ur tl e, l oo ki ng b ack w it h a chu ck le. " I' ve k no ck ed d ow n all

t he s ti lt s f or m il es aro un d and t ramp ed t hem i nt o t he m ir e. A f in e t im e t hey' ll h av e m ak in g n ew o nes! "

" Yo u d id ?" r oared t he K ni gh t, f eeli ng m or e r eall y cheer fu l t han h e h ad f el t s in ce h e l ef t t he

E me ra ld C it y. " Ho ! H o! H o! T hi s i s c ap it al , m y d ea r P lo pp a! E xc el le nt a nd g ra nd .' S ir H ok us b en t n ea rl y

doubl e a t t he ef for t of a t re e- dwe lle r t o dr aw his s ti lts out of t he mud wi th a f ishi ng li ne . And it wa s

com ical i nd eed t o s ee M ar ci a and h er cou rt m ar oo ned o n t he t in y clear in g s ur ro un di ng h er h ut , m ak in g

f ierce g es tu res and s ho ut in g f or t he K ni gh t t o r et ur n. F ro m every t reeh ou se t hey p as sed,

S ti ck -i n- th e- Mu ds s cr ea me d a nd s co ld ed , b ut P lo pp a h ad d on e h is w or k s o w el l t ha t t he y w er e f or ce d

t o s ti ck t o t he ir t re es a nd w er e p ow er le ss t o p re ve nt t he ir n ew K in g f ro m e sc ap in g.

" I cou ld l ov e y ou f or t hi s! ' b eamed t he K ni gh t, t hu mp in g P lo pp a aff ecti on at el y o n t he s hell .



14/76

" Th en y ou w on 't l eave t he s wamp ?" cri ed t he t ur tl e, w it h a l it tl e f lo un ce o f excit em en t. " Do s ay

t ha t you wi ll re ma in. I 'l l fi nd you a dr y spot for a hut, br ing you a ll t he f rogs you c an e at, c arr y you

every wh er e o n m y b ack, and w hen y ou w is h t o f ig ht t here are alw ay s S ti ck -i n- th e- Mu ds h an dy ."

" Na y! N ay !" s ig he d S ir H ok us , g ro wi ng s ob er a t t he m er e t ho ug ht o f s uc h a n e xi st en ce . " I

m us t go f or wa rd a nd ne ve r s ha ll I r es t t il l I h ave s av ed a ma id en, s er ve d a m ona rc h, a nd de st roye d am on st er . I m us t g o on . On , a nd on , a nd on !" P lo pp a m ad e no a ns we r, b ut t wo bi g t ea rs t ri ck le d do wn

h is c he ek s a nd f el l w it h a g re at s pl as h i nt o t he b og .

" Yo u c om e w it h m e, " b eg ge d t he K ni gh t i n g re at d is tr es s. " Co me w it h m e a nd s ee t he w or ld ,

d ear P lo pp a. " " Wi ll t here b e p lent y o f m ud ?" cho ked t he p oo r t ur tl e, con tr ol li ng h is s ob s w it h d if fi cu lt y.

" Well , t hat I can no t p ro mi se," s ig hed t he K ni gh t, s haki ng h is h ead d ou bt fu ll y. " Bu t t here w il l b e

r iv er s and s tr eams and p lent y o f f resh s ho wers ."

" Bu t I m us t h av e m ud ," i ns is ted t he t ur tl e s or ro wf ul ly , " pl en ty o f g oo d, t hi ck , w et m ud ,"

" An d I m us t h av e adv en tu re," d eclared S ir H ok us , l oo ki ng w it h a s hu dd er o ver t he col d f og gy

m ar sh f il led w it h t he d is mal cro ak in g o f f ro g g ob li ns and t he s ig h o f a d es ol at e w in d i n t he s tr ag gl y t rees .

" I m us t h av e adv en tu re and t he g li tt er and g lo ry o f s tr an ge, g lamo ro us p laces. "

" I m us t h av e m ud a nd y ou m us t h ave a dv en tu re . O h, w hy ," w ai le d P lo pp a, w it h a s mot he re d

s ob , " ca nn ot p eo pl e w ho l ik e e ac h o th er l ik e t he s am e t hi ng s? I l on g t o g o w it h y ou , b ut I c an no t l iv e

without mud,"

"W el l, I hope t he re i s mor e ma gi c a nd le ss m ud i n t he ne xt c ount ry I c ome t o," s ai d Si r Hokus ,

w it h a s li gh t s hi ve r, N ow t he n ex t c ou nt ry , a s i t h ap pe ne d, w as q ui te c lo se , on ly h id de n b y t he t hi ck f ogf ro m t he K ni gh t' s cur io us g aze. A nd p resent ly P lo pp a, d ragg in g h im self o ut o f t he s wamp , s et h im d ow n

on t he edge of a wi de ye ll ow pl ai n.

" Go od -b ye!" g ur gl ed P lo pp a, w in ki ng f as t t o k eep f ro m cry in g again . " Go od -b ye! I 'l l n ev er i f

forget you."

" No r I , y ou , m y b ra ve f el lo w. " L ea ni ng d ow n, S ir H ok us g av e t he s li pp er y t ur tl e a h ug -o r a s

m uc h o f a h ug a s h e c ou ld m ana ge w it h a m on st er s o hu ge a nd u nw ie ldy . " Do n' t g ri ev e, " h e b egg ed

earnestly, "for I will return! I will return," he promised, raising his sword solemnly, "anon!" Then, because

h e w as n ot f ee li ng a ny t oo c he er fu l hi ms el f, h e s tr od e q ui ck ly a cr os s t he pl ai n, f or i n t he d is ta nc e h e c ou ldjust descry the gleaming turrets of a strange, tall castle.

" An on ! H e w il l r et ur n ano n! " s tr an gl ed p oo r P lo pp a, s et tl in g w it h a t ir ed f lo p i nt o t he m ud .

" An on ? A no n? H ow l on g i s t hat, p ray?"

C HA PT ER 5

Concerning a Camel



15/76

"ANY tidings, Tuzzle?" Pushing back his yellow turban, the Sultan of Samandra looked

anx io us ly at h is G rand V izier. W it ho ut s peak in g, T uzzl e s ho ok h is h ead. " Wh at ? N o t id in gs !" y el led t he

S ul tan, h al f r is in g f ro m h is g reat cus hi on ed t hr on e. " Th en w oe i s m e- sh e, y ou , h er , i t, u s, and t hem?" T he

S ul ta n' s v oi ce r os e t o a s hr il l s cr ea m, a nd s in ki ng b ac k o n h is e mb ro id er ed c us hi on s h e b eg an t o r oc k t o

a nd f ro a nd b ea t h im se lf v io le nt ly on t he c he st . " Wo e! W oe ! W oe , I t el l y ou !"

" I a m n ot a h or se a nd c an no t w ho a, b ut I w il l d o a ny th in g e ls e t ha t y ou r M aj es ty s ug ge st s, "

murmured Tuzzle, folding his hands calmly on his broad stomach.

"Then summon that scoundrelly Seer and fetch the Imperial Puppy!" commanded the Sultan in

a c ho ke d v oi ce . T uz zl e i nc li ne d hi s h ea d g ra nd ly , f or h e w as a v er y G ra nd V iz ie r, s o g ra nd , i n f ac t, t ha t

he ne ve r di d anythi ng hims elf b ut c la pp ed h is h an ds t wi ce a nd , t o t he s ma ll s la ve s w ho a pp ea re d,

c om mu ni ca te d t he o rd er s o f t he S ul ta n. I n f iv e s ha ke s o f a y el lo w f ez t he s la ve s r et ur ne d, o ne u sh er in g i n

C hi nd a, t he S ee r, t he o th er b ea ri ng u po n a s at in c us hi on C on fi do , a t in y P ek in es e a nd t he I mp er ia l P up py

o f t he R ea lm . T he s ig ht o f t he p ro ud l it tl e d og s ee me d t o c al m t he S ul ta n c on si de ra bl y. H ol di ng i t c lo se t oh is r ou nd , m oo n- li ke f ace, h e w hi sp er ed excit ed ly i nt o o ne o f i ts l on g, s il ky ear s. T he l it tl e d og n od ded

u nd er st an di ng ly f ro m t im e t o t im e b ut s ai d n ot hi ng , p ar tl y b ecau se i t h ad n ot hi ng t o s ay and p ar tl y

because it could not talk, even if it had. Though Samandra is in the wonderful Kingdom of Oz, the

ani mals t here d o n ot h av e t he g if t o f s peech l ik e ani mals i n m os t o th er O z cou nt ri es , and u nf or tu nately

c an no t c onv er se a t a ll . P er ha ps t hi s i s w hy t he Su lt an m ad e t he l it tl e do g h is s ol e c on fi da nt , t ol d i t a ll hi s

wo rr ie s, s ec re ts o f s ta te , a nd pl an s. An e xc el le nt i de a, w he n you c om e t o t hi nk of i t, a nd one ma ny a

m on ar ch m ig ht f ol lo w w it h g oo d r es ul ts , f or s ec re ts o ne t el ls a d og g o n o f ur th er , a nd C on fi do n ev er

betrayed his Royal Master's confidences. After whispering earnestly, the Sultan set the dog on his knee

and g lared f iercely d ow n at C hi nd a, t he P ro ph et .

" So! " h e h is se d c on te mp tu ou sl y. " You c al l y ou rs el f a S ee r a nd y et f or t en y ea rs y ou h av e b ee ns eeki ng m y l os t cam el w it ho ut s uccess . A ct in g u po n y ou r m is gu id ed adv ice w e h av e s en t cou ri er s h er e,

t he re , a nd e ve ry wh er e, s ea rc hi ng f or t hi s v al ua bl e c re at ur e a nd s ti ll , s ti ll , h e i s l os t t o u s! N ev er h ad I s o

c om for ta bl e a s te ed, s o b ea ut eo us a be as t. H e wa s a ve ry K in g of C am el s; n ot o ne i n my wh ol e he rd

c om pa re s w it h h im , a nd y et y ou , C hi ef P ro ph et a nd S ee r o f S am an dr a, a ll ow ed h im t o b e l os t i n a

s an ds to rm and n ev er r ecov er ed at all ."

" Th e s an ds to rm w as n ot m y d oi ng ," o bs er ve d C hi nd a s ti ff ly . " I a m a S ee r a nd n ot a w ea th er

prophet, your Highness."

"A S ee r, a S ee r! W hy, yo u s er e a nd c as t- of f y el low l ea f o f a de ad a nd b li ght ed t re e, h av e yo unothing more to say for yourself?"

" Y ou r M aj es ty s eems t o h av e cov er ed t he s it uati on ," ans wered C hi nd a, d rawi ng h is clo ak

abo ut h im w it h a d ig ni fi ed g es tu re. " Th ou gh w hy t he l os s o f o ne w retched cam el s ho ul d cau se y ou s uch

u nh ap pi ness i s a m ys tery t o y ou r h um bl e s er vant . H av e y ou n ot h el d u nd is pu ted s way o ver t he g reat

K in gd om o f S am an dr a f or s ev en cen tu ri es ? D id y ou n ot , f iv e h un dr ed y ears ago , b y a m ag ic u nr ev ealed

to your illustrious advisors, conquer the neighboring Kingdoms of Corabia and Corumbia? Verily, the

C or ab ia ns a nd C or um bi an s a re n o m or e; a ll t he ir l an d a nd t re as ur e a re a dd ed t o y ou r r ic he s, a nd y et , f or

t he l as t t en y ears , y ou h av e d on e n ot hi ng b ut g ri ev e f or a m is er ab le, m ot h- eaten, w ob bl y- kn eed cam el !

A nd I ," C hi nd a t hu mp ed h im self g lo om il y u po n t he chest , " ho w I h av e s uf fered! M y l ef t eye h as a

permanent squint from staring through the magic telescope for signs of this tiresome creature. My right

e ar h as b ec om e f la tt en ed o ut a nd u nc ur le d l is te ni ng t o t he u nd es er ve d a nd c on ti nu ou s a bu se o f a o nc e

k in dl y s ov er ei gn . I b eg t ha t y ou r E xc el le nc y w il l p er mi t m e t o r et ir e a nd g o t o s om e f ar c oun tr y w he re I



16/76

m ay n ev er h ea r t he w or d ' ca me l' a ga in . B ut b ef or e I g o- " C hi nd a r ai se d h is v oi ce d ef ia nt ly , " be fo re I g o,

l et me s ay thi s: The c ame l you se ek is i n the Eme ral d Ci ty i n the Roya l St able of Quee n Oz ma of Oz .

S ca rc e t en m in ut es a go I s aw h im t hr oug h a n ew l ens i n m y m ag ic t el es cop e.

" Em er al d C it y! M y d ea r, d ea r f el lo w, w hy d id y ou n ot s ay s o b ef or e? " T uc ki ng t he I mp er ia l

P ek e u nd er h is a rm a nd f ai rl y r ol li ng do wn t he s te ps o f h is t hr one , t he S ul ta n f lu ng b ot h a rm s a ro un d

C hi nd a and h ug ged h im h eart il y, " Yo u are a S eer amo ng s eers , a w iz amo ng w izar ds ," p an ted t he l it tl emonarch joyfully. "I hereby promote you to Magician Extraordinary and Grand Bozzywoz of the Realm."

W hi le C hi nd a w as r ec ove ri ng f ro m t he s ho ck o f h is s ud de n p ro mo ti on , a nd f ee li ng h is r ib s t o s ee t ha t

n on e w er e c ra ck ed , t he S ul ta n s pu n r ou nd l ik e a f at l it tl e t op .

" Pr ep ar e f or a j ou rn ey a t o nc e, h e c om ma nd ed , w av in g h is s ce pt er a t T uz zl e. " Or de r t he

R oy al S am pa n! Y ou s ai l a t d aw n d ow n t he W in ki e R iv er t o t he c ap it al o f O z. H av e t he C hi ef C am el

D ri ve r g iv e y ou a g ol de n h al te r t o b ri ng t he g oo d b ea st h om e, a nd m or eo ve r a nd f ur th er mo re ," t he

S ul ta n' s v oi ce r os e t o a n a nx io us s qu ea k " se e t ha t h e i s w ea ri ng t he s am e h ar ne ss a nd s ad dl e s ac ks t ha t

h e w or e w hen h e l ef t u s, esp eciall y t he s ad dl e s acks !" f in is hed h is E xcel lency, s haki ng h is f in ger u nd er

Tuzzle's nose.

"Very well, your Highness," sighed Tuzzle resignedly, "but I will require a gold embroidered

r ob e a nd t we nt y s la ve s t o w ai t upo n m e t ha t I ma y pr op er ly r ep re se nt t he Sul ta n of Sa ma ndr a a t t he

C ou rt o f O z. "

" Tw en ty f id dl es ti ck s! " f um ed t he S ul tan, s tamp in g h is f oo t. " Be r eady t o s ai l at d aw n o r I 'l l s et

yo u t o wo rk i n t he s ul fu r mi ne s.

"That," murmured Tuzzle calmly, "would certainly undermine my constitution, so I shall be

r ea dy . B ut s upp os e t hi s c ur io us c am el i s n ot i n t he E me ra ld C it y? S up po se t hi s i s j us t a no th er f al se v is io n

o f o ur p recio us P ro ph et ?"

" We 'l l t al k a bo ut t ha t w he n y ou r et ur n, " s ai d t he S ul ta n, p an ti ng u p t he s te ps o f h is t hr on e a nd

dropping heavily on his yellow cushions.

"And meanwhile, I'm the Grand Bozzywoz," exulted Chinda, brushing rudely past the Grand

V iz ie r. " I' ll h ea d a ll t he p ro ce ss io ns a nd t ak e o rd er s f ro m n o o ne b ut h is S up re me E xc el le nc y! W ay f or

t he G rand B ozzy wo z! W ay , I t el l y ou !"

" Th er e, t he re , n ot t oo b oz zy !" w ar ne d t he S ul ta n, a s C hi nd a p us he d T uz zl e o ut o f h is p at h a nd

s tr od e h au gh ti ly f ro m t he t hr on e r oo m, T hen, as t he G rand V izier, m ut teri ng w it h v ex at io n, r us hed i n t heopposite direction, the Sultan hugged Confido tightly to his breast.

S tu pi d f oo ls !" w heezed t he f at s ov er ei gn b reat hl es sl y. " Th ey t hi nk I w an t t he cam el . I t' s n ot t he

c am el w e w an t, l it tl e t re as ur e, b ut w ha t' s i n t he c am el 's l ef t- ha nd s ad dl e s ac k. W it ho ut t ha t p ac ka ge I a m

l os t, r ui ne d, d on e f or . H ow m uc h l on ge r m us t I w ai t a nd w or ry ? W hy , o h, w he re fo re d id I e ve r l et t ha t

package out of my hands or ever stow it in such a place?" Confido shook his head and licked the Sultan

s ym path et ical ly o n t he n os e, and m uch com fo rt ed h is M aj es ty t hu mp ed u po n t he g ol den g on g at h is s id e

a nd c al le d i n a l ou d v oi ce f or h is a ft er no on c of fe e.

M ea nw hi le , s o w el l w er e t he o rd er s o f t he v er y G ra nd V iz ie r c ar ri ed o ut t ha t w he n t he o ra ng e

c re sc en t m oo n r os e o ve r t he t ur re ts a nd d om es o f t he S ul ta n' s c it y, t he R oy al S am pa n, f ul ly l oa de d a nd

r eady f or t he j ou rn ey , t ug ged i mp at ient ly at i ts g ol den chain . N ot o ne, b ut t went y s at in r ob es f or T uzzl e,

t we nt y f in e e mb ro id er ed s ha wl s a s a g if t f or O zm a o f O z, t we nt y r oa st f ow l a nd t we nt y b as ke ts o f



17/76

provisions had been stowed in the cushioned cabin of the ship. Under the orange awnings forward, a

t re me nd ou s d ec k c ha ir h ad b ee n p la ce d f or t he G ra nd V iz ie r, a nd a t ab le b es id e t he c ha ir w as h ea pe d

w it h apr icot s, f ig s, d at es , o rang es , alm on ds , and s weet meat s o f every d es cr ip ti on , f or T uzzl e h ad n o

intention of starving on the voyage. Rubbing his hands complacently, the Grand Vizier regarded

every th in g w it h b land app ro val, f or h e ant icip at ed a t ranq ui l and p leas an t t ri p and h ad alw ay s w is hed t o

v is it t he c ou rt o f O zm a. T ho ug h n o o ne i n t he E me ra ld C it y h ad e ve r h ea rd o f S am an dr a, t he

S am an dr an s, b ei ng o ne o f t he m os t a nc ie nt r ac es i n a ll O z, k ne w a ll a bo ut t he E me ra ld C it y a nd t hef am ou s f ol k w ho l iv ed t he re . S am an dr a, y ou m us t k no w, l ie s a t t he v er y t op o f t he W in ki e C ou nt ry ,

bordered on the North by the Deadly Desert and on the South by the Winkie River, and is directly

between the Kingdoms of Corabia and Corumbia. But for five hundred years all three countries have

been under the rule of the wily Sultan, who by some strange magic conquered both of his kingly

n ei gh bo rs , s to le all t heir t reas ur es , and t rans fo rm ed all t heir s ub ject s. C ar ry in g m os t o f t he t reas ur e b y

c ar av an t o S am an dr a, h e l et t he c on qu er ed K in gd om s s ev er el y a lo ne a nd u nc ar ed f or , a nd d es er te d t he y

h av e l ai n f or l on g d us ty cen tu ri es , t heir l it tl e v il lages o verg ro wn w it h w eeds , and t heir s tately cap it al s f as t

f al li ng t o r ui n and d ecay .

S am an dr a i ts el f, t ho ug h l ar gely m ad e u p o f a g ol den- sand ed d es er t, h as m an y f er ti le v al leysand plains-lovely flowerful spots, gay in the spring with daffodils and lotus, having an abundance of

o ra ng e g ro ve s, d at e, pa lm a nd f ig t re es -s o t ha t l if e t he re i s v er y l az y a nd l uxu ri ou s. T ho ug h m os t of t he

Sa ma ndr ans a re mo re t ha n s ev en c ent ur ie s o ld, t he y d o no t s ho w t he ir a ge a t a ll a nd a re a s h app y a nd

h an ds om e a p eo pl e a s y ou c ou ld w is h t o f in d a ny wh er e. T he S ul ta n h im se lf w as a s h ap py a s a ny , e xc ep t

f or o ccas io nal s pell s o f r em or se w hen h e t ho ug ht o f h is w icked t reat ment o f t he C or um bi an s and

C or ab ians . B ut even t hi s d id n ot s er io us ly i nt er fere w it h h is p leas ur e u nt il h e l os t h is f av or it e cam el i n a

s ud de n s an ds to rm . S in ce t he n h e h ad n ot k no wn a p ea ce fu l m om en t a nd h ad s o h ar as se d h is s la ve s, h is

att en dant s, and adv is or s, t hat l if e i n t he y el lo w cas tl e h ad b ecom e w el l- ni gh u nb earabl e.

" Bu t n ow ," t ho ug ht t he f at l it tl e r as cal, r ol li ng o ff h is s il ken cou ch l on g b ef or e s un up , " no w all

m y w or ri es a re o ve r. I n t hr ee o r f ou r d ay s t hi s w re tc he d b ea st w il l b e s af el y r es to re d t o m e. " P ic ki ng u pC on fi do , h e t ol d t he l it tl e d og i n a n e ar ne st w hi sp er j us t w he re h e w ou ld s to w t he p re ci ou s p ac ka ge o nc e

i t w as i n hi s ha nds a ga in. T he n, w it ho ut w ai ti ng f or hi s bo dy s er va nt s t o c om e a nd d re ss h im , h e s tr ugg le d

i nt o h is r oy al r ob es , a nd w it h e ac h o f h is y el lo w s ho es on t he w ro ng f oo t s hu ff le d d ow n t o t he W in ki e

R iv er t o s pe ed T uz zl e u po n h is m is si on . B y t he t im e h e r ea ch ed t he r oy al d oc k, t he o ra ng e s ai ls o f t he

s am pa n w er e s na pp in g i n t he w in d. T uz zl e, ha vi ng gi ve n or de rs t o c as t o ff , w as a lr ea dy a sl ee p i n t he

d ec k c ha ir f or wa rd , f an ne d b y t en o f h is f ai th fu l s er vi to rs . A t t he S ul ta n' s l ou d c ri es h e o pe ne d o ne e ye

and waved his plump hand reassuringly.

" Befo re t he f ir e d ies f ou r t im es u po n t he h eart hs to nes, w e w il l r et ur n w it h t he s acred cam el ,"

promised the Grand Vizier in his oily voice. And while Confido barked and the Sultan called furtherf ra nt ic o rd er s a nd e nt re at ie s, t he R oy al S am pa n s li pp ed s mo ot hl y r ou nd a b en d i n t he r iv er a nd

d is app ea re d. I f yo u h av e a n O z m ap h an dy , y ou w il l s ee t ha t t he W in ki e R ive r w in ds i n a l az y f as hi on

t hr ou gh t he G re at Em pi re o f t he E as t, t ur ni ng h er e a nd t he n t he re t il l i t c om es f in al ly t o t he o ut ski rt s o f t he

E merald C it y i ts el f. D ri ft in g g en tl y w it h t he t id e, T uzzl e and h is t went y s laves arr iv ed a l it tl e b e- fo re

s un do wn on t he s ec on d e ve ni ng a t O zm a' s l ove ly c ap it al . T yi ng t he ir b oa t t o a w il lo w o n t he e dg e o f t he

s tr ea m, t he S am an dr an s s te pp ed a sh or e, a nd T uz zl e, a rr ay ed i n h is g ra nd es t g ar b, p re pa re d t o p re se nt

hi ms el f t o t he r ul er of a ll O z.

C HA PT ER 6



18/76

T uzz le a t t he Cour t of Oz

A BO UT f if te en m in ut es l at er , B et ts y a nd D or ot hy , l oo ki ng u p f ro m a g am e o f c ro qu et o n t he p al ac e

l aw n, d ro pp ed t heir g ol d m al lets and s im pl y s tared, f or m ov in g t ow ar d t hem u nd er t he l im e- dr op t reeswas a perfectly amazing procession. First came eight flowering orange branches, tall, splendid slaves

bearing then the very Grand Vizier of Samandra in a very grand sedan chair, carried by four more slaves;

back of him stepped the eight other slaves bearing the twenty embroidered shawls. Tuzzle, on his part,

w as a s a ma ze d a s t he l it tl e g ir ls , f or t ho ug h h e w as a cc us to me d t o c om fo rt a nd e ve n e le ga nc e a t t he

S ul ta n' s c ou rt , t he E me ra ld C it y s o s ur pa ss ed i n b ea ut y a nd m ag ni fi ce nc e a ny p la ce h e h ad e ve r s ee n o r

v is it ed t hat h e h ad d on e n ot hi ng b ut g ru nt and exclaim w it h adm ir at io n and s ur pr is e as h e w as r ap id ly

borne along the jeweled streets of Ozma's lovely capital. By the time he reached the castle itself, he had

barely breath enough to speak.

" Pr in cess "' p uf fed t he G rand V izier, as h is chair cam e o pp os it e D or ot hy , w ho m h e i ns tant lyr ecog ni zed, " Pr in cess , I w ou ld s peak w it h t he Q ueen o f O z. "

"Certainly! Certainly!" stuttered Dorothy, reaching up hastily for her crown, which she had

h un g o n t he b ra nc h o f a t ul ip t re e, w hi le B et ts y i n h er i nt er es t a nd e xc it em en t t ri pp ed o ve r a w ic ke t a nd

s at d ow n. B ut p icki ng h er self u p q ui ck ly t he l it tl e g ir l r an ahead t o ann ou nce t he arr iv al o f d is ti ng ui sh ed

v is it or s, s o t ha t b y t he t im e t he p ro ce ss io n r ea ch ed t he c as tl e, O zm a w as a lr ea dy s ea te d u po n h er t hr on e,

waiting with dignity to welcome them.

"Your Majesty," began Tuzzle, stepping pompously from the sedan chair and bending himself

alm os t i n h al f, " hi s S er en e H ig hn es s, t he S ul tan o f S am an dr a, s en ds y ou h is r oy al l oy al g reet in gs and

salutations."

"The greetings of his Highness are graciously received," answered Ozma kindly, though she

h ad n eve r he ar d o f t he S ul ta n i n h er w hol e l if e. " An d w ha t i s i t h is S er en e H ig hne ss d es ir es o f u s? " s he

i nq ui red, w it h a cur io us g lance at t he S am an dr an s laves. L on g exp er ience at r ul in g h ad t au gh t h er t hat

strange sovereigns seldom sent gifts unless they wanted something in return.

"His Highness," continued Tuzzle, a little embarrassed by Ozma's frank query, "desires nothing

m or e v al ua bl e t ha n a c am el . T hi s c am el w as l os t i n a g re at s an ds to rm a nd ha s b ee n m is si ng t en l on g y ea rs

f ro m t he r oy al h er d. I t i s t he f av or it e m ou nt o f h is E xc el le nc y, s o k in d a nd c om fo rt ab le a c re at ur e t ha t

s in ce i ts l os s o ur s ov er ei gn h as b een i ncon so labl e. A ft er cou nt less u ns uccess fu l s earches, C hi nd a, o ur Chi ef Pr oph et a nd Se er ha s, wi th t he a id of a ma gi c t el es cop e, c aught a gl imp se of t he be as t i n your

M aj es ty 's s tabl e. " C as ti ng d ow n h is eyes, T uzzl e w ai ted anx io us ly f or O zm a t o s peak .

" Why , i t m us t b e t he C om fo rt ab le C am el S ir H ok us b ro ug ht t o t he E me ra ld C it y l on g a go !"

exclaim ed D or ot hy , w it h a l it tl e h op o f excit em en t, " Co me o n, l et 's g o ask h im ."

" Well , i t w il l d o n o h ar m, " ans wered O zm a, r eadi ly eno ug h. " An d i f o ur C om fo rt ab le C am el

r ea ll y b el on gs t o t he S ul ta n o f S am an dr a, a nd r ea ll y w is he s t o r et ur n t o h is m as te r, I s ee n o r ea so n w hy

h e s ho ul d n ot d o s o, t ho ug h w e' ll b e s or ry i nd ee d t o l os e h im ."

"Very good, your Highness!" mumbled Tuzzle, who was a little confused by the informal

procedure at Ozma's court. Scraps, Trot, and the Scarecrow were playing leap frog at one end of the

t hr one r oom . Ti k Tok a nd t he Co wa rd ly L ion we re r un ni ng r ac es a t t he ot he r, a nd a ll t he r es t of t he



19/76

c el eb ri ti es w er e g ro up ed a bo ut t he L os t K in g a nd t he S ol di er w it h G re en W hi sk er s, w ho w er e i n t he

m id st o f a n e xc it in g ga me o f c he ck er s. B ut w he n O zm a a nd t he G ra nd V iz ie r s ta rt ed f or t he R oy al

S tabl es , t hey all s to pp ed w hat t hey w er e d oi ng and t ro op ed alo ng , cau si ng T uzzl e m uch anx iety and

uneasiness by their boisterous skips, vigorous claps upon the back, and continuous friendly questioning.

B ut w hen t he com pany r each ed t he s tall u su al ly o ccup ied b y t he C om fo rt ab le C am el , i t w as emp ty , and

t ho ug h g ro om s and s tabl e b oy s w er e d is patched i n every d ir ecti on , n o t race o f t he k in dl y creat ur e cou ld

be found. The Doubtful Dromedary knew nothing of his whereabouts, and when a page was sent toq ue st io n S ir H ok us , h e r ep or te d t ha t t he G oo d K ni gh t o f O z w as a ls o m is si ng f ro m h is a pa rt me nt . I t w as ,

a s a m at te r o f f ac t, t he d ay a ft er S ir H ok us h ad s ta rt ed u po n hi s que st ; b ut e ve ryo ne i n t he p al ac e h ad

been so occupied preparing to accompany him that they had not missed the Good Knight at all.

" Pe rh ap s S ir H ok us h as t ak en t he c am el t o t he n ex t v il la ge f or s up pl ie s, " s ug ge st ed T ro t, a nd

aft er m an y s pecu lati on s and con ject ur es t hey all agr eed t hat s he m ig ht b e r ig ht .

" Never f ear, t hey' ll b ot h b e b ack, " p redi ct ed t he S carecro w, w in ki ng cheer fu ll y at t he G rand

V izier, " an d m eanw hi le, w hy n ot enj oy o ur h os pi tali ty ? N o, y ou s eem t o b e w el l s tu ff ed alr eady ," h e

observed, thumping Tuzzle upon the chest.

" Na y, n ay, t he S ul ta n c an i ll y s pa re m e, m ut te re d t he G ra nd V iz ie r. " I m us t r et ur n a t on ce !"

A nd s te pp in g i nt o h is s ed an c ha ir h e m ot io ne d f or t he s la ve s t o s ta rt .

" An d w ha t a bou t t he s ha wl s? " d em and ed S cr aps , wh o ha d t ake n a gr ea t f an cy t o a w hi te on e

emb ro id er ed i n s carl et . " It 's n ot o ur f au lt t he C om fo rt ab le C am el h as g on e away.

"Sh-h! Sh-h!" warned Ozma shaking her finger reprovingly at the Patchwork Girl, while

D or ot hy and B et ts y g ig gl ed i n s pi te o f t hems el ves. " As s oo n as t he C om fo rt ab le C am el r et ur ns w e s hall

s en d a m es sage t o y ou r i ll us tr io us m as ter, p ro mi sed O zm a, b ow in g p ol it el y t o T uzzl e. " I am s ur e i t w il l

no t b e l onge r t ha n a w ee k."

" Well , i n t hat cas e, ' w heezed t he v er y G rand V izier u ng raci ou sl y, " I h op e y ou r M aj es ty w il l

accept this small gift from the Sultan."

" Wi th p le as ur e, " s mi le d O zm a, b ut b ef or e t he s la ve s h ad t im e t o p re se nt t he s ha wl s, S cr ap s

s na tc he d a ll t we nt y a nd t hr ow in g o ne t o D or ot hy , o ne t o T ro t, a nd o ne t o B et ts y, d ro pp ed t he r es t i n

O zm a' s l ap and , w rapp in g h er self t ig ht ly i n t he r ed and w hi te o ne, w hi rl ed m ad ly r ou nd and r ou nd T uzzl e.

F ea ri ng t o l in ge r l on ge r a t a c ou rt w he re a ni ma ls c on ve rs ed a s s en si bl y a s p eo pl e, a nd s uc h s tr an ge

con du ct w as p er mi tt ed , T uzzl e s cr am bl ed i nt o h is s ed an chair . B id di ng O zm a a h as ty f ar ew el l, h e

or de re d h is a tt en da nt s t o c ar ry hi m a t onc e t o t he Roy al Sa mpa n. Th is t he y d id, a nd a t s uc h a br is k r unt ha t t he O z f ol k b ur st i nt o l ou d c he er s o f a dm ir at io n a nd a ppr ov al , f or c on si de ri ng t he s iz e a nd w ei ght o f

t he v er y G ra nd V iz ie r, t he s pe ed o f h is s la ve s w as r em ar ka bl e.

" Do y ou t hi nk t he C om fo rt ab le C am el r eall y b el on gs t o t hi s S ul tan?" ask ed D or ot hy , as t he

last Samandran disappeared from view.

" Let' s l oo k i n t he m ag ic p ictu re!" s ug gest ed B et ts y B ob bi n. " Let' s s ee w hat h e' s l ik e and f in d

o ut w he re S ir H ok us a nd t he C om fo rt ab le C am el h av e g on e, t oo ." A s t hi s s ee me d a s en si bl e p la n, t he y

a ll h ur ri ed u p i nt o O zm a' s s it ti ng r oo m. T he m ag ic p ic tu re , a s m os t a ll o f us k no w, i s o ne o f t he m os t

i mp or ta nt o f O zm a' s t re as ur es . S he h as b ut t o a sk t he m ag ic p ic tu re w he re a p er so n i s, a nd i mm ed ia te ly

he i s s hown i n t he e xa ct c ou nt ry or c it y wh er e he ha pp ens t o be a t t he t im e of t he que st io n. So, wi th t he

cel eb ri ti es l oo ki ng b reat hl es sl y o ver h er s ho ul der, O zm a p ul led t he cor d t hat d rew asi de t he cur tain

cov er in g t he p ictu re, and s ai d q ui et ly , " Sh ow u s t he C om fo rt ab le C am el ." B ut s tars ! N ot hi ng at all



20/76

h ap pened, f or t he m ag ic p ictu re w as n ot t here, and w it h l it tl e exclamati on s o f alarm and d is may t hey

ga ze d a t t he e mpt y s pa ce on t he wa ll .

"Who can have taken it?" cried Dorothy indignantly.

" Call t he W izar d, " s hr il led t he S carecr ow , and r an o ff , h im self , t o f et ch h im , B ut t he W izar d,

d ee p i n h is p re pa ra ti on s f or t he G oo d K ni gh t' s q ue st , c ou ld t hr ow n o l ig ht u po n t he s ub je ct a t a ll . I n t heh ug e e nc yc lo pe di a o f O z t he y d id l ea rn a b it a bo ut S am an dr a, i ts r ul er a nd i ts c us to ms , b ut o f t he

w he re ab ou ts o f t he C om fo rt ab le C am el , o f S ir H ok us o f P ok es , o r t he f am ou s p ic tu re o f O z, e ve n t he

Wizard's magic could tell them nothing.

" Bu t d o n ot d es pair ," b eg ged t he l it tl e m an ear nest ly , t hat n ig ht at d in ner. " I h av e alm os t

perfected a new and marvelous invention. If our Good Knight and Comfortable Camel do not soon

r et ur n, a nd i f t he m ag ic p ic tur e i s n ot f ou nd o r di sc ov er ed , I w il l s ee k t he m o ut w it h t he h el p o f m y

powerful searchlight. This searchlight, shot like an ordinary shell from a cannon, will travel all over Oz

u nt il i t f ind s w ha t i t i s s en t f or a nd t he n f la sh ba ck w it h t he e xa ct l oc at ion o f t he m is si ng o bj ec ts a nd

people." Taking them down to his laboratory, the Wizard endeavored to explain the strange rays andphosphorescent material to be used in this latest magic contrivance. It was a little difficult to understand,

but Ozma and her courtiers had great confidence in the Wizard's powers and, much cheered and

c om fo rt ed , t he y w en t o ff t o b ed .

C HA PT ER 7

T he C ru is e o f t he S ky ro ck et

" AR E you s ur e i t s a ll r ight t hi s t ime , U nc le B il ly ? A nd w il l i t t ake us s tr ai ght t o M ar s? "

T igh te ni ng t he s tr ap o n h is l ea th er h el me t, t he b oy l oo ke d u p a t t he t al l m an w ho w as g oi ng ov er , f or t he

l as t t im e, t he s tr an ge c ra ft t ha t w as t o c ar ry t he m o n a n e xp lo ra ti on o f t he s ky .

" We ll ," a ns we re d t he t al l m an , w ip in g h is h and s o n a p ie ce o f w as te , " it m ay no t t ak e us

s tr ai gh t, S pe ed y, b ut w e' ll g et t he re s om eh ow . I 'v e c al cu la te d t he d is ta nc e d ow n t o t he l as t i nc h, a nd I

ca n be on Ma rs by to-mor row morning. I'm not sure yet t ha t I ought to t ake you, but on t he other hand, Ido n' t s ee how I c an l ea ve you be hi nd. "

" Ne it he r d o I ." S pe ed y s po ke w it h f ee li ng a nd f in al it y. " Yo u' re t he o nl y o ne I 'v e g ot , a nd I 'm

t he o nl y o ne y ou 'v e g ot , s o w e' d b et te r s ti ck t og et he r, d on 't y ou t hi nk ?" U nc le B il ly n od de d s ob er ly , f or

Spe edy wa s a n or pha n a nd ha d l ive d wi th hi m s inc e he w as a li tt le fe ll ow of t wo. T he boy's re al na me

w as B il l, b ut h is q ui ck ne ss o n t he t ra ck a nd b as eb al l f ie ld h ad e ar ne d h im t he n ic kn am e o f S pe ed y. A t t en

h e w as s uch a g oo d chu m and s o h el pf ul w it h U ncle B il ly 's i nv en ti on s t hat t he g reat s ci en ti st cou ld n ot

bear to leave him behind on this, the most important of his undertakings.

" It i sn 't a s i f t he re w as a ny r ea l d an ge r, " h e m us ed , t ap pi ng t he s te el s id es o f t he t or pe do . " In

thi s we'l l be a s safe as if we were on a trolley ca r.

" Safer! " exclaim ed S peed y s co rn fu ll y. " Oh , com e o n, U ncle B il ly , s et h er o ff ! I can h ar dl y



21/76

w ai t! ' I t w as a b ri gh t, c le ar M ay m or ni ng , t he w ea th er a nd w in d c on di ti on s j us t r ig ht , a nd U nc le B il ly , a s

e ag er a s S pe ed y t o b e o ff , h el pe d t he b oy i nt o t he ba ck s ea t a nd p re pa re d t o l ig ht t he f us e t ha t w oul d

s en d t he m s ky wa rd . T he S ky ro ck et , a s y ou 'v e p ro ba bl y g ue ss ed , w as a f ly in g t or pe do , a nd t he

e xp lo si on o f t he r oc ke t a tt ac he d t o t he t ai l w ou ld c ar ry t he m s tr ai gh t a nd s wi ft ly t o t he s ta rs .

" No w t he n, " p uf fe d U nc le B il ly , w it h a q ui ck g la nc e a t t he S ky ro ck et 's g ea rs a nd b ra ke s.

" Re me mb er ! A s s oo n a s I j um p i n, s la m d ow n t he t op a nd s li de t he b ol ts . A nd i f a ny th in g s ho ul d h ap pe n,t hou gh o f c ou rs e i t w on 't , p ul l t he l ev er o n y our r ig ht . T ha t w il l r el ea se t he p ar as hu te r. P re ss t he b ut to n i n

t he pa ra shu te r a nd i t w il l c ar ry y ou s af el y d ow n t o e ar th . A ll r ea dy ?"

S peedy n od ded, clu tchi ng b ot h s id es o f t he l eath er s eat, t ens e w it h excit ement . H e cou ld h ear

t he h is s a nd s pu tt er a s t he e le ct ri c l ig ht er t ou ch ed t he f us e o f t he r oc ke t. I n o ne s ec on d m or e U nc le B il ly

w ou ld b e i n t he d ri ve r' s s ea t, t he s te el r e- en fo rc ed l id o f t he t or pe do s hi p w ou ld b e d ow n, t he o xy ge n

s pr ays , t o k ee p t he m i n c om fo rt d ur in g t he l on g t ri p, w ou ld s ta rt , a nd t he y w ou ld b e o ff l ik e a f la sh o n

t he ir j ou rn ey t hr ou gh t he a ir . W it h a t re mu lo us g as p, S pe ed y l oo ke d o ve r h is s ho ul de r. A s h e d id , t he re

cam e a t er ri fi c j ol t, and w it h an ear- sp li tt in g exp lo si on t he S ky ro ck et s ho t u p t ow ar d t he clo ud s. B ut

U nc le B il ly ! W he re i n h ec k w as U nc le B il ly ? A lm os t t or n f ro m h is s ea t b y t he f or ce o f t he s ta rt , Sp ee dyl oo ke d d es pe ra te ly d ow nw ar d; t he n, a s t he w in d r ip pe d a nd t or e p as t h is h ea d, h e s la mm ed t he t op o f

t he t or pe do a nd j um pe d i nt o t he f ro nt s ea t.

U ncle B il ly h ad n ot b een q ui ck eno ug h. U ncle B il ly h ad b een l ef t b eh in d. F or gett in g

all abo ut t he p ar as hu ter, f or gett in g every th in g excep t t hat h e w as t eari ng t hr ou gh s pace at a t er ri fi c r at e

t ow ar d a s tr an ge a nd u nd is co ve re d w or ld , t he b oy g ra sp ed t he s te er in g w he el a nd g av e i t a s ha rp t wi st .

Hi s o ne t hou ght wa s t o ge t b ac k t o e ar th a nd p ic k up hi s un cl e. W it h a s ic ke ni ng s we rve t he S kyr oc ke t

t ur ne d a nd s pe d d ow nw ar d s o s wi ft ly t ha t S pe ed y, w it h h is f ac e g lu ed t o t he t hi ck g la ss w in do w, c ou ld

s ee n ot hi ng b ut a f ly in g b lu r. A f lash o f g reen t ol d h im t hey w er e n eari ng ear th , a t in y f ig ur e w il dl y w av in g

i ts arm s b ecam e v is ib le, b ut o nl y f or t he f ract io n o f a s econ d; t hen, w it h a f ri gh tf ul i mp act, t he S ky ro ck et

h it t he f ly in g f ield b ack o f S peed y' s L on g I sl an d h om e, b ro ke t hr ou gh , and b or ed i ts w ay t um ul tu ou sl yd ow nw ar d, d ow n t hr ou gh t he d ar k, p at hl es s d ep th s o f t he u nd er eart h! T he s pl in teri ng crash o f t he

t or pe do , a s i t r ip pe d a nd t or e t hr ou gh r oo ts , r oc ks , a nd m et al , a lm os t d ea fe ne d t he b oy , a nd t he v io le nt

vibration made him faint and dizzy. Mechanically he grasped the wheel and despairingly wondered what

w ou ld e ve r b ec om e o f h im . T oo l at e h e r ea li ze d t ha t t he t or pe do c ou ld n ot b e s to pp ed u nt il t he f or ce o f

t he r oc ke t w as s pe nt . W hy h ad n' t h e j um pe d w it h t he p ar as hu te r, a s s oo n a s h e d is co ve re d t ha t U nc le

B il ly w as n ot a boa rd ? I t w as p it ch da rk i ns ide , a nd a s t he r oa r o f t he S ky ro cke t g re w l ou de r S pe ed y

t ou ch ed an elect ri c b ut to n. T he cherr y g lo w o f t he s mall l am ps i n t he cei li ng com fo rt ed h im a l it tl e, b ut t he

v icio us s hake and r um bl e o f t he car m ad e t hi nk in g alm os t i mp os si bl e. S nake-l ik e r oo ts f lash ed p as t t he

w in do w and s napp ed agai ns t t he g las s. T hr ou gh r ock s tr ata s t reaked w it h g ol d, cop per , coal, and s il ver,

t he S ky ro ck et s pl in te re d a p at hw ay , a nd o nc e t he y d ov e i nt o a b oi li ng m as s o f l av a; t he s te el w al ls o f t hes hi p g re w s o h ot

the yellow knight of oz - l. frank baum

Documents