TheProjectGutenbergEBookofTheScarecrowofOz,byL.FrankBaum

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Title:TheScarecrowofOz

Author:L.FrankBaum

ReleaseDate:February21,2016[EBook#51263]

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHESCARECROWOFOZ***

ProducedbyDavidEdwards,TomCosmas,TheInternetArchives

forreplacementpages,OZClub.orgforabettercoverimage,

andtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeamat

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project.)

=====TheFamousOzBooks=====

Since1900,whenL.FrankBaumintroducedtothechildrenofAmericaTHEWONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ and all the other exciting characters whoinhabit the land of Oz, these delightful fairy tales have stimulated theimaginationofmillionsofyoungreaders.

Thesearestorieswhicharegenuinefantasycreative,funny,tender,exciting

andsurprising.Filledwith therarestandmostabsurdcreatures,eachof the14volumes which now comprise the series, has been eagerly sought out bygeneration after generation until to-day they are known to all except the veryyoungorthosewhowereneveryoungatall.

When,inarecentsurvey,TheNewYorkTimespolledagroupofteenagersonthebookstheylikedbestwhentheywereyoung,theOzbookstoppedthelist.

THEFAMOUSOZBOOKS

ByL.FrankBaum:

THEWIZARDOFOZTHELANDOFOZOZMAOFOZ

DOROTHYANDTHEWIZARDINOZTHEROADTOOZ

THEEMERALDCITYOFOZTHEPATCHWORKGIRLOFOZ

TIK-TOKOFOZTHESCARECROWOFOZ

RINKITINKINOZTHELOSTPRINCESSOFOZTHETINWOODMANOFOZ

THEMAGICOFOZGLINDAOFOZ

CHICAGOTHEREILLY&LEECO.PUBLISHERS

THE

SCARECROWOFOZ

BY

L.FRANKBAUM

AUTHOROF

THEROADTOOZ,DOROTHYANDTHE

WIZARDINOZ,THEEMERALDCITYOFOZ,THELANDOFOZ,OZMAOF

OZ.THEPATCHWORKGIRLOFOZ,TIK-TOKOFOZ

ILLUSTRATEDBYJOHNR.NEILL

TheReilly&LeeCo

Chicago

’TWIXTYOUANDME

TheArmyofChildrenwhichbesiegedthePostoffice,conqueredthePostmenanddeliveredtomeitsimperiousCommands,insistedthatTrotandCap’nBillbeadmittedtotheLandofOz,whereTrotcouldenjoythesocietyofDorothy,Betsy Bobbin and Ozma, while the one-legged sailor-man might become acomradeoftheTinWoodman,theShaggyMan,Tik-Tokandalltheotherquaintpeoplewhoinhabitthiswonderfulfairyland.

ItwasnoeasytasktoobeythisorderandlandTrotandCap’nBillsafelyinOz,asyouwilldiscoverbyreadingthisbook.Indeed,itrequiredthebesteffortsofourdearoldfriend,theScarecrow,tosavethemfromadreadfulfateonthe

journey;butthestoryleavesthemhappilylocatedinOzma’ssplendidpalaceandDorothy has promised me that Button-Bright and the three girls are sure toencounter, in the near future, somemarvelous adventures in the Land of Oz,whichIhopetobepermittedtorelatetoyouinthenextOzBook.

Meantime, I am deeply grateful to my little readers for their continuedenthusiasmovertheOzstories,asevincedinthemanyletterstheysendme,allofwhicharelovinglycherished.IttakesmoreandmoreOzBookseveryyeartosatisfythedemandsofoldandnewreaders,andtherehavebeenformedmany“OzReadingSocieties,”where theOzBooksownedbydifferentmembersarereadaloud.AllthisisverygratifyingtomeandencouragesmetowritemoreOzstories.When the children have had enough of them, I hope theywill letmeknow,andthenI’lltrytowritesomethingdifferent.

L.FRANKBAUM“RoyalHistorianofOz.”

“OZCOT”atHOLLYWOODinCALIFORNIA,1915.

LISTOFCHAPTERS

1TheGreatWhirlpool 182CavernUndertheSea 223TheOrk 334DaylightatLast! 525TheLittleOldManoftheIsland 626TheFlightoftheMidgets 827TheBumpyMan 898Button-BrightisLost,andFoundAgain 1019TheKingdomofJinxland 11910Pon,theGardener’sBoy 131

11TheWickedKingandGoogly-Goo 13812TheWooden-LeggedGrasshopper 15113GlindatheGoodandtheScarecrowofOz16714TheFrozenHeart 17815TrotMeetstheScarecrow 19516PonSummonstheKingtoSurrender 20417TheOrkRescuesButton-Bright 21318TheScarecrowMeetsanEnemy 22019TheConquestoftheWitch 23020QueenGloria 24121Dorothy,BetsyandOzma 25522TheWaterfall 26423TheLandofOz 27324TheRoyalReception 278

«11»«12»

CHAPTER1

TheGreatWhirlpool

“Seems tome,” saidCap’nBill, ashe satbesideTrotunder thebigacaciatree, lookingoutovertheblueocean,“seemstome,Trot,ashowthemoreweknow,themorewefindwedon’tknow.”

“Ican’tquitemakethatout,Cap’nBill,”answeredthelittlegirlinaseriousvoice,afteramoment’sthought,duringwhichhereyesfollowedthoseoftheoldsailor-manacrosstheglassysurfaceofthesea.“Seemstomethatallwelearnisjus’somuchgained.”

“Iknow; it looks thatwayat first sight,” said thesailor,noddinghishead;"but thoseasknowstheleasthaveahabitof thinkin’ theyknowall there is toknow,whilethemasknowsthemostadmitswhataturr’blebigworldthisis.It’stheknowingonesthatrealizeonelifetimeain’tlongenoughtogitmore’nafewdipso’theoarsofknowledge."

Trotdidn’tanswer.Shewasaverylittlegirl,withbig,solemneyesandanearnest, simplemanner. Cap’nBill had been her faithful companion for yearsandhadtaughtheralmosteverythingsheknew.

Hewasawonderfulman,thisCap’nBill.Notsoveryold,althoughhishairwasgrizzled—whattherewasofit.Mostofhisheadwasbaldasaneggandasshinyasoilcloth,andthismadehisbigearsstickoutinafunnyway.Hiseyeshadagentlelookandwerepaleblueincolor,andhisroundfacewasruggedandbronzed.Cap’nBill’s left legwasmissing, from the kneedown, and thatwaswhy the sailor no longer sailed the seas. The wooden leg he wore was goodenoughtostumparoundwithonland,oreventotakeTrotoutforaroworasailontheocean,butwhenitcameto“runnin’upaloft”orperformingactivedutieson shipboard, theold sailorwasnot equal to the task.The lossof his leghadruined his career and the old sailor found comfort in devoting himself to theeducationandcompanionshipofthelittlegirl.

The accident toCap’nBill’s leg had happened at about the timeTrotwasborn, and ever since that he had livedwithTrot’smother as “a star boarder,”havingenoughmoneysaveduptopayforhisweekly“keep.”Helovedthebabyandoftenheldheronhislap;herfirstridewasonCap’nBill’sshoulders,forshehadnobaby-carriage; andwhen shebegan to toddlearound, thechildand thesailorbecameclosecomradesandenjoyedmanystrangeadventurestogether.ItissaidthefairieshadbeenpresentatTrot’sbirthandhadmarkedherforehead

with their invisible mystic signs, so that she was able to see and do manywonderfulthings.

Theacaciatreewasontopofahighbluff,butapathrandownthebankinazigzagwaytothewater’sedge,whereCap’nBill’sboatwasmooredtoarockbymeansofastoutcable.Ithadbeenahot,sultryafternoon,withscarcelyabreathofairstirring,soCap’nBillandTrothadbeenquietlysittingbeneaththeshadeofthetree,waitingforthesuntogetlowenoughforthemtotakearow.

Theyhaddecidedtovisitoneofthegreatcaveswhichthewaveshadwashedout of the rocky coast duringmany years of steady effort. The caves were asourceofcontinualdelighttoboththegirlandthesailor,wholovedtoexploretheirawesomedepths.

“Ib’lieve,Cap’n,”remarkedTrot,atlast,“thatit’stimeforustostart.”

Theoldmancastashrewdglanceatthesky,theseaandthemotionlessboat.Thenheshookhishead.

“Mebbeit’stime,Trot,”heanswered,“butIdon’tjes’likethelookso’thingsthisafternoon.”

“What’swrong?”sheaskedwonderingly.

“Can’tsayastothat.Thingsistooquiettosuitme,that’sall.Nobreeze,notaripplea-topthewater,naryagulla-flyin’anywhere,an’theendo’thehottestdayo’theyear.Iain’tnoweather-prophet,Trot,butanysailorwouldknowthesignsisominous.”

“There’snothingwrongthatIcansee,”saidTrot.“Iftherewasacloudintheskyevenasbigasmythumb,wemightworryaboutit;but—look,Cap’n!—theskyisasclearascanbe.”

Helookedagainandnodded.

“P’r’aps we can make the cave, all right,” he agreed, not wishing todisappoint her. “It’s only a littleway out, an’we’ll be on thewatch; so comealong,Trot.”

Togethertheydescendedthewindingpathtothebeach.Itwasnotroubleforthe girl to keep her footing on the steep way, but Cap’n Bill, because of hiswoodenleg,hadtoholdontorocksandrootsnowandthentosavehimselffrom

tumbling.Onalevelpathhewasasspryasanyone,buttoclimbuphillordownrequiredsomecare.

TheyreachedtheboatsafelyandwhileTrotwasuntyingtheropeCap’nBillreachedintoacreviceoftherockanddrewoutseveraltallowcandlesandaboxofwaxmatches,whichhethrustintothecapaciouspocketsofhis“sou’wester.”This sou’wester was a short coat of oilskin which the old sailor wore on alloccasions—when he wore a coat at all—and the pockets always contained avarietyofobjects,usefulandornamental,whichmadeevenTrotwonderwheretheyallcamefromandwhyCap’nBillshouldtreasurethem.Thejackknives—abig one and a little one—the bits of cord, the fishhooks, the nails: thesewerehandy to have on certain occasions. But bits of shell, and tin boxes withunknown contents, buttons, pincers, bottles of curious stones and the like,seemed quite unnecessary to carry around. That was Cap’n Bill’s business,however, andnow thathe added the candles and thematches tohis collectionTrotmadenocomment,forsheknewtheselastweretolighttheirwaythroughthecaves.

Thesailoralwaysrowedtheboat,forhehandledtheoarswithstrengthandskill. Trot sat in the stern and steered. The placewhere they embarkedwas alittlebightorcircularbay,and theboatcutacrossamuch largerbay towardadistantheadlandwhere thecaveswere located, rightat thewater’sedge.Theywere nearly a mile from shore and about half-way across the bay when Trotsuddenlysatupstraightandexclaimed:“What’sthat,Cap’n?”

Hestoppedrowingandturnedhalfaroundtolook.

“That,Trot,”heslowlyreplied,“lookstomemightylikeawhirlpool.”

“Whatmakesit,Cap’n?”

“Awhirl intheairmakesthewhirl inthewater.Iwasafraidaswe’dmeetwithtrouble,Trot.Thingsdidn’tlookright.Theairwastoostill.”

“It’scomingcloser,”saidthegirl.

Theoldmangrabbedtheoarsandbeganrowingwithallhisstrength.

“’Tain’tcomin’closertous,Trot,”hegasped;“it’swethatarecomin’closertothewhirlpool.Thethingisdrawin’ustoitlikeamagnet!”

Trot’ssun-bronzedfacewasalittlepalerasshegraspedthetillerfirmlyandtriedtosteertheboataway;butshesaidnotawordtoindicatefear.

Theswirlof thewateras theycamenearermadea roaringsound thatwasfearful to listen to. So fierce and powerfulwas thewhirlpool that it drew thesurfaceoftheseaintotheformofagreatbasin,slantingdownwardtowardthecenter,whereabigholehadbeenmadeintheocean—aholewithwallsofwaterthatwerekeptinplacebytherapidwhirlingoftheair.

TheboatinwhichTrotandCap’nBillwereridingwasjustontheouteredgeofthissaucer-likeslant,andtheoldsailorknewverywellthatunlesshecouldquicklyforcethelittlecraftawayfromtherushingcurrent theywouldsoonbedrawnintothegreatblackholethatyawnedinthemiddle.Soheexertedallhismightandpulledashehadneverpulledbefore.Hepulledsohardthat theleftoarsnappedintwoandsentCap’nBillsprawlinguponthebottomoftheboat.

Hescrambledupquicklyenoughandglancedovertheside.ThenhelookedatTrot,whosatquitestill,withaserious,far-awaylookinhersweeteyes.Theboat was now speeding swiftly of its own accord, following the line of thecircularbasinroundandroundandgraduallydrawingnearertothegreatholeinthecenter.Anyfurtherefforttoescapethewhirlpoolwasuseless,andrealizingthisfactCap’nBillturnedtowardTrotandputanarmaroundher,asiftoshieldherfromtheawfulfatebeforethem.Hedidnottrytospeak,becausetheroarofthewaterswouldhavedrownedthesoundofhisvoice.

Thesetwofaithfulcomradeshadfaceddangersbefore,butnothingtoequalthatwhichnowfaced them.YetCap’nBill,noting the look inTrot’seyesandrememberinghowoftenshehadbeenprotectedbyunseenpowers,didnotquitegivewaytodespair.

Thegreathole in thedarkwater—nowgrowingnearerandnearer—lookedveryterrifying;buttheywerebothbraveenoughtofaceitandawaittheresultoftheadventure.

CHAPTER2

TheCavernUndertheSea

The circleswere somuch smaller at thebottomof thebasin, and theboatmoved so much more swiftly, that Trot was beginning to get dizzy with themotion,whensuddenlytheboatmadealeapanddivedheadlongintothemurkydepthsofthehole.Whirlingliketops,butstillclingingtogether, thesailorandthegirlwereseparatedfromtheirboatandplungeddown—down—down—intothefarthermostrecessesofthegreatocean.

At first their fall was swift as an arrow, but presently they seemed to begoingmoremoderatelyandTrotwasalmostsure thatunseenarmswereabouther,supportingherandprotectingher.Shecouldseenothing,becausethewaterfilled her eyes and blurred her vision, but she clung fast to Cap’n Bill’ssou’wester,whileotherarmsclungfasttoher,andsotheygraduallysankdownanddownuntilafullstopwasmade,whentheybegantoascendagain.

But it seemed toTrot that theywerenot risingstraight to thesurface fromwheretheyhadcome.Thewaterwasnolongerwhirlingthemandtheyseemed

tobedrawninaslantingdirectionthroughstill,cooloceandepths.Andthen—inmuchquickertimethanIhavetoldit—uptheypoppedtothesurfaceandwerecastatfulllengthuponasandybeach,wheretheylaychokingandgaspingforbreathandwonderingwhathadhappenedtothem.

Trot was the first to recover. Disengaging herself from Cap’n Bill’s wetembrace and sitting up, she rubbed the water from her eyes and then lookedaroundher.A soft, bluish-greenglow lighted theplace,which seemed tobe asortofcavern,foraboveandoneithersideofherwereruggedrocks.Theyhadbeen cast upon a beach of clear sand,which slanted upward from the pool ofwater at their feet—a poolwhich doubtless led into the big ocean that fed it.Abovethereachof thewavesof thepoolweremorerocks,andstillmoreandmore, into thedimwindingsand recessesofwhich theglowing light from thewaterdidnotpenetrate.

Theplace lookedgrimand lonely, butTrotwas thankful that shewas stillaliveandhadsufferednosevereinjuryduringhertryingadventureunderwater.AthersideCap’nBillwassputteringandcoughing,tryingtogetridofthewaterhehadswallowed.Bothofthemweresoakedthrough,yetthecavernwaswarmandcomfortableandawettingdidnotdismaythelittlegirlintheleast.

Shecrawleduptheslantofsandandgatheredinherhandabunchofdriedseaweed,withwhichshemopped the faceofCap’nBillandcleared thewaterfromhiseyesandears.Presently theoldmansatupandstaredather intently.Thenhenoddedhisbaldheadthreetimesandsaidinagurglingvoice:

“Mightygood,Trot;mightygood!Wedidn’treachDavyJones’slockerthattime,didwe?Thoughwhywedidn’t,an’whywe’rehere,ismore’nIkinmakeout.”

“Takeiteasy,Cap’n,”shereplied.“We’resafeenough,Iguess,at leastforthetimebeing.”

Hesqueezedthewateroutofthebottomsofhisloosetrousersandfeltofhiswoodenlegandarmsandhead,andfindinghehadbroughtallofhispersonwithhimhegatheredcouragetoexaminecloselytheirsurroundings.

“Whered’yethinkweare,Trot?”hepresentlyasked.

“Can’tsay,Cap’n.P’r’apsinoneofourcaves.”

Heshookhishead.“No,”saidhe,“Idon’tthinkthat,atall.Thedistancewe

cameupdidn’tseemhalfasfarasthedistancewewentdown;an’you’llnoticethereain’tanyoutsideentrancetothiscavernwhatever.It’sareg’lardomeoverthispoolo’water,andunlessthere’ssomepassageattheback,upyonder,we’refastpris’ners.”

Trotlookedthoughtfullyoverhershoulder.

“Whenwe’rerested,”shesaid,“wewillcrawlupthereandsee if there’sawaytogetout.”

Cap’nBillreachedinthepocketofhisoilskincoatandtookouthispipe.Itwas still dry, for he kept it in anoilskin pouchwith his tobacco.Hismatcheswere in a tight tin box, so in a few moments the old sailor was smokingcontentedly. Trot knew it helped him to think when he was in any difficulty.Also, the pipe did much to restore the old sailor’s composure, after his longduckingandhisterriblefright—afrightthatwasmoreonTrot’saccountthanhisown.

Thesandwasdrywheretheysat,andsoakedupthewaterthatdrippedfromtheirclothing.WhenTrothadsqueezedthewetoutofherhairshebegantofeelmuchlikeheroldselfagain.Byandbytheygotupontheirfeetandcreptuptheinclinetothescatteredbouldersabove.Someofthesewereofhugesize,butbypassingbetween someandaroundothers, theywereable to reach theextremerearofthecavern.

“Yes,”saidTrot,withinterest,“here’saroundhole.”

“Andit’sblackasnightinsideit,”remarkedCap’nBill.

“Justthesame,”answeredthegirl,“weoughttoexploreit,andseewhereitgoes,’causeit’stheonlyposs’blewaywecangetoutofthisplace.”

Cap’nBilleyedtheholedoubtfully.

“Itmaybeawayouto’here,Trot,”hesaid,“butitmaybeawayintoafarworseplacethanthis.I’mnotsurebutourbestplanistostayrighthere.”

Trotwasn’tsure,either,whenshethoughtofitinthatlight.Afterawhileshemadeherwaybacktothesandsagain,andCap’nBillfollowedher.Astheysatdown,thechildlookedthoughtfullyatthesailor’sbulgingpockets.

“Howmuchfoodhavewegot,Cap’n?”sheasked.

“Halfadozenship’sbiscuitsan’ahunko’cheese,”hereplied.“Wantsomenow,Trot?”

Sheshookherhead,saying:

“Thatoughttokeepusalive’boutthreedaysifwe’recarefulofit.”

“Longer’nthat,Trot,”saidCap’nBill,buthisvoicewasalittletroubledandunsteady.

“But if we stay here we’re bound to starve in time,” continued the girl,“whileifwegointothedarkhole—”

“Some things are more hard to face than starvation,” said the sailor-man,gravely.“Wedon’tknowwhat’s insidethatdarkhole.Trot,norwhereitmightleadusto.”

“There’sawaytofindthatout,”shepersisted.

Insteadofreplying,Cap’nBillbegansearchinginhispockets.Hesoondrewout a little package of fishhooks and a long line. Trotwatched him join themtogether.Thenhecreptalittlewayuptheslopeandturnedoverabigrock.Twoor three small crabs began scurrying away over the sands and the old sailorcaughtthemandputoneonhishookandtheothersinhispocket.Comingbacktothepoolheswungthehookoverhisshoulderandcircleditaroundhisheadand cast it nearly into the center of the water, where he allowed it to sinkgradually,payingoutthelineasfarasitwouldgo.Whentheendwasreached,hebegandrawingitinagain,untilthecrabbaitwasfloatingonthesurface.

Trotwatchedhimcast thelineasecondtime,andathird.Shedecidedthateithertherewerenofishesinthepoolortheywouldnotbitethecrabbait.ButCap’nBillwasanoldfishermanandnoteasilydiscouraged.Whenthecrabgotawayheputanotheronthehook.Whenthecrabswereallgoneheclimbeduptherocksandfoundsomemore.

MeantimeTrot tiredofwatchinghimand laydownupon the sands,whereshefellfastasleep.Duringthenexttwohoursherclothingdriedcompletely,asdidthatoftheoldsailor.Theywerebothsousedtosaltwaterthattherewasnodangeroftakingcold.

Finally the little girl was wakened by a splash beside her and a grunt ofsatisfaction fromCap’n Bill. She opened her eyes to find that the Cap’n hadlanded a silver-scaled fish weighing about two pounds. This cheered herconsiderablyandshehurriedtoscrapetogetheraheapofseaweed,whileCap’nBillcutupthefishwithhisjackknifeandgotitreadyforcooking.

Theyhadcooked fishwithseaweedbefore.Cap’nBillwrappedhis fish insome of theweed and dipped it in thewater to dampen it. Then he lighted amatchandsetfiretoTrot’sheap,whichspeedilyburneddowntoaglowingbedof ashes. Then they laid thewrapped fish on the ashes, covered it withmoreseaweed,andallowedthistocatchfireandburntoembers.Afterfeedingthefirewith seaweed for some time, the sailor finally decided that their supper wasready,sohescatteredtheashesanddrewoutthebitsoffish,stillencasedintheirsmokingwrappings.When thesewrappingswere removed, the fishwas found

thoroughlycookedandbothTrotandCap’nBillateof it freely.Ithadaslightflavorofseaweedandwouldhavebeenbetterwithasprinklingofsalt.

Thesoftglowwhichuntilnowhad lighted thecavern,began togrowdim,but therewasagreatquantityof seaweed in theplace, soafter theyhadeatentheirfishtheykeptthefirealiveforatimebygivingitahandfuloffuelnowandthen.

From an inner pocket the sailor drew a small flask of battered metal andunscrewing the cap handed it toTrot. She tookbut one swallowof thewater,althoughshewantedmore,andshenoticedthatCap’nBillmerelywethis lipswithit.

“S’pose,”saidshe,staringattheglowingseaweedfireandspeakingslowly,“thatwecancatchallthefishweneed;how’boutthedrinking-water,Cap’n?”

Hemoveduneasilybutdidnotreply.Bothofthemwerethinkingaboutthedarkhole,butwhileTrothadlittlefearofittheoldmancouldnotovercomehisdisliketoentertheplace.HeknewthatTrotwasright,though.Toremaininthecavern,wheretheynowwere,couldonlyresultinslowbutsuredeath.

Itwas nighttime upon the earth’s surface, so the little girl became drowsyandsoonfellasleep.Aftera timetheoldsailorslumberedon thesandsbesideher. Itwas very still and nothing disturbed them for hours.When at last theyawokethecavernwaslightagain.

They had divided one of the biscuits and were munching it for breakfastwhentheywerestartledbyasuddensplashinthepool.Lookingtowardittheysawemergingfromthewaterthemostcuriouscreatureeitherofthemhadeverbeheld.Itwasn’tafish,Trotdecided,norwas itabeast. Ithadwings, though,andqueerwingstheywere:shapedlikeaninvertedchopping-bowlandcoveredwith tough skin instead of feathers. It had four legs—much like the legs of astork,onlydoublethenumber—anditsheadwasshapedagooddeallikethatofa poll parrot, with a beak that curved downward in front and upward at theedges, and was half bill and half mouth. But to call it a bird was out of thequestion,becauseithad110featherswhateverexceptacrestofwavyplumesofa scarlet color on the very top of its head. The strange creature must haveweighedasmuchasCap’nBill,andasitflounderedandstruggledtogetoutofthewater to the sandybeach itwas sobigandunusual thatbothTrot andhercompanionstaredatitinwonder—inwonderthatwasnotunmixedwithfear.

CHAPTER3

TheOrk

The eyes that regarded them, as the creature stood dripping before them,werebrightandmildinexpression,andthequeeradditiontotheirpartymadenoattempt to attack them and seemed quite as surprised by themeeting as theywere.

“Iwonder,”whisperedTrot,“whatitis.”

“Who,me?” exclaimed the creature in a shrill, high-pitched voice. “Why,

I’manOrk.”

“Oh!”saidthegirl.“ButwhatisanOrk?”

“Iam,”he repeated, a littleproudly, ashe shook thewater fromhis funnywings;"andifeveranOrkwasgladtobeoutofthewaterandondrylandagain,youcanbemightysurethatI’mthatespecial,individualOrk!"

“Have you been in the water long?” inquired Cap’n Bill, thinking it onlypolitetoshowaninterestinthestrangecreature.

“Why, this last duckingwas about tenminutes, I believe, and that’s aboutnineminutesandsixtyseconds too long forcomfort,”was the reply.“But lastnightIwasinanawfulpickle,Iassureyou.Thewhirlpoolcaughtme,and—”

“Oh,wereyouinthewhirlpool,too?”askedTroteagerly.

Hegaveheraglancethatwassomewhatreproachful.

“I believe Iwasmentioning the fact, young lady,whenyourdesire to talkinterruptedme,”saidtheOrk.“Iamnotusuallycarelessinmyactions,butthatwhirlpoolwassobusyyesterdaythatIthoughtI’dseewhatmischiefitwasupto.SoIflewalittletoonearitandthesuctionoftheairdrewmedownintothedepths of the ocean. Water and I are natural enemies, and it would haveconquered me this time had not a bevy of pretty mermaids come to myassistance and dragged me away from the whirling water and far up into acavern,wheretheydesertedme.”

“Why, that’s about the same thing that happened to us,” cried Trot. “Wasyourcavernlikethisone?”

“Ihaven’texaminedthisoneyet,”answeredtheOrk;“butiftheyhappentobe alike I shudder at our fate, for the other one was a prison, with no outletexceptbymeansofthewater.Istayedthereallnight,however,andthismorningIplungedintothepool,asfardownasIcouldgo,andthenswamashardandasfarasIcould.Therocksscrapedmyback,nowandthen,andIbarelyescapedtheclutchesofanuglysea-monster;butbyandbyIcametothesurfacetocatchmybreath,andfoundmyselfhere.That’sthewholestory,andasIseeyouhavesomething to eat I entreat you to giveme a share of it. The truth is, I’m halfstarved.”

WiththesewordstheOrksquatteddownbesidethem.VeryreluctantlyCap’n

Bill drew another biscuit from his pocket and held it out. The Ork promptlyseized it in oneof its front claws andbegan to nibble thebiscuit inmuch thesamemanneraparrotmighthavedone.

“Wehaven’tmuchgrub,”said thesailor-man,“butwe’rewillin’ toshare itwithacomradeindistress.”

“That’s right,” returned the Ork, cocking its head sidewise in a cheerfulmanner,and thenfora fewminutes therewas silencewhile theyall ateof thebiscuits.AfterawhileTrotsaid:

“I’veneverseenorheardofanOrkbefore.Aretheremanyofyou?”

“Weareratherfewandexclusive,Ibelieve,”wasthereply.“Inthecountrywhere Iwas bornwe are the absolute rulers of all living things, from ants toelephants.”

“Whatcountryisthat?”askedCap’nBill.

“Orkland.”

“Wheredoesitlie?”

“I don’t know, exactly.You see, I have a restless nature, for some reason,whilealltherestofmyracearequietandcontentedOrksandseldomstrayfarfromhome.Fromchildhooddays I loved to fly longdistancesaway, althoughfatheroftenwarnedmethatIwouldgetintotroublebysodoing.

“‘It’s a bigworld, Flipper,my son,’ hewould say, ‘and I’ve heard that inpartsof it livequeer two-leggedcreaturescalledMen,whowaruponallotherlivingthingsandwouldhavelittlerespectforevenanOrk.’

“ThisnaturallyarousedmycuriosityandafterIhadcompletedmyeducationandleftschoolIdecidedtoflyoutintotheworldandtrytogetaglimpseofthecreatures calledMen. So I left home without saying good-bye, an act I shallalwaysregret.Adventuresweremany,Ifound.Isightedmenseveraltimes,buthave never before been so close to them as now.Also I had to fightmywaythroughtheair,forImetgiganticbirds,withfluffyfeathersalloverthem,whichattackedmefiercely.Besides,itkeptmebusyescapingfromfloatingairships.InmyramblingIhadlostalltrackofdistanceordirection,sothatwhenIwantedtogohomeIhadnoideawheremycountrywaslocated.I’venowbeentryingtofinditforseveralmonthsanditwasduringoneofmyflightsovertheoceanthat

Imetthewhirlpoolandbecameitsvictim.”

TrotandCap’nBilllistenedtothisrecitalwithmuchinterest,andfromthefriendlytoneandharmlessappearanceoftheOrktheyjudgedhewasnotlikelytoprovesodisagreeableacompanionasatfirsttheyhadfearedhemightbe.

TheOrksatuponitshaunchesmuchasacatdoes,butusedthefinger-likeclawsofitsfrontlegsalmostascleverlyasiftheywerehands.Perhapsthemostcuriousthingaboutthecreaturewasitstail,orwhatoughttohavebeenitstail.Thisqueerarrangementofskin,bonesandmusclewasshapedlikethepropellersused on boats and airships, having fan-like surfaces and being pivoted to itsbody.Cap’nBillknewsomethingofmechanics,andobservingthepropeller-liketailoftheOrkhesaid:

“Is’poseyou’reaprettyswiftflyer?”

“Yes,indeed;theOrksareadmittedtobeKingsoftheAir.”

“Yourwingsdon’tseemtoamounttomuch,”remarkedTrot.

“Well,theyarenotverybig,”admittedtheOrk,wavingthefourhollowskinsgently to and fro, “but they serve to supportmybody in theairwhile I speedalongbymeansofmytail.Still,takenaltogether,I’mveryhandsomelyformed,don’tyouthink?”

Trotdidnotliketoreply,butCap’nBillnoddedgravely.“ForanOrk,”saidhe, “you’re awonder. I’ve never seen one afore, but I can imagine you’re asgoodasany.”

Thatseemedtopleasethecreatureanditbeganwalkingaroundthecavern,makingitswayeasilyuptheslope.Whileitwasgone,TrotandCap’nBilleachtookanothersipfromthewater-flask,towashdowntheirbreakfast.

“Why,here’sahole—anexit—anoutlet!”exclaimedtheOrkfromabove.

“Weknow,”saidTrot.“Wefounditlastnight.”

“Well, then, let’sbeoff,”continuedtheOrk,afterstickingitsheadinto theblack hole and sniffing once or twice. “The air seems fresh and sweet, and itcan’tleadustoanyworseplacethanthis.”

Thegirlandthesailor-mangotupandclimbedtothesideoftheOrk.

“We’daboutdecidedtoexplorethisholebeforeyoucame,”explainedCap’nBill; “but it’s a dangerous place to navigate in the dark, so wait till I light acandle.”

“Whatisacandle?”inquiredtheOrk.

“You’llseeinaminute,”saidTrot.

Theoldsailordrewoneofthecandlesfromhisright-sidepocketandthetinmatchboxfromhisleft-sidepocket.WhenhelightedthematchtheOrkgaveastartledjumpandeyedtheflamesuspiciously;butCap’nBillproceededtolightthecandleandtheactioninterestedtheOrkverymuch.

“Light,”itsaid,somewhatnervously,“isvaluableinaholeofthissort.Thecandleisnotdangerous,Ihope?”

“Sometimesitburnsyourfingers,”answeredTrot,“butthat’sabouttheworstitcando—’cepttoblowoutwhenyoudon’twantitto.”

Cap’nBillshieldedtheflamewithhishandandcreptintothehole.Itwasn’tanytoobigforagrownman,butafterhehadcrawledafewfeetitgrewlarger.TrotcameclosebehindhimandthentheOrkfollowed.

“Seems like a reg’lar tunnel,” muttered the sailor-man, whowas creepingalongawkwardlybecauseofhiswoodenleg.Therocks,too,hurthisknees.

Fornearlyhalfanhourthethreemovedslowlyalongthetunnel,whichmademanytwistsandturnsandsometimesslanteddownwardandsometimesupward.

Finally Cap’n Bill stopped short, with an exclamation of disappointment, andheldtheflickeringcandlefaraheadtolightthescene.

"What’swrong?’demandedTrot,whocouldseenothingbecausethesailor’sformcompletelyfilledthehole.

“Why,we’vecometotheendofourtravels,Iguess,”hereplied.

“Istheholeblocked?”inquiredtheOrk.

“No; it’s wuss nor that,” replied Cap’n Bill sadly. “I’m on the edge of aprecipice.Waitaminutean’I’llmovealongandletyouseeforyourselves.Becareful,Trot,nottofall.”

Thenhecreptforwardalittleandmovedtooneside,holdingthecandlesothatthegirlcouldseetofollowhim.TheOrkcamenextandnowallthreeknelton a narrow ledgeof rockwhichdropped straight away and left a hugeblackspacewhichthetinyflameofthecandlecouldnotilluminate.

“H-m!” said the Ork, peering over the edge; “this doesn’t look verypromising, I’ll admit. But letme take your candle, and I’ll fly down and seewhat’sbelowus.”

“Aren’tyouafraid?”askedTrot.

“Certainly I’mafraid,” responded theOrk. "But ifwe intend to escapewecan’tstayonthisshelfforever.So,asInoticeyoupoorcreaturescannotfly,itismydutytoexploretheplaceforyou."

Cap’nBillhandedtheOrkthecandle,whichhadnowburnedtoabouthalfitslength.TheOrktookitinoneclawrathercautiouslyandthentippeditsbodyforwardandslippedovertheedge.Theyheardaqueerbuzzingsound,asthetailrevolved, and a brisk flapping of the peculiar wings, but they were moreinterested just then in followingwith their eyes the tiny speck of lightwhichmarked the location of the candle. This light first made a great circle, thendropped slowly downward and suddenlywas extinguished, leaving everythingbeforethemblackasink.

“Hi,there!Howdidthathappen?”criedtheOrk.

“Itblewout,Iguess,”shoutedCap’nBill.“Fetchithere.”

“Ican’tseewhereyouare,”saidtheOrk.

SoCap’nBillgotoutanothercandleandlightedit,anditsflameenabledtheOrktoflybacktothem.Italightedontheedgeandheldoutthebitofcandle.

“Whatmadeitstopburning?”askedthecreature.

“Thewind,”saidTrot.“Youmustbemorecareful,thistime.”

“What’stheplacelike?”inquiredCap’nBill.

“Idon’tknow,yet;buttheremustbeabottomtoit,soI’lltrytofindit.”

With this the Ork started out again and this time sank downward moreslowly.Down,down,downitwent,tillthecandlewasamerespark,andthenitheadedawaytotheleftandTrotandCap’nBilllostallsightofit.

In a fewminutes, however, they saw the spark of light again, and as thesailorstillheldthesecondlightedcandletheOrkmadestraighttowardthem.Itwasonlyafewyardsdistantwhensuddenlyitdroppedthecandlewithacryofpainandnextmomentalighted,flutteringwildly,upontherockyledge.

“What’sthematter?”askedTrot.

“Itbitme!”wailed theOrk.“Idon’t likeyourcandles.The thingbegan todisappearslowlyassoonasItookitinmyclaw,anditgrewsmallerandsmalleruntil just now it turned and bit me—amost unfriendly thing to do. Oh—oh!Ouch,whatabite!”

“That’sthenatureofcandles,I’msorrytosay,”explainedCap’nBill,withagrin. “You have to handle ’emmighty keerful. But tell us,what did you finddownthere?”

“Ifoundawaytocontinueourjourney,”saidtheOrk,nursingtenderlytheclawwhichhadbeenburned.“Justbelowusisagreatlakeofblackwater,whichlookedsocoldandwickedthatitmademeshudder;butawayattheleftthere’sabigtunnel,whichwecaneasilywalkthrough.Idon’tknowwhereitleadsto,ofcourse,butwemustfollowitandfindout.”

“Why,wecan’tget toit,”protestedthelittlegirl.“Wecan’tfly,asyoudo,youmustremember.”

“No,that’strue,”repliedtheOrkmusingly.

“Yourbodies arebuilt verypoorly, it seems tome, sinceall youcando iscrawlupontheearth’ssurface.Butyoumayrideuponmyback,andinthatwayTcanpromiseyouasafejourneytothetunnel.”

“Areyoustrongenoughtocarryus?”askedCap’nBill,doubtfully.

“Yes,indeed;I’mstrongenoughtocarryadozenofyou,ifyoucouldfindaplacetosit,”wasthereply;“butthere’sonlyroombetweenmywingsforoneatatime,soI’llhavetomaketwotrips.”

“Allright;I’llgofirst,”decidedCap’nBill.

HelitanothercandleforTrottoholdwhiletheyweregoneandtolighttheOrkonhisreturntoher,andthentheoldsailorgotupontheOrk’sback,wherehesatwithhiswoodenlegstickingstraightoutsidewise.

“Ifyoustarttofall,claspyourarmsaroundmyneck,”advisedthecreature.

“IfIstarttofall,it’sgoodnightan’pleasantdreams,”saidCap’nBill.

“Allready?”askedtheOrk.

“Startthebuzz-tail,”saidCap’nBill,withatrembleinhisvoice.ButtheOrkflewawaysogentlythattheoldmannevereventotteredinhisseat.

Trot watched the light of Cap’n Bill’s candle till it disappeared in the fardistance.Shedidn’tliketobeleftaloneonthisdangerousledge,withalakeofblackwaterhundredsoffeetbelowher;butshewasabravelittlegirlandwaitedpatiently for the returnof theOrk. It cameevensooner thanshehadexpectedandthecreaturesaidtoher:

“Yourfriendissafeinthetunnel.Now,then,getaboardandI’llcarryyouto

himinajiffy.”

I’m sure not many little girls would have cared to take that awful ridethroughthehugeblackcavernonthebackofaskinnyOrk.Trotdidn’tcareforit,herself,butitjusthadtobedoneandsoshediditascourageouslyaspossible.HerheartbeatfastandshewassonervousshecouldscarcelyholdthecandleinherfingersastheOrkspedswiftlythroughthedarkness.

Itseemedlikealongridetoher,yetinrealitytheOrkcoveredthedistanceinawonderfullybriefperiodoftimeandsoonTrotstoodsafelybesideCap’nBillonthelevelfloorofabigarchedtunnel.Thesailor-manwasverygladtogreethislittlecomradeagainandbothweregratefultotheOrkforhisassistance.

“I dunno where this tunnel leads to,” remarked Cap’n Bill, “but it surelylooksmorepromisin’thanthatotherholewecreptthrough.”

“WhentheOrkisrested,”saidTrot,“we’lltravelonandseewhathappens.”

“Rested!”criedtheOrk,asscornfullyashisshrillvoicewouldallow.“Thatbitofflyingdidn’ttiremeatall.I’musedtoflyingdaysatatime,withouteveroncestopping.”

“Then let’smove on,” proposed Cap’n Bill. He still held in his hand onelighted candle, so Trot blew out the other flame and placed her candle in thesailor’sbigpocket.Sheknewitwasnotwisetoburntwocandlesatonce.

Thetunnelwasstraightandsmoothandveryeasytowalkthrough,sotheymadegoodprogress.Trotthoughtthatthetunnelbeganabouttwomilesfromthecavernwheretheyhadbeencastbythewhirlpool,butnowitwasimpossibletoguess themiles traveled, for theywalked steadily forhours andhourswithoutanychangeintheirsurroundings.

FinallyCap’nBillstoppedtorest.

“There’s somethin’ queer about this ’ere tunnel, I’m certain,” he declared,wagginghisheaddolefully. “Here’s three candlesgonea’ready, an’only threemoreleftus,yetthetunnel’sthesameasitwaswhenwestarted.An’howlongit’sgoin’tokeepup,nooneknows.”

“Couldn’t we walk without a light?” asked Trot. “The way seems safeenough.”

“Itdoesrightnow,”wasthereply,“butwecan’t tellwhenwearelikelytocometoanothergulf,orsomethin’jes’asdangerous.Inthatcasewe’dbekilledaforeweknewit.”

“SupposeIgoahead?”suggestedtheOrk.“Idon’tfearafall,youknow,andifanythinghappensI’llcalloutandwarnyou.”

“That’sagood idea,”declaredTrot,andCap’nBill thoughtso, too.So theOrkstartedoffahead,quiteinthedark,andhandinhandthetwofollowedhim.

WhentheyhadwalkedinthiswayforagoodlongtimetheOrkhaltedanddemandedfood.Cap’nBillhadnotmentionedfoodbecause therewasso littleleft—onlythreebiscuitsandalumpofcheeseaboutasbigashistwofingers—buthegave theOrkhalfofabiscuit,sighingashedidso.Thecreaturedidn’tcare for the cheese, so the sailor divided it between himself and Trot. Theylightedacandleandsatdowninthetunnelwhiletheyate.

“My feet hurt me,” grumbled the Ork. “I’m not used to walking and thisrockypassageissounevenandlumpythatithurtsmetowalkuponit.”

“Can’tyouflyalong?”askedTrot.

“No;theroofistoolow,”saidtheOrk.

After themeal theyresumed their journey,whichTrotbegan to fearwouldneverend.WhenCap’nBillnoticedhowtiredthelittlegirlwas,hepausedandlightedamatchandlookedathisbigsilverwatch.

“Why, it’snight!”heexclaimed.“We’ve trampedallday, an’ stillwe’re inthisawfulpassage,whichmebbegoesstraightthroughthemiddleoftheworld,an’mebbe is a circle—inwhich casewe can keepwalkin’ till doomsday.Notknowin’what’sbeforeus sowell asweknowwhat’s behindus, I proposewemakeastop,now,an’trytosleeptillmornin’.”

“Thatwillsuitme,”assertedtheOrk,withagroan.“MyfeetarehurtingmedreadfullyandforthelastfewmilesI’vebeenlimpingwithpain.”

“Myfoothurts,too,”saidthesailor,lookingforasmoothplaceontherockyfloortositdown.

“Yourfoot!”criedtheOrk.“Why,you’veonlyonetohurtyou,whileIhavefour.SoIsufferfourtimesasmuchasyoupossiblycan.Here;holdthecandle

whileIlookatthebottomsofmyclaws.Ideclare,”hesaid,examiningthembytheflickeringlight,“therearebunchesofpainalloverthem!”

“P’r’aps,”saidTrot,whowasverygladtositdownbesidehercompanions,“you’vegotcorns.”

“Corns?Nonsense!Orksneverhavecorns,”protested thecreature, rubbingitssorefeettenderly.

“Then mebbe they’re—they’re—What do you call ’em, Cap’n Bill?Something’boutthePilgrim’sProgress,youknow.”

“Bunions,”saidCap’nBill.

“Oh,yes;mebbeyou’vegotbunions.”

“Itispossible,”moanedtheOrk.“Butwhatevertheyare,anotherdayofsuchwalkingonthemwoulddrivemecrazy.”

“I’msurethey’llfeelbetterbymornin’,”saidCap’nBill,encouragingly.“Gotosleepan’trytoforgetyoursorefeet.”

TheOrkcastareproachfullookatthesailor-man,whodidn’tseeit.Thenthecreatureaskedplaintively:“Doweeatnow,ordowestarve?”

“There’s only half a biscuit left for you,” answered Cap’n Bill. “No oneknows how longwe’ll have to stay in this dark tunnel,where there’s nothingwhatevertoeat;soIadviseyoutosavethatmorselo’foodtilllater.”

“Giveitmenow!”demandedtheOrk.“IfI’mgoingtostarve,I’lldoitallatonce—notbydegrees.”

Cap’nBill produced the biscuit and the creature ate it in a trice.TrotwasratherhungryandwhisperedtoCap’nBillthatshe’dtakepartofhershare;buttheoldmansecretlybrokehisownhalf-biscuitintwo,savingTrot’sshareforatimeofgreaterneed.

Hewasbeginningtobeworriedoverthelittlegirl’splightandlongaftershewasasleepandtheOrkwassnoringinaratherdisagreeablemanner,Cap’nBillsatwithhisbacktoarockandsmokedhispipeandtriedtothinkofsomewaytoescape from this seemingly endless tunnel. But after a time he also slept, forhobblingonawoodenlegalldaywastiresome,andthereinthedarkslumberedthethreeadventurersformanyhours,untiltheOrkrouseditselfandkickedthe

oldsailorwithonefoot.

“Itmustbeanotherday,”saidhe.

CHAPTER4

DaylightatLast

Cap’nBillrubbedhiseyes,litamatchandconsultedhiswatch.

"Nineo’clock.Yes,Iguessit’sanotherday,sureenough.Shallwegoon?’heasked.

“Ofcourse,”repliedtheOrk.“Unlessthistunnelisdifferentfromeverythingelseintheworld,andhasnoend,we’llfindawayoutofitsoonerorlater.”

ThesailorgentlywakenedTrot.Shefeltmuchrestedbyherlongsleepandsprangtoherfeeteagerly.

“Let’sstart,Cap’n,”wasallshesaid.

TheyresumedthejourneyandhadonlytakenafewstepswhentheOrkcried“Wow!” andmade a great fluttering of itswings andwhirling of its tail. Theothers,whowerefollowingashortdistancebehind,stoppedabruptly.

“What’sthematter?”askedCap’nBill.

“Give us a light,” was the reply. “I think we’ve come to the end of thetunnel.”Then,whileCap’nBill lightedacandle,thecreatureadded:“Ifthatistrue,weneedn’thavewakened so soon, forwewerealmost at theendof thisplacewhenwewenttosleep.”

The sailor-man and Trot came forwardwith a light.Awall of rock reallyfacedthetunnel,butnowtheysawthattheopeningmadeasharpturntotheleft.Sotheyfollowedon,byanarrowerpassage,andthenmadeanothersharpturn—thistimetotheright.

“Blowoutthelight,Cap’n,”saidtheOrk,inapleasedvoice.“We’vestruckdaylight.”

Daylightatlast!AshaftofmellowlightfellalmostattheirfeetasTrotandthesailorturnedthecornerofthepassage,butitcamefromabove,andraisingtheireyestheyfoundtheywereatthebottomofadeep,rockywell,withthetopfar,farabovetheirheads.Andherethepassageended.

For a while they gazed in silence, at least two of them being filled withdismayatthesight.ButtheOrkmerelywhistledsoftlyandsaidcheerfully:

“ThatwasthetoughestjourneyIeverhadthemisfortunetoundertake,andI’mgladit’sover.Yet,unlessIcanmanagetoflytothetopofthispit,weareentombedhereforever.”

“Doyouthinkthereisroomenoughforyoutoflyin?”askedthelittlegirlanxiously;andCap’nBilladded:

“It’sastraight-upshaft,soIdon’tseehowyou’llevermanageit.”

“WereIanordinarybird—oneofthosehorridfeatheredthings—Iwouldn’tevenmaketheattempttoflyout,”saidtheOrk.“Butmymechanicalpropellertail canaccomplishwonders, andwheneveryou’re ready I’ll showyoua trickthatisworthwhile.”

“Oh!”exclaimedTrot;“doyouintendtotakeusup,too?”

“Whynot?”

“I thought,”saidCap’nBill,“asyou’dgofirst,an’ thensendsomebody tohelpusbylettin’downarope.”

“Ropesaredangerous,”repliedtheOrk,“andImightnotbeabletofindonetoreachallthisdistance.Besides,itstandstoreasonthatifIcangetoutmyselfIcanalsocarryyoutwowithme.”

“Well, I’m not afraid,” said Trot,who longed to be on the earth’s surfaceagain.

“S’posewefall?”suggestedCap’nBill,doubtfully.

“Why,inthatcasewewouldallfalltogether,”returnedtheOrk.“Getaboard,littlegirl;sitacrossmyshouldersandputbothyourarmsaroundmyneck.”

TrotobeyedandwhenshewasseatedontheOrk,Cap’nBillinquired:

“How’boutme,Mr.Ork?”

“Why,Ithinkyou’dbestgrabholdofmyrearlegsandletmecarryyouupinthatmanner,”wasthereply.

Cap’nBill lookedwayupat the topof thewell,and thenhe lookedat theOrk’sslender,skinnylegsandheavedadeepsigh.

“It’sgoin’tobesomedangle,Iguess;butifyoudon’twastetoomuchtimeonthewayup,Imaybeabletohangon,”saidhe.

“All ready, then!” cried the Ork, and at once his whirling tail began torevolve. Trot felt herself rising into the air; when the creature’s legs left thegroundCap’nBill grasped two of them firmly and held on for dear life. TheOrk’sbodywastippedstraightupward,andTrothadtoembracetheneckvery

tightly to keep from sliding off. Even in this position the Ork had trouble inescaping the rough sides of thewell. Several times it exclaimed “Wow!” as itbumpeditsback,orawinghitagainstsomejaggedprojection;butthetailkeptwhirlingwithremarkableswiftnessandthedaylightgrewbrighterandbrighter.Itwas,indeed,alongjourneyfromthebottomtothetop,yetalmostbeforeTrotrealizedtheyhadcomesofar,theypoppedoutoftheholeintotheclearairandsunshineandamomentlatertheOrkalightedgentlyupontheground.

The release was so sudden that even with the creature’s care for itspassengersCap’nBill struck the earthwith a shock that sent him rolling heeloverhead;butbythetimeTrothadsliddownfromherseattheoldsailor-manwassittingupandlookingaroundhimwithmuchsatisfaction.

“It’ssorto’prettyhere,”saidhe.

“Earthisabeautifulplace!”criedTrot.

"Iwonderwhereonearthweare?’ponderedtheOrk,turningfirstonebrighteye and then the other to this side and that. Trees there were, in plenty, andshrubs and flowers and green turf. But there were no houses; there were nopaths;therewasnosignofcivilizationwhatever.

“Justbefore I settleddownon theground I thought Icaughtaviewof theocean,”saidtheOrk.“Let’sseeifIwasright.”Thenheflewtoalittlehill,nearby,andTrotandCap’nBillfollowedhimmoreslowly.Whentheystoodonthetopofthehilltheycouldseethebluewavesoftheoceaninfrontofthem,totherightofthem,andattheleftofthem.Behindthehillwasaforestthatshutouttheview.

“Ihopeitain’tanisland,Trot,”saidCap’nBillgravely.

“Ifitis,Is’posewe’reprisoners,”shereplied.

“Ezzacklyso,Trot.”

“But, even so, it’s better than those terr’ble underground tunnels andcaverns,”declaredthegirl.

“Youareright,littleone,”agreedtheOrk.“Anythingabovegroundisbetterthan the best that lies under ground. So let’s not quarrelwith our fate but bethankfulwe’veescaped.”

“Weare,indeed!”shereplied.“ButIwonderifwecanfindsomethingtoeatinthisplace?”

“Let’s explorean’ findout,”proposedCap’nBill. “Those treesover at theleftlooklikecherry-trees.”

OnthewaytothemtheexplorershadtowalkthroughatangleofvinesandCap’nBill,whowentfirst,stumbledandpitchedforwardonhisface.

“Why,it’samelon!”criedTrotdelightedly,asshesawwhathadcausedthesailortofall.

Cap’n Bill rose to his foot, for he was not at all hurt, and examined themelon.Thenhetookhisbigjackknifefromhispocketandcutthemelonopen.Itwasquiteripeandlookeddelicious;buttheoldmantasteditbeforehepermittedTrottoeatany.DecidingitwasgoodhegaveherabigsliceandthenofferedtheOrk some.The creature looked at the fruit somewhat disdainfully, at first, but

oncehehadtasteditsflavorheateofitasheartilyasdidtheothers.Amongthevinestheydiscoveredmanyothermelons,andTrotsaidgratefully:“Well,there’snodangerofourstarving,evenifthisisanisland.”

“Melons,”remarkedCap’nBill,“arebothfoodan’water.Wecouldn’thavestruckanythingbetter.”

Fartheron they came to the cherry-trees,where theyobtained someof thefruit, and at the edge of the little forest were wild plums. The forest itselfconsisted entirely of nut trees—walnuts, filberts, almonds and chestnuts—sotherewouldbeplentyofwholesomefoodforthemwhiletheyremainedthere.

Cap’nBillandTrotdecidedtowalkthroughtheforest,todiscoverwhatwason theother sideof it, but theOrk’s feetwere still so sore and“lumpy” fromwalkingontherocksthatthecreaturesaidhepreferredtoflyoverthetree-topsandmeetthemontheotherside.Theforestwasnotlarge,sobywalkingbrisklyforfifteenminutestheyreacheditsfarthestedgeandsawbeforethemtheshoreoftheocean.

“It’sanisland,allright,”saidTrot,withasigh.

“Yes, and a pretty island, too,” said Cap’n Bill, trying to conceal hisdisappointment on Trot’s account. "I guess, partner, if the wuss comes to thewuss,Icouldbuildaraft—orevenaboat—fromthosetrees,so’swecouldsailawayinit."

Thelittlegirlbrightenedatthissuggestion.

“I don’t see the Ork anywhere,” she remarked, looking around. Then hereyes lighted upon something and she exclaimed: “Oh,Cap’nBill! Isn’t that ahouse,overtheretotheleft?”

Cap’nBill,lookingclosely,sawashed-likestructurebuiltatoneedgeoftheforest.

“Seemslikeit,Trot.NotthatI’dcallitmuchofahouse,butit’sabuildin’,allright.Let’sgooveran’seeifit’soccypied.”

CHAPTER5

TheLittleOldManoftheIsland

Afewstepsbrought them to theshed,whichwasmerelya roofofboughsbuiltovera square space,with somebranchesof trees fastened to the sides tokeepoffthewind.Thefrontwasquiteopenandfacedthesea,andasourfriendscame nearer they observed a little man, with a long pointed beard, sittingmotionlessonastoolandstaringthoughtfullyoutoverthewater.

“Getoutoftheway,please,”hecalledinafretfulvoice.“Can’tyouseeyou

areobstructingmyview?”

“Goodmorning,”saidCap’nBill,politely.

“It isn’t a good morning!” snapped the little man. “I’ve seen plenty ofmorningsbetterthanthis.DoyoucallitagoodmorningwhenI’mpesteredwithsuchacrowdasyou?”

Trot was astonished to hear such words from a stranger whom they hadgreetedquiteproperly,andCap’nBillgrewredatthelittleman’srudeness.Butthesailorsaid,inaquiettoneofvoice:

“Areyoutheonlyoneaslivesonthis’ereisland?”

“Yourgrammar’sbad,”wasthereply.“Butthisismyownexclusiveisland,andI’llthankyoutogetoffitassoonaspossible.”

“We’d like todo that,”saidTrot,and thensheandCap’nBill turnedawayandwalkeddowntotheshore,toseeifanyotherlandwasinsight.

The little man rose and followed them, although both were now tooprovokedtopayanyattentiontohim.

“Nothin’ in sight, partner,” reported Cap’n Bill, shading his eyes with hishand;“sowe’llhavetostayhereforatime,anyhow.Itisn’tabadplace,Trot,byanymeans.”

“That’s all you know about it!” broke in the little man. "The trees arealtogether toogreenand the rocksareharder than theyought tobe. I find thesand very grainy and thewater dreadfullywet.Every breezemakes a draughtandthesunshinesinthedaytime,whenthere’snoneedofit,anddisappearsjustassoonas itbegins togetdark. Ifyou remainhereyou’ll find the islandveryunsatisfactory."

Trotturnedtolookathim,andhersweetfacewasgraveandcurious.

“Iwonderwhoyouare,”shesaid.

“My name is Pessim,” said he, with an air of pride. “I’m called theObserver.”

“Oh.Whatdoyouobserve?”askedthelittlegirl.

“Everything I see,”was the reply, inamoresurly tone.ThenPessimdrew

back with a startled exclamation and looked at some footprints in the sand."Why,goodgraciousme!’hecriedindistress.

"What’sthematternow?’askedCap’nBill.

“Someonehaspushedtheearthin!Don’tyouseeit?”

“It isn’t pushed in far enough to hurt anything,” said Trot, examining thefootprints.

“Everything hurts that isn’t right,” insisted the man. “If the earth werepushedinamile,itwouldbeagreatcalamity,wouldn’tit?”

“Is’poseso,”admittedthelittlegirl.

"Well,here it ispushed ina full inch!That’sa twelfthofa foot,ora littlemore than a millionth part of a mile. Therefore it is one-millionth part of acalamity—Oh,dear!Howdreadful!"saidPessiminawailingvoice.

“Trytoforgetit,sir,”advisedCap’nBill,soothingly.“It’sbeginningtorain.Let’sgetunderyourshedandkeepdry.”

"Raining!Isitreallyraining?’askedPessim,beginningtoweep.

“Itis,”answeredCap’nBill,asthedropsbegantodescend,“andIdon’tseeanywaytostopit—althoughI’msomeobservermyself.”

“No;wecan’tstopit,Ifear,”saidtheman.“Areyouverybusyjustnow?”

“Iwon’tbeafterIgettotheshed,”repliedthesailor-man.

“Thendomeafavor,please,”beggedPessim,walkingbrisklyalongbehindthem,fortheywerehasteningtotheshed.

“Dependsonwhatitis,”saidCap’nBill.

“Iwishyouwouldtakemyumbrelladowntotheshoreandholditoverthepoorfishestillitstopsraining.I’mafraidthey’llgetwet,”saidPessim.

Trot laughed, butCap’nBill thought the littlemanwaspoking fun at himandsohescowleduponPessiminawaythatshowedhewasangry.

They reached the shedbeforegettingverywet, although the rainwasnowcomingdowninbigdrops.Theroofoftheshedprotectedthemandwhilethey

stoodwatchingtherainstormsomethingbuzzedinandcircledaroundPessim’shead.AtoncetheObserverbeganbeatingitawaywithhishands,cryingout:

“Abumblebee!Abumblebee!ThequeerestbumblebeeIeversaw!”

Cap’nBillandTrotbothlookedatitandthelittlegirlsaidinsurprise:

“Dearme!It’saweelittleOrk!”

“That’swhatitis,sureenough,”exclaimedCap’nBill.

Really, it wasn’t much bigger than a big bumblebee, and when it cametowardTrotsheallowedittoalightonhershoulder.

“It’sme,allright,”saidaverysmallvoiceinherear;“butI’minanawfulpickle,justthesame!”

“What,areyouourOrk,then?”demandedthegirl,muchamazed.

“No, I’mmy ownOrk.But I’m the onlyOrk you know,” replied the tinycreature.

“What’shappenedtoyou?”askedthesailor,puttinghisheadclosetoTrot’sshoulderinordertohearthereplybetter.Pessimalsoputhisheadclose,andtheOrksaid:

"YouwillrememberthatwhenIleftyouIstartedtoflyoverthetrees,andjustasIgottothissideoftheforestIsawabushthatwasloadeddownwiththemostlusciousfruityoucanimagine.Thefruitwasaboutthesizeofagooseberryandofalovelylavendercolor.SoIswoopeddownandpickedoffoneinmybill

and ate it. At once I began to grow small. I could feel myself shrinking,shrinkingaway,anditfrightenedmeterribly,sothatIalightedonthegroundtothinkoverwhatwashappening. Ina fewsecondsIhadshrunk to thesizeyounowseeme;butthereIremained,gettingnosmaller,indeed,butnolarger.Itiscertainlyadreadfulaffliction!AfterIhadrecoveredsomewhatfromtheshockIbegantosearchforyou.Itisnotsoeasytofindone’swaywhenacreatureissosmall,butfortunatelyIspiedyouhereinthisshedandcametoyouatonce."

Cap’nBillandTrotweremuchastonishedat thisstoryandfeltgrievedforthepoorOrk,butthelittlemanPessimseemedtothinkitagoodjoke.Hebeganlaughingwhenheheard the storyand laugheduntilhechoked,afterwhichhelay down on the ground and rolled and laughed again, while the tears ofmerrimentcourseddownhiswrinkledcheeks.

“Oh,dear!Oh,dear!”hefinallygasped,sittingupandwipinghiseyes.“Thisistoorich!It’salmosttoojoyfultobetrue.”

“Idon’tseeanythingfunnyaboutit,”remarkedTrotindignantly.

“Youwouldifyou’dhadmyexperience,”saidPessim,gettinguponhisfeetandgradually resuminghis solemnanddissatisfiedexpressionofcountenance.“Thesamethinghappenedtome.”

“Oh,didit?Andhowdidyouhappentocometothisisland?”askedthegirl.

“I didn’t come; the neighbors brought me,” replied the little man, with afrown at the recollection. “They said Iwas quarrelsome and fault-finding andblamedmebecause I told them all the things thatwentwrong, or neverwereright,andbecauseItoldthemhowthingsoughttobe.Sotheybroughtmehereandleftmeallalone,sayingthatifIquarreledwithmyself,nooneelsewouldbemadeunhappy.Absurd,wasn’tit?”

“Seemstome,”saidCap’nBill,“thoseneighborsdidtheproperthing.”

“Well,” resumed Pessim, "when I foundmyself King of this island I wasobligedtoliveuponfruits,andIfoundmanyfruitsgrowingherethatIhadneverseenbefore.Itastedseveralandfoundthemgoodandwholesome.ButonedayIate a lavenderberry—as theOrkdid—and immediately Igrewso small that Iwas scarcely two inches high. Itwas a very unpleasant condition and like theOrkIbecamefrightened.Icouldnotwalkverywellnorveryfar,foreverylumpof earth inmyway seemedamountain, everybladeof grass a tree and every

grainofsandarockyboulder.ForseveraldaysIstumbledaroundinanagonyoffear.Onceatreetoadnearlygobbledmeup,andifIranoutfromtheshelterofthebushesthegullsandcormorantsswoopeddownuponme.FinallyIdecidedtoeat anotherberryandbecomenothingat all, since life, tooneas small as Iwas,hadbecomeadrearynightmare.

“AtlastIfoundasmalltreethatIthoughtborethesamefruitasthatIhadeaten.Theberrywasdarkpurpleinsteadoflightlavender,butotherwiseitwasquitesimilar.Beingunabletoclimbthetree,Iwasobligedtowaitunderneathituntil a sharp breeze arose and shook the limbs so that a berry fell. Instantly Iseizeditandtakingalastviewoftheworld—asIthenthought—Iatetheberryinatwinkling.Then,tomysurprise,Ibegantogrowbigagain,untilIbecameofmyformerstature,andsoIhavesinceremained.Needlesstosay,Ihavenevereatenagainofthelavenderfruit,nordoanyofthebeastsorbirdsthatliveuponthisislandeatit.”

They had all three listened eagerly to this amazing tale, and when it wasfinishedtheOrkexclaimed:

“Do you think, then, that the deep purple berry is the antidote for thelavenderone?”

“I’m sure of it,” answered Pessim. “Then lead me to the tree at once!”beggedtheOrk,“forthistinyformInowhaveterrifiesmegreatly.”

PessimexaminedtheOrkclosely.

“Youareuglyenoughasyouare,”saidhe.“Wereyouanylargeryoumightbedangerous.”

“Oh,no,”Trotassuredhim;“theOrkhasbeenourgoodfriend.Pleasetakeustothetree.”

ThenPessimconsented,althoughratherreluctantly.Heledthemtotheright,whichwastheeastsideoftheisland,andinafewminutesbroughtthemneartotheedgeofthegrovewhichfacedtheshoreoftheocean.Herestoodasmalltreebearingberriesofadeeppurplecolor.ThefruitlookedveryenticingandCap’nBillreachedupandselectedonethatseemedespeciallyplumpandripe.

TheOrkhadremainedpercheduponTrot’sshoulderbutnowitflewdowntotheground.ItwassodifficultforCap’nBilltokneeldown,withhiswoodenleg,thatthelittlegirltooktheberryfromhimandhelditclosetotheOrk’shead.

“It’stoobigtogointomymouth,”saidthelittlecreature,lookingatthefruitsidewise.

“You’llhavetomakesev’ralmouthfulsofit,Iguess,”saidTrot;andthatiswhattheOrkdid.Hepeckedatthesoft,ripefruitwithhisbillandateitupveryquickly,becauseitwasgood.

EvenbeforehehadfinishedtheberrytheycouldseetheOrkbegintogrow.Inafewminuteshehadregainedhisnaturalsizeandwasstruttingbeforethem,quitedelightedwithhistransformation.

“Well,well!Whatdoyouthinkofmenow?”heaskedproudly.

“Youareveryskinnyandremarkablyugly,”declaredPessim.

“You are a poor judge ofOrks,”was the reply. “Anyone can see that I’mmuchhandsomerthanthosedreadfulthingscalledbirds,whichareallfluffandfeathers.”

“Theirfeathersmakesoftbeds,”assertedPessim.

“And my skin would make excellent drumheads,” retorted the Ork.“Nevertheless,apluckedbirdoraskinnedOrkwouldbeofnovaluetohimself,so we needn’t brag of our usefulness after we are dead. But for the sake ofargument,friendPessim,I’dliketoknowwhatgoodyouwouldbe,wereyounotalive?”

“Nevermindthat,”saidCap’nBill.“Heisn’tmuchgoodasheis.”

“I am King of this Island, allow me to say, and you’re intruding on my

property,”declaredthelittleman,scowlinguponthem.“Ifyoudon’tlikeme—andI’msureyoudon’t,fornooneelsedoes—whydon’tyougoawayandleavemetomyself?”

“Well, theOrkcanfly,butwecan’t,”explainedTrot, inanswer.“Wedon’twanttostayhereabit,butIdon’tseehowwecangetaway.”

“Youcangobackintotheholeyoucamefrom.”

Cap’nBill shookhishead;Trot shudderedat the thought; theOrk laughedaloud.

“YoumaybeKinghere,”thecreaturesaidtoPessim,“butweintendtorunthisislandtosuitourselves,forwearethreeandyouareone,andthebalanceofpowerlieswithus.”

The littlemanmade no reply to this, although as theywalked back to theshed his facewore its fiercest scowl.Cap’nBill gathered a lot of leaves and,assistedbyTrot,preparedtwonicebedsinoppositecornersoftheshed.Pessimsleptinahammockwhichheswungbetweentwotrees.

Theyrequirednodishes,asalltheirfoodconsistedoffruitsandnutspickedfrom the trees; they made no fire, for the weather was warm and there wasnothing tocook; the shedhadno furnitureother than the rudestoolwhich thelittlemanwasaccustomedtositupon.Hecalledithis“throne”andtheylethimkeepit.

So they lived upon the island for three days, and rested and ate to theirhearts’content.Still,theywerenotatallhappyinthislifebecauseofPessim.Hecontinually found fault with them, and all that they did, and all theirsurroundings.HecouldseenothinggoodoradmirableinalltheworldandTrotsooncametounderstandwhythelittleman’sformerneighborshadbroughthimtothisislandandlefthimthere,allalone,sohecouldnotannoyanyone.Itwastheirmisfortunethattheyhadbeenledtothisplacebytheiradventures,foroftentheywouldhavepreferredthecompanyofawildbeasttothatofPessim.

On the fourth day a happy thought came to the Ork. They had all beenrackingtheirbrainsforapossiblewaytoleavetheisland,anddiscussingthisorthatmethod,without finding a plan thatwas practical.Cap’nBill had said hecouldmakearaftofthetrees,bigenoughtofloatthemall,buthehadnotoolsexceptthosetwopocketknivesanditwasnotpossibletochopdowntreeswith

suchsmallblades.

“Ands’posewegotafloatontheocean,”saidTrot,“wherewouldwedriftto,andhowlongwouldittakeustogetthere?”

Cap’nBillwasforcedtoadmithedidn’tknow.TheOrkcouldflyawayfromthe island any time it wished to, but the queer creature was loyal to his newfriendsandrefusedtoleavetheminsuchalonely,forsakenplace.

ItwaswhenTroturgedhimtogo,onthisfourthmorning,thattheOrkhadhishappythought.

“Iwillgo,”saidhe,“ifyoutwowillagreetorideuponmyback.”

“Wearetooheavy;youmightdropus,”objectedCap’nBill.

“Yes,youareratherheavyforalongjourney,”acknowledgedtheOrk,“butyoumighteatofthoselavenderberriesandbecomesosmallthatIcouldcarryyouwithease.”

This quaint suggestion startledTrot and she looked gravely at the speakerwhilesheconsideredit,butCap’nBillgaveascornfulsnortandasked:

“What would become of us afterward!We wouldn’t be much good if weweresometwoorthreeincheshigh.No,Mr.Ork,I’dratherstayhere,asIam,thanbeahop-o’-my-thumbsomewhereelse.”

“Whycouldn’tyoutakesomeofthedarkpurpleberriesalongwithyou,toeat afterwe had reached our destination?” inquired theOrk. “Then you couldgrowbigagainwheneveryoupleased.”

Trotclappedherhandswithdelight.

“That’sit!”sheexclaimed.“Let’sdoit,Cap’nBill.”

Theoldsailordidnot like the ideaat first,buthe thought itovercarefullyandthemorehethoughtthebetteritseemed.

“Howcouldyoumanagetocarryus,ifweweresosmall?”heasked.

“Icouldputyouinapaperbag,andtiethebagaroundmyneck.”

“Butwehaven’tapaperbag,”objectedTrot.

TheOrklookedather.

“There’syoursunbonnet,” itsaidpresently,“which ishollowin themiddleandhastwostringsthatyoucouldtiearoundmyneck.”

Trot took off her sunbonnet and regarded it critically.Yes, itmight easilyholdbothherandCap’nBill,aftertheyhadeatenthelavenderberriesandbeenreduced in size. She tied the strings around theOrk’s neck and the sunbonnetmadeabaginwhichtwotinypeoplemightridewithoutdangeroffallingout.Soshesaid:

“Ib’lievewe’lldoitthatway,Cap’n.”

Cap’nBillgroanedbutcouldmakenologicalobjectionexceptthattheplanseemedtohimquitedangerous—anddangerousinmorewaysthanone.

“I thinkso,myself,” saidTrot soberly.“Butnobodycanstayalivewithoutgettingintodangersometimes,anddangerdoesn’tmeangettinghurt,Cap’n; itonlymeanswemightgethurt.SoIguesswe’llhavetotaketherisk.”

“Let’sgoandfindtheberries,”saidtheOrk.

They said nothing to Pessim, who was sitting on his stool and scowlingdismallyashestaredattheocean,butstartedatoncetoseekthetreesthatborethemagicfruits.TheOrkrememberedverywellwherethelavenderberriesgrewandledhiscompanionsquicklytothespot.

Cap’n Bill gathered two berries and placed them carefully in his pocket.Thentheywentaroundtotheeastsideoftheislandandfoundthetreethatborethedarkpurpleberries.

“IguessI’lltakefourofthese,”saidthesailor-man,“soincaseonedoesn’tmakeusgrowbigwecaneatanother.”

“Bettertakesix,”advisedtheOrk.“It’swelltobeonthesafeside,andI’msurethesetreesgrownowhereelseinalltheworld.”

SoCap’nBillgatheredsixofthepurpleberriesandwiththeirpreciousfruitthey returned to the shed to bid good-bye to Pessim. Perhaps theywould nothavegrantedthesurlylittlemanthiscourtesyhadtheynotwishedtousehimtotiethesunbonnetaroundtheOrk’sneck.

WhenPessimlearnedtheywereabouttoleavehimheatfirstlookedgreatlypleased, but he suddenly recollected that nothing ought to please him and sobegantogrumbleaboutbeingleftalone.

“Weknewitwouldn’tsuityou,”remarkedCap’nBill.“Itdidn’tsuityoutohaveushere,anditwon’tsuityoutohaveusgoaway.”

“That is quite true,” admitted Pessim. “I haven’t been suited since I canremember;soitdoesn’tmattertomeintheleastwhetheryougoorstay.”

He was interested in their experiment, however, and willingly agreed toassist,althoughheprophesiedtheywouldfalloutofthesunbonnetontheirwayand be either drowned in the ocean or crushed upon some rocky shore. ThisuncheerfulprospectdidnotdauntTrot,butitmadeCap’nBillquitenervous.

“I will eat my berry first,” said Trot, as she placed her sunbonnet on theground,insuchmannerthattheycouldgetintoit.

Thensheatethelavenderberryandinafewsecondsbecamesosmall thatCap’nBillpickedherupgentlywithhisthumbandonefingerandplacedherinthemiddleofthesunbonnet.Thenheplacedbesideherthesixpurpleberries—eachonebeingaboutasbigasthetinyTrot’shead—andallpreparationsbeingnowmadetheoldsailoratehislavenderberryandbecameverysmall—woodenlegandall!

Cap’nBillstumbledsadlyintryingtoclimbovertheedgeofthesunbonnetandpitchedinbesideTrotheadfirst,whichcausedtheunhappyPessimtolaughwithglee.ThentheKingoftheIslandpickedupthesunbonnet—sorudelythatheshookitsoccupants likepeas inapod—andtied it,bymeansof itsstrings,securelyaroundtheOrk’sneck.

“Ihope,Trot,yousewedthosestringsontight,”saidCap’nBillanxiously.

“Why,wearenotveryheavy,youknow,”shereplied,“soIthinkthestitches

willhold.Butbecarefulandnotcrushtheberries,Cap’n.”

“Oneisjammedalready,”hesaid,lookingatthem.

“Allready?”askedtheOrk.

“Yes!” they cried together, and Pessim came close to the sunbonnet andcalled out to them: “You’ll be smashed or drowned, I’m sure you will! Butfarewell,andgoodriddancetoyou.”

TheOrkwasprovokedbythisunkindspeech,soheturnedhistailtowardthelittlemanandmade it revolvesofast that therushofair tumbledPessimoverbackward and he rolled several times upon the ground before he could stophimselfandsitup.BythattimetheOrkwashighintheairandspeedingswiftlyovertheocean.

CHAPTER6

TheFlightoftheMidgets

Cap’nBillandTrotrodeverycomfortablyinthesunbonnet.Themotionwasquitesteady,fortheyweighedsolittlethattheOrkflewwithouteffort.Yettheywerebothsomewhatnervousabouttheirfuturefateandcouldnothelpwishingtheyweresafeonlandandtheirnaturalsizeagain.

“You’re terr’ble small, Trot,” remarked Cap’n Bill, looking at hiscompanion.

“Same toyou,Cap’n,” she saidwith a laugh; “but as longaswehave thepurpleberriesweneedn’tworryaboutoursize.”

“Inacircus,”musedtheoldman,"we’dbecuriosities.Butinasunbonnet—highupintheair—sailin’overabig,unknownocean—theyain’tnowordinanybooktionarytodescribeus."

“Why,we’remidgets,that’sall,”saidthelittlegirl.

TheOrkflewsilentlyfora longtime.Theslightswayingof thesunbonnetmadeCap’nBilldrowsy,andhebegantodoze.Trot,however,waswideawake,andafterenduring themonotonous journeyas longas shewasable shecalledout:

“Don’tyouseelandanywhere,Mr.Ork?”

“Not yet,” he answered. “This is a big ocean and I’ve no idea in whichdirectionthenearestlandtothatislandlies;butifIkeepflyinginastraightlineI’msuretoreachsomeplacesometime.”

That seemed reasonable, so the little people in the sunbonnet remained aspatient as possible; that is, Cap’n Bill dozed and Trot tried to remember hergeographylessonssoshecouldfigureoutwhatlandtheywerelikelytoarriveat.

Forhours andhours theOrk flewsteadily,keeping to the straight lineandsearchingwithhis eyes thehorizonof theocean for land.Cap’nBillwas fastasleep and snoring andTrot had laid her head on his shoulder to rest itwhensuddenlytheOrkexclaimed:

“There!I’vecaughtaglimpseofland,atlast.”

Atthisannouncementtheyrousedthemselves.Cap’nBillstoodupandtriedtopeekovertheedgeofthesunbonnet.

“Whatdoesitlooklike?”heinquired.

“Looks like another island,” said the Ork; “but I can judge it better in aminuteortwo.”

“I don’t care much for islands, since we visited that other one,” declaredTrot.

SoontheOrkmadeanotherannouncement.

“It is surely an island, and a little one, too,” said he. “But I won’t stop,becauseIseeamuchbiggerlandstraightaheadofit.”

“That’s right,”approvedCap’nBill.“Thebigger the land, thebetter itwillsuitus.”

“It’s almost a continent,” continued the Ork after a brief silence, duringwhichhedidnotdecreasethespeedofhisflight.“IwonderifitcanbeOrkland,theplaceIhavebeenseekingsolong?”

“Ihopenot,”whisperedTrottoCap’nBill—sosoftlythattheOrkcouldnothearher—“forIshouldn’tliketobeinacountrywhereonlyOrkslive.ThisoneOrkisn’tabadcompanion,butalotofhimwouldn’tbemuchfun.”

AfterafewmoreminutesofflyingtheOrkcalledoutinasadvoice:

“No!thisisnotmycountry.It’saplaceIhaveneverseenbefore,althoughIhavewanderedfarandwide.Itseemstobeallmountainsanddesertsandgreenvalleysandqueercitiesandlakesandrivers—mixedupinaverypuzzlingway.”

“Most countries are like that,” commented Cap’n Bill. “Are you going toland?”

“Pretty soon,”was the reply. “There is amountain peak just aheadofme.Whatdoyousaytoourlandingonthat?”

“Allright,”agreedthesailor-man,forbothheandTrotweregettingtiredofridinginthesunbonnetandlongedtosetfootonsolidgroundagain.

SoinafewminutestheOrksloweddownhisspeedandthencametoastopsoeasily that theywerescarcelyjarredatall.Thenthecreaturesquatteddownuntil thesunbonnetrestedon theground,andbegantrying tounfastenwith itsclawstheknottedstrings.

Thisprovedaveryclumsytask,becausethestringsweretiedatthebackofthe Ork’s neck, just where his claws would not easily reach. After muchfumblinghesaid:

“I’mafraidIcan’tletyouout,andthereisnooneneartohelpme.”

Thiswasatfirstdiscouraging,butafteralittlethoughtCap’nBillsaid:

“Ifyoudon’tmind,Trot,Icancutaslitinyoursunbonnetwithmyknife.”

“Do,” she replied. “The slit won’t matter, ’cause I can sew it up againafterward,whenIambig.”

SoCap’nBillgotouthisknife,whichwasjustassmall,inproportion,ashewas,andafterconsiderabletroublemanagedtocutalongslitinthesunbonnet.FirsthesqueezedthroughtheopeninghimselfandthenhelpedTrottogetout.

Whentheystoodonfirmgroundagaintheirfirstactwastobegineatingthedarkpurple berrieswhich theyhadbroughtwith them.Twoof theseTrot hadguardedcarefullyduringthelongjourney,byholdingtheminherlap,fortheirsafetymeantmuchtothetinypeople.

“I’mnotveryhungry,”saidthelittlegirlasshehandedaberrytoCap’nBill,“but hunger doesn’t count, in this case. It’s like takingmedicine tomake youwell,sowemustmanagetoeat’em,somehoworother.”

But the berries proved quite pleasant to taste and as Cap’n Bill and Trotnibbled at their edges their forms began to grow in size—slowly but steadily.The bigger they grew the easier it was for them to eat the berries, which ofcoursebecamesmallertothem,andbythetimethefruitwaseatenourfriendshadregainedtheirnaturalsize.

Thelittlegirlwasgreatlyrelievedwhenshefoundherselfaslargeasshehadeverbeen,andCap’nBillsharedhersatisfaction;for,althoughtheyhadseentheeffectof theberrieson theOrk, theyhadnotbeen sure themagic fruitwouldhave the same effect on human beings, or that themagicwouldwork in anyothercountrythanthatinwhichtheberriesgrew.

“Whatshallwedowiththeotherfourberries?”askedTrot,asshepickedupher sunbonnet, marveling that she had ever been small enough to ride in it.“They’renogoodtousnow,arethey,Cap’n?”

“I’m not sure as to that,” he replied. “If theywere eaten by onewho hadnever eaten the lavender berries, they might have no effect at all; but then,contrarywise, theymight. One of ’em has got badly jammed, so I’ll throw itaway,buttheotherthreeIb’lieveI’llcarrywithme.They’remagicthings,youknow,andmaycomehandytoussometime.”

Henowsearchedinhisbigpocketsanddrewoutasmallwoodenboxwithaslidingcover.Thesailorhadkeptanassortmentofnails,ofvarioussizes,inthisbox,butthosehenowdumpedlooselyintohispocketandintheboxplacedthethreesoundpurpleberries.

When this importantmatterwasattended to they found time to lookaboutthemandseewhatsortofplacetheOrkhadlandedthemin.

CHAPTER7

TheBumpyMan

Themountainonwhichtheyhadalightedwasnotabarrenwaste,buthadonitssidespatchesofgreengrass,somebushes,afewslendertreesandhereandtheremassesof tumbledrocks.Thesidesof theslopeseemedrathersteep,butwithcareonecouldclimbupordownthemwitheaseandsafety.Theviewfromwheretheynowstoodshowedpleasantvalleysandfertilehillslyingbelowtheheights.Trot thoughtshesawsomehousesofqueershapesscatteredabout thelower landscape,and thereweremovingdots thatmightbepeopleoranimals,

yetweretoofarawayforhertoseethemclearly.

Notfarfromtheplacewheretheystoodwasthetopofthemountain,whichseemedtobeflat,sotheOrkproposedtohiscompanionsthathewouldflyupandseewhatwasthere.

“That’sagoodidea,”saidTrot,“’causeit’sgettingtowardeveningandwe’llhavetofindaplacetosleep.”

TheOrk had not been gonemore than a fewminuteswhen they saw himappearontheedgeofthetopwhichwasnearestthem.

“Comeonup!”hecalled.

SoTrotandCap’nBillbegan toascend thesteepslopeand itdidnot takethemlongtoreachtheplacewheretheOrkawaitedthem.

Theirfirstviewofthemountain-toppleasedthemverymuch.Itwasalevelspaceofwiderextentthantheyhadguessedanduponitgrewgrassofabrilliantgreen color. In the very center stood a house built of stone and very neatlyconstructed.Noonewasinsight,butsmokewascomingfromthechimney,sowithoneaccordallthreebeganwalkingtowardthehouse.

“Iwonder,”saidTrot,“inwhatcountryweare,andifit’sveryfarfrommyhomeinCalifornia.”

“Can’tsayastothat,partner,”answeredCap’nBill,“butI’mmightycertainwe’vecomealongwaysincewestruckthatwhirlpool.”

“Yes,”sheagreed,withasigh,“itmustbemilesandmiles!”

“Distancemeansnothing,”saidtheOrk.“Ihaveflownprettymuchallovertheworld,tryingtofindmyhome,anditisastonishinghowmanylittlecountriesthereare,hiddenawayinthecracksandcornersofthisbigglobeofEarth.Ifonetravels,hemayfindsomenewcountryateveryturn,andagoodmanyofthemhaveneveryetbeenputuponthemaps.”

“P’rapsthisisoneofthem,”suggestedTrot.

TheyreachedthehouseafterabriskwalkandCap’nBillknockeduponthedoor.Itwasatonceopenedbyaruggedlookingmanwhohad“bumpsalloverhim,”asTrotafterwarddeclared.Therewerebumpsonhishead,bumpsonhisbodyandbumpsonhisarmsandlegsandhands.Evenhisfingershadbumpson

theendsofthem.Fordressheworeanoldgraysuitoffantasticdesign,whichfittedhimverybadlybecauseofthebumpsitcoveredbutcouldnotconceal.

But theBumpyMan’s eyeswere kind and twinkling in expression and assoonashesawhisvisitorshebowedlowandsaidinaratherbumpyvoice:

"Happyday!Comeinandshutthedoor,foritgrowscoolwhenthesungoesdown.Winterisnowuponus."

“Why,itisn’tcoldabit,outside,”saidTrot,“soitcan’tbewinteryet.”

“Youwillchangeyourmindaboutthatinalittlewhile,”declaredtheBumpyMan.“Mybumpsalwaystellmethestateoftheweather,andtheyfeeljustnowasifasnowstormwascomingthisway.Butmakeyourselvesathome,strangers.Supperisnearlyreadyandthereisfoodenoughforall.”

Inside the house there was but one large room, simply but comfortablyfurnished. It had benches, a table and a fireplace, all made of stone. On thehearth apotwasbubbling and steaming, andTrot thought it had a rathernicesmell.Thevisitorsseatedthemselvesuponthebenches—excepttheOrk,whichsquattedbythefireplace—andtheBumpyManbeganstirringthekettlebriskly.

"MayIaskwhatcountrythisis,sir?’inquiredCap’nBill.

"Goodness me—fruit-cake and apple-sauce!—don’t you know where youare?’askedtheBumpyMan,ashestoppedstirringandlookedatthespeakerinsurprise.

“No,”admittedCap’nBill.“We’vejustarrived.”

“Lostyourway?”questionedtheBumpyMan.

“Notexactly,”saidCap’nBill.“Wedidn’thaveanywaytolose.”

“Ah!”saidtheBumpyMan,noddinghisbumpyhead.“This,”heannounced,inasolemn,impressivevoice,“isthefamousLandofMo.”

“Oh!”exclaimedthesailorandthegirl,bothinonebreath.But,neverhavingheardoftheLandofMo,theywerenowiserthanbefore.

“Ithoughtthatwouldstartleyou,”remarkedtheBumpyMan,wellpleased,as he resumed his stirring. TheOrkwatched him awhile in silence and thenasked:

“Whomayyoube?”

“Me?”answeredtheBumpyMan.“Haven’tyouheardofme?Gingerbreadandlemon-juice!I’mknown,farandwide,astheMountainEar.”

Theyallreceivedthisinformationinsilenceatfirst,fortheyweretryingtothinkwhathecouldmean.FinallyTrotmusteredupcouragetoask:

“WhatisaMountainEar,please?”

Foranswer theman turnedaroundand faced them,waving thespoonwithwhich he had been stirring the kettle, as he recited the following verses in asingsongtoneofvoice:

"Here’samountain,hardofhearing,

That’ssad-heartedandneedscheering,

SomydutyistolistentoallsoundsthatNaturemakes,

Sothehillwon’tgetuneasy—

Gettocoughing,orgetsneezy—

Forthismonsterbump,whenfrightened,isquiteliabletoquakes.

"Youcanhearabellthat’sringing;

Icanfeelsomepeople’ssinging;

Butamountainisn’tsensibleofwhatgoeson,andso

WhenIhearablizzardblowing

Orit’sraininghard,orsnowing,

Itellittothemountainandthemountainseemstoknow.

"ThusIbenefitallpeople

WhileI’mlivingonthissteeple,

ForIkeepthemountainsteadysomyneighborsallmaythrive.

Withmylist’ningandmyshouting

Ipreventthismountfromspouting,

AndthatmakesmesoimportantthatI’mgladthatI’malive."

Whenhehad finished these linesofverse theBumpyMan turnedagain toresumehisstirring.TheOrk laughedsoftlyandCap’nBillwhistled tohimselfandTrotmadeuphermindthattheMountainEarmustbealittlecrazy.ButtheBumpy Man seemed satisfied that he had explained his position fully andpresently he placed four stone plates upon the table and then lifted the kettlefromthefireandpouredsomeof itscontentsoneachof theplates.Cap’nBilland Trot at once approached the table, for they were hungry, but when sheexaminedherplatethelittlegirlexclaimed:

“Why,it’smolassescandy!”

“Tobesure,”returnedtheBumpyMan,withapleasantsmile.“Eatitquick,whileit’shot,foritcoolsveryquicklythiswinterweather.”

Withthisheseizedastonespoonandbeganputtingthehotmolassescandyintohismouth,whiletheotherswatchedhiminastonishment.

“Doesn’titburnyou?”askedthegirl.

“Noindeed,”saidhe.“Whydon’tyoueat?Aren’tyouhungry?”

“Yes,” she replied, “I amhungry.Butweusually eat our candywhen it iscoldandhard.Wealwayspullmolassescandybeforeweeatit.”

“Ha,ha,ha!”laughedtheMountainEar.“Whatafunnyidea!Whereintheworlddidyoucomefrom?”

“California,”shesaid.

“California!Pooh!thereisn’tanysuchplace.I’veheardofeveryplaceinthe

LandofMo,butIneverbeforeheardofCalifornia.”

“Itisn’tintheLandofMo,”sheexplained.

“Then it isn’t worth talking about,” declared the Bumpy Man, helpinghimself again from the steamingkettle, for hehadbeen eating all the timehetalked.

“Formypart,”sighedCap’nBill,"I’dlikeadecentsquaremeal,oncemore,justbywayofvariety. In the lastplace therewasnothingbut fruit to eat, andhereit’sworse,forthere’snothingbutcandy."

“Molassescandyisn’tsobad,”saidTrot.“Mine’snearlycoolenoughtopull,already.Waitabit,Cap’n,andyoucaneatit.”

Alittlelatershewasabletogatherthecandyfromthestoneplateandbegintoworkitbackandforthwithherhands.TheMountainEarwasgreatlyamazedatthisandwatchedherclosely.Itwasreallygoodcandyandpulledbeautifully,sothatTrotwassoonreadytocutitintochunksforeating.

Cap’nBill condescended toeatoneor twopiecesand theOrkate several,buttheBumpyManrefusedtotryit.Trotfinishedtheplateofcandyherselfandthenaskedforadrinkofwater.

“Water?”saidtheMountainEarwonderingly.“Whatisthat?”

“Somethingtodrink.Don’tyouhavewaterinMo?”

“None that ever I heard of,” said he. “But I can give you some freshlemonade.Icaughtitina’jarthelasttimeitrained,whichwasonlydaybeforeyesterday.”

“Oh,doesitrainlemonadehere?”sheinquired.

“Always;anditisveryrefreshingandhealthful.”

Withthishebroughtfromacupboardastonejarandadipper,andthegirlfounditverynicelemonade,indeed.Cap’nBilllikedit,too;buttheOrkwouldnottouchit.

“Ifthereisnowaterinthiscountry,Icannotstayhereforlong,”thecreature

declared.“Watermeanslifetomanandbeastandbird.”

“Theremustbewaterinlemonade,”saidTrot.

“Yes,”answeredtheOrk,“Isupposeso;butthereareotherthingsinit,too,andtheyspoilthegoodwater.”

The day’s adventures had made our wanderers tired, so the Bumpy Manbroughtthemsomeblanketsinwhichtheyrolledthemselvesandthenlaydownbefore thefire,whichtheirhostkeptalivewithfuelall throughthenight.Trotwakened several times and found theMountainEar always alert and listeningintently for the slightest sound. But the little girl could hear no sound at allexceptthesnoresofCap’nBill.

CHAPTER8

Button-BrightisLostandFoundAgain

“Wakeup—wakeup!”calledthevoiceoftheBumpyMan.“Didn’tItellyouwinterwascoming?Icouldhearitcomingwithmyleftear,andtheproofisthatitisnowsnowinghardoutside.”

“Isit?”saidTrot,rubbinghereyesandcreepingoutofherblanket.“WhereIlive,inCalifornia,Ihaveneverseensnow,exceptfarawayonthetopsofhigh

mountains.”

“Well,thisisthetopofahighmountain,”returnedthebumpyone,“andforthatreasonwegetourheaviestsnowfallsrighthere.”

The little girlwent to thewindowand lookedout.The airwas filledwithfallingwhiteflakes,solargeinsizeandsoqueerinformthatshewaspuzzled.

“Areyoucertainthisissnow?”sheasked.

“Tobesure.Imustgetmysnow-shovelandturnouttoshovelapath.Wouldyouliketocomewithme?”

“Yes,”shesaid,andfollowedtheBumpyManoutwhenheopenedthedoor.Thensheexclaimed:“Why,itisn’tcoldabit!”

“Of course not,” replied the man. “It was cold last night, before thesnowstorm;butsnow,whenitfalls,isalwayscrispandwarm.”

Trotgatheredahandfulofit.

"Why,it’spopcorn?7shecried.

“Certainly;allsnowispopcorn.Whatdidyouexpectittobe?”

“Popcornisnotsnowinmycountry.”

“Well, it is theonlysnowwehavein theLandofMo,soyoumayaswellmake the best of it,” said he, a little impatiently. “I’m not responsible for theabsurdthingsthathappeninyourcountry,andwhenyou’reinMoyoumustdoastheMomendo.Eatsomeofoursnow,andyouwillfinditisgood.TheonlyfaultIfindwithoursnowisthatwegettoomuchofitattimes.”

WiththistheBumpyMansettoworkshovelingapathandhewassoquickandindustriousthathepiledupthepopcorningreatbanksoneithersideofthetrailthatledtothemountain-topfromtheplainsbelow.Whileheworked,Trotatepopcorn and found it crisp and slightlywarm, aswell asnicely salted andbuttered.PresentlyCap’nBillcameoutofthehouseandjoinedher.

“What’sthis?”heasked.

“Mosnow,”saidshe.“Butit isn’trealsnow,althoughitfallsfromthesky.It’spopcorn.”

Cap’nBilltastedit;thenhesatdowninthepathandbegantoeat.TheOrkcameoutandpeckedawaywithitsbillasfastasitcould.Theyalllikedpopcornandtheyallwerehungrythismorning.

Meantime the flakesof “Mo snow”camedown so fast that thenumberofthem almost darkened the air. The Bumpy Man was now shoveling quite adistance down themountain-side,while the path behind him rapidly filled upwithfresh-fallenpopcorn.SuddenlyTrotheardhimcallout:

“Goodnessgracious—mincepieandpancakes!—hereissomeoneburiedinthesnow.”

Sherantowardhimatonceandtheothersfollowed,wadingthroughthecornandcrunchingitunderneaththeirfeet.TheMosnowwasprettydeepwheretheBumpy Man was shoveling and from beneath a great bank of it he haduncoveredapairoffeet.

“Dearme!Someonehasbeenlostinthestorm,”saidCap’nBill.“Ihopeheisstillalive.Let’spullhimoutandsee.”

HetookholdofonefootandtheBumpyMantookholdoftheother.Thenthey both pulled and out from the heap of popcorn came a little boy.Hewasdressed in a brown velvet jacket and knickerbockers, with brown stockings,buckledshoesandablueshirt-waistthathadfrillsdownitsfront.Whendrawnfromtheheaptheboywaschewingamouthfulofpopcornandbothhishandswerefullofit.Soatfirsthecouldn’tspeaktohisrescuersbutlayquitestillandeyedthemcalmlyuntilhehadswallowedhismouthful.Thenhesaid:

“Getmycap,”andstuffedmorepopcornintohismouth.

WhiletheBumpyManbeganshovelingintothecorn-banktofindtheboy’scap,TrotwaslaughingjoyfullyandCap’nBillhadabroadgrinonhisface.TheOrklookedfromonetoanotherandasked:

“Whoisthisstranger?”

“Why,it’sButton-Bright,ofcourse,”answeredTrot.“Ifanyoneeverfindsalostboy,hecanmakeuphismindit’sButton-Bright.Buthowheevercametobelostinthisfar-awaycountryismore’nIcanmakeout.”

“Wheredoeshebelong?”inquiredtheOrk.

“His home used to be in Philadelphia, I think; but I’m quite sure Button-Brightdoesn’tbelonganywhere.”

“That’s right,” said the boy, nodding his head as he swallowed the secondmouthful.

“Everyonebelongssomewhere,”remarkedtheOrk.

“Not me,” insisted Button-Bright. “I’m half-way ’round the world fromPhiladelphia,andI’velostmyMagicUmbrella,thatusedtocarrymeanywhere.Stands to reason that if I can’t get back I haven’t any home.But I don’t caremuch.Thisisaprettygoodcountry,Trot.I’vehadlotsoffunhere.”

BythistimetheMountainEarhadsecuredtheboy’scapandwaslisteningtotheconversationwithmuchinterest.

“Itseemsyouknowthispoor,snow-coveredcastaway,”hesaid.

“Yes, indeed,” answeredTrot. “Wemadea journey together toSky Island,once,andweregoodfriends.”

“Well,thenI’mgladIsavedhislife,”saidtheBumpyMan.

“Much obliged, Mr. Knobs,” said Button-Bright, sitting up and staring athim, “but I don’t believe you’ve saved anything except some popcorn that Imighthaveeatenhadyounotdisturbedme.Itwasniceandwarminthatbankofpopcorn, and therewas plenty to eat.Whatmade you digme out?Andwhatmakesyousobumpyeverywhere?”

“Asforthebumps,”repliedtheman,lookingathimselfwithmuchpride,"IwasbornwiththemandIsuspecttheywereagiftfromthefairies.Theymakemelookruggedandbig,likethemountainIserve."

“Allright,”saidButton-Brightandbeganeatingpopcornagain.

Ithadstoppedsnowing,now,andgreatflocksofbirdsweregatheringaroundthe mountain-side, eating the popcorn with much eagerness and scarcelynoticingthepeopleatall.Therewerebirdsofeverysizeandcolor,mostofthemhavinggorgeousfeathersandplumes.

“Just look at them!” exclaimed the Ork scornfully. “Aren’t they dreadfulcreatures,allcoveredwithfeathers?”

“Ithinkthey’rebeautiful,”saidTrot,andthismadetheOrksoindignantthathewentbackintothehouseandsulked.

Button-Brightreachedouthishandandcaughtabigbirdbytheleg.Atonceitroseintotheairanditwassostrongthatitnearlycarriedthelittleboywithit.Heletgotheleginahurryandthebirdflewdownagainandbegantoeatofthepopcorn,notbeingfrightenedintheleast.

This gave Cap’n Bill an idea. He felt in his pocket and drew out severalpiecesofstoutstring.Movingveryquietly,soastonotalarmthebirds,hecreptup toseveralof thebiggestonesand tiedcordsaroundtheir legs, thusmakingthemprisoners.Thebirdsweresointentontheireatingthattheydidnotnoticewhathadhappened to them,andwhenabout twentyhadbeencaptured in thismannerCap’nBilltiedtheendsofallthestringstogetherandfastenedthemtoahugestone,sotheycouldnotescape.

TheBumpyManwatchedtheoldsailor’sactionswithmuchcuriosity.

“Thebirdswillbequietuntil they’veeatenupall the snow,”he said, “butthentheywillwanttoflyawaytotheirhomes.Tellme,sir,whatwillthepoorthingsdowhentheyfindtheycan’tfly?”

“Itmayworry’emalittle,”repliedCap’nBill,“butthey’renotgoingtobehurtiftheytakeiteasyandbehavethemselves.”

Ourfriendshadallmadeagoodbreakfastofthedeliciouspopcornandnowtheywalkedtowardthehouseagain.Button-BrightwalkedbesideTrotandheldherhand inhis, because theywereold friends andhe liked the little girl very

much.TheboywasnotsooldasTrot,andsmallasshewashewashalfaheadshorter in height. Themost remarkable thing aboutButton-Brightwas that hewasalwaysquietandcomposed,whateverhappened,andnothingwaseverableto astonish him. Trot liked him because he was not rude and never tried toplague her. Cap’n Bill liked him because he had found the boy cheerful andbraveatalltimes,andwillingtodoanythinghewasaskedtodo.

WhentheycametothehouseTrotsniffedtheairandasked:“Don’tIsmellperfume?’”

“Ithinkyoudo,”saidtheBumpyMan."Yousmellviolets,andthatprovesthere is a breeze springing up from the south. All our winds and breezes areperfumed and for that reasonwe are glad to have themblow inour direction.Thesouthbreezealwayshasavioletodor;thenorthbreezehasthefragranceofwild roses; the east breeze is perfumed with lilies-of-the-valley and the westwindwithlilacblossoms.Soweneednoweather-vanetotelluswhichwaythewindisblowing.Wehaveonlytosmelltheperfumeanditinformsusatonce."

InsidethehousetheyfoundtheOrk,andButton-Brightregardedthestrange,bird-likecreaturewithcuriousinterest.Afterexaminingitcloselyforatimeheasked:

“Whichwaydoesyourtailwhirl?”

“Eitherway,”saidtheOrk.

Button-Brightputouthishandandtriedtospinit.

“Don’tdothat!”exclaimedtheOrk.

"Whynot?’inquiredtheboy.

“Becauseithappenstobemytail,andIreservetherighttowhirlitmyself,”explainedtheOrk.

“Let’s goout and fly somewhere,” proposedButton-Bright. “Iwant to seehowthetailworks.”

“Not now,” said the Ork. “I appreciate your interest in me, which I fullydeserve;butIonlyflywhenIamgoingsomewhere,andifIgotstartedImightnotstop.”

“That remindsme,” remarkedCap’nBill,“toaskyou, friendOrk,howwearegoingtogetawayfromhere?”

“Get away!” exclaimed the BumpyMan. “Why don’t you stay here?Youwon’tfindanynicerplacethanMo.”

“Haveyoubeenanywhereelse,sir?”

“No;Ican’tsaythatIhave,”admittedtheMountainEar.

“Then permit me to say you’re no judge,” declared Cap’n Bill. “But youhaven’t answeredmyquestion, friendOrk.Howarewe toget away from thismountain?”

TheOrkreflectedawhilebeforeheanswered.

“Imightcarryoneofyou—theboyorthegirl—uponmyback,”saidhe,“butthreebigpeoplearemorethanIcanmanage,althoughIhavecarriedtwoofyouforashortdistance.Yououghtnottohaveeatenthosepurpleberriessosoon.”

“P’r’apswedidmakeamistake,”Cap’nBillacknowledged.

“Orwemighthavebroughtsomeofthoselavenderberrieswithus,insteadofsomanypurpleones,”suggestedTrotregretfully.

Cap’nBillmadeno reply to this statement,whichshowedhedidnot fullyagreewiththelittlegirl;buthefellintodeepthought,withwrinkledbrows,andfinallyhesaid:

“Ifthosepurpleberrieswouldmakeanythinggrowbigger,whetherit’deaten

thelavenderonesornot,Icouldfindawayoutofourtroubles.”

They did not understand this speech and looked at the old sailor as ifexpectinghim to explainwhat hemeant.But just then a chorusof shrill criesrosefromoutside.

“Here! Let me go—let me go!” the voices seemed to say. “Why are weinsultedinthisway?MountainEar,comeandhelpus!”

Trotrantothewindowandlookedout.

“It’sthebirdsyoucaught,Cap’n,”shesaid.“Ididn’tknowtheycouldtalk.”

“Oh, yes; all the birds inMo are educated to talk,” said theBumpyMan.ThenhelookedatCap’nBilluneasilyandadded:“Won’tyouletthepoorthingsgo?”

“I’ll see,” replied the sailor, and walked out to where the birds wereflutteringandcomplainingbecausethestringswouldnotallowthemtoflyaway.

“Listen tome!” he cried, and at once they became still. "We three peoplewhoarestrangers inyourlandwant togo tosomeothercountry,andwewantthreeofyoubirdstocarryusthere.Weknowweareaskingagreatfavor,butit’stheonlywaywecan thinkof—excep’walkin’, an’ I’mnotmuchgoodat thatbecause I’ve a wooden leg. Besides, Trot an’ Button-Bright are too small toundertakealongandtiresomejourney.Now,tellme:Whichthreeofyoubirdswillconsenttocarryus?"

Thebirds lookedatoneanotheras ifgreatlyastonished.Thenoneof themreplied:

"Youmustbecrazy,oldman.Notoneofusisbigenoughtoflywitheventhesmallestofyourparty."

“I’llfixthematterofsize,”promisedCap’nBill.“Ifthreeofyouwillagreetocarryus,I’llmakeyoubigan’strongenoughtodoit,soitwon’tworryyouabit.”

The birds considered this gravely. Living in amagic country, they had nodoubtbutthatthestrangeone-leggedmancoulddowhathesaid.Afteralittle,oneofthemasked:

“Ifyoumakeusbig,wouldwestaybigalways?”

“Ithinkso,”repliedCap’nBill.

They chattered a while among themselves and then the bird that had firstspokensaid:“Tilgo,forone.”

“SowillI,”saidanother;andafterapauseathirdsaid:“I’llgo,too.”

Perhapsmorewould have volunteered, for it seemed that for some reasonthey all longed to be bigger than theywere; but threewere enough forCap’nBill’spurposeandsohepromptlyreleasedalltheothers,whoimmediatelyflewaway.

The three that remained were cousins, and all were of the same brilliant

plumage and in size about as large as eagles.WhenTrot questioned them shefound theywere quite young, having only abandoned their nests a fewweeksbefore.Theywerestrongyoungbirds,withclear,braveeyes,andthelittlegirldecidedtheywerethemostbeautifulofallthefeatheredcreaturesshehadeverseen.

Cap’nBillnowtookfromhispocketthewoodenboxwiththeslidingcoverandremovedthethreepurpleberries,whichwerestillingoodcondition.

“Eatthese,”hesaid,andgaveonetoeachofthebirds.Theyobeyed,findingthefruitverypleasanttotaste.Inafewsecondstheybegantogrowinsizeandgrew so fast thatTrot feared theywould never stop.But they finally did stopgrowing, and then theyweremuch larger than theOrk, andnearly the size offull-grownostriches.

Cap’nBillwasmuchpleasedbythisresult.

“Youcancarryusnow,allright,”saidhe.

Thebirdsstruttedaroundwithpride,highlypleasedwiththeirimmensesize.

“Idon’tsee,though,”saidTrotdoubtfully,“howwe’regoingtorideontheirbackswithoutfallingoff.”

“We’renotgoingtorideontheirbacks,”answeredCap’nBill.“I’mgoingtomakeswingsforustoridein.”

HethenaskedtheBumpyManforsomerope,butthemanhadnorope.Hehad, however, an old suit of gray clotheswhich he gladly presented toCap’nBill,whocuttheclothintostripsandtwisteditsothatitwasalmostasstrongasrope.Withthismaterialheattachedtoeachbirdaswingthatdangledbelowitsfeet, andButton-Brightmade a trial flight inoneof them toprove that itwassafeandcomfortable.Whenallthishadbeenarrangedoneofthebirdsasked:

“Wheredoyouwishustotakeyou?”

“Why, just follow the Ork,” said Cap’n Bill. “He will be our leader, andwherever theOrk flies you are to fly, andwherever theOrk lands you are toland.Isthatsatisfactory?”

Thebirdsdeclareditwasquitesatisfactory,soCap’nBilltookcounselwiththeOrk.

“On our way here,” said that peculiar creature, “I noticed a broad, sandydesertattheleftofme,onwhichwasnolivingthing.”

“Thenwe’dbetterkeepawayfromit,”repliedthesailor.

“Not so,” insisted the Ork. "I have found, on my travels, that the mostpleasantcountriesoftenlieinthemidstofdeserts;soIthinkitwouldbewiseforustoflyoverthisdesertanddiscoverwhatliesbeyondit.Forinthedirectionwecamefromliestheocean,aswewellknow,andbeyondhereisthisstrangeLandofMo,whichwedonotcare toexplore.Ononeside,aswecanseefromthismountain,isabroadexpanseofplain,andontheotherthedesert.Formypart,Ivoteforthedesert."

“Whatdoyousay,Trot?”inquiredCap’nBill.

“It’sallthesametome,”shereplied.

Noone thoughtofaskingButton-Bright’sopinion, so itwasdecided to flyoverthedesert.Theybadegood-byetotheBumpyManandthankedhimforhiskindness and hospitality. Then they seated themselves in the swings—one foreachbird—andtoldtheOrktostartawayandtheywouldfollow.

ThewhirloftheOrk’stailastonishedthebirdsatfirst,butafterhehadgonea short distance they rose in the air, carrying their passengers easily, and flewwithstrong,regularstrokesoftheirgreatwingsinthewakeoftheirleader.

CHAPTER9

TheKingdomofJinxland

Trot rode with more comfort than she had expected, although the swingswayedsomuchthatshehadtoholdontightwithbothhands.Cap’nBill’sbirdfollowedtheOrk,andTrotcamenext,withButton-Brighttrailingbehindher.Itwasquiteanimposingprocession,butunfortunatelytherewasnoonetoseeit,fortheOrkhadheadedstraightforthegreatsandydesertandinafewminutesafterstartingtheywereflyinghighoverthebroadwaste,wherenolivingthingcouldexist.

Thelittlegirlthoughtthiswouldbeabadplaceforthebirdstolosestrength,orfortheclothropestogiveway;butalthoughshecouldnothelpfeelingatriflenervousandfidgetyshehadconfidenceinthehugeandbrilliantlyplumagedbirdthatboreher,aswellasinCap’nBill’sknowledgeofhowtotwistandfastenaropesoitwouldhold.

That was a remarkably big desert. There was nothing to relieve themonotony of view and every minute seemed an hour and every hour a day.Disagreeable fumes and gases rose from the sands, which would have beendeadlytothetravelershadtheynotbeensohighintheair.Asitwas,Trotwasbeginning to feel sick, when a breath of fresher air filled her nostrils and onlooking ahead she saw a great cloud of pink-tinted mist. Even while shewonderedwhat itcouldbe, theOrkplungedboldly into themistand theotherbirds followed. She could see nothing for a time, nor could the bird which

carriedherseewheretheOrkhadgone,butitkeptflyingassturdilyaseverandin a few moments the mist was passed and the girl saw a most beautifullandscapespreadoutbelowher,extendingasfarashereyecouldreach.

She saw bits of forest, verdure clothed hills, fields of waving grain,fountains, rivers and lakes; and throughout the scenewere scatteredgroups ofprettyhousesandafewgrandcastlesandpalaces.

Overallthisdelightfullandscape—whichfromTrot’shighperchseemedlikeamagnificentpaintedpicture—wasarosyglowsuchaswesometimesseeinthewestatsunset.Inthiscase,however,itwasnotinthewestonly,buteverywhere.

No wonder the Ork paused to circle slowly over this lovely country. Theotherbirdsfollowedhisaction,alleyeingtheplacewithequaldelight.Then,aswith one accord, the four formed a group and slowly sailed downward. Thisbrought them to that part of thenewly-discovered landwhichborderedon thedesert’sedge;butitwasjustasprettyhereasanywhere,sotheOrkandthebirdsalightedandthethreepassengersatoncegotoutoftheirswings.

“Oh, Cap’n Bill, isn’t this fine an’ dandy?” exclaimed Trot rapturously.“Howluckyweweretodiscoverthisbeautifulcountry!”

“Thecountryseemsratherhighclass,I’lladmit,Trot,”repliedtheoldsailor-man,lookingaroundhim,“butwedon’tknow,asyet,whatitspeoplearelike.”

“Noone could live in such a countrywithoutbeinghappyandgood—I’msureofthat,”shesaidearnestly.“Don’tyouthinkso,Button-Bright?”

“I’mnot thinking, just now,” answered the little boy. "It tiresme to think,andIneverseemtogainanythingbyit.Whenweseethepeoplewholiveherewewillknowwhattheyarelike,andno’mountofthinkingwillmakethemanydifferent."

“That’s true enough,” said theOrk. “But now Iwant tomake a proposal.While you are getting acquainted with this new country, which looks as if itcontainseverythingtomakeonehappy,Iwouldliketoflyalong—allbymyself—andseeifIcanfindmyhomeontheothersideofthegreatdesert.IfIdo,Iwillstay there,ofcourse.But if I fail tofindOrklandIwill return toyouinaweek,toseeifIcandoanythingmoretoassistyou.”

Theyweresorrytolosetheirqueercompanion,butcouldoffernoobjectiontotheplan;sotheOrkbadethemgood-byeandrisingswiftlyintheair,heflew

overthecountryandwassoonlosttoviewinthedistance.

The three birds which had carried our friends now begged permission toreturnbythewaytheyhadcome,totheirownhomes,sayingtheywereanxiousto show their families how big they had become. SoCap’nBill andTrot andButton-BrightallthankedthemgratefullyfortheirassistanceandsoonthebirdsbegantheirlongflighttowardtheLandofMo.

Being now left to themselves in this strange land, the three comradesselectedaprettypathwayandbeganwalkingalong it.Theybelieved thispathwould lead them to a splendid castle which they espied in the distance, theturretsofwhichtoweredfarabovethetopsof thetreeswhichsurroundedit.Itdidnotseemveryfaraway,sotheysaunteredonslowly,admiringthebeautifulfernsandflowersthatlinedthepathwayandlisteningtothesingingofthebirdsandthesoftchirpingofthegrasshoppers.

Presentlythepathwoundoveralittlehill.Inavalleythatlaybeyondthehillwasatinycottagesurroundedbyflowerbedsandfruittrees.Ontheshadyporchof the cottage they saw, as they approached, a pleasant faced woman sittingamidstagroupofchildren,towhomshewastellingstories.Thechildrenquicklydiscovered the strangers and ran toward them with exclamations ofastonishment,sothatTrotandherfriendsbecamethecenterofacuriousgroup,allchatteringexcitedly.Cap’nBill’swoodenlegseemedtoarousethewonderofthechildren,as theycouldnotunderstandwhyhehadnot twomeat legs.This

attention seemed toplease theold sailor,whopatted theheadsof the childrenkindlyandthen,raisinghishattothewoman,heinquired:

“Canyoutellus,madam,justwhatcountrythisis?”

Shestaredhardatallthreeofthestrangersassherepliedbriefly:“Jinxland.”

“Oh!”exclaimedCap’nBill,withapuzzled look.“Andwhere is Jinxland,please?”

“IntheQuadlingCountry,”saidshe.

“What!”criedTrot, in suddenexcitement.“Doyoumean tosay this is theQuadlingCountryoftheLandofOz?”

“TobesureIdo,”thewomananswered.“EverybitoflandthatissurroundedbythegreatdesertistheLandofOz,asyououghttoknowaswellasIdo;butI’msorrytosaythatJinxlandisseparatedfromtherestoftheQuadlingCountrybythatrowofhighmountainsyouseeyonder,whichhavesuchsteepsidesthatnoonecancross them.Sowe livehereallbyourselves, andare ruledbyourownKing,insteadofbyOzmaofOz.”

“I’ve been to theLand ofOz before,” saidButton-Bright, “but I’ve neverbeenhere.”

"DidyoueverhearofJinxlandbefore?’askedTrot.

“No,”saidButton-Bright.

“It is on the Map of Oz, though,” asserted the woman, “and it’s a finecountry, I assureyou. Ifonly,” sheadded,and thenpaused to lookaroundherwithafrightenedexpression.“Ifonly—”hereshestoppedagain,asifnotdaringtogoonwithherspeech.

“Ifonlywhat,ma’am?”askedCap’nBill.

Thewoman sent the children into the house. Then she came closer to thestrangers andwhispered: “If onlywe had a differentKing,wewould be veryhappyandcontented.”

“What’sthematterwithyourKing?”askedTrot,curiously.Butthewomanseemed frightened to have said so much. She retreated to her porch, merelysaying:

“TheKingpunishesseverelyanytreasononthepartofhissubjects.”

“What’streason?”askedButton-Bright.

“Inthiscase,”repliedCap’nBill,“treasonseemstoconsistofknockin’theKing;but Iguessweknowhisdispositionnowaswellas if the ladyhadsaidmore.”

“I wonder,” said Trot, going up to the woman, “if you could spare ussomethingtoeat.Wehaven’thadanythingbutpopcornandlemonadeforalongtime.”

“Bless your heart! Of course I can spare you some food,” the womananswered, and entering her cottage she soon returnedwith a tray loadedwithsandwiches,cakesandcheese.Oneofthechildrendrewabucketofclear,coldwater fromaspringand the threewanderersateheartilyandenjoyed thegoodthingsimmensely.

WhenButton-Bright could eat nomore he filled the pockets of his jacketwithcakesandcheese,andnoteventhechildrenobjectedtothis.Indeedtheyallseemed pleased to see the strangers eat, so Cap’nBill decided that nomatterwhat the King of Jinxland was like, the people would prove friendly andhospitable.

“Whose castle is that, yonder,ma’am?”he asked,wavinghis hand towardthetowersthatroseabovethetrees.

“ItbelongstohisMajesty,KingKrewl,”shesaid.

“Oh,indeed;anddoeshelivethere?”

“Whenheisnotouthuntingwithhisfiercecourtiersandwarcaptains,”shereplied.

“Ishehuntingnow?”Trotinquired.

“Idonotknow,mydear.ThelessweknowabouttheKing’sactionsthesaferweare.”

It was evident the woman did not like to talk about King Krewl and so,havingfinishedtheirmeal,theysaidgood-byeandcontinuedalongthepathway.

“Don’t you thinkwe’d better keep away from that King’s castle, Cap’n?”askedTrot.

“Well,”saidhe,“KingKrewlwouldfindout,soonerorlater,thatweareinhiscountry,sowemayaswellfacethemusicnow.Perhapsheisn’tquitesobadasthatwomanthinksheis.Kingsaren’talwayspopularwiththeirpeople,youknow,eveniftheydothebesttheyknowhow.”

“Ozmaispop’lar,”saidButton-Bright.

“Ozmaisdiff’rentfromanyotherRuler,fromallI’veheard,”remarkedTrotmusingly,asshewalkedbesidetheboy.“And,afterall,wearereallyintheLandof Oz, where Ozma rules ev’ry King and ev’rybody else. I never heard ofanybodygettinghurtinherdominions,didyou,Button-Bright?”

“Notwhensheknowsaboutit,”hereplied.“Butthosebirdslandedusinjustthewrongplace,seemstome.Theymighthavecarriedusrighton,overthatrowofmountains,totheEm’raldCity.”

“Trueenough,”saidCap’nBill;“but theydidn’t,an’sowemustmake thebestofJinxland.Let’strynottobeafraid.”

“Oh, I’m not very scared,” said Button-Bright, pausing to look at a pinkrabbitthatpoppeditsheadoutofaholeinthefieldnearby.

“NoramI,”addedTrot.“Really,Cap’n,I’msogladtobeanywhereatallinthewonderfulfairylandofOzthatIthinkI’mtheluckiestgirlinalltheworld.DorothylivesintheEm’raldCity,youknow,andsodoestheScarecrowandtheTinWoodman andTik-Tok and theShaggyMan—and all the rest of ’em thatwe’veheardsomuchaboutnottomentionOzma,whomustbethesweetestand

loveliestgirlinalltheworld!”

“Takeyourtime,Trot,”advisedButton-Bright.“Youdon’thavetosayitallinonebreath,youknow.Andyouhaven’tmentionedhalfofthecuriouspeopleintheEm’raldCity.”

“That’ereEm’raldCity,”saidCap’nBillimpressively,“happenstobeontheother side o’ thosemountains, thatwe’re told no one is able to cross. I don’twanttodiscourageofyou,Trot,butwe’rea’mostasmuchseparatedfromyourOzmaan’DorothyaswewerewhenwelivedinCaliforny.”

Therewassomuchtruthinthisstatementthattheyallwalkedoninsilenceforsometime.FinallytheyreachedthegroveofstatelytreesthatborderedthegroundsoftheKing’scastle.Theyhadgonehalf-waythroughitwhenthesoundofsobbing,asofsomeoneinbitterdistress,reachedtheirearsandcausedthemtohaltabruptly.

CHAPTER10

Pon,theGardener’sBoy

ItwasButton-Brightwhofirstdiscovered,lyingonhisfacebeneathabroadspreadingtreenearthepathway,ayoungmanwhosebodyshookwiththeforceofhissobs.Hewasdressedinalongbrownsmockandhadsandalsonhisfeet,betokeningoneinhumblelife.Hisheadwasbareandshowedashockofbrown,curlyhair.Button-Brightlookeddownontheyoungmanandsaid:

“Whocares,anyhow?”

“Ido!”criedtheyoungman,interruptinghissobstorollover,faceupward,thathemightseewhohadspoken.“Icare,formyheartisbroken!”

“Can’tyougetanotherone?”askedthelittleboy.

“Idon’twantanother!”wailedtheyoungman.

BythistimeTrotandCap’nBillarrivedatthespotandthegirlleanedoverandsaidinasympatheticvoice:

“Tellusyourtroublesandperhapswemayhelpyou.”

Theyouthsatup,then,andbowedpolitely.Afterwardhegotuponhisfeet,butstillkeptwringinghishandsashetriedtochokedownhissobs.Trotthoughthewasverybravetocontrolsuchawfulagonysowell.

“MynameisPon,”hebegan.“I’mthegardener’sboy.”

“ThenthegardeneroftheKingisyourfather,Isuppose,”saidTrot.

“Notmyfather,butmymaster,”wasthereply.

“Idotheworkandthegardenergivestheorders.Anditwasnotmyfault,intheleast,thatthePrincessGloriafellinlovewithme.”

“Didshe,really?”askedthelittlegirl.

“Idon’tseewhy,”remarkedButton-Bright,staringattheyouth.

“AndwhomaythePrincessGloriabe?”inquiredCap’nBill.

“SheisthenieceofKingKrewl,whoisherguardian.ThePrincesslivesinthecastleandistheloveliestandsweetestmaideninallJinxland.Sheisfondofflowersandusedtowalkinthegardenswithherattendants.Atsuchtimes,ifIwasworkingatmytasks,IusedtocastdownmyeyesasGloriapassedme;butonedayIglancedupandfoundhergazingatmewithaverytenderlookinhereyes.Thenextdayshedismissedherattendantsand,comingtomyside,begantotalkwithme.ShesaidIhadtouchedherheartasnootheryoungmanhadeverdone.Ikissedherhand.JustthentheKingcamearoundabendinthewalk.Hestruckmewithhisfistandkickedmewithhisfoot.ThenheseizedthearmofthePrincessandrudelydraggedherintothecastle.”

“Wasn’theawful!”gaspedTrotindignantly.

“HeisaveryabruptKing,”saidPon,"soitwastheleastIcouldexpect.UptothattimeIhadnotthoughtoflovingPrincessGloria,butrealizingitwouldbeimpolitenottoreturnherlove,Ididso.Wemetatevening,nowandthen,andshe toldme theKingwantedher tomarrya richcourtiernamedGoogly-Goo,whoisoldenoughtobeGloria’sfather.ShehasrefusedGoogly-Goothirty-ninetimes,buthestillpersistsandhasbroughtmanyrichpresentstobribetheKing.OnthataccountKingKrewlhascommandedhisniecetomarrytheoldman,butthe Princess has assuredme, time and again, that shewillwed onlyme.Thismorning we happened to meet in the grape arbor and as I was respectfullysalutingthecheekofthePrincess,twooftheKing’sguardsseizedmeandbeatmeterriblybeforetheveryeyesofGloria,whomtheKinghimselfheldbacksoshecouldnotinterfere."

“Why,thisKingmustbeamonster!”criedTrot.

“Heisfarworsethanthat,”saidPon,mournfully.

“But, see here,” interruptedCap’nBill,whohad listened carefully toPon.“This King may not be so much to blame, after all. Kings are proud folks,becausethey’resohighan’mighty,an’itisn’treasonableforaroyalPrincesstomarryacommongardener’sboy.”

“Itisn’tright,”declaredButton-Bright.“APrincessshouldmarryaPrince.”

“I’m not a common gardener’s boy,” protested Pon. “If I hadmy rights IwouldbetheKinginsteadofKrewl.Asitis,I’maPrince,andasroyalasanymaninJinxland.”

“Howdoesthatcome?”askedCap’nBill.

“MyfatherusedtobetheKingandKrewlwashisPrimeMinister.Butonedaywhileouthunting,KingPhearse—thatwasmyfather’sname—hadaquarrelwithKrewland tappedhimgentlyon thenosewith theknucklesofhisclosedhand.ThissoprovokedthewickedKrewlthathetrippedmyfatherbackward,sothathe fell intoadeeppond.AtonceKrewl threw inamassofheavystones,whichsoweighteddownmypoorfatherthathisbodycouldnotriseagaintothesurface. It is impossible to kill anyone in this land, as perhaps you know, butwhenmyfatherwaspresseddownintothemudatthebottomofthedeeppooland the stones held him so he could never escape, hewas of nomore use tohimself or the world than if he had died. Knowing this, Krewl proclaimedhimselfKing, takingpossessionof the royal castle anddriving allmy father’speopleout.Iwasasmallboy,then,butwhenIgrewupIbecameagardener.IhaveservedKingKrewlwithouthisknowingthatIamthesonofthesameKingPhearsewhomhesocruellymadeawaywith.”

“My,but that’sa terr’blyexcitingstory!”saidTrot,drawinga longbreath.“Buttellus,Pon,whowasGloria’sfather?”

“Oh, he was the King beforemy father,” replied Pon. “Father was PrimeMinister forKingKynd,whowasGloria’s father. Shewas only a babywhenKingKyndfellintotheGreatGulfthatliesjustthissideofthemountains—thesamemountainsthatseparateJinxlandfromtherestoftheLandofOz.ItissaidtheGreatGulfhasnobottom;but,howeverthatmaybe,KingKyndhasneverbeenseenagainandmyfatherbecameKinginhisplace.”

“Seemstome,”saidTrot,“thatifGloriahadherrightsshewouldbeQueenofJinxland.”

“Well,herfatherwasaKing,”admittedPon,“andsowasmyfather;soweareofequalrank,althoughshe’sagreatladyandI’mahumblegardener’sboy.Ican’tseewhyweshouldnotmarryifwewantto—exceptthatKingKrewlwon’tletus.”

“It’sasortofmixed-upmess, takenaltogether,”remarkedCap’nBill.“ButweareonourwaytovisitKingKrewl,andifwegetachance,youngman,we’llputinagoodwordforyou.”

“Do,please!”beggedPon.

"Wasitthefloggingyougotthatbrokeyourheart?’inquiredButton-Bright.

“Why,ithelpedtobreakit,ofcourse,”saidPon.

“I’d get it fixed up, if Iwere you,” advised the boy, tossing a pebble at achipmunkinatree.

“YououghttogiveGloriajustasgoodaheartasshegivesyou.”

“That’scommonsense,”agreedCap’nBill.So they left thegardener’sboystandingbesidethepath,andresumedtheirjourneytowardthecastle.

CHAPTER11

TheWickedKingandGoogly-Goo

Whenour friendsapproached thegreatdoorwayof thecastle theyfound itguardedbyseveralsoldiersdressedinsplendiduniforms.Theywerearmedwithswordsandlances.Cap’nBillwalkedstraightuptothemandasked:

“DoestheKinghappentobeathome?”

“HisMagnificentandGloriousMajesty,KingKrewl,isatpresentinhabitinghisRoyalCastle,”wasthestiffreply.

“Then I guess we’ll go in an’ say how-d’ye-do,” continued Cap’n Bill,attemptingtoenterthedoorway.Butasoldierbarredhiswaywithalance.

"Who are you, what are your names, and where do you come from? 7demandedthesoldier.

“Youwouldn’t know ifwe told you,” returned the sailor, “seein’ aswe’restrangersinastrangeland.”

“Oh, if you are strangers youwill be permitted to enter,” said the soldier,loweringhislance.“HisMajestyisveryfondofstrangers.”

“Domanystrangerscomehere?”askedTrot.

“You are the first that ever came to our country,” said the man. “But hisMajestyhasoftensaidthatifstrangerseverarrivedinJinxlandhewouldseethat

theyhadaveryexcitingtime.”

Cap’n Bill scratched his chin thoughtfully. He wasn’t very favorablyimpressedbythislastremark.ButhedecidedthatastherewasnowayofescapefromJinxlanditwouldbewisetoconfront—theKingboldlyandtrytowinhisfavor.Sotheyenteredthecastle,escortedbyoneofthesoldiers.

It was certainly a fine castle, with many large rooms, all beautifullyfurnished. The passages were winding and handsomely decorated, and afterfollowingseveralofthesethesoldierledthemintoanopencourtthatoccupiedthevery center of thehugebuilding. Itwas surroundedon every sidebyhighturreted walls, and contained beds of flowers, fountains and walks of manycolored marbles which were matched together in quaint designs. In an openspacenearthemiddleofthecourttheysawagroupofcourtiersandtheirladies,whosurroundedaleanmanwhoworeuponhisheadajeweledcrown.Hisfacewas hard and sullen and through the slits of his half-closed eyelids the eyesglowedlikecoalsoffire.Hewasdressedinbrilliantsatinsandvelvetsandwasseatedinagoldenthrone-chair.

ThispersonagewasKingKrewl,andassoonasCap’nBillsawhimtheoldsailorknewatoncethathewasnotgoingtoliketheKingofJinxland.

“Hello!who’shere?”saidhisMajesty,withadeepscowl.

“Strangers, Sire,” answered the soldier, bowing so low that his foreheadtouchedthemarbletiles.

“Strangers, eh?Well, well; what an unexpected visit! Advance, strangers,andgiveanaccountofyourselves.”

TheKing’s voicewas as harsh as his features. Trot shuddered a little butCap’nBillcalmlyreplied:

"There ain’tmuch for us to say, ’cept aswe’ve arrived to look over yourcountryan’seehowwelikeit.Judgin’fromthewayyouspeak,youdon’tknowwhowe are, or you’d be jumpin’ up to shake hands an’ offer us seats.Kingsusuallytreatusprettywell,inthegreatbigOutsideWorldwherewecomefrom,butinthislittlekingdomwhichdon’tamounttomuch,anyhowfolksdon’tseemto’a’gotmuchculchure."

TheKinglistenedwithamazementtothisboldspeech,firstwithafrownandthen gazing at the two children and the old sailorwith evident curiosity. The

courtiersweredumbwithfear,fornoonehadeverdaredspeakinsuchamannerto their self-willed, cruel King before. His Majesty, however, was somewhatfrightened,forcruelpeoplearealwayscowards,andhefearedthesemysteriousstrangersmightpossessmagicpowersthatwoulddestroyhimunlesshetreatedthemwell.Sohecommandedhispeopletogivethenewarrivalsseats,andtheyobeyedwithtremblinghaste.

Afterbeingseated,Cap’nBilllightedhispipeandbeganpuffingsmokefromit, a sight so strange to them that it filled themallwithwonder.Presently theKingasked:

“Howdidyoupenetratetothishiddencountry?Didyoucrossthedesertorthemountains?”

“Desert,” answered Cap’n Bill, as if the task were too easy to be worthtalkingabout.

“Indeed!Noonehaseverbeenabletodothatbefore,”saidtheKing.

“Well,it’seasyenough,ifyouknowhow,”assertedCap’nBill,socarelesslythatitgreatlyimpressedhishearers.TheKingshiftedinhisthroneuneasily.Hewasmoreafraidofthesestrangersthanbefore.

“DoyouintendtostaylonginJinxland?”washisnextanxiousquestion.

“Dependsonhowwelikeit,”saidCap’nBill.“JustnowImightsuggesttoyourMajesty to order some rooms got ready for us in your dinky little castlehere.Anda royalbanquet,withsomefriedonionsan’pickled tripe,wouldseteasyonourstomicksan’makeusabithappierthanwearenow.”

“Yourwishes shall be attended to,” saidKingKrewl, but his eyes flashedfrombetweentheirslitsinawickedwaythatmadeTrothopethefoodwouldn’tbepoisoned.AttheKing’scommandseveralofhisattendantshastenedawaytogivetheproperorderstothecastleservantsandnosoonerweretheygonethanaskinnyoldmanenteredthecourtyardandbowedbeforetheKing.

Thisdisagreeablepersonwasdressed in richvelvets,withmany furbelowsandlaces.Hewascoveredwithgoldenchains,finelywroughtringsandjeweledornaments.Hewalkedwithmincingstepsandglaredatallthecourtiersasifheconsideredhimselffarsuperiortoanyorallofthem.

“Well, well, your Majesty; what news—what news?” he demanded, in ashrill,crackedvoice.

TheKinggavehimasurlylook.

“Nonews,LordGoogly-Goo,exceptthatstrangershavearrived,”hesaid.

Googly-GoocastacontemptuousglanceatCap’nBillandadisdainfuloneatTrotandButton-Bright.Thenhesaid:

“Strangersdonotinterestme,yourMajesty.ButthePrincessGloriaisveryinteresting—very interesting, indeed!Whatdoes she say,Sire?Will shemarry

me?”

“Askher,”retortedtheKing.

“Ihave,manytimes;andeverytimeshehasrefused.”

“Well?”saidtheKingharshly.

“Well,”saidGoogly-Goo ina jaunty tone,“abird thatcan sing, andwon’tsing,mustbemadetosing.”

“Huh!” sneered theKing. “That’s easy,with a bird; but a girl is harder tomanage.”

“Still,” persisted Googly-Goo, "we must overcome difficulties. The chieftrouble is that Gloria fancies she loves that miserable gardener’s boy, Pon.SupposewethrowPonintotheGreatGulf,yourMajesty?"

“Itwoulddoyounogood,”returnedtheKing.“Shewouldstilllovehim.”

“Too bad, too bad!” sighed Googly-Goo. “I have laid aside more than abushel of precious gems—each worth a king’s ransom—to present to yourMajestyonthedayIwedGloria.”

TheKing’seyessparkled,forhelovedwealthaboveeverything;butthenextmomenthefrowneddeeplyagain.

“Itwon’thelpustokillPon,”hemuttered.“WhatwemustdoiskillGloria’sloveforPon.”

“That is better, if you can find a way to do it,” agreed Googly-Goo.“EverythingwouldcomerightifyoucouldkillGloria’sloveforthatgardener’sboy.Really,Sire,nowthatIcometothinkofit,theremustbefullyabushelandahalfofthosejewels!”

Justthenamessengerenteredthecourttosaythatthebanquetwaspreparedfor the strangers.SoCap’nBill,Trot andButton-Brightentered thecastleandweretakentoaroomwhereafinefeastwasspreaduponthetable.

“Idon’tlikethatLordGoogly-Goo,”remarkedTrotasshewasbusilyeating.

“NorI,”saidCap’nBill.“ButfromthetalkweheardIguessthegardener’sboywon’tgetthePrincess.”

“Perhaps not,” returned the girl; “but I hope old Googly doesn’t get her,either.”

“TheKingmeans to sellher for all those jewels,”observedButton-Bright,hismouthhalffullofcakeandjam.

“Poor Princess!” sighedTrot. “I’m sorry for her, although I’ve never seenher.ButifshesaysnotoGoogly-Goo,andmeansit,whatcantheydo?”

“Don’t let usworry about a strangePrincess,” advisedCap’nBill. “I’ve anotionwe’renottoosafe,ourselves,withthiscruelKing.”

Thetwochildrenfeltthesamewayandallthreewererathersolemnduringtheremainderofthemeal.

Whentheyhadeaten,theservantsescortedthemtotheirrooms.Cap’nBill’sroomwaswaytooneendofthecastle,veryhighup,andTrot’sroomwasattheopposite end, rather low down. As for Button-Bright, they placed him in themiddle,sothatallwereasfarapartastheycouldpossiblybe.Theydidn’tlikethis arrangement verywell, but all the roomswere handsomely furnished andbeingguestsoftheKingtheydarednotcomplain.

After the strangers had left the courtyard theKing andGoogly-Goo had alongtalktogether,andtheKingsaid:

“Icannot forceGloria tomarryyou justnow,because thosestrangersmayinterfere.Isuspectthatthewooden-leggedmanpossessesgreatmagicalpowers,orhewouldneverhavebeenabletocarryhimselfandthosechildrenacrossthe

deadlydesert.”

“Idon’tlikehim;helooksdangerous,”answeredGoogly-Goo.“Butperhapsyouaremistakenabouthisbeingawizard.Whydon’tyoutesthispowers?”

“How?”askedtheKing.

“Send for theWickedWitch. She will tell you in a moment whether thatwooden-leggedpersonisacommonmanoramagician.”

“Ha!that’sagoodidea,”criedtheKing.“Whydidn’tIthinkoftheWickedWitchbefore?Butthewomandemandsrichrewardsforherservices.”

“Nevermind;Iwillpayher,”promisedthewealthyGoogly-Goo.

SoaservantwasdispatchedtosummontheWickedWitch,wholivedbutafewleaguesfromKingKrewl’scastle.Whiletheyawaitedher,thewitheredoldcourtierproposedthattheypayavisittoPrincessGloriaandseeifshewasnotnowinamorecomplaisantmood.SothetwostartedawaytogetherandsearchedthecastleoverwithoutfindingGloria.

AtlastGoogly-Goosuggestedshemightbeinthereargarden,whichwasalargeparkfilledwithbushesandtreesandsurroundedbyahighwall.Andwhatwastheiranger,whentheyturnedacornerofthepath,tofindinaquietnookthebeautifulPrincess,andkneelingbeforeher,Pon,thegardener’sboy!

WitharoarofragetheKingdashedforward;butPonhadscaledthewallbymeans of a ladder, which still stood in its place, and when he saw the Kingcoming he ran up the ladder and made good his escape. But this left Gloriaconfrontedbyherangryguardian, theKing,andbyoldGoogly-Goo,whowastremblingwithafuryhecouldnotexpressinwords.

Seizing the Princess by her arm the King dragged her back to the castle.Pushingherintoaroomonthelowerfloorhelockedthedoorupontheunhappygirl.AndatthatmomentthearrivaloftheWickedWitchwasannounced.

Hearing this, the King smiled, as a tiger smiles, showing his teeth. AndGoogly-Goosmiled,asaserpentsmiles,forhehadnoteethexceptacoupleoffangs.AndhavingfrightenedeachotherwiththesesmilesthetwodreadfulmenwentawaytotheRoyalCouncilChambertomeettheWickedWitch.

CHAPTER12

TheWooden-LeggedGrass-Hopper

NowitsohappenedthatTrot,fromthewindowofherroom,hadwitnessedthemeetingof the lovers in thegardenandhad seen theKingcomeanddragGloriaaway.The littlegirl’sheartwentout insympathyfor thepoorPrincess,whoseemedtohertobeoneofthesweetestandloveliestyoungladiesshehadeverseen,soshecreptalongthepassagesandfromahiddennichesawGlorialockedinherroom.

Thekeywasstillinthelock,sowhentheKinghadgoneaway,followedbyGoogly-Goo,Trotstoleuptothedoor,turnedthekeyandentered.ThePrincesslayproneuponacouch,sobbingbitterly.Trotwentuptoherandsmoothedherhairandtriedtocomforther.

“Don’tcry,”shesaid.“I’veunlockedthedoor,soyoucangoawayanytimeyouwantto.”

“Itisn’tthat,”sobbedthePrincess.“IamunhappybecausetheywillnotletmelovePon,thegardener’sboy!”

“Well,nevermind;Ponisn’tanygreatshakes,anyhow,seemstome,”saidTrotsoothingly.“Therearelotsofotherpeopleyoucanlove.”

Gloriarolledoveronthecouchandlookedatthelittlegirlreproachfully.

“Ponhaswonmyheart,and Ican’thelp lovinghim,”sheexplained.Then

withsuddenindignationsheadded:“ButI’llneverloveGoogly-Goo—never,aslongasIlive!”

“I should say not!” replied Trot. “Pon may not be much good, but oldGooglyisvery,verybad.Huntaround,andI’msureyou’llfindsomeoneworthyourlove.You’reverypretty,youknow,andalmostanyoneoughttoloveyou.”

“Youdon’t understand,mydear,” saidGloria, as shewiped the tears fromhereyeswith adainty lacehandkerchiefborderedwithpearls. "Whenyouareolderyouwill realize that ayoung ladycannotdecidewhomshewill love,orchoose themostworthy.Herheart alonedecides forher, andwhomsoeverherheartselects,shemustlove,whetherheamountstomuchornot."

Trotwasalittlepuzzledbythisspeech,whichseemedtoherunreasonable;but shemade no reply and presentlyGloria’s grief softened and she began toquestionthelittlegirlaboutherselfandheradventures.Trot toldherhowtheyhad happened to come to Jinxland, and all about Cap’nBill and theOrk andPessimandtheBumpyMan.

Whiletheywerethusconversingtogether,gettingmoreandmorefriendlyastheybecamebetter acquainted, in theCouncilChamber theKingandGoogly-GooweretalkingwiththeWickedWitch.

Thisevilcreaturewasoldandugly.Shehadlostoneeyeandworeablackpatch over it, so the people of Jinxland had named her “Blinkie.” Of coursewitches are forbidden to exist in the Land of Oz, but Jinxland was so farremovedfromthecenterofOzma’sdominions,andsoabsolutelycutofffromitby the steepmountains and the bottomless gulf, that the laws ofOzwere notobeyedverywellinthatcountry.SotherewereseveralwitchesinJinxlandwhoweretheterrorofthepeople,butKingKrewlfavoredthemandpermittedthemtoexercisetheirevilsorcery.

Blinkiewastheleaderofalltheotherwitchesandthereforethemosthatedandfeared.TheKingusedherwitchcraftat timestoassisthimincarryingouthiscrueltiesandrevenge,buthewasalwaysobligedtopayBlinkielargesumsofmoneyorheapsofpreciousjewelsbeforeshewouldundertakeanenchantment.Thismadehimhatetheoldwomanalmostasmuchashissubjectsdid,butto-dayLordGoogly-Goohadagreedtopaythewitch’sprice,sotheKinggreetedherwithgraciousfavor.

“Can you destroy the love of Princess Gloria for the gardener’s boy?”

inquiredhisMajesty.

TheWickedWitchthoughtaboutitbeforeshereplied:

“That’sahardquestiontoanswer.Icandolotsofclevermagic,butloveisastubbornthingtoconquer.Whenyouthinkyou’vekilledit,it’sliabletobobupagainasstrongasever.Ibelieveloveandcatshaveninelives.Inotherwords,killing love is a hard job, even for a skillful witch, but I believe I can dosomethingthatwillansweryourpurposejustaswell.”

“Whatisthat?”askedtheKing.

“Icanfreezethegirl’sheart.I’vegotaspecialincantationforthat,andwhenGloria’sheartisthoroughlyfrozenshecannolongerlovePon.”

“Just the thing!” exclaimedGoogly-Goo, and theKingwas likewisemuchpleased.

Theybargainedalongtimeastotheprice,butfinallytheoldcourtieragreedtopaytheWickedWitch’sdemands.ItwasarrangedthattheyshouldtakeGloriatoBlinkie’shousethenextday,tohaveherheartfrozen.

ThenKingKrewlmentioned to theoldhag thestrangerswhohad thatdayarrivedinJinxland,andsaidtoher:

“Ithinkthetwochildren—theboyandthegirl—areunabletoharmme,butIhaveasuspicionthatthewooden-leggedmanisapowerfulwizard.”

Thewitch’sfaceworeatroubledlookwhensheheardthis.

“If you are right,” she said, “this wizard might spoil my incantation andinterferewithmeinotherways.Soitwillbebestformetomeetthisstrangeratonceandmatchmymagicagainsthis,todecidewhichisthestronger.”

“Allright,”saidtheKing.“ComewithmeandIwillleadyoutotheman’sroom.”

Googly-Goodidnotaccompanythem,ashewasobligedtogohometogetthe money and jewels he had promised to pay old Blinkie, so the other twoclimbedseveralflightsofstairsandwentthroughmanypassagesuntiltheycametotheroomoccupiedbyCap’nBill.

The sailor-man, finding his bed soft and inviting, and being tiredwith theadventures he had experienced, had decided to take a nap.When theWickedWitchandtheKingsoftlyopenedhisdoorandentered,Cap’nBillwassnoringwithsuchvigorthathedidnothearthematall.

Blinkie approached the bed and with her one eye anxiously stared at thesleepingstranger.

“Ah,”shesaidinasoftwhisper,“Ibelieveyouareright,KingKrewl.Theman looks tome likeaverypowerfulwizard.Butbygood luckIhavecaughthimasleep,soIshalltransformhimbeforehewakesup,givinghimsuchaformthathewillbeunabletoopposeme.”

“Careful!”cautionedtheKing,alsospeakinglow.“Ifhediscoverswhatyouaredoinghemaydestroyyou,andthatwouldannoymebecauseIneedyoutoattendtoGloria.”

ButtheWickedWitchrealizedaswellashedidthatshemustbecareful.She

carried over her arm a black bag, from which she now drew several packetscarefullywrappedinpaper.Threeof thesesheselected,replacingtheothers inthebag.Twoofthepacketsshemixedtogetherandthenshecautiouslyopenedthethird.

“Betterstandback,yourMajesty,”sheadvised,“for if thispowderfallsonyouyoumightbetransformedyourself.”

TheKinghastilyretreatedtotheendoftheroom.AsBlinkiemixedthethirdpowderwiththeothersshewavedherhandsoverit,mumbledafewwords,andthenbackedawayasquicklyasshecould.

Cap’nBillwasslumberingpeacefully,allunconsciousofwhatwasgoingon.Puff!Agreatcloudofsmokerolledoverthebedandcompletelyhidhimfromview.Whenthesmokerolledaway,bothBlinkieandtheKingsawthatthebodyofthestrangerhadquitedisappeared,whileinhisplace,crouchinginthemiddleofthebed,wasalittlegraygrasshopper.

Onecuriousthingaboutthisgrasshopperwasthatthelastjointofitsleftlegwasmadeofwood.Anothercuriousthing—consideringitwasagrasshopper—wasthatitbegantalking,cryingoutinatinybutsharpvoice:

“Here—you people!What do you mean by treating me so? Put me backwhereIbelong,atonce,oryou’llbesorry!”

The cruel King turned pale at hearing the grasshopper’s threats, but theWickedWitchmerelylaughedinderision.Thensheraisedherstickandaimedavicious blow at the grasshopper, but before the stick struck the bed the tiny

hoppermade amarvelous jump—marvelous, indeed,whenwe consider that ithadawoodenleg.Itroseintheairandsailedacrosstheroomandpassedrightthroughtheopenwindow,whereitdisappearedfromtheirview.

“Good!”shoutedtheKing.“Wearewellridofthisdesperatewizard.”Andthentheybothlaughedheartilyatthesuccessoftheincantation,andwentawaytocompletetheirhorridplans.

After Trot had visited a time with Princess Gloria, the little girl went toButton-Bright’sroombutdidnotfindhimthere.ThenshewenttoCap’nBill’sroom,buthewasnottherebecausethewitchandtheKinghadbeentherebeforeher.Soshemadeherwaydownstairsandquestionedtheservants.Theysaidtheyhadseen the littleboygoout into thegarden,some timeago,but theoldmanwiththewoodenlegtheyhadnotseenatall.

Therefore Trot, not knowing what else to do, rambled through the greatgardens,seekingforButton-BrightorCap’nBillandnotfindingeitherofthem.This part of the garden, which lay before the castle, was not walled in, butextendedtotheroadway,andthepathswereopentotheedgeoftheforest;so,aftertwohoursofvainsearchforherfriends,thelittlegirlreturnedtothecastle.

Butatthedoorwayasoldierstoppedher.

“Ilivehere,”saidTrot,“soit’sallrighttoletmein.TheKinghasgivenmearoom.”

“Well, he has taken it back again,”was the soldier’s reply. “HisMajesty’sordersaretoturnyouawayifyouattempttoenter.Iamalsoorderedtoforbidtheboy,yourcompanion,toagainentertheKing’scastle.”

"How’boutCap’nBill’?’sheinquired.

“Why, it seems he has mysteriously disappeared,” replied the soldier,shakinghisheadominously.“Wherehehasgoneto,Ican’tmakeout,butIcanassureyouheisnolongerinthiscastle.I’msorry,littlegirl,todisappointyou.Don’tblameme;Imustobeymymaster’sorders.”

Now,allherlifeTrothadbeenaccustomedtodependonCap’nBill,sowhenthisgoodfriendwassuddenlytakenfromhershefeltverymiserableandforlornindeed.Shewasbraveenoughnottocrybeforethesoldier,oreventolethimseehergriefandanxiety,butaftershewasturnedawayfromthecastleshesoughtaquietbenchinthegardenandforatimesobbedasifherheartwouldbreak.

ItwasButton-Brightwhofoundher,at last, justas thesunhadsetand theshadesofeveningwerefalling.HealsohadbeenturnedawayfromtheKing’scastle,whenhetriedtoenterit,andintheparkhecameacrossTrot.

“Nevermind,”saidtheboy.“Wecanfindaplacetosleep.”

“IwantCap’nBill,”wailedthegirl.

“Well, so do I,” was the reply. “But we haven’t got him. Where do yous’poseheis,Trot?”

“Idon’ts’poseanything.He’sgone,an’that’sallIknow’boutit.”

Button-Brightsatonthebenchbesideherandthrusthishandsinthepocketsofhisknickerbockers.Thenhereflectedsomewhatgravelyforhim.

“Cap’nBillisn’taroundhere,”hesaid,lettinghiseyeswanderoverthedimgarden,“sowemustgosomewhereelseifwewanttofindhim.Besides,it’sfastgettingdark,andifwewanttofindaplacetosleepwemustgetbusywhilewecanseewheretogo.”

HerosefromthebenchashesaidthisandTrotalsojumpedup,dryinghereyesonherapron.ThenshewalkedbesidehimoutofthegroundsoftheKing’scastle.Theydid not go by themain path, but passed through an opening in ahedgeand found themselves inasmallbutwell-worn roadway.Following thisforsomedistance,alongawindingway, theycameuponnohouseorbuildingthatwouldafford themrefuge for thenight. Itbecamesodark that theycouldscarcely see theirway, and finallyTrot stopped and suggested that they campunderatree.

“All right,” saidButton-Bright, “I’ve often found that leavesmake a goodwarmblanket.But—lookthere,Trot!—isn’tthatalightflashingoveryonder?”

“Itcertainlyis,Button-Bright.Let’sgooverandseeifit’sahouse.Whoeverlivestherecouldn’ttreatusworsethantheKingdid.”

Toreachthelighttheyhadtoleavetheroad,sotheystumbledoverhillocksandbrushwood,handinhand,keepingthetinyspeckoflightalwaysinsight.

They were rather forlorn little waifs, outcasts in a strange country andforsakenbytheironlyfriendandguardian,Cap’nBill.Sotheywereverygladwhen finally they reached a small cottage and, looking in through its onewindow,sawPon,thegardener’sboy,sittingbyafireoftwigs.

AsTrotopenedthedoorandwalkedboldlyin,Ponspranguptogreetthem.TheytoldhimofCap’nBill’sdisappearanceandhowtheyhadbeenturnedoutoftheKing’scastle.AstheyfinishedthestoryPonshookhisheadsadly.

“KingKrewlisplottingmischief,Ifear,”saidhe,"forto-dayhesentforoldBlinkie, theWickedWitch, and with my own eyes I saw her come from thecastleandhobbleawaytowardherhut.ShehadbeenwiththeKingandGoogly-Goo,andIwasafraidtheyweregoingtoworksomeenchantmentonGloriasoshewouldnolongerloveme.Butperhapsthewitchwasonlycalledtothecastletoenchantyourfriend,Cap’nBill."

“Couldshedothat?”askedTrot,horrifiedbythesuggestion.

“Isupposeso,foroldBlinkiecandoalotofwickedmagicalthings.”

“WhatsortofanenchantmentcouldsheputonCap’nBill?”

“I don’t know.But he has disappeared, so I’mpretty certain she has donesomething dreadful to him. But don’t worry. If it has happened, it can’t behelped,andifithasn’thappenedwemaybeabletofindhiminthemorning.”

WiththisPonwenttothecupboardandbroughtfoodforthem.Trotwasfartooworriedtoeat,butButton-Brightmadeagoodsupperfromthesimplefoodand then lay down before the fire and went to sleep. The little girl and thegardener’sboy,however,satforalongtimestaringintothefire,busywiththeirthoughts.Butat lastTrot, too,becamesleepyandPongentlycoveredherwiththe one blanket he possessed. Then he threwmorewood on the fire and laidhimselfdownbefore it,next toButton-Bright.Soonall threewere fast asleep.Theywereinagooddealoftrouble;buttheywereyoung,andsleepwasgoodtothembecauseforatimeitmadethemforget.

CHAPTER13

GlindatheGoodandtheScarecrowofOz

ThatcountrysouthoftheEmeraldCity,intheLandofOz,isknownastheQuadling Country, and in the very southernmost part of it stands a splendidpalaceinwhichlivesGlindatheGood.

GlindaistheRoyalSorceressofOz.Shehaswonderfulmagicalpowersanduses them only to benefit the subjects of Ozma’s kingdom. Even the famous

Wizard ofOz pays tribute to her, forGlinda taught him all the realmagic heknows,andsheishissuperiorinallsortsofsorcery.

EveryonelovesGlinda,fromthedaintyandexquisiteRuler,Ozma,downtothehumblestinhabitantofOz,forsheisalwayskindlyandhelpfulandwillingtolistentotheirtroubles,howeverbusyshemaybe.Nooneknowsherage,butallcanseehowbeautifulandstatelysheis.Herhairislikeredgoldandfinerthanthe finest silken strands. Her eyes are blue as the sky and always frank andsmiling.Hercheeksaretheenvyofpeach-blowsandhermouthisenticingasarosebud. Glinda is tall andwears splendid gowns that trail behind her as shewalks.Shewearsnojewels,forherbeautywouldshamethem.

ForattendantsGlindahashalfahundredoftheloveliestgirlsinOz.Theyaregathered from all over Oz, from among the Winkies, the Munchkins, theGillikinsandtheQuadlings,aswellasfromOzma’smagnificentEmeraldCity,anditisconsideredagreatfavortobeallowedtoservetheRoyalSorceress.

Amongthemanywonderful things inGlinda’spalace is theGreatBookofRecords. In this book is inscribed everything that takesplace in all theworld,justtheinstantithappens;sothatbyreferringtoitspagesGlindaknowswhatistaking place far and near, in every country that exists. In thisway she learnswhenandwhereshecanhelpanyindistressordanger,andalthoughherdutiesare confined to assisting those who inhabit the Land of Oz, she is alwaysinterestedinwhattakesplaceintheunprotectedoutsideworld.

SoitwasthatonacertaineveningGlindasatinherlibrary,surroundedbyabevy of her maids, who were engaged in spinning, weaving and embroidery,whenanattendantannouncedthearrivalatthepalaceoftheScarecrow.

Thispersonagewasoneof themost famousandpopular inall theLandofOz.HisbodywasmerelyasuitofMunchkinclothesstuffedwithstraw,buthisheadwasaroundsackfilledwithbran,withwhichtheWizardofOzhadmixedsomemagic brains of a very superior sort. The eyes, nose and mouth of theScarecrowwerepainteduponthefrontof thesack,aswerehisears,andsince

thisquaintbeinghadbeenendowedwithlife,theexpressionofhisfacewasveryinteresting,ifsomewhatcomical.

TheScarecrowwasgoodall through,even tohisbrains,andwhilehewasnaturally awkward in his movements and lacked the neat symmetry of otherpeople,hisdispositionwassokindandconsiderateandhewassoobligingandhonest,thatallwhoknewhimlovedhim,andtherewerefewpeopleinOzwhohadnotmetourScarecrowandmadehisacquaintance.

Helivedpartof the timeinOzma’spalaceat theEmeraldCity,partof thetime inhisowncorncobcastle in theWinkieCountry,andpartof the timehetraveled over all Oz, visiting with the people and playing with the children,whomhedearlyloved.

Itwasononeofhiswandering journeys that theScarecrowhadarrivedatGlinda’spalace,andtheSorceressatoncemadehimwelcome.Ashesatbesideher,talkingofhisadventures,heasked:

“What’snewinthewayofnews?”

GlindaopenedherGreatBookofRecordsandreadsomeofthelastpages.

“Hereisanitemquitecuriousandinteresting,”sheannounced,anaccentofsurpriseinhervoice.“ThreepeoplefromthebigOutsideWorldhavearrivedinJinxland.”

"WhereisJinxland?’inquiredtheScarecrow.

“Verynear here, a little to the east of us,” she said. “In fact, Jinxland is alittle slice takenoff theQuadlingCountry,but separated from itbya rangeofhighmountains,atthefootofwhichliesawide,deepgulfthatissupposedtobeimpassable.”

“ThenJinxlandisreallyapartoftheLandofOz,”saidhe.

“Yes,” returnedGlinda, "butOzpeopleknownothingof it, exceptwhat isrecordedhereinmybook."

"WhatdoestheBooksayaboutit?’askedtheScarecrow.

“ItisruledbyawickedmancalledKingKrewl,althoughhehasnorighttothetitle.Mostofthepeoplearegood,buttheyareverytimidandliveinconstantfearof their fierce ruler.There are also severalWickedWitcheswhokeep the

inhabitantsofJinxlandinastateofterror.”

“Dothosewitcheshaveanymagicalpowers?”inquiredtheScarecrow.

“Yes, they seem to understandwitchcraft in itsmost evil form, for one ofthem has just transformed a respectable and honest old sailor—one of thestrangerswho arrived there—into a grasshopper. This samewitch, Blinkie byname, is also planning to freeze the heart of a beautiful Jinxland girl namedPrincessGloria.”

“Why,that’sadreadfulthingtodo!”exclaimedtheScarecrow.

Glinda’s facewas very grave. She read in her book howTrot andButton-BrightwereturnedoutoftheKing’scastle,andhowtheyfoundrefugeinthehutofPon,thegardener’sboy.

"I’m afraid those helpless earth people will endure much suffering inJinxland,evenifthewickedKingandthewitchespermitthemtolive,"saidthegoodSorceress,thoughtfully.“IwishImighthelpthem.”

“CanIdoanything?”askedtheScarecrow,anxiously.“Ifso,tellmewhattodo,andTildoit.”

For a fewmomentsGlinda did not reply, but satmusing over the records.Thenshesaid:“IamgoingtosendyoutoJinxland,toprotectTrotandButton-BrightandCap’nBill.”

“All right,” answered the Scarecrow in a cheerful voice. "I know Button-

Brightalready,forhehasbeenintheLandofOzbefore.YourememberhewentawayfromtheLandofOzinoneofourWizard’sbigbubbles."

“Yes,” said Glinda, “I remember that.” Then she carefully instructed theScarecrowwhat todoandgavehimcertainmagical thingswhichheplaced inthepocketsofhisraggedMunchkincoat.

“Asyouhavenoneedtosleep,”saidshe,“youmayaswellstartatonce.”

“Thenight is thesameasday tome,”hereplied,“except that Icannotseemywaysowellinthedark.”

“Iwillfurnishalighttoguideyou,”promisedtheSorceress.

SotheScarecrowbadehergood-byeandatoncestartedonhisjourney.BymorninghehadreachedthemountainsthatseparatedtheQuadlingCountryfromJinxland. The sides of these mountains were too steep to climb, but theScarecrow tooka small rope fromhispocketand tossedoneendupward, intotheair.Theropeunwounditselfforhundredsoffeet,untilitcaughtuponapeakofrockattheverytopofamountain,foritwasamagicropefurnishedhimbyGlinda.TheScarecrowclimbedtheropeand,afterpullingitup,letitdownontheothersideofthemountainrange.WhenhedescendedtheropeonthissidehefoundhimselfinJinxland,butathisfeetyawnedtheGreatGulf,whichmustbecrossedbeforehecouldproceedanyfarther.

The Scarecrow knelt down and examined the ground carefully, and in amomenthediscoveredafuzzybrownspiderthathadrolleditselfintoaball.Sohe took two tiny pills fromhis pocket and laid thembeside the spider,whichunrolleditselfandquicklyateupthepills.ThentheScarecrowsaidinavoiceofcommand:

“Spin!”andthespiderobeyedinstantly.

Inafewmomentsthelittlecreaturehadspuntwoslenderbutstrongstrandsthat reached way across the gulf, one being five or six feet above the other.When these were completed the Scarecrow started across the tiny bridge,walkingupononestrandasapersonwalksuponarope,andholdingtotheupperstrandwithhishandstopreventhimfromlosinghisbalanceandtopplingoverintothegulf.Thetinythreadsheldhimsafely,thankstothestrengthgiventhembythemagicpills.

PresentlyhewassafeacrossandstandingontheplainsofJinxland.FarawayhecouldseethetowersoftheKing’scastleandtowardthisheatoncebegantowalk.

CHAPTER14

TheFrozenHeart

InthehutofPon,thegardener’sboy,Button-Brightwasthefirsttowakeninthe morning. Leaving his companions still asleep, he went out into the freshmorning air and saw some blackberries growing on bushes in a field not faraway. Going to the bushes he found the berries ripe and sweet, so he beganeating them.Morebusheswere scatteredover the fields, so theboywanderedon, from bush to bush,without paying any heed towhere hewaswandering.Then a butterfly fluttered by.He gave chase to it and followed it a longway.Whenfinallyhepausedtolookaroundhim,Button-BrightcouldseenosignofPon’shouse,norhadhetheslightestideainwhichdirectionitlay.

“Well,I’mlostagain,”heremarkedtohimself.“Butnevermind;I’vebeenlostlotsoftimes.Someoneissuretofindme.”

TrotwasalittleworriedaboutButton-Brightwhensheawokeandfoundhimgone.Knowinghowcarelesshewas,shebelievedthathehadstrayedaway,butfeltthathewouldcomebackintime,becausehehadahabitofnotstayinglost.Pongotthelittlegirlsomefoodforherbreakfastandthentogethertheywentoutofthehutandstoodinthesunshine.

Pon’shousewassomedistanceofftheroad,buttheycouldseeitfromwheretheystoodandbothgaveastartofsurprisewhentheydiscovered twosoldierswalking along the roadway and escorting Princess Gloria between them. Thepoorgirlhadherhandsboundtogether,topreventherfromstruggling,andthesoldiersrudelydraggedherforwardwhenherstepsseemedtolag.

Behind this group came King Krewl, wearing his jeweled crown andswinginginhishandaslendergoldenstaffwithaballofclusteredgemsatoneend.

“Wherearetheygoing?”askedTrot.

“To the house of the Wicked Witch, I fear,” Pon replied. “Come, let usfollowthem,forIamsuretheyintendtoharmmydearGloria.”

“Won’ttheyseeus?”sheaskedtimidly.

“Wewon’tletthem.IknowashortcutthroughthetreestoBlinkie’shouse,”saidhe.

So theyhurriedaway through the treesandreached thehouseof thewitchahead of the King and his soldiers. Hiding themselves in the shrubbery, theywatchedtheapproachofpoorGloriaandherescort,allofwhompassedsoneartothemthatPoncouldhaveputoutahandandtouchedhissweetheart,hadhedaredto.

Blinkie’s house had eight sides, with a door and a window in each side.SmokewascomingoutofthechimneyandastheguardsbroughtGloriatooneof thedoors itwasopenedby theoldwitch inperson.Shechuckledwithevilgleeandrubbedherskinnyhands together toshowthedelightwithwhichshegreetedhervictim,forBlinkiewaspleasedtobeabletoperformherwickedritesononesofairandsweetasthePrincess.

Gloriastruggledtoresistwhentheybadeherenterthehouse,sothesoldiersforced her through the doorway and even the King gave her a shove as hefollowedclosebehind.PonwassoincensedatthecrueltyshownGloriathatheforgot all caution and rushed forward to enter the house also; but one of thesoldiers prevented him, pushing the gardener’s boy away with violence andslammingthedoorinhisface.

“Nevermind,” saidTrot soothingly,asPon rose fromwherehehad fallen.“You couldn’t do much to help the poor Princess if you were inside. Howunfortunateitisthatyouareinlovewithher!”

“True,”heansweredsadly,“itisindeedmymisfortune.IfIdidnotloveher,itwouldbenoneofmybusinesswhattheKingdidtohisnieceGloria;buttheunluckycircumstanceofmylovinghermakesitmydutytodefendher.”

“Idon’tseehowyoucan,dutyornoduty,”observedTrot.

“No; I am powerless, for they are stronger than I. But we might peek inthroughthewindowandseewhattheyaredoing.”

Trotwassomewhatcurious,too,sotheycreptuptooneofthewindowsandlookedin,and itsohappenedthat those inside thewitch’shouseweresobusytheydidnotnoticethatPonandTrotwerewatchingthem.

Gloriahadbeentiedtoastoutpost in thecenterof theroomand theKingwasgiving theWickedWitchaquantityofmoneyand jewels,whichGoogly-Goohadprovidedinpayment.WhenthishadbeendonetheKingsaidtoher:

“Areyouperfectlysureyoucanfreezethismaiden’sheart,sothatshewill

nolongerlovethatlowgardener’sboy?”

“Sureaswitchcraft,yourMajesty,”thecreaturereplied.

“Thengettowork,”saidtheKing.“Theremaybesomeunpleasantfeaturesabouttheceremonythatwouldannoyme,soI’llbidyougooddayandleaveyoutocarryoutyourcontract.Oneword,however:Ifyoufail,Ishallburnyouatthestake!”Thenhebeckonedtohissoldierstofollowhim,andthrowingwidethedoorofthehousewalkedout.

This action was so sudden that King Krewl almost caught Trot and Poneavesdropping,buttheymanagedtorunaroundthehousebeforehesawthem.Awayhemarched,uptheroad,followedbyhismen,heartlesslyleavingGloriatothemerciesofoldBlinkie.

Whentheyagaincreptuptothewindow,TrotandPonsawBlinkiegloating

over her victim.Although nearly fainting from fear, the proud Princess gazedwithhaughtydefianceintothefaceofthewickedcreature;butshewasboundsotightlytothepostthatshecoulddonomoretoexpressherloathing.

Pretty soonBlinkiewent toakettle thatwas swingingbyachainover thefireandtossedintoitseveralmagicalcompounds.Thekettlegavethreeflashes,andateveryflashanotherwitchappearedintheroom.

Thesehagswereveryuglybutwhenone-eyedBlinkiewhisperedherordersto them theygrinnedwith joy as theybegandancing aroundGloria. First oneandthenanothercastsomethingintothekettle,whentotheastonishmentofthewatchersat thewindowall threeof theoldwomenwere instantly transformedintomaidensofexquisitebeauty,dressed in thedaintiestcostumes imaginable.Only their eyes could not be disguised, and an evil glare still shone in theirdepths.Butiftheeyeswerecastdownorhidden,onecouldnothelpbutadmirethesebeautifulcreatures,evenwiththeknowledgethattheyweremereillusionsofwitchcraft.

Trotcertainlyadmiredthem,forshehadneverseenanythingsodaintyandbewitching,butherattentionwasquicklydrawn to theirdeeds insteadof theirpersons,andthenhorrorreplacedadmiration.

Into thekettleoldBlinkiepouredanothermess fromabigbrassbottle shetookfromachest,andthismadethekettlebegintobubbleandsmokeviolently.Onebyonethebeautifulwitchesapproachedtostirthecontentsofthekettleandtomutteramagiccharm.TheirmovementsweregracefulandrhythmicandtheWickedWitchwhohadcalled them toheraidwatched themwithanevilgrinuponherwrinkledface.

Finally the incantation was complete. The kettle ceased bubbling andtogetherthewitcheslifteditfromthefire.ThenBlinkiebroughtawoodenladleand filled it from the contents of the kettle.Goingwith the spoon toPrincessGloriashecried:

"Lovenomore!Magicart

Nowwillfreezeyourmortalheart!"

WiththisshedashedthecontentsoftheladlefulluponGloria’sbreast.

Trot saw the body of the Princess become transparent, so that her beatingheartshowedplainly.Butnowtheheartturnedfromavividredtogray,andthentowhite.A layer of frost formed about it and tiny icicles clung to its surface.Thenslowlythebodyofthegirlbecamevisibleagainandtheheartwashiddenfromview.Gloriaseemedtohavefainted,butnowsherecoveredand,openingher beautiful eyes, stared coldly andwithout emotion at the group ofwitchesconfrontingher.

Blinkieandtheothersknewbythatonecoldlookthattheircharmhadbeensuccessful.Theyburstintoachorusofwildlaughterandthethreebeautifulonesbegandancingagain,whileBlinkieunboundthePrincessandsetherfree.

Trot rubbedhereyes toprove that shewaswideawakeandseeingclearly,forherastonishmentwasgreatwhenthethreelovelymaidensturnedintougly,crooked hags again, leaning on broomsticks and canes. They jeered atGloria,butthePrincessregardedthemwithcolddisdain.Beingnowfree,shewalkedtoadoor,openeditandpassedout.Andthewitcheslethergo.

TrotandPonhadbeensointentuponthisscenethatintheireagernesstheyhadpressedquitehardagainstthewindow.JustasGloriawentoutofthehousethewindow-sashbroke loose from its fasteningsand fellwitha crash into theroom. The witches uttered a chorus of screams and then, seeing that theirmagical incantationhadbeenobserved, they rushed for theopenwindowwithuplifted broomsticks and canes. But Pon was off like the wind, and Trotfollowedathisheels.Fear lent themstrength to run, to leapacrossditches, tospeedupthehillsandtovaultthelowfencesasadeerwould.

Thebandofwitcheshaddashedthroughthewindowinpursuit;butBlinkiewassoold,andtheotherssocrookedandawkward,thattheysoonrealizedtheywouldbeunabletoovertakethefugitives.SothethreewhohadbeensummonedbytheWickedWitchputtheircanesorbroomsticksbetweentheirlegsandflewaway through the air, quickly disappearing against the blue sky. Blinkie,however,was so enraged atPonandTrot that shehobbledon in thedirectionthey had taken, fully determined to catch them, in time, and to punish themterriblyforspyinguponherwitchcraft.

WhenPonandTrothadrunsofar that theywereconfident theyhadmadegood their escape, they sat down near the edge of a forest to get their breathagain, for both were panting hard from their exertions. Trot was the first torecoverspeech,andshesaidtohercompanion:

“My!wasn’tittenable?”

“ThemostterriblethingIeversaw,”Ponagreed.

“AndtheyfrozeGloria’sheart;sonowshecan’tloveyouanymore.”

“Well,theyfrozeherheart,tobesure,”admittedPon,“butI’minhopesIcanmeltitwithmylove.”

"Wheredoyous’poseGloriais?’askedthegirl,afterapause.

“Sheleftthewitch’shousejustbeforewedid.PerhapsshehasgonebacktotheKing’scastle,”hesaid.

“I’m pretty sure she started off in a different direction,” declared Trot. “Ilookedovermyshoulder,asIran, toseehowclose thewitcheswere,andI’msureIsawGloriawalkingslowlyawaytowardthenorth.”

“Then letuscirclearound thatway,”proposedPon,“andperhapsweshallmeether.”

Trotagreedtothisandtheyleftthegroveandbegantocirclearoundtowardthe north, thus drawing nearer and nearer to old Blinkie’s house again. TheWickedWitchdidnotsuspectthischangeofdirection,sowhenshecametothegroveshepassedthroughitandcontinuedon.

PonandTrothadreachedaplacelessthanhalfamilefromthewitch’shousewhen they saw Gloria walking toward them. The Princess moved with greatdignityandwithnoshowofhastewhatever,holdingherheadhighandlookingneithertorightnorleft.

Ponrushedforward,holdingouthisarmsasiftoembraceherandcallinghersweetnames.ButGloriagazeduponhimcoldlyandrepelledhimwithahaughtygesture.Atthisthepoorgardener’sboysankuponhiskneesandhidhisfaceinhis arms, weeping bitter tears; but the Princess was not at all moved by hisdistress.Passinghimby, shedrewher skirts aside, as ifunwilling theyshouldtouchhim,andthenshewalkedupthepathawayandhesitated,asifuncertainwheretogonext.

TrotwasgrievedbyPon’ssobsandindignantbecauseGloriatreatedhimsobadly.Butsherememberedwhy.

“I guess your heart is frozen, all right,” she said to the Princess. Glorianoddedgravely,inreply,andthenturnedherbackuponthelittlegirl.“Can’tyou

likeevenme?”askedTrot,halfpleadingly.

“No,”saidGloria.

“Yourvoicesoundslikearefrig’rator,”sighedthelittlegirl.“I’mawfulsorryforyou,’causeyouweresweetan’nicetomebeforethishappened.Youcan’thelpit,ofcourse;butit’sadreadfulthing,jus’thesame.”

“Myheartisfrozentoallmortalloves,”announcedGloria,calmly.“Idonotloveevenmyself.”

“That’stoobad,”saidTrot,“for,ifyoucan’tloveanybody,youcan’texpectanybodytoloveyou.”

“Ido!”criedPon.“Ishallalwaysloveher.”

“Well, you’re just a gardener’s boy,” replied Trot, “and I didn’t think you’mountedtomuch,fromthefirst.IcanlovetheoldPrincessGloria,withawarmheartan’nicemanners,butthisonegivesmetheshivers.”

“It’shericyheart,that’sall,”saidPon.

“That’s enough,” insistedTrot. “Seeingher heart isn’t big enough to skateon,Ican’tseethatshe’sofanyusetoanyone.Formypart,I’mgoin’totrytofindButton-Brightan’Cap’nBill.”

“Iwillgowithyou,”decidedPon.“ItisevidentthatGlorianolongerlovesme and that her heart is frozen too stiff forme tomelt itwithmy own love;thereforeImayaswellhelpyoutofindyourfriends.”

AsTrotstartedoff,Poncastonemore imploring lookat thePrincess,whoreturneditwithachillystare.Sohefollowedafterthelittlegirl.

As for the Princess, she hesitated a moment and then turned in the samedirection the others had taken, but going far more slowly. Soon she heardfootstepspatteringbehindher, andupcameGoogly-Goo,a littleoutofbreathwithrunning.

“Stop, Gloria!” he cried. “I have come to take you back to my mansion,wherewearetobemarried.”

Shelookedathimwonderinglyamoment,thentossedherheaddisdainfullyandwalkedon.ButGoogly-Gookeptbesideher.

“Whatdoesthismean?”hedemanded.“Haven’tyoudiscoveredthatyounolongerlovethatgardener’sboy,whostoodinmyway?”

“Yes; I have discovered it,” she replied. “My heart is frozen to allmortalloves.Icannotloveyou,orPon,orthecruelKingmyuncle,orevenmyself.Goyourway,Googly-Goo,forIwillwednooneatall.”

He stopped in dismay when he heard this, but in another minute heexclaimedangrily:

“Youmustwedme,PrincessGloria,whetheryouwant toornot! Ipaid tohaveyourheartfrozen;IalsopaidtheKingtopermitourmarriage.IfyounowrefusemeitwillmeanthatIhavebeenrobbed—robbed—robbedofmypreciousmoneyandjewels!”

Healmostweptwithdespair,butshelaughedacold,bitterlaughandpassedon.Googly-Goocaughtatherarm,asiftorestrainher,butshewhirledanddealthimablowthatsenthimreelingintoaditchbesidethepath.Herehelayforalongtime,halfcoveredbymuddywater,dazedwithsurprise.

Finally the old courtier arose, dripping, and climbed from the ditch. ThePrincesshadgone;so,mutteringthreatsofvengeanceuponher,upontheKinganduponBlinkie,oldGoogly-Goohobbledbacktohismansiontohavethemudremovedfromhiscostlyvelvetclothes.

CHAPTER15

TrotMeetstheScarecrow

TrotandPoncoveredmanyleaguesofground,searchingthroughforests,infieldsand inmanyof the littlevillagesof Jinxland,but could findno traceofeitherCap’nBillorButton-Bright.Finallytheypausedbesideacornfieldandsatuponastiletorest.PontooksomeapplesfromhispocketandgaveonetoTrot.Then he began eating another himself, for this was their time for luncheon.WhenhisapplewasfinishedPontossedthecoreintothefield.

“Tchuk-tchuk!”saidastrangevoice.“Whatdoyoumeanbyhittingmeintheeyewithanapple-core?”

Then rose up the form of the Scarecrow, who had hidden himself in thecornfield while he examined Pon and Trot and decided whether they wereworthytobehelped.

“Excuseme,”saidPon.“Ididn’tknowyouwerethere.”

“Howdidyouhappentobethere,anyhow?”askedTrot.

TheScarecrowcameforwardwithawkwardstepsandstoodbesidethem.

“Ah, you are the gardener’s boy,” he said to Pon.Then he turned toTrot.“AndyouarethelittlegirlwhocametoJinxlandridingonabigbird,andwhohas had themisfortune to lose her friend, Cap’n Bill, and her chum, Button-Bright.”

“Why,howdidyouknowallthat?”sheinquired.

“I know a lot of things,” replied the Scarecrow,winking at her comically.“My brains are the Carefully-Assorted, Double-Distilled, High-Efficiency sortthattheWizardofOzmakes.Headmits,himself,thatmybrainsarethebestheevermanufactured.”

“I think I’veheardofyou,” saidTrot slowly, as she looked theScarecrowoverwithmuchinterest;“butyouusedtoliveintheLandofOz.”

“Oh, I do now,” he replied cheerfully. "I’ve just come over themountainsfromtheQuadlingCountrytoseeifIcanbeofanyhelptoyou."

“Who,me?”askedPon.

“No,thestrangersfromthebigworld.Itseemstheyneedlookingafter.”

“I’mdoingthatmyself,”saidPon,alittleungraciously.“Ifyouwillpardonmeforsayingso,Idon’tseehowaScarecrowwithpaintedeyescanlookafteranyone.”

“Ifyoudon’tseethat,youaremoreblindthantheScarecrow,”assertedTrot.“He’safairyman,Pon,andcomesfromthefairylandofOz,sohecando’mostanything.Ihope,”sheadded,turningtotheScarecrow,“youcanfindCap’nBillforme.”

“I will try, anyhow,” he promised. “But who is that old woman who isrunningtowardusandshakingherstickatus?”

TrotandPonturnedaroundandbothutteredanexclamationoffear.Thenextinstanttheytooktotheirheelsandranfastupthepath.ForitwasoldBlinkie,theWickedWitch,whohadat last tracedthemtothisplace.HerangerwassogreatthatshewasdeterminednottoabandonthechaseofPonandTrotuntilshehadcaughtandpunishedthem.

The Scarecrow understood at once that the oldwomanmeant harm to hisnewfriends,soasshedrewnearhesteppedbeforeher.HisappearancewassosuddenandunexpectedthatBlinkieranintohimandtoppledhimover,butshetrippedonhisstrawbodyandwentrollinginthepathbesidehim.

TheScarecrowsatupandsaid:“Ibegyourpardon!”butshewhackedhimwithherstickandknockedhimflatagain.Then,furiouswithrage,theoldwitchspranguponhervictimandbeganpulling the strawoutofhisbody.ThepoorScarecrowwashelplesstoresistandinafewmomentsall thatwasleftofhimwasanemptysuitofclothesandaheapofstrawbesideit.Fortunately,Blinkiedidnotharmhishead, for it rolled intoa littlehollowandescapedhernotice.FearingthatPonandTrotwouldescapeher,shequicklyresumedthechaseanddisappeared over the brow of a hill, following the direction inwhich she hadseenthemgo.

OnlyashorttimeelapsedbeforeagraygrasshopperwithawoodenlegcamehoppingalongandlitdirectlyontheupturnedfaceoftheScarecrow’shead.

“Pardon me, but you are resting yourself upon my nose,” remarked theScarecrow.

“Oh!areyoualive?”askedthegrasshopper.

“ThatisaquestionIhaveneverbeenabletodecide,”saidtheScarecrow’shead.“WhenmybodyisproperlystuffedIhaveanimationandcanmovearoundaswellasanyliveperson.Thebrainsin theheadyouarenowoccupyingasathrone, are of very superior quality and do a lot of very clever thinking. But

whether that isbeingalive,ornot, Icannotprove toyou; foronewho lives isliabletodeath,whileIamonlyliabletodestruction.”

“Seems tome,” said thegrasshopper, rubbinghis nosewithhis front legs,“thatinyourcaseitdoesn’tmatter—unlessyou’redestroyedalready.”

“Iamnot;allIneedisre-stuffing,”declaredtheScarecrow;“andifPonandTrotescapethewitch,andcomebackhere,Iamsuretheywilldomethatfavor.”

“Tellme!AreTrotandPonaroundhere?”inquiredthegrasshopper,itssmallvoicetremblingwithexcitement.

TheScarecrowdidnotansweratonce,forbothhiseyeswerestaringstraightupwardatabeautiful face thatwasslightlybentoverhishead. Itwas, indeed,PrincessGloria,whohadwanderedtothisspot,verymuchsurprisedwhensheheardtheScarecrow’sheadtalkandthetinygraygrasshopperanswerit.

“This,” said the Scarecrow, still staring at her, “must be the PrincesswholovesPon,thegardener’sboy.”

“Oh,indeed!”exclaimedthegrasshopper—whoofcoursewasCap’nBill—asheexaminedtheyoungladycuriously.

“No,”saidGloriafrigidly,“IdonotlovePon,oranyoneelse,fortheWickedWitchhasfrozenmyheart.”

“Whatashame!”criedtheScarecrow.“Onesolovelyshouldbeabletolove.Butwouldyoumind,mydear,stuffingthatstrawintomybodyagain?”

ThedaintyPrincessglancedatthestrawandatthewell-wornblueMunchkinclothes and shrank back in disdain. But she was spared from refusing theScarecrow’srequestbytheappearanceofTrotandPon,whohadhiddeninsomebushes just over the brow of the hill andwaited until oldBlinkie had passedthemby.Theirhidingplacewasonthesamesideasthewitch’sblindeye,andsherushedoninthechaseofthegirlandtheyouthwithoutbeingawarethattheyhadtrickedher.

TrotwasshockedattheScarecrow’ssadconditionandatoncebeganputtingthestrawbackintohisbody.Pon,atsightofGloria,againappealedtohertotakepityonhim,butthefrozen-heartedPrincessturnedcoldlyawayandwithasighthegardener’sboybegantoassistTrot.

Neither of them at first noticed the small grasshopper, which at theirappearancehadskippedofftheScarecrow’snoseandwasnowclingingtoawispofgrassbesidethepath,wherehewasnotlikelytobesteppedupon.Notuntilthe Scarecrow had been neatly restuffed and set upon his feet againwhen hebowedtohisrestorersandexpressedhisthanksdidthegrasshoppermovefromhisperch.Thenheleapedlightlyintothepathandcalledout:

“Trot—Trot!Lookatme. I’mCap’nBill!Seewhat theWickedWitchhasdonetome.”

Thevoicewas small, tobe sure,but it reachedTrot’s ears and startledhergreatly.Shelookedintentlyatthegrasshopper,hereyeswidewithfearatfirst;then she knelt down and, noticing the wooden leg, she began to weepsorrowfully.

“Oh,Cap’nBill—dearCap’nBill!Whatacruelthingtodo!”shesobbed.

“Don’tcry,Trot,”beggedthegrasshopper.“Itdidn’thurtany,anditdoesn’thurtnow.Butit’smightyinconvenientan’humiliatin’,tosaytheleast.”

“I wish,” said the girl indignantly, while trying hard to restrain her tears,“that I was big ’nough an’ strong ’nough to give that horrid witch a goodbeating.Sheoughttobeturnedintoatoadfordoingthistoyou,Cap’nBill!”

“Never mind,” urged the Scarecrow, in a comforting voice, “such atransformationdoesn’t lastalways,andasageneral thing there’s someway tobreaktheenchantment.I’msureGlindacoulddoit,inajiffy.”

“WhoisGlinda?”inquiredCap’nBill.

ThentheScarecrowtoldthemallaboutGlinda,notforgettingtomentionherbeautyandgoodnessandherwonderfulpowersofmagic.HealsoexplainedhowtheRoyal Sorceress had sent him to Jinxland especially to help the strangers,whomsheknewtobeindangerbecauseofthewilesofthecruelKingandtheWickedWitch.

CHAPTER16

PonSummonstheKingtoSurrender

Gloriahaddrawnnear to thegroup to listen to their talk,and it seemed tointerest her in spite of her frigidmanner. They knew, of course, that the poorPrincesscouldnothelpbeingcoldandreserved,sotheytriednottoblameher.

“Ioughttohavecomeherealittlesooner,”saidtheScarecrow,regretfully;“butGlindasentmeassoonasshediscoveredyouwerehereandwerelikelytoget intotrouble.Andnowthatweareall together—exceptButton-Bright,overwhomitisuselesstoworry—Iproposeweholdacouncilofwar,todecidewhatisbesttobedone.”

That seemed a wise thing to do, so they all sat down upon the grass,includingGloria,andthegrasshopperpercheduponTrot’sshoulderandallowedhertostrokehimgentlywithherhand.

“Inthefirstplace,”begantheScarecrow,“thisKingKrewlisausurperandhasnorighttorulethisKingdomofJinxland.”

“Thatistrue,”saidPon,eagerly.“MyfatherwasKingbeforehim,andI—”

“Youareagardener’sboy,”interruptedtheScarecrow.“Yourfatherhadnorighttorule,either,fortherightfulKingofthislandwasthefatherofPrincessGloria,andonlysheisentitledtosituponthethroneofJinxland.”

“Good!”exclaimedTrot.“Butwhat’llwedowithKingKrewl?Is’posehewon’tgiveupthethroneunlesshehasto.”

“No, of course not,” said the Scarecrow. “Therefore itwill be our duty tomakehimgiveupthethrone.”

“How?”askedTrot.

“Giveme time to think,”was the reply. "That’swhatmy brains are for. Idon’tknowwhetheryoupeopleeverthink,ornot,butmybrainsarethebestthattheWizardofOzeverturnedout,andifIgivethemplentyoftimetowork,theresultusuallysurprisesme."

“Takeyourtime,then,”suggestedTrot.“There’snohurry.”

“Thank you,” said the strawman, and sat perfectly still for half an hour.During this interval the grasshopperwhispered in Trot’s ear, towhich hewasveryclose,andTrotwhisperedbacktothegrasshoppersittinguponhershoulder.PoncastlovingglancesatGloria,whopaidnottheslightestheedtothem.

FinallytheScarecrowlaughedaloud.

“Brainsworking?”inquiredTrot.

“Yes.Theyseeminfineorderto-day.WewillconquerKingKrewlandputGloriauponhisthroneasQueenofJinxland.”

“Fine!”criedthelittlegirl,clappingherhandstogethergleefully.“Buthow?”

“Leavethehowtome,”saidtheScarecrowproudly.“AsaconquerorI’mawonder.Wewill,firstofall,writeamessagetosendtoKingKrewl,askinghimtosurrender.Ifherefuses,thenwewillmakehimsurrender.”

“Whyaskhim,whenweknowhe’llrefuse?”inquiredPon.

“Why, we must be polite, whatever we do,” explained the Scarecrow. “ItwouldbeveryrudetoconqueraKingwithoutpropernotice.”

Theyfounditdifficulttowriteamessagewithoutpaper,penandink,noneofwhich was at hand; so it was decided to send Pon as a messenger, withinstructionstoasktheKing,politelybutfirmly,tosurrender.

Ponwas not anxious to be themessenger. Indeed, he hinted that it mightproveadangerousmission.

But the Scarecrow was now the acknowledged head of the Army ofConquest, andhewould listen tono refusal.SooffPon started for theKing’scastle,andtheothersaccompaniedhimasfarashishut,wheretheyhaddecidedtoawaitthegardener’sboy’sreturn.

IthinkitwasbecausePonhadknowntheScarecrowsuchashorttimethathe lackedconfidence in thestrawman’swisdom. Itwaseasy tosay:“WewillconquerKingKrewl,”butwhenPondrewnear to thegreatcastlehebegan todoubt the ability of a straw-stuffed man, a girl, a grasshopper and a frozen-heartedPrincess to do it.As for himself, he had never thought of defying theKingbefore.

That waswhy the gardener’s boywas not very boldwhen he entered thecastle and passed through to the enclosed courtwhere theKingwas just thenseated,withhis favorite courtiers aroundhim.NonepreventedPon’sentrance,becausehewasknowntobethegardener’sboy,butwhentheKingsawhimhebegantofrownfiercely.HeconsideredPontobetoblameforallhistroublewithPrincess Gloria, who since her heart had been frozen had escaped to someunknownplace,insteadofreturningtothecastletowedGoogly-Goo,asshehadbeenexpectedtodo.SotheKingbaredhisteethangrilyashedemanded:

“WhathaveyoudonewithPrincessGloria?”

“Nothing, your Majesty! I have done nothing at all,” answered Pon in afalteringvoice. “Shedoesnot lovemeanymore and even refuses to speak tome.”

“Thenwhyareyouhere,yourascal?”roaredtheKing.

Ponlookedfirstonewayandthenanother,butsawnomeansofescape;sohepluckedupcourage.

“IamheretosummonyourMajestytosurrender.”

“What!”shoutedtheKing.“Surrender?Surrendertowhom?”

Pon’sheartsanktohisboots.

“TotheScarecrow,”hereplied.

Someof thecourtiersbeganto titter,butKingKrewlwasgreatlyannoyed.HesprangupandbegantobeatpoorPonwiththegoldenstaffhecarried.Ponhowled lustilyandwouldhave runawayhadnot twoof the soldiersheldhimuntilhisMajestywasexhaustedwithpunishing theboy.Then they lethimgoandheleftthecastleandreturnedalongtheroad,sobbingateverystepbecausehisbodywassosoreandaching.

“Well,”saidtheScarecrow,“didtheKingsurrender?”

“No;buthegavemeagooddrubbing!”sobbedpoorPon.

TrotwasverysorryforPon,butGloriadidnotseemaffectedinanywaybyher lover’s anguish. The grasshopper leaped to the Scarecrow’s shoulder andaskedhimwhathewasgoingtodonext.

“Conquer,”wasthereply.“ButIwillgoalone,thistime,forbeatingscannothurtmeatall;norcanlancethrusts—orswordcuts—orarrowpricks.”

“Whyisthat?”inquiredTrot.

“Because I have no nerves, such as you meat people possess. Evengrasshoppershavenerves,but strawdoesn’t; sowhatever theydo—except justone thing—they cannot injureme. Therefore I expect to conquerKingKrewlwithease.”

“Whatisthatonethingyouexcepted?”askedTrot.

“Theywill never think of it, so nevermind. And now, if youwill kindlyexcusemeforatime,I’llgoovertothecastleanddomyconquering.”

“Youhavenoweapons,”Ponremindedhim.

“True,”saidtheScarecrow."ButifIcarriedweaponsImightinjuresomeone—perhapsseriously—andthatwouldmakemeunhappy.Iwilljustborrowthatriding-whip,which I see in the corner of your hut, if you don’tmind. It isn’texactly proper to walk with a riding-whip, but I trust you will excuse theinconsistency."

PonhandedhimthewhipandtheScarecrowbowedtoallthepartyandleftthehut,proceedingleisurelyalongthewaytotheKing’scastle.

CHAPTER17

TheOrkRescuesButton-Bright

Imustnow tellyouwhathadbecomeofButton-Bright sincehewanderedaway in the morning and got lost. This small boy, as perhaps you havediscovered, was almost as destitute of nerves as the Scarecrow. Nothing everastonished himmuch; nothing everworried him ormade him unhappy.Goodfortune or bad fortune he accepted with a quiet smile, never complaining,whateverhappened.ThiswasonereasonwhyButton-Brightwasafavoritewithall who knew him—and perhaps it was the reason why he so often got intodifficulties,orfoundhimselflost.

To-day,ashewanderedhereand there,overhillanddowndale,hemissedTrotandCap’nBill,ofwhomhewasfond,butneverthelesshewasnotunhappy.Thebirdssangmerrilyandthewildflowerswerebeautifulandthebreezehadafragranceofnew-mownhay.

“The only bad thing about this country is itsKing,” he reflected; “but thecountryisn’ttoblameforthat.”

Aprairie-dogstuckitsroundheadoutofamoundofearthandlookedattheboywithbrighteyes.

“Walk aroundmy house, please,” it said, “and then youwon’t harm it ordisturbthebabies.”

“Allright,”answeredButton-Bright,andtookcarenottosteponthemound.Hewenton,whistlingmerrily,untilapetulantvoicecried:

“Oh,stopit!Pleasestopthatnoise.Itgetsonmynerves.”

Button-Bright saw an old gray owl sitting in the crotch of a tree, and herepliedwithalaugh:“Allright,oldFussy,”andstoppedwhistlinguntilhehadpassedoutoftheowl’shearing.Atnoonhecametoafarmhousewhereanagedcouplelived.Theygavehimagooddinnerandtreatedhimkindly,butthemanwasdeafandthewomanwasdumb,sotheycouldanswernoquestionstoguidehimonthewaytoPort’shouse.Whenheleftthemhewasjustasmuchlostashehadbeenbefore.

Everygroveof treeshesawfromadistancehevisited,forherememberedthattheKing’scastlewasnearagroveoftreesandPon’shutwasneartheKing’scastle;butalwayshemetwithdisappointment.Finally,passing throughoneofthesegroves,hecameoutintotheopenandfoundhimselffacetofacewiththeOrk.

“Hello!”saidButton-Bright.“Wheredidyoucomefrom?”

“FromOrkland,”wasthereply.“I’vefoundmyowncountry,atlast,anditisnotfarfromhere,either.Iwouldhavecomebacktoyousooner,toseehowyouaregettingalong,hadnotmyfamilyandfriendswelcomedmyreturnsoroyallythat a great celebration was held in my honor. So I couldn’t very well leaveOrklandagainuntiltheexcitementwasover.”

“Canyoufindyourwaybackhomeagain?”askedtheboy.

“Yes, easily; for now I know exactly where it is. But where are Trot andCap’nBill?”

Button-Bright related to theOrk their adventures since it had left them inJinxland, telling of Trot’s fear that the King had done something wicked toCap’nBill, andofPon’s love forGloria, andhowTrot andButton-BrighthadbeenturnedoutoftheKing’scastle.Thatwasallthenewsthattheboyhad,butitmadetheOrkanxiousforthesafetyofhisfriends.

“Wemustgotothematonce,fortheymayneedus,”hesaid.

“Idon’tknowwheretogo,”confessedButton-Bright.“I’mlost.”

“Well, I can takeyouback to thehutof thegardener’sboy,”promised theOrk,"forwhenIflyhigh in theair Ican lookdownandeasilyspy theKing’scastle.ThatwashowIhappened tospyyou, justentering thegrove;soI flewdownandwaiteduntilyoucameout."

“Howcanyoucarryme?”askedtheboy.

“You’llhavetositstraddlemyshouldersandputyourarmsaroundmyneck.Doyouthinkyoucankeepfromfallingoff?”

“Tiltry,”saidButton-Bright.SotheOrksquatteddownandtheboytookhisseatandheldontight.Thentheskinnycreature’stailbeganwhirlinganduptheywent,faraboveallthetree-tops.

After theOrk had circled around once or twice, its sharp eyes located thetowersofthecastleandawayitflew,straighttowardtheplace.Asithoveredintheair,nearby thecastle,Button-BrightpointedoutPon’shut, so they landedjustbeforeitandTrotcamerunningouttogreetthem.

Gloria was introduced to the Ork, who was surprised to find Cap’n Billtransformedintoagrasshopper.

“Howdoyoulikeit?”askedthecreature.

“Why,itworriesmeagooddeal,”answeredCap’nBill,percheduponTrot’sshoulder. "I’malwaysafraido’bein’ steppedon,and Idon’t like the flavorofgrassan’can’tseemtogetusedtoit.It’smynaturetoeatgrass,youknow,butIbegintosuspectit’sanacquiredtaste."

“Canyougivemolasses?”askedtheOrk.

“IguessI’mnotthatkindofagrasshopper,”repliedCap’nBill.“ButIcan’tsaywhatImightdoifIwassqueezed—whichIhopeIwon’tbe.”

“Well,”said theOrk,“it’sagreatpity,andI’d like tomeet thatcruelKingand hisWickedWitch and punish them both severely. You’re awfully small,Cap’nBill,butIthinkIwouldrecognizeyouanywherebyyourwoodenleg.”

ThentheOrkandButton-BrightweretoldallaboutGloria’sfrozenheartandhow the Scarecrow had come from the Land of Oz to help them. The Orkseemed rather disturbedwhen it learned that theScarecrowhadgone alone toconquerKingKrewl.

“I’mafraidhe’llmakeafizzleofit,”saidtheskinnycreature,“andthere’snotellingwhatthatterribleKingmightdotothepoorScarecrow,whoseemslikeaveryinterestingperson.SoIbelieveI’lltakeahandinthisconquestmyself.”

“How?”askedTrot.

“Waitandsee,”wasthereply."But,firstofall,Imustflyhomeagain—backtomyowncountry—soifyou’llforgivemyleavingyousosoon,I’llbeoffatonce.Standawayfrommytail,please,sothatthewindfromit,whenitrevolves,won’tknockyouover."

Theygavethecreatureplentyofroomandawayitwentlikeaflashandsoondisappearedinthesky.

“I wonder,” said Button-Bright, looking solemnly after the Ork, “whetherhe’llevercomebackagain.”

“Ofcoursehewill!”returnedTrot.“TheOrk’saprettygoodfellow,andwecandependonhim.An’markmywords,Button-Bright,wheneverourOrkdoescomeback,there’sonecruelKinginJinxlandthat’llwishhehadn’t.”

CHAPTER18

TheScarecrowMeetsanEnemy

TheScarecrowwasnotabitafraidofKingKrewl.Indeed,heratherenjoyedthe prospect of conquering the evil King and putting Gloria on the throne ofJinxland inhisplace.Soheadvancedboldly to the royalcastleanddemandedadmittance.

Seeingthathewasastranger,thesoldiersallowedhimtoenter.Hemadehiswaystraighttothethroneroom,whereatthattimehisMajestywassettlingthedisputesamonghissubjects.

“Whoareyou?”demandedtheKing.

“I’m the Scarecrow of Oz, and I command you to surrender yourself myprisoner.”

“Why should I do that?” inquired theKing,much astonished at the strawman’saudacity.

“BecauseI’vedecidedyouaretoocruelaKingtorulesobeautifulacountry.You must remember that Jinxland is a part of Oz, and therefore you oweallegiancetoOzmaofOz,whosefriendandservantIam.”

Now,whenheheard this,KingKrewlwasmuchdisturbed inmind, forheknew the Scarecrow spoke the truth. But no one had ever before come toJinxlandfromtheLandofOzand theKingdidnot intend tobeputoutofhisthrone ifhecouldhelp it.Thereforehegaveaharsh,wicked laughofderisionandsaid:

“I’mbusy,now.Standoutofmyway,Scarecrow,andI’ll talkwithyoubyandby.”

ButtheScarecrowturnedtotheassembledcourtiersandpeopleandcalledinaloudvoice:

“I hereby declare, in the name ofOzma ofOz, that thisman is no longerrulerofJinxland.FromthismomentPrincessGloriaisyourrightfulQueen,andIaskallofyoutobeloyaltoherandtoobeyhercommands.”

ThepeoplelookedfearfullyattheKing,whomtheyallhatedintheirhearts,butlikewisefeared.Krewlwasnowina terrible rageandheraisedhisgoldensceptreandstrucktheScarecrowsoheavyablowthathefelltothefloor.

Buthewasupagain,inaninstant,andwithPon’sriding-whipheswitchedtheKingsohardthatthewickedmonarchroaredwithpainasmuchaswithrage,callingonhissoldierstocapturetheScarecrow.

Theytriedtodothat,andthrusttheirlancesandswordsintothestrawbody,butwithoutdoinganydamageexcepttomakeholesintheScarecrow’sclothes.However, theyweremany against one and finally oldGoogly-Goo brought aropewhichhewoundaround theScarecrow,bindinghis legs together andhisarmstohissides,andafterthatthefightwasover.

TheKing stormed and danced around in a dreadful fury, for he had neverbeen so switched since he was a boy—and perhaps not then. He ordered theScarecrowthrustintothecastleprison,whichwasnotaskatallbecauseonemancouldcarryhimeasily,boundashewas.

EvenaftertheprisonerwasremovedtheKingcouldnotcontrolhisanger.Hetriedtofigureoutsomewaytoberevengeduponthestrawman,butcouldthinkofnothingthatcouldhurthim.

At last,when the terrifiedpeopleand thefrightenedcourtiershadallslunkaway,oldGoogly-Gooapproachedthekingwithamaliciousgrinuponhisface.

“I’ll tell you what to do,” said he. “Build a big bonfire and burn theScarecrowup,andthatwillbetheendofhim.”

TheKingwassodelightedwiththissuggestionthathehuggedoldGoogly-Gooinhisjoy.

“Ofcourse!”hecried.“Theverything.WhydidInotthinkofitmyself?”

So he summoned his soldiers and retainers and bade themprepare a greatbonfireinanopenspaceinthecastlepark.AlsohesentwordtoallhispeopletoassembleandwitnessthedestructionoftheScarecrowwhohaddaredtodefyhispower. Before long a vast throng gathered in the park and the servants hadheapedupenoughfueltomakeafirethatmightbeseenformilesaway—eveninthedaytime.

Whenallwasprepared, theKinghadhis thronebroughtout forhim to situpon and enjoy the spectacle, and then he sent his soldiers to fetch theScarecrow.

Nowtheonethinginalltheworldthatthestrawmanreallyfearedwasfire.Heknewhewouldburnveryeasilyandthathisasheswouldn’tamounttomuchafterward.Itwouldn’thurthimtobedestroyedinsuchamanner,butherealizedthat many people in the Land of Oz, and especially Dorothy and the Royal

Ozma,wouldfeelsadiftheylearnedthattheiroldfriendtheScarecrowwasnolongerinexistence.

Inspiteofthis,thestrawmanwasbraveandfacedhisfieryfatelikeahero.When theymarched him out before the concourse of people he turned to theKingwithgreatcalmnessandsaid:

“Thiswickeddeedwillcostyouyourthrone,aswellasmuchsuffering,formyfriendswillavengemydestruction.”

“Your friends are not here, nor will they knowwhat I have done to you,whenyouaregoneandcannottellthem,”answeredtheKinginascornfulvoice.

ThenheorderedtheScarecrowboundtoastoutstakethathehadhaddrivenintotheground,andthematerialsforthefirewereheapedallaroundhim.Whenthis had been done, the King’s brass band struck up a lively tune and oldGoogly-Goocameforwardwithalightedmatchandsetfiretothepile.

AtoncetheflamesshotupandcreptcloserandclosertowardtheScarecrow.TheKingandallhispeopleweresointentuponthisterriblespectaclethatnoneofthemnoticedhowtheskygrewsuddenlydark.Perhapstheythoughtthattheloud buzzing sound—like the noise of a dozen moving railway trains—camefromtheblazingfagots;thattherushofwindwasmerelyabreeze.ButsuddenlydownsweptaflockofOrks,halfahundredofthemattheleast,andthepowerfulcurrentsofaircausedbytheirrevolvingtailssentthebonfirescatteringineverydirection,sothatnotoneburningbrandevertouchedtheScarecrow.

But that was not the only effect of this sudden tornado. King Krewl wasblownoutofhisthroneandwenttumblingheelsoverheaduntilhelandedwithabumpagainstthestonewallofhisowncastle,andbeforehecouldriseabigOrksatuponhimandheldhimpressedflattotheground.OldGoogly-Gooshotupintotheairlikearocketandlandedonatree,wherehehungbythemiddleonahighlimb,kickingtheairwithhisfeetandclawingtheairwithhishands,andhowlingformercylikethecowardhewas.

Thepeoplepressedbackuntiltheywerejammedclosetogether,whileallthesoldierswereknockedoverandsentsprawlingtotheearth.Theexcitementwasgreatforafewminutes,andeveryfrightenedinhabitantofJinxlandlookedwithaweand amazement at thegreatOrkswhosedescent had served to rescue theScarecrowandconquerKingKrewlatoneandthesametime.

TheOrk,whowastheleaderoftheband,soonhadtheScarecrowfreeofhisbonds.Thenhe said: “Well,wewere just in time to saveyou,which is betterthan being a minute too late. You are now the master here, and we aredeterminedtoseeyourordersobeyed.”

WiththistheOrkpickedupKrewl’sgoldencrown,whichhadfallenoffhishead, andplaced it upon theheadof theScarecrow,who inhis awkwardwaythenshuffledovertothethroneandsatdowninit.

Seeing this, a rousing cheer broke from the crowd of people, who tossedtheirhatsandwavedtheirhandkerchiefsandhailedtheScarecrowastheirKing.Thesoldiers joined thepeople in thecheering, fornowthey fully realized thattheirhatedmasterwasconqueredanditwouldbewisetoshowtheirgoodwilltotheconqueror.SomeofthemboundKrewlwithropesanddraggedhimforward,dumping his body on the ground before the Scarecrow’s throne. Googly-Goostruggleduntilhefinallyslidoffthelimbofthetreeandcametumblingtotheground.He then tried to sneak away and escape, but the soldiers seized andboundhimbesideKrewl.

“Thetablesareturned,”saidtheScarecrow,swellingouthischestuntil thestrawwithin it crackledpleasantly, forhewashighlypleased; “but itwasyouandyourpeoplewhodid it, friendOrk,andfromthis timeyoumaycountmeyourhumbleservant.”

CHAPTER19

TheConquestoftheWitch

NowassoonastheconquestofKingKrewlhadtakenplace,oneoftheOrks

had been dispatched toPon’s housewith the joyful news.At onceGloria andPon and Trot and Button-Bright hastened toward the castle. They weresomewhatsurprisedbythesightthatmettheireyes,fortherewastheScarecrow,crownedKing,andallthepeoplekneelinghumblybeforehim.Sotheylikewisebowedlowtothenewrulerandthenstoodbesidethethrone.Cap’nBill,asthegraygrasshopper,wasstillpercheduponTrot’sshoulder,butnowhehoppedtotheshoulderoftheScarecrowandwhisperedintothepaintedear:

“IthoughtGloriawastobeQueenofJinxland.”

TheScarecrowshookhishead.

“Not yet,” he answered. “NoQueenwith a frozen heart is fit to rule anycountry.”Thenhe turned to his new friend, theOrk,whowas strutting about,very proud of what he had done, and said: “Do you suppose you, or yourfollowers,couldfindoldBlinkietheWitch?”

“Whereisshe?”askedtheOrk.

“SomewhereinJinxland,I’msure.”

“Then,”saidtheOrk,“weshallcertainlybeabletofindher.”

“Itwill givemegreat pleasure,” declared theScarecrow. “When you havefoundher,bringherheretome,andIwillthendecidewhattodowithher.”

TheOrkcalledhis followers togetherand spokea fewwords to them inalowtone.Amomentaftertheyroseintotheair—sosuddenlythattheScarecrow,whowas very light inweight,was blownquite out of his throne and into thearmsofPon,who replacedhimcarefullyuponhis seat.Therewasaneddyofdustandashes,too,andthegrasshopperonlysavedhimselffrombeingwhirledinto the crowd of people by jumping into a tree, fromwhere a series of hopssoonbroughthimbacktoTrot’sshoulderagain.

The Orks were quite out of sight by this time, so the Scarecrow made aspeech to the people and presented Gloria to them, whom they knew wellalreadyandwerefondof.Butnotallofthemknewofherfrozenheart,andwhentheScarecrowrelatedthestoryoftheWickedWitch’smisdeeds,whichhadbeenencouraged and paid for by Krewl and Googly-Goo, the people were veryindignant.

MeantimethefiftyOrkshadscatteredalloverJinxland,whichisnotavery

bigcountry,andtheirsharpeyeswerepeeringintoeveryvalleyandgroveandgully. Finally one of them spied a pair of heels sticking out from underneathsomebushes,andwithashrillwhistletowarnhiscomradesthatthewitchwasfoundtheOrkflewdownanddraggedoldBlinkiefromherhiding-place.ThentwoorthreeoftheOrksseizedtheclothingofthewickedwomanintheirstrongclaws and, liftingher high in the air,where she struggled and screamed to noavail,theyflewwithherstraighttotheroyalcastleandsetherdownbeforethethroneoftheScarecrow.

“Good!” exclaimed the straw man, nodding his stuffed head withsatisfaction.“Nowwecanproceedtobusiness.MistressWitch,Iamobligedtorequest,gentlybutfirmly,thatyouundoallthewrongsyouhavedonebymeansofyourwitchcraft.”

“Pah!”criedoldBlinkie inascornfulvoice.“Idefyyouall!BymymagicpowersIcanturnyouallintopigs,rootinginthemud,andI’lldoitifyouarenotcareful.”

“Ithinkyouaremistakenaboutthat,”saidtheScarecrow,andrisingfromhisthronehewalkedwithwobblingstepstothesideoftheWickedWitch."BeforeIlefttheLandofOz,GlindatheRoyalSorceressgavemeabox,whichIwasnottoopenexcept in an emergency.But I feel pretty sure that thisoccasion is an

emergency;don’tyou,Trot?’heasked,turningtowardthelittlegirl.

“Why,we’vegot todosomething,” repliedTrotseriously.“Thingsseeminanawfulmuddlehere,jus’now,andthey’llbeworseifwedon’tstopthiswitchfromdoingmoreharmtopeople.”

“Thatismyidea,exactly,”saidtheScarecrow,andtakingasmallboxfromhispocketheopenedthecoverandtossedthecontentstowardBlinkie.

Theoldwomanshrankback,paleandtrembling,asafinewhitedustsettledall about her. Under its influence she seemed to the eyes of all observers toshrivelandgrowsmaller.

“Oh,dear—oh,dear!”shewailed,wringingherhandsinfear.“Haven’tyoutheantidote,Scarecrow?Didn’tthegreatSorceressgiveyouanotherbox?”

“Shedid,”answeredtheScarecrow.

“Then give it me—quick!” pleaded the witch. “Give it me—and I’ll doanythingyouaskmeto!”

“YouwilldowhatIaskfirst,”declaredtheScarecrow,firmly.

Thewitchwasshrivelingandgrowingsmallereverymoment.

“Bequick,then!”shecried.“TellmewhatImustdoandletmedoit,oritwillbetoolate.”

“YoumadeTrot’sfriend,Cap’nBill,agrasshopper.Icommandyoutogivehimbackhisproperformagain,”saidtheScarecrow.

“Whereishe?Where’sthegrasshopper?Quick—quick!”shescreamed.

Cap’nBill,whohadbeendeeplyinterestedinthisconversation,gaveagreatleapfromTrot’sshoulderandlandedonthatoftheScarecrow.Blinkiesawhimalight and at once began to make magic passes and to mumble magicincantations. She was in a desperate hurry, knowing that she had no time towaste,andthegrasshopperwassosuddenlytransformedintotheoldsailor-man,Cap’nBill,thathehadnoopportunitytojumpofftheScarecrow’sshoulder;sohisgreatweightbore thestuffedScarecrowto theground.Noharmwasdone,however,andthestrawmangotupandbrushedthedustfromhisclotheswhileTrotdelightedlyembracedCap’nBill.

“Theotherbox!Quick!Giveme theotherbox,”beggedBlinkie,whohadnowshrunktohalfherformersize.

“Notyet,”saidtheScarecrow.“YoumustfirstmeltPrincessGloria’sfrozenheart.”

“Ican’t;it’sanawfuljobtodothat!Ican’t,”assertedthewitch,inanagonyoffear—forstillshewasgrowingsmaller.

“Youmust!”declaredtheScarecrow,firmly.

Thewitchcastashrewdlookathimandsawthathemeantit;soshebegandancingaroundGloriainafranticmanner.ThePrincesslookedcoldlyon,asifnotatallinterestedintheproceedings,whileBlinkietoreahandfulofhairfromherownheadandrippedastripofclothfromthebottomofhergown.Thenthewitch sank upon her knees, took a purple powder from her black bag andsprinkleditoverthehairandcloth.

“Ihate todo it—Ihate todo it!” shewailed, “for there isnomoreof thismagiccompoundinalltheworld.ButImustsacrificeittosavemyownlife.Amatch! Giveme amatch, quick!” and panting from lack of breath she gazedimploringlyfromonetoanother.

Cap’nBillwastheonlyonewhohadamatch,buthelostnotimeinhandingittoBlinkie,whoquicklysetfiretothehairandtheclothandthepurplepowder.AtonceapurplecloudenvelopedGloria,andthisgraduallyturnedtoarosypinkcolor—brilliantandquitetransparent.Throughtherosycloudtheycouldallsee

thebeautifulPrincess,standingproudanderect.Thenherheartbecamevisible,atfirstfrostedwithicebutslowlygrowingbrighterandwarmeruntilallthefrosthad disappeared and itwas beating as softly and regularly as any other heart.Andnow theclouddispersedanddisclosedGloria,her facesuffusedwith joy,smilingtenderlyuponthefriendswhoweregroupedabouther.

PoorPonsteppedforward—timidly,fearingarepulse,butwithpleadingeyesand arms fondly outstretched toward his former sweetheart—and the Princesssawhim and her sweet face lightedwith a radiant smile.Without an instant’shesitationshethrewherselfintoPon’sarmsandthisreunionoftwolovingheartswassoaffectingthatthepeopleturnedawayandloweredtheireyessoasnottomarthesacredjoyofthefaithfullovers.

ButBlinkie’ssmallvoicewasshoutingtotheScarecrowforhelp.

“Theantidote!”shescreamed.“Givemetheotherbox—quick!”

TheScarecrowlookedatthewitchwithhisquaint,paintedeyesandsawthatshewasnownotallerthanhisknee.Sohetookfromhispocketthesecondboxand scattered its contentsonBlinkie.She ceased togrowany smaller, but shecouldneverregainherformersize,andthisthewickedoldwomanwellknew.

She did not know, however, that the second powder had destroyed all herpower toworkmagic,andseeking toberevengedupontheScarecrowandhisfriendssheatoncebegantomumbleacharmsoterribleinitseffectthatitwouldhave destroyed half the population of Jinxland—had itworked.But it did notwork at all, to the amazementof oldBlinkie.Andby this time theScarecrownoticedwhatthelittlewitchwastryingtodo,andsaidtoher:

“Gohome,Blinkie,andbehaveyourself.Youarenolongerawitch,butanordinaryoldwoman,andsinceyouarepowerlesstodomoreevilIadviseyoutotry to do somegood in theworld.Believeme, it ismore fun to accomplish agoodactthananevilone,asyouwilldiscoverwhenonceyouhavetriedit.”

ButBlinkiewas at thatmoment filledwith grief and chagrin at losinghermagic powers. She started away toward her home, sobbing and bewailing herfate,andnotonewhosawhergowasatallsorryforher.

CHAPTER20

QueenGloria

NextmorningtheScarecrowcalleduponallthecourtiersandthepeopletoassembleinthethroneroomofthecastle,wheretherewasroomenoughforallthat were able to attend. They found the straw man seated upon the velvetcushions of the throne, with theKing’s glittering crown still upon his stuffedhead.Ononesideof the throne, ina lowerchair, satGloria, looking radiantlybeautiful and fresh as a new-blown rose. On the other side sat Pon, thegardener’sboy,stilldressedinhisoldsmockfrockandlookingsadandsolemn;for Pon could not make himself believe that so splendid a Princess wouldcondescendtolovehimwhenshehadcometoherownandwasseateduponathrone. Trot and Cap’n Bill sat at the feet of the Scarecrow and were muchinterested in the proceedings. Button-Bright had lost himself before breakfast,but came into the throne room before the ceremonies were over. Back of thethrone stood a row of the great Orks, with their leader in the center, and theentrance to the palace was guarded by more Orks, who were regarded withwonderandawe.

Whenallwere assembled, theScarecrow stoodup andmade a speech.Hetold howGloria’s father, the goodKingKynd,who had once ruled them andbeenlovedbyeveryone,hadbeendestroyedbyKingPhearse,thefatherofPon,andhowKingPhearsehadbeendestroyedbyKingKrewl.This lastKinghadbeenabad ruler, as theyknewverywell, and theScarecrowdeclared that theonlyone inall Jinxlandwhohad the right to situpon the thronewasPrincess

Gloria,thedaughterofKingKynd.

“But,”headded,“itisnotforme,astranger,tosaywhoshallruleyou.Youmustdecideforyourselves,oryouwillnotbecontent.Sochoosenowwhoshallbeyourfutureruler.”

Andtheyallshouted:“TheScarecrow!TheScarecrowshallruleus!”

Which proved that the stuffedman hadmade himself very popular by hisconquestofKingKrewl, and thepeople thought theywould likehim for theirKing.ButtheScarecrowshookhisheadsovigorouslythatitbecameloose,andTrothadtopinitfirmlytohisbodyagain.

“No,”saidhe,“IbelongintheLandofOz,whereIamthehumbleservantofthe lovelygirlwho rulesusall the royalOzma.Youmust chooseoneofyourowninhabitantstoruleoverJinxland.Whoshallitbe?”

They hesitated for amoment, and some few cried: “Pon!” butmanymoreshouted:“Gloria!”

SotheScarecrowtookGloria’shandandledhertothethrone,wherehefirstseatedherandthentooktheglitteringcrownoffhisownheadandplacedituponthat of the young lady, where it nestled prettily amongst her soft curls. Thepeoplecheeredandshouted then,kneelingbefore theirnewQueen;butGlorialeaned down and tookPon’s hand in both her own and raised him to the seatbesideher.

“YoushallhavebothaKingandaQueentocareforyouandtoprotectyou,my dear subjects,” she said in a sweet voice, while her face glowed withhappiness; "forPonwasaKing’s sonbeforehebecameagardener’sboy,andbecauseIlovehimheistobemyRoyalConsort."

That pleased themall, especiallyPon,who realized that thiswas themostimportant moment of his life. Trot and Button-Bright and Cap’n Bill allcongratulated himonwinning the beautifulGloria; but theOrk sneezed twiceandsaidthatinhisopiniontheyoungladymighthavedonebetter.

ThentheScarecroworderedtheguardstobringinthewickedKrewl,Kingnolonger,andwhenheappeared,loadedwithchainsanddressedinfustian,thepeoplehissedhimanddrewbackashepassedsotheirgarmentswouldnottouchhim.

Krewlwasnothaughtyoroverbearinganymore;onthecontraryheseemedverymeekandingreatfearofthefatehisconquerorshadinstoreforhim.ButGloriaandPonweretoohappytoberevengefulandsotheyofferedtoappointKrewl to the position of gardener’s boy at the castle, Pon having resigned tobecomeKing.Buttheysaidhemustpromisetoreformhiswickedwaysandtodohisdutyfaithfully,andhemustchangehisnamefromKrewl toGrewl.Allthisthemaneagerlypromisedtodo,andsowhenPonretiredtoaroominthecastle to put on princely raiment, the old brown smockhe had formerlywornwasgiventoGrewl,whothenwentoutintothegardentowatertheroses.

Theremainderofthatfamousday,whichwaslongrememberedinJinxland,wasgivenovertofeastingandmerrymaking.Intheeveningtherewasagranddanceinthecourtyard,wherethebrassbandplayedanewpieceofmusiccalledthe“OrkTrot”whichwasdedicatedto“OurGloriousGloria,theQueen.”

While the Queen and Pon were leading this dance, and all the Jinxlandpeoplewerehavingagood time, thestrangersweregathered inagroup in theparkoutsidethecastle.Cap’nBill,Trot,Button-BrightandtheScarecrowwerethere, and so was their old friend the Ork; but of all the great flock of OrkswhichhadassistedintheconquestbutthreeremainedinJinxland,besidestheirleader, the others having returned to their own country as soon asGloriawascrowned Queen. To the young Ork who had accompanied them in theiradventuresCap’nBillsaid:

“You’vesurelybeenafriendinneed,andwe’remightygrateful toyouforhelpingus.Imighthavebeenagrasshopperyetif ithadn’tbeenforyou,an’I

mightremarkthatbein’agrasshopperisn’tmuchfun.”

“Ifithadn’tbeenforyou,friendOrk,”saidtheScarecrow,“IfearIcouldnothaveconqueredKingKrewl.”

“No,”agreedTrot,“you’dhavebeenjustaheapofashesbythistime.”

“AndImighthavebeenlostyet,”addedButton-Bright.“Muchobliged,Mr.Ork.”

“Oh, that’s all right,” replied the Ork. “Friends must stand together, youknow,ortheywouldn’tbefriends.ButnowImustleaveyouandbeofftomyowncountry,where there’sgoing tobea surprisepartyonmyuncle,and I’vepromisedtoattendit.”

“Dearme,”saidtheScarecrow,regretfully.“Thatisveryunfortunate.”

“Whyso?”askedtheOrk.

“Ihopedyouwouldconsenttocarryusoverthosemountains,intotheLandofOz.MymissionhereisnowfinishedandIwanttogetbacktotheEmeraldCity.”

“Howdidyoucrossthemountainsbefore?”inquiredtheOrk.

“Iscaledthecliffsbymeansofarope,andcrossedtheGreatGulfonastrandofspiderweb.OfcourseIcanreturninthesamemanner,butitwouldbeahardjourney and perhaps an impossible one for Trot andButton-Bright andCap’nBill.SoIthoughtthatifyouhadthetimeyouandyourpeoplewouldcarryusoverthemountainsandlandusallsafelyontheotherside,intheLandofOz.”

TheOrkthoughtfullyconsideredthematterforawhile.Thenhesaid:

“Imustn’tbreakmypromisetobepresentatthesurpriseparty;but,tellme,couldyougotoOzto-night?”

“What,now?”exclaimedTrot.

“Itisafinemoonlightnight,”saidtheOrk,"andI’vefoundinmyexperiencethatthere’snotimesogoodasrightaway.Thefactis,"heexplained,“it’salongjourney toOrklandand Iandmycousinshereareall rather tiredbyourday’swork.Butifyouwillstartnow,andbecontenttoallowustocarryyouoverthemountainsanddumpyouontheotherside,justsaythewordand—offwego!”

Cap’nBillandTrotlookedatoneanotherquestioningly.Thelittlegirlwaseager to visit the famous fairyland ofOz and the old sailor had endured suchhardshipsinJinxlandthathewouldbegladtobeoutofit.

“It’sratherimpoliteofusnottosaygood-byetothenewKingandQueen,”remarkedtheScarecrow,“butI’msurethey’retoohappytomissus,andIassureyou it will be much easier to fly on the backs of the Orks over those steepmountainsthantoclimbthemasIdid.”

“Allright;let’sgo!”Trotdecided.“Butwhere’sButton-Bright?”

Just at this important moment Button-Bright was lost again, and they allscatteredinsearchofhim.Hehadbeenstandingbesidethemjustafewminutesbefore, but his friends had an exciting hunt for him before they finallydiscovered theboyseatedamong themembersof theband,beating theendofthebassdrumwiththeboneofaturkey-legthathehadtakenfromthetableinthebanquetroom.

“Hello,Trot,”hesaid,lookingupatthelittlegirlwhenshefoundhim.“ThisisthefirstchanceIeverhadtopoundadrumwitharegulardrumstick.AndIateallthemeatoffthebonemyself.”

“Comequick.We’regoingtotheLandofOz.”

“Oh, what’s the hurry?” said Button-Bright; but she seized his arm anddraggedhimawaytothepark,wheretheotherswerewaiting.

Trotclimbeduponthebackofheroldfriend,theOrkleader,andtheotherstooktheirseatsonthebacksofhisthreecousins.Assoonasallwereplacedandclingingtotheskinnynecksofthecreatures,therevolvingtailsbegantowhirlanduprosethefourmonsterOrksandsailedawaytowardthemountains.Theywere so high in the air thatwhen they passed the crest of the highest peak itseemed far below them.No soonerwere theywell across the barrier than theOrksswoopeddownwardandlandedtheirpassengersupontheground.

"Hereweare,safeintheLandofOz!’criedtheScarecrowjoyfully.

“Oh,arewe?”askedTrot,lookingaroundhercuriously.

Shecouldsee theshadowsof stately treesand theoutlinesof rollinghills;beneath her feet was soft turf, but otherwise the subdued light of the moondisclosednothingclearly.

“Seemsjus’likeanyothercountry,”wasCap’nBill’scomment.

“Butitisn’t,”theScarecrowassuredhim."Youarenowwithinthebordersofthemostgloriousfairylandinalltheworld.ThispartofitisjustacorneroftheQuadling Country, and the least interesting portion of it. It’s not very thicklysettled,aroundhere,I’lladmit,but—"

He was interrupted by a sudden whir and a rush of air as the four Orksmountedintothesky.

“Goodnight!”calledtheshrillvoicesofthestrangecreatures,andalthoughTrot shouted “Good night!” as loudly as she could, the little girl was almostreadytocrybecausetheOrkshadnotwaitedtobeproperlythankedforalltheirkindnesstoherandtoCap’nBill.

ButtheOrksweregone,andthanksforgooddeedsdonotamounttomuchexcepttoproveone’spoliteness.

“Well, friends,” said theScarecrow,“wemustn’t stayhere in themeadowsallnight,soletusfindapleasantplacetosleep.Notthatitmatterstome,intheleast,forIneversleep;butIknowthatmeatpeopleliketoshuttheireyesandliestillduringthedarkhours.”

“I’m pretty tired,” admitted Trot, yawning as she followed the strawmanalong a tiny path, “so, if you don’t find a house handy,Cap’nBill and Iwillsleepunderthetrees,orevenonthissoftgrass.”

But a housewas not very far off, althoughwhen the Scarecrow stumbleduponittherewasnolightinitwhatever.Cap’nBillknockedonthedoorseveral

times, and there being no response the Scarecrow boldly lifted the latch andwalked in, followedby theothers.Andnosoonerhad theyentered thanasoftlightfilledtheroom.Trotcouldn’ttellwhereitcamefrom,fornolampofanysort was visible, but she did not waste much time on this problem, becausedirectly in thecenterof the roomstooda tableset for three,with lotsofgoodfoodonitandseveralofthedishessmokinghot.

The littlegirl andButton-Brightbothutteredexclamationsofpleasure,but

theylookedinvainforanycookstoveorfireplace,orforanypersonwhomighthavepreparedforthemthisdeliciousfeast.

“It’s fairyland,” muttered the boy, tossing his cap in a corner and seatinghimselfatthetable.“Thissuppersmells’mostasgoodasthatturkey-legIhadinJinxland.Pleasepassthemuffins,Cap’nBill.”

Trotthoughtitwasstrangethatnopeoplebutthemselveswereinthehouse,but on thewall opposite the doorwas a gold frame bearing in big letters theword:

“WELCOME.”

So she had no further hesitation in eating of the food so mysteriouslypreparedforthem.

"Butthereareonlyplacesforthree!’sheexclaimed.

“Three are quite enough,” said the Scarecrow. “I never eat, because I amstuffedfullalready,andIlikemynicecleanstrawbetterthanIdofood.”

Trotandthesailor-manwerehungryandmadeaheartymeal,fornotsincetheyhadlefthomehadtheytastedsuchgoodfood.ItwassurprisingthatButton-Bright could eat so soon after his feast in Jinxland, but the boy always atewhenevertherewasanopportunity.“IfIdon’teatnow,”hesaid,“thenexttimeI’mhungryI’llwishIhad.”

“Really,Cap’n,”remarkedTrot,whenshefoundadishofice-creamappearbesideherplate,“Ib’lievethisisfairyland,sureenough.”

“There’snodoubtofit,Trot,”heansweredgravely.

“I’vebeenherebefore,”saidButton-Bright,“soIknow.”

After supper they discovered three tiny bedrooms adjoining the big livingroomofthehouse,andineachroomwasacomfortablewhitebedwithdownypillows. Youmay be sure that the tiredmortals were not long in bidding theScarecrow good night and creeping into their beds, where they slept soundlyuntilmorning.

Forthefirsttimesincetheyseteyesontheterriblewhirlpool,TrotandCap’nBill were free from anxiety and care. Button-Bright never worried aboutanything.TheScarecrow,notbeingabletosleep,lookedoutofthewindowand

triedtocountthestars.

CHAPTER21

Dorothy,BetsyandOzma

I supposemany ofmy readers have read descriptions of the beautiful andmagnificentEmeraldCityofOz,soIneednotdescribe ithere,except tostatethatneverhasanycityinanyfairylandeverequalledthisoneinstatelysplendor.It lies almost exactly in thecenterof theLandofOz, and in thecenterof theEmeraldCityrises thewallofglisteningemeralds thatsurrounds thepalaceofOzma. The palace is almost a city in itself and is inhabited by many of theRuler’sespecialfriendsandthosewhohavewonherconfidenceandfavor.

AsforOzmaherself,therearenowordsinanydictionaryIcanfindthatarefittedtodescribethisyounggirl’sbeautyofmindandperson.Merelytoseeheristoloveherforhercharmingfaceandmanners;toknowheristoloveherforher tender sympathy,hergenerousnature, her truth andhonor.Bornof a longlineofFairyQueens,Ozmaisasnearlyperfectasanyfairymaybe,andsheisnotedforherwisdomaswellasforherotherqualities.HerhappysubjectsadoretheirgirlRulerandeachoneconsidersheracomradeandprotector.

At the time of which I write, Ozma’s best friend and most constantcompanionwasa littleKansasgirlnamedDorothy,amortalwhohadcome to

theLandofOzinaverycuriousmannerandhadbeenofferedahomeinOzma’spalace.Furthermore,DorothyhadbeenmadeaPrincessofOz,andwasasmuchathomeintheroyalpalaceaswasthegentleRuler.Sheknewalmosteverypartof thegreat country andalmost all of its numerous inhabitants.Next toOzmashewaslovedbetterthananyoneinallOz,forDorothywassimpleandsweet,seldom became angry and had such a friendly, chummy way that she madefriendswherevershewandered.ItwasshewhofirstbroughttheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanandtheCowardlyLiontotheEmeraldCity.DorothyhadalsointroducedtoOzmatheShaggyManandtheHungryTiger,aswellasBillinatheYellowHen,Eureka thePinkKitten, andmanyotherdelightful characters andcreatures. Coming as she did from our world, Dorothy was much like manyothergirlsweknow;sothereweretimeswhenshewasnotsowiseasshemighthavebeen,andothertimeswhenshewasobstinateandgotherselfintotrouble.But life ina fairylandhad taught the littlegirl toacceptall sortsof surprisingthingsasmatters-of-course,forwhileDorothywasnofairy—butjustasmortalasweare—shehadseenmorewondersthanmostmortalseverdo.

AnotherlittlegirlfromouroutsideworldalsolivedinOzma’spalace.Thiswas Betsy Bobbin, whose strange adventures had brought her to the EmeraldCity,whereOzmahadcordiallywelcomedher.Betsywasashylittlethingandcould never get used to themarvels that surrounded her, but she andDorothywerefirmfriendsandthoughtthemselvesveryfortunateinbeingtogetherinthisdelightfulcountry.

OnedayDorothyandBetsywerevisitingOzma in thegirlRuler’sprivateapartment, and among the things that especially interested them was Ozma’sMagicPicture, set in a handsome frame andhungupon thewall of the room.This picture was a magic one because it constantly changed its scenes andshowedeventsandadventureshappeninginallpartsof theworld.Thusitwasreallya“movingpicture”of life,and if theonewhostoodbefore itwished toknow what any absent person was doing, the picture instantly showed thatperson,withhisorhersurroundings.

Thetwogirlswerenotwishingtoseeanyoneinparticular,onthisoccasion,but merely enjoyed watching the shifting scenes, some of which wereexceedingly curious and remarkable. Suddenly Dorothy exclaimed: “Why,there’sButton-Bright!”and thisdrewOzmaalso to lookat thepicture, forsheandDorothyknewtheboywell.

“WhoisButton-Bright?”askedBetsy,whohadnevermethim.

“Why,he’sthelittleboywhoisjustgettingoffthebackofthatstrangeflyingcreature,”exclaimedDorothy.ThensheturnedtoOzmaandasked:“Whatisthatthing,Ozma?Abird?I’veneverseenanythinglikeitbefore.”

“ItisanOrk,”answeredOzma,fortheywerewatchingthescenewheretheOrkandthethreebigbirdswerefirstlandingtheirpassengersinJinxland,afterthe long flight across the desert. “I wonder,” added the girl Ruler, musingly,“whythosestrangersdareventure into thatunfortunatecountry,which is ruledbyawickedKing.”

“That girl, and the one-legged man, seem to be mortals from the outsideworld,”saidDorothy.

“Themanisn’tone-legged,”correctedBetsy;“hehasonewoodenleg.”

“It’salmostasbad,”declaredDorothy,watchingCap’nBillstumparound.

“Theyarethreemortaladventurers,”saidOzma,“andtheyseemworthyandhonest.ButI fear theywillbe treatedbadly inJinxland,and if theymeetwithany misfortune there it will reflect upon me, for Jinxland is a part of mydominions.”

“Can’twehelptheminanyway?”inquiredDorothy.“Thatseemslikeanicelittlegirl.I’dbesorryifanythinghappenedtoher.”

“Letuswatchthepictureforawhile,”suggestedOzma,andsotheyalldrewchairsbeforetheMagicPictureandfollowedtheadventuresofTrotandCap’nBillandButton-Bright.Presently thesceneshiftedandshowed their friend theScarecrow crossing the mountains into Jinxland, and that somewhat relievedOzma’s anxiety, for she knew at once that Glinda the Good had sent theScarecrowtoprotectthestrangers.

The adventures in Jinxland proved very interesting to the three girls inOzma’s palace, who during the succeeding days spent much of their time inwatchingthepicture.Itwaslikeastorytothem.

"Thatgirl’sareg’lartrump!’exclaimedDorothy,referringtoTrot,andOzmaanswered:

“She’sadearlittlething,andI’msurenothingverybadwillhappentoher.Theoldsailorisafinecharacter,too,forhehasneveroncegrumbledoverbeing

agrasshopper,assomanywouldhavedone.”

WhentheScarecrowwassonearlyburnedup thegirlsallshivereda little,andtheyclappedtheirhandsinjoywhentheflockofOrkscameandsavedhim.

SoitwasthatwhenalltheexcitingadventuresinJinxlandwereoverandthefourOrkshadbeguntheir flightacross themountains tocarry themortals intotheLandofOz,OzmacalledtheWizardtoherandaskedhimtoprepareaplaceforthestrangerstosleep.

The famousWizardofOzwas aquaint littlemanwho inhabited the royalpalaceandattendedtoallthemagicalthingsthatOzmawanteddone.Hewasnotas powerful as Glinda, to be sure, but he could do a great many wonderfulthings.HeprovedthisbyplacingahouseintheuninhabitedpartoftheQuadlingCountry where the Orks landed Cap’n Bill and Trot and Button-Bright, andfittingitwithallthecomfortsIhavedescribedinthelastchapter.

NextmorningDorothysaidtoOzma:

"Oughtn’twetogomeetthestrangers,sowecanshowthemthewaytotheEmeraldCity?I’msurethat littlegirlwill feelshy in thisbeautiful land,andIknowif’twasmeI’dlikesomebodytogivemeawelcome."

Ozmasmiledatherlittlefriendandanswered:

“YouandBetsymaygo tomeet them, ifyouwish,but Icannot leavemypalace just now, as I am to have a conference with Jack Pumpkinhead andProfessorWogglebugonimportantmatters.YoumaytaketheSawhorseandtheRedWagon,andifyoustartsoonyouwillbeabletomeettheScarecrowandthestrangersatGlinda’spalace.”

“Oh, thankyou!” criedDorothy, andwent away to tellBetsy and tomakepreparationsforthejourney.

CHAPTER22

TheWaterfall

Glinda’scastlewasalongwayfromthemountains,buttheScarecrowbeganthejourneycheerfully,sincetimewasofnogreatimportanceintheLandofOzandhehadrecentlymadethetripandknewtheway.ItnevermatteredmuchtoButton-Brightwherehewasorwhathewasdoing;theboywascontentinbeingalive and having good companions to share his wanderings. As for Trot andCap’nBill,theynowfoundthemselvessocomfortableandfreefromdanger,inthis fine fairyland, and theywere soawedandamazedby theadventures they

wereencountering,thatthejourneytoGlinda’scastlewasmorelikeapleasuretripthanahardship,somanywonderfulthingsweretheretosee.

Button-Bright had been in Oz before, but never in this part of it, so theScarecrowwastheonlyonewhoknewthepathsandcouldleadthem.Theyhadeaten a hearty breakfast, which they found already prepared for them andawaitingthemonthetablewhentheyarosefromtheirrefreshingsleep,sotheyleftthemagichouseinacontentedmoodandwithheartslighterandmorehappythantheyhadknownformanyaday.Astheymarchedalongthroughthefields,thesunshonebrightlyandthebreezewasladenwithdeliciousfragrance,foritcarriedwithitthebreathofmillionsofwildflowers.

Atnoon,whentheystoppedtorestbythebanksofaprettyriver,Trotsaidwithalong-drawnbreaththatwasmuchlikeasigh:

“I wish we’d brought with us some of the food that was left from ourbreakfast,forI’mgettinghungryagain.”

Scarcely had she spokenwhen a table rose up before them, as if from thegrounditself,anditwas loadedwithfruitsandnutsandcakesandmanyothergoodthingstoeat.Thelittlegirl’seyesopenedwideatthisdisplayofmagic,andCap’nBillwasnotsurethatthethingswereactuallythereandfittoeatuntilhehadtakentheminhishandandtastedthem.ButtheScarecrowsaidwithalaugh:

“Someoneislookingafteryourwelfare,thatiscertain,andfromthelooksofthistableIsuspectmyfriendtheWizardhastakenusinhischarge.I’veknownhimtodothingslikethisbefore,andifweareintheWizard’scareyouneednotworryaboutyourfuture.”

“Who’sworrying?” inquiredButton-Bright, already at the table and busilyeating.

TheScarecrowlookedaroundtheplacewhiletheotherswerefeasting,andfindingmanythingsunfamiliartohimheshookhisheadandremarked:

“Imusthavetakenthewrongpath,backinthatlastvalley,foronmywaytoJinxlandIrememberthatIpassedaroundthefootofthisriver,wheretherewasagreatwaterfall.”

“Didtherivermakeabend,afterthewaterfall?”askedCap’nBill.

“No,theriverdisappeared.Onlyapoolofwhirlingwatershowedwhathad

becomeoftheriver;butIsupposeitisunderground,somewhere,andwillcometothesurfaceagaininanotherpartofthecountry.”

“Well,”suggestedTrot,asshefinishedherluncheon,“asthereisnowaytocrossthisriver,Is’posewe’llhavetofindthatwaterfall,andgoaroundit.”

“Exactly,” replied the Scarecrow; so they soon renewed their journey,followingtheriverforalongtimeuntiltheroarofthewaterfallsoundedintheirears.Byandbytheycametothewaterfallitself,asheetofsilverdroppingfar,fardownintoa tiny lakewhichseemed tohavenooutlet.Fromthe topof thefall,wheretheystood, thebanksgraduallyslopedaway,sothat thedescentbylandwasquiteeasy,whiletherivercoulddonothingbutglideoveranedgeofrockandtumblestraightdowntothedepthsbelow.

“Yousee,”saidtheScarecrow,leaningoverthebrink,“thisiscalledbyourOzpeople theGreatWaterfall,because it iscertainly thehighestone inall theland;butIthink—Help!”

Hehadlosthisbalanceandpitchedheadforemostintotheriver.Theysawaflashofstrawandblueclothes,andthepaintedfacelookingupwardinsurprise.ThenextmomenttheScarecrowwassweptoverthewaterfallandplungedintothebasinbelow.

Theaccidenthadhappenedsosuddenlythatforamomenttheywerealltoohorrifiedtospeakormove.

“Quick!Wemustgotohelphimorhewillbedrowned,”Trotexclaimed.

Evenwhilespeakingshebegantodescendthebanktothepoolbelow,andCap’nBillfollowedasswiftlyashiswoodenlegwouldlethim.Button-Brightcamemoreslowly,callingtothegirl:

“Hecan’tdrown,Trot;he’saScarecrow.”

Butshewasn’tsureaScarecrowcouldn’tdrownandneverrelaxedherspeed

untilshestoodontheedgeofthepool,withthespraydashinginherface.Cap’nBill,puffingandpanting,hadjustvoiceenoughtoask,ashereachedherside:

“Seehim,Trot?”

“Notaspeckofhim.Oh,Cap’n,whatdoyous’posehasbecomeofhim?”

“Is’pose,”repliedthesailor,“thathe’sinthatwater,moreorlessfardown,andI’m’fraidit’llmakehisstrawprettysoggy.Butasferhisbein’drowned,IagreewithButton-Brightthatitcan’tbedone.”

There was small comfort in this assurance and Trot stood for some timesearchingwithhereyesthebubblingwater,inthehopethattheScarecrowwouldfinally come to the surface. Presently she heardButton-Bright calling: “Comehere, Trot!” and looking around she saw that the boy had crept over the wetrockstotheedgeofthewaterfallandseemedtobepeeringbehindit.Makingherwaytowardhim,sheasked:

“Whatdoyousee?”

“A cave,” he answered. “Let’s go in. Perhaps we’ll find the Scarecrow

there.”

Shewas a little doubtful of that, but the cave interested her, and so did itCap’nBill.Therewas just space enough at the edgeof the sheet ofwater forthem tocrowd inbehind it,butafter thatdangerousentrance they found roomenoughtowalkuprightandafteratimetheycametoanopeninginthewrallofrock.Approachingthisopening,theygazedwithinitandfoundaseriesofsteps,cutsothattheymighteasilydescendintothecavern.

Trot turned to look inquiringly at her companions.The fallingwatermadesuchdin and roaring thathervoice couldnotbeheard.Cap’nBill noddedhishead, but before he could enter the cave, Button-Bright was before him,clamberingdownthestepswithoutaparticleoffear.Sotheothersfollowedtheboy.

The first steps were wet with spray, and slippery, but the remainder werequite dry.A rosy light seemed to come from the interior of the cave, and thislightedtheirway.Afterthestepstherewasashorttunnel,highenoughforthemtowalkerectin,andthentheyreachedthecaveitselfandpausedinwonderandadmiration.

Theystoodontheedgeofavastcavern,thewallsanddomedroofofwhichwerelinedwithcountlessrubies,exquisitelycutandflashingsparklingraysfromonetoanother.Thiscausedaradiantlightthatpermittedtheentirecaverntobedistinctlyseen,andtheeffectwassomarvelousthatTrotdrewinherbreathwithasortofagasp,andstoodquitestillinwonder.

But the walls and roof of the cavern were merely a setting for a morewonderful scene. In the centerwas a bubbling cauldron ofwater, for here theriverroseagain,splashinganddashingtillitssprayrosehighintheair,whereittooktherubycolorofthejewelsandseemedlikeaseethingmassofflame.Andwhile they gazed into the tumbling, tossingwater, the body of the Scarecrowsuddenlyroseinthecenter,strugglingandkicking,andthenextinstantwhollydisappearedfromview.

“My,buthe’swet!”exclaimedButton-Bright;butnoneof theothersheardhim.

TrotandCap’nBilldiscoveredthatabroadledge—covered,likethewalls,withglitteringrubies—ranallaroundthecavern;sotheyfollowedthisgorgeouspath to the rear and found where the water made its final dive underground,

beforeitdisappearedentirely.Whereitplungedintothisdimabysstheriverwasblackanddrearylooking,andtheystoodgazinginaweuntiljustbesidethemthebodyoftheScarecrowagainpoppedupfromthewater.

CHAPTER23

TheLandofOz

Thestrawman’sappearanceonthewaterwassosuddenthatitstartledTrot,butCap’nBill had the presence ofmind to stick hiswooden leg out over thewaterandtheScarecrowmadeadesperateclutchandgrabbedthelegwithbothhands. He managed to hold on until Trot and Button-Bright knelt down andseized his clothing, but the children would have been powerless to drag thesoakedScarecrowashorehadnotCap’nBillnowassistedthem.WhentheylaidhimontheledgeofrubieshewasthemostuselesslookingScarecrowyoucanimagine—his straw sodden and dripping with water, his clothing wet andcrumpled,whileeventhesackuponwhichhisfacewaspaintedhadbecomesowrinkled that the old jolly expression of their stuffed friend’s features wasentirely gone. But he could still speak, andwhenTrot bent down her ear sheheardhimsay:

“Getmeoutofhereassoonasyoucan.”

Thatseemedawisethingtodo,soCap’nBillliftedhisheadandshoulders,andTrotandButton-Brighteachtookaleg;amongthemtheypartlycarriedandpartlydragged thedampScarecrowoutof theRubyCavern, along the tunnel,anduptheflightofrocksteps.Itwassomewhatdifficulttogethimpasttheedgeof thewaterfall,but theysucceeded,aftermucheffort,andafewminutes laterlaidtheirpoorcomradeonagrassybankwherethesunshoneuponhimfreelyandhewasbeyondthereachofthespray.

Cap’nBillnowkneltdownandexaminedthestrawthattheScarecrowwasstuffedwith.

“Idon’tbelieveit’llbeofmuchusetohim,anymore,”saidhe,“forit’sfullofpolliwogsan’fisheggs,an’thewaterhastookallthecrinkleouto’thestrawan’ruinedit.Iguess,Trot,thatthebestthingforustodoistoemptyoutallhisbodyan’carryhisheadan’clothesalong the road tillwecome toa fieldorahousewherewecangetsomefreshstraw.”

“Yes,Cap’n,”sheagreed,“there’snothingelsetobedone.ButhowshallweeverfindtheroadtoGlinda’spalace,withouttheScarecrowtoguideus?”

“That’s easy,” said the Scarecrow, speaking in a rather feeble but distinctvoice.“IfCap’nBillwillcarrymyheadonhisshoulders,eyesfront,Icantellhimwhichwaytogo.”

So they followed that plan and emptied all the old, wet straw out of theScarecrow’sbody.Then thesailor-manwrungout theclothesand laid themin

the sun till theywere quite dry. Trot took charge of the head and pressed thewrinkles out of the face as it dried, so that after a while the Scarecrow’sexpressionbecamenaturalagain,andasjollyasbefore.

This work consumed some time, but when it was completed they againstarted upon their journey, Button-Bright carrying the boots and hat, Trot thebundleofclothes,andCap’nBillthehead.TheScarecrow,havingregainedhiscomposureandbeingnowinagoodhumor,despitehisrecentmishaps,beguiledtheirwaywithstoriesoftheLandofOz.

Itwasnotuntilthenextmorning,however,thattheyfoundstrawwithwhichto restuff theScarecrow.Thatevening theycame to the same littlehouse theyhadslept inbefore,onlynowitwasmagically transferred toanewplace.Thesamebountifulsupperasbeforewasfoundsmokinghotuponthetableandthesamecosybedswerereadyforthemtosleepin.

Theyroseearlyandafterbreakfastwentoutofdoors,and there, lying justbeside the house, was a heap of clean, crisp straw. Ozma had noticed theScarecrow’s accident in her Magic Picture and had notified the Wizard toprovidethestraw,forsheknewtheadventurerswerenotlikelytofindstrawinthecountrythroughwhichtheywerenowtraveling.

They lost no time in stuffing the Scarecrow anew, and he was greatlydelightedatbeingabletowalkaroundagainandtoassumetheleadershipofthelittleparty.

“Really,”saidTrot,“Ithinkyou’rebetterthanyouwerebefore,foryouarefreshandsweetallthroughandrustlebeautifullywhenyoumove.”

“Thankyou,mydear,”herepliedgratefully.“Ialwaysfeel likeanewmanwhenI’mfreshlystuffed.Noonelikestogetmusty,youknow,andevengoodstrawmaybespoiledbyage.”

“It was water that spoiled you, the last time,” remarked Button-Bright,“which proves that too much bathing is as bad as too little. But, after all,Scarecrow,waterisnotasdangerousforyouasfire.”

“All thingsaregoodinmoderation,”declaredtheScarecrow.“Butnow,letushurryon,orweshallnotreachGlinda’spalacebynightfall.”

CHAPTER24

TheRoyalReception

At about four o’clock of that same day the Red Wagon drew up at theentrance to Glinda’s palace and Dorothy and Betsy jumped out. Ozma’s RedWagon was almost a chariot, being inlaid with rubies and pearls, and it was

drawnbyOzma’sfavoritesteed,thewoodenSawhorse.

“ShallIunharnessyou,”askedDorothy,“soyoucancomeinandvisit?”

“No,”repliedtheSawhorse.“Til juststandhereandthink.Takeyour time.Thinkingdoesn’tseemtoboremeatall.”

“Whatwillyouthinkof?”inquiredBetsy.

“OftheacornthatgrewthetreefromwhichIwasmade.”

SotheyleftthewoodenanimalandwentintoseeGlinda,whowelcomedthelittlegirlsinhermostcordialmanner.

“I knewyouwere on yourway,” said the goodSorceresswhen theywereseatedinherlibrary,“forI learnedfrommyRecordBookthatyouintendedtomeetTrotandButton-Brightontheirarrivalhere.”

"IsthestrangelittlegirlnamedTrot?’askedDorothy.

“Yes;andhercompanion,theoldsailor,isnamedCap’nBill.Ithinkweshalllikethemverymuch,fortheyarejustthekindofpeopletoenjoyandappreciateourfairylandandIdonotseeanyway,atpresent,forthemtoreturnagaintotheoutsideworld.”

“Well, there’s roomenoughhere for them, I’msure,”saidDorothy.“BetsyandIarealreadyeagertowelcomeTrot.Itwillkeepusbusyforayear,atleast,showingherallthewonderfulthingsinOz.”

Glindasmiled.

“I have lived here many years,” said she, “and I have not seen all thewondersofOzyet.”

Meantimethetravelersweredrawingneartothepalace,andwhentheyfirstcaughtsightofitstowersTrotrealizedthatitwasfarmoregrandandimposingthanwastheKing’scastleinJinxland.Thenearertheycame,themorebeautifulthe palace appeared, and when finally the Scarecrow led them up the greatmarblesteps,evenButton-Brightwasfilledwithawe.

“Idon’tseeanysoldierstoguardtheplace,”saidthelittlegirl.

“There is no need to guard Glinda’s palace,” replied the Scarecrow. “Wehave no wicked people in Oz, that we know of, and even if there were any,

Glinda’smagicwouldbepowerfulenoughtoprotecther.”

Button-Bright was now standing on the top steps of the entrance, and hesuddenlyexclaimed:

“Why, there’s the Sawhorse and the RedWagon! Hip, hooray!” and nextmomenthewasrushingdowntothrowhisarmsaroundtheneckofthewoodenhorse,whichgood-naturedlypermittedthisfamiliaritywhenitrecognizedintheboyanoldfriend.

Button-Bright’sshouthadbeenheardinsidethepalace,sonowDorothyandBetsycamerunningouttoembracetheirbelovedfriend, theScarecrow,andtowelcomeTrotandCap’nBilltotheLandofOz.

“We’vebeenwatchingyouforalongtime,inOzma’sMagicPicture,”saidDorothy,"andOzmahassentustoinviteyoutoherownpalaceintheEm’raldCity. I don’t know if you realize how luckyyou are to get that invitation, butyou’ll understand it better after you’ve seen the royal palace and theEm’raldCity."

GlindanowappearedinpersontoleadallthepartyintoherAzureReceptionRoom.Trotwas a little afraid of the stately Sorceress, but gained courage byholdingfast to thehandsofBetsyandDorothy.Cap’nBillhadnoone tohelphim feel at ease, so theold sailor sat stifflyon theedgeofhis chair and said:“Yes, ma’am,” or “No, ma’am,” when he was spoken to, and was greatlyembarrassedbysomuchsplendor.

TheScarecrowhadlivedsomuchinpalacesthathefeltquiteathome,andhechattedtoGlindaandtheOzgirlsinamerry, light-heartedway.HetoldallabouthisadventuresinJinxland,andattheGreatWaterfall,andonthejourneyhither—most ofwhich his hearers knew already—and then he askedDorothyandBetsywhathadhappenedintheEmeraldCitysincehehadleftthere.

They all passed the evening and the night at Glinda’s palace, and theSorceresswassogracioustoCap’nBillthattheoldmanbydegreesregainedhisself-possession and began to enjoy himself. Trot had already come to theconclusion that inDorothy andBetsy she had found two delightful comrades,andButton-BrightwasjustasmuchathomehereashehadbeeninthefieldsofJinxlandorwhenhewasburiedinthepopcornsnowoftheLandofMo.

Thenextmorningtheyarosebrightandearlyandafterbreakfastbadegood-

bye to the kind Sorceress, whom Trot and Cap’n Bill thanked earnestly forsendingtheScarecrowtoJinxlandtorescuethem.ThentheyallclimbedintotheRedWagon.

There was room for all on the broad seats, and when all had taken theirplaces—Dorothy,TrotandBetsyontherearseatandCap’nBill,Button-Brightand the Scarecrow in front—they called “Gid-dap!” to the Sawhorse and thewoodensteedmovedbrisklyaway,pullingtheRedWagonwithease.

ItwasnowthatthestrangersbegantoperceivetherealbeautiesoftheLandofOz,for theywerepassingthroughamorethicklysettledpartof thecountryand thepopulationgrewmoredense as theydrewnearer to theEmeraldCity.EveryonetheymethadacheerywordorasmilefortheScarecrow,DorothyandBetsyBobbin,andsomeofthemrememberedButton-Brightandwelcomedhimbacktotheircountry.

It was a happy party, indeed, that journeyed in the Red Wagon to theEmeraldCity,andTrotalreadybegantohopethatOzmawouldpermitherandCap’nBilltolivealwaysintheLandofOz.

Whentheyreachedthegreatcitytheyweremoreamazedthanever,bothbythe concourse of people in their quaint and picturesque costumes, and by thesplendorofthecityitself.ButthemagnificenceoftheRoyalPalacequitetooktheirbreathaway,untilOzmareceivedtheminherownprettyapartmentandbyhercharmingmannersandassuringsmilesmadethemfeeltheywerenolongerstrangers.

TrotwasgivenalovelylittleroomnexttothatofDorothy,whileCap’nBillhadthecosiestsortofaroomnext toTrot’sandoverlookingthegardens.Andthat evening Ozma gave a grand banquet and reception in honor of the newarrivals.WhileTrothadreadofmanyofthepeopleshethenmet,Cap’nBillwasless familiarwith themandmanyof the unusual characters introduced to himthateveningcausedtheoldsailortoopenhiseyeswideinastonishment.

HehadthoughttheliveScarecrowaboutascuriousasanyonecouldbe,butnowhemettheTinWoodman,whowasallmadeoftin,eventohisheart,andcarriedagleamingaxeoverhisshoulderwhereverhewent.ThentherewasJackPumpkinhead,whoseheadwasarealpumpkinwiththefacecarveduponit;andProfessorWogglebug,whohadtheshapeofanenormousbugbutwasdressedinneatfittinggarments.TheProfessorwasaninterestingtalkerandhadverypolitemanners,buthisfacewassocomicalthatitmadeCap’nBillsmiletolookatit.Agreat friendofDorothyandOzmaseemed tobeamachinemancalledTik-Tok,who randownseveral timesduring theeveningandhad tobewoundupagainbysomeonebeforehecouldmoveorspeak.

AtthereceptionappearedtheShaggyManandhisbrother,bothverypopularinOz,aswell asDorothy’sUncleHenryandAuntEm, twohappyoldpeoplewholivedinaprettycottagenearthepalace.

Butwhatperhaps seemedmost surprising tobothTrotandCap’nBillwasthe number of peculiar animals admitted intoOzma’s parlors, where they not

only conducted themselves quite properly but were able to talk as well asanyone.

TherewastheCowardlyLion,animmensebeastwithabeautifulmane;andtheHungryTiger,whosmiledcontinually;andEurekathePinkKitten,wholaycurled upon a cushion and had rather supercilious manners; and the woodenSawhorse;andninetinypigletsthatbelongedtotheWizard;andamulenamedHank,whobelongedtoBetsyBobbin.Afuzzylittleterrierdog,namedToto,layatDorothy’sfeetbutseldomtookpartintheconversation,althoughhelistenedtoeverywordthatwassaid.ButthemostwonderfulofalltoTrotwasasquarebeastwithawinningsmile,thatsquattedinacorneroftheroomandwaggedhissquare head at everyone in quite a jollyway.Betsy told Trot that this uniquebeastwascalledtheWoozy,andtherewasnootherlikehiminalltheworld.

Cap’nBill andTrothadboth lookedaroundexpectantly for theWizardofOz,but theeveningwasfaradvancedbefore thefamous littlemanentered theroom.Buthewentuptothestrangersatonceandsaid:

“Iknowyou,butyoudon’tknowme;solet’sgetacquainted.”

Andtheydidgetacquainted,inaveryshorttime,andbeforetheeveningwasoverTrot felt that shekneweveryperson and animal present at the reception,andthattheywereallhergoodfriends.

Suddenly they lookedaround forButton-Bright,buthewasnowhere tobefound.

“Dearme!”criedTrot.“He’slostagain.”

“Nevermind,mydear,”saidOzma,withhercharmingsmile,“noonecangofarastrayintheLandofOz,andifButton-Brightisn’tlostoccasionally,heisn’thappy.”

TranscriberNotes

Allillustrationswereplacedsoastonotsplitparagraphs.Thecolorillustrations were grouped together (between pages 32 and 33) in theprinted version; but have beenmoved to the relevent point within thestory.Minortyposcorrected.

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