Baum. L Frank TikTok of Oz

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TIK-TOK OF OZ

by L. FRANK BAUM

Original Copyright 1914

T o L ou is F . G ot t schalk ,

W ho se s weet and d ai nt y m el od ies

breathe the true spirit of fairyland,

this book is affectionately dedicated

Offered as a courtesy of DiskUs Publishing

www.diskuspublishing.com

T ab le o f C on tent s

Prologue

C ha pt er O ne C ha pt er T wo

C ha pt er T hr ee C ha pt er F ou r

C ha pt er F iv e C ha pt er S ix

C hap ter S even C hapt er E ig ht

C ha pt er N in e C ha pt er T en

Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve

P a g e 1



Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen

C hapt er F if t een C hap ter S i xt een

Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen

C hapt er N in et een C hapt er T wen ty

Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven Chapter Twenty-Eight

Prologue

T o M y R ea de rs

T he v er y m ar ke d s uc ce ss o f m y l as t y ea r' s f ai ry b oo k, " Th e P at ch wo rk G ir l o f O z, " c on vi nc es m e t ha t

my r ea de rs l ike t he O z s tor ie s " be st of a ll ," a s one l it tl e gi rl w rot e me . So he re , m y de ar s, i s a n ew Oz

s to ry i n w hi ch i s i nt ro du ced A nn S of or th , t he Q ueen o f O og ah oo , w ho m T ik -T ok ass is ted i n con qu er in g

o ur o ld a cq ua in ta nc e, t he N om e K in . I t a ls o t el ls o f B et sy B ob bi n a nd h ow , a ft er m an y a dv en tu re s, s hef in al ly r each ed t he m ar velo us L an d o f O z.

T he re i s a p la y c al le d " Th e T ik -T ok M an o f O z, " bu t i t i s no t l ik e t hi s s to ry o f " Ti k- To k o f O z, " a lt ho ug h

s om e o f t he a dv en tu re s r ec or de d i n t hi s b oo k, a s w el l a s t ho se i n s ev er al o th er O z h oo ks , a re i nc lu de d i n

t he pl ay. Thos e who ha ve s ee n t he pla y a nd t hos e w ho ha ve r ea d t he ot he r Oz hooks wi ll f ind i n t hi s

s to ry a l ot o f s tr an ge c ha ra ct er s a nd a dv en tu re s t ha t t he y h av e n ev er h ea rd o f b ef or e.

I n t he l et te rs I r ec ei ve f rom c hi ldr en th er e ha s be en a n u rg ent a ppe al f or me to wr it e a s tor y t ha t w il l t ake

T ro t a nd C ap 'n B il l t o t he L an d o f O z, w he re t he y w il l m ee t D or ot hy a nd O zm a. A ls o t he y t hi nk

B ut to n- Br ig ht o ug ht t o g et a cq ua in te d w it h O jo t he L uc ky . A s y ou k no w, I a m o bl ig ed t o t al k t he se

m at te rs o ve r w it h D or ot hy b y m ea ns o f t he " wi re le ss ," f or t ha t i s t he o nl y w ay I c an c om mun ic at e w it h t he

L an d o f O z. W he n I a sk ed h er a bo ut t hi s i de a, s he r ep li ed : " Wh y, h av en 't y ou h ea rd ?" I s ai d " No ."

" We ll ," c am e t he m es sa ge o ve r t he w ir el es s, " I' ll t el l y ou a ll a bo ut i t, b y a nd b y, a nd t he n y ou c an m ak e a

h oo k o f t ha t s to ry f or t he c hi ld re n t o r ea d. "

S o, i f D or ot hy k ee ps h er w or d a nd I a m p er mi tt ed t o w ri te a no th er O z h oo k, y ou w il l p ro ba bl y d is co ve r

h ow all t hese charact er s cam e t og et her i n t he f am ou s E merald C it y. M eant im e, I w an t t o t el l all m y l it tl e

f ri en ds -w ho se n um bers are i ncreas in g b y m an y t ho us an ds every y earth at I am v er y g ratefu l f or t he f av or

t hey h av e s ho wn m y h oo ks and f or t he d el ig ht fu l l it tl e l et ters I am con st an tl y r ecei vi ng . I am alm os t s ur e

t ha t I h av e a s m an y f ri en ds a mo ng t he c hi ld re n o f A me ri ca a s a ny s tor y w ri te r a li ve ; a nd t hi s, o f c ou rs e,

m ak es m e v er y p ro ud a nd h ap py .

L . F ra nk B au m.

P a g e 2



"OZCOT"

at H O LL Y WO O D

i n C A LI F OR N IA , 1 9 14 .

C h ap t er O n e

Ann's Army

" I w on 't !" c ri ed A nn ; " I w on 't s we ep t he f lo or . I t i s be ne at h m y d ig ni ty ."

" So me o ne m us t s weep i t, " r ep li ed A nn 's y ou ng er s is ter, S al ye; " el se w e s hall s oo n h e w ad in g i n d us t.

A nd y ou a re t he e ld es t, a nd t he h ea d o f t he f am il y. "

" I' m Q ueen o f O og ab oo ," s ai d A nn , p ro ud ly . " Bu t, " s he add ed w it h a s ig h, " my k in gd om i s t he s mall es t

a nd t he poor es t i n a ll t he La nd of Oz ."

T hi s w as q ui te t ru e. A wa y u p i n t he m oun ta in s, i n a f ar c or ne r of t he be au ti fu l f ai ry la nd of Oz , l ie s a s ma ll

v al le y w hi ch i s na me d O og abo o, a nd i n t hi s va ll ey l ive d a f ew pe opl e w ho w er e u su al ly h ap py a nd

c on te nt ed a nd n ev er c ar ed t o w an de r o ve r t he m ou nt ai n p as s i nt o t he m or e s et tl ed p ar ts o f t he l an d.

T hey k new t hat all o f O z, i nclu di ng t heir o wn t er ri to ry , w as r ul ed b y a b eaut if ul P ri nces s n am ed O zm a,

w ho l iv ed i n t he s pl en di d E me ra ld C it y; y et t he s im pl e f ol k of O og abo o n ev er v is it ed O zm a. T he y h ad a

r oy al f am il y o f t he ir o wn -no t e sp ec ia ll y t o r ul e o ve r t he m, b ut j us t a s a m at te r o f p ri de . O zm a p er mi tt edt he v ar io us p ar ts o f h er c ou nt ry t o h av e t he ir K in gs a nd Q ue en s a nd E mp er or s a nd t he l ik e, b ut a ll w er e

r ul ed o ve r b y t he l ov el y g ir l Q ue en o f t he E me ra ld C it y.

The Ki ng of O oga boo us ed t o he a m an n ame d J ol J em ki ph Sof or th, wh o f or ma ny ye ar s d id a ll th e

d ru dg er y o f d ecid in g d is pu tes and t el li ng h is p eo pl e w hen t o p lant cab bages and p ickl e o ni on s. B ut t he

K in g' s w if e h ad a s ha rp t on gu e a nd s ma ll r es pe ct f or t he K in g, h er h us ba nd ; t he re fo re o ne n ig ht K in g J ol

c re pt ov er t he pa ss i nt o t he L an d o f Oz a nd di sa ppe ar ed f ro m O og ab oo f or g oo d a nd a ll . T he Q ue en

w ai te d a f ew y ea rs f or h im t o r et ur n a nd t he n s ta rt ed i n s ea rc h o f h im , l ea vi ng h er e ld es t d au gh te r, A nn

S of or th , t o a ct a s Q ue en .

Now, Ann had not forgotten when her birthday came, for that meant a party and feasting and dancing,

but she had quite forgotten how many years the birthdays marked. In a land where people live always,

t hi s i s n ot c ons ide re d a c aus e f or r egr et , s o we m ay j us tl y s ay t ha t Qu ee n A nn of O oga bo o wa s ol d

e no ug h t o m ak e j el ly -a nd l et i t g o a t t ha t.

B ut s he d id n' t m ak e j el ly , o r d o a ny m or e o f t he h ou se wo rk t ha n s he c ou ld h el p. S he w as a n a mb it io us

w om an a nd c on st an tl y r es en te d t he f ac t t ha t h er k in gd om w as s o t in y a nd h er p eo pl e s o s tu pi d a nd

u ne nt er pr is in g. O ft en s he w on de re d w ha t h ad b ec om e o f h er f at he r a nd m ot he r, o ut b ey on d t he p as s, i n

t he w on de rf ul La nd o f Oz , a nd t he f ac t t ha t t he y di d n ot r et ur n t o Oo ga boo l ed A nn t o s us pe ct t ha t t he y

bad found a better place to live. So, when Salye refused to sweep the floor of the living room in the

palace, and Ann would not sweep it, either, she said to her sister:

" I' m g oi ng away. T hi s abs ur d K in gd om o f O og ab oo t ir es m e. "

P a g e 3



" Go, i f y ou w an t t o, " a ns we re d S al ye ; " bu t y ou a re v er y f oo li sh t o l ea ve t hi s p la ce ."

"Why?" asked Ann.

" Be caus e in the La nd of Oz , w hic h is Oz ma 's c ount ry, you wi ll be a nobody, whi le he re you a re a

Queen."

"Oh, yes! Queen over eighteen men, twenty-seven women and forty-four children!" returned Ann

bitterly.

" We ll , t he re a re c er ta in ly m or e p eo pl e t ha n t ha t i n t he g re at L and of O z, " l au gh ed S al ye . " Wh y d on 't y ou

r ai se a n a rmy a nd c onq ue r t he m, a nd b e Q ue en o f a ll O z? " s he a sk ed, t ryi ng t o t au nt Ann a nd s o t o

a ng er he r. T he n s he m ade a f ac e a t h er s is te r a nd w ent i nt o t he ba ck ya rd t o s wi ng i n t he ha mmoc k.

H er j ee ri ng w or ds , h owe ve r, h ad gi ve n Q ue en A nn a n i de a. Sh e r ef le ct ed t ha t O z w as r epo rt ed t o be a

peaceful country and Ozma a mere girl who ruled with gentleness to all and was obeyed because her people loved her. Even in Oogaboo the story was told that Ozma's sole army consisted of twenty-seven

f in e o ff icer s, w ho w or e b eaut if ul u ni fo rm s b ut car ri ed n o w eapo ns , b ecau se t here w as n o o ne t o f ig ht .

O nc e t he re h ad b ee n a p ri va te s ol di er , b es id es t he o ff ic er s, b ut O zm a h ad m ad e h im a C ap ta in -G en er al

a nd t ak en a wa y hi s g un f or f ea r i t m ig ht a cc ide nt al ly h ur t s om e o ne .

T he m or e A nn t ho ug ht a bo ut t he m at te r t he m or e s he w as c on vi nc ed i t w ou ld b e e as y t o c on qu er t he

La nd of O z a nd s et h er se lf up a s Ru le r i n O zma 's pl ac e, i f s he but h ad a n Ar my t o d o i t w it h. Af te rwa rd

s he c oul d g o o ut i nt o t he wor ld a nd c onqu er ot he r l ands , a nd t he n pe rh aps s he c oul d f ind a wa y t o t he

m oo n, a nd c on qu er t ha t. S he h ad a w ar li ke s pi ri t t ha t p re fe rr ed t ro ub le t o i dl en es s.

I t a ll d ep en de d on a n A rm y, A nn d ec id ed . S he c ar ef ul ly c ou nt ed i n h er m in d a ll t he m en o f he r k in gd om .Y es , t he re w er e e xa ct ly e ig ht ee n o f t he m, a ll t ol d. T ha t w ou ld n ot m ak e a v er y b ig A rm y, b ut b y

surprising Ozma's unarmed officers her men might easily subdue them. "Gentle people are always afraid

o f t ho se t ha t b lu st er ," A nn t ol d h er se lf . " I d on 't w is h t o s he d a ny b lo od , f or t ha t w ou ld s ho ck m y n er ve s

a nd I m ig ht f ai nt ; bu t i f w e t hr ea te n a nd f la sh o ur w ea po ns I a m s ur e t he p eo pl e o f O z w il l f al l up on t he ir

k nees b ef or e m e and s ur r en der ."

T hi s arg um en t, w hi ch s he r ep eated t o h er self m or e t han o nce, f in al ly d et er mi ned t he Q ueen o f O og ab oo

t o u nd er take t he aud aci ou s v en tu re.

" Wh at ev er h ap pens ," s he r ef lect ed , " can m ak e m e n o m or e u nh ap py t han m y s tayi ng s hu t u p i n t hi sm is er ab le v al ley and s weep in g f lo or s and q uarr el in g w it h S is ter S al ye; s o I w il l v en tu re all , and w in w hat I

may."

T ha t v er y d ay s he s ta rt ed o ut t o o rg an iz e h er A rm y.

T he f ir st m an s he c am e t o w as J o A ppl e, s o c al le d b ec au se h e h ad a n a pp le or ch ar d.

"J o," sa id Ann, "I a m going t o conquer t he wor ld, a nd I wa nt you t o joi n my Ar my. "

" Do n' t a sk m e t o d o s uc h a f oo l t hi ng , f or I m us t p ol it el y r ef us e Y ou r M aj es ty ," s ai d J o A pp le ."

" I h av e n o i nt en ti on o f a sk in g y ou . I s ha ll c om ma nd y ou , a s Q ue en o f O og ab oo , t o j oi n, " s ai d A nn .

P a g e 4



" In t ha t c as e, I s upp os e I m us t obe y, " t he m an r ema rke d, i n a s ad vo ic e. " But I pr ay you t o c on si de r t ha t

I a m a v er y i mp or ta nt c it iz en , a nd f or t ha t r ea son a m e nt it le d t o a n of fi ce of h ig h r an k. "

" Yo u s hall b e a G en er al ," p ro mi sed A nn .

" Wi th g ol d e pa ul et s a nd a s wo rd ?" h e a sk ed .

" Of cou rs e, " s aid t he Q ueen.

Th en s he we nt t o t he ne xt m an, w hos e n am e w as J o Bu nn, a s h e o wne d a n o rc ha rd whe re g ra ha m- bu ns

a nd w he at -b un s, i n g re at v ar ie ty , b ot h h ot a nd c ol d, g re w o n t he t re es .

" Jo ," s ai d A nn , " I a m g oi ng t o c on que r t he w or ld , a nd I c om ma nd y ou t o j oi n m y A rm y. "

" Im po ss ib le!" h e exclaim ed . " Th e b un cro p h as t o b e p icked. "

" Let y ou r w if e and chi ld ren d o t he p icki ng ," s ai d A nn .

" Bu t I 'm a m an o f g re at i mp or ta nc e, Y ou r M aj es ty ," h e p ro te st ed .

" Fo r t ha t r ea so n you s ha ll be on e o f m y Ge ne ra ls , a nd w ea r a c oc ke d ha t w it h gol d b ra id , a nd c ur l y our

m us tach es and clank a l on g s wo rd ," s he p ro mi sed.

S o h e c on se nt ed , a lt ho ug h s or el y a ga in st h is w il l, a nd t he Q ue en w al ke d o n t o t he n ex t c ot ta ge . H er e

l iv ed J o C on e, s o c al le d b ec au se t he t re es i n h is o rc ha rd b or e c ro ps o f e xc el le nt i ce -c re am c on es .

" Jo, " s ai d A nn , " I a m go in g t o c on qu er t he w or ld, a nd y ou m us t j oi n my A rm y. "

" Ex cus e m e, p le as e, " s ai d J o Co ne . " I a m a ba d f ig ht er . M y goo d wi fe c onq ue re d m e ye ar s a go , f or s he

c an f ig ht b et te r t ha n I . T ak e h er , Y ou r M aj es ty , i ns te ad o f m e, a nd I 'l l b le ss y ou f or t he f av or ."

" Th is m us t b e an arm y o f m en -f ierce, f er ocio us w ar ri or s, " d eclared A nn , l oo ki ng s tern ly u po n t he m il d

little man.

" An d y ou w il l l ea ve m y w if e h er e i n O og ab oo ?" h e a sk ed .

" Ye s; a nd m ak e y ou a G en er al ."

" I' ll g o," s ai d J o C one , a nd An n w en t o n t o t he c ot ta ge o f J o C loc k, w ho ha d a n or ch ar d of c loc k- tr ee s.

T hi s m an a t f ir st i ns is te d t ha t h e w ou ld n ot j oi n t he a rm y, b ut Q ue en A nn 's pr om is e t o m ak e h im a

General finally won his consent.

" Ho w m an y G en er al s a re t he re i n y ou r a rm y? " h e a sk ed .

" Fo ur , s o f ar ," r ep li ed A nn .

" An d h ow b ig w il l t he arm y h e?" w as h is n ex t q uest io n.

" I i nt en d t o m ak e e ve ry o ne o f t he e ig ht ee n m en i n O og ab oo j oi n i t, " s he s ai d.

" Th en f ou r G en er al s a re e no ug h, " a nn ou nc ed J o C lo ck . " I a dv is e y ou t o m ak e t he r es t o f t he m

P a g e 5



Colonels."

A nn t ri ed t o f ol lo w h is a dv ic e. T he n ex t f ou r m en s he v is it ed -w ho w er e J o P lu m, J o E gg , J o B an jo a nd

J o C he es e, n am ed a ft er t he t re es i n t he ir o rc ha rd s- sh e m ad e C ol on el s o f h er A rm y; b ut t he f if th o ne , J o

Nails, said Colonels and Generals were getting to be altogether too common in the Army of Oogaboo

a nd he pr efe rr ed to be a Ma jor. So J o Na il s, J o Ca ke , J o Ha m and J o Stoc ki ngs we re al l f our ma de

M aj or s, w hi le t he n ex t f ou r- Jo S an dw ic h, J o P ad lo ck s, J o S un da e a nd J o B ut to ns -w er e a pp oi nt edC ap tain s o f t he A rm y.

But now Que en Ann w as i n a qua nda ry . Th er e r ema ine d but t wo ot he r me n i n a ll Oo ga boo, a nd i f s he

m ad e t hese t wo L ieut en an ts , w hi le t here w er e f ou r C ap tain s, f ou r M aj or s, f ou r C ol on el s and f ou r

G en er al s, t here w as l ik el y t o b e j ealo us y i n h er arm y, and p er haps m ut in y and d es er ti on s.

O ne of t he se m en, how ev er , w as J o Ca ndy, a nd h e wo ul d n ot go a t a ll . N o pr omi se s c oul d t em pt hi m,

n or c ou ld t hr ea ts m ov e h im . H e s ai d h e m us t r em ai n a t h om e t o h ar ve st h is c ro p o f j ac ks on -b al ls ,

l emo n- d ro ps , b on bo ns and cho co l at e-cr eam s. A ls o h e h ad l arg e f i el ds o f cr acker -j ack and b ut t er ed

popcorn to be mowed and threshed, and he was determined not to disappoint the children of Oogaboo by going away to conquer the world and so let the candy crop spoil.

F in di ng J o C an dy s o o bs ti na te , Q ue en A nn l et h im h ave hi s o wn w ay a nd c on ti nu ed h er j ou rn ey t o t he

h ou se o f t he e ig ht ee nt h a nd l as t m an i n O og ab oo , w ho w as a y ou ng f el lo w n am ed J o F il es . T hi s F il es h ad

t we lv e t re es w hi ch b or e s te el f il es o f v ar io us s or ts ; b ut a ls o h e h ad n in e b oo k- tr ee s, o n w hi ch g re w a

c ho ic e s el ec ti on o f s to ry -b oo ks . I n c as e y ou h av e n ev er s ee n b oo ks g ro wi ng u po n t re es , I w il l e xp la in

t ha t t ho se i n J o F il es ' o rc ha rd w er e e nc lo se d i n b ro ad g re en h us ks w hi ch , w he n f ul ly r ip e, t ur ne d t o a

d ee p r ed c ol or . T he n t he b oo ks w er e p ic ke d a nd h us ke d a nd w er e r ea dy t o r ea d. I f t he y w er e p ic ke d

t oo s oo n, t he s to ri es w er e f ou nd t o b e c on fu se d a nd u ni nt er es ti ng a nd t he s pe ll in g b ad . H ow ev er , i f

all ow ed t o r ip en p er fect ly , t he s to ri es w er e f in e r eadi ng and t he s pell in g and g ramm ar excel lent .

Fi le s f re el y g ave h is bo oks t o a ll wh o wa nt ed t he m, b ut t he pe opl e o f O og abo o c ar ed l it tl e f or b oo ks a nd

s o he ha d t o r ea d m os t of t he m hi ms el f, b ef or e t he y s po il ed . F or , a s yo u p ro ba bl y kn ow , a s s oo n a s t he

books were read the words disappeared and the leaves withered and faded-which is the worst fault of all

books which grow upon trees.

W he n Q ue en A nn s po ke t o t hi s y ou ng m an F il es , w ho w as bo th i nt el li ge nt a nd a mbi ti ou s, h e s ai d h e

t hought i t woul d be gr ea t fu n t o c onque r t he wor ld. But he c al le d he r a tt ent ion t o t he f ac t t ha t he wa s f ar

s upe ri or t o t he ot he r m en of he r a rmy . Th er ef or e, he wo ul d n ot be on e o f he r G ene ra ls or Co lon el s or

M aj or s o r C ap ta in s, b ut c la im ed t he h on or o f b ei ng s ol e P ri va te .

Ann di d not li ke t hi s ide a a t a ll.

" I ha te t o ha ve a Pr iva te Sol di er i n my ar my, s he s ai d; " th ey 're s o c omm on. I a m t ol d t ha t Pr inc es s Oz ma

o nc e h ad a p ri va te s ol di er , b ut s he m ad e h im h er C ap ta in -G en er al , w hi ch i s g oo d e vi de nc e t ha t t he

private was unnecessary.

" Ozma's arm y d oesn 't f ig ht ," r et ur ned F il es , " bu t y ou r arm y m us t f ig ht l ik e f ur y i n o rd er t o con qu er t he

w or ld . I h av e r ea d i n m y b oo ks t ha t i t i s a lw ay s t he p ri va te s ol di er s w ho d o t he f ig ht in g, f or n o o ff ic er i s

e ve r b ra ve e noug h t o f ac e t he f oe . Al so, i t s ta nds t o r ea son t ha t y our of fi ce rs m us t ha ve s om e one t o

c om ma nd a nd t o i ss ue t he ir or de rs t o; t he re for e I 'l l b e t he on e. I l on g t o s la sh a nd s la y t he e ne my a nd

become a hero. Then, when we return to Oogaboo, I'll take all the marbles away from the children and

m el t t he m u p a nd m ake a m ar bl e s ta tu e o f m ys el f f or a ll t o l oo k u pon a nd a dm ir e. "

P a g e 6



A nn wa s m uc h pl ea se d w it h Pr iva te F il es . He s ee me d i nd ee d t o b e s uc h a w ar ri or a s s he n ee de d i n he r

e nt er pr is e, a nd h er h ope s o f s uc ce ss t oo k a s udd en b ou nd w he n F il es t ol d h er he kn ew w he re a g un -t re e

g re w a nd w oul d go t he re a t o nc e a nd pi ck t he r ip es t a nd b ig ge st m us ke t t he t re e bo re .

C hap ter T wo

O ut o f O og ab oo

T hr ee d ay s l at er t he G ra nd A rm y o f O og ab oo a ss em bl ed i n t he s qu ar e i n f ro nt o f t he r oy al p al ac e. T he

s ix teen o ff icer s w er e att ir ed i n g or geou s u ni fo rm s and car ri ed s harp , g li tt er in g s wo rd s. T he P ri vate h ad

picked his gun and, although it was not a very big weapon, Files tried to look fierce and succeeded so

w el l t hat all h is com mand in g o ff icer s w er e s ecretl y afr ai d o f h im .

T he w om en w er e t he re , p ro te st in g t ha t Q ue en A nn S of or th b ad n o r ig ht t o t ak e t he ir h us ba nd s a nd

f at he rs f ro m t he m; b ut A nn c om ma nd ed t he m t o k ee p s il en t, a nd t ha t w as t he h ar de st o rd er t o o be y t he yh ad ever r ecei ved .

T he Q ueen app eared b ef or e h er A rm y d ress ed i n an i mp os in g u ni fo rm o f g reen , cov er ed w it h g ol d b raid .

S he w or e a g re en s ol di er -c ap w it h a p ur pl e p lu me i n i t a nd l oo ke d s o r oy al a nd d ig ni fi ed t ha t e ve ry on e i n

O og ab oo e xc ep t t he A rm y w as g la d s he w as g oi ng . T he A rm y w as s or ry s he w as n ot g oi ng a lo ne .

" Fo rm r an ks !" s he cri ed i n h er s hr il l v oi ce.

S al ye l ea ne d o ut o f t he p al ac e w in do w a nd l au gh ed .

" I b el ie ve y our A rm y c an r un b et te r t ha n i t c an f ig ht ," s he o bs er ve d.

" Of cou rs e, " r ep li ed G en er al B un n, p ro ud ly . " We'r e n ot l oo ki ng f or t ro ub le, y ou k no w, b ut f or p lu nd er .

T he m or e pl un de r a nd t he l es s f ig ht in g w e g et , t he b et te r w e s ha ll l ik e o ur w or k. "

" For my pa rt ," s ai d Fi le s, " I pr ef er wa r a nd c ar na ge t o a nyt hi ng. The onl y wa y t o b ec ome a h er o i s t o

c on qu er , a nd t he s to ry -b oo ks a ll s ay t ha t t he e as ie st w ay t o c on qu er i s t o f ig ht ."

" Th at 's t he i de a, m y b ra ve m an !" a gr ee d A nn . " To f ig ht i s t o c on qu er a nd t o c on qu er i s t o s ec ur e p lu nd er

a nd t o s ec ur e p lu nd er i s t o b ec om e a h er o. W it h s uc h n ob le d et er mi na ti on t o b ac k m e, t he w or ld i s m in e!

G oo d- by e, S al ye . W he n w e r et ur n w e s ha ll b e r ic h a nd f am ou s. C om e, G en er al s; l et u s m ar ch ."

A t t hi s t he G en er al s s tr ai gh tened u p and t hr ew o ut t heir chest s. T hen t hey s wu ng t heir g li tt er in g s wo rd s i n

r ap id ci rcles and cr ied t o t he C ol on el s: " Fo rw ar d M ar ch !"

T he n t he C ol on el s s ho ut ed t o t he M aj or s: " Fo rw ar d M ar ch !" a nd t he M aj or s y el le d t o t he C ap ta in s:

" Fo rw ar d M ar ch !" and t he C ap tai ns s creamed t o t he P ri vat e:

"Forward March!"

S o F il es s hou ld er ed h is gu n a nd b ega n t o m ar ch , a nd a ll t he o ff ic er s f ol lo we d a ft er h im . Q ue en A nn c am el as t o f a ll , r ej oi ci ng i n h er n ob le a rm y a nd w on de ri ng w hy s he h ad n ot d ec id ed l on g a go t o c on qu er t he

world.

P a g e 7



I n t hi s o rd er t he p ro ce ss io n m ar ch ed o ut o f O og ab oo a nd t oo k t he n ar ro w m ou nt ai n p as s w hi ch l ed i nt o

t he l ov el y F ai ry land o f O z.

Chapter Three

Magic Mystifies the Marchers

P ri nc es s O zm a w as a ll u na wa re t ha t t he A rm y o f O og ab oo , l ed b y t he ir a mb it io us Q ue en , w as

d et er mi ned t o con qu er h er K in gd om . T he b eaut if ul g ir l R ul er o f O z w as b us y w it h t he w el fare o f h er

s ub je ct s a nd h ad n o t im e t o t hi nk o f A nn S of or th a nd h er d is lo ya l p la ns . B ut t he re w as o ne w ho

c on st an tl y g ua rd ed t he p ea ce a nd h ap pi ne ss o f t he L an d o f O z a nd t hi s w as t he O ff ic ia l S or ce re ss o f t he

Kingdom, Glinda the Good.

I n h er m ag ni fi cent cas tl e, w hi ch s tand s f ar n or th o f t he E merald C it y w here O zm a h ol ds h er cou rt , G li nd ao wn s a w on de rf ul m ag ic R ec or d B oo k, i n w hi ch i s p ri nt ed e ve ry e ve nt t ha t t ak es p la ce a ny wh er e, j us t a s

s oo n a s i t h ap pe ns .

T he s ma ll es t t hi ng s a nd t he bi gg es t t hi ngs a re a ll r ec or de d i n t hi s bo ok . I f a c hi ld s ta mp s i ts f oo t i n a nge r,

G li nd a r ea ds a bo ut i t; i f a c it y b ur ns d ow n, G li nd a f in ds t he f ac t n ot ed i n h er b oo k.

T he S or ce re ss a lw ays r ea ds h er R ec or d B ook e ve ry d ay, a nd s o i t w as s he k ne w t ha t A nn So for th,

Q ueen o f O og ab oo , h ad f oo li sh ly ass em bl ed an arm y o f s ix teen o ff icer s and o ne p ri vate s ol di er , w it h

w hi ch s he i nt en de d t o i nv ad e a nd c on qu er t he L an d o f O z.

T he re w as n o d an ge r b ut t ha t O zm a, s up po rt ed b y t he m ag ic a rt s o f G li nd a t he G oo d a nd t he p ow er fu l

W izar d o f O z- bo th h er f ir m f ri en ds -cou ld eas il y d ef eat a f ar m or e i mp os in g arm y t han A nn 's ; b ut i t w ou ld

be a shame to have the peace of Oz interrupted by any sort of quarreling or fighting. So Glinda did not

e ve n m en ti on t he m at te r t o O zm a, o r t o a ny on e e ls e. S he m er el y w en t i nt o a g re at c ha mb er o f h er c as tl e,

k no wn as t he M ag ic R oo m, w here s he p er fo rm ed a m ag ical cer em on y w hi ch cau sed t he m ou nt ai n p as s

t ha t l ed f ro m O og ab oo t o m ak e s ev er al t ur ns a nd t wi st s. T he r es ul t w as t ha t w he n A nn a nd h er a rm y

c ame t o t he e nd of t he pa ss t he y we re not in t he La nd of Oz a t a ll , but i n a n a dj oi ni ng t er ri to ry t ha t wa s

q ui te d is ti nct f ro m O zm a' s d om ai n and s ep ar at ed f ro m O z b y an i nv is ib le b ar ri er .

A s t he O og ab oo p eo pl e e me rg ed i nt o t hi s c ou nt ry , t he p as s t he y h ad t ra ve rs ed d is ap pe ar ed b eh in d t he m

a nd i t w as n ot l ik el y t he y w ou ld e ve r f ind t he ir w ay b ac k i nt o t he v al le y o f O oga bo o. T he y w er e gr ea tl y

puzzled, indeed, by their surroundings and did not know which way to go. None of them had ever visited

Oz , s o it t ook t he m s om e t ime t o di sc ov er t he y w er e not in Oz a t a ll , but i n a n unkno wn c ount ry.

" Never m in d, " s ai d A nn , t ry in g t o con ceal h er d is ap po in tm en t; " we h av e s tart ed o ut t o con qu er t he

wo rl d, a nd he re i s pa rt of i t. I n t im e, a s w e pu rs ue o ur vi ct or ious j our ne y, we w il l d oubt le ss c om e t o Oz ;

but, until we get there, we may as well conquer whatever land we find ourselves in."

" Have w e con qu er ed t hi s p lace, Y ou r M aj es ty ?" anx io us ly i nq ui red M aj or C ak e.

" Mo st c er ta in ly ," s ai d A nn . " We h av e m et no p eo pl e, a s y et , b ut w he n w e do , w e w il l i nf or m t he m t ha tt hey are o ur s laves. "

P a g e 8



" An d aft er ward w e w il l p lu nd er t hem o f all t heir p os sess io ns ," add ed G en er al A pp le.

" Th ey m ay n ot p os sess any th in g, " o bj ected P ri vate F il es ; " bu t I h op e t hey w il l f ig ht u s, j us t t he s am e. A

peaceful conquest wouldn't be any fun at all."

" Do n' t w or ry ," s ai d t he Q ue en . " We c an f ig ht , w he th er o ur f oe s d o o r n ot ; a nd p er ha ps w e w ou ld f in d i t

more comfortable to have the enemy surrender promptly."

I t w as a ba rr en c oun tr y a nd no t v er y p le as ant t o t ra ve l i n. Mo re ove r, t he re wa s l it tl e f or t he m t o e at , a nd

a s t he o ff ic er s b ec am e h un gr y t he y b ec am e f re tf ul . M an y w ou ld h av e d es er te d h ad t he y b ee n a bl e t o f in d

t he ir w ay h om e, b ut a s t he O og ab oo p eo pl e w er e n ow h op el es sl y l os t i n a s tr an ge c ou nt ry t he y

c on si de re d i t m or e s af e t o k ee p t og et he r t ha n t o s ep ar at e.

Q ue en A nn 's t em pe r, n ev er v er y a gr ee ab le , b ec am e s ha rp a nd i rr it ab le a s s he a nd h er a rm y t ra mp ed

o ver t he r ocky r oads w it ho ut encou nt er in g eit her p eo pl e o r p lu nd er . S he s co ld ed h er o ff icer s u nt il t hey

became surly, and a few of them were disloyal enough to ask her to hold her tongue. Others began to

r ep ro ac h h er f or l ea di ng t he m i nt o d if fi cu lt ie s a nd i n t he s pa ce o f t hr ee un ha ppy d ay s e ve ry m an w asm ou rn in g f or h is o rchard i n t he p rett y v al ley o f O og ab oo .

F il es , h ow ev er , p ro ved a d if ferent s or t. T he m or e d if fi cu lt ies h e encou nt er ed t he m or e cheer fu l h e

became, and the sighs of the officers were answered by the merry whistle of the Private. His pleasant

d is po si ti on d id m uch t o encou rage Q ueen A nn and b ef or e l on g s he con su lt ed t he P ri vate S ol di er m or e

o ft en t han s he d id h is s up er io rs .

I t w as o n t he t hi rd d ay o f t heir p il gr im ag e t hat t hey encou nt er ed t heir f ir st adv en tu re. T ow ar d eveni ng t he

s ky w as s ud denl y d ar kened and M aj or N ai l s exclaim ed :

" A f og i s com in g t ow ar d u s. "

" I d o n ot t hi nk i t i s a f og ," r ep li ed F il es , l oo ki ng w it h i nt er es t a t t he a pp roa ch in g c lou d. " It s ee ms t o m e

m or e l ike t he br ea th o f a R ak. "

" Wh at i s a R ak ?" ask ed A nn , l oo ki ng abo ut f earf ul ly .

" A t er ri bl e b east w it h a h or ri bl e app et it e, " ans wered t he s ol di er , g ro wi ng a l it tl e p al er t han u su al . " I h av e

ne ve r se en a Ra k, to be sure , but I have re ad of them in t he s tory- books that grew in my orc ha rd, and if

t hi s i s i nd ee d o ne o f t ho se f ea rf ul m on st er s, w e a re n ot l ik el y t o c on qu er t he w or ld ."

H eari ng t hi s, t he o ff icers b ecam e q ui te w or ri ed and g at hered clo ser abo ut t heir s ol di er .

" Wh at i s t he t hi ng l ik e?" ask ed o ne.

" The on ly pi ct ur e of a R ak t ha t I e ve r s aw i n a b ook w as r at he r bl ur re d, " s ai d F il es , " be ca us e t he b ook

wa s no t qui te r ipe whe n i t w as pi cke d. B ut t he c re at ur e c an f ly i n t he a ir a nd r un l ike a de er a nd s wi m l ik e

a f is h. I ns id e i ts b od y i s a g lo wi ng f ur na ce o f f ir e, a nd t he R ak b re at he s i n a ir a nd b re at he s o ut s mo ke ,

w hi ch d ar ke ns t he s ky f or m il es a ro un d, w he re ve r i t g oe s. I t i s b ig ge r t ha n a h un dr ed m en a nd f ee ds o n

any living thing."

T he o ff ic er s n ow b eg an t o g ro an a nd t o t re mb le , b ut F il es t ri ed t o c he er t he m, s ay in g:

" It ma y not be a R ak, a ft er a ll , t ha t we s ee a ppr oa ch ing us , a nd y ou m us t no t f or ge t t ha t we pe opl e o f

P a g e 9



O og ab oo , w hi ch i s p ar t o f t he f ai ry la nd o f O z, c an no t b e k il le d. "

" Ne ve rt he le ss ," s ai d C ap ta in B ut to ns , " if t he R ak c at ch es u s, a nd c he ws u s u p i nt o s ma ll p ie ce s, a nd

swallows us-what will happen then?"

" Th en each s mall p iece w il l s ti ll b e ali ve," d eclared F il es .

" I c an no t s ee h ow t ha t w ou ld h el p u s, " w ai le d C ol on el B an jo . " A h am bu rg er s te ak i s a h am bu rg er s te ak ,

w he th er i t i s a li ve or no t! "

" I t el l y ou , t hi s m ay n ot be a R ak ," p er si st ed F il es . " We w il l k no w, w he n t he c lo ud g et s n ea re r, w he th er i t

is the breath of a Rak or not. If it has no smell at all, it is probably a fog; but If it has an odor of salt and

pepper, it is a Rak and we must prepare for a desperate fight."

T hey all eyed t he d ar k clo ud f earf ul ly . B ef or e l on g i t r each ed t he f ri gh tened g ro up and b eg an t o env el op

t he m. E ve ry no se s ni ff ed t he c lo ud - -a nd e ve ry o ne d et ec te d i n i t t he o do r of s al t a nd p ep pe r.

" Th e R ak !" s ho ut ed P ri vate F il es , and w it h a h ow l o f d es pair t he s ix teen o ff icer s f el l t o t he g ro un d,

w ri th in g a nd m oa ni ng i n a ng ui sh . Q ue en A nn s at d ow n u po n a r oc k a nd f ac ed t he c lou d m or e b ra ve ly ,

a lt ho ug h h er h ea rt w as b ea ti ng f as t. A s f or F il es , h e c al ml y l oa de d h is g un a nd s to od r ea dy t o f ig ht t he

f oe , a s a s ol di er s ho ul d.

T he y w er e n ow i n a bs ol ut e d ar kn es s, f or t he c lo ud w hi ch c ov er ed t he s ky a nd t he s et ti ng s un w as b la ck

a s i nk . T he n t hr ou gh t he g lo om a pp ea re d t wo r ou nd , g lo wi ng b al ls o f r ed , a nd F il es a t o nc e d ec id ed

t he se m us t b e t he m on st er 's e ye s.

H e r ai se d h is g un , t oo k a im a nd f ir ed .

T here w er e s ev er al b ul lets i n t he g un , all g at hered f ro m an excel lent b ul let- tr ee i n O og ab oo , and t hey

we re bi g a nd h ar d. Th ey f le w t owa rd t he m ons te r a nd s tr uc k i t, a nd wi th a wi ld , we ir d c ry t he Ra k c ame

f lu tt er in g d ow n and i ts h ug e b od y f el l p lu mp u po n t he f or ms o f t he s ix teen o ff icer s, w ho t hereup on

s creamed l ou der t han b ef or e.

" Badn es s m e! " m oaned t he R ak . " See w hat y ou 'v e d on e w it h t hat d an gero us g un o f y ou rs !"

" I c an 't s ee ," r ep li ed F il es , " fo r t he c lo ud f or me d b y y ou r b re at h d ar ke ns m y s ig ht !"

" Do n' t t el l m e i t w as an accid en t, " con ti nu ed t he R ak , r ep ro achf ul ly , as i t s ti ll f lapp ed i ts w in gs i n ah el pl es s m an ne r. " Do n' t c la im y ou d id n' t k no w t he g un w as l oa de d, I b eg o f y ou !"

" I d on 't i nt en d t o, " r ep li ed F il es . " Di d t he b ul lets h ur t y ou v er y b ad ly ?"

" On e h as b ro ke n m y j aw , s o t ha t I c an 't o pe n m y m ou th . Y ou w il l n ot ic e t ha t m y v oi ce s ou nd s r at he r

h ar sh a nd h us ky , b ec au se I h av e t o t al k w it h m y t ee th s et c lo se t og et he r. A no th er b ul le t b ro ke m y l ef t

wi ng , s o t ha t I c an' t f ly; a nd s ti ll a not he r b roke m y r igh t l eg, s o t ha t I c an' t w al k. I t wa s t he mos t c ar el es s

s hot I e ve r h ea rd of !"

" Can' t y ou m an ag e t o l if t y ou r b od y o ff f ro m m y com mand in g o ff icer s?" i nq ui red F il es . " Fr om t heir cri es

I'm afraid your great weight is crushing them."

" I hope i t i s," gr ow le d t he Ra k. "I wa nt t o c rus h t he m, i f pos si bl e, f or I ha ve a ba d di spos it ion . I f onl y I

P a g e 1 0



A ll ni gh t t he y f loa te d, a nd w he n t he s to rm h ad w or n i ts el f o ut a nd pa ss ed a wa y w it h a f ew di st an t g ro wl s,

a nd t he w av es h ad g ro wn s ma ll er a nd e as ie r t o r id e, B et sy s tr et ch ed h er se lf o ut o n t he w et r af t a nd f el l

asleep.

Ha nk d id n ot s le ep a wi nk. Pe rha ps h e f el t i t h is du ty t o gua rd B et sy. An yhow , he c rouc he d on t he r af t

beside the tired sleeping girl and watched patiently until the first light of dawn swept over the sea.

T he l ig ht w ak ene d B et sy B ob bi n. Sh e s at u p, r ubb ed h er e ye s a nd s ta re d a cr os s t he w at er .

" Oh , H an k; t her e' s l an d ahead !" s he exclaim ed .

"Hee-haw!" answered Hank in his plaintive voice.

T he r af t w as f lo at in g s wi ft ly t ow ar d a v er y b ea ut if ul c ou nt ry a nd a s t he y d re w n ea r B et sy c ou ld s ee b an ks

o f l ov el y f lo we rs s ho wi ng b ri gh tl y b et we en l ea fy t re es . B ut n o p eo pl e w er e t o b e s ee n a t a ll .

Chapter Five

T h e R o s e s R e p u ls e t h e R e f u g e e s

G en tl y t he r af t g rated o n t he s an dy b each . T hen B et sy eas il y w ad ed ash or e, t he m ul e f ol lo wi ng clo sely

behind her. The sun was now shining and the air was warm and laden with the fragrance of roses.

" I' d l ik e s om e b re ak fa st , H an k, " r em ar ke d t he g ir l, f ee li ng m or e c he er fu l n ow t ha t s he w as o n d ry l an d;" bu t w e can 't eat t he f lo wers , alt ho ug h t hey d o s mell m ig ht y g oo d. "

" He e- ha w! " r ep li ed H an k a nd t ro tt ed u p a l it tl e p at hw ay t o t he t op o f t he b an k.

B et sy f ol lo we d a nd f ro m t he e mi ne nc e l oo ke d a ro un d h er . A l it tl e w ay o ff s too d a s pl en di d b ig

greenhouse, its thousands of crystal panes glittering in the sunlight.

"There ought to be people somewhere 'round," observed Betsy thoughtfully; "gardeners, or somebody.

L et 's g o and s ee, H an k. I 'm g et ti ng h un gr ier ev' ry m in ut e. "

S o t he y w al ke d t ow ar d t he g re at g re en ho us e a nd c am e t o i ts e nt ra nc e w it ho ut m ee ti ng w it h a ny on e a t a ll .

A doo r s to od a ja r, s o Ha nk w ent i n f ir st , t hi nki ng i f t he re wa s a ny d ange r he c oul d ba ck o ut a nd w ar n hi s

c om pa ni on . B ut B et sy w as c lo se a t h is h ee ls a nd t he m om en t s he e nt er ed w as l os t i n a ma ze me nt a t t he

wonderful sight she saw.

T he g reen ho us e w as f il led w it h m ag ni fi cent r os eb us hes, all g ro wi ng i n b ig p ot s. O n t he cen tr al s tem o f

each b us h b lo om ed a s pl en di d R os e, g or geou sl y col or ed and d el icio us ly f ragr an t, and i n t he cen ter o f

e ac h Ros e w as t he fa ce of a l ove ly gi rl .

A s B et sy a nd H an k e nt er ed , t he h ea ds o f t he R os es w er e d ro op in g a nd t he ir e ye li ds w er e c lo se d i n

s lumbe r; but t he mul e w as s o a ma ze d t ha t he ut te re d a l oud "H ee -ha w! " a nd a t t he s oun d of hi s ha rs hv oi ce t he r os e l ea ve s f lu tt er ed , t he R os es r ai se d t he ir h ea ds a nd a h un dr ed s ta rt le d e ye s w er e i ns ta nt ly

fixed upon the intruders.

P a g e 1 3



" I- I b eg y ou r p ar do n! " s tamm er ed B et sy , b lu sh in g and con fu sed.

" O- o- o- h! " c ri ed t he R os es , i n a s or t o f s ig hi ng c ho ru s; a nd o ne o f t he m a dd ed : " Wh at a h or ri d n oi se !"

" Wh y, t ha t w as o nl y H an k, " s ai d B et sy , a nd a s i f t o p ro ve t he t ru th o f h er w or ds t he m ul e u tt er ed a no th er

loud "Hee-haw!"

At t hi s a ll t he R os es t ur ne d on t he ir s te ms a s f ar a s t he y w er e a bl e a nd t re mbl ed a s i f s om e one we re

s haki ng t heir h us hes. A d ai nt y M os s R os e g as ped: " Dear m e! H ow d read fu ll y d read fu l! "

" It i sn 't d read fu l at all ," s ai d B et sy , s om ew hat i nd ig nant . " Wh en y ou g et u sed t o H an k' s v oi ce i t w il l p ut

y ou t o s leep. "

T he R os es n ow l oo ke d a t t he m ul e l es s f ea rf ul ly a nd o ne o f t he m a sk ed :

" Is t ha t s av ag e b ea st n am ed H an k? "

" Yes; H an k' s m y com rade, f ai th fu l and t ru e, ans wered t he g ir l, t wi ni ng h er arm s aro un d t he l it tl e m ul e' s

neck and hugging him tight. "Aren't you, Hank?"

H an k c ou ld o nl y s ay i n r ep ly : " He e- ha w! " a nd a t h is b ra y t he R os es s hi ve re d a ga in .

" Pl ea se g o a wa y! " b eg ge d o ne . " Ca n' t y ou s ee y ou 'r e f ri gh te ni ng u s o ut o f a w ee k' s g ro wt h? "

" Go a wa y! " e ch oe d B et sy . " Wh y, w e' ve n o p la ce t o g o. W e' ve j us t b ee n w re ck ed ."

" Wr ec ke d? " a sk ed t he R os es i n a s ur pr is ed c ho ru s.

" Ye s; w e we re on a bi g s hi p a nd t he s tor m c ame a nd wr ec ke d i t," e xp la ine d t he g ir l. " But Ha nk a nd I

c au gh t h ol d o f a r af t a nd f lo at ed a sh or e t o t hi s p la ce , a nd -w e' re t ir ed a nd h un gr y. W ha t c ou nt ry i s t hi s,

please?"

" Th is i s t he R os e K ing do m, " r ep li ed t he M os s R os e, h au gh ti ly , " an d i t i s d evo te d t o t he c ul tu re of t he

r ar est and f ai res t R os es g ro wn ."

" I b el ieve i t, " s ai d B et sy , adm ir in g t he p rett y b lo ss om s.

" Bu t o nl y R os es a re a ll ow ed h er e, " c on ti nu ed a d el ic at e T ea R os e, b en di ng h er b ro ws i n a f ro wn ;

" th er ef or e y ou m us t g o a wa y b ef or e t he R oy al G ar de ne r f in ds y ou a nd c as ts y ou b ac k i nt o t he s ea ."

" Oh ! I s t here a R oy al G ar dener, t hen?" i nq ui red B et sy .

" To be s ur e.

" And i s he a R os e, a ls o? "

" Of c ou rs e n ot ; h e' s a m an -a w on de rf ul m an ," w as t he r ep ly .

" We ll , I 'm n ot a fr ai d o f a m an ," d ec la re d t he g ir l, m uc h r el ie ve d, a nd e ve n a s s he s po ke t he R oy al

P a g e 1 4



G ar de ne r p op pe d i nt o t he g re en ho us e- a s pa di ng f or k i n o ne h an d a nd a w at er in g p ot i n t he o th er .

H e w as a f un ny l it tl e m an , d re ss ed i n a r os e- co lo re d c os tu me , w it h r ib bo ns a t h is k ne es a nd e lb ow s, a nd

a b un ch o f r ib bo ns i n hi s h ai r. H is e ye s w er e s ma ll a nd t wi nk li ng , h is n os e s ha rp a nd h is f ac e p uc ke re d

and deeply lined.

" O- ho !" h e exclaim ed , ast on is hed t o f in d s tr an gers i n h is g reen ho us e, and w hen H an k g av e a l ou d b rayt he G ar de ne r t hr ew t he w at er in g p ot o ve r t he m ul e' s h ea d a nd d an ce d a ro un d w it h h is f or k, i n s uc h

agi tati on t hat p resent ly h e f el l o ver t he h an dl e o f t he i mp lement and s pr aw led at f ul l l en gt h u po n t he

ground.

B et sy l au ghe d a nd p ul le d t he w at er in g p ot o ff f ro m H an k' s h ea d. T he l it tl e m ul e w as a ng ry a t t he

t reatm en t h e h ad r eceiv ed and b acked t ow ar d t he G ar dener t hr eat eni ng ly .

" Lo ok o ut f or h is h eels !" cal led B et sy w ar ni ng ly and t he G ar dener s cr am bl ed t o h is f eet and h as ti ly h id

behind the Roses.

" Yo u a re b re ak in g t he L aw !" h e s ho ut ed , s ti ck in g o ut h is h ea d t o g la re a t t he g ir l a nd t he m ul e.

" Wh at L aw ?" ask ed B et s y.

" Th e L aw o f t he R os e K in gd om . N o s tr an ge rs a re a ll ow ed i n t he se d om ai ns ."

"Not when they're shipwrecked?" she inquired.

" Th e L aw d oe sn 't e xc ep t s hi pw re ck s, " r ep li ed t he R oy al G ar de ne r, a nd h e w as a bo ut t o s ay m or e w he n

s udd en ly t he re w as a c ra sh o f g la ss a nd a m an c am e t um bl in g t hr ou gh t he r oof o f t he g re enh ou se a nd f el l

plump to the ground.

Chapter Six

S ha gg y S ee ks h is S tr ay B ro th er

T hi s s ud den arr iv al w as a q ueer l oo ki ng m an , d ress ed all i n g ar ment s s o s hagg y t hat B et sy at f ir st t ho ug ht

h e m us t h e s om e a ni ma l. B ut t he s tr an ge r e nd ed hi s f al l i n a s it ti ng p os it io n a nd t he n t he g ir l s aw i t w as

r ea ll y a m an. H e h el d a n a ppl e i n h is h and , wh ic h he ha d e vi de nt ly b ee n e at in g w he n he f el l, a nd s o l it tl e

w as h e j ar re d o r f lu st er ed b y t he a cc id en t t ha t h e c on ti nu ed t o m un ch t hi s a pp le a s h e c al ml y l oo ke d

around him.

" Go od g raci ou s! " exclaim ed B et sy , app ro achi ng h im . " Wh o are y ou , and w here d id y ou com e f ro m?"

" Me ? O h, I 'm S ha gg y M an ," s ai d h e, t ak in g a no th er b it e o f t he a pp le . " Ju st d ro pp ed i n f or a s ho rt c al l.

Excuse my seeming haste."

" Wh y, I s 'p os e y ou c ou ld n' t h el p t he h as te ," s ai d B et sy .

" No . I c li mb ed a n a pp le t re e, o ut si de ; b ra nc h g av e w ay a nd -h er e I a m. "

P a g e 1 5



A s h e s po ke t he S ha gg y M an f in is he d h is a pp le , g av e t he c or e t o H an k- wh o a te i t g re ed il y- an d t he n

s to od u p t o bo w p ol it el y t o B et sy a nd t he R os es .

T he R oy al G ar de ne r h ad be en f ri gh te ne d n ea rl y i nt o f it s b y t he c ra sh of g la ss a nd t he f al l o f t he s ha gg y

s tr ang er i nt o t he bow er of Ro se s, bu t n ow he p ee pe d out f rom b ehi nd a b us h a nd c ri ed i n hi s s que aky

voice:

" Yo u' re b reak in g t he L aw ! Y ou 'r e b reaki ng t he L aw !"

Shaggy stared at him solemnly.

" Is t he g la ss t he L aw i n t hi s c ou nt ry ?" h e a sk ed .

" Br eaki ng t he g lass i s b reak in g t he L aw ," s qu eaked t he G ar dener, ang ri ly . " Al so , t o i nt ru de i n any p ar t o f

t he R os e K in gd om i s b reak in g t he L aw ."

" Ho w d o y ou k no w? " a sk ed S ha gg y.

" Wh y, i t' s p ri nt ed i n a b oo k, " s ai d t he

G ar de ne r, c om in g f or wa rd a nd t ak in g a s ma ll b oo k f ro m h is p oc ke t. " Pa ge t hi rt ee n. H er e i t i s: ' If a ny

s tr an ge r e nt er s t he Ro se K in gdo m h e s ha ll a t o nc e be c ond em ne d by t he R ul er a nd pu t t o de at h. ' So y ou

s ee, s tr an gers ,' h e con ti nu ed t ri um ph an tl y, " it 's d eath f or y ou all and y ou r t im e h as com e! "

B ut j us t h er e H an k i nt er po se d. H e h ad b ee n s te al th il y b ac ki ng t ow ar d t he R oy al G ar de ne r, w ho m h e

d is li ke d, a nd n ow t he m ul e' s h ee ls s ho t ou t a nd s tr uc k t he l it tl e m an i n t he m id dl e. H e d ou bl ed up l ik e t he

l et te r " U" a nd f le w o ut o f t he d oor s o s wi ft ly -n ev er t ou ch in g t he g ro und -t ha t h e w as g on e b ef or e B et sy

h ad t im e t o w in k.

B ut t he m ul e' s att ack f ri gh tened t he g ir l.

" Co me," s he w hi sp er ed , app ro achi ng t he S hagg y M an and t ak in g h is h an d; " let' s g o s om ew here els e.

T hey' ll s ur el y k il l u s i f w e s tay h er e! "

" Do n' t w or ry , m y d ear, " r ep li ed S hagg y, p at ti ng t he chi ld 's h ead. " I' m n ot afr ai d o f any th in g, s o l on g as I

h av e t he L ov e M ag net. "

" Th e L ov e M ag ne t! W hy , w ha t i s t ha t? " a sk ed B et sy .

" It 's a charm in g l it tl e enchant ment t hat w in s t he h eart o f every on e w ho l oo ks u po n i t, " w as t he r ep ly . " Th e

Lo ve Ma gne t us ed t o ha ng o ve r t he ga te wa y t o t he Eme ra ld Ci ty, i n t he L and of Oz ; bu t w he n I s ta rt ed

o n t hi s j ou rn ey o ur b el ov ed R ul er , O zm a o f O z, a ll ow ed m e t o t ak e i t w it h m e. "

" Oh !" cri ed B et sy , s tari ng h ar d at h im ; " ar e y ou r eall y f ro m t he w on derf ul L an d o f O z?"

" Ye s. E ve r b ee n t he re , m y d ea r? "

" No; b ut I 'v e he ar d a bou t i t. A nd d o y ou k no w P ri nc es s Oz ma ?"

"Very well indeed."

P a g e 1 6



"And-and Princess Dorothy?"

" Do ro th y' s an o ld chu m o f m in e, " d eclared S hagg y.

" De ar m e! " e xc la im ed B et sy. " An d w hy d id y ou e ve r l ea ve s uc h a b ea ut if ul l and a s O z? "

" On an err an d, " s ai d S hagg y, l oo ki ng s ad and s ol em n. " I' m t ry in g t o f in d m y d ear l it tl e b ro th er ."

" Oh ! I s h e l os t? " q ue st io ne d B et sy , f ee li ng v er y s or ry f or t he p oo r m an .

" Be en l os t t he se t en y ea rs , r ep li ed S ha gg y, t ak in g o ut a h an dk er ch ie f a nd w ip in g a t ea r f ro m h is e ye . " I

d id n' t k no w i t u nt il l at el y, w he n I s aw i t r ec or de d i n t he m ag ic R ec or d B oo k o f t he S or ce re ss G li nd a, i n

the Land of Oz. So now I' m t rying to fi nd him."

" Wh er e w as h e l os t?" ask ed t he g ir l s ym path et ical ly .

"Back in Colora do, wher e I us ed to live bef ore I we nt to Oz. Brot her was a mi ner , and dug gold out of ami ne . One da y he we nt i nt o hi s mi ne a nd ne ve r c ame out . The y s ea rc he d f or him , bu t he wa s not t he re .

Disappeared entirely," Shaggy ended miserably.

" Fo r go od ne ss s ak e! W ha t do y ou s 'p os e b ec am e of h im ?" s he a sk ed .

" Th er e i s o nl y o ne exp lanati on ," r ep li ed S hagg y, t ak in g ano th er app le f ro m h is p ocket and eat in g i t t o

relieve his misery. "The Nome King probably got him."

" Th e N om e K in g! W ho i s h e? "

" Wh y, h e' s s om et im es cal led t he M et al M on ar ch , and h is n am e i s R ug gedo . L iv es i n s om e u nd er gr ou ndc av er n. C la im s t o ow n a ll t he m et al s h id de n i n t he e ar th. D on' t a sk m y w hy ."

"Why?"

" Ca us e I d on' t k no w. B ut t hi s R ug ge do ge ts w il d w it h a nge r i f a ny on e d igs g ol d o ut o f t he e ar th , a nd m y

private opinion is that he captured brother and carried him off to his underground kingdom. No-don't ask

m e w hy. I s ee y ou' re d yi ng t o a sk me w hy. B ut I d on' t k now ."

" Bu t- dear m e! -- in t hat cas e y ou w il l n ev er f in d y ou r l os t b ro th er !" exclaim ed t he g ir l.

" Mayb e n ot ; b ut i t' s m y d ut y t o t ry ," ans wered S hagg y. " I' ve w an dered s o f ar w it ho ut f in di ng h im , b ut t hat

on ly pr ove s he i s n ot wh er e I 've b ee n l ook ing . W ha t I s ee k no w i s t he hi dde n pa ss ag e t o t he

underground cavern of the terrible Metal Monarch."

" Well ," s ai d B et sy d ou bt fu ll y, " it s tr ik es m e t hat i f y ou ever m an ag e t o g et t here t he M et al M on ar ch w il l

m ak e y ou , t oo , h is p ri so ner. "

"Nonsense!" answered Shaggy, carelessly.

"You mustn't forget the Love Magnet."

" Wh at a bo ut i t? " s he a sk ed .

P a g e 1 7



" Wh en t he f ie rc e M et al M on ar ch s ee s t he L ove M ag ne t, h e w il l l ov e m e d ea rl y a nd d o a ny th in g I a sk ."

" It m us t b e w on derf ul ," s ai d B et sy , w it h awe.

" It i s, " t he m an a ss ur ed h er . " Sha ll I s ho w i t t o y ou ?"

" Oh , d o! " s he c ri ed ; s o S ha gg y s ea rc he d i n h is s ha gg y p oc ke t a nd d re w o ut a s ma ll s il ve r m ag ne t, s ha pe dl i ke a h or s es ho e.

Th e m ome nt B et sy s aw i t s he be ga n t o l ike t he Sha ggy Ma n be tt er t ha n b ef or e. H ank a ls o s aw t he

M ag ne t a nd c re pt u p t o S ha gg y t o r ub h is h ea d l ov in gl y a ga in st t he m an 's k ne e.

B ut t he y w er e i nt er ru pt ed b y t he R oy al G ar de ne r, w ho s tu ck h is h ea d i nt o t he g re en ho us e a nd s ho ut ed

angrily:

" Yo u a re a ll c on de mn ed t o d ea th ! Y ou r o nl y c ha nc e t o e sc ap e i s t o l ea ve h er e i ns ta nt ly ."

T hi s s tart led l it tl e B et sy , b ut t he S hagg y M an m er el y w av ed t he M ag net t ow ar d t he G ar dener, w ho ,

s eein g i t, r us hed f or ward and t hr ew h im self at S hagg y' s f eet, m ur mu ri ng i n h on ey ed w or ds :

" Oh , y ou l ov el y, l ov el y m an ! H ow f on d I a m o f y ou ! E ve ry s ha g a nd b ob ta il t ha t d ec or at es y ou i s d ea r t o

m e- al l I ha ve i s yo ur s! B ut f or g ood ne ss ' s ak e ge t ou t o f he re b ef or e you d ie t he de at h. "

" I' m n ot g oi ng t o d ie," d eclared S hagg y M an .

" Yo u m us t. I t' s t he L aw ," exclaim ed t he

Ga rde ne r, be gi nn ing t o we ep r ea l t ea rs . " It br ea ks my he ar t t o t el l you t hi s b ad ne ws , bu t t he La w s ayst ha t a ll s tr an ge rs m us t b e c on de mn ed b y t he R ul er t o d ie t he d ea th ."

" No R ul er h as c on de mn ed u s y et ," s ai d B et sy .

" Of c ou rs e n ot ," a dd ed S ha gg y. " We h av en 't e ve n s ee n t he R ul er o f t he R os e K in gd om ."

" We ll , t o t el l t he t ru th ," s ai d t he G ar de ne r, i n a p er pl ex ed t on e o f v oi ce , " we h av en 't a ny r ea l R ul er , j us t

no w. Y ou s ee , a ll o ur Rul er s g row on b us he s i n t he R oya l G ar de ns , a nd t he l as t one we ha d g ot

m il de we d a nd w it he re d b ef or e h is t im e. S o w e h ad t o p la nt h im , a nd a t t hi s t im e t he re i s n o o ne g ro wi ng

o n t he R oy al B us he s w ho i s r ip e e no ug h t o p ic k. "

" Ho w d o y ou k no w? " a sk ed B et sy .

" Wh y, I 'm t he R oy al G ar de ne r. P le nt y o f r oy al ti es a re g ro wi ng , I a dm it ; b ut j us t n ow t he y a re a ll g re en .

U nt il o ne r ip en s, I a m s up po se d t o r ul e t he R os e K in gd om m ys el f, a nd s ee t ha t i ts L aw s a re o be ye d.

T he re fo re , m uc h a s I l ov e y ou , S ha gg y, I m us t p ut y ou t o d ea th ."

" Wa it a m in ut e, " p le ad ed B et sy . " I' d l ik e t o s ee t ho se R oy al G ar de ns b ef or e I d ie ."

" So w ou ld I ," a dd ed S ha gg y M an . " Ta ke u s t he re , G ar de ne r. "

" Oh , I c an 't d o t ha t, " o bj ec te d t he G ar de ne r. B ut S ha gg y a ga in s ho we d h im t he L ov e M ag ne t a nd a ft er

o ne g la nc e a t i t t he G ar de ne r c ou ld n o l on ge r r es is t.

P a g e 1 8



H e l ed S ha gg y, B et sy a nd H an k t o t he e nd o f t he g re at g re en ho us e a nd c ar ef ul ly u nl oc ke d a s ma ll d oo r.

P as si ng t hr ou gh t hi s t hey cam e i nt o t he s pl en di d R oy al G ar den o f t he R os e K in gd om .

I t w as all s ur ro un ded b y a t al l h ed ge and w it hi n t he enclo su re g rew s ev er al eno rm ou s r os eb us hes h av in g

t hi ck g re en l ea ve s of t he t ex tu re o f v el ve t. U po n t he se b us he s g re w t he m em be rs o f t he R oy al F am il y o f

t he R os e K in gd om -m en , w om en and chi ld ren i n all s tages o f m at ur it y. T hey all s eemed t o h av e a l ig htg reen h ue, as i f u nr ip e o r n ot f ul ly d ev el op ed , t heir f lesh and clo th in g b ei ng ali ke g reen . T hey s to od

perfectly lifeless upon their branches, which swayed softly in the breeze, and their wide open eyes stared

straight ahead, unseeing and unintelligent.

W hi le exami ni ng t hese cur io us g ro wi ng p eo pl e, B et sy p as sed b eh in d a b ig cen tr al b us h and at o nce

u tt er ed a n e xc la ma ti on o f s ur pr is e a nd p le as ur e. F or t he re , b lo om in g i n p er fe ct c ol or a nd s ha pe , s to od a

Royal Princess, whose beauty was amazing.

" Wh y, s he 's r ip e! " c ri ed B et sy , p us hi ng a si de s om e o f t he b ro ad l ea ve s t o o bs er ve h er m or e c le ar ly .

" We ll , p er ha ps s o, " a dm it te d t he G ar de ne r, w ho h ad c om e t o t he g ir l' s s id e; " bu t s he 's a g ir l, a nd s o w e

c an' t us e he r f or a R ul er ."

" No , i nd ee d! " c am e a c ho ru s o f s of t v oi ce s, a nd l oo ki ng a ro un d B et sy d is co ve re d t ha t a ll t he R os es h ad

f ol lo wed t hem f ro m t he g reen ho us e and w er e n ow g ro up ed b ef or e t he ent rance.

" Yo u s ee ," e xp la in ed t he G ar de ne r, " th e s ub je ct s o f R os e K in gd om d on 't w an t a g ir l R ul er . T he y w an t a

King."

" A K ing ! We w an t a K in g! " r ep ea te d t he c hor us of R os es .

"Isn't she Royal?" inquired Shaggy, admiring the lovely Princess.

" Of c our se , f or s he gr ows on a Roya l Bus h. T hi s Pr inc es s i s na me d Oz ga , a s s he i s a di st ant c ous in o f

Oz ma of Oz ; and, wer e s he but a ma n, we would joyf ull y ha il he r a s our Rule r."

T he G ar de ne r t he n t ur ne d a wa y t o t al k w it h h is R os es a nd B et sy w hi sp er ed t o h er c om pa ni on :

"Let's pick her, Shaggy."

" Al l r ig ht ," s ai d h e. " If s he 's r oy al , s he ha s t he r igh t t o r ul e t hi s K in gd om , a nd i f we pi ck h er s he w il l s ur el y protect us and prevent our being hurt, or driven away."

So Be ts y a nd Sha ggy e ac h t oo k a n a rm of t he be aut if ul R os e P ri nc es s a nd a l it tl e t wi st of he r f ee t s et he r

f re e o f t he b ra nc h u po n w hi ch s he g re w. V er y g ra ce fu ll y s he s te pp ed d ow n f ro m t he b us h t o t he g ro un d,

w he re s he b ow ed l ow t o B et sy a nd S ha gg y a nd s ai d i n a d el ig ht ful ly s we et v oi ce : " I t ha nk yo u. "

B ut a t t he s oun d o f t he se w or ds t he G ar de ne r a nd t he R os es t ur ne d a nd d is co ve re d t ha t t he P ri nc es s h ad

been picked, and was now alive. Over every face flashed an expression of resentment and anger, and

o ne of t he R os es c ri ed a lou d.

"Audacious mortals! What have you done?"

" Pi ck ed a P ri nces s f or y ou , t hat' s all ," r ep li ed B et sy , cheer fu ll y.

P a g e 1 9



" Bu t w e wo n' t ha ve h er ! We w ant a Ki ng! " e xc la im ed a J ac qu e Ros e, a nd a not he r a dde d wi th a vo ic e of

s co rn : " No g ir l s hall r ul e o ver u s! "

T he n ew ly -p icked P ri nces s l oo ked f ro m o ne t o ano th er o f h er r eb el li ou s s ub ject s i n ast on is hm en t. A

g ri ev ed l oo k cam e o ver h er exq ui si te f eatu res.

" Ha ve I n o w el co me h er e, p re tt y s ub je ct s? " s he a sk ed g en tl y. " Ha ve I n ot c om e f ro m m y R oy al B us h t o

be your Ruler?"

" Yo u w er e p ic ke d b y m or ta ls , w it ho ut o ur c on se nt ," r ep li ed t he M os s R os e, c ol dl y; " so w e r ef us e t o

a ll ow yo u t o r ul e u s. "

" Tu rn h er o ut , G ar de ne r, w it h t he o th er s! " c ri ed t he T ea R os e.

" Ju st a s econ d, p leas e! " cal led S hagg y, t ak in g t he L ov e M ag net f ro m h is p ocket. " I g uess t hi s w il l w in

t he ir l ov e, P ri nc es s. H er e- ta ke i t i n y ou r h an d a nd l et t he r os es s ee i t. "

P ri nc es s Oz ga t ook t he M ag ne t a nd h el d i t po is ed b ef or e t he e ye s o f he r s ub je ct s; bu t t he R os es

r eg ar ded i t w it h cal m d is dain .

" Wh y, w hat' s t he m at ter?" d em an ded S hagg y i n s ur pr is e. " Th e M ag net n ev er f ai led t o w or k b ef or e! "

" I k no w, " s ai d B et sy , n od di ng h er h ead w is el y.

" Th es e R os es h av e n o h eart s ."

" Th at 's i t, " agr eed t he G ar dener. " Th ey 'r e p rett y, and s weet , and ali ve; b ut s ti ll t hey are R os es . T heir s tems h av e t ho rn s, b ut n o h eart s. "

T he P ri nc es s s ig he d a nd h an de d t he M ag ne t t o t he S ha gg y M an .

" Wh at s hall I d o?" s he ask ed s or ro wf ul ly .

" Tu rn h er o ut , G ar dener, w it h t he o th er s! " com mand ed t he R os es . " We w il l h av e n o R ul er u nt il a

m an -r os e- a K in g- is r ip e eno ug h t o p ick. "

" Very w el l, " s ai d t he G ar dener m eekl y. " Yo u m us t excus e m e, m y d ear S hagg y, f or o pp os in g y ou r w is hes, b ut y ou and t he o th er s, i nclu di ng O zg a, m us t g et o ut o f R os e K in gd om i mm ed iately , i f n ot

before."

"Don't you love me, Gardy?" asked Shaggy, carelessly displaying the Magnet.

" I d o. I d ot e o n t he e! " a ns we re d t he G ar de ne r e ar ne st ly ; " bu t n o t ru e m an w il l n eg le ct h is d ut y f or t he

s ak e of l ove . M y dut y i s t o d ri ve yo u out , s o- out you g o! "

W it h t hi s h e s ei ze d a g ar de n f or k a nd be ga n j abbi ng i t a t t he s tr ange rs , i n or de r t o f or ce t he m t o l ea ve .

Ha nk t he m ule wa s not a fra id of t he f or k a nd whe n he got hi s he els nea r t o t he G arde ne r t he ma n fe ll

back to avoid a kick.

B ut n ow t he R os es c ro wd ed a ro un d t he o ut ca st s a nd i t w as s oo n d is co ve re d t ha t b en ea th t he ir d ra pe ri es

P a g e 2 0



" Oh ; t ha t' s d if fe re nt ," s ai d S ha gg y. " Bu t t ry t o f or ge t i t. W he n I w as y ou ng I u se d t o c ry f or t he R ai nb ow

m ys el f, b ut I c ou ld n' t h av e i t. L oo ks a s i f y ou c ou ld n' t h av e i t, e it he r; s o p le as e d on 't c ry ."

Polychrome looked at him reproachfully.

" I d on 't l ik e y ou ," s he s ai d.

" No ?" r ep li ed S ha gg y, d ra wi ng t he L ov e M ag ne t f ro m h is p oc ke t; " no t a l it tl e b it ?- -j us t a w ee s pe ck o f a

like?"

" Yes, y es !" s ai d P ol ychr om e, clasp in g h er h an ds i n ecs tasy as s he g azed at t he enchant ed t al is man; " I

love you, Shaggy Man!"

" Of c ou rs e y ou d o, " s ai d h e c al ml y; " bu t I d on 't t ak e a ny c re di t f or i t. I t' s t he L ov e M ag ne t' s p ow er fu l

charm . B ut y ou s eem q ui te alo ne and f ri en dl es s, l it tl e R ai nb ow . D on 't y ou w an t t o j oi n o ur p ar ty u nt il y ou

find your father and sisters again?"

" Wh er e ar e y ou g oi ng ?" s he as ked.

" We d on 't j us t k no w t hat, " s ai d B et sy , t ak in g h er h an d; " bu t w e' re t ry in g t o f in d S hagg y' s l on g- lo st

brother, who has been captured by the terrible Metal Monarch. Won't you come with us, and help us?"

P ol ychr om e l oo ked f ro m o ne t o ano th er o f t he q ueer p ar ty o f t ravelers and a b ew it ch in g s mi le s ud denl y

lighted her face.

" A d on ke y, a m or ta l m ai d, a R os e P ri nc es s a nd a S ha gg y M an !" s he e xc la im ed . " Su re ly y ou n ee d h el p, i f

y ou i nt en d t o f ace R ug gedo ."

"Do you know him, then?" inquired Betsy.

" No , i nd ee d. R ug ge do 's c av er ns a re b en ea th t he e ar th 's s ur fa ce , w he re n o R ai nb ow c an e ve r p en et ra te .

B ut I 'v e he ar d of t he M et al M ona rc h. He i s a ls o c al le d t he N om e K ing , yo u kn ow , a nd he h as m ade

t ro ub le f or a g oo d m an y p eo pl e- mo rt al s and f ai ri es -i n h is t im e, " s ai d P ol ychr om e.

" Do y ou f ear h im , t hen?" ask ed t he P ri nces s, anx io us ly .

" No o ne c an h ar m a D au gh te r o f t he R ai nb ow ," s ai d P ol yc hr om e p ro ud ly . " I' m a s ky f ai ry ."

" Th en ," s ai d B et sy , q ui ck ly , " yo u w il l b e abl e t o t el l u s t he w ay t o R ug gedo 's cav er n. "

" No ," r et ur ned P ol ychr om e, s haki ng h er h ead, " th at i s o ne t hi ng I can no t d o. B ut I w il l g ladl y, , g o w it h

y ou a nd h el p y ou s ea rc h f or t he p la ce ."

T hi s p ro mi se d el ig ht ed all t he w an derers and aft er t he S hagg y M an h ad f ou nd t he p at h again t hey b eg an

m ov in g alo ng i t i n a m or e h ap py m oo d. T he R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter d an ced l ig ht ly o ver t he r ocky t rail , n o

l on ger s ad , b ut w it h h er b eaut if ul f eatu res w reat hed i n s mi les. S hagg y cam e n ex t, w al ki ng s tead il y and

n ow a nd t he n s up po rt in g t he R os e P ri nc es s, w ho f ol lo we d h im . B et sy a nd H an k b ro ug ht u p t he r ea r, a nd

i f s he t ir ed w it h w al ki ng t he g ir l go t u po n H an k' s b ac k a nd l et t he s to ut l it tl e d on ke y c ar ry h er f or a w hi le .

At ni ght fa ll t he y c am e t o s ome t re es t ha t gr ew be si de a t iny br ook a nd he re t he y ma de c am p a nd r es te d

until morning. Then away they tramped, finding berries and fruits here and there which satisfied the hunger

P a g e 2 3



o f B et sy , S ha gg y a nd H an k, s o t ha t t he y w er e w el l c on te nt w it h t he ir l ot .

I t s ur pr is ed Be ts y t o s ee t he R os e P ri nc es s p ar ta ke of t he ir f ood , f or s he c ons id er ed he r a f ai ry ; bu t w he n

s he m en ti on ed t hi s t o P ol ychr om e, t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter exp lain ed t hat w hen O zg a w as d ri ven o ut o f

he r R os e K ing dom s he c ea se d t o be a f ai ry a nd w oul d n eve r a ga in be m or e t ha n a me re m or ta l.

P ol yc hr om e, h ow eve r, wa s a f ai ry w he re ve r s he ha pp en ed t o be , a nd i f s he s ip pe d a f ew d ew dr ops b y

m oo nl ig ht f or r ef re sh me nt n o on e e ve r s aw h er d o i t.

A s t hey con ti nu ed t heir w an deri ng j ou rn ey , d ir ecti on m eant v er y l it tl e t o t hem, f or t hey w er e h op el es sl y

l os t i n t hi s s tr an ge c ou nt ry . S ha gg y s ai d i t w ou ld b e b es t t o g o t ow ar d t he m ou nt ai ns , a s t he n at ur al

e nt ra nc e t o R ug ge do 's u nd er gr ou nd c av er n w as l ik el y t o b e h id de n i n s om e r oc ky , d es er te d p la ce ; b ut

m ou nt ai ns s ee me d a ll a rou nd t he m e xc ep t i n t he o ne d ir ec ti on t ha t t he y h ad c om e f rom , w hi ch l ed t o t he

R os e K in gd om and t he s ea. T herefo re i t m at tered l it tl e w hi ch w ay t hey t raveled.

B y a nd b y t he y e sp ie d a f ai nt t ra il t ha t l oo ke d l ik e a p at h a nd a ft er f ol lo wi ng t hi s f or s om e t im e t he y

r ea ch ed a c ro ss ro ad s. H er e w er e m an y p at hs , l ea di ng i n v ar io us d ir ec ti on s, a nd t he re w as a s ig np os t s o

ol d t ha t t he re w er e no w no wor ds upon t he s ign . A t one s ide w as a n ol d we ll , wi th a c ha in wi nd la ss f or d rawi ng w at er , y et t here w as n o h ou se o r o th er b ui ld in g any wh er e i n s ig ht .

W hi le t he p ar ty h al te d, p uz zl ed w hi ch w ay t o p ro ce ed , t he m ul e a pp ro ac he d t he w el l a nd t ri ed t o l oo k

into it.

"He's thirsty," said Betsy.

" It 's a d ry w el l, " r em ar ke d S ha gg y. " Pr ob ab ly t he re h as b ee n n o w at er i n i t f or m an y y ea rs . B ut , c om e; l et

u s d ec id e w hi ch w ay t o t ra ve l. "

No one seemed able to decide that. They sat down in a group and tried to consider which road might bet he be st t o t ak e. Ha nk, h owe ve r, c oul d not k ee p a wa y f rom t he we ll a nd f ina ll y he r ea re d up on hi s hi nd

l eg s, g ot h is h ea d o ve r t he e dg e a nd u tt er ed a l ou d " He e- ha w! " B et sy w at ch ed h er a ni ma l f ri en d

curiously.

" I w on de r i f h e s ee s a ny th in g d ow n t he re ?" s he s ai d.

A t t hi s, S ha gg y r os e a nd w en t ov er t o t he w el l t o i nve st ig at e, a nd B et sy w en t w it h h im . T he P ri nc es s a nd

P ol yc hr om e, w ho h ad b ec om e f as t f ri en ds , l in ke d a rm s a nd s au nt er ed d ow n o ne o f t he r oa ds , t o f in d a n

easy p at h .

" Real ly ," s ai d S hagg y, " th er e d oes s eem t o b e s om et hi ng at t he b ot to m o f t hi s o ld w el l. "

" Ca n' t we pul l i t up, a nd s ee wh at i t i s? " a sk ed t he gi rl .

There was no bucke t at the e nd of the windlas s chain, but ther e wa s a big hook tha t at one time wa s use d

t o hol d a buc ke t. Sha ggy l et d own t hi s ho ok, dr agge d i t a round on t he bo tt om a nd t he n pu ll ed i t u p. An

o ld ho op sk ir t c am e w it h i t, a nd B et sy l au gh ed a nd t hr ew i t a wa y. T he t hi ng f ri gh te ne d H ank , w ho ha d

n ev er s ee n a h oop ski rt be fo re , a nd h e ke pt a g ood di st an ce a wa y f rom i t.

S ev er al o th er o bj ec ts t he S ha ggy M an c ap tu re d wi th t he ho ok a nd d re w u p, bu t n on e o f t he se w as

important.

" Th is w el l s ee ms t o ha ve b ee n t he du mp f or a ll t he ol d r ubb is h i n t he c ou nt ry ," h e s ai d, l et ti ng d ow n t he

P a g e 2 4



h oo k o nc e m or e. " I g ue ss I 'v e c ap tu re d e ve ry th in g n ow . N o- th e h oo k h as c au gh t a ga in . H el p m e, B et sy !

Whatever this thing is, it's heavy."

S he r an u p a nd h el pe d h im t ur n t he w in dl as s a nd a ft er m uc h e ff or t a c on fu se d m as s o f c op pe r c am e i n

sight.

"Good gracious!" exclaimed Shaggy. "Here is a surprise, indeed!"

" Wh at i s i t?" i nq ui red B et sy , cli ng in g t o t he w in dl as s and p an ti ng f or b reat h.

Fo r a ns we r t he S ha ggy M an g ra spe d t he bu nd le of c opp er a nd dum pe d i t up on t he gr oun d, f re e o f t he

w el l. T he n h e t ur ne d i t o ve r w it h h is f oo t, s pr ea d i t o ut , a nd t o B et sy 's a st on is hm en t t he t hi ng p ro ve d t o

be a copper man.

" Ju st a s I t ho ug ht ," s ai d S ha gg y, l oo ki ng h ar d a t t he o bj ec t. " Bu t u nl es s t he re a re t wo c op pe r m en i n t he

w or ld t hi s i s t he m os t ast on is hi ng t hi ng I ever cam e acr os s. "

A t t hi s m om en t t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter and t he R os e P ri ncess app ro ached t hem, and P ol ychr om e s ai d:

" Wh at h av e y ou f ou nd , S hagg y O ne?"

" Ei th er an o ld f ri en d, o r a s tr an ger, " h e r ep li ed .

" Oh, he re 's a s ign on hi s ba ck !" c ri ed Be ts y, wh o ha d kne lt dow n t o e xa mi ne th e ma n. " De ar me ; h ow

funny! Listen to this."

T he n s he r ea d t he f ol lo wi ng w or ds , e ng ra ve d u po n t he c op pe r p la te s o f t he m an 's b od y:

S MI TH & T IN KE R' S

Patent Double-Action, Extra-Responsive,

Thought-Creating, Perfect-Talking

MECHANICAL MAN

F it ted w it h o ur S peci al C lo ck wo rk A tt achm en t. T hi nk s, S peak s, A ct s, and D oes E very th in g b ut L iv e.

"Isn't he wonderful!" exclaimed the Princess.

" Yes; b ut h er e' s m or e, " s ai d B et sy , r eadi ng f ro m ano th er eng raved p late:

D I RE C TI O NS F O R U S IN G :

F or T H IN KI N G: - -W i nd t h e C l ock wo r k

M an un de r hi s l ef t a rm, ( ma rke d N o. 1) .

F or S P EA K IN G: - - Wi n d t h e C l ock wo r k

P a g e 2 5



M an u nd er h is r ig ht a rm , ( ma rk ed N o. 2 ).

F or W AL KI NG a nd A CT IO N: - -W in d C lo ck wo rk M an

i n t he mi dd le o f hi s ba ck , ( ma rk ed N o. 3 ).

N. B.-This Mechanism is guaranteed to

w or k p er f ect ly f or a t ho us and y ears .

" If h e' s g uarant eed f or a t ho us an d y ears ," s aid P ol ychr om e, " he o ug ht t o w or k y et ."

"Of course," replied Shaggy. "Let's wind him up."

I n or de r t o do t hi s t he y w er e ob li ge d t o s et t he c oppe r ma n upon hi s f ee t, i n a n upr igh t pos it io n, a nd t hi sw as n o e as y t as k. He wa s i nc li ne d t o t op pl e ov er , a nd h ad t o b e pr op pe d a ga in a nd a ga in . Th e gi rl s

a ss is te d S ha gg y, a nd a t l as t T ik -T ok s ee me d t o b e b al an ce d a nd s to od a lo ne u po n h is b ro ad f ee t.

" Yes, " s ai d S hagg y, l oo ki ng at t he cop per m an car ef ul ly , " th is m us t b e, i nd eed, m y o ld f ri en d T ik -T ok ,

w hom I l ef t t ic ki ng m er ri ly i n t he L an d of O z. B ut h ow he c am e t o t hi s l on el y pl ac e, a nd go t i nt o t ha t o ld

w el l, i s s ur el y a m ys tery ."

" If w e w ind h im , p er ha ps h e w il l t el l us ," s ug ge st ed B et sy . " He re 's t he ke y, h an gi ng t o a h oo k o n h is

back. What part of him shall I wind up first?"

"His thoughts, of course," said Polychrome, "for it requires thought to speak or move intelligently."

So Be tsy wound him unde r hi s l eft ar m, and a t once li tt le f la she s of li ght bega n t o show in the top of his

h ea d, w hi ch w as p ro of t ha t h e h ad b eg un t o t hi nk .

"Now, then," said Shaggy, "wind up his phonograph."

" Wh at ' s t hat ?" s he as ked.

"Why, his talking-machine. His thoughts may be interesting, but they don't tell us anything."

S o B et sy w ou nd t he c op pe r m an u nd er h is r ig ht a rm , a nd t he n f ro m t he i nt er io r o f h is c op pe r b od y c am e

i n j er ky t on es t he w or ds : " Ma-n y t hank s! "

" Hu rr ah !" cri ed S hagg y, j oy fu ll y, and h e s lapp ed T ik -T ok u po n t he b ack i n s uch a h eart y m an ner t hat t he

c op pe r m an l os t h is b al an ce a nd t um bl ed t o t he g ro un d i n a h ea p. B ut t he c lo ck -w or k t ha t e na bl ed h im t o

s pe ak ha d b ee n wo un d u p a nd h e ke pt s ay in g:

" Pi ck -m e- up ! P ick- me-u p! P ick- me-u p! " u nt il t hey h ad again r ai sed h im and b al an ced h im u po n h is f eet,

when he added politely: "Ma-ny thanks!"

" He w on 't b e s el f- su pp or ti ng u nt il w e w in d u p h is act io n, " r em ar ked S hagg y; s o B et sy w ou nd i t, as t ig ht

a s s he c ou ld -f or t he k ey t ur ne d r at he r h ar d- an d t he n T ik -T ok l if te d h is f ee t, m ar ch ed a ro un d i n a c ir cl e

a nd e nd ed b y s to pp in g b ef or e t he g ro up a nd m ak in g t he m a ll a l ow b ow .

P a g e 2 6



" Ho w i n t he w or ld d id y ou h ap pe n t o b e i n t ha t we ll , w he n I l ef t y ou s af e i n O z? " i nqu ir ed S ha gg y.

" It i s a long s tory," r epl ie d Tik- Tok, "but I' ll t el l it in a f ew wor ds . Af -t er you ha d gone i n s ea rc h of your

broth-er, Oz-ma saw you wander-ing in strange lands when-ev-er she looked in her mag-ic pic-ture, and

s he a ls o s aw your br ot h- er i n t he No me Ki ng' s c ave rn; s o s he s ent me t o t el l you w he re t o f ind yo ur

broth-er and told me to help you if I could. The Sor-cer-ess, Glin-da the Good, trans-port-ed me to this place in the wink of an eye; but here I met the Nome King him-self-old Rug-ge-do, who is called in these

parts the Met-al Mon-arch. Rug-ge-do knew what I had come for, and he was so an-gry that he threw

m e d ow n t he w el l. A f- te r m y w or ks r an d ow n I w as h el p- le ss u n- ti l y ou c am e a -l on g a nd p ul le d m e o ut

a-gain. Ma-ny thanks."

" Th is i s, i nd eed, g oo d n ew s, " s ai d S hagg y. " I s us pect ed t hat m y b ro th er w as t he p ri so ner o f R ug gedo ;

but now I know it. Tell us, Tik-Tok, how shall we get to the Nome King's underground cavern?"

" The be st w ay i s t o wa lk," s ai d Ti k- To k. "W e m ight c ra wl , or j um p, or r ol l o- ve r a nd o- ve r unt il w e ge t

t he re ; b ut t he b es t w ay i s t o w al k. "

" I k no w; b ut w hi ch r oa d s ha ll w e t ak e? "

" My m a- ch in -er- y i s- n' t m ad e t o t el l t hat, " r ep li ed T ik -T ok .

" Th er e i s m or e t han o ne ent rance t o t he u nd er gr ou nd cav er n, " s ai d P ol ychr om e; " bu t o ld R ug gedo h as

c le ve rl y c onc ea le d e ve ry o pe ni ng, s o t ha t e ar th d we ll er s c an n ot i nt ru de i n h is d om ai n. I f w e f in d o ur w ay

u nd er gr ou nd at all , i t w il l b e b y chance. "

" Th en ," s ai d B et sy , " le t u s s el ec t a ny r oa d, h ap ha za rd , a nd s ee w he re i t l ea ds u s. "

" Th at s ee ms s en si bl e, " d ec la re d t he P ri nc es s. " It m ay r eq ui re a l ot o f t im e f or u s t o f in d R ug ge do , b ut w e

have more time than anything else."

" If y ou k ee p m e w ou nd u p, " s ai d T ik -T ok , " I w il l l as t a t ho u- sa nd y ea rs ."

" Th en t he o nl y q ue st io n t o d ec id e i s w hi ch w ay t o g o, " a dd ed S ha gg y, l oo ki ng f ir st a t o ne r oa d a nd t he n

at an ot her .

B ut w hi le t hey s to od h es it at in g, a p ecul iar s ou nd r each ed t heir ear s- a s ou nd l ik e t he t ramp in g o f m an y

feet.

" Wh at 's c om in g? " c ri ed B et sy ; a nd t he n s he r an t o t he l ef t- ha nd r oa d a nd g la nc ed a lo ng t he p at h. " Wh y,

i t' s a n a rm y! " s he e xc la im ed . " Wh at s ha ll w e d o, h id e or r un ?"

" St an d s ti ll ," com mand ed S hagg y. " I' m n ot afr ai d o f an arm y. I f t hey p ro ve t o b e f ri en dl y, t hey can h el p

u s; i f t he y a re e ne mi es , I 'l l s ho w t he m t he L ove M ag ne t. "

Chapter Eight

T ik -T ok T ac kl es a T ou gh T as k

P a g e 2 7



c on que r t he w or ld. " S he now t ur ne d t o t he of fi ce rs a nd s ai d: " I m us t a sk yo u t o d o m e a f avor . I kno w i t

i s u nd ig ni fi ed i n o ff icer s t o f ig ht , b ut u nl es s y ou i mm ed iately cap tu re P ri vate F il es and f or ce h im t o o bey

m y o rde rs t he re w il l b e no pl und er f or a ny o f us . A ls o i t i s l ik el y yo u w il l a ll s uf fe r t he p an gs o f hu ng er ,

a nd whe n we m ee t a po we rf ul f oe y ou a re l ia bl e t o b e c apt ur ed a nd ma de s la ve s. "

T he p ro sp ec t o f t hi s a wf ul f at e s o f ri gh te ne d t he o ff ic er s t ha t t he y d re w t he ir s wo rd s a nd r us he d u po n

F il es , w ho s to od b es id e S hagg y, i n a t ru ly f er ocio us m an ner. T he n ex t i ns tant , h ow ev er , t hey h al ted anda ga in f el l u po n t he ir k ne es ; f or t he re , be for e t he m, w as t he g li st en in g L ove M ag ne t, h el d i n t he h an d o f t he

s mi li ng S hagg y M an , and t he s ig ht o f t hi s m ag ic t al is man at o nce w on t he h eart o f every O og ab oo it e.

E ven A nn s aw t he L ov e M ag net, and f or gett in g all enm it y and ang er t hr ew h er self u po n S hagg y and

embraced him lovingly.

Q ui te d is co ncer ted b y t hi s u nexp ected eff ect o f t he M ag net, S hagg y d is en gaged h im self f ro m t he Q ueen 's

encir cl in g arm s and q ui ck ly h id t he t al is man i n h is p ocket. T he adv en tu rers f ro m O og ab oo w er e n ow h is

f ir m f ri en ds , a nd t he re w as n o m or e t al k a bo ut c onq ue ri ng a nd b in di ng a ny o f h is p ar ty .

" If y ou i ns is t o n con qu er in g any on e, " s ai d S hagg y, " yo u m ay m ar ch w it h m e t o t he u nd er gr ou nd K in gd omof R ug ge do. T o c onqu er t he w or ld, a s you h ave s et ou t t o do, yo u mu st c on qu er e ve ryo ne un de r i ts

s ur fa ce a s we ll a s t hos e upon i ts s ur fa ce , a nd no one in a ll t he wor ld ne eds c on que ri ng s o muc h a s

Ruggedo."

" Wh o i s h e? " a sk ed A nn .

" Th e M et al M on ar ch , K in g o f t he N om es ."

" Is h e r ich?" i nq ui red M aj or S to ck in gs i n an anx io us v oi ce.

" Of cou rs e, " ans wered S hagg y. " He o wn s all t he m et al t hat l ies u nd er gr ou nd -g ol d, s il ver, cop per, b rassand tin. He has an idea he also owns a ll the metals above ground, for he says all metal wa s once a part of

h is k in gd om . S o, b y con qu er in g t he M et al M on ar ch , y ou w il l w in all t he r iches i n t he w or ld ."

" Ah !" exclaim ed G en er al A pp le, h eavi ng a d eep s ig h, " th at w ou ld b e p lu nd er w or th o ur w hi le. L et 's

conquer him, Your Majesty."

T he Q ueen l oo ked r ep ro achf ul ly at F il es , w ho w as s it ti ng n ex t t o t he l ov el y P ri nces s and w hi sp er in g i n

h er e ar .

" Al as ," s ai d A nn , " I h av e no l on ge r a n A rm y. I h av e p le nt y o f b ra ve o ff ic er s, i nde ed , b ut n o pr iv at es ol di er f or t hem t o com mand . T herefo re I can no t con qu er R ug gedo and w in all h is w ealt h. "

" Wh y d on 't y ou m ak e o ne o f y ou r o ff ic er s t he P ri va te ?" a sk ed S ha gg y; b ut a t o nc e e ve ry o ff ic er b eg an t o

protest and the Queen of Oogaboo shook her head as she replied:

" Th at i s i mp os si bl e. A p ri vate s ol di er m us t b e a t er ri bl e f ig ht er , and m y o ff icer s are u nabl e t o f ig ht . T hey

are excep ti on al ly b rave i n com mand in g o th er s t o f ig ht , b ut cou ld n ot t hems el ves m eet t he enemy and

conquer."

" Very t ru e, Y ou r M aj es ty ," s ai d C ol on el P lu m, eag er ly . " Th er e are m an y k in ds o f b ravery and o ne

c an no t b e e xp ec te d t o po ss es s t he m a ll . I m ys el f a m b ra ve a s a l io n i n a ll w ay s u nt il i t c om es t o f ig ht ing ,

but then my nature revolts. Fighting is unkind and liable to be injurious to others; so, being a gentleman, I

never fight."

P a g e 3 0



" No r I !" s ho ut ed e ac h o f t he o th er o ff ic er s.

" Yo u s ee ," s ai d A nn , " ho w h el pl es s I a m. H ad n ot P ri va te F il es p ro ve d h im se lf a t ra it or a nd a d es er te r, I

w ou ld g la dl y h av e c on qu er ed t hi s R ugg ed o; b ut a n A rm y w it ho ut a p ri va te s ol di er i s l ik e a be e w it ho ut a

stinger."

" I a m n ot a t ra it or , Y ou r M aj es ty ," p ro te st ed F il es . " I r es ig ne d i n a p ro pe r m an ne r, n ot l ik in g t he j ob . B ut

t he re a re p le nt y o f p eo pl e t o t ak e m y p la ce . W hy n ot m ak e S ha gg y M an t he p ri va te s ol di er ?"

" He m ig ht b e k il led, " s ai d A nn , l oo ki ng t en derl y at S hagg y, " fo r h e i s m or tal, and abl e t o d ie. I f any th in g

h ap pe ne d t o h im , i t w ou ld b re ak m y h ea rt ."

" It w ou ld h ur t m e w or se t ha n t ha t, " d ec la re d S ha gg y. " Yo u m us t a dm it , Y ou r M aj es ty , t ha t I a m

c om ma nd er o f t hi s e xp ed it io n, f or i t i s m y b ro th er w e a re s ee ki ng , r at he r t ha n p lu nd er . B ut I a nd m y

c om pa ni on s w ou ld l ik e t he a ss is ta nc e o f y ou r A rm y, a nd i f y ou h el p u s t o c on qu er R ug ge do a nd t o

r es cu e m y b ro th er f ro m c ap ti vi ty w e w il l a ll ow yo u t o k ee p a ll t he g ol d a nd j ew el s a nd o th er p lun de r y oumay find."

T hi s p ro sp ect w as s o t em pt in g t hat t he o ff icer s b eg an w hi sp er in g t og et her and p resent ly C ol on el C hees e

s ai d: " Yo ur M aj es ty , b y com bi ni ng o ur b rain s w e h av e j us t evo lv ed a m os t b ri ll iant i dea. W e w il l m ak e

t he C lo ck wo rk M an t he p ri vate s ol di er !"

" Wh o? M e? " a sk ed T ik -T ok . " No t f or a s in -g le s ec -o nd ! I c an -n ot f ig ht , a nd y ou m us t n ot f or -g et t ha t i t

w as R ug -g e- do w ho t hr ew m e i n t he w el l. "

" At t ha t t im e y ou ha d n o g un ," s ai d P ol yc hr om e. " Bu t i f yo u j oi n t he A rm y o f O oga bo o y ou w il l c ar ry t he

g un t ha t M r. F il es u se d. "

" A s ol -d ie r m us t be a -bl e t o r un a s w el l a s t o f igh t," pr ot es te d T ik- To k, " and i f my wo rks r un down , a s

t he y o f- te n d o, I c ou ld n ei -t he r r un n or f ig ht ."

" I' ll k eep y ou w ou nd u p, T ik -T ok ," p ro mi sed B et sy .

" Wh y, i t i sn 't a b ad i dea, " s ai d S hagg y. " Ti k- To k w il l m ak e an i deal s ol di er , f or n ot hi ng can i nj ur e h im

e xc ep t a s le dg e h am me r. A nd , s in ce a P ri va te s ol di er s ee ms t o b e n ec es sa ry t o t hi s A rm y, T ik -T ok i s t he

o nl y o ne o f o ur p ar ty f it te d t o u nd er ta ke t he j ob ."

" Wh at m us t I d o? " a sk ed T ik -T ok .

" Ob ey o rd er s, " r ep li ed A nn . " Wh en t he o ff icer s com mand y ou t o d o any th in g, y ou m us t d o i t; t hat i s all ."

" An d t hat' s eno ug h, t oo ," s ai d F il es .

" Do I g et a s al ar y?" i nq ui red T ik -T ok .

" Yo u g et y ou r s ha re o f t he p lu nd er ," a ns we re d t he Q ue en .

" Yes, " r em ar ked F il es , " on e- half o f t he p lu nd er g oes t o Q ueen A nn , t he o th er h al f i s d iv id ed amo ng t he

o ff icer s , and t he P ri vate g et s t he r es t. "

P a g e 3 1



" Th at w il l b e s at -i s- fac- to r- y, " s ai d T ik -T ok , p icki ng u p t he g un and exami ni ng i t w on deri ng ly , f or h e h ad

n ev er b ef or e s ee n s uc h a w ea po n.

T he n A nn s tr ap pe d t he k na ps ac k t o T ik -T ok 's c op pe r b ac k a nd s ai d: " Now w e a re r ea dy t o m ar ch t o

R ug gedo 's K in gd om and con qu er i t. O ff icer s, g iv e t he com mand t o m ar ch ."

"Fall-in!" yelled the Generals, drawing their swords.

"Fall-in!" cried the Colonels, drawing their swords.

"Fall-in!" shouted the Majors, drawing their swords.

"Fall-in!" bawled the Captains, drawing their swords.

T ik -T ok l oo ke d a t t he m a nd t he n a ro un d h im i n s ur pr is e.

" Fa ll i n w ha t? T he w el l? " h e a ske d.

" No ," s ai d Q ueen A nn , " yo u m us t f al l i n m ar ch in g o rd er ."

" Can- no t I m ar ch w it ho ut f al l- in g i n- to i t?" ask ed t he C lo ck wo rk M an .

" Sh ou ld er y ou r g un a nd s ta nd r ea dy t o m ar ch ," a dv is ed F il es ; s o T ik -T ok h el d t he g un s tr ai gh t a nd s to od

still."

" Wh at n ex t?" h e ask ed .

T he Q ueen t ur ned t o S hagg y.

" Wh ich r oad l eads t o t he M et al M on ar ch' s cavern ?"

" We d on 't k no w, Y ou r M aj es ty ," w as t he r ep ly .

" Bu t t hi s i s a bs ur d! " s ai d A nn w it h a f ro wn . " If w e c an 't g et t o R ug ge do , i t i s c er ta in t ha t w e c an 't c on qu er

him."

" Yo u are r ig ht ," adm it ted S hagg y; " bu t I d id

not say we could not get to him. We have only

t o di sc ov er t he w ay , a nd t ha t w as t he m at te r we

were considering when you and your magnificent Army arrived here."

" We ll , t he n, g et b us y a nd d is co ve r i t, " s na pp ed t he Q ue en .

T ha t w as n o e as y t as k. T he y a ll s to od l oo ki ng f ro m o ne r oa d t o a no th er i n p er pl ex it y. T he p at hs r ad ia te d

f ro m t he l it tl e c le ar in g l ik e t he r ay s o f t he m id da y s un , a nd e ac h pa th s ee me d l ik e a ll t he o th er s.

F il es a nd t he R os e P ri nc es s, w ho h ad b y t hi s t im e b ec om e g oo d f ri en ds , a dv an ce d a l it tl e w ay a lo ng o ne

of t he r oa ds a nd f ou nd t ha t i t w as bor de re d b y pr et ty w il d f lo we rs .

P a g e 3 2



" Wh y d on 't y ou a sk t he f lo we rs t o t el l y ou t he w ay ?" h e s ai d t o h is c om pa ni on .

" Th e f lo wers ?" r et ur ned t he P ri nces s, s ur pr is ed at t he q uest io n.

" Of cou rs e," s ai d F il es . " Th e f ield -f lo wers m us t b e s econ d- co us in s t o a R os e P ri nces s, and I b el ieve i f

y ou ask t hem t hey w il l t el l y ou ."

S he l oo ked m or e clo sel y at t he f lo wers . T here w er e h un dr eds o f w hi te d ai s ies, g ol den b ut ter cu ps ,

bluebells and daffodils growing by the roadside, and each flower-head was firmly set upon its slender but

s tou t s te m. Th er e we re e ve n a f ew w il d r os es s ca tt er ed he re a nd t he re a nd pe rh aps i t w as t he s igh t of

t he se t ha t g av e t he P ri nc es s c ou ra ge t o a sk t he i mp or ta nt q ue st io n.

S he d ro pp ed t o h er k ne es , f ac in g t he f lo we rs , a nd e xt en de d b ot h h er a rm s p le ad in gl y t ow ar d t he m.

" Te ll m e, p re tt y c ous in s, " s he s ai d i n he r s we et , ge nt le v oi ce , " wh ic h wa y w il l l ea d u s t o t he K in gd om o f

Ruggedo, the Nome King?"

A t o nc e a ll t he s te ms b en t g ra ce fu ll y t o t he r ig ht a nd t he f lo we r h ea ds n od de d o nc e- tw ic e- th ri ce i n t ha t

direction.

" Th at 's i t! " cri ed F il es j oy fu ll y. " No w w e k no w t he w ay ."

O zg a r os e t o h er f eet and l oo ked w on deri ng ly at t he f ield -f lo wers , w hi ch h ad n ow r es um ed t heir u pr ig ht

position.

" Wa s i t t he wi nd, do you t hin k? " s he a ske d i n a l ow w hi spe r.

" No , i nd eed, " r ep li ed F il es . " Th er e i s n ot a b reat h o f w in d s ti rr in g. B ut t hese l ov el y b lo ss om s are i nd eed

y ou r c ou si ns a nd a ns we re d y ou r q ue st io n a t o nc e, a s I k ne w t he y w ou ld ."

Chapter Nine

Ruggedo's Rage is Rash and Reckless

T he wa y t ake n by t he a dv ent ur ers l ed up hi ll a nd down da le a nd wound he re a nd t he re i n a f as hi on t ha t

s ee me d a im le ss . B ut a lw ay s i t d re w n ea re r t o a r an ge o f l ow m ou nt ai ns a nd F il es s ai d m or e t ha n o nc e

t hat h e w as cer tain t he ent rance t o R ug gedo 's cav er n w ou ld b e f ou nd amo ng t hese r ug ged h il ls .

I n t hi s h e w as q ui te c or re ct . F ar u nd er ne at h t he n ea re st m ou nt ai n w as a g or ge ou s c ha mb er h ol lo we d

f ro m t he s ol id r ock, t he w al ls and r oo f o f w hi ch g li tt er ed w it h t ho us an ds o f m ag ni fi cent j ew el s. H er e, o n a

t hr on e o f v ir gi n g ol d, s at t he f am ou s N om e K in g, d re ss ed i n s pl en di d r ob es a nd w ea ri ng a s up er b c ro wn

cut f ro m a s in gl e b lo od -r ed r ub y.

R ug ge do , t he M on ar ch o f a ll t he M et al s a nd P re ci ou s S to ne s o f t he U nd er gr ou nd W or ld , w as a r ou nd

l it tl e m an w it h a f lo wi ng w hi te b ea rd , a r ed f ac e, b ri gh t e ye s a nd a s co wl t ha t c ov er ed a ll h is f or eh ea d.O ne w ou ld t hi nk , t o l oo k at h im , t hat h e o ug ht t o b e j ol ly ; o ne m ig ht t hi nk , con si deri ng h is eno rm ou s

w ea lt h, t ha t h e oug ht t o b e ha ppy ; but t hi s w as no t t he c as e. Th e Me ta l M on ar ch wa s s ur ly a nd c ros s

P a g e 3 3



because mortals had dug so much treasure out of the earth and kept it above ground, where all the

power of Ruggedo and his nomes was unable to recover it. He hated not only the mortals but also the

f ai ri es w ho l iv e u po n t he e ar th o r a bo ve i t, a nd i ns te ad o f b ei ng c on te nt w it h t he r ic he s h e s ti ll p os se ss ed

he wa s unha ppy b ec aus e he d id no t ow n a ll t he g ol d a nd j ew el s i n t he wor ld .

R ug ge do h ad b ee n n od di ng , h al f a sl ee p, i n h is c ha ir w he n s ud de nl y h e s at u pr ig ht , u tt er ed a r oa r o f r ag e

a nd b eg an p ou nd in g u po n a h ug e g on g t ha t s to od b es id e h im .

T he s ou nd f il led t he v as t cav er n and p en et rated t o m an y cavern s b ey on d, w here cou nt less t ho us an ds o f

n om es w er e w or ki ng at t heir u nend in g t as ks , h am meri ng o ut g ol d and s il ver and o th er m et al s, o r m el ti ng

o res i n g reat f ur naces, o r p ol is hi ng g li tt er in g g em s. T he n om es t remb led at t he s ou nd o f t he K in g' s g on g

and w hi sp er ed f earf ul ly t o o ne ano th er t hat s om et hi ng u np leas an t w as s ur e t o h ap pen; b ut n on e d ar ed

pause in his task.

T he h eavy cur tain s o f clo th -o f- go ld w er e p us hed asi de and K al ik o, t he K in g' s H ig h C hamb er lain , ent er ed

t he r oy al p res en ce.

" Wha t' s up , Y ou r M aj es ty ?" h e a ske d, w it h a w id e ya wn , f or h e ha d j us t w ak ene d.

" Up ?" r oared R ug gedo , s tamp in g h is f oo t v icio us ly . " Th os e f oo li sh m or tals are u p, t hat' s w hat! A nd t hey

w an t t o c om e d ow n. "

"Down here?" inquired Kaliko.

"Yes!"

"How do you know?" continued the Chamberlain, yawning again.

" I f ee l i t i n m y b on es ," s ai d R ug ge do . " I c an a lw ay s f ee l i t w he n t ho se h at ef ul e ar th -c ra wl er s d ra w n ea r t o

m y K in gd om . I a m p os it ive , K al ik o, t ha t m or ta ls a re t hi s ve ry m in ut e o n t he ir w ay h er e t o a nn oy m e- an d

I ha te m or ta ls m or e t ha n I d o c at ni p t ea !"

" We ll , w ha t' s t o b e d on e? " d em an de d t he n om e.

" Lo ok t hr ou gh y ou r s py gl as s, and s ee w here t he i nv ad er s are," com mand ed t he K in g.

So Kaliko went to a tube in the wal l of r ock and put hi s e ye to it. The tube ran from the c aver n up to the

s id e o f t he m ou nt ai n a nd t ur ne d s ev er al c ur ve s a nd c or ne rs , b ut a s i t w as a m ag ic s py gl as s K al ik o w asa bl e t o s ee t hr ough it jus t a s e as il y a s i f i t ha d be en s tr ai ght .

" Ho -h um ," s ai d h e. " I s ee ' em , Y ou r M aj es ty ."

" Wh at d o t hey l oo k l ik e?" i nq ui red t he M on ar ch .

" Th at 's a h ar d q ue st io n t o a ns we r, f or a q ue er er a ss or tm en t o f c re at ur es I n ev er y et b eh el d, " r ep li ed t he

n om e. " Ho wever, s uch a col l ecti on o f cur io si ti es m ay p ro ve d an ger ou s. T here' s a cop per m an , w or ked

by machinery-"

" Ba h! t ha t' s o nl y T ik -T ok, " s ai d R ug ge do. " I' m n ot a fr ai d of h im . W hy , o nl y t he o th er d ay I m et t he

f el lo w and t hr ew h im d ow n a w el l. "

P a g e 3 4



" Th en s om e o ne m us t h av e p ul led h im o ut again ," s ai d K al ik o. " An d t here's a l it tl e g ir l- "

"Dorothy?" asked Ruggedo, jumping up in fear.

" No ; s om e ot he r g ir l. I n f ac t, t he re a re s ev er al g ir ls , o f v ar io us s iz es ; b ut D or ot hy i s n ot w it h t he m, n or i s

Ozma."

"That's good!" exclaimed the King, sighing in relief.

K al ik o s ti ll h ad hi s e ye t o t he s pyg la ss .

" I s ee ," s ai d he , "a n a rm y o f m en f ro m Ooga boo. Th ey a re a ll of fi ce rs a nd c ar ry s wor ds . And t he re i s a

S hagg y M an -w ho s eems v er y h ar ml es s- an d a l it tl e d on key w it h b ig ear s. "

" Poo h! " c ri ed R ug ge do , s na pp in g h is f in ge rs i n s co rn . " I' ve n o f ea r o f s uc h a m ob a s t ha t. A d oz en o f m y

n om es can d es tr oy t hem all i n a j if fy ."

" I' m no t s o s ur e o f t ha t," s ai d K al iko . " Th e p eo pl e of O oga bo o a re h ar d t o de st roy , a nd I be li ev e t he

R os e P ri nc es s i s a f ai ry . A s f or P ol yc hr om e, y ou k no w v er y w el l t ha t t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh te r c an no t b e

i nj ur ed b y a n om e. "

" Po ly ch ro me! I s s he amo ng t hem?" ask ed t he K in g.

" Yes; I h av e j us t r ecog ni zed h er ."

" Th en t hese p eo pl e are com in g h er e o n n o p eacefu l err an d, " d eclared R ug gedo , s co wl in g f iercel y. " In

f ac t, n o o ne e ve r c om es h er e o n a p ea ce fu l e rr an d. I h at e e ve ry bo dy , a nd e ve ry bo dy h at es m e! "

"Very true," said Kaliko.

" I m us t i n s om e w ay p revent t hese p eo pl e f ro m r each in g m y d om in io ns . W here are t hey n ow ?"

" Ju st n ow t hey are cro ss in g t he R ub ber C ou nt ry , Y ou r M aj es ty ."

" Go od ! A re y ou r m ag neti c r ub ber w ir es i n w or ki ng o rd er ?"

" I t hi nk s o, " r ep li ed K al ik o. " Is i t y ou r R oy al W il l t hat w e h av e s om e f un w it h t hese i nv ad er s?"

" It i s, " a ns we re d R ug ge do . " I w an t t o t ea ch t he m a l es so n t he y w il l n ev er f or ge t. "

Now, Shaggy had no idea that he was in a Rubber Country, nor had any of his companions. They

n ot ic ed t ha t e ve ry th in g a ro un d t he m w as o f a d ul l g ra y c ol or a nd t ha t t he p at h u po n w hi ch t he y w al ke d

w as s of t a nd s pr in gy , y et t he y h ad n o s us pi ci on t ha t t he r oc ks a nd t re es w er e r ubbe r a nd e ve n t he pa th

t he y t ro d w as m ad e o f r ub be r.

P re se nt ly t he y c am e t o a b ro ok w he re s pa rk li ng w at er d as he d t hr ou gh a d ee p c ha nn el a nd r us he d a wa y

between high rocks far down the mountainside. Across the brook were stepping-stones, so placed that

t ra ve le rs m ig ht e as il y l ea p f ro m o ne t o a no th er a nd i n t ha t m an ne r c ro ss t he w at er t o t he f ar th er b an k.

T ik -T ok w as m ar ch in g ahead , f ol lo wed b y h is o ff icer s and Q ueen A nn . A ft er t hem cam e B et sy B ob bi n

a nd H an k, P ol yc hr om e a nd S ha gg y, a nd l as t o f a ll t he R os e P ri nc es s w it h F il es . T he C lo ck wo rk M an

P a g e 3 5



s aw t he s tr ea m a nd t he s te pp in g s to ne s a nd , w it ho ut m ak in g a p au se , p la ce d h is f oo t u po n t he f ir st s to ne .

T he r es ul t w as a st on is hi ng . F ir st h e s an k d ow n i n t he s of t r ub be r, w hi ch t he n r eb ou nd ed a nd s en t

T ik -T ok s oari ng h ig h i n t he air , w here h e t ur ned a s uccess io n o f f li p- fl op s and ali gh ted u po n a r ub ber

rock fa r in the re ar of the par ty.

G en er al A pp le d id n ot s ee T ik -T ok b ou nd , s o q ui ck ly h ad h e d is ap pe ar ed ; t he re fo re h e a ls o s te pp edu po n t he s to ne ( wh ich y ou w il l g uess w as con nect ed w it h K al ik o' s m ag neti c r ub ber w ir e) and i ns tant ly

s ho t u pw ar d l ike a n a rr ow. G ene ra l C on e c ame ne xt a nd me t w it h a l ike f at e, but t he ot he rs now n ot ic ed

t ha t s om et hi ng w as w ro ng a nd w it h o ne a cc or d t he y h al te d t he c ol um n a nd l oo ke d b ac k a lo ng t he p at h.

T he re w as T ik -T ok , s ti ll b ou nd in g f ro m o ne r ub be r r oc k t o a no th er , e ac h t im e r is in g a l es s d is ta nc e f ro m

t he g ro un d. A nd t here w as G en er al A pp le, b ou nd in g away i n ano th er d ir ecti on , h is t hr ee-cor nered h at

jammed over his eyes and his long sword thumping him upon the arms and head as it swung this way and

t ha t. A nd t he re , a ls o, a ppe ar ed G en er al C on e, w ho h ad s tr uc k a r ub be r r oc k h ea df or em os t a nd w as s o

c ru mp le d u p t ha t h is r ou nd b od y l oo ke d m or e l ik e a b ou nc in g- ba ll t ha n t he f or m o f a m an .

B et sy l au gh ed m er ri ly at t he s tr an ge s ig ht and P ol ychr om e ech oed h er l au gh ter. B ut O zg a w as g rave and

w on deri ng , w hi le Q ueen A nn b ecam e ang ry at s eein g t he chi ef o ff icer s o f t he A rm y o f O og ab oo

bounding around in so undignified a manner. She shouted to them to stop, but they were unable to obey,

e ve n t ho ug h t he y w ou ld h av e b ee n g la d t o d o s o. F in al ly , h ow ev er , t he y a ll c ea se d b ou nd in g a nd

m an ag ed t o g et u po n t he ir f ee t a nd r ej oi n t he A rm y.

" Wh y d id y ou d o t hat?" d em an ded A nn , w ho s eem ed g reat ly p ro vo ked.

" Do n' t a sk t he m w hy ," s ai d S ha gg y e ar ne st ly. " I k ne w y ou w ou ld a sk t he m w hy , b ut y ou o ug ht n ot t o d o

i t. T he r ea so n i s p la in . T ho se s to ne s a re r ub be r; t he re fo re t he y a re n ot s to ne s. T ho se r oc ks a ro un d u s a re

r ubb er , a nd t he re for e t he y a re n ot r oc ks . E ve n t hi s pa th i s no t a p at h; i t' s r ub be r. Un le ss w e a re v er yc ar ef ul , y ou r M aj es ty , w e a re a ll l ik el y t o g et t he b ou nc e, j us t a s y ou r p oo r o ff ic er s a nd T ik -T ok d id ."

" Th en l et 's b e car ef ul ," r em ar ked F il es , w ho w as f ul l o f w is do m; b ut P ol ychr om e w an ted t o t es t t he

q ua li ty o f t he r ub be r, s o s he b eg an d an ci ng . E ve ry s te p s en t h er h ig he r a nd h ig he r i nt o t he a ir , s o t ha t s he

r es em bl ed a b ig b ut terf ly f lu tt er in g l ig ht ly . P resent ly s he m ad e a g reat b ou nd and b ou nd ed w ay acr os s t he

s tr eam, l an di ng l ig ht ly and s tead il y o n t he o th er s id e.

" Th er e i s n o r ub be r o ve r h er e, " s he c al le d t o t he m. " Su pp os e y ou a ll t ry t o b ou nd o ve r t he s tr ea m,

without touching the stepping-stones."

A nn a nd h er o ff ic er s w er e r el uc ta nt t o u nd er ta ke s uc h a r is ky a dv en tu re , b ut B et sy a t o nc e g ra sp ed t he

v al ue o f t he s ug gest io n and b eg an j um pi ng u p and d ow n u nt il s he f ou nd h er self b ou nd in g alm os t as h ig h

a s P ol yc hr om e h ad d on e. T he n s he s ud de nl y l ea ne d f or wa rd a nd t he n ex t b ou nd t oo k h er e as il y a cr os s

t he b ro ok , w he re s he a li gh te d b y t he s id e o f t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh te r.

" Co me o n, H an k! " c al le d t he g ir l, a nd t he d on ke y t ri ed t o o be y. H e m an ag ed t o b ou nd p re tt y h ig h b ut

w he n h e t ri ed t o b ou nd a cr os s t he s tr ea m h e m is ju dg ed t he d is ta nc e a nd f el l w it h a s pl as h i nt o t he m id dl e

o f t he w at er .

" Hee- haw! " h e w ai led, s tr ug gl in g t ow ar d t he f ar b an k. B et sy r us hed f or ward t o h el p h im o ut , b ut w hen

t he mu le s tood s af el y be si de he r s he wa s a ma ze d t o f ind he w as not we t a t a ll .

" It 's d ry w at er ," s ai d P ol ychr om e, d ip pi ng h er h an d i nt o t he s tr eam and s ho wi ng h ow t he w at er f el l f ro m i t

P a g e 3 6



and l ef t i t p er fect ly d ry .

" In t hat cas e, " r et ur ned B et sy , " th ey can all w al k t hr ou gh t he w at er ."

S he c al le d t o O zg a a nd S ha gg y t o w ad e a cr os s, a ss ur in g t he m t he w at er w as s ha ll ow a nd w ou ld n ot w et

t hem. A t o nce t hey f ol lo wed h er adv ice, avo id in g t he r ub ber s tepp in g s to nes, and m ad e t he cro ss in g w it h

e as e. T hi s e nc ou ra ge d t he e nt ir e p ar ty t o w ad e t hr ou gh t he d ry w at er , a nd i n a f ew m in ut es a ll h ada ss em bl ed o n t he b an k a nd r en ew ed t he ir j ou rn ey a lo ng t he p at h t ha t l ed t o t he N om e K in g' s d om in io ns .

When Kaliko again looked through his magic spyglass he exclaimed:

" Ba d l uc k, Y ou r M aj es ty ! A ll t he i nv ad er s h av e p as se d t he R ub be r C ou nt ry a nd n ow a re f as t

app ro achi ng t he ent rance t o y ou r cav er ns ."

R ug ge do r av ed a nd s to rm ed a t t he ne ws a nd hi s a ng er w as s o g re at t ha t s ev er al t im es , a s he s tr od e up

a nd d ow n h is j ew el ed c av er n, h e p au se d t o k ic k K al ik o u po n h is s hi ns , w hi ch w er e s o s en si ti ve t ha t t he

poor nome howled with pain.

Finally the King said:

" Th er e' s n o h el p f or i t; w e m us t d ro p t he se a ud ac io us i nv ad er s d ow n t he H ol lo w T ub e. "

K al ik o g av e a j um p, a t t hi s, a nd l oo ke d a t h is m as te r w on de ri ng ly .

" If y ou d o t hat, Y ou r M aj es ty ," h e s ai d, " yo u w il l m ak e T it it i- Ho ocho o v er y ang ry .

" Ne ve r m in d t ha t, " r et or te d R ug ge do . " Ti ti ti -H oo ch oo l iv es o n t he o th er s id e o f t he w or ld , s o w ha t d o I

car e f or h is ang er ?"

K al ik o s hu dd er ed and u tt ered a l it t le g ro an .

" Rememb er h is t er ri bl e p ow er s, " h e p lead ed , " an d r em em ber t hat h e w ar ned y ou , t he l as t t im e y ou s li d

people through the Hollow Tube, that if you did it again he would take vengeance upon you."

T he M et al M on ar ch w al ked u p and d ow n i n s il en ce, t hi nk in g d eepl y.

" Of t wo d an ge rs ," s ai d h e, i t i s w is e t o c ho os e t he l ea st . W ha t d o y ou s up po se t he se i nv ad er s w an t? "

" Let t he L on g- Eared H earer l is ten t o t hem, " s ug gest ed K al ik o.

"Call him here at once!" commanded Ruggedo eagerly.

So i n a f ew m inut es t he re e nt er ed t he c av er n a n om e w it h e no rmo us e ar s, w ho bow ed l ow b ef or e t he

King.

" St rang er s are app ro achi ng ," s ai d R ug gedo , " an d I w is h t o k no w t heir err an d. L is ten car ef ul ly t o t heir t al k

a nd t el l m e w hy t he y a re c om ing h er e, a nd w ha t f or ."

Th e n om e b owe d a ga in a nd s pr ea d o ut hi s gr ea t e ar s, s wa yi ng t he m g ent ly up a nd dow n a nd ba ck a nd

f or th . F or h al f a n h ou r h e s to od s il en t, i n a n a tt it ude o f l is te ni ng, w hi le b ot h t he K in g a nd K al ik o g re w

i mp at ie nt a t t he d el ay . A t l as t t he L on g- Ea re d H ea re r s po ke :

P a g e 3 7



" Sh ag gy M an i s com in g h er e t o r es cu e h is b ro th er f ro m cap ti vi ty ," s ai d h e.

" Ha, t he U gl y O ne!" exclaim ed R ug gedo . " Well , S hagg y M an m ay h av e h is u gl y b ro th er , f or all I car e.

He 's t oo l az y t o wor k and i s a lw ays ge tt ing i n m y wa y. Whe re i s t he Ugl y One now, Ka li ko? "

" Th e l as t t im e Y ou r M aj es ty s tu mb le d o ve r t he p ri so ne r y ou c om ma nd ed m e t o s en d h im t o t he M et alF or es t, w hi ch I d id . I s up po se h e i s s ti ll t he re ."

" Ve ry go od. T he i nv ad er s w il l ha ve a h ar d t im e f ind ing t he M et al F or es t, " s ai d t he Ki ng , w it h a gr in o f

m al ic io us d el ig ht , " fo r h al f t he t im e I c an' t f in d i t m ys el f. Y et I c re at ed t he f or es t a nd m ad e e ve ry t re e, o ut

of go ld a nd s il ve r, s o a s t o ke ep t he pr ec iou s m et al s i n a s af e p la ce a nd out o f t he r ea ch of mo rt al s. Bu t

t el l m e, H earer, d o t he s tr an gers w an t any th in g els e?"

" Ye s, i nd ee d t he y d o! " r et ur ne d t he n om e. " Th e A rm y o f O og ab oo i s d et er mi ne d t o c ap tu re a ll t he r ic h

m et al s a nd r ar e j ew el s i n y ou r k in gd om , a nd t he o ff ic er s a nd t he ir Q ue en h av e a rr an ge d t o d iv id e t he

s po il s and car ry t hem away. "

W he n h e h ea rd t hi s R ug ge do u tt er ed a b el lo w o f r ag e a nd b eg an d an ci ng u p a nd d ow n, r ol li ng h is e ye s,

cli ck in g h is t eeth t og et her and s wi ng in g h is arm s f ur io us ly . T hen, i n an ecs tasy o f ang er h e s ei zed t he l on g

e ar s o f t he H ea re r a nd p ul le d a nd t wi st ed t he m c ru el ly ; b ut K al ik o g ra bb ed u p t he K in g' s s ce pt re a nd

r app ed hi m o ve r t he kn uc kl es wi th i t, s o t ha t Rugg edo l et go t he e ar s a nd be ga n t o c ha se hi s R oya l

Chamberlain around the throne.

T he H ea re r t oo k a dv an ta ge o f t hi s o pp or tu ni ty t o s li p a wa y f ro m t he c av er n a nd e sc ap e, a nd a ft er t he

K in g h ad t ir ed h im self o ut chasi ng K al ik o h e t hr ew h im self i nt o h is t hr on e and p an ted f or b reat h, w hi le h e

g lared w ickedl y at h is d ef iant s ub ject .

" Yo u' d b et ter s av e y ou r s tr en gt h t o f ig ht t he enemy ," s ug gest ed K al ik o. " Th er e w il l b e a t er ri bl e b at tl e

w he n t he A rm y o f O og ab oo g et s h er e. "

" Th e A rm y w on 't g et h er e, " s ai d t he K in g, s ti ll cou gh in g and p an ti ng . " I' ll d ro p ' em d ow n t he H ol lo w

T ub e- ev er y m an J ack and every g ir l J il l o f ' em !"

"And defy Tititi-Hoochoo?" asked Kaliko.

" Ye s. Go a t o nc e t o m y Chi ef M agi ci an a nd or de r h im t o t ur n t he p at h t owa rd t he Ho ll ow Tub e, a nd t o

m ak e t he t ip o f t he T ub e i nv is ib le, s o t hey' ll all f al l i nt o i t. "

K al ik o w ent a wa y s ha ki ng h is he ad , f or h e t ho ug ht R ug ge do w as m aki ng a g re at m is ta ke , H e f ou nd t he

M ag ic ia n a nd h ad t he p at h t wi st ed s o t ha t i t l ed d ir ec tl y t o t he o pe ni ng o f t he H ol lo w T ub e, a nd t hi s

opening he made invisible.

H av in g o be ye d t he o rd er s o f h is m as te r, t he R oy al C ha mb er la in w en t t o h is p ri va te r oo m a nd b eg an t o

w ri te l et te rs of r ec om me nd at io n of h im se lf , s ta ti ng t ha t h e w as a n ho ne st m an a g ood s er va nt a nd a s ma ll

eater.

" Pr et ty s oo n, " h e s ai d t o h im se lf , " I s ha ll h ave t o l oo k f or a no th er j ob , f or i t i s c er ta in t ha t R ug ge do h as

r ui ned h im self b y t hi s r eckl es s d ef iance o f t he m ig ht y T it it i- Ho ocho o. A nd i n s eeki ng a j ob n ot hi ng i s s o

effective as a letter of recommendation."

P a g e 3 8



Chapter Ten

A T er rible T um ble T hr ou gh a T ub e

I s up po se t ha t P ol yc hr om e, a nd p er ha ps Q ue en A nn a nd h er A rm y, m ig ht h av e b ee n a bl e t o d is pe l t he

enchant ment o f R ug gedo 's C hi ef M ag ician h ad t hey k no wn t hat d an ger l ay i n t heir p at hw ay ; f or t he

R ai nb ow 's D au gh te r w as a f ai ry a nd a s O og ab oo i s a p ar t o f t he L an d o f O z i ts i nh ab it an ts c an no t e as il y

be deceived by such common magic as the Nome King could command. But no one suspected any

esp ecial d an ger u nt il aft er t hey h ad ent er ed R ug gedo 's cav er n, and s o t hey w er e j ou rn ey in g alo ng i n q ui te

a con tent ed m an ner w hen T ik -T ok , w ho m arched ahead , s ud denl y d is app ear ed .

T he o ff ic er s t hou gh t h e m us t h av e t ur ne d a c or ne r, s o t he y k ep t on t he ir w ay a nd a ll o f t he m l ik ew is e

d is app eared- on e aft er ano th er . Q ueen A nn w as r ath er s ur pr i sed at t hi s, and i n h as teni ng f or war d t o l ear n

t he r easo n s he als o v an is hed f ro m s ig ht .

B et sy B ob bi n h ad t ir ed h er f ee t b y w al ki ng , s o s he w as n ow r id in g u po n t he b ac k o f t he s to ut l it tl e m ul e,

f acin g b ackw ar d and t al ki ng t o S hagg y and P ol ychr om e, w ho w er e j us t b eh in d. S ud denl y H an k p it ch ed

f or wa rd a nd b eg an f al li ng a nd B et sy w ou ld h av e t um bl ed o ve r h is h ea d h ad s he n ot g ra bb ed t he m ul e' s

s ha gg y n ec k w it h b ot h a rm s a nd h el d o n f or d ea r l if e.

A ll a ro un d w as d ar kn es s, a nd t he y w er e n ot f al li ng d ir ec tl y d ow nw ar d b ut s ee me d t o b e s li di ng a lo ng a

s teep i ncli ne. H an k' s h oo fs w er e r es ti ng u po n s om e s mo ot h s ub st an ce o ver w hi ch h e s li d w it h t he

s wi ft ne ss o f t he w in d. O nc e B et sy 's h ee ls f le w u p a nd s tr uc k a s im il ar s ub st an ce o ve rh ea d. T he y w er e,

i nd ee d, d es ce nd in g t he " Ho ll ow T ub e" t ha t l ed t o t he o th er s id e o f t he w or ld .

" St op , H an k- st op !" cri ed t he g ir l; b ut H an k o nl y u tt er ed a p lain ti ve " Hee- haw! " f or i t w as i mp os si bl e f or

h im t o o be y.

A ft er s ev er al m in ut es h ad p as se d a nd n o h ar m h ad b ef al le n t he m, B et sy g ai ne d c ou ra ge . S he c ou ld s ee

n ot hi ng a t a ll , n or c ou ld s he h ea r a ny th in g e xc ep t t he r us h o f a ir p as t h er e ar s a s t he y p lu ng ed d ow nw ar d

a lo ng t he T ub e. W he th er s he a nd H an k w er e a lo ne , o r t he o th er s w er e w it h t he m, s he c ou ld n ot t el l. B ut

h ad s om e o ne b ee n a bl e t o t ak e a f la sh li gh t p ho to gr ap h o f t he T ub e a t t ha t t im e a m os t c ur io us p ic tu re

w ou ld h av e r es ul ted. T here w as T ik -T ok , f lat u po n h is b ack and s li di ng h eadf or em os t d ow n t he i ncli ne.

A nd t he re w er e t he O ff ic er s o f t he A rm y o f O og ab oo , a ll t an gl ed u p i n a c on fu se d c ro wd , f la pp in g t he ir

arm s and t ry in g t o s hi el d t heir f aces f ro m t he clank in g s wo rd s, w hi ch s wu ng b ack and f or th d ur in g t he

s wi ft j ou rn ey and p om meled every on e w it hi n t heir r each . N ow f ol lo wed Q ueen A nn , w ho h ad s tr uck t he

T ub e i n a s it ti ng p os it io n and w en t f ly in g alo ng w it h a d as h and aband on t hat t ho ro ug hl y b ew il dered t he

poor lady, who had no idea what had happened to her. Then, a little distance away, but unseen by the

o th er s i n t he i nk y d ar kn es s, s li d B et sy and H an k, w hi le b eh in d t hem w er e S hagg y and P ol ychr om e and

finally Files and the princess.

W he n f ir st t he y t um bl ed i nt o t he T ub e, a ll w er e t oo d az ed t o t hi nk c le ar ly , b ut t he t ri p w as a l on g o ne ,

because the cavity led straight through the earth to a place just opposite the Nome King's dominions, and

l on g b ef or e t he a dv en tu re rs g ot t o t he e nd t he y h ad b eg un t o r ec ov er t he ir w it s.

" Th is i s a wf ul , H ank !" c ri ed B et sy i n a l ou d v oi ce , a nd Q ue en A nn h ea rd h er a nd c al le d o ut :

" Ar e y ou s af e, B et sy ?"

P a g e 3 9



F il es and O zg a w er e als o con vers in g as t hey clu ng t ig ht ly t o o ne ano th er , and t he y ou ng f el lo w b ravely

s tr ov e t o r ea ss ur e t he P ri nc es s, a lt ho ug h h e w as t er ri bl y f ri gh te ne d, b ot h o n h er a cc ou nt a nd o n h is o wn .

A n h ou r, u nd er s uch t ry in g cir cu ms tances , i s a v er y l on g t im e, and f or m or e t han an h ou r t hey con ti nu ed

t he ir f ea rf ul j ou rn ey . T he n, j us t a s t he y b eg an t o f ea r t he T ub e w ou ld n ev er e nd , T ik -T ok p op pe d o ut

i nt o b ro ad d ay li ght a nd , a ft er m aki ng a gr ac ef ul c ir cl e i n t he a ir , f el l w it h a s pl as h i nt o a g re at m ar bl e

fountain.

O ut cam e t he o ff icer s, i n q ui ck s uccess io n, t um bl in g h eels o ver h ead and s tr ik in g t he g ro un d i n m an y

undignified attitudes.

" For t he l ov e o f s as sa fr as !" e xc la im ed a P ec ul ia r P er so n w ho w as h oe in g p in k v io le ts i n a g ar de n. " Wh at

can all t hi s m ean?"

Fo r a ns we r, Q ue en An n s ai le d u p f rom t he T ub e, t ook a r ide t hr ou gh t he a ir a s h igh a s t he t re et ops , a nd

a li gh te d s qu ar el y o n t op o f t he P ec ul ia r P er so n' s h ea d, s ma sh in g a j ew el ed c ro wn o ve r h is e ye s a nd

tumbling him to the ground.

T he m ul e w as h ea vi er a nd h ad B et sy c li ng in g t o h is b ac k, s o h e d id n ot g o s o h ig h u p. F or tu na te ly f or h is

l it tl e r id er h e s tr uc k t he g ro un d u po n h is f ou r f ee t. B et sy w as j ar re d a t ri fl e b ut n ot h ur t a nd w he n s he

l oo ked aro un d h er s he s aw t he Q ueen and t he P ecul iar P er so n s tr ug gl in g t og et her u po n t he g ro un d,

w he re t he m an w as t ry in g t o c hok e An n a nd s he h ad b ot h ha nds i n h is bu shy h ai r a nd w as p ul li ng w it h a ll

h er m ig ht . S om e o f t he o ff ic er s, w he n t he y g ot u po n t he ir f ee t, h as te ne d t o s ep ar at e t he c om ba ta nt s a nd

s ou gh t t o r es tr ai n t he P ec ul ia r P er so n s o t ha t h e c ou ld n ot a tt ac k t he ir Q ue en a ga in .

B y t hi s t im e, S hagg y, P ol ychr om e, O zg a and F il es h ad all arr iv ed and w er e cur io us ly exami ni ng t he

s tr an ge cou nt ry i n w hi ch t hey f ou nd t hems el ves and w hi ch t hey k new t o b e exact ly o n t he o pp os it e s id e

of t he wor ld f rom t he pl ac e whe re t he y ha d f al le n i nt o t he Tube . I t wa s a l ove ly pl ac e, i nd ee d, a nds ee me d t o b e t he g ar de n o f s om e gr ea t P ri nc e, f or t hr ou gh t he vi st as o f t re es a nd s hr ubb er y c ou ld be

s ee n t he t ow er s o f a n i mm en se c as tl e. B ut a s y et t he o nl y i nh ab it an t t o g re et t he m w as t he P ec ul ia r

P er so n j us t m en ti on ed , w ho h ad s ha ke n o ff t he g ra sp o f t he o ff ic er s w it ho ut e ff or t a nd w as n ow t ry in g t o

pull the battered crown from off his eyes.

Sha ggy, who wa s a lwa ys pol it e, he lpe d him t o do t hi s a nd w he n t he m an wa s f re e a nd c oul d s ee a ga in he

looked at his visitors with evident amazement.

" Well , w el l, w el l! " h e exclaim ed . " Wh er e d id y ou com e f ro m and h ow d id y ou g et h er e?"

B et sy t ri ed t o a ns we r h im , f or Q ue en A nn w as s ur ly a nd s il en t.

" I c an' t s ay, e xa c' ly wh er e w e c am e f rom, c au se I don' t kno w t he na me of t he pl ac e," s ai d t he gi rl , " bu t

t he w ay w e g ot h er e w as t hr ou gh t he H ol lo w T ub e. "

" Do n' t cal l i t a ' ho ll ow ' T ub e, p leas e, " exclaim ed t he P ecul iar P er so n i n an i rr it at ed t on e o f v oi ce. " If ~i t' s a

t ub e, i t' s s ur e t o b e h ol lo w. "

"Why?" asked Betsy.

" Be ca us e a ll t ub es a re m ad e t ha t w ay . B ut t hi s T ub e i s p ri va te p ro pe rt y a nd e ve ry on e i s f or bi dd en t o f al l

into it."

P a g e 4 1



" We d id n' t d o i t o n p ur po se ," e xp la in ed B et sy , a nd P ol yc hr om e a dd ed : " I a m q ui te s ur e t ha t R ug ge do ,

t he N om e K in g, p us he d u s d ow n t ha t T ub e. "

" Ha! R ug gedo ! D id y ou s ay R ug gedo ?" cri ed t he m an , b ecom in g m uch excit ed .

" Tha t i s wha t s he s ai d," r epl ie d Sha ggy, " and I be li eve s he i s r ight . W e we re on our wa y t o c onque r t he

Nome King when suddenly we fell into the Tube."

" Th en y ou are enemi es o f R ug gedo ?" i nq ui red t he p ecul iar P er so n.

" No t exac' ly enemi es ," s ai d B et sy , a l it tl e p uzzl ed b y t he q uest io n, " 'cau se w e d on 't k no w h im at all ; " bu t

w e s ta rt ed o ut t o c onq ue r h im , w hi ch i sn 't a s f ri en dl y a s i t m ig ht b e. "

" Tr ue ," a gr ee d t he m an . H e l oo ke d t hou ght ful ly f ro m o ne t o a not he r o f t he m f or a w hi le a nd t he n he

t ur ne d h is h ea d o ve r hi s s ho ul de r a nd s ai d:

" Ne ve r m in d t he f ir e a nd p in ce rs , m y g oo d b ro th er s. I t w il l b e b es t t o t ak e t he se s tr an ge rs t o t he P ri va teCitizen."

" Ve ry w el l, T ub ek in s, " r es po nd ed a V oi ce , d ee p a nd p ow er fu l, t ha t s ee me d t o c om e o ut o f t he a ir , f or

the speaker was invisible.

A ll o ur f ri en ds g av e a j um p, a t t hi s. E ve n P ol yc hr om e w as s o s ta rt le d t ha t h er g au ze d ra pe ri es f lu tt er ed

l ik e a b an ne r i n a b re ez e. S ha gg y s ho ok h is h ea d a nd s ig he d; Q ue en A nn l oo ke d v er y u nh ap py ; t he

officers clung to each other, trembling violently.

Bu t s oon t he y ga in ed c our age t o l oo k m or e c los el y a t t he P ec ul ia r Pe rs on. A s he wa s a t yp e o f a ll t he

i nh ab it an ts o f t hi s ext raor di nary l an d w ho m t hey aft er ward m et , I w il l t ry t o t el l y ou w hat h e l oo ked l ik e.

H is f ac e w as b ea ut if ul , b ut l ac ke d e xp re ss ion . H is e ye s w er e l ar ge a nd b lu e i n c ol or a nd h is t ee th f in el y

f or me d a nd wh it e a s s now. H is ha ir wa s bl ac k a nd b us hy a nd s ee me d i nc li ne d t o c ur l a t t he e nds . S o f ar

no one c oul d f in d a ny f aul t w it h h is a ppe ar anc e. He w or e a r obe of s ca rl et , w hi ch d id not c ove r hi s a rm s

a nd e xt end ed n o l ow er t ha n h is b ar e k ne es . O n t he bo som o f t he r ob e wa s e mbr oi de re d a t er ri bl e

dr agon 's he ad, a s h or ri bl e t o l oo k a t a s t he m an wa s be au ti ful . Hi s a rms a nd l eg s w er e l ef t b ar e a nd t he

s ki n of one a rm wa s br ight ye ll ow a nd t he s kin of the ot he r a rm a vi vi d gre en. He ha d one bl ue le g a nd

o ne p in k o ne , w hi le b ot h h is f ee t- wh ic h s ho we d t hr ou gh t he o pe n s an da ls h e w or e- we re j et b la ck .

B et sy c ou ld n ot d ec id e w he th er t he se g or ge ou s c ol or s w er e d ye s o r t he n at ur al t in ts o f t he s ki n, b ut w hi les he w as t hi nk in g i t o ver t he m an w ho h ad b een cal led " Tu beki ns " s ai d: " Fo ll ow m e t o t he R es id en ce-all o f

you!"

B ut j us t t hen a V oi ce exclaim ed : " Here's ano th er o f t hem, T ub ek in s, l yi ng i n t he w at er o f t he f ou nt ai n. "

" Gr acio us !" cri ed B et sy ; " it m us t b e T ik -T ok , and h e' ll d ro wn ."

" Wa te r i s a b ad t hi ng f or h is c lo ck wo rk s, a ny wa y, " a gr ee d S ha gg y, a s w it h o ne a cc or d t he y a ll s ta rt ed

f or t he f ou nt ai n. B ut b ef or e t hey cou ld r each i t, i nv is ib le h an ds r ai sed T ik -T ok f ro m t he m ar bl e b as in and

s et h im u po n h is f ee t b es id e i t, w at er d ri pp in g f ro m e ve ry j oi nt o f h is c op pe r b od y.

" Ma -n y t ha -t ha -t ha -t ha nk s! " h e s ai d; a nd t he n h is c op pe r j aw s c li ck ed t og et he r a nd h e c ou ld s ay n o

m or e. H e n ex t m ad e a n a tt em pt t o w al k b ut a ft er s ev er al a wk wa rd t ri al s f ou nd h e c ou ld n ot m ov e h is

P a g e 4 2



joints.

P eals o f j eeri ng l au gh ter f ro m p er so ns u ns een g reet ed T ik -T ok 's f ai lu re, and t he n ew arr iv al s i n t hi s

s tr an ge l an d f ou nd i t v er y u ncom fo rt ab le t o r eali ze t hat t here w er e m an y creat ur es aro un d t hem w ho w er e

invisible, yet could be heard plainly.

" Sh al l I w in d h im u p?" ask ed B et sy , f eeli ng v er y s or ry f or T ik -T ok .

" I t hi nk h is m achi nery i s w ou nd ; b ut h e n eeds o il in g, " r ep li ed S hagg y.

A t o nc e a n o il -c an a pp ea re d b ef or e h im , h el d o n a l ev el w it h h is e ye s b y s om e u ns ee n h an d. S ha gg y t oo k

t he c an a nd t ri ed t o oi l Ti k- Tok' s j oi nt s. A s i f t o a ss is t hi m, a s tr ong c ur re nt of wa rm a ir w as d ir ec te d

a ga ins t t he c op pe r m an w hi ch q ui ck ly d ri ed h im . S oo n h e w as a bl e t o s ay " Ma -n y t ha nk s! " q ui te

smoothly and his joints worked fairly well.

" Co me!" com mand ed T ub ek in s, and t ur ni ng h is b ack u po n t hem h e w al ked u p t he p at h t ow ar d t he

castle.

" Sh al l w e g o? " a sk ed Q ue en A nn , u nc er ta in ly ; b ut j us t t he n s he r ec ei ve d a s ho ve t ha t a lm os t p it ch ed h er

f or wa rd o n h er h ea d; s o s he d ec id ed t o g o. T he o ff ic er s w ho h es it at ed r ec ei ve d s ev er al e ne rg et ic k ic ks ,

but could not see who delivered them; therefore they also decided-very wisely-to go. The others

followed willingly enough, for unless they ventured upon another terrible journey through the Tube they

m us t m ak e t he b es t o f t he u nk no wn c ou nt ry t he y w er e i n, a nd t he b es t s ee me d t o be t o o be y o rd er s.

Chapter Eleven

T he F a mo us F ellow sh ip o f F air ie s

A ft er a s ho rt w al k t hr ou gh v er y b eaut if ul g ar dens t hey cam e t o t he cas tl e and f ol lo wed T ub ek in s t hr ou gh

t he e nt ra nc e a nd i nt o a g re at d om ed c ha mb er , w he re h e c om ma nd ed t he m t o b e s ea te d.

F ro m t he c ro wn w hi ch he w or e, B et sy h ad t ho ug ht t hi s m an m us t b e t he K in g o f t he c ou nt ry t he y w er e

i n, y et a ft er h e h ad s ea te d a ll t he s tr an ge rs u po n b en ch es t ha t w er e r an ge d i n a s em ic ir cl e b ef or e a h ig h

t hr on e, T ub ek in s b ow ed h um bl y b ef or e t he v acan t t hr on e and i n a f lash b ecam e i nv is ib le and

disappeared.

T he h al l w as a n i mm en se p la ce , b ut t he re s ee me d t o b e n o o ne i n i t b es id e t he ms el ve s. P re se nt ly ,

how eve r, t he y he ar d a l ow c ou gh n ea r t he m, a nd he re a nd t he re wa s t he f ai nt r us tl ing of a r obe a nd a

s li ght pa tt er a s of f oot st ep s. The n s udd enl y t he re r ang ou t t he c le ar t one of a b el l a nd a t t he s ound a ll w as

changed.

G azin g aro un d t he h al l i n b ew il derm en t t hey s aw t hat i t w as f il led w it h h un dr ed s o f m en and w om en , all

w it h b eaut if ul f aces and s tari ng b lu e eyes and all w eari ng s carl et r ob es and j ew el ed cro wn s u po n t heir

h ea ds . I n f ac t, t he se p eo pl e s ee me d e xa ct d up li ca te s o f T ub ek in s a nd i t w as d if fi cu lt t o f in d a ny m ar k b y

w hi ch t o t el l t hem apart .

" My ! w ha t a l ot o f K in gs a nd Q ue en s! " w hi sp er ed B et sy t o P ol yc hr om e, w ho s at b es id e h er a nd

a pp ea re d m uc h i nt er es te d i n t he s ce ne b ut n ot a b it w or ri ed .

P a g e 4 3



" It i s cer tain ly a s tr an ge s ig ht ," w as

Po lyc hr om e' s r epl y; "b ut I c anno t s ee how t he re c an be m or e t ha n one Ki ng, o r Q ue en , i n a ny o ne

c ou nt ry , f or w er e t he se a ll r ul er s, n o o ne c ou ld t el l w ho w as M as te r. "

O ne of t he K ing s w ho s too d ne ar a nd ove rhe ar d t hi s r em ar k t ur ne d t o he r a nd s ai d: " On e wh o i s M as te r o f hi ms el f i s a lw ays a Ki ng , i f on ly t o h im se lf . I n t hi s f avo re d l and a ll Ki ng s a nd Q ue ens a re e qu al , a nd i t

i s o ur p ri vi lege t o b ow b ef or e o ne s up reme R ul er -t he P ri vate C it izen ."

"Who's he?" inquired Betsy.

As i f t o a ns we r h er , t he c le ar t on es of t he be ll a ga in r ang o ut a nd i ns ta nt ly t he re a ppe ar ed s ea te d i n t he

t hr on e t he m an w ho w as l or d a nd m as te r o f a ll t he se r oy al o ne s. T hi s f ac t w as e vi de nt w he n w it h o ne

a cc or d t he y f el l u po n t he ir k ne es a nd t ou ch ed t he ir f or eh ea ds t o t he f lo or .

T he P ri va te C it iz en w as n ot u nl ik e t he o th er s, e xc ep t t ha t h is e ye s w er e b la ck i ns te ad o f b lu e a nd i n t hec en te rs o f t he b la ck i ri se s g lo we d r ed s pa rk s t ha t s ee me d l ik e c oa ls o f f ir e. B ut h is f ea tu re s w er e v er y

beautiful and dignified and his manner composed and stately. Instead of the prevalent scarlet robe, he

w or e o ne o f w hi te , a nd t he s am e d ra go n' s h ea d t ha t d ec or at ed t he o th er s w as e mb ro id er ed u po n i ts

bosom.

" Wh at charg e l ies again st t hese p eo pl e, T ub ek in s?" h e ask ed i n q ui et , even t on es .

" Th ey cam e t hr ou gh t he f or bi dd en T ub e, O M ig ht y C it izen ," w as t he r ep ly .

" Yo u s ee , i t w as t hi s w ay ," s ai d. B et sy . " We w er e m ar ch in g t o t he N om e K in g, t o c on qu er h im a nd

s et S ha gg y' s b ro th er f re e, w he n o n a s ud de n- "

" Wh o are y ou ?" d em an ded t he P ri vate C it izen s tern ly .

" Me ? O h, I 'm B et sy B ob bi n, a nd -"

" Wh o i s t he l ea de r o f t hi s p ar ty ?" a sk ed t he C it iz en .

" Si r, I a m Q ue en An n o f O og ab oo , a nd -"

" Th en k eep q ui et ," s ai d t he C it izen . " Wh o i s t he l eader?"

No one answered for a moment. Then General Bunn stood up.

" Si t d ow n! " c om ma nd ed t he C it iz en . " I c an s ee t ha t s ix te en o f y ou a re m er el y o ff ic er s, a nd o f no

account."

" Bu t w e h av e a n A rm y, " s ai d G en er al C lo ck , b lu st er in gl y, f or h e d id n' t l ik e t o b e t ol d h e w as o f n o

account.

" Wh er e i s y ou r A rm y?" ask ed t he C it izen .

" It 's m e, " s ai d T ik -T ok , h is v oi ce s ou nd in g a l it tl e r us ty . " I' m t he o n- ly P ri -v at e S ol -d ier i n t he p ar -t y. "

P a g e 4 4



H eari ng t hi s, t he C it izen r os e and b ow ed r es pect fu ll y t o t he C lo ck wo rk M an .

" Pard on m e f or n ot r eali zi ng y ou r i mp or tance b ef or e, " s ai d h e. " Wi ll y ou o bl ig e m e b y t ak in g a s eat

beside me on my throne?"

T ik -T ok r os e a nd w al ke d o ve r t o t he t hr on e, a ll t he K in gs a nd Q ue en s m ak in g w ay f or h im . T he n w it hc la nk in g s te ps h e m ou nt ed t he p la tf or m a nd s at o n t he b ro ad s ea t b es id e t he C it iz en .

A nn w as g re at ly p ro vo ke d a t t hi s m ar k o f f av or s ho wn t o t he h um bl e C lo ck wo rk M an , b ut S ha gg y

s eemed m uch p leas ed t hat h is o ld f ri en d' s i mp or tance h ad b een r ecog ni zed b y t he r ul er o f t hi s r em ar kabl e

cou nt ry . T he C it izen n ow b eg an t o q uest io n T ik -T ok , w ho t ol d i n h is m echani cal v oi ce abo ut S hagg y' s

qu es t of h is l os t b rot he r, a nd ho w O zm a o f Oz ha d s en t t he Cl oc kwo rk M an t o a ss is t hi m, a nd h ow t he y

ha d f al le n i n wi th Qu ee n A nn a nd he r pe opl e f rom Oog aboo. Al so he t ol d h ow Be ts y a nd Ha nk a nd

P ol yc hr om e a nd t he R os e P ri nc es s h ad h ap pe ne d t o j oi n t he ir p ar ty .

" An d y ou i nt en de d t o c on qu er R ug ge do , t he M et al M on ar ch a nd K in g o f t he N om es ?" a sk ed t heCitizen.

" Ye s. Th at s ee me d t he o n- ly t hi ng f or u s t o d o, " w as Ti k- To k' s r ep ly. " But he wa s t oo c le -v er f or us .

W he n w e go t c los e t o h is c av -e rn he m ad e o ur p at h l ea d t o t he T ube , a nd m ad e t he o p- en- ing

in-vis -i-ble, s o that we all fel l i n-to i t be-fore we kne w it wa s ther e. It was an ea s-y way to get rid of us

a nd no w Ru g- ge do i s s af e a nd w e a re f ar a -w ay i n a s tr an ge l an d. "

T he C it iz en w as s il en t a m om en t a nd s ee me d t o b e t hi nk in g. Th en h e s ai d:

" Mo st no bl e P ri va te S ol di er , I m us t i nf or m y ou t ha t b y t he l aw s o f o ur c ou nt ry a ny on e w ho c om es

t hr ou gh t he F or bi dd en T ub e m us t b e t or tu re d f or n in e d ay s a nd t en n ig ht s a nd t he n t hr ow n b ac k i nt o t heT ub e. B ut i t i s w is e t o d is re ga rd l aw s w he n t he y c on fl ic t w it h j us ti ce , a nd i t s ee ms t ha t y ou a nd y ou r

f ol lo wers d id n ot d is ob ey o ur l aw s w il li ng ly , b ei ng f or ced i nt o t he T ub e b y R ug gedo . T herefo re t he

Nome King is alone to blame, and he alone must be punished."

" Th at s ui ts m e, " s ai d T ik -T ok . " Bu t R ug -g e- do i s o n t he o -t he r s id e o f t he w or ld w he re h e i s a -w ay o ut

o f y ou r r each ."

The Citizen drew himself up proudly.

" Do y ou i ma gi ne a nyt hi ng i n t he w or ld or u po n i t c an be o ut o f t he r ea ch of t he G re at J in ji n? " h e a ske d.

" Oh ! A re y ou , t hen, t he G reat J in ji n?" i nq ui red T ik -T ok .

"I am."

"Then your name is Ti-ti-ti-Hoo-choo?"

"It is."

Q ue en A nn ga ve a s cr ea m a nd be ga n t o t re mb le . S ha gg y w as s o d is tur be d t ha t h e t oo k ou t a

h an dk er ch ief and w ip ed t he p er sp ir at io n f ro m h is b ro w. P ol ychr om e l oo ked s ob er and u neas y f or t he

f ir st t im e, w hi le F il es p ut h is a rm s a ro un d t he R os e P ri nc es s a s i f t o p ro te ct h er . A s f or t he o ff ic er s, t he

n am e o f t he g re at J inj in s et t he m m oa ni ng a nd w ee pi ng a t a g re at r at e a nd e ve ry o ne f el l up on h is k ne es

P a g e 4 5



before the throne, begging for mercy. Betsy was worried at seeing her companions so disturbed, but did

n ot k no w w ha t i t w as a ll a bo ut . O nl y T ik -T ok w as u nm ov ed a t t he d is co ve ry .

" Th en ," s ai d h e, " if y ou a re T i- ti -t i- Ho o- ch oo , a nd t hi nk R ug -g e- do i s t o b la me , I a m s ur e t ha t

s om e- th in g q ueer w il l h ap -p en t o t he K in g o f t he N om es ."

" I w on der w hat ' tw il l b e, " s ai d B et sy .

The Private Citizen-otherwise known as Tititi-Hoochoo, the Great Jinjin-looked at the little girl steadily.

" I w il l p re se nt ly d ec id e w ha t i s t o h ap pe n t o R ug ge do ," s ai d h e i n a h ar d, s te rn vo ic e. T he n, t ur ni ng t o t he

t hr on g o f K in gs and Q ueen s, h e con ti nu ed : " Ti k- To k h as s po ken t ru ly , f or h is m achi nery w il l n ot all ow

h im t o l ie , n or w il l i t a ll ow hi s t ho ugh ts t o t hi nk f al se ly. T he re for e t he se p eo pl e a re n ot ou r e ne mi es a nd

m us t b e t re at ed w it h c on si de ra ti on a nd j us ti ce . T ak e t he m t o y ou r p al ac es a nd e nt er ta in t he m a s g ue st s

u nt il t o- mo rr ow , w he n I c om ma nd t ha t t he y b e b ro ug ht a ga in t o m y R es id en ce . B y t he n I s ha ll h av e

formed my plans."

No sooner had Tititi-Hoochoo spoken than he disappeared from sight. Immediately after, most of the

K in gs and Q ueens l ik ew is e d is ap pear ed . B ut s ev er al o f t hem r em ai ned v is ib le and app ro ached t he

s tr an ge rs w it h g re at r es pe ct . O ne o f t he l ov el y Q ue en s s ai d t o B et sy :

" I t rus t yo u w il l h on or me by b ei ng m y g ue st . I a m E rm a, Qu ee n o f Li gh t. "

" Ma y H an k c om e w it h m e? " a sk ed t he g ir l.

" The K ing o f An im al s w il l c ar e f or yo ur m ul e, " w as t he r epl y. " But d o no t f ea r f or hi m, f or h e w il l be

t reat ed r oy al ly . A ll o f y ou r p ar ty w il l b e r eu ni ted o n t he m or ro w. "

" I- I' d l ik e t o h av e s om e o ne w it h m e, " s ai d B et sy , p lead in gl y.

Q ueen E rm a l oo ked aro un d and s mi led u po n P ol ychr om e.

" Wi ll t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter b e an agr eeab le com pani on ?" s he ask ed .

"Oh, yes!" exclaimed the girl.

S o P ol ychr om e and B et sy b ecam e g uest s o f t he Q ueen o f L ig ht , w hi le o th er b eaut if ul K in gs and Q ueen s

t oo k c ha rge of t he o th er s o f t he p ar ty .

T he t wo gi rl s f ol low ed E rm a o ut o f t he ha ll a nd t hr ou gh t he g ar de ns o f t he R es id enc e t o a v il la ge of p re tt y

d we ll in gs . N on e o f t he se w as s o l ar ge o r i mp os in g a s t he c as tl e o f t he P ri va te C it iz en , b ut a ll w er e

h an ds om e e no ug h t o b e c al le d p al ac es -a s, i n f ac t, t he y r ea ll y w er e.

Chapter Twelve

T he L ov el y L ad y o f L ig ht

T he pa la ce o f t he Q ue en of Li ght s tood on a l it tl e e mi ne nc e a nd wa s a m as s of c rys ta l wi ndows ,

P a g e 4 6



s ur mo un te d b y a v as t c ry st al d om e. W he n t he y e nt er ed t he p or ta ls E rm a w as g re et ed b y s ix l ov el y

m ai de ns , e vi de nt ly o f h ig h d eg re e, w ho a t o nc e a ro us ed B et sy 's a dm ir at io n. E ac h b or e a w an d i n h er

h an d, t ip ped w it h an emb lem o f l ig ht , and t heir cos tu mes w er e als o emb lemati c o f t he l ig ht s t hey

r ep re se nt ed . E rm a i nt ro du ce d t he m t o h er g ue st s a nd e ac h m ad e a g ra ce fu l a nd c ou rt eo us

acknowledgment.

F ir st w as S un li gh t, r ad iant ly b eaut if ul and v er y f ai r; t he s econ d w as M oo nl ig ht , a s of t, d ream y d am selw it h n ut -b ro wn h ai r; n ex t cam e S tarl ig ht , equ al ly l ov el y b ut i ncli ned t o b e r et ir in g and s hy . T hese t hr ee

w er e d ress ed i n s hi mm er in g r ob es o f s il very w hi te. T he f ou rt h w as D ay li gh t, a b ri ll iant d am sel w it h

l au gh in g eyes and f rank m an ners , w ho w or e a v ar iety o f col or s. T hen cam e F ir el ig ht , clo th ed i n a f leecy

f lame-col or ed r ob e t hat w av er ed aro un d h er s hapely f or m i n a v er y att ract iv e m an ner. T he s ix th m ai den,

E lect ra, w as t he m os t b eaut if ul o f all , and B et sy t ho ug ht f ro m t he f ir st t hat b ot h S un li gh t and D ay li gh t

r eg ar de d E le ct ra w it h e nv y a nd w er e a l it tl e j ea lo us o f h er .

B ut a ll w er e c or di al i n t he ir gr ee ti ng s t o t he s tr an ge rs a nd s ee me d t o r eg ar d t he Q ue en of L ig ht w it h m uc h

a ff ec ti on , f or t he y f lu tt er ed a ro un d h er i n a f la sh in g, r ad ia nt g rou p a s s he l ed t he w ay t o h er r eg al

drawing-room.

T hi s apart ment w as r ichl y and cos il y f ur ni sh ed , t he u ph ol st er y b ei ng o f m an y t in ts , and b ot h B et sy and

Polychrome enjoyed resting themselves upon the downy divans after their strenuous adventures of the

day.

T he Q ue en s at d ow n t o c ha t w it h h er g ue st s, w ho n ot ic ed t ha t D ay li gh t w as t he o nl y m ai de n n ow s ea te d

beside Erma. The others had retired to another part of the room, where they sat modestly with entwined

arm s and d id n ot i nt ru de t hems el ves at all .

T he Q ueen t ol d t he s tr an gers all abo ut t hi s b eaut if ul l an d, w hi ch i s o ne o f t he chi ef r es id en ces o f f ai ri es

w ho m in is ter t o t he n eeds o f m an ki nd . S o m an y i mp or tant f ai ri es l iv ed t here t hat, t o avo id r iv al ry , t heyh ad e le ct ed a s t he ir R ul er t he o nl y i mp or ta nt p er so na ge i n t he c ou nt ry w ho h ad n o d ut ie s t o m an ki nd t o

perform and was, in effect, a Private Citizen. This Ruler, or Jinjin, as was his title, bore the name of

T it it i- Hoo ch oo, a nd t he m os t s in gul ar t hi ng a bou t h im w as t ha t h e ha d n o h ea rt . B ut i ns te ad o f t hi s h e

possessed a high degree of Reason and Justice and while he showed no mercy in his judgments he never

punished unjustly or without reason. To wrong-doers Tititi-Hoochoo was as terrible as he was heartless,

but those who were innocent of evil had nothing to fear from him.

A ll t he K in gs a nd Q ue en s o f t hi s f ai ry la nd p ai d r ev er en ce t o J in ji n, f or a s t he y e xp ec te d t o b e o be ye d b y

o th er s t hey w er e w il li ng t o o bey t he o ne i n aut ho ri ty o ver t hem.

T he i nh ab it an ts o f t he L an d o f O z h ad h eard m an y t al es o f t hi s f earf ul ly j us t J in ji n, w ho se p un is hm en ts

w er e alw ay s equ al t o t he f au lt s com mi tt ed . P ol ychr om e als o k new o f h im , alt ho ug h t hi s w as t he f ir st t im e

s he ha d e ve r s ee n hi m f ac e t o f ac e. But t o Be ts y t he s tor y w as a ll ne w, a nd s he wa s gr ea tl y i nt er es te d i n

Tititi-Hoochoo, whom she no longer feared.

T im e s ped s wi ft ly d ur in g t heir t al k and s ud denl y B et sy n ot iced t hat M oo nl ig ht w as s it ti ng b es id e t he

Queen of Light, instead of Daylight.

" Bu t t el l m e, p le as e, " s he p le ad ed , " wh y d o y ou a ll w ea r a d ra go n' s h ea d e mb ro id er ed o n y ou r g ow ns ?"

E rm a' s p le as an t f ac e b ec am e g ra ve a s s he a ns we re d:

" The D ra go n, a s y ou m us t k now , w as t he f ir st l iv in g c re at ur e e ve r m ad e; t he re fo re t he D ra go n i s t he

P a g e 4 7



o ld es t and w is es t o f l iv in g t hi ng s. B y g oo d f or tu ne t he O ri gi nal D rago n, w ho s ti ll l iv es , i s a r es id en t o f t hi s

l and a nd s uppl ie s u s wi th w is dom whe ne ve r w e a re i n ne ed of it . He i s ol d a s t he wo rl d a nd r em embe rs

every th in g t hat h as h ap pened s in ce t he w or ld w as created. "

" Di d h e ever h av e any chi ld ren?" i nq ui red t he g ir l.

" Yes, m an y o f t hem. S om e w an dered i nt o o th er l an ds , w here m en , n ot u nd er st an di ng t hem, m ad e w ar u pon t he m; b ut m any s ti ll r es id e i n t hi s c ou nt ry . N on e, h ow ev er , i s a s w is e a s t he O ri gi na l D ra go n, f or

w hom we h ave g re at r es pe ct . A s he w as t he f ir st r es id ent h er e, we w ea r t he e mbl em of t he dr agon 's

h ea d t o s ho w t ha t w e a re t he f av or ed p eo pl e w ho a lo ne h av e t he r ig ht t o i nh ab it t hi s f ai ry la nd , w hi ch i n

beauty almost equals the Fairyland of Oz, and in power quite surpasses it.

" I u nd er st an d abo ut t he d rago n, n ow ," s ai d P ol ychr om e, n od di ng h er l ov el y h ead. B et sy d id n ot q ui te

u nd er st an d, b ut s he w as at p resent i nt er es ted i n o bs er vi ng t he chang in g l ig ht s. A s D ay li gh t h ad g iv en w ay

t o M oon li gh t, s o n ow S ta rl ig ht s at a t t he r ig ht h an d of E rm a t he Q ue en , a nd w it h h er c om in g a s pi ri t o f

peace and content seemed to fill the room. Polychrome, being herself a fairy, had many questions to ask

a bo ut t he v ar io us K in gs a nd Q ue en s w ho l iv ed i n t hi s f ar -a wa y, s ec lu de d p la ce , a nd b ef or e E rm a h adf in is hed ans weri ng t hem a r os y g lo w f il led t he r oo m and F ir el ig ht t oo k h er p lace b es id e t he Q ueen .

B et sy l ik ed F ir el ig ht , b ut t o g aze u po n h er w ar m and g lo wi ng f eatu res m ad e t he l it tl e g ir l s leep y, and

presently she began to nod. There-upon Erma rose and took Betsy's hand gently in her own.

" Co me ," s ai d s he , " th e f ea st t im e h as a rr iv ed a nd t he f ea st i s s pr ea d. "

" Th at 's ni ce ," e xc la im ed t he s ma ll m or ta l. " Now t ha t I t hi nk o f i t, I 'm a wf ul h un gr y. B ut p 'r ap s I c an 't e at

your fairy food."

The Qu ee n s mi le d a nd l ed he r t o a do or wa y. A s s he pus he d a si de a he avy dr ap er y a f lood of s il ve ry l ig htg re et ed t he m, a nd B et sy s aw b ef or e h er a s pl en di d b an qu et h al l, w it h a t ab le s pr ea d w it h s no wy l in en

a nd c ry st al a nd s il ve r. A t o ne s id e w as a br oa d, t hr one -l ike s ea t f or E rm a a nd be si de h er n ow s at t he

brilliant maid Electra. Polychrome was placed on the Queen's right hand and Betsy upon her left. The

o th er f iv e m es se ng er s o f l ig ht n ow w ai te d u po n t he m, a nd e ac h p er so n w as s up pl ie d w it h j us t t he f oo d

s he l ik ed b es t. P ol yc hr om e f ou nd h er d is h o f d ew dr op s, a ll f re sh a nd s pa rk li ng , w hi le B et sy w as s o

l av is hl y s er ve d t ha t s he d ec id ed s he h ad n ev er i n h er l if e e at en a d in ne r h al f s o g oo d.

" I s 'p os e, " s he s ai d t o t he Q ue en , " th at M is s E le ct ra i s t he y ou ng es t o f a ll t he se g ir ls ."

" Wh y d o y ou s up po se t hat?" i nq ui red E rm a, w it h a s mi le.

" 'C au se elect ri c' ty i s t he n ew es t l ig ht w e k no w o f. D id n' t M r. E di so n d is co ver i t?"

" Pe rh ap s h e w as t he f ir st m or ta l t o d is co ve r i t, " r ep li ed t he Q ue en . " Bu t e le ct ri ci ty w as a p ar t o f t he w or ld

f ro m i ts creat io n, and t herefo re m y E lect ra i s as o ld as D ay li gh t o r M oo nl ig ht , and equ al ly b en ef icen t t o

mortals and fairies alike."

B et sy w as t ho ugh tf ul f or a t im e. T he n s he r em ar ke d, a s s he l oo ke d a t t he s ix m es se ng er s of l ig ht :

" We c ou ld n' t ve ry w el l d o w it hou t a ny o f ' em ; c ou ld w e? "

E rm a l au gh ed s of tl y. " I c ou ld n' t, I 'm s ur e, s he r ep li ed , " an d I t hi nk m or ta ls w ou ld m is s a ny on e of m y

m ai dens , as w el l. D ay li gh t can no t t ak e t he p lace o f S un li gh t, w hi ch g iv es u s s tr en gt h and energ y.

P a g e 4 8



M oon li gh t i s of va lu e w he n Da yl ig ht , w or n o ut wi th he r l on g w at ch , r et ir es t o r es t. I f t he m oon i n i ts

cou rs e i s h id den b eh in d t he ear th 's r im , and m y s weet M oo nl ig ht can no t cheer u s, S tarl ig ht t ak es h er

place, for the skies always lend her power. Without Firelight we should miss much of our warmth and

c om for t, a s w el l a s m uc h c he er w he n t he w al ls o f h ou se s e nc om pa ss u s. B ut a lw ay s, w he n o th er l igh ts

f or sa ke u s, o ur g lo ri ou s E le ct ra i s r ea dy t o f lo od u s w it h b ri gh t r ays . A s Q ue en o f L ig ht , I l ov e a ll m y

m ai de ns , f or I k no w t he m t o b e f ai th fu l a nd t ru e. "

" I l ov e ' em t oo !" d eclared B et sy . " Bu t s om et im es , w hen I 'm r eal s leep y, I can g et alo ng w it ho ut any l ig ht

at all."

" Ar e y ou s le ep y n ow ?" i nq ui re d E rm a, f or t he f ea st h ad e nd ed .

"A little," admitted the girl.

S o E le ct ra s ho we d h er t o a p re tt y c ha mb er w he re t he re w as a s of t, w hi te b ed , a nd w ai te d p at ie nt ly u nt il

B et sy h ad u nd ress ed and p ut o n a s hi mm er y s il ken n ig ht ro be t hat l ay b es id e h er p il lo w. T hen t he

l ig ht -m ai d b ad e h er g oo d n ig ht a nd o pe ne d t he d oo r.

W he n s he c lo se d i t a ft er h er B et sy w as i n d ar kn es s. I n s ix w in ks t he l it tl e g ir l w as f as t a sl ee p.

Chapter Thirteen

T he J in jin 's J us t J ud gm en t

A ll t he adv en tu rers w er e r eu ni ted n ex t m or ni ng w hen t hey w er e b ro ug ht f ro m v ar io us p al aces t o t heR es i dence o f T it it i- Ho ocho o and u sh er ed i nt o t he g reat H al l o f S tate.

A s b ef or e, n o o ne w as v is ib le e xc ep t o ur f ri en ds a nd t he ir e sc or ts u nt il t he f ir st b el l s ou nd ed . T he n i n a

f la sh t he r oo m w as s ee n t o b e f il le d w it h t he b ea ut if ul K in gs a nd Q ue en s o f t he l an d. T he s ec on d b el l

m ar ked t he app earance i n t he t hr on e o f t he m ig ht y J in ji n, w ho se h an ds om e cou nt en an ce w as as

com po s ed and exp r es s io nl ess as ev er .

A ll b ow ed l ow t o t he R ul er . T heir v oi ces s of tl y m ur mu red: " We g reet t he P ri vate C it izen , m ig ht iest o f

R ul er s, w ho se w or d i s L aw a nd w ho se L aw i s j us t. "

Tititi-Hoochoo bowed in acknowledgment. Then, looking around the brilliant assemblage, and at the little

g ro up o f adv en tu rers b ef or e h im , h e s ai d:

" An u nu su al t hi ng h as h ap pened. I nh ab it an ts o f o th er l an ds t han o ur s, w ho are d if ferent f ro m o ur selv es i n

m an y w ay s, h av e b een t hr us t u po n u s t hr ou gh t he F or bi dd en T ub e, w hi ch o ne o f o ur p eo pl e f oo li sh ly

m ad e y ea rs a go a nd w as p ro pe rl y p un is he d f or h is f ol ly . B ut t he se s tr an ge rs h ad n o d es ir e t o c om e h er e

a nd w er e w ic ke dl y t hr us t i nt o t he T ub e b y a c ru el K in g o n t he o th er s id e o f t he w or ld , n am ed R ug ge do .

T hi s K in g i s a n i mm or ta l, bu t h e i s n ot go od. H is m ag ic po we rs h ur t m ank in d m or e t ha n t he y b en ef it

t he m. B ec au se h e h ad u nj us tl y k ep t t he S ha gg y M an 's b ro th er a p ri so ne r, t hi s l it tl e b an d o f h on es t

people, consisting of both mortals and immortals, determined to conquer Ruggedo and to punish him.

F ea ri ng t he y m ig ht s uc ce ed i n t hi s, t he No me K ing m is le d t he m s o t ha t t he y f el l i nt o t he Tu be .

" No w, t hi s s am e R ug ge do h as b ee n w ar ne d b y m e, m an y t im es , t ha t i f e ve r h e u se d t hi s F or bi dd en T ub e

P a g e 4 9



i n a ny w ay h e w ou ld b e s eve re ly p un is he d. I f in d, b y r ef er ri ng t o t he F ai ry R ec or ds , t ha t t hi s K in g' s

s er va nt , a n om e n am ed K al ik o, b egg ed h is m as te r no t t o d o s uc h a w ro ng a ct a s t o dr op t he se p eo pl e

i nt o t he T ub e a nd s en d t he m t um bl in g i nt o o ur c ou nt ry . B ut R ug ge do de fi ed m e a nd m y o rd er s.

" Th er ef or e t hese s tr an gers are i nn ocen t o f any w ro ng . I t i s o nl y R ug gedo w ho d es er ves p un is hm en t, and I

w il l p un is h h im ." H e p au sed a m om en t and t hen con ti nu ed i n t he s am e col d, m er ci less v oi ce:

" Th es e s tr an ge rs m us t r et ur n t hr oug h t he Tu be t o t he ir o wn s ide o f t he w or ld; b ut I w il l m ak e t he ir f al l

m or e e as y a nd p le as an t t ha n i t w as b ef or e. A ls o I s ha ll s en d w it h t he m a n I ns tr um en t o f V en ge an ce , w ho

i n m y n am e w il l d ri ve R ug gedo f ro m h is u nd er gr ou nd cav er ns , t ak e away h is m ag ic p ow er s and m ak e

h im a h om el es s w an de re r o n t he f ac e o f t he e ar th -a p la ce h e d et es ts ."

T he re wa s a l it tl e m ur mu r o f h or ro r f ro m t he K ing s a nd Q ue en s a t t he s ev er it y o f t hi s p un is hm en t, b ut n o

o ne u tt er ed a p ro te st , f or a ll r ea li ze d t ha t t he s en te nc e w as j us t.

" In s el ecti ng m y I ns tr um en t o f V en gean ce," w en t o n T it it i- Ho ocho o, " I h av e r eali zed t hat t hi s w il l b e an

u np le as an t m is si on . T he re fo re n o o ne o f u s w ho i s b la me le ss s ho ul d b e f or ce d t o u nd er ta ke i t. I n t hi sw on derf ul l an d i t i s s el do m o ne i s g ui lt y o f w ro ng , even i n t he s li gh test d eg ree, and o n exami ni ng t he

R ec or ds I f oun d no K in g or Q ue en ha d e rr ed. No r ha d a ny a mo ng t he ir f ol low er s o r s er va nt s do ne a ny

w ro ng. B ut f in al ly I c am e t o t he Dr ago n F am il y, w hi ch w e hi ghl y r es pe ct , a nd t he n i t w as t ha t I

d is co ve re d t he e rr or o f Q uo x.

" Quo x, a s yo u w el l kn ow, i s a you ng d ra gon who ha s not ye t a cq ui re d t he w is dom of hi s r ac e. Be ca us e

o f t hi s l ack, h e h as b een d is resp ectf ul t ow ar d h is m os t ancient ances to r, t he O ri gi nal D rago n, t el li ng h im

o nc e t o m in d hi s o wn b us in es s a nd a ga in s ay in g t ha t t he A nc ie nt O ne h ad g ro wn f oo li sh w it h a ge . W e a re

a wa re t ha t d ra go ns a re n ot t he s am e a s f ai ri es a nd c an no t b e a lt og et he r g ui de d b y o ur l aw s, y et s uc h

d is re sp ec t a s Q uo x h as s ho wn s ho ul d n ot b e u nn ot ic ed b y u s. T he re fo re I h av e s el ec te d Q uo x a s m y

r oy al I ns tr um en t o f V en gean ce and h e s hall g o t hr ou gh t he T ub e w it h t hese p eo pl e and i nf li ct u po nRuggedo the punishment I have decreed."

A ll h ad l is tened q ui et ly t o t hi s s peech and n ow t he K in gs and Q ueen s b ow ed g ravely t o s ig ni fy t heir

approval of the Jinjin's judgment.

Tititi-Hoochoo turned to Tubekins.

" I c om ma nd y ou ," s ai d h e, " to e sc or t t he se s tr an ge rs t o t he T ub e a nd s ee t ha t t he y a ll e nt er i t. "

T he K in g o f t he T ub e, w ho h ad f ir st d is co ve re d o ur f ri en ds a nd b ro ug ht t he m t o t he P ri va te C it iz en ,s te pp ed f or wa rd a nd b ow ed . A s h e d id s o, t he J in ji n a nd a ll t he K in gs a nd Q ue en s s ud de nl y d is ap pe ar ed

and only Tubekins remained visible.

" Al l r igh t, " s ai d Be ts y, w it h a s ig h; " I d on 't m in d g oi ng b ac k s o ve ry m uc h, ' ca us e t he J inj in pr omi se d t o

ma ke it e asy f or us ."

I nd ee d, Q ue en A nn a nd h er o ff ic er s w er e t he o nl y o ne s w ho l oo ke d s ol em n a nd s ee me d t o f ea r t he

r et ur n j ou rn ey . O ne t hi ng t hat b ot hered A nn w as h er f ai lu re t o con qu er t hi s l an d o f T it it i- Ho ocho o. A s

t he y f ol lo we d t he ir g ui de t hr oug h t he g ar de ns t o t he m out h o f t he T ub e s he s ai d t o S ha gg y:

" Ho w c an I c on qu er t he w or ld , i f I g o a wa y a nd l ea ve t hi s r ic h c ou nt ry u nc on qu er ed ?"

" Yo u c an 't ," h e r ep li ed . " Do n' t a sk m e w hy , p le as e, f or i f y ou d on 't k no w I c an 't i nf or m y ou ."

P a g e 5 0



" Wh y n ot ?" s ai d A nn ; b ut S hagg y p ai d n o att en ti on t o t he q uest io n.

Thi s e nd of t he Tube ha d a s il ve r r im a nd a round i t wa s a gol d r ai ling t o whi ch was a tt ac he d a s ign t ha t

read.

" IF Y OU A RE O UT , S TA Y T HE RE .

I F Y OU A RE I N, D ON 'T CO ME O UT ."

O n a l it tl e s il ve r pl at e j us t i ns id e t he T ub e w as e ng ra ve d t he w or ds :

" Bu rr ow ed and b ui lt b y

Hiergargo the Magician,

In t he Yea r of t he World

1 9 6 2 5 4 7 8

F or h is o wn exclu si ve u ses. "

" He w as s om e b ui ld er , I m us t s ay ," r em ar ke d B et sy , w he n s he h ad r ea d t he i ns cr ip ti on ; " bu t i f h e h ad

k no wn abo ut t hat s tar I g uess h e' d h av e s pent h is t im e p layi ng s ol it ai re."

" Well , w hat are w e w ai ti ng f or ?" i nq ui red S hagg y, w ho w as i mp at ient t o s tart .

"Quox," replied Tubekins. "But I think I hear him coming."

" Is t he y ou ng d ra gon i nv is ibl e? " a ske d A nn , w ho h ad ne ve r s ee n a l iv e d ra go n a nd w as a l it tl e f ea rf ul of

meeting one.

" No , i nd ee d, " r ep li ed t he K in g o f t he T ub e. " Yo u' ll s ee hi m i n a m inu te ; bu t b ef or e yo u p ar t c om pa ny I 'm

sure you'll wish he was invisible."

"Is he dangerous, then?" questioned Files.

" No t a t a ll . B ut Q uo x t ir es m e d re ad fu ll y, " s ai d T ub ek in s, " an d I p re fe r h is r oo m t o h is c om pa ny .

A t t ha t i ns ta nt a s cr ap in g s ou nd w as h ea rd , d ra wi ng n ea re r a nd n ea re r u nt il f ro m b et we en t wo b ig b us he s

a pp ea re d a h ug e d ra go n, w ho a pp ro ac he d t he p ar ty , n od de d h is h ea d a nd s ai d:

"Good morning."

H ad Q uo x b ee n a t a ll b as hf ul I a m s ur e h e w ou ld h av e f el t u nc om fo rt ab le a t t he a st on is he d s ta re o f e ve ry

e ye i n t he g ro up -e xc ep t T ub ek in s, o f c ou rs e, w ho w as n ot a st on is he d b ec au se h e h ad s ee n Q uo x s o

often.

B et sy ha d t ho ug ht a " yo un g" d ra go n m us t be a s ma ll d ra go n, y et h er e w as o ne s o e no rm ou s t ha t t he gi rl

d ec id ed h e m us t b e f ul l g ro wn , i f n ot o ve rg ro wn . H is b od y w as a l ov el y s ky -b lu e i n c ol or a nd i t w as

P a g e 5 1



t hi ck ly s et w it h g li tt er in g s il ve r s ca le s, e ac h o ne a s b ig a s a s er vi ng- tr ay . A ro un d h is n ec k w as a p ink

r ib bon w it h a bow j us t und er hi s l ef t e ar , a nd b el ow t he r ibb on a pp ea re d a c ha in of pe ar ls t o w hi ch w as

a tt ac he d a g ol de n l oc ke t a bout a s l ar ge a roun d a s t he e nd of a b as s d rum . T hi s l oc ke t w as s et wi th m any

large and beautiful jewels.

The he ad a nd f ac e of Q uox w er e no t e spe ci al ly ugl y, whe n you c ons ide r t ha t he wa s a dr agon ; but h is

e ye s w ere s o l ar ge t ha t it t ook hi m a l ong ti me t o w in k a nd hi s t ee th s ee me d ve ry s ha rp a nd t er ri bl e whe nt he y s ho we d, w hi ch t he y d id w he ne ve r t he b ea st s mi le d. A ls o h is n os tr il s w er e q ui te l ar ge a nd w id e, a nd

t ho se w ho s to od n ea r h im w er e l ia bl e t o s me ll b ri ms to ne -e sp ec ia ll y w he n h e b re at he d o ut f ir e, a s i t i s t he

na tur e of dr agons t o do. To t he e nd of hi s l ong t ai l w as a tt ac he d a bi g e le ct ri c l ight .

P er ha ps t he m os t s in gu la r t hi ng a bo ut t he d ra go n' s a pp ea ra nc e a t t hi s t im e w as t he f ac t t ha t h e h ad a r ow

o f s ea ts a tt ac he d t o h is ba ck, o ne s ea t f or e ac h m em be r of t he p ar ty. T he se s ea ts w er e d oub le , w it h

c ur ve d b ac ks , s o t ha t t wo c oul d s it i n t he m, a nd t he re we re t we lv e of t he se d ou bl e s ea ts , a ll s tr app ed

f ir ml y a ro un d t he d ra go n' s t hi ck b od y a nd p la ce d o ne b eh in d t he o th er , i n a r ow t ha t e xt en de d f ro m h is

s ho ul ders n earl y t o h is t ai l.

"Aha!" exclaimed Tubekins; "I see that Tititi-Hoochoo has transformed Quox into a carryall."

" I' m g la d o f t ha t, " s ai d B et sy . " I h op e, M r. D ra go n, y ou w on 't m in d o ur r id in g o n y ou r b ac k. "

" Not a bi t, " r epl ie d Quox. " I' m i n di sgr ac e j us t now , you k now, a nd t he onl y w ay t o r ede em m y go od

name is to obey the orders of the Jinjin. If he ma kes me a bea st of burde n, it is only a part of my

punishment, and I must bear it like a dragon. I don't blame you people at all, and I hope you'll enjoy the

r ide . H op o n, pl ea se . A ll a boa rd f or t he o the r s ide o f t he wo rl d! "

S il en tl y t he y t oo k t he ir p la ce s. H an k s at i n t he f ro nt s ea t w it h B et sy , s o t ha t h e c ou ld r es t h is f ro nt h oo fs

u po n t he d rago n' s h ead. B eh in d t hem w er e S hagg y and P ol ychr om e, t hen F il es and t he P ri nces s, andQ ue en A nn a nd T ik -T ok . T he o ff ic er s r od e i n t he r ea r s ea ts . W he n a ll h ad m ou nt ed t o t he ir p la ce s t he

d ra go n l oo ke d ve ry l ik e on e o f t ho se s ig ht se ei ng w ago ns s o c om mo n i n b ig c it ie s- o nl y h e h ad l eg s

instead of wheels.

" Al l r ea dy? " a ske d Quox , a nd wh en t he y s ai d t he y we re he c ra wl ed t o t he m out h of t he Tube a nd pu t hi s

h ead i n.

" Go od -b ye , a nd g oo d l uc k t o y ou !" c al le d T ub ek in s; b ut n o o ne t ho ug ht t o r ep ly , b ec au se j us t t he n t he

dr ag on s li d hi s g re at body i nt o t he Tub e a nd t he j our ne y t o t he ot he r s ide of t he w or ld ha d be gun.

A t f ir st t he y w en t s o f as t t ha t t he y c ou ld s ca rc el y c at ch t he ir b re at hs , b ut p re se nt ly Q uo x s lo we d u p a nd

s ai d w it h a s or t o f cackl in g l au gh :

"M y sc al es ! but t ha t is s ome tumbl e. I thi nk I sha ll t ake it e asy a nd f al l s lowe r, or I 'm l ike ly to ge t diz zy. I s

i t ve ry f ar t o t he ot he r s ide of t he w or ld? "

"Haven't you ever been through this Tube before?" inquired Shaggy.

" Ne ve r. N or ha s a ny one e ls e i n o ur c ou nt ry; a t l ea st , not s inc e I w as bo rn. "

" Ho w l on g a go w as t ha t? " a sk ed B et sy .

" Tha t I w as bor n? O h, not v er y l on g a go . I 'm o nl y a me re c hi ld. I f I ha d not be en s ent on t hi s j our ne y, I

P a g e 5 2



w ou ld h av e cel eb rated m y t hr ee t ho us an d and f if ty -s ix th b ir th day n ex t T hu rs day. M ot her w as g oi ng t o

m ak e m e a b ir th da y c ak e w it h t hr ee t ho us an d a nd f if ty -s ix c an dl es o n i t; b ut n ow , o f c ou rs e, t he re w il l b e

no ce le bra tion, for I f ear I sha ll not get home i n ti me for it ."

" Th ree t ho us an d and f if ty -s ix y ears !" cri ed B et sy . " Wh y, I h ad n o i dea any th in g cou ld l iv e t hat l on g! "

" My r es pe ct ed Anc es to r, w hom I w oul d c al l a s tup id ol d humb ug i f I ha d not r efo rme d, i s s o ol d t ha t Ia m a m er e b ab y c om pa re d w it h h im ," s ai d Q uo x. " He d at es f ro m t he b eg in ni ng o f t he w or ld , a nd i ns is ts

o n t el li ng u s s to ri es o f t hi ng s t ha t ha pp en ed f if ty t hou sa nd y ea rs a go , w hi ch a re o f n o i nt er es t a t a ll t o

yo ung st er s l ike m e. I n f ac t, G ra ndpa i sn' t up t o d at e. He l iv es a lt oge th er i n t he p as t, s o I c an' t s ee a ny

go od r ea son f or hi s b ei ng a li ve t o- da y. ... Ar e y ou p eo pl e a bl e t o s ee y ou r w ay , o r s ha ll I t ur n on m or e

light?"

" Oh , w e c an s ee v er y n ic el y, t ha nk y ou ; o nl y t he re 's n ot hi ng t o s ee b ut o ur se lv es ," a ns we re d B et sy .

T hi s w as t ru e. T he d rago n' s b ig eyes w er e l ik e h eadl ig ht s o n an aut om ob il e and i ll um in at ed t he T ub e f ar

a he ad of t he m. Al so he c ur led hi s t ai l upwa rd s o t ha t t he e le ct ri c l ight on t he e nd of i t e na bl ed t he m t o s eeo ne a no the r q ui te c le ar ly . B ut t he T ub e i ts el f w as o nl y d ar k m et al , s mo ot h a s g la ss b ut e xa ct ly t he s am e

f ro m o ne o f i ts e nd s t o t he o th er . T he re fo re t he re w as n o s ce ne ry o f i nt er es t t o b eg ui le t he j ou rn ey .

T hey w er e n ow f al li ng s o g en tl y t hat t he t ri p w as p ro vi ng ent ir el y com fo rt ab le, as t he J in ji n h ad p ro mi sed

i t woul d be ; but t hi s me ant a l onge r j ourne y a nd t he onl y wa y t he y c oul d ma ke t ime pa ss w as to e ngage

i n c on ve rs at io n. T he d ra go n s ee me d a w il li ng a nd p er si st en t t al ke r a nd h e w as o f s o m uc h i nt er es t t o

t he m t ha t t he y e nc ou ra ge d h im t o c ha tt er . H is v oi ce w as a l it tl e gr uf f b ut n ot u np le as an t w he n o ne

became used to it.

" My o nl y f ear, " s ai d h e p resent ly , " is t hat t hi s con st an t s li di ng o ver t he s ur face o f t he T ub e w il l d ul l m y

c la ws . Y ou s ee , t hi s h ol e i sn 't s tr ai gh t d ow n, b ut o n a s te ep s la nt , a nd s o i ns te ad o f t um bl in g f re el yt hr oug h t he a ir I m us t s ka te a lon g t he T ube . F or tu na te ly , t he re i s a f il e i n m y t oo l- ki t, a nd i f m y c la ws g et

d ul l t hey can b e s harp en ed again ."

" Wh y d o y ou w an t s ha rp c la ws ?" a sk ed B et sy .

" Th ey a re m y n at ur al w ea po ns , a nd y ou m us t n ot f or ge t t ha t I h av e b ee n s en t t o c on qu er R ug ge do ."

" Oh , y ou n eedn 't m in d abo ut t hat, " r em ar ked Q ueen A nn , i n h er m os t h au gh ty m an ner; " fo r w hen w e g et

t o R ug gedo I and m y i nv in ci bl e A rm y can con qu er h im w it ho ut y ou r ass is tance. "

" Very g oo d, " r et ur ned t he d rago n, cheer fu ll y. " Th at w il l s av e m e a l ot o f b ot her- if y ou s ucceed . B ut I

t hi nk I s hall f il e m y claws , j us t t he s am e. "

H e ga ve a l ong s igh , a s he s ai d t hi s, a nd a s he et o f f la me , s ev er al f ee t i n l en gt h, s hot f ro m h is m ou th .

B et sy s hu dd er ed a nd H an k s ai d " He e- ha w! " w hi le s om e o f t he o ff ic er s s cr ea me d i n t er ro r. B ut t he

d rago n d id n ot n ot ice t hat h e h ad d on e any th in g u nu su al .

" Is t here f ir e i ns id e o f y ou ?" ask ed S hagg y.

" Of c our se ," a ns we re d Qu ox. "W ha t s or t of a dr agon w oul d I be i f my f ir e we nt o ut ?"

"What keeps it going?" Betsy inquired.

P a g e 5 3



" I' ve no i de a. I onl y know it 's t he re ," s ai d Quox. " The f ir e ke eps m e a li ve a nd e na bl es me t o mo ve ; a ls o

t o t hi nk a nd s pe ak ."

" Ah ! Y ou a re v er -y m uc h l ike m y- se lf ," s ai d T ik -T ok . " Th e o n- ly d if -f er -e nc e i s t ha t I m ov e b y

clo ck -w or k, w hi le y ou m ov e b y f ir e. "

" I d on 't s ee a p ar ti cl e o f l ik en es s b et we en u s, I m us t c on fe ss ," r et or te d Q uo x, g ru ff ly . " Yo u a re n ot a l iv ething; you're a dummy."

" Bu t I c an d o t hi ng s, y ou m us t a d- mi t, " s ai d T ik -T ok .

" Ye s, w he n y ou a re w ou nd u p, " s ne er ed t he d ra go n. " Bu t i f y ou r un d ow n, y ou a re h el pl es s. "

" Wh at w ou ld h app en t o yo u, Q uox , i f y ou r an o ut o f ga sol ine ?" i nq ui re d S ha gg y, w ho d id n ot l ik e t hi s

att ack u po n h is f ri en d.

"I don't use gasoline."

" Well , s up po se y ou r an o ut o f f ir e. "

" Wh at 's t he u se o f s up po si ng t hat?" ask ed Q uo x. " My g reat- gr eat- gr eat -g rand fath er h as l i ved s in ce t he

wor ld be ga n, a nd he ha s ne ver once run out of f ir e t o ke ep hi m goi ng. But I w il l c onf ide t o you t ha t a s he

ge ts ol de r he s hows mo re s moke a nd l es s f ir e. As f or Ti k- Tok, he 's w el l e no ugh i n hi s wa y, but he 's

m er el y c op pe r. A nd t he M et al M on ar ch k no ws c op pe r t hr ou gh a nd t hr ou gh . I w ou ld n' t b e s ur pr is ed i f

R ug gedo m el ted T ik -T ok i n o ne o f h is f ur naces and m ad e cop per p en ni es o f h im ."

" In t hat cas e, I w ou ld s ti ll k eep g oi ng ," r em ar ked T ik -T ok , cal ml y.

"Pennies do," said Betsy regretfully.

" Th is i s all n on sens e, " s ai d t he Q ueen , w it h i rr it at io n. " Ti k- To k i s m y g reat A rm y- al l b ut t he o ff icer s- an d I

believe he will be able to conquer Ruggedo with ease. What do you think, Polychrome?"

"You might let him try," answered the Rainbow's Daughter, with her sweet ringing laugh, that sounded

l ik e t he t in kl in g o f t in y b el ls . " An d i f T ik -T ok f ai ls , y ou h av e s ti ll t he b ig f ir e- br eath in g d rago n t o f al l b ack

on."

" Ah !" s ai d t he d rago n, ano th er s heet o f f lame g us hi ng f ro m h is m ou th and n os tr il s; " it 's a w is e l it tl e g ir l, t hi sP ol ychr om e. A ny on e w ou ld k no w s he i s a f ai ry ."

Chapter Fourteen

T h e L o ng - Ea re d H e ar e r L e ar ns b y L ist en ing

D ur in g t hi s t im e R ug gedo , t he M et al M on ar ch and K in g o f t he N om es , w as t ry in g t o amu se h im self i n h is

s pl en di d j ew el ed c av er n. I t w as h ar d w or k f or R ug ge do t o f in d a mu se me nt t o d ay , f or a ll t he n om eswe re b eha vi ng we ll a nd t he re w as no one t o s col d or t o pun is h. Th e K ing ha d t hr own hi s s ce pt re a t

K al ik o s ix t im es , w it ho ut h it ti ng h im o nce. N ot t hat K al ik o h ad d on e any th in g w ro ng . O n t he con tr ar y, h e

P a g e 5 4



ha d obe ye d t he Ki ng i n e ve ry wa y but o ne : he wo ul d no t s ta nd s ti ll , whe n c om ma nde d t o do s o, a nd l et

t he h eavy s cept re s tr ik e h im .

W e c an h ar dl y b la me K al ik o f or t hi s, a nd e ve n t he c rue l R ug ge do f or ga ve h im ; f or h e kn ew v er y w el l t ha t

i f h e m as hed h is R oy al C hamb er lain h e cou ld n ev er f in d ano th er s o i nt el li gent and o bedi en t. K al ik o cou ld

m ak e t he n om es w or k w he n t he ir K in g c ou ld n ot , f or t he n om es h at ed R ug ge do a nd t he re w er e s o m an y

t ho us an ds o f t he q uain t l it tl e u nd er gr ou nd p eo pl e t hat t hey cou ld eas il y h av e r eb el led and d ef ied t he K in gh ad t he y d ar ed t o d o s o. S om et im es , w he n R ug ge do a bu se d t he m w or se t ha n u su al , t he y g re w s ul le n a nd

t hr ew d ow n t he ir h am me rs a nd p ic ks . T he n, h ow ev er h ar d t he K in g s co ld ed o r w hi pp ed t he m, t he y

wo ul d n ot wor k unt il K al ik o c am e a nd be gge d t he m t o. Fo r K al ik o wa s o ne of t he ms el ve s a nd wa s a s

muc h a bus ed by t he Ki ng a s a ny nome i n t he va st s er ie s of c ave rns .

B ut t od ay all t he l it tl e p eo pl e w er e w or ki ng i nd us tr io us ly at t heir t as ks and R ug gedo , h av in g n ot hi ng t o

d o, w as g re at ly b or ed . H e s en t f or t he L on g- Ea re d H ea re r a nd a sk ed h im t o l is te n c ar ef ul ly a nd r ep or t

w ha t w as g oi ng o n i n t he b ig w or ld.

" It s eems ," s ai d t he H earer, aft er l is teni ng f or awh il e, " th at t he w om en i n A meri ca h av e clu bs ."

" Ar e t here s pi kes i n t hem?" ask ed R ug gedo , y aw ni ng .

" I c an no t h ea r a ny s pi ke s, Y ou r M aj es ty ," w as t he r ep ly .

" The n t he ir c lu bs a re no t a s, g ood a s m y s ce pt re . W ha t e ls e d o yo u h ea r? '

" Th er e' s a w ar ."

" Ba h! t he re 's a lw ay s a w ar . W ha t e ls e? "

F or a t im e t he H ea re r w as s il en t, b en di ng f or wa rd a nd s pr ea di ng o ut h is b ig e ar s t o c at ch t he s li gh te st

s ou nd . T hen s ud denl y h e s ai d: " Here i s an i nt er es ti ng t hi ng , Y ou r M aj es ty . T hese p eo pl e are arg ui ng as t o

w ho s hall con qu er t he M et al M on ar ch , s ei ze h is t reas ur e and d ri ve h im f ro m h is d om in io ns ."

"What people?" demanded Ruggedo, sitting up straight in his throne.

" Th e o nes y ou t hr ew d ow n t he H ol lo w T ub e. "

" Wh er e are t hey n ow ?"

" In t he s am e T ub e, a nd c om in g b ac k t hi s w ay ," s ai d t he H ea re r.

R ug ge do g ot ou t of h is t hr one a nd b eg an t o pa ce u p a nd do wn t he c av er n.

" I w on de r w ha t c an b e do ne t o s top t he m, " he m us ed.

" We ll ," s ai d t he H ea re r, " if y ou c oul d t ur n t he T ub e u ps id e d ow n, t he y w ou ld b e f al li ng t he o th er w ay,

Your Majesty."

R ug ge do g la re d a t h im w ic ke dl y, f or i t w as i mp os si bl e t o t ur n t he T ub e u ps id e d ow n a nd h e b el ie ve d t he

H earer w as s ly ly p ok in g f un at h im . P resent ly h e ask ed :

" Ho w f ar a wa y a re t ho se p eo pl e n ow ?"

P a g e 5 5



"About nine thousand three hundred and six miles, seventeen furlongs, eight feet and four inches-as nearly

a s I c an j ud ge f ro m t he s ou nd o f t he ir v oi ce s, " r ep li ed t he H ea re r.

" Ah a! T he n i t w il l be s om e t im e be fo re t he y a rr iv e, " s ai d R ug ge do, " an d w he n t he y g et h er e I s ha ll b e

r ea dy t o r ec ei ve t he m.

H e r us he d t o h is g on g a nd p oun de d u po n i t s o f ie rc el y t ha t K al ik o c am e b ou nd in g i nt o t he c av er n w it h

one s hoe of f a nd one s hoe on, f or he wa s j ust dr es si ng hi ms el f a ft er a s wim in t he hot bubbl ing la ke of the

Underground Kingdom.

" Kali ko , t ho se i nv ad er s w ho m w e t hr ew d ow n t he T ub e are com in g b ack again !" h e exclaim ed .

" I t ho ug ht t hey w ou ld ," s ai d t he R oy al

Chamberlain, pulling on the other shoe. "Tititi-Hoo-choo would not allow them to remain in his kingdom,

o f c ou rs e, a nd s o I 'v e b ee n e xp ec ti ng t he m b ac k f or s om e t im e. T ha t w as a v er y f oo li sh a ct io n o f y ou rs ,Rug."

" Wh at , t o t hr ow t he m d ow n t he T ub e? "

" Yes. T it it i- Ho ocho o h as f or bi dd en u s t o t hr ow even r ub bi sh i nt o t he T ub e. "

" Po oh ! w hat d o I car e f or t he J in ji n?" ask ed R ug gedo s co rn fu ll y. " He n ev er l eaves h is o wn k in gd om ,

w hi ch i s o n t he o th er s id e o f t he w or ld ."

" Tr ue; b ut h e m ig ht s en d s om e o ne t hr ou gh t he T ub e t o p un is h y ou ," s ug gest ed K al ik o.

" I' d l ik e t o s ee h im d o i t! W ho c ou ld c on qu er m y t ho us an ds o f n om es ?"

" Wh y, t he y' ve b ee n c on qu er ed b ef or e, i f I r em em be r a ri gh t, " a ns we re d K al ik o w it h a g ri n. " On ce I s aw

y ou r un ni ng f ro m a l it tl e g ir l n am ed D or ot hy , and h er f ri en ds , as i f y ou w er e r eall y afr ai d. "

" We ll , I w as a fr ai d, t ha t t im e, " a dm it te d t he N om e K in g, w it h a de ep s ig h, " fo r D or ot hy h ad a Y el low

H en t hat l ai d egg s! "

T he K in g s hu dd er ed a s h e s ai d " eg gs ," a nd K al ik o a ls o s hu dd er ed , a nd s o d id t he L on g- Ea re d H ea re r;

f or e ggs a re t he o nl y t hi ng s t ha t t he n om es g re at ly d re ad . T he r ea so n f or t hi s i s t ha t e gg s b el on g o n t hee ar th 's s ur fa ce , w he re b ir ds a nd f ow l o f a ll s or ts l iv e, a nd t he re i s s om et hi ng a bo ut a h en 's e gg , e sp ec ia ll y,

t ha t f il ls a n om e w it h h or ro r. I f b y c ha nc e t he i ns id e o f a n e gg t ou ch es o ne o f t he se u nd er gr ou nd p eo pl e,

h e w it he rs u p a nd b lo ws a wa y a nd t ha t i s t he e nd o f h im -u nl es s h e m an ag es q ui ck ly t o s pe ak a m ag ic al

w or d w hi ch o nl y a f ew o f t he n om es k no w. T he re fo re R ug ge do a nd h is f ol lo we rs h ad v er y g oo d c au se t o

s hu dd er a t t he m er e m en ti on o f e gg s.

" Bu t Do rot hy, " s ai d t he K ing , " is no t w it h t hi s b an d of i nv ade rs ; no r i s t he Y el lo w H en. A s f or

T it it i- Ho oc ho o, h e h as n o m ea ns o f k no wi ng t ha t w e a re a fr ai d o f e gg s. "

" Yo u m us tn 't b e t oo s ur e o f t hat, " K al ik o w ar ned h im . " Ti ti ti -H oo ch oo k no ws a g reat m an y t hi ng s, b ei ng

a f ai ry, a nd hi s po we rs a re f ar s up er ior t o a ny w e c an b oa st ."

Ruggedo shrugged impatiently and turned to the Hearer.

P a g e 5 6



" Li st en ," s ai d h e, " an d t el l m e i f y ou h ear any egg s com in g t hr ou gh t he T ub e. "

T he L on g- Ea re d o ne l is te ne d a nd t he n s ho ok h is h ea d. B ut K al ik o l au gh ed a t t he K in g.

" No one c an he ar a n e gg, Your Ma je st y, " s ai d he . "T he on ly wa y t o di sc ove r t he t rut h i s t o l ook t hro ugh

the Magic Spyglass."

" Th at 's i t! " c ri ed t he K in g. " Wh y d id n' t I t hi nk o f i t b ef or e? L oo k a t o nc e, K al ik o! "

So Ka li ko we nt t o t he S pygl as s a nd by ut te ri ng a m umbl ed c ha rm he c aus ed t he ot he r e nd of i t t o t wis t

a ro und, s o t ha t i t poi nt ed dow n t he ope ni ng o f t he T ube . The n h e p ut hi s e ye t o t he g la ss a nd w as a bl e t o

g az e a lo ng a ll t he t ur ns a nd w in di ng s o f t he M ag ic S py gl as s a nd t he n de ep i nt o t he T ub e, t o w he re o ur

f ri en ds w er e at t hat t im e f al li ng .

" Dear m e! " h e exclaim ed . " Here com es a d rago n. "

" A b ig o ne?" ask ed R ug gedo .

"A mons ter . He has a n e le ctr ic l ight on the end of hi s t ai l, so I c an s ee hi m ve ry pl ai nly. And t he ot her

people are all riding upon his back."

" Ho w abo ut t he egg s?" i nq ui red t he K in g.

Kaliko looked again.

" I c an s ee no e gg s a t a ll ," s ai d he ; " but I im agi ne t ha t th e dr agon is a s da nge rou s a s e ggs . Pr oba bly

T it it i- Ho ocho o h as s en t h im h er e t o p un is h y ou f or d ro pp in g t ho se s tr an gers i nt o t he F or bi dd en T ub e. Iw ar ne d yo u no t t o do i t, Yo ur Ma je st y. "

T hi s n ew s m ad e t he N om e K in g a nx io us . F or a f ew m in ut es h e p ac ed u p a nd d ow n, s tr ok in g h is l on g

beard and thinking with all his might. After this he turned to Kaliko and said:

"A ll t he ha rm a dr agon c an do i s t o sc ra tc h wi th hi s c la ws a nd bit e wi th hi s te et h."

" Th at i s n ot a ll , b ut i t' s q ui te e no ug h, " r et ur ne d K al ik o e ar ne st ly . " On t he o th er h an d, n o o ne c an h ur t a

d ra go n, b ec au se h e' s t he t ou gh es t c re at ur e a li ve . O ne f lo p o f h is h ug e t ai l c ou ld s ma sh a h un dr ed n om es

t o pa nc ake s, a nd wi th t ee th a nd c la ws he c oul d t ea r e ve n you o r m e i nt o s ma ll b it s, s o t ha t i t wo ul d bealm os t i mp os si bl e t o p ut u s t og et her again . O nce, a f ew h un dr ed y ears ago , w hi le w an deri ng t hr ou gh

s ome d es er te d c ave rns , I c am e up on a s ma ll p ie ce o f a n om e l yi ng on t he r oc ky f loor . I a sk ed t he pi ec e

o f n om e w ha t h ad h ap pe ne d t o i t. F or tu na te ly t he m ou th w as a p ar t o f t hi s p ie ce -t he m ou th a nd t he l ef t

e ye -s o it wa s a ble to te ll me t ha t a fi er ce dra gon was the c aus e. I t ha d a tt ac ked the poor nome and

s ca tt er ed h im i n e ve ry d ir ec ti on , a nd a s t he re w as n o f ri en d n ea r t o c ol le ct h is p ie ce s a nd p ut h im

t oge th er , t he y h ad be en s epa ra te d f or a g re at m any ye ar s. So yo u s ee , Y our M aj es ty, i t i s n ot i n g oo d

t as te t o s ne er a t a d ra go n. "

T he K in g h ad l is tened att en ti vely t o K al ik o.

S ai d h e: " It w il l o nl y b e n ec es sa ry t o c ha in t hi s dr ag on w hi ch T it it i- Ho oc ho o h as s en t h er e, i n o rd er t o

prevent his reaching us with his claws and teeth."

P a g e 5 7



"He also breathes flames," Kaliko reminded him.

" My n om es a re n ot a fr ai d o f f ir e, n or a m I ," s ai d R ug ge do .

" Well , h ow abo ut t he A rm y o f O og ab oo ?"

" Si xt een cow ar dl y o ff icer s and T ik -T ok ! W hy , I cou ld d ef eat t hem s in gl e- hand ed ; b ut I w on 't t ry t o. I 'l ls um mo n m y a rm y o f n ome s t o dr ive t he i nva de rs o ut o f m y t er ri to ry , a nd i f w e c at ch a ny o f t he m I i nt en d

t o s ti ck n eedl es i nt o t hem u nt il t hey h op w it h p ai n.

" I h op e y ou w on 't hu rt a ny o f t he g ir ls ," s ai d K al iko .

" I' ll h ur t ' em all !" r oared t he ang ry M et al M on ar ch . " An d t hat b rayi ng M ul e I 'l l m ak e i nt o h oo f- so up , and

f eed it t o my nome s, tha t i t ma y a dd to the ir s tr engt h. "

" Wh y n ot b e g oo d t o t he s tr an ge rs a nd r el ea se y ou r p ri so ne r, t he S ha gg y M an 's b ro th er ?" s ug ge st ed

Kaliko.

"Never!"

" It ma y s ave you a lot of a nnoya nce . And you don' t wa nt t he Ugl y O ne ."

" I don' t w ant hi m; t ha t' s t rue . Bu t I wo n' t a ll ow a nybo dy t o or de r m e a roun d. I 'm Ki ng o f t he N om es a nd

I' m t he Me ta l Monar ch, a nd I shal l do as I ple as e and wha t I ple ase and whe n I ple as e!"

W it h t hi s s pe ec h R ug ge do t hr ew h is s ce pt re a t K al ik o' s h ea d, a im in g i t s o w el l t ha t t he R oy al

Ch am be rl ai n ha d t o f al l f la t up on t he f lo or i n or de r t o e sc ape i t. B ut t he H ea re r di d n ot s ee t he s ce pt re

c om ing a nd i t s we pt pa st hi s h ea d s o c los el y t ha t i t br ok e of f t he t ip of one o f hi s l ong e ar s. He ga ve ad re ad fu l y el l t ha t q ui te s ta rt le d R ug ge do , a nd t he K in g w as s or ry f or t he a cc id en t b ec au se t ho se l on g e ar s

o f t he H ea re r w er e r ea ll y v al ua bl e t o h im .

S o t he N om e K in g f or go t t o b e a ng ry w it h K al ik o a nd o rd er ed h is C ha mb er la in t o s um mo n G en er al

Guph a nd t he a rm y of nom es a nd ha ve t he m pr ope rl y a rm ed . The y we re t he n t o ma rc h t o t he mout h of

t he T ub e, w he re t he y c ou ld s ei ze t he t ra ve le rs a s s oo n a s t he y a pp ea re d.

Chapter Fifteen

T he D ra go n D ef ie s D an ge r

A lt ho ug h t he j ou rn ey t hr ou gh t he T ub e w as l on ger, t hi s t im e, t han b ef or e, i t w as s o m uch m or e

c om fo rt ab le t ha t n on e o f ou r f ri en ds m in de d i t a t a ll . T he y t al ke d t og et he r m os t o f t he t im e a nd a s t he y

f ou nd t he d ra go n g oo d- na tu re d a nd f on d o f t he s ou nd o f h is o wn v oi ce t he y s oo n b ec am e w el l

acq uain ted w it h h im and accep ted h im as a com pani on .

" You s ee ," s ai d Sha ggy, i n h is f ra nk w ay, "Q uox i s on our s ide , a nd t he re for e t he dr agon i s a g ood

f el lo w. I f he h ap pe ne d t o b e a n e ne my , i ns te ad o f a f ri en d, I a m s ur e I s ho ul d di sl ik e h im v er y m uc h, f or h is b re at h s me ll s o f b ri ms to ne , h e i s v er y c on ce it ed a nd h e i s s o s tr on g a nd f ie rc e t ha t h e w ou ld p ro ve a

dangerous foe."

P a g e 5 8



" Ye s, i nd ee d, " r et ur ne d Q uo x, w ho h ad l is te ne d t o t hi s s pe ec h w it h p le as ur e; " I s up po se I a m a bo ut a s

t er ri bl e a s a ny l iv ing t hi ng. I a m gl ad y ou f ind m e c on ce it ed , f or t ha t p ro ve s I kn ow m y go od qu al it ie s. A s

f or m y b re at h s me ll ing o f b ri ms to ne , I r ea ll y c an 't he lp i t, a nd I on ce m et a m an w ho se b re at h s me ll ed o f

o ni on s, w hi ch I con si der f ar w or se."

" I d on 't ," s ai d B et sy ; " I l ov e o ni on s. "

" An d I l ov e b ri ms to ne," d eclared t he d rago n, " so d on 't l et u s q uarr el o ver o ne ano th er 's p ecul iari ti es ."

S ay ing t hi s, h e br ea th ed a l on g br ea th a nd s hot a f la me f if ty f ee t f ro m h is m out h. T he br im st on e m ad e

B et sy cou gh , b ut s he r em em bered abo ut t he o ni on s and s ai d n ot hi ng .

Th ey ha d no i de a h ow f ar t he y h ad gon e t hr oug h t he c ent er of t he e ar th, no r w he n t o e xpe ct t he t ri p t o

e nd. A t on e t im e t he l it tl e g ir l r em ar ke d, " I w on de r w he n w e' ll r ea ch t he b ot to m o f t hi s h ol e. A nd i sn 't i t

f unny, Sha ggy M an, t ha t wha t is th e bot tom t o us now, wa s t he t op w he n we f el l t he ot he r w ay? "

" Wh at p uz zl es m e, " s ai d F il es , " is t ha t w e a re a bl e t o f al l b ot h w ay s.

" Th at ," ann ou nced T ik -T ok , " is b ecau se t he w or ld i s r ou nd ."

" Ex actl y, " r es po nd ed S hagg y. " Th e m achi nery i n y ou r h ead i s i n f in e w or ki ng o rd er , T ik -T ok . Y ou k no w,

B et sy , t hat t here i s s uch a t hi ng as t he A tt ract io n o f G ravi tati on , w hi ch d raws every th in g t ow ar d t he

c en te r o f t he e ar th . T ha t i s w hy w e f al l o ut o f b ed , a nd w hy e ve ry th ing c li ng s t o t he s ur fa ce o f t he e ar th ."

" Th en w hy d oe sn 't e ve ryo ne g o o n d ow n t o t he c en te r o f t he e ar th ?" i nq ui re d t he l it tl e g ir l.

" I wa s a fr ai d y ou w er e goi ng t o a sk m e t ha t," r epl ie d Sh aggy i n a s ad t one . " The r ea son, my de ar , i s t ha tt he e art h i s s o s ol id t hat ot he r s ol id thi ngs c an' t ge t thr ough i t. But w hen the re 's a hol e, a s t he re i s i n t hi s

c as e, we dr op r ig ht do wn t o t he c ent er of t he wo rl d. "

" Wh y d on 't w e s to p t he re ?" a sk ed B et sy .

" Be ca us e w e go s o f as t t ha t w e a cqu ir e s pe ed e no ugh t o c ar ry us r igh t up t o t he ot he r e nd. "

" I d on 't u nd er st an d t ha t, a nd i t m ak es m y h ea d a ch e t o t ry t o f ig ur e i t o ut ," s he s ai d a ft er s om e t ho ug ht .

" On e t hi ng d ra ws u s t o t he c en te r a nd a no th er t hi ng p us he s u s a wa y f ro m i t.

But-"

" Do n' t a sk m e w hy , p le as e, " i nt er ru pt ed t he S ha gg y M an . " If y ou c an 't u nd er st an d i t, l et i t g o a t t ha t. "

"Do you understand it?" she inquired.

" Al l t he m ag ic i sn 't i n f ai ry land ," h e s ai d g ravely . " Th er e' s l ot s o f m ag ic i n all N at ur e, and y ou m ay s ee i t

a s we ll i n t he Uni te d St at es , wh er e y ou a nd I on ce l ive d, a s you c an he re ."

" I n ev er d id ," s he r ep li ed .

" Be ca us e yo u w er e s o u se d t o i t a ll t ha t yo u d id n' t r ea li ze i t w as m ag ic . I s a ny th ing m or e w on de rf ul t ha n

t o s ee a f lowe r gr ow a nd bl os so m, or t o ge t l ight ou t of t he e le ct ric it y i n t he a ir ? The c ows t ha t

P a g e 5 9



m an uf actu re m il k f or u s m us t h av e m achi nery f ul ly as r em ar kabl e as t hat i n T ik -T ok 's cop per b od y, and

perhaps you've noticed that-"

A nd t hen, b ef or e S hagg y cou ld f in is h h is s peech, t he s tr on g l ig ht o f d ay s ud denl y b ro ke u po n t hem, g rew

brighter, and completely enveloped them. The dragon's claws no longer scraped against the metal Tube,

f or he sh ot i nt o t he ope n a ir a hundr ed f ee t or mor e a nd s ai le d s o f ar a wa y f rom t he s la nt ing hol e t ha t

whe n he l an de d i t w as on t he pe ak of a mou nt ai n a nd j us t ove r t he e nt ra nc e t o t he ma ny unde rgr oun dc av er ns o f t he N om e K in g.

S om e o f t he o ff ic er s t um bl ed o ff t he ir s ea ts w he n Q uo x s tr uc k t he g ro un d, h ut m os t o f t he d ra go n' s

passengers only felt a slight jar. All were glad to be on solid earth again and they at once dismounted and

began to look about them. Queerly enough, as soon as they had left the dragon, the seats that were

s tr ap pe d t o t he m on st er 's b ac k d is ap pe ar ed , a nd t hi s p ro ba bl y h ap pe ne d b ec au se t he re w as n o f ur th er

u se f or t he m a nd b ec au se Q uo x l oo ke d f ar m or e d ig ni fi ed i n j us t h is s il ve r s ca le s. O f c ou rs e h e s ti ll w or e

t he f or ty ya rds of r ibb on a ro und hi s n ec k, a s w el l a s t he gr ea t l oc ke t, but t he se onl y ma de hi m l ook

" dr ess ed u p, " as B et s y r emar ked.

Now the army of nomes had gathered thickly around the mouth of the Tube, in order to be ready to

c ap tu re t he b an d o f i nv ad er s a s s oo n a s t he y p op pe d o ut . T he re w er e, i nd ee d, h un dr ed s o f n om es

a ss em bl ed , a nd t he y w er e l ed b y G up h, t he ir m os t f am ou s G en er al . B ut t he y d id n ot e xp ec t t he d ra go n t o

f ly s o h ig h, a nd he s hot ou t of t he Tub e s o s udde nl y t ha t i t t ook t he m by s ur pr is e. Whe n t he nome s ha d

r ub bed t he ast on is hm en t o ut o f t heir eyes and r eg ai ned t heir w it s, t hey d is co vered t he d rago n q ui et ly

s ea te d o n t he m ou nt ai ns id e f ar a bo ve t he ir h ea ds , w hi le t he o th er s tr an ge rs w er e s ta nd in g i n a g ro up a nd

calmly looking down upon them.

G en er al G up h w as v er y a ng ry a t t he e sc ap e, w hi ch w as n o o ne 's f au lt b ut h is o wn .

" Co me d ow n h er e a nd b e c ap tu re d! " h e s ho ut ed , w av in g h is s wo rd a t t he m.

" Co me u p h er e a nd c ap tu re u s- if y ou d ar e! " r ep li ed Q ue en A nn , w ho w as w in di ng u p t he c lo ck wo rk o f

h er P ri vate S ol di er , s o h e cou ld f ig ht m or e b ri sk ly .

Gu ph' s f ir st a ns we r wa s a r oa r of r ag e a t t he de fi anc e; t he n h e t ur ne d a nd i ss ue d a c om ma nd t o h is

n om es . T he se w er e a ll a rm ed w it h s ha rp s pe ar s a nd w it h o ne a cc or d t he y r ai se d t he se s pe ar s a nd t hr ew

t he m s tr ai gh t a t t he ir f oe s, s o t ha t t he y r us he d t hr ou gh t he a ir i n a p er fe ct c lou d o f f ly in g w ea po ns .

S om e d am ag e m ig ht h av e b ee n d on e h ad n ot t he d ra go n q ui ck ly c ra wl ed b ef or e t he o th er s, h is b od y

being so big that it shielded every one of them, including Hank. The spears rattled against the silver scaleso f Q uo x and t hen f el l h ar ml es sl y t o t he g ro un d. T hey w er e m ag ic s pear s, o f cou rs e, and all s tr ai gh tw ay

bounded back into the hands of those who had thrown them, but even Guph could see that it was useless

t o r ep ea t t he a tt ac k.

I t w as n ow Q ue en A nn 's t ur n t o a tt ac k, s o t he G en er al s y el le d " Fo r- wa rd m ar ch !" a nd t he C ol on el s a nd

M aj or s a nd C ap ta in s r ep ea te d t he c om ma nd a nd t he v al ia nt A rm y o f O og ab oo , w hi ch s ee me d t o b e

com po sed m ai nl y o f T ik -T ok , m ar ch ed f or ward i n s in gl e col um n t ow ar d t he n om es , w hi le B et sy and

P ol ychr om e cheer ed and H an k g av e a l ou d " Hee- haw! " and S hagg y s ho ut ed " Ho or ay !" and Q ueen A nn

screamed:

" At ' em , T ik -T ok -at ' em! "

T he n om es d id n ot a wa it t he C lo ck wo rk M an 's a tt ac k b ut i n a t wi nk li ng d is ap pe ar ed i nt o t he

P a g e 6 0



u nd er gr ou nd c av er ns . T he y m ad e a g re at m is ta ke i n b ei ng s o h as ty , f or T ik -T ok h ad n ot t ak en a d oz en

s te ps be for e h e s tub be d hi s c op pe r t oe o n a r oc k a nd f el l f la t t o t he g rou nd , w he re h e c ri ed: " Pi ck m e up !

P ic k m e u p! Pi ck m e u p! " un ti l S ha ggy a nd F il es r an f or wa rd a nd r ai se d h im t o hi s f ee t a ga in.

T he d ra go n c hu ck le d s of tl y t o h im se lf a s h e s cr at ch ed h is l ef t e ar w it h h is h in d c la w, b ut n o o ne w as

paying much attention to Quox just then.

I t w as e vi de nt t o A nn a nd h er of fi ce rs t ha t t he re c ou ld b e n o f ig ht in g u nl es s t he e ne my w as p re se nt , a nd

i n o rd er t o f in d t he e ne my t he y m us t b ol dl y e nt er t he u nd er gr ou nd K in gd om o f t he n om es . S o b ol d a s te p

d em an de d a c ou nc il o f w ar .

" Do n' t y ou t hi nk I 'd b et te r d ro p i n o n R ug ge do a nd o be y t he o rd er s o f t he J in ji n? " a sk ed Q uo x.

" By n o m ea ns !" r et ur ne d Q ue en A nn . " We h ave a lr ea dy p ut t he a rm y o f no me s t o f li gh t a nd a ll t ha t y et

r em ai ns i s t o f or ce o ur w ay i nt o t ho se c av er ns , a nd c on qu er t he N om e K in g a nd a ll h is p eo pl e. '

" Th at s ee ms t o m e s om et hi ng o f a j ob ," s ai d t he d ra go n, c lo si ng h is e ye s s le ep il y. " Bu t g o a he ad , i f y oul ike , a nd I 'l l wa it he re f or you. Don' t be in a ny hur ry on my ac count . To one who l ive s t hous ands of ye ar s

t he de lay of a fe w da ys me ans nothi ng a t a ll, and I s hal l proba bly s lee p unti l the t im e come s f or me t o

act.

A nn w as p ro vo ke d a t t hi s s pe ec h.

" You m ay a s we ll go ba ck t o T it it i- Hoo choo now, " s he s ai d, " for t he Nom e K ing i s a s good a s

conquered already."

B ut Q uo x s ho ok h is h ea d. " No ," s ai d h e; " I' ll w ai t. "

Chapter Sixteen

T he N au gh ty N om e

S hagg y M an h ad s ai d n ot hi ng d ur in g t he con vers at io n b et ween Q ueen A nn and Q uo x, f or t he s im pl e

r ea so n t ha t h e d id n ot c on si de r t he m at te r w or th a n a rg um en t. S af e w it hi n h is p oc ke t r ep os ed t he L ov e

M ag ne t, w hi ch h ad n ev er f ai le d t o w in e ve ry h ea rt . T he n om es , h e k ne w, w er e n ot l ik e t he h ea rt le ss

R os es a nd t he re fo re c ou ld b e w on t o h is s id e a s s oo n a s h e e xh ib it ed t he m ag ic t al is ma n.

S hagg y' s chi ef anx iety h ad b een t o r each R ug gedo 's K in gd om and n ow t hat t he ent rance l ay b ef or e h im

he w as c onf ide nt he w ou ld be a bl e t o r es cue hi s l os t b rot he r. Le t An n a nd t he dr ago n qu ar re l a s t o w ho

s ho ul d c on que r t he n om es , i f t he y l ik ed ; S ha gg y wo ul d l et t he m t ry , a nd i f t he y f ai le d he h ad t he m ea ns o f

c on qu es t i n h is o wn p oc ke t.

B ut A nn w as po si ti ve s he c ou ld n ot f ai l, f or s he t ho ug ht h er A rm y c ou ld do a ny th in g. S o s he c al le d t he

of fi ce rs t oge the r a nd t ol d t he m h ow t o a ct , a nd s he a ls o i ns tr uc te d T ik -T ok w ha t t o do a nd wh at t o s ay.

"Ple ase do not s hoot your gun e xc ept as a la st re sor t," s he added, "for I do not wi sh to be cr uel or t oshed any blood-unless it is absolutely necessary."

P a g e 6 1



" Al l r ig ht ," r ep li ed T ik -T ok ; " bu t I d o n ot t hi nk R ug -g e- do w ou ld b leed i f I f il led h im f ul l o f h ol es and p ut

h im i n a c i- de r p re ss ."

T he n t he o ff ic er s f el l i n l in e, t he f ou r G en er al s a br ea st a nd t he n t he f ou r C ol one ls a nd t he f ou r M aj or s a nd

t he f ou r C ap tain s. T hey d rew t heir g li tt er in g s wo rd s and com mand ed T ik -T ok t o m ar ch , w hi ch h e d id .

T wi ce h e f el l d ow n, b ei ng t ri pp ed b y t he r ou gh r oc ks , b ut w he n h e s tr uc k t he s mo ot h p at h h e g ot a lo ng

better. Into the gloomy mouth of the cavern entrance he stepped without hesitation, and after him proudly pranced the officers and Queen Ann. The others held back a little, waiting to see what would happen.

O f c ou rs e t he N om e K in g k ne w t he y w er e c om in g a nd w as p re pa re d t o r ec ei ve t he m. J us t w it hi n t he

r oc ky p as sa ge t ha t l ed t o t he j ew el ed t hr on e- ro om w as a d ee p p it , w hi ch w as u su al ly c ov er ed . R ug ge do

h ad o rd er ed t he c ov er r em ov ed a nd i t n ow s to od o pe n, s ca rc el y v is ib le i n t he g lo om .

The pi t wa s s o l ar ge a ro und t ha t i t ne ar ly f il le d t he pa ss age a nd t he re wa s ba re ly r oom f or one t o w al k

a ro un d i t b y p re ss in g c lo se t o t he r oc k w al ls . T hi s T ik -T ok d id , f or h is c op pe r e ye s s aw t he p it c le ar ly

a nd h e a vo id ed i t; b ut t he o ff ic er s m ar ch ed s tr ai gh t i nt o t he h ol e a nd t um bl ed i n a h ea p o n t he b ot to m. A n

i ns ta nt l at er Q ue en A nn a ls o wa lke d i nt o t he pi t, f or s he ha d he r c hi n i n th e a ir a nd wa s c ar el es s whe res he pl ac ed he r f ee t. T he n one of t he nom es pul le d a l ev er w hi ch r ep la ce d t he c ov er o n t he p it a nd m ade

t he o ff ic er s o f O og ab oo a nd t he ir Q ue en f as t p ri so ne rs .

A s f or Ti k- Tok , he k ept s tr ai gh t o n t o t he c av er n w he re R ugg edo s at i n hi s t hr one a nd t he re h e f ac ed t he

Nome King and said: "I here-by con-quer you in the name of Queen Ann So-forth of Oo-ga-boo, whose

A r- my I a m, a nd I d ec la re t ha t yo u a re he r p ri s- on- er !"

Ruggedo laughed at him.

" Wh er e i s t hi s f am ou s Q ueen ?" h e ask ed .

" Sh e' ll b e h er e i n a m in -u te," s ai d T ik -T ok .

" Per -h aps s he s t op ped t o t ie h er s ho e- s tr i ng ."

" No w, s ee h er e, T ik -T ok ," b eg an t he N om e K in g, i n a s te rn v oi ce , " I' ve h ad e no ug h o f t hi s n on se ns e.

Y ou r Q ue en a nd h er o ff ic er s a re a ll p ri so ne rs , h av in g f al le n i nt o m y p ow er , s o p er ha ps y ou' ll t el l m e w ha t

you m ea n t o do. "

" My o rd er s w er e t o c on -q ue r y ou ," r ep li ed T ik -T ok , " an d m y m a- ch in -e r- y h as d on e t he b es t i t k no ws

h ow t o c ar -r y o ut t ho se o r- de rs ."

R ug gedo p ou nd ed o n h is g on g and K al ik o app eared, f ol lo wed clo sely b y G en er al G up h.

" Ta ke t hi s c op pe r m an i nt o t he s ho ps a nd s et h im t o w or k h am me ri ng g ol d, " c om ma nd ed t he K in g.

" Be in g r un b y m ac hi ne ry h e o ug ht t o b e a s te ad y w or ke r. H e o ug ht n ev er t o h av e b ee n m ad e, b ut s in ce

h e e xi st s I s ha ll h er ea ft er p ut h im t o g oo d u se ."

" If y ou t ry t o cap -t ur e m e, " s ai d T ik -T ok , " I s hall f ig ht ."

" Do n' t d o t hat! " exclaim ed G en er al G up h, ear nest ly , " fo r i t w il l b e u seless t o r es is t and y ou m ig ht h ur t

some one."

B ut T ik -T ok r ai se d h is g un a nd t oo k a im a nd n ot k no wi ng w ha t d am ag e t he g un m ig ht d o t he n om es

P a g e 6 2



w er e a fr ai d t o f ac e I t.

W hi le h e w as t hu s d ef yi ng t he N om e K in g and h is h ig h o ff icials , B et sy B ob bi n r od e cal ml y i nt o t he r oy al

cav er n, s eated u po n t he b ack o f H an k t he m ul e. T he l it tl e g ir l h ad g ro wn t ir ed o f w ai ti ng f or " so meth in g

t o h ap pe n" a nd s o h ad c om e t o s ee i f R ugg edo h ad be en c on que re d.

" Na il s a nd n ug ge ts !" r oa re d t he K in g; " ho w d ar e y ou b ri ng t ha t b ea st h er e a nd e nt er m y p re se nc eunannounced?"

" Th er e w as n' t a ny bo dy t o a nn ou nc e m e, r ep li ed B et sy . " I g ue ss y ou r f ol ks w er e a ll b us y. A re y ou

conquered yet?"

" No !" s ho ut ed t he K in g, alm os t b es id e h im self w it h r ag e.

" Th en p leas e g iv e m e s om et hi ng t o eat , f or I 'm awf ul h un gr y, " s ai d t he g ir l. " Yo u s ee, t hi s con qu er in g

business is a good deal like waiting for a circus parade; it takes a long time to get around and don't

amount to much anyhow."

T he n om es w er e s o m uc h a st on is he d a t t hi s s pe ec h t ha t f or a t im e t he y c ou ld o nl y g la re a t h er s il en tl y, n ot

f in di ng w or ds t o r ep ly . T he K in g f in al ly r ecov er ed t he u se o f h is t on gu e and s ai d:

" Eart h- cr aw ler! t hi s i ns ol en ce t o m y m aj es ty s hall b e y ou r d eath -w ar rant . Y ou are an o rd in ar y m or tal,

a nd t o st op a mor ta l fr om li ving i s s o e as y a thi ng t o do t hat I wil l not ke ep you wa it ing ha lf so l ong a s you

d id f or m y con qu es t. "

" I' d r at her y ou w ou ld n' t s to p m e f ro m l iv in g, " r em ar ked B et sy , g et ti ng o ff H an k' s b ack and s tand in g

beside him. "And it would be a pretty cheap King who killed a visitor while she was hungry. If you'll give

m e s om et hi ng t o e at , I 'l l t al k t hi s ki ll in g bu si ne ss o ve r w it h y ou a ft er wa rd; on ly , I w ar n y ou no w t ha t Id on 't a pp ro ve o f i t, a nd n ev er w il l. "

H er c oo ln es s a nd l ac k o f f ea r i mp re ss ed t he N om e K in g, a lt ho ug h h e b or e a n i nt en se h at re d t ow ar d a ll

mortals.

" Wh at d o y ou w is h t o e at ?" he a sk ed g ru ff ly .

" Oh , a h am -s an dw ic h w ou ld d o, o r p er ha ps a c ou pl e o f h ar d- bo il ed e gg s- "

" Eg gs !" s hr ieked t he t hr ee n om es w ho w er e p resent , s hu dd er in g t il l t heir t eeth chatt er ed .

" Wh at 's t he m at te r? " a sk ed B et sy w on de ri ng ly . " Ar e e gg s a s h ig h h er e a s t he y a re a t h om e? "

" Gu ph ," s ai d t he K in g i n a n a gi ta te d v oi ce , t ur ni ng t o h is G en er al , " le t u s d es tr oy t hi s r as h m or ta l a t o nc e!

Se iz e he r a nd t ake he r t o t he S li my Ca ve a nd l oc k he r i n. "

G up h g lanced at T ik -T ok , w ho se g un w as s ti ll p oi nt ed , b ut j us t t hen K al ik o s to le s of tl y b eh in d t he

c op pe r m an a nd k ic ke d h is k ne e- jo in ts s o t ha t t he y s ud de nl y b en t f or wa rd a nd t um bl ed T ik -T ok t o t he

floor, his gun falling from his grasp.

T he n G up h, s ee in g T ik -T ok h el pl es s, m ad e a g ra b a t B et sy . A t t he s am e t im e H an k' s h ee ls s ho t o ut a nd

c au gh t t he G en er al j us t w he re h is b el t w as b uc kl ed . H e r os e i nt o t he a ir s wi ft a s a c an no n- ba ll , s tr uc k t he

Nome King fairly and flattened his Majesty against the wall of rock on the opposite side of the cavern.

P a g e 6 3



T og et her t hey f el l t o t he f lo or i n a d azed and cru mp led con di ti on , s eein g w hi ch K al ik o w hi sp er ed t o

Betsy:

" Co me w it h m e- qu ick! -- an d I w il l s av e y ou ."

S he l oo ked i nt o K al ik o' s f ace i nq ui ri ng ly and t ho ug ht h e s eemed h on es t and g oo d- natu red, s o s he

d ec id ed t o f ol lo w h im . H e l ed h er a nd t he m ul e t hr ou gh s ev er al p as sa ge s a nd i nt o a s ma ll c av er n v er ynicely and comfortably furnished.

"Thi s i s my own r oom, " s ai d he, " but you a re qui te we lc ome to use i t. W ai t he re a mi nut e and I 'l l ge t you

something to eat."

W hen K al ik o r et ur ned h e b ro ug ht a t ray con tain in g s om e b ro il ed m us hr oo ms , a l oaf o f m in er al b read and

s om e p et ro le um -b ut te r. T he b ut te r B et sy c ou ld n ot e at , b ut t he b re ad w as g oo d a nd t he m us hr oo ms

delicious.

" He re 's t he d oo r k ey ," s ai d K al ik o, " an d y ou 'd b et te r l oc k y ou rs el f i n. "

" Wo n' t y ou l et P ol yc hr om e a nd t he R os e P ri nc es s c om e h er e, t oo ?" s he a sk ed .

" I' ll s ee . W he re a re t he y? "

" I d on 't k no w. I l ef t t he m o ut si de ," s ai d B et sy .

" We ll , i f y ou h ea r t hr ee r ap s o n t he d oo r, o pe n i t, " s ai d K al ik o; " bu t d on 't l et a ny on e i n u nl es s t he y g iv e

t he t hr ee r aps ."

" Al l r ig ht ," p ro mi se d B et sy , a nd w he n K al ik o l ef t t he c os y c av er n s he c lo se d a nd l oc ke d t he d oo r.

I n t he m eant im e A nn and h er o ff icer s, f in di ng t hems el ves p ri so ners i n t he p it , h ad s ho ut ed and s cr eamed

un ti l t he y we re t ir ed out , but no on e h ad c om e t o t he ir a ss is ta nc e. I t wa s ve ry da rk a nd d amp i n t he p it

a nd t he y c ou ld n ot c li mb o ut b ec au se t he w al ls w er e h ig he r t ha n t he ir h ea ds a nd t he c ov er w as o n. T he

Q ueen w as f ir st ang ry and t hen ann oy ed and t hen d is co ur ag ed ; b ut t he o ff icer s w er e o nl y afr ai d. E very

o ne o f t he p oo r f el lo ws h ea rt il y w is he d h e w as b ac k i n O og ab oo c ar in g f or h is o rc ha rd , a nd s om e w er e

s o u nh ap py t ha t t he y b eg an t o r ep ro ac h A nn f or c au si ng t he m a ll t hi s t ro ub le a nd d an ge r.

Fi na ll y t he Q ue en s at dow n on t he bot tom of t he pi t a nd l ea ne d he r ba ck a ga ins t t he wa ll . By good l uc k

h er s ha rp e lb ow t ou ch ed a s ec re t s pr in g i n t he w al l a nd a b ig f la t r oc k s wu ng i nw ar d. A nn f el l o ve r backward, but the next instant she jumped up and cried to the others:

" A p as sa ge ! A pa ss ag e! F ol lo w m e, m y b ra ve m en , a nd w e ma y ye t e sc ap e. "

Th en s he be ga n t o c ra wl t hr oug h t he p as sa ge , wh ic h w as a s d ar k a nd da nk a s t he pi t, a nd t he of fi ce rs

f ol lo wed h er i n s in gl e f il e. T hey crawl ed , and t hey crawl ed , and t hey k ep t o n crawl in g, f or t he p as sage

w as n ot b ig e no ug h t o a ll ow t he m t o s ta nd u pr ig ht . I t t ur ne d t hi s w ay a nd t wi st ed t ha t, s om et im es l ik e a

cor ks cr ew and s om et im es zig zag, b ut s el do m r an f or l on g i n a s tr ai gh t l in e.

" It w il l n ev er end -n ev er !" m oaned t he o ff icer s, w ho w er e r ub bi ng all t he s ki n o ff t heir k nees o n t he r ou gh

rocks.

" It m us t e nd ," r et or te d A nn c ou ra ge ou sl y, " or i t n ev er w ou ld h av e b ee n m ad e. W e d on 't k no w w he re i t

P a g e 6 4



w il l l ea d u s t o, b ut a ny p la ce i s b et te r t ha n t ha t l oa th so me p it ."

S o s he crawl ed o n, and t he o ff icer s crawl ed o n, and w hi le t hey w er e crawl in g t hr ou gh t hi s awf ul

u nd er gr ou nd p as sage P ol ychr om e and S hagg y and F il es and t he R os e P ri nces s, w ho w er e s t an di ng

o ut si de t he ent rance t o R ug gedo 's d om ai ns , w er e w on deri ng w hat h ad b ecom e o f t hem.

Chapter Seventeen

A Tragic Transformation

" Do n' t l et u s w or ry ," s ai d S ha gg y t o h is c om pa ni on s, " fo r i t m ay t ak e t he Q ue en s om e t im e t o c on qu er

t he M et al M on ar ch , as T ik -T ok h as t o d o every th in g i n h is s lo w, m echani cal w ay ."

" Do y ou s up po se t he y a re l ik el y t o f ai l? " a sk ed t he R os e P ri nc es s.

" I d o, i nde ed ," r epl ie d S ha ggy . " Th is N om e K in g i s r ea ll y a po we rf ul f el lo w a nd h as a l egi on o f n om es t o

a ss is t h im , w he re as o ur b ol d Q ue en c om ma nd s a C lo ck wo rk M an a nd a b an d o f f ai nt -h ea rt ed o ff ic er s. "

" Sh e o ug ht t o h av e l et Q uo x d o t he con qu er in g, " s ai d P ol ychr om e, d an ci ng l ig ht ly u po n a p oi nt o f r ock

a nd f lu tt er in g h er b ea ut if ul d ra pe ri es . " Bu t p er ha ps t he d ra go n w as w is e t o l et h er g o f ir st , f or w he n s he

f ai ls t o con qu er R ug gedo s he m ay b ecom e m or e m od es t i n h er amb it io ns ."

" Wh er e i s t he d rago n n ow ?" i nq ui red O zg a.

" Up t he re o n t he r oc ks ," r ep li ed F il es . " Lo ok , m y d ea r; y ou m ay s ee h im f ro m h er e. H e s ai d h e w ou ldt ak e a l it tl e n ap w hi le w e w er e m ixi ng u p w it h R ug ge do , a nd h e a dde d t ha t a ft er w e h ad g ot te n i nt o

t rou bl e h e w oul d w ak e u p a nd c on qu er t he N om e K in g i n a j if fy , a s h is m as te r t he J in ji n h as o rd er ed h im

t o d o. "

" Quox me ans we ll ," s aid Shaggy, "but I do not thi nk w e s hal l ne ed hi s s er vic es ; f or j us t as soon as I a m

s at is fi ed t ha t Q ue en A nn a nd h er a rm y h av e f ai le d t o c on qu er R ug ge do , I s ha ll e nt er t he c av er ns a nd

s ho w t he K in g m y L ov e M ag ne t. T ha t h e c an no t r es is t; t he re fo re t he c on qu es t w il l b e m ad e w it h e as e. "

T hi s s pe ec h o f S ha gg y M an 's w as o ve rh ea rd b y t he L on g- Ea re d H ea re r, w ho w as a t t ha t m om en t

s ta nd in g b y R ug ge do 's s id e. F or w he n t he K in g a nd G up h h ad r ec ov er ed f ro m H an k' s k ic k a nd h ad

picked themselves up, their first act was to turn Tik-Tok on his back and put a heavy diamond on top of

him, so t hat he coul d not ge t up aga in. The n the y ca ref ull y put hi s gun in a c orne r of t he c ave rn and t he

K in g s en t G up h t o f et ch t he L on g- Ea re d H ea re r.

T he H ea re r w as s ti ll a ng ry a t R ug ge do f or b re ak in g h is e ar , b ut h e a ck no wl ed ge d t he N om e K in g t o b e

h is m as te r a nd w as r ea dy t o o be y h is c om ma nd s. T he re fo re h e r ep ea te d S ha gg y' s s pe ec h t o t he K in g,

w ho a t o nc e r ea li ze d t ha t h is K in gd om w as i n g ra ve d an ge r. F or R ug ge do k ne w o f t he L ov e M ag ne t a nd

i ts p ow er s and w as h or ri fi ed at t he t ho ug ht t hat S hagg y m ig ht s ho w h im t he m ag ic t al is man and t ur n all t he

h at re d i n h is h ea rt i nt o l ov e. R ug ge do w as p ro ud o f h is h at re d a nd a bh or re d l ov e o f a ny s or t.

" Re al ly ," s ai d h e, " I' d r at he r h e c on qu er ed a nd l os e m y w ea lt h a nd m y K ing do m t ha n g az e a t t ha t a wf ulLov e M agne t. Wha t c an I d o t o pr ev ent t he S ha ggy M an f ro m t aki ng i t o ut o f hi s poc ke t? "

P a g e 6 5



K al ik o r et ur ne d t o t he c av er n i n t im e t o o ve rh ea r t hi s q ue st io n, a nd b ei ng a l oy al n om e a nd e ag er t o

s er ve h is K in g, h e a ns we re d b y s ay ing : " If w e c an m an ag e t o b in d t he S ha gg y M an 's a rm s, t ig ht t o h is

body, he could not get the Love Magnet out of his pocket."

" Tr ue !" c ri ed t he K in g i n d el ig ht a t t hi s e as y s ol ut io n of t he p ro bl em . " Ge t a t o nc e a d oz en n om es , w it h

r ope s, a nd pl ac e t he m i n t he p as sa ge w he re t he y c an s ei ze a nd bi nd S ha gg y a s s oo n a s h e e nt er s.

T hi s K al ik o d id , and m eanw hi le t he w at ch er s o ut si de t he ent rance w er e g ro wi ng m or e and m or e u neas y

about their friends.

" I d on 't w or ry s o m uc h a bo ut t he O og ab oo p eo pl e, " s ai d P ol yc hr om e, w ho h ad g ro wn s ob er w it h

w ai ti ng , and p er haps a l it tl e n er vo us , " fo r t hey cou ld n ot b e k il led, even t ho ug h R ug gedo m ig ht cau se

t hem m uch s uf feri ng and p er haps d es tr oy t hem u tt er ly . B ut w e s ho ul d n ot h av e all ow ed B et sy and H an k

t o g o a lo ne i nt o t he c av er ns . T he l it tl e g ir l i s m or ta l a nd p os se ss es n o m ag ic p ow er s w ha te ve r, s o i f

R ug gedo cap tu res h er s he w il l b e w ho ll y at h is . m er cy ."

" Th at i s i nd eed t ru e, " r ep li ed S hagg y. " I w ou ld n' t l ik e t o h av e any th in g h ap pen t o d ear l it tl e B et sy , s o I believe I'll go in right away and put an end to all this worry."

" We m ay a s w el l g o w it h y ou ," a ss er te d F il es , " fo r b y m ea ns o f t he L ov e M ag ne t, y ou c an s oo n b ri ng t he

Nome King to reason.

S o i t w as d ec id ed t o w ai t n o l on ge r. S ha gg y w al ke d t hr ou gh t he e nt ra nc e f ir st , a nd a ft er h im c am e t he

o th er s. T hey h ad n o t ho ug ht o f d an ger t o t hems el ves, and S hagg y, w ho w as g oi ng alo ng w it h h is h an ds

t hr us t i nt o h is p oc ke ts , w as m uc h s ur pr is ed w he n a r op e s ho t o ut f ro m t he d ar kn es s a nd t wi ne d a ro un d

h is b od y, p in ni ng d ow n h is a rm s s o s ec ur el y t ha t h e c ou ld n ot e ve n w it hd ra w h is h an ds f ro m t he p oc ke ts .

T hen app eared s ev er al g ri nn in g n om es , w ho s peed il y t ied k no ts i n t he r op es and t hen l ed t he p ri so ner

a lo ng t he p as sa ge t o t he c av er n. N o a tt en ti on w as p ai d t o t he o th er s, b ut F il es a nd t he P ri nc es s f ol lo we do n aft er S hagg y, d et er mi ned n ot t o d es er t t heir f ri en d and h op in g t hat an o pp or tu ni ty m ig ht ari se t o r es cu e

him.

A s f or P ol yc hr om e, a s s oo n a s s he s aw t ha t t ro ub le h ad o ve rt ak en S ha gg y s he t ur ne d a nd r an l ig ht ly

back through the passage and out of the entrance. Then she easily leaped from rock to rock until she

paused beside the great dragon, who lay fast asleep.

" Wa ke up, Q uox! " s he c ri ed. " It i s t ime f or you t o a ct. "

B ut Q uo x d id n ot w ak e u p. H e l ay a s o ne i n a t ra nc e, a bs ol ut el y m ot io nl es s, w it h h is e no rm ou s e ye s t ig htc lo se d. T he e ye li ds h ad bi g s il ve r s ca le s o n t he m, l ik e a ll t he r es t o f h is b ody .

P ol yc hr om e m ig ht h av e t ho ug ht Q uo x w as d ea d h ad s he n ot k no wn t ha t d ra go ns d o n ot d ie e as il y o r h ad

s he n ot ob se rv ed hi s hu ge bo dy s we ll ing a s he b re at he d. S he p ic ke d u p a pi ec e of r oc k a nd po und ed

against his eyelids with it, saying:

" Wa ke u p, Q uo x- wa ke u p! " B ut h e w ou ld n ot w ak en .

" Dear m e, h ow u nf or tu nate!" s ig hed t he l ov el y R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter. " I w on der w hat i s t he b es t and s ur es t

w ay t o w ak en a d ra go n. A ll o ur f ri en ds m ay b e c ap tu re d a nd d es tr oy ed w hi le t hi s g re at b ea st l ie s

asleep."

S he w al ke d a rou nd Q uo x t wo or t hr ee t im es , t ry in g t o d is cove r s ome t end er p la ce o n h is bo dy w he re a

P a g e 6 6



t hu mp o r a p un ch m igh t h e f el t; b ut h e l ay e xt en de d a lon g t he r oc ks w it h hi s c hi n f la t u po n t he g ro und a nd

h is l eg s d ra wn u nd er ne at h h is b od y, a nd a ll t ha t o ne c ou ld s ee w as h is t hi ck s ky -b lu e s ki n- th ic ke r t ha n

t hat o f a r hi no cero s- an d h is s il ver s cales.

T hen, d es pair in g at l as t o f w ak en in g t he b east , and w or ri ed o ver t he f at e o f h er f ri en ds , P ol ychr om e again

r an d ow n t o t he e nt ra nc e a nd h ur ri ed a lo ng t he p as sa ge i nt o t he N om e K in g' s c av er n.

H er e s he f ou nd R ug gedo l ol li ng i n h is t hr on e and s mo ki ng a l on g p ip e. B es id e h im s to od G en er al G up h

a nd K al ik o, a nd r an ge d b ef or e t he K in g w er e t he R os e P ri nc es s, F il es a nd t he S ha gg y M an . T ik -T ok s ti ll

l ay u po n t he f lo or , w ei gh ted d ow n b y t he b ig d iamo nd .

Rugge do wa s now i n a mor e c ont ent ed f ra me of mi nd. One b y one he ha d m et t he i nva de rs a nd e as il y

c ap tu re d t he m. T he d re ad ed L ov e M ag ne t w as i nd ee d i n S ha gg y' s p oc ke t, o nl y a f ew f ee t a wa y f ro m t he

K in g, b ut S ha gg y w as p ow er le ss t o s ho w i t a nd u nl es s R ug gu do 's e ye s b eh el d t he t al is ma n i t c ou ld n ot

a ff ec t h im . A s f or B et sy B ob bi n a nd h er m ul e, h e be li ev ed K al ik o h ad p la ce d t he m i n t he S li my C av e,

w hi le A nn a nd he r of fi ce rs h e t ho ug ht s af el y i mp ri so ne d i n t he pi t. Ru gg ed o ha d no f ea r o f F il es o r O zga ,

but to be on the safe side he had ordered golden handcuffs placed upon their wrists. These did not causet he m a ny g re at a nn oy an ce b ut p re ve nt ed t he m f ro m m ak in g a n a tt ac k, h ad t he y b ee n i nc li ne d t o d o s o.

The Nome King, thinking himself wholly master of the situation, was laughing and jeering at his prisoners

when Polychrome, exquisitely beautiful and dancing like a ray of light, entered the cavern.

" Oh o! " c ri ed t he K in g; " a R ai nb ow u nd er g ro un d, e h? " a nd t he n h e s ta re d h ar d a t P ol yc hr om e, a nd s ti ll

h ar de r, a nd t he n h e s at u p a nd p ul le d t he w ri nk le s o ut o f h is r ob e a nd a rr an ge d h is w hi sk er s. " On m y

w or d, " s ai d h e, " yo u a re a v er y c ap ti va ti ng c re at ur e; m or eo ve r, I p er ce iv e y ou a re a f ai ry ."

" I am P ol ychr om e, t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter, " s he s ai d p ro ud ly .

" We ll ," r ep li ed R ug ge do , " I l ik e y ou . T he o th er s I h at e. I h at e e ve ry bo dy -b ut y ou ! W ou ld n' t y ou l ik e t o

l iv e alw ay s i n t hi s b eaut if ul cav er n, P ol ychr om e? S ee! t he j ew el s t hat s tu d t he w al ls h av e every t in t and

col or o f y ou r R ai nb ow -and t hey are n ot s o elu si ve. I 'l l h av e f resh d ew dr op s g at hered f or y ou r f east in g

e ve ry d ay a nd y ou s ha ll b e Q ue en of a ll m y n om es a nd p ul l K al ik o' s n os e w he ne ve r y ou l ik e. "

" No , t ha nk y ou ," l au gh ed P ol yc hr om e. " My h om e i s i n t he s ky , a nd I 'm o nl y o n a v is it t o t hi s s ol id , s or di d

ear th . B ut t el l m e, R ug gedo , w hy m y f ri en ds h av e b een w ou nd w it h cor ds and b ou nd w it h chain s?"

" Th ey t hr eatened m e, " ans wered R ug gedo . " Th e f oo ls d id n ot k no w h ow p ow er fu l I am. "

" Th en , s in ce t he y a re n ow h el pl es s, w hy n ot r el ea se t he m a nd s en d t he m b ac k t o t he e ar th 's s ur fa ce ?"

" Be ca us e I h at e ' em a nd m ea n t o m ak e e m s uf fe r f or t he ir i nv as io n. B ut I 'l l m ak e a ba rg ai n w it h y ou ,

s we et P ol ly . R em ai n h er e a nd l iv e w it h m e a nd I 'l l s et a ll t he se p eo pl e f re e. Y ou s ha ll b e m y d au gh te r o r

m y w if e o r m y aun t o r g rand mo th er - w hi ch ev er y ou l ik e o nl y s tay h er e t o b ri gh ten m y g lo om y k in gd om

a nd m ak e m e h ap py !"

P ol ychr om e l oo ked at h im w on deri ng ly . T hen s he t ur ned t o S hagg y and ask ed :

" Ar e y ou s ur e h e h as n' t s ee n t he L ov e M ag ne t? "

" I' m p os it iv e, " ans wered S hagg y. " Bu t y ou s eem t o b e s om et hi ng o f a L ov e M ag net y ou rs el f,

Polychrome."

P a g e 6 7



S he l au gh ed a ga in a nd s ai d t o R ugg ed o: " No t e ve n t o r es cu e m y f ri en ds w ou ld I l ive i n y our k in gdo m.

Nor could I endure for long the society of such a wicked monster as you.

" Yo u f or get, " r et or ted t he K in g, s co wl in g d ar kl y, " th at y ou als o are i n m y p ow er ."

" No t s o, R ug ge do . T he R ai nb ow 's D au gh te r i s b ey on d t he r ea ch o f y ou r s pi te o r m al ic e. "

" Seize h er !" s ud denl y s ho ut ed t he K in g, and G en er al G up h s pr an g f or war d t o o bey. P ol ychr om e s to od

q ui te s ti ll , y et w he n G up h a tt em pt ed t o c lu tc h h er hi s h an ds m et i n a ir , a nd n ow t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh te r

w as i n a no th er p ar t o f t he r oo m, a s s mi li ng a nd c om po se d a s b ef or e.

S ev er al t im es G up h e nd ea vo re d t o c ap tu re h er a nd R ug ge do e ve n c am e d ow n f ro m h is t hr on e t o a ss is t

h is G en er al ; b ut n eve r c ou ld t he y l ay ha nds u pon t he l ov el y s ky f ai ry , w ho f li tt ed he re a nd t he re wi th t he

s wi ft ness o f l ig ht and con st an tl y d ef ied t hem w it h h er m er ry l au gh ter as s he evaded t heir eff or ts .

S o a ft er a t im e t he y a ba nd on ed t he c ha se a nd R ug ge do r et ur ne d t o h is t hr on e a nd w ip ed t he p er sp ir at io nfrom his face with a finely-woven handkerchief of cloth-of-gold.

" Well ," s ai d P ol ychr om e, " wh at d o y ou i nt en d t o d o n ow ?"

" I' m goi ng t o ha ve s ome f un, t o r epay m e for a ll my bothe r," r epl ie d the Nome K ing. The n he s ai d to

Kaliko: "Summon the executioners."

K al ik o a t o nc e w it hd re w a nd p re se nt ly r et ur ne d w it h a s co re o f n om es , a ll o f w ho m w er e n ea rl y a s e vi l

l oo ki ng a s t he ir h at ed m as te r. T he y b or e g re at g ol de n p in ce rs , a nd p ro ds o f s il ve r, a nd c la mp s a nd c ha in s

and v ar io us w icked- lo ok in g i ns tr um en ts , all m ad e o f p reci ou s m et al s and s et w it h d iamo nd s and r ub ies.

" No w, P an g, " s aid R ug gedo , add ress i ng t he l eader o f t he execu ti on er s, " fetch t he A rm y o f O og ab oo and

t he ir Q ue en f ro m t he p it a nd t or tu re t he m h er e i n m y p re se nc e- as w el l a s i n t he p re se nc e o f t he ir f ri en ds .

I t w il l b e g re at s po rt ."

" I h ea r Y ou r M aj es ty , a nd I o be y Y ou r M aj es ty ," a ns we re d P an g, a nd w en t w it h h is n om es i nt o t he

passage. In a few minutes he returned and bowed to Ruggedo.

" Th ey 'r e all g on e, " s ai d h e.

"Gone!" exclaimed the Nome King. "Gone where?"

" Th ey l ef t n o a dd re ss , Y ou r M aj es ty ; b ut t he y a re n ot i n t he p it ."

" Pi ck s a nd p ud dl es !" r oa re d t he K in g; " wh o t oo k t he c ov er o ff ?"

" No o ne ," s ai d P an g. " Th e c ov er w as t he re , b ut t he p ri so ne rs w er e n ot u nd er i t. "

" In t hat cas e, " s narl ed t he K in g, t ry in g t o con tr ol h is d is ap po in tm en t, " go t o t he S li my C av e and f et ch

h it he r t he g ir l a nd t he do nk ey . A nd w hi le w e a re t or tu ri ng t he m K al iko m us t t ak e a h un dr ed n om es a nd

s ea rc h f or t he e sc ap ed p ri so ne rs -t he Q ue en o f O og ab oo a nd h er o ff ic er s. I f h e d oe s n ot f in d t he m, I w il l

torture Kaliko."

K al ik o w en t a wa y l oo ki ng s ad a nd d is tu rb ed , f or h e k ne w t he K in g w as c ru el a nd u nj us t e no ug h t o c ar ry

P a g e 6 8



o ut t hi s t hr ea t. P an g a nd t he e xe cu ti on er s a ls o w en t a wa y, i n a no th er d ir ec ti on , b ut w he n t he y c am e b ac k

B et sy B ob bi n w as n ot w it h t he m, n or w as H an k.

" Th er e i s n o o ne i n t he S li my C av e, Y ou r M aj es ty ," r ep or te d P an g.

" Ju mp in g j el ly cakes! " s cr eamed t he K in g. " An ot her escap e? A re y ou s ur e y ou f ou nd t he r ig ht cav e?"

" Th er e i s b ut o ne S li my C av e, a nd t he re i s n o o ne i n i t, " r et ur ne d P an g p os it iv el y.

R ug gedo w as b eg in ni ng t o b e alarm ed as w el l as ang ry . H ow ev er , t hese d is ap po in tm en ts b ut m ad e h im

t he m or e v in di ct iv e a nd h e c as t a n e vi l l oo k a t t he o th er p ri so ne rs a nd s ai d: " Ne ve r m in d t he g ir l a nd t he

d on ke y. H er e a re f ou r, a t l ea st , w ho c an no t e sc ap e m y v en ge an ce . L et m e s ee ; I b el ie ve I 'l l c ha ng e m y

m in d a bo ut T ik -T ok . H av e t he g ol d c ru ci bl e h ea te d t o a w hi te , s ee th in g h ea t, a nd t he n w e' ll d um p t he

c op pe r m an i nt o i t a nd me lt h im u p. "

" Bu t, Y ou r M aj es ty ," p ro te st ed K al ik o, w ho h ad r et ur ne d t o t he r oo m a ft er s en di ng a h un dr ed n om es t o

s ea rc h f or t he O og ab oo p eo pl e, y ou m us t r em em be r t ha t T ik -T ok i s a v er y c ur io us a nd i nt er es ti ngm ac hi ne . I t w ou ld b e a s ha me t o d ep ri ve t he w or ld o f s uc h a c le ve r c on tr iv an ce ."

" Say ano th er w or d, and y ou 'l l g o i nt o t he f ur nace w it h h im !" r oared t he K in g. " I' m g et ti ng t ir ed o f y ou ,

K al ik o, a nd t he f ir st t hi ng y ou k no w I 'l l t ur n y ou i nt o a p ot at o a nd m ak e S ar at og a- ch ip s o f y ou ! T he n ex t

t o c on si de r, " h e a dd ed m or e m il dl y, " is t he S ha gg y M an . A s h e o wn s t he L ov e M ag ne t, I t hi nk I 'l l

t ra ns fo rm h im i nt o a d ov e, a nd t he n w e c an p ra ct ic e s ho ot in g a t h im w it h T ik -T ok 's g un . N ow , t hi s i s a

v er y i nt er es ti ng c er em on y a nd I b eg y ou a ll t o w at ch m e c lo se ly a nd s ee t ha t I 'v e n ot hi ng u p m y s le ev e. "

He c am e o ut o f hi s t hr on e t o s ta nd be for e t he S ha ggy M an, a nd t he n he w ave d hi s ha nds , p al ms

d ow nw ar d, i n s ev en s em ic ir cl es o ve r h is v ic ti m' s he ad , s ay in g i n a l ow b ut c le ar t one o f v oi ce t he m agi c

wugwa:

" Ad i, e di , i di , o di , u di , o o- i- oo !

I du , i do , i di , i de , i da , w oo !"

T he e ff ec t o f t hi s w el l- kn ow n s or ce ry w as i ns ta nt an eo us . I ns te ad o f t he S ha gg y M an , a p re tt y d ov e l ay

f lu tt er in g u po n t he f lo or , i ts w in gs con fi ned b y t in y cor ds w ou nd aro un d t hem. R ug gedo g av e an o rd er t o

P an g, w ho c ut t he c or ds w it h a p ai r o f s ci ss or s. B ei ng f re ed , t he d ov e q ui ck ly f le w u pw ar d a nd a li gh te d

o n t he s ho ul de r o f t he R os e P ri nc es s, w ho s tr ok ed i t t en de rl y.

" Very g oo d! V er y g oo d! " cri ed R ug gedo , r ub bi ng h is h an ds g leef ul ly t og et her. " On e enemy i s o ut o f m y

w ay , a nd n ow f or t he o th er s. "

( Per haps m y r eaders s ho ul d b e w ar ned n ot t o att emp t t he abo ve t rans fo rm at i on ; f or , alt ho ug h t he exact

m ag ical f or mu la h as b een d es cr ib ed , i t i s u nl aw fu l i n all civ il ized cou nt ri es f or any on e t o t rans fo rm a

person into a dove by muttering the words Ruggedo used. There were no laws to prevent the Nome

K in g f ro m p er fo rm in g t hi s t rans fo rm at io n, b ut i f i t s ho ul d b e att em pt ed i n any o th er cou nt ry , and t he

magic worked, the magician would be severely punished.)

W he n P ol yc hr om e s aw S ha gg y M an t ra ns fo rm ed i nt o a d ov e a nd r ea li ze d t ha t R ug ge do w as a bo ut d o

s om et hi ng a s d re ad fu l t o t he P ri nc es s a nd F il es , a nd t ha t T ik -T ok w ou ld s oo n b e m el te d i n a c ru ci bl e,

s he t ur ne d a nd r an f rom t he c ave rn, t hr ou gh t he p as sa ge a nd b ac k t o t he p la ce w he re Q uo x l ay a sl ee p.

P a g e 6 9



Chapter Eighteen

A C le ve r C on qu es t

T he g re at d ra go n s ti ll h ad h is e ye s c los ed a nd w as e ve n s no ri ng i n a m an ne r t ha t r es em bl ed d is ta nt

t hu nd er ; b ut P ol ychr om e w as n ow d es perate, b ecaus e any f ur th er d el ay m eant t he d es tr ucti on o f h er

f ri en ds . S he s ei ze d t he p ea rl n ec kl ac e, t o w hi ch w as a tt ac he d t he g re at l oc ke t, a nd j er ke d i t w it h a ll h er

strength.

T he r es ul t w as encou ragi ng . Q uo x s to pp ed s no ri ng and h is eyeli ds f li ck er ed . S o P ol ychr om e j er ked

again -and again -t il l s lo wl y t he g reat l id s r ai sed and t he d rago n l oo ked at h er s tead il y.

Sa id he , i n a s le epy t one :

"What's the matter, little Rainbow?"

" Co me q ui ck !" exclaim ed P ol ychr om e. " Ru gg ed o h as cap tu red all o ur f ri en ds and i s abo ut t o d es tr oy

them."

" We ll , w el l, " s ai d Q uo x, " I s us pe ct ed t ha t w ou ld h ap pe n. S te p a l it tl e o ut o f m y p at h, m y d ea r, a nd I 'l l

m ak e a r us h f or t he N om e K in g' s c av er n. "

S he f el l b ac k a f ew s te ps a nd Qu ox r ai se d h im se lf o n h is s to ut l eg s, w hi sk ed h is l ong t ai l a nd i n a n i ns ta nt

h ad s li d d ow n t he r oc ks a nd m ad e a d iv e t hr ou gh t he e nt ra nc e.

A lo ng t he pa ss ag e h e s we pt , n ea rl y f il li ng i t w it h hi s i mm en se b od y, a nd n ow h e po ke d h is h ea d i nt o t he

jeweled cavern of Ruggedo.

B ut t he K in g h ad l on g s in ce m ad e a rr an ge me nt s t o c ap tu re t he d ra go n, w he ne ve r h e m ig ht a pp ea r. N o

s oo ne r d id Q uo x s ti ck h is h ea d i nt o t he r oo m t ha n a t hi ck c ha in f el l f ro m a bo ve a nd e nc ir cl ed h is n ec k.

T hen t he end s o f t he chain w er e d rawn t ig ht -- fo r i n an adj oi ni ng cav er n a t ho us an d n om es w er e p ul li ng

on t he m- and s o t he dr ag on c ou ld a dva nc e no f ur th er t owa rd t he Ki ng . He c oul d not us e hi s t ee th or hi s

c la ws a nd a s hi s body wa s s ti ll i n t he pa ss age he ha d not e ve n roo m t o s tr ike hi s f oe s wi th hi s t er ribl e

tail.

R ug gedo w as d el ig ht ed w it h t he s uccess o f h is s tr at ag em . H e h ad j us t t rans fo rm ed t he R os e P ri nces s i nt o

a f id dl e a nd w as a bo ut t o t ra ns fo rm F il es i nt o a f id dl e b ow , w he n t he d ra go n a pp ea re d t o i nt er ru pt h im .

S o h e c al le d o ut :

" Welcom e, m y d ear Q uo x, t o m y r oy al ent er tain ment . S in ce y ou are h er e, y ou s hall w it ness s om e v er y

n ea t m agi c, a nd a ft er I h av e f in is he d w it h F il es a nd T ik -T ok I m ea n t o t ra ns fo rm y ou i nt o a t iny l iz ar d- one

o f t he chameleon s or t- an d y ou s hall l iv e i n m y cav er n and amu se m e. "

" Pard on m e f or con tr ad icti ng Y ou r M aj es ty ," r et ur ned Q uo x i n a q ui et v oi ce, " bu t I d on 't b el ieve y ou 'l l

perform any more magic."

" Eh ? W hy n ot ?" a sk ed t he K in g i n s ur pr is e.

P a g e 7 0



" Th er e' s a r ea so n, " s ai d Q uo x. " Do y ou s ee t hi s r ib bo n a ro un d m y n ec k? "

" Yes; and I 'm ast on is hed t hat a d ig ni fi ed d rago n s ho ul d w ear s uch a s il ly t hi ng ."

" Do y ou s ee i t p lain ly ?" p er si st ed t he d rago n, w it h a l it tl e chu ck le o f amu sement .

" I d o, " d ecl ar ed R ug gedo .

" Th en y ou n o l on ge r p os se ss a ny m ag ic al p ow er s, a nd a re a s h el pl es s a s a c la m, " a ss er te d Q uo x. " My

g reat m as ter, T it it i- Ho ocho o, t he J in ji n, enchant ed t hi s r ib bo n i n s uch a w ay t hat w henever Y ou r M aj es ty

l oo ked u po n i t all k no wl ed ge o f m ag ic w ou ld d es er t y ou i ns tant ly , n or w il l any m ag ical f or mu la y ou can

remember ever perform your bidding."

" Po oh ! I d on 't b el ieve a w or d o f i t! " cri ed R ug gedo , h al f f ri gh tened, n ev er th el es s. T hen h e t ur ned t ow ar d

F il es a nd t ri ed t o t ra ns fo rm h im i nt o a f id dl e b ow . B ut h e c ou ld n ot r em em be r t he r ig ht w or ds o r t he r ig ht

pass of the hands and after several trials he finally gave up the attempt.

B y t hi s t im e t he N om e K in g w as s o a la rm ed t ha t h e w as s ec re tl y s ha ki ng i n h is s ho es .

" I t ol d y ou n ot t o a ng er T it it i- Ho oc ho o, " g ru mb le d K al ik o, " an d n ow y ou s ee t he r es ul t o f y ou r

disobedience."

R ug gedo p ro mp tl y t hr ew h is s cept re at h is R oy al C hamb er lain , w ho d od ged i t w it h h is u su al clevern es s,

a nd t he n h e s ai d w it h a n a tt em pt t o s wa gg er :

" Ne ve r m in d; I d on 't n ee d m ag ic t o e na bl e m e t o d es tr oy t he se i nv ad er s; f ir e a nd t he s wo rd w il l d o t he

business and I am still King of the Nomes and lord and master of my Underground Kingdom!"

" Aga in I b eg t o d if fe r w it h Y ou r M aj es ty ," s ai d Q uo x. " Th e G re at J inj in c om ma nd s y ou t o d ep ar t

i ns tant ly f ro m t hi s K in gd om and s eek t he ear th 's s ur face, w here y ou w il l w an der f or all t im e t o com e,

w it ho ut a h om e o r c ou nt ry , w it ho ut a f ri end o r f ol lo we r, a nd w it hou t a ny m or e r ic he s t ha n y ou c an c ar ry

w it h y ou i n yo ur p oc ke ts . T he G re at J in ji n i s s o g en er ous t ha t h e w il l a ll ow yo u t o f il l y ou r p oc ke ts w it h

jewels or gold, but you must take nothing more."

R ug gedo n ow s tared at t he d rago n i n amazement .

" Do es T it it i- Ho oc ho o c on de mn m e t o s uc h a f at e? " h e a sk ed i n a h oa rs e v oi ce .

" He d oe s, " s ai d Q uo x.

" An d j us t f or t hr ow in g a f ew s tr an gers d ow n t he F or bi dd en T ub e?"

" Ju st f or t ha t, " r ep ea te d Q uo x i n a s te rn , g ru ff v oi ce .

" We ll , I w on 't d o i t. A nd y ou r c ra zy o ld J in ji n c an 't m ak e m e d o i t, e it he r! " de cl ar ed R ug ge do . " I i nt en d

t o r em ai n h er e, K in g o f t he N om es , u nt il t he e nd o f t he w or ld , a nd I d ef y y ou r T it it i- Ho oc ho o a nd a ll h is

f ai ri es -as w el l as h is clu ms y m es seng er , w ho m I h av e b een o bl ig ed t o chain u p! "

T he d ra go n s mi le d a ga in , b ut i t w as n ot t he s or t o f s mi le t ha t m ad e R ug ge do f ee l v er y h ap py . I ns te ad ,

t here w as s om et hi ng s o col d and m er ci less i n t he d rago n' s exp ress io n t hat t he con demn ed N om e K in g

t re mb le d a nd w as s ic k a t h ea rt .

P a g e 7 1



T he re w as l it tl e c om fo rt f or R ug ge do i n t he f ac t t ha t t he dr ag on w as n ow c ha in ed , a lt ho ug h h e h ad

boasted of it. He glared at the immense head of Quox as if fascinated and there was fear in the old King's

eyes as h e w at ch ed h is enemy 's m ov em en ts .

Fo r t he dr ag on wa s n ow m ovi ng; not a br upt ly, bu t a s i f he h ad s om et hi ng t o do a nd w as a bout t o do i t.

V er y d el ib er at el y h e r ai se d o ne c la w, t ou ch ed t he c at ch o f t he g re at j ew el ed l oc ke t t ha t w as s us pe nd eda ro un d hi s n ec k, a nd a t o nc e i t o pe ne d w id e.

Nothing much happened at first; half a dozen hen's eggs rolled out upon the floor and then the locket

clo sed w it h a s harp cli ck . B ut t he eff ect u po n t he n om es o f t hi s s im pl e t hi ng w as ast ou nd in g. G en er al

G up h, K al ik o, P an g a nd h is b an d o f e xe cu ti on er s w er e a ll s ta nd in g c lo se t o t he d oo r t ha t l ed t o t he v as t

s er ie s o f u nd er gr ou nd c av er ns w hi ch c on st it ut ed t he d om in io ns o f t he n om es , a nd a s s oo n a s t he y s aw

t he egg s t hey r ai sed a cho ru s o f f rant ic s cr eams and r us hed t hr ou gh t he d oo r, s lamm in g i t i n R ug gedo 's

f ac e a nd p la ci ng a h ea vy b ro nz e b ar a cr os s i t.

R ug ge do , d an ci ng w it h t er ro r a nd u tt er in g l ou d c ri es , n ow l ea pe d u po n t he s ea t o f h is t hr on e t o e sc ap et he e gg s, w hi ch h ad r ol le d s te ad il y t ow ar d h im . P er ha ps t he se e gg s, s en t b y t he w is e a nd c ra ft y

T it it i- Ho ocho o, w er e i n s om e w ay enchant ed , f or t hey all r ol led d ir ectl y aft er R ug gedo and w hen t hey

r ea ch ed t he t hr on e w he re h e h ad t ak en r ef ug e t he y b eg an r ol li ng u p t he l eg s t o t he s ea t.

This was too much for t he King to bear . His horror of e ggs was r eal and abs olute and he made a l eap

fr om t he t hrone t o the center of the room a nd t hen ran t o a fa r cor ner .

T he egg s f ol lo wed, r ol li ng s lo wl y b ut s tead il y i n h is d ir ecti on . R ug gedo t hr ew h is s cept re at t hem, and

t he n h is r ub y c ro wn , a nd t he n h e dr ew o ff h is h ea vy g ol de n s an da ls a nd h ur le d t he se a t t he a dv an ci ng

egg s. B ut t he egg s d od ged every m is si le and con ti nu ed t o d raw n earer. T he K in g s to od t remb li ng , h is

e ye s s ta ri ng i n t er ro r, un ti l t he y w er e b ut h al f a y ar d di st an t; t he n w it h a n a gi le l ea p h e j um pe d c le ar o ve r t he m a nd m ad e a r us h f or t he p as sa ge t ha t l ed t o t he o ut er e nt ra nc e.

O f c ou rs e t he d ra go n w as i n h is w ay , b ei ng c ha in ed i n t he p as sa ge w it h h is h ea d i n t he c av er n, b ut w he n

he s aw t he Ki ng ma ki ng t owa rd hi m he c rouc he d a s l ow a s he c oul d a nd d roppe d hi s c hi n t o t he f loor ,

l ea vi ng a s ma ll s pa ce b et we en h is b od y a nd t he r oo f o f t he p as sa ge .

R ug ge do d id n ot h es it at e a n i ns ta nt . I mp el le d b y f ea r, h e l ea pe d t o t he d ra go n' s n os e a nd t he n s cr am bl ed

t o h is b ac k, w he re h e s uc ce ed ed i n s qu ee zi ng h im se lf t hr ou gh t he o pe ni ng . A ft er t he h ea d w as p as se d

t he re wa s mor e r oom a nd he s li d a long t he dr agon' s s ca le s t o hi s t ai l a nd t he n r an a s fa st a s hi s l egs

w ou ld c ar ry h im t o t he e nt ra nc e. N ot p au si ng h er e, s o g re at w as h is f ri gh t, t he K in g d as he d o n d ow n t hem ou nt ai n p at h, b ut b ef or e h e h ad g on e v er y f ar h e s tu mb le d a nd f el l.

W he n he p ic ke d h im se lf u p h e ob se rv ed t ha t n o o ne w as f ol lo wi ng h im , a nd w hi le he r ec ov er ed h is

breath he happened to think of the decree of the Jinjin-that he should be driven from his Kingdom and

ma de a wa nde re r on t he f ac e of t he e ar th. W el l, he re he wa s, dr ive n f ro m hi s c ave rn i n t rut h; dr ive n by

t ho se dr ea df ul e gg s; b ut h e w ou ld g o b ac k a nd de fy t he m; h e w ou ld n ot s ub mi t t o l os in g h is p re ci ou s

K in gd om and h is t yr an ni cal p ow er s, all b ecau se T it it i- Ho ocho o h ad s ai d h e m us t.

S o, a lt ho ug h s ti ll a fr ai d, R ug ge do n er ve d h im se lf t o c re ep b ac k a lo ng t he p at h t o t he e nt ra nc e, a nd w he n

h e a rr iv ed t he re h e s aw t he s ix e gg s l yi ng i n a r ow j us t b ef or e t he a rc he d o pe ni ng .

At f ir st h e p aus ed a s af e di st anc e a wa y t o c on si de r t he c as e, f or t he e ggs w er e now m ot io nl es s. W hi le he

w as w on de ri ng w ha t c ou ld b e d on e, h e r em em be re d t he re w as a m ag ic al c ha rm w hi ch w ou ld d es tr oy

P a g e 7 2



e ggs a nd r en de r t he m h ar ml es s t o no me s. T he re w er e n ine p as se s t o be m ad e a nd s ix ve rs es o f

i nc ant at ion t o be r ec it ed ; bu t R ugge do k ne w t he m a ll . Now t ha t h e ha d a mpl e t im e t o be e xa ct , he

carefully went through the entire ceremony.

B ut no th in g h ap pe ne d. T he e gg s d id no t d is ap pe ar , a s h e h ad e xpe ct ed ; s o h e r ep ea te d t he c ha rm a

s ec on d t im e. W he n t ha t a ls o f ai le d, h e r em em be re d, w it h a m oa n o f d es pa ir , t ha t h is m ag ic p ow er h ad

been taken away from him and in the future he could do no more than any common mortal.

A nd t he re w er e t he e gg s, f or eve r ba rr in g h im f ro m t he K ing do m w hi ch he h ad r ul ed s o l on g w it h a bs ol ut e

s wa y! H e t hr ew r oc ks a t t he m, bu t c oul d n ot hi t a s in gl e e gg. H e r ave d a nd s col de d a nd t or e hi s ha ir a nd

beard, and danced in helpless passion, but that did nothing to avert the just judgment of the Jinjin, which

R ug gedo 's o wn evi l d eeds h ad b ro ug ht u po n h im .

F rom t hi s t im e on h e w as a n o ut ca st -a w an de re r up on t he f ac e o f t he e ar th- and h e ha d e ve n f or go tt en t o

f il l h is p ockets w it h g ol d and j ew el s b ef or e h e f led f ro m h is f or mer K in gd om !

Chapter Nineteen

K ing K aliko

Af te r t he K in g ha d ma de go od h is e sc ape , F il es s ai d t o t he dr ago n, i n a s ad voi ce :

" Al as ! w hy d id y ou n ot com e b ef or e? B ecau se y ou w er e s leep in g i ns tead o f con qu er in g, t he l ov el y R os e

P ri nc es s h as b ec om e a f id dl e w it ho ut a h ow , w hi le p oo r S ha gg y s it s t he re a c oo in g d ov e! "

" Do n' t w or ry ," r ep li ed Q uo x. " Ti ti ti -H oo ch oo k no ws h is b us in es s, and I h av e m y o rd er s f ro m t he G reat

Jinjin himself. Bring the fiddle here and touch it lightly to my pink ribbon."

F il es o be ye d a nd a t t he m om en t o f c on ta ct w it h t he r ib bo n t he N om e K in g' s c ha rm w as b ro ke n a nd t he

R os e P ri nc es s h er se lf s to od b ef or e t he m a s s we et a nd s mi li ng a s e ve r.

Th e do ve , pe rc he d on t he ba ck of t he t hr one , ha d s ee n a nd he ar d a ll t hi s, s o w it hout b ei ng t ol d wh at t o

d o i t f le w s tr ai gh t t o t he d ra go n a nd a li gh te d o n t he r ib bo n. N ext i ns ta nt S ha gg y w as hi ms el f a ga in a nd

Quox said to him grumblingly:

" Pl ea se g et o ff m y l ef t t oe , S ha gg y M an , a nd b e m or e p ar ti cu la r w he re y ou s te p. "

" I b eg y our p ar do n! " r ep li ed S ha gg y, v er y g la d t o r es um e hi s na tur al f or m. T he n h e r an t o l if t t he he avy

d ia mo nd o ff T ik -T ok 's c he st a nd t o a ss is t t he C lo ck wo rk M an t o h is f ee t.

" Ma -n y t ha nk s! " s ai d T ik -T ok . " Wh er e i s t he w ic ke d K in g w ho w an t- ed t o m el t m e i n a c ru -c i- bl e? "

" He h as g on e, a nd g on e f or g oo d, " a ns we re d P ol yc hr om e, w ho h ad m an ag ed t o s qu ee ze i nt o t he r oo m

beside the dragon and had witnessed the occurrences with much interest. "But I wonder where Betsy

B ob bi n a nd H an k c an b e, a nd i f a ny h ar m h as b ef al le n t he m. "

" We m us t s ea rc h t he c av er n u nt il w e f in d t he m, " d ec la re d S ha gg y; b ut w he n he w en t t o t he d oor l ea di ng

t o t he o th er c ave rns h e f oun d i t s hut a nd b ar re d.

P a g e 7 3



" I' ve a p re tt y s tr ong p us h i n m y f or ehe ad ," s ai d Q uo x, " an d I b el ie ve I c an br ea k dow n t ha t d oor , e ve n

t ho ug h i t' s m ad e o f s ol id g ol d. "

" Bu t y ou a re a pr is one r, a nd t he c ha ins t ha t ho ld you a re f as te ne d i n s ome ot he r r oom , s o t ha t w e c anno t

release you," Files said anxiously.

" Oh , n ev er m in d t ha t, " r et ur ne d t he d ra go n. " I h av e r em ai ne d a p ri so ne r o nl y b ec au se I w is he d t o b e

o ne ," a nd w it h t hi s h e s te pp ed f or wa rd a nd b ur st t he s to ut c ha in s a s e as il y a s i f t he y h ad b ee n t hr ea ds .

B ut w he n h e t ri ed t o pu sh i n t he h ea vy m et al d oor , e ve n hi s m ig ht y s tr en gt h f ai le d, a nd a ft er s ev er al

a tt em pt s he ga ve i t u p a nd s qua tte d hi ms el f i n a c or ne r t o t hi nk of a be tt er wa y.

" I' ll o -p en t he d oo r, " a ss er te d T ik -T ok , a nd g oi ng t o t he K in g' s b ig g on g h e p ou nd ed u po n I t u nt il t he

noise was almost deafening.

K al ik o, i n t he n ex t c av er n, w as w on de ri ng w ha t h ad h ap pe ne d t o R ug ge do a nd i f h e h ad e sc ap ed t hee gg s a nd o ut wi tt ed t he d ra go n. B ut w he n h e h ea rd t he s ou nd o f t he g on g, w hi ch h ad s o o ft en c al le d h im

i nt o t he K in g' s p re se nc e, h e d ec id ed t ha t R ug ge do h ad b ee n v ic to ri ou s; s o h e t oo k a wa y t he b ar , t hr ew

o pe n t he d oo r a nd e nt er ed t he r oy al c av er n.

G reat w as h is ast on is hm en t t o f in d t he K in g g on e and t he enchant ment s r em ov ed f ro m t he P ri nces s and

S ha gg y. Bu t t he e ggs w er e a ls o g on e a nd s o K al iko a dv an ce d t o t he d ra go n, wh om h e kn ew t o b e

T it it i- Ho ocho o' s m es seng er , and b ow ed h um bl y b ef or e t he b eas t.

"What is your will?" he inquired.

" Wh er e i s B et sy ?" d em an ded t he d rago n.

" Safe i n m y o wn p ri vate r oo m, " s ai d K al ik o.

" Go and g et h er !" com mand ed Q uo x.

S o Ka li ko we nt t o Be ts y' s r oom a nd ga ve t hr ee r aps upo n t he do or . Th e l it tl e g ir l h ad b ee n a sl ee p, b ut

s he h ea rd t he r ap s a nd o pe ne d t he d oo r.

" Yo u m ay c om e o ut no w, " s ai d K al ik o. " Th e K in g h as f le d i n d is gr ac e a nd y ou r f ri en ds a re a sk in g f or

you."

S o B et sy a nd H an k r et ur ne d w it h t he R oy al C ha mb er la in t o t he t hr on e c av er n, w he re s he w as r ec ei ve d

w it h g re at j oy b y h er f ri en ds . T he y t ol d h er w ha t h ad h ap pe ne d t o R ug ge do a nd s he t ol d t he m h ow k in d

Ka li ko ha d be en t o he r. Quo x d id not ha ve m uc h t o s ay unt il t he c on ve rs at ion wa s e nd ed, bu t t he n he

t ur ne d t o K al ik o a nd a sk ed :

" Do y ou s up po se y ou c ou ld r ul e y ou r n om es b et te r t ha n R ug ge do h as d on e? "

" Me?" s tamm er ed t he C hamb er lain , g reat ly s ur pr is ed b y t he q uest io n. " Well , I cou ld n' t b e a w or se K in g,

I'm sure."

" Wo ul d t he n om es o bey y ou ?" i nq ui red t he d rago n.

P a g e 7 4



" Of cou rs e, " s ai d K al ik o. " Th ey l ik e m e b et ter t han ever t hey d id R ug gedo ."

" Th en h er ea ft er y ou s ha ll b e t he M et al M on ar ch , K in g o f t he N om es , a nd T it it i- Ho oc ho o e xp ec ts y ou t o

r ul e y ou r K in gd om w is el y and w el l, " s ai d Q uo x.

" Ho or ay !" c ri ed B et sy ; " I' m g la d o f t ha t. K in g K al ik o, I s al ut e Y ou r M aj es ty a nd w is h y ou j oy i n yo ur

gloomy old Kingdom!"

" We a ll w is h h im j oy ," s ai d P ol yc hr om e; a nd t he n t he o th er s m ad e h as te t o c on gr at ul at e t he n ew K in g.

" Wi ll y ou r el ease m y d ear b ro th er ?" ask ed S hagg y.

" Th e U gl y O ne? V er y w il li ng ly ," r ep li ed K al ik o. " I b eg ged R ug gedo l on g ago t o s en d h im away, b ut h e

w ou ld n ot do s o. I a ls o o ff er ed t o h el p y our br ot he r t o e sc ap e, b ut he w ou ld no t g o."

" He's s o con scient io us !" s ai d S hagg y, h ig hl y p leas ed . " Al l o f o ur f am il y h av e n ob le n at ur es . B ut i s m y

d ear b ro th er w el l?" h e add ed anx io us ly .

" He e at s a nd s le ep s v er y s te ad il y, " r ep li ed t he n ew K in g.

" I h op e h e d oe sn 't w or k t oo h ar d, " s ai d S ha gg y.

" He doe sn' t wor k a t a ll . I n f ac t, t he re i s not hi ng he c an do i n t he se do mi ni ons a s we ll a s our nome s,

w hos e n um be rs a re s o gr ea t t ha t i t w or ri es us t o ke ep t he m a ll bu sy. S o yo ur br ot he r ha s onl y t o a mu se

himself."

" Wh y, i t' s m or e l ik e v is it in g, t han b ei ng a p ri so ner, " ass er ted B et sy .

" No t e xa ct ly ," r et ur ne d K al ik o. " A p ri so ne r c an no t g o w he re o r w he n h e p le as es , a nd i s n ot h is o wn

master."

"Where is my brother now?" inquired Shaggy.

" In t he M et al F or es t. "

"Where is that?"

" Th e M et al F or es t i s i n t he G re at D om ed C av er n, t he l ar ge st i n a ll o ur do mi ni ons ," r ep li ed K al iko . " It i sa lm os t l ik e b ei ng o ut o f d oo rs , i t i s s o b ig , a nd R ug ge do m ade t he w on de rf ul f or es t t o a mu se h im se lf , a s

w el l a s t o t ir e o ut h is h ar d- wo rk in g n om es . A ll t he t re es a re go ld a nd s il ve r a nd t he g ro un d i s s tr ew n w it h

precious stones, so it is a sort of treasury."

" Le t u s g o t he re a t o nc e a nd r es cu e m y d ea r b ro th er ," p le ad ed S ha gg y e ar ne st ly .

Kaliko hesitated.

" I d on 't b el ie ve I c an f in d t he w ay ," s ai d h e. " Ru gg ed o m ad e t hr ee s ec re t p as sa ge s t o t he M et al F or es t,

but he changes the location of these passages every week, so that no one can get to the Metal Forest

w it ho ut h is p er mi ss io n. H ow ev er , i f w e l oo k s ha rp , w e m ay b e a bl e t o d is co ve r o ne o f t he se s ec re t

ways."

P a g e 7 5



" Th at r em in ds m e t o a sk w ha t h as b ec om e o f Q ue en A nn a nd t he O ff ic er s o f O og ab oo ," s ai d F il es .

" I' m s ur e I c an 't s ay ," r ep li ed K al ik o.

" Do y ou s up po se R ug gedo d es t ro yed t hem?"

" Oh, n o; I 'm q ui te s ur e h e di dn' t. Th ey f el l i nt o t he bi g pi t i n t he pa ss age , a nd we put t he c ove r on t o k ee pt he m t he re ; b ut w he n t he e xe cu ti on er s w en t t o l oo k f or t he m t he y h ad a ll d is ap pe ar ed f ro m t he p it a nd

w e c ou ld f in d n o t ra ce o f t he m. "

" Th at 's f un ny ," r em ar ked B et sy t ho ug ht fu ll y. " I d on 't b el ieve A nn k new any m ag ic, o r s he'd h av e w or ked

i t b ef or e. B ut t o d is ap pe ar l ik e t ha t s ee ms l ik e m ag ic ; n ow , d oe sn 't i t? "

T he y a gr ee d t ha t i t d id , b ut n o o ne c ou ld e xp la in t he m ys te ry .

" Ho we ve r, " s ai d S ha gg y, " th ey a re g on e, t ha t i s c er ta in , s o w e c an no t h el p t he m o r b e h el pe d b y t he m.

A nd t he i mp or tant t hi ng j us t n ow i s t o r es cu e m y d ear b ro th er f ro m cap ti vi ty ."

" Why d o t he y c al l h im t he U gl y O ne ?" a sk ed B et sy .

" I d o n ot k no w, " c on fe ss ed S ha gg y. " I c an n ot r em em be r h is l oo ks v er y w el l, i t i s s o l ong s in ce I h av e

s ee n h im; b ut a ll o f o ur f am il y a re n ot ed f or t he ir ha nd som e f ac es ."

Betsy laughed and Shaggy seemed rather hurt; but Polychrome relieved his embarrassment by saying

s of tl y: " On e can b e u gl y i n l oo ks , b ut l ov el y i n d is po si ti on ."

" Ou r f ir st t as k, " s ai d S ha gg y, a l it tl e c om fo rt ed b y t hi s r em ar k, " is t o f in d o ne o f t ho se s ec re t p as sa ge s t o

t he M etal F or est ."

" Tr ue ," a gr ee d K al ik o. " So I t hi nk I wi ll a ss em bl e t he c hi ef n om es o f m y k ing do m i n t hi s t hr one r oom a nd

t el l t he m t ha t I a m t he ir n ew K in g. T he n I c an a sk t he m t o a ss is t us i n s ea rc hi ng f or th e s ec re t pa ss age s.

" Th at 's a g oo d i de a, " s ai d t he d ra go n, w ho s ee me d t o b e g et ti ng s le ep y a ga in .

K al iko w en t t o t he b ig g on g a nd po un de d on i t j us t a s Ru gg ed o us ed t o do ; bu t no o ne a ns we re d t he

summons.

" Of c our se no t, " s ai d h e, j um pi ng u p f ro m t he t hr on e, w he re h e h ad s ea te d h im se lf . " Tha t i s m y c al l, a nd Iam s ti ll t he R oy al C hamb er lain , and w il l b e u nt il I app oi nt ano th er i n m y p lace."

So he ra n out of t he r oom and f ound Guph a nd t ol d hi m t o a ns wer the s ummons of the Ki ng' s gong.

H av in g r et ur ne d t o t he r oy al c av er n, K al ik o f ir st p ou nd ed t he g on g a nd t he n s at i n t he t hr on e, w ea ri ng

R ug gedo 's d is card ed r ub y cro wn and h ol di ng i n h is h an d t he s cept re w hi ch R ug gedo h ad s o o ft en t hr ow n

a t hi s he ad .

W he n G up h e nt er ed h e w as a ma ze d.

" Be tt er g et o ut o f t ha t t hr on e b ef or e o ld R ug ge do c om es b ac k, " h e s ai d w ar ni ng ly .

" He i sn 't c om in g b ac k, a nd I a m n ow t he K in g o f t he N om es , i n h is s te ad ," a nn ou nc ed K al ik o.

P a g e 7 6



" Al l o f w hi ch i s q ui te t ru e, " a ss er te d t he d ra go n, a nd a ll o f t ho se w ho s to od a ro un d t he t hr on e b ow ed

r es pect fu ll y t o t he n ew K in g.

Se ei ng t hi s, G uph a ls o b ow ed, f or he w as g la d t o b e r id of s uc h a h ar d m as te r a s Ru gg edo . Th en K al ik o,

i n q ui te a k in gl y w ay , i nf or med G up h t hat h e w as app oi nt ed t he R oy al C hamb er lain , and p ro mi sed n ot t o

t hr ow t he s ce pt re a t hi s he ad u nl es s he d es er ve d i t.

A ll t hi s be ing p le as an tl y a rr an ge d, t he n ew C ha mb er la in w en t a wa y t o t el l t he n ew s t o a ll t he no me s of t he

u nd er gr ou nd K in gd om , every o ne o f w ho m w ou ld b e d el ig ht ed w it h t he chang e i n K in gs .

Chapter Twenty

Q u ox Q u ie tly Q u it s

W hen t he chi ef n om es ass em bl ed b ef or e t heir n ew K in g t hey j oy fu ll y s al ut ed h im and p ro mi sed t o o beyh is com mand s. B ut , w hen K al ik o q uest io ned t hem, n on e k new t he w ay t o t he M et al F or es t, alt ho ug h all

h ad a ss is te d i n i ts m ak in g. S o t he K in g i ns tr uc te d t he m t o s ea rc h c ar ef ul ly f or o ne o f t he p as sa ge s a nd t o

bring him the news as soon as they had found it.

M ea nt im e Q uo x ha d ma na ge d t o ba ck ou t of t he r oc ky c or ri do r a nd s o r ega in t he o pe n a ir a nd h is ol d

s ta ti on o n t he m ou nt ai n- si de , a nd t he re h e l ay u po n t he r oc ks , s ou nd a sl ee p, u nt il t he n ex t d ay . T he

ot he rs of t he p ar ty we re a ll gi ve n a s good r ooms a s t he c av er ns of t he nom es a ff or de d, f or K ing Ka li ko

f el t t ha t he wa s i nde bt ed t o t he m f or hi s pr omot ion a nd wa s a nxi ous t o be a s hos pi ta bl e a s he c oul d.

M uch w on derm en t h ad b een cau sed b y t he abs ol ut e d is ap pearance o f t he s i xt een o ff icers o f O og ab ooa nd t he ir Qu ee n. N ot a no me h ad s ee n t he m, no r w er e t he y di sc ove re d d ur ing t he s ea rc h f or t he

passages leading to the Metal Forest. Perhaps no one was unhappy over their loss, but all were curious

t o kn ow wh at ha d be co me of t he m.

On t he ne xt da y, whe n our f rie nds w ent t o vi si t the dr agon, Quox sa id t o t he m: " I mus t now bi d you

g oo d- by e, f or m y m is si on h er e i s f in is he d a nd I m us t d ep ar t f or t he o th er s id e o f t he w or ld , w he re I

belong."

" Wi ll y ou g o t hr ou gh t he T ub e again ?" ask ed B et sy .

"To be s ure . But i t wi ll be a l one ly t ri p thi s ti me , wi th no one t o ta lk to, a nd I ca nnot invi te a ny of you t o

go with me. The refore, a s soon as I slide into t he hole I sha ll go to sl eep, and when I pop out at the other

e nd I wi ll wa ke up a t hom e. "

T hey t hank ed t he d rago n f or b ef ri en di ng t hem and w is hed h im a p leas an t j ou rn ey . A ls o t hey s en t t heir

t hank s t o t he g reat J in ji n, w ho se j us t con demn at io n o f R ug gedo h ad s er ved t heir i nt er es ts s o w el l. T hen

Q uo x y aw ne d a nd s tr et ch ed h im se lf a nd a mb le d o ve r t o t he T ub e, i nt o w hi ch h e s li d h ea d- fo re mo st a nd

disappeared.

T he y r ea ll y f el t a s i f t he y h ad l os t a f ri en d, f or t he d ra go n h ad b ee n b ot h k in d a nd s oc ia bl e d ur ing t he ir

brief acquaintance with him; but they knew it was his duty to return to his own country. So they went back to the caverns to renew the search for the hidden passages that led to the forest, but for three days

all eff or ts t o f in d t hem p ro ved i n v ai n.

P a g e 7 7



" Th en p le as e t hr ow h im a s h ar d a s y ou c an ," s ai d B et sy , " fo r h e d es er ve s i t. I d on 't m in d a n h on es t,

o ut -an' -o ut enemy , w ho f ig ht s s qu ar e; b ut chang in g g ir ls i nt o f id dl es and o rd er in g ' em p ut i nt o S li my

C av es i s m ea n a nd t ri ck y, a nd R ug ge do d oe sn 't d es er ve a ny s ym pa th y. B ut y ou 'l l h av e t o l et h im t ak e a s

m uc h t re as ur e a s h e c an g et i n h is p oc ke ts , K al ik o. "

" Ye s, the J inj in s ai d s o; but we wo n' t mi ss i t m uc h. The re i s mor e t re as ur e in t he M eta l For es t t ha n amillion nomes could carry in their pockets."

I t w as n ot d if fi cu lt t o w al k t hr ou gh t hi s p as sage, esp eciall y w hen t he t or ch es l ig ht ed t he w ay , s o t hey

m ad e g oo d p ro gr es s. B ut i t p ro ve d t o b e a l on g d is ta nc e a nd B et sy h ad t ir ed h er se lf w it h w al ki ng a nd

wa s s ea te d u pon t he b ac k of t he m ul e wh en t he pa ss age m ade a s ha rp t ur n a nd a w onde rf ul a nd g lor io us

l ig ht b ur st u po n t hem. T he n ex t m om en t t hey w er e all s tand in g u po n t he edg e o f t he m ar velo us M et al

Forest.

I t l ay u nd er a no th er m ou nt ai n a nd o cc up ie d a g re at d om ed c av er n, t he r oo f o f w hi ch w as h ig he r t ha n a

chu rch s teep le. I n t hi s s pace t he i nd us tr io us n om es h ad b ui lt , d ur in g m an y y ears o f l ab or , t he m os t beautiful forest in the world. The trees-trunks, branches and leaves-were all of solid gold, while the

bushes and underbrush were formed of filigree silver, virgin pure. The trees towered as high as natural

l iv e o ak s d o and w er e o f exq ui si te w or km an sh ip .

O n t he g ro un d w er e t hi ck ly s tr ew n p re ci ou s g em s o f e ve ry h ue a nd s iz e, w hi le h er e a nd t he re a mo ng t he

t re es w er e p at hs p eb bl ed w it h c ut d ia mo nd s o f t he c le ar es t w at er . T ak en a ll t og et he r, m or e t re as ur e w as

g at he re d i n t hi s M et al F or es t t ha n i s c on ta in ed i n a ll t he r es t o f t he w or ld -i f w e e xc ep t t he l an d o f O z,

w here p er haps i ts v al ue i s equ al led i n t he f am ou s E merald C it y.

O ur f ri en ds w er e s o a ma ze d a t t he s ig ht t ha t f or a w hi le t he y s to od g az in g i n s il en t w on de r. T he n S ha gg y

exclaimed.

" My b ro th er ! M y d ea r l os t b ro th er ! I s h e i nd ee d a p ri so ne r i n t hi s p la ce ?"

" Ye s, " r ep li ed K al ik o. " Th e U gl y O ne h as b ee n h er e f or t wo o r t hr ee y ea rs , t o m y p os it iv e k no wl ed ge ."

" Bu t w ha t c ou ld h e f in d t o e at ?" i nq ui re d B et sy. " It 's a n a wf ul ly s we ll p la ce t o l iv e i n, b ut o ne c an 't

breakfast On rubies and di'monds, or even gold."

" On e d oe sn 't n ee d t o, m y d ea r, " K al ik o a ss ur ed h er . " Th e M et al F or es t d oe s n ot f il l a ll o f t hi s g re at

c ave rn, b y a ny me ans . B eyo nd t he se gol d a nd s il ve r t re es a re ot he r t re es of t he r ea l s or t, w hi ch be ar f oo ds ve ry n ic e t o e at . L et u s w al k i n t ha t d ir ec ti on , f or I a m q ui te s ur e w e w il l f in d S ha gg y' s b ro th er i n

t ha t p ar t o f t he c av er n, r at he r t ha n i n t hi s. "

S o t he y be ga n t o t ra mp ov er t he di am on d- pe bbl ed pa ths , a nd a t e ve ry s te p t he y we re m or e a nd m or e

bewildered by the wondrous beauty of the golden trees with their glittering foliage.

S ud de nl y t he y h ea rd a s cr ea m. J ew el s s ca tt er ed i n e ve ry d ir ec ti on a s s om e o ne h id de n a mo ng t he b us he s

s ca mp er ed a wa y b ef or e t he m. T he n a l ou d v oi ce c ri ed : " Ha lt !" a nd t he re w as t he s ou nd o f a s tr ug gl e.

Chapter Twenty-One

P a g e 7 9



A B as hf u l B ro th e r

W it h f as t b ea ti ng h ea rt s t he y a ll r us he d f or wa rd a nd , b ey on d a g ro up o f s ta te ly m et al t re es , c am e f ul l

u po n a m os t ast on is hi ng s cene.

T he re w as R ug ge do i n t he h an ds o f t he o ff ic er s o f O og ab oo , a d oz en o f w ho m w er e c li ng in g t o t he o ldn om e a nd ho ld ing h im f as t i n s pi te of hi s e ff or ts t o e sc ap e. Th er e a ls o w as Q ue en A nn , l oo ki ng g ri ml y

u po n t he s ce ne o f s tr if e; b ut w he n s he o bs er ve d h er f or me r c om pa ni on s a pp ro ac hi ng s he t ur ne d a wa y i n

a shamefaced manner.

F or A nn a nd h er o ff ic er s w er e i nd ee d a s ig ht t o b eh ol d. H er M aj es ty 's c lo th in g, o nc e s o r ic h a nd

g or ge ou s, w as n ow w or n a nd t or n i nt o s hr ed s b y h er l on g c ra wl t hr ou gh t he t un ne l, w hi ch , b y t he w ay ,

h ad l ed he r d ir ec tl y i nt o t he M et al Fo re st . I t w as , i nde ed , on e o f t he t hr ee s ec re t p as sa ge s, a nd by f ar t he

m os t d if fi cu lt o f t he t hr ee . A nn h ad n ot o nl y t or n h er p re tt y s ki rt a nd j ac ke t, b ut h er c ro wn h ad b ec om e

bent and battered and even her shoes were so cut and slashed that they were ready to fall from her feet.

T he o ff ic er s h ad f ar ed s om ew ha t w or se t ha n t he ir l ea de r, f or h ol es w er e w or n i n t he k ne es o f t he ir

t rous er s, w hi le s ha rp poi nt s of r oc k i n t he r oof a nd s ide s of t he t unne l ha d m ade r ags of e ve ry i nc h of

t he ir o nc e b ri ll ia nt u ni fo rm s. A m or e t at te re d a nd w oe ful a rm y n ev er c am e o ut of a b at tl e, t ha n t he se

h ar ml es s v ic ti ms o f t he r oc ky p as sa ge . B ut i t h ad s ee me d t he ir o nl y m ea ns o f e sc ap e f ro m t he c ru el

Nome King; so they had crawled on, regardless of their sufferings.

W he n t he y r ea ch ed t he M et al F or es t t he ir e ye s b eh el d m or e p lu nd er t ha n t he y h ad e ve r d re am ed o f; y et

t he y w er e p ri so ne rs i n t hi s h ug e d om e a nd c ou ld n ot e sc ap e w it h t he r ic he s h ea pe d a bo ut t he m. P er ha ps

a m or e u nh ap py and h om es ick l ot o f " co nq uero rs " n ev er exi st ed t han t hi s b an d f ro m O og ab oo .

A ft er s ev er al d ay s o f w an deri ng i n t heir m ar velo us p ri so n t hey w er e f ri gh tened b y t he d is co very t hatR ug gedo h ad com e amo ng t hem. R en dered d es perate b y t heir s ad con di ti on , t he o ff icer s exh ib it ed

c ou ra ge f or t he f ir st t im e s in ce t he y l ef t h om e a nd , i gn or ant o f t he f ac t t ha t R ug ge do w as n o l on ge r K in g

o f t he n om es , t hey t hr ew t hems el ves u po n h im and h ad j us t s ucceed ed i n cap tu ri ng h im w hen t heir f el lo w

ad ven tu rer s r eached t h e s p ot .

" Go od ness g raci ou s! " cri ed B et sy . " Wh at h as h ap pened t o y ou all ?"

A nn cam e f or ward t o g reet t hem, s or ro wf ul and i nd ig nant .

" We w er e o bl ig ed t o e sc ap e f ro m t he p it t hr oug h a s ma ll t unn el , w hi ch w as l in ed w it h s ha rp a nd j agg edr oc ks ," s ai d s he , " an d n ot o nl y wa s our c lot hi ng t or n t o r ags but our f le sh i s s o b rui se d a nd s or e t ha t w e

a re s ti ff a nd l am e i n e ve ry j oi nt . To a dd t o our tr oubl es we f ind w e a re s ti ll pr is one rs ; but now t ha t we

h av e s uc ce ed ed i n c ap tur in g t he w ic ke d M et al M on ar ch w e s ha ll f or ce h im t o g ra nt u s o ur l ib er ty ."

" Ru gg ed o i s n o l on ge r M et al M on ar ch , o r K in g o f t he n om es ," F il es i nf or me d h er . " He h as b ee n d ep os ed

a nd c as t out of hi s ki ngd om by Qu ox; but he re i s t he ne w K ing, w hos e na me i s K al iko, a nd I a m pl ea se d

t o a ss ur e Y ou r M aj es ty t ha t h e i s o ur f ri en d. "

" Gl ad t o m ee t Y ou r M aj es ty , I 'm s ur e, " s ai d K al ik o, b ow in g a s c ou rt eo us ly a s i f t he Q ue en s ti ll w or e

splendid raiment.

T he o ff ic er s, h av in g h ea rd t hi s e xp la na ti on , n ow s et R ug ge do f re e; b ut , a s h e h ad n o p la ce t o g o, h e

s to od b y a nd f ac ed h is f or me r s er va nt , w ho w as n ow K in g i n hi s p la ce , i n a h um bl e a nd p le ad in g

P a g e 8 0



manner.

" Wh at are y ou d oi ng h er e?" as ked K al ik o s tern ly .

" Wh y, I w as p ro mi se d a s m uc h t re as ur e a s I c ou ld c ar ry i n m y p oc ke ts ," r ep li ed R ug ge do ;

" so I c am e h er e t o g et i t, n ot w is hi ng t o d is tu rb Y ou r M aj es ty ."

" Yo u w er e com mand ed t o l eav e t he cou nt ry o f t he n om es f or ev er !" d eclared K al ik o.

" I k no w; a nd I 'l l g o a s s oo n a s I h av e f il le d m y p oc ke ts ," s ai d R ug ge do , m ee kl y.

" Th en f il l t hem, and b e g on e, " r et ur ned t he n ew K in g.

R ug gedo o beyed. S to op in g d ow n, h e b eg an g at heri ng u p j ew el s b y t he h an df ul and s tu ff in g t hem i nt o h is

m an y p ockets . T hey w er e h eavy t hi ng s, t hese d iamo nd s and r ub ies and emerald s and ameth ys ts and t he

l ik e, s o b ef or e l on g R ug ge do w as s ta gg er in g w it h t he w ei gh t h e b or e, w hi le t he p oc ke ts w er e n ot y etf il led. W hen h e cou ld n o l on ger s to op o ver w it ho ut f al li ng , B et sy and P ol ychr om e and t he R os e P ri nces s

cam e t o h is ass is tance, p icki ng u p t he f in es t g em s and t ucki ng t hem i nt o h is p ockets .

A t l as t t he se w er e a ll f il le d a nd R ug ge do p re se nt ed a c om ic al s ig ht , f or s ur el y n o m an e ve r b ef or e h ad s o

m an y p oc ke ts , o r a ny a t a ll f il le d w it h s uc h a c ho ic e c ol le ct io n o f p re ci ou s s to ne s. H e n eg le ct ed t o t ha nk

t he y ou ng l ad ie s f or t he ir k in dn es s, b ut g av e t he m a s ur ly n od o f f ar ew el l a nd s ta gg er ed d ow n t he p at h b y

t he wa y he had c ome . The y le t hi m de pa rt in s il enc e, f or w it h a ll he ha d ta ke n, t he ma ss es of j ewe ls upon

t he g ro un d s ee me d s ca rc el y t o h av e b ee n d is tu rb ed , s o n um er ou s w er e t he y. A ls o t he y h op ed t he y h ad

s ee n t he l as t o f t he d eg ra de d K in g.

" I' m awf ul g lad h e' s g on e, " s ai d B et sy , s ig hi ng d eepl y. " If h e d oesn 't g et r eckl es s and s pend h is w ealt hf oo li sh ly , h e' s g ot e no ug h t o s ta rt a b an k w he n h e g et s t o O kl ah om a. "

" Bu t m y b ro th er -m y d ear b ro th er ! W here i s h e?" i nq ui red S hagg y anx io us ly . " Have y ou s een h im , Q ueen

Ann?"

" Wh at d oe s y ou r b ro th er l oo k l ik e? " a sk ed t he Q ue en .

S hagg y h es it at ed t o r ep ly , b ut B et sy s ai d: " He's cal led t he U gl y O ne. P er haps y ou 'l l k no w h im b y t hat. "

" Th e on ly pe rs on w e h av e s ee n i n t hi s c av er n, " s ai d A nn , " ha s r un a wa y f ro m u s w he ne ve r wea ppr oa che d h im . H e hi de s ov er y on de r, a mo ng t he t re es t ha t a re n ot g ol d, a nd w e h av e ne ve r be en a bl e

t o c at ch s ight of his fa ce . So I c an not t el l whe ther he is ugly or not ."

" Th at m us t b e m y d ear b ro th er !" exclaim ed S hagg y.

" Ye s, i t m us t b e, " a ss en te d K al ik o. " No o ne e ls e i nh ab it s t hi s s pl en di d d om e, s o t he re c an b e n o

mistake."

" Bu t w hy d oes h e h id e amo ng t ho se g reen t rees , i ns tead o f enj oy in g all t hese g li tt er y g ol den o nes?" ask ed

Betsy.

" Be ca us e h e f in ds f oo d a mo ng t he n at ur al t re es ," r epl ie d K al iko , " and I r em em be r t ha t h e ha s b ui lt a l it tl e

h ou se t he re , t o s le ep i n. A s f or t he se g li tt er y g ol de n t re es , I w il l a dm it t he y a re v er y p re tt y a t f ir st s ig ht .

P a g e 8 1



On e c anno t f ai l to a dm ir e t he m, a s w el l a s t he r ic h j ewe ls s ca tt er ed be ne at h t he m; but i f on e ha s t o l ook

at t hem alw ay s, t hey b ecom e p rett y t am e. "

" I b el ie ve t ha t i s t ru e, " d ec la re d S ha gg y. " My d ea r b ro th er i s v er y w is e t o p re fe r r ea l t re es t o t he i mi ta ti on

o ne s. B ut c om e; l et u s g o t he re a nd f in d h im ."

S ha gg y s ta rt ed f or t he g re en g ro ve a t o nc e, a nd t he o th er s f ol lo we d h im , b ei ng c ur io us t o w it ne ss t he f in alrescue of his long-sought, long-lost brother.

Not far from the edge of the grove they came upon a small hut, cleverly made of twigs and golden

branches woven together. As they approached the place they caught a glimpse of a form that darted into

t he hu t a nd s la mm ed t he d oor t igh t s hu t a ft er hi m.

Sh ag gy M an r an t o t he d oor a nd c ri ed a loud :

"Brother! Brother!"

" Wh o cal ls ," d em an ded a s ad , h ol lo w v oi ce f ro m w it hi n.

" It i s S ha gg y- yo ur o wn l ov in g b ro th er -w ho h as b ee n s ea rc hi ng f or y ou a l on g t im e a nd h as no w c om e t o

rescue you."

" To o l at e! " r ep li ed t he g lo om y v oi ce . " No o ne c an r es cu e m e n ow .

" Oh , b ut y ou a re m is ta ke n a bo ut t ha t, " s ai d S ha gg y. " Th er e i s a n ew K in g o f t he n om es , n am ed K al ik o,

i n R ug ge do 's p la ce , a nd h e h as p ro mi se d y ou s ha ll g o f re e. "

" Fr ee ! I da re n ot go f re e! " s ai d t he U gl y O ne , i n a v oi ce of de spa ir .

"Why not, Brother?" asked Shaggy, anxiously.

" Do y ou k no w w ha t t he y h av e d on e t o m e? " c am e t he a ns we r t hr ou gh t he c lo se d d oo r.

" No . T el l m e, B ro th er , w ha t h av e t he y d on e? "

" Wh en R ug gedo f ir st cap tu red m e I w as v er y h an ds om e. D on 't y ou r em em ber, S hagg y?"

" Not v er y w el l, B rot he r; y ou w er e s o y ou ng w he n I l ef t h om e. B ut I r em em be r t ha t m ot he r t ho ug ht y ouwere beautiful."

" Sh e w as r ig ht ! I a m s ur e s he w as r ig ht ," w ai le d t he p ri son er . " Bu t R ug ge do w an te d t o i nj ur e m e- to m ak e

m e u gl y i n t he e ye s o f a ll t he w or ld -s o h e p er fo rm ed a w ic ke d e nc ha nt me nt . I w en t t o b ed b ea ut if ul -o r

y ou m ig ht s ay h an ds om e- to b e v er y m od es t I w il l m er el y claim t hat I w as g oo d- lo ok in g- an d I w ak en ed

t he n ex t m or ni ng t he ho me li es t m an i n a ll t he w or ld! I a m s o r epu ls iv e t ha t w he n I l ook i n a m ir ro r I

frighten myself."

" Po or B ro th er !" s ai d S hagg y s of tl y, and all t he o th er s w er e s il en t f ro m s ym path y.

" I w as s o a sh am ed o f m y l oo ks ," c on ti nu ed t he v oi ce o f S ha gg y' s b ro th er , " th at I t ri ed t o h id e; b ut t he

c ru el K in g R ug ge do f or ce d m e t o a pp ea r b ef or e a ll t he l eg io n o f n om es , t o w ho m h e s ai d:

P a g e 8 2



' Beho ld t he U gl y O ne!' B ut w hen t he n om es s aw m y f ace t hey all f el l t o l au gh in g and j eeri ng , w hi ch

prevented them from working at their tasks. Seeing this, Ruggedo became angry and pushed me into a

t un ne l, c los ing t he r oc k e nt ra nc e s o t ha t I c ou ld n ot ge t o ut . I f ol lo we d t he l en gt h o f t he t un ne l u nt il I

r ea ch ed t hi s h ug e d om e, w he re t he m ar ve lo us M et al F or es t s ta nd s, a nd h er e I h av e r em ai ne d e ve r s in ce .

" Po or B ro th er !" r ep ea te d S ha gg y. " Bu t I b eg y ou n ow t o c om e f or th a nd f ac e u s, w ho a re y ou r f ri en ds .

None here will laugh or jeer, however unhandsome you may be."

"No, indeed," they all added pleadingly.

B ut t he U gl y O ne r ef us ed t he i nv it at io n.

" I c an no t, " s ai d h e; " in de ed , I c an no t f ac e s tr an ge rs , u gl y a s I a m. "

S hagg y M an t ur ned t o t he g ro up s ur ro un di ng h im .

" Wh at s ha ll I d o? " h e a sk ed i n s or ro wf ul t on es . " I c an no t l ea ve m y d ea r b ro th er h er e, a nd h e r ef us es t oc om e ou t of t ha t h ou se a nd f ac e u s.

" I' ll t el l y ou ," r ep li ed B et sy . " Let h im p ut o n a m as k. "

" Th e v er y i dea I w as s eeki ng !" exclaim ed S hagg y j oy fu ll y; and t hen h e cal led o ut : " Br ot her, p ut a m as k

ov er y our f ac e, a nd t he n n one of us c an s ee w ha t you r f ea tur es a re l ike ."

" I h av e n o m as k, " a ns we re d t he U gl y O ne .

" Lo ok h er e, " s ai d B et sy ; " he can u se m y h an dk er ch ief. "

S ha gg y l oo ke d a t t he l it tl e s qu ar e o f c lo th a nd s ho ok h is h ea d.

" It i sn' t b ig e no ug h, " h e o bj ec te d; " I' m s ur e i t i sn 't b ig e no ugh t o h id e a m an 's f ac e. B ut he c an u se m in e.

S ay in g t hi s h e t oo k f ro m h is p oc ke t h is o wn h an dk er ch ie f a nd w en t t o t he d oo r o f t he h ut .

" He re , m y B rot he r, " h e c al le d, " ta ke t hi s h an dk er ch ie f a nd m ak e a m as k o f i t. I w il l a ls o p as s yo u m y

kni fe, s o t ha t you ma y c ut hol es f or the e ye s, and the n you mus t t ie it ove r your f ac e."

The door s lowl y ope ne d, j us t f ar e nough f or t he U gl y O ne t o t hr us t out hi s ha nd a nd t ake t heh an dk er ch ief and t he k ni fe. T hen i t clo sed again .

" Do n' t f or ge t a h ol e f or y ou r n os e, " c ri ed B et sy . " Yo u m us t b re at he , y ou k no w. "

Fo r a t im e t he re w as s il en ce . Qu ee n An n a nd he r a rm y s at d ow n up on t he gr oun d t o r es t. Be ts y s at on

H an k' s b ack. P ol ychr om e d an ced l ig ht ly u p and d ow n t he j ew el ed p at hs w hi le F il es and t he P ri nces s

w an dered t hr ou gh t he g ro ves arm i n arm . T ik -T ok , w ho n ev er t ir ed , s t oo d m ot io nl es s .

B y a nd b y a n oi se s ou nd ed f rom w it hi n t he hu t.

" Ar e y ou r ead y?" ask ed S hagg y.

" Ye s, B ro the r," c am e t he r epl y a nd t he doo r wa s t hr own o pe n t o a ll ow t he U gl y O ne t o s te p f or th.

P a g e 8 3



B et sy m ig ht h av e l au gh ed alo ud h ad s he n ot r em em bered h ow s en si ti ve t o r id icul e S hagg y' s b ro th er w as ,

f or t he h an dk er ch ie f w it h w hi ch h e h ad m as ke d h is f ea tu re s w as a r ed o ne c ov er ed w it h b ig w hi te p ol ka

d ot s. I n t hi s t wo h ol es h ad b ee n c ut -i n f ro nt o f t he e ye s- wh il e t wo s ma ll er o ne s b ef or e t he n os tr il s

a ll ow ed t he m an t o b re at he f re el y. T he c lo th w as t he n t ig ht ly d ra wn o ve r t he U gl y O ne 's f ac e a nd k no tt ed

a t t he ba ck of hi s ne ck.

H e w as d re ss ed i n c lo th es t ha t ha d on ce be en g oo d, bu t no w w er e s adl y w or n a nd f ra ye d. H is s il k

s to ck in gs h ad h ol es i n t he m, a nd h is s ho es w er e s tu bt oe d a nd n ee de d b la ck en in g. " Bu t w ha t c an y ou

e xp ec t, " w hi sp er ed B et sy , " wh en t he p oo r m an h as b ee n a p ri so ne r f or s o m an y y ea rs ?"

S ha gg y h ad d ar te d f or wa rd , a nd e mb ra ce d h is n ew ly f ou nd b ro th er w it h b ot h h is a rm s. T he b ro th er a ls o

emb raced S hagg y, w ho t hen l ed h im f or ward and i nt ro du ced h im t o all t he ass em bl ed com pany .

" This i s t he ne w N ome Ki ng," he s aid whe n he c ame t o Ka li ko. " He i s our fr ie nd, a nd ha s gr ant ed you

your freedom."

" Tha t is a ki ndly de ed, " re pl ie d Ugl y i n a s ad voic e, "but I dr ea d t o go bac k to the wor ld in t his di re ful

con di ti on . U nl es s I r em ai n f or ev er m as ked, m y d read fu l f ace w ou ld cur dl e all t he m il k and s to p all t he

clocks."

" Can' t t he enchant ment b e b ro ken i n s om e w ay ?" i nq ui red B et sy .

S hagg y l oo ked anx io us ly at K al ik o, w ho s ho ok h is h ead.

" I a m s ur e I c an 't b re ak t he e nc ha nt me nt ," h e s ai d. " Ru gg ed o w as f on d o f m ag ic , a nd l ea rn ed a g oo d

many enchantments that we nomes know nothing of."

"Perhaps Ruggedo himself might break his own enchantment," suggested Ann; "but unfortunately we have

a ll ow ed t he o ld K in g t o e sc ap e. "

" Never m in d, m y d ear B ro th er ," s ai d S hagg y con so li ng ly ; " I am v er y h ap py t o h av e f ou nd y ou again ,

a lt hou gh I m ay n ev er s ee yo ur f ac e. S o l et u s m ak e t he m os t o f t hi s j oy ful r eu ni on ."

T he U gl y O ne w as a ff ec te d t o t ea rs b y t hi s t en de r s pe ec h, a nd t he t ea rs b eg an t o w et t he r ed

h an dk er ch ief; s o S hagg y g en tl y w ip ed t hem away w it h h is coat s leev e.

Chapter Twenty-Two

K in dly K is se s

" Wo n' t y ou b e d re ad fu l s or ry t o l ea ve t hi s l ov el y p la ce ?" B et sy a sk ed t he U gl y O ne .

" No , i nd ee d, " s ai d h e. " Je we ls a nd g ol d a re c ol d a nd h ea rt le ss t hi ng s, a nd I a m s ur e I w ou ld p re se nt ly

h av e d ie d o f l on el in es s h ad I n ot f ou nd t he n at ur al f or es t a t t he e dg e o f t he a rt if ic ia l o ne . A ny ho w, w it ho ut

t he se r ea l t re es I s ho ul d s oo n h av e s ta rv ed t o d ea th ."

B et sy l oo ke d a ro un d a t t he q ua in t t re es .

P a g e 8 4



" I d on 't j us t u nd er st an d t hat, " s he adm it ted.

" Wh at c ou ld y ou f in d t o e at h er e. "

" Th e b es t f oo d i n t he w or ld ," U gl y a ns we re d. " Do y ou s ee t ha t g ro ve a t y ou r l ef t? " h e a dd ed , p oi nt in g i t

out ; " we ll , s uc h t re es a s t hos e do not gr ow i n y our c ount ry, or i n a ny ot he r pl ac e but th is c av er n. I ha ven am ed t he m ' Ho te l T re es ,' b ec au se t he y b ea r a c er ta in k in d o f t ab le d 'h ot e f ru it c al le d ' Th re e- Co ur se

Nuts.' "

" Th at 's f un ny !" s ai d B et sy . " Wh at are t he ' Th ree- Co ur se N ut s' l ik e?"

" So me th in g l ik e c oc oa nu ts , t o l oo k a t, " e xp la in ed t he U gl y O ne . " Al l y ou h av e t o d o i s t o p ic k o ne o f

t he m a nd t he n s it down a nd e at your di nne r. You f ir st uns cr ew the t op pa rt a nd f ind a c upf ul l of goo d

s oup . A ft er y ou 'v e e at en t ha t, y ou u ns cr ew t he m id dl e p ar t a nd f in d a h ol lo w f il le d w it h m ea t a nd

potatoes, vegetables and a fine salad. Eat that, and unscrew the next section, and you come to the

de ss er t i n t he b ot tom o f t he nu t. Th at i s, p ie a nd c ake , c he es e a nd c ra ck er s, a nd nu ts a nd r ai si ns . Th eT hr ee -C ou rs e N ut s a re n ot a ll e xa ct ly a li ke i n f la vo r o r i n c on te nt s, b ut t he y a re a ll g oo d a nd i n e ac h o ne

m ay b e f ou nd a com pl et e t hr ee- co ur se d in ner. "

"But how about breakfasts?" inquired Betsy.

" Wh y, t he re a re B re ak fa st T re es f or t ha t, w hi ch g ro w o ve r t he re a t t he r ig ht . T he y b ea r n ut s, l ik e t he

o th er s , o nl y t he n ut s con tai n cof f ee o r cho co late, i ns t ead o f s ou p; o at meal i ns t ead o f m eat -and -p ot ato es ,

a nd f ru it s i ns te ad o f d es se rt . S ad a s h as b ee n m y l if e i n t hi s w on de rf ul p ri so n, I m us t a dm it t ha t n o o ne

c ou ld l iv e m or e l uxu ri ou sl y i n t he b es t h ot el i n t he wo rl d t ha n I ha ve l iv ed h er e; b ut I w il l be gl ad t o ge t

i nt o t he o pe n a ir a ga in a nd s ee t he go od ol d s un a nd t he s il ve ry m oon a nd t he s of t gr ee n gr as s a nd t he

f low er s t ha t a re k is se d b y t he m or ni ng d ew . A h, h ow m uc h m or e l ov el y a re t ho se b le ss ed t hi ng s t ha n t heg li tt er of ge ms or t he c ol d gl ea m o f go ld !"

" Of c ou rs e, " s ai d B et sy . " I o nc e k ne w a l it tl e b oy w ho w an te d t o c at ch t he m ea sl es , b ec au se a ll t he l it tl e

boys in his neighborhood but him had 'em, and he was really unhappy 'cause he couldn't catch 'em, try as

he w ou ld . So I 'm p re tt y c er ta in t ha t t he t hi ngs w e wa nt , a nd c an 't ha ve , a re n ot g ood f or us . I sn' t t ha t

true, Shaggy?"

" No t alw ay s, m y d ear, " h e g ravely r ep li ed . " If w e d id n' t w an t any th in g, w e w ou ld n ev er g et any th in g,

go od or ba d. I t hi nk ou r l ongi ngs a re na tur al , a nd i f we a ct a s na tur e pr ompt s u s w e c an' t g o f ar wr on g. "

" Fo r m y p ar t, " s ai d Q ue en A nn , " I t hi nk t he w or ld w ou ld b e a d re ar y p la ce w it ho ut t he g ol d a nd j ew el s. "

" Al l t hi ng s are g oo d i n t heir w ay ," s ai d S hagg y;

" bu t w e m ay h av e t oo m uc h o f a ny g oo d t hi ng . A nd I h av e n ot ic ed t ha t t he v al ue o f a ny th in g de pe nd s

u pon h ow s ca rc e i t i s, a nd h ow di ff ic ul t i t i s t o o bt ai n. "

" Pard on m e f or i nt er ru pt in g y ou ," s ai d K in g K al ik o, com in g t o t heir s id e, " bu t n ow t hat w e h av e r es cu ed

Sha ggy' s brot he r I woul d l ike to r et ur n t o my r oya l c ave rn. B ei ng t he Ki ng of t he Nome s, i t i s my dut y t o

l oo k aft er m y r es tl ess s ub ject s and s ee t hat t hey b eh av e t hems el ves. "

S o t he y a ll t ur ne d a nd b eg an w al ki ng t hr ou gh t he M et al F or es t t o t he o th er s id e o f t he g re at d om ed c av e,

w he re t he y h ad f ir st e nt er ed i t. S ha gg y a nd h is b ro th er w al ke d s id e b y s id e a nd b ot h s ee me d r ej oi ce d

P a g e 8 5



t ha t t he y w er e t og et he r a ft er t he ir l on g s ep ar at io n. B et sy d id n' t d ar e l oo k a t t he p ol ka d ot h an dk er ch ie f,

f or f ea r s he w ou ld l au gh a lo ud ; s o s he w al ke d b eh in d t he t wo b ro th er s a nd l ed H an k b y h ol di ng f as t t o

h is l ef t e ar .

W he n a t l as t t he y r ea ch ed t he p la ce w he re t he p as sa ge l ed t o t he o ut er w or ld, Qu ee n An n s ai d, i n a

hesitating way that was unusual with her:

"I have not c onquer ed t hi s Nome Count ry, nor do I e xpec t to do s o; but I would l ike to gat he r a fe w of

t he se p re tt y j ew el s b ef or e I l ea ve t hi s p la ce ."

" He lp y ou rs el f, m a' am ," s ai d K in g K al ik o, a nd a t o nc e t he o ff ic er s o f t he A rm y t oo k a dv an ta ge o f h is

r oy al p er mi ss io n and b eg an f il li ng t heir p ockets , w hi le A nn t ied a l ot o f d iamo nd s i n a b ig h an dk er ch ief.

T hi s accom pl is hed, t hey all ent er ed t he p as sage, t he n om es g oi ng f ir st t o l ig ht t he w ay w it h t heir t or ch es .

T hey h ad n ot p ro ceeded f ar w hen B et sy exclaim ed :

" Wh y, t he re a re j ew el s h er e, t oo !"

A ll e ye s w er e t ur ne d u po n t he g ro un d a nd t he y f ou nd a r eg ul ar t ra il o f j ew el s s tr ew n a lo ng t he r oc k

floor.

" Th is i s qu ee r! " s ai d K al ik o, m uc h s ur pr is ed . " I m us t s en d s om e o f m y n om es t o g at he r u p t he se g em s

a nd r ep la ce t he m i n t he M et al F or es t, wh er e t he y b el ong . I wo nd er ho w t he y c ame t o be h er e? "

A ll t he w ay a lo ng t he p as sa ge t he y f ou nd t hi s t ra il of j ew el s, b ut w he n t he y n ea re d t he e nd t he m ys te ry

w as e xp la in ed . F or t he re , s qu at te d u po n t he f lo or w it h h is b ac k t o t he r oc k w al l, s at o ld R ug ge do , p uf fi ng

a nd bl owi ng a s i f he wa s a ll t ir ed out . The n the y r ea li ze d it wa s he who ha d s ca tt er ed t he j ewe ls , f rom hi s

m an y p oc ke ts , w hi ch o ne b y o ne h ad b ur st w it h t he w ei gh t o f t he ir c on te nt s a s h e h ad s tu mb le d a lo ng t he passage.

" Bu t I d on 't m in d, " s ai d R ug ge do , w it h a d ee p s ig h. " I n ow r ea li ze t ha t I c ou ld n ot h av e c ar ri ed s uc h a

w ei gh ty l oa d v er y f ar , e ve n h ad I m an ag ed t o e sc ap e f ro m t hi s p as sa ge w it h i t. T he w om an w ho s ew ed

t he poc ke ts on m y r obe us ed p oor t hr ea d, f or w hi ch I s ha ll t ha nk h er ."

"Have you any jewels left?" inquired Betsy.

H e g lanced i nt o s om e o f t he r em ai ni ng p ockets .

" A f ew ," s ai d he , " bu t t he y w il l b e s uf fi ci ent t o s upp ly m y w an ts , a nd I n o l ong er h av e a ny d es ir e t o be

r ic h. If s ome of you wil l ki ndly hel p me to r is e, I' ll ge t out of her e and le ave you, for I know you a ll

d es pi se m e a nd p re fe r m y r oo m t o m y c om pa ny ."

S ha gg y a nd K al ik o r ai se d t he o ld K in g t o h is f ee t, w he n h e w as c on fr on te d b y S ha gg y' s b ro th er , w ho m

h e n ow n ot ic ed f or t he f ir st t im e. T he q ue er a nd u ne xp ec te d a pp ea ra nc e o f t he U gl y O ne s o s ta rt le d

Ru gge do t ha t he ga ve a w il d c ry a nd be ga n t o t re mbl e, a s i f he ha d s ee n a ghos t.

"Wh-wh-who is this?" he faltered.

" I am t hat h el pl es s p ri so ner w ho m y ou r cru el m ag ic t rans fo rm ed f ro m a h an ds om e m an i nt o an u gl y o ne!"

a ns we re d S ha gg y' s b ro th er , i n a v oi ce o f s te rn r ep ro ac h.

P a g e 8 6



" Real ly , R ug gedo ," s ai d B et sy , " yo u o ug ht t o b e ash am ed o f t hat m ean t ri ck ."

" I a m, m y d ea r, " a dm it te d R ug ge do , w ho w as n ow a s m ee k a nd h um bl e a s f or me rl y h e h ad b ee n c ru el

and vindictive.

" Th en ," r et ur ne d t he g ir l, " yo u' d be tt er d o s om e m or e m agi c a nd gi ve t he p oo r m an h is o wn f ac e a ga in ."

" I w is h I cou ld ," ans wered t he o ld K in g; " bu t y ou m us t r em em ber t hat T it it i- Ho ocho o h as d ep ri ved m e o f

a ll my m ag ic p ow er s. H ow ev er , I ne ve r t ook t he t roub le t o l ea rn j us t ho w t o br ea k t he c ha rm I c as t ove r

S hagg y' s b ro th er , f or I i nt en ded h e s ho ul d alw ay s r em ai n u gl y. "

" Ev er y charm ," r em ar ked p rett y P ol ychr om e, " has i ts ant id ot e; and , i f y ou k new t hi s charm o f u gl in es s,

R ug gedo , y ou m us t h av e k no wn h ow t o d is pel i t. "

H e s ho ok h is h ea d.

"If I did, I-I've forgotten," he stammered regretfully.

"Try to think!" pleaded Shaggy, anxiously.

" Pl ease t ry t o t hi nk !"

R ug gedo r uf fl ed h is h ai r w it h b ot h h an ds , s ig hed, s lapp ed h is chest , r ub bed h is ear , and s tared s tu pi dl y

ar ou nd t he g ro up .

" I' ve a f ai nt r ecol lect io n t hat t here w as o ne t hi ng t hat w ou ld b reak t he charm ," s ai d h e; " bu t m is fo rt un e

ha s s o a ddl ed m y br ai n t ha t I c an' t r em emb er wha t i t wa s."

" Se e h er e, R ug ge do ," s ai d B et sy , s ha rp ly , " we 'v e t re at ed y ou p re tt y w el l, s o f ar , b ut w e w on 't s ta nd f or

any n on sens e, and i f y ou k no w w hat' s g oo d f or y ou rs el f y ou 'l l t hi nk o f t hat charm !"

"Why?" he demanded, turning to look wonderingly at the little girl.

" Be ca us e i t m ea ns s o m uc h t o S ha ggy 's b ro th er . H e' s d re ad fu ll y a sh am ed o f h im se lf , t he w ay he i s n ow ,

a nd y ou 'r e t o b la me f or i t. F ac t i s, R ug ge do , y ou 'v e d on e s o m uc h w ic ke dn es s i n y ou r l if e t ha t i t w on 't

hurt you to do a ki nd a ct now."

R ug ge do b li nk ed a t h er , a nd s ig he d a ga in , a nd t he n t ri ed v er y h ar d t o t hi nk .

" I s ee m t o r em em be r, d im ly ," s ai d he , " th at a c er ta in k in d of a ki ss w il l br ea k t he c ha rm of u gl in es s. "

" Wh at k in d o f a k is s? "

" Wha t ki nd? Wh y, i t w as -i t w as -i t w as e it he r t he ki ss of a Mo rt al M ai d; or -or -t he ki ss of a Mo rt al M ai d

wh o ha d on ce be en a Fa ir y; or -o r t he ki ss of on e w ho i s s ti ll a Fa ir y. I c an 't r eme mbe r w hi ch . Bu t o f

cou rs e n o m ai d, m or tal o r f ai ry , w ou ld ever con sent t o k is s a p er so n s o u gl y- so d read fu ll y, f earf ul ly ,

terribly ugly-as Shaggy's brother."

" I' m n ot s o s ur e o f t ha t, " s ai d B et sy , w it h a dm ir ab le c ou ra ge ; " I' m a M or ta l M ai d, a nd i f i t i s m y k is s t ha t

w il l b reak t hi s awf ul charm , I -I 'l l d o i t! "

P a g e 8 7



" Oh , y ou r eall y cou ld n' t, " p ro test ed U gl y. " I w ou ld b e o bl ig ed t o r em ov e m y m as k, and -w hen y ou s aw

m y f ac e, n ot hi ng c ou ld i nd uc e y ou t o k is s m e, g en er ou s a s y ou a re ."

" We ll , a s f or t ha t, " s ai d t he l it tl e g ir l, " I n ee dn 't s ee y our f ac e a t a ll . H er e' s m y p la n: Y ou s ta y i n t hi s d ar k

passage, and we'll send away the nomes with their torches. Then you'll take off the handkerchief, and

I-I'll kiss you."

"This is awfully kind of you, Betsy!" said Shaggy, gratefully.

" Well , i t s ur el y w on 't k il l m e, " s he r ep li ed ; " an d, i f i t m ak es y ou and y ou r b ro th er h ap py , I 'm w il li ng t o

t ake s om e chances. "

S o K al ik o o rd er ed t he t or ch -b ea re rs t o l ea ve t he p as sa ge , w hi ch t he y d id b y g oi ng t hr ou gh t he r oc k

o pe ni ng . Q ue en A nn a nd h er a rm y a ls o w en t o ut ; b ut t he o th er s w er e s o i nt er es te d i n B et sy 's e xp er im en t

t ha t t he y r em ai ne d g ro up ed a t t he m ou th o f t he p as sa ge wa y. W he n t he b ig r oc k s wu ng i nt o p la ce , c lo si ng

t ig ht t he o peni ng , t hey w er e l ef t i n t ot al d ar kn es s.

" No w, t hen, " cal led B et sy i n a cheer fu l v oi ce, " have y ou g ot t hat h an dk er ch ief o ff y ou r f ace, U gl y?"

"Yes," he replied.

" We ll , w he re a re y ou , t he n? " s he a sk ed , r ea ch in g o ut h er a rm s.

" Here," s ai d h e.

" Yo u' ll h av e t o s to op d ow n, y ou k no w. "

H e f ou nd h er h an ds a nd c la sp in g t he m i n h is o wn s too pe d u nt il h is f ac e w as n ea r t o t ha t of t he l it tl e g ir l.T he o th er s h ea rd a c le ar , s ma ck in g k is s, a nd t he n B et sy e xc la im ed : " Th er e! I 'v e d on e i t, a nd i t d id n' t h ur t

a b it !"

" Te ll m e, d ea r b ro th er ; i s t he c ha rm b ro ke n? " a sk ed S ha gg y.

"I do not know," was the reply. "It may be, or it may not be. I ca nnot tell."

"Has anyone a match?" inquired Betsy.

" I h av e s ev er al ," s ai d S hagg y.

" Th en l et R ug ge do s tr ik e o ne o f t he m a nd l oo k a t y ou r b ro th er 's f ac e, w hi le w e a ll t ur n o ur b ac ks .

R ug ge do m ad e y ou r b ro th er u gl y, s o I g ue ss h e c an s ta nd t he h or ro r o f l oo ki ng a t h im , i f t he c ha rm i sn 't

broken."

A gr ee in g t o t hi s, R ug ge do t oo k t he m at ch a nd l ig ht ed i t. H e g av e o ne l oo k a nd t he n b le w o ut t he m at ch .

" Ugl y a s e ve r! " he s ai d w it h a s hudde r. " So i t w as n' t t he ki ss of a M or ta l Ma id, af te r a ll ."

" Le t m e t ry, " pr opo se d t he Ro se P ri nc es s, i n h er s we et v oi ce . " I a m a M or ta l M ai d w ho w as o nc e a

F ai ry . P er haps m y k is s w il l b reak t he charm ."

F il es d id n ot w ho ll y a pp ro ve o f t hi s, b ut h e w as t oo g en er ou s t o i nt er fe re . S o t he R os e P ri nc es s f el t h er

P a g e 8 8



w ay t hr ou gh t he d ar kn es s t o S hagg y' s b ro th er and k is s ed h im .

R ug gedo s tr uck ano th er m at ch , w hi le t hey all t ur ned away.

" No ," a nn ou nc ed t he f or me r K in g; " th at d id n' t b re ak t he c ha rm , e it he r. I t m us t b e t he k is s o f a F ai ry t ha t

i s r eq ui red- or els e m y m em or y h as f ai led m e alt og et her. "

"Polly," said Betsy, pleadingly, "won't you try?"

" Of cou rs e I w il l! " ans wered P ol ychr om e, w it h a m er ry l au gh . " I' ve n ev er k is sed a m or tal m an i n all t he

t ho us an ds o f y ea rs I ha ve e xi st ed , b ut I 'l l d o i t t o pl ea se o ur f ai th fu l Sh ag gy M an , w ho se u ns el fi sh

aff ect io n f or h is u gl y b ro th er d es erv es t o b e r ew ar ded. "

E ve n a s P ol yc hr om e w as s pe aki ng s he t ri pp ed l ig ht ly t o t he s id e o f t he U gl y O ne a nd qu ic kl y t ou ch ed h is

cheek w it h h er l ip s.

"Oh, thank you-thank you!" he fervently cried.

" I' ve chang ed , t hi s t im e, I k no w. I can f eel i t! I 'm d if ferent . S hagg y- dear S hagg y- I am m ys el f again !"

F il es , w ho w as n ea r t he o pe ni ng , t ou ch ed t he s pr in g t ha t r el ea se d t he b ig r oc k a nd i t s ud de nl y s wu ng

backward and let in a flood of daylight.

E very on e s t oo d m ot io nl es s , s t ar in g h ar d at S hagg y' s b ro th er , w ho , n o l on ger m as ked b y t he p ol ka-d ot

h an dk er ch ief, m et t heir g aze w it h a g lad s mi le.

" Well ," s ai d S hagg y M an , b reak in g t he s il en ce at l as t and d rawi ng a l on g, d eep b reat h o f s at is fact io n,

" yo u a re n o l on ge r t he U gl y O ne , m y d ea r b ro th er ; b ut , t o b e e nt ir el y f ra nk w it h y ou , t he f ac e t ha t belongs to you is no more handsome than it ought to be."

" I t hi nk h e' s r at her g oo d l oo ki ng ," r em ar ked B et sy , g azin g at t he m an cri ti call y.

" In com pari so n w it h w hat h e w as ," s ai d K in g K al ik o, " he i s r eall y b eaut if ul . Y ou , w ho n ev er b eh el d h is

u gl ine ss , m ay n ot u nd er st an d t ha t; b ut i t w as m y m is fo rt un e t o l ook a t t he U gl y O ne m an y t im es , a nd I

s ay again t hat, i n com pari so n w it h w hat h e w as , t he m an i s n ow b eaut if ul ."

" Al l r ig ht ," r et ur ne d B et sy , br is kl y, " we 'l l t ak e y our w or d f or i t, K al ik o. A nd n ow l et u s g et o ut o f t hi s

t un nel and i nt o t he w or ld again ."

Chapter Twenty-Three

R u gg e d o R e fo r m s

I t di d n ot t ake t he m l on g t o r eg ai n t he r oya l c ave rn o f t he N om e Ki ng, wh er e K al iko o rde re d s er ve d t o

t hem t he n ices t r ef resh ment s t he p lace aff or ded.

R ug ge do h ad c om e t ra il in g a lo ng a ft er t he r es t o f t he p ar ty a nd w hi le n o o ne p ai d a ny a tt ent io n t o t he o ldK in g t he y d id no t o ff er a ny o bj ec ti on t o h is p re se nc e o r c om ma nd h im t o l ea ve t he m. H e l oo ke d f ea rf ul ly

t o s ee i f t he e gg s w er e s ti ll g ua rd in g t he e nt ra nc e, b ut t he y h ad n ow d is ap pe ar ed ; s o h e c re pt i nt o t he

P a g e 8 9



c av er n a ft er t he o th er s a nd h um bl y s qu at te d d ow n i n a c or ne r o f t he r oo m.

T he re B et sy d is co ve re d h im . A ll o f t he l it tl e g ir l' s c om pa ni on s w er e n ow s o h ap py a t t he s uc ce ss o f

S hagg y' s q uest f or h is b ro th er , and t he l au gh ter and m er ri ment s eemed s o g en er al , t hat B et sy 's h eart

s of te ne d t ow ar d t he f ri en dl es s o ld m an w ho h ad o nc e b ee n t he ir b it te r e ne my , a nd s he c ar ri ed t o h im

s om e o f t he f oo d a nd d ri nk . R ug ge do 's e ye s f il le d w it h t ea rs a t t hi s u ne xp ec te d k in dn es s. H e t oo k t he

chi ld 's h an d i n h is o wn and p ress ed i t g ratefu ll y.

" Lo ok h er e, K al ik o, " s ai d B et sy , a dd re ss in g t he n ew K in g, " wh at 's t he u se o f b ei ng h ar d o n R ug ge do ?

All his magic power is gone , so he ca n't do any more ha rm, and I'm sure he 's sorry he act ed so badly to

everybody."

" Ar e y ou ?" ask ed K al ik o, l oo ki ng d ow n at h is f or mer m as ter.

" I a m, " s ai d R ug ge do . " Th e g ir l s pe ak s t ru ly . I 'm s or ry a nd I 'm h ar ml es s. I d on 't w an t t o w an de r t hr ou gh

the wide worl d, on top of t he ground, for I' m a nome . No nome can ever be ha ppy a ny pla ce but

underground."

" Th at b ei ng t he c as e, " s ai d K al ik o, " I w il l l et y ou s ta y h er e a s l on g a s y ou b eha ve yo ur se lf ; b ut , i f y ou t ry

t o a ct b ad ly a ga in , I s ha ll d ri ve y ou o ut , a s T it it i- Ho oc ho o h as c om ma nd ed , a nd y ou 'l l h av e t o w an de r. "

" Ne ve r f ea r. I 'l l b eh av e, " p ro mi se d R ug ge do . " It i s h ar d w or k b ei ng a K in g, a nd h ar de r s ti ll t o b e a g oo d

Ki ng. But now t ha t I am a c ommon nome I a m s ur e I c an le ad a bl ame les s l if e. "

T he y w er e a ll p le as ed t o h ea r t hi s a nd t o k no w t ha t R ug ge do h ad r ea ll y r ef or me d.

" I h op e h e' ll k ee p h is w or d, " w hi sp er ed B et sy t o S ha gg y; " bu t i f h e g et s b ad a ga in w e w il l b e f ar a wa y

f ro m t he N om e K in gd om a nd K al ik o wi ll h ave t o ' te nd t o t he o ld n om e hi ms el f. "

P ol yc hr om e h ad b ee n a l it tl e r es tl es s d ur in g t he l as t h ou r or t wo . T he l ov el y D au gh te r o f t he R ai n ho w

kn ew t ha t s he ha d n ow d one a ll i n h er pow er t o a ss is t he r e ar th f ri ends , a nd s o s he be ga n t o l ong f or h er

s ky h om e.

" I t hi nk ," s he s ai d, aft er l is teni ng i nt en tl y, " th at i t i s b eg in ni ng t o r ai n. T he R ai n K in g i s m y u ncle, y ou

kno w, a nd p er ha ps h e h as r ea d my t hou ght s a nd i s goi ng t o h el p me . A nyw ay I m us t t ake a l ook a t t he

s ky a nd m ak e s ur e. "

So s he j um pe d up a nd r an t hr ough t he pa ss age t o t he ou te r e nt ra nc e, a nd t he y a ll f ol lo we d a ft er he r a ndg ro up ed t he ms el ve s o n a l ed ge o f t he m ou nt ai n- si de . S ur e e no ug h, d ar k c lo ud s h ad f il le d t he s ky a nd a

s lo w, d ri zzli ng r ai n h ad s et i n.

" It c an 't l as t f or l ong ," s ai d S ha gg y, l oo ki ng u pw ar d, " an d w he n i t s to ps w e s ha ll l os e t he s we et l it tl e f ai ry

w e h av e l ea rn ed t o l ov e. A la s, " h e c on ti nu ed , a ft er a m om en t, " th e c lo ud s a re a lr ea dy b re ak in g i n t he

west, and-see!--isn't that the Rainbow coming?"

B et sy d id n' t l oo k at t he s ky ; s he l oo ked at P ol ychr om e, w ho se h ap py , s mi li ng f ace s ur el y f or et ol d t he

c om in g o f h er f at he r t o t ak e h er t o t he C lo ud P al ac es . A m om en t l at er a g le am o f s un sh in e f lo od ed t he

m ou nt ai n and a g or geou s R ai nb ow app ear ed .

W it h a c ry o f g la dn es s P ol yc hr om e s pr an g u po n a p oi nt o f r oc k a nd h el d o ut h er a rm s. S tr ai gh tw ay t he

R ai nb ow d es ce nd ed u nt il i ts e nd w as a t h er v er y f ee t, w he n w it h a g ra ce fu l l ea p s he s pr an g u po n i t a nd

P a g e 9 0



w as a t o nc e c la sp ed i n t he a rm s o f h er r ad ia nt s is te rs , t he D au gh te rs o f t he R ai nb ow . B ut P ol yc hr om e

r el ea se d he rs el f t o l ea n ove r t he e dg e of t he gl ow ing a rc h a nd no d, a nd s mi le a nd t hr ow a doz en ki ss es t o

h er l ate co mr ades .

" Go od -b ye!" s he cal led, and t hey all s ho ut ed " Go od -b ye!" i n r et ur n and w av es t heir h an ds t o t heir p rett y

friend.

S lo wl y t he m ag ni fi cent b ow l if ted and m el ted i nt o t he s ky , u nt il t he eyes o f t he ear nest w at ch er s s aw o nl y

fleecy clouds flitting across the blue.

" I' m d re ad fu l s or ry t o s ee P ol yc hr om e g o, " s ai d B et sy , w ho f el t l ik e c ry in g; " bu t I s 'p os e s he 'l l b e a g oo d

d ea l h ap pi er w it h h er s is te rs i n t he s ky p al ac es ."

" To b e s ur e," r et ur ned S hagg y, n od di ng g ravely . " It ' s h er h om e, y ou k no w, and t ho se p oo r w an der er s

w ho , l ik e o ur se lv es , h av e n o h om e, c an r ea li ze w ha t t he m ea ns t o h er ."

" On ce ," s ai d B et sy , " I, t oo , h ad a h om e. N ow , I 'v e o nl y- on ly -d ea r o ld H an k! "

S he t wi ne d h er a rm s a ro un d h er s ha gg y f ri en d w ho w as n ot h um an , a nd h e s ai d: " He e- ha w! " i n a t on e

t ha t s ho we d h e u nd er st oo d h er m oo d. A nd t he s ha gg y f ri en d w ho w as h um an s tr ok ed t he c hi ld 's h ea d

t en de rl y a nd s ai d: " Yo u' re w ro ng a bo ut t ha t, B et sy , d ea r. I w il l n ev er d es er t y ou ."

" No r I !" exclai med S hagg y' s b ro th er , i n ear nest t on es .

T he l it tl e g ir l l oo ked u p at t hem g ratefu ll y, and h er eyes s mi led t hr ou gh t heir t ears .

" Al l r ig ht ," s he s ai d. " It 's r ai ni ng again , s o l et 's g o b ack i nt o t he cav er n. "

R at her s ob er ly , f or all l ov ed P ol ychr om e and w ou ld m is s h er , t hey r eent er ed t he d om in io ns o f t he N om e

King.

Chapter Twenty-Four

D or ot hy i s D el i gh te d

" We ll ," s ai d Q ue en A nn , w he n a ll w er e a ga in s ea te d i n K al ik o' s r oy al c av er n, " I w on de r w ha t w e s ha ll

do ne xt. If I c ould f ind my wa y back to Oogaboo I 'd t ake my ar my home at once , f or I' m s ick and ti red

of these dreadful hardships."

" Do n' t y ou w an t t o c on qu er t he w or ld ?" a sk ed B et sy .

" No ; I 'v e c ha ng ed m y m in d a bo ut t ha t, " a dm it te d t he Q ue en . " Th e w or ld i s t oo b ig f or o ne p er so n t o

c onq ue r a nd I w as ha pp ie r w it h m y ow n p eop le i n O og ab oo. I wi sh- Oh , ho w e ar ne st ly I wi sh- tha t I w as

back there this minute!"

" So d o I !" y el le d e ve ry o ff ic er i n a f er ve nt t on e.

Now, it is time for the reader to know that in the far-away Land of Oz the lovely Ruler, Ozma, had been

f ol lo wi ng t he a dv en tu re s o f h er S ha gg y M an , a nd T ik -T ok , a nd a ll t he o th er s t he y h ad m et . D ay b y d ay

P a g e 9 1



O zm a, w it h t he w on de rf ul W iz ar d o f O z s ea te d b es id e h er , h ad g az ed u po n a M ag ic P ic tu re i n a r ad iu m

f ra me , w hi ch o cc up ie d o ne s id e o f t he R ul er 's c os y b ou do ir i n t he p al ac e o f t he E me ra ld C it y. T he

s in gu la r t hi ng a bo ut t hi s M ag ic P ic tu re w as t ha t i t s ho we d w ha te ve r s ce ne O zm a w is he d t o s ee , w it h t he

f ig ur es a ll i n m ot io n, j us t a s i t w as t ak in g p la ce . S o O zm a a nd t he W iz ar d h ad w at ch ed e ve ry a ct io n o f

t he a dv en tu re rs f ro m t he t im e S ha gg y h ad m et s hi pw re ck ed B et sy a nd H an k i n t he R os e K in gd om , a t

w hi ch t im e t he R os e P ri nc es s, a d is ta nt c ou si n o f O zm a, h ad b ee n e xi le d b y h er h ea rt le ss s ub je ct s.

W he n A nn a nd h er p eo pl e s o e ar ne st ly w is he d t o r et ur n t o Oo ga boo , O zm a w as s or ry f or t he m a nd

r em em be re d t ha t O og ab oo w as a c or ne r o f t he L an d o f O z. S he t ur ne d t o h er a tt en da nt a nd a sk ed :

" Ca n n ot y ou r m ag ic t ak e t he se u nh ap py p eo pl e t o t he ir o ld h om e, W iz ar d? "

"It can, Your Highness," replied the little Wizard.

" I t hi nk t he p oo r Q ueen h as s uf fered eno ug h i n h er m is gu id ed eff or t t o con qu er t he w or ld ," s ai d O zm a,

s mi li ng at t he abs ur di ty o f t he u nd er taki ng , " so n o d ou bt s he w il l h er eaft er b e con tent ed i n h er o wn l it tl e

K in gd om . P leas e s en d h er t here, W izar d, and w it h h er t he o ff icer s and F il es ."

" Ho w a bo ut t he R os e P ri nc es s? " a sk ed t he W iz ar d.

" Se nd h er t o O og ab oo w it h F il es ," a ns we re d O zm a. " Th ey h av e b ec om e s uc h g oo d f ri en ds t ha t I a m

s ur e i t w ou ld m ak e t hem u nh ap py t o s ep ar at e t hem. "

" Very w el l, " s ai d t he W izar d, and w it ho ut any f us s o r m ys tery w hatever h e p er fo rm ed a m ag ical r it e t hat

w as s im pl e a nd e ff ec ti ve . T he re fo re t ho se s ea te d i n t he N om e K in g' s c av er n w er e b ot h s ta rt le d a nd

a ma ze d w he n a ll t he p eo pl e o f O og ab oo s ud de nl y d is ap pe ar ed f ro m t he r oo m, a nd w it h t he m t he R os e

P ri nces s. A t f ir st t hey cou ld n ot u nd er st an d i t at all ; b ut p resent ly S hagg y s us pect ed t he t ru th , and

believing that Ozma was now taking an interest in the party he drew from his pocket a tiny instrumentw hi ch h e p laced again st h is ear .

O zm a, o bs er vi ng t hi s act io n i n h er M ag ic P ictu re, at o nce cau gh t u p a s im il ar i ns tr um en t f ro m a t ab le

beside her and held it to her own ear. The two instruments recorded the same delicate vibrations of

s ou nd and f or med a w ir el es s t el ep ho ne, an i nv en ti on o f t he W izar d. T ho se s ep ar at ed b y any d is tance

w er e t hu s enabl ed t o con vers e t og et her w it h p er fect eas e and w it ho ut any w ir e con necti on .

" Do y ou h ea r m e, S ha gg y M an ?" a sk ed O zm a.

"Yes, Your Highness," he replied.

" I h av e S en t t he p eo pl e o f O og ab oo b ac k t o t he ir o wn l it tl e v al le y, " a nn ou nc ed t he R ul er o f O z; " so d o

n ot w or ry o ver t heir d is ap pearance. "

" Th at w as v er y k ind o f y ou ," s ai d S ha ggy . " Bu t Y our H ig hne ss m us t p er mi t m e t o r ep or t t ha t m y ow n

mi ss ion he re i s now e nde d. I ha ve f ound my l os t br ot he r, a nd he i s now b es ide m e, f re ed f rom th e

enchant ment o f u gl in es s w hi ch R ug gedo cas t u po n h im . T ik -T ok h as s er ved m e and m y com rades

f ai th fu ll y, a s y ou r eq ue st ed h im t o d o, a nd I h op e y ou w il l n ow t ra ns po rt t he C lo ck wo rk M an b ac k t o

your fairyland of Oz."

" I w il l d o t hat, " r ep li ed O zm a. " Bu t h ow abo ut y ou rs el f, S hagg y?"

" I h ave b ee n v er y h ap py i n O z, " h e s ai d, " bu t m y d ut y t o o th er s f or ce s m e t o e xi le m ys el f f ro m t ha t

P a g e 9 2



d el ig ht fu l l an d. I m us t t ak e c ar e o f m y n ew -f ou nd b ro th er , f or o ne t hi ng , a nd I h av e a n ew c om ra de i n a

de ar l it tl e gi rl na me d Be ts y Bobbi n, who ha s no home to go t o, a nd no ot he r f ri ends but m e a nd a s mal l

d on ke y n am ed H an k. I h av e p ro mi se d B et sy n ev er t o d es er t he r a s l ong a s s he n ee ds a f ri en d, a nd s o I

m us t gi ve u p t he d el igh ts o f t he L and o f O z f or ev er ."

H e s ai d t hi s w it h a s igh o f r eg re t, a nd O zm a m ad e n o r ep ly bu t l ai d t he t in y i ns tr um en t o n h er t ab le , t hu s

cut ti ng o ff all f ur th er com mu ni cati on w it h t he S hagg y M an . B ut t he l ov el y R ul er o f O z s ti ll w at ch ed h er m ag ic p ictu re, w it h a t ho ug ht fu l exp ress io n u po n h er f ace, and t he l it tl e W izar d o f O z w at ch ed O zm a and

smiled softly to himself.

I n t he c av er n o f t he N om e K in g S ha gg y r ep la ce d t he w ir el es s t el ep ho ne i n h is p oc ke t a nd t ur ni ng t o

B et sy s ai d i n a s c he er fu l a v oi ce a s h e c ou ld m us te r:

" Well , l it tl e com rade, w hat s hall w e d o n ex t?"

" I d on 't k no w, I 'm s ur e, " s he a ns we re d w it h a p uz zl ed f ac e. " I' m k in d o f s or ry o ur a dv en tu re s a re o ve r,

f or I e nj oy ed t he m, a nd now t ha t Q ue en An n a nd h er pe opl e a re go ne , a nd P ol yc hr ome i s g on e,and-dear me!--where's Tik-Tok, Shaggy?"

" He als o h as d is ap pear ed ," s ai d S hagg y, l oo ki ng aro un d t he cav er n and n od di ng w is el y. " By t hi s t im e h e

is i n Oz ma' s pa la ce i n the La nd of Oz , whic h i s hi s home."

" Is n' t i t y ou r h om e, t oo ?" a sk ed B et sy .

" It u se d t o b e, my de ar ; bu t no w m y h om e i s w he re ve r y ou a nd my br ot he r a re . W e a re w an de re rs , y ou

know , bu t i f we s ti ck t oge the r I a m s ur e we s ha ll ha ve a good t im e."

" Th en ," s ai d t he g ir l, " let u s g et o ut o f t hi s s tu ff y, u nd er gr ou nd cav er n and g o i n s earch o f n ew adv en tu res.I 'm s ur e i t h as s to pp ed r ai ni ng ."

" I' m r ea dy ," s ai d S ha gg y, a nd t he n t he y b ad e g oo d- by e t o K in g K al ik o, a nd t ha nk ed h im f or h is

a ss is ta nc e, a nd w en t o ut t o t he m ou th o f t he p as sa ge .

T he s ky w as no w c le ar a nd a b ri ll ia nt b lu e i n c ol or ; t he s un s ho ne br ig ht ly a nd e ve n t hi s r ug ge d, r oc ky

country seemed delightful after their confinement underground. There were but four of them now-Betsy

a nd H an k, a nd S ha gg y a nd h is b ro th er -a nd t he l it tl e p ar ty m ad e t he ir w ay d ow n t he m ou nt ai n a nd

f ol lo we d a f ai nt p at h t ha t l ed t ow ar d t he s ou th we st .

D ur in g t hi s t im e O zm a h ad b een h ol di ng a con ference w it h t he W izar d, and l at er w it h T ik -T ok , w ho m t he

m ag ic o f t he W iz ar d h ad q ui ck ly t ra ns po rt ed t o O zm a' s p al ac e. T ik -T ok h ad o nl y w or ds o f p ra is e f or

B et sy B ob bi n, " wh o, " h e s ai d, " is al -m os t as n ice as D or -o -t hy h er -s elf ."

" Let u s s en d f or D or ot hy ," s ai d O zm a, and s um mo ni ng h er f av or it e m ai d, w ho w as n am ed J el li a J am b,

s he a ske d h er t o r eq ue st Pr in ce ss D or ot hy t o a tt en d h er a t o nc e. S o a f ew mo me nt s l at er D or ot hy

e nt er ed O zm a' s r oo m a nd g re et ed h er a nd t he W iz ar d a nd T ik -T ok w it h t he s am e g en tl e s mi le a nd

s im pl e m an ne r t ha t h ad w on f or t he l it tl e gi rl t he l ov e o f e ve ry one s he m et .

" Di d yo u wa nt t o s ee m e, O zm a? " s he a sk ed .

" Ye s, de ar . I a m pu zz le d h ow t o a ct , a nd I wa nt yo ur a dvi ce ."

P a g e 9 3



" I d on 't b 'l ie ve i t' s w or th m uc h, " r ep li ed D or ot hy , " bu t I 'l l d o t he b es t I c an . W ha t i s i t a ll a bo ut , O zm a? "

" Yo u all k no w, " s ai d t he g ir l R ul er , add ress in g h er t hr ee f ri en ds , " wh at a s er io us t hi ng i t i s t o adm it any

m or ta ls i nt o t hi s f ai ryl and o f O z. I t i s t ru e I h av e i nv it ed s ev er al m or ta ls t o m ak e t he ir h om e h er e, a nd a ll

of t he m h ave p rov ed t ru e a nd l oya l s ub je ct s. I nde ed, n o on e of yo u t hr ee wa s a n at ive of O z. D or ot hy

a nd t he W iz ar d c ame he re f rom t he U ni te d St at es , a nd Ti k- Tok c am e f ro m t he L and of Ev. B ut o f

c our se he i s not a m or ta l. Sha ggy i s a not he r Ame ri ca n, a nd he is t he c aus e of a ll my wor ry, f or our de ar S ha gg y w il l n ot r et ur n h er e a nd d es er t t he n ew f ri en ds h e h as f ou nd i n h is r ec en t a dv en tu re s, b ec au se h e

believes they need his services."

" Sh ag gy M an w as alw ay s k in d- hear ted, " r em ar ked D or ot hy . " Bu t w ho are t hese n ew f ri en ds h e h as

found?"

" On e i s h is b ro th er , w ho f or m an y y ea rs h as b ee n a p ri so ne r o f t he N om e K in g, o ur o ld e ne my R ug ge do .

T hi s b ro the r s ee ms a k in dl y, h on es t f el lo w, b ut h e h as do ne no thi ng t o e nt it le h im t o a h om e i n t he L an d

o f O z. "

" Wh o el se?" as ked D or ot hy .

" I h av e t ol d y ou a bo ut B et sy B ob bi n, t he l it tl e g ir l w ho w as s hi pw re ck ed -i n m uc h t he s am e w ay y ou o nc e

w er e- an d h as s in ce b ee n f ol lo wi ng t he S ha gg y M an i n h is s ea rc h f or h is l os t b ro th er . Y ou r em em be r h er ,

d o y ou n ot ?"

" Oh , y es !" e xc la im ed D or ot hy . " I' ve o ft en w at ch ed h er a nd H an k i n t he M ag ic P ic tu re , y ou k no w. S he 's

a de ar l itt le gi rl, a nd ol d Ha nk i s a da rl ing! Whe re a re the y now? "

" Lo ok and s ee," r ep li ed O zm a w it h a s mi le at h er f ri en d' s ent hu si as m.

D or ot hy t ur ned t o t he P ictu re, w hi ch s ho wed B et sy and H an k, w it h S hagg y and h is b ro th er , t ru dg in g

a lo ng t he r oc ky p at hs o f a b ar re n c ou nt ry .

" Se em s t o m e, " s he s ai d, m us in gl y, " tha t t he y' re a g oo d w ay f rom a ny p la ce t o s le ep , o r a ny n ic e t hi ng s t o

eat."

" Yo u a re r ig ht ," s ai d T ik -T ok . " I h av e b ee n i n t ha t c ou n- tr y, a nd i t i s a w il de r- ne ss ."

" It i s t he cou nt ry o f t he n om es ," exp lain ed t he

W iz ar d, " wh o a re s o m is ch ie vo us t ha t n o o ne c ar es

t o l iv e ne ar t he m. I 'm a fr ai d S ha gg y a nd h is

friends will endure many hardships before they get

o ut o f t ha t r oc ky p la ce , u nl es s- "

H e t ur ne d t o O zm a a nd s mi le d.

" Un le ss I a sk y ou t o t ra ns po rt t he m a ll h er e? " s he a sk ed .

"Yes, your Highness."

P a g e 9 4



"Could your magic do that?" inquired Dorothy.

" I t hi nk s o, " s ai d t he W iz ar d.

" We ll ," s ai d D or ot hy, " as f ar a s B et sy a nd H ank a re c onc er ne d, I 'd l ike t o ha ve t he m he re i n O z. I t

would be s uc h f un to ha ve a gi rl pla yma te of my own age , you s ee . And Ha nk is s uch a de ar l it tle mul e! "

O zm a l au gh ed a t t he w is tf ul e xp re ss io n i n t he g ir l' s e ye s, a nd t he n s he d re w D or ot hy t o h er a nd k is se d

her.

" Am I n ot y ou r f ri en d a nd p la ym at e? " s he a sk ed .

Dorothy flushed.

" Yo u k now ho w d ea rl y I l ove y ou , O zm a! " s he c ri ed . " Bu t y ou 'r e s o b us y r ul in g a ll t hi s La nd o f O z t ha t

w e can 't al ways b e t og et her ."

" I know, de ar . My f irs t dut y i s t o my s ubj ec ts , a nd I t hi nk i t w oul d be a de li ght t o us a ll t o h ave Be ts y

w it h u s. T he re 's a p re tt y s ui te o f r oo ms j us t o pp os it e y ou r o wn w he re s he c an l iv e, a nd I 'l l b ui ld a g ol de n

s ta ll f or H an k i n t he s ta bl e w he re t he S aw ho rs e l iv es . T he n w e' ll i nt ro du ce t he m ul e t o t he C ow ar dl y L io n

a nd t he H ung ry T ig er , a nd I 'm s ur e t he y w il l s oo n b ec om e f ir m f ri en ds . B ut I c an no t v er y w el l a dmi t

B et sy a nd H an k i nt o O z u nl es s I a ls o a dm it S ha gg y' s b ro th er ."

" And , u nl es s y ou a dm it S ha gg y' s b ro th er , y ou w il l k ee p o ut p oo r S ha gg y, w ho m w e a re a ll v er y f on d o f, "

s ai d t he W izar d.

"Well, why not ad-mit him?" demanded Tik-Tok.

" Th e L an d o f O z i s n ot a r ef ug e f or a ll m or ta ls i n d is tr es s, " e xp la in ed O zm a. " I d o n ot w is h t o b e u nk ind

t o S ha gg y M an , bu t h is b ro th er h as n o c la im o n m e. "

" Th e L an d o f O z i sn 't cro wd ed ," s ug gest ed D or ot hy .

" Th en y ou adv is e m e t o adm it S hagg y' s b ro th er ?" i nq ui red O zm a.

" We ll , w e c an 't a ff or d t o l os e o ur S ha gg y M an , c an w e? "

" No , i nd eed! " r et ur ned O zm a. " Wh at d o y ou s ay, W izard ?"

" I' m g et ti ng m y m ag ic r eady t o t rans po rt t hem all ."

"And you, Tik-Tok?"

" Sh ag -g y' s b ro th -e r i s a g oo d f el -l ow , a nd w e c an 't s pa re S ha g- gy ."

" So , t hen; t he q uest io n i s s et tl ed ," d ecid ed O zm a. " Perf or m y ou r m ag ic, W izar d! "

H e d id s o, pl ac in g a s il ve r p la te u po n a s ma ll s ta nd ar d a nd p ou ri ng u po n t he p la te a s ma ll q ua nt it y o f p ink

powder which was contained in a crystal vial. Then he muttered a rather difficult incantation which the

s or ce re ss G li nd a t he G oo d ha d t au gh t h im , a nd i t a ll e nd ed i n a p uf f o f p er fu me d s mo ke f ro m t he s il ve r

P a g e 9 5



plate. This smoke was so pungent that it made both Ozma and Dorothy rub their eyes for a moment.

" Yo u m us t p ar do n t he se d is ag re ea bl e f um es ," s ai d t he W iz ar d. " I a ss ur e y ou t he s mo ke i s a v er y

n eces sary p ar t o f m y w izar dr y. "

" Lo ok !" cri ed D or ot hy , p oi nt in g t o t he M ag ic P ictu re; " th ey 'r e g on e! A ll o f t hem are g on e. "

I nd ee d, t he p ic tu re n ow s ho we d t he s am e r oc ky l an ds ca pe a s b ef or e, b ut t he t hr ee p eo pl e a nd t he m ul e

h ad d is app eared f r om i t .

" Th ey are g on e, " s ai d t he W izar d, p ol is hi ng t he s il ver p late and w rapp in g i t i n a f in e clo th , " becaus e t hey

ar e h er e."

A t t ha t m om en t J el li a J am b e nt er ed t he r oo m.

" You r H ig hne ss ," s he s ai d t o O zm a, " th e S ha gg y M an a nd a not he r m an a re i n t he w ai ti ng r oo m a nd a sk

t o pa y t he ir r es pe ct s t o y ou. S ha ggy i s c ry ing l ik e a b aby, but he s ays t he y a re t ea rs of j oy ."

" Send t hem h er e at o nce, J el li a! " com mand ed O zm a " Al so ," con ti nu ed t he m ai d, " a g ir l and a s mall -s ized

m ul e h av e m ys te ri ou sl y a rr iv ed , b ut t he y d on 't s ee m t o k no w w he re t he y a re o r h ow t he y c am e h er e.

S ha ll I s en d t he m h er e, t oo ?"

" Oh , n o! " exclaim ed D or ot hy , eag er ly j um pi ng u p f ro m h er chair ; " I' ll g o t o m eet B et sy m ys el f, f or s he'l l

f eel awf ul s tr an ge i n t hi s b ig p al ace. "

An d s he r an d ow n t he s ta ir s t wo a t a t im e t o gr ee t h er ne w f ri end , B et sy B obb in.

Chapter Twenty-Five

T he L and o f L ov e

" We ll , i s ' he e- ha w' a ll y ou a re a bl e t o s ay ?" i nq ui re d t he S aw ho rs e, a s h e e xa mi ne d H an k w it h h is k no t

e ye s a nd s lo wl y w ag ge d t he b ra nc h t ha t s er ve d h im f or a t ai l.

T he y w er e i n a b ea ut if ul s ta bl e i n t he r ea r o f O zm a' s p al ac e, w he re t he w oo de n S aw ho rs e- ve ry m uc h

ali ve-l iv ed i n a g ol d- paneled s tall , and w here t here w er e r oo ms f or t he C ow ar dl y L io n and t he H un gr y

T ig er , w hi ch w er e f il le d w it h s of t c us hi on s f or t he m t o l ie u pon a nd go ld en t ro ug hs f or t he m t o e at f rom .

B es id e t he s ta ll o f t he S aw ho rs e h ad b ee n p la ce d a no th er f or H an k, t he m ul e. T hi s w as n ot q ui te s o

beautiful as the other, for the Sawhorse was Ozma's favorite steed; but Hank had a supply of cushions

f or a be d ( whi ch t he Sa whor se d id not ne ed be ca us e he ne ve r s le pt ) a nd a ll t hi s l ux ur y wa s s o s tr ang e t o

t he l it tl e m ul e t hat h e cou ld o nl y s tand s ti ll and r eg ar d h is s ur ro un di ng s and h is q ueer com pani on s w it h

wonder and amazement.

T he C ow ar dl y L io n, l oo ki ng v er y d ig ni fi ed , w as s tr et ch ed o ut u po n t he m ar bl e f lo or o f t he s tabl e, eyein g

H an k w it h a cal m and cri ti cal g aze, w hi le n ear b y cro uched t he h ug e H un gr y T ig er , w ho s eemed equ al ly

i nt er es ted i n t he n ew ani mal t hat h ad j us t arr iv ed . T he S aw ho rs e, s tand in g s ti ff ly b ef or e H an k, r ep eatedh is q ue st io n, " Is ' he e- ha w' a ll y ou a re a bl e t o s ay ?"

P a g e 9 6



H an k m ov ed h is e ar s i n a n e mb ar ra ss ed m an ne r.

" I ha ve n ev er s ai d a ny th in g e ls e, u nt il no w, " he r ep li ed ; a nd t he n h e b eg an t o t re mb le w it h f ri gh t t o h ea r

himself talk.

" I can w el l u nd er st an d t hat, " r em ar ked t he L io n, w ag gi ng h is g reat h ead w it h a s wayi ng m ot io n. " St rang e

t hi ng s h ap pe n i n t hi s L an d o f O z, a s t he y d o e ve ry wh er e e ls e. I b el ie ve y ou c am e h er e f ro m t he c ol d,civilized, outside world, did you not?"

" I d id ," r ep li ed H an k. " On e m in ut e I w as o ut si de o f O z- an d t he n ex t m in ut e I w as i ns id e! T ha t w as

e nou gh t o gi ve me a ne rvo us s ho ck, a s you ma y gue ss ; but t o f ind my se lf a bl e t o t al k, a s Be ts y doe s, i s a

marvel that staggers me."

" Th at i s b ec au se y ou a re i n t he La nd o f O z, " s ai d t he S aw ho rs e. " Al l a ni ma ls t al k, i n t hi s f av or ed c ou nt ry ,

a nd y ou m us t a dm it i t i s m or e s oc ia bl e t ha n t o b ra y y ou r d re ad fu l ' he e- ha w, ' w hi ch n ob od y c an

understand."

"Mules understand it very well," declared Hank.

" Oh , i nd eed! T hen t here m us t b e o th er m ul es i n y ou r o ut si de w or ld ," s ai d t he T ig er , y aw ni ng s leep il y.

" The re a re a g re at m an y i n A me ri ca ," s ai d H an k.

" Ar e y ou t he onl y T ige r i n Oz ?"

" No ," ack no wl ed ged t he T ig er , " I h av e m an y r el at iv es l iv in g i n t he J un gl e C ou nt ry ; b ut I am t he o nl y T ig er

living in the Emerald City."

" Th er e a re o th er L io ns , t oo ," s ai d t he S aw ho rs e;

" bu t I a m t he o nl y h or se , o f a ny d es cr ip ti on , i n t hi s f av or ed L an d. "

" Th at i s w hy t hi s L an d i s f av or ed ," s ai d t he T ig er . " Yo u m us t u nd er st an d, f ri en d H an k, t hat t he S aw ho rs e

puts on airs because he is shod with plates of gold, and because our beloved Ruler, Ozma of Oz, likes to

r id e u po n h is b ack. "

" Bet sy r i des u po n m y b ack, " d eclared H an k p ro ud ly .

"Who is Betsy?"

" Th e d earest , s weet es t g ir l i n all t he w or ld !"

T he S aw ho rs e g av e a n a ng ry s no rt a nd s ta mp ed h is g ol de n f ee t. T he T ig er c ro uc he d a nd g ro wl ed .

S lo wl y t he g reat L io n r os e t o h is f eet, h is m an e b ri st li ng .

" Fr iend H an k, " s ai d h e, " ei th er y ou are m is taken i n j ud gm en t o r y ou are w il lf ul ly t ry in g t o d ecei ve u s. T he

d earest , s weet es t g ir l i n t he w or ld i s o ur D or ot hy , and I w il l f ig ht any on e- an im al o r h um an -- wh o d ar es t o

deny it!"

" So w il l I !" s narl ed t he T ig er , s ho wi ng t wo r ow s o f eno rm ou s w hi te t eeth .

P a g e 9 7



" Yo u a re a ll w ron g! " a ss er te d t he S aw ho rs e i n a v oi ce o f s co rn . " No g ir l l iv ing c an c om pa re w it h m y

m is tr es s, O zm a o f O z! "

H an k s lo wl y t ur ned aro un d u nt il h is h eels w er e t ow ar d t he o th er s. T hen h e s ai d s tu bb or nl y:

" I a m no t m is ta ke n i n m y s ta te me nt , n or w il l I a dm it t he re c an b e a s we et er gi rl a li ve t ha n B et sy B ob bi n.

I f y ou w an t t o f ig ht , c om e o n- I' m r ea dy f or y ou !"

W hi le t hey h es it at ed , eyein g H an k' s h eels d ou bt fu ll y, a m er ry p eal o f l au gh ter s tart led t he ani mals and

t ur ni ng t heir h eads t hey b eh el d t hr ee l ov el y g ir ls s tand in g j us t w it hi n t he r ichl y car ved ent rance t o t he

s ta bl e. I n t he c en te r w as O zm a, h er a rm s e nc ir cl in g t he w ai st s o f D or ot hy a nd B et sy , w ho s to od o n e it he r

s ide of he r. Oz ma w as ne ar ly ha lf a he ad t al le r t ha n t he t wo ot he r gi rl s, who we re a lmos t of one s iz e.

U no bs er ve d, t he y h ad l is te ne d t o t he t al k o f t he a ni ma ls , w hi ch w as a v er y s tr an ge e xp er ie nc e i nd ee d t o

little Betsy Bobbin.

" Yo u f oo li sh b east s! " exclaim ed t he R ul er o f O z, i n a g en tl e b ut chi di ng v oi ce. " Wh y s ho ul d y ou f ig ht t o

d ef en d u s, w ho a re a ll t hr ee l ov in g f ri end s a nd i n n o s en se r iv al s? A ns we r m e! " s he c on ti nu ed , a s t he y bowed their heads sheepishly.

" I h av e t he r ig ht t o exp ress m y o pi ni on , y ou r H ig hn es s, " p lead ed t he L io n.

" An d s o h av e t he o th er s, " r ep li ed O zm a. " I a m g la d y ou a nd t he H un gr y T ig er l ov e D or ot hy b es t, f or s he

w as y ou r f ir st f ri en d a nd c om pa ni on . A ls o I a m p le as ed t ha t m y S aw ho rs e l ov es m e b es t, f or t og et he r w e

h av e e nd ur ed b ot h j oy a nd s or ro w. H an k h as p ro ve d hi s f ai th a nd l oy al ty b y d ef en di ng h is o wn l it tl e

mi st re ss ; a nd s o y ou a re a ll r ig ht i n on e wa y, but wr ong i n a not he r. Our L and of Oz i s a La nd of Lov e,

and h er e f ri en ds hi p o ut rank s every o th er q uali ty . U nl es s y ou can all b e f ri en ds , y ou can no t r et ai n o ur

love."

T hey accep ted t hi s r eb uk e v er y m eekl y.

"All right," said the Sawhorse, quite cheerfully; "shake hoofs, friend Mule."

H an k t ou ch ed h is h oo f t o t ha t o f t he w ood en hor se .

" Le t u s b e f ri en ds a nd r ub n os es ," s ai d t he T ig er . S o H an k m od es tl y r ub be d n os es w it h t he b ig b ea st .

T he L io n m er el y n od de d a nd s ai d, a s h e c ro uc he d b ef or e t he m ul e:

" Any f ri en d o f a f ri en d o f o ur b el ov ed R ul er i s a f ri en d o f t he C ow ar dl y L ion . T ha t s ee ms t o c ov er y our

c as e. I f e ve r you n ee d he lp or a dv ic e, f ri en d Ha nk, c al l on m e.

" Wh y, t hi s i s a s i t s hou ld b e, " s ai d O zm a, h ig hl y p le as ed t o s ee t he m s o f ul ly r ec onc il ed. T he n s he t ur ne d

t o h er c om pa ni on s: " Co me , m y d ea rs , l et u s r es um e o ur w al k. "

As they turned away Betsy said wonderingly:

"Do all the animals in Oz talk as we do?

" Al mo st a ll ," a ns we re d D or ot hy . " Th er e' s a Y el lo w H en h er e, a nd s he c an t al k, a nd s o c an h er c hi ck en s;

a nd t he re 's a P ink K it te n u ps ta ir s i n m y r oo m w ho t al ks v er y n ic el y; b ut I 've a l it tl e f uz zy b la ck d og,

na me d Tot o, who ha s be en wi th m e i n O z a l ong t ime , a nd h e's ne ve r s ai d a s ingl e w or d but

P a g e 9 8



T he t wo a ro se t o b ow r es pe ct fu ll y a s t he R ul er o f O z a pp ro ac he d t he m.

" Ho w a re y ou e nj oy in g o ur L an d o f O z? " O zm a a sk ed t he s tr an ge r.

" I am v er y h ap py h er e, Y ou r H ig hn es s, " r ep li ed S hagg y' s b ro th er . " Al so I am v er y g ratefu l t o y ou f or

permitting me to live in this delightful place."

" Yo u m us t t hank S hagg y f or t hat, " s ai d O zm a.

" Bein g h is b ro th er , I h av e m ad e y ou w el co me h er e. "

" Wh en y ou k no w B ro th er b et te r, " s ai d S ha ggy e ar ne st ly , " yo u w il l b e g la d h e h as b ec om e o ne o f y ou r

l oy al s ub ject s. I am j us t g et ti ng acq uain ted w it h h im m ys el f and I f in d m uch i n h is charact er t o adm ir e. "

Leaving the brothers, Ozma and the girls continued their walk. Presently Betsy exclaimed:

" Sh aggy 's b rot he r c an' t e ve r be a s ha ppy i n Oz a s I a m. D o y ou kno w, D or ot hy, I di dn 't b el ie ve a ny g ir lc ou ld e ve r h av e s uc h a g oo d t im e- a ny wh er e- as I 'm h av in g n ow ?"

" I k no w, " ans wered D or ot hy . " I' ve f el t t hat w ay m ys el f, l ot s o f t im es .

" I w is h, " con ti nu ed B et sy , d ream il y, " th at every l it tl e g ir l i n t he w or ld cou ld l iv e i n t he L an d o f O z; and

every l it tl e b oy , t oo !"

O zm a l au gh ed at t hi s.

" It i s q ui te f or tu na te f or u s, B et sy , t ha t yo ur w is h c an no t b e g ra nt ed ," s ai d s he , " fo r a ll t ha t a rm y o f g ir ls

a nd b oy s w oul d c row d u s s o t ha t w e w oul d h av e t o mo ve a wa y.

" Yes, " agr eed B et sy , aft er a l it tl e t ho ug ht , " I g uess t hat' s t ru e. "

T he W on de rf ul O z B oo ks b y L . F ra nk B au m

T HE W IZ AR D O F O Z

THE LAND OF OZ

OZMA OF OZ

D OR OT HY A ND T HE W IZ AR D I N O Z

THE ROAD TO OZ

T HE E ME RAL D C IT Y O F O Z

T HE P AT CH WO RK G IR L O F O Z

TIK-TOK OF OZ

P a g e 1 0 0



T HE S CA RE CR OW O F O Z

R IN KI TI NK I N O Z

T HE L OST P RI NC ES S OF O Z

THE TIN WOODM AN OF OZ

THE MAGIC OF OZ

G LI ND A O F OZ

Baum. L Frank TikTok of Oz

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Transcript of Baum. L Frank TikTok of Oz