Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz - L. Frank Baum

8/10/2019 Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz - L. Frank Baum

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Dorothy and the Wiz ard in Oz – Oz 04

by L. Frank Baum

A Faithful Record of Their Amazing Adventures

i n a n U nd er gr ou nd W or ld ; a nd H ow w it h t he

Aid of Their Friends Zeb Hugson,Eureka

t he K it te n, a nd J im t he C ab -H or se ,

They Finally Reached the

Wonderful Land

of Oz

by L. Frank Baum

"Royal Historian of Oz"

- - To M y R ea de rs --

1. The Earthquake

2. TheGlassCity

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3 . Th e A rr iv al o f t he W izar d

4. The Vegetable Kingdom

5 . D o ro th y P icks t he P ri ncess

6. The Mangaboos Prove Dangerous

7 . I nt o t he B la ck P it a nd O ut A ga in

8. TheValleyofVoices

9. They Fight the Invisible Bears

10. The Braided Man ofPyramidMountain

1 1 . T he y M ee t t he W oo de n G ar go yl es

1 2 . A W on de rf ul E sc ap e

13 . T he D en o f t he D ra go ne tt es

1 4. Oz ma Us es t he Ma gi c B elt

1 5 . O ld F ri en ds a re R eu ni te d

16 . J im , t he C ab -H or se

1 7 . T he N in e T in y P ig lets

1 8. T he T ri al o fE ur ek a , t he K it te n

1 9 . T he W izar d P er fo rm s A no th er T ri ck

2 0. Ze b R et ur ns t o t he Ra nc h

T o M y R ea de rs

I t' s n o u se ; no us e a t a ll . The children won't l et me stop tel ling





tale s of the La nd of Oz. I know lot s of ot her s tor ie s, and I hope t o

t el l t hem, s om e t im e o r ano th er ; b ut j us t n ow m y l ov in g t yr an ts w on 't

al low me . T he y c ry: " Oz -- Oz ! m or e a bou t O z, Mr . Ba um! " a nd wh at c an I

d o b ut o be y t he ir c om ma nd s?

T hi s i s O ur B oo k- -m in e a nd t he c hi ld re n' s. F or t he y h av e f lo od ed m e

w it h t ho us an ds o f s ug gest io ns i n r eg ar d t o i t, and I h av e h on es tl y

t ri ed t o a do pt a s m an y o f t he se s ug ge st io ns a s c ou ld b e f it te d i nt o

o ne s t or y .

A ft er t he w on de rf ul s uc ce ss o f " Oz ma of O z" i t i s e vi de nt t ha t D or ot hy

h as b ec om e a f ir m f ix tu re i n t he se O z s to ri es . The l it tl e one s a ll

lo ve D or ot hy , a nd a s o ne o f m y s ma ll f ri en ds a pt ly s ta te s: " It i sn 't a

r ea l Oz s tor y wi thout her ." So h er e s he i s a ga in, a s s we et a nd ge nt le

a nd i nn oc en t a s e ve r, I h op e, a nd t he h er oi ne o f a no th er s tr an ge a dv en tu re .

T here w er e m an y r eq uest s f ro m m y l it tl e cor resp on dent s f or " mo re abo ut

t he W iz ar d. " I t s ee ms t he j ol ly o ld f el lo w m ad e h os ts o f f ri en ds i n

t he f ir st O z b oo k, i n s pi te o f t he f ac t t ha t h e f ra nk ly a ck no wl ed ge d

hi ms el f " a hum bug." T he chi ld ren h ad h eard h ow h e m ou nt ed i nt o t he

s ky i n a b al lo on a nd t he y w er e a ll w ai ti ng f or h im t o c om e d ow n a ga in .

S o w ha t c ou ld I d o b ut t el l " wh at h ap pe ne d t o t he W iz ar d a ft er wa rd "?

Y ou w il l f in d h im i n t he se p ag es , j us t t he s am e h umb ug W iz ar d a s b ef or e.

T here w as o ne t hi ng t he chi ld ren d em an ded w hi ch I f ou nd i t i mp os si bl e





t o d o i n t hi s p re se nt b oo k: t he y b ad e m e i nt ro du ce T ot o, D or ot hy 's

l it tl e b lack d og , w ho h as m an y f ri en ds amo ng m y r eaders . But you wi ll

s ee , w he n y ou b eg in t o r ea d t he s to ry , t ha t T ot o w as i nK an sa s w hi le

D or ot hy w as i nC al if or ni a , a nd s o s he h ad t o s ta rt o n h er a dv en tu re

wit hout hi m. I n t hi s b oo k D or ot hy h ad t o t ak e h er k it te n w it h h er

i ns te ad o f he r do g; but i n t he ne xt Oz bo ok, i f I a m pe rm it te d t o

w ri te o ne , I i nt en d t o t el l a g oo d d ea l a bo ut T ot o' s f ur th er h is to ry .

P ri nc es s Oz ma , w hom I l ove a s m uc h a s my r ea de rs do , i s a ga in

i nt rodu ce d i n t hi s s tor y, a nd s o a re s eve ra l o f ou r ol d f ri ends of Oz .

Y ou w il l als o b ecom e acq uain ted w it h J im t he C ab -H or se, t he N in e T in y

Pi gl et s, a ndE ur ek a , t he Ki tt en. I a m s or ry t he ki tt en w as n ot a s

w el l b eh av ed a s s he o ug ht t o h av e b ee n; b ut p er ha ps s he w as n' t b ro ug ht

u p p ro pe rl y. D or ot hy f ou nd h er , y ou s ee , a nd w ho h er p ar en ts w er e

nobody knows.

I b el ie ve , m y d ea rs , t ha t I a m t he p ro ud es t s to ry -t el le r t ha t e ve r

l ived. M any a t ime te ar s o f pr ide a nd j oy ha ve s tood i n my e ye s whi le

I r ea d t he t en de r, l ov in g, a pp ea li ng l et te rs t ha t c am e t o m e i n a lm os t

e ve ry ma il f rom my l it tl e r ea de rs . T o h av e p le as ed y ou , t o h av e

i nt er es ted y ou , t o h av e w on y ou r f ri en ds hi p, and p er haps y ou r l ov e,

t hr ou gh m y s to ri es , i s t o m y m in d a s g re at a n a ch ie ve me nt a s t o b ec om e

Pr es id en t o f t he Un it ed S ta te s . I nd ee d, I w ou ld m uc h r at he r b e y ou r

s to ry -t ell er, u nd er t hes e con di ti on s, t han t o b e t he P res id en t. S o

y ou h av e h el ped m e t o f ul fi ll m y l if e' s amb it io n, and I am m or e

gr at ef ul t o yo u, m y de ar s, t ha n I c an e xpr es s i n wo rds .





I t ry t o a ns we r e ve ry l et te r o f m y y ou ng c or re sp on de nt s; y et s om et im es

t he re a re s o m any l et te rs t ha t a l it tl e t ime m us t pa ss b efo re you g et

y ou r ans wer. B ut b e p at ient , f ri en ds , f or t he ans wer w il l s ur el y

c om e, a nd by w ri ti ng t o m e you mor e t ha n r epa y me f or t he pl ea sa nt

t as k o f p re pa ri ng t he se b oo ks . B es id es , I a m p ro ud t o a ck no wl ed ge

t ha t t he b oo ks a re p ar tl y y ou rs , f or y ou r s ug ge st io ns o ft en g ui de m e i n

t el li ng t he s tor ie s, a nd I a m s ur e t he y w ould not be ha lf s o good

without your clever and thoughtful assistance.

L . F RA NK B AU M

C o r on ad o, 1 9 08 .

1. The Earthquake

T he t ra in f ro m ' Fr is co w as v er y l at e. I t s ho ul d h av e a rr iv ed a t

H ug so n' s S id in g atm id ni gh t , b ut i t w as alr eady fi ve o 'clo ck and t he

g ra y d aw n w as b re aki ng i n t he e as t w he n t he l it tl e t ra in s lo wl y

r um bl ed u p t o t he o pe n s he d t ha t s er ve d f or t he s ta ti on -h ou se . A s i t

c am e t o a s top t he c ondu ct or c al le d o ut i n a l ou d voi ce :





"Hugson's Siding!"

At once a littl e girl ros e from her sea t and walke d to the door of the

c ar , c ar ry in g a w ic ke r s ui t- ca se i n o ne h an d a nd a r ou nd b ir d- ca ge

c ov er ed u p w it h n ew sp ap er s i n t he o th er , w hi le a p ar as ol w as t uc ke d

unde r h er a rm. The c onduc tor he lp ed he r of f t he c ar a nd t he n t he

e ng in ee r s ta rt ed h is t ra in a ga in , s o t ha t i t p uf fe d a nd g ro an ed a nd

mov ed s lowl y a wa y up t he t ra ck. T he r ea so n h e w as s o l at e w as b ec aus e

a ll t hr ou gh t he n ig ht t he re w er e t im es w he n t he s ol id e ar th s hoo k a nd

t re mb le d un de r hi m, a nd t he e ng ine er w as a fr ai d t ha t a t a ny m om en t t he

r ai ls m ig ht s pr ea d a pa rt a nd a n a cc id en t h ap pe n t o h is p as se ng er s. S o

h e m ov ed t he c ar s s lo wl y a nd w it h c au ti on .

T he l it tl e g ir l s to od s ti ll t o w at ch u nt il t he t rain h ad d is ap pear ed

a ro un d a c ur ve ; t he n s he t ur ne d t o s ee wh er e s he w as .

Th e s he d a t H ugs on 's S id in g w as b ar e s ave f or a n o ld w oo de n b en ch , a nd

d id n ot l oo k v er y i nv it in g. A s s he p eered t hr ou gh t he s of t g ray l ig ht

n ot a ho us e of a ny s or t wa s vi si bl e ne ar t he s ta ti on, no r w as a ny

p er so n i n s ig ht ; b ut a ft er a w hi le t he c hi ld d is co ve re d a h or se a nd

b ug gy s ta nd in g n ea r a g ro up o f t re es a s ho rt d is ta nc e a wa y. S he

wa lke d t owa rd i t a nd f ou nd t he h or se t ie d t o a t re e a nd s ta ndi ng

m ot io nl es s, w it h i ts he ad h an gi ng d ow n a lm os t t o t he g ro und . I t w as a

bi g h or se , t al l a nd b on y, w it h l on g l eg s a nd l ar ge k ne es a nd f ee t.

S he c oul d c ou nt hi s r ib s e as il y w he re t he y s how ed t hr ou gh t he s ki n o f





h is b od y, a nd h is h ea d w as l on g a nd s ee me d a lt og et he r t oo b ig f or h im ,

as if i t did not fi t. Hi s t ail wa s s hor t and s cra ggly, a nd his

h ar ne ss h ad b ee n b ro ke n i n m an y p la ce s a nd f as te ne d t og et he r a ga in

w it h c or ds a nd b it s o f w ir e. T he bu gg y s ee me d a lm os t ne w, f or i t h ad

a s hi ny t op a nd s id e c ur ta in s. G et ti ng a ro un d i n f ro nt , s o t ha t s he

c ou ld l oo k i ns ide , t he gi rl s aw a b oy c ur le d u p on t he s ea t, f as t a sl ee p.

S he s et d ow n t he b ir d- ca ge a nd p ok ed t he b oy w it h h er p ar as ol .

P re se nt ly h e w ok e u p, r os e t o a s it ti ng p os it io n a nd r ub be d

his eyes briskly.

" Hell o! " h e s ai d, s eein g h er , " ar e y ou D or ot hy G al e?"

" Yes, " s he ans wered, l oo ki ng g ravely at h is t ou sl ed h ai r and b li nk in g

g ra y e ye s. " Ha ve y ou c om e t o t ak e m e t o H ug so n' s R an ch ?"

" Of cou rs e," h e ans wered. "Train i n?"

" I c ou ld n' t b e h er e i f i t w as n' t, " s he s ai d.

H e l au gh ed a t t ha t, a nd h is l au gh w as m er ry a nd f ra nk . Jum pi ng out of

t he b ug gy h e p ut D or ot hy 's s ui t- ca se u nd er t he s ea t a nd h er b ir d- ca ge

o n t he f lo or i n f ro nt .

"Canary-birds?" he asked.





" Oh no; i t' s ju st Eu re ka , m y ki tte n. I t ho ught t ha t w as t he b es t wa y

t o c ar ry h er ."

T he b oy n od de d.

" Eu re ka 's a f un ny n am e f or a c at ," h e r em ar ke d.

" I n am ed m y k it ten t hat b ecau se I f ou nd i t, " s he exp lain ed . "U ncl e

H en ry s ay s ' Eu re ka ' m ea ns ' I h av e f ou nd i t. '"

"All right; hop in."

S he c li mbe d i nt o t he b ug gy a nd h e f ol lo we d he r. T he n t he b oy p ic ke d

u p t he r ei ns , s ho ok t he m, a nd s ai d " Gi d- da p! "

T he h or se d id n ot s ti r. D or ot hy t hou gh t he j us t w ig gl ed o ne o f hi s

d ro op in g e ar s, b ut t ha t w as a ll .

" Gi d- dap! " cal led t he b oy , again .

T he h or se s to od s ti ll .

" Perh ap s, " s ai d D or ot hy , " if y ou u nt ied h im , h e w ou ld g o. "

T he b oy l au gh ed cheer fu ll y and j um ped o ut .





" Gu es s I 'm h al f asl eep y et ," h e s ai d, u nt yi ng t he h or se. "But J im

k no ws h is b us in es s all r ig ht -- do n' t y ou , J im ?" p at ti ng t he l on g n os e

of the animal.

T he n h e got i nt o t he bug gy a ga in a nd t ook t he r ei ns , a nd t he hor se a t

o nc e b ac ke d a wa y f ro m t he t re e, t ur ne d s lo wl y a ro un d, a nd b eg an t o

t ro t d ow n t he s an dy r oa d w hi ch w as j us t v is ib le i n t he d im l ig ht .

" Th ou gh t t hat t rain w ou ld n ev er com e, " o bs er ved t he b oy . " I' ve

w ai ted at t hat s tati on f or f iv e h ou rs ."

" We h ad a l ot o f e ar th qu ak es ," s ai d D or ot hy . " Di dn' t you f ee l t he

ground shake?"

" Yes; b ut w e' re u sed t o s uch t hi ng s i nC al if or ni a , " h e r ep li ed . "They

d on 't s car e u s m uch. "

" Th e c on du ct or s ai d i t w as t he w or st q ua ke h e e ve r k ne w. "

" Di d h e? T he n i t m us t ha ve h app en ed w hi le I w as a sl ee p, "

he said thoughtfully.

" Ho w i s U ncle H en ry ?" s he enq ui red, aft er a p au se d ur in g w hi ch t he

h or se con ti nu ed t o t ro t w it h l on g, r eg ul ar s tr id es .





" He's p rett y w el l. H e and U ncle H ug so n h av e b een h av in g a f in e v is it ."

" Is M r. H ug so n y ou r u nc le ?" s he a sk ed .

"Yes. Uncle Bill Hugson married your Uncle Henry's wife's sister;

s o w e mu st be s ec ond c ous ins ," s ai d t he b oy , i n a n a mus ed t on e.

"I work f or Unc le Bi ll on hi s ra nch, a nd he pa ys me s ix doll ars a mont h

an d m y b oard ."

" Is n' t t hat a g reat d eal?" s he as ked, d ou bt fu ll y.

" Why, it 's a gr ea t de al f or U nc le Hu gs on, but not f or me . I 'm a

s pl en di d w or ke r. I w or k a s we ll a s I s le ep, " he a dde d, w it h a l aug h.

" Wh at i s y ou r n am e?" s ai d D or ot hy , t hi nk in g s he l ik ed t he b oy 's m an ner

a nd t he c he er y t on e o f h is v oi ce .

"N ot a v er y pr et ty o ne ," he a ns we re d, a s i f a l it tl e a sh ame d. "My

w ho le n am e i s Z eb ed ia h; b ut f ol ks j us t c al l m e ' Ze b. ' Y ou 'v e b ee n t o

Australia, haven't you?"

" Ye s; w it h U nc le H en ry ," s he a ns we re d. " We g ot t oS an F ra nc is co a

w ee k a go , a nd U nc le H en ry w en t r ig ht o n t o H ug so n' s R an ch f or a v is it

whi le I s ta yed a f ew days i n the c it y wit h s ome f rie nds we ha d me t. "





"H ow l ong w il l y ou be w it h u s? " h e a sk ed.

" Onl y a da y. To mor row Un cl e He nr y a nd I m us t s ta rt b ac k f or Ka ns as .

W e' ve be en a wa y f or a l ong t im e, y ou k no w, a nd s o w e' re a nxi ous t o ge t

home again."

T he b oy f li ck ed t he b ig , b on ey h or se w it h h is w hi p a nd l oo ke d

thoughtful. Then he started to say something to his little companion,

b ut b ef or e h e c ou ld s pe ak t he b ug gy b eg an t o s wa y d an ge ro us ly f ro m s id e

t o s ide a nd t he e ar th s ee me d t o r is e up be fo re t he m. Next minute

t he re wa s a r oar a nd a s har p c ra sh, and a t he r si de Dor ot hy s aw t he

g ro un d o pe n i n a w id e c ra ck a nd t he n c om e t og et he r a ga in .

" Go od ness !" s he cri ed , g rasp in g t he i ro n r ai l o f t he s eat.

" W hat w as t hat?"

" Th at w as a n a wf ul b ig q ua ke ," r ep li ed Z eb , w it h a w hi te f ac e. "It

al mo st g ot u s t hat t im e, D or ot hy ."

The hor se ha d s toppe d s hort , and st ood f ir m a s a r oc k. Ze b shook t he

r ei ns a nd ur ge d hi m t o go, but J im wa s s tubbor n. T he n t he b oy c ra cke d

h is w hi p a nd t ou che d t he a ni ma l' s f la nks w it h i t, a nd a ft er a l ow m oa n

o f p ro te st J im s te pp ed s lo wl y a lo ng t he r oa d.

Neither the boy nor the girl spoke again for some minutes. There was





a br ea th o f da nge r i n t he ve ry a ir , a nd e ve ry f ew mo me nt s t he e ar th

w ou ld s hake v io lent ly . J im 's ear s w er e s t an di ng er ect u po n h is h ead

a nd e ve ry m us cl e of h is bi g b od y wa s t en se a s h e t ro tt ed t ow ar d h om e.

H e w as not goi ng ve ry f as t, bu t on hi s f la nk s s pe cks of f oa m b ega n t o

a ppe ar a nd a t t im es he wo ul d t re mbl e l ike a l ea f.

T he s ky h ad g ro wn d ar ke r a ga in a nd t he w in d m ad e q ue er s ob bi ng s ou nd s

a s i t s we pt o ve r t he v al le y.

S ud denl y t here w as a r en di ng , t eari ng s ou nd , and t he ear th s pl it i nt o

a no the r gr ea t c ra ck j us t be ne at h t he s po t w he re t he h or se w as

s tand in g. W it h a w il d n ei gh o f t er ro r t he ani mal f el l b od il y i nt o t he

pi t, d rawi ng t he b ug gy and i ts o ccup an ts aft er h im .

Do rot hy gr abb ed f as t hol d of t he b ug gy t op a nd t he bo y di d t he s ame .

T he s ud de n r us h i nt o s pa ce c on fu se d t he m s o t ha t t he y c ou ld n ot t hi nk .

B lack ness eng ul fed t hem o n every s id e, and i n b reat hl es s s il en ce t hey

w ai te d f or t he f al l t o e nd a nd c ru sh t he m a ga ins t j agge d r oc ks or f or

t he e ar th t o cl os e in on t he m a ga in a nd bury t hem for eve r i n i ts

dreadful depths.

The horrible sensation of falling, the darkness and the terrifying

n oi se s, p ro ve d m or e t ha n D or ot hy c ou ld e nd ur e a nd f or a f ew m om en ts

t he l it tl e g ir l l os t con scio us ness . Z eb , b eg in a b oy , d id n ot f ai nt ,

b ut h e w as b adl y f ri gh te ne d, a nd c lu ng t o t he b ug gy s ea t w it h a t ig ht





g ri p, exp ecti ng every m om en t w ou ld b e h is l as t.

2 . T he G lass C it y

W hen D or ot hy r ecov er ed h er s en ses t hey w er e s ti ll f al li ng , b ut n ot s o

f as t. The t op of t he buggy c aught th e a ir l ike a pa ra chut e or a n

u mb rell a f il led w it h w in d, and h el d t hem b ack s o t hat t hey f lo at ed

d ow nw ar d w it h a g en tl e m ot io n t ha t w as n ot s o v er y d is ag re ea bl e t o

b e a r. T he w or st t hi ng w as t he ir t er ro r o f r ea ch in g t he b ot to m o f t hi s

gr ea t c ra ck i n t he e ar th , a nd t he n at ur al f ea r t ha t s udde n de at h wa s

a bo ut t o o ve rt ak e t he m a t a ny m om en t. C ra sh a ft er c ra sh e ch oe d f ar

a bo ve t he ir h ea ds , a s t he e ar th c am e t og et he r w he re i t h ad s pl it , a nd

s t on es a nd c hu nk s o f c la y r at tl ed a ro un d t he m o n e ve ry s id e. T he se

t he y c ou ld n ot s ee , b ut t he y c ou ld f ee l t he m p el ti ng t he b ug gy t op,

a nd J im s cr ea me d a lm os t l ik e a h um an be in g w he n a s to ne o ve rt oo k h im

a nd s tr uc k h is b on ey b od y. T he y d id n ot r ea ll y h ur t t he p oo r h or se ,

because everything was falling together; only the stones and rubbish

f el l f as te r t ha n t he h or se a nd b ug gy , w hi ch w er e h el d b ac k b y t he

p re ss ur e o f t he a ir , s o t ha t t he t er ri fi ed a ni ma l w as a ct ua ll y m or e

frightened than he was injured.

H ow l on g t hi s s tate o f t hi ng s con ti nu ed D or ot hy cou ld n ot even g uess ,





s he wa s s o g re at ly be wi lde re d. B ut b ye a nd b ye , a s s he s ta re d a he ad

i nt o t he b la ck c ha sm w it h a b ea ti ng h ea rt , s he b eg an t o d im ly s ee t he

fo rm o f t he hor se J im- -hi s he ad up i n t he a ir , h is e ar s e re ct a nd hi s

l on g l eg s s pr aw li ng i n every d ir ecti on as h e t um bl ed t hr ou gh s pace.

A ls o, t ur ni ng h er h ea d, s he f ou nd t ha t s he c ou ld s ee t he b oy b es id e

h er , w ho h ad u nt il n ow r em ai ne d a s s ti ll a nd s il en t a s s he h er se lf .

D or ot hy s ig he d a nd c om me nc ed t o b re at he e as ie r. S he b eg an t o r ea li ze

t ha t de at h wa s no t i n s to re f or he r, a ft er a ll , but t ha t s he ha d m er el y

s ta rt ed u po n a no th er a dv en tu re , w hi ch p ro mi se d t o b e j us t a s q ue er a nd

u nu su al a s w er e t ho se s he h ad b ef or e e nc ou nt er ed .

W it h t hi s t ho ug ht i n m in d t he g ir l t oo k h ea rt a nd l ea ne d h er h ea d o ve r

t he s id e o f t he b ug gy t o s ee w he re t he s tr an ge l ig ht w as c om in g f ro m.

F ar b el ow h er s he f ou nd s ix g re at g low in g b al ls s us pe nd ed i n t he a ir .

T he c en tr al a nd l ar ge st o ne w as w hi te , a nd r em in de d h er o f t he s un .

A ro un d i t w er e a rr an ge d, l ik e t he f iv e p oi nt s o f a s ta r, t he o th er

f iv e b ri ll iant b al ls ; o ne b ei ng r os e col or ed , o ne v io let, o ne y el lo w,

o n e b lu e a nd o ne o ra ng e. T hi s s pl en di d g ro up o f c ol or ed s un s s en t

r ay s d ar ti ng i n every d ir ecti on , and as t he h or se and b ug gy -- wi th

D or ot hy and Z eb -- s an k s t eadi l y d ow nw ar d and cam e n ear er t o t he l ig ht s ,

t he r ay s b eg an t o t ak e o n a ll t he d el ic at e t in ti ng s o f a r ai nb ow ,

g ro wi ng m or e and m or e d is ti nct every m om en t u nt il all t he s pace w as

brilliantly illuminated.

Do rot hy w as t oo da ze d t o s ay mu ch , bu t s he wa tc he d o ne of J im 's bi g





e ar s t ur n t o vi ol et a nd t he ot he r t o r os e, a nd wo nd er ed t ha t h is t ai l

s h ou ld b e y el lo w a nd h is b od y s tr ip ed w it h b lue a nd o ra ng e l ik e t he

s tr ipe s o f a z eb ra . Th en s he l ook ed a t Z eb , w ho se f ac e w as bl ue a nd

wh os e h ai r w as p in k, a nd g av e a l it tl e l au gh t ha t s ou nd ed a b it n er vo us .

"Isn't it funny?" she said.

Th e bo y w as s ta rt le d a nd h is e ye s w er e bi g. Dor ot hy ha d a gr ee n

s tr ea k t hr ou gh t he c en te r o f h er f ac e w he re t he b lu e a nd y el lo w l ig ht s

c am e t og et he r, a nd h er a pp ea ra nc e s ee me d t o a dd t o h is f ri gh t.

" I- -I d on 't s -s - see any -t hi ng f un ny -- 'b ou t i t !" h e s t am mered.

J us t t he n t he b ug gy t ip pe d s lo wl y o ve r u po n i ts s id e, t he b od y o f t he

h or se t ip pi ng als o. B ut t hey con ti nu ed t o f al l, all t og et her, and t he

b oy and g ir l h ad n o d if fi cu lt y i n r em ai ni ng u po n t he s eat, j us t as

t he y w er e b ef or e. T he n t he y t ur ne d b ot to m s id e u p, a nd c on ti nu ed t o

r ol l s lo wl y o ver u nt il t hey w er e r ig ht s id e u p again . D ur in g t hi s

t im e J im s tr ug gl ed f rant ical ly , all h is l eg s k icki ng t he air ; b ut o n

f in di ng h im self i n h is f or mer p os it io n t he h or se s ai d, i n a r el ieved

t on e o f v oi ce:

"Well, that's better!"

D or ot hy a nd Z eb l oo ke d a t o ne a no th er i n w on de r.





" Ca n y ou r h or se t al k? " s he a sk ed .

" Ne ve r k ne w h im t o, b ef or e, " r ep li ed t he b oy .

" Th os e w er e t he f ir st w or ds I e ve r s ai d, " c al le d o ut t he h or se , w ho

h ad o ve rh ea rd t he m, " an d I c an 't e xp la in w hy I h ap pe ne d t o s pe ak t he n.

T hi s i s a n ic e s cr ape y ou 'v e g ot m e i nt o, i sn 't i t? "

" As f or t ha t, w e a re i n t he s am e s cr ap e o ur se lv es ," a ns we re d D or ot hy ,

cheerfully. "But never mind; something will happen pretty soon."

" Of c ou rs e, " g ro wl ed t he h or se , " an d t he n w e s ha ll b e s or ry i t h ap pe ne d. "

Z eb g av e a s hi ve r. A ll t hi s w as s o t er ri bl e a nd u nr ea l t ha t h e c ou ld

n ot un de rs ta nd i t a t a ll , a nd s o ha d g ood r ea so n t o b e a fr ai d.

S wi ft ly t he y d re w n ea r t o t he f la mi ng c ol or ed s un s, a nd p as se d c lo se

b es id e t he m. Th e l ig ht w as t he n s o br ig ht t ha t i t d az zl ed t he ir e ye s,

a nd t he y c ov er ed t he ir f ac es w it h t he ir h an ds t o e sc ap e b ei ng b li nd ed .

Th er e w as no h ea t i n t he c ol or ed s uns , ho we ve r, a nd a ft er t he y ha d

p as se d b el ow t he m t he t op o f t he b ug gy s hu t o ut m an y o f t he p ie rc in g

r ays s o t ha t t he b oy a nd g irl c oul d ope n t he ir e ye s a ga in.

" We 've g ot t o c om e t o t he bo tt om s ome t im e," r em ar ke d Z eb, w it h a de ep

s ig h. " We can 't k eep f al li ng f or ev er , y ou k no w. "





" Of c ou rs e n ot ," s ai d D or ot hy . " We a re s om ew he re i n t he m idd le o f t he

e ar th , a nd t he c ha nc es a re w e' ll r ea ch t he o th er s ide of i t be for e

l on g. B ut i t' s a b ig h ol lo w, i sn 't i t?"

"Awful big!" answered the boy.

"We're coming to something now," announced the horse.

A t t hi s t he y bot h p ut t he ir he ad s ove r t he s ide of t he bug gy a nd

l oo ke d d ow n. Y es ; t he re w as l an d be lo w t he m; a nd n ot s o ve ry f ar

away, ei th er . B ut t hey w er e f lo at in g v er y, v er y s lo wl y- -s o s lo wl y

t ha t i t c ou ld n o l on ge r b e c al le d a f al l- -a nd t he c hi ld re n h ad a mp le

t im e t o t ak e he ar t a nd l oo k a bou t t he m.

T hey s aw a l an ds cape w it h m ou nt ai ns and p lain s, l ak es and r iv er s, v er y

l ik e t ho se u po n t he e ar th 's s ur fa ce ; b ut a ll t he s ce ne w as s pl en di dl y

c ol or ed b y t he v ar ie ga te d l ig ht s f ro m t he s ix s un s. H er e a nd t he re

w er e g ro up s o f h ou se s t ha t s ee me d m ad e o f c le ar g la ss , b ec au se t he y

sparkled so brightly.

"I 'm s ur e w e a re i n no da nge r, " s ai d Do rot hy , i n a s obe r v oi ce . "We

a re f al li ng s o s low ly t ha t we c an 't be d as he d t o pi ec es wh en w e l and,

a nd t hi s c ou nt ry t ha t w e a re c om in g t o s ee ms q ui te p re tt y. "





"W e' ll n ev er g et h om e again , t ho ug h! " d eclared Z eb , w it h a g ro an .

" Oh, I 'm not s o s ure of t ha t, " r ep li ed t he gir l. "But don't le t us

w or ry o ve r s uc h t hi ng s, Z eb ; w e c an 't h el p o ur se lv es j us t n ow , y ou

k no w, a nd I 'v e a lw ay s b ee n t ol d i t' s f oo li sh t o b or ro w t ro ub le ."

T he b oy b ec am e s il en t, h av in g n o r ep ly t o s o s en si bl e a s pe ec h, a nd

s oo n b ot h w er e f ul ly o cc up ie d i n s ta ri ng a t t he s tr an ge s ce ne s s pr ea d

o u t b el ow t he m. Th ey s ee me d t o b e f al li ng r ig ht i nt o t he m idd le o f a

b ig cit y w hi ch h ad m an y t al l b ui ld in gs w it h g lass d om es and

s h arp - po i nt ed s p ir es. T hes e s pi r es w er e l i ke g reat s pear- po in ts ,

a nd i f t he y t um bl ed u pon on e o f t he m t he y w er e l ik el y t o s uf fe r

serious injury.

J im t he h or se h ad s ee n t he se s pi re s, a ls o, a nd h is e ar s s to od s tr ai gh t

u p w it h f ea r, w hi le D or ot hy a nd Z eb h el d t he ir b re at hs i n s us pe ns e.

But no ; t he y f loa te d g ent ly do wn up on a b roa d, f la t r oof , a nd c am e t o

a stop at last.

W hen J im f el t s om et hi ng f ir m u nd er h is f eet t he p oo r b east 's l eg s

t re mb le d s o m uc h t ha t h e c ou ld h ar dl y s ta nd ; b ut Z eb a t o nc e l ea pe d

out of the buggy t o the roof , a nd he wa s so awkwar d and has ty t ha t he

k ic ke d o ve r D or ot hy 's b ir d- ca ge , w hi ch r ol le d o ut u po n t he r oo f s o

t ha t t he bo tt om c am e o ff . A t onc e a pi nk k it te n c re pt ou t o f t he

u ps et c ag e, s at d ow n u po n t he g la ss r oo f, a nd y aw ne d a nd b li nk ed i ts

round eyes.





"Oh," said Dorothy. "There's Eureka."

" Fi rs t t im e I e ve r s aw a p ink c at ," s ai d Z eb.

" Eu reka i sn 't p in k; s he's w hi te. I t' s t hi s q ueer l ig ht t hat g iv es h er

that color."

" Wh er e' s m y m il k?" ask ed t he k it ten, l oo ki ng u p i nt o D or ot hy 's f ace.

" I' m ' mo st s tar ved t o d eath ."

" Oh , E ur eka! C an y ou t al k?"

" Ta lk! Am I t alki ng? G oo d g ra ci ou s, I b el ie ve I a m. I sn 't i t

funny?" asked the kitten.

" It 's all w ro ng ." s ai d Z eb , g ravely . " An im al s o ug ht n ot t o t al k. B ut

e ve n o ld J im h as b ee n s ay in g t hi ng s s in ce w e h ad o ur a cc ide nt ."

" I c an 't s ee t ha t i t' s w ro ng ," r em ar ke d J im , i n h is g ru ff t on es . "At

l ea st , i t i sn 't a s w ro ng a s s om e o th er t hi ng s. W ha t' s g oi ng t o b ec om e

of u s n ow ?"

" I d on 't k no w, " ans wered t he b oy , l oo ki ng aro un d h im cur io us ly .





T he hous es of t he c it y we re a ll ma de of gl as s, s o c le ar a nd

t rans parent t hat o ne cou ld l oo k t hr ou gh t he w al ls as eas il y as t hr ou gh

a w in do w. D or ot hy s aw , u nd er ne at h t he r oo f o n w hi ch s he s to od ,

s ev er al r oo ms u se d f or r es t c ha mb er s, a nd e ve n t ho ug ht s he c ou ld m ak e

o ut a n um be r o f q ue er f or ms h ud dl ed i nt o t he c or ne rs o f t he se r oo ms .

T he r oo f b es id e t he m h ad a g re at h ol e s ma sh ed t hr ou gh i t, a nd p ie ce s

o f g lass w er e l yi ng s catt er ed i n every d ir ecti on . A n earb y s t eepl e

h ad b ee n b ro ke n o ff s ho rt a nd t he f ra gm en ts l ay h ea pe d b es id e i t.

O th er b ui ld in gs w er e c ra ck ed i n p la ce s o r h ad c or ne rs c hi pp ed o ff f ro m

th em ; b ut t hey m us t h av e b een v er y b eaut if ul b ef or e t hese accid en ts

h ad h ap pened t o m ar t heir p er fecti on . T he r ai nb ow t in ts f ro m t he

col or ed s un s f el l u po n t he g lass cit y s of tl y and g av e t o t he b ui ld in gs

m an y d el icat e, s hi ft in g h ues w hi ch w er e v er y p rett y t o s ee.

B ut n ot a s ou nd h ad b ro ke n t he s ti ll ne ss s in ce t he s tr an ge rs h ad a rr iv ed ,

e xc ep t t ha t o f t he ir o wn v oi ce s. T he y b eg an t o w on de r i f t he re w er e

n o p eo pl e t o i nh ab it t hi s m ag ni fi cent cit y o f t he i nn er w or ld .

S udde nl y a m an a ppe ar ed t hr ough a h ol e i n t he r oo f ne xt t o t he one

t he y we re on a nd s te pp ed i nt o pl ai n vi ew . He wa s not a ve ry l ar ge ma n,

b ut w as w el l f or me d a nd h ad a b ea ut if ul f ac e- -c al m a nd s er en e a s t he f ac e

o f a f in e p or tr ai t. H is clo th in g f it ted h is f or m s nu gl y and w as g or geou sl y

co lo red i n b ri ll iant s hades o f g reen , w hi ch v ar ied as t he s un beam s

t ou ch ed t hem b ut w as n ot w ho ll y i nf lu en ced b y t he s ol ar r ay s.





The ma n ha d ta ken a st ep or two ac ros s the gl ass roof be for e he

n ot ic ed t he p re se nc e o f t he s tr an ge rs ; b ut t he n h e s to pp ed a br up tl y.

T he re w as n o e xp re ss io n o f e it he r f ea r o r s ur pr is e u po n h is t ra nq ui l

f ac e, y et h e m us t h av e b ee n b ot h a st on is he d a nd a fr ai d; f or a ft er h is

e ye s h ad r es te d u po n t he u ng ai nl y f or m o f t he h or se f or a m om en t h e

w al ke d r ap id ly t o t he f ur th es t e dg e o f t he r oo f, h is h ea d t ur ne d b ac k

o ve r h is s ho ul de r t o g az e a t t he s tr an ge a ni ma l.

" Lo ok o ut !" cri ed D or ot hy , w ho n ot iced t hat t he b eaut if ul m an d id n ot

l oo k w here h e w as g oi ng ; " be car ef ul , o r y ou 'l l f al l o ff !"

But he pa id no a tt enti on t o he r wa rni ng. H e r ea che d t he e dg e o f t he

t a ll r oo f, s te ppe d o ne f oot ou t i nt o t he a ir , a nd w al ke d i nt o s pa ce a s

c al ml y a s i f h e w er e o n f ir m g rou nd .

T he g ir l, g re at ly a st on is he d, r an t o l ea n o ve r t he e dg e o f t he r oo f,

and s aw t he m an w al ki ng r ap id ly t hr ou gh t he air t ow ar d t he g ro un d.

So on h e r ea ch ed t he s tr ee t a nd d is ap pe ar ed t hr ou gh a g la ss d oo rw ay

i nt o o ne o f t he g lass b ui ld in gs .

" Ho w s tr an ge!" s he exclaim ed , d rawi ng a l on g b reat h.

" Ye s; b ut i t' s l ot s o f f un, i f i t I S s tr an ge ," r em ar ke d t he s ma ll

vo ic e of t he k it te n, a nd D or ot hy t ur ne d t o f in d h er p et w al ki ng i n t he

ai r a f oot or so away from the edge of the roof .





" Co me b ack, E ur ek a! " s he cal led, i n d is tr es s, " yo u' ll cer tain ly b e k il led. "

" I h av e n in e l iv es ," s ai d t he k it ten, p ur ri ng s of tl y as i t w al ked

a ro un d i n a c ir cl e a nd t he n c am e b ac k t o t he r oo f; " bu t I c an 't l os e

even o ne o f t hem b y f al li ng i n t hi s cou nt ry , b ecau se I r eall y cou ld n' t

ma na ge t o f al l i f I w ant ed t o. "

" Do es t he a ir b ea r u p y ou r w ei gh t? " a sk ed t he g ir l.

" Of c ou rs e; c an 't y ou s ee ?" a nd a ga in t he k it te n w an de re d i nt o t he a ir

a nd ba ck t o t he e dge of t he r oof .

"It's wonderful!" said Dorothy.

"Suppose we le t Eure ka go down to the s tr ee t a nd get some one to hel p

us ," s ug ge st ed Z eb , w ho h ad b ee n e ve n m or e a ma ze d t ha n D or ot hy a t

these strange happenings.

" Pe rh ap s w e c an w al k o n t he a ir o ur se lv es ," r ep li ed t he g ir l.

Ze b d re w b ac k w it h a s hi ve r.

" I w ou ld n' t d ar e t ry ," h e s ai d.

" Mayb e J im w il l g o, " con ti nu ed D or ot hy , l oo ki ng at t he h or se.





" An d m ay be h e w on 't !" ans wered J im . " I' ve t um bl ed t hr ou gh t he air

l on g e no ug h t o m ak e m e c on te nt ed o n t hi s r oo f. "

" Bu t w e di dn' t t um bl e t o t he r oo f, " s ai d t he gi rl ; " by t he t im e w e

r ea ch ed h er e w e w er e f lo at in g v er y s lo wl y, a nd I 'm a lm os t s ur e w e

cou ld f lo at d ow n t o t he s tr eet w it ho ut g et ti ng h ur t. E ur eka w al ks o n

t he air all r ig ht ."

" Eu reka w ei gh ts o nl y abo ut h al f a p ou nd ," r ep li ed t he h or se, i n a

s co rn fu l t on e, " wh il e I w ei gh abo ut h al f a t on ."

" You d on 't w ei gh a s m uc h a s yo u o ug ht t o, J im ," r em ar ke d t he g ir l,

s h aki ng h er h ead as s he l oo ked at t he ani mal. " Yo u' re d read fu ll y s ki nn y. "

" Oh , w el l; I 'm o ld ," s ai d t he h or se, h an gi ng h is h ead d es po nd en tl y,

" and I 've ha d l ots of t roubl e in m y da y, l itt le one. F or a g oo d m any y ea rs

I d re w a p ub li c c ab i n C hi ca go , a nd t ha t' s e no ug h t o m ak e a ny on e s ki nn y. "

" He e at s e no ug h t o g et f at , I 'm s ur e, " s ai d t he b oy , g ra ve ly .

" Do I ? C an y ou r em em be r a ny b re ak fa st t ha t I 'v e h ad t od ay ?" g ro wl ed

J im , a s i f h e r es en te d Z eb 's s pe ec h.

" None of us ha s ha d br ea kf as t, " s ai d t he boy; "a nd i n a ti me of da nge r





l i ke t hi s i t' s f oo li sh t o t al k abo ut eat in g. "

" No th in g i s m or e d an gero us t han b ei ng w it ho ut f oo d, " d eclared t he

h or se , w it h a s ni ff a t t he r ebu ke o f h is y ou ng m as te r; " an d j us t a t

pr es ent n o one c an t el l w he th er t he re a re a ny o at s i n t hi s qu ee r

c ount ry o r no t. I f t he re a re , t he y a re l ia bl e t o be g la ss o at s! "

" Oh , n o! " e xc la im ed D or ot hy. " I c an s ee p le nt y o f n ic e g ar de ns a nd

fi el ds d own be low us , a t t he e dge of t hi s c it y. But I wis h we coul d

fi nd a wa y t o ge t t o t he gro und."

" Wh y d on 't y ou w al k d ow n? " a sk ed E ur ek a. " I' m a s h un gr y a s t he h or se

is , a nd I w ant m y m il k."

" Wi ll y ou t ry i t, Z eb " ask ed t he g ir l, t ur ni ng t o h er com pani on .

Z eb h es i tat ed . H e w as s ti ll p al e and f ri gh tened, f or t hi s d read fu l

a dv en tu re h ad u ps et h im a nd m ad e h im n er vo us a nd w or ri ed . B ut he d id

n ot w is h t he l it tl e g ir l t o t hi nk hi m a c ow ar d, s o h e a dv anc ed s low ly

to t he e dge of the roof.

Do rot hy s tr et che d o ut a ha nd t o hi m a nd Z eb pu t one f oot ou t a nd l et i t

r es t i n th e a ir a l it tl e ove r t he e dge of t he r oof . I t se emed fir m

en oug h t o w al k u pon , s o he t ook c ou ra ge a nd p ut ou t t he ot he r f oo t.

Do ro th y k ep t h ol d o f h is h an d a nd f ol lo we d h im , a nd s oo n t he y w er e

b ot h w al ki ng t hr ou gh t he air , w it h t he k it ten f ri sk in g b es id e t hem.





" Co me o n, J im !" cal led t he b oy . " It 's all r ig ht ."

Ji m ha d c re pt to t he edge of the r oof t o l ook over , a nd bei ng a

s en si bl e h or se a nd q ui te e xp er ie nc ed , h e m ad e u p h is m in d t ha t h e

could go where the other s di d. So, with a snort a nd a ne igh a nd a

whi sk of hi s s hor t t ai l he tr ot te d of f t he r oof i nt o t he a ir a nd a t

o nce b eg an f lo at in g d ow nw ar d t o t he s t reet. H is g reat w ei gh t m ad e h im

f al l f as te r t ha n t he c hi ld re n w al ke d, a nd h e p as se d t he m o n t he w ay

dow n; but wh en he c ame t o t he gl as s pa ve me nt he a li ght ed upo n i t s o

s of tl y t ha t h e w as n ot e ve n j ar re d.

" Well , w el l! " s ai d D or ot hy , d rawi ng a l on g b reat h, " Wh at a s tr an ge

country this is."

People bega n to come out of t he gla ss door s to look at the ne w

ar ri va ls , a nd p re tt y s oo n q ui te a c ro wd h ad a ss em bl ed . T he re w er e m en

and w om en , b ut n o chi ld ren at all , and t he f ol ks w er e all b eaut if ul ly

formed and attractively dressed and had wonderfully handsome faces.

T he re w as n ot a n u gl y p er so n i n a ll t he t hr ong , y et D or ot hy w as n ot

e sp ec ia ll y p le as ed b y t he a pp ea ra nc e o f t he se p eo pl e b ec au se t he ir

fe at ur es h ad n o m or e e xp re ss io n t ha n t he f ac es o f d ol ls . Th ey d id no t

s mi le n or d id t he y f ro wn , o r s ho w e it he r f ea r o r s ur pr is e o r c ur io si ty

o r f ri en dl in es s. T hey s im pl y s tart ed at t he s tr an gers , p ay in g m os t

a tt en ti on t o J im a nd E ur ek a, f or t he y h ad n ev er b ef or e s ee n e it he r a





h or se o r a c at a nd t he c hi ld re n b or e a n o ut wa rd r es em bl an ce t o t he ms el ve s.

P re tt y s oo n a m an j oi ne d t he g ro up w ho w or e a g li st en in g s ta r i n t he

dark hair just over his f orehead. H e s ee me d t o be a pe rs on of

a ut ho ri ty , f or t he o th er s p re ss ed b ac k t o g iv e h im r oo m. A ft er

t ur ni ng h is com po sed eyes f ir st u po n t he ani mals and t hen u po n t he

c hi ld re n he s ai d t o Z eb , w ho w as a l it tl e t al le r t ha n D or ot hy :

" Te ll m e, i nt ru de r, w as i t y ou w ho c au se d t he R ai n o f S to ne s? "

F or a mo me nt t he boy di d not know w ha t h e m ea nt b y t hi s qu es ti on.

T hen, r em em beri ng t he s to nes t hat h ad f al len w it h t hem and p as sed t hem

l on g b ef or e t he y h ad r ea ch ed t hi s p la ce , h e a ns we re d:

" No , s ir ; w e d id n' t c au se a ny th in g. I t w as t he e ar th qu ak e. "

Th e m an w it h t he s ta r s too d f or a t im e qu ie tl y t hi nki ng o ve r t hi s

s pe e ch . T he n h e a sk ed :

" Wh at i s an ear th qu ak e?"

" I d on 't k no w, " s aid Z eb , w ho w as s ti ll con fu sed. B ut D or ot hy , s eein g

his perplexity, answered:

" It 's a s ha ki ng of t he e ar th. I n t hi s q ua ke a bi g c ra ck o pe ne d a nd w e

f el l t hr ou gh -- ho rs e and b ug gy , and all - -and t he s t on es g ot l oo se and





came d ow n w it h u s. "

T he m an w it h t he s tar r eg ar ded h er w it h h is cal m, exp ress io nl es s eyes.

" Th e R ai n o f S to ne s h as d on e m uc h d am ag e t o o ur c it y, " h e s ai d;

" an d w e s ha ll h ol d y ou r es po ns ib le f or i t u nl es s y ou c an p ro ve

your innocence."

" How c an we d o t ha t? " a ske d t he g ir l.

" Th at I a m n ot p re pa re d t o s ay . It is your af fair , not mine .

You m us t g o t o t he Ho us e of t he Sor ce re r, who w il l s oon di sc ove r

the truth."

" Wh er e i s t he H ou se o f t he S or ce re r? " t he g ir l e nq ui re d.

" I wi ll l ea d y ou t o i t. Co me !"

H e t ur ne d a nd w al ke d d ow n t he s tr ee t, a nd a ft er a m om en t' s h es it at io n

D or ot hy c au gh t E ur ek a i n he r a rm s a nd c li mb ed i nt o t he b ug gy. T he b oy

t oo k h is s ea t b es id e h er a nd s ai d: " Gi d- da p J im ."

A s t he h or se a mb le d a lo ng , d ra wi ng t he b ug gy , t he p eo pl e o f t he g la ss

c it y m ad e w ay f or t he m a nd f or me d a p ro ce ss io n i n t he ir r ea r. Slowl y

t he y m ov ed d ow n o ne s tr ee t a nd u p a no th er , t ur ni ng f ir st t hi s w ay a nd





t he n t ha t, u nt il t he y c am e t o a n o pe n s qu ar e i n t he c en te r o f w hi ch

w as a bi g gl as s pa la ce ha vi ng a c entr al do me a nd f our ta ll s pi re s on

each co rn er.

3 . Th e A rr iv al O f T he W izar d

T he d oo rw ay o f t he g la ss p al ac e w as q ui te b ig e no ug h f or t he h or se a nd

b ug gy t o e nt er , s o Z eb d ro ve s tr ai gh t t hr ou gh i t a nd t he c hi ld re n

f ou nd t hems el ves i n a l of ty h al l t hat w as v er y b eaut if ul . T he p eo pl e

a t o nc e f ol lo we d a nd f or me d a c ir cl e a ro un d t he s id es o f t he s pa ci ou s

r oo m, l ea vi ng t he h or se a nd b ug gy a nd t he m an w it h t he s ta r t o o cc up y

th e c en te r o f t he h al l.

" Co me t o u s, o h, G wi g! " c al le d t he m an, i n a l ou d v oi ce .

I ns ta nt ly a c lo ud o f s mo ke a pp ea re d a nd r ol le d o ve r t he f lo or ; t he n i t

s lo wl y s pr ead and as cend ed i nt o t he d om e, d is cl os in g a s tr an ge

p er so na ge s ea te d u po n a g la ss t hr on e j us t b ef or e J im 's n os e. H e w as

f o rm ed j us t a s w er e t he ot he r i nha bi ta nt s o f t hi s l an d a nd h is

clothing only differed from theirs in being bright yellow. But he had

no ha ir at all, and a ll ove r his ba ld he ad and face a nd upon the backs

o f h is h an ds g re w s ha rp t ho rn s l ik e t ho se f ou nd o n t he b ra nc he s o f

r os e- bu sh es . T he re wa s e ve n a t hor n up on t he t ip o f hi s no se a nd h e





l oo ked s o f un ny t hat D or ot hy l au gh ed w hen s he s aw h im .

T he S or cerer, h eari ng t he l au gh , l oo ked t ow ar d t he l it tl e g ir l w it h

c ol d, c ru el e ye s, a nd h is g la nc e m ad e h er g ro w s ob er i n a n i ns ta nt .

" Wh y h av e y ou d ar ed t o i nt ru de y ou r u nw el co me p er so ns i nt o t he

s ecl ud ed L an d o f t he M an gabo os ?" h e ask ed , s t er nl y.

" 'C au se w e cou ld n' t h el p i t, " s ai d D or ot hy .

" Wh y d id y ou w ic ke dl y a nd vi ci ou sl y s en d t he R ai n o f S to ne s t o c ra ck

and b reak o ur h ou ses ?" h e con ti nu ed .

" We d id n' t, " d eclared t he g ir l.

" Pr ov e i t! " cr ied t he S or cer er .

" We d on 't h av e t o p ro ve i t, " ans wered D or ot hy , i nd ig nant ly . " If you

h ad a ny s en se a t a ll y ou 'd k no wn i t w as t he e ar th qu ak e. "

" We o nl y k no w t ha t y es te rd ay c am e a R ai n o f S to ne s u po n u s, w hi ch d id

m uc h d am ag e a nd i nj ur ed s om e o f o ur p eo pl e. T od ay c am e a no th er R ai n

o f S to ne s, a nd s oo n a ft er i t y ou a pp ea re d a mo ng u s. "

" By t he w ay, " s ai d t he m an w it h t he s ta r, l oo ki ng s te adi ly a t t he





S or ce re r, " yo u t ol d u s y es te rd ay t ha t t he re w ou ld n ot b e a s ec on d R ai n

of S to ne s. Y et on e h as j us t o cc ur re d t ha t wa s e ve n w or se t ha n t he

f ir st . W ha t i s y ou r s or ce ry g ood f or i f i t c an not t el l u s t he t ru th ?"

" My s or cery d oes t el l t he t ru th !" d eclar ed t he t ho rn -cov er ed m an . "I

s ai d t he re w ou ld b e bu t on e Ra in o f St one s. Thi s s ec ond one wa s a Ra in

of People-and-Horse-and-Buggy. And some stones came with them."

" Wi ll t he re b e a ny m or e R ai ns ?" a sk ed t he m an w it h t he s ta r.

"No, my Prince."

"Neither stones nor people?"

"No, my Prince."

" Ar e y ou s ur e?"

" Qui te s ur e, m y P ri nc e. M y s or ce ry t el ls m e s o. "

J us t t he n a m an c am e r un ni ng i nt o t he h al l a nd a dd re ss ed t he P ri nc e

af te r m ak in g a l ow b ow .

" Mo re w on de rs i n t he a ir , m y L or d, " s ai d h e.

I mm ed ia te ly t he P ri nc e a nd a ll o f h is p eop le f lo ck ed o ut o f t he h al l





i nt o t he s tr ee t, t ha t t he y m ig ht s ee w ha t w as a bo ut t o h ap pe n.

D or ot hy a nd Ze b j ump ed ou t of t he b uggy a nd r an a ft er t he m, b ut t he

Sorcerer remained calmly in his throne.

Fa r up in the ai r was an objec t that looked like a ball oon. I t wa s not

s o hi gh a s t he gl owi ng s ta r of t he s ix c ol ore d s uns , but wa s

d es cend in g s lo wl y t hr ou gh t he air -- so s lo wl y t hat at f ir st i t s carcel y

s e em ed t o m ov e.

The thr ong s tood s til l a nd wa ite d. I t w as a ll t he y c oul d d o, f or t o

g o a wa y a nd l ea ve t ha t s tr an ge s ig ht w as i mp os si bl e; n or c ou ld t he y

h ur ry i ts f al l i n any w ay . T he ear th chi ld ren w er e n ot n ot iced , b ei ng

s o n ea r t he a ve ra ge s iz e o f t he M an ga bo os , a nd t he h or se h ad r em ai ne d

i n t he H ou se o f t he S or ce re r, w it h E ur eka c ur le d up a sl ee p o n t he s ea t

o f t he b ug gy .

G radu al ly t he b al lo on g rew b ig ger, w hi ch w as p ro of t hat i t w as s et tl in g

d ow n u po n t he L an d o f t he M an ga bo os . D or ot hy w as s ur pr is ed t o f in d

h ow p at ie nt t he p eo pl e w er e, f or h er o wn l it tl e h ea rt w as b ea ti ng

r api dl y w it h excit em en t. A b al lo on m eant t o h er s om e o th er arr iv al

f ro m t he s ur fa ce o f t he e ar th , a nd s he ho pe d i t w ou ld b e s om e on e a bl e

t o a ss is t h er a nd Z eb o ut o f t he ir d if fi cu lt ie s.

In a n hour t he bal loon had c ome near enough f or her to see a ba ske t

s us pe nd ed be low i t; i n t wo ho ur s s he c ou ld s ee a he ad l oo ki ng o ve r t he





s id e o f t he b as ke t; i n t hr ee h ou rs t he b ig b al lo on s et tl ed s lo wl y i nt o t he

g re at s qu ar e i n w hi ch t he y s to od a nd c am e t o r es t o n t he g la ss p av em en t.

The n a li tt le ma n j umpe d out of the bas ke t, took off hi s t al l ha t, a nd

b ow ed v er y g ra ce fu ll y t o t he c ro wd o f M an ga bo os a ro un d h im . H e w as

q ui te a n ol d l it tl e m an a nd hi s he ad w as l on g a nd e nt ir el y b al d.

"Why," cried Dorothy, in amazement, "it's Oz!"

T he l it tl e m an l oo ke d t ow ar d h er a nd s ee me d a s m uc h s ur pr is ed a s s he

w as . But he s mi le d a nd bow ed a s he a ns we re d:

" Ye s, my d ea r; I a m Oz , t he Gr ea t a nd T er ri bl e. Eh? A nd yo u a re

l it tl e D or ot hy , f ro m K an sas. I r em em ber y ou v er y w el l. "

" Wh o d id y ou s ay i t w as ?" w hi sp er ed Z eb t o t he g ir l.

" It 's t he w on derf ul W izar d o f O z. H av en 't y ou h eard o f h im ?"

J us t t he n t he m an w it h t he s ta r c am e a nd s too d b ef or e t he W iz ar d.

" Si r, " s ai d h e, " wh y a re y ou h er e, i n t he L an d o f t he M an ga bo os ?"

" Di dn 't k no w w ha t l an d i t w as , m y s on ," r et ur ne d t he o th er , w it h a

p le as an t s mi le ; " an d, t o b e h on es t, I d id n' t m ea n t o v is it y ou w he n I

s t ar te d o ut . I l ive on t op of t he e ar th, your honor , whi ch i s f ar





b et te r t ha n l ivi ng i ns id e i t; b ut y es te rd ay I w en t up i n a b al loo n,

and when I ca me down I fe ll into a big c rack in the earth, caus ed by

a n e ar thq ua ke . I ha d le t s o muc h ga s out of m y ba llo on t ha t I c ould

not ri se a gai n, a nd i n a f ew m inu te s the e ar th c los ed ove r my he ad.

S o I c on ti nu ed t o d es ce nd u nt il I r ea ch ed t hi s p la ce , a nd i f y ou w il l

show me a way to get out of it, I'll go with pleas ure. Sor ry to ha ve

tr ou bl ed y ou ; b ut i t cou ld n' t b e h el ped. "

T he P ri nce h ad l is tened w it h att en ti on . S ai d h e:

" Th is chi ld , w ho i s f ro m t he cru st o f t he ear th , l ik e y ou rs el f, cal led

y ou a W iz ar d. I s n ot a W iz ar d s om et hi ng l ik e a S or ce re r? "

" It 's b et ter ," r ep li ed O z, p ro mp tl y. " On e W izar d i s w or th

three Sorcerers."

" Ah , y ou s ha ll p ro ve t ha t, " s ai d t he P ri nc e. " We M an ga bo os h av e, a t

th e p re se nt t im e, o ne o f t he m os t w on de rf ul S or ce re rs t ha t e ve r w as

pi ck ed f ro m a b us h; b ut h e s om et im es m ak es m is ta ke s. D o y ou e ve r

make mistakes?"

"Never!" declared the Wizard, boldly.

" Oh , O z! " s ai d D or ot hy ; " yo u m ad e a l ot o f m is ta ke s w he n y ou w er e i n

t he m ar velo us L an d o f O z. "





" No ns en se!" s ai d t he l it tl e m an , t ur ni ng r ed -- al th ou gh j us t t hen a r ay

o f v io let s un li gh t w as o n h is r ou nd f ace.

" Co me w it h m e, " s ai d t he P ri nc e t o h im . " I w is h t o m ee t o ur S or ce re r. "

T he W iz ar d d id n ot l ik e t hi s i nvi ta ti on , b ut h e c ou ld n ot r ef us e t o

a cc ep t i t. S o h e f ol lo we d t he P ri nc e i nt o t he g re at d om ed h al l,

a nd D or ot hy a nd Z eb c am e a ft er t he m, w hi le t he t hr on g o f p eo pl e

t r oo ped i n al so .

The re s at t he t ho rny Sor ce re r i n hi s c ha ir of s ta te , a nd wh en t he

W izar d s aw h im h e b eg an t o l au gh , u tt er in g com ical l it tl e chu ck les.

" Wh at an abs ur d creat ur e! " h e exclaim ed .

" He m ay l ook a bs ur d, " s ai d t he P ri nc e, i n h is qu ie t v oi ce ; " bu t h e i s

a n e xc el le nt S or ce re r. The onl y f aul t I f ind wi th hi m i s t ha t he i s

so often wrong."

" I a m n ev er w ro ng ," a ns we re d t he S or ce re r.

" Onl y a s hor t ti me ago you tol d m e t her e woul d be no mor e Ra in of

S to ne s o r o f P eo pl e, " s ai d t he P ri nc e.

"Well, what then?"





" He re i s a no th er p er so n d es ce nd ed f ro m t he a ir t o p ro ve y ou w er e w ro ng ."

" On e p er so n c an no t b e c al le d ' pe op le ,' " s ai d t he S or ce re r. " If t wo

s ho ul d c om e o ut o f t he s ky y ou m ig ht w it h j us ti ce s ay I w as w ro ng ; b ut

u nl es s m or e t ha n t hi s o ne a ppe ar s I w il l h ol d t ha t I w as r ig ht ."

" Ve ry c le ve r, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, n od di ng h is h ea d a s i f p le as ed . "I a m

de li gh te d t o f in d h um bu gs i ns ide t he e ar th , j us t t he s am e a s o n t op o f

it . W er e y ou e ve r w it h a c ir cu s, b ro th er ?"

" No ," s ai d t he S or ce re r.

" Yo u o ug ht t o j oi n o ne," d eclared t he l it tl e m an s er io us ly . " I b el on g

t o B ai lu m & B ar ney' s G reat C on so li dated S ho ws -- th ree r in gs i n o ne t en t

a nd a m en ag er ie o n t he s id e. I t' s a f in e a gg re ga ti on , I a ss ur e y ou ."

" Wh at d o y ou d o? " a sk ed t he S or ce re r.

" I go up i n a ba ll oon, u sua ll y, t o dr aw t he c rowds t o t he c ir cus . But

I' ve j us t ha d the ba d l uc k to c ome out of t he s ky, s ki p the soli d

e ar th , a nd l an d l ow er d ow n t ha n I i nt en de d. Bu t ne ve r m ind. I t i sn 't

e ve ryb ody wh o g et s a c ha nc e t o s ee yo ur La nd of t he G ab az oo s."

" Mang ab oo s, " s aid t he S or cerer, cor rect in g h im . " If y ou are a W izar d





y ou o ug ht t o b e a bl e t o c al l p eo pl e b y t he ir r ig ht n am es ."

"Oh, I' m a Wizar d; you ma y be s ure of that. Jus t a s good a Wi za rd a s

y ou a re a S or ce re r. "

" Th at r em ai ns t o b e s ee n, " s ai d t he o th er .

" If y ou a re a bl e t o pr ov e t ha t yo u a re be tt er ," s ai d t he Pr inc e t o t he

l it tl e m an , " I w il l m ak e y ou t he C hi ef W izar d o f t hi s d om ai n.

Otherwise--"

" Wh at w il l h ap pen o th er wi se?" ask ed t he W izar d.

" I w il l s to p y ou f ro m l iv in g and f or bi d y ou t o b e p lant ed ," r et ur ned

the Prince.

" Th at d oes n ot s ou nd esp eciall y p leas an t, " s ai d t he l it tl e m an , l oo ki ng

at t he o ne w it h t he s ta r un ea si ly . " But neve r mi nd. I 'l l b ea t O ld

Prickly, all right."

" My n am e i s G wi g, " s ai d t he S or cerer, t ur ni ng h is h eart less , cru el eyes

upon hi s rival. " Le t m e s ee you e qua l t he s or ce ry I a m a bou t t o pe rf or m."

H e w ave d a t ho rn y ha nd a nd a t onc e t he t in kl ing o f be ll s wa s he ar d,

pl ay in g s weet m us ic. Y et , l oo k w here s he w ou ld , D or ot hy cou ld

d is cov er n o b el ls a t a ll i n t he g re at gl as s h al l.





T he M an ga bo o p eo pl e l is te ne d, b ut s ho we d n o g re at i nt er es t. I t w as

o ne of t he t hi ng s Gw ig us ua ll y di d t o p ro ve he wa s a s or ce re r.

Now was the Wizard's turn, so he smiled upon the assemblage and asked:

" Wi ll s om eb od y k in dl y l oan m e a h at ?"

No one did, because the Mangaboos did not wear hats, and Zeb had lost

his, somehow, in his flight through the air.

"Ahem!" said the Wizard, "will somebody please loan me a handkerchief?"

B ut t hey h ad n o h an dk er ch iefs , eit her.

" Ve ry g oo d, " r em ar ke d t he W iz ar d. " I' ll us e my own ha t, i f yo u

pl ea se . N ow , g oo d p eo pl e, o bs er ve m e c ar ef ul ly . Y ou s ee , t he re i s

n ot hi ng u p m y s leev e and n ot hi ng con ceal ed abo ut m y p er so n. A ls o, m y

ha t is quit e empty." He t ook of f hi s ha t a nd he ld i t up si de do wn,

shaking it briskly.

" Le t me s ee i t, " s ai d t he S or ce re r.

H e t oo k t he h at and exami ned i t car ef ul ly , r et ur ni ng i t aft er ward t o

the Wizard.





" No w, " s ai d t he l it tl e m an , " I w il l creat e s om et hi ng o ut o f n ot hi ng ."

He pl ac ed t he h at upo n t he gl as s f loo r, m ade a pa ss w it h hi s h and , a nd

t hen r em ov ed t he h at , d is pl ay in g a l it tl e w hi te p ig let n o b ig ger t han

a m ou se , w hi ch b ega n t o r un a rou nd he re a nd t he re a nd t o gr unt a nd

s qu eal i n a t in y, s hr il l v oi ce.

T he p eo pl e w at ch ed i t i nt en tl y, f or t he y h ad n ev er s ee n a p ig b ef or e,

b ig o r l it tl e. T he W iz ar d r ea ch ed o ut , c au gh t t he w ee c re at ur e i n h is

h and , a nd h ol di ng i ts he ad be tw ee n o ne t hum b a nd f in ge r a nd i ts t ai l

b et we en t he o th er t hu mb a nd f in ge r h e p ul le d i t a pa rt , e ac h o f t he t wo

p ar ts b ec om in g a w ho le a nd s ep ar at e p ig le t i n a n i ns ta nt .

He pl ac ed one up on t he f lo or , s o t ha t i t c oul d r un a roun d, a nd pul le d

a pa rt t he o th er , m ak in g t hr ee p ig le ts i n a ll ; a nd t he n o ne o f t he se

w as p ul led apart , m ak in g f ou r p ig lets . T he W izar d con ti nu ed t hi s

surprising performance until nine tiny piglets were running about at

h is f eet, all s qu eali ng and g ru nt in g i n a v er y com ical w ay .

"Now," said the Wizard of Oz, "having created something from nothing,

I will make something nothing again."

W it h t hi s h e c au gh t u p t wo o f t he p ig le ts a nd p us he d t he m t og et he r,

s o t ha t t he t wo w er e o ne . The n he ca ught up anothe r pi gle t a nd

p us he d i t i nt o t he f ir st , w he re i t di sa ppe ar ed . A nd s o, o ne b y o ne ,





t he n in e t in y p ig lets w er e p us hed t og et her u nt il b ut a s in gl e o ne o f

t he cr eatu res r emai ned. T hi s t he W izar d p laced u nd er neat h h is h at and

m ad e a m ys ti c s ign a bo ve i t. W he n he r em ov ed h is h at t he l as t p ig le t

had disappeared entirely.

T he l it tl e m an g av e a b ow t o t he s il en t t hr ong t ha t h ad w at che d h im ,

a n d t he n t he P ri nc e s ai d, i n h is c ol d, c al m v oi ce :

" Yo u a re i nd ee d a w on de rf ul W iz ar d, a nd y ou r p ow er s a re g re at er t ha n

t ho se o f m y S or cer er. "

" He w il l n ot b e a w on derf ul W izar d l on g, " r em ar ked G wi g.

"Why not?" enquired the Wizard.

" Be ca us e I a m g oi ng t o s to p y ou r b re at h, " w as t he r ep ly . " I p er ce iv e

t hat y ou are cur io us ly con st ru ct ed , and t hat i f y ou can no t b reat he y ou

cannot keep alive."

The little man looked troubled.

" How l ong wi ll i t t ake you t o s top my br ea th? " he a ske d.

"About five minutes. I'm going to begin now. Watch me carefully."





H e b eg an m ak in g q ue er s ig ns a nd p as se s t ow ar d t he W iz ar d; b ut t he

li tt le ma n di d not wa tc h hi m l ong. I ns te ad , h e d re w a l ea th er n c as e

f ro m h is p oc ke t a nd t oo k f ro m i t s ev er al s ha rp k ni ve s, w hi ch h e j oi ne d

t og et he r, o ne a ft er a no th er , u nt il t he y m ad e a l on g s wo rd . B y t he

t im e h e h ad a tt ac he d a h an dl e t o t hi s s wo rd h e w as h av in g m uc h t ro ub le

t o b re at he , a s t he c ha rm o f t he S or ce re r w as b eg in ni ng t o t ak e e ff ec t.

S o t he W iz ar d l os t n o m or e t im e, b ut l ea pi ng f or wa rd h e r ai se d t he

s ha rp s wor d, w hi rl ed i t on ce o r t wi ce a ro und h is he ad, a nd t he n g ave a

m ig ht y s tr ok e t ha t c ut t he b od y o f t he S or ce re r e xa ct ly i n t wo .

D or ot hy s cr ea me d a nd e xp ec te d t o s ee a t er ri bl e s ig ht ; b ut a s t he t wo

ha lv es of t he S or ce re r f el l a pa rt on t he f loor s he s aw t ha t he ha d n o

bone s o r b lood i ns ide of hi m a t a ll , a nd t ha t t he pl ac e whe re h e w as

cu t l oo ke d m uc h l ik e a s li ce d t ur ni p o r p ot at o.

"Why, he's vegetable!" cried the Wizard, astonished.

" Of cou rs e, " s ai d t he P ri nce. " We are all v eg et ab le, i n t hi s cou nt ry .

A re y ou n ot v eg et ab le, als o?"

" No ," a ns we re d t he W iz ar d. " Pe opl e on t op of t he e ar th a re a ll m ea t.

W il l y ou r S or cerer d ie?"

" Cert ai nl y, s ir . H e i s r eall y d ead n ow , and w il l w it her v er y q ui ck ly .

So we mu st pl ant hi m a t o nc e, t ha t o the r So rc er er s m ay gr ow u pon hi s





bush," continued the Prince.

" Wh at d o y ou m ean b y t hat?" ask ed t he l it tl e W izar d, g reat ly p uzzl ed .

" If y ou w il l accom pany m e t o o ur p ub li c g ar dens ," r ep li ed t he P ri nce,

" I w il l e xpl ai n t o y ou m uc h b et te r t ha n I c an h er e t he m ys te ri es o f

our Vegetable Kingdom."

4. The Vegetable Kingdom

A ft er t he W iz ar d h ad w ip ed t he d am pn es s f ro m h is s wo rd a nd t ak en i t

a pa rt a nd p ut t he p ie ce s i nt o t he ir l ea th er n c as e a ga in , t he m an w it h

t he s ta r o rd er ed s om e of hi s pe op le t o c ar ry t he t wo h al ve s of t he

S or cer er t o t he p ub l ic g ar den s.

J im pr ic ke d up hi s e ar s wh en he h ea rd t he y we re go ing t o t he ga rde ns ,

and w an ted t o j oi n t he p ar ty , t hi nk in g h e m ig ht f in d s om et hi ng p ro per

to eat ; s o Ze b put down the top of the buggy and invited t he Wiza rd to

r i de w it h t he m. T he s ea t w as a mp ly w id e e no ug h f or t he l it tl e m an a nd

t he t wo c hi ld re n, a nd w he n J im s ta rt ed t o l ea ve t he h al l t he k it te n

j um pe d u po n h is b ac k a nd s at t he re q ui te c on te nt ed ly .





So t he p ro ce ss io n m ov ed t hr ou gh t he s tr ee ts , t he b ea re rs o f t he

S or cerer f ir st , t he P ri nce n ex t, t hen J im d rawi ng t he b ug gy w it h t he

s tr an ge rs i ns id e o f i t, a nd l as t t he c ro wd o f v eg et ab le p eo pl e w ho h ad

n o h eart s and cou ld n ei th er s mi le n or f ro wn .

T he g la ss c it y h ad s ev er al f in e s tr ee ts , f or a g oo d m an y p eo pl e l iv ed

t he re ; b ut w he n t he p ro ce ss io n h ad p as se d t hr ou gh t he se i t c am e u po n a

b ro ad p la in c ov er ed w it h g ar de ns a nd w at er ed b y m an y p re tt y b ro ok s

t hat f lo wed t hr ou gh i t. T her e w er e p at hs t hr ou gh t hese g ar dens , and

o ve r s om e o f t he b ro ok s w er e o rn am en ta l g la ss b ri dg es .

Do rot hy a nd Z eb n ow g ot out o f t he bu ggy a nd w al ke d be si de t he Pr inc e,

s o t ha t t he y m ig ht s ee a nd e xa mi ne t he f lo we rs a nd p la nt s b et te r.

"Who built these lovely bridges?" asked the little girl.

" No o ne b ui lt t hem, " ans wered t he m an w it h t he s tar. " Th ey g ro w. "

" Th at 's q ue er ," s ai d s he . " Di d t he g la ss h ou se s i n yo ur c it y gr ow, t oo? "

" Of c our se ," he re pl ie d. " But i t t ook a good m any ye ar s f or t he m t o

grow a s l arge and fine as the y are now. That is why we are so angry

w he n a R ai n of S to ne s c om es t o b re ak ou r t ow er s a nd c ra ck o ur r oo fs ."

" Can' t y ou m en d t hem?" s he enq ui red.





" No ; b ut t he y w il l g ro w t og et he r a ga in , i n t im e, a nd w e m us t w ai t

until they do."

They first passed through many beautiful gardens of flowers, which

g re w n ea re st t he c it y; b ut D or ot hy c ou ld ha rd ly t el l w ha t ki nd o f

f lo wers t hey w er e, b ecau se t he col or s w er e con st an tl y chang in g u nd er

t he s hif ti ng l ight s of t he si x s uns . A f lo we r w ou ld b e p in k o ne

s ec ond, whi te t he ne xt , t he n bl ue or ye ll ow; a nd i t wa s t he s ame wa y

wh en t he y c am e t o t he pl an ts , whi ch ha d br oa d l ea ve s a nd gr ew c lo se t o

the ground.

W hen t hey p as sed o ver a f ield o f g rass J im i mm ed iately s tr et ch ed d ow n

hi s h ea d a nd b eg an t o n ib bl e.

" A n ice cou nt ry t hi s i s, " h e g ru mb led, " wh er e a r es pect ab le h or se h as

t o e at p in k g ra ss !"

" It 's v io le t, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, w ho w as i n t he b ug gy .

" No w i t' s b lu e, " c om pl ai ne d t he h or se . " As a m at te r o f f ac t, I 'm

eating rainbow grass."

" Ho w d oe s i t t as te ?" a sk ed t he W iz ar d.

" No t ba d a t a ll ," s ai d J im. "If they give me plenty of it I'll not





complain about its color."

B y t hi s t im e t he p ar ty h ad r ea ch ed a f re sh ly p lo we d f ie ld , a nd t he

P r in ce s ai d t o D or ot hy :

"This is our planting-ground."

S ev er al M an ga bo os c am e f or wa rd w it h g la ss s pa de s a nd d ug a h ol e i n t he

g ro un d. T he n t he y p ut t he t wo h al ve s o f t he S or ce re r i nt o i t a nd

c ov er ed h im u p. A ft er t ha t o th er p eo pl e b ro ug ht w at er f ro m a b ro ok

and s pr in kl ed t he eart h.

" He w il l s pr ou t v er y s oo n, " s ai d t he P ri nc e, " an d g ro w i nt o a l ar ge b us h,

fr om w hi ch w e s ha ll i n t im e b e a bl e t o p ic k s ev er al v er y g oo d s or ce re rs ."

" Do a ll y ou r p eo pl e g ro w o n b us he s? " a sk ed t he b oy .

" Cert ai nl y, " w as t he r ep ly . " Do n ot all p eo pl e g ro w u po n b us hes w here

y ou c am e f ro m, o n t he o ut si de o f t he e ar th ?"

" No t t ha t I e ve r h ea r o f. "

" Ho w s tr an ge ! B ut i f y ou wi ll c om e wi th me t o o ne of ou r f ol k ga rd en s

I wi ll s how you t he wa y we gr ow i n t he La nd of t he Ma nga boos ."

I t a ppe ar ed t ha t t he se o dd pe op le , w hi le t he y w er e a bl e t o w al k





t hr ou gh t he air w it h eas e, u su al ly m ov ed u po n t he g ro un d i n t he

o rd in ar y w ay . T he re w er e n o s ta ir s i n t he ir h ou se s, b ec au se t he y d id

n ot n ee d t he m, b ut on a l eve l s ur fa ce t he y ge ne ra ll y wa lke d j us t a s we do.

T he l it tl e p ar ty o f s tr an ge rs n ow f ol lo we d t he P ri nc e a cr os s a f ew

m or e o f t he g la ss b ri dg es a nd a lo ng s ev er al p at hs u nt il t he y c am e t o a

g ar de n e nc lo se d b y a h ig h h ed ge . J im ha d r ef us ed t o l ea ve t he f ie ld

o f g ra ss , w he re h e w as e ng ag ed i n b us il y e at in g; s o t he W iz ar d g ot o ut

o f t he b ug gy a nd j oi ne d Z eb a nd D or ot hy , a nd t he k it te n f ol lo we d

demurely at their heels.

I ns id e t he h ed ge t he y c am e u po n r ow a ft er r ow o f l ar ge a nd h an ds om e

plants with broad leaves gracefully curving until their points nearly

re ac he d t he g ro un d. I n t he c en te r o f e ac h p la nt g re w a d ai nt il y

d re ss ed M an ga bo o, f or t he c lo th in g o f a ll t he se c re at ur es g re w u po n

t he m a nd w as a tt ac he d t o t he ir b od ie s.

T he g ro wi ng M an ga bo os w er e o f a ll s iz es , f ro m t he b lo ss om t ha t h ad

j us t t ur ne d i nt o a w ee b ab y t o t he f ul l- gr ow n a nd a lm os t r ip e m an o r

wom an. O n s ome of t he bu sh es m ig ht be s ee n a bu d, a b lo ss om , a b ab y,

a h al f- gr ow n p er so n a nd a r ip e o ne ; b ut e ve n t hos e r ea dy t o p lu ck w er e

m ot io nl es s and s il en t, as i f d ev oi d o f l if e. T hi s s ig ht exp lain ed t o

D or ot hy w hy s he h ad s ee n n o c hi ld re n a mo ng t he M an ga bo os , a t hi ng s he

h ad u nt il n ow b ee n u na bl e t o a cc ou nt f or .





" Ou r p eo pl e d o n ot acq ui re t heir r eal l if e u nt il t hey l eave t heir b us hes, "

sa id t he P ri nc e. " Yo u w il l no ti ce t he y a re a ll a tt ac he d t o t he p la nt s by

t he s ol es of t he ir fe et , a nd whe n t he y a re qui te ri pe t he y a re e as il y

s ep ar at ed f ro m t he s te ms a nd a t o nc e a tt ai n t he p ow er s o f m ot io n

a nd s pe ec h. S o w hi le t he y g row t he y c an no t b e s ai d t o r ea ll y l iv e,

a nd t he y m us t b e p ic ke d b ef or e t he y c an b ec om e g oo d c it iz en s. "

" Ho w l on g d o y ou l iv e, a ft er y ou a re p ic ke d? " a sk ed D or ot hy .

" Th at d ep en ds u po n t he c ar e w e t ak e o f o ur se lv es ," h e r ep li ed . "I f we

k ee p c oo l a nd m oi st , a nd m ee t w it h n o a cc id en ts , w e o ft en l iv e f or

f iv e y ea rs . I 'v e b ee n p ic ke d o ve r s ix y ea rs , b ut o ur f am il y i s k no wn

to be especially long lived."

" Do yo u e at ?" a ske d t he b oy .

"Ea t! N o, i nd ee d. W e a re qui te s ol id i ns id e o ur bod ie s, a nd ha ve no

ne ed t o ea t, a ny mor e t han doe s a pot ato."

" Bu t t he p ot at oes s om et i mes s pr ou t, " s aid Z eb .

" An d s om et im es w e d o, " a ns we re d t he P ri nc e; " bu t t ha t i s c on si de re d a

g re at m is fo rt un e, f or t he n w e m us t b e p la nt ed a t o nc e. "

" Wh er e d id y ou g ro w? " a sk ed t he W iz ar d.





" I w il l s how yo u, " w as t he r ep ly . " St ep t hi s w ay , p le as e. "

H e l ed t he m w it hi n a no the r b ut s ma ll er c ir cl e o f h ed ge , w he re g re w o ne

large and beautiful bush.

" Th is ," s ai d h e, " is t he R oy al B us h o f t he M an ga bo os . Al l of our

P ri nces and R ul er s h av e g ro wn u po n t hi s o ne b us h f ro m t im e i mm em or ial. "

T he y s to od b ef or e i t i n s il ent a dm ir at io n. O n t he c en tr al s ta lk s to od

p o is ed t he f ig ur e o f a g ir l s o e xq ui si te ly f or me d a nd c ol or ed a nd s o

l ov el y i n t he exp ress io n o f h er d el icat e f eatu res t hat D or ot hy t ho ug ht

s he h ad n eve r s ee n s o s we et a nd a dor abl e a c re at ur e i n a ll h er l if e.

T he m ai de n' s g ow n w as s of t a s s at in a nd f el l a bo ut h er i n a mp le f ol ds ,

w hi le d ai nt y l ace- li ke t raceri es t ri mm ed t he b od ice and s leev es . H er

f le sh w as f in e a nd s mo ot h a s p ol is he d i vo ry , a nd h er p oi se e xp re ss ed

b ot h d ig ni ty and g race.

" Wh o i s t hi s?" ask ed t he W izar d, cur io us ly .

T he Pr inc e ha d be en s ta ri ng ha rd a t t he gi rl on t he bus h. N ow h e

ans wered, w it h a t ou ch o f u neas in es s i n h is col d t on es :

" She i s t he R ul er de st in ed t o be m y s uc ce ss or , f or s he i s a Ro ya l

P r in ces s. W hen s he b ecom es f ul ly r ip e I m us t aband on t he s ov er ei gn ty

of t he M an ga bo os t o h er ."





" Is n' t s he r i pe n ow ?" as ked D or ot hy .

He hesitated.

" No t q ui te," s ai d h e, f in al ly . " It w il l b e s ev er al d ay s b ef or e s he

ne eds to be picked, or at l eas t that i s my judgme nt . I am in no hurry

t o r es ig n m y o ff ic e a nd b e p la nt ed , y ou m ay b e s ur e. "

"Probably not," declared the Wizard, nodding.

" Th is i s o ne o f t he m os t u np leas an t t hi ng s abo ut o ur v eg et ab le l iv es ,"

c ont inue d t he Pr inc e, wi th a s igh , " th at w hi le we a re i n ou r f ul l

p ri me w e m us t gi ve w ay t o a not he r, a nd be c ove re d up i n t he gr oun d t o

s pr ou t a nd g ro w a nd g iv e b ir th t o o th er p eo pl e. "

" I' m s ur e t he P ri nc es s i s r ea dy t o b e p ic ke d, " a ss er te d D or ot hy ,

g az in g ha rd a t t he be au ti fu l gi rl on t he b us h. " Sh e' s a s p er fe ct a s

s he c an b e."

" Never m in d, " ans wered t he P ri nce, h as ti ly , " sh e w il l b e all r ig ht f or

a few days longer, and it is best for me to rule until I can dispose

of y ou s tr an ge rs , w ho h av e c om e t o o ur l an d u ni nv it ed a nd m us t b e

at te nd ed t o a t o nc e. "

"W ha t a re yo u goi ng t o do w it h us ?" a ske d Z eb.





" Tha t i s a m at te r I ha ve not qui te de ci de d up on, " wa s t he r epl y. "I

t hi nk I s ha ll ke ep t hi s W iz ar d u nt il a ne w Sor ce re r i s r ea dy t o pi ck,

f or he s ee ms qui te ski llf ul and ma y be of use t o us. But t he r es t of

y ou m us t b e d es tr oy ed i n s om e w ay , a nd y ou c an no t b e p la nt ed ,

be ca us e I d o no t w is h h or se s a nd c at s a nd me at p eop le g ro wi ng a ll ov er

our country."

" Yo u n eedn 't w or ry ," s ai d D or ot hy . " We w ou ld n' t g ro w u nd er g ro un d,

I'm sure."

" Bu t w hy d es tr oy m y f ri en ds ?" ask ed t he l it tl e W izar d. " Wh y n ot l et

them live?"

" Th ey d o n ot b el on g h er e, " r et ur ned t he P ri nce. " Th ey h av e n o r ig ht

t o be i ns ide t he e ar th a t a ll ."

" We d id n' t a sk t o c om e d ow n h er e; w e f el l, " s ai d D or ot hy .

" Th at i s n o excus e, " d eclared t he P ri nce, col dl y.

T he c hi ld re n l oo ke d a t e ac h o th er i n p er pl ex it y, a nd t he W iz ar d

s ighe d. E ur ek a r ub be d he r p aw on he r f ac e a nd s ai d i n h er s of t,

purring voice:





" He w on 't ne ed t o de st ro y ME , f or i f I don 't ge t s om et hi ng t o e at

p re tt y s oo n I s ha ll s ta rv e t o d ea th , a nd s o s av e h im t he t ro ub le ."

" If h e p lant ed y ou , h e m ig ht g ro w s om e cat -t ai ls ," s ug gest ed t he W izar d.

" Oh , E ur ek a! p er ha ps w e c an f in d y ou s om e m il k- we ed s t o e at ,"

sa id t he b oy .

"Phoo!" snarled the kitten; "I wouldn't touch the nasty things!"

" Yo u d on 't n eed m il k, E ur ek a, " r em ar ked D or ot hy ; " yo u are b ig eno ug h

now t o e at a ny ki nd of f ood ."

" If I c an ge t i t, " a dde d Eur eka .

" I' m h un gr y m ys el f, " s ai d Z eb . " Bu t I n ot iced s om e s tr aw berr ies

g ro wi ng i n o ne o f t he g ar de ns , a nd s om e m el on s i n a no th er p la ce .

T he se pe opl e d on 't e at s uc h t hi ng s, s o p er ha ps o n o ur w ay ba ck t he y

wi ll l et u s g et t hem. "

" Never m in d y ou r h un ger, " i nt er ru pt ed t he P ri nce. " I s hall o rd er y ou

d es tr oy ed i n a f ew m in ut es , s o y ou w il l h av e n o n ee d t o r ui n o ur p re tt y

m el on v in es a nd b er ry b us he s. F ol lo w m e, p le as e, t o m ee t y ou r d oo m. "





5 . D o ro th y P icks t he P ri ncess

T he w or ds o f t he c ol d a nd m oi st v eg et ab le P ri nc e w er e n ot v er y

c om fo rt in g, a nd a s h e s po ke t he m h e t ur ne d a wa y a nd l ef t t he

enclo su re. T he chi ld ren, f eel in g s ad and d es po nd en t, w er e abo ut t o

f ol lo w h im w hen t he W izar d t ou ch ed D or ot hy s of tl y o n h er s ho ul der.

"Wait!" he whispered.

" Wh at f or ?" ask ed t he g ir l.

" Su pp os e w e p ick t he R oy al P ri nces s ," s ai d t he W izard . " I' m q ui te

sur e she 's ri pe, and as soon as s he c omes to l ife she wi ll be t he

R ul er , a nd m ay t re at u s b et te r t ha n t ha t h ea rt le ss P ri nc e i nt en ds t o. "

"All right!" exclaimed Dorothy, eagerly. "Let's pick her while we

h av e t he c ha nc e, b ef or e t he m an w it h t he s ta r c om es b ac k. "

S o t og et he r t he y l ea ne d o ve r t he g re at b us h a nd e ac h o f t he m s ei ze d

o ne h an d o f t he l ov el y P ri nces s.

" Pu ll !" c ri ed D or ot hy , a nd a s t he y d id s o t he r oy al l ad y l ea ne d t ow ar d

t he m a nd t he s te ms s na ppe d a nd s ep ar at ed f ro m h er f ee t. S he w as no t

a t a ll h ea vy, s o t he W iz ar d a nd D or ot hy m an ag ed t o l if t h er g en tl y t o





the ground.

T he b ea ut if ul c re at ur e p as se d h er h an ds o ve r h er e ye s a n i ns ta nt ,

t uc ke d i n a s tr ay l oc k o f h ai r t ha t h ad b ec om e d is ar ra ng ed , a nd a ft er

a l ook a ro und t he g ar de n m ade t ho se p re se nt a g ra ci ous b ow a nd s ai d,

i n a s we et but e ve n t one d voi ce :

" I t hank y ou v er y m uch. "

" We s al ut e y ou r R oy al H ig hn es s! " cri ed t he W izar d, k neel in g and

kissing her hand.

J us t t he n t he v oi ce o f t he P ri nc e w as h ea rd c al li ng u po n t he m t o

ha st en , a nd a m om en t l at er h e r et ur ne d t o t he e nc lo su re , f ol lo we d b y a

n um ber o f h is p eo pl e.

I ns ta nt ly t he P ri nc es s t ur ne d a nd f ac ed h im , a nd w he n h e s aw t ha t s he

wa s p ic ke d t he P ri nc e s to od s ti ll a nd b eg an t o t re mb le .

" Si r, " s ai d t he R oy al L ad y, w it h m uch d ig ni ty , " yo u h av e w ro ng ed m e

g reat ly , and w ou ld h av e w ro ng ed m e s ti ll m or e h ad n ot t hese s tr an gers

co me t o m y r es cue . I ha ve be en r ea dy f or pi cki ng a ll t he pa st w ee k,

b ut b ecau se y ou w er e s el fi sh and d es ir ed t o con ti nu e y ou r u nl aw fu l

r ul e, y ou l ef t m e t o s ta nd s il en t up on m y b us h. "

" I di d no t kn ow t ha t yo u w er e r ipe ," a ns we re d t he P ri nc e, i n a l ow v oi ce .





" Gi ve m e t he S tar o f R oy al ty !" s he com mand ed .

S lo wl y h e t oo k t he s hi ni ng s ta r f ro m h is o wn b ro w a nd p la ce d i t up on

t ha t o f t he Pr inc es s. T he n a ll t he pe opl e bow ed l ow t o he r, a nd t he

P ri nc e t ur ne d a nd w al ke d a wa y a lo ne . W ha t b ec am e o f h im a ft er wa rd o ur

friends never knew.

T he p eo pl e o f M an gabo o n ow f or med t hems el ves i nt o a p ro cess io n and

m ar ch ed t ow ar d t he g la ss c it y t o e sc or t t he ir n ew r ul er t o h er p al ac e

a nd t o p er fo rm t ho se c er em on ie s p ro pe r t o t he o cc as io n. But w hi le the

p eo pl e i n t he p ro ce ss io n w al ke d u po n t he g ro un d t he P ri nc es s w al ke d i n

t he a ir j us t a bov e t he ir he ads , t o s ho w t ha t s he w as a s upe ri or be ing

a nd m or e e xa lt ed t ha n h er s ub je ct s.

No one now seemed to pay any attention to the strangers, so Dorothy

a nd Ze b a nd t he W iz ar d l et t he t ra in p as s on a nd t he n w and er ed b y

t hems el ves i nt o t he v eg et ab le g ar dens . T hey d id n ot b ot h er t o cr os s

t h e br id ge s ov er t he b ro ok s, bu t w he n t he y c am e t o a s tr ea m t he y

s te ppe d h igh a nd wa lke d i n t he a ir t o t he o the r s ide . This wa s a ve ry

interesting experience to them, and Dorothy said:

" I wonde r why i t i s t ha t we ca n wa lk s o e asi ly i n t he a ir."

" Pe rh ap s, " a ns we re d t he W iz ar d, " it i s b ec au se w e a re c lo se t o t he





cen ter o f t he ear th , w here t he att ract io n o f g ravi tati on i s v er y s li gh t.

B ut I 'v e n ot iced t hat m an y q ueer t hi ng s h ap pen i n f ai ry cou nt ri es ."

" Is t hi s a f ai ry c ou nt ry ?" a sk ed t he b oy .

" Of cou rs e i t i s, " r et ur ned D or ot hy p ro mp tl y. " On ly a f ai ry cou nt ry

cou ld h av e v eg 't ab le p eo pl e; and o nl y i n a f ai ry cou nt ry cou ld E ur ek a

a nd J im t alk as we do."

"That's true," said Zeb, thoughtfully.

I n t he v eg et ab le g ar dens t hey f ou nd t he s tr aw berr ies and m el on s, and

s ev er al o th er u nk no wn b ut d el icio us f ru it s, o f w hi ch t hey ate

heartily. But the kitten bothered them constantly by demanding milk

or me at , a nd c al le d t he W iz ar d n am es be ca us e h e c oul d not br ing he r a

di sh of m il k by m ea ns o f h is m ag ic al a rt s.

A s t hey s at u po n t he g rass w at ch in g J im , w ho w as s ti ll b us il y eat in g,

Eureka said:

" I don' t be li eve you a re a Wi za rd a t a ll !"

" No ," ans wered t he l it tl e m an , " yo u are q ui te r ig ht . I n t he s tr ict

s ens e of t he wor d I a m not a W iz ar d, but onl y a humbug. "

" Th e W iz ar d o f O z h as a lw ay s b ee n a h um bu g, " a gr ee d D or ot hy . "I 've





kn ow n h im f or a l on g t im e. "

" If t ha t i s s o, " s ai d t he b oy , " ho w c ou ld h e d o t ha t w on de rf ul t ri ck

with the nine tiny piglets?"

" Do n' t k no w, " s ai d D or ot hy , " bu t i t m us t h av e b een h um bu g. "

" Ve ry t ru e, " d ec la re d t he W iz ar d, n od di ng a t h er . " It w as n ec es sa ry

t o d ec ei ve t ha t u gl y S or ce re r a nd t he P ri nc e, a s w el l a s t he ir s tu pi d

p eo pl e; b ut I d on 't m ind t el li ng y ou , w ho a re m y f ri en ds , t ha t t he

th in g w as o nl y a t ri ck ."

" But I s aw t he l it tl e p ig s w it h my ow n e ye s! " e xc la ime d Z eb .

" So d id I ," p ur re d t he k it te n.

" To b e s ur e, " a ns we re d t he W iz ar d. " Yo u s aw t he m b ec au se t he y w er e

t he re . T he y a re i n m y i ns id e p oc ke t n ow . But t he pul li ng of t he m

apart and p us hi ng t hem t og et her again w as o nl y a s leig ht -o f- hand t ri ck ."

" Let' s s ee t he p ig s, " s ai d E ur ek a, eagerl y.

T he l it tl e m an f el t car ef ul ly i n h is p ocket and p ul led o ut t he t in y

p ig le ts , s et ti ng t he m u po n t he g ra ss o ne b y o ne , w he re t he y r an a ro un d

and n ib bl ed t he t en der b lades .





"They're hungry, too," he said.

" Oh , w hat cun ni ng t hi ng s! " cri ed D or ot hy , cat ch in g u p o ne and p et ti ng i t.

" Be car ef ul !" s ai d t he p ig let, w it h a s qu eal, " yo u' re s qu eezi ng m e! "

" Dear m e! " m ur mu red t he W izar d, l oo ki ng at h is p et s i n ast on is hm en t.

"They can actually talk!"

" Ma y I e at o ne o f t he m? " a sk ed t he k it te n, i n a p le ad in g v oi ce . "I'm

awfully hungry."

"Why, Eureka," said Dorothy, reproachfully, "what a cruel question!

I t w ou ld b e d re ad fu l t o e at t he se d ea r l it tl e t hi ng s. "

" I s ho ul d s ay s o! " g ru nt ed ano th er o f t he p ig lets , l oo ki ng u neas il y at

t he k it ten; " cats are cru el t hi ng s. "

"I'm not cruel," replied the kitten, yawning. "I'm just hungry."

" Yo u can no t eat m y p ig lets , even i f y ou are s tarv in g, " d ecl ar ed t he

l it tl e m an, i n a s te rn v oi ce . " Th ey a re t he o nl y t hi ngs I ha ve t o

p ro ve I 'm a w iz ar d. "

" Ho w d id t he y h ap pe n t o b e s o l it tl e? " a sk ed D or ot hy . " I n ev er s aw





such small pigs before."

" Th ey are f ro m t he I sl an d o f T eent y- Ween t, " s ai d t he W izar d, " wh er e

every th in g i s s mall b ecau se i t' s a s mall i sl an d. A s ai lo r b ro ug ht

t he m t o L os A ng el es a nd I g av e h im n ine t ic ke ts t o t he c ir cu s f or t he m. "

" But w ha t a m I go ing t o e at ?" w ai le d t he ki tt en , s it ti ng i n f ron t of

D or ot hy and l oo ki ng p lead in gl y i nt o h er f ace. " Th er e ar e n o cow s h er e

t o gi ve m il k; or a ny mi ce , or e ve n gr as shop pe rs . An d i f I c an 't e at

t he p ig le ts y ou m ay a s w el l p la nt m e a t o nc e a nd r ai se c at su p. "

" I h av e a n i de a, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, " th at t he re a re f is he s i n t he se

br o o ks . D o y ou l ike f is h?"

" Fi sh !" cri ed t he k it ten. " Do I l ik e f is h? W hy , t hey' re b et ter t han

piglets--or even milk!"

" Th en I 'l l t ry t o c at ch y ou s om e, " s ai d h e.

" Bu t w on 't t hey b e v eg 't ab le, l ik e every th in g els e h er e?" ask ed t he k it ten.

"I t hink not. F is he s a re not a ni ma ls , a nd t he y a re a s c ol d a nd moi st

a s t he v eg et ab le s t he ms el ve s. T he re i s n o r ea so n, t ha t I c an s ee , w hy

t hey m ay n ot exi st i n t he w at er s o f t hi s s tr an ge cou nt ry ."





Then the Wizar d bent a pin for a hook and took a long piece of string

f ro m h is p oc ke t f or a f is h- li ne . T he o nl y b ai t he c oul d f in d w as a

b ri gh t r ed b lo ss om f ro m a f lo we r; b ut h e k ne w f is he s a re e as y t o f oo l

i f any th in g b ri gh t att ract s t heir att en ti on , s o h e d ecid ed t o t ry t he

b lo ss om . H av in g t hr ow n t he e nd of h is l in e i n t he w at er o f a n ea rb y

b rook he s oon f el t a s ha rp t ug t ha t t ol d hi m a f is h ha d bi tt en a nd wa s

c au gh t o n t he be nt p in ; s o t he l it tl e m an d re w i n t he s tr in g a nd , s ur e

en ou gh , t he f is h c am e w it h i t a nd w as l an de d s af el y o n t he s ho re ,

w here i t b eg an t o f lo p aro un d i n g reat excit em en t.

T he f is h w as f at and r ou nd , and i ts s cales g li st en ed l ik e b eaut if ul ly

c ut j ew el s s et c lo se t og et he r; b ut t he re w as n o t im e t o e xa mi ne i t

c lo se ly , f or E ur ek a m ad e a j um p a nd c au gh t i t b et we en h er c la ws , a nd

i n a f ew m om en ts i t h ad ent ir el y d is ap pear ed .

" Oh , E ur ek a! " cri ed D or ot hy , " di d y ou eat t he b on es ?"

" If i t h ad a ny b on es , I a te t he m, " r ep li ed t he k it te n, c om po se dl y, a s

i t w as he d i ts f ac e a ft er t he m ea l. " Bu t I d on 't t hi nk t ha t f is h h ad

a ny b on es , b ec au se I d id n' t f ee l t he m s cr at ch m y t hr oa t. "

" Yo u w er e v er y g reed y, " s ai d t he g ir l.

" I w as v er y h un gr y, " r ep li ed t he k it ten.

T he l it tl e p ig s h ad s to od h ud dl ed i n a g ro up , w at ch in g t hi s s cene w it h





frightened eyes.

" Ca ts a re d re ad fu l c re at ur es !" s ai d o ne o f t he m.

" I' m g la d w e a re n ot f is he s! " s ai d a no th er .

"Don't worry," Dorothy murmured, soothingly, "I'll not let the

kitten hurt you."

Th en s he ha ppe ne d t o r em em be r t ha t i n a c or ne r o f he r s ui t- ca se w er e

one o r t wo c ra cke rs t ha t w er e l ef t o ve r f ro m he r l unc he on o n t he

t ra in , a nd s he w en t t o t he b ug gy a nd b ro ug ht t he m. E ur ek a s tu ck u p

h er n os e a t s uc h f ood , b ut t he t in y p ig le ts s qu ea le d d el ig ht ed ly a t

t he s ight of t he c ra cke rs a nd a te t he m up i n a ji ff y.

" No w l et u s g o b ac k t o t he c it y, " s ug ge st ed t he W iz ar d. "That i s, if

J im h as h ad e nou gh o f t he p in k g ra ss ."

T he c ab -h or se , w ho w as b ro ws in g n ea r, l if te d h is h ea d w it h a s ig h.

" I' ve t ri ed t o e at a l ot w hi le I ha d t he c ha nc e, " s ai d he , " for i t' s

l ik el y t o b e a l on g w hi le b et ween m eals i n t hi s s tr an ge cou nt ry . B ut

I ' m r ea dy t o go , now , a t a ny t ime you wi sh."

S o, a ft er t he W iz ar d h ad p ut t he p ig le ts b ac k i nt o h is i ns id e p oc ke t,





w he re t he y c ud dl ed u p a nd w en t t o s le ep , t he t hr ee c li mb ed i nt o t he

bu gg y a nd J im s ta rt ed b ac k t o t he t ow n.

" Wh er e s hall w e s tay?" ask ed t he g ir l.

" I t hi nk I s ha ll t ak e p os se ss io n o f t he H ou se o f t he S or ce re r, "

r ep li ed t he W iz ar d; " fo r t he P ri nc e s ai d i n t he p re se nc e o f h is p eo pl e

t ha t h e w ou ld k ee p m e u nt il t he y p ic ke d a no th er S or ce re r, a nd t he n ew

P ri nc es s w on 't k no w b ut t ha t w e b el on g t he re ."

T he y a gr ee d t o t hi s p la n, a nd w he n t he y r ea ch ed t he g re at s qu ar e J im

dr ew t he buggy i nt o the bi g door of the dome d h all .

" It d oesn 't l oo k v er y h om el ik e, " s ai d D or ot hy , g azin g aro un d at t he

b ar e r oo m. " Bu t i t' s a p la ce t o s ta y, a ny ho w. "

" Wh at a re t ho se h ol es u p t he re ?" e nq ui re d t he b oy , p oi nt in g t o s om e

o pe ni ng s t ha t a pp ea re d n ea r t he t op o f t he d om e.

" Th ey l oo k l ik e d oo rw ay s, " s ai d D or ot hy ; " on ly t here are n o s tair s t o

get t o t hem. "

" Yo u f or get t hat s tai rs ar e u nn eces s ar y, " o bs er ved t he W izar d. " Let

us wal k up, a nd se e wher e the door s l ead t o."

W it h t hi s h e b eg an w al ki ng i n t he air t ow ar d t he h ig h o peni ng s, and





D or ot hy a nd Z eb f ol lo we d h im . I t w as t he s am e s or t o f c li mb o ne

e xp er ie nc es w he n w al ki ng u p a h il l, a nd t he y w er e n ea rl y o ut of b re at h

w he n t he y c am e t o t he r ow o f o pe ni ng s, w hi ch t he y p er ce iv ed t o b e

d oo rw ay s l eadi ng i nt o h al ls i n t he u pp er p ar t o f t he h ou se. F ol lowi ng

t hese h al ls t hey d is co vered m an y s mall r oo ms o peni ng f ro m t hem, and

s om e w er e f ur ni sh ed w it h g lass b en ch es , t ab les and chair s. B ut t here

we re no be ds at a ll.

" I w on de r i f t he se p eo pl e n ev er s le ep ," s ai d t he g ir l.

" Wh y, t he re s ee ms t o b e n o n ig ht a t a ll i n t hi s c ou nt ry ," Z eb r ep li ed .

" Th os e c ol or ed s un s a re e xa ct ly i n t he s am e p la ce t he y w er e w he n w e

c ame , a nd i f t he re i s no s uns et t he re c an be no ni ght ."

" Ve ry t ru e, " a gr ee d t he W iz ar d. "B ut i t i s a l ong t ime s in ce I h ave

ha d a ny s le ep , a nd I 'm t ir ed. So I t hi nk I s ha ll l ie down upon one of

t he se ha rd g la ss be nc he s a nd t ak e a na p."

" I w ill , t oo," s aid Dor ot hy, a nd c hos e a li tt le r oo m a t th e e nd

of t he h al l.

Z eb w al ked d ow n again t o u nh ar ness J im , w ho , w hen h e f ou nd h im self

f re e, r ol le d o ve r a f ew t im es a nd t he n s et tl ed d ow n t o s le ep , w it h

E ur ek a n es tl in g com fo rt ab ly b es id e h is b ig , b on ey b od y. T hen t he b oy

r et ur ne d t o on e of t he u ppe r r oom s, a nd i n s pi te o f t he ha rdn es s of





t he g la ss b en ch w as s oo n d ee p i n s lu mb er la nd .

6. The Mangaboos Prove Dangerous

W he n t he W iz ar d a wo ke t he s ix c ol or ed s un s w er e s hi ni ng d ow n u po n t he

L an d o f t he M an ga bo os j us t a s t he y h ad d on e e ve r s in ce h is a rr iv al .

T he l it tl e m an , h av in g h ad a g oo d s le ep , f el t r es te d a nd r ef re sh ed ,

and l oo ki ng t hr ou gh t he g lass p ar ti ti on o f t he r oo m h e s aw Z eb s it ti ng

up on hi s be nch a nd yawning. So the Wi zar d we nt i n t o hi m.

" Ze b," s ai d h e, " my b al lo on i s o f no f ur the r us e i n t hi s s tr an ge

c ount ry, s o I ma y as we ll l ea ve i t on t he s qua re whe re it f el l. But

i n t he ba ske t- ca r a re s ome t hi ngs I wo ul d l ik e t o ke ep w it h m e. I

w is h you wou ld go a nd fe tc h my s at che l, t wo l ant erns , a nd a c an of

k er os en e o il t ha t i s u nd er t he s ea t. T he re i s no th in g e ls e t ha t I

car e ab ou t. "

S o t he b oy w en t w il li ng ly u po n t he e rr an d, a nd b y t he t im e h e h ad

r et ur ne d D or ot hy w as a wa ke . T he n t he t hr ee h el d a c ou ns el t o d ec id e

w ha t t he y s hou ld d o n ext , but c oul d t hi nk o f no wa y t o be tt er

their condition.

" I d on 't l ik e t hese v eg 't ab le p eo pl e, " s ai d t he l it tl e g ir l. " Th ey 'r e





col d and f labb y, l ik e cab bages, i n s pi te o f t heir p rett in es s. "

"I a gre e wit h you. I t i s be ca us e the re is no wa rm bl ood i n th em ,"

r emark ed t he W izard .

" An d t he y h av e n o h ea rt s; s o t he y c an 't l ov e a ny on e- -n ot e ve n

themselves," declared the boy.

"The Princess is lovely to look at," continued Dorothy, thoughtfully;

"bu t I don' t c ar e muc h f or he r, a ft er a ll . I f t he re w as a ny ot he r

pla ce to go, I 'd li ke to go t her e."

" Bu t I S t he re a ny o th er p la ce ?" a sk ed t he W iz ar d.

" I d on 't k no w, " s he a ns we re d.

J us t t he n t he y h ea rd t he b ig v oi ce o f J im t he c ab -h or se c al li ng t o t he m,

a nd g oi ng t o t he d oo rw ay l ea di ng t o t he d om e t he y f ou nd t he P ri nc es s

and a t hr on g o f h er p eop le h ad e nt er ed t he H ou se o f t he S or ce re r.

S o t he y w en t d ow n t o g re et t he b ea ut if ul v eg et ab le l ad y, w ho s ai d t o t he m:

" I h av e b ee n t al ki ng w it h m y a dv is or s a bo ut y ou m ea t p eo pl e, a nd w e

ha ve de ci de d t ha t yo u do n ot be long i n t he L and o f t he M ang abo os a nd

must not remain here."





" Ho w c an w e g o a wa y? " a sk ed D or ot hy .

" Oh, yo u c ann ot go a wa y, o f c our se ; s o y ou mu st be d es tr oye d, " w as

t h e an sw er.

" In w hat w ay ?" enq ui red t he W izar d.

" We s ha ll t hr ow y ou t hr ee pe op le i nt o t he Ga rde n o f t he T wi ni ng

V in es ," s ai d t he P ri nces s, " an d t hey w il l s oo n cru sh y ou and d ev ou r

y ou r b od ies t o m ak e t hems el ves g ro w b ig ger. T he ani mals y ou h av e w it h

you w e w il l d ri ve t o t he m ou nt ai ns a nd pu t i nt o t he B la ck P it . Then

o ur cou nt ry w il l b e r id o f all i ts u nw el co me v is it or s. "

"B ut you a re i n n ee d of a Sor ce re r, " s ai d t he Wi za rd, "a nd not on e o f

t ho se g ro wi ng i s y et r ip e e no ug h t o p ic k. I a m g re at er t ha n a ny

t ho rn -cov er ed s or cer er t hat ever y g rew i n y ou r g ar den. W hy d es tr oy m e?"

" It i s t ru e w e n ee d a S or ce re r, " a ck no wl ed ge d t he P ri nc es s, " bu t I a m

informed that one of our own will be ready to pick in a few days, to

t ake t he pla ce of Gwig, whom you c ut i n two be fore i t wa s ti me f or hi m

t o be pl ant ed. Le t us se e your a rt s, a nd t he s or cer ie s you ar e a ble

t o p er fo rm . T he n I w il l d ec id e w he th er t o d es tr oy y ou w it h t he o th er s

o r n ot ."

At this t he Wiz ard made a bow t o the people a nd re pe at ed his tri ck of





p ro du ci ng t he n in e t in y p ig lets and m ak in g t hem d is ap pear again . H e

d id i t v er y c le ve rl y, i nd ee d, a nd t he P ri nc es s l oo ke d a t t he s tr an ge

p ig le ts a s i f s he w er e a s t ru ly a st on is he d a s a ny v eg et ab le p er so n

c ou ld b e. B ut a ft er wa rd s he s ai d:

" I h av e h eard o f t hi s w on derf ul m ag ic. B ut i t accom pl is hes n ot hi ng o f

va lu e. W ha t e ls e c an y ou d o? "

T he W iz ar d t ri ed t o t hi nk . T he n h e j oi nt ed t og et he r t he b la de s o f h is

s wo rd a nd b al an ce d i t v er y s ki ll fu ll y u po n t he e nd o f h is no se . But

e ve n t ha t d id n ot s at is fy t he P ri nc es s.

J us t t he n h is e ye f el l u po n t he l an te rn s a nd t he c an o f k er os en e o il

w hi ch Ze b ha d br ought f rom t he c ar of hi s ba ll oo n, a nd he got a c le ve r

idea from those commonplace things.

" Yo ur H ig hn es s, " s ai d h e, " I w il l n ow p ro ce ed t o pr ove m y m ag ic b y

c re at in g t wo s un s t ha t y ou ha ve n ev er s ee n b ef or e; a ls o I w il l e xh ib it

a Destroyer much more dreadful that your Clinging Vines."

So h e pl ac ed D or ot hy u po n one s ide o f h im a nd t he boy upo n t he o the r

a nd s et a l ant er n u pon e ac h of t he ir h ea ds .

" Do n' t l au gh ," h e w hi sp er ed t o t hem, " or y ou w il l s po il t he eff ect o f

my magic."





T hen, w it h m uch d ig ni ty and a l oo k o f v as t i mp or tance u po n h is

w ri nk le d f ac e, t he W iz ar d g ot o ut h is m at ch -b ox a nd l ig ht ed t he t wo

l an tern s. T he g lare t hey m ad e w as v er y s mall w hen com pared w it h t he

r ad iance o f t he s ix g reat col or ed s un s; b ut s ti ll t hey g leam ed

s tead il y and clear ly . T he M an gabo os w er e m uch i mp ress ed b ecaus e

t he y h ad n ev er b ef or e s ee n a ny l ig ht t ha t d id n ot c om e d ir ec tl y

from their suns.

Next the Wizard poured a pool of oil from the can upon the glass floor,

w he re i t c ov er ed q ui te a b ro ad s ur fa ce . W he n he l ig ht ed t he o il a hu ndr ed

t on gu es o f f lame s ho t u p, and t he eff ect w as r eall y i mp os in g.

" No w, P ri nces s, " exclaim ed t he W izar d, " th os e o f y ou r adv is or s w ho

w is hed t o t hr ow u s i nt o t he G ar den o f C li ng in g V in es m us t s tep w it hi n

t hi s c ir cl e of l ight . I f t he y a dv is ed y ou w el l, a nd w er e i n t he

r igh t, t he y w il l n ot be i nj ur ed i n a ny w ay . B ut i f a ny a dvi se d yo u

wrongly, the light will wither him."

T he a dv is or s o f t he P ri nc es s d id n ot l ik e t hi s t es t; b ut s he c om ma nd ed

the m to st ep into the f lame and one by one t hey did so, and we re

s cor che d s o ba dl y t ha t t he a ir w as s oon f il le d wi th a n odor l ike t ha t

o f b ak ed p ot at oe s. So me of t he M an ga bo os f el l do wn a nd ha d t o be

d ra gg ed f ro m t he f ir e, a nd a ll w er e s o w it he re d t ha t i t w ou ld b e

ne ce ss ar y t o p la nt t he m a t o nc e.





" Si r, " s ai d t he P ri nc es s t o t he W iz ar d, " yo u a re g re at er t ha n a ny S or ce re r

we ha ve e ve r kn ow n. As i t is e vi dent t ha t my pe opl e ha ve a dvi se d me

w ro ng ly , I w il l n ot c as t y ou t hr ee p eo pl e i nt o t he d re ad fu l G ar de n o f

t he C li ng in g V in es ; b ut y ou r ani mals m us t b e d ri ven i nt o t he B lack P it

i n t he m ou nt ai n, f or m y s ub je ct s c an no t b ea r t o h av e t he m a ro un d. "

T he W iz ar d w as s o p le as ed t o h av e s av ed t he t wo c hi ld re n a nd h im se lf

t ha t h e s ai d n ot hi ng a ga in st t hi s d ec re e; b ut w he n t he P ri nc es s h ad

go ne bo th J im a nd Eu re ka p ro te st ed t he y di d no t w an t t o g o t o t he

B la ck P it , a nd D or ot hy p ro mi se d s he w ou ld d o a ll t ha t s he c ou ld t o

s ave the m f rom s uc h a f at e.

F or t wo o r t hr ee da ys a ft er t hi s- -i f w e c al l d ay s t he p er io ds be tw ee n

s leep , t here b ei ng n o n ig ht t o d iv id e t he h ou rs i nt o d ay s- -o ur f ri en ds

w er e n ot d is tu rb ed i n a ny w ay . T he y w er e e ve n p er mi tt ed t o o cc up y t he

House of the Sor ce rer in pe ac e, as if i t had be en thei r own, and t o

w an de r i n t he g ar de ns i n s ea rc h o f f oo d.

O nc e t he y c am e n ea r t o t he e nc lo se d G ar de n o f t he C li ng in g V in es , a nd

walk in g h ig h i nt o t he air l oo ked d ow n u po n i t w it h m uch i nt er es t.

T hey s aw a m as s o f t ou gh g reen v in es all m at ted t og et her and w ri th in g

and t wi st in g aro un d l ik e a n es t o f g reat s nakes. E veryt hi ng t he vi nes

t ou ch ed t hey cru sh ed , and o ur adv en tu rers w er e i nd eed t hank fu l t o h av e

es caped b ei ng cast amo ng t hem.





w er e d ri ve n f rom t he r oo m a nd o ut upo n t he s tr ee t. H er e w er e m or e o f

t he v eg et ab le p eo pl e w it h t ho rn s, an d s il en tl y t hey u rg ed t he n ow

fr ig ht en ed c re at ur es d ow n t he s tr ee t. J im h ad t o b e c ar ef ul n ot t o

s tep u po n t he t in y p ig lets , w ho s camp er ed u nd er h is f eet g ru nt in g and

squealing, while Eureka, snarling and biting at the thorns pushed

t ow ar d h er , a ls o t ri ed t o p ro te ct t he p re tt y l it tl e t hi ng s f ro m

i nj ur y. S lo wl y b ut s tead il y t he h eart less M an gabo os d ro ve t hem o n,

u nt il t he y h ad p as se d t hr ou gh t he c it y a nd t he g ar de ns a nd c om e t o t he

broad plains leading to the mountain.

" Wh at d oe s a ll t hi s m ea n, a ny ho w? " a sk ed t he h or se , j um pi ng t o e sc ap e

a t ho rn .

" Wh y, t he y a re d ri vi ng u s t ow ar d t he B la ck P it , i nt o w hi ch t he y

t hr ea te ne d t o c as t u s, " r epl ie d t he ki tt en. "I f I w er e a s bi g a s you

are, Jim, I'd fight these miserable turnip-roots!"

" Wh at w ou ld y ou d o?" enq ui red J im .

" I' d k ick o ut w it h t ho se l on g l eg s and i ro n- sh od h oo fs ."

" Al l r ig ht ," s ai d t he h or se; " I' ll d o i t. "

A n i ns ta nt l at er h e s ud de nl y b ac ke d t ow ar d t he c ro wd o f M an ga bo os a nd

k ic ke d o ut hi s hi nd l egs a s h ar d a s he c ou ld. A doze n of t he m s mas he d





t og et he r a nd t um bl ed t o t he g ro un d, a nd s ee in g h is s uc ce ss J im k ic ke d

again and again , charg in g i nt o t he v eg et ab le cro wd , k no ck in g t hem i n

all d ir ecti on s and s en di ng t he o th er s s catt er in g t o escap e h is i ro n

h ee ls . Eu re ka h el pe d h im by f ly ing i nt o t he f ac es o f t he e ne my a nd

scratching and biting furiously, and the kitten ruined so many

v eg et ab le com pl ex io ns t hat t he M an gabo os f eared h er as m uch as t hey

d id t he h or se .

Bu t t he f oe s we re t oo m any t o b e r ep ul se d f or l ong. They tired Jim

a nd E ur ek a o ut , a nd a lt ho ug h t he f ie ld o f b at tl e w as t hi ck ly c ov er ed

w it h m as hed and d is ab led M an gabo os , o ur ani mal f ri en ds h ad t o g iv e u p

a t l as t a nd a ll ow t he ms el ve s t o be dr iv en t o t he m oun ta in .

7 . I nt o t he B la ck P it a nd O ut A ga in

W he n t he y c am e t o t he m ou nt ai n i t p ro ve d t o b e a r ug ge d, t ow er in g

c hu nk o f d ee p g re en g la ss , a nd l oo ke d d is ma l a nd f or bi dd in g i n t he

e xt re me . H al f w ay u p t he s te ep w as a y aw ni ng c av e, b la ck a s n ig ht

be yo nd t he p oi nt w he re t he r ai nb ow r ay s o f t he c ol or ed s un s r ea ch ed

into it.

T he M an ga bo os d ro ve t he h or se a nd t he k it te n a nd t he p ig le ts i nt o t hi s

d ar k ho le a nd t he n, h av in g p us he d t he bu gg y i n a ft er t he m- -f or i t





s ee me d s om e of t he m ha d d ra gg ed i t a ll t he wa y f rom t he dom ed

h al l- -t he y b eg an t o p il e b ig g la ss r oc ks w it hi n t he e nt ra nc e, s o t ha t

t he p ri so ne rs c ou ld n ot g et o ut a ga in .

"T hi s i s dr ea df ul !" gr oa ne d J im. " It w il l b e a bo ut t he e nd o f o ur

adventures, I guess."

" If t he W izar d w as h er e, " s ai d o ne o f t he p ig lets , s ob bi ng b it terl y,

" he w ou ld no t s ee u s s uf fe r s o. "

" We o ug ht t o h av e c al le d h im a nd D or ot hy w he n w e w er e f ir st a tt ac ke d, "

a dd ed E ur e ka . " Bu t n ev er m in d; b e b ra ve , m y f ri end s, a nd I w il l go

a nd t el l ou r m as te rs w he re you a re , a nd ge t t he m t o c om e t o y our r es cu e. "

T he m ou th of t he h ol e w as n ea rl y f il le d u p n ow , b ut t he k it te n g ave a

l eap t hr ou gh t he r em ai ni ng o peni ng and at o nce s camp er ed u p i nt o t he

a ir . T he M an ga bo os s aw h er e sc ap e, a nd s ev er al o f t he m c au gh t u p

th ei r t ho rn s and g av e chase, m ou nt in g t hr ou gh t he air aft er h er .

Eu reka, h ow ev er , w as l ig ht er t han t he M an gabo os , and w hi le t hey cou ld

m ou nt o nl y a bo ut a h un dr ed f ee t a bo ve t he e ar th t he k it te n f ou nd s he

c ou ld g o n ea rl y t wo h un dr ed f ee t. S o s he r an a lo ng o ve r t he ir h ea ds

unt il s he ha d l eft t he m f ar be hi nd a nd be low and ha d c ome t o t he c it y

a nd t he H ou se o f t he S or ce re r. Th er e s he e nt er ed i n a t Do rot hy' s

w in do w i n t he d om e a nd a ro us ed h er f ro m h er s le ep .





D or ot hy h op pe d i ns id e t he o pe ni ng t o e sc ap e b ei ng p ri ck ed , a nd Z eb a nd

t he W iz ar d, a ft er e nd ur in g a f ew s ta bs f ro m t he t ho rn s, w er e g la d t o

f ol lo w h er . A t o nc e t he M an ga bo os b eg an p il in g u p t he r oc ks o f g la ss

a ga in , a nd a s t he l it tl e m an r ea li ze d t ha t t he y w er e a ll a bo ut t o b e

ent om bed i n t he m ou nt ai n h e s ai d t o t he chi ld ren:

" My d ea rs , w ha t s ha ll w e d o? J ump out a nd f ight ?"

" Wh at 's t he u se ?" r ep li ed D or ot hy . " I' d a s s oo n d ie h er e a s l iv e m uc h

l on ger amo ng t hese cru el and h eart less p eo pl e. "

" Th at 's t he w ay I f ee l a bo ut i t, " r em ar ke d Z eb , r ub bi ng h is w ou nd s.

" I' ve h ad eno ug h o f t he M an gabo os ."

" Al l r ig ht ," s ai d t he W izar d; " I' m w it h y ou , w hatever y ou d ecid e. Bu t

w e can 't l iv e l on g i n t hi s cav er n, t hat' s cer tain ."

Noticing that the light was growing dim he picked up his nine piglets,

p at te d e ac h o ne l ov in gl y on i ts f at l it tl e h ea d, a nd p la ce d t he m

carefully in his inside pocket.

Z eb s tr uc k a m at ch a nd l ight ed one of t he l ant er ns . The r ays of t he

c o lo re d s un s w er e n ow s hu t o ut f ro m t he m f or ev er , f or t he l as t c hi nk s

h a d b ee n f il le d u p i n t he w al l t ha t s ep ar at ed t he ir p ri so n f ro m t he

L an d o f t he M an ga bo os .





" Ho w b ig i s t hi s h ol e?" ask ed D or ot hy .

" I' ll e xp lo re i t a nd s ee ," r ep li ed t he b oy .

S o h e c ar ri ed t he l an te rn b ac k f or q ui te a d is ta nc e, w hi le D or ot hy a nd

t he Wi za rd f ol low ed at hi s s ide . T he c av er n di d no t c om e t o a n e nd ,

a s t he y h ad e xp ec te d i t w ou ld , b ut s la nt ed u pw ar d t hr ou gh t he g re at

g lass m ou nt ai n, r un ni ng i n a d ir ecti on t hat p ro mi sed t o l ead t hem t o

th e s i de o pp os i te t he M an gabo o cou nt ry .

" It i sn' t a ba d r oa d," o bs er ve d t he W iz ar d, " and i f we f ol lowe d i t i t

m ig ht l ea d u s t o s om e p la ce t ha t i s m or e c om fo rt ab le t ha n t hi s b la ck

p oc ke t w e a re n ow i n. I s up pos e t he ve ge ta bl e f ol k w er e a lw ay s

a fr ai d t o e nt er t hi s c ave rn be ca us e i t i s da rk ; bu t we h ave o ur

l an te rns t o l igh t t he wa y, s o I p ro po se t ha t w e s ta rt out a nd di sc ove r

w here t hi s t un nel i n t he m ou nt ai n l eads t o. "

T he o th er s a gr ee d r ea di ly t o t hi s s en si bl e s ug ge st io n, a nd a t o nc e t he

b oy b eg an t o h ar ne ss J im t o t he b ug gy . W he n a ll w as i n r ea di ne ss t he

t hr ee t oo k t heir s eats i n t he b ug gy and J im s tart ed cau ti ou sl y alo ng

t he w ay, Ze b d ri vi ng w hi le t he W iz ar d a nd D or ot hy e ac h h el d a l igh te d

la nt er n s o t he ho rs e c oul d s ee wh er e t o g o.

S om et im es t he t un ne l w as s o n ar ro w t ha t t he w he el s o f t he bu gg y g ra ze d

t he s ide s; t he n i t wo ul d b ro ad en ou t a s wi de a s a s tr ee t; b ut t he





f lo or w as u su al ly s mo ot h, and f or a l on g t im e t hey t ravell ed o n

w it ho ut any accid en t. J im s to pp ed s om et im es t o r es t, f or t he cli mb

w a s r at he r s te ep a nd t ir es om e.

" We m us t b e n ea rl y a s h ig h a s t he s ix c ol or ed s un s, b y t hi s t im e, "

s ai d D or ot hy . " I d id n' t k no w t hi s m ou nt ai n w as s o t al l. "

" We a re c er ta in ly a g oo d d is ta nc e a wa y f ro m t he L an d o f t he M an ga bo os ,"

a dd ed Z eb ; " fo r w e h av e s la nt ed a wa y f ro m i t e ve r s in ce w e s ta rt ed ."

B ut t he y k ept s te ad il y m ov in g, a nd j us t a s J im w as a bo ut t ir ed o ut w it h

h is l ong j our ne y t he w ay s ud de nl y g re w l ig ht er , a nd Z eb p ut ou t t he

l a nt er ns t o s av e t he o il .

T o t he ir j oy t he y f ou nd i t w as a w hi te l ig ht t ha t no w g re et ed t he m,

f or a ll w er e w ea ry o f t he c ol or ed r ai nb ow l ig ht s w hi ch , a ft er a t im e,

h ad m ad e t heir eyes ach e w it h t heir con st an tl y s hi ft in g r ay s. T he

si de s o f t he t un ne l s ho we d b ef or e t he m l ike t he i ns id e o f a l on g

s py -g lass , and t he f lo or b ecam e m or e l ev el . J im h as tened h is l ag gi ng

s te ps a t t hi s a ss ur anc e of a q ui ck r el ie f f ro m t he da rk p as sa ge , a nd

i n a f ew m om en ts m or e t he y ha d e me rge d f ro m t he m ou nt ai n a nd f ou nd

t hems el ves f ace t o f ace w it h a n ew and charm in g cou nt ry .





8 . T h e V al ley o f V oi ces

By journeying through the glass mountain they had reached a delightful

va ll ey t ha t w as s ha pe d l ik e t he h ol lo w o f a g re at c up , w it h a no th er

r ug ge d m ou nt ai n s ho wi ng on t he o th er s id e o f i t, a nd s of t a nd p re tt y

g re en h il ls a t t he e nd s. I t w as a ll l ai d ou t i nt o l ove ly l aw ns a nd

g ard en s, w it h p eb bl e p at hs l eadi ng t hr ou gh t hem and g ro ves o f

b eaut if ul and s tately t rees d ot ti ng t he l an ds cap e h er e and t here.

Th er e w er e o rchard s, t oo , b eari ng l us ci ou s f ru it s t hat are all u nk no wn

i n o ur w or ld . A ll ur in g b ro ok s o f cry st al w at er f lo wed s park li ng

b et ween t heir f l ow er -s t rewn b an ks , w hi le s cat tered o ver t he v al ley w er e

d ozens o f t he q uain tes t and m os t p ict ur es qu e cot t ag es o ur t r av el ers

h ad e ve r b eh el d. N on e o f t he m w er e i n c lu st er s, s uc h a s v il la ge s o r

t ow ns , b ut e ac h h ad a mp le g ro un ds o f i ts o wn , w it h o rc ha rd s a nd

gardens surrounding it.

A s t he n ew a rr iv al s g az ed u po n t hi s e xq ui si te s ce ne t he y w er e

e nr ap tu re d b y i ts b ea ut ie s a nd t he f ra gr an ce t ha t p er me at ed t he s of t

air , w hi ch t hey b reat hed s o g ratefu ll y aft er t he con fi ned atm os ph er e

of the tunnel. Several minutes were consumed in silent admiration

b efo re t hey n ot iced t wo v er y s in gu lar and u nu su al f acts abo ut t hi s

va ll ey. O ne w as t ha t i t w as l ig ht ed f ro m s om e u ns ee n s ou rc e; f or n o

s un o r m oo n w as i n t he a rc he d b lu e s ky , a lt ho ug h e ve ry o bj ec t w as

fl oo de d w it h a c le ar a nd p er fe ct l ig ht . T he s ec on d a nd e ve n m or e

s in gu lar f act w as t he abs en ce o f any i nh ab it an t o f t hi s s pl en di d





p l ace. F ro m t heir elevated p os it io n t hey cou ld o verl oo k t he ent ir e

v al ley, b ut n ot a s in gl e m ov in g o bj ect cou ld t hey s ee. A ll app ear ed

mysteriously deserted.

T he m ou nt ai n o n t hi s s id e w as n ot g la ss , b ut m ad e o f a s to ne s im il ar

to g rani te. W it h s om e d if fi cu lt y and d an ger J im d rew t he b ug gy o ver

th e l oo se r oc ks u nt il h e r ea ch ed t he g re en l aw ns b el ow , w he re t he

p at hs a nd o rc ha rd s a nd g ar de ns b eg an . T he n ea re st c ot ta ge w as s ti ll

s o m e d is t an ce away.

" Is n' t i t f in e? " c ri ed D or ot hy , i n a j oy ou s v oi ce , a s s he s pr an g o ut

o f t he b ug gy and l et E ur ek a r un f ro li ck in g o ver t he v el vety g rass .

" Ye s, i nd ee d! " a ns we re d Z eb . " We w er e l uc ky t o g et a wa y f ro m t ho se

dreadful vegetable people."

" It w ou ld n' t b e s o b ad ," r em ar ked t he W izar d, g azin g aro un d h im , " if

we w er e o bl ig ed t o l iv e h er e a lw ay s. W e c ou ld n' t f in d a p re tt ie r

p lace, I ' m s ur e. "

H e t ook t he pi gl et s f rom hi s po cke t a nd l et t he m r un o n t he g ra ss , a nd

J im t as te d a m ou th fu l o f t he g re en b la de s a nd d ec la re d h e w as v er y

contented in his new surroundings.

" We c an 't w al k i n t he a ir h er e, t ho ug h, " c al le d E ur ek a, w ho h ad t ri ed





i t a nd f ai le d; b ut t he o th er s w er e s at is fi ed t o w al k o n t he g ro un d,

a nd t he Wi za rd s ai d t he y mu st b e ne ar er t he s ur fa ce of t he e ar th t he n

th ey h ad b een i n t he M an gabo o cou nt ry , f or every th in g w as m or e h om el ik e

and natural.

" Bu t w he re a re t he p eo pl e? " a sk ed D or ot hy .

T he l it tl e m an s ho ok h is b al d h ea d.

" Can' t i magi ne, m y d ear, " h e r ep li ed .

T he y h ea rd t he s ud de n t wi tt er in g o f a b ir d, b ut c ou ld n ot f in d t he

creatu re any wh er e. S lo wl y t hey w al ked alo ng t he p at h t ow ar d t he

n earest cot tage, t he p ig lets r acin g and g am bo ll in g b es id e t hem and J im

p au si ng at every s tep f or ano th er m ou th fu l o f g rass .

P re se nt ly t he y c am e t o a l ow p la nt w hi ch h ad b ro ad , s pr ea di ng l ea ve s,

i n t he c ente r o f whi ch gr ew a s ingle f rui t a bou t a s l ar ge a s a pe ac h.

Th e f ru it w as s o d ai nt il y c ol or ed a nd s o f ra gr an t, a nd l oo ke d s o

appetizing and delicious that Dorothy stopped and exclaimed:

" Wh at i s i t, d o you s 'po se ?"

T he p ig lets h ad s mell ed t he f ru it q ui ck ly , and b ef or e t he g ir l cou ld

r ea ch out he r ha nd to pl uc k i t e ve ry on e of t he ni ne t iny one s h ad

r us he d i n a nd c om me nc ed t o d ev ou r i t w it h g re at e ag er ne ss .





" It 's g oo d, any way, " s ai d Z eb , " or t ho se l it tl e r as cals w ou ld n' t h av e

g ob bl ed i t u p s o g reed il y. "

"Where are they?" asked Dorothy, in astonishment.

T hey all l oo ked aro un d, b ut t he p ig let s h ad d is ap peared.

" De ar m e! " c ri ed t he W iz ar d; " th ey m us t h ave r un a wa y. B ut I d id n' t

se e t he m g o; d id y ou ?"

" No !" r ep li ed t he b oy and t he g ir l, t og et her.

"Here,--piggy, piggy, piggy!" called their master, anxiously.

S ev er al s qu ea ls a nd g ru nt s w er e i ns ta nt ly h ea rd a t h is f ee t, b ut t he

W izar d cou ld n ot d is co ver a s in gl e p ig let.

" Wh er e a re y ou ?" h e a sk ed .

" Wh y, r ig ht b es id e y ou, " s po ke a t in y vo ic e. " Ca n' t y ou s ee u s? "

" No ," ans wered t he l it tl e m an , i n a p uzzl ed t on e.

" We c an s ee y ou ," s ai d a no th er o f t he p ig le ts .





Th e W iz ar d s too pe d do wn a nd p ut o ut h is ha nd , a nd a t onc e f el t t he

small fat body of one of his pets. He pic ke d i t up, but could not s ee

w ha t h e h el d.

" It i s v er y s tr an ge," s ai d h e, s ob er ly . " Th e p ig lets h av e b ecom e

invisible, in some curious way."

" I' ll b et i t' s b ec au se t he y a te t ha t p ea ch !" c ri ed t he k it te n.

" It w as n' t a p ea ch , E ur ek a, " s ai d D or ot hy . " I o nl y ho pe i t w as n' t p oi so n. "

" It w as f in e, D or ot hy ," cal led o ne o f t he p ig lets .

" We 'l l e at a ll w e c an f ind o f t he m, " s ai d a no th er .

" Bu t W E m us 'n 't e at t he m, " t he W iz ar d w ar ne d t he c hi ld re n, " or w e t oo

m ay b ec om e i nv is ib le , a nd l os e e ac h o th er . I f w e c om e a cr os s a no th er

of t he s tr ang e f rui t w e m us t a vo id i t."

Ca lli ng the pi gle ts to hi m he pic ke d the m a ll up, one by one, and put

t he m a wa y i n h is p oc ke t; f or a lt ho ug h h e c ou ld n ot s ee t he m h e c ou ld

f ee l t he m, a nd wh en he ha d but tone d hi s c oa t h e k ne w t he y w er e s af e

f or t h e p res en t.

T he t ravell er s n ow r es um ed t heir w al k t ow ar d t he cot tage, w hi ch t hey





pr esent ly r eached. I t w as a p rett y p lace, w it h v in es g ro wi ng t hi ck ly

ove r t he broa d f ront por ch. The door s tood ope n a nd a t abl e wa s s et

i n t he fr ont room, wit h f our cha ir s dra wn up t o i t. O n t he t abl e

we re p la te s, k ni ve s a nd f or ks , a nd d is he s o f b re ad , m ea t a nd f ru it s.

T he m ea t w as s mo ki ng h ot a nd t he k ni ve s a nd f or ks w er e p er fo rm in g

s tr an ge ant ics and j um pi ng h er e and t here i n q ui te a p uzzl in g w ay .

B ut n ot a s ing le p er so n a pp ea re d t o b e i n t he r oo m.

" Ho w f un ny !" exclaim ed D or ot hy , w ho w it h Z eb and t he W izar d n ow s to od

i n t he d oo rw ay .

A p ea l o f m er ry l au gh te r a ns we re d h er , a nd t he k ni ve s a nd f or ks f el l

t o t he pl at es w it h a c la tt er . On e of t he c ha ir s pu she d ba ck f rom t he

t ab le, and t hi s w as s o ast on is hi ng and m ys teri ou s t hat D or ot hy w as

al mo st t em pt ed t o r un away i n f ri gh t.

" Here are s tr an gers , m am a! " cri ed t he s hr il l and chi ld is h v oi ce o f

s om e u ns een p er s on .

" So I s ee , m y d ea r, " a ns we re d a no th er v oi ce , s of t a nd w om an ly .

" Wh at d o y ou w an t? " d em an de d a t hi rd v oi ce , i n a s te rn , g ru ff a cc en t.

" Well , w el l! " s ai d t he W izar d; " ar e t here r eall y p eo pl e i n t hi s r oo m?"





" O f cou rs e, " r ep li ed t he m an 's v oi ce.

"And--pardon me for the foolish question--but, are you all invisible?"

"Surely," the woman answered, repeating her low, rippling laughter.

" Ar e y ou s ur pr is ed t ha t you a re un ab le t o s ee t he p eop le of V oe ?"

" Wh y, y es ," s ta mm er ed t he W iz ar d. " Al l t he p eo pl e I h ave e ve r m et

be fo re w er e v er y p la in t o s ee ."

" Wh er e d o y ou c om e f ro m, t he n? " a sk ed t he w om an , i n a c ur io us t on e.

" We b el on g u po n t he f ac e o f t he e ar th ," e xp la in ed t he W iz ar d, " bu t

r ec en tl y, d ur in g a n e ar th qu ak e, w e f el l d ow n a c ra ck a nd l an de d i n t he

Country of the Mangaboos."

"Dreadful creatures!" exclaimed the woman's voice. "I've heard of them."

" Th ey w al led u s u p i n a m ou nt ai n, " con ti nu ed t he W izar d; " bu t w e f ou nd

there wa s a tunnel thr ough to this side, s o we came here. It is a

beau ti fu l p lace. W hat d o y ou cal l i t?"

" It i s t he V al le y of V oe ."

"Thank you. W e h ave s ee n n o p eop le s inc e w e a rr ive d, s o w e c am e t o

t hi s h ou se t o enq ui re o ur w ay ."





" Ar e y ou h un gr y?" ask ed t he w om an 's v oi ce.

"I could eat something," said Dorothy.

" So c ou ld I ," a dd ed Z eb .

"B ut we do no t w is h t o i nt ru de , I a ss ur e y ou, " t he W iz ar d h as te ne d t o s ay.

"That's all right," returned the man's voice, more pleasantly than

be fo re . " Yo u a re w el co me t o w ha t w e h av e. "

As he spoke t he voic e c ame s o ne ar t o Ze b t hat he j umpe d ba ck i n

alarm. Two childish voices laughed merrily at this action, and

D or ot hy w as s ur e t hey w er e i n n o d an ger amo ng s uch l ig ht -h eart ed

f ol ks , e ve n i f t ho se f ol ks c ou ld n' t b e s ee n.

" Wh at cur io us ani mal i s t hat w hi ch i s eat in g t he g rass o n m y l aw n?"

enq ui red t he m an 's v oi ce.

" Th at 's J im ," s ai d t he g ir l. " He's a h or se."

" Wh at i s h e g oo d f or ?" w as t he n ex t q ue st io n.

" He dr aws t he buggy you s ee f as te ne d t o hi m, a nd w e r ide i n the buggy





instead of walking," she explained.

" Can h e f ig ht ?" ask ed t he m an 's v oi ce.

" No! he c an ki ck pr et ty ha rd wi th hi s he el s, a nd bi te a li tt le ; bu t

Jim can't 'zactly fight," she replied.

" Th en t he b ears w il l g et h im ," s ai d o ne o f t he chi ld ren' s v oi ces.

"Bears!" exclaimed Dorothy. "Are these bears here?"

" Th at i s t he o ne evi l o f o ur cou nt ry ," ans wered t he i nv is ib le m an .

" Ma ny l ar ge a nd f ie rc e b ea rs r oa m i n t he V al le y o f V oe , a nd w he n t he y

ca n ca tch any of us t he y ea t us up; but as t he y ca nnot s ee us, we

seldom get caught."

" Ar e t he b ears i nv is ' bl e, t oo ?" ask ed t he g ir l.

" Ye s; f or t he y e at o f t he d am a- fr ui t, a s w e a ll do , a nd t ha t k ee ps

t hem f ro m b ei ng s een b y any eye, w heth er h um an o r ani mal. "

" Do es t he d am a- fr ui t g ro w o n a l ow b us h, a nd l oo k s om et hi ng l ik e a

p each?" as ked t he W i zar d.

" Yes, " w as t he r ep ly .





" If i t m ak es y ou i nv is 'b le, w hy d o y ou eat i t?" D or ot hy enq ui red.

" Fo r t wo r ea so ns , m y d ea r, " t he w om an 's v oi ce a ns we re d. "The

d am a- fr ui t i s t he m os t d el icio us t hi ng t hat g ro ws , and w hen i t m ak es

us i nvi si bl e t he be ars ca nnot f ind us to e at us up. Bu t no w, goo d

w an de re rs , y ou r l un ch eo n i s o n t he t ab le , s o p le as e s it d ow n a nd e at

as m uc h a s y ou l ik e. "

9. They Fight the Invisible Bears

T he s tr an gers t oo k t heir s eats at t he t ab le w il li ng ly eno ug h, f or t hey

w er e a ll h un gr y a nd t he p la tt er s w er e n ow h ea pe d w it h g oo d t hi ng s t o

e at . In f ront of e ac h pl ac e wa s a pl at e be ar ing one of t he de li ci ous

d am a- fr ui t, a nd t he p er fu me t ha t r os e f ro m t he se w as s o e nt ic in g a nd

s w ee t t ha t t he y w er e s or el y t em pt ed t o e at o f t he m a nd b ec om e i nv is ib le .

But Dorothy satisfied her hunger with other things, and her companions

did likewise, resisting the temptation.

" Wh y d o y ou n ot e at t he d am as ?" a sk ed t he w om an 's v oi ce .

" We d on 't w an t t o g et i nv is 'b le," ans wered t he g ir l.





" Bu t i f y ou r em ai n v is ib le t he b ears w il l s ee y ou and d ev ou r y ou ,"

s ai d a g ir li sh y ou ng v oi ce , t ha t be lo ng ed t o o ne of t he c hi ld re n. " We

w ho l iv e h er e m uc h pr ef er t o b e i nvi si bl e; f or we c an s ti ll h ug a nd

k is s o ne a no th er , a nd a re q ui te s af e f ro m t he b ea rs ."

" An d w e d o no t h av e t o be s o pa rt ic ul ar a bo ut ou r d re ss ,"

r emark ed t he m an .

" An d m am a c an 't t el l w he th er m y f ac e i s d ir ty o r n ot !" a dd ed t he o th er

childish voice, gleefully.

"But I ma ke you wa sh i t, e ve ry t ime I t hink of it ," s aid the mot her ;

" for i t s ta nds t o r ea son yo ur f ac e i s di rt y, I anu, whe the r I c an s ee

i t or not ."

D or ot hy l aug hed and s tr etched o ut h er h an ds .

" Co me h er e, p le as e- -I an u a nd y ou r s is te r- -a nd l et m e f ee l o f y ou ,"

s h e r equ est ed.

T hey cam e t o h er w il li ng ly , and D or ot hy p as sed h er h an ds o ver t heir

fac es a nd for ms and de ci ded one was a gir l of a bout her own age and

t he o th er a b oy s om ew ha t s ma ll er . The g irl 's ha ir w as s oft a nd f luf fy

a nd h er s ki n a s s mo ot h a s s at in . W he n D or ot hy g ent ly t ou ch ed h er n os e

a nd e ar s a nd l ip s t he y s ee me d t o b e w el l a nd d el ic at el y f or me d.





" If I c ould s ee you I a m s ur e you woul d be be aut if ul ," s he de cl are d.

T he g ir l l au gh ed , and h er m ot her s ai d:

" We a re not va in i n t he Va ll ey of V oe , be ca us e we c an n ot di sp la y ou r

b ea ut y, a nd g oo d a ct io ns a nd p le as an t w ay s a re w ha t m ak e u s l ov el y t o

o ur c om pa ni on s. Y et w e c an s ee a nd a pp re ci at e t he b ea ut ie s o f n at ur e,

th e d ai nt y f lo we rs a nd t re es , t he g re en f ie ld s a nd t he c le ar b lu e o f

the sky."

" Ho w a bo ut t he b ir ds a nd b ea st s a nd f is he s? " a sk ed Z eb .

" The bi rd s w e c an not s ee , be ca us e t he y l ov e t o e at of t he da ma s a s

mu ch a s w e do; y et we h ea r t he ir s we et s ong s a nd e nj oy t he m. Ne it he r

c an we s ee t he c ru el b ea rs , f or t he y a ls o e at t he f ru it . But the fishe s

t ha t s wi m i n o ur b roo ks we c an s ee , a nd of te n we c at ch t he m t o e at ."

" It oc cur s t o m e you ha ve a gr ea t d ea l t o m ake yo u h appy , e ve n wh il e

invisible," remarked the Wizard. "Nevertheless, we prefer to remain

visible while we are in your valley."

J us t t he n E ur ek a c am e i n, f or s he h ad b ee n u nt il n ow w an de ri ng o ut si de

w it h J im ; a nd w he n t he k it te n s aw t he t ab le s et w it h f oo d s he c ri ed o ut :





" No w y ou m us t f ee d m e, D or ot hy , f or I 'm h al f s ta rv ed ."

T he chi ld ren w er e i ncli ned t o b e f ri gh tened b y t he s ig ht o f t he s mall

an im al , w hi ch r em in ded t hem o f t he b ears ; b ut D or ot hy r eass ur ed t hem

by e xpl ai ni ng t ha t Eur eka wa s a p et a nd c oul d do no h ar m e ve n i f s he

wi sh ed t o. The n, a s t he ot he rs ha d by t hi s t ime m oved a wa y f rom t he

t abl e, t he k it te n s pr an g upo n t he c ha ir a nd p ut he r p aws u pon t he

c lo th t o s ee w ha t t he re w as t o e at . To he r s ur pr is e a n u ns ee n ha nd

c lu tc he d h er a nd h el d h er s us pe nd ed i n t he a ir . E ur ek a w as f ra nt ic

wi th t er ro r, a nd t ri ed t o s cr at ch a nd b it e, s o t he ne xt m om en t s he w as

dr op pe d t o t he f lo or ,

" Di d y ou s ee t hat, D or ot hy ?" s he g as ped.

" Yes, d ear, " h er m is tr es s r ep li ed ; " th er e are p eo pl e l iv in g i n t hi s

h ou se, alt ho ug h w e can no t s ee t hem. A nd y ou m us t h av e b et ter m an ners ,

E ur ek a, o r s om et hi ng w or se w il l h ap pen t o y ou ."

She p la ce d a p la te o f f ood u pon t he f lo or a nd t he ki tt en a te gr ee di ly.

" Gi ve m e t hat n ice- sm el li ng f ru it I s aw o n t he t ab le," s he b eg ged,

wh en s he h ad c le an ed t he p la te .

" Th os e a re d am as ," s ai d D or ot hy , " an d y ou m us t n ev er e ve n t as te t he m,

E ur ek a, o r y ou 'l l g et i nv is 'b le , a nd t he n w e c an 't s ee y ou a t a ll ."





The kitten gazed wistfully at the forbidden fruit.

" Do es i t h ur t t o b e i nv is 'b le ?" s he a sk ed .

" I d on 't k no w, " D or ot hy ans wered; " bu t i t w ou ld h ur t m e d re'f ul ly t o

lose you."

" Ve ry w el l, I w on 't t ou ch i t, " de ci de d t he k it te n; " bu t y ou m us t k ee p

i t away f ro m m e, f or t he s mell i s v er y t em pt in g. "

" Ca n y ou t el l u s, s ir o r m a' am ," s ai d t he W iz ar d, a dd re ss in g t he a ir

b ec au se h e d id n ot q ui te k no w w he re t he u ns ee n p eo pl e s to od , " if t he re

i s a ny wa y w e ca n get out of your be aut if ul Va ll ey, a nd on t op of t he

Earth again."

" Oh , o ne can l eave t he V al ley eas il y eno ug h, " ans wered t he m an 's

voi ce ; " bu t t o d o s o y ou mu st e nt er a f ar l es s pl ea sa nt c ou nt ry. As

fo r r ea chi ng t he t op of t he e ar th, I h ave n eve r he ar d t ha t i t i s

po ss ib le t o d o t ha t, a nd i f y ou s uc ce ed ed i n g et ti ng t he re y ou w ou ld

probably fall off."

" Oh , n o, " s ai d D or ot hy , " we 'v e b ee n t he re , a nd w e k no w. "

" Th e V al ley o f V oe i s cer tain ly a charm in g p lace," r es um ed t he W izar d;

" bu t w e c an no t b e c on te nt ed i n a ny o th er l an d t ha n o ur o wn , f or l on g.





Eve n i f we s houl d c ome t o unpl eas ant pl ac es on our wa y i t i s

n ec es sa ry , i n o rd er t o r ea ch t he e ar th 's s ur fa ce , t o k ee p m ov in g o n

toward it."

" In th at c as e," s ai d t he m an, "i t wi ll be be st f or yo u t o c ros s our

Valley and mount the spiral staircase inside the Pyramid Mountain.

The t op of t ha t m ount ai n is l os t i n t he cl ouds , a nd when you r eac h i t

y ou w il l b e i n t he awf ul L an d o f N au gh t, w here t he G ar go yl es l iv e. "

" Wh at ar e G ar go yl es?" as ked Z eb .

" I d o n ot k no w, y ou ng s ir . O ur g reatest C hamp io n, O ver man- An u, o nce

cli mb ed t he s pi ral s tair way and f ou gh t n in e d ay s w it h t he G ar go yl es

b ef or e he c ou ld e sc ape t he m a nd c om e b ac k; bu t h e c ou ld n ev er b e

i n du ce d t o d es cr ib e t he d re ad fu l c re at ur es , a nd s oo n a ft er wa rd a b ea r

cau gh t h im and ate h im u p. "

T he w an ders w er e r ath er d is co ur ag ed b y t hi s g lo om y r ep or t, b ut D or ot hy

said w it h a s ig h:

" If t he onl y wa y t o ge t hom e i s t o me et t he Gur gl es , t he n we 've got to

me et ' em . T he y c an' t b e wo rs e t ha n t he W ic ke d W it ch or t he N om e K ing. "

" Bu t y ou m us t r em em be r y ou h ad t he S ca re cr ow a nd t he T in W oo dm an t o

h elp y ou con qu er t ho se enemi es ," s ug gest ed t he W izar d. " Ju st n ow , m y

d ea r, t he re i s n ot a s in gl e w ar ri or i n y our c om pa ny ."





" Oh, I gue ss Ze b c oul d f ight i f he ha d t o. C ou ld n' t y ou , Z eb ?" a sk ed

the little girl.

" Perh ap s; i f I h ad t o, " ans wered Z eb , d ou bt fu ll y.

" An d y ou h av e t he j oi nt ed s wo rd t ha t y ou c ho pp ed t he v eg 't ab le

S or ce re r i n t wo wi th, " t he g ir l s ai d t o t he l it tl e m an.

" Tr ue," h e r ep li ed ; " an d i n m y s at ch el are o th er u sefu l t hi ng s t o

fight with."

" Wh at t he G ar go yl es m os t d re ad i s a n oi se ," s ai d t he m an 's v oi ce .

" Ou r C hamp io n t ol d m e t hat w hen h e s ho ut ed h is b at tl e- cr y t he creat ur es

s hu dd er ed and d rew b ack, h es i tati ng t o con ti nu e t he com bat . B ut t hey

w er e i n g re at n um be rs , a nd t he C ha mp io n c ou ld n ot s ho ut m uc h b ec au se

h e h ad t o s av e h is b reat h f or f ig ht in g. "

" Ve ry g oo d, " s ai d t he W iz ar d; " we c an a ll y el l b et te r t ha n w e c an

f ig ht , s o w e o ug ht t o d ef eat t he G ar go yl es ."

" Bu t t el l m e, " s ai d D or ot hy , " ho w d id s uc h a b ra ve C ha mp io n h ap pe n t o

l et t he b ea rs e at hi m? A nd i f he w as i nvi s' bl e, a nd t he be ar s

i n vi s' bl e, w ho k no ws t hat t hey r eall y ate h im u p?"





" Th e C hamp io n h ad k il led eleven b ears i n h is t im e, " r et ur ned t he

u ns ee n m an ; " an d w e k no w t hi s i s t ru e b ec au se w he n a ny c re at ur e i s

d e ad t he i nv is ib le c ha rm o f t he d am a- fr ui t c ea se s t o b e a ct iv e, a nd

th e s la in on e c an b e pl ai nl y s ee n by a ll e ye s. W he n t he C ha mp io n

k il le d a b ea r e ve ry on e c ou ld s ee i t; a nd w he n t he b ea rs k il le d t he

C ha mp io n w e a ll s aw s ev er al p ie ce s o f h im s ca tt er ed a bo ut , w hi ch o f

cou rs e d is app ear ed agai n w hen t he b ears d ev ou red t hem. "

T he y n ow b ad e f ar ew el l t o t he k in d b ut u ns ee n p eo pl e o f t he c ot ta ge ,

and aft er t he m an h ad cal led t heir att en ti on t o a h ig h, p yr am id -s haped

m ou nt ai n o n t he o pp os it e s id e o f t he V al le y, a nd t ol d t he m h ow t o

t ra ve l i n o rd er t o r ea ch i t, t he y a ga in s ta rt ed u po n t he ir j ou rn ey .

T he y f ol lo we d t he c ou rs e o f a b ro ad s tr ea m a nd p as se d s ev er al m or e

p re tt y c ot ta ge s; b ut o f c ou rs e t he y s aw no o ne , n or d id a ny o ne s pe ak

t o t hem. F ru it s and f lo wers g rew p lent if ul ly all abo ut , and t here

w er e m an y of t he de li ci ous da ma s t ha t t he p eop le of Vo e we re s o f ond o f.

Ab ou t noo n t he y s top pe d t o a ll ow J im t o r es t i n t he s ha de o f a pr et ty

or ch ar d, a nd w hi le t he y p lu ck ed a nd a te s om e o f t he c he rr ie s a nd p lu ms

th at g re w t he re a s of t v oi ce s ud de nl y s ai d t o t he m:

" Th er e a re b ea rs n ea r b y. B e c ar ef ul ."

T he W iz ar d g ot o ut hi s s wor d a t o nc e, a nd Z eb g ra bb ed t he ho rs e- wh ip .

Dorothy climbed into the buggy, although Jim had been unharnessed





f ro m i t and w as g razi ng s om e d is tance away.

T he o wn er o f t he u ns een v oi ce l au gh ed l ig ht ly and s ai d:

" Yo u c an no t e sc ap e t he b ea rs t ha t w ay ."

" Ho w C AN w e ' sc ap e? " a sk ed D or ot hy , n er vo us ly , f or a n u ns ee n d an ge r i s

a lw ay s t he h ar de st t o f ac e.

" Yo u m us t t ak e t o t he r iv er ," w as t he r ep ly . " Th e b ea rs w il l not

v en tu re u po n t he w at er ."

" Bu t w e w ou ld b e d ro wn ed !" exclaim ed t he g ir l.

" Oh , t he re i s n o n ee d o f t ha t, " s ai d t he v oi ce , w hi ch f ro m i ts g en tl e t on es

s ee me d t o b el on g t o a y ou ng g ir l. " Yo u a re s tr an ge rs i n t he V al le y o f V oe ,

and do not s eem to know our ways ; so I wi ll try to s ave you."

T he n ex t m om en t a b ro ad -l ea ve d p la nt w as j er ke d f ro m t he g ro un d w he re

i t g re w a nd h el d s us pe nd ed i n t he a ir b ef or e t he W iz ar d.

" Si r, " s ai d t he v oi ce , " yo u m us t r ub t he se l ea ve s u po n t he s ol es o f

a ll your f eet , a nd t he n you wi ll be a bl e t o wa lk upon t he w ate r

without s inki ng be low t he surfa ce . I t i s a s ec re t t he b ea rs d o n ot

know , a nd w e pe opl e of Vo e u sua ll y w al k up on t he w at er wh en we t ra ve l,





a nd s o e sc ap e o ur e ne mi es ."

" Th an k y ou! " c ri ed t he W iz ar d, j oy fu ll y, a nd a t o nc e r ub be d a l ea f

u po n t he s ol es o f D or ot hy 's s ho es a nd t he n u po n h is o wn . The girl

took a le af and r ubbed it upon the ki tt en's pa ws, a nd the r es t of t he

p la nt wa s ha nd ed t o Ze b, who , a ft er a ppl yi ng i t t o h is o wn f ee t,

c ar ef ul ly r ub be d i t u pon a ll f ou r o f J im 's h oo fs a nd t he n up on t he

t ir es o f t he b ug gy -w heel s. H e h ad n earl y f in is hed t hi s l as t t as k w hen

a l ow g ro wl in g w as s ud de nl y h ea rd a nd t he h or se b eg an t o j um p a ro un d

and kick viciously with his heels.

" Qu ic k! T o t he w at er o r y ou a re l os t! " c ri ed t he ir u ns ee n f ri en d, a nd

w it ho ut h es it at io n t he W iz ar d d re w t he b ug gy d ow n t he b an k a nd o ut

up on t he b ro ad r iv er , f or D or ot hy w as s ti ll s ea te d i n i t w it h E ur ek a

i n her a rms. The y di d not si nk a t a ll, owi ng t o t he vi rt ues of t he

s tr an ge p la nt t he y h ad u se d, a nd w he n t he b ug gy w as i n t he m id dl e o f

t he s tr ea m t he W iz ar d r et ur ne d t o t he ba nk t o a ss is t Z eb a nd J im .

T he h or se w as p lu ng in g m ad ly a bo ut , a nd t wo o r t hr ee d ee p g as he s

ap pear ed u po n i ts f lank s, f ro m w hi ch t he b lo od f lo wed f reel y.

" Ru n f or t he r iv er !" s ho ut ed t he W izar d, and J im q ui ck ly f reed h im self

f ro m h is u ns ee n t or me nt er s b y a f ew v ic io us k ic ks a nd t he n o be ye d.

As s oon a s h e t ro tt ed o ut up on t he s ur fa ce o f t he r iv er he f oun d

h im self s af e f ro m p ur su it , and Z eb w as alr eady r un ni ng acr os s t he w at er

toward Dorothy.





A s t he l it tl e W iz ar d t ur ne d t o f ol lo w t he m h e f el t a h ot b re at h

a ga ins t h is c he ek a nd he ar d a lo w, f ie rc e gr owl . At o nc e h e be ga n

s ta bb ing a t t he a ir w it h hi s s wor d, a nd he kne w t ha t he ha d s tr uc k

s om e s ub st an ce b ec au se w he n h e d re w b ac k t he b la de i t w as d ri pp in g

w it h bl ood. The t hi rd t ime t ha t he t hr us t o ut t he we apon t he re wa s a

l oud r oa r a nd a f al l, a nd s ud de nl y a t hi s f ee t a ppe ar ed t he f or m of a

gr ea t r ed be ar , w hi ch wa s n ea rl y a s bi g a s t he ho rs e a nd mu ch s tr ong er

a nd f ie rc er . T he b ea st w as q ui te d ea d f ro m t he s wo rd t hr us ts , a nd

a ft er a g la nc e a t i ts t er ri bl e c la ws a nd s ha rp t ee th t he l it tl e m an

t ur ne d i n a p an ic a nd r us he d o ut u po n t he w at er , f or o th er m en ac in g

g ro wl s t ol d h im m or e b ea rs w er e n ea r.

O n t he r iv er , h ow ev er , t he a dv en tu re rs s ee me d t o b e p er fe ct ly s af e.

D or ot hy and t he b ug gy h ad f lo at ed s lo wl y d ow n s tr eam w it h t he cur rent

of t he w at er , a nd t he o the rs m ade ha st e t o j oi n h er . The Wiz ar d

o pened h is s at ch el and g ot o ut s om e s ti ck in g- pl as ter w it h w hi ch h e

m en de d t he c ut s J im h ad r ec ei ve d f ro m t he c la ws o f t he b ea rs .

" I t hi nk w e' d b et te r s ti ck t o t he r iv er , a ft er t hi s, " s ai d D or ot hy .

"I f ou r u nkno wn f ri en d h adn' t w ar ne d us , a nd t ol d us wh at t o d o, we

wo ul d a ll b e d ea d b y t hi s t im e. "

" Tha t i s t ru e," a gr ee d t he W iz ar d, " an d a s t he r ive r s ee ms t o be

f l ow in g i n t he d ir ecti on o f t he P yr am id M ou nt ai n i t w il l b e t he





ea si es t w ay f or u s t o t ra ve l. "

Z eb h it ch ed J im t o t he b ug gy a ga in , a nd t he h or se t ro tt ed a lo ng a nd

dr ew t he m r ap id ly o ve r t he s mo ot h w at er . T he k it te n w as a t f ir st

d read fu ll y afr ai d o f g et ti ng w et , b ut D or ot hy l et h er d ow n and s oo n

E ur ek a w as f ri sk in g alo ng b es id e t he b ug gy w it ho ut b ei ng s cared a b it .

O nc e a l it tl e f is h s wa m t oo n ea r t he s ur fa ce , a nd t he k it te n g ra bb ed

it in her mouth and ate it up as quick as a wink; but Dorothy

c aut io ne d h er t o b e c ar ef ul w ha t s he a te i n t hi s v al le y o f e nc ha nt me nt s,

a nd n o m or e f is he s w er e c ar el es s e no ug h t o s wi m w it hi n r ea ch .

A ft er a j our ne y of s ev er al hour s t he y c ame t o a poi nt whe re t he r ive r

c ur ve d, a nd the y found t hey mus t c ros s a mi le or s o of t he V all ey

b ef or e t he y c am e t o t he P yr am id M ou nt ai n. T he re w er e f ew h ou se s i n

t hi s p ar t, a nd f ew o rc ha rd s o r f lo we rs ; s o o ur f ri en ds f ea re d t he y

m ig ht e nc ou nt er m or e o f t he s av ag e b ea rs , w hi ch t he y h ad l ea rn ed t o

dr ead w it h all t heir h eart s.

" Yo u' ll h av e t o m ak e a d as h, J im ," s ai d t he W iz ar d, " an d r un a s f as t

as you c an go. "

" Al l r ig ht ," ans wered t he h or se; " I' ll d o m y b es t. B ut y ou m us t

r em em be r I 'm o ld , a nd m y d as hi ng d ay s a re p as t a nd g on e. "

A ll t hr ee g ot i nt o t he bu gg y a nd Z eb p ic ke d up t he r ei ns , t hou gh J im

n ee de d n o g ui da nc e o f a ny s or t. Th e ho rs e w as s ti ll s ma rt ing f ro m t he





s ha rp c la ws o f t he i nvi si bl e be ar s, a nd a s s oon a s h e w as on l and a nd

h eaded t ow ar d t he m ou nt ai n t he t ho ug ht t hat m or e o f t ho se f ears om e

c r ea tu re s m ig ht b e n ea r a ct ed a s a s pu r a nd s en t h im g al lo pi ng a lo ng

i n a w ay t ha t m ade D or ot hy c at ch he r br ea th.

T he n Z eb, i n a s pi ri t o f m is chi ef , u tt er ed a gr ow l l ike t ha t of t he

b ea rs , a nd J im p ri ck ed u p h is e ar s a nd f ai rl y f le w. H is b one y l eg s

m ov ed s o f as t t he y c ou ld s ca rc el y b e s ee n, a nd t he W iz ar d c lu ng f as t

to t he s ea t a nd ye ll ed " Whoa !" a t t he t op of hi s voi ce .

"I--I'm 'fraid he's--he's running away!" gasped Dorothy.

"I KNOW he i s," s aid Zeb; "but no bea r can c atch him if he keeps up

t ha t g ai t- -a nd t he h ar ne ss o r t he b ug gy d on 't b re ak ."

J im di d not ma ke a mi le a mi nute ; but a lmos t be for e t he y we re a wa re of

i t h e dr ew u p a t t he fo ot of t he mount ai n, s o s udde nl y t ha t t he W iz ar d

a nd Z eb b ot h s ai le d ov er t he d as hb oa rd a nd l an de d i n t he s of t

g ras s- - wh er e t hey r ol led o ver s ever al t im es b ef or e t hey s t op ped.

D or ot hy n ea rl y w en t w it h t he m, bu t s he w as h ol di ng f as t t o t he i ron

r ai l of t he s ea t, a nd t ha t s av ed he r. She s qu ee ze d t he ki tt en ,

t ho ug h, u nt il i t s cr eeched; and t hen t he o ld cab -h or se m ad e s ev er al

c ur io us s ou nd s t ha t l ed t he l it tl e g ir l t o s us pe ct he w as l au gh ing a t

them all.





1 0 . T he B raid ed M an o f P yr am id M ou nt ai n

T he moun ta in be for e t he m wa s s ha pe d l ike a c on e a nd w as s o t al l t ha t

i ts p oi nt w as l os t i n t he c lo ud s. Di re ct ly f ac ing t he pl ac e w he re J im

h ad s to pp ed w as a n a rc he d o pe ni ng l ea di ng t o a b ro ad s ta ir wa y. The

s ta ir s w er e c ut i n t he r oc k i ns id e t he m ou nt ai n, a nd t he y w er e b ro ad

a nd n ot v er y s te ep , b ec au se t he y c ir cl ed a ro un d l ik e a c or k- sc re w, a nd

a t t he a rc he d o pe ni ng w he re t he f li ght b eg an t he c ir cl e w as q ui te b ig.

At t he f oot of t he s ta ir s wa s a s ign r ea ding:

WARNING.

Th es e s te ps l ea d t o t he

L an d o f t he G ar go yl es .

DA NG ER ! K E EP O U T.

" I wonde r how J im i s eve r going t o dra w t he buggy up s o ma ny s ta ir s,"

said Dorothy, gravely.

" No t ro ub le at all ," d eclared t he h or se, w it h a con temp tu ou s n ei gh .

" St il l, I d on 't c ar e t o d ra g a ny p as se ng er s. Yo u' ll a ll ha ve t o wa lk. "





" Su pp os e t he s tair s g et s teep er ?" s ug gest ed Z eb , d ou bt fu ll y.

" Th en y ou 'l l h av e t o b oo st t he b ug gy -w heel s, t hat' s all ," ans wered J im .

" We 'l l t ry i t, a ny wa y, " s ai d t he W iz ar d. " It 's t he o nl y w ay t o g et

o ut of t he V al le y o f V oe ."

S o t he y b eg an t o a sc en d t he s ta ir s, D or ot hy a nd t he W iz ar d f ir st , J im

n ex t, d rawi ng t he b ug gy , and t hen Z eb t o w at ch t hat n ot hi ng h ap pened

t o t he h ar ne ss .

T he l ig ht w as d im , a nd s oo n t he y m ou nt ed i nt o t ot al d ar kn es s, s o t ha t

t he W iz ar d w as o bl ig ed t o g et o ut h is l an te rn s t o l ig ht t he w ay . But

t hi s enabl ed t hem t o p ro ceed s tead il y u nt il t hey cam e t o a l an di ng

whe re t her e wa s a r ift i n t he s ide of t he mount ain t hat l et i n both

l ig ht and air . L oo ki ng t hr ou gh t hi s o peni ng t hey cou ld s ee t he V al ley

o f V oe l yi ng f ar b el ow t hem, t he cot tages s eemi ng l ik e t oy h ou ses f ro m

that distance.

A ft er r es ti ng a f ew m om en ts t hey r es um ed t heir cli mb , and s ti ll t he

s ta ir s w er e b ro ad a nd l ow e no ug h f or J im t o d ra w t he b ug gy e as il y

after him. Th e o ld h or se pa nt ed a l it tl e, a nd ha d t o s to p o ft en t o

ge t hi s br ea th . At s uc h time s t he y we re al l gla d to wa it for him, f or

co nt in uall y cli mb in g u p s tair s i s s ur e t o m ak e o ne's l eg s ach e.





T hey w ou nd abo ut , alw ay s g oi ng u pw ar d, f or s om e t im e. Th e l ig ht s f ro m

t he l an te rn s d im ly s ho we d t he w ay , b ut i t w as a g lo om y j ou rn ey , a nd

t he y w er e p le as ed w he n a b ro ad s tr ea k o f l ig ht a he ad a ss ur ed t he m t he y

w er e com in g t o a s econ d l an di ng .

He re one s ide of t he mount ai n ha d a gr ea t hol e in i t, l ike t he m out h

of a ca ve rn, a nd the st ai rs st opped a t t he ne ar e dge of the f loor a nd

com menced ascend in g again at t he o pp os it e edg e.

T he o pe ni ng i n t he m ou nt ai n w as o n t he s id e op po si te t o t he V al le y o f

Vo e, a nd o ur t ra ve ll er s l oo ke d o ut u po n a s tr an ge s ce ne . Be lo w t he m

wa s a va st s pa ce , a t t he bot to m of w hi ch w as a bl ac k s ea w it h r ol li ng

billows, through which little tongues of flame constantly shot up.

J us t a bo ve t he m, a nd a lm os t o n a l ev el w it h t he ir p la tf or m, w er e b an ks

of rolling clouds which constantly shifted position and changed color.

T he b lu es a nd g re ys w er e v er y b ea ut if ul , a nd D or ot hy n ot ic ed t ha t o n

t he clo ud b an ks s at o r r ecli ned f leecy, s hado wy f or ms o f b eaut if ul

b ei ng s w ho m us t h av e b ee n t he C lo ud F ai ri es . M or ta ls w ho s ta nd u po n

t he e ar th a nd l oo k u p a t t he s ky c an no t o ft en d is ti ng ui sh t he se f or ms ,

bu t ou r f ri en ds w er e n ow s o n ea r t o t he c lou ds t ha t t he y o bs er ve d t he

dainty fairies very clearly.

" Ar e t he y r ea l? " a ske d Ze b, i n a n a we d voi ce .

" Of cou rs e, " r ep li ed D or ot hy , s of tl y. " Th ey are t he C lo ud F ai ri es ."





" Th ey s eem l ik e o pen- wo rk ," r em ar ked t he b oy , g azin g i nt en tl y. " If I

s ho ul d s qu eeze o ne, t here w ou ld n' t b e any th in g l ef t o f i t. "

I n t he op en s pa ce be tw ee n t he c lou ds a nd t he b la ck , b ub bl in g s ea f ar

b en eath , cou ld b e s een an o ccas io nal s tr an ge b ir d w in gi ng i ts w ay

s wi ft ly t hr ou gh t he air . T hese b ir ds w er e o f eno rm ou s s ize, and

r em ind ed Ze b of t he r oc s h e ha d r ea d a bout i n t he Ar abi an Ni ght s. They

h ad f ie rc e e ye s a nd s ha rp t al on s a nd b ea ks , a nd t he c hi ld re n h op ed

n on e o f t hem w ou ld v en tu re i nt o t he cav er n.

" Well , I d eclare!" s ud denl y exclaim ed t he l it tl e W izar d. " Wh at i n t he

world is this?"

T he y t ur ne d a ro un d a nd f oun d a m an s ta ndi ng o n t he f lo or i n t he c ent er

of t he c ave , wh o bo we d ve ry p ol it el y w he n he s aw he h ad a tt ra ct ed

t he ir a tt en ti on . H e w as a v er y o ld m an , b en t n ea rl y d ou bl e; b ut t he

q ue er es t t hi ng a bo ut h im w as h is w hi te h ai r a nd b ea rd . T he se w er e s o

l on g t ha t t he y r ea ch ed t o h is f ee t, a nd bo th t he h ai r a nd t he b ea rd

w er e c ar ef ul ly p la it ed i nt o m an y b ra id s, a nd t he e nd o f e ac h b ra id

f as te ne d w it h a b ow o f c ol or ed r ib bo n.

"Where did you come from?" asked Dorothy, wonderingly.

" No p la ce a t a ll ," a ns we re d t he m an w it h t he b ra id s; " th at i s, n ot

r ece nt ly. O nc e I l iv ed on t op t he e ar th, b ut f or m any y ea rs I ha ve





h ad m y f acto ry i n t hi s s po t- -h al f w ay u p P yr am id M ou nt ai n. "

" Ar e w e o nl y h al f w ay u p? " e nq ui re d t he b oy , i n a d is co ur ag ed t on e.

" I b el ie ve s o, m y l ad ," r ep li ed t he b ra id ed m an . " But a s I h av e ne ve r

be en i n e it he r d ir ec ti on, d ow n or u p, s inc e I a rr iv ed, I c an no t b e

p os it iv e w heth er i t i s exact ly h al f w ay o r n ot ."

" Ha ve y ou a f ac to ry i n t hi s p la ce ?" a sk ed t he W iz ar d, w ho h ad b ee n

examining the strange personage carefully.

" To b e s ur e, " s ai d t he o the r. "I a m a gre at inve ntor , you must know,

an d I m an uf actu re m y p ro du ct s i n t hi s l on el y s po t. "

" Wh at are y ou r p ro du ct s ?" enq ui red t he W izar d.

" We ll , I m ak e A ss or te d F lu tt er s f or f la gs a nd b un ti ng , a nd a s up er io r

g rade o f R us tl es f or l ad ies' s il k g ow ns ."

" I t ho ugh t s o, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, w it h a s ig h. " Ma y w e e xa mi ne s om e of

these articles?"

" Ye s, i nd ee d; c om e i nt o m y s ho p, p le as e, " a nd t he b ra id ed m an t ur ne d

a nd l ed t he w ay i nt o a s ma ll er c av e, w he re he e vi de nt ly l iv ed . H er e,

o n a b ro ad s he lf , w er e s ev er al c ar d- bo ar d b ox es o f v ar io us s iz es ,

e a ch t ie d w it h c ot to n c or d.





" Th is ," s ai d t he m an , t ak in g u p a b ox and h an dl in g i t g en tl y,

" co nt ai ns t welv e d ozen r us tl es -- en ou gh t o l as t any l ad y a y ear. Will

y ou b uy i t, m y d ea r? " h e a sk ed , a dd re ss in g D or ot hy .

"My gown isn't silk," she said, smiling.

" Ne ve r m in d. W he n y ou o pe n t he b ox t he r us tl es w il l e sc ap e, w he th er

y ou a re w ea ri ng a s il k d re ss o r n ot ," s ai d t he m an , s er io us ly . Then

h e p ic ke d u p a no th er b ox . " In t hi s," he c ont in ue d, " ar e m any

ass or t ed f l ut t er s . T hey are i nv al uabl e t o m ak e f lags f lu tt er o n a

s ti ll da y, w he n t he re i s n o wi nd. Y ou, s ir ," t ur ni ng t o t he W iz ar d,

" ou gh t t o h av e t hi s a ss or tm en t. O nc e y ou h av e t ri ed m y g oo ds I a m

s ur e y ou w il l n ev er b e w it ho ut t hem. "

" I h av e n o m on ey w it h m e, " s ai d t he W izar d, evasi vely .

" I d o n ot w an t m on ey ," r et ur ne d t he b ra id ed m an , " fo r I c ou ld n ot

s pe nd i t i n t hi s de se rt ed pl ac e i f I ha d i t. But I would l ike ve ry

m uch a b lu e h ai r- ri bb on . Y ou w il l n ot ice m y b raid s are t ied w it h y el lo w,

p in k, b ro wn , r ed , g re en , w hi te a nd b la ck ; b ut I h av e n o b lu e r ib bo ns ."

" I' ll ge t yo u o ne !" c ri ed D or ot hy, wh o w as s or ry f or t he poor ma n; s o

s he r an b ac k t o t he b ug gy a nd t ook f ro m he r s ui t- ca se a pr et ty b lu e

ri bbo n. I t d id he r g ood t o s ee h ow t he b ra id ed m an 's e ye s s pa rkl ed





w hen h e r ecei ved t hi s t reasu re.

" Yo u h av e m ad e m e v er y, v er y ha pp y, m y de ar !" h e e xc la im ed ; a nd t he n

h e i ns is te d o n t he W iz ar d t ak in g t he bo x o f f lu tt er s a nd t he l it tl e

g ir l accep ti ng t he b ox o f r us tl es .

" Yo u m ay n ee d t he m, s om e t im e, " h e s ai d, " and t he re i s r ea ll y n o u se

in my manufacturing these things unless somebody uses them."

" Wh y d id y ou l ea ve t he s ur fa ce o f t he e ar th ?" e nq ui re d t he W iz ar d.

"I could not help it. It is a sad story, but if you will try to

r es tra in your te ars I wil l te ll you about i t. O n e ar th I w as a

manu fact ur er o f I mp or ted H ol es f or A meri can S wi ss C hees e, and I w il l

ack no wl ed ge t hat I s up pl ied a s up er io r art icle, w hi ch w as i n g reat

d em an d. A ls o I m ad e p or es f or p or ou s p la st er s a nd h ig h- gr ad e h ol es

f or d ou gh nu ts and b ut to ns . F in al ly I i nv en ted a n ew A dj us tabl e

P os t- ho le, w hi ch I t ho ug ht w ou ld m ak e m y f or tu ne. I m an uf actu red a

l ar ge q uant it y o f t hese p os t- ho les, and h av in g n o r oo m i n w hi ch t o

stor e the m I set them a ll end t o end a nd put the top one i n the

gr ou nd . T hat m ad e an ext raor di nary l on g h ol e, as y ou m ay i magi ne, and

r ea ched fa r down i nt o t he e ar th; a nd, a s I le aned ove r i t t o t ry to se e

t o t he b ot to m, I l os t m y b al an ce and t um bl ed i n. U nf or tu nately , t he

h ol e l ed d ir ectl y i nt o t he v as t s pace y ou s ee o ut si de t hi s m ou nt ai n;

b ut I m an ag ed t o c at ch a po in t of r oc k t ha t p roj ec te d f ro m t hi s

cav er n, and s o s av ed m ys el f f ro m t um bl in g h eadl on g i nt o t he b lack





w av es b en ea th , w he re t he t on gu es o f f la me t ha t d ar t o ut w ou ld

cer tain ly h av e con su med m e. H er e, t hen, I m ad e m y h om e; and alt ho ug h

i t i s a l on el y p lace I amu se m ys el f m ak in g r us tl es and f lu tt er s, and

s o g et alo ng v er y n icel y. "

W hen t he b raid ed m an h ad com pl et ed t hi s s tr an ge t al e D or ot hy n earl y

l au gh ed , b ec au se i t w as a ll s o a bs ur d; b ut t he W iz ar d t ap pe d h is

f or eh ead s ig ni fi cant ly , t o i nd icat e t hat h e t ho ug ht t he p oo r m an w as

c ra zy . S o t he y p ol it el y ba de h im go od d ay , a nd w en t ba ck t o t he ou te r

cav er n t o r es um e t heir j ou rn ey .

1 1 . T he y M ee t t he W oo de n G ar go yl es

A no th er b reat hl es s cli mb b ro ug ht o ur adv en tu rers t o a t hi rd l an di ng

wh er e t he re w as a r if t i n t he m oun ta in . O n p ee ri ng ou t a ll t he y c ou ld

s ee w as r ol li ng b an ks o f c lo ud s, s o t hi ck t ha t t he y o bs cu re d a ll e ls e.

B ut t he t ravell er s w er e o bl ig ed t o r es t, and w hi le t hey w er e s it ti ng

o n t he r oc ky f lo or t he W iz ar d f el t i n h is p oc ke t a nd b ro ug ht o ut t he

nine tiny piglets. To his delight they were now plainly visible,

w hi ch p ro ved t hat t hey h ad p as sed b ey on d t he i nf lu en ce o f t he m ag ical

Vall ey o f V oe.





" Wh y, w e can s ee each o th er again !" cri ed o ne, j oy fu ll y.

" Ye s, " s ig he d E ur ek a; " an d I a ls o c an s ee y ou a ga in , a nd t he s ig ht

ma ke s me d re ad ful ly h ung ry. P le as e, M r. W iz ar d, m ay I e at j us t o ne o f

t he f at l it tl e p igl et s? Y ou 'd n ev er m is s O NE o f t he m, I 'm s ur e! "

" Wh at a h or ri d, s av ag e b east !" exclaim ed a p ig let; " an d aft er w e' ve

b ee n s uc h g oo d f ri en ds , t oo , a nd p la ye d w it h o ne a no th er !"

" Wh en I 'm n ot h un gr y, I l ove t o p la y w it h yo u a ll ," s ai d t he k it te n,

d em ur el y; " bu t w hen m y s to mach i s emp ty i t s eems t hat n ot hi ng w ou ld

f il l it s o ni ce ly a s a f at pi gl et ."

" An d w e t ru st ed y ou s o! " s ai d ano th er o f t he n in e, r ep ro achf ul ly .

" An d t ho ug ht y ou w er e r es pect ab le!" s ai d ano th er .

" It s ee ms w e w er e m is ta ke n, " d ec la re d a t hi rd , l oo ki ng a t t he k it te n

t im or ou sl y, " no o ne w it h s uch m ur dero us d es ir es s ho ul d b el on g t o o ur

p art y, I ' m s ur e."

"You see, Eureka," remarked Dorothy, reprovingly, "you are making

y ou rs el f d is li ked. T her e ar e cer tai n t hi ng s p ro per f or a k it ten t o

e at ; b ut I n eve r he ar d of a ki tt en e at ing a pi g, u nde r A NY c ir 's ta nc es ."





" Di d y ou ever s ee s uch l it tl e p ig s b ef or e?" ask ed t he k it ten. "They

a re no b igg er t ha n m ic e, a nd I 'm s ur e m ic e a re p rop er f or m e t o e at ."

" It i sn 't t he b ig ness , d ear; i ts t he v ar iety ," r ep li ed t he g ir l.

" The se a re M r. W iz ar d' s p et s, j us t a s yo u a re my pe t, a nd i t w oul dn 't be

a ny more prope r for you to eat them than it would be for Ji m t o eat you."

" An d t ha t' s j us t w ha t I s ha ll do i f yo u d on' t l et t ho se l it tl e b al ls

o f p or k a lon e, " s ai d J im , g la ri ng a t t he ki tt en w it h h is r ou nd, b ig

ey es . " If y ou i nj ur e any o ne o f t hem I 'l l chew y ou u p i ns tant ly ."

T he k it ten l oo ked at t he h or se t ho ug ht fu ll y, as i f t ry in g t o d ecid e

w he the r he m ea nt i t or no t.

" In t hat cas e, " s he s ai d, " I' ll l eave t hem alo ne. Y ou h av en 't m an y

t ee th le ft , J im, but t he f ew yo u ha ve a re s ha rp e nou gh t o m ake m e

s h ud de r. S o t he p ig le ts w il l b e p er fe ct ly s af e, h er ea ft er , a s f ar a s

I am con cern ed ."

" Th at i s r ig ht , E ur ek a, " r em ar ked t he W izar d, ear nest ly . " Let us all

b e a h ap py f am il y a nd l ov e o ne a not he r. "

E ur ek a y aw ned and s t ret ch ed h er s el f .

" I' ve alw ay s l ov ed t he p ig lets ," s he s ai d; " bu t t hey d on 't l ov e m e. "





" No o ne c an l ov e a p er so n h e' s a fr ai d o f, " a ss er te d D or ot hy . "If you

b eh av e, a nd d on 't s ca re t he l it tl e p ig s, I 'm s ur e t he y' ll g ro w v er y

f o nd o f y ou ."

T he W iz ar d n ow put t he ni ne t iny o ne s ba ck i nt o hi s p oc ke t a nd t he

journey was resumed.

" We m us t b e pr et ty ne ar t he t op, n ow, " s ai d t he bo y, a s t he y c li mbe d

wearily up the dark, winding stairway.

" Th e C ou nt ry o f t he G ur gl es c an 't b e f ar f ro m t he t op o f t he e ar th ,"

r em ar ke d D or ot hy . " It i sn 't v er y n ic e d ow n h er e. I 'd l ik e t o g et

h om e again , I 'm s ur e. "

No one replied to this, because they found they needed all their

b re at h f or t he c li mb . T he s ta ir s h ad b ec om e n ar ro we r a nd Z eb a nd t he

W iz ar d o ft en ha d t o h el p J im p ul l t he b ug gy f ro m o ne s te p t o a no th er ,

o r k eep i t f ro m j am mi ng again st t he r ocky w al ls .

A t l as t, h ow ev er , a d im l ig ht a pp ea re d a he ad o f t he m, w hi ch g re w

c le ar er a nd s tr on ge r a s t he y a dv an ce d.

" Th an k g oo dn es s w e' re n earl y t here!" p an ted t he l it tl e W izar d.

J im , w ho wa s i n a dva nc e, s aw t he l as t s ta ir b efo re hi m a nd s tuc k hi s





h ea d a bo ve t he r oc ky s id es o f t he s ta ir wa y. T he n h e h al te d, d uc ke d

d own a nd b ega n t o ba ck up, s o t ha t he ne ar ly f el l wi th t he buggy ont o

t h e o th ers .

" Le t' s g o d ow n a ga in !" h e s ai d, i n h is h oa rs e v oi ce .

" No ns ens e!" s napp ed t he t ir ed W izar d. " Wh at 's t he m at ter w it h y ou ,

old man?"

" Ev er yt hi ng ," g ru mb led t he h or se. " I 'v e t aken a l oo k at t hi s p lace,

a nd i t' s n o f it c ou nt ry f or r ea l c re at ur es t o g o t o. Everything's

d ead, u p t here-- no f lesh o r b lo od o r g ro wi ng t hi ng any wh er e. "

" Ne ve r m in d; . w e c an 't t ur n b ac k, " s ai d D or ot hy ; " an d w e d on 't i nt en d

t o s t ay t here, any ho w. "

" It 's d an gero us ," g ro wl ed J im , i n a s tu bb or n t on e.

" Se e h er e, m y g oo d s te ed ," b ro ke i n t he W iz ar d, " li tt le D or ot hy a nd I

h av e b ee n i n m an y q ue er c ou nt ri es i n o ur t ra ve ls , a nd a lw ay s e sc ap ed

w it ho ut h ar m. W e' ve even b een t o t he m ar vel ou s L an d o f O z- - haven' t

w e, D or ot hy ?- -s o w e d on 't m uc h c ar e w ha t t he C ou nt ry o f t he G ar go yl es

i s l ik e. G o a he ad , J im , a nd w ha te ve r h ap pe ns w e' ll m ak e t he b es t o f i t. "

" Al l r ig ht ," ans wered t he h or se; " th is i s y ou r excur si on , and n ot





m in e; s o i f y ou g et i nt o t rou bl e do n' t bl am e m e. "

W it h t hi s s pe ec h h e b en t f or wa rd a nd d ra gg ed t he b ug gy u p t he

r em ai ni ng s teps . T he o th er s f ol lo wed and s oo n t hey w er e all s tand in g

u po n a b ro ad p la tf or m a nd g az in g a t t he m os t c ur io us a nd s ta rt li ng

s ig ht t heir eyes h ad ever b eh el d.

" Th e C ou nt ry o f t he G ar go yl es i s a ll w ood en !" e xc la im ed Z eb ; a nd s o i t

w as . T he g ro un d w as s aw du st a nd t he p eb bl es s ca tt er ed a ro un d w er e

h ar d k no ts f ro m t re es , w or n s mo ot h i n c ou rs e o f t im e. T he re w er e o dd

w oo de n h ou se s, w it h c ar ve d w oo de n f lo we rs i n t he f ro nt y ar ds . The

t re e- tr un ks w er e o f c oa rs e w oo d, bu t t he l ea ve s o f t he t re es w er e

s ha vi ngs . T he p at ch es o f g ra ss w er e s pl in te rs o f w oo d, a nd w he re

n ei th er g rass n or s aw du st s ho wed w as a s ol id w oo den f lo or in g. W o od en

b ir ds f lu tt er ed a mo ng t he t re es a nd w oo de n c ow s w er e b ro ws in g u po n t he

w oo de n g ra ss ; b ut t he m os t a ma zi ng t hi ng s o f a ll w er e t he w oo de n

p eop l e- - th e cr eat ur es k no wn as G ar g oy les .

T he se w er e v er y n um er ou s, f or t he p la ce w as t hi ck ly i nh ab it ed , a nd a

l ar ge g ro up o f t he q ueer p eo pl e clu st er ed n ear, g azin g s harp ly u po n

t he s tr an gers w ho h ad emerg ed f ro m t he l on g s pi ral s tair way.

T he G ar go yl es w er e v er y s mall o f s tatu re, b ei ng l es s t han t hr ee f eet

in he ight. T he ir b od ie s w er e r ou nd , t he ir l eg s s ho rt a nd t hi ck a nd

th ei r arm s ext raor di nari ly l on g and s to ut . T hei r h eads w er e t oo b ig

f or t he ir b od ie s a nd t he ir f ac es w er e d ec id ed ly u gl y t o l oo k u po n.





S om e h ad l on g, cur ved n os es and chi ns , s mall eyes and w id e, g ri nn in g

m ou th s. O th er s h ad f la t n os es , p ro tr ud in g e ye s, a nd e ar s t ha t w er e

s ha pe d l ik e t ho se o f a n e le ph an t. T he re w er e m an y t yp es , i nd ee d,

s carcel y t wo b ei ng ali ke; b ut all w er e equ al ly d is ag reeabl e i n

a pp ea ra nc e. T he t op s o f t he ir he ad s ha d n o ha ir , b ut w er e c ar ve d

i nt o a v ar ie ty o f f an ta st ic s ha pe s, s om e h av in g a r ow o f p oi nt s o r

b al ls aro un d t he t op , o th er s d es ig ns r es em bl in g f lo wers o r v eg et ab les,

an d s ti ll o th er s h av in g s qu ar es t hat l oo ked l ik e w af fl es cut

cr is s -cr os s o n t h ei r h ead s. T hey all w or e s ho rt w oo den w in gs w hi ch

w er e f as te ne d t o t he ir w oo de n b od ie s b y m ea ns o f w oo de n h in ge s w it h

w oo den s cr ew s, and w it h t hese w in gs t hey f lew s wi ft ly and n oi seless ly

he re a nd t he re , t he ir l eg s b ei ng o f l it tl e u se t o t he m.

T hi s n oi seless m ot io n w as o ne o f t he m os t p ecul iar t hi ng s abo ut t he

G ar go yl es . T hey m ad e n o s ou nd s at all , eit her i n f ly in g o r t ry in g t o

s peak , and t hey con vers ed m ai nl y b y m eans o f q ui ck s ig nals m ad e w it h

t he ir w oo de n f in ge rs o r l ip s. N ei th er w as t he re a ny s ou nd t o b e h ea rd

any wh er e t hr ou gh ou t t he w oo den cou nt ry . T he b ir ds d id n ot s in g, n or

d id t he cow s m oo ; y et t here w as m or e t han o rd in ar y acti vi ty every wh er e.

T he g ro up o f t hes e q ueer creatu res w hi ch w as d is co ver ed cl us t er ed

n ear t he s tair s at f ir st r em ai ned s tari ng and m ot io nl es s, g lari ng w it h

e v il e ye s a t t he i nt ru de rs w ho h ad s o s ud de nl y a pp ea re d i n t he ir l an d.

I n t ur n t he W iz ar d a nd t he c hi ld re n, t he h or se a nd t he k it te n,

examined the Gargoyles with the same silent attention.





" Th er e' s g oi ng t o b e t ro ub le , I 'm s ur e, " r em ar ke d t he h or se .

" Un hi tc h t ho se t ug s, Z eb , a nd s et m e f re e f rom t he b ug gy ,

s o I can f ig ht com fo rt ab ly ."

" Ji m' s r ig ht ," s ig hed t he W izar d. " Th er e' s g oi ng t o b e t ro ub le, and

m y s wo rd i sn 't s to ut e no ug h t o c ut u p t ho se w oo de n b od ie s- -s o I s ha ll

h av e t o g et o ut m y r ev ol ve rs ."

H e g ot h is s at ch el f ro m t he b ug gy a nd , o pe ni ng i t, t oo k o ut t wo d ea dl y

l oo ki ng r ev ol vers t hat m ad e t he chi ld ren s hr in k b ack i n alarm j us t t o

l oo k a t.

" Wh at h ar m c an t he G ur gl es d o? " a sk ed D or ot hy . " Th ey h av e n o w ea po ns

t o h ur t u s w it h. "

" Ea ch o f t he ir a rm s i s a w oo de n c lu b, " a ns we re d t he l it tl e m an, " an d

I ' m s ur e t he c re at ur es m ea n m is ch ie f, b y t he l oo ks o f t he ir e ye s.

E ven t hese r ev ol vers can m er el y s ucceed i n d am ag in g a f ew o f t heir

w oo de n b od ie s, a nd a ft er t ha t w e w il l b e a t t he ir m er cy ."

" But w hy f igh t a t a ll , i n t ha t c as e? " a ske d t he g ir l.

" So I m ay d ie w it h a c le ar c on sc ie nc e, " r et ur ne d t he W iz ar d, g ra ve ly .

" It 's e ve ry m an 's du ty t o d o t he b es t he k no ws ho w; a nd I 'm go ing t o

d o i t. "





" Wi sh I ha d a n a xe ," s ai d Ze b, who by now ha d unh it che d t he h or se .

" If w e h ad k no wn we w er e c om ing w e m ig ht h av e br oug ht a lo ng s eve ra l

o t her u sefu l t hi ng s, " r es po nd ed t he W izar d. " Bu t w e d ro pp ed i nt o t hi s

adventure rather unexpectedly."

T he G ar go yl es h ad b ac ke d a wa y a d is ta nc e w he n t he y h ea rd t he s ou nd o f

t al ki ng , f or alt ho ug h o ur f ri en ds h ad s po ken i n l ow t on es t heir w or ds

s ee me d l oud i n t he s il en ce s ur ro un di ng t he m. B ut a s s oo n a s t he

con vers at io n ceased, t he g ri nn in g, u gl y creat ur es aro se i n a f lo ck and

f lew s wi ft ly t ow ar d t he s tr an gers , t heir l on g arm s s tr et ch ed o ut

be fo re t he m l ik e t he b ow sp ri ts o f a f le et o f s ai l- bo at s. T he h or se

h ad esp eciall y at tr acted t heir n ot i ce, b ecau se i t w as t he b ig gest and

s tr an ge st c re at ur e t he y h ad e ve r s ee n; s o i t b ec am e t he c en te r o f

their first attack.

B ut J im w as r ea dy f or t he m, a nd w he n h e s aw t he m c om in g h e t ur ne d h is

he el s t ow ar d t he m a nd b ega n ki ck ing o ut a s ha rd a s he c oul d. C ra ck !

c ra sh ! b an g! w en t h is i ro n- sh od h oo fs a ga in st t he w oo de n b od ie s o f t he

G ar go yl es , a nd t he y w er e b at te re d r ig ht a nd l ef t w it h s uc h f or ce t ha t

t he y s ca tt er ed l ik e s tr aw s i n t he w in d. B ut t he n oi se a nd c la tt er

s ee me d a s dr ea df ul t o t he m a s J im 's he el s, f or a ll w ho we re a bl e

s wi ft ly t ur ne d a nd f le w a wa y t o a g re at d is ta nc e. T he o th er s p ic ke d

t hems el ves u p f ro m t he g ro un d o ne b y o ne and q ui ck ly r ej oi ned t heir





f el lo ws , s o f or a m om en t t he ho rs e t ho ug ht h e ha d w on t he f ig ht w it h e as e.

B ut t he W iz ar d w as n ot s o c on fi de nt .

" Th os e w oo den t hi ng s are i mp os si bl e t o h ur t, " h e s ai d, " an d all t he

da ma ge J im ha s d one t o t he m is to knoc k a f ew s pl in te rs f rom t he ir

n os es a nd e a rs . T ha t c an no t m ak e t he m l oo k a ny u gl ie r, I 'm s ur e, a nd

i t i s m y o pi ni on t he y w il l s oon r ene w t he a tt ac k."

" Wh at m ad e t hem f ly away?" ask ed D or ot hy .

" Th e n oi se , o f c ou rs e. D on 't y ou r em em be r h ow t he C ha mp io n e sc ap ed

them by shouting his battle-cry?"

" Su pp os e w e e sc ap e d ow n t he s ta ir s, t oo ," s ug ge st ed t he b oy . " We h ave

ti me , j us t n ow , a nd I 'd r at he r f ac e t he i nv is 'b le b ea rs t ha n t ho se

wooden imps."

" No ," r et ur ne d D or ot hy , s to ut ly , " it w on 't d o t o g o b ac k, f or t he n w e

w ou ld n ev er g et h om e. L et 's f ig ht i t o ut ."

" Th at i s w ha t I a dv is e, " s ai d t he W iz ar d. " Th ey h av en 't d ef ea te d us

y et , a nd J im i s w or th a w ho le a rm y. "

B ut t he G ar go yl es w er e c le ve r e no ug h n ot t o a tt ac k t he h or se t he n ex t

t im e. T he y a dv an ce d i n a gr ea t s wa rm , h av in g be en j oi ne d b y m an y m or e





o f t he ir k in d, a nd t he y f le w s tr ai gh t o ve r J im 's h ea d t o w he re t he

others were standing.

T he W iz ar d r ai se d on e o f h is r ev ol ve rs a nd f ir ed i nt o t he t hr on g o f

h is e ne mi es , a nd t he s ho t r es ou nd ed l ik e a c la p o f t hu nd er i n t ha t

silent place.

S om e o f t he w ood en b ei ng s f el l f la t u pon t he g ro und , w he re t he y

q ui vered and t remb led i n every l im b; b ut m os t o f t hem m an ag ed t o w heel

a nd e sc ap e a ga in t o a d is ta nc e.

Ze b r an a nd pi ck ed up one of t he G ar go yl es t ha t l ay ne ar es t t o hi m.

T he t op o f i ts he ad w as c ar ve d i nt o a c row n a nd t he W iz ar d' s bu ll et

h ad s tr uc k i t e xa ct ly i n t he l ef t e ye , wh ic h wa s a ha rd w oode n kn ot .

H alf of t he bul le t s tuc k i n the wood a nd ha lf s tuc k out , s o i t ha d

b ee n t he j ar a nd t he s ud de n n oi se t ha t ha d kn oc ke d t he c re at ur e do wn ,

m or e t ha n t he f ac t t ha t i t w as r ea ll y h ur t. B ef or e t hi s c ro wn ed

G ar go yl e h ad r ecov er ed h im self Z eb h ad w ou nd a s tr ap s everal t im es

a ro un d i ts bo dy , c onf ini ng i ts w in gs a nd a rm s s o t ha t i t c ou ld no t

m ov e. T hen, h av in g t ied t he w oo den creat ur e s ecur el y, t he b oy b uckl ed

t he s tr ap a nd t os se d h is p ri so ne r i nt o t he b ug gy . B y t ha t t im e t he

ot her s h ad al l r eti red.





1 2 . A W on de rf ul E sc ap e

Fo r a w hi le t he e ne my h es it at ed t o r ene w t he a tt ac k. Then a fe w of them

ad vanced u nt il ano th er s ho t f ro m t he W izar d' s r ev ol ver m ad e t hem r et reat .

" Th at 's f ine ," s ai d Z eb . " We 'v e g ot ' em o n t he r un n ow , s ur e e no ug h. "

" Bu t o nl y f or a t im e, " r ep li ed t he W izar d, s haki ng h is h ead g lo om il y.

" Th es e r ev ol ve rs a re g oo d f or s ix s ho ts e ac h, b ut w he n t ho se a re g on e

w e s hall b e h el pl es s. "

T he G ar go yl es s ee me d t o r ea li ze t hi s, f or t he y s en t a f ew o f t he ir

b an d t im e a ft er t im e t o a tt ac k t he s tr an ge rs a nd d ra w t he f ir e f ro m

t he l it tl e m an 's r evo lve rs . I n t hi s w ay n on e o f t he m w as s ho ck ed b y

t he d re ad fu l r ep or t m or e t ha n o nc e, f or t he m ai n b an d k ep t f ar a wa y

a nd e ac h t im e a n ew c om pa ny w as s ent i nt o t he b at tl e. W hen t he Wi zar d

ha d f ir ed a ll of hi s t we lve bul le ts he had c ause d no da ma ge t o t he

enemy exce pt to st un a f ew by the noi se , and s o he a s no nea re r to

v icto ry t han i n t he b eg in ni ng o f t he f ray.

" Wh at s hall w e d o n ow ?" ask ed D or ot hy , anx io us ly .

"Let's yell--all together," said Zeb.

" And f ig ht a t t he s am e t im e, " a dd ed t he W iz ar d. " We w il l g et n ea r





Ji m, s o t ha t he c an he lp us , a nd e ac h one mus t ta ke some we apon and do

t he b es t h e c an . I 'l l us e my s wor d, a lt houg h i t i sn' t m uc h a cc ou nt i n

t hi s a ff ai r. D or ot hy m us t t ak e h er p ar as ol a nd o pe n i t s ud de nl y w he n

t he w oo de n f ol ks a tt ac k h er . I h av en 't a nyt hi ng f or yo u, Z eb ."

" I' ll u se t he k in g, " s ai d t he b oy , a nd p ul le d h is p ri so ne r o ut o f t he

b ug gy . T he b ou nd G ar go yl e' s arm s ext end ed f ar o ut b ey on d i ts h ead,

s o b y g ra sp in g i ts w ri st s Z eb f ou nd t he k in g m ad e a v er y g oo d c lu b.

T he b oy w as s tr on g f or o ne o f h is y ea rs , h av in g a lw ay s w or ke d u po n a f ar m;

s o h e w as l ik el y t o p ro ve m or e d an ge ro us t o t he e ne my t ha n t he W iz ar d.

W hen t he n ex t com pany o f G ar go yl es adv an ced, o ur adv en tu rers b eg an

y el li ng as i f t hey h ad g on e m ad . E ven t he k it ten g av e a d read fu ll y

s hr il l s cr eam and at t he s am e t im e J im t he cab -h or se n ei gh ed l ou dl y.

T hi s da unt ed t he e ne my f or a t im e, but t he de fe nd er s w er e s oon out of

b re at h. P er ce iv in g t hi s, a s w el l a s t he f ac t t ha t t he re w er e n o m or e

o f t he awf ul " bang s" t o com e f ro m t he r ev ol vers , t he G ar go yl es adv an ced

i n a s wa rm a s t hi ck a s be es , s o t ha t th e a ir wa s f ill ed wi th t he m.

D or ot hy s qu at te d u po n t he g ro un d a nd p ut u p h er p ar as ol , w hi ch n ea rl y

c ov er ed h er a nd p ro ve d a g re at p ro te ct io n. T he W iz ar d' s s wo rd -b la de

s na pp ed i nt o a d oz en p ie ce s a t t he f ir st b lo w h e s tr uc k a ga in st t he

w oo de n p eo pl e. Z eb p ou nd ed a wa y w it h t he G ar go yl e h e w as u si ng a s a

c lub u nt il h e ha d k noc ke d do wn doz ens of f oe s; but a t t he l as t t he y

c lu st er ed s o t hi ck ly a bo ut h im t ha t h e n o l ong er h ad r oo m i n w hi ch t o





s wi ng h is arm s. T he h or se p er fo rm ed s om e w on derf ul k icki ng and even

E ur ek a as si st ed w hen s he l eaped b od il y u po n t he G ar go yl es and

s cr at ch ed a nd b it a t t he m l ik e a w il d- ca t.

B ut all t hi s b ravery amo un ted t o n ot hi ng at all . T he w oo den t hi ng s

w ou nd t he ir l on g a rm s a ro un d Z eb a nd t he W iz ar d a nd h el d t he m f as t.

D or ot hy w as c ap tu re d i n t he s am e w ay , a nd n um be rs o f t he G ar go yl es

c l ung t o J im 's l eg s, s o w ei gh ti ng h im d ow n t ha t t he p oo r be as t w as

h el pl es s. E ur ek a m ad e a d es pe ra te d as h t o e sc ap e a nd s ca mp er ed a lo ng

t he g ro un d l ik e a s tr ea k; b ut a g ri nn in g G ar go yl e f le w a ft er h er a nd

g ra bb ed h er b ef or e s he h ad g on e v er y f ar .

A ll o f t hem exp ected n ot hi ng l es s t han i ns tant d eath ; b ut t o t heir

s ur pr is e t he w oo de n c re at ur es f le w i nt o t he a ir w it h t he m a nd b or e

t hem f ar away, o ver m il es and m il es o f w oo den cou nt ry , u nt il t hey cam e

t o a w oo de n c it y. T he h ou se s o f t hi s c it y h ad m an y c or ne rs , b ei ng

s qu ar e and s i x- s id ed and ei gh t- si ded. T hey w er e t ow er -l ik e i n s hape

a nd t he b es t o f t he m s ee me d o ld a nd w ea th er -w or n; y et a ll w er e s tr on g

and substantial.

T o o ne o f t he se h ou se s w hi ch h ad n ei th er d oo rs n or w in do ws , b ut o nl y

o ne b ro ad o pe ni ng f ar u p u nd er ne at h t he r oo f, t he p ri so ne rs w er e

b ro ug ht b y t hei r capt or s. T he G ar go yl es r ou gh ly p us hed t hem i nt o t he

o pe ni ng , w he re t he re w as a p la tf or m, a nd t he n f le w a wa y a nd l ef t t he m.

A s t he y h ad n o w in gs t he s tr an ge rs c ou ld n ot f ly a wa y, a nd i f t he y

j um ped d ow n f ro m s uch a h ei gh t t hey w ou ld s ur el y b e k il led. T he





c re at ur es h ad s en se e no ug h t o r ea so n t ha t w ay , a nd t he o nl y m is ta ke

t he y m ad e w as i n s up po si ng t he e ar th p eo pl e w er e u na bl e t o o ve rc om e

such ordinary difficulties.

J im w as b ro ugh t w it h t he o th er s, a lt ho ug h i t t oo k a g oo d m an y

G ar go yl es t o c ar ry t he b ig b ea st t hr ou gh t he a ir a nd l an d h im o n t he

h ig h p latf or m, and t he b ug gy w as t hr us t i n aft er h im b ecau se i t

be lon ge d t o t he p ar ty a nd t he w oo de n f ol ks ha d no i de a wh at i t wa s

us ed f or or whe the r i t w as a li ve o r n ot . W he n E ur ek a' s c ap to r h ad

t hr ow n t he k it ten aft er t he o th er s t he l as t G ar go yl e s il en tl y

d i sapp eared, l eavi ng o ur f r iend s t o b reat he f reel y o nce m or e.

" Wh at an awf ul f ig ht !" s ai d D or ot hy , cat ch in g h er b reat h i n l it tl e g as ps .

" Oh , I d on 't k no w, " p ur red E ur ek a, s mo ot hi ng h er r uf fl ed f ur w it h h er

p aw ; " we d id n' t m an ag e t o h ur t a ny bo dy , a nd n ob od y m an ag ed t o h ur t u s. "

" Th an k g oo dn es s w e a re t og et he r a ga in , e ve n i f w e a re p ri so ne rs ,"

sighed the little girl.

" I w on de r w hy t he y d id n' t k il l u s o n t he s po t, " r em ar ke d Z eb , w ho h ad

l o st h is k in g i n t he s tr ug gl e.

" Th ey are p ro babl y k eepi ng u s f or s om e cer em on y, " t he W izar d ans wered,

r ef le ct iv el y; " bu t t he re i s n o d ou bt t he y i nt en d t o k il l u s a s d ea d a s





po ss ib le i n a s ho rt t im e. "

" As d ea d a s p os s' bl e w ou ld b e p re tt y d ea d, w ou ld n' t i t? " a sk ed D or ot hy .

" Ye s, m y d ea r. B ut w e h av e no n ee d t o wo rr y a bou t t ha t j us t n ow . Le t

u s e xa mi ne o ur pr is on a nd s ee w ha t i t i s l ik e. "

T he s pa ce u nd er ne at h t he r oo f, w he re t he y s to od , p er mi tt ed t he m t o s ee

on all s id es o f t he t al l b ui ld in g, and t hey l oo ked w it h m uch cur io si ty

at t he ci ty s pr ead o ut b en eath t hem. E very th in g v is ib le w as m ad e o f

w o od , and t he s cene s eemed s ti ff and ext remely u nn at ur al .

F ro m t he ir p la tf or m a s ta ir d es ce nd ed i nt o t he h ou se , a nd t he c hi ld re n

a nd t he W iz ar d e xp lo re d i t a ft er l ig ht in g a l ant er n t o s how t he m t he

w ay . S ev er al s to ri es o f e mp ty r oo ms r ew ar de d t he ir s ea rc h, b ut

not hi ng m or e; s o a ft er a t im e t he y c am e b ac k t o t he p la tf or m a ga in .

H ad t he re be en a ny d oor s o r w in do ws i n t he l ow er r oom s, o r h ad no t t he

b oa rd s o f t he h ous e b ee n s o t hi ck a nd s to ut , e sc ap e c ou ld h ave b ee n

e as y; b ut t o r ema in down be low wa s l ike be ing i n a c ell ar o r t he hol d

of a s hi p, a nd t he y d id not l ike t he da rk ne ss or t he da mp s me ll .

I n t hi s cou nt ry , as i n all o th er s t hey h ad v is it ed u nd er neat h t he

e ar th 's s ur fa ce , t he re w as n o n ig ht , a c on st an t a nd s tr on g l ig ht

com in g f ro m s om e u nk no wn s ou rce. L oo ki ng o ut , t hey cou ld s ee i nt o

s om e o f t he h ou se s n ea r t he m, w he re t he re w er e o pe n w in do ws i n

a bu nd an ce , a nd w er e a bl e t o m ar k t he f or ms o f t he w oo de n G ar go yl es





moving about in their dwellings.

" Th is s ee ms t o b e t he ir t im e o f r es t, " o bs er ve d t he W iz ar d.

" Al l pe opl e n ee d r es t, e ve n i f t he y a re m ad e of w oo d, a nd a s

t he re is no ni ght he re the y s el ec t a c er ta in ti me of t he da y

i n w hi ch t o s le ep o r d oz e. "

"I feel sleepy myself," remarked Zeb, yawning.

"Why, where's Eureka?" cried Dorothy, suddenly.

Th ey a ll l oo ke d a ro un d, bu t t he k it te n w as no pl ac e t o b e s ee n.

" Sh e' s g on e o ut f or a w al k, " s ai d J im , g ru ff ly .

" Wh er e? O n t he r oo f? " a sk ed t he g ir l.

"N o; s he j us t d ug he r c la ws i nt o t he wo od a nd c li mbe d d own t he s ide s

o f t hi s h ou se t o t he g rou nd ."

" Sh e cou ld n' t cli mb D OW N, J im ," s ai d D or ot hy . " To cli mb m eans t o g o u p. "

" Wh o s ai d s o? " d em an de d t he h or se .

" My s ch oo l- te ac he r s ai d s o; a nd s he k no ws a l ot , J im ."





" To ' cl im b d ow n' i s s om et im es u se d a s a f ig ur e o f s pe ec h, " r em ar ke d

the Wizard.

" We ll , t hi s wa s a f igur e of a c at ," s aid J im , " and s he WENT dow n,

an y ho w, w heth er s he cli mb ed o r crept ."

" Dear m e! h ow car el es s E ur ek a i s, " exclaim ed t he g ir l, m uch

distressed. "The Gurgles will get her, sure!"

" Ha, h a! " chu ck led t he o ld cab -h or se; " th ey 'r e n ot ' Gu rg les, ' l it tl e

maid; they're Gargoyles."

"Never mind; they'll get Eureka, whatever they're called."

" No t he y w on 't ," s ai d t he v oi ce o f t he k it te n, a nd E ur ek a h er se lf c ra wl ed

o ve r t he e dg e o f t he p la tf or m a nd s at d ow n q ui et ly u po n t he f lo or .

" Wh er ev er h av e y ou b een, E ur ek a?" as ked D or ot hy , s ter nl y.

"Watching the wooden folks. They're too funny for anything, Dorothy.

J us t n ow t he y a re a ll g oi ng t o b ed , a nd -- wh at d o y ou t hi nk ?- -t he y

un ho ok t he hi nge s of t he ir w in gs a nd pu t t he m i n a c or ne r u nt il t he y

w ake u p again ."

"What, the hinges?"





"No; the wings."

" Th at ," s ai d Z eb , " exp la in s w hy t hi s h ou se i s u se d b y t he m f or a

pr is on. I f a ny of t he G ar goy le s a ct ba dl y, a nd ha ve t o b e pu t i n

j ai l, t he y a re b ro ug ht h er e a nd t he ir w in gs u nh oo ke d a nd t ak en a wa y

f ro m t hem u nt il t hey p ro mi se t o b e g oo d. "

T he W izar d h ad l is tened i nt en tl y t o w hat E ur ek a h ad s ai d.

" I wi sh we ha d s ome of t hos e l oos e wi ngs ," h e s ai d.

" Co ul d w e f ly w it h t hem?" ask ed D or ot hy .

" I t hi nk s o. I f t he G ar go yl es c an u nh oo k t he w in gs t he n t he p ow er t o

f ly l ie s i n t he w in gs t he ms el ve s, a nd no t i n t he w oo de n bo di es of t he

pe opl e w ho w ea r t he m. So, i f we had the wi ngs , we c oul d pr oba bl y f ly

a s w el l a s t he y do- -a s l ea st w hi le we a re i n t he ir c ount ry a nd u nde r

t he s pell o f i ts m ag ic."

" Bu t ho w w ou ld i t h el p u s t o be a bl e t o f ly ?" q ue st io ne d t he g ir l.

"C om e he re ," s ai d t he l it tl e m an, a nd t ook h er t o o ne of t he c or ne rs

o f t he b ui ld in g. " Do y ou s ee t hat b ig r ock s tand in g o n t he h il ls id e

yonder?" he continued, pointing with his finger.





" Ye s; i t' s a go od w ay of f, bu t I c an s ee i t," s he r epl ie d.

" We ll , i ns id e t ha t r oc k, w hi ch r ea ch es u p i nt o t he c lo ud s, i s a n

a rc hw ay v er y m uc h l ik e t he o ne w e e nt er ed w he n w e c li mb ed t he s pi ra l

s ta ir wa y f ro m t he V al le y o f V oe . I 'l l g et m y s py -g la ss , a nd t he n y ou

can s ee i t m or e p lain ly ."

H e f et ch ed a s ma ll bu t p ow er fu l t el es co pe , w hi ch h ad b ee n i n h is

s at ch el , a nd b y i ts a id t he l it tl e g ir l c le ar ly s aw t he o pe ni ng .

" Whe re d oe s i t l ea d t o? " s he a sk ed .

" Th at I c an no t t el l, " s ai d t he W iz ar d; " bu t w e c an no t n ow b e f ar b el ow

t he e ar th 's s ur fa ce , a nd t ha t e nt ra nc e m ay l ea d t o a no th er s ta ir wa y

t ha t wil l br ing us on t op of our wor ld a ga in, whe re we bel ong. So, if

w e h ad t he w in gs , a nd c ou ld e sc ap e t he G ar go yl es , w e m ig ht f ly t o t ha t

r oc k a nd b e s av ed ."

" I' ll g et y ou t he w in gs ," s ai d Z eb , w ho h ad t ho ug ht fu ll y l is tened t o

a ll t hi s. " Th at i s, i f t he ki tt en wi ll s how m e w he re t he y a re ."

" Bu t h ow can y ou g et d ow n?" enq ui red t he g ir l, w on deri ng ly .

F or a ns we r Z eb be ga n t o u nf as te n J im 's h ar ne ss , s tr ap b y s tr ap , a nd t o

b uc kl e o ne p ie ce t o a no th er u nt il h e h ad m ad e a l on g l ea th er s tr ip





t ha t w ou ld r ea ch t o t he g ro un d.

" I c an c li mb do wn t ha t, a ll r ig ht ," he s ai d.

" No y ou c an 't ," r em ar ke d J im , w it h a t wi nk le i n h is r ou nd e ye s. "You

m ay GO dow n, but y ou c an on ly C LI MB u p."

" We ll , I' ll cl imb up whe n I ge t ba ck, t he n," s ai d t he boy, w it h a

l augh. " No w, E ur ek a, y ou 'l l h av e t o s ho w m e t he w ay t o t ho se w in gs ."

" Yo u m us t be v er y q ui et ," w ar ne d t he k it te n; " fo r i f y ou m ak e t he

l ea st n oi se t he G ar go yl es w il l w ake u p. T he y c an h ea r a p in d ro p. "

" I' m no t goi ng t o dr op a pi n," s ai d Ze b.

He had fas tened one end of t he s tra p to a wheel of the buggy, and now

he l et t he l ine da ngl e ove r the s ide of the hous e.

"Be careful," cautioned Dorothy, earnestly.

" I wi ll ," s ai d t he b oy , a nd l et h im se lf s li de o ve r t he e dg e.

T he gi rl a nd t he Wi za rd l ea ne d ove r a nd w at che d Ze b w or k hi s wa y

carefu ll y d ow nw ar d, h an d o ver h an d, u nt il h e s to od u po n t he g ro un d

b el ow . E ur ek a c lu ng w it h h er c la ws t o t he w oo de n s id e o f t he h ou se





a nd l et h er se lf d ow n e as il y. T he n t og et he r t he y c re pt a wa y t o e nt er

the low doorway of a neighboring dwelling.

T he w at ch er s w ai ted i n b reat hl es s s us pens e u nt il t he b oy again

a pp ea re d, h is a rm s n ow f ul l o f t he w oo de n w in gs .

Whe n he c ame t o wher e t he s tr ap wa s hangi ng he t ie d t he wi ngs a ll in a

bunc h t o t he e nd of t he l in e, a nd t he W iz ar d dr ew t he m up. Then the

l in e w as l et d ow n a ga in f or Z eb t o c li mb u p b y. Eu re ka q ui ckl y

fo ll ow ed h im , and s oo n t hey w er e all s tand in g t og et her u po n t he

p latf or m, w it h eig ht o f t he m uch p ri zed w oo den w in gs b es id e t hem.

T he bo y w as n o l on ge r s le ep y, bu t f ul l o f e ne rg y a nd e xc it em ent . H e

p ut t he h ar ness t og et her again and h it ch ed J im t o t he b ug gy . T hen,

w it h t he W iz ar d' s he lp, he t rie d t o f as te n s om e of t he wi ngs t o t he

o l d cab- h or s e.

T hi s wa s no e as y t as k, b ec aus e ha lf of e ac h one of t he h inge s of t he

w in gs w as m is si ng , i t b ei ng s ti ll f as tened t o t he b od y o f t he G ar go yl e

wh o h ad u se d i t. H ow eve r, t he W iz ar d w en t on ce m or e t o hi s s at ch el --

w hi ch s eem ed t o con tain a s ur pr is in g v ar iety o f o dd s and end s- -and

b ro ug ht o ut a s po ol o f s tr on g w ir e, b y m ea ns o f w hi ch t he y m an ag ed t o

f as te n f our of t he wi ng s t o J im' s ha rne ss , t wo ne ar hi s he ad a nd t wo

ne ar hi s t ai l. T he y w er e a b it w igg le y, bu t s ec ur e e nou gh i f o nl y t he

harness held together.





T he o th er f ou r w in gs w er e t he n f as te ne d t o t he b ug gy , t wo o n e ac h

si de , f or t he b ug gy m us t be ar t he w ei gh t o f t he c hi ld re n a nd t he

W iz ar d a s i t f le w t hr ou gh t he a ir .

T he se p re pa ra ti on s h ad n ot c on su me d a g re at d ea l o f t im e, b ut t he

s leep in g G ar go yl es w er e b eg in ni ng t o w ak e u p and m ov e aro un d, and s oo n

s om e o f t hem w ou ld b e h un ti ng f or t heir m is si ng w in gs . S o t h e

p ri so ne rs r es ol ve d t o l ea ve t he ir p ri so n a t o nc e.

T hey m ou nt ed i nt o t he b ug gy , D or ot hy h ol di ng E ur ek a s af e i n h er l ap .

The gi rl s at i n t he mi ddl e of t he s ea t, wi th Ze b a nd the W iz ar d on e ach

si de o f he r. W he n a ll wa s r ea dy t he boy s hoo k t he r ei ns a nd s ai d:

"Fly away, Jim!"

" Wh ich w in gs m us t I f lo p f ir st ?" ask ed t he cab -h or se, u nd ecid ed ly .

"Flop them all together," suggested the Wizard.

" So me o f t he m a re c ro ok ed ," o bj ec te d t he h or se .

" Ne ve r m in d; w e w il l s te er w it h t he w in gs o n t he bu gg y, " s ai d Ze b.

" Jus t you l ight out a nd ma ke f or t ha t r oc k, J im; a nd don' t wa st e a ny

time about it, either."





S o t he h or se g av e a g ro an , f lo pp ed i ts f ou r w in gs a ll t og et he r, a nd

f lew away f ro m t he p latf or m. D or ot hy w as a l it tl e anx io us abo ut t he

s uc ce ss o f t he ir t ri p, f or t he wa y J im a rc he d hi s l on g n ec k a nd s pr ea d

o ut h is b on y l eg s a s h e f lu tt er ed a nd f lo un de re d t hr ou gh t he a ir w as

eno ug h t o m ak e any bo dy n er vo us . H e g ro an ed , t oo , as i f f ri gh tened,

and t he w in gs creak ed d read fu ll y b ecau se t he W izard h ad f or go tt en t o

oi l t he m; b ut t he y ke pt f ai rl y go od t ime wi th t he w ing s of t he b ug gy,

s o t hat t hey m ad e excel l en t p ro gr es s f ro m t he s tar t. Th e onl y t hi ng

t ha t a nyo ne c ou ld c om pl ai n o f w it h j us ti ce w as t he f ac t t ha t t he y

w obb le d f ir st up a nd t he n do wn , a s i f t he r oa d w er e r oc ky i ns te ad of

b e ing a s s moot h a s t he a ir c oul d ma ke i t.

T he m ai n po in t, ho we ve r, w as t ha t t he y f le w, a nd f le w s wi ft ly, i f a

b it u ne ve nl y, t ow ar d t he r oc k f or w hi ch t he y h ad h ea de d.

S om e o f t he G ar go yl es s aw t he m, p re se nt ly , a nd l os t n o t im e i n

c ol le ct in g a b an d t o p ur su e t he e sc ap in g p ri so ne rs ; s o t ha t w he n

D or ot hy h ap pe ne d t o l oo k b ac k s he s aw t he m c om in g i n a g re at c lo ud

t ha t a lm os t d ar ke ne d t he s ky .

1 3 . T he D en o f t he D ra go ne tt es

O ur f ri ends h ad a good s ta rt a nd we re a bl e t o m ai nt ai n i t, f or wi th





t he ir e igh t w in gs t he y c ou ld go j us t a s f as t a s c ou ld t he G ar go yl es .

A ll t he w ay t o t he g re at r oc k t he w oo de n p eo pl e f ol lo we d t he m, a nd

w hen J im f in al ly ali gh ted at t he m ou th o f t he cav er n t he p ur su er s w er e

still some distance away.

" Bu t, I 'm afr ai d t hey' ll cat ch u s y et ," s ai d D or ot hy , g reat ly excit ed .

" No ; w e m us t s to p t he m, " d ec la re d t he W iz ar d. " Qu ic k Z eb, h el p m e

pull off these wooden wings!"

T he y t or e o ff t he w ing s, f or w hi ch t he y ha d n o f ur th er us e, a nd t he

W iz ar d p il ed t he m i n a h ea p j us t o ut si de t he e nt ra nc e t o t he c av er n.

T he n h e p our ed o ve r t he m a ll t he k er os en e o il t ha t w as l ef t i n h is

o il -c an , a nd l igh ti ng a m at ch s et f ir e t o t he pi le .

Th e f la me s l ea pe d u p a t on ce a nd t he b on fi re be ga n t o s mo ke a nd r oa r

an d c ra ck le j us t a s t he g re at a rm y o f w oo de n G ar go yl es a rr iv ed . The

c re at ur es d re w b ac k a t o nc e, b ei ng f il le d w it h f ea r a nd h or ro r; f or

s uc h a s d re ad fu l t hi ng a s a f ir e t he y h ad n ev er b ef or e k no wn i n a ll

th e h is to ry o f t heir w oo den l an d.

I ns id e t he archw ay w er e s ev er al d oo rs , l eadi ng t o d if ferent r oo ms b ui lt

i nt o t he m ou nt ai n, a nd Z eb a nd t he W iz ar d l if te d t he se w oo de n d oo rs

f ro m t heir h in ges and t os sed t hem all o n t he f lames.





" Th at w il l p ro ve a b ar ri er f or s om e t im e t o c om e, " s ai d t he l it tl e

man, s mi li ng p leas an tl y all o ver h is w ri nk led f ace at t he s uccess o f

t heir s tr at ag em . " Perh ap s t he f lames w il l s et f ir e t o all t hat

m is er abl e w ood en c ou nt ry , a nd i f i t d oe s t he l os s w il l be v er y s ma ll

and t he G ar go yl es n ev er w il l b e m is sed. B ut com e, m y chi ld ren;

l et u s e xp lor e t he m ou nt ai n a nd d is co ve r w hi ch w ay w e m us t go

i n o rd er t o e sc ap e f ro m t hi s c av er n, w hi ch i s g et ti ng t o b e a lm os t

a s ho t a s a ba ke -ove n."

To their disappointment there was within this mountain no regular

f li ght o f s te ps b y m ea ns o f w hi ch t he y c ou ld m ou nt t o t he e ar th 's

s ur fa ce . A s or t o f i nc li ne d t un ne l l ed u pw ar d f or a w ay , a nd t he y

f ound t he f loor of i t bot h r ough a nd s te ep . Then a sudde n t urn

b ro ug ht t he m t o a n ar ro w g al le ry w he re t he b ug gy c ou ld n ot p as s. This

d el ay ed a nd b ot he re d t he m f or a w hi le , b ec au se t he y d id n ot w is h t o

l eave t he b ug gy b eh in d t hem. I t car ri ed t heir b ag gage and w as u sefu l

t o r id e i n w he re ve r t he re w er e g ood r oa ds , a nd s in ce i t h ad

a cc om pa ni ed t he m s o f ar i n t he ir t ra ve ls t he y f el t i t t he ir d ut y t o

p re se rve it . So Ze b a nd t he Wi za rd se t t o wor k a nd took off t he

w he el s a nd t he t op , a nd t he n t he y p ut t he b ug gy e dg ew is e, s o i t w ou ld

t ak e u p t he s ma ll es t s pa ce . I n t hi s po si ti on t he y m ana ge d, wi th t he

a id o f t he p at ie nt c ab -h or se , t o d ra g t he v eh ic le t hr ou gh t he n ar ro w

p ar t o f t he p as sa ge . I t w as n ot a g re at d is ta nc e, f or tu na te ly , a nd

w h en t he p at h g re w b ro ad er t he y p ut t he b ug gy t og et he r a ga in a nd

p ro ce ed ed m or e c om fo rt ab ly . B ut t he r oa d w as n ot hi ng m or e t ha n a

s er ie s of r if ts o r c ra cks i n t he m ou nt ai n, a nd i t w en t z ig -z ag i n





every d ir ecti on , s lant in g f ir st u p and t hen d ow n u nt il t hey w er e

pu zz le d a s t o wh et he r t he y w er e a ny n ea re r t o t he t op of t he e ar th

t ha n w he n t he y h ad s ta rt ed , h ou rs b ef or e.

" An yh ow ," s ai d D or ot hy , " we'v e ' scap ed t ho se awf ul G ur gl es , and t hat' s

ONE comfort!"

" Pr ob ab ly t he G ar go yl es are s ti ll b us y t ry in g t o p ut o ut t he f ir e, "

r et ur ne d t he W iz ar d. " Bu t e ve n i f t he y s uc ce ede d i n do in g t ha t i t

w ou ld b e v er y d if fi cu lt f or t he m t o f ly a mo ng st t he se r oc ks ; s o I a m

su re w e n ee d f ea r t he m n o l on ge r. "

O nc e in a whi le t he y w oul d c ome t o a de ep c ra ck i n t he f loor , wh ic h

m ad e t he w ay qu it e d ang er ou s; b ut t he re w as s ti ll e no ug h o il i n t he

l an te rn s t o g iv e t he m l ig ht , a nd t he c ra ck s w er e n ot s o w id e b ut t ha t

t he y w er e a bl e t o j um p o ve r t he m. So me ti me s t he y h ad t o c li mb o ve r

h ea ps o f l oo se r oc k, w he re J im c ou ld s ca rc el y d ra g t he b ug gy . A t s uc h

t im es D or ot hy , Z eb and t he W izar d all p us hed b eh in d, and l if ted t he

w he el s o ve r t he r ou gh es t p la ce s; s o t he y m an ag ed , b y d in t o f h ar d

w or k, t o k ee p g oi ng . But t he l it tl e p art y wa s bo th we ar y a nd

d is co ur ag ed w he n a t l as t, o n t ur ni ng a s ha rp c or ne r, t he w an de re rs

f ou nd t hems el ves i n a v as t cav e archi ng h ig h o ver t heir h eads and

having a smooth, level floor.

The c ave wa s c ir cul ar i n s ha pe , a nd a ll a roun d i ts e dg e, ne ar t o t he





g ro un d, app eared g ro up s o f d ul l y el lo w l ig ht s, t wo o f t hem b ei ng

a lw ay s s id e b y s id e. T he se w er e m ot io nl es s a t f ir st , b ut s oo n b eg an

to f li cke r m or e b ri gh tl y a nd t o s wa y s lo wl y f ro m s id e t o s id e a nd t he n

u p a nd d ow n.

"W ha t s or t o f p la ce i s t hi s? " a sk ed t he boy , t ryi ng t o s ee mor e

clearly through the gloom.

" I can no t i magi ne, I 'm s ur e, " ans wered t he W izar d, als o p eeri ng abo ut .

" Wo og h! " s narl ed E ur ek a, archi ng h er b ack u nt il h er h ai r s to od

s tr ai gh t o n e nd ; " it 's d en o f a ll ig at or s, o r c ro co di le s, o r s om e o th er

d r ead fu l creatu res ! D on 't y ou s ee t heir t er ri bl e eyes?"

" Eu re ka s ee s b et te r i n t he d ar k t ha n w e c an ," w hi sp er ed D or ot hy .

" Te ll u s, d ea r, w ha t d o t he c re at ur es l oo k l ik e? " s he a sk ed ,

ad dr ess i ng h er p et .

" I s im pl y can 't d es cr ib e ' em ," ans wered t he k it ten, s hu dd er in g.

" Th ei r eyes are l ik e p ie-p lates and t heir m ou th s l ik e coal- scut tl es .

B ut t heir b od ies d on 't s eem v er y b ig ."

" Wh er e are t hey?" enq ui red t he g ir l.

" Th ey a re i n l it tl e p oc ke ts a ll a rou nd t he e dg e o f t hi s c av er n. O h,

Dorothy--you can't imagine what horrid things they are! They're





uglier than the Gargoyles."

" Tu t- tu t! b e car ef ul h ow y ou cri ti ci se y ou r n ei gh bo rs ," s po ke a

r as pi ng voi ce n ea r by . " As a ma tt er of f ac t you a re r at he r

u gl y- lo ok in g creat ur es y ou rs el ves, and I 'm s ur e m ot her h as o ft en t ol d

u s w e w er e t he l ov el ie st a nd p re tt ie st t hi ng s i n a ll t he w or ld ."

H eari ng t hese w or ds o ur f ri en ds t ur ned i n t he d ir ecti on o f t he s ou nd ,

a nd t he W iz ar d h el d hi s l ant er ns s o t ha t t he ir l ig ht w oul d f loo d o ne

o f t he l it tl e p oc ke ts i n t he r oc k.

" Wh y, i t' s a d rago n! " h e exclaim ed .

" No, " a ns we re d t he o wn er o f t he b ig y el lo w e ye s w hi ch w er e b li nk in g a t

t he m s o s te adi ly; "you a re wr ong a bout t ha t. W e h op e t o g ro w t o b e

d rago ns s om e d ay , b ut j us t n ow w e' r e o nl y d rago net tes ."

" Wh at 's t hat?" ask ed D or ot hy , g azin g f earf ul ly at t he g reat s caley

h ea d, t he y aw ni ng m ou th a nd t he b ig e ye s.

" Yo un g d ra go ns , o f c ou rs e; b ut w e a re n ot a ll ow ed t o c al l o ur se lv es

r eal d rago ns u nt il w e g et o ur f ul l g ro wt h, " w as t he r ep ly . " The bi g

d ra go ns a re v er y p ro ud , a nd d on 't t hi nk c hi ld re n a mo un t t o m uc h; b ut

m ot he r s ay s t ha t s om e d ay w e w il l a ll be v er y p ow er ful a nd i mp or ta nt ."





"Where is your mother?" asked the Wizard, anxiously looking around.

"She has gone up to the top of the ear th to hunt for our di nner. If

s he h as g ood l uc k s he wi ll br ing us a n e le pha nt , o r a br ac e of

r h in oc er i, o r p er ha ps a f ew d oz en p eo pl e t o s ta y o ur h un ge r. "

"Oh; are you hungry?" enquired Dorothy, drawing back.

" Very ," s ai d t he d rago nett e, s napp in g i ts j aw s.

" A nd - -an d- - do y ou eat p eop l e?"

" To be s ur e, w he n w e c an g et t he m. B ut t he y' ve b ee n v er y s ca rc e f or a

f ew y ea rs a nd w e u su al ly h av e t o b e c on te nt w it h e le ph an ts o r

b uf falo es ," ans wered t he creat ur e, i n a r eg retf ul t on e.

" Ho w o ld a re y ou ?" e nq ui re d Z eb , w ho s ta re d a t t he y el lo w e ye s

as i f f as ci nated.

" Qu it e y ou ng , I g ri ev e t o s ay ; a nd a ll o f m y b ro th er s a nd s is te rs t ha t

y ou s ee h er e a re p ra ct ic al ly m y o wn a ge . I f I r em em be r r igh tl y, w e

w er e s i xt y- s ix y ear s o ld t he d ay b ef or e y es terd ay ."

"But that isn't young!" cried Dorothy, in amazement.

" No ?" d rawl ed t he d rago nett e; " it s eems t o m e v er y b ab yi sh ."





" Oh , s he i s s om et im es g on e f or s ev er al w ee ks o n h er h un ti ng t ri ps , a nd

i f w e w er e no t t ie d w e w oul d c ra wl a ll o ve r t he m ou nt ai n a nd f ig ht

w it h e ac h o th er a nd g et i nt o a l ot o f m is ch ie f. M ot he r u sua ll y k no ws

wha t s he i s a bout , but s he ma de a mi st ake t hi s t im e; f or yo u a re s ur e

t o e sc ap e u s u nl es s y ou c om e t oo n ea r, a nd y ou pr ob abl y w on' t d o t ha t. "

" No, i nde ed !" s ai d t he l it tl e g ir l. " We d on 't w is h t o b e e at en b y

such awful beasts."

" Pe rm it m e t o s ay ," r et ur ne d t he d ra go ne tt e, " th at y ou a re r at he r

i mp ol it e t o cal l u s n am es , k no wi ng t hat w e can no t r es en t y ou r i ns ul ts .

W e con si der o ur selv es v er y b eaut if ul i n app earance, f or m ot her h as

t o ld u s s o, a nd s he kn ow s. And we a re of an exce ll ent f ami ly and ha ve

a p ed ig re e t ha t I c ha ll en ge a ny h um an s t o e qu al , a s i t e xt en ds b ac k

a bo ut t we nt y t ho us an d y ea rs , t o t he t im e o f t he f am ou s G re en D ra go n o f

A tl an ti s, w ho l iv ed i n a t im e w he n h um an s h ad n ot y et b ee n c re at ed .

Can you match that pedigree, little girl?"

" We ll ," s ai d D or ot hy, " I w as bor n on a f ar m i n Ka ns as , a nd I gue ss

t ha t' s b ei ng j us t a s ' sp ec ta bl e a nd h au gh ty a s l iv in g i n a c av e w it h

your tai l ti ed to a rock. If it isn't I'll have to stand it,

that's all."

"Tastes differ," murmured the dragonette, slowly drooping its scaley

eyelids over its yellow eyes, until they looked like half-moons.





B ei ng r ea ss ur ed b y t he f ac t t ha t t he c re at ur es c ou ld n ot c ra wl o ut o f

t h ei r r oc k- po ck et s, t he c hi ld re n a nd t he W iz ar d n ow t oo k t im e t o

e xa mi ne t he m mo re c los el y. T he h ea ds o f t he d ra go ne tt es w er e a s b ig

as b ar rels and cov er ed w it h h ar d, g reen is h s cal es t hat g li tt ered

brightly under the light of the lanterns. Their front legs, which

gr ew j us t ba ck of t he ir he ads , w er e a ls o s tr ong a nd bi g; b ut t he ir

b od ie s w er e s ma ll er a ro un d t ha n t he ir h ea ds , a nd d wi nd le d a wa y i n a

l on g l in e u nt il t heir t ai ls w er e s li m as a s ho e- st ri ng . D or ot hy

t ho ug ht , i f i t h ad t ak en t he m s ix ty -s ix y ea rs t o g ro w t o t hi s s iz e,

t ha t i t w ou ld b e f ul ly a h un dr ed y ea rs m or e b ef or e t he y c ou ld h op e t o

ca ll t he ms el ve s d ra go ns , a nd t ha t s ee me d l ik e a g oo d w hi le t o w ai t t o

g ro w u p.

" It oc cur s t o me ," s ai d t he W iz ar d, " tha t we o ught t o ge t out of t hi s

p la ce b ef or e t he m ot he r d ra go n c om es b ac k. "

" Do n' t h ur ry ," cal led o ne o f t he d rago nett es ; " mo th er w il l b e g lad t o

m eet y ou , I 'm s ur e. "

" Yo u m ay b e r ig ht ," r ep li ed t he W izar d, " bu t w e' re a l it tl e p ar ti cu lar

about associating with strangers. Will you kindly tell us which way

your m ot he r w en t t o g et o n t op t he e ar th? "

" Th at i s n ot a f ai r q ue st io n t o a sk u s, " d ec la re d a no th er d ra go ne tt e.

"Fo r, i f w e t ol d yo u t ru ly , y ou m ig ht e sc ap e us a lt og et he r; a nd i f w e





t ol d y ou a n u nt ru th w e w ou ld b e n au gh ty a nd d es er ve t o b e p un is he d. "

" Th en ," d ec id ed D or ot hy , " we m us t f in d o ur w ay o ut t he b es t w e c an ."

T he y c ir cl ed a ll a ro un d t he c av er n, k ee pi ng a g oo d d is ta nc e a wa y f ro m

t he b li nk in g y el lo w eyes o f t he d rago nett es , and p resent ly d is co vered

t ha t t he re w er e t wo p at hs l ea di ng f ro m t he w al l o pp os it e t o t he p la ce

w he re t he y ha d e nt er ed. Th ey s el ec te d on e of t he se a t a ve nt ur e

a nd hu rr ie d a lon g i t a s f as t a s t he y c oul d go, f or t he y ha d n o i de a

wh en t he m ot he r dr ago n wo ul d b e ba ck a nd w er e ve ry a nxi ous no t t o ma ke

her acquaintance.

1 4. Oz ma Us es t he Ma gi c B elt

F or a c on si de ra bl e d is ta nc e t he w ay l ed s tr ai gh t u pw ar d i n a g en tl e

i nc li ne , a nd t he w an de re rs m ad e s uc h g oo d p ro gr es s t ha t t he y g re w

hopeful and eager, thinking they might see sunshine at any minute.

B ut a t l en gt h t he y c am e u ne xpe ct ed ly u po n a h ug e r oc k t ha t s hu t o ff

t he p as sa ge a nd b lo ck ed t he m f ro m p ro ce ed in g a s in gl e s te p f ar th er .

T hi s r oc k w as s epa ra te f rom t he r es t of t he mou nt ai n a nd w as i n

m ot io n, t ur ni ng s lo wl y aro un d and aro un d as i f u po n a p iv ot . W hen

f ir st t he y c ame t o i t t he re wa s a s ol id wa ll be fore the m; but





p res en tl y i t r ev ol ved u nt il t here w as exp os ed a w id e, s mo ot h p at h

a cr os s i t t o t he o th er s id e. T hi s a pp ea re d s o u ne xp ec te dl y t ha t t he y

w er e u np re pa re d t o t ak e a dv an ta ge o f i t a t f ir st , a nd a ll ow ed t he

r oc ky w al l t o s wi ng a ro un d a ga in b ef or e t he y h ad d ec id ed t o p as s o ve r.

But t he y knew now t ha t t he re wa s a me ans of es ca pe and s o wa ite d

p at ient ly u nt il t he p at h app eared f or t he s econ d t im e.

T he c hi ld re n a nd t he W iz ar d r us he d a cr os s t he m ov in g r oc k a nd s pr an g

i nt o t he p as sage b ey on d, l an di ng s af el y t ho ug h a l it tl e o ut o f b reat h.

J im t he c ab -h or se c am e l as t, a nd t he r oc ky w al l a lm os t c au gh t h im ; f or

j us t a s he l ea pe d to t he fl oor of t he f ur the r p as sa ge t he wa ll s wung

a cr os s i t a nd a l oo se s to ne t ha t t he b ug gy w he el s k no ck ed a ga in st f el l

i nt o t he n ar ro w c ra ck w he re t he r oc k t ur ne d, a nd b ec am e w ed ge d t he re .

T hey h eard a cru nchi ng , g ri nd in g s ou nd , a l ou d s nap, and t he

t ur n- ta bl e c am e t o a s to p w it h i ts b ro ad es t s ur fa ce s hu tt in g o ff t he

p at h f ro m w hi ch t he y h ad c om e.

" Ne ve r m in d, " s ai d Z eb , " we d on 't w an t t o g et b ac k, a ny ho w. "

" I' m n ot s o s ur e o f t ha t, " r et ur ne d D or ot hy . " Th e mo th er dr ago n m ay

c om e d ow n a nd c at ch u s h er e. "

" It i s p os si bl e, " a gr ee d t he W iz ar d, " if t hi s p ro ve s t o b e t he p at h

s he u su al ly t ak es . Bu t I h ave b ee n e xa mi ni ng t hi s t unn el , a nd I d o





n ot s ee a ny s ig ns o f s o l ar ge a b ea st h av in g p as se d t hr ou gh i t. "

" Th en w e' re all r ig ht ," s ai d t he g ir l, " fo r i f t he d rago n w en t t he

ot he r wa y s he c an 't p os s' bl y ge t t o u s n ow ."

" Of c ou rs e n ot , m y d ea r. B ut t he re i s a no th er t hi ng t o c on si de r. The

mo th er d ra go n p ro ba bl y k no ws t he r oa d t o t he e ar th 's s ur fa ce , a nd i f

s he w ent t he ot he r w ay t he n w e ha ve c ome t he w rong wa y, " s ai d t he

Wizard, thoughtfully.

"Dear me!" cried Dorothy. "That would be unlucky, wouldn't it?"

" Ve ry . U nl es s t hi s p as sa ge a ls o l ea ds t o t he t op o f t he e ar th ," s ai d

Ze b. "For my part, if we manage to get out of here I'll be glad it

i sn 't t he w ay t he d ra go n g oe s. "

" So w il l I ," r et ur ned D or ot hy . " It 's eno ug h t o h av e y ou r p ed ig ree

f lu ng i n y ou r f ac e by t ho se s au cy d ra go ne tt es . N o o ne k no ws w ha t t he

mother might do."

T hey n ow m ov ed o n again , creep in g s lo wl y u p ano th er s teep i ncli ne.

T he l an te rn s w er e b eg in ni ng t o g ro w d im , a nd t he W iz ar d p ou re d t he

r em ai ni ng o il f ro m o ne i nt o t he o th er , s o t hat t he o ne l ig ht w ou ld

l as t l on ge r. B ut t he ir j ou rn ey w as a lm os t o ve r, f or i n a s ho rt t im e

t he y r ea ch ed a s ma ll c av e f ro m w hi ch t he re w as n o f ur th er ou tl et .





T hey d id n ot r eali ze t heir i ll f or tu ne at f ir st , f or t heir h eart s w er e

g ladd en ed b y t he s ig ht o f a r ay o f s un sh in e com in g t hr ou gh a s mall

c ra ck i n t he r oo f o f t he c av e, f ar o ve rhe ad . That me ant that their

w or ld -- th e r ea l w or ld -- wa s n ot v er y f ar a wa y, a nd t ha t t he s uc ce ss io n

o f p er il ou s adv en tu res t hey h ad encou nt er ed h ad at l as t b ro ug ht t hem

n ea r t he e ar th 's s ur fa ce , w hi ch m ea nt h om e t o t he m. B ut wh en t he

adventurers looked more carefully around them they discovered that

t he re we re i n a s tr ong p ri so n f ro m wh ic h t he re w as n o hop e of e sc ap e.

" Bu t w e' re A LM OS T o n e ar th a ga in ," c ri ed D or ot hy , " fo r t he re i s t he

s un -- th e m os t B EA U' FU L s un t hat s hi nes! " and s he p oi nt ed eag er ly at

th e c ra ck i n t he d is ta nt r oo f.

" Al mo st o n e ar th i sn 't b ei ng t he re ," s ai d t he ki tt en , i n a

d is co nt en te d t on e. " It w ou ld n' t b e p os si bl e f or e ve n m e t o g et u p t o

th at c ra ck -- or t hr ou gh i t i f I g ot t he re ."

" It app ears t hat t he p at h end s h er e, " ann ou nced t he W izar d, g lo om il y.

"A nd t he re i s no wa y t o g o b ac k," a dde d Z eb, wi th a l ow w hi st le

of perplexity.

" I wa s s ur e i t woul d c ome t o t hi s, i n t he e nd," r ema rke d t he ol d

c a b- h or s e. " Fo lks d on' t f al l i nt o t he m idd le of t he e ar th a nd t he n

g e t b ac k a ga in t o t el l of t he ir a dv en tu re s- -n ot i n r ea l l if e. A nd t he





who le t hi ng ha s be en unn at ur al be ca us e t ha t c at a nd I a re bo th a bl e t o

t al k y ou r l an gu ag e, a nd t o u nd er st an d t he w or ds y ou s ay ."

" An d s o can t he n in e t in y p ig lets ," add ed E ur ek a. " Do n' t f or get t hem,

f or I ma y ha ve t o e at t he m, a ft er al l."

" I' ve h eard ani mals t al k b ef or e, " s ai d D or ot hy , " an d n o h ar m cam e o f i t. "

" We re you e ve r b ef or e s hu t up i n a c ave , f ar u nde r t he e ar th , wi th no

w ay o f g et ti ng o ut ?" enq ui red t he h or se, s er io us ly .

" No ," a ns we re d D or ot hy . " Bu t d on 't y ou l os e h ea rt , J im , f or I 'm s ur e

t hi s i sn 't t he e nd o f o ur s to ry , b y a ny m ea ns ."

T he r ef er en ce t o t he p ig le ts r em in de d t he W iz ar d t ha t h is p et s h ad n ot

e nj oy ed m uc h e xe rc is e l at el y, a nd m us t be t ir ed o f t he ir p ri so n i n h is

p oc ke t. So he s at dow n upon t he f lo or of t he c ave , br ough t t he pi gl et s

o ut o ne by o ne , a nd a ll owe d t he m t o r un a ro un d a s m uc h a s t he y p le as ed .

" My de ar s," he s ai d t o t he m, " I' m a fr ai d I 've got you i nt o a l ot

o f t ro ub le , a nd t ha t y ou w il l n ev er a ga in b e a bl e t o l ea ve t hi s

gloomy cave."

" Wh at 's w ro ng ?" a sk ed a p ig le t. " We 'v e b ee n i n t he d ar k q ui te a

w hi le, and y ou m ay as w el l exp lain w hat h as h ap pened. "





T he W izar d t ol d t hem o f t he m is fo rt un e t hat h ad o vert ak en t he w an derers .

" Well ," s ai d ano th er p ig let, " yo u are a w izar d, are y ou n ot ?"

" I am, " r ep li ed t he l it tl e m an .

" The n you c an do a fe w wi zz es and ge t us out of t his hol e," de cl are d

the tiny one, with much confidence.

"I c oul d i f I ha ppe ne d t o be a r ea l wi za rd," r et ur ne d t he m as te r

s adl y. " Bu t I 'm n ot , m y p ig gy -w ees; I 'm a h um bu g w izar d. "

"Nonsense!" cried several of the piglets, together.

" Yo u c an a sk D or ot hy ," s ai d t he l it tl e m an , i n a n i nj ur ed t on e.

" It 's t ru e eno ug h, " r et ur ned t he g ir l, ear nest ly . " Ou r f ri en d O z i s

m ere ly a humbug w iza rd, f or he onc e pr ove d it to me . H e c an d o

s ev er al v er y w on derf ul t hi ng s- -i f h e k no ws h ow . B ut h e can 't w iz a

s in gl e t hi ng i f h e h as n' t t he t oo ls and m achi nery t o w or k w it h. "

" Th an k y ou , m y d ear, f or d oi ng m e j us ti ce," r es po nd ed t he W izar d,

gr at ef ul ly. " To b e a cc us ed o f b ei ng a r ea l w iz ar d, w he n I 'm n ot , i s a

sla nder I wil l not tamel y submit t o. Bu t I a m o ne of t he gr ea te st

hu mb ug w izar ds t hat ever l iv ed , and y ou w il l r eali ze t hi s w hen w e h av e





a ll s ta rv ed t og et he r a nd o ur b on es a re s ca tt er ed o ve r t he f lo or o f

this lonely cave."

" I d on 't b el ieve w e' ll r eali ze any th in g, w hen i t com es t o t hat, "

r em ar ke d D or ot hy , w ho h ad b ee n d ee p i n t ho ug ht . " But I 'm n ot goi ng t o

s ca tt er m y bo ne s j us t ye t, b ec au se I n ee d t he m, a nd yo u pr ob 'l y ne ed

yours, too."

" We a re h el pl es s t o e sc ap e, " s ig he d t he W iz ar d.

" WE m ay b e h el pl es s, " ans wered D or ot hy , s mi li ng at h im , " bu t t here are

o th er s w ho c an d o m or e t ha n w e c an . Ch ee r u p, f ri en ds . "I'm sur e

Ozma will help us."

"Ozma!" exclaimed the Wizard. "Who is Ozma?"

" Th e g ir l t ha t r ul es t he m ar ve lo us L an d of O z, " w as t he r ep ly . " Sh e' s

a friend of mine, for I met her in the Land of Ev, not long ago, and

we nt t o O z wi th he r."

" Fo r t he s eco nd t im e?" as ked t he W izard , w it h g reat i nt er es t.

" Ye s. The f irs t t ime I we nt to Oz I found you the re , ruli ng t he

Emer ald Cit y. A ft er you we nt up i n a ba ll oo n, a nd e sc ape d us , I go t

b ac k t o K ans as by m ea ns of a pa ir of ma gi ca l s il ve r s hoe s."





" I r em em ber t ho se s ho es ," s ai d t he l it tl e m an , n od di ng . " Th ey o nce

b el on ge d t o t he W ic ke d W it ch . H ave you t he m h er e w it h yo u? "

" No ; I l os t t he m s om ew he re i n t he a ir ," e xp la in ed t he c hi ld . "But t he

sec ond time I went to the Land of Oz I owne d the Nome Ki ng' s Magic

Belt , w hi ch i s m uch m or e p ow er fu l t han w er e t he S il ver S ho es ."

" Wh er e i s t hat M ag ic B el t?" enq ui red t he W izar d, w ho h ad l is tened w it h

great interest.

" Oz ma h as i t; f or i ts p ow er s w on 't w or k i n a c om mo n, o rd in ar y c ou nt ry

l ik e t he U ni te d S ta te s. A ny one i n a f ai ry c ou nt ry l ike t he L an d o f O z

ca n do a ny th ing wi th i t; s o I l ef t i t wi th m y f ri end t he P ri nc es s

O zm a, w ho u se d i t t o w is h m e i n A us tr al ia w it h Un cl e H en ry ."

" An d w er e y ou ?" a sk ed Z eb , a st on is he d a t w ha t h e h ea rd .

" Of c ou rs e; i n j us t a j if fy . A nd O zm a h as a n e nc ha nt ed p ic tu re

h an gi ng i n h er r oo m t ha t s ho ws h er t he e xa ct s ce ne w he re a ny o f h er

f riends may be , at any time she choos es. All she ha s t o do is to

s ay : ' I w on de r w ha t S o- and -s o i s d oi ng ,' a nd a t o nc e t he p ic tur e s ho ws

w he re h er f ri end i s a nd w ha t t he f ri en d i s d oi ng . T ha t' s RE AL m ag ic ,

M r. W iz ar d; i sn 't i t? W el l, e ve ry d ay a t f ou r o 'c lo ck O zm a h as

p romised to look at me in that picture, and if I am in need of help I

a m t o m ake he r a c er ta in s ign a nd s he wi ll put on th e Nom e Ki ng' s





Ma gic Be lt a nd wis h me t o be wi th he r in Oz ."

" Do y ou m ea n t ha t P ri nc es s O zm a w il l s ee t hi s c ave i n h er e nc ha nt ed

pi ct ur e, a nd s ee a ll of u s he re , a nd w ha t w e a re do in g? " d em an de d Ze b.

" Of c ou rs e; w he n i t i s f ou r o 'c lo ck ," s he r ep li ed , w it h a l au gh a t hi s

startled expression.

"And whe n you ma ke a si gn she wil l br ing you to her in t he La nd of

O z?" con ti nu ed t he b oy .

" Th at 's i t, exact ly ; b y m eans o f t he M ag ic B el t. "

" Th en ," s ai d t he W izar d, " yo u w il l b e s av ed , l it tl e D or ot hy ; and I am

v er y gl ad o f i t. T he r es t o f us wi ll d ie mu ch m or e c he er fu ll y w he n w e

k no w y ou h av e e sc ap ed o ur s ad f at e. "

"I won't die cheerfully!" protested the kitten. "There's nothing

ch ee rf ul a bo ut d yi ng t ha t I c ou ld e ve r s ee , a lt ho ug h t he y s ay a c at

h as n in e l iv es , and s o m us t d ie n in e t im es ."

" Ha ve y ou e ve r d ie d y et ?" e nq ui re d t he b oy .

" No , a nd I 'm n ot a nx io us t o b eg in ," s ai d E ur ek a.

" Do n' t w or ry , d ear, " D or ot hy exclaim ed , " I' ll h ol d y ou i n m y arm s, and





t ak e y ou w it h m e. "

" Ta ke us , t oo! " c ri ed t he n ine t in y p ig le ts , a ll i n o ne br ea th .

" Perh ap s I can, " ans w er ed D or ot hy . " I' ll t ry. "

" Co ul dn 't y ou m an ag e t o h ol d m e i n y ou r a rm s? " a sk ed t he c ab -h or se .

Dorothy laughed.

" I' ll d o b et te r t ha n t ha t, " s he p ro mi se d, " fo r I c an e as il y s av e y ou

a ll, onc e I am myse lf i n t he Land of Oz ."

"How?" they asked.

"By using the Magic Belt. All I ne ed do i s to wis h you wi th me , a nd

t here y ou 'l l b e- -s af e i n t he r oy al p al ace! "

" Go od !" cri ed Z eb .

" I b ui lt t ha t p al ac e, a nd t he E me ra ld C it y, t oo ," r em ar ke d t he W iz ar d,

i n a t hought ful tone , " and I 'd l ike t o s ee t he m a ga in, f or I wa s ve ry

happy among the Munchkins and Winkies and Quadlings and Gillikins."

" Wh o a re t he y? " a sk ed t he b oy .





" Do n' t w or ry ," r ep li ed t he g ir l. " Yo u' ll j us t l ov e t he f ol ks i n O z,

w he n y ou g et a cq ua in te d. W ha t t im e i s i t, M r. W iz ar d? "

T he l it tl e m an l oo ke d a t h is w at ch -- a b ig s il ve r o ne t ha t h e c ar ri ed

i n h is v es t p oc ke t.

"Half-past three," he said.

" Th en w e m us t w ai t f or h al f an h ou r, " s he con ti nu ed ; " bu t i t w on 't

t ak e l on g, a ft er t ha t, t o c ar ry u s a ll t o t he E me ra ld C it y. "

T hey s at s il en tl y t hi nk in g f or a t im e. T hen J im s ud denl y ask ed :

" Ar e t he re a ny h or se s i n O z? "

" On ly o ne," r ep li ed D or ot hy , " an d h e' s a s aw ho rs e. "

"A what?"

" A s aw ho rs e. P ri nc es s O zm a on ce br ou gh t h im t o l if e wi th a

w it ch -p ow de r, w he n s he w as a b oy ."

" Wa s O zm a o nc e a b oy ?" a sk ed Z eb , w on de ri ng ly .





" Ye s; a w ic ke d w it ch e nc ha nt ed h er , s o s he c ou ld n ot r ul e h er k in gd om .

B ut s he 's a g ir l no w, a nd t he s we et es t, l ove li es t g ir l i n a ll t he w or ld ."

" A s aw ho rs e i s a t hi ng t he y s aw b oa rd s o n, " r em ar ke d J im , w it h a s ni ff .

" It i s w hen i t' s n ot ali ve," ack no wl ed ged t he g ir l. " But t hi s

s awh or se c an t ro t a s f as t a s yo u c an , J im ; a nd he 's v er y w is e, t oo ."

" Pa h! I 'l l r ac e t he m is er ab le w oo de n d on ke y a ny d ay i n t he w ee k! "

cr i ed t h e cab- h or s e.

D or ot hy d id n ot r ep ly t o t ha t. S he f el t t ha t J im w ou ld k no w m or e

ab ou t t he S aw -H or se l at er o n.

T he t im e d ragg ed w eari ly eno ug h t o t he eag er w at ch er s, b ut f in al ly t he

W izard ann ou nced t hat f ou r o 'clo ck h ad arr iv ed , and D or ot hy cau gh t u p

t he ki tt en a nd be ga n t o m ak e t he s ig na l t ha t ha d be en a gr ee d up on t o

the far-away invisible Ozma.

"Nothing seems to happen," said Zeb, doubtfully.

" Oh , w e m us t gi ve O zm a t im e t o p ut on t he M ag ic B el t," r ep li ed t he g ir l.

S he h ad s ca rc el y s po ke n t he w or ds t he n s he s ud de nl y d is ap pe ar ed f ro m

t he c ave , a nd wi th he r we nt t he ki tt en. Th er e h ad b ee n no s ou nd of

a ny k in d a nd n o w ar ni ng . O ne m om en t D or ot hy s at b es id e t he m w it h t he





k it te n i n h er l ap , a nd a m om en t l at er t he h or se , t he p ig le ts , t he

W izar d and t he b oy w er e all t hat r em ai ned i n t he u nd er gr ou nd p ri so n.

" I be li eve w e w il l s oo n f ol low h er ," a nno un ce d t he W iz ar d, i n a t on e

o f g re at r el ie f; " fo r I k no w s om et hi ng a bo ut t he m ag ic o f t he

fai ryla nd tha t is c all ed the La nd of Oz . Le t u s be r ea dy, f or w e m ay

be s en t f or any m in ut e. "

H e put t he pi gl et s s af ely a wa y i n his poc ke t a ga in a nd t he n he a nd Ze b

g o t i nt o t he b ug gy a nd s at e xp ec ta nt ly u po n t he s ea t.

" Wi ll i t h ur t? " a sk ed t he b oy, i n a v oi ce t ha t t re mb le d a l it tl e.

" No t a t a ll ," r ep li ed t he W iz ar d. " It w il l a ll h ap pe n a s q ui ck a s a w in k. "

An d t ha t w as t he wa y i t di d h ap pe n.

T he c ab -ho rs e ga ve a n er vou s s ta rt a nd Z eb b eg an t o r ub h is e ye s t o

m ake s ure he wa s not a sl ee p. For they were in t he s tr ee ts of a

beautiful emerald-green city, bathed in a grateful green light that

w as esp eciall y p leas in g t o t heir eyes, and s ur ro un ded b y m er ry f aced

people in gorgeous green-and-gold costumes of many extraordinary designs.

B ef or e t hem w er e t he j ew el -s t ud ded g at es o f a m ag ni fi cent p al ace, and

n ow t he g at es o pe ne d s lo wl y a s i f i nv it ing t he m t o e nt er t he





courtyard, where splendid flowers were blooming and pretty fountains

sh ot t heir s il very s pr ay s i nt o t he air .

Ze b s ho ok t he r ei ns t o r ou se t he c ab- ho rs e f ro m h is s tu por o f

a ma ze me nt , f or t he p eo pl e w er e b eg in ni ng t o g at he r a ro un d a nd s ta re a t

the strangers.

" Gi d- da p! " c ri ed t he b oy , a nd a t t he w or d J im s lo wl y t ro tt ed i nt o t he

c ou rt ya rd a nd d re w t he b ug gy a lo ng t he j ew el le d d ri ve wa y t o t he g re at

e nt ra nc e o f t he r oy al p al ac e.

1 5 . O ld F ri en ds a re R eu ni te d

M an y s er vant s d ress ed i n h an ds om e u ni fo rm s s to od r eady t o w el co me t he

n ew a rr iv al s, a nd w he n t he W iz ar d g ot o ut o f t he b ug gy a p re tt y g ir l

i n a g re en go wn c ri ed o ut i n s ur pr is e:

" Wh y, i t' s O z, t he W on derf ul W izar d, com e b ack again !"

T he l it tl e m an l oo ke d a t h er c lo se ly a nd t he n t oo k b ot h t he m ai de n' s

hand s i n h is and s ho ok t hem cor di al ly .

" On m y w or d, " h e exclaim ed , " it 's l it tl e J el li a J am b- -as p er t and





pr ett y as ever! "

" Wh y n ot , M r. W izar d?" ask ed J el li a, b ow in g l ow . " Bu t I 'm afr ai d y ou

c an no t r ul e t he Em er al d C it y, a s yo u u se d t o, be ca us e w e no w h ave a

beautiful Princess whom everyone loves dearly."

" An d t he p eo pl e w il l n ot w il li ng ly p ar t w it h h er ," add ed a t al l

soldier in a Captain-General's uniform.

T he W iz ar d t ur ne d t o l oo k a t h im .

" Di d y ou n ot w ea r g re en w hi sk er s a t o ne t im e? " h e a sk ed .

" Ye s, " s ai d t he s ol di er ; " but I s ha ve d t he m o ff l on g a go,

a nd s inc e t he n I ha ve ri se n f rom a pr iva te t o be t he Ch ie f Ge ne ra l

of the Royal Armies."

" Th at 's ni ce ," s ai d t he l it tl e m an . " Bu t I a ss ur e y ou , m y g oo d p eo pl e,

t ha t I d o n ot w is h t o r ul e t he E me ra ld C it y, " h e a dd ed , e ar ne st ly .

" In t ha t c as e y ou a re v er y w el co me !" c ri ed a ll t he s er va nt s, a nd i t

p le as ed t he W iz ar d t o n ot e t he r es pe ct w it h w hi ch t he r oy al r et ai ne rs

bo we d be for e hi m. Hi s f ame ha d no t be en f or got te n in t he La nd of O z,

b y a ny m ea ns .





"W here i s D or ot hy ?" enq ui red Z eb , anx io us ly , as h e l ef t t he b ug gy and

s t oo d b es id e h is f ri en d t he l it tl e W izar d.

" Sh e i s w it h t he P ri nc es s O zm a, i n t he p ri va te r oo ms o f t he p al ac e, "

r ep li ed J el li a J am b. " Bu t s he h as o rd er ed m e t o m ak e y ou w el co me a nd

t o s ho w y ou t o y ou r a pa rt me nt s. "

T he b oy l oo ked aro un d h im w it h w on deri ng eyes. S uch m ag ni fi cence and

w ea lt h a s wa s di sp la ye d i n t hi s pa la ce wa s m or e t ha n he h ad e ve r

d re am ed o f, a nd h e c ou ld s ca rc el y b el ie ve t ha t a ll t he g or ge ou s

g li tt er w as r eal and n ot t in sel.

" Wh at 's t o b ec om e o f m e? " a sk ed t he h or se , u ne as il y. H e h ad s ee n

c on si de ra bl e of l if e i n t he c it ie s i n h is yo un ge r d ay s, a nd k ne w t ha t

t hi s r eg al p al ac e w as n o p la ce f or h im .

I t p er pl ex ed e ve n J el li a J am b, f or a t im e, t o kno w wha t t o do w it h t he

animal . T he g re en m ai de n w as m uc h a st on is he d a t t he s ig ht o f s o

u nu su al a c re at ur e, f or h or se s w er e u nk no wn i n t hi s L an d; b ut t ho se

w ho l ive d i n t he Em er al d Ci ty w er e a pt t o be a st oni she d by qu ee r

s ig ht s, s o aft er i ns pect in g t he cab -h or se and n ot in g t he m il d l oo k i n

hi s bi g e ye s t he gi rl de ci ded not t o be a fr ai d of hi m.

" Th er e a re n o s ta bl es h er e, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, " un le ss s om e h av e b ee n

bu il t s in ce I w en t away. "





" We h av e n ev er n eeded t hem b ef or e, " ans wer ed J el li a; " fo r t he S aw ho rs e

l ive s i n a r oo m of t he p al ac e, be in g m uc h s ma ll er a nd m or e n at ur al i n

app earance t han t hi s g reat b east y ou h av e b ro ug ht w it h y ou ."

" Do y ou m ea n t ha t I 'm a f re ak ?" a ske d J im , a ng ri ly.

" Oh, no, " s he ha st ene d t o s ay, " ther e m ay be ma ny mor e l ike you i n t he

p la ce y ou c am e f ro m, b ut i n O z a ny h or se b ut a S aw ho rs e i s u nu su al ."

T hi s m ol li fi ed J im a l it tl e, and aft er s om e t ho ug ht t he g reen m ai den

de ci de d t o gi ve t he c ab -ho rs e a r oo m i n t he pa la ce , s uc h a b ig

b ui ld in g h av in g m an y r oo ms t hat w er e s el do m i n u se.

S o Z eb u nh ar ne ss ed J im , a nd s ev er al o f t he s er va nt s t he n l ed t he h or se

a ro un d t o t he r ea r, w he re t he y s el ec te d a n ic e l ar ge a pa rt me nt t ha t h e

cou ld h av e all t o h im self .

T hen J el li a s ai d t o t he W izar d:

" Yo ur o wn r oo m- -w hi ch w as b ac k o f t he g re at T hr on e R oo m- -h as b ee n

v ac an t e ve r s in ce y ou l ef t u s. W oul d y ou l ike i t a ga in? "

" Yes, i nd eed! " r et ur ned t he l it tl e m an . " It w il l s eem l ik e b ei ng at

ho me a ga in , f or I l ive d i n t ha t r oo m f or m an y, m an y y ea rs ."





H e k ne w t he w ay t o i t, a nd a s er va nt f ol lo we d h im , c ar ry in g h is

s at ch el . Z eb w as a ls o e sc or te d t o a r oo m- -s o g ra nd a nd b ea ut if ul t ha t

h e a lm os t f ea re d t o s it i n t he c ha ir s o r l ie upon t he be d, l es t he

m ig ht d im t heir s pl en do r. I n t he clo sets h e d is co vered m an y f an cy

c os tu me s o f r ic h v el ve ts a nd b ro ca de s, a nd o ne o f t he a tt en da nt s t ol d

hi m to dr ess hi ms el f in a ny of t he c lot hes t hat pl ea se d hi m a nd to be

p re pa re d t o d in e w it h t he P ri nc es s a nd D or ot hy i n a n h ou r' s t im e.

O peni ng f ro m t he chamb er w as a f in e b at hr oo m h av in g a m ar bl e t ub w it h

pe rf um ed w at er ; s o t he b oy , s ti ll d az ed b y t he n ov el ty o f h is

s ur ro un di ng s, i nd ul ged i n a g oo d b at h and t hen s el ected a m ar oo n

v el vet cos tu me w it h s il ver b ut to ns t o r ep lace h is o wn s oi led and m uch

w or n clo th in g. T here w er e s il k s to ck in gs and s of t l eath er s li pp er s

w it h d ia mo nd b uc kl es t o a cc om pa ny h is n ew c os tu me , a nd w he n h e w as

f ul ly d ress ed Z eb l oo ked m uch m or e d ig ni fi ed and i mp os in g t han ever

b efo re i n h is l if e.

He w as a ll r ea dy w he n a n a tt enda nt c am e t o e sc or t h im t o t he pr es enc e

o f t he P ri nc es s; h e f ol lo we d b as hf ul ly a nd w as u sh er ed i nt o a r oo m

m or e d ai nt y a nd a tt ra ct iv e t ha n i t w as s pl en di d. H er e h e f ou nd

D or ot hy s eated b es id e a y ou ng g ir l s o m ar velo us ly b eaut if ul t hat t he

b oy s to pp ed s ud denl y w it h a g as p o f adm ir ati on .

B ut D or ot hy s pr ang up a nd r an t o s ei ze h er f ri en d' s h an d d ra wi ng h im

impulsively toward the lovely Princess, who smiled most graciously

u po n h er g ue st . T he n t he W iz ar d e nt er ed , a nd h is p re se nc e r el ie ve d





th e b oy 's em bar ras sm en t. T he l it tl e m an w as clo th ed i n b lack v el vet,

with many sparkling emerald ornaments decorating his breast;

b ut h is b al d h ea d a nd w ri nk le d f ea tu re s m ad e h im a pp ea r m or e

amusing than impressive.

O zm a h ad b ee n q ui te c ur io us t o m ee t t he f am ou s m an w ho h ad b ui lt t he

Emerald City and united the Munchkins, Gillikins, Quadlings and

Wi nki es i nt o one pe opl e; s o wh en t he y we re a ll f our s ea te d a t t he

d in ner t ab le t he P ri nces s s ai d:

" Pl ease t el l m e, M r. W izar d, w heth er y ou cal led y ou rs el f O z aft er t hi s

g re at c ou nt ry , o r w he th er y ou b el ie ve m y c ou nt ry i s c al le d O z a ft er

y ou. I t i s a ma tt er t ha t I ha ve l ong w is he d t o e nqu ir e a bou t, be ca us e

you are of a strange race and my own name is Ozma. No, one, I am

s ur e, i s b et ter abl e t o exp lain t hi s m ys tery t han y ou ."

" Th at i s t ru e, " ans wered t he l it tl e W izar d; " th er ef or e i t w il l g iv e m e

p leas ur e t o exp lain m y con nect io n w it h y ou r cou nt ry . I n t he f ir st

pl ac e, I m us t t el l y ou t ha t I wa s bor n i n Oma ha , a nd my f at he r, w ho

w as a p ol it i ci an , n am ed m e O scar Z or oas ter P hadr i g I saac N or man H en kl e

Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs, Diggs being the last name because he could

thi nk of no mor e t o go be for e i t. Ta ke n a lt oge the r, i t w as a

d re ad ful ly l on g n am e t o w ei gh d ow n a p oo r i nno ce nt c hi ld , a nd o ne o f

t he h ar de st l es so ns I e ve r l ea rn ed w as t o r em em be r m y o wn n am e. W he n

I gr ew up I j us t c al le d m ys el f O . Z ., be ca us e t he ot he r i nit ia ls we re





P -I -N -H -E -A -D ; a nd t ha t s pe ll ed ' pi nh ea d, ' w hi ch w as a r ef le ct io n o n

my intelligence."

" Su rely n o o ne cou ld b lame y ou f or cut ti ng y ou r n am e s ho rt ," s ai d

Ozma, sympathetically. "But didn't you cut it almost too short?"

" Pe rh ap s s o, " r ep li ed t he W iz ar d. " Whe n a y ou ng m an I r an a wa y f ro m

hom e a nd j oi ne d a c ir cus . I u se d t o c al l m ys el f a W iz ar d, a nd do

tricks of ventriloquism."

" Wh at d oe s t ha t m ea n? " a sk ed t he P ri nc es s.

" Th ro wi ng m y v oi ce i nt o a ny o bj ec t I p le as ed , t o m ak e i t a pp ea r t ha t

t he ob je ct w as s pe aki ng i ns te ad of m e. Al so I be ga n t o ma ke b al loo n

a sc en si on s. O n m y b al lo on a nd o n a ll t he o th er a rt ic le s I u se d i n t he

c ir cu s I p ai nt ed t he t wo i ni ti al s: ' O. Z .' , t o s ho w t ha t t ho se t hi ng s

bel on ged t o m e.

" On e d ay m y b al lo on r an a wa y w it h m e a nd b ro ug ht m e a cr os s t he d es er ts

t o t hi s b ea ut if ul c oun tr y. W he n t he p eo pl e s aw m e c om e f ro m t he s ky

t hey n at ur al ly t ho ug ht m e s om e s up er io r creat ur e, and b ow ed d ow n

b ef or e m e. I t ol d t he m I wa s a W iz ar d, a nd s how ed t he m s om e e as y

t ri ck s t ha t a ma ze d t he m; a nd w he n t he y s aw t he i ni ti al s p ai nt ed on t he

b all oo n t hey cal led m e O z. "

" No w I b eg in t o u nd er st an d, " s ai d t he P ri nces s, s mi li ng .





"At that time," continued the Wizard, busily eating his soup while

t al ki ng , " th er e w er e f ou r s ep ar at e cou nt ri es i n t hi s L an d, each o ne o f

t he f ou r b ei ng r ul ed b y a W it ch . B ut t he p eo pl e t ho ug ht m y p ow er w as

g re at er t ha n t ha t o f t he W it ch es ; a nd p er ha ps t he W it ch es t ho ug ht s o

t oo , f or t he y n ev er d ar ed o pp os e m e. I o rd er ed t he E me ra ld C it y t o b e

b ui lt j us t w he re t he f ou r c ou nt ri es c or ne re d t og et he r, a nd w he n i t w as

c om pl et ed I a nno un ce d m ys el f t he R ul er o f t he L an d of O z, w hi ch

included all the four countries of the Munchkins, the Gillikins, the

W in ki es a nd t he Q ua dl in gs . O ve r t hi s L an d I r ul ed i n p ea ce f or m an y

y ea rs , u nt il I g re w o ld a nd l on ge d t o s ee m y n at iv e c it y o nc e a ga in .

So wh en Dor ot hy wa s f ir st b low n t o t hi s pl ac e by a c yc lone I a rr an ge d

t o go a wa y w it h h er i n a b al loon ; bu t t he b al loon e sc ape d t oo s oo n a nd

c a r ri ed m e b ac k a lo ne . A ft er m an y a dv en tu re s I r ea ch ed O ma ha , o nl y t o

f in d t ha t a ll m y o ld f ri en ds w er e d ea d o r h ad m ov ed a wa y. S o, h avi ng

n ot hi ng e ls e t o d o, I j oi ne d a c ir cu s a ga in , a nd m ad e m y b al lo on

ascensions until the earthquake caught me."

" Tha t i s q ui te a h is to ry ," s ai d O zm a; " bu t t he re i s a l it tl e m or e

his tor y about the La nd of Oz that you do not s eem to

u nd er st an d- -p er ha ps f or t he r ea so n t ha t n o o ne e ve r t ol d i t y ou . M any

y ea rs be for e you c am e he re t hi s La nd wa s un it ed unde r one Ru le r, a s i t

i s n ow , a nd t he R ul er 's n am e w as a lw ay s ' Oz ,' w hi ch m ea ns i n o ur

l ang ua ge ' Gr ea t a nd G oo d' ; or , i f t he Ru le r ha pp en ed t o b e a w om an,

he r n am e w as a lw ay s ' Oz ma .' B ut o nc e u po n a t im e f ou r W it che s l ea gu ed





t og et he r t o d ep os e t he k in g a nd r ul e t he f ou r p ar ts o f t he k in gd om

t hems el ves; s o w hen t he R ul er , m y g rand fath er , w as h un ti ng o ne d ay , o ne

W icked W it ch n am ed M om bi s to le h im and car ri ed h im away, k eepi ng h im a

cl os e p ri s on er . T hen t he W it ch es d iv id ed u p t he k in gd om , and r ul ed

t he four pa rt s of it unt il you c ame her e. Tha t wa s w hy t he pe opl e

w er e s o g la d t o s ee yo u, a nd w hy t he y t ho ug ht f ro m y our i ni ti al s t ha t

you were their rightful ruler."

" Bu t, at t hat t im e, " s ai d t he W izar d, t ho ug ht fu ll y, " th er e w er e t wo

G oo d W it ch es and t wo W icked W it ch es r ul in g i n t he l an d. "

" Ye s, " r ep li ed O zm a, " be ca us e a g oo d W it ch h ad c on qu er ed M om bi i n t he

No rt h a nd G li nd a t he G oo d h ad c on qu er ed t he e vi l W it ch i n t he S ou th .

B ut M om bi w as s ti ll m y g rand fath er 's j ai lo r, and aft er ward m y f at her' s

j ai lor . W he n I w as b or n s he t ra ns fo rm ed m e i nt o a b oy , h op in g t ha t

n o o ne w ou ld e ve r r ec og ni ze m e a nd k no w t ha t I w as t he r ig ht fu l

Pri nce ss of the Land of Oz. But I e sca pe d from her and am now

t he R ul er o f m y p eo pl e. "

" I a m v er y g la d o f t ha t, " s ai d t he W iz ar d, " an d h ope y ou w il l c on si de r

m e o ne o f y ou r m os t f ai th fu l and d ev ot ed s ub ject s. "

" We o we a g re at d ea l t o t he W on de rf ul W iz ar d, " c on ti nu ed t he P ri nc es s,

" f or i t w as y ou w ho b ui lt t hi s s pl en di d E merald C it y. "

" Yo ur p eo pl e b ui lt i t, " h e a ns we re d. " I o nl y b os se d t he j ob , a s w e





s ay i n O maha."

" Bu t yo u r ul ed i t w is el y a nd we ll f or m an y y ea rs ," s ai d s he , " an d m ade

the people proud of your magical art. So , a s you a re now t oo ol d t o

wa nder a broad and work in a c irc us , I offe r you a home here a s long

a s y ou l iv e. Y ou s ha ll be t he O ff ic ia l W iz ar d of m y k in gd om , a nd be

treated with every respect and consideration."

" I accep t y ou r k in d o ff er w it h g rati tu de, g raci ou s P ri nces s, " t he

l it tl e m an s ai d, i n a s of t v oi ce , a nd t he y c ou ld a ll s ee t ha t

t ea r- dr ops w er e s ta ndi ng i n hi s ke en o ld e ye s. I t m ea nt a g oo d d ea l

t o hi m t o s ec ur e a home l ike t his .

"He's only a humbug Wizard, though," said Dorothy, smiling at him.

" An d t ha t i s t he s af es t k in d o f a W iz ar d t o h av e, " r ep li ed O zm a, p ro mp tl y.

" Oz c an d o s om e g oo d t ri ck s, h um bu g o r n o h um bu g, " a nn ou nc ed Z eb , w ho

w as n ow f ee li ng m or e a t e as e.

" He s hall amu se u s w it h h is t ri ck s t om or ro w, " s ai d t he P ri nces s. "I

h av e s en t m es seng er s t o s um mo n all o f D or ot hy 's o ld f ri en ds t o m eet

h er a nd g iv e h er w el co me , a nd t he y o ug ht t o a rr iv e v er y s oo n, n ow ."

I nd ee d, t he d in ne r w as n o s oo ne r f in is he d t ha n i n r us he d t he





Sc ar ec row , t o hug D or ot hy i n hi s pa dde d a rm s a nd t el l he r ho w gl ad h e

w as t o s ee h er a ga in . T he W iz ar d w as a ls o m os t h ea rt il y w el co me d b y

t he s tr aw m an, w ho wa s a n i mpor ta nt p er son age i n t he La nd of O z.

" Ho w are y ou r b rain s?" enq ui red t he l it tl e h um bu g, as h e g rasp ed t he

s of t, s tu ff ed h an ds o f h is o ld f ri en d.

" Wo rk in g f in el y, " ans wered t he S carecr ow . " I' m v er y cer tain , O z, t hat

you ga ve m e the be st br ains i n t he wor ld, f or I c an t hink wi th the m

d ay a nd n ig ht , w he n a ll o th er b ra in s a re f as t a sl ee p. "

" How l on g di d y ou r ul e t he E me ra ld C it y, a ft er I l ef t h er e? " w as t he

next question.

" Qu it e awh il e, u nt il I w as con qu er ed b y a g ir l n am ed G en er al J in ju r.

B ut O zm a s oo n c on qu er ed h er , w it h t he h el p o f G li nd a t he G oo d, a nd

a ft er t ha t I w en t t o l iv e w it h N ic k C ho pp er , t he T in W oo dm an ."

J us t t he n a l ou d c ac kl in g w as h ea rd o ut si de ; a nd , w he n a s er va nt t hr ew

ope n t he door w it h a l ow bo w, a y el low h en s tr ut te d i n. Dorot hy

s pr an g f or ward and cau gh t t he f lu ff y f ow l i n h er arm s, u tt er in g at t he

s ame t im e a gl ad c ry.

" Oh , B il li na!" s he s ai d; " ho w f at and s leek y ou 'v e g ro wn ."

" Wh y s ho ul dn 't I ?" a sk ed t he h en , i n a s ha rp , c le ar v oi ce . "I li ve on





t he f at o f t he l an d- -d on 't I , O zm a? "

" Yo u h av e every th in g y ou w is h f or ," s ai d t he P ri nces s.

A ro un d B il li na's n eck w as a s tr in g o f b eaut if ul p earl s, and o n h er

l eg s w er e b racel et s o f emer al ds . S he n es tl ed h er self com fo rt ab ly i n

D or ot hy 's l ap u nt il t he k it te n g av e a s na rl o f j ea lo us a ng er a nd

le ap ed u p w it h a s ha rp c la w f ie rc el y b ar ed t o s tr ik e B il li na a b lo w.

Bu t t he l it tl e g ir l g av e t he a ng ry k it te n s uc h a s ev er e c uf f t ha t i t

j um ped d ow n again w it ho ut d ar in g t o s cr at ch .

" Ho w h or ri d o f y ou , E ur ek a! " c ri ed D or ot hy . " Is t ha t t he w ay t o t re at

my friends?"

" Yo u h av e q ueer f ri en ds , s eems t o m e, " r ep li ed t he k it ten,

in a s ur ly t on e.

" Seem s t o m e t he s am e w ay ," s ai d B il li na, s co rn fu ll y, " if t hat b east ly

c at i s one of t hem ."

" Lo ok h er e! " s ai d D or ot hy , s tern ly . " I w on 't h av e any q uarr el li ng i n

t he L and of O z, I c an t el l you ! E ve rybody l ive s i n pe ac e he re , a nd

l ov es every bo dy els e; and u nl es s y ou t wo , B il li na and E ur ek a, m ak e u p

a nd b e f ri en ds , I 'l l t ak e m y M ag ic B el t a nd w is h yo u b ot h h om e a ga in ,

IMMEJITLY. So, there!"





T he y w er e b ot h m uc h f ri gh te ne d a t t he t hr ea t, a nd p ro mi se d m ee kl y t o

b e g oo d. B ut i t w as n ev er n ot ic ed t ha t t he y b ec am e v er y w ar m f ri en ds ,

for a ll o f t ha t.

A nd n ow t he T in W oo dm an arr iv ed , h is b od y m os t b eaut if ul ly

nickle-plated, so that it shone splendidly in the brilliant light of

t he r oo m. T he T in W oo dm an l ov ed D or ot hy m os t t en derl y, and w el co med

w it h j oy t he r et ur n of t he l it tl e o ld W iz ar d.

" Si r, " s ai d h e t o t he l at te r, " I n ev er c an t ha nk y ou e no ug h f or t he

e xc el le nt h ea rt y ou o nc e g av e m e. I t ha s m ade m e m any f ri end s,

I a ss ur e y ou , a nd i t b ea ts a s k in dl y a nd l ov in gl y t od ay a s i t e ve ry d id ."

" I' m g la d t o h ea r t ha t, " s ai d t he W iz ar d. " I w as a fr ai d i t w ou ld g et

m ol dy i n t hat t in b od y o f y ou rs ."

" No t at al l, " r etu rn ed N ick C ho pp er . " It k eeps f in el y, b ei ng p reserv ed

in my air-tight chest."

Z eb w as a l it tl e s hy w he n f ir st i nt ro du ce d t o t he se q ue er p eo pl e; b ut

t he y w er e s o f ri en dl y a nd s in ce re t ha t h e s oo n g re w t o a dm ir e t he m

v er y m uch, even f in di ng s om e g oo d q uali ti es i n t he y el lo w h en . B ut h e

b ecam e n er vo us again w hen t he n ex t v is it or w as ann ou nced .

" Th is ," s ai d P ri nc es s O zm a, " is m y f ri en d M r. H . M . W og gl e- Bu g, T . E .,





who a ss is te d m e o ne t ime whe n I wa s i n gr ea t di st re ss , a nd i s now t he

D ean o f t he R oy al C ol lege o f A th leti c S ci en ce."

" Ah ," s ai d t he W izar d; " I' m p leas ed t o m eet s o d is ti ng ui sh ed a p er so nage."

"H. M.," said the Woggle-Bug, pompously, "means Highly Magnified; and

T . E . m ea ns T ho ro ug hl y E du ca te d. I a m, i n r ea li ty, a v er y b ig b ug,

and doubtless the most intelligent being in all this broad domain."

" How we ll y ou d is gu is e i t, " s ai d t he W iz ar d. " Bu t I d on 't d ou bt y ou r

w or d i n t he l ea st ."

" No bo dy d ou bt s i t, s i r, " r epl ied t he W og gl e- Bu g, and d rawi ng a b oo k

f ro m i ts p oc ke t t he s tr an ge i ns ec t t ur ne d i ts b ac k o n t he c om pa ny a nd

s at down i n a c or ne r t o r ea d.

Nobody minded this rudeness, which might have seemed more impolite in

o ne l es s t ho ro ug hl y edu cated; s o t hey s tr ai gh tw ay f or go t h im and

j oi ned i n a m er ry con vers at io n t hat k ep t t hem w el l amu sed u nt il

bed-time arrived.

1 6 . J im , T he C ab -H or se





J im t he C ab -h or se f ou nd h im se lf i n p os se ss io n o f a l ar ge r oo m w it h a

g r een m ar bl e f lo or and car ved m ar bl e w ai ns co ti ng , w hi ch w as s o s tately

i n i ts a pp ea ra nc e t ha t i t w ou ld h av e a we d a ny on e e ls e. J im a cc ep te d

it a s a m er e de ta il , a nd a t hi s c om ma nd t he a tt en da nt s g ave hi s c oa t a

g oo d r ub bi ng , c om be d h is m an e a nd t ai l, a nd w as he d h is h oo fs a nd

f et l ocks . T hen t hey t ol d h im d in ner w ou ld b e s er ved d ir ectl y and h e

re pl ie d t ha t t he y c ou ld n ot s er ve i t t oo q ui ck ly t o s ui t h is

con veni en ce. F ir st t hey b ro ug ht h im a s team in g b ow l o f s ou p, w hi ch

t he h or se e ye d i n d is ma y.

" Ta ke t ha t s tu ff a wa y! " h e c om ma nde d. " Do y ou t ak e m e f or a s al am an de r? "

The y o be ye d a t onc e, a nd n ext s er ve d a f ine l ar ge t ur bot on a s il ve r

p latt er , w it h d rawn g ravy p ou red o ver i t.

" Fi sh! " c rie d J im , w it h a s ni ff. " Do y ou t ak e m e f or a t om -c at ? Aw ay

with it!"

T he s er va nt s w er e a l it tl e d is co ur ag ed , b ut s oo n t he y b ro ug ht i n a

gr eat t ray con tain in g t wo d ozen n icel y r oast ed q uail o n t oast .

" Well , w el l! " s ai d t he h or se, n ow t ho ro ug hl y p ro vo ked. " Do y ou t ak e

me f or a we as el ? H ow s tu pi d a nd i gnor ant you a re , i n t he La nd of Oz ,

a nd w ha t d re ad ful t hi ng s y ou f ee d u po n! I s t he re no th in g t ha t i s

de ce nt t o e at i n t hi s p al ac e? "





T he t re mb li ng s er va nt s s en t f or t he R oy al S te wa rd , w ho c am e i n h as te

and said:

"What would your Highness like for dinner?"

" Hi gh ness !" r ep eated J im , w ho w as u nu sed t o s uch t it les.

" Yo u a re a t l ea st s ix f ee t h igh , a nd t ha t i s h ig he r t ha n a ny o th er

ani mal i n t hi s cou nt ry ," s ai d t he S teward .

" Well , m y H ig hn es s w ou ld l ik e s om e o at s, " d ecl ared t he h or s e.

" Oa ts ? W e h av e n o w ho le o at s, " t he S te wa rd r ep li ed , w it h m uc h d ef er en ce .

" Bu t t he re i s a ny q ua nt it y o f o at me al , w hi ch w e o ft en c oo k f or b re ak fa st .

O at meal i s a b reak fast d is h, " add ed t he S tewar d, h um bl y.

" I' ll ma ke i t a di nne r di sh, " s ai d J im. " Fe tc h i t o n, b ut d on 't c oo k

i t, as y ou v al ue y ou r l if e. "

Y ou s ee , t he r es pe ct s ho wn t he wo rn- out o ld c ab -h or se m ad e h im a

l it tl e a rr og an t, a nd h e f or go t h e w as a g ue st , n ev er h av in g b ee n

t re at ed o th er wi se t ha n a s a s er va nt s in ce t he d ay h e w as b or n, u nt il

h is a rr iva l i n t he L an d of O z. B ut t he r oy al a tt en da nt s d id n ot h ee d

t he a ni ma l' s i ll t em pe r. T he y s oo n m ix ed a t ub o f o at me al w it h a





l it tl e w at er , and J im ate i t w it h m uch r el is h.

T he n t he s er va nt s he ap ed a l ot o f r ug s u pon t he f loo r a nd t he o ld

h or se s le pt on t he s of te st b ed he ha d e ve r know n i n hi s l if e.

I n t he m or ni ng, a s s oon a s i t wa s da yl ight , h e r es ol ve d t o t ake a wa lk

a nd t ry t o f in d s om e g ra ss f or b re ak fa st ; s o h e a mb le d c al ml y t hr ou gh

t he h an ds om e a rc h o f t he d oo rw ay , t ur ne d t he c or ne r o f t he p al ac e,

wh er ei n a ll s ee me d a sl ee p, a nd c am e f ac e t o f ac e w it h t he S aw ho rs e.

J im s to pp ed abr up tl y, b ei ng s tart l ed and amazed. T he S awh or s e s t op p ed

a t t he s am e t im e a nd s ta re d a t t he o th er w it h i ts q ue er p ro tr ud in g

e ye s, w hi ch w er e m er e k no ts i n t he l og t ha t f or me d i ts b od y. T he l eg s

o f t he S aw ho rs e w er e f ou r s ti ck s d ri vi ng i nt o h ol es b or ed i n t he l og ;

i ts t ai l wa s a s ma ll bra nc h tha t ha d be en l eft by a cc ide nt a nd i ts

mou th a pl ac e c hop pe d i n on e e nd of t he b ody w hi ch p roj ec te d a l it tl e

a nd s er ve d a s a he ad. The ends of the wooden le gs were shod with

p la te s o f s ol id g ol d, a nd t he s ad dl e o f t he P ri nc es s O zm a, w hi ch w as o f

r ed l ea th er s et w it h s pa rk li ng d ia mo nd s, w as s tr ap pe d t o t he c lu ms y b od y.

J im 's e ye s s tuc k ou t a s m uc h a s t hos e o f t he S aw hor se , a nd h e s ta re d

a t t he c re at ur e wi th hi s e ar s e re ct a nd hi s l ong he ad dr aw n b ac k u nt il

i t r es te d a ga in st h is a rc he d n ec k.

I n t hi s com ical p os it io n t he t wo h or ses cir cl ed s lo wl y aro un d each

o th er f or a w hi le, each b ei ng u nabl e t o r eali ze w hat t he s in gu lar t hi ng





mi gh t b e w hi ch i t n ow b eh el d f or t he f ir st t im e. T hen J im exclaim ed :

" For go od ne ss s ake , wh at s or t o f a be in g a re y ou ?"

" I' m a S aw ho rs e," r ep li ed t he o th er .

" Oh ; I b el ie ve I 'v e h ea rd o f y ou ," s ai d t he c ab -h or se ; " bu t y ou a re

un li ke any th in g t hat I exp ected t o s ee."

" I d o n ot do ub t i t, " t he S awh or se ob se rv ed , wi th a t on e of pr id e. "I

am considered quite unusual."

" Yo u a re , i nd ee d. B ut a r ic ke ty w ood en t hi ng l ik e y ou h as n o r ig ht t o

be alive."

" I cou ld n' t h el p i t, " r et ur ned t he o th er , r at her crest fall en . " Ozma

sp rin kl ed m e wi th a m agi c p owde r, a nd I j us t ha d t o l ive . I kn ow I 'm

not m uc h a cc ount ; but I 'm t he onl y hor se i n a ll t he La nd o f Oz , s o

t he y t re at m e w it h g re at r es pe ct ."

" Yo u, a h or se!"

"Oh, not a re al one , of c our se. The re a re no re al hor ses her e at all .

B ut I 'm a s pl en di d i mi tati on o f o ne."





Jim gave an indignant neigh.

" Lo ok a t m e! " h e c ri ed . " Be ho ld a r ea l h or se !"

T he w oo den ani mal g av e a s tart , and t hen exami ned t he o th er i nt en tl y.

" Is i t p os si bl e t ha t y ou a re a R ea l H or se ?" h e m ur mu re d.

" No t o nl y p os si bl e, b ut t ru e, " r ep li ed J im , w ho w as g rati fi ed b y t he

im pr es si on h e h ad c re at ed . " It i s pr ove d b y m y f in e p oi nt s. F o r

ex amp le , l oo k a t t he l ong ha ir s o n m y t ai l, w it h wh ic h I c an wh is k

away the flies."

" Th e f li es n ev er t ro ub le m e, " s ai d t he S aw -H or se.

" An d n ot ice m y g reat s tr on g t eeth , w it h w hi ch I n ib bl e t he g rass ."

" It i s n ot ne ce ss ar y f or m e t o e at ," ob se rv ed t he S aw hor se .

" Al so e xa mi ne m y b ro ad c he st , w hi ch e na bl es m e t o d ra w d ee p, f ul l

breaths," said Jim, proudly.

" I h av e n o n ee d t o b re at he ," r et ur ne d t he o th er .

"No; you miss many pleasures," remarked the cab-horse, pityingly.

" Yo u d o n ot k no w t he r el ie f o f b ru sh in g a wa y a f ly t ha t h as b it te n





yo u, n or t he d el ig ht o f eat in g d el icio us f oo d, n or t he s at is fact io n o f

d ra wi ng a l on g b re at h o f f re sh , p ur e a ir . Yo u ma y b e a n i mi ta ti on o f

a h or se , b ut y ou 'r e a m ig ht y p oo r o ne ."

" Oh , I c ann ot ho pe e ve r t o be l ike y ou, " s ig he d t he Sa who rs e. "But I

a m gl ad t o m ee t a l as t a R ea l H or se . You a re c er ta inl y the m ost

beautiful creature I ever beheld."

T hi s p rais e w on J im com pl et el y. T o b e cal led b eaut if ul w as a n ov el ty

i n h is exp er ience. S ai d h e:

" Yo ur c hi ef f aul t, m y f ri en d, i s i n b ei ng m ade o f w ood , a nd t ha t I

s up po se y ou c an no t h el p. R ea l h or se s, l ik e m ys el f, a re m ade o f f le sh

a n d b lo od a nd b on es ."

" I c an s ee t he b on es a ll r ig ht ," r ep li ed t he S aw ho rs e, " an d t he y a re

a dm ir ab le a nd d is ti nc t. A ls o I c an s ee t he f le sh . B ut t he b lo od , I

s u pp os e i s t ucked away i ns i de."

"Exactly," said Jim.

" Wh at g oo d i s i t? " a sk ed t he S aw ho rs e.

J im d id no t kno w, but he w oul d not t el l t he Sa whor se t ha t.





" If a ny th in g c ut s m e, " h e r epl ie d, " th e bl oo d r un s o ut t o s ho w w he re I

a m c ut . Y ou , p oo r t hi ng ! c an no t e ve n b le ed w he n y ou a re h ur t. "

" But I a m ne ve r hur t, " s ai d t he Sa wh ors e. " Once in a whil e I get

br oke n up s om e, b ut I a m e as il y r ep ai re d a nd p ut i n go od o rd er a ga in.

A nd I n eve r f ee l a br ea k o r a s pl in te r i n t he l ea st ."

J im w as a lm os t t em pt ed t o e nv y t he w oo de n h or se f or b ei ng u na bl e t o

f ee l p ai n; b ut t he c re at ur e w as s o a bs ur dl y u nn at ur al t ha t h e d ec id ed

he w ou ld n ot chang e p laces w it h i t u nd er any cir cu ms tances .

" Ho w di d yo u ha ppe n t o b e s ho d wi th go ld ?" he a ske d.

" Pr in ce ss O zm a d id t ha t, " w as t he r ep ly ; " an d i t s av es m y l eg s f ro m

we ar in g o ut . W e' ve h ad a g oo d m an y a dv en tu re s t og et he r, O zm a a nd I ,

a n d s he l ik es m e. "

T he c ab- ho rs e w as a bo ut t o r ep ly wh en s ud de nl y he ga ve a s ta rt a nd a

n ei gh o f t er ro r a nd s too d t re mbl in g l ik e a l ea f. F or a ro un d t he

cor ner h ad com e t wo eno rm ou s s avage b east s, t read in g s o l ig ht ly t hat

t he y we re up on hi m be for e he w as a wa re o f t he ir pr es enc e. Jim was in

t he a ct o f p lu ng in g d ow n t he p at h t o e sc ap e w he n t he S aw ho rs e c ri ed o ut :

" St op , m y b ro th er ! S to p, R ea l H or se ! T he se a re f ri en ds , a nd w il l d o

y o u n o h ar m. "





J im h es it at ed , eyein g t he b east s f earf ul ly . O ne w as an eno rm ou s L io n

w it h c le ar , i nt el li ge nt e ye s, a t aw ne y m ane b us hy a nd w el l k ept , a nd a

bo dy l ike ye ll ow pl us h. T he o th er w as a g re at T ig er w it h p ur pl e

s tr ip es aro un d h is l it he b od y, p ow er fu l l im bs , and eyes t hat s ho wed

t hr ou gh t he h al f c lo se d l id s l ik e c oa ls of f ir e. Th e hu ge f or ms o f

t he se m on ar ch s o f t he f or es t a nd j un gl e w er e e no ug h t o s tr ik e t er ro r

to t he s to ut es t he ar t, a nd i t i s no wo nde r J im w as a fr ai d t o f ac e t he m.

B ut t he S aw ho rs e i nt ro du ced t he s tr an ger i n a cal m t on e, s ay in g:

" Th is , n ob le H or se, i s m y f ri en d t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w ho i s t he v al iant K in g

o f t he F or es t, b ut a t t he s am e t im e a f ai th fu l v as sa l o f P ri nc es s O zm a.

An d t hi s i s t he H un gr y T ig er , t he t er ro r of t he j un gl e, w ho l on gs t o

d ev ou r f at b ab ie s b ut i s p re ve nt ed b y h is c on sc ie nc e f ro m d oi ng s o.

T he se r oy al b ea st s a re b ot h w ar m f ri en ds o f l it tl e D or ot hy a nd h av e c om e

t o t he E merald C it y t hi s m or ni ng t o w el co me h er t o o ur f ai ry land ."

H ea ri ng t he se w or ds J im r es ol ve d t o c on qu er h is a la rm . H e b ow ed h is

h ea d w it h a s m uc h d ign it y a s h e c ou ld m us te r t ow ar d t he s av ag e l ook in g

b ea st s, w ho i n r et ur n n od de d i n a f ri en dl y w ay .

" Is n ot t he R eal H or se a b eaut if ul ani mal?" ask ed t he S aw ho rs e adm ir in gl y.

" Th at i s d ou bt le ss a m at te r o f t as te ," r et ur ne d t he L io n. " In the

f or es t h e w ou ld b e t ho ug ht u ng ai nl y, b ecau se h is f ace i s s tr et ch ed o ut





a nd hi s n ec k i s us el es sl y l ong . H is j oi nt s, I n ot ic e, a re s wo ll en a nd

o ve rg ro wn , a nd h e l ac ks f le sh a nd i s o ld i n y ea rs ."

" An d d read fu ll y t ou gh ," add ed t he H un gr y T ig er , i n a s ad v oi ce. "My

c on sc ie nc e w ou ld n ev er p er mi t m e t o e at s o t ou gh a m or se l

as t he R ea l H or se ."

" I' m g la d o f t ha t, " s ai d J im ; " fo r I , a ls o, h av e a c on sc ie nc e, a nd i t

te ll s m e n ot t o c rus h i n y ou r s kul l wi th a bl ow o f m y po we rf ul h oo f. "

I f h e t ho ug ht t o f ri ght en t he s tr ip ed b ea st b y s uc h l an gua ge h e w as

m is taken. T he T ig er s eemed t o s mi le, and w in ked o ne eye s lo wl y.

" Yo u h av e a g oo d c on sc ie nc e, f ri en d H or se ," i t s ai d, " an d i f y ou

a tt en d t o i ts t ea ch in gs i t w il l d o m uc h t o p rot ec t y ou f rom h ar m.

Some da y I wil l l et you tr y to c rus h i n m y s kull , a nd a fte rwar d you

w il l k no w m or e a bou t t ig er s t ha n y ou d o n ow ."

" An y f ri en d o f D or ot hy ," r em ar ked t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " mu st b e o ur

f ri en d, a s w el l. S o l et u s c ea se t hi s t al k of s ku ll c ru sh in g a nd

con ver se u po n m or e p leasant s ub jects . H av e y ou b reakf ast ed , S ir H or s e?"

" No t y et ," r ep li ed J im . " Bu t h er e i s p lent y o f excel lent clo ver, s o

if you wi ll e xc us e m e I wi ll e at now ."

" He 's a v eg et ar ia n, " r em ar ke d t he T ig er , a s t he h or se b eg an t o m un ch





t he c lo ve r. " If I c ou ld e at g ra ss I w ou ld no t ne ed a c on sc ie nc e, f or

n ot hi ng cou ld t hen t em pt m e t o d ev ou r b ab ies and l am bs ."

J us t t he n D or ot hy , w ho h ad r is en e ar ly a nd h ea rd t he v oi ce s o f t he

a ni ma ls , r an o ut t o g re et h er o ld f ri en ds . S he h ug ge d bo th t he L io n

a nd t he T ige r w it h e ag er d el ig ht , b ut s ee me d t o l ov e t he K in g o f

Beas ts a l it tl e b et ter t han s he d id h is h un gr y f ri en d, h av in g k no wn

him longer.

B y t hi s t im e t he y h ad i nd ul ge d i n a g oo d t al k a nd D or ot hy h ad t ol d

t hem all abo ut t he awf ul ear th qu ak e and h er r ecent adv en tu res, t he

b re ak fa st b el l r an g f ro m t he p al ac e a nd t he l it tl e g ir l w ent i ns id e t o

jo in h er h um an c om ra de s. A s s he e nt er ed t he g re at h al l a v oi ce c al le d

o ut , i n a r at he r h ar sh t on e:

" Wh at ! are Y OU h er e again ?"

" Ye s, I a m, " s he a ns we re d, l oo ki ng a ll a ro un d t o s ee w he re t he v oi ce

came from.

" Wh at b ro ug ht y ou b ack?" w as t he n ex t q uest io n, and D or ot hy 's eye

r es te d o n a n a nt le re d h ea d h an gi ng o n t he w al l j us t o ve r t he

f ir ep lace, and cau gh t i ts l ip s i n t he act o f m ov in g.

"Good gracious!" she exclaimed. "I thought you were stuffed."





"So I a m," r eplie d t he head. "But once on a time I was part of the

G um p, w hi ch Oz ma s pr ink le d w it h t he P ow de r o f L if e. I w as t he n f or a

t im e t he H ea d o f t he f in es t F lyi ng M ac hi ne t ha t w as e ve r k no wn t o

exi st , and w e d id m an y w on derf ul t hi ng s. A ft er ward t he G um p w as t ak en

a part and I was put ba ck on this wall ; but I can still talk when I

f ee l i n t he m ood , w hi ch i s n ot of te n. "

" It 's v er y s tr an ge ," s ai d t he g ir l. " Wh at w er e y ou w he n y ou w er e

first alive?"

" Th at I h av e f or go tt en ," r ep li ed t he G um p' s H ea d, " an d I d o n ot t hi nk

it i s of much import ance . B ut he re c om es O zma ; s o I 'd b et te r h us h u p,

f or t he P ri nc es s d oe sn 't l ik e m e t o c ha tt er s in ce s he c ha ng ed h er n am e

fr om T ip t o O zm a. "

J us t t he n t he g ir li sh R ul er o f O z o pe ne d t he d oo r a nd g re et ed D or ot hy

wi th a g oo d- mo rn in g k is s. T he l it tl e P ri nces s s eemed f resh and r os y

and i n g oo d s pi ri ts .

" Br ea kf as t i s s er ve d, d ea r, " s he s ai d, " an d I a m h un gr y. S o d on 't l et

u s k eep i t w ai ti ng a s in gl e m in ut e. "

1 7 . T he N in e T in y P ig lets





A ft er b re ak fa st O zm a a nn ou nc ed t ha t s he h ad o rd er ed a h ol id ay t o b e

o b serv ed t hr ou gh ou t t he E merald C it y, i n h on or o f h er v is it or s. T he

p eo pl e h ad l ea rn ed t ha t t he ir o ld W iz ar d h ad r et ur ne d t o t he m a nd a ll

w er e a nxi ous t o s ee h im a ga in, f or he h ad a lw ays be en a r ar e f avo ri te .

S o f ir st t he re w as t o be a gr an d p ro ce ss io n t hr ou gh t he s tr ee ts , a ft er

w hi ch t he l it tl e o ld m an w as r eq ue st ed t o p er fo rm s om e o f h is

w iz ar dr ie s i n t he g re at T hr on e R oo m o f t he p al ac e. I n t he a ft er no on

t he re w ere t o be ga me s a nd r ac es .

T he p ro cess io n w as v er y i mp os in g. F ir st cam e t he I mp er ial C or net B an d

o f O z, d ress ed i n emerald v el vet u ni fo rm s w it h s lash es o f p ea-g reen

s ati n and b ut to ns o f i mm en se cut emerald s. T hey p layed t he N at io nal

air cal led " Th e O z S pang led B an ner, " and b eh in d t hem w er e t he s tand ar d

b earers w it h t he R oy al f lag. T hi s f lag w as d iv id ed i nt o f ou r

qu ar ter s, o ne b ei ng col or ed s ky -b lu e, ano th er p in k, a t hi rd l avend er

a nd a f ou rt h w hi te . I n t he c en te r w as a l ar ge e me ra ld -g re en s ta r, a nd

all o ver t he f ou r q uart er s w er e s ew n s pang les t hat g li tt er ed

beautifully in the sunshine. The colors represented the four

co un tr ie s o f O z, a nd t he g re en s ta r t he E me ra ld C it y.

J us t b eh in d t he r oy al s ta nd ar d- be ar er s c am e t he P ri nc es s O zm a i n h er

r o yal chari ot , w hi ch w as o f g ol d encru st ed w it h emerald s and d iamo nd s

s et i n e xq ui si te d es ig ns . T he c ha ri ot w as d ra wn o n t hi s o cc as io n b y





t he C ow ar dl y L io n a nd t he H un gr y T ig er , w ho w er e d ec or at ed w it h

im me ns e p in k a nd b lu e b ow s. I n t he c ha ri ot r od e O zm a a nd D or ot hy , t he

f or mer i n s pl en di d r ai ment and w eari ng h er r oy al cor on et , w hi le t he

li tt le K an sa s g ir l w or e a ro un d h er w ai st t he M ag ic B el t s he h ad o nc e

cap tu red f r om t he N om e K in g.

F ol l ow in g t he chari ot came t he S car ecro w m ou nt ed o n t he S aw ho rs e, and

t he p eo pl e c he er ed h im a lm os t a s l oud ly a s t he y d id t he ir l ov el y

R ul er . B eh in d h im s talk ed w it h r eg ul ar , j er ky s teps , t he f am ou s

m ac hi ne -m an c al le d T ik -t ok , w ho h ad b ee n w ou nd u p b y D or ot hy f or t he

o cc as io n. T ik -t ok m ov ed b y c lo ck wo rk , a nd w as m ad e a ll o f b ur ni sh ed

c op p er . H e r ea ll y b el on ge d t o t he K an sa s g ir l, w ho h ad m uc h r es pe ct

f or h is t ho ug ht s a ft er t he y h ad b ee n p ro pe rl y w ou nd a nd s et g oi ng ; b ut

a s t he c opp er m an w oul d be us el es s i n a ny pl ac e bu t a f ai ry c ount ry

D or ot hy ha d l ef t h im i n c ha rg e o f O zm a, w ho s aw t ha t he w as s ui ta bl y

c a re d f or .

T here f ol lo wed ano th er b an d aft er t hi s, w hi ch w as cal led t he R oy al

C o ur t B an d, b ec au se t he m em be rs a ll l iv ed i n t he p al ac e. T he y w or e

w h it e u ni fo rm s w it h r eal d iamo nd b ut to ns and p layed " Wh at i s O z

without Ozma" very sweetly.

T hen cam e P ro fess or W og gl e- Bu g, w it h a g ro up o f s tu dent s f ro m t he

R oy al C ol lege o f S ci en ti fi c A th leti cs . T he b oy s w or e l on g h ai r and

s tr ip ed s weat er s and y el led t heir col lege y el l every o th er s tep t hey

to ok , t o t he g re at s at is fa ct io n o f t he p op ul ac e, w hi ch w as g la d t o





h av e t hi s evi dence t hat t heir l un gs w er e i n g oo d con di ti on .

T he b ri ll iant ly p ol is hed T in W oo dm an m ar ch ed n ex t, at t he h ead o f t he

Royal Army of Oz which consisted of twenty-eight officers, from

G e ne ra ls d ow n t o C ap ta in s. T he re w er e n o p ri va te s i n t he a rm y b ec au se

a l l w er e s o c ou ra ge ou s a nd s ki ll fu l t ha t t he y h ad b ee n p ro mo te d o ne b y

o ne u nt il t here w er e n o p ri vates l ef t. J im and t he b ug gy f ol lo wed,

t he ol d c ab- ho rs e be ing dr iv en by Z eb wh il e t he W iz ar d s tood up o n t he

s ea t a nd bow ed hi s b al d he ad r igh t a nd l ef t i n a ns we r t o t he c he er s o f

t he p eo pl e, w ho c ro wd ed t hi ck a bo ut h im .

T ak en a lt og et he r t he p ro ce ss io n w as a g ra nd s uc ce ss , a nd w he n i t h ad

r et ur ne d t o t he p al ac e t he c it iz en s c ro wd ed i nt o t he g re at T hr on e R oo m

to s ee t he W iz ar d p er fo rm h is t ri ck s.

Th e f ir st t hi ng t he l it tl e hu mb ug di d wa s t o p ro du ce a t iny w hi te

p ig let f ro m u nd er neat h h is h at and p retend t o p ul l i t apart , m ak in g

t wo . T hi s a ct he r epe at ed u nt il a ll o f t he n in e t iny pi gl et s we re

vi si bl e, a nd t he y w er e s o g la d t o g et out of h is p oc ke t t ha t t he y r an

aro un d i n a v er y l iv el y m an ner. T he p rett y l it tl e creat ur es w ou ld

ha ve be en a n ove lt y a ny whe re , s o t he pe op le we re a s a ma ze d a nd

d el ig ht ed a t t he ir a pp ea ra nc e a s e ve n t he W iz ar d c ou ld h av e d es ir ed .

W he n h e h ad m ad e t he m a ll d is ap pe ar a ga in O zm a d ec la re d s he w as s or ry

t he y w er e go ne , f or s he w ant ed one o f t he m t o p et a nd p la y wi th. S o

t he W iz ar d p re te nde d t o t ake o ne of t he p igl et s out o f t he ha ir o f t he





P ri nces s ( wh il e r eall y h e s ly ly t oo k i t f ro m h is i ns id e p ocket) and

O zm a s mi le d j oy ou sl y a s t he c re at ur e n es tl ed i n h er a rm s, a nd s he

pr om is ed t o h av e a n e me ra ld c ol la r m ade f or i ts f at n ec k a nd t o ke ep

t he l it tl e s qu ea le r a lw ay s a t h an d t o a mu se h er .

A ft er ward i t w as n ot iced t hat t he W izar d alw ay s p er fo rm ed h is f am ou s

t ri ck w it h e ig ht p ig le ts , b ut i t s ee me d t o p le as e t he p eo pl e j us t a s

we ll a s if the re ha d bee n nine of t hem .

I n hi s l it tl e r oom ba ck of t he Thr one Room the Wi za rd had f ound a l ot

of t hi ng s h e ha d l ef t b eh in d h im wh en he we nt a wa y i n t he b al loo n, f or

n o o ne h ad o cc up ie d t he a pa rt me nt i n h is a bs en ce . T he re w as e no ugh

m at er ia l t he re t o e na bl e h im t o p re pa re s ev er al n ew t ri ck s w hi ch h e

h ad l ea rn ed f ro m s om e o f t he j ug gl er s i n t he c ir cu s, a nd h e h ad p as se d

pa rt o f t he n ig ht i n g et ti ng t he m r ea dy . S o h e f ol lo we d t he t ri ck o f

the nine tiny piglets with several other wonderful feats that greatly

de li ght ed hi s a udi enc e a nd t he pe opl e d id no t s ee m t o c ar e a bi t

whe ther t he l it tle m an w as a humbug Wi za rd or not , s o l ong a s he

s ucceed ed i n amu si ng t hem. T hey app laud ed all h is t ri ck s and at t he

e nd o f t he p er fo rm an ce b eg ge d h im e ar ne st ly n ot t o g o a wa y a ga in a nd

leave them.

" In t hat cas e, " s ai d t he l it tl e m an , g ravely , " I w il l can cel all o f m y

eng ag em en ts b ef or e t he cro wn ed h eads o f E ur op e and A mer ica and d ev ot e

myself to the people of Oz, for I love you all so well that I can deny

you nothing."





A ft er t he p eo pl e h ad b een d is mi ss ed w it h t hi s p ro mi se o ur f ri en ds

j oi ne d P ri nc es s O zm a a t a n e la bo ra te l un ch eo n i n t he p al ac e, w he re

e ve n t he T ig er a nd t he L io n w er e s um pt uo us ly f ed a nd J im t he C ab -h or se

a te h is o at me al o ut o f a g ol de n b ow l w it h s ev en r ow s o f r ub ie s,

s ap ph ir es a nd d ia mo nd s s et a ro un d t he r im o f i t.

I n t he a ft er no on t he y a ll w en t t o a g re at f ie ld o ut si de t he c it y g at es

w he re t he g am es w er e t o be he ld . T her e w as a be aut if ul c anopy f or

Oz ma a nd h er g ue st s t o s it un de r a nd w at ch t he p eop le r un r ac es a nd

j ump a nd wr es tl e. You ma y b e s ur e t he fo lk s of O z di d t he ir be st wi th

such a distinguished company watching them, and finally Zeb offered to

w re st le w it h a l it tl e M un chk in w ho s ee me d t o b e t he c ha mp ion . I n

a pp ea ra nc e h e w as t wi ce a s o ld a s Z eb, f or h e h ad l on g po in te d

w hi sk er s a nd w or e a p ea ke d h at w it h l it tl e b el ls a ll a ro un d t he b ri m

o f i t, w hi ch t in kl ed g ai ly as h e m ov ed . B ut alt ho ug h t he M un ch ki n w as

ha rdl y t al l e nou gh t o c om e t o Z eb' s s houl de r he wa s s o s tr ong a nd

c le ve r t ha t he l ai d t he boy t hr ee t im es on hi s b ac k wi th a ppa re nt e as e.

Z eb w as g re at ly a st on is he d a t h is d ef ea t, a nd w he n t he p re tt y P ri nc es s

jo in ed h er p eo pl e i n l au gh in g at h im h e p ro po sed a b ox in g- match w it h

th e M un ch ki n, t o w hi ch t he l it tl e O zi te r eadi ly agr eed. B ut t he f ir st

t ime t ha t Ze b ma na ge d t o gi ve him a s ha rp box on t he e ars t he M unchki n

s at dow n up on t he gr oun d a nd c ri ed unt il t he t ea rs r an d own hi s

w hi sk er s, b ec au se h e h ad b ee n h ur t. Th is m ad e Z eb l au gh, i n t ur n, a nd





t h e b oy f el t c om fo rt ed t o f ind t ha t O zm a l au gh ed a s m er ri ly a t h er

w ee pi ng s ub je ct a s s he h ad a t h im .

J us t t he n t he S ca re cr ow p ro po se d a r ac e b et we en t he S aw ho rs e a nd t he

C ab -h or se; and al th ou gh al l t he o th er s w er e d el ig ht ed at t he

suggestion the Sawhorse drew back, saying:

" Su ch a r ac e wo ul d not be f ai r. "

" Of c ou rs e n ot ," a dd ed J im , w it h a t ou ch o f s co rn ; " th os e l it tl e

woode n l egs of your s a re not ha lf a s l ong a s my ow n."

" It i sn 't t ha t, " s ai d t he S aw ho rs e, m od es tl y; " bu t I n ev er t ir e, a nd

y ou d o. "

" Bah! " cri ed J im , l oo ki ng w it h g reat d is dain at t he o th er ; " do y ou

i ma gi ne f or a n i ns ta nt t ha t s uc h a s ha bb y i mi ta ti on of a h or se a s y ou

are can run as fast as I?"

" I d on 't k no w, I 'm s ur e, " r ep li ed t he S aw ho rs e.

" Th at i s w ha t w e a re t ry in g t o f in d o ut ," r em ar ke d t he S ca re cr ow .

"The obje ct of a r ac e is to se e who c an wi n i t- -or at le as t tha t is

what my excellent brains think."

" On ce , w he n I wa s yo ung ," s ai d J im , " I w as a r ac e hor se , a nd de fe at ed





a ll who da re d r un a ga ins t me . I w as b or n i n K ent uc ky, yo u kn ow , w he re

a ll t he b es t a nd m os t a ri st oc ra ti c h or se s c om e f ro m. "

" Bu t y ou 'r e o ld , n ow , J im ," s ug gest ed Z eb .

" Ol d! W hy , I f ee l l ik e a c ol t t od ay ," r ep li ed J im . "I only wi sh

ther e wa s a re al hors e her e f or me to ra ce wit h. I 'd show the pe opl e

a f in e s ig ht , I c an t el l y ou. "

" Th en w hy n ot r ace w it h t he S aw ho rs e?" enq ui red t he S carecr ow .

"He's afraid," said Jim.

" Oh , n o, " a ns we re d t he S aw ho rs e. " I m er el y s ai d i t wa sn 't f ai r. But

i f m y f ri en d t he R ea l H or se i s w il li ng t o u nd er ta ke t he r ac e I a m

quite ready."

S o t he y u nh ar ne ss ed J im a nd t oo k t he s ad dl e o ff t he S aw ho rs e, a nd t he

tw o q ue er ly m at ch ed a ni ma ls w er e s to od s id e b y s id e f or t he s ta rt .

" Whe n I s ay ' Go !' " Ze b c all ed t o t he m, "yo u m us t di g out a nd r ac e

u n ti l y ou r ea ch t ho se t hr ee t re es y ou s ee o ve r y on de r. T he n c ir cl e

' ro un d t he m a nd c om e b ac k a ga in . T he f ir st o ne t ha t p as se s t he p la ce

w he re t he P ri nc es s s it s s ha ll b e n am ed t he w in ne r. A re y ou r ea dy ?"





" I s uppos e I o ught t o gi ve t he wood en d umm y a good s ta rt o f m e,"

growled Jim.

" Ne ve r m in d t ha t, " s ai d t he S aw ho rs e. " I' ll d o t he b es t I c an ."

" Go !" c ri ed Z eb ; a nd a t t he wo rd t he t wo h or se s l ea pe d f or wa rd a nd t he

r ac e w as b eg un .

J im' s b ig hoo fs poun de d a wa y a t a gr ea t r at e, a nd a lt hou gh he di d no t

l ook ve ry gr ac ef ul h e r an i n a w ay t o do c re di t t o h is K ent uc ky

b re ed in g. B ut t he S aw ho rs e w as s wi ft er t ha n t he w in d. I ts w oo de n

l eg s m ov ed s o f as t t ha t t he ir t wi nk li ng c ou ld s ca rc el y b e s ee n, a nd

alt ho ug h s o m uch s mall er t han t he cab -h or se i t cov er ed t he g ro un d m uch

f as te r. B ef or e t he y h ad r ea ch ed t he t re es t he S aw ho rs e w as f ar a he ad ,

a nd t he w oo de n a ni ma l r et ur ne d t o t he s ta rt in g p la ce a s w as b ei ng

l us ti ly c he er ed b y t he O zi te s b ef or e J im c am e p an ti ng u p t o t he c an op y

w he re t he P ri nc es s a nd h er f ri en ds w er e s ea te d.

I a m s or ry t o r ec or d t he f ac t t ha t J im w as n ot o nl y a sha me d of hi s

d ef ea t but f or a mo me nt l os t c ont rol of hi s t empe r. A s h e l oo ke d a t

t h e c om ic al f ac e o f t he S aw ho rs e h e i ma gi ne d t ha t t he c re at ur e w as

l au gh in g at h im ; s o i n a f it o f u nr easo nabl e ang er h e t ur ned aro un d

a nd m ad e a v ic iou s ki ck t ha t s en t hi s r iv al t um bl in g h ea d o ve r h ee ls

upon t he gr ound, a nd b roke of f one of i ts l egs a nd i ts l ef t e ar .

A n i ns tant l at er t he T ig er cro uched and l au nched i ts h ug e b od y t hr ou gh





t he a ir s wif t a nd r esi st le ss a s a ba ll fr om a c annon. T he b ea st

s tr uck J im f ul l o n h is s ho ul der and s en t t he ast on is hed cab -h or se

r ol li ng o ver and o ver, ami d s ho ut s o f d el ig ht f ro m t he s pect at or s, w ho

h ad b ee n h or ri fi ed b y t he u ng ra ci ou s a ct h e h ad b ee n g ui lt y o f.

W he n J im c am e t o h im se lf a nd s at u po n hi s h au nc he s h e f ou nd t he

Co wa rd ly L io n c rou ch ed o n o ne s id e o f h im a nd t he H un gr y T ig er o n t he

o th er , and t heir eyes w er e g lo wi ng l ik e b al ls o f f ir e.

" I b eg y ou r p ar do n, I 'm s ur e, " s ai d J im , m ee kl y. " I w as w ro ng t o k ic k

the Sawhorse , and I am sor ry I be came angr y at hi m. He has won t he

r ac e, a nd w on i t f ai rl y; b ut wh at c an a h or se of f le sh do a ga ins t a

ti r el ess b eas t o f w oo d?"

H eari ng t hi s apo lo gy t he T ig er and t he L io n s to pp ed l as hi ng t heir

t ai ls a nd r et re at ed w it h d ig ni fi ed s te ps t o t he s id e o f t he P ri nc es s.

" No o ne m us t i nj ur e o ne o f o ur f ri en ds i n o ur p re se nc e, " g ro wl ed t he

L io n; a nd Z eb r an t o J im a nd w hi sp er ed t ha t u nl es s h e c on tr ol le d h is

t em pe r i n t he f ut ur e h e w ou ld p ro ba bl y b e t or n t o p ie ce s.

T he n t he T in W oo dm an c ut a s tr ai ght a nd s tr on g l im b f ro m a t re e w it h

h is gl ea mi ng a xe a nd ma de a ne w l eg a nd a n ew e ar f or th e Sa whor se ;

a nd w he n t he y h ad b ee n s ec ur el y f as te ne d i n p la ce P ri nc es s O zm a t oo k

t he c or one t f rom he r ow n he ad a nd pl ac ed i t upo n t ha t of t he wi nne r





of t he r ac e. Sa id s he:

" My f ri en d, I r ew ar d y ou f or y ou r s wi ft ness b y p ro cl ai mi ng y ou P ri nce

o f H or se s, w he th er o f w oo d o r o f f le sh ; a nd h er ea ft er a ll o th er

h or ses -- i n t he L an d o f O z, at l eas t- - mu st b e con si dered i mi tat io ns ,

a nd y ou t he r ea l C ha mp io n o f y ou r r ac e. "

T he re w as m or e a pp la us e a t t hi s, a nd t he n O zm a h ad t he j ew el le d s ad dl e

r ep la ce d u po n t he S aw ho rs e a nd h er se lf r od e t he v ic to r b ac k t o t he

c it y a t t he h ea d o f t he g ra nd p ro ce ss io n.

" I ou gh t t o b e a f ai ry ," g ru mb le d J im , a s h e s lo wl y dr ew t he b ug gy

hom e; " for t o be j us t a n or di na ry hor se i n a f ai ry c ount ry i s t o b e of

n o a cc ou nt w ha te ve r. I t' s n o p la ce f or u s, Z eb ."

" It 's l uc ky w e g ot h er e, t ho ug h, " s ai d t he b oy ; a nd J im t hou gh t o f t he

d ar k c av e, a nd a gr ee d w it h h im .

1 8 . T he Tr ia l o f Eu re ka t he K it te n

Several days of festivity and merry-making followed, for such old

f r ie nds di d n ot of te n me et a nd t he re w as mu ch t o be t ol d a nd t al ke d

o ve r b et we en t he m, a nd m an y a mu se me nt s t o b e e nj oy ed i n t hi s





delightful country.

Oz ma wa s ha ppy t o ha ve D or ot hy be si de he r, f or gi rl s of he r ow n a ge

w it h w ho m i t w as p ro pe r f or t he P ri nc es s t o a ss oc ia te w er e v er y f ew ,

and o ft en t he y ou th fu l R ul er o f O z w as l on el y f or l ack o f com pani on sh ip .

I t w as t he t hi rd m or ni ng aft er D or ot hy 's arr iv al , and s he w as s it ti ng

w it h O zm a a nd t he ir f ri en ds i n a r ec ep ti on r oo m, t al ki ng o ve r o ld

t im es , w he n t he P ri nc es s s ai d t o h er m ai d:

" Pl ea se g o t o m y b ou do ir , J el li a, a nd g et t he w hi te p ig le t I l ef t o n

t he d ress i ng -t ab le. I w an t t o p lay w it h i t. "

J el li a a t o nc e d ep ar te d on t he e rr and , a nd s he w as g on e s o l on g t ha t

th ey h ad alm os t f or go tt en h er m is si on w hen t he g reen r ob ed m ai den

retu rn ed w it h a t ro ub led f ace.

" Th e p ig let i s n ot t here, y ou r H ig hn es s, " s ai d s he.

" No t t here!" exclaim ed O zm a. " Ar e y ou s ur e?"

" I ha ve h un te d i n e ve ry pa rt o f t he r oo m, " t he m ai d r ep li ed .

" Wa s n ot t he d oo r c lo se d? " a sk ed t he P ri nc es s.





" Ye s, y ou r H ig hn es s; I a m s ur e i t w as ; f or w he n I o pe ne d i t D or ot hy 's

w hi te k it te n c re pt o ut a nd r an u p t he s ta ir s. "

H eari ng t hi s, D or ot hy and t he W izar d exchang ed s tart led g lances , f or

th ey r em em be re d h ow o ft en E ur ek a h ad l on ge d t o e at a p ig le t. The

l it tl e g ir l j um ped u p at o nce.

" Co me, O zm a, " s he s ai d, anx io us ly ; " let u s g o o ur selv es t o s earch f or

the piglet."

S o t he t wo we nt t o t he dr es si ng- ro om o f t he P ri nc es s a nd s ea rc he d

c ar ef ul ly i n e ve ry c or ne r a nd a mo ng t he v as es a nd b as ke ts a nd

o rn am en ts t ha t s to od a bo ut t he p re tt y b ou do ir . B ut n ot a t ra ce c ou ld

th ey f in d o f t he t in y creat ur e t hey s ou gh t.

D or ot hy w as n earl y w eepi ng , b y t hi s t im e, w hi le O zm a w as ang ry and

i nd ig nant . W hen t hey r et ur ned t o t he o th er s t he P ri nces s s ai d:

" Th er e i s l it tl e d ou bt t ha t m y p re tt y p ig le t h as b ee n e at en b y t ha t

h or ri d k it ten, and i f t hat i s t ru e t he o ff en der m us t b e p un is hed. "

" I d on 't b 'l ieve E ur ek a w ou ld d o s uch a d read fu l t hi ng !" cri ed

D or ot hy , m uch d is tr es s ed . " Go and g et m y k it ten, p leas e, J el li a, and

w e' ll he ar wh at s he h as t o s ay a bout i t. "

T he g reen m ai den h as tened away, b ut p resent ly r et ur ned and s ai d:





" The k it te n w il l no t c om e. S he t hr ea te ne d t o s cr at ch m y e ye s o ut i f I

touched her."

" Wh er e i s s he?" ask ed D or ot hy .

" Un de r t he b ed i n y ou r o wn r oo m, " w as t he r ep ly .

So Do ro thy r an t o h er r oo m a nd f ou nd t he k it te n un de r t he be d.

" Co me h er e, E ur eka!" s he s aid .

" I w on 't ," a ns we re d t he ki tt en , i n a s ur ly v oi ce .

" Oh , E ur eka ! W hy a re yo u s o b ad ?"

T he k it te n d id n ot r ep ly .

" If y ou d on 't com e t o m e, r ig ht away, " con ti nu ed D or ot hy , g et ti ng p ro vo ked,

" I' ll t ak e m y M ag ic B el t a nd wi sh y ou i n t he Co un tr y o f t he G ur gl es ."

" Wh y d o y ou w an t m e? " a sk ed E ur ek a, d is tu rb ed b y t hi s t hr ea t.

" You mus t go t o Pr inc es s Oz ma . She w an ts t o t al k t o y ou. "





" Al l r ig ht ," r et ur ned t he k it ten, creep in g o ut . " I' m n ot afr ai d o f

Ozma--or anyone else."

Do rot hy c ar ri ed h er i n he r a rm s ba ck t o wh er e t he o the rs s at i n

grieved and thoughtful silence.

" Tell m e, E ur ek a, " s ai d t he P ri nces s, g en tl y: " di d y ou eat

my pretty piglet?"

" I w on 't ans wer s uch a f oo li sh q uest io n, " ass er ted E ur ek a, w it h a s narl .

" Oh , y es y ou w il l, d ear, " D or ot hy d eclared. " Th e p ig let i s g on e, and

you r an o ut of t he r oom w he n J el li a ope ne d t he d oor . So , i f yo u a re

i nn oc en t, E ur ek a, y ou m us t t el l t he P ri nc es s h ow y ou c am e t o b e i n h er

r oo m, a nd w ha t h as b ec om e o f t he p ig le t. "

" Wh o accus es m e?" ask ed t he k it ten, d ef iant ly .

" No o ne ," a ns we re d O zm a. " Yo ur a ct io ns a lo ne a cc us e y ou . T he f ac t i s

t hat I l ef t m y l it tl e p et i n m y d ress in g- ro om l yi ng asl eep u po n t he

t ab le; and y ou m us t h av e s to len i n w it ho ut m y k no wi ng i t. W hen n ex t

t he d oo r w as o pe ne d y ou r an o ut a nd h id y ou rs el f- -a nd t he p ig le t w as g on e. "

" Th at 's n on e o f m y b us in es s, " g ro wl ed t he k it ten.

"Don't be impudent, Eureka," admonished Dorothy.





" It i s y ou w ho a re i mp ud en t, " s ai d E ur ek a, " fo r a cc us in g m e o f s uc h a

cri me w hen y ou can 't p ro ve i t excep t b y g uess in g. "

O zm a w as n ow g reat ly i ncen sed b y t he k it ten' s con du ct . S he s um mo ned

h er C ap tain -G en er al, and w hen t he l on g, l ean o ff icer app ear ed s he s aid :

" Ca rr y t hi s c at a wa y t o p ri so n, a nd k ee p h er i n s af e c on fi ne me nt u nt il

s he is t rie d by l aw for t he c rim e of mur de r."

S o t he C ap ta in -G en er al t oo k E ur ek a f ro m t he a rm s o f t he n ow w ee pi ng

D or ot hy a nd i n s pi te o f t he k it te n' s s na rl s a nd s cr at ch es c ar ri ed i t

a w ay t o p ri so n.

" Wh at s ha ll w e do no w? " a sk ed t he S ca re cr ow , wi th a s igh, f or s uc h a

c ri me h ad c as t a g lo om o ve r a ll t he c om pa ny .

" I w il l s um mo n t he C ou rt t o m ee t i n t he T hr on e R oo m a t t hr ee o 'c lo ck ,"

r epl ied O zm a. " I m ys el f w il l b e t he j ud ge, and t he k it ten s hall h av e

a f ai r t ri al ."

" Wh at w il l h ap pen i f s he i s g ui lt y?" ask ed D or ot hy .

" Sh e m us t d ie," ans wered t he P ri nces s.





"Nine times?" enquired the Scarecrow.

" As m an y t im es a s i s n ec es sa ry ," w as t he r ep ly . " I wi ll a sk t he Ti n

W oo dma n t o d ef en d t he p ri so ne r, be ca us e h e h as s uc h a ki nd he ar t I a m

s ur e he w il l do hi s b es t t o s ave h er . And t he Woggle -Bug s hal l be t he

P ub li c A cc us er , b ec au se h e i s s o l ea rn ed t ha t n o o ne c an d ec ei ve h im ."

" Wh o w il l b e t he j ur y? " a sk ed t he T in W oo dm an.

" Th er e o ug ht t o b e s ev er al ani mals o n t he j ur y, " s ai d O zm a, " becaus e

ani mals u nd er st an d each o th er b et ter t han w e p eo pl e u nd er st an d t hem.

S o t he j ur y s hall con si st o f t he C ow ar dl y L io n, t he H un gr y T ig er , J im

t h e C ab -h or se , t he Y el lo w H en , t he S ca re cr ow , t he W iz ar d, T ik -t ok t he

M ac hi ne M an , t he S aw ho rs e a nd Z eb o f H ug so n' s R an ch . T ha t m ak es t he

n in e w hi ch t he l aw r eq ui re s, a nd a ll m y p eop le s ha ll b e a dm it te d t o

hear the testimony."

T he y n ow s ep ar at ed t o p re pa re f or t he s ad c er em on y; f or w he ne ve r a n

a pp ea l i s m ad e t o l aw s or ro w i s a lm os t c er ta in t o f ol lo w- -e ve n i n a

f ai ry la nd l ike O z. B ut i s m us t b e s ta te d t ha t t he p eo pl e o f t ha t L an d

w er e g en er al ly s o w el l- behaved t hat t here w as n ot a s in gl e l aw yer

a mo ng st t he m, a nd i t h ad b ee n y ea rs s in ce a ny R ul er h ad s at i n j udg me nt

u po n a n o ff en de r o f t he l aw . T he c ri me of m ur de r b ei ng t he m os t

dreadful crime of all, tremendous excitement prevailed in the Emerald

C it y w he n t he n ew s o f E ur ek a' s a rr es t a nd t ri al b ec am e k no wn .





T he W iz ar d, w he n h e r et ur ne d t o h is o wn r oo m, w as e xc ee di ng ly

thoughtful . H e h ad n o d ou bt E ur ek a h ad e at en h is p ig le t, b ut h e

r ea li ze d t ha t a k it te n c an not b e de pe nd ed u pon a t a ll t im es t o a ct

p ro perl y, s in ce i ts n at ur e i s t o d es tr oy s mall ani mals and even b ir ds

for f ood, a nd the ta me c at t ha t we kee p i n our hous es toda y i s

d es cen ded f ro m t he w il d cat o f t he j un gl e- - a v er y f er ocio us creat ur e,

i nd ee d. T he W iz ar d k ne w t ha t i f D or ot hy 's p et w as f ou nd g ui lt y a nd

c on de mn ed t o d ea th t he l it tl e g ir l w ou ld b e m ad e v er y u nh ap py ; s o,

a lt hou gh he gr ie ve d o ve r t he p ig le t' s s ad f at e a s m uc h a s a ny o f t he m,

h e r es ol ve d t o s av e E ur ek a' s l if e.

S en di ng f or t he T in W oo dm an t he W iz ar d t oo k h im i nt o a c or ne r

and whispered:

" My f ri end, it i s your dut y t o de fe nd t he whi te ki tt en a nd t ry to sa ve

he r, but I fe ar you wi ll f ai l b eca us e Eur eka ha s l ong wi she d t o e at a

p ig le t, t o m y c er ta in k no wl ed ge , a nd m y o pi ni on i s t ha t s he h as b ee n

u na bl e t o r es is t t he t em pt at io n. Y et h er d is gr ac e a nd d ea th w ou ld n ot

b ri ng b ac k t he p ig le t, b ut o nl y s er ve t o m ak e D or ot hy u nh ap py . S o I

i nt en d t o p ro ve t he k it te n' s i nn oc en ce b y a t ri ck ."

H e d re w f ro m h is i ns ide p oc ke t o ne o f t he e ig ht t in y p ig le ts t ha t

were remaining and continued:

" Th is c re at ur e y ou m us t h id e i n s om e s af e pl ac e, a nd i f t he j ur y





d ecid es t hat E ur ek a i s g ui lt y y ou m ay t hen p ro du ce t hi s p ig let and

c la im i t i s t he on e t ha t w as l os t. A ll t he p ig le ts a re e xa ct ly a li ke ,

s o n o o ne c an d is pu te y ou r w or d. T hi s d ec ep ti on w il l s av e E ur ek a' s

l if e, a nd t he n w e m ay a ll be ha pp y a ga in. "

" I d o n ot l ik e t o d ec ei ve m y f ri end s, " r ep li ed t he T in W oo dm an ;

" st il l, m y k in d h ea rt u rg es m e t o s av e E ur ek a' s l if e, a nd I c an

us ual ly t rus t my he art t o do the right thing. So I w il l d o a s y ou

say, friend Wizard."

A ft er s om e t ho ug ht h e p laced t he l it tl e p ig i ns id e h is f un nel- sh ap ed

ha t, a nd t hen put the hat upon hi s he ad a nd went ba ck to his r oom to

th in k o ve r h is s pe ec h t o t he j ur y.

1 9 . T he W izar d P er fo rm s A no th er T ri ck

A t t hr ee o 'c lo ck t he T hr on e R oo m w as c ro wd ed w it h c it iz en s, m en , w om en

and chi ld ren b ei ng eag er t o w it ness t he g reat t ri al .

P ri nc es s O zm a, d re ss ed i n h er m os t s pl en di d r ob es o f s ta te , s at i n t he

m ag ni fi cent emerald t hr on e, w it h h er j ew el led s cept re i n h er h an d and

h er s pa rk li ng c or on et u po n h er f ai r b ro w. B eh in d h er t hr on e s to od t he

t went y- ei gh t o ff icer s o f h er arm y and m an y o ff icials o f t he r oy al





h ou seho ld . A t h er r ig ht s at t he q ueer ly ass or ted J ur y- -ani mals ,

ani mated d um mi es and p eo pl e- -all g ravely p repared t o l is ten t o w hat

w as s ai d. Th e k it te n h ad be en pl ac ed i n a l ar ge c age j us t be for e t he

t hr on e, w he re s he s at u po n h er h au nc he s a nd g az ed t hr ou gh t he b ar s a t

t he cro wd s aro un d h er , w it h s eemi ng u ncon cern .

A nd n ow , a t a s ig na l f ro m O zm a, t he W og gl e- Bu g a ro se a nd a dd re ss ed t he

j ury. H is t one w as po mp ou s a nd h e s tr ut te d u p a nd d ow n i n a n a bs ur d

attempt to appear dignified.

" Yo ur R oy al H ig hn es s and F el lo w C it izen s, " h e b eg an ; " th e s mall cat

y ou s ee a p ri son er b ef or e you i s a cc us ed of t he c ri me of f ir st

m ur deri ng and t hen eat in g o ur est eemed R ul er 's f at p ig let- -o r els e

f ir st e at in g a nd t he n m ur de ri ng i t. I n e it he r c as e a g ra ve c ri me h as

been committed which deserves a grave punishment."

" Do y ou m ea n m y k it te n m us t b e p ut i n a gr av e? " a sk ed D or ot hy .

"Don't interrupt, little girl," said the Woggle-Bug. "When I get my

t ho ug ht s a rr an ge d i n g oo d o rd er I d o n ot l ik e t o h av e a ny th in g u ps et

them or throw them into confusion."

" If y ou r t ho ug ht s w er e any g oo d t hey w ou ld n' t b ecom e con fu sed, "

r emar ked t h e S car ecr ow , earn es t ly . " My t ho ug ht s are alw ay s- -"





" Is t hi s a t ri al o f t ho ug ht s, o r o f k it tens ?" d em an ded t he W og gl e- Bu g.

" It 's a t ri al o f o ne k it te n, " r ep li ed t he S ca re cr ow ; " bu t y ou r m an ne r

is a tr ial to us a ll ."

" Let t he P ub li c A ccus er con ti nu e, " cal led O zm a f ro m h er t hr on e, " an d I

pr ay y ou d o n ot i nt er ru pt h im ."

" Th e cri mi nal w ho n ow s it s b ef or e t he cou rt l icki ng h er p aw s, " r es um ed

t he W og gl e- Bu g, " has l on g d es ir ed t o u nl aw fu ll y eat t he f at p ig let,

w hi ch w as n o b igg er t ha n a m ou se . A nd f in al ly s he m ad e a w ic ke d

p la n t o s at is fy h er d ep ra ve d a pp et it e f or p or k. I c an s ee h er ,

i n m y m in d' s eye-- "

" W hat 's t hat ?" as ked t he S car ecr o w.

"I say I c an see her in my mind's eye--"

" Th e m in d h as n o eye," d eclar ed t he S carecro w. " It 's b li nd ."

" Yo ur H ig hn es s, " cri ed t he W og gl e- Bu g, app eali ng t o O zm a, " have I a

m in d' s e ye , o r h av en 't I ?"

" If y ou h av e, i t i s i nv is ib le," s ai d t he P ri nces s.

" Very t ru e, " r et ur ned t he W og gl e- Bu g, b ow in g. " I s ay I s ee t he





cri mi nal, i n m y m in d' s eye, creep in g s teal th il y i nt o t he r oo m o f o ur

O zm a and s ecreti ng h er self , w hen n o o ne w as l oo ki ng , u nt il t he

P ri nc es s h ad g on e a wa y a nd t he do or w as c los ed . The n t he m ur de re r wa s

a lo ne w it h h er h el pl es s v ic ti m, t he f at p ig le t, a nd I s ee h er p ou nc e

up on t he i nn oc en t c re at ur e a nd e at i t u p- -"

" Ar e y ou s ti ll s eein g w it h y ou r m in d' s eye?" enq ui red t he S carecr ow .

" Of c our se ; h ow e ls e c oul d I s ee i t? And we know the t hing i s tr ue ,

b ec au se s in ce t he t im e o f t ha t i nt er vi ew t he re i s n o p ig le t t o b e

found anywhere."

"I s uppo se , i f t he c at ha d b ee n go ne , i ns te ad of t he pi gl et ,

y ou r m in d' s eye w ou ld s ee t he p ig let eat in g t he cat ," s ug gest ed

t h e S car ecr o w.

"Very likely," acknowledged the Woggle-Bug. "And now, Fellow Citizens

a nd C re at ur es of t he J ur y, I a ss er t t ha t s o a wf ul a c ri me d es er ve s

d ea th , a nd i n t he c as e o f t he f er oc io us c ri mi na l b ef or e y ou -- wh o i s

now washing her face--the death penalty should be inflicted nine times."

T he re w as g re at a pp la us e w he n t he s pe ak er s at d ow n. T he n t he P ri nc es s

s po ke i n a s te rn v oi ce :

" Pr is on er , w hat h av e y ou t o s ay f or y ou rs el f? A re y ou g ui lt y,





or not guilty?"

" Wh y, t ha t' s f or y ou t o f in d o ut ," r ep li ed E ur ek a. " If y ou c an p ro ve

I 'm g ui lt y, I 'l l be w il li ng t o di e n ine t ime s, b ut a mi nd' s e ye i s n o

p ro of , b ec au se t he W og gl e- Bu g h as n o m in d t o s ee w it h. "

" Never m in d, d ear, " s aid D or ot hy .

T he n t he T in W oo dm an a ro se a nd s ai d:

" Re sp ec te d J ur y a nd d ea rl y b el ov ed O zm a, I p ra y y ou n ot t o j ud ge t hi s

feline prisoner unfeelingly. I do not think the innocent kitten can

b e g ui lt y, a nd s ur el y i t i s u nk ind t o a cc us e a l un ch eo n o f b ei ng a

m ur de r. Eu re ka i s t he s we et pe t o f a l ov el y l it tl e g ir l wh om w e a ll

adm ir e, and g en tl en es s and i nn ocen ce are h er chi ef v ir tu es . L o ok at

the kitten's intelligent eyes;" (here Eureka closed her eyes sleepily)

" gaze at h er s mi li ng cou nt en an ce!" ( here E ur ek a s narl ed and s ho wed h er

t e et h) " ma rk t he t en de r p os e o f h er s of t, p ad de d l it tl e h an ds !" ( He re

Eu re ka b ar ed h er s ha rp c la ws a nd s cr at ch ed a t t he b ar s of t he c ag e. )

" Wo ul d s uch a g en tl e ani mal b e g ui lt y o f eat in g a f el lo w creat ur e?

N o; a t ho us an d t im es , n o! "

" Oh , cut i t s ho rt ," s ai d E ur ek a; " yo u' ve t al ked l on g eno ug h. "

" I' m t ry in g t o d ef en d y ou ," r em on st rated t he T in W oo dm an .





"Then say something sensible," retorted the kitten. "Tell them it

w oul d be f ool is h f or m e t o e at t he pi gl et , be ca us e I ha d s ens e e nough

to know it would rai se a row if I did. But don' t try t o ma ke out I' m

too innocent to eat a fat pigle t if I could do it and not be found

o ut . I i magi ne i t w ou ld t as te m ig ht y g oo d. "

" Pe rh ap s i t w ou ld , t o t ho se w ho e at ," r em ar ke d t he T in W oo dm an . "I

m ys el f, n ot b ei ng b ui lt t o eat , h av e n o p er so nal exp er ience i n s uch

m at te rs . B ut I r em em be r t ha t o ur g re at p oe t o nc e s ai d:

" 'To e at i s s we et

When hunger's seat

D em an ds a t re at

Of s avo ry m eat . '

" Take t hi s i nt o con si derati on , f ri en ds o f t he J ur y, and y ou w il l

r eadi ly d ecid e t hat t he k it ten i s w ro ng fu ll y accus ed and s ho ul d b e s et

at liberty."

W he n t he T in W oo dm an s at d ow n n o o ne a pp la ud ed h im , f or h is a rg um en ts

h ad n ot b ee n v er y c on vi nc in g a nd f ew b el ie ve d t ha t h e h ad p ro ve d

E ur ek a' s i nn oc en ce . A s f or t he J ur y, t he m em be rs w hi sp er ed t o e ac h

o th er f or a f ew m in ut es and t hen t hey app oi nt ed t he H un gr y T ig er t heir





s p ok es m an . T he h ug e b east s lo wl y aro se and s ai d:

" Ki tt ens h av e n o con sciences , s o t hey eat w hat ev er p leas es t hem. T he

j u ry b el ieves t he w hi te k it ten k no wn as E ur ek a i s g ui lt y o f h av in g

e at en t he p ig le t o wn ed b y P ri nc es s O zm a, a nd r ec om me nd s t ha t s he b e

p ut t o d eath i n p un is hm en t o f t he cri me."

T he j ud gm en t o f t he j ur y w as r ecei ved w it h g reat app laus e, alt ho ug h

D o ro th y w as s ob bi ng m is er ab ly a t t he f at e o f h er p et . T he P ri nc es s

w as j us t a bou t t o or de r Eu re ka 's h ea d c ho pp ed o ff wi th t he T in

W oo dm an 's axe w hen t hat b ri ll i an t p er so nage o nce m or e aro se and

ad dr es sed h er.

" Your Hi ghne ss ," s ai d he , " se e how ea sy it i s f or a j ur y t o be mi sta ke n.

T he k it te n c ou ld n ot h av e e at en y ou r p ig le t- -f or h er e i t i s! "

H e t ook o ff h is f un ne l h at a nd f ro m b en ea th i t pr od uc ed a t in y w hi te

pi gl et , w hi ch h e h el d alo ft t hat all m ig ht s ee i t clear ly .

Ozma was delighted and exclaimed, eagerly:

" Gi ve m e m y p et , N ic k C ho pp er !"

A nd a ll t he p eo pl e c he er ed a nd c la pp ed t he ir h an ds , r ej oi ci ng t ha t t he

p ri so ne r h ad e sc ap ed d ea th a nd b ee n p ro ve d t o b e i nn oc en t.





A s t he P ri nc es s h el d t he w hi te p ig le t i n h er a rm s a nd s tr ok ed i ts s of t

ha ir s he s ai d: "L et Eur eka out of t he c age , f or s he i s no l onge r a

p ri s on er , b ut o ur g oo d f ri end . W here d id y ou f in d m y m is si ng p et ,

Nick Chopper?"

" In a r oom o f t he p al ac e, " he a ns we re d.

" Ju st ice, " r em ar ked t he S carecr ow , w it h a s ig h, " is a d an gero us t hi ng

t o m ed dl e w it h. I f y ou h ad n' t h ap pe ne d t o f in d t he p ig le t, E ur ek a

would surely have been executed."

" Bu t j us ti ce p re va il ed a t t he l as t, " s ai d O zm a, " fo r he re i s m y p et ,

an d E ur ek a i s o nc e m or e f re e. "

" I r ef us e t o b e f re e, " c ri ed t he k it te n, i n a s ha rp v oi ce , " un le ss t he

W iz ar d c an d o h is t ri ck w it h e ig ht pi gl et s. I f h e c an p ro du ce b ut

se ve n, t he n t hi s i s n ot t he p ig le t t ha t w as l os t, b ut a no th er o ne ."

"Hush, Eureka!" warned the Wizard.

" Do n' t b e f oo li sh ," a dv is ed t he T in W oo dm an , " or y ou m ay b e s or ry f or i t. "

" Th e p ig let t hat b el on ged t o t he P ri nces s w or e an emerald col lar, "

s ai d E ur ek a, l ou dl y eno ug h f or all t o h ear.





" So i t d id !" e xc la im ed O zm a. " Th is c an not b e t he o ne t he W iz ar d g av e m e. "

" Of cou rs e n ot ; h e h ad n in e o f t hem, alt og et her, " d eclared E ur ek a;

" and I must say it was very stingy of him not to let me eat just a

f ew . B ut no w t ha t t hi s f oo li sh t ri al i s e nde d, I w il l t el l yo u wh at

r eal ly b ecam e o f y ou r p et p ig let. "

A t t hi s e ve ry on e i n t he T hr on e R oo m s ud de nl y b ec am e q ui et , a nd t he

k it ten con ti nu ed , i n a cal m, m ocki ng t on e o f v oi ce:

" I w il l c on fe ss t ha t I i nt en de d t o e at t he l it tl e p ig f or m y

br ea kf as t; s o I c re pt i nt o t he r oom w he re i t w as ke pt w hi le t he

P ri nc es s w as d re ss in g a nd hi d m ys el f u nd er a c ha ir . W he n O zm a w en t

awa y s he c lose d the door and l ef t her pet on the t able . At onc e I

j um pe d up a nd t ol d t he pi gl et not t o ma ke a f us s, f or h e w oul d b e

inside of me in half a second; but no one can teach one of these

c re at ur es t o b e r ea so na bl e. I ns te ad o f k ee pi ng s ti ll , s o I c ou ld e at

h im c om fo rt abl y, h e t re mbl ed s o w it h f ea r t ha t h e f el l o ff t he t ab le

i nt o a big va se t ha t wa s s ta ndi ng on the fl oor . T he v as e h ad a ve ry

s ma ll n ec k, a nd s pr ea d o ut a t t he t op l ik e a b owl . At fir st the

pi gle t s tuc k i n the ne ck of t he vas e a nd I thought I s houl d ge t hi m,

aft er all , b ut h e w ri gg led h im self t hr ou gh and f el l d ow n i nt o t he d eep

bo tt om p ar t- -a nd I s up po se h e' s t he re y et ."

A ll w er e a st on is he d a t t hi s c on fe ss io n, a nd O zm a a t o nc e s en t a n

o ff ic er t o h er r oo m t o f et ch t he v as e. W he n h e r et ur ne d t he P ri nc es s





lo ok ed d ow n t he n ar ro w n ec k o f t he b ig o rn am en t a nd d is co ve re d h er

lo st p ig le t, j us t a s E ur ek a h ad s ai d s he w ou ld .

Th er e w as n o w ay t o g et t he c re at ur e o ut w it hout b re aki ng t he va se , s o

t he T in W oo dm an s ma sh ed i t w it h h is a xe a nd s et t he l it tl e p ri so ne r f re e.

T hen t he cro wd cheer ed l us ti ly and D or ot hy h ug ged t he k it ten i n h er

a rms a nd t ol d he r h ow de li ght ed s he wa s t o k now t ha t s he wa s i nnoc ent .

" But w hy d id n' t y ou t el l us a t f ir st ?" s he a sk ed.

" It w ou ld h av e s po il ed t he f un ," r ep li ed t he k it ten, y aw ni ng .

O zm a g av e t he W iz ar d b ac k t he p ig le t h e h ad s o k in dl y a ll ow ed N ic k

Ch opp er t o s ubs ti tut e f or t he l os t o ne , a nd t he n s he c ar ri ed he r ow n

i nt o t he a pa rt me nt s o f t he p al ac e w he re s he l iv ed . A nd n ow , t he t ri al

b ei ng o ve r, t he g oo d c it iz en s o f t he E me ra ld C it y s ca tt er ed t o t he ir

h om es , w el l con tent w it h t he d ay 's amu sement .

2 0. Ze b R et ur ns t o t he Ra nc h

E ur ek a w as m uc h s ur pr is ed t o f in d h er se lf i n d is gr ac e; b ut s he w as , i n





s pi te of t he f ac t t ha t s he ha d no t e at en t he p igl et . F or t he f ol ks of

O z kne w t he k it te n ha d t ri ed to c ommi t t he c ri me , a nd t ha t onl y a n

accid en t h ad p revent ed h er f ro m d oi ng s o; t herefo re even t he H un gr y

T ig er p re fe rr ed n ot t o a ss oc ia te w it h h er . E ur ek a w as f or bi dd en t o

w an de r a ro un d t he p al ac e a nd w as m ad e t o s ta y i n c on fi ne me nt i n

D or ot hy' s r oo m; s o s he b eg an t o be g he r m is tr es s t o s end he r t o s om e

o th er p la ce w he re s he c ou ld e nj oy h er se lf b et te r.

D or ot hy w as h er se lf a nx io us t o g et h om e, s o s he p ro mi se d E ur ek a t he y

w ou ld n ot s ta y i n t he L an d o f O z m uc h l on ge r.

T he n ex t eveni ng aft er t he t ri al t he l it tl e g ir l b eg ged O zm a t o all ow

h er t o l oo k i n t he e nc ha nt ed p ic tu re , a nd t he P ri nc es s r ea di ly

c on se nt ed . S he t oo k t he c hi ld t o h er r oo m a nd s ai d: " Ma ke y ou r w is h,

d ea r, a nd t he p ic tu re w il l s ho w t he s ce ne y ou d es ir e t o b eh ol d. "

T hen D or ot hy f ou nd , w it h t he aid o f t he enchant ed p ictu re, t hat U ncle

H enr y h ad r et ur ne d t o t he f ar m i n K an sa s, a nd s he a ls o s aw t ha t bo th

h e and A un t E m w er e d ress ed i n m ou rn in g, b ecau se t hey t ho ug ht t heir

l it tl e n iece h ad b een k il led b y t he ear th qu ak e.

" Re al ly ," s ai d t he gi rl , a nx io us ly , " I m us t g et b ac k a s s oo n a s

p os s' bl e t o m y o wn f ol ks ."

Z eb a ls o w an te d t o s ee h is h om e, a nd a lt ho ug h h e d id n ot f in d a ny on e

mo rn in g f or h im , t he s ig ht o f H ug so n' s R an ch i n t he p ictu re m ad e h im





l on g t o g et b ac k t he re .

" Th is i s a f ine c oun tr y, a nd I l ik e a ll t he p eop le t ha t l iv e i n i t,"

he t ol d Dor ot hy . " But t he fa ct i s, J im a nd I don' t s ee m t o f it i nt o a

f ai ry la nd , a nd t he o ld h or se h as b ee n b eg gi ng m e t o g o h om e a ga in e ve r

since he l os t the rac e. So, if you can find a way to fix it, we'll be

much obliged to you."

" Ozma can d o i t, eas il y, " r ep li ed D or ot hy . " To mo rr ow m or ni ng I 'l l g o

t o K an sa s a nd y ou c an g o t o C al if or ny ."

T hat l as t eveni ng w as s o d el ig ht fu l t hat t he b oy w il l n ev er f or get i t

a s l on g a s he l iv es . T he y w er e a ll t og et he r ( ex ce pt E ur ek a) i n t he

p re tt y r oo ms o f t he P ri nc es s, a nd t he W iz ar d d id s om e n ew t ri ck s, a nd

t he Sc ar ec row t ol d s tor ie s, a nd t he Ti n Wo odm an s ang a l ove s on g i n a

s on or ou s, m et al li c v oi ce, and every bo dy l au gh ed and h ad a g oo d t im e.

The n Do rot hy w oun d up T ik- tok a nd he da nc ed a j ig t o a mu se t he

com pany , aft er w hi ch t he Y el lo w H en r el at ed s om e o f h er adv en tu res

w ith the Nome Ki ng in t he La nd of Ev.

T he P ri nces s s er ved d el icio us r ef resh ment s t o t ho se w ho w er e i n t he

h ab it o f eat in g, and w hen D or ot hy 's b ed t im e arr iv ed t he com pany

separated after exchanging many friendly sentiments.

Next morning they all assembled for the final parting, and many of the





o ff icials and cou rt iers cam e t o l oo k u po n t he i mp ress iv e cer em on ies.

D or ot hy h el d E ur ek a i n h er a rm s a nd b ad e h er f ri en ds a f on d g oo d- by e.

" Yo u m us t com e again , s om e t im e, " s ai d t he l it tl e W izar d; and s he

p romi se d s he woul d i f s he f oun d i t pos si bl e t o do s o.

" But Unc le He nr y a nd Aunt Em ne ed me t o he lp t he m, " s he adde d, " so I

c an 't e ve r b e v er y l on g a wa y f ro m t he f ar m i n K an sa s. "

O zm a w or e t he M ag ic B el t; a nd , w he n s he h ad k is se d D or ot hy f ar ew el l

a nd h ad m ad e h er w is h, t he l it tl e g ir l a nd h er k it te n d is ap pe ar ed

in a twinkling.

" Wh er e i s s he ?" a sk ed Z eb , r at he r b ew il de re d b y t he s ud de nn es s o f i t.

" Gr eeti ng h er u ncle and aun t i n K an sas, b y t hi s t im e, " r et ur ned O zm a,

w i th a s mi le.

T he n Z eb b ro ug ht o ut J im , a ll h ar ne ss ed t o t he b ug gy , a nd t oo k h is s ea t.

" I' m m uch o bl ig ed f or all y ou r k in dn es s, " s ai d t he b oy , " an d v er y

g ratefu l t o y ou f or s av in g m y l if e and s en di ng m e h om e again aft er all

t he g oo d t im es I 'v e h ad . I t hi nk t hi s i s t he l ove li es t c ou nt ry i n t he

w orl d; bu t not be ing f ai rie s J im a nd I fe el w e ought t o b e whe re we

b el on g- - an d t h at ' s at t he r anch. G oo d- by e, ev er yb od y! "





H e ga ve a s ta rt a nd r ub be d h is e ye s. J im was trotting along the

w el l- kn ow n r oad, s haki ng h is ear s and w hi sk in g h is t ai l w it h a

c on te nt ed m ot io n. J us t a he ad o f t he m w er e t he g at es o f H ug so n' s

R an ch , a nd U nc le H ug so n n ow c am e o ut a nd s to od w it h u pl if te d a rm s a nd

wide open mouth, staring in amazement.

" Go od ness g raci ou s! I t 's Z eb -- and J i m, t oo !" h e excl ai med. " Wh er e i n




Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz - L. Frank Baum

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