Lucky Bucky in Oz - L. Frank Baum
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Lucky Bucky In Oz Oz 36
L . F ra nk B au m
CHAPTER
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1 Th e V ol cani c B ak e S ho p
2 T he W oo den W hal e
3 The Jones Cousins
4 TheScho olofDollfins
5 T he M ap
6 O ver t he H um p
7 Beginning a Long Journey
8 The Army Resigns
9 T he C WO P ai nt er s' P ro je ct
1 0 K al iko i n a R ag e
11 King Bucky
1 2 O ver t he R ai nb ow
13 Winning Their Way
14 Tea and Thunderbugs
15 Slippery Going
1 6 I n Se ar ch o f a Ri ve r
17 Scarecrow Entertains
18 The Uncles
19 Witch Hunt
20 TheEmeraldCityat Last
21 LakeQuad
C HA PT ER 1
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Th e V ol can ic B ak e S ho p
C HU G- CH UG , C hu g- ch ug . T he eng in e i n t he t ug
boat sputtered monotonously.
L yi ng i n t he w ar m s un sh in e on t he up pe r de ck o f
h is u nc le 's t ug b oa t, L uc ky B uc ky l oo ke d u p i nt o t he
sky.
S om ew here i ns id e t he b oat t he s hi p' s cl ock s t ru ck
eig ht b el ls . I t w as tw el ve o 'clo ck .
"Time for lunch, almost," he thought drowsily,
watching the engine strain on the long towing line
t ha t p ul le d t hr ee b ar ge s a t a s lo w s pe ed t hr ou gh u p-
pe rN ew Y or k B ay . Th e c ou rs e t ook t he m c lo se t o t he
h ug e b ro nze f ig ur e o f t he G od dess o f L ib er ty .
T he b oy l oo ke d u p r ev er en tl y i nt o t he f ac e o f t he
G re at G od de ss . S he s ee me d t o b e l oo ki ng s tr ai gh t a t
h im a nd h er e ye s h el d a n e xp re ss io n o f a la rm
p er ha ps s he w as a bo ut t o s pe ak .. . w he n. .. B am !! !
A t er ri fi c e xpl os ion . . . a s ha rp h is s o f s te am a nd
Bu cky s ho t up i nt o t he a ir w it h t he s pe ed o f a r oc ke t!
R ecov er in g f ro m h is f ir st s ur pr is e, t he b oy l oo ked
d ow n a nd s aw , f ar b el ow h im , h is u nc le 's t ug b oa t
w it h a gr ea t h ol e i n t he c abi n r oo f on t he e xa ct s po t
w he re h e h ad be en l yi ng . H e r os e h igh er a nd h ig he r
i n t he a ir . T he t ug bo at , t he G re at G odd es s of Li b-
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erty and all the familiar landmarks grew smaller
and smaller. Gradually they faded completely into
the mist.
B uc ky l os t a ll t ra ck o f t im e a s h e w hi rl ed t hr oug h
s pace, w on der in g w hat i n t he w or ld w ou ld h ap pen
n ex t, w he re h e w ou ld l an d- an d h ow . H e w as n' t e x-
actly pleased with the unexpected situation in which
he found himself.
" Th at o ld b oi le r m us t ha ve bu rs t, " h e s ai d t o h im -
s el f, u ne as il y. " We ll , I 'l l j us t ha ve t o m ak e t he be st
of t he b us t, I gue ss ."
A s h e s oa re d b ey on d t he h ig he st c lo ud s, h e r es o-
l ut el y p ul led h is s weat er clo se aro un d h is n eck and
but tone d up hi s c oa t t ight ly. O n a nd on he s pe d.
" Ev er yt hi ng s o f ar s eems o kay, " h e m ut tered, " no
b on es b ro ke n. I g ue ss I r ea ll y a m L uc k. "
F ro m b eh in d t he l as t l azy clo ud d ar ted a p er sp ir in g
clo ud -p us her and a b ar rel- bi rd h al f f ul l o f s tar d us t.
"Ker-swisssh!" sneezed the large, round barrel-
bi rd, a s i t f le w c los e t o B uc ky . T he b oy t ri ed t o s te ady
h im se lf t ha t h e m ig ht g et a b et te r l oo k a t t he q ue er
thing. "Where do you think you're going, Stranger?"
enquired the inquisitive bird.
" Ma ybe y ou c an t el l m e, f or I ha ve n' t t he s li gh te st
id ea ," r es po nd ed t he b oy a s t he y a ll s ho t f or wa rd ,
si de b y s id e.
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" Bu mp s and b li th er s are ahead ," w ar ned t he b ar rel-
bi rd . " Yo u h ad b et te r b e c ar ef ul w he re y ou g o. "
N ow t hey w er e s ki mm in g o ver an end less p in k
o ce an . F ar b ey on d, r is in g f ro m t he o ce an , B uc ky n o-
t ic ed t he t op o f a s ma ll , a ct iv e vo lc ano . He w as he ad-
i ng s tr ai gh t t ow ar d i t. H e t ri ed t o c he ck h is s pe ed
b ut h e d id n' t k no w h ow t o a cc om pl is h t hi s.
" If I w er e y ou- whi ch I a m v er y t ha nkf ul I a m n ot
I w ou ld k eep away f ro m t hat v ol cano ," v en tu red
t he b ir d.
"Don't bother me now with silly suggestions," re-
plied Bucky, trying desperately to brace himself
a g ai ns t w ha t h e j ud ge d w as l ik el y t o h ap pe n. H e
c oul dn' t s to p . . . he di dn' t e ve n h ave t im e t o t hi nk
o r to act.
"H er e i s w here L ucky B ucky t ru st s com pl et el y t o
h is l uck, " h e m ut tered and clo sed h is eyes t ig ht . T hen,
r ight up to his ne ck, he pl unge d i nto a s oft ma ss of
w ar m d ou gh . L it tl e b ub bl es o f s ou r y east s izzl ed and
b ur st all aro un d h im . O ne q ui ck g lance s ho wed B ucky
t ha t h e ha d l and ed h al f- wa y u p t he s lop e of t he s te ep
v ol cano . F ro m t he crater s pu rt ed p uf fs o f f ragr an t
s team , p un gent w it h t he s tr on g o do r o f cin namo n.
" If I 'm s ti ll ali ve, I can t hank m y l ucky s tars ," t ho ug ht
t he b oy a s he t wi st ed hi s h ea d f re e f ro m t he dough .
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H e g azed aro un d, h ol di ng h is b reat h i n amazement .
H e h ea rd a b ab bl e o f s qu ea ky v oi ce s a bo ve h im :
"Goodness gracious sakes!!!" exclaimed one fussy
v oi ce. " Bees , b at s and b uzzar ds ! W hat' s t hi s?" cr ied
another.
F ro m a r id ge a bo ve t he d ou gh , h al f a d oz en f la t
w oo de n p ad dl es p ok ed t he b oy i n t he b ac k. T he se p ad -
d le s w er e a tt ac he d t o t he e nd s o f v er y l on g h an dl es
a nd B uc ky , w ho h ad m an ag ed t o p ul l h is a rm s f re e,
g ra bb ed o ne o f t he b la de s w it h h is s ti ck y f in ge rs . H e
called out:
" You f el low s b e c ar ef ul up t he re . . . s top p oki ng
me...
A row of a ngry f ac es poppe d up over t he uppe r
ridge.
"Leave our Doughminion immediately," the mouths
y el led m ad ly . A gai n t he p ad dl es p ro dd ed t he b oy m or e
s av ag el y. I n s pi te o f a ll a tt em pt s t o w re nc h t he b la de
f rom h is ha nd s, B uc ky h el d o n g ri ml y, f or he w as ve ry
s tr ong. The s tr uggl e be ca me a t ug of w ar a nd t he
b oy p resent ly f el t h im self b ei ng s lo wl y d rawn u p, o ut
o f t he s ti ck y m as s, a nd d ro ppe d on t he r idg e. H e s aw
i mm ed iately t hat a s warm o f f ur io us l it tl e coo ks w er e
p ul li ng d es pe ra te ly o n t he o th er e nd o f t he p ad dl e.
T h ey w er e d re ss ed i n l on g w hi te c oa ts r ea ch in g t o t he
gr oun d. E ac h on e w or e a h ig h c oo k' s c ap o n h is h ea d.
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" Do n' t m in ce m at ters w it h u s! !! " s cr eamed a f us sy
m as te r- ba ke r w ho w as w ea ri ng a n e xt ra l ar ge h at .
" Du mp t he d um pl in g i nt o t he o cean ! H e' s t oo d um b
to be put into a lamb s tew!"
As t he c oo ks b ec am e n oi si er , t he w ho le v ol ca no b e-
c a me e xc it ed u nt il , a t t he m en ti on o f l am b s te w, a
s tr ea m o f p ot at oe s, o ni on s a nd c ar ro ts s ho t o ut o f t he
c ra te r. C ri es w en t u p f or " Pa rs ni ps . . . C ar ro ts ..
P um pk in s a nd P ea nu ts . . . C ab ba ge a nd C ak e.
M us h and M ol as s es .. ." A nd , s ur e eno ug h, w it h each
o rd er s cr ea me d, u p f ro m t he c ra te r c am e m or e a nd
m or e v eg et ab le s f or t he s te w, f ol lo we d a t l as t b y a
la rg e m es s o f m us h a nd m ol as se s t ha t d ou se d o ve r t he
s po tl es s w hi te a pr on s of t he c oo ks a nd m ad e t he na r-
r ow r id ge s l ip per y and d an gero us .
B uc ky m an ag ed t o w re nc h t he p ad dl e f ro m t he
l oo se ne d gr as p o f t he b ake rs , a nd w it h i t, h e p ok ed
ba ck a t t he m a nd c ha se d t he m h al f wa y a ro und t he
mountain ledge where they vanished from his sight.
C om in g s ud de nl y u po n a r ow o f o ve ns , B uc ky o pe ne d
o ne. I ns id e t he v ol cani c o ven w er e f ragr an t p ies j us t
turning to a golden brown. Everything about them
l oo ked d el icio us . S li di ng h is p ad dl e i ns id e, as h e h ad
onc e s ee n a ba ke r s li p hi s pe el , Bu cky ge nt ly dr ew ou t
a c ou pl e o f t he p ie s. H is a ct io n t hr ew t he l it tl e c oo ks
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i nt o a l ou d cry o f p ro test . D ef iant ly t hey s wu ng t heir
l on g s co op s a nd a ga in o rd er ed h im t o l ea ve t he ir
Doughmain.
"What in the mischief ails you fellows?" cried the
b oy , s et ti ng h is p ies o n t he g ro un d and s wi ng in g h is
s c oo p a s s ev er al d et er mi ne d b ak er s p re pa re d t o a t-
t ac k hi m. H e wa sn' t goi ng t o b e pu she d ba ck i nt o
t ha t d ou gh w it ho ut a s tr ug gl e. H e d ro pp ed t he p ad -
d le a nd s to od f ac in g t he c oo ks , a s iz zl in g h ot p ie i n
e it he r h an d. T he b ak er s s to pp ed . . . w hi sp er ed t o-
g et he r, a nd w ai te d. .
Bucky took time out to ea t one of the pies . But
b ef or e h e h ad f in is hed i t, t he b ak er s w er e con su lt in g
again i n w hi sp er s. H e w at ch ed t hem f ro m t he cor ner
o f hi s e ye .
I n a f lash t hey charg ed again , s wi ng in g t heir p ad -
d le s d an ge ro us ly c lo se t o h is h ea d. W it h h is o wn
w eapo n h e f ou gh t b ack again st h is ass ai lant s, t um -
b li ng m an y o f t hem i nt o t he s of t d ou gh b el ow .
Though he fought valiantly, the bakers gained
g ro un d; s te p b y s te p, t he y c ro wd ed c lo se r. B y s he er
f or ce o f n um bers t hey s ur ro un ded h im . T he crack ,
c r ac k o f t he s co op s c la sh in g t og et he r c ou ld b e h ea rd
f a r o ut o ve r t he o ce an . B uc ky r ec ei ve d m an y s ma rt
w al lo ps t ha t m ad e h im s ee s ta rs . T he o ut co me o f t he
f ig ht be ga n t o l oo k da rk f or t he boy a s t he Sc ri mma ge
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r o se t o i ts c li ma x.
Suddenly, without warning, the tide of battle turned
t he r ac ke t c ea se d. A p ie rc in g c al l o f a la rm r an g o ut .
" Th e P ie R at s! !! T he W hale!! ! O ur D ou gh main 's
in peril!!!!"
A ll e ye s w er e t ur ne d t ow ar d t he s ea . C los e t o s ho re
t he g re at h ea d o f a h ug e w oo de n w ha le c am e s lo wl y
up o ut of t he p ink o ce an. Fr om b ene at h t he w ha le 's
g il l a s ma ll t ra p- do or f le w o pe n, a nd a g an g o f r ou gh ,
weather-beaten pirates scramhled out. They swarmed
ov er t he b ea ch a nd be ga n t o c li mb t he s te ep s ide s of
the volcano, all the while brandishing their long cut-
l as ses and h ug e p is to ls .
I n t he ir e xc it em en t a nd d re ad o f t he p ir at es , t he
b akers ent ir el y f or go t B ucky , w ho s to od l oo ki ng o n
w it h amazement . T he b ak er s s cu rr ied t o a h ig her
pl ac e o n t he m ou nt ai n r id ge . H er e p il es o f h ar d b is -
cu it s w er e s t acked l ik e cann on b al ls .
E ac h l it tl e b is cu it s ho ot er t oo k a b is cu it o n h is s co op
a nd e xp er tl y s en t i t w hi st li ng do wn o n t he h ea d o f a n
i nv ad er . E ve ry s ho t w as s o w el l a im ed t ha t i t f ou nd
i t s m ar k.
C ra ck ! C ra ck ! S ma ck ! w en t t he b is cu it s a cc om -
p an ie d b y a c ho ru s o f l it tl e s qu ea ls . A c on st an t s tr ea m
f ell o n t he enemy . H un dr ed s o f h ar d, d ry , s li gh tl y
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b ur ned b is cu it s h um med t hr ou gh t he air t hat d ay and ,
as t he i nv ad er s con ti nu ed t he ass au lt , s o t he b is cu it
shooters increased the bombardment.
T he s ie ge w as b egi nni ng t o f ai l a nd t he p ir at es t o
w av er , w it ho ut t he cap tu re o f even a s in gl e cru ll er ,
w he n s ud de nl y, a s t ho ug h t o e nd t he a tt ac k, t he c ra te r
o f t he v ol ca no b el ch ed f or th a c lo ud o f b la ck p ep pe r.
Sneezing and coughing, the invaders turned in utter
con fu si on and f led b ack t ow ar d t he w hale.
W i th d ig ni ty , t he w hale s li pp ed away f ro m t he s ho re
a nd s wa m ou t j us t b eyo nd t he r ea ch o f t he pi ra te s.
Th er e, f lo at in g cal ml y o n t he s er en e p in k o cean , t he
w hale p ai d n ot t he s li gh test att en ti on t o t he p lead in gs
of t he c re w he ha d s o qui et ly l ef t t o me et t he ir f ate .
Majestically swishing his tail, the whale moved slowly
b ey on d r an ge o f any s tr ay b is cu it s t hat m ig ht p op
from above.
F ro m h is h ig h p os it io n, B ucky h ad a s pl en di d v iew
of t he be ac h, t he pi ra te s a nd t he w ha le . The f un wa s
ov er a lm os t a s s oo n a s i t h ad be gu n. N ow t he pi ra te s
w er e t ry in g w il dl y t o escap e, w it h n o r et reat l ef t
them.
P ie s g on e- -- ho pe g on e, a nd w ha le g on e, t he P ie R at s
t hr ew d ow n t heir cut lass es and p is to ls . T hey h oi st ed
a w hi te f lag i n s ur rend er .
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C HA PT ER 2
T he W oo den W hal e
T HE v ol cani c b is cu it s ho ot er s s li d clo ser t o a l ow er
l ed ge , k ee pi ng t he f ie rc e p ir at es a t a s af e d is ta nc e
w it h t he a id o f t he ir l on g p ad dl es .
"Surrender your weapons!" they demanded, "and
w e' ll m ak e g oo d d ou gh bo ys o f y ou all . B ut r em em ber,
no tricks. . .
B ucky w as t hr il led w it h t he o ut co me o f t he g am e
a nd a te a no th er p ea ch p ie t o c el eb ra te t he v ic to ry .
H e s mi led t o h im self as t he b uccaneer s d el iv er ed u p
t h ei r w eapo ns , p repari ng t o t ur n t heir att en ti on t o
mixing dough.
Wi t h d ex ter ou s s coo ps t he s ho ot ers s ent cut l as s es ,
b lu nd er bu ss es a nd a ll t he o th er w ea po ns f ar o ut o ve r
t he o ce an t o d is ap pe ar w he re t he w at er w as d ee pe st .
" No w, h at s and b oo ts ," com mand ed t he b ak er s. " Of f
w it h t hem q ui ck ly o r o verb oard y ou 'l l g o.
A t t hi s, t he p ir at e c ap ta in s co wl ed a nd r ef us ed t o
give up his wide-brimmed hat fringed with heavy gold.
A h ar d b is cu it p ep pered h im , cau si ng h im t o chang e
h is m in d, and s ul lenl y h e h an ded o ver h is t reas ur ed
p os s es si on , n ot d oi ng s o, h ow ev er , u nt il t he q ui ck ac-
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t io n o f t he pa dd le s h ad t um bl ed hi m i nt o t he w at er .
As he s cr ambl ed ba ck t o t he s hor e, h e s aw hi s ha t f lu ng
fa r out t o s ea .
F or m an y y ea rs t he l it tl e b ak er s h ad b ee n a nn oy ed
by t he r ai ds o f t he se p ir at es ; t he ir p ie s a nd bun s ha d
b een p lu nd er ed. N ev er b ef or e h ad r etal iat io n b een
p os si bl e. B ut o n t hi s event fu l d ay , aff ai rs h ad t ur ned
o ut d if ferent ly and n ow t he i nv ad er s m us t b e f ed ; t here
wa s n ot hi ng t o d o bu t pu t t he m t o w or k m ix ing t he ir
own do ugh . To r epa y t he pi ra te s f or t he l os s of t he ir
f an cy c lo th es , t he b ak er s g av e e ac h m an a l on g c oa t
a nd a high hat when he went to work. At la st the
buccaneers were earning an honest living.
P leas ed w it h t heir eas y t ri um ph , t he b is cu it s ho ot er s
c he er ed a nd w av ed t he ir l on g p ie p ok er s a nd B uc ky ,
car ri ed away w it h h is h eart y f eeli ng o f s up po rt i n t he
con test , clapp ed h is h an ds and cheered w it h t hem.
" At -a -b oy , B ak er s! " h e c al le d, f or t he d ou si ng o f t he
pirate captain had filled him with so much amusement
t h at h e cou ld n ot r es tr ai n h is m ir th : " Du ck h im
again," he shouted.
He wa s l ea ni ng f ar o ve r t he e dge i n or de r t o b et -
ter see the proceedings, without realizing his danger.
Befo re h e cou ld col lect h is t ho ug ht s, f iv e exp er t b is -
cu it s ho ot er s h ad p lant ed t heir s ho ot er s b en eath h im
a nd t he s na p o f t he ir p add le s s ent h im hi gh i nt o t he
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a ir ove r t he pi nk oce an int o whic h he fe ll wi th a di s-
m al p lu nk . S pu tt er in g, h e r os e t o t he s ur fa ce a nd b e-
g an t o t re ad w at er .
" I' m be gi nn ing t o t hi nk t hi s pl ac e i s m ade u p of
doughnuts!" he gasped, expelling the water from his
m ou th , " wh at i n b la ze s i s t he m at te r w it h t ho se p ie -
ke rs t ha t t he y don 't know a f ri end w he n t he y s ee one !"
T o h is s ur pr is e, h e w as a ns we re d b y a h ol lo w v oi ce
t ha t s ee me d t o c om e f rom t he w at er .
"I b eg y ou r p ar do n, " s ai d t he v oi ce . " I d id n' t c at ch
your last remark."
B ucky t ur ned. C lo se b es i de h im app eared t he l arg e,
d ri pp in g h ead o f a w hale, h is p ol is hed m ah og an y s id es
g l is teni ng l ik e a m ir ro r. B ucky s tart ed t o s wi m away
a s f as t a s t he c ra wl s tr oke w oul d t ak e hi m.
Up a ga in c am e t he g re at w oo de n h ea d, t hi s t im e
d ir ectl y i n h is cou rs e. B ucky t ur ned t o t he r ig ht , t hen
t o t he le ft , the j it te rs ge tt ing hi m a s he t ri ed to dodge
t he m on st er . B ut , w he re ve r h e s hi ft ed , t he re w as t he
g re at he ad t o b lo ck h is r et ur n t o t he vo lc an o. I t w as
u seless t o t ry evasi on .
T he s ad , h es it at in g v oi ce con ti nu ed t o s peak :
"P le as e, n ow , m y y ou ng f ri en d, d on 't b e s ta rt le d a t a
p ea ce fu l o ld f is h l ik e m e- -I k no w I 'm b lu nt b ut t ha t
w a s t he s ty le o f a rc hi te ct ur e w he n I w as b ui lt .
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T he w ho le f ac e o f t he w ha le s tr et ch ed i n a f ri en dl y
grin.
L uc ky B uc ky e xt en de d a w ea ry h an d a nd c au gh t
h ol d of t he h ig hl y po li sh ed b ra ss d ec k r ai l t ha t r an
aro un d t he w hale's p ro tr ud in g l ow er j aw . H e h au led
hi ms el f ou t of t he wa te r a nd s at do wn o n t he de ck-
j a w t o r eg ai n h is b re at h a nd s ud de nl y h e r ec al le d t he
st or y o f J on ah a nd t he W ha le !
"B ef or e w e g o a ny f ur th er ," s ai d t he w ha le i n a
ti mi d v oi ce , " I' d l ik e t o a sk y ou o ne q ue st io n. A re
y ou , b y a ny m ea ns , a y ou ng p ir at e? "
"I certainly am not!!"
"That's comforting to know," softly whispered the
w ha le w it h a s ig h a nd a s po ut , " no w, m ay I e nq ui re
a bo ut y our F at he r? W as h e a p ir at e? "
B ucky s tared i n amazement , t hen s ho ok h is h ead
s o v io le nt ly t ha t d ro ps o f w at er f ro m h is h ai r s po tt ed
t h e s po tl es s r ai l.
"Definitely NO!"
Som e qu al it y i n t he ol d wha le ga ve hi m a f ee li ng o f
con fi dence. " An d y ou r G rand fath er and y ou r G reat-
Gr an df at her, w er e t hey, b y any chance, p ir ates?" t he
gentle quizzing continued.
"N ev er !" cri ed t he b oy w it h p lent y o f s pi ri t. " My
p eo pl e w er e a ll s ea -c ap ta in s a nd p il ot s, " h e a dd ed
proudly.
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" Pi lo ts ?" q ueri ed t he w hale, cocki ng h is h ead s us -
p icio us ly . " Th at w or d s ou nd s t oo m uch l ik e ' pi rate'
f or m y c omf or t. Yo u' d b et te r ge t o ff , a nd b e qu ic k
a bo ut i t. " W it h t ha t, t he w ha le b eg an t o s in k b el ow
the surface.
"Hol d on a mi nut e . . . le t me e xpl ai n, " pl ea de d
B ucky , h ol di ng t ig ht t o t he r ai l w it h b ot h h an ds .
Lo we r a nd l ow er s et tl ed t he w ha le b ef or e t he b oy 's
pleading words made him hesitate.
"Let me t el l you what a pil ot re ally i s! He 's a n
o ff ic er w ho k no ws a ll a bo ut c ha nn el s a nd d ee p w at er s.
H e d ir ec ts l ar ge s hi ps a nd b oa ts a wa y f ro m d an ge r.
P le as e b e r ea so na bl e, a nd d on 't a cc us e m e a ga in o f
b ei ng a p ir at e. I t' s j us t t oo h um il ia ti ng . . .
"Well . . . " faltered the whale as he puffed up to
t he s ur fa ce . " I a lw ay s t ry t o b e r ea so na bl e a nd w ha t
y ou s ay s ou nd s r ea so na bl e; p ir at es a re m os t u nr ea -
s on ab le , d on 't y ou t hi nk , a nd y ou d on 't s ou nd t ha t
way."
" Yo ur p ir at es a re t he o nl y o ne s I e ve r s aw ," B uc ky
answered.
" My P ir at es !" r oa re d t he w ha le . " Wh at d o y ou
m ean n ow b y m ak in g s uch an u nr easo nabl e r em ar k?"
" I' m s or ry .. ." s ai d B ueky s ob er ly , " so rr y t o h av e
ma de s uc h a mi st ake . I 'm a s tr an ge r i n t he se p ar ts .
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I c am e f ro m N ew Y or k a nd i f.. ."
"Yes, yes," drawled the whale disdainfully, pucker-
mg his forehead with anxiety.
" Ne w Y or k i s a w on de rf ul c it y, " p er si st ed t he b oy ,
" with . .
" Yes, y es , y es ," i nt er ru pt ed t he w hale. " Yo u' ve
n ev er e ve n n ot ic ed m y w ou nd ed e ye ; j us t l oo k a t i t. "
A l ar ge m ar k u nd er o ne e ye s ho we d B uc ky w he re
a h ar d b is cu it h ad s tr uc k h im a nd k no ck ed o ff t he
varnish.
" An d l oo k at t ho se b is cu it s ho ot er s, " con ti nu ed t he
w hale, " dr iv in g t he p ir at es t o w or k clean in g u p t he
i sl an d and p ol is hi ng t he o ven d oo rs . I t' s a s nu g l it tl e
r oo st t hey h av e t her e o n t hat v ol can o. S om eo ne o ug ht
t o wr it e a s ong a bout it for me t o s ing. "
" I w ou ld n' t l ik e t o l iv e t here," B ucky ans wered, " an d
we h av e j us t a s go od p ie s i n C hi ca go o r H ac ke tt s-
town."
" St op !" o rd er ed t he w hal e. " Do n' t s tart t hat again
an d w or ry m e w it h y ou r i mp os si bl e s to ri es . A s I w as
s ay in g, t hat v ol cano i s t he f in es t f lo at in g b ak er y i n
all t he N on en ti c O cean ."
" Yo u m ean A tl an ti c O cean , d on 't y ou ?" B ucky cor -
rected.
"I m ea n e xa ct ly w ha t I s ay . N on en ti c O ce an , a nd
I can no t u nd er st an d w here y ou g et s uch f un ny n am es
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in y ou r h ead- New Y or k, C hi cag o, A tl ant i c O cean!
T he re a re no s uc h pl ac es i n t he L and of Oz ?"
"Do you mean to tell me I am in the Land of Oz?"
Bucky cried.
"You certainly are."
" The n I 'm l os t! H ow c an I ge t b ac k hom e? "
" Ho w s ho ul d I k no w? T he w ay y ou c am e, I g ue ss .. ."
" In O z! " m ut tered t he b oy , w oefu ll y. " Th is i s t er -
r ib le. W il d p ir at es and crazy b is cu it s ho ot er s. "
"You haven't seen half..." suggested the whale
ominously. "This ocean is filled with pirates."
" I alw ay s t ho ug ht O z w as a w on derf ul and f ri en dl y
land," Bucky said in bewilderment.
"Oh, yes . . . tha t's true. You are thi nking of the
E merald C it y w here O zm a l iv es i n h er cas tl e, w it h t he
W iz ar d t o he lp he r. Yo u know t he T in Woo dma n a nd
t he S carecr ow . T he f ou r g ai ly col or ed k in gd om s
ar ou nd t he g re en c ap it ol a re a l on g w ay f ro m h er e. "
"A l ong wa y . . r ep ea te d t he c re st fa ll en bo y. ' 'I t
l oo ks s ti ll l on ger t o C hi cago o r D et ro it o r- "
" Do n' t b eg in t hat again , p leas e, " s ai d t he w hale
i n a s upe ri or t on e o f v oi ce . " Ne ve r he ar d of s uc h
p la ce s, a nd wh at 's m or e, I do n' t t ak e m uc h s to ck i n
w ha t y ou s ay . I f y ou a re a im in g t o g o a ny wh er e, w hy,
i n t hu nd er bu st , d on 't y ou g o t o t he E me ra ld C it y.
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T he re i s a c it y t o r ea ll y t al k a bo ut . T he m os t m ys ti -
c al , m ag ic al c it y i n e xi st en ce , s et i n t he v er y c en te r o f
c re at io n. I t' s a w ha le o f a c ou nt ry !"
" Ha ve y ou e ve r b ee n t he re ?" B uc ky v en tu re d t o a sk .
" Wh at a q uest io n! " s pu tt er ed t he w hale i n d is gu st
a nd he s pout ed a s tr ea m of wa te r hi gh i nt o t he a ir ,
t hen s ub si ded w it h an i mp at ient s no rt . " Si nce y ou
a sk i t, I mu st a dmi t t ha t I 've a lwa ys i nt ende d t o go,
but ne ve r got a ro und t o i t. I n f ac t, I 've r ea ll y be en
s o b us y, w it h o ne t hi ng a nd a no th er .. . b es id e a ll t hi s,
I d on' t k no w ho w t o g et t he re ."
" Do y ou n ee d a p il ot ? I 'm a g oo d p il ot ." B uc ky 's
v o ic e w as e ag er .
" T he v er y w or d g iv es m e t he s hi vers ."
"H ow d o y ou l ik e t he n am e o f S ki pp er ?"
" I' ll t ak e t he a ft er no on o ff t o t hi nk i t o ve r. I 'm t ir ed
o ut . S in ce t ho se p ir at es c ap tu re d m e, I 'v e h ad n o r es t.
F or t wo y ea rs t he y k ep t m e l au gh in g, d ay a nd n ig ht .
W ha t I nee d i s to have a s ad spel l. You amuse your -
se lf w hi le I t ak e a s no oz e. "
A nd t he w ha le b eg an t o h um a h ea rt -b re ak in g s ai l-
o r' s c ha nt y. H e c lo se d h is q ui ve ri ng e ye s s o t ha t B uc ky
c ou ld n ot s ee t he t ea rs t ha t f il le d t he m.
C HA PT ER 3
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T he J on es C ou si ns
I T wa s e vi de nt t ha t t he wh al e di d n ot wa nt t o be
disturbed.
Bu ck y s tepp ed q ui et ly t o o ne s id e, s li di ng h is h an d
alo ng t he s mo ot h h an dr ai l u nt il h e cam e t o a s mall
d oo r o n o ne s id e o f t he w ha le 's he ad . H e o pe ne d t hi s
d oo r a nd s aw t ha t a n o ld s hi p' s l an te rn w as b ur ni ng
beyo nd t he ent rance. H es it at in g f or a m om en t, h e
peered within.
" Make u p y ou r m in d i f y ou are g oi ng i n, " s ug gest ed
t he w hale w it ho ut o peni ng h is eyes, " an d, i f y ou d o,
make yourself at home."
With this encouragement, Bucky stepped quickly
through the door, which closed quietly behind him.
T he s pa ce w as b ui lt i nt o a c oz y, f ai r- si ze d c ab in
w it h b un ks f or s le ep in g. H e c ou ld s ee ve ry c le ar ly b y
t he l ig ht o f t he l an tern t hat s wu ng f ro m a h eavy chain
f as te ne d i n t he c ei li ng . O nc e a ga in t he s tor y o f J on ah
flashed through his mind.
C om pa ct a nd c on ve ni en t a s t he c ab in w as , e ve ry -
t hi ng h ad b een l ef t t op sy -t ur vy b y t he p ir at e b an d.
B lank et s and p il lo ws w er e s tr ew n aro un d. B ro ken
d is hes and cup s l it tered t he f lo or i n car el ess d is or der
a nd c la tt er ed f ro m s id e t o s id e w it h e ve ry p it ch o f t he
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floating whale.
"Only pirates would be so untidy," Bucky thought
a s h e s tu mb le d ov er a r ope t ha t ha d b ec om e e nt ang le d
i n t he w heel s o f a s il ver can no n. E very th in g s eemed
o ut of i ts pl ac e a nd th is wa s a nnoy ing t o t he bo y who
ha d be en t ra ine d t o t he s tr ic t or de r of hi s unc le 's t ug
boa t. I t di dn 't t ake h im l on g t o ma ke t he c abi n s hi p-
s ha pe ; t o f ol d t he b la nk et s, p ic k up t he b ro ke n r ub-
b is h, a nd c ol le ct i n o ne p la ce a g re at n um be r o f i nt er -
e st in g t ra pp in gs t ha t t he p ir at es h ad l ef t w as t he w or k
o f b ut a f ew m om en ts . A nd w hi le b us y w it h t he t idy -
in g, h e h ad t im e t o exp lo re every i nt er es ti ng cor ner.
At the r ea r of the c abin we re a number of doors .
T he y l oo ke d a s i f t he y m ig ht l ea d t o c lo se ts . H e o pe ne d
o ne a nd f ou nd t ha t i t w as pi le d t o t he c ei li ng w it h p ie s
t hat t he p ir ates h ad s t ol en . A pp le, b lu eb er ry , m in ce
and p um pk in p ies, g reat s tack s o f t hem t og et her w it h
cin namo n b un s, b is cu it s and cru ll er s. A ll w er e ar-
r an ge d i n p er fe ct o rd er a nd w ra pp ed i n o il pa pe r t o
k eep t hem f res h.
Recalling the whale's invitation "to make himself
a t h om e, " B uc ky h el pe d h im se lf t o a ha nd fu l of d e-
licious crullers.
" Can any th in g b eat m y l uck?" h e t ho ug ht as h e b it
i n to o ne.
R um magi ng aro un d i n h is s earch f or d ry clo th es , h e
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p ul le d a n o ld , i ro n- bo un d s ea c he st f ro m u nd er t he
t abl e. I t w as f il le d w it h o dds a nd e nd s, i nc lu di ng a
f in e r ed c oa t t ri mm ed w it h g ol d b ra id . I t w as j us t
his size.
H id den u nd er t he cl ot hes w er e g ol d t ri nk et s and
je we ls . A t t he b ot to m of t he c he st h e f oun d a f la t b ox,
marked-
Me dd le w it h u s a nd y ou
m ay E XP LO DE T .D .H . A ND F
It wa s e xa ct ly w ha t t o e xp ec t t o f ind i n a pi ra te 's
c he st a nd t he b oy 's f in ge rs i tc he d t o o pe n i t. F in al ly
h i s c ur io si ty go t t he be tt er o f h im a nd he l if te d t he l id.
I ns i de w er e f ou r s il ver d oo rk no bs m ar ked T om ,
D ic k, H ar ry a nd F lu mm ux . C lo si ng t he b ox h e r e-
t ur ned i t as q ui ck ly as h e cou ld , cov er in g i t car ef ul ly
w it h t he c lo th in g. H e s ho ve d t he c he st b ac k u nd er
t h e t abl e.
" Bett er l eave t hat alo ne. I t m ig ht s po il m y l uck, "
B ucky s ai d t o h im self and t ur ned t o o th er f as ci nati ng
t hi ng s. O ve r e ac h b unk w as a c loc k w it h di al s t o r egu-
l at e t he l engt h of s le ep, f rom a c at na p of t hr ee mi n-
u te s t o a l on g s le ep o f t hr ee w ee ks .
A ft er all h e h ad b een t hr ou gh , h e f el t com pl et el y
w or n o ut , a lt ho ug h i t w as n ot y et b ed ti me . H e k ne w
h e c ou ld s le ep t we lv e h ou rs a t l ea st . " I' ll t ak e a
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c ha nc e, " h e s ai d a nd s et t he c lo ck , j um pe d i nt o t he
b unk a nd w as s oo n f as t a sl ee p.
E xact ly t welv e h ou rs l at er h e awo ke t o f in d h im self
s pr aw le d o n t he f lo or , f or t he b un k h ad t il te d d ow n-
w ar d and s li pp ed h im o ut v er y g en tl y. A t f ir st , B ucky
w as s li gh tl y d az ed , t he n t he e ve nt s o f t he d ay b ef or e
a nd t he p ec ul ia r w or ki ng o f t he c lo ck a ll c am e b ac k
to hi m i n a fla sh. He opened the door, jus t a c rac k,
t o m ak e s ur e h is m em or y w as r ig ht . T he n h e s te pp ed
out into the sunshine.
4 " Happ y d ay br eak! " g reet ed t he w hale w it h a w id e
smile of welcome.
" Su ns hi ne t o y ou !" ans wered t he b oy , " an d h ow i s
your sadness?"
" Re al ly I c an 't t el l yo u h ow a l it tl e s adn es s s pun ks
m e u p. W ha t a r el ie f i t i s a ft er y ea rs o f m on ot on ou s
l au gh in g. F ro m n ow on , I c an t el l y ou , I 'l l f ee l be tt er
without those disgraceful pirates crowded inside my
e r -e r- ca bi n! T o b e s tu ff ed , w ee k a ft er w ee k, w it h
ri di cu lo us b uccaneer s! I nd eed, m y f ri en d, i t i s a h ap py
da y f or me t o ha ve y ou he re ." The wh al e pa us ed,
and then continued, giving an embarrassed little
cou gh : " By -t he- way. .. w e h av e n ev er b een p ro perl y
i nt ro du ced. A ll ow m e t o p resent m ys el f- my n am e i s
D av id . W hat d o y ou cal l y ou rs el f?"
" My f ri en ds cal l m e B ucky -m y l as t n am e i s J on es
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Bu ck y J on es , t o b e e xa ct ."
" No w i sn 't t hat t he s tr an gest t hi ng ?" d rawl ed t he
w ha le . " My l as t n ame i s J one s, t oo . I w onde r i f w e
a re r el at ed . C ou si ns - o r, a t l ea st , s ec on d c ou si ns .
B uc ky a nd D av y J on es ! W e s ho ul d g et a lo ng s wi m-
mingly. Ho! Ho!!"
" If y ou a re w il li ng t o t ak e a p as se ng er , I c an no t
t hi nk o f any th in g t hat w ou ld b e m or e f un ," s ai d t he
b oy , s eati ng h im self o n t he r ai l and g azin g u p i nt o t he
whale's honest face.
" Yo u h av e c om e a bo ar d a s m y f ri en d. M y c ab in i s
yo ur s. Y ou w il l b e m y b os om f ri en d. "
" Th at 's f in e! I cer tain ly t hank y ou . I 'l l t ry t o m ak e
myself useful."
" It 's a b ar ga in !! L et 's g et s ta rt ed -a nd b e c ar ef ul
t hat y ou d on 't f al l o verb oard ," s ug gest ed b ig D av y
a s h e f li pp ed h im se lf a ro un d a nd s ta rt ed f or t he s ho re
a t a s pe ed t ha t a lm os t t oo k a wa y t he b oy 's b re at h.
"Why such a hurry?" faltered Bucky.
"I want to catch something!"
"Catch something? What?"
"The high tide," laughed Davy.
The p in k s pr ay f le w hi gh o n e it he r s ide a s t he w ha le
plunged forward, lightly skipping from wave to wave.
H is s wi ft s pu rt s oo n b ro ug ht t hem i n s ig ht o f l an d
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w he re , t o t he w es t, t ow er in g c li ff s r os e s tr ai gh t o ut o f
t he o ce an . N o be ac h w as t o b e s ee n; n ot hi ng b ut
r ou gh , f or bi dd in g r ocks . T o B ucky i t s eemed i mp os -
s ib le t o f in d a f oo th ol d a ny wh er e o n t ha t r oc k- ri bb ed
shore.
T he w hale w as m or e f am il iar w it h t he coast . W it h-
out the slightest hesitation he swung himself into a
h id de n o pe ni ng t ha t t he b oy h ad n ot n ot ic ed . W it h
j us t eno ug h r oo m t o s qu eeze t hr ou gh , h e s qu eezed.
T he t id e w as r un ni ng i n a t a g re at r at e! T hi s he lp ed
t h em g o f or ward .
"H ol d f as t now, " wa rne d t he w ha le . " If I ge t a good
s ta rt , I c an d o i t e as il y. " H e d ou bl ed h is s pe ed a nd t he
w at er s eet hed and b oi led u nd er h im .
T he y w er e i n a s ma ll r iv er w he re t he w at er t um bl ed
do wn a m ou nt ai n s lo pe w it h t he t hu nd er o f a c as ca de .
Gaining headway every second, Davy bore through
t he r us hi ng r ap id s t hat r oared f ro m t he h ei gh ts abo ve.
W it h t he g oo d m an ag em en t t ha t c am e f ro m a c le ar
h ead, t he g reat w hale s pl as hed and w ri gg led h is w ay
u p a nd u p u nt il h e f in al ly r ea ch ed t he t op o f t he s lo pe .
He was breathing in gasps but grinning happily.
N ow t ha t t he da ng er w as p as t, t he b oy r ub be d t he
wa te r f ro m h is e ye s a nd l oo ke d a bo ut h im . F ro m t hi s
po in t, t he r iv er con ti nu ed d ow n h il l, b ut t he w at er
r an u p.
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Leisurely, Davy floated down.
"Few travelers get through this Up-hill-down-hill
R iv er . Q ui te a s tu nt f or a n o ld f el low l ik e m e. D on 't
y ou t hi nk s o? " a sk ed t he w ha le , w el l p le as ed w it h h im -
s el f. " Al l y ou n ee d i s c onf id en ce . J us t a l it tl e c on -
fidence..."
" An d p lent y o f act io n, " add ed B ucky .
"You are quite right. Action-plenty of action-
t hat' s i t p reci sely ; y ou h av e t he r ig ht i dea. "
D av y w ai te d t o g et h is br ea th b ac k b ef or e h e s pok e
a g ai n. " I o nc e pu ll ed a l ot of D ol lf in s u p he re . Th ey
s ti ll l iv e h er e. I n f act, t hey h av e est ab li sh ed q ui te a
s ch oo l f or t he ms el ve s. I 'd l ik e t o h av e y ou m ee t
them."
O n t he do wn -h il l s id e of t he R iv er , D av y s wa m
w it h a l az y s tr ok e, p oi nt in g o ut t o h is p as se ng er p la ce s
o f i nt er es t i n t he d is tant , r ol li ng h il ls . H e s eemed
p ro ud o f t he s ur ro un di ng cou nt ry b ut t o B ucky i t
l o ok ed b l eak an d d eso l at e.
"You s ee t he t op of t he ne xt hi ll? That i s whe re
we'll find the Dollfins."
A ga in t he R iv er be ga n t o r un up -h il l. T hi s w as a
l onge r s tr et ch a nd a t t im es i t s ee me d t o Buc ky a s
t ho ug h t he y w ou ld n ev er m ake t he g ra de . B ut t he
w ha le d id i t, a nd t he y d ri ft ed i nt o t he q ui et w at er o f
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a l ar ge l ak e.
" Lo ok , l ook !" he c ri ed . " Th er e i s o ne o f t he l it tl e
g id dy heads n ow ! S he s ees m e! " and D av y b el lo wed
a g reet in g t hat ech oed amo ng t he h il ls .
C HA PT ER 4
The School of Dollfins
IMMEDIATELY, hundreds of little wooden heads
p opp ed up ou t o f t he l ake . Ea ge rl y t he y s wa m t o-
w ar d t he b ig , g oo d- natu red v is it or .
These pretty, doll-headed figures were something
like old-fashioned mermaids. They had fish tails, sure
en ou gh , b ut every t im e t hey m ov ed t heir w oo den arm s
o r t he ir n ec ks t he y s qu ea ke d.
S uc h a b ab bl e a nd c ha tt er B uc ky h ad n ev er b ef or e
h ea rd a s c am e w he n t he D ol lf in s c la mb er ed o ve r t he
whale's polished back.
"Meet my friend Bucky Jones," said Davy turning
one e ye t owa rd t he boy a nd t he ot he r i n t he di re ct ion
o f t he g ir ls . " He 's a p as se ng er a s w el l a s m y f ri en d. "
T ur ni ng t heir w oo den h eads t ow ar d t he b oy , t hey
st ared w it h w id e, p ai nt ed eyes.
T he w ha le c ont inu ed t o s pe ak : " My f ri end i s a
st ra ng er i n t he se p ar ts -h e' s a p il ot a nd a n e xp er i-
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e nc ed t ra ve le r- an d, a ls o, h e i s a c ou si n o f m in e-
and-"
" Th at 's eno ug h! " s qu eaked o ne o f t he D ol if in s. " So
m an y t hi ngs a ll i n O NE B OY? I c an ha rd ly b el ie ve i t. "
A r ou nd -f ac ed D ol l t oo k h ol d o f B uc ky 's h an d. A
l it tl e d im pl e i n h er f at , p ai nt ed cheek w as s om et hi ng
s he w an te d e ve ry on e t o s ee . W it h h er r ou nd , p ai nt ed
e ye s c lo se t o t he b oy 's n os e, s he g az ed v ac an tl y o ve r
h is h ead. B y t he t im e s he h ad f in is hed s haki ng h is
h an d, B ucky 's f in gers w er e n um b w it h col d.
A lt ho ug h t he D ol lf in s w er e p leas ed , t hey w er e als o
p uzzl ed . C er tain ly t hey w er e n ot elated as t hey
c r o wd ed a ro un d t he b oy .
" At l as t, " t hey s ig hed i n a h al f- hear ted w ay , " yo u
have brought us our playmate."
H un dr ed s o f d is ap po in te d e ye s g la re d a t t he a st on -
ished boy.
"Well-now-not exactly-" faltered Davy.
"I gue ss w e'l l ha ve t o m ake t he be st of it ," t he D ol l-
fins interrupted. Though their manners were not
c or di al , t he y c am e a l it tl e c lo se r t o B uc ky . O ne
straightened his necktie; another slicked his hair.
" The f ir st t hi ng we wi ll do i s c ha nge hi s na me t o
Ducky."
G en tl y h e e as ed t he m a wa y, a s p ol it el y a s p os si bl e,
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b ut o ne l it tl e g id dy head clu ng t o h is arm s w it h s o m uch
en th us iasm h e h ar dl y k new w hat t o d o. T hi s p er si st en t
l it tl e d ol l g ot o ne c ol d h an d d ow n h is b ac k, a nd w it h
t he o th er , s he gr ab be d h is h ai r a nd h el d h im t ig ht .
R ou gh ly , B ucky s ho ok h er l oo se and s he s qu eaked:
" Th at 's n o w ay t o p la y! " H er p ai nt ed e ye s s na pp ed
s au ci ly a s s he g av e t he b oy a p us h a nd t ur ne d a ng ri ly
to t he w ha le : ' 'H e' s t oo r ou gh .
Th ey a ll b eg an t o c ry , i n c hor us : " Wh y d id n' t y ou
bri ng us a gi rl to pla y wi th? This is onl y a boy- we
w ant a g ir l! "
T he p oo r w ha le w as s o e mb ar ra ss ed h is e ye s r ol le d
u neas il y f ro m s id e t o s id e.
" Li st en t o m e, m y l it tl e f ri en ds . Q ui et , p leas e. M y
cou si n B ucky i s m y p il ot . P il ot s are f or bi dd en t o p lay
w it h d ol ls w hen o n d ut y. " T he w hale t ur ned t o B ucky .
"Isn't that the truth?"
" Th os e are t he f acts ," t he b oy ans wered b ri ef ly .
" Bo sh w it h y ou r f acts -w e w an t a p laym at e, and
h e ha s t o s ta y he re a nd pl ay wi th us whe the r h e w ant s
t o o r n ot ," s hr il led a f at l it tl e D ol lf in clapp in g h er
w oo de n h an ds a ng ri ly t o a dd f or ce t o h er w or ds . " Of
c ou rs e w e p re fe r a g ir l bu t w e' ll c ond es ce nd t o t ake
t hi s b oy a s a p oo r s ub st it ut e. "
" Oh , n o, n o- " T he w hale's v oi ce w as f ir m. " I' ll f in d
a g ir l f or y ou s om e o the r t im e. "
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" Th at 's w ha t y ou 'v e p ro mi se d u s f or y ea rs b ut y ou
have n ot k ep t y ou r p ro mi s e. "
" Th is awf ul b oy w il l s tay r ig ht h er e w it h u s un ti l
you bri ng us a ni ce gir l, a nd tha t's a f act f or you! "
B ucky h ad s tepp ed t o o ne s id e d ur in g t hi s arg um en t.
The whal e whis pe re d to hi m out of t he s ide of his
m ou th : " Ge t i nt o t he c ab in q ui ck ly a nd l oc k t he d oo r.
I f t hey ever g et i ns id e, g oo d- by e t o every th in g. "
O ne s te p f or wa rd a nd t he b oy w as s ur ro un de d b y
chatt er in g d ol ls t ry in g t o p ul l h im i nt o t he l ak e. H e
b eg an t o s in g: " Ol d M ot he r H ub ba rd -s he w en t t o
t he cup bo ar d- " A no th er s tep; h e k ep t o n s in gi ng
t he o ld s on g- "W hen s he g ot t her e- th e cup bo ar d
w as b ar e! " Hi s h an d w as on t he do or , a nd t he d ol ls
w ai te d e xp ec ta nt ly f or h im t o s ho w t he m a c up bo ar d.
B ut h e t ur ne d t he k no b q ui ck ly a nd d ar te d i ns id e,
s lamm in g t he d oo r and f in is hi ng t he s on g as h e s li d
a cr os s t he f lo or , w hi ch g av e a s ud de n t il t d ow nw ar d.
F or , w it h a p layf ul l ur ch , D av y h ad w as hed t he D ol if in s
o ve rbo ar d a nd d ive d t o t he b ot to m o f t he l ake .
T hr ou gh t he t hi ck s id es o f t he w hale, B ucky h eard h im
say:
" Som e o th er t ri p, I m ay br in g yo u a gi rl ."
W it h e ac h f li t of t he w ha le , B uc ky s li d b ac k a nd f or th
acr os s t h e f l oo r.
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"C an al l t his be re al ?" he t hought , " Or am I dr ea m-
i ng ? N o, I 'm n ot d re am in g. I 'm w id e a wa ke -" h e
d ec id ed w he n h is h ea d s tr uc k a h ea vy m ah og an y b ea m.
" A b it f an ta st ic , m ay be , b ut v er y r ea l- " H e w as c on -
vi nc ed of t he re al it y a s he c lung to the be am, not
k no wi ng w hat t o exp ect n ex t.
By a nd b y t he f lo or b ec am e l ev el .
D a vy r os e t o t he s ur fa ce a nd l ol le d h ap pi ly i n t he
b ri gh t s un sh in e. H e h ad l ef t t he d ol ls f ar b eh in d and
w as m ak in g g oo d t im e a s h e c hu rn ed t he b lu e s ur fa ce
o f t he l ak e i nt o s park li ng r ip pl es .
Th rou gh a c ra ck i n t he d oor , Bu cky m ad e s ur e t ha t
t he d ol ls w er e g on e b ef or e h e v en tu re d o n d ec k.
" I' ve s ee n a ll ki nd s of f is h b ut t ho se D ol lf ins a re e x-
traordinary, aren't they?" he asked, still bewildered.
"D on 't ge t u ps et b y a l it tl e f us s l ik e t ha t. F rom
w ha t I 'v e b ee n t ol d t he re a re t ou gh er p ro bl em s t o be
m et t ha n Dol lf ins be for e w e ge t t o whe re we a re
going."
"The question is-where are we going?"
" No q ue st io n a bo ut i t; w e a re g oi ng t o O z. "
"O z? I t hou gh t w e w er e a lr ea dy i n O zI "
" In a w ay, y es -bu t m os tl y n o! O f c our se , you un -
d er st an d t ha t w e a re o nl y o n t he o ut si de e dg e. E ve ry -
t hi ng w il l b e d if ferent w hen w e g et i ns id e t hi s r eall y
t ru ly w on derl an d. I am o nl y a d et er mi ned o ld w hale,
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I know, but I i nte nd t o s ee a ll t he ma rve lous thi ngs I
h av e h eard abo ut ."
T he b oy 's exp ress io n s ho wed h is i nd ecis io n. " I' d l ik e
t o go a long wi th you," he s ai d, " But I c an' t ma ke up
m y m in d. I f i t' s a ny th in g l ike I 've s ee n s o f ar , I 'd
r at he r g o b ac k h om e. "
" I' m n ot f or ci ng y ou t o com e, " r ep li ed t he w hale.
" I c an p ut y ou a sh or e i f y ou p re fe r. "
" D on 't b ot her. I 'l l g o w it h y ou ," B ucky s ai d h ur ri ed -
l y. " You a re t he only pe rs on I 've me t in thi s que er
pl ac e w ho i s n ot q ue er ."
" I' ve l iv ed h er e a l on g t im e, " t he w hale r es po nd ed .
" Lo ng er t ha n I w ou ld l ik e t o a dm it . A nd yo u, m y d ea r
c ou si n, a re t he o nl y o ne I 'v e e ve r m et t ha t I w ou ld a sk
to pilot me to Oz."
The wi se ol d wh al e a t l as t won hi s wa y a nd a n a gr ee -
ment w as r each ed . T he o nl y s ur e i nf or mati on h e cou ld
o ff er t o h is p il ot w as t he g en er al d ir ecti on . T hey m us t
t ra ve l w es t. F ro m t ha t a lo ne t he y m ap pe d t he ir c ou rs e.
T hi s p ro gr es s i n t he ir p la ns pu t t he w ha le i n a n e x-
cellent humor.
Straight ahead were high mountain peaks rising
directly in their path.
" Do n' t g iv e t hem a t ho ug ht ," t he w or ds f ai rl y o ozed
f ro m D av y. " Mo un tain s are n ot hi ng f or m e t o cro ss
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w it h y ou t o p il ot m e! N ow , c ou si n, y ou 'd b es t b ui ld u p
y ou r s tr en gt h. G o r ig ht i nt o t he c up bo ar d a nd g et
yourself a big mince pie!"
B ef or e B ucky h ad f in is hed eat in g t he j ui cy p ie, t here
ca me t o hi s e ar s t he s oun d of a r oa ri ng t or re nt of c le ar
g reen w at er d as hi ng w il dl y o ver t he cli ff s abo ve h im .
C HA PT ER 5
T he M ap
J US T y ou and I t og et her, " chu ck led D av y. " We'r e
o ff !! W he re n o p ir at es w il l c at ch m e n or a ga in
t ur n m e i nt o a w il d, f lo at in g h ot el ."
" Sa y t he w or d a nd I 'm r ea dy . Y ou 'l l f ind m e a f ai rl y
g oo d p il ot ," cri sp ly r ep li ed t he b oy , t ak in g h is p lace
by the r ail at the fr ont of the dec k.
" It 's l ik el y t o be c ol d wh er e w e a re go ing. Yo u h ad
b et te r g et a w ar me r c oa t, " a dv is ed D av y. " I d on 't f ee l
t he c ol d; i n f ac t, I h ave n ev er f el t t he s li gh te st s hi ve r
i n my ti mbe rs . But you ar e ma de of r aw mea t, e ven i f
y ou a re m y c ou si n.
A ft er a q ui ck s ea rc h o f t he c ab in B uc ky r et ur ne d
w it h t he p ir at e' s r ed c oa t. W hi le l oo ki ng f or i t, h e h ad
acci dent all y com e acro ss a p ow er f ul s py -g las s. O pen-
i ng t he c oa t, he hel d it wit h t he l ini ng out, c los e to one
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o f t he w ha le 's e ye s.
" Wh at d o y ou s up po se t hi s i s? " h e a sk ed .
T hey w er e b ot h p uzzl ed b y t he coars e s ti tchi ng
w or ke d i n s om e k in d o f p at te rn ; t he n, a s t he d es ig n
be ca me c le ar er , t he y s aw t o t he ir g re at j oy t ha t i t w as
a r oug hl y s ewn ma p of t he La nd of Oz . S ome one w ho
ha d b ee n t o t he w on de rl an d h ad s ti tc he d t he c ha rt .
"Jumping Jingo! That's what I've been looking for
all my life!!" thundered the whale, spinning around
i n c ir cl es . " At l as t, a t l as t, we a re on t he r igh t t ra ck.
Do n' t l os e t ha t c oa t, w ha te ve r yo u do . I f yo u l os e i t,
w e a re l os t, t oo ."
Bu ck y s hoo k hi s he ad: " I d on' t s ee how I c oul d b e
l os t wo rs e t ha n I a m, s o i t doe sn' t m ake mu ch di ff er -
en ce . L et 's g et s ta rt ed ," h e s ai d.
" Ri gh to ! H ol d t ig ht !! A ll s peed ahead !! ! H er e w e
g o! " L ik e a s tr eak o f l ig ht ni ng , D av y chu rn ed t ow ar d
t he w at er fall . H e l eaped i nt o i t, s wi mm in g f as ter t han
t he s wi rl in g w at er f el l. Up a nd up h e l ea pe d w it h
tr em en do us eff or t u nt il h e s li d o ver t he h ig h b ri nk at
t h e t op o f t he h ig hest m ou nt ai n.
T he s um mi t w as c ov er ed w it h i ce a nd s no w, a nd n ot
a dr op o f de ep wa te r, b ut D avy ma na ge d t o s li p e as il y
o ve r t he f ro ze n c ru st u nt il t he y h ad r ea ch ed t he v er y
highest point. From this height a beautiful hill sloped
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g en tl y d ow nw ar d f or m il es a nd , a s f ar a s t he y c ou ld
s ee w it h t he n ak ed e ye , i t w as b la nk et ed w it h s no w.
Davy's wooden eyes fluttered with delight. Bucky
w as t hr il le d. N ev er h ad e it he r o f t he m s ee n s uc h a
dazzling land of snow.
"W ha t a hone y of a hi ll to c oa st, " s ai d Buc ky a s he
s tu di ed t he s cene. " Ei gh t m il es , I b et , w it ho ut a b reak ."
" Le t' s h av e a no th er l oo k a t t he m ap i n y ou r c oa t, "
said Davy.
S l ip pi ng o ff t he g ar ment , B ucky h el d i t b ef or e t he
w hale w ho car ef ul ly s tu di ed every s ti tch f or a l on g
time without saying a word. Then:
"Kinda clumsy work, don't you think?" Bucky
asked.
" It 's b et te r s ew in g t ha n I c ou ld d o, " a ns we re d
Davy, quietly examining every detail.
" Yo u m ay b e a bl e t o c he ck -u p w it h t hi s s py -g la ss ,"
suggested Bucky, extending the glass to its full-length
a nd ho ld ing i t t o t he wha le 's e ye . " Ca n you s ee a ny-
thing?"
" Oh ! l it tl e J on es ie -m y o wn d ea r c ou si n. I c an s ee
i t all !" D av y ans wered, g iv in g a g reat g ul p.
T ak in g h is t ur n a t t he s py -g la ss , t he b oy s to od s ti ll ,
am azed and ent ranced at t he g li tt er in g r ad iance o f
t he C it y- a g em o f s park in g g reen cry st al .
" Yo u a re r ig ht , D av y, o ld b oy ," c ri ed B uc ky , s la p-
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p in g t he w hale's s id e. " Yo u w in ."
F ar b el ow , t he e dg e o f t he s no w m ou nt ai n m el te d
i nt o a d ens e f or es t a nd b eyo nd t he d ar k m as s o f t re es
a r iv er f ol lo we d a d ir ec t c ou rs e t hr ou gh b ru sh a nd
r ou gh r ocks t o d is ap pear f ro m t heir s ig ht . B ro ken,
d es ol at e cou nt ry s tr et ch ed f or m an y m il es and s ti ll
f ar th er a wa y t he s ol id g ro un d b ec am e a w id e d es er t
t ha t s ee me d t o c om pl et el y s ur ro un d t he l an d t he t ra v-
el ers w er e s eek in g.
B ucky s pr ead h is coat o n t he d eck, l oo ki ng car ef ul ly
a t e ve ry s ti tc h i n h is e nd ea vo r t o f in d o ut j us t w he re
t he y w er e. H e put hi s f in ge r on t he s pot a nd s how ed
i t to Da vy .
" Se e- we h av e j us t p as se d t hr ou gh t he R os e K in g-
do m a nd a re n ow i n t he l and of E v. S tr aig ht a he ad i s
m ar ke d ' Th e D om ai n o f t he G no me K in g' a nd t he n
- a d ea dl y d es er t. T ha t d oe sn 't l oo k s o g oo d! "
" No t t hi nk in g o f t ur ni ng b ack, are y ou ?" D av y d e-
manded.
" Me ? T ur n b ac k? D o I l oo k l ik e a p if fl ep uf f? N o!
Let's start!"
" Wh at o n ear th h as h ap pened?" f um ed t he w hale
a s h e h um pe d h is b ac k a nd f ra nt ic al ly t wi st ed h is b od y
only to find himself stuck.
At the s ame ti me the boy c oul d f ee l t ha t his f eet
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w er e s no w b ou nd . Y an k a nd s tr ai n a s h e w ou ld , B uc ky
r em ai ned f ir ml y h el d t o t he s po t w it h i cy f in gers .
C HA PT ER 6
O ve r t he H um p
" MA YB E w e h av e b een a l it tl e i mp ul si ve, t o com e
s o f ar a wa y, " D av y' s v oi ce w as a nx io us a s h e
felt cold clutching fingers crawling up his sides, and
saw them climbing up Bucky's legs.
D es perately h e w renched h im self t hi s w ay and t hat,
giving impotent grunts. In vain they struggled. Both
wer e f r os t b ou nd .
" No u se t o f lu tt er , b ig b oy ," w hi ned a chi ll in g v oi ce
fr om a f lurr y of s now. " You a re now i n t he power of
t he Z er on s. D on 't t ry t o t ea r y ou rs el ve s a pa rt i n t ha t
absurd manner. Just consider yourselves ice-olated
f o rever, b ot h o f y ou ."
Drifts of Zerons piled around them; nipping, pinch-
i ng and b it in g col d Z er on s!
" F air ly and s qu ar el y y ou 'v e b een cau gh t. S to p t hat
squirming or we'll freeze you stiff," the Zerons called
as t hey s tu ng B ucky .
"I 'l l be j igge re d i f I l et a l ot of l it tl e j igg er s l ik e you
f r ee ze m e o ut o f O z, " b el lo we d t he w ha le .
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" Qu ie t! " o rd er ed t he Z er on s i n i cy t on es . " Yo u a re
i ce-o lated n ow , y ou b ig f is h, n ot j ig gered. "
Every moment the adventurers' plight became
w or se. D av y w as n earl y cov er ed w it h t he f ro st y l it tl e
snow-men. Bucky felt their cold fingers pinching his
ear s and n os e. H is arm s w er e s ti ff en in g, m ak in g h im
p ow er le ss t o b ru sh o ff t he Z er on s.
Tr y a s t he y wo ul d t o b re ak a wa y, t he y c ou ld no t
su cc ee d. E ac h w as e qu al ly h el pl es s. T he b oy c as t a
d es pa ir in g l oo k a t D av y w ho se b ig e ye w in ke d p la y-
f ul ly a nd w ho se b ro ad m ou th s tr et ch ed i nt o a w id e
g ri n. T he w ha le t ook a d ee p br ea th .
Fr om t he t op o f h is he ad a he avy s tr ea m of wa te r
s po ut ed a nd f el l o ve r t he Z er on s i n a w ar m s ho we r.
I ns tant ly every Z er on m el ted away. W it h a n er vo us
s hr ug t he b ig w ha le b ro ke l oo se , a nd B uc ky w as a ls o
f re ed . S lo wl y t he y b eg an t o s li de d ow n t he s id e o f t he
m ou nt ai n i n t he d ir ecti on o f O z.
" Bo y- Oh b oy !" s ho ut ed B uc ky a s t he ir s pe ed i n-
c re as ed b y l ea ps a nd b ou nd s.
The gentle, gliding motion was a glorious sensation.
W it h n ev er a j ol t t o b re ak t he r hy th m, i t f el t l ike
f lyi ng t hr ou gh t he a ir . I t w oul d b e a l on g s li de a nd
t he y k ep t h ea de d i n t he d ir ec ti on o f t he r iv er . O ve r
s li gh tl y r ai sed h um ps t hey clear ed t he g ro un d and
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land ed each t im e i n t he d ri ft s b el ow , g ai ni ng s peed
w i t h every l eap.
S tr ik in g a m or e e le va te d r id ge , t he y c le ar ed i t a nd
c am e d ow n w it h a b um p. T he n a no th er , a nd a no th er ,
e ac h a l it tl e l on ge r. E ac h t im e t he w ha le u tt er ed a
l ou d " Oo om ph " w hen h e l an ded w it h a t hu d t went y
feet below.
T he ir m ad r us h s oo n i nc re as ed t o a b re ak ne ck s pe ed .
To s lo w do wn o r s top w as be yon d t he ir p ow er . T he
s u dd en b um ps b ecam e m or e v io lent . B ucky cou ld h ear
the plates smashing and rattling inside the cabin.
" Oh , f or an ancho r, " h e t ho ug ht , s eein g d an ger
a he ad. " St ee r t o t he r igh t! " he s cr ea me d a s t he y a p-
p ro ac he d t he e dg e o f a hi gh c li ff .
N ot a s ec on d t oo s oo n t he b ul ky w ha le ve er ed t o
on e s id e, t he n s hot a lon g t he da nge ro us e dge t o a
more gradual slope.
" Let m e p il ot y ou ," i ns is ted B ucky w hen h e h ad
c aug ht hi s b re at h a ft er t ha t s ca re . " Now e as e t o t he
left; that's enough!"
H e d ir ected as t hey con ti nu ed t heir w ay s af el y alo ng
t he f oo t o f t he cli ff , avo id in g m an y d an gero us crash es .
By going Quiggley-Diggley back and forth, they
check ed t heir p er il ou s d es cent y et s ti ll w en t alo ng at
a g oo d, f as t cli p. P as si ng t he h al f- way p oi nt , t hey
zig -zag ged s af el y f ro m s id e t o s id e. U nd er p er fect
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c on tr ol , t he y s ki mm ed t he d ee p s no w, e ye s s et o n t he
river below.
I t t oo k e xa ct ly e le ve n m in ut es t o m ak e t he s li de
which covered nearly eight miles.
One final lurch-a hissing splash-and they were
s af e i n t he r iv er . T he w ha le br ea the d a de ep s ig h of
re li ef a nd he ld i t f or a l on g t im e.
"Umph!!" he finally blew it out. "Rough road-
v er y r oug h r oa d. T he re i s n ot hi ng l ik e a n ic e s of t
river under you, I'm finding out."
" I pr ef er a ni ce s of t be d- dr y a nd wa rm, " s ai d
B ucky w it h a y aw n.
"Suit yourself," replied the whale gaily, "so long
a s you a re n' t l ook ing f or i t on t he ot he r s id e of t he
s no w m ou nt ai n. T ho ug h i t w as b um py i n s po ts , i t' s
eas ier s li di ng d ow n t han cli mb in g b ack. " H e r es ted
a l it tl e o n t he s mo ot h w at er . " Th at m ou nt ai n m us t
be three miles high," Davy continued, turning one
e ye b ac k ov er t he ir t ra ck s. " Do yo u s ee w ha t I s ee ?"
" If y ou s ee gi ddy he ads , I s ee t he m t oo. A nd t he y
are following us!" answered Bucky in despair.
S ur e eno ug h, s ki in g o n t heir f is h- tail s cam e t he D ol l-
fins-Evidently the whole school was taking a holiday.
Wi th s hr il l p eals o f l au gh ter t hey s wayed o ver t he
light snow, leaping high into the air or spilling into
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drifts, but always following the definite trail big Davy
had left behind.
Bucky watched their descent with growing alarm
a s h e n er vo us ly p ac ed t he d ec k.
"I do not intend to be a plaything for a lot of wooden
h eaded d ol ls !" h e exclaim ed . " I' d r ath er r is k t he b ur n-
i ng d es er t! Y es !! T went y b ur ni ng d es er ts ! A ho y!
Le t' s be on our wa y a t onc e."
W it ho ut ano th er w or d t hey s t ar ted d ow n t he s tr eam .
They bumped over hidden rocks, squirmed through
seething rapids and wriggled themselves across shal-
l ow s tr et ch es b ef or e t hey f lo at ed p eacefu ll y at l as t
i n t he q ui et er b os om o f t he r iv er t ha t c ar ri ed t he m
i n to t he d en se f or es t. H er e t he y w er e h id de n f ro m
view.
"I h op e t ho se g id dy he ad s g et b ac k t o s ch oo l b ef or e
n i ne o 'clo ck t om or ro w m or ni ng ," s ai d D av y as h e
s et tl ed h im se lf i n a l it tl e c ov e, t o c lo se hi s e ye s bl is s-
f ul ly a nd do ze of f i nt o a s no oz e a ft er a ll hi s e xe rt io n
- -l eavi ng B ucky , t he p il ot , i n charg e o f t he exp ed i-
tion.
C HA PT ER 7
Beginning a Long Journey
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FINDING himself alone in command, Bucky decided
t o g et u nde r wa y a ga in a nd s oo n d is cov er ed a
s im pl e w ay t o s te er t he w ha le . B y s te pp in g e it he r t o
t he r ig ht o r t o t he l ef t, h is w ei gh t c aus ed t he s le ep in g
f is h t o t ur n i n t he d es ir ed d ir ecti on .
H e w or ke d o ut of t he c ove a nd i nt o t he na rr ow p ar t
o f t he r iv er w he re h e h ad n o t ro ub le n av iga ti ng . A s
f ar a s he coul d se e t he re wer e no boa ts to di sput e
his right-of-way.
Al l he ha d t o do w as l et t he c ur re nt c ar ry t he m
alo ng . T he aft er no on d ri ft ed away. T he o nl y s ou nd
t ha t Bu cky he ar d w as t he d ro ws y vo ic e o f D av y o cc a-
sionally murmuring snatches of sea songs in his sleep.
O th er t ha n t ha t, n o e xc it em en t c am e t o b re ak t he
monotony of drifting down the dreamy river.
T hen B ucky n ot iced a l ar ge b ub bl e f lo at in g t ow ar d
him.
Wh en i t c ame qui te c lo se , i t b ur st ; a nd a s i t b ur st ,
i t u tt er ed t he w or d " St op !"
" J us t a n e mp ty w or d, " t ho ug ht t he b oy a nd c on -
t in ued o n h is cou rs e.
H is s er en it y w as i nt er ru pt ed b y t he s ig ht o f f ou r
larger bubbles floating straight toward him.
I n q ui ck s ucces si on each o ne exp lo ded, p op pi ng w it h
a com mand in g r in g, and each u tt er ed a d if ferent
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t er ed , a bu bbl e a ns we re d a nd l ef t a n e mp ty s pa ce
w he re i t h ad b ee n. T he f as te r t he y j ab be re d, t he f as te r
t he e mp ty g ab bl e d is ap pe ar ed . W or d f or w or d t he y
exp lo ded h un dr ed s o f h ol lo w w or ds w it h all t he emp ty
t al k t ha t c am e i nt o t he ir h ea ds . T hi s b at tl e o f w or ds
became a d in o f l on g- wi nd ed j ab ber w it ho ut m uch
meaning.
"Bam-Bam~puff-" burst the glib words into
nothing. Bucky and Davy were gaining ground, using
s o m an y w or ds t ha t t he y po pp ed a nd pu ff ed a c le ar
s pace i n f ro nt o f t hem. T hey t al ked f as ter, b lo wi ng
u p b ub bl es f as te r t ha n t he y c am e t o r ep la ce t he o ne s
already exploded. Presently this continual talk cleared
t he air eno ug h t hat t he j ou rn ey cou ld b e con ti nu ed .
" We t al ked t hem d ow n all r ig ht ," s ai d B ucky .
"Talked them hollow," chuckled Davy.
Co mi ng again i nt o t he o pen s paces, t hey n ot iced
two bright bubbles following them. Davy slowed down
t o wa it . W he n a t l as t t he bu bbl es ha d c au ght u p w ith
t he w ha le a nd c om e c lo se e no ug h s o t ha t t he ir v oi ce s
c ou ld b e h ea rd , t he y c al le d o ut .
" G oo d- by e! " t hey p uf fed and w er e g on e.
" Go od - by e-and b les s y ou r h ear t s- and t han k y ou .
You a re t he onl y s ens ibl e w or ds I ha ve he ar d s o f ar !"
Da vy c al le d ba ck a s t he y s ta rt ed o ff a ga in a t a g oo d
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s m ar t s p eed .
" I w on de r w he re a ll t ha t v ac an t t al k c am e f rom ,"
remarked Bucky.
" So me t alk ati ve s or cer ess , I s up po se, w ho h as
l ea rn ed t o b oi l h er i dl e c on ve rs at io n i n a w it ch 's c al -
d ro n a nd p ut i t o n t he a ir f or a ny on e w it hi n he ar in g. "
" Wh y s ho ul d any on e d o s uch a u seless t hi ng ?"
B uc ky w an te d t o k no w.
" H ow s ho ul d I k no w?" t he w hale ans wered w eari ly .
" Yo u' ll f in d t he w oo ds are f ul l o f h al f- cr acked- ji m-
crank s. T hat 's t he r eas on t he p ract i ce o f w it ch cr aft
a nd s or ce ry i s f or bi dd en b y t he R ul er s o f O z. " T he
whale's voice brightened. "I haven't the slightest
do ubt bu t w ha t w e' ll m ee t o th er s be fo re w e r ea ch O z.
But we ca n thank your luc ky st ars that we a re on the
rivers instead of the mountains, for the mountain
w it ch es a re t he w or st ." D av y g ri nn ed a t h is c om -
p an io n. " Go i ns id e and g et ano th er h an df ul o f cru ll er s.
T ha t m ay c au se y ou t o t hi nk of O z w he re a ny th in g
y ou de si re yo u c an h av e by j us t w is hi ng f or i t. "
" Th at s eems alt og et her t oo eas y, " m us ed B ucky .
"O f c ou rs e, b ut n ob od y i s g oi ng t o m ak e y ou w is h
f or a ny thi ng i f y ou d on 't w an t t o. Y ou c an s ui t y our -
s el f. E ve ry on e w ho g et s t he re s ta ys f or ev er ." A s h e
s po ke , t he w ha le s wu ng a ro un d a c ur ve o f t he r iv er
a wa y f ro m t he b an k t o a vo id t he b ra nc he s o f a d ro op -
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i n g w il lo w t hat b ru sh ed t he w at er .
" It m ay b e a v er y s we ll p la ce ," a dm it te d t he pu zz le d
b oy , " But yo u c an b et y ou r b oot s I w on 't s ta y f or -
ever-"
" I' d t ake t ha t be t i f I ne ede d boot s. You know, I
w as n' t b ui lt t o w ea r s uc h t hi ng s. L et m e t el l y ou,
Li tt le J on es ie, i t' s m uch m or e d if fi cu lt t o g et i nt o O z
t han i t i s t o g et o ut . E sp eciall y an i nd iv id ual o f m y
s ize, " t he w hale ans wered w it h a n ot e o f m is gi vi ng
i n h is v oi ce.
" Ne ve r m in d, b ig b oy , I 'l l s ta y w it h y ou t o t he e nd
or d ie i n t he a tt em pt ."
" Di e? W ha t d o yo u me an? N ob od y e ve r di es i n Oz .
You live forever-"
Bucky scratched his head and was thoughtful:
" T hat' s g oo d n ew s! V er y g oo d! "
T he t rail in g b ou gh s f ro m t he t rees alo ng t he s ho re
became t hi ck er ; w is ps o f m is t and l it tl e f li ck er s o f
light shone through the leaves. Strangely enough,
th ey h ad n ot s een a s in gl e d well in g.
" Ki nd o f a l on el y p la ce , d on 't y ou t hi nk s o, D av y? "
" I' ve b een i n m uch l on el ier p laces t han t hi s; m an y
and m an y' s t he t im e. "
" Wh at a re O z p ri so ns l ik e? " B uc ky a sk ed .
"Prisons!!!" exclaimed the astonished whale burst-
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i ng i nt o a r oa r. " Pl ea se g et t hi s s tr ai gh t. I n t he E m-
e ra ld Ci ty t he y ne ve r he ar d of a pr is on . T he C it y i s
r ul ed b y Q ue en O zm a, t he k in de st a nd m os t t ho ug ht -
f ul r ul er i n t he w or ld . Th e g re at W iz ar d i s h er m os t
t ru st ed adv is er and o n s pecial o ccas i on s t he p ow er fu l
Gli nda i s r ea dy t o he lp. Al l t he y think of i s how to
m ak e every bo dy h ap py . Y ou 'l l s ee f or y ou rs el f. "
" Wh er e d oe s t hi s w on de rl an d b eg in ? S o f ar , I
h av en 't n ot iced m uch k in dn es s i n t he p eo pl e I 'v e m et ;
except you, of course," said Bucky, trying impatiently
t o f re e hi ms el f f rom a l on g w il lo w w an d t ha t ha d
l o op ed i ts el f aro un d h is n eck.
"Y ou m us t r em em ber, " b eg an D av y, " th at w e are
now i n t he w il de st w il de rne ss o f a ll O z a nd m ay h ave
t o o ve rc om e a f ew o bs ta cl es . I r ec al l s to ri es t he p ir at es
u sed t o t el l- wi ld s to ri es -I d id n' t b el ieve t hem at t he
t im e b ut -" h e p au sed.
"But what?" questioned Bucky.
Davy n ev er f in is hed t he s to ry , f or t he s hado wy w il -
l ow s m ad e a s wo op w it h t he ir l on g l oo ps a cr os s t he
de ck. Bucky was t oo quic k for them as he t ook a f irm
ho ld o n a b ra nc h a nd br ok e i t o ff .
On bo th s ide s of t he r ive r, t he w il low s b ega n t o we ep
and wail, swinging out toward them with long, clutch-
ing arms.
" Send t hem t o T ickl ey B en der! !" t hey s ho ut ed , and
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s ho ve d t he w ha le do wn t he s tr ea m. Fr om t re e t o t re e
Davy was propelled with violent pushes. "Wait till
Tickley get you-Ohoo-Ohooo," wept the willows
s wa yi ng c lo se r t o t he t ra ve le rs t o g iv e t he m o ne l as t
v io lent s ho ve. A nd t he g reat f is h w it h h is l on e p as sen-
ge r wa s s we pt out of t he woods.
The y ca me out into a land of dry rocks and low
bushes.
T he c ur re nt o f t he r iv er s ee me d s ud de nl y t o s to p
f lo wi ng . T hen, j us t as s ud denl y, i t s tart ed again . A t
ti mes t hey w ou ld s tand s ti ll f or a w ho le m in ut e, t hen
s ho ot f or wa rd w he n a h ug e w av e r us he d t he m.
T he w il lo ws h ad s to pp ed w eepi ng and b eg un t o
laugh. "Wait till Tickley gets you," they cried. "He'll
tickle you plenty!"
" He s ee ms t o t ic kl e you m or e t ha n he doe s us !"
ye ll ed B uc ky a s a p ar ti ng s ho t. T he w av e t ha t c ar ri ed
t he w hale g rew h ig her and h ig her.
It rose to s uch a hei ght t ha t i t was re ady t o bre ak
a nd c ra sh i nt o a br ea ke r bu t i ns te ad o f do ing t ha t,
t he f ro th y s pr ay f or me d i ts el f i nt o a h ea d. T he w at er
w as s o c le ar t ha t Da vy a nd Bu cky c oul d s ee f is h s wi m-
m in g and d ar ti ng abo ut i ns id e o f t he w at er y s ku ll .
" Ho w d o y ou d o? " a sk ed B uc ky , g re et in g t he o dd
looking creature.
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" Ho w d o I d o w hat?" g ru mb led T ickl ey .
" W hy -w ha te ve r y ou d o d o, " t he b oy a ns we re d, a
little confused.
" J us t i ma gi ne s uc h a q ue st io n- ho w d o I d o w ha t-
ever I do do? And why should I tell you what I do do
- or d on 't d o? "
" Ma yb e I s ho ul dn' t h av e a ske d y ou i n t he f ir st
place," apologized Bucky, still more confused.
" Fi rs t p lace? F ir s t p lace? W hat' s t hat?"
" I s up po se t he h ea d o f t he r iv er i s t he f ir st p la ce ,"
ans wered B ucky i mp at ient ly . " We exp ect t o f in d o ut ."
" I cer tain ly am t he h ead o f t he r iv er , and any th in g
els e y ou 'l l n ev er f in d o ut . I t' s n on e o f y ou r aff ai r. "
" Co me, com e- " j oi ned i n t he w hale, " th is d o- do t al k
is getting us nowhere."
" Yo u are p er fect ly r ig ht ," g ur gl ed t he w at er y h ead
as t he w at er s ur ge d t hr ou gh h is f ac e a nd l on g
whiskers.
S ev er al l on g, l iq ui d f in gers app eared o ut o f t he
w av es a nd b eg an t o t ic kl e t he w ha le i n h is r ib s. B ut
Davy only squirmed a little-not much-because the
n er ve s i n h is w oo de n b oa rd s w er e n ot v er y s en si ti ve .
Ti ckl ey wa s e nr age d t o s ee t he w ha le t ake h is t ic k-
l in g s o cal ml y and h e r os e h ig her and h ig her, l if ti ng
D av y w it h h im . H is f ace t ur ned i nt o f oam w it h t he
f ur y o f t he r is in g w at er r us hi ng f or ward i nt o a s eeth -
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i ng b reak er . T he g us hi ng s pr ay car ri ed D av y f or ward
w it h t he s pe ed of t he w ind.
B ucky l ocked h is arm s t ig ht ly aro un d t he r ai l -
"come what will, I'll stick with Davy."
T he y b eg an t o f al l. D ow n- do wn i nt o a d ee p o pe n-
i ng i n t he e art h. The r ive r r oa re d wi th gle e a s i t di s-
app eared car ry in g t hem b ot h i nt o an u nd er gr ou nd
cavern.
Everything became dark and noisy.
" Lo ok s l ik e n ow her e, " s no rt ed D av y J on es .
C HA PT ER 8
The Army Resigns
A LO NG t he b ro ad b ou le va rd s o f t he E me ra ld C it y
and t hr ou gh t he s mall er s tr eets , t he h ou ses w er e
awakening.
S om e s tr et ch ed t heir t al l chi mn ey s l ik e arm s o r w id -
e ne d t he ir f ro nt d oo rs t o t he b re ak in g p oi nt i n s le ep y
yawns.
A c ri sp , g re en s pa rk le f il le d t he a ir ; h ap py p eo pl e
h ur ri ed alo ng t he s tr eets .
F ro m t he w es t a b ri gh t b lu e S ca la wa go n t ur ne d
f ro m B an an a B ou levard i nt o P um pk in P lace and cam e
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t o a f ul l s to p b ef or e a q uain t b ui ld in g b eari ng t he s ig n
O Z C RE AM b es id e t he d oo r.
A n e ag er b oy a bo ut t we lv e o r t hi rt ee n y ea rs o ld
st ep pe d f ro m t he c ar .
" Yo u n ee dn 't w ai t f or m e, " h e s ai d. " I' ll w al k t o t he
palace."
The intelligent, expressive eyes of the Scalawagon
l ooke d f ro m i ts t ur re t; o ne of t he m ga ve t he bo y a n
understanding wink. With a disappointed expression
the Scalawagon moved slowly away. Nothing would
ha ve pl ea se d i t be tt er t ha n t o c ar ry t hi s bo y a ll d ay
on h is r ou nd s.
A s t he l ad t ur ne d b ri sk ly t ow ar d t he h ou se , i t d re w
i ts el f u p t o f ul l h ei gh t w it h a w el co mi ng g es tu re and
o pe ne d i ts f ro nt d oo r a s h e a pp ro ac he d. H is b lu e s ui t
an d b lu e s ho es i nd ic at ed t ha t h e c am e f ro m t he l an d
of the Munchkins.
Th e p leas an t f ace o f a y ou ng g ir l s mi led f ro m i ns id e
the entrance.
" Oh , Nu mb er Ni ne , I 'm s o gl ad y ou c am e, " s he e x-
claim ed . " I w an ted t o t el l y ou abo ut E vang el in e and
o ur t wo O z c re am c on ta in er s. T he t wo t en g al lo n c an s
w it h t he n ew b ot to ml es s s up pl y m ay n ot b e eno ug h
t o s er ve a ll o ur c us to me rs a nd E va ng el in e. I w as
ho pi ng y ou mi gh t f in d s om e w ay t o g et m e t wo m or e
c an s. I woul dn 't ha ve you t hi nk we ha d e ve r r un
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s ho rt , b ut , s in ce E vang el in e, w it h h er t wo m ou th s,
dr ops i n, we m igh t n ot be a bl e t o f il l o rde rs . W e a re
ex pect in g h er any m om en t n ow . S he alw ay s com es
e ar ly b ec au se s he p re fe rs m y O z c re am p ar lo r a bo ve
a ll t he o th er s i n t he C it y. "
" No o ne c an b la me h er f or t ha t, " r ep li ed N um be r
N in e. " I l ik e i t, t oo . D on 't w or ry y ou r p re tt y h ea d,
f or I m et E vang el in e y es terd ay . S he s po ke s o h ig hl y
o f y ou r p la ce I t ol d t he W iz ar d a bo ut y ou r p os si bl e
d if fi cu lt y b ef or e w e q ui t w or k l as t n ig ht . J us t t o h ear
E va ng el in e t el l h ow g oo d y our c re am i s ha s m ad e m e
h un gr y f or s om e ever s in ce.
" T hat' s w hat every on e t el ls m e, " b eamed t he p rett y
s ho pk eeper. " Wait o ne m om en t t il l I g et y ou s om e, "
a nd t he g ir l b ou nd ed b ac k i nt o t he s ho p. O nc e b eh in d
t he cou nt er s he u tt er ed a p leas ed l it tl e s hr iek: " Gl or y
b e! G lo ry b e! N ow , i sn 't t ha t j us t l ik e t he W iz ar d! "
Wh er e t he t wo c an s ha d b ee n, t he re w er e n ow f our .
A lt ho ug h i t w as i mp os si bl e ever t o emp ty a s in gl e can
or e ve n ne ar ly t o r ea ch t he b ot to m of i t, t he W iz ar d
h ad d ou bl ed t he s up pl y.
I n O z e ve ry th in g i s s o a bu nd an t t ha t n o o ne e ve r
r un s s hor t, a nd n ev er a ny c ha rg e f or a s in gl e t hi ng .
N um be r N in e h ad b ee n c ho se n t o a ss is t t he W iz ar d
o f O z i n t he e nd le ss de ta il s o f C it y m an age me nt a s
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w el l a s h is w or k i n t he l ab or at or y. H is d ou bl e d ut ie s
ke pt hi m bu sy a ll da y. N o s oon er ha d Nu mbe r N in e
be gun t o e at hi s c re am t ha n t he s oft voi ce o f Eva nge -
l in e w as h ea rd o ut si de a nd h er t wo m on st ro us h ea ds
looked through the window.
" We j us t h ap pe ne d t o b e p as si ng ," b eg an t he g en tl e
v oi ce of t he f ir st he ad, " and we t hought we 'd dr op i n
f or a l it tl e s na ck t o c oo l o ur t hr oa ts ," f in is he d t he
s econ d h ead. " Th an ks t o t he s oo th in g b en ef it o f y ou r
cr eam o ur cou gh s h av e ent ir el y d is ap pear ed . I f y ou
on ly kn ew h ow m or ti fy in g i t ha s b ee n t o a nn oy ou r
f ri en ds b y cou gh in g s mo ke and f lame i n t heir f aces !
I t ' s n ot p ol it e. "
"That's splendid," laughed Number Nine, "but you
a re a lw ay s p ol it e. I n a ll o f O z, t he re i s n o D ra go ne tt e
ha lf a s pol it e a s you , s o t he Wi za rd ha s s ent yo u t wo
ex tr a t ub s o f O z Cr ea m f or y ou r ow n s pe ci al u se . O ne
i s fo r Eva n a nd one for Ge li ne . I ha ve ne ve r be en
ab le t o t el l you a pa rt , s o you wi ll ha ve t o m ake y our
own selection of flavor."
" H or ro rs !" ejacu lated o ne o f t he h eads . " Th is m ay
l ea d t o a m ix up -- we d on 't k no w w hi ch i s w hi ch e it he r. "
N um be r N ine m ad e a r ec or d o f t hi s d if fi cu lt y i n a
s ma ll n ot e- bo ok . B ut t he o th er h ea d c ri ed o ut :
"B le ss m y c la ws a nd s ca le