jack pumpkinhead of oz - l. frank baum

8/10/2019 Jack Pumpkinhead of Oz - L. Frank Baum

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J ac k Pum pki nhe ad Of Oz Oz 23

L . F ra nk B au m

T hi s b oo k i s aff ecti on at el y d ed icat ed t o m y aun t J oe.

Ruth Plumly Thompson

J ack P um pk in head o f O z

L is t o f C hapt ers

Chapter

1 P et er a nd t he P ir at e' s S ac k

2 The Chimney Villains

3 W ha t t he G re en T re e S ai d

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4 Scary Times inScareCity

5 P et er M eets t he I ff in

6 T he B ear d ed B aro n A pp ear s

7 Belfaygor's Strange Story

8 A W ayt o C ro ss t he C ha sm

9 The Forbidden Flagon

10 The City ofBaffleburg

11 In theCastleofMogodore

1 2 T he E scap e f ro m B af fl eb ur g

1 3 T he E nchant ed C av er n

14 High Times inSwingCity

1 5 P et er O pe ns t he P ir at e' s S ac k

1 6 In the Palace of the Red Jinn

1 7 T he C ap tu re o f t heEm er al dC it y

1 8 M og od or e M ee ts M or e M ag ic

1 9 T he F or bi dd en F la go n A ct s

2 0 T he W ed di ng F ea st

21 Peter's Return toPhiladelphia

C HA PT ER 1

P et er a nd t he P ir at e' s S ac k

T HE R AI N b ea t h ea vi ly o n t he r oo f, s wi rl ed d ow n t he s id e w al ks a nd m ad e t um bl in g t or re nt s

o f t he g ut ters . T ur ni ng f ro m t he w in do w i n d is gu st , P et er d ro pp ed h is b as eb al l m it t o n t he l ib rary s of a and

s ta rt ed g lu ml y t ow ar d t he s ta ir . N o p ra ct ic e t od ay , d og go ne i t! W hy c ou ld n' t i t r ai n o n M on da ys a nd b e

c le ar on Sa tur da ys f or a c ha nge ? How w as he t o ha ve t he t ea m i n t rim f or t he bi g m atc h i f t his s ort of

t hi ng k ep t u p?



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K ic ki ng c ro ss ly a t e ac h s te p, P et er p ro gr es se d t ow ar d t he a tt ic . N ot t o w as te t he d ay , h e

r es ol ve d t o ha ve a l oo k a t h is f is hi ng t ac kl e. T he t ho ugh t o f t he f is hi ng t ri p h e w as s oon t o t ak e w it h h is

g rand fath er cheer ed h im con si derabl y and b y t he t im e h e h ad s wi tched o n t he att ic l ig ht and d ragg ed o ut

t he o ld c he st w he re h e k ep t h is t re as ur es , h e w as w hi st li ng s of tl y t o h im se lf . O n t op o f t he c he st l ay t wo

c oa rs e s ac ks . T he y w er e n ea tl y f ol de d i n h al f a nd a s P et er l if te d t he m o ff h e g av e a n a mu se d l it tl e

chuckle.

" I w on de r w ha t' s ha pp en ed i n O z l at el y, " m us ed P et er , s it ti ng d ow n i n f ron t o f t he c he st w it h

t he s ac ks o n hi s l ap . " I won de r w he th er Oz ma kn ow s w ha t I di d w it h t he pi ra te 's go ld pi ec es a nd

w heth er t he G no me K in g h as g ot i nt o any m or e m is ch ief. " A nd t hi nk in g o f t hat enchant in g and enchant ed

Kingdom, Peter forgot all about his fishing tackle.

No w m any o f yo u m ay ha ve r ea d o r h ea rd of t he ma rv el ous La nd of O z, bu t P et er ha d r ea ll y

been there; had met the Scarecrow and the wonderful Wizard; had kept the Gnome King from

con qu er in g t heEm er al dC it yand even d is co vered a p ir at e s hi p f ul l o f t reas ur e. T he p ir at e w ho o wn ed t he

s hi p ha d on ce be en a r ea l pi ra te , s o w he n Oz ma , t he l it tl e g ir l r ul er o f O z, t ra ns por te d P et er a nd t het re as ur e ba ck t o Ph il ade lp hi a, t wo of t he ba gs of go ld ha d be en r ea l g ol d a nd t he se ba gs ha d c om e w it h

h im . T he se v er y s ac ks t ha t P et er h el d a cr os s h is k ne es h ad o nc e b ul ge d w it h g ol d p ie ce s. A nd t ho se o f

P et er 's f ri en ds a nd r el at io ns w ho h ad s ni ff ed a t t he s to ry o f h is a ma zi ng j ou rn ey t o O z n ev er h ad b ee n

abl e t o exp lain t hem away.

P et er 's g rand fath er , w it h w ho m t he l it tl e b oy l iv ed , h ad n ot t ri ed t o exp lain t hem, f or P et er 's

g ra nd fa th er w as o ld e no ug h t o b el ie ve a lm os t a ny th in g. S o h e a nd P et er h ad s pe nt o ne b ag o f g ol d v er y

ga il y on a t ri p t o t he c oa st , on mo tor cyc le s f or Pe te r a nd hi s be st f ri end s, on a c lub hou se f or t he t ea m,

o n c an oe s a nd s om e m or e t hi ng s, t oo . T he o th er b ag t he y h ad c ha ng ed i nt oU ni te d S ta te sd ol la rs a nd p ut

i nt o t he b an k, s o t ha t P et er m ig ht g o t o c ol le ge a nd o th er i mp or ta nt p la ce s w he n h e w as g ro wn . A nd

n ow , w it h t he r ai n d ru mm in g s tead il y o n t he r oo f, P et er f el l t o d ream in g again o f O z, o f i ts cur io us K in gsa nd c as tl es , i ts w iz ar ds a nd w it ch es a nd m ag ic t ra ns fo rm at io ns . C ou ld i t h av e b ee n t wo y ea rs a go t ha t h e

and the Gnome King escaped fromRunawayIsland?

" I wi sh," s ighe d Pe te r, gi vi ng t he t op s ac k a l it tl e s ha ke , " I wi sh I c oul d go ba ck t o O z

s om et im e. H el lo ! W ha t' s t hi s? " I n t he c or ne r o f t he t op s ac k h e f el t s om et hi ng h ar d a nd r ou nd a nd

t hr us ti ng i n h is h an d d re w o ut a t hi n s hi ny p ie ce o f g ol d. " Wh y, h er e' s o ne w e d id n' t f ind ," c hu ck le d P et er ,

h ol di ng i t u p t o t he l ig ht . " It 's n ot s o l ar ge a s t he o th er s. I b el ie ve I 'l l k ee p i t f or a l uc ky pi ec e. " R es ti ng h is

h ea d a ga in st a s ma ll t ru nk , P et er s an k b ac k a nd w as s oo n l os t i n p le as an t r ev er ie s. " Ge e w hi z! " h e

breathed at last, flipping the pirate's coin into the air. "It certainly would be great to go to Oz again. I wish

I w er e t he re r ig ht n ow !" A s t he g ol d p ie ce d ro pp ed i nt o P et er 's p al m, P et er h im se lf d ro pp ed O ut o f s ig ht .A t l ea st , h e w as n o l on ge r i n t he a tt ic , o r i nPhil ade lphi ae it he r, f or t ha t m at te r. H e w as , t o b e p er fe ct ly

t ru th fu l, s tand in g b ef or e a s mall y el lo w cot tage i n t he m id dl e o f a p um pk in f ield , and t he w ho le t ri p,

r ef le ct ed P et er , s ta ri ng a ro un d a b it w il dl y, h ad t ak en n o l on ge r t ha n o ne p uf f a nd s wa ll ow . A d ro p s uc h

a s t hi s w as e no ug h t o m ak e a b od y p uf f a nd s wa ll ow s ev er al t im es , s o h e d id . T he n, h av in g r eg ai ne d a

l it tl e o f h is com po su re, h e l oo ked u ncer tain ly at t he y el lo w h ou se.

I t w as s ha pe d l ik e a n e no rm ou s h ol lo we d o ut p um pk in , b ut h ad s ev er al w in do ws a nd a f ro nt

d oo r, s o P et er w al ke d b ol dl y u p t he s te ps a nd k no ck ed t wi ce . H e c ou ld h ea r f oo ts te ps r un ni ng a bo ut

i ns id e a nd p re se nt ly a h ea d w as t hr us t o ut t he s ec on d s to ry w in do w.

" Wh o' s t here?" ask ed t he o wn er o f t he h ou se, s tari ng d ow n cur io us ly .

" It 's m e, er~ r i t' s I !" P et er , r em em beri ng h is g ramm ar cor rect ed h im self q ui ck ly .



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At t hi s, t he ow ne r o f t he ho us e, i n or de r t o h ave a be tt er l ook a t hi s v is it or , l ea ne d s o f ar o ut

t he w in do w t ha t Pe te r ga ve a s ha rp c ry.

" Oh l oo k o ut !" h e cal led w ar ni ng ly , f or t he m an 's h ead s eemed r eady t o f al l o ff , w as f al li ng o ff ,

in fact.

" I a m l ook ing o ut ," i t c al le d c he er fu ll y, a s i t t ur ne d ov er a nd o ve r i n t he a ir . " Th at 's j us t t he

t ro ub le! C at ch m y h ead w il l y ou ?" A nd n ex t m in ut e P et er f ou nd h im self clasp in g a l ar ge p um pk in h ead i n

both arms.

" Di d y ou s ay y ou r n am e w as C y?" ask ed t he h ead, s tari ng u p i nq ui ri ng ly . " Well car ry m e

i nd oo rs , C y. Y ou 'l l f in d m y b od y aro un d s om ew heres. "

"T hi s m us t b e O z, " c ho ke d P et er , w it h a n e xc it ed l it tl e g as p a nd , k ic ki ng o pe n t he d oo r, h e

h ur ri ed i nt o t he cot tage. A t al l awk ward b od y s pr aw led o n t he f lo or and t here w as cer tain ly s om et hi ng

f am il iar abo ut t he h ol lo w eyes s tari ng s o p leas an tl y i nt o h is o wn .

" My b od y h as f al len d ow n t he s tair s, " o bs er ved t he p um pk in h ead cal ml y. " It s ho ul d h av e

w ai te d f or m e, f or n ob od y s ho ul d b e w it ho ut a h ea d. " P et er a gr ee d h ea rt il y w it h t hi s l as t s ta te me nt a nd ,

s et ti ng t he h ea d o n t he t ab le , h e p ul le d t he a wk wa rd f ig ur e t o i ts f ee t a nd t he n, s ta nd in g o n a c ha ir ,

pressed the head carefully on the wooden peg that served for a neck.

" Wh y i t' s J ack P um pk in head !" h e cri ed d el ig ht ed ly . " Di dn 't I m eet y ou i n O zm a' s p al ace t wo

y ears ago ? D on 't y ou r em em ber m e?"

J ack l oo ked d ou bt fu ll y d ow n at t he l it tl e b oy . " I' m afr ai d t hat I d on 't ," h e ans wered s er io us ly .

" Yo u s ee , I h av e h ad s ev er al n ew h ea ds s in ce t he n, a nd a m n ot v er y g oo d a t r em em be ri ng ."

" Never m in d. I r em em ber y ou !" P et er s mi led k in dl y at t he awk ward f el lo w and , s qu eezi ng h is

w oo de n f in ge rs , w en t o n. " My n am e i s P et er a nd ~"

" I t ho ug ht y ou s ai d y ou r n am e w as C y, " o bj ec te d J ac k i n a p uz zl ed v oi ce .

" Oh n o I d id n' t, " e xp la in ed P et er , a l it tl e v ex ed a t t he p um pk in h ea d' s s tu pi di ty . " I s ai d i t' s I a t

t he d oo r. "

" Cy at t he d oo r and P et er i n t he h ou se. H ow d read fu ll y con fu si ng ," m um bl ed J ack, p ut ti ng o neha nd t o hi s hea d t o s ee i f i t wa s on s tr ai ght. "H ave you a di ff ere nt na me f or e ve ry pl ac e you go? "

" Oh cal l m e P et er !" exclaim ed t he l it tl e b oy i mp at ient ly , " an d i f y ou 'l l j us t t el l m e t he w ay t o t he

E me ra ld C it y I 'l l n ot b ot he r y ou a ny m or e. I 'm a nx io us t o s ee O zm a a nd D or ot hy a ga in ."

" Ar e y ou a f ri en d o f O zm a' s?" i nt er ru pt ed J ack i n h ig h excit em en t. " Well , I 'l l d o any th in g f or a

f ri en d o f O zm a' s. O zm a i s m y f at he r! " R un ni ng t o t he d oo r J ac k c la tt er ed d ow n t he s te ps , b ec ko ni ng f or

P et er t o f ol lo w h im .

" Fath er !" cri ed P et er , w it h a l it tl e b ur st o f l au gh ter, and t hen r eali zi ng o ne cou ld n ot exp ect t oo

m uc h s en se f ro m a p um pk in h ea d, h e h ur ri ed o ut o f t he c ot ta ge . T he p ir at e' s s ac k s ti ll h un g o ve r h is a rm

a nd , t os si ng i t g ai ly o ve r o ne s ho ul de r, P et er s te pp ed q ui ck ly a ft er J ac k, a nd c la pp ed h im o n h is

shoulder.



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" B y t he w ay , h ow d id y ou r ea ch O z? " P ic ki ng h is w ay c ar ef ul ly b et we en t he r ow s o f

pumpkins, Jack paused and turned his head with both hands so he could look back at Peter. Briefly

Pe te r t old hi m of f indi ng t he l as t c oi n i n t he pi ra te 's sa ck, how he had wi she d t o be i n O z a nd s udde nl y

f ou nd h im self s tand in g b ef or e t he y el lo w cot tage. " It m us t h av e b een a m ag ic coi n, " m ut tered J ack

P um pk in he ad , s ta rt in g o n a ga in . " I t el l y ou ," he g av e a n e xc it ed s ki p, " th at g ol d c oi n w as a pi ec e of

c ha ng e. Y ou w is he d t o c om e t o Oz f or a c ha nge a nd h er e yo u a re !"

" Yes, " agr eed P et er s lo wl y. " Bu t w here i s t he g ol d p iece?"

" Yo u c an 't h av e t he c ha ng e a nd t he g ol d p ie ce t oo ," r ep ro ve d J ac k, w ag gi ng h is w oo de n

f in ge r, " an d y ou 'd r at he r h av e t he c ha ng e, n ow w ou ld n' t y ou ?" P et er n od de d a nd g la nc ed s ha rp ly a t J ac k.

H is he ad s ee me d t o be w or ki ng b et te r. J ac k r et ur ne d P et er 's l oo k w it h a l on g, s te ad y s ta re . " Do y ou

k no w, " h e s ai d, s tepp in g d el ib er at el y o ver a h ig h f en ce o nt o a g ol d p av ed h ig hw ay , " Yo u r em in d m e

m or e a nd m or e o f m y d ea r f at he r. "

" You r d ea r f at he r, " e xp lod ed P et er , s it ti ng d ow n o n t he t op r ai l o f t he f en ce . " I t ho ug ht a w hi lea go y ou t ol d m e t ha t P ri nc es s O zm a w as y ou r f at he r. "

"She is," answered Jack, marching calmly along the highway.

" Bu t O zm a' s a g ir l, " s ho ut ed P et er i nd ig nant ly , cat ch in g u p w it h J ack. " Ho w cou ld a g ir l b e

y our f at he r a nd h ow c oul d I r em in d y ou of O zm a? "

" Oz ma w as n ot a lw ay s a g ir l, " e xp la in ed J ac k m ys te ri ou sl y. " On ce O zm a w as a b oy l ik e y ou . I

s ee y ou h av e n ev er h eard m y s tr an ge s to ry ," f in is hed J ack i n a h ur t v oi ce-l oo ki ng r ep ro achf ul ly d ow n at

P et er . T ho ug h P et er h ad m et J ac k P um pk in he ad a t O zm a' s p al ac e h e h ad t o a dm it t ha t h e k ne w n ot hi ng

o f h is i nt er es ti ng h is to ry . S o, a s t he y s au nt er ed s lo wl y a lo ng t he h ig hw ay , J ac k t ol d h ow O zm a, a s a b ab yh ad b ee n s to le n b y M om bi , t he w it ch a nd t ra ns fo rm ed i nt o a b oy n am ed T ip . F or n ea rl y n in e y ea rs , T ip

ha d l ive d i n Mombi 's hut , e nt ire ly ign ora nt of t he f ac t t ha t he wa s the re al rul er of Oz . I t w as t o s ca re

M om bi t ha t T ip h ad f ir st m an uf ac tu re d t he P um pk in he ad M an . J ac k' s w oo de n a rm s a nd l eg s h ad b ee n

s ki ll fu ll y car ved f ro m s tr on g s ap li ng s. H is b od y, m ad e o f a t ou gh p iece o f b ar k, w as p in ned t og et her w it h

w oo de n p egs . A l ar ge r pe g s er ve d J ac k f or a n ec k a nd a c ar ve d p um pki n m ade hi s he ad . W it h s om e o ld

c lot he s he f ound i n M omb i' s a tt ic , Ti p ha d dr es se d t he q ue er f igu re a nd s tood hi m i n t he be nd of t he r oa d

t o s ca re t he ol d w it ch o n he r r et ur n f rom a v is it t o t he c roo ke d w iz ar d' s.

" Well , w as M om bi s cared?" i nq ui red P et er , l oo ki ng adm ir in gl y at J ack' s j oi nt ed w ri st s and

a nk le s a nd t hi nk in g w ha t a s ma rt b oy O zm a m us t ha ve b ee n.

" At f ir st ," a dm it te d J ac k s lo wl y. " At f ir st ! T he n, w is hi ng t o t ry o ut s om e o f t he ma gi c s he ha d

t ra de d w it h t he w iz ar d s he s pr in kl ed m e w it h t he p ow de r o f l if e a nd i mm ed ia te ly I c am e t o l if e a nd ha ve

been alive ever since," he finished modestly.

" Bu t w ha t h ap pe ne d t o T ip ?" b eg ge d P et er , f or h e f el t t ha t t he m os t e xc it in g p ar t o f t he s to ry

w as t o c om e.

" We ll ," c on ti nu ed J ac k w it h a s ol em n s ha ke o f h is h ea d, " as M om bi t hr ea te ne d t o t ur n T ip t o a

m ar bl e s ta tue , w e b ot h r an a wa y t ha t n ig ht , t ak in g t he p ow de r o f l if e w it h u s. N ex t m or ni ng T ip f ou nd a

s aw ho rs e s ta nd ing i n a w oo d a nd , s pr in kl in g i t w it h s om e of t he p ow de r, b ro ug ht i t t o l if e a s M om bi h ad

d on e m e. O n t hi s s tr an ge s te ed we r ea ch ed t he Em er al d C it y a nd h el pe d t he S ca re cr ow , wh o w as t he n

E mp er or , escap e f ro m J in ju r' s arm y o f g ir ls , w ho h ad cap tu red t he cap it ol . A ft er m an y cur io us



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a dv en tu re s w e r ea ch ed t he p al ac e o f G li nd a, t he G oo d S or ce re ss

of t he So ut h. W e b egg ed h er t o he lp us r es to re t he Sc ar ec ro w t o h is t hr one , bu t Gl ind a, b y r ef er ri ng t o

h er m ag ic r ecor ds , d is co vered t hat O zm a w as t he r ig ht fu l r ul er o f t he K in gd om . R et ur ni ng t o t he E merald

C it y, G li nd a f or ce d M om bi t o d is en ch an t T ip , T ip b ec am e O zm a a nd O zm a, a s y ou w el l k no w, h as b ee n

our gracious little sovereign ever since."

" Wh at a s ha me ," b re at he d P et er k ic ki ng a t a s to ne , ' I s ho ul d t hi nk s he 'd m uc h r at he r h av e

s ta ye d a b oy ."

"S o s houl d I ," a gr ee d J ack , " but a s I am onl y a pumpki n h ea d my o pini on i s pr oba bl y of no

v al ue. I cer tain ly h av e n o r easo n t o com pl ai n, " h e w en t o n cheer fu ll y. " Ozma g av e m e t he f in e cot tage

w hi ch y ou s aw t hi s m or ni ng a nd I s pe nd a ll m y t ime g ro wi ng n ew h ea ds . B ef or e on e p um pk in s po il s, I

q ui ck ly c ar ve m ys el f a no th er a nd h av e h ad d oz en s o f h ea ds i n m y d ay , w hi ch m ak es m e a p er so na ge ,

e ve n i n O z. T hi s h ea d I 'm n ow w ea ri ng w il l l as t q ui te a l on g t im e f or i t' s s ti ll a b it g re en.

" Well , i t l oo ks all r ig ht ," s ai d P et er , s mi li ng u p at J ack.

" Do y ou t hi nk s o? " J ac k' s c ar ve d g ri n s ee me d t o g ro w e ve n b ro ad er a t P et er 's p ol it e r em ar k.

" If i t w er e n ot f or m y j oi nt s, I 'd b e a s g oo d a s a ny on e, " h e c on fi de d, t ap pi ng h is c he st p ro ud ly . " Bu t

wa lki ng we ars out my j oint s s o I neve r wa lk f ar a t a t ime ."

" Is i t f ar t o t he E me ra ld C it y? " S ha di ng h is e ye s P et er b li nk ed d ow n t he g ay g ol d h igh wa y a nd

t hen t ur ned r at her anx io us ly t o h is cheer fu l com pani on . H e cer tain ly d id n ot w an t g oo d n at ur ed J ack t o

w ea r O ut a ny j oi nt s o n h is a cc ou nt .

" No d is ta nc e a t a ll ," r et or te d J ac k, w it h a s ti ff w av e a he ad . " Ar ou nd t ha t b en d t he h ou se s a nd

t re es wi ll b e gr ee n, f or we wi ll be o n t he out sk ir ts of t he c ap it ol , a nd f ro m t he re i t i s bu t a s te p t o t hepalace." At Jack's word Peter gave a satisfied little sigh. It was all coming back-his geozify. Oz! How

well he remembered that great oblong Kingdom, divided into four smaller kingdoms, with the Emerald

C it y i n t he e xa ct c en te r. I n t he E as te rn W in ki e C ou nt ry o f O z, t he h ou se s, f en ce s, f ru it a nd f lo we rs w er e

all y el lo w; i n t he S ou th er n Q uadl in g C ou nt ry t hey w er e r ed . I n t he N or th land s o f t he G il li kens t hey w er e

purple and in the Western Kingdom of the Munchkins they were blue. From the daffodils in all the fields

a nd t he r ou nd y el lo w f ar m h ou se s, P et er k ne w t he y w er e i n t he W in ki e C ou nt ry , b ut a t t he n ex t t ur ni ng

t hey s ho ul d f in d t he g reen t rees and p ar ks s ur ro un di ng t he l ov el iest cit y i n O z.

T hi nk in g o f t hi s enchant in g s po t, i ts g ay and j ol ly i nh ab it an ts and t he w el co me h e w as s ur e t o

f in d i n t he p al ac e, P et er q ui ck en ed h is s te ps , r ea ch in g t he b en d o f t he r oa d f ar a he ad o f J ac k. B ut i ns te ado f f lo weri ng g ar dens and g reen p ar kw ay s t he h ig hw ay end ed abr up tl y i n a h ig h r ed b ri ck w al l. T here w as

a s ma ll b la ck d oor i n t he w al l. I n r ed l et te rs o n t hi s d oo r w er e t wo w or ds -" Ent er H er e." Pe te r wa s s ta ri ng

u ncer tain ly at t hese d ir ecti on s w hen J ack cau gh t u p w it h h im .

" We ll C y! W ha t n ow ?" h e d em an de d m er ri ly . " Se e, I r em em be re d y ou w er e C y, a t t he d oo r.

Ha, ha! Ho, ho, ho! "

" Oh do t ry t o be s ens ibl e, " be gge d P et er i n a n a nn oye d voi ce . " Ca n' t you s ee t ha t t hi s w al l i s

r ed? W e m us t b e i n t he Q ua dl ing Co un tr y, J ac k. Yo u' ve c om e t he w ro ng w ay a nd w e' re l os t! No w, t he

questi on is whether to go back t he wa y we ca me or go through this door and try to fi nd a short cut t o the

Emerald City."

" I w as a fr ai d t hi s h ea d w as n ot q ui te r ip e e no ug h, " m um bl ed J ac k i n a w or ri ed v oi ce . " Pe rh ap s



7/68

i f w e go t hr ou gh t hi s d oo r a nd t ur n s tr ai gh t N or th w e' ll f ind t he E me ra ld C it y j us t a s q ui ck ly a s i f w e t ur n

back."

" Perh ap s, " ech oed P et er d ou bt fu ll y. T hen, as h e w as b eg in ni ng t o f eel an o verp ow er in g

c ur io si ty a s t o w ha t m igh t be o n t he o th er s ide of t he w al l, he ope ne d t he b la ck do or a nd s te ppe d

through.

C HA PT ER 2

The Chimney Villains

NOW I'm Santy Claus," mumbled Jack, feeling around for his head. Both he and Peter had

s te pp ed o ff i nt o s pa ce a nd t um bl ed t og et he r d ow n a l on g d ar k p as sa ge wa y. " We 'v e f al le n d ow n achi mn ey ," con ti nu ed J ack, f in di ng h is h ead and s et tl in g i t f ir ml y o n h is s ho ul ders . " I m us t s ay t hi s i s a g reat

wa y t o e nt er a c it y."

"I t i s a g ra te ," s ai d Pe te r, wi th a l it tle groa n, f or he wa s s it ting a str ide a pa ir of i ron f ir e dogs ,

" bu t h ow d o y ou k no w i t' s a c it y? " F or tu na te ly t he re w as n o f ir e bu rn ing i n t he gr at e a nd , p ic ki ng u p t he

pirate's sack, Peter stepped out into a large red square. Jack had to bend almost double to get out at all

and as h e s tr ai gh tened u p a s ig n h an gi ng o n t he o ut si de o f t he chi mn ey cau gh t h is att en ti on .

" Pl ease s hu t t he g rate aft er y ou ," d ir ected t he s ig n. B ei ng an o bl ig in g f el lo w, J ack p ul led t he

h an dl e at t he r ig ht and a s li di ng b lack s cr een com pl et el y clo sed o ff t he o peni ng . D us ti ng t he s oo t f ro m h is

f ra ye d c oa t, J ac k j oi ne d P et er .

"Nothing but chimneys," marvelled the little boy with a low whistle. "I've often seen houses

without chimneys but never chimneys without houses." The square was simply bristling with chimneys, all

r ed a nd o f e ve ry s ha pe , s iz e a nd d es cr ip ti on . T he y s ee me d t o s pr ou t l ik e q ue er f lo we rs f ro m t he r ed f la gs

t hat p av ed t he s qu ar e. C hi mn ey s! C hi mn ey s! C hi mn ey s! S o cl os e t og et her t her e w as s car cely s pace t o

w al k. " Wh o cou ld p os si bl y l iv e h er e?" s ai d P et er , w it h a s co rn fu l s ni ff .

" Wh ee ! W he e- ee ! W e d o! " A h un dr ed h ig h v oi ce s a ns we re d h is q ue st io n. T he y s ee me d t o

i ss ue f ro m t he chi mn ey s t hems el ves, and as J ack and P et er p eered anx io us ly u pw ar d s tr an ge s mo ky

f ig ur es b eg an t o s pi ra l o ut o f t he c hi mn ey t op s a nd f lo at i n a d ar k m as s o ve r t he ir h ea ds . T he y l oo ke d l ik eevi l g en ii o r g ob li ns w ho h ad l on g b een i mp ri so ned i n m ag ic b ot tl es . T heir s hapes and f aces chang ed

c on st an tl y a nd a s a w ho le h or de o f t he m d ro pp ed d ow nw ar d, P et er s te pp ed c lo se r t o J ac k. " Th ey 'r e

only smoke," he explained reassuringly.

" Ye s, d ea r P et er ," q ua ve re d J ac k, " bu t s mo ke i s m os t i nj ur io us t o p um pk in s! O h m y h ea d!

M y po or po or he ad! " Pe te r h ad no t ime t o s ym pa thi ze wi th J ac k, f or a t t ha t m om en t a c row d of S mo ki es

s ur ro un de d t he m. T he ir e ye s w er e s pi te re d s pa rk s a nd , s na tc hi ng a t P et er a nd J ac k w it h t he ir l on g

s hado wy arm s, t hey b eg an t o h is s and p uf f t hr eateni ng ly .

" Ca n y ou c ur l? " d em an de d o ne , s na pp in g h is e ye s c lo se t o P et er . " Ca n y ou c ur l, a nd d o a

d ou bl e s pi ral? C an y ou m ak e s oo t and s mo ul der ?"

" No ! N o! N o! " cou gh ed P et er , s natchi ng o ut h is h an dk er ch ief and w av in g i t w il dl y abo ut h is



8/68

h ea d. " Go a wa y! G o a wa y. Y ou 'r e m ak in g m e a ll b la ck ."

"H a, H a, H a! " s hr ie ke d a g re at s mo ky g ia nt . " Th at 's t he c ol or y ou s ho ul d b e. T hi s i s

C hi mn ey vi ll e, b ut w ai t t il l y ou s ee o ur S oo t S oo ty d ow n b el ow . C om e t o o ur S oo ty a nd s ee h ow b la ck

and beautiful you will become."

" We w on 't ," cri ed J ack P um pk in head d ef iant ly , " we w on 't com e o r b ecom e. I f t hi s i sC hi mn ey vi ll e, t hen y ou are C hi mn ey -v il lain s. G o away y ou b lack m on st er s. W e r ef us e t o v is it y ou r o ld

S oo ty . G o a wa y, go a wa y. Y ou 'r e s mok in g m y b ea ut if ul h ea d. " Tr yi ng t o c ov er h is h ea d w it h h is a rm s,

J ack b acked again st a chi mn ey , b ut h is w or ds o nl y s eemed t o i nf ur iate t he S mo ki es . S well in g w it h r ag e,

they surged forward.

" Sm ok e ' em u p! S mo ke ' em o ut ! T hr ow ' em d ow n t he c hi mn ey s! " t he y s pu tt er ed . " No w t he n,

boys, all together!" While Peter and Jack struck out left and right, the grim gray specters tried to lift them

i nt o t he a ir . B ut t he re w as n o s tr en gt h i n t he ir v ap or y a rm s a nd w it h l it tl e s hr ie ks a nd h is se s t he y p re ss ed

cl os er and cl os er.

" Ru n! " p an te d P et er , w ho w as a lm os t s uf fo ca te d. T he s mo ke d id n ot a ff ec t J ac k a nd , t ak in g

P et er 's h an d, h e t ri ed t o p ul l t he l it tl e b oy a lo ng . B ut t he a ir w as n ow s o t hi ck w it h t he ir p ur su er s t he y

c ou ld ha rdl y s ee a t a ll a nd b um pe d a nd c ra sh ed i nt o c hi mn ey s a t e ve ry t ur n. T he l as t b um p f lun g t he m

headlong, and for a moment they lay perfectly still, while the Chimney-villains swept screaming overhead.

I t w as d ar k a s m id ni gh t, f or t he S mo ki es ha d a ll r un t oge th er i nt o a gr ea t s uf fo ca ti ng c lo ud . E ve n t he t iny

s pa rk s t ha t w er e t he ir e ye s h ad g on e o ut , a nd i n u tt er a nd a wf ul d ar kn es s P et er f in al ly s tu mb le d t o h is

f eet. C ou gh in g and s pu tt er in g and w it h t ears p ou ri ng d ow n b ot h cheek s, h e f el t i n h is p ocket f or ano th er

h an dk er ch ief, and as h e d id h is f in gers clo sed o ver a s mall can dl e end . I mm ed iately a b ri gh t i dea s tr uck

Pe te r, a nd wi th a ga sp he f el t a round f or J ac k' s he ad. Pul li ng t he s to ut s te m i n t he t op he l if te d out t he

piece Jack had cut when he hollowed out the pumpkin. Striking a match he lit the candle end, spilled in a

f ew d ro ps of c an dl e g re as e a nd s et t he c an dl e e re ct . Th en r ep la ci ng t he t op of J ac k' s h ea d h e j er ke d h imt o h is f ee t.

"W hat h av e y ou d on e?" f al tered t he P um pk in head i n a f ai nt v oi ce. " My h ead f eels v er y l ig ht ,

d ea r P et er , b ut I s ee m t o s ee m uc h b et te r. "

" So d o I ," c ho ke d t he l it tl e b oy , m uf fl in g h is n os e i n h is c oa t s le ev e, " we c an b ot h s ee b et te r.

C om e o n, y ou 'r e l it u p a nd m y J ac k O ' L an te rn n ow !" T he b ob bi ng l ig ht i n t he p um pk in 's h ea d s ee me d t o

puzzle their enemies, but Peter, guided by the cheery glow, pushed bravely through the clouds and

cro wd s o f t hem. T he s mo ke s ti ll s tu ng h is eyes and t hr oat, b ut h e k ep t d od gi ng chi mn ey aft er chi mn ey ,

a nd f in al ly p au si ng t o r es t a ga in st a n e sp ec ia ll y b ro ad o ne , d is co ve re d a s li de l ik e t he o ne t he y h ad c om et hr ou gh i n t he f ir st p la ce . J er ki ng i t o pe n P et er p ul le d J ac k i nt o t he g ra te a nd c lo se d t he s li de . T he re w as

a no th er s li de a t t he b ac k o f t he c hi mn ey p la ce a nd a s t he S mo ki es p ou re d a ga in st t he f ir st s li de P et er

o pe ne d t he s ec on d a nd s te pp ed o ut i nt o a q ui et l it tl e w oo d.

" A g reat w ay i n and a g reat w ay o ut ," o bs er ved J ack, f ol lo wi ng P et er q ui ck ly and s lamm in g

t he s li de aft er h im .

" An d a g re at w ay f ro m e ve ry wh er e, " p uf fe d P et er , d ro pp in g d ow n o n t he n ea re st t re e s tu mp

a nd s ta ri ng r es en tfu ll y up a t t he r ed w al l. I t l ooke d t he s am e f rom t hi s s id e a s fr om t he ot he r. Not a

chi mn ey s ho wed, n or o ne p uf f o f s mo ke, t o w ar n l uckl es s t ravell er s o f t he d is ag reeabl e cit izen s o f S oo t

C it y. I t w as s o gr ea t a r el ie f t o br ea th e p ur e a ir a ga in a nd f in d h im se lf i n r ea l d ay li gh t t ha t P et er s at f or

s ev er al m in ut es d ri nk in g i n t he f resh f or es t b reezes and f reei ng h is l un gs f ro m t he b it ter s mo ke. T hen,

s ta nd ing u p o n t he s tu mp , h e c al le d J ac k a nd b le w o ut t he c an dl e i n h is p um pk in h ea d. " You c er ta in ly



9/68

s av ed m y l if e t ha t t im e, " s ai d P et er f ee li ng ly . " If y ou h ad n ot l ig ht ed m e o ut o f t he re I 'd h ave b ee n a

s mo ke d h er ri ng b y t hi s t im e. H ow d o y ou f ee l y ou rs el f, d ea r J ac k? "

" A l it tl e l ig ht h ea de d, " c on fe ss ed J ac k e ar ne st ly , " bu t o n t he w ho le , I r at he r l ik ed i t. I t s ee ms t o

m e I f el t b ri gh ter. "

" Yo u m ea n y ou c ou ld t hi nk b et te r? " a sk ed P et er , s ta ri ng h ar d a t J ac k, a nd t ry in g n ot t o l au gh .

" Ye s , " J ac k n od de d g ra ve ly , " so p le as e l ig ht m e u p a ga in d ea r P et er ."

" It m ig ht n ot b e g oo d f or y ou ," s ai d t he l it tl e b oy d ou bt fu ll y. " It m ig ht m ak e y ou l ig ht h eaded

a nd g idd y. B es id es , p um pk in s a re on ly l it a t n ig ht o r i n t he d ar k a nd i t' s q ui te l ig ht o ut h er e. "

" Oh are t hey?" J ack l oo ked t er ri bl y d is ap po in ted. " Well any t im e y ou n eed a l an tern , j us t l ig ht

me up. Sha ll we go on t o t he Eme ral d Ci ty now? "

" Well , w e m ig ht t ry t o, " ans wered P et er l oo ki ng aro un d w it h l iv el y i nt er es t. " Can y ou w al k al it tl e f ar th er ? D o y ou r j oi nt s f eel all r ig ht ?" A lt ho ug h J ack w as m uch t al ler t han h e, P et er f el t s om eh ow

r es po ns ib le f or t he f li ms y f el lo w. I t r at he r f la tt er ed h im t o h av e J ac k s o o be di en t t o h is w is he s a nd s o

d ep en dent u po n h is adv ice. A ft er exami ni ng h is j oi nt s car ef ul ly , J ack d ecid ed h e m ig ht g o a b it f ur th er , s o

Pe te r wa sh ed hi s f ac e i n a l it tl e S tr ea m a nd a t t he s am e t ime r em ove d t he s oot f ro m J ac k' s, a nd t he y

prepared to continue their journey to the capitol. Taking his direction from the sun, Peter started North

t hr ou gh t he l it tl e w oo d. F ro m t he c ar di na ls a nd r ob in s, f ro m t he r ed b ee ch a nd h ol ly t re es , h e k ne w h e

m us t s ti ll b e i n t he Q ua dl in g C ou nt ry a nd w he n h e s aw a s ma ll r ed c ot ta ge i n a c le ar in g j us t a he ad , h e

wa s s ure of it.

G oo dy S ho p, ann ou nced a s ig n, s wi ng in g f ro m t he cro ok ed r oo f. " Hu rr ah !" s ho ut ed P et er ,

breaking into a run. "Maybe I can buy something to eat here. It must be nearly lunch time and I'mstarved."

" Oh d o b e c ar ef ul ," w ar ne d J ac k, h ol di ng t o h is h ea d w it h b ot h h an ds a s h e d as he d h ur ri ed ly

a ft er P et er , " the y m ay not be t he ki nd of goo di es yo u e xpe ct ." Th e s hop w as di m a nd da rk a nd b ehi nd

t he r ed c oun te r s at a pr im l it tl e o ld l ady i n a r uf fl ed g ow n.

" Go od m or ni ng !" p uf fed P et er w it h a p ol it e b ow .

" Ou r g oo d m or ni ng i s all g on e, " s ai d t he o ld l ad y, r is in g s ti ff ly f ro m h er t al l s to ol , " bu t w e h av e

a v er y g oo d a ft er no on , w ou ld y ou c ar e f or t ha t? " S he s qu in te d a nx io us ly a t P et er . " An d w il l y ou t ak e i tw it h y ou or h av e i t s ent ?"

" Ha ve i t s en t, " a dv is ed J ac k i n a h ol lo w v oi ce f or h e d id n ot r el is h t he o ld l ad y' s e xp re ss io n.

" I w an ted t o b uy s om et hi ng g oo d, exp lain ed P et er h as ti ly .

" Well w hy d id n' t y ou s ay s o i n t he b eg in ni ng ," s napp ed t he s ho p k eeper t es ti ly . " On e m in ut e

i t' s g oo d m or ni ng a nd n ow i t' s g oo db ye . W ha t k in d o f a g oo db ye d o y ou w an t, l on g, s ho rt , f on d o r

s or ro wf ul ?" A t t hi s s tr an ge q ue st io n, J ac k t ur ne d h is h ea d w it h b ot h h an ds a nd s im pl y s ta re d a t t he o ld

l ad y, and P et er h im self b eg an t o f eel t er ri bl y con fu sed.

" Wh at k in d o f g oo ds d o y ou s el l h er e?" h e d em an ded anx io us ly .



10/68

" Al l t he g oo ds ;" ans wered t he o ld l ad y p ro ud ly , " bu t d ry g oo ds m os tl y. W av in g t ow ar d t he

s he lv es , s he f ol de d h er a rm s a nd l oo ke d s us pi ci ou sl y a t h er t wo c us to me rs , w hi le J ac k a nd P et er

curiously surveyed her wares.

" Go od n ew s ! G oo d adv ice! G oo d I nt ent i on s! G oo d D ay s! G oo d N ig ht ! G oo d E xcus es!

G oo d R id da nc e! " c ri ed P et er , r ea di ng o ut t he l ab el s o n t he b ot tl es a nd b ox es . " Ho w o dd ! G oo d I de as !

G oo d T em per s! G oo d N ot io ns ! G oo d T im es ! "

" Co me, com e, " m ut tered t he o ld l ad y, t ap pi ng h er f oo t i mp at ient ly o n t he f lo or , " make u p y ou r

m in ds . Y ou m ay e ac h c ho os e o ne ," s he d ec id ed f in al ly , a s n ei th er P et er n or J ac k s ee me d a bl e t o d ec id e.

" Wh y d on 't y ou t ak e a g oo d e xc us e? " s he s ug ge st ed , t ur ni ng t o P et er . " Bo ys a re a lw ay s n ee di ng g oo d

e xc us es , a nd a f re sh b at ch h as j us t c om e i n~ go od o ne s t oo !"

" I t hi nk I 'l l t ak e s om e g ood a dv ic e, " a nn ou nc ed J ac k i n a t im id v oi ce . " I' m no t v er y b ri gh t a nd

it might be useful."

" Bu t h av en 't y ou a ny th in g go od t o e at ?" s ig he d P et er . " A g ood l un ch o r di nn er , e ve n abreakfast would do." With an impatient flounce the old lady reached up on a top shelf and handed Peter

a s ma ll r ed box . The n g ivi ng J ac k a r ed e nv el ope , s he s ho oe d t he m out of he r g oody s hop.

" I w is h I 'd t ak en s om e g oo d e xc us es , m ur mu re d P et er , a s t he y w al ke d s lo wl y d ow n t he

c rooke d pa th. " Thi s box i s t oo s ma ll t o hol d a good me al of a ny ki nd. "

" Wh at d oes i t s ay ?" ask ed J ack i nq ui si ti vely .

" A g oo d b re ak fa st ," a ns we re d P et er r ea di ng t he r ed l ab el . " We ll , e ve n i f i t' s o nl y a b is cu it o r

just one sausage, I'll eat it." Eagerly Peter raised the lid. "Why it's bird seed," he exclaimed angrily,

f li ng in g t he b ox w it h a ll h is f or ce i nt o a r ed be rr y b us h. " Wh at a c he at ! I 'v e a g oo d n ot io n t o g o r ig ht b ac k a nd te ll her wha t I t hi nk of he r."

" Bu t s he d id n' t charg e y ou any th in g, " o bs er ved J ack m il dl y, " an d y ou 'l l h av e t o adm it i t i s a

good breakfast!"

"A good breakfast," roared Peter, glaring indignantly at his loose-jointed companion.

" Well , i t i s a g oo d b reak fast ," f in is hed J ack P um pk in head apo lo geti call y, " fo r a b ir d. " P et er

l oo ke d c lo se ly a t J ac k t o s ee w he th er h e w as p ok in g f un a t h im , b ut q ui te s ob er ly , J ac k w as o pe ni ng h is

good advice.

" Wha t do es yo ur s s ay? " C ro wd in g c lo se r, P et er r ea d t he w or ds on t he t hi n s li p of p ap er a nd

t he n be ga n t o hop up a nd dow n w it h g le e.

" Keep y ou r m ou th s hu t, " adv is ed t he r ed p ap er b ri ef ly .

" Call t hat g oo d adv ice?" s pu tt er ed J ack P um pk in head , t eari ng t he p ap er i nt o t in y p ieces.

" Ho w c an I k ee p m y m out h s hu t w he n i t' s c ar ve d o pe n? O f a ll t he s il ly n on se ns e! "

" Bu t y ou 'l l h av e t o adm it t hat k eepi ng y ou r m ou th s hu t i s g oo d adv ice, " t eased P et er ,

c om pl et el y r es to re d t o g oo d h um or b y t hi s j ok e o n J ac k.

" Th en w hy d on 't y ou t ak e i t?" ask ed J ack s talk in g s ti ff ly ahead . " Take i t and w el co me!"



11/68


12/68

I 'l l w age r you ha ve pl ent y of s tuf f i n your poc ke ts I c oul d us e f or pr es en ts . Ha ve you a w at ch or a gol d

pen knife?" At each question, it made greedy snatches at Peter. "Let me pick your pockets! Give me

y ou r h ea d y ou g re at j um pi ng -j ac k! " T en o f i ts h an ds j us t g ra ze d J ac k' s c oa t t ai ls .

A t f ir st P et er h ad b ee n r at he r a mu se d b y t he C hr is tm as t re e, b ut n ow , t ho ro ug hl y a la rm ed , h e

cl ut ched Ja ck's hand a nd ra n s o fa st tha t J ac k had a ll he c ould do to hold on t o his hea d a nd ke ep from

s tu mb li ng . A s t hey con ti nu ed t o elu de i t, t he d et er mi ned l it tl e t ree g rew v er y ang ry . H op pi ng u p and d ow no n i ts r oo ts , i t s ei ze d t he o rn am en ts fr om i ts t op b ra nc he s a nd h ur le d t he m o ne a ft er a no th er a t t he f le ei ng

pair. Three balls and a candy cane crashed to bits on Peter's head, and as he dodged in between two big

boulders a silver dinner bell tied with red ribbon hit him sharply between the eyes.

"Gee-whiz!" spluttered the little boy, clapping his hand to his forehead, "this is no fun!" Pulling

J ac k a ft er h im , he s que ez ed i nt o a n ar row c re vi ce b et we en t he r oc ks , bu t b ef or e h e d id J ac k l ea ne d

do wn , pi cke d up t he be ll a nd s li ppe d i t i nt o hi s p oc ke t. A s t he C hr is tma s t re e a tt emp te d t o p us h i ts w ay

between the rocks, Peter and Jack pressed against a rough wall at the back. Now it happened that in this

w al l t he re w as a s wi ng in g r oc k d oo r, a nd a s t he y b ot h l ea ne d h ar d a ga in st i t, t he d oo r s wu ng i nw ar d a nd

s pi ll ed t hem abr up tl y i nt o a n ar ro w s to ne cor ri do r. N ex t i ns tant t he d oo r s lamm ed t o, l eavi ng t hem s it ti ngi n s ur pr is e and con st er nati on o n t he r ocky f lo or . T hey cou ld h ear t he t ree p ou nd in g w it h all i ts f is ts again st

t he p an el s, b ut a b ol t ha d dr op pe d i nt o pl ac e a s t he do or c lo se d, s o t he re s ee me d l it tl e d an ge r o f f ur th er

pursuit.

" I w is h w e' d s to p t hi s f al li ng abo ut ," com pl ai ned P et er , p icki ng h im self u p a b it w eari ly . " We'r e

always doing something we don't expect."

" Th at 's b ec au se w e' re i n O z, " a ns we re d J ac k c he er fu ll y, " an d a t a ny r at e, w e h av e s av ed m y

h ead f ro m t he C hr is tm as t ree.

P et er f el t i ncli ned t o r em ar k t hat s av in g J ack' s h ead w as n ot s o v er y i mp or tant , b ut t hi nk in gbetter of it, he went on in an exasperated tone: "Christmas trees in our country don't chase people nor

t hr ow t hi ng s at t hem. T hey s tay w here t hey' re p ut ."

" Ye s, " s ai d J ac k P um pk in he ad b la nd ly , " I s up po se t he y d o, b ut O z C hr is tm as t re es a re m or e

progressive, more up-and-coming." Taking out the silver bell the Christmas Tree had thrown at Peter,

J ac k he ld i t c los e t o h is e ar a nd t he n s wu ng i t s low ly t o a nd f ro . A t i ts f ir st s il ve r r ing P et er , t hi nk in g i t

w ou ld r ou se t he o wn er o f t he c av e, r us he d o ve r t o s to p J ac k, o nl y t o c ol li de v io le nt ly w it h a t in y b la ck

s la ve w ho h ad a pp ar en tl y s pr un g u p f ro m n ow he re . H e w or e a s im pl y e no rm ou s t ur ba n a nd c ar ri ed a n

i mm en se s il ver t ray. R eg ai ni ng h is b al an ce w it h g reat com po su re, t he l it tl e b lack s lave s et t he t ray o n t he

f loo r, f ol de d h is a rm s a nd w it h a d ee p b ow m el te d i nt o t hi n a ir .

" It 's a d in ner! " s ho ut ed P et er , d ro pp in g o n t he f lo or and h un gr il y s natchi ng o ff t he w hi te n ap ki n

t hat cov er ed t he t ray. " Well , o f all t hi ng s! "

" Un ex pect ed t hi ng s, y ou m ean, " cor rect ed J ack s ly ly , " an d I n ot ice y ou d on 't o bj ect t o t hi s

one.

" Le t m e s ee t ha t b el l, " p uf fe d P et er , r ea ch in g a cr os s t he t ra y. I t w as n ot v er y l ig ht i n t he

cav er n, b ut even s o h e cou ld r ead t he i ns cr ip ti on o n t he s hi ni ng s il ver s ur face. " Th e R ed J in n' s d in ner

bell," said the carved letters mysteriously. "A magic dinner bell," exclaimed Peter delightedly. "This

c er ta in ly m ak es u p f or t he b ir d s ee d. A nd d id y ou s ee t ha t b oy d is so lv e i nt o n ot hi ng r ig ht b ef or e o ur

ey es ?" J ack n od ded .



13/68

"B et te r e at t ha t d in ne r b ef or e i t d oe s t he s am e t hi ng ," h e a dv is ed c al ml y. A s t hi s s ee me d n ot a t

a ll i mp ro ba bl e, P et er m ad e s ho rt w or k o f t he r oa st d uc k, m as he d p ot at oe s, h ot r ol ls a nd a pp le s au ce . H e

h ad j us t f in is hed t he l as t r ol l, w hen t ray, d is hes and s il verw ar e v an is hed s ud denl y.

" Sh al l I r in g t he b el l a ga in ?" i nq ui re d J ac k, a s P et er s ta re d d az ed ly a t t he s po t w he re t he t ra y

h ad b een. A lt ho ug h J ack w as n ot con st ru ct ed f or eat in g, h e h ad t ho ro ug hl y enj oy ed w at ch in g P et er .

" No ," d ec id ed t he l it tl e b oy w it h a s at is fi ed n od , " I' ve h ad e no ug h, a nd i t w as g oo d. B ut I

w on de r h ow t ha t C hr is tm as t re e g ot h ol d o f t he R ed J in n' s d in ne r b el l? "

" St ol e i t p ro babl y, " ans wered J ack, r ub bi ng t he b el l o n h is s leev e. " Mayb e t he o ld J in n d id n' t

r un f as t eno ug h. A ny way i t' s a r eg ul ar C hr is tm as p resent f or y ou , P et er . W henever y ou 'r e h un gr y w e' ll

just ring it." With a pleased chuckle, Jack slipped the bell back into his pocket.

" It cer tain ly w il l b e u sefu l, " s ig hed P et er , p at ti ng h is s to mach w it h a con tent ed l it tl e s ig h. N ow

t hat h is h un ger w as s at is fi ed , h e f el t q ui te cheer fu l and adv en tu ro us again . " Let' s s ee w here t hi s

passageway leads," he added, peering round the dark corner at the end of the little corridor.

" Wh y d on 't y ou t hr ow t hat o ld s ack away?" i nq ui red J ack P um pk in head , as t hey w al ked

s lo wl y alo ng t he s tr an ge h al lw ay . " Wh at g oo d i s i t?"

" I d on 't k no w, " a ns we re d P et er , s wi ng in g t he p ir at e' s s ac k c ar el es sl y t o a nd f ro . " I h ad i t w he n

I l and ed he re a nd i t m ig ht c ome i n h an dy t o c ar ry t hi ng s i n. "

" Wh at k in d o f t hi ng s? " a sk ed J ac k s tu pi dl y. P et er d id n ot b ot he r t o a ns we r f or t he y h ad c om e

s ud denl y u po n a g reat s co wl in g g ob li n- head l an tern . U nd er t he l an tern h un g a f lash in g r ed s ig n.

"Tremble!"directed the sign in big red letters.

" I d on 't s ee w hy w e s ho ul d t remb le," s ai d P et er , s qu in ti ng d ef iant ly u p at t he g ob li n l an tern . A t

P et er 's w or ds t he l an te rn w en t o ut , a nd w hi st li ng t hr ou gh t he d ar k w in dy c or ri do r c am e s uc h a

s ucces si on o f w ai ls , s ig hs and h or ri d s cr eeches t hat P et er 's h eart s t oo d s ti l l.

" A re y ou t remb li ng ?" q uavered J ack, as t he h ai r r ai si ng n oi se d ied away. " No t exact ly ,"

s tu tt er ed P et er , l eani ng again st t he w al l t o s tead y h im self . A s t he l an tern f lash ed o n again , h e p eered

a nx io us ly a ll a ro un d. B ut t he re w as n o o ne i n s ig ht , s o p ut ti ng b ac k h is s ho ul de rs a nd t ak in g a d ee p

breath Peter marched bravely forward. "There's nothing to be frightened about, he called reassuringly

over his shoulder.

"Well, nothing certainly made enough noise," murmured Jack, straightening his head which had

s pu n r ou nd a nd r ou nd a t t he h or ri bl e o ut cr ys . " I w is h w e w er e s af el y o ut o f t hi s, d ea r P et er ." P et er d id

n ot s ay s o, b ut h e h ea rt il y e ch oe d J ac k' s w is h. . A s t he y p ro gr es se d a lo ng t he s tr an ge c or ri do r t he g ob li n

l an te rn s b ec am e m or e n um er ou s a nd u gl y, a nd t he l as t t ur n b ro ug ht t he m t o a h ig h, r ed , s pi ke d g at e. O n

e ve ry s pi ke t he re w as a f ro wn in g s ca re h ea d, a nd a s t he t wo t ra ve ll er s p au se d u nc er ta in ly , e ac h h ea d

s tu ck o ut i ts t on gu e.

" Bo o~ OO !" s hr ie ke d t he h ea ds a lt og et he r, s o l ou d a nd s o s hr il ly t ha t P et er a lm os t t oo k t o h is

h ee ls a nd J ac k, w it hou t m ea ni ng t o a t a ll , s at d ow n. A s t he l it tl e b oy hu rr ie dl y t ug ge d h im t o h is f ee t, t he

r ed g at es s wu ng o pe n.

" We lc om e t o S ca re C it y! " b oo me d a h or ri d v oi ce . " Qu ak e! S ha ke ! P al e a nd t re mb le !"



14/68

C HA PT ER 4

S ca ry T im es i n S ca re C it y

ON T HE o the r s id e o f t he s pi ke d ga te r os e a c ur io us c li ff c it y. Th er e wa s a gr ea t c our t i n t he

c en te r s ur ro un de d b y a m as s o f j ag ge d r oc ks a nd f ro m t he r oc ks n ar ro w c li ff d we ll in gs h ad b ee n c ru de ly

h ew n a nd c ut . C roo ke d, c ar ve d s te ps l ed d own i nt o t he c ou rt ya rd a nd e ve ry r oc k a nd i nc h of wa ll s pa ce

w as cov er ed w it h r ou gh ly d rawn h eads and f ro wn in g f aces , w hi le s et o n s to ne p ol es at r eg ul ar i nt er vals

w er e h un dr ed s of go bl in l an te rns . A bl ui sh g re en s mo ke hu ng i n t he a ir a nd e ve ry m in ut e or s o i t w ou ld

r is e a nd f or m i nt o t he w or ds " Sc ar e C it y! S ca re C it y! S ca re C it y! " s o t ha t a lt og et he r t he w ho le e ff ec t

w as e xc ee di ng ly g ri m a nd u np le as an t. S o m uc h s o, i n f ac t t ha t P et er a nd J ac k t ur ne d t o f le e. B ut t he a rm

t hat h ad p ul led t hem t hr ou gh t he g at e, h el d t hem f as t.

" Paus e! " com mand ed a h ar sh v oi ce. " Paus e! P al e and b eh ol d t he C hi ef S carer! " S wall ow in g

ha rd, P et er t ook a n unw il li ng l ook a t t he g at e k ee pe r. H e wa s a bou t s ix f ee t t al l a nd hi s he ad s ee me d t o

be face all round, with eyes on every side and noses that stuck out like spikes in every direction. As

P et er , w it h a l it tl e s hi ve r, t ur ne d a wa y, h e b eg an t o s pe ak a ga in . ' 'Y ou !' ' r um bl ed t he C hi ef S ca re r,

pointing a skinny finger at Jack, "are a perfect fright! But you," contemptuously he looked Peter up and

d ow n, y ou w ou ld n ot e ve n s ca re a b ab y. H ow d ar e y ou c om e h er e w it h t ha t s of t w hi te p ud di ng f ac e? "

Now Peter, as you can well imagine was thoroughly frightened, but the words of the gate keeper made

h im a ng ry a nd a ng er m ad e h im b ol d. St am pi ng h is f oot a nd d ra wi ng h is f ac e i nt o a t er ri bl e s co wl , P et er

s tu ck o ut h is t on gu e.

"Is this better?" he demanded furiously.

"A little! A little!" sighed the Chief Scarer, leaning thoughtfully on his staff. "Could you cross

your eyes?"

" Do n' t y ou d o i t P et er !" b egg ed J ac k. " Th ey m ig ht s ta y t ha t w ay ."

"Well, suit yourself," yawned the Scarer indifferently. "I doubt whether either of you will pass

t he t es ts a ny wa y, a nd i f y ou d on 't y ou 'l l b e t ur ne d i nt o F ra id C at s, o r s ca re d s ti ff . Y ou 'r e s up po se d t o

t rem bl e i n t he pr es enc e of t he K ing, you know, a nd i f you r un you' ll t urn to Fr aid Ca ts a nd i f you s cre amy ou 'l l b e s ca re d s ti ff . R em em be r, no w, I w ar ne d y ou ." L if ti ng a r ed w hi st le t o h is l ip s, t he C hi ef S ca re r

blew three sharp blasts and then stepped back into his niche in the rocks.

" Wh o' s a fr ai d? " m ut te re d P et er i n a d ef ia nt v oi ce . " Th ey c an 't s ca re u s, c an t he y J ac k? " B ef or e

J ac k c ou ld a ns we r, a pe rf ec t h or de o f Sc ar es r us he d o ut o f t he r oc k d we ll ing s a nd b ega n t o t um bl e a nd

l eap d ow n t he s teps i nt o t he cou rt . H al fw ay d ow n, t hey p au sed and o ne w it h a p ar ti cu larl y f ri gh tf ul f ace

bawled impressively; "Tuh-remble, for you are in the presence of the King!" Jack and Peter had no

t ro ub le a t a ll i n t re mb li ng . J ac k' s k ne es k no ck ed t og et he r s o h ar d t ha t o ne o f t he p eg s f el l o ut o f h is j oi nt s

a nd h is p um pk in h ea d b ou nc ed u p a nd d ow n u po n i ts p eg . P et er t wi st ed h is h an ds b eh in d h im a nd g ri tt ed

hi s t ee th t o ke ep f rom s cr ea mi ng. He f el t e xa ct ly a s he ha d whe n he wa s a s ma ll boy a nd a r ough c rowd

o f H al lo w' een g ho st s and g ob li ns p ou nced s ud denl y u po n h im i n h is o wn f ro nt y ar d.

" Th ey 'r e n o w or se t han m as qu er aders ," s aid P et er p lu ck il y. " Do n' t r un ! D on 't s cream , J ack, n o



15/68


16/68


17/68

s ay y ou 'r e l eavi ng t hi s p lace b ecau se-"

" Be ca us e w e h at e i t, " s ai d P et er , l oo ki ng s te ad il y a t t he s tr an ge s pe ak er . S o m an y t hi ng s h ad

h ap pe ne d i n t he l as t h ou r t ha t P et er f el t o nl y a s li ght t wi ng e o f s ur pr is e a t t he c re at ur e' s c ur io us

app earance and con vers at io n. " Ar e y ou a g ri ff in ?" P et er ask ed , r ub bi ng h is f or eh ead w eari ly . I t l oo ked

n ot u nl ik e p ic tu re s h e h ad s ee n of t hi s r ar e a nd f ab ul ou s m on st er -b ei ng s an dy r ed i n c ol or , w it h a h ug e

l io n' s b od y a nd d ra go n' s c la ws . I ts h ea d, i ns te ad o f b ei ng t he u su al e ag le h ea d, w as o f r at he r a d og gi shn at ur e w it h a s tand -u p m an e and i nq ui si ti ve, p oi nt ed ear s.

" Yo u m us t b e a g ri ff in ," r ep eated P et er , n ot in g t he p ow er fu l w in gs s tart in g f ro m t he m on st er 's

shoulders.

" I am a g ri ff in w it ho ut t he g r- rr ," ans wered t he ani mal, s it ti ng d ol ef ul ly b ack o n i ts h au nches. " I

u se d t o be a r ea l g ri ff in , bu t s in ce m y c ap tur e a nd i mp ri so nm en t he re I 'v e c om pl et el y l os t m y g r- rr , w hi ch

m ak es m e by t he p ro ce ss o f s im pl e s ubt ra ct io n a n I ff in . T o w hi le a wa y t he h ou rs of m y c ap ti vi ty , i t w ent

o n p at ient ly , " I acq ui red t he h ab it o f t ho ug ht . I t ho ug ht and I t ho ug ht and t hi nk in g b ro ug ht o n i ff in g. I

began to if about this and that till I became a philosopher."

"What is a philosopher?" asked Jack suspiciously.

"A philosopher is an Iffin too," rumbled the singular beast, scratching his ear reflectively. "He

t hi nk s p ract ical ly all t he t im e and h e s ay s t o h im self :

"If this and that are really so, the n s o a re that and this; Tha t being so, 'tis bes t to go so far, then

o ne can 't m is s!

"Everything hinges on the if," he finished brightly. "See?"

" I' m afr ai d I d on 't ," s ai d J ack, s haki ng h is h ead s tu pi dl y. " Do y ou , P et er ?"

" Well , I u nd er st an d abo ut t he i f, " ans wered t he l it tl e b oy , w ho cou ld n ot h el p g ri nn in g at J ack' s

puzzled expression. "If the Iffin will just show us the way out of Scare City, we'll go and not miss a single

thing."

" If i t w er e n ot f or t he S ca re s, I w ou ld ," w he ez ed t he b ig b ea st , p ee ri ng n er vo us ly u p a t t he

r oc ks . " Bu t i t' s n o u se ; t he y' ll o nl y t ur n y ou t o F ra id C at s o r s ta tu es . B es id es I 'm c ha in ed ." H e l if te d o ne

paw to which a heavy chain and padlock were attached. The other end of the chain was fastened to the

base of the pillar.

" Sa y, y ou m us t b e a s ou nd s le ep er ," m ar ve ll ed J ac k. " Di dn 't y ou h ea r t he b ig b at tl e? T hi s b oy

a nd I h av e c on qu er ed t he w ho le c it y a nd H ar um S ca ru m a nd t he S ca re s a re g on e- va ni sh ed , d on e f or ."

"Gone!" cried the Iffin, lashing its tail in astonishment. "How? When? Where?" Jack pointed

s il en tl y t o t he s ack w hi ch P et er s ti ll h ad o ver o ne s ho ul der, and P et er q ui ck ly t ol d o f t heir excit in g

e nc ou nt er w it h t he c it iz en s o f S ca re C it y, of t he g re at us ef ul ne ss of t he R ed J in n' s d in ne r b el l a nd t he w ay

t he p ir at e s ack h ad f in al ly s wall ow ed d ow n t he w ho le com pany o f h or ro rs . A t P et er 's r ecit al , t he I ff in 's

e ye s g re w r ou nd er a nd r ou nd er a nd a s h e f in is he d i t p ut u p b ot h w in gs a nd w it h s ho rt a gi ta te d j um ps

shrieked:

" Th e S ca re s a re g on e, t he n w ha t s ca re w e! Th e S ca re s a re g on e, w e' re f re e, w e' re f re e!



18/68

" Lo os e t hi s chain ," i t p an ted, t ug gi ng i mp at ient ly away f ro m t he p os t. A s P et er , n ow as excit ed

a s t he I ff in , l oo ke d h ur ri ed ly a ro un d f or a b ar or s to ne t o br ea k t he p ad loc k, J ac k s te pp ed f or wa rd a nd

warningly held up his hand.

" Ju st w ha t d o y ou e at ?" a sk ed J ac k P um pk in -h ea d i n a n a nx io us v oi ce . " Ar e y oucarnivorous?"

" If an I ff in w er e car ni vo ro us , w ou ld h e r el is h r ed g er an iu ms ? I l iv e o n f lo wers , s ol el y, s o p leas e

get that through your craniums.

"What did you think I ate, little boys?" finished the Iffin sulkily.

" We ll , y ou n ev er c an t el l, " m ur mu re d J ac k, w it h a w or ri ed g la nc e a t P et er . " I j us t w an te d t o b es ur e. " P et er c hu ck le d t o h im se lf , a nd w hi le l oo ki ng f or a s pi ke d is co ve re d a g ol d k ey s us pe nd ed f ro m a

n ai l o n o ne o f t he r ed p il la rs . T ak in g t he k ey , h e f it te d i t i nt o t he r us ty p ad lo ck a nd a ft er s ev er al

u ns uccess fu l att em pt s i t t ur ned and t he h eavy chain f el l w it h a l ou d clank t o t he r ed p av in g s to nes.

" Do y ou r ea ll y e at g er an iu ms ?" a sk ed P et er , a s t he I ff in s pr an g a wa y f ro m t he p os t a nd r us he d

i n c ra zy c ir cl es a ro un d t he c ou rt y ar d.

" Of cou rs e, " i t s no rt ed b oi st er ou sl y. " Of cou rs e! " T hen s pr eadi ng i ts w id e r ed w in gs i t s oared

m aj es ti call y i nt o t he air -u p, u p and o ut o f s ig ht .

"Why it's gone!" shouted Jack Pumpkinhead indignandy. "There's gratitude for you! Gone andl ef t u s w it ho ut e ve n a c la w s ha ke o r t ha nk y ou .

" Ma yb e i t w il l c om e b ac k. " K ic ki ng a si de t he c ha in , P et er s tr ai ne d h is e ye s t o c at ch a g li mp se

of t he f lyi ng m on st er , but n ot one s pe ck s how ed i n t he m ur ky s ky o ve rh ea d. I f J ac k a nd Pe te r ha d b ee n

blue before, they were navy blue now. With their only means of escape removed they looked blankly at

o ne ano th er , w hi le t he g ob li n l an tern s g lo wed and s mo ked and t he s ul ph ur ou s air o f t he cli ff cit y g rew

m or e d ry and u nb ear ab le.

" If I 'd o nl y m ad e i t p ro mi se t o h el p u s b ef or e I t ur ne d t he k ey, " s ig he d P et er r eg re tf ul ly .

" Ha h! S o y ou 'r e a n I ff in , t oo ." P ee ri ng a ro un d a p il la r, t he b ri gh t r ed e ye s o f t he s an dy c ol or ed

beast winked merrily into Peter's. "Just trying out my wings," it explained gruffly, "and they're wonderful!

" I f y ou d on 't t hi nk s o, l is te n t o t he m s wi rl a nd w hi rl a nd s wi sh ; C li mb on m y ba ck , I 'l l c ar ry

y ou t o a ny pl ac e yo u w is h. "

" Wi ll y ou r eall y, " cri ed P et er , f al li ng j oy fu ll y o n t he I ff in 's n eck. " Can y ou t ak e u s t o t he

Emerald City?"

" If y ou w an t m e t o, " ans wered t he I ff in , w ag gi ng i ts t ai l b as hf ul ly .



19/68

"Have you a name," inquired Jack Pumpkinhead, getting stiffly off the granite block.

" We ll ," s ai d t he I ff in s lo wl y, " I' ve be en he re s o l on g I f or go t m y r ea l n am e bu t t he S ca re s

c al led me Snif . I 'm not s ur e I know t he wa y to t he Eme ral d Ci ty, but I wi ll f ly over t he wa ll i nto t he La nd

of t he B ar ons a nd t he re we c an su re ly f ind s ome one t o di re ct us . Si nc e you ha ve f re ed me f rom m y

cap to rs I w il l s er ve y ou f ai th fu ll y f or s ev en y ears .

" Hu rr ah !" s ho ut ed P et er , h ug gi ng J ac k. " I' m n ot s ur e I c an s ta y i n O z t ha t l on g, b ut I 'm

cer tain ly g lad w e f el l i nt o t hi s cit y. M eeti ng y ou w as w or th all t he t ro ub le." I n r ep ly t he I ff in cho rt led:

" If yo u ha dn' t c om e, I 'd b e he re ye t, S o I 'm gl ad a s a G luc kbi rd t ha t we m et ."

" Wh at 's a G lu ck bi rd ?" ask ed J ack, s tr ai gh teni ng h is h ead and l oo ki ng r at her s ev er el y at t he

irrepressible monster.

" If I k ne w I 'd t el l y ou ," c on fi de d t he I ff in , c om in g c lo se t o w hi sp er i n J ac k' s e ar . " Le t' s m ak e

o ur selv es s carce aro un d h er e, " h e cal led b oi st er ou sl y i n t he n ex t b reat h.

" Oh l et 's ," a gr ee d P et er , s wi ng in g u p t he p ir at e' s s ac k. " Yo u m ou nt f ir st J ac k a nd b e s ur e t o

h ol d f as t t o y ou r h ea d. "

" A nd b e s ur e t hat b ag 's s hu t, " add ed t he I ff in , w ig gl in g h is n os e r ap id ly . " I' ve n ev er t ravell ed

w it h a m ag ic s ac k a nd t hou gh I f ly I 'm no s wa ll ow !"

" Is t he d in ner b el l all r ig ht ?" ask ed P et er , t ig ht en in g t he cor d o f t he p ir at e' s s ack and h el pi ng

J ac k c li mb o n S ni f' s b ac k. T he re w as j us t r oo m f or t he P um pk in he ad t o s it a st ri de i n f ro nt o f t he I ff in 'sw in gs and P et er s et tl ed h im self com fo rt ab ly b ack o f J ack b et ween t he m ig ht y p in io ns . W it h o ne l as t

s co rn fu l l oo k at t he r ed cit y, t he I ff in r os e i nt o air , m ou nt in g h ig her t il l t he g ob li n l ig ht s o f S care C it y w er e

no larger than fire flys twinkling below.

" W er e y ou a p ri so ne r l on g? " a sk ed P et er , a s S ni f f le w s wi ft ly o ve r a b ri gh t r ed f or es t.

" Fi ve y ears ," b el lo wed t he b ig b east , l oo ki ng o ver i ts s ho ul der. F ly in g s eemed n o eff or t at all

a nd i t t al ke d q ui te e as il y a s i t f le w. " The f ir st ye ar ," i t e xp la in ed s adl y, " I s tr ug gl ed a nd g row le d s o h ar d i n

m y e ff or ts t o e sc ap e t ha t I c om pl et el y l os t m y g u- r- r- r. S ee !" C le ar in g i ts t hr oa t, t he I ff in a tt em pt ed a

g ro wl b ut s uc ce ed ed i n p rod uc in g o nl y a f ai nt s que ak. " Af te r I l os t m y g u- rr ," i t we nt o n i n a m el an cho lyv oi ce, " I amu sed m ys el f m ak in g u p i ff is h v er ses, a h ab it I f ear I s hall n ev er r ecov er f ro m. "

" I l ik e i t, " s ai d P et er a ft er a s ho rt p aus e. " It r emi nds me of Sc ra ps . She 's a l ive Pa tc hwor k G ir l

w ho l iv es i n t he E me ra ld C it y. S cr ap s t al ks i n v er se s a ll t he t im e. "

"I f t he Pa tc hwor k G ir l c an t al k i n r hyme She mus t be ' mos t a s sm art as I' m."

s mi led S ni f, w it h a w in k at J ack P um pk in head .

" Sh e i s, " l au gh ed P et er w it h a r em in is ce nt c huc kl e. " I s ay , t he re m us t ha ve b ee n a l ot o f

t ra ve ll er s f ro m t he n um be r o f F ra id C at s i n S ca re C it y. W hy d id t he y h av e t wo h ea ds ?"

" So t he y' d b e f or ce d t o l oo k a t S ca re s w hi ch e ve r w ay t he y t ur ne d, " s ig he d t he I ff in . " Ev er y



20/68

Sc ar e ha d hi s c av e f ul l o f s ta tue s of pe opl e who h ad c om e t o S ca re Ci ty by m is ta ke a nd be en f ri ght ene d

s ti ff . Y ou w er e l uc ky t o e sc ap e.

" We ll ," a dm it te d P et er w it h p ar do na bl e p ri de , " it 's p re tt y h ar d t o s ca re t he C ap ta in o f a

baseball team and Jack is not easily frightened either."

" So I s ee, er- saw, " o bs er ved t he I ff in p ol it el y.

"W he n w e r ea ch t he E me ra ld C it y, O zm a w il l f in d a w ay t o r el ea se a ll o f t he se p ri so ne rs

w herever t hey ar e, s ai d P et er con fi dent ly . " Bu t h ow d id t hey cap tu re y ou ?"

"I dr oppe d i nt o t he c it y a t ni ght ," s ai d t he If fi n, "a nd be fo re I s aw how ba d i t wa s the y

o ve rp ow er ed a nd c ha in ed m e u p. T he y w an te d m e t o s ta y a nd d ev ou r a ll t ra ve ll er s a nd e ve n w he n I

r ef us ed t he y k ep t m e a s a c ur io si ty . A nd t ha t' s a ll I 'l l b e f ro m n ow o n, " i t w he ez ed h ea vi ly . " I' ll ne ve r g et

t he t as te of s ul phur out of my t hr oa t, t he pi ct ur e of t he Sc ar es out of my m ind o r be a bl e t o gr ow l a ga in.

I 'm q ui te all w ro ng .

" You s ee m a ll r igh t t o me ," s ai d P et er , w it h a l it tl e s ig h o f c on te nt . " Wa it t il l yo u s ee t he

E me ra ld C it y. Y ou 'l l f or ge t a ll a bo ut t he S ca re s a nd n ev er e ve r w an t t o l ea ve a ga in , w il l h e J ac k? "

" Never, " ans wered J ack , w it h a s ol em n n od .

" I h av e h eard t he cap it ol i s v er y l ov el y, " m us ed t he I ff in , " bu t m y h om e i s b eaut if ul , t oo ."

" Wh er e d o y ou l iv e? " i nq ui re d P et er . J ac k w as t oo b us y h ol di ng o n h is h ea d t o j oi n i n t he

conversation.

" In t he L an d o f t he B ar on s, amo ng t hese h il ls ." P au si ng i n m id air , t he I ff in p oi nt ed w it h i ts clawt o t he r ol li ng h il ls id e b el ow . H er e a nd t he re a bo ve t he t re es a nd o n t he h il l t op s l or dl y c as tl es r ea re d t he ir

r ou nd , r ed t ow er s. F la gs f lu tt er ed f ro m e ve ry t ur re t a nd P et er h ad t o a dm it t ha t t he L an d o f t he B ar on s

looked extremely interesting and gay.

" Ar e t hese b ar on s p leasant f el lo ws ?" h e ask ed , p ut ti ng a s tead yi ng arm aro un d J ack

Pumpkinhead. The Iffin answered in verse:

" If t he y' re g oo d, t he y' re g oo d a s p ie , B ut s om e a re b ad a nd m ak e t hi ng s f ly ~e ve n m e.

" Yo u m ea n t he re a re a ll k in ds ," m us ed P et er .

" Yes, " s ai d t he I ff in . " An d t hey' re alw ay s f ig ht in g, b ut I d on 't m in d b at tl es . I j us t f ly aro un d t il l

t hey' re o ver and t hey' re q ui te i nt er es ti ng t o w at ch ."

" I hope we don' t l an d i n t he m id dl e of a ba tt le ," s ighe d Pe te r. "A nd I hope t he f ir st B ar on w e

me et i s a good f el low a nd knows t he w ay t o t he Em era ld Ci ty ."

"If he is, and if he does, we'll be as gay as never was; And if he's not and if he don't, we'll find

a w ay , s wu mp ed i f w e w on 't !"

" Yo u u se s uc h f un ny w or ds ," s ni ff ed P et er , a s t he m on st er c ir cl ed l ow er a nd l ow er . B ut t he



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" Lo rd o f t hese L an ds , and m y i ll us tr io us M as ter. A las! A las! W hat h av e I d on e! U nh ap py h im !

U nh ap py I ! U nh ap py u s. I a m a m es s! I a m a m es s! A m os t m is -e r- ab le m es me ri ze r. B ur yi ng h is f ac e i n

h is h and s, t he o ld m an r us he d b li ndl y p as t t he m, a nd l on g a ft er h e ha d g one h is p ie rc in g g ro an s c am e

ech oi ng b ack t o t hem.

" No w w hat d o y ou s up po se h e d id d o?" ask ed P et er , s et tl in g h im self t ho ug ht fu ll y b et ween t heIffin's wings.

"Belfaygor, Belfaygor," mused Snif, repeating the name over several times. "I remember

no w- he 's o ne of t he g oo d ba ro ns . L et 's go on t o hi s c as tl e a nd s ee w ha t ha s ha ppe ne d t o hi m. " Bu t t he y

d id n ot h av e t o w ai t t il l t he y r ea ch ed t he c as tl e t o f in d ou t, f or ha lf wa y t hr ou gh t he p ar k, t he y c am e u po n

t he b ar on h im self . H is r ub y cro wn , m ag ni fi cent r ed b oo ts , r ichl y emb ro id er ed cap e, p ro cl ai med h is r an k

a t on ce , b ut i t w as h is be ar d t ha t P et er s aw f ir st a nd ne ve r f or go t a ft er wa rd- a r ed be ar d t ha t f la sh ed a nd

f lo we d d ow n h is b re as t a nd s wi rl ed a ro un d h is f ee t i n a n a ng ry r ed t id e. W it h h is h ea d t hr ow n b ac k, a

pair of shears in each hand, Belfaygor was clipping desperately at the shining waves that seemed to pour

i n a s te ady t or re nt f rom hi s c hi n. At e ac h c li p he g roa ne d a nd a t e ac h gr oa n he c li pp ed.

" My be ar d! " c ho ke d t he b ar on. " My b ri de a nd my b ea rd! " M y br ide a nd m y be ar d! " An d s o

eng ro ss ed and d is tr ess ed w as t he u nh ap py g en tl em an t hat h e n ei th er s aw n or h eard t he I ff in 's app ro ach.

" So t hi s i s w hat com es o f m es meri zi ng ," s no rt ed S ni f, s to pp in g s o s ud denl y h e alm os t u ns eated

h is r id er s. " Hi s b ea rd i s r un ni ng a wa y w it h hi m. W ha t c an w e do a bou t i t? "

" Ca n w e b e o f a ny h el p? " c al le d P et er , m or e p ra ct ic al ly . " Is t he re a ny th in g w e c an d o M r.

B ar on ?" A t P et er 's q uest io n, B el fayg or g av e a g reat s tart ; t hen b li nk in g u p h al f- seei ng ly at t he s tr an ge

company, gloomily shook his head.

" No th in g can h el p m e, " m oaned t he b ar on , cli pp in g f ur io us ly , " fo r n ot hi ng can s to p t hi s b eard

f ro m g ro wi ng . A nd t ha t' s n ot t he w or st , M og od or e t he M ig ht y h as s to le n t he P ri nc es s I w as t o m ar ry a nd

each time I try to run to rescue her my beard trips me up. Woe, woe, woe! Was ever a man so

unhappy-so unlucky as I?"

" Wh er e are y ou r m en ," ask ed S ni f, w ri nk li ng u p h is n os e anx io us ly .

" Go ne ," s ai d t he B ar on d ul ly . " Fr ig ht en ed o ff b y m y b ea rd , t he y h av e d es er te d m e d ow n t o t he

smallest train bearer."

" Yo u d on 't n ee d a t ra in b ea re r. W ha t y ou n ee d i s a b ea rd b ea re r, " p uf fe d J ac k P um pk in he ad ,

d is mo un ti ng s ti ff ly a nd s te pp ed a s c lo se a s h e d ar ed t o t he b ar on . " If y ou t hr ow y ou r b ea rd o ve r y ou r

s ho ul der, i t w il l g ro w t he o th er w ay ," h e s ug gest ed ami ab ly . F or a m om en t B el fayg or s tared s lo wl y at

J ac k, t he n f li ng in g t he r ed b ea rd o ve r o ne s ho ul de r h e e xt en de d b ot h a rm s.

"T hat' s t he o nl y s en si bl e t hi ng I 'v e h eard s in ce I w as m es meri zed, " h e s ho ut ed h oars el y. " I

h er eb y a pp oi nt y ou R oy al B ea re r o f t he b ea rd ."

"Thanks," murmured Jack, looking doubtfully at Peter.

"Who are you?" demanded the baron in growing excitement and appreciation. "This Griffin I

h av e s ee n b ef or e, b ut y ou , m y g oo d f el lo w a re m os t o dd a nd c ur io us .



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" Yo u s ha ll b e k ni gh te d f or t hi s, m y b oy ," h e p ro mi se d. " Yo u, t oo ," h e a dd ed , p re ss in g J ac k' s

wooden fingers earnestly.

"What about me?" inquired Snif, raising a claw solemnly.

" If t hi s k ee ps u p w e' ll a ll be k ni gh te d; S ir J ac k! S ir P et e, w hy a m I s li gh te d? "

"You're not," promised Belfaygor, picking up his shears and beginning furiously. "You'll be

knighted, too."

" Well , i f y ou i ns is t, " m ur mu red t he a m ol li fi ed t on e, " bu t I w on 't w ear arm or . C om e o n

k ni gh ts ," h e cal led g ai ly , " fo r n ig ht i s com in g o n and i f w e' re t o r each B af fl eb ur g b ef or e d ar k w e' d b et ter

s t ar t n ow .

T he v er y n am e o f B af fl eb ur g g av e P et er a t hr il l. M or e i nt er es te d a nd e xc it ed t ha n h e h ad b ee n

s in ce h is arr iv al i n O z, h e h el ped J ack t o m ou nt t he I ff in 's b ack and h ur ri ed ly s eated h im self b eh in d h im .

B el fa yg or c am e n ex t w it h h is b ac k t o P et er , s o h is b ea rd w ou ld n ot b lo w i n t he l it tl e b oy 's f ac e, a nd a ft er a gl an ce ba ck t o s ee t ha t h is r ide rs we re s af e a nd c omf or ta bl e, S ni f s pr ea d h is g re at w in gs a nd s oa re d

alo ft , f ly in g s tr ai gh t t ow ar d t he r ed m ou nt ai ns P et er h ad s een i n t he d is tance. A s t hey r os e h ig her and

h ig he r B el fa yg or f ou nd i t n o l on ge r n ec es sa ry t o p ly h is s he ar s, a nd h is b ri gh t r ed b ea rd s tr ea me d l ik e a

w av in g b an ne r b eh in d t he m. T he p oo r b ar on w as g la d i nd ee d f or t hi s r es t, f or h e h ad b ee n c li pp in g

s tead il y s in ce ear ly m or ni ng and alr eady h ad b li st er s o n b ot h t hu mb s. N ow and t hen, w hen h is b eard

s ee me d i n d ang er o f c at chi ng i n a t re e o r w in di ng a bo ut a c as tl e t ow er , h e w ou ld s ni p i t o ff s ho rt a ga in

a nd P et er a nd J ac k w ou ld w at ch i t f lo at a wa y, l ik e s om e s tr an ge r ed c lo ud .

F ly in g w as s uch an exh il ar at in g exp er ience t hat P et er f or go t all abo ut t he d an gero us adv en tu re

t ha t l ay a he ad a nd t he f or bi dd in g a sp ec t o f M og od or e' s m ou nt ai n d id n ot t ro ub le h im a t a ll . A s t he y d re w

c lo se r, h e c ou ld s ee t he C it y o f B af fl eb ur g, i ts t ur re te d f or ts , a nd i ts c as tl e a nd s tr on g h ou se s s ee mi ng t os pr in g f ro m t he r oc k i ts el f. S tr et chi ng r ou nd t he m ou nt ai n t he re w as a y aw ni ng c ha sm a nd a t t he f oo t w as

a t ow er ed f or tr es s a nd d ra wb ri dg e o ve r w hi ch M og od or e a nd h is m en c ro ss ed t he c ha sm w he n t he y

m ade w ar on t he b ar on s be lo w. R ed c ap pe d w ar ri or s s too d i n e ac h e mb ra su re o f t he f or t a nd g ua rds

m ar ch ed s ti ff ly t o a nd f ro u po n t he c it y w al ls . T he g ri m r ed c as tl e c lu ng t o t he r oc ks , ha lf wa y u p t he

m ou nt ai n and g av e M og od or e a s pl en di d v iew o f t he w ho le v al ley b en eath .

" If I f ly t oo n ea r, a g ol de n s pe ar m ay i nt er ru pt o ur f li gh t; S o l et 's de sc en d a nd m ix a l it tl e

stratagem with might."

muttered the Iffin, coasting cautiously downward.

" S tr at ag em 's a b ig w or d, " s ig hed J ack P um pk in head . " Wh at d oes i t m ean?"

" A p la n t o c on fu se t he e ne my ," e xp la in ed P et er a s t he I ff in 's f ee t t ou ch ed t he r oc ky g ro un d o n

t he o the r s id e of t he c ha sm . " We m us t f ind t he be st pl ac e t o d rop i nt o t he c it y, t he b es t wa y t o us e t he

pirate's sack and the quickest plan for finding the Princess."

Belfaygor was the first to dismount. Throwing his beard impatiently over his shoulder, he

f ro wn ed g lo om il y u p at t he M og od or e' s m ou nt ai n. N ow t hat t hey w er e r eall y b ef or e t he C it y o f

B af fl eb ur g, t he cheer fu l p lans and h op es o f P et er and t he I ff in s eemed w il d and i mp ract ical . T he l on ger h e

l oo ked t he m or e i mp os si bl e t hey s eemed, and r es ti ng h is h an d h eavi ly o n P et er 's s ho ul der h e b eg ged t he

l it tl e b oy t o con ti nu e h is j ou rn ey t o t he E merald C it y and l eave h im t o d eal w it h t he w icked m ou nt ai n

chief.



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A t t he f am il ia r v er se s, P et er d id s to p, a nd g la nc in g d ow n h e s aw a c re at ur e n o b ig ge r t ha n a

squirrel perched on his shoulder.

" It 's m e, " w ai le d a d es pe ra te v oi ce , a s t he t in y b ea st l ea ne d o ve r a nd r ub be d i ts h ea d a ga in st

his cheek.

" Th os e v io lets ," i t cho ked b it terl y, " th os e v io lets w er e s hr in ki ng v io lets , P et er . L oo k at m e! I 'v e

s hr un k! I m ig ht j us t as w el l t hr ow m ys el f away.

" Do n' t, " g ul ped P et er , as t he I ff in s tart ed t o h ur l i ts el f f ro m h is s ho ul der. " I l ik e y ou l it tl e~ "

" Well I l ik e h im b ig ," ann ou nced J ack u nf eeli ng ly . " An d w ho 's t o car ry u s o ver t he chasm n ow ,

ma y I a sk? "

" Oh !" g ro an ed B el fayg or , t ri pp in g o ver h is w hi sk er s aft er o ne h or ri fi ed l oo k at t he l it tl e

monster, "everything is over! Everything is over now!"

" So 's y ou r o ld b eard ," m um bl ed J ack i n an ann oy ed v oi ce. P icki ng u p t he s hear s B el fayg or

h ad d ro pp ed h e c ut l en gt h a ft er l en gt h f ro m t he e nc ha nt ed r ed b ea rd , w hi le t he b ar on c on ti nu ed t o w ri ng

h is h an ds a nd g ro an a nd P et er t ri ed i n v ai n t o c om fo rt t he I ff in .

C HA PT ER 8

A Wa y t o Cr os s the Cha sm

I 'L L W AG ER t hat o ld J in n d id t hi s o n p ur po se," d eclared J ack i nd ig nant ly . " I' ll r in g t hat

d um bb el l again and t he b oy 's n eck, t oo l"

"It wasn't his fault," put in Peter, lifting Snif from his shoulder and thoughtfully stroking the small

r ed he ad . " I d on' t s upp os e t hos e v io le ts w er e m ea nt t o b e e at en. "

" If I o nl y h ad n' t e at en t he m, " w ai le d t he I ff in , a s t wo t ea rs r ol le d d ow n h is c he ek s. " Yo u' ve n o

i de a h ow i t f ee ls t o s hr in k, b oy s.

"Why di d I e at thos e viol et s. I fe el s o si ll y and sma ll ! I 'm just a n e lf , I' m not myse lf, I 'm j us t no

o ne at all !"

" Oh , y es y ou are," P et er r eass ur ed h im h as ti ly . " Wh y l oo k, y ou 'l l f it r ig ht i n m y p ocket and I 'l l

c ar ry you f or a c ha nge a nd whe n we re ac h the Eme ra ld Ci ty t he W iz ar d of Oz wi ll s oon m ake you l ar ge

again."

" Ar e w e t o r each t he E merald C it y?" i nq ui red J ack, l oo ki ng u p f ro m s ni pp in g B el fayg or 's

beard. "And how do you know you won't shrink yourself?"

P e te r t ur ne d a l it tl e p al e a t J ac k' s q ue st io n.



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" Th e b ar on and I d id n' t eat any v io lets ," h e ans wered, s wall ow in g h as ti ly .

" Ye s, b ut h ow a re w e t o c ro ss t he c ha sm ?" B el fa yg or , t ak in g t he s he ar s f ro m J ac k, r ol le d h is

e ye s s ad ly a t P et er .

" We 'l l j us t h av e t o t hi nk o f s om e o th er w ay , s ai d P et er , s ta ri ng o ff a t M og od or e' s m ou nt ai n.

"Let's all think."

" I can o nl y t hi nk o f p oo r l it tl e S hi rl ey S un sh in e, l ocked u p i n t hat d is mal t ow er ," r et or ted

Belfaygor despondently.

"I c an o nl y t hi nk h ow f ar i t m us t b e t o t he b ot to m o f t hi s c re vi ce ," m ut te re d J ac k, l oo ki ng s ad ly

d ow n i nt o t he r av in e.

" It l oo ks t o me a s i f w e' d h av e t o do a ll t he t hi nki ng f or t hi s p ar ty ," m ur mu re d Sn if , f ly in g u p o n

P et er 's s ho ul der. " Never m in d, I s ti ll can t hi nk , even i f I am l it tl e.

" If I d o a l it tl e t hi nk in g a nd I t hi nk a l it tl e bi t, I f t he re 's a ny wa y t o c ro ss i t, w hy I 'l l s ur el y t hi nk

of it!"

" I' m g la d y ou c an s ti ll m ak e v er se s, " s ai d P et er w it h a s ig h. " It h el ps , a nd m ak es t hi ng s s ee m a

little less awful."

" Ye s, " s ai d t he I ff in , r es ti ng h is c he ek a ga in st P et er 's . T he s un h ad d ro pp ed d ow n b eh in d t he

r ed c as tl e a nd i n t he gr ay l ig ht o f e ar ly e ve ni ng t he g ri m c it y on t he r oc ks l ook ed m or e f or bi dd in g t ha n

e ve r. G re at b la ck c ro ws c ir cl ed a bo ut t he t ow er s a nd t ur re ts a nd t he ir h oa rs e c ry s d ri ft ed l ik e t hr ea te ni ng

jeers across the chasm.

"I f we had a n a x," s aid Pe te r gl oomi ly, " we m ight c hop down a t re e on t he e dge of t he c ha sm

s o i t w ou ld f al l a cr os s. " H e w as j us t w ond er in g w he th er t he r av in e w as n ar ro w e no ug h t o j um p a t a ny

point, when Snif gave a little bounce and, flying off his shoulder, announced shrilly: "I have thought of a

w ay ! W e' ll c ro ss o n t he b ar on 's b ea rd !"

"You mean grow across?" asked Jack Pumpkinhead doubtfully.

"Impossible!" roared Belfaygor, throwing up his shears and hands indignantly. "Wouldst jerk

o ut m y w hi sk er s? B es id es t he y g ro w d ow n a nd n ot u p. "

" Paus e! " H ol di ng u p o ne claw, t he I ff in l oo ked s ol em nl y f ro m o ne t o t he o th er . " Fi rs t, "

exp lain ed S ni f q ui et ly , " Belf ay go r m us t w al k t hr ee t im es aro un d a t ree. T hat w il l m ak e h is b eard f as t and

ke ep i t f rom pul ling. Then I wi ll t ake the e nd of t he be ard i n my cl aws, f ly ac ros s t he c has m a nd fa ste n i t

to a tr ee on t he othe r s ide . The n whe n Pe te r a nd J ac k ha ve c ros se d, the Ba ron ca n sni p off the be ard

c lo se t o h is c hi n a nd c ro ss h im se lf i n s af et y. W ha t t hi nk y ou o f t ha t, m y b ra ve c om ra de s? "

"Why, that's a perfectly splendid idea!" cried Peter, jumping up enthusiastically. "How ever did

y ou t hi nk o f i t?"

"Well," Snif reminded him gaily, "for five years I did nothing but think-so thinking comes easy

t o m e. How a bout i t B ar on, w il l y ou l end us your be ar d? "

"Y es ," ans wered B el fayg or r eadi ly eno ug h, n ow t hat h e h ad h eard t he I ff in 's p lan, " ev en i f i t



30/68

h ur ts I w il l d o i t. I 'l l d o any th in g t o s av e S hi rl ey S un sh in e f ro m t hat v il lain ou s b an di t. "

" Th en every th in g' s s et tl ed !" cri ed P et er , w ho h at ed d el ay o r i nact iv it y o f any k in d. " Let' s s tart !"

" No t n ow ," s ai d t he I ff in , s haki ng h is l it tl e h ead s er io us ly . " We m us t w ai t t il l m or ni ng P et er . A s

I c annot ca rry you a ll up t o the c ast le i ts el f, you wil l ha ve t o cl imb ove r t he r oc ks a nd c li ffs t o the c ity

g at es . T hi s w il l b e b ad eno ug h b y d ay li gh t, b ut i mp os si bl e at n ig ht ."

"That's so," agreed Peter regretfully.

" And w ha t' s t o be com e of u s w he n we r ea ch t he c it y ga te s? " qu ave re d J ac k i n a hol lo w voi ce .

"Will not these Baffleburghers impale us upon their spears?"

" Oh , I h op e n ot ," m ut te re d t he I ff in , s et tl in g d ow n o n P et er 's s ho ul de r, " bu t w e' ll h av e t o t ak e a

c ha nc e o n i t. M y gue ss i s t ha t t he gua rds wi ll s ei ze a nd c ar ry y ou t o M og odo re . O nc e i n M og odo re 's

presence, Peter can open the sack, and after the sack swallows everyone, we'll find the Princess and

r et ur n t o t he c ap it ol o n f oo t. "

" Wh at abo ut m y b eard ?" ask ed B el fayg or n er vo us ly . " If t hey m ak e u s p ri so ners and t ak e

away m y s hear s, w e' ll all b e s mo th er ed ."

"Well, so will they," Snif reminded him philosophically, "and that will be some comfort."

A lr eady S ni f s eemed t o h av e f or go tt en h is d read fu l m is hap and t o h av e r ecov er ed h is f or mer g oo d s pi ri ts ,

and u nd er t he i nf lu en ce o f t he m er ry l it tl e m on st er t he w ho le p ar ty g rew q ui te cheer fu l and g ay .

" Come a long, " he c al le d, fl yin g on a he ad, " Le t' s f in d s om e pl ac e t o s le ep . I s t ha t a c ave I s ee

over there?"

Ba ck a mon g t he r oc ks a t t he f oot of a t al l c li ff t he re w as a c ave , s ur e e no ugh , a nd Pe te r, a ft er

a l it tl e e xpl or ing , d ec id ed i t w ou ld b e j us t t he p la ce i n w hi ch t o s pe nd t he n ig ht . L en gt hs c ut f ro m

B el fayg or ' s b ear d and p il ed o n t he f lo or m ad e s pl end id m at t ress es and , as J ack P um pk in head r equ ir ed

n o r es t, h e o ff er ed t o s ta nd g ua rd a t t he e nt ra nc e. T he b ar on h im se lf l ay w it h h is h ea d j us t o ut si de t he

c av e, a nd t he o bl ig in g P um pk in he ad pr om is ed t o c ut h is b ea rd f ro m t im e t o t im e a nd s ee t ha t i t d id n ot

c ho ke u p t he o pe ni ng , n or s uf fo ca te t he s le ep er s. S o m uc h h ad h ap pe ne d s in ce P et er f el l i nt o t he

pumpkin field, he was weary as a walrus and glad enough to rest. By the time the moon had climbed to

t he t op o f M og od or e' s m ou nt ai n, h e w as f as t a sl ee p, t he I ff in c ur le d c oz il y i n t he b en d o f h is a rm , a nd

s oo n o nl y t he s no re s o f B el fa yg or a nd t he s ni p o f J ac k' s s he ar s b ro ke t he d ee p d ar k s il en ce o f t he n ig ht .

C HA PT ER 9

The Forbidden Flagon

W HI LE P et er a nd h is f ri en ds r es te d i n t he ir h id de n c av e, t he l ig ht s i n t he c as tl e a cr os s t he

chasm b ur ned f ar i nt o t he n ig ht , as t he B ar on o f B af fl eb ur g s at i n con vers e w it h W ag ar ag , h is chi ef

s te wa rd a nd M aj or D om o. B ig ge n a nd L it tl e, t he b ar on 's b od y g ua rd s, d oz ed s ti ff ly a t t he ir p os ts b eh in d

h is chair , w hi le t he h ug e h un ti ng d og s s no red u po n t he h eart hs to nes. F lari ng t or ch es , s et i n s to ne h ol ders

i n t he w al l, f lu ng a f li cke ri ng l igh t i nt o t he d im c or ne rs of t he gr ea t s to ne ha ll . B ea r r ug s w er e s tr ew n a bou t



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t he f lagg ed f lo or ; s wo rd s, d ag gers and g li tt er in g arm or h un g u po n t he w al ls and t he f ur ni tu re, t he car ved

c he st s, t ab le s a nd c ha ir s w er e bi g a nd c lu ms y, l ik e t he o wne r o f t he c as tl e h im se lf .

W it h h is c hi n r es ti ng i n t he pa lm o f h is h an d, M og od or e s ta re d m oo di ly i nt o t he f ir e, bu t

Wagarag, a thin anxious little Baffleburgher, moved about restlessly, straightening a tapestry here, a table

c ov er t he re , a nd n ev er s ti ll f or a m om en t.

" If I o nl y I k ne w w ha t w as i n t ha t m is er abl e f la gon ," m ut te re d t he b ar on f or a bo ut t he f if ti et h

t im e. " If I on ly k ne w! W hy

jack pumpkinhead of oz - l. frank baum

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