Pirates in Oz - L. Frank Baum

8/10/2019 Pirates in Oz - L. Frank Baum

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Pirates In Oz Oz 25

L . F ra nk B au m

by Ruth Plumly Thompson

C ha pt e r 1

T he O ut cas t G no me

A LL m or ni ng t he l it tl e g ray p ed dl er h ad t ru dg ed alo ng t he r ocky r oad w it ho ut encou nt er in g a

s in gl e c us to me r. I n h is s ac k h e c ar ri ed a s up pl y o f d ar k s pe ct ac le s w hi ch h e t ra de d f or f oo d, o ld c lo th es ,

a n ig ht 's l od gi ng o r w ha te ve r h e c ou ld c oa x f ro m t he g oo d w iv es o f t he c ou nt ry si de . T he s un w as h ot a nd

s co rc hi ng a nd t he p ed dl er 's t em pe r, n ev er o f t he b es t, m ou nt ed w it h e ac h s te p h e t oo k u p t he s to ny

pathway. Finally, flinging down his pack, he stamped both feet, shook both fists, and drawing a small

w ri ti ng t ab let f ro m h is p ocket b eg an s cr ib bl in g s o f as t and f ur io us ly t hat t he p oi nt f lew o ff h is p en ci l at t he

f if th w or d. R ip pi ng o ff t he s he et , h e t hr ew b ot h i t a nd t he p en ci l i nt o a p ep pe r b us h a nd s co wl ed f ie rc el y

a t a c row t ha t h ad s et tl ed o n t he b ra nc h of a d ea d t re e ne ar -by . P ay in g n o a tt ent ion t o h is t er ri bl e l oo k,

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t he c row f le w do wn , pi cke d u p t he p ie ce of p ape r a nd ho ldi ng i t i n one c la w b ega n t o r ea d t he s cr ibbl ed

words.

" Haw, h aw ! C aw , caw !" cho rt led t he cro w, r ocki ng b ackw ar d and f or ward w it h amu sement .

" I k now wh o y ou a re , o ld b ow -l eg s! Yo u' re t he o ld G nom e K in g a nd ba d a s y ou e ve r w er e. H aw , ha w!

Y ou 'r e a c au ti on, R ug! W he re di d y ou l ea rn a ll t hi s m ad l an gu age a ny wa y? T ry ing t o c on qu er O z a nd

o ut wi t t he W izar d?" T ucki ng t he p ap er u nd er h is w in g, t he cro w s tared i ns ol en tl y at t he r ag ged elf w hoh ad o nce b een K in g o f all t he G no mes and w ho se l as t att emp t t o capt ur e t heEm er al dC it yh ad b ro ug ht h im

t o t he s or ry c on di ti on o f w an de re r a nd o ut ca st . R ug ge do m ad e n o a ns we r t o t he c ro w' s s au cy s pe ec h,

n ot b ec aus e h e c ou ld n' t t hi nk o f p le nt y o f t hi ng s t o s ay , b ut b ec au se i t w as i mp os si bl e f or h im t o s ay

t he m. R ug ge do w as s pe ec hl es s a nd t he c he st t ha t h ad o nc e s pa rk le d w it h p re ci ou s g em s a nd h ea vy g ol d

chain s n ow b or e o nl y a r ud el y p ri nt ed p lacard : " Ki nd ly h el p t he d um b. " B ut t ho ug h t he o ld g no me cou ld

no l onge r s pe ak, he c oul d s ti ll a ct . Se iz ing a j ag ge d s to ne he hur le d i t a t t he c row wi th s uc h s pe ed a nd

s ud denn es s t hat t he l at ter s to pp ed cro wi ng i n a h ur ry and f lew s cr eech in g i nt o t he air . L ef t t o h im self ,

R ugg ed o be ga n t o w ee p f ro m p ur e v ex at io n a nd s el f p it y, w ipi ng hi s t ea rs o n hi s l on g w hi te w hi sk er s a nd

kicking his heels vindictively against the rocks.

" E very o ne i s again st m e! " r ef lect ed t he g no me b it terl y. " Ev er y o ne, every t wo , every t hr ee,

a nd e ve rybo dy! Ev en t he bi rds c row ove r m e a nd m ake m y l if e mi se ra bl e a nd a ll be ca us e I wa nt to

r eg ai n m y o wn k in gd om and p un is h t hat w retched O zm a o f O z f or d ef yi ng and enchant in g m e! " T hi s w as

n ot q ui te t ru e, b ut R ug ge do 's t ho ug ht s w er e a s c ro ok ed a nd t wi st ed a s h is c ro ok ed l it tl e b od y. H e c ou ld

n ot t hi nk s tr ai gh t n or h on es tl y and w ou ld n ot adm it , even t o h im self , t hat m os t o f h is t ro ub les w er e h is

own fault.

A s r ul er o f t he g no me s h e h ad b ee n o ne o f t he r ic he st a nd m os t i mp or ta nt o f m on ar ch s, h is

u nd er gr ou nd d om in io ns w er e v as t, g rand and awe i ns pi ri ng , and all t he p reci ou s m et al s and j ew el s an

emp er or cou ld w is h f or h ad b een q uarr ied f ro m t he m in es b y h is p at ient l it tl e s ub ject s. B es id es all t hi s,

R ug ge do h ad h ad m an y m ag ic t re as ur es t ha t e na bl ed h im t o o ve rc om e h is e ne mi es a nd p as s t he t im epleasantly between battles. But this foolish King had not been satisfied with his own possessions.

A cr os s t he D ea dl y D es er t f ro m h is do mi ni on s l ay t he w on de rf ul L an d o f O z, r ul ed o ve r b y

P ri nces s O zm a, a f ai ry m uch m or e i mp or tant and p ow er fu l t han h im self . A gain and again R ug gedo h ad

t ri ed t o v an qu is h O zm a a nd c on qu er h er k in gd om . B ut g oo d m ag ic i s a lw ay s b et te r t ha n b ad , a nd e ac h

t im e O zm a h ad t ri um ph ed o ver t he G no me K in g and h is w icked all ies. N at ur al ly k in d h eart ed and g en tl e,

O zm a h ad n ot w is he d t o d es tr oy h er e ne my u tt er ly . O nc e h e h ad b ee n d ip pe d i nt o t he F ou nt ai n o f

O bl iv ion a nd f or go t f or a s ea son h is e vi l p la ns a nd s ch em in gs . B ut t hi s d id n ot l as t l ong a nd s oo n h e w as

again storming theEmeraldCity, Ozma's capital. This time he lost not only his kingdom, but was banished,

as w el l, t o a l on el y i sl an d i n t heNo nes ti cOcean. M ir acul ou sl y escap in g f ro m t hi s i sl an d o n an o ld p ir at es hi p, R ug ge do h ad m ad e a l as t d es pe ra te a tt em pt t o e ns la ve t he O z f ol k. B ut t hi s s ch em e, t oo , h ad

proved vain, and the silence stone flung by Peter, aPhiladelphiaboy visiting in Oz, just at the moment

R ug ge do w as c on si gn in g O zm a a nd a ll t he c el eb ri ti es t o t he b ot to m o f t he s ea , h ad s tr uc k t he G no me

K in g o n t he f or eh ea d a nd r en de re d h im s pe ec hl es s. T he s pe ll c as t b y t he s il en ce s to ne w ou ld k ee p.

R ug gedo d um b f or s ev en y ears , and t hi nk in g t hi s p un is hm en t eno ug h O zm a h ad l et h im g o.

F or f iv e y ea rs n ow t he f or me r M et al M on ar ch h ad w an de re d u p a nd d ow n O z, b eg gi ng ,

peddling, and stealing. Finally, homesick and discouraged, he had bribed an eagle to carry him across the

D ea dl y D es er t a nd h ad t hu s r et ur ne d t o h is o wn c ou nt ry i n E v. B ut K al ik o, a pp oi nt ed b y O zm a t o r ul e i n

h is s te ad , w ou ld n ot e ve n b uy o ne p ai r o f s pe ct ac le s f ro m h is f or me r m as te r, a nd c al li ng h is b od ygu ar ds

h ad h ad R ug ge do t hr ow n o ut o f h is u nd er gr ou nd c as tl e i n s ho rt o rd er . S o n ow t he d ej ec te d l it tl e g no me

was on his way to theKingdomofRinkitinkwhich lay just beyond Gnoman's Land bordering theNonestic

O ce an . It wa s rul ed ove r by a ki ng s o che erf ul and me rry t ha t Rugge do fe lt he c ould not onl y s el l him a



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l ot o f s pe ct ac le s, b ut h oa x t he o ld m on ar ch i nt o g ivi ng hi m a p os it ion a t c ou rt a s w el l. T he m er e t ho ug ht

o f K in g R in ki ti nk m ad e R ug gedo s to p w eepi ng , and t ak in g ano th er p en ci l f ro m h is p ocket h e b eg an

s harp en in g i t b ri sk ly . W ri ti ng m es sages u po n h is t ab let w as t he o nl y w ay R ug gedo cou ld m ak e h im self

u nd er st oo d a nd h e w an te d t o b e q ui te r ea dy t o c on ve rs e w it h h is j ol ly o ld n ei gh bo r.

" Wh y, I m ay e ve n b e a bl e t o s te al s om e o f h is m agi c, " r ea so ne d R ug ge do , s qu in ti ng d ow n a t

t he l on g po in t he ha d pu t on h is p enc il . Th ink ing o f m agi c a lw ay s pu t hi m i n a g ood hu mo r a nd pi cki ng uphi s s ac k he p ro ce ede d m or e ho pe fu ll y a lo ng t he r oc ky r oa d. I n a bou t a n ho ur h e ha d c om e t o a na rr ow

crevi ce b et ween t wo r ocks and s qu eezi ng t hr ou gh f ou nd h im self o n t he edg e o f a s mall and u nk no wn

cou nt ry . S ur e t hat t he m ou nt ai n p as s w ou ld l ead d ir ectl y i nt o R in ki ti nk , t he G no me K in g p au sed

u ncer tain ly . O n t he m ap s i n h is u nd er gr ou nd cas tl e, h e h ad o ft en s tu di ed t he k in gd om s n ear h is o wn

d om in io ns . T o t he n or th l ay t he V eg et ab le K in gd om , R in ki ti nk , and t he L an d o f t he W heel er s. R ug gedo

h ad b ee n t ra ve ll in g no rt h a nd h ad v is it ed a ll t he se p la ce s, b ut t he c ou nt ry h e w as n ow e nt er in g w as

e nt ir el y n ew a nd u nf am il ia r t o h im . A s f ar a s h e c ou ld s ee s tr et ch ed a f lo we ri ng g ar de n. I ts p os ie s w er e

o ld -f as hi on ed and q ui et i n col or : f ad ed p in ks , l ig ht b lu es and s ub du ed l av en ders . T he t rees and g ras s

s ee me d m or e g ra y t ha n g re en , a nd o ve r t he w ho le h un g a s il ve ry h az e t ha t g av e a n a ir o f d re am y u nr ea li ty

t o t he s cene. R ug gedo m uch p referr ed t he f lash and g li tt er o f h is j ew el led cav er ns and l oo ki ngc on te mp tu ou sl y a t t he p al e y el lo w p al ac e r is in g f ro m t he c en te r o f t he g ar de n, h e w on de re d w ha t k in d o f

k in g i t m ig ht con tain . T he p al ace w as s ur ro un ded b y a h ig h r os e- gr ow n w al l and as R ug gedo con ti nu ed

t o s ta re , a d oor i n t he wa ll o pe ne d a nd o ut s te ppe d a s ta te ly c ou rt ie r i n a f in e whi te wi g. He h ad a l ar ge

s ig n u nd er h is a rm . T hi s h e h un g o n t he g ol de n d oo r k no b, a nd a ft er l oo ki ng u p a nd d ow n t he r oa d,

yawned tremendously and went in, shutting the door behind him.

E xt remely cur io us as t o j us t w hat t he s ig n m ig ht s ay , R ug gedo j um ped d ow n f ro m t he r ocky

l ed ge a nd w en t s cu rr yi ng a cr os s t he g ar de n. I t w as s tr an ge ly q ui et a nd s ti ll ; t he b ir ds h op pi ng a bo ut i n t he

branches of the trees neither twittered nor sang and Ruggedo's own footsteps sounded so loud and

s ta rt li ng t ha t b y t he t im e h e r ea ch ed t he c as tl e h e w as u ne as il y p ro ce ed in g o n t ip to e. Q ui te o ut o f b re at h,

f or he h ad hur ri ed c on si de ra bl y, he s qui nt ed up a t t he n ot ic e on t he doo r. Th en he ga ve a b oun ce of pur eastonishment.

W AN TE D: A D UM B K IN G

s tated t he s ig n i n cal m p in k l et ters . R ug gedo cou ld h av e s cr eamed w it h s ur pr is e and s ho ck , b ut t hi s b ei ng

i mp os si bl e, h e b ou nd ed i nt o t he air and k icked b ot h h eels t og et her, h is w icked l it tl e f ace cri ms on w it hexcitement.

"Ca n i t be t ha t a t l as t I a m t o ha ve s om e g ood f or tune ?" e xul te d t he ol d gnom e, hi s r ed e ye s

s napp in g w it h ant icip at io n. " I am a k in g; f or t he p resent , I am d um b. S ur el y, t hen, t hi s m us t m ean m e! "

S na tc hi ng do wn t he s ig n h e t uc ke d i t u nd er h is a rm a nd o pe ni ng t he d oo r i n t he w al l w al ke d b ol dl y i nt o

the courtyard.

C HA PT ER 2



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The StrangeKingdomofMenankypoo

A D ou bl e l in e o f g uard sm en , i n p al e y el lo w u ni fo rm s and t hr ee cor nered h at s, s tr et ch ed f ro m

t he g at es t o t he c as tl e d oo r, a nd a s R ug ge do b ur st i nt o t he c ou rt -y ar d t he y r ai se d t he ir g un s t hr ea te ni ng ly .

B ut f or a ll hi s ba dne ss , t he G no me K ing w as r ea ll y q ui te b ra ve a nd t ho ug h no l ar ge r t ha n a s ma ll c hi ld ,m ar ch ed r es ol ut el y b et ween t he l in es w it ho ut a g lance at t he g uard sm en . A st on is hed at s uch b ol dn es s, t he

s ol di er s l et h im p as s. A t t he cas tl e d oo r i ts el f R ug gedo p au sed, f or g leam in g o n t he s mo ot h w hi te p an el s

were eight jewelled words: "This is theKingdomofMENANKYPOO. Quiet, please."

"Suits me!" sniffed Ruggedo, and straightening the placard on his chest, he confidently kicked

o pe n t he d oo r. H is e nt ra nc e c au se d q ui te a c om mo ti on a nd s ti r i n t he y el lo w t hr on e r oo m. T he c ou rt ie rs

and m in is ters o f M en an ky po o, w ho h ad b een d ro ws in g p eacefu ll y i n t he d ep th s o f t he g reat y el lo w

a rm ch ai rs , s pr an g t o t he ir f ee t a nd l oo ke d a sk an ce a t t he r ag ge d f ig ur e i n t he d oo rw ay , a nd R ug ge do a s

c ur io us ly l oo ke d b ac k. A t f ir st g la nc e t he y s ee me d u su al a nd e ve ry d ay s or t o f f el lo ws , b ut a s a t al l,

pompous dignitary with a gold staff hurried forward he realized his error. Here, surely, were the oddestpeople he had encountered in the whole thousand years of his existence, for the Menankypoos did not

t al k at all . B ut t heir f or eh eads , w hi ch w er e h ig h and b ro ad , l it u p w it h l on g s park li ng s en tences , each

m es sa ge a s c le ar a nd d is ti nc t a s w or ds f la sh ed u po n a n e le ct ri c s ig n.

" I am K ap oo sa, M aj or D um bo o f M en an ky po o, " ann ou nced t he f el lo w w it h t he s taff , t ap pi ng

t hr ee t im es o n t he f lo or . " wh o a re y ou ?" B li nk in g u p a t t he M aj or D um bo a nd a lm os t t oo s ta rt le d t o

a ns we r, R ug ge do h el d u p t he s ig n h e h ad t ak en f ro m t he c as tl e g at e a nd p oi nt in g t o t he w or ds , " Du mb

K in g, " w ai ted f or K ap oo sa t o con ti nu e t he con vers at io n.

" So -y ou -ar e- a-d um b- ki ng ?" R ath er s l ow ly t he w or ds f or m ed o n K ap oo sa' s f or ehead and t he

Menankypoos, looking curiously over his shoulder, spelled out all sorts of uncomplimentary remarks andq uest io ns . T o t hese R ug gedo p ai d n o att en ti on w hatever, b ut t ak in g o ut h is t ab let and p en ci l s cr ib bl ed

h ur ri ed ly : " wh at are t he d ut ies o f t he k in g?"

" Th e k in g i s n ot s up po sed t o d o any th in g. " T hi s ans wer, w hi ch p resent ly app eared o n t he

Major Dumbo's forehead, exactly suited the lazy little Gnome King. So pushing imperiously through the

cro wd o f M en an ky po os h e m ad e h is w ay t o t he t hr on e, f el t i ts cus hi on s f as ti di ou sl y and f in di ng t hem s of t

and n um er ou s s et tl ed d ow n con tent ed ly and w ro te: " I' ll t ak e t he j ob ." T he M en an ky po os l oo ked

d ou bt fu ll y a t o ne a no th er a s t he y r ea d t he w or ds o n R ug ge do 's t ab le t, a nd s ta rt ed s uc h a n a gi ta te d

con vers at io n amo ng t hems el ves t hat t he r oo m b ecam e f ai rl y elect ri c f ro m t he f lash es . W hi le t hey w er e

thus engaged, Ruggedo suddenly thought of something else.

" Wh at b ecam e o f y ou r l as t k in g?" h e s cr aw led u neas il y.

" He f el l i n t he s ea . A s i t i s c us to ma ry f or t he K in g o f M en ank yp oo t o d o n ot hi ng h e c on ti nu ed

t o d o n ot hi ng , a nd c on se qu en tl y s an k t o t he b ot to m.

T hat i s all ." R ug gedo t ho ug ht fu ll y con si dered t he f at e o f M en an ky po o' s m on ar ch as i t w as

s pe ll ed o ut o n K ap oo sa 's f or eh ea d. A t f ir st h e w as t em pt ed t o i nq ui re w hy t he y h ad n ot f is he d t he k in g

o ut o f t he s ea , f or i n f ai ry c ou nt ri es s ov er ei gn s a re n ot d es tr oy ed o r k il le d b y s uc h s im pl e a cc id en ts . B ut

r eali zi ng t hat t hi s w ou ld d ep ri ve h im o f t he k in gs hi p, h e m er el y p ur sed u p h is l ip s and n od ded

u nd er st an di ng ly . T he M en an ky po os h ad b y t hi s t im e com e t o s om e agr eement and aft er a s ho rt

c on fe re nc e w it h t he m K ap oo sa s te pp ed c lo se r t o t he t hr on e.



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" Yo u m us t n ow p as s t he d um b t es ts ," r ea d R ug ge do , a ft er a l on g, e ar ne st s ta re i nt o t he g ra ve f ac e o f t he

M aj or D um bo , and w it ho ut enl ig ht en in g h im any f ur th er t he M en an ky po os f il ed b ut o f t he t hr on e r oo m.

" No w w hat?" t ho ug ht t he p uzzl ed g no me. " I can no t t al k and am t herefo re d um b, b ut t here m ay

be more to it than that. It will be hard for a fellow as smart as I am to pass for a dunce. Still, I must

m an ag e i t s om eh ow ." P us hi ng b ack h is s tr ag gl in g l ocks , R ug gedo p ress ed h is h an ds t o h is t em pl es ,

clo sed h is l it tl e r ed eyes and t ho ug ht and t ho ug ht and p resent ly r each ed a v er y clever con cl us io n. " As Ia m n at ur al ly b ri gh t a nd s ha rp , t o p as s t hi s t es t I m us t d o t he e xa ct o pp os it e t o w ha t I w ou ld n at ur al ly d o, "

h e d ecid ed , r eas on ab ly eno ug h. F eel in g t hat h e h ad alr ead y s ol ved t he p ro bl em , R ug gedo s ank b ack

a mong h is c us hi ons a nd w ai te d f or wha t wa s t o c ome . He wa s not l ong i n s us pe ns e f or a lmo st a t onc e a

k it ch en b oy i n h ea vy w oo de n s ho es d ar te d t hr ou gh a d oo r. B ef or e R ug ge do h ad t im e t o t hi nk h e j um pe d

h ar d o n t he G no me K in g' s f av or it e f oo t.

" Br in e and b ri ms to ne!" r ag ed R ug gedo , b ut alas! o nl y t o h im self , f or h e cou ld n ot u tt er o ne

s ound . Ho ppi ng on t he o the r f oot he m ade a s av age s wi ng a t t he ki tc he n b oy, b ut t he b oy wa s a lr ea dy

h al f w ay t o t he k it ch en . T he M en an ky po os , p eeri ng t hr ou gh cur tain s and d oo rs , n od ded t heir h eads w it h

s at is fact io n and app ro val. N ot in g t hi s o ut o f t he cor ner o f h is eye R ug gedo g rew cal mer. R ecal li ng t hatk in gd om s are n ot g ai ned w it ho ut s om e t ro ub le and d is co mf or t h e s at d ow n, h is i nj ur ed f oo t s tu ck s tr ai gh t

o ut b ef or e h im . S ca rc el y h ad h e r ec ov er ed f ro m t he s ho ck o f t he f ir st t es t b ef or e t he g re at c en tr al d oo rs

o f t he t hr on e r oo m b an ged o pen and i n s tepp ed t he Y el lo w G uard sm en . T hey s tamp ed f or ward s to li dl y,

s ix a br ea st , a nd R ug ge do , c lu tc hi ng t he a rm s o f h is t hr on e, t ri ed t o m ak e u p h is m in d w ha t t o d o o r w ha t

n ot t o d o. T he s en si bl e t hi ng w ou ld b e, o f c ou rs e, t o w ri te " HA LT !" o n h is t ab le t a nd h ol d i t u p b ef or e

t he y a dv an ce d a ny f ur th er . B ut o ne d id n ot p as s d um b t es ts b y a ct in g s en si bl y, s o s hu tt in g h is e ye s a nd

gritting his crooked teeth Ruggedo did nothing.

T h um p! T hu mp ! T hu mp ! O n cam e t he Y el lo w G uard sm en ; t hey r each ed t he t hr on e and

wi thout pa us e o r s top t ra mp ed r ight ove r t he l it tl e G nom e K ing a nd on ou t t hr ough a doo r a t t he ba ck.

T he re w er e a g oo d m an y g ua rd sm en a nd b y t he t im e t he y h ad a ll p as se d, R ug ge do w as p er fe ct ly f la t o nh is b ack. O nl y t he n um ber and s of tn es s o f t he cus hi on s s av ed h im f ro m b ei ng com pl et el y s qu as hed.

R at her s lo wl y R ug gedo s tr ai gh tened u p, f eeli ng h is n os e s ee i f i t w as s ti ll i n p lace, r ub bi ng h is s to mach ,

and t ur ni ng h is n eck s ti ff ly and exp er im en tall y f ro m l ef t t o r ig ht . A s h e w as t ry in g t o b en d h is k nees t he

t ap o f t he M aj or D um bo 's s ta ff m ad e h im l oo k u p. B ef or e t he t hr on e s to od s ix r eg al l ad ie s, g ow ne d w it h

extreme elegance, but all exactly alike.

" Y ou r H ig hn es s w il l n ow p ick o ut t he R oy al P ri nces s, " f lash ed K ap oo sa i n o ne b ri gh t

s en te nc e. B y t hi s t ime Rug ge do wa s s o m ad he c oul d ha rd br ea the a nd t he e ye s he t ur ne d on t he s ix

r oy al m ai de ns s na pp ed s o r ed a nd s pi te fu ll y t ha t t he y t oo k a s te p b ac kw ar d. B ut r uf fl ed a nd e nr ag ed a s

h e w as , R ug ge do s ti ll w an te d t o b e k in g. L on g e xp er ie nc e h ad t au gh t t he g no me t ha t p ri nc es s w er eu su al ly p lain er t han t heir l ad ies i n w ai ti ng . S o aft er a car ef ul s qu in t all d ow n t he l in e, h e p oi nt ed t o t he

l ov el ie st o f t he M en an ky po o m ai de ns T hi s o ne h e f el t s ur e c ou ld n ot b e t he r ea l p ri nc es s. H is c ho ic e

s eemed t o d el ig ht t he M aj or D um bo , w ho j um ped l ig ht ly i nt o t he air and cli ck ed b ot h h eels t og et her.

L eani ng f or ward t o s ee w hat h e w as s ay in g, R ug gedo r ead w it h s om e s at is fact io n:

" Th is p er so n h as p as se d t he d um b t es ts . H e c an no t t al k, h e c an no t a ct h e c an no t t hi nk . H e w il l

m ak e a s pl en di d ki ng ! L on g l iv e t he K in g o f M en an ky po o! " A s t hi s s en te nc e l it u p t he f or eh ea d o f t he

M aj or D um bo , all t he o th er cou rt iers h ur ri ed i nt o t he cou rt r oo m b ow in g. and s mi li ng . " Lo ng l iv e t he

K in g, " f lash ed f ro m f ace t o f ace.

" I w on 't l iv e l on g i f I h av e t o p as s m an y m or e d ay s l ik e t hi s, " t ho ug ht R ug gedo g lo om il y, b ut p ul li ng

h im se lf t og et he r h e b ow ed f ir st t o t he 1 ef t, t he n t o t he r ig ht a nd n odd ed h au gh ti ly , o r a s h aug ht il y a s a



6/75

f el lo w w ho h as j us t b ee n t ra mp le d u po n c an n od , t o h is f ut ur e s ub je ct s. K ap oo sa w as t he f ir st t o r ea ch

t he t hr on e. H an di ng t he k in g a p ai r o f g ol de n d um b- be ll s h e e xp la in ed i n a s er ie s o f f la sh es t ha t i f

R ug ge do w an te d a ny th in g h e h ad m er el y t o r ai se o ne o r t he o th er o f t he d um b- be ll s a nd a p ag e w ou ld a t

o nc e a pp ea r t o c ar ry o ut hi s c om ma nd s. T he M en an kyp oo s, h e w ent o n t o s ay , di d n ot de si re a n

amb it io us m on ar ch w ho w as alw ay s m ak in g w ar s and con qu es ts . T hey p referr ed h im t o m in d h is o wn

business and to allow them to meditate and converse in quietness and peace. All this took some time, and

w hen t he M aj or D um bo h ad f in is hed, R ug gedo , w ho w as q ui te w or n o ut w it h s o m uch s ig ht r eadi ng ,s ei zed h is t ab let and s cr aw led i mp er io us ly . " Go ! I w is h t o b e alo ne."

W it h l it tl e n od s and s hr ug s t he M en an ky po os w it hd rew and as t he l as t y el lo w r ob e s wi sh ed

t hr ou gh t he d oo rw ay R ug ge do r ai se d o ne o f t he g ol de n d um b- be ll s. T o t he y el lo w p ag e w ho s pr an g u p

a pp ar en tl y f ro m n ow he re h e h an de d a s li p o f p ap er o n w hi ch h e h ad w ri tt en . " Br in g f ou r b re ak fa st s a nd a

bottle of liniment, at once!" The breakfasts were brought and served by a very dumb waiter, the liniment

by the page. Breakfast was Ruggedo's favorite repast and after he had finished all four and directed the

page to rub the back of his neck with the liniment he heaped a pile of pillows under his head and

stretched out luxuriously on his new throne.

" I d ar e s ay i t' s go in g t o b e d re ad ful ly d ul l a nd d um b h er e, " m ed it at ed t he G no me K in g,

d row si ly w av in g h is a tt en da nt s a wa y, " bu t a t a ny r at e I s ha ll h av e a go od r es t. H ah , h oh , h um !" A ft er h is

l ong y ea rs o f b an is hm en t a nd t he w ea ry m il es o f t ra mp in g, t he t hr on e o f M en an ky po o f el t s o s of t a nd .

de li ci ous t ha t R ugge do f el l a sl ee p an d ne ve r w ake d a t a ll f or th re e a nd a ha lf da ys . A t t he e nd of t he t hi rd

d ay , h e a ro se a nd b eg an t o t ak e a l it tl e i nt er es t i n h is k in gd om . T he r oy al r ob es o f t he f or me r m on ar ch

w er e t ak en i n t o f it h is f un ny , c ro ok ed l it tl e f ig ur e, a nd d ec ke d o ut i n s hi ny s at in c oa t a nd k ne e b re ec he s,

a nd we ar ing a c rown a t l ea st a f oo t hi gh , he s tr ut te d pr oudl y a bou t t he c as tl e a nd u p a nd d own t he

s tr ee ts o f t he s il en t c it y. B ut e ve n s o, R ug ge do w as v er y f ar f ro m h ap py .

I t wa s b ad e noug h not t o b e a bl e t o t al k hi ms el f, bu t n eve r t o h ea r a nyon e e ls e t al k wa s

d read fu l i nd eed. T he v er y ani mals i n M en an ky po o w er e d um b ani mals and t he g no me, u sed t o t he t al ki ngbeasts of Ev and Oz, kicked the castle cat from sheer disappointment when he found that it could say

n ot hi ng , n ot even " Mew! " T he M en an ky po os s at abo ut t he p leas an t g ar dens h ol di ng end less

conversations in their strange sign language or gazing dreamily into space. They were easy-going and

pleasant enough fellows, but their life seemed fearfully dull to the restless little Gnome King.

A t f ir st i t a mu se d h im t o w an de r a bo ut t he c ap it al a t n ig ht a nd s ee t he s tr ee ts i ll um in at ed b y t he

bright conversation and light talk of his subjects but he soon tired of this, and often in the throne room,

w hen h is m in is ters and adv is er s ass em bl ed f or a con ference, t he f lash and g lo w f ro m t heir f or eh eads w as

s o a nn oy in g t ha t R ug ge do w as f or ce d t o w ea r h is d ar k s pe ct ac le s. S ee in g w ha t p eo pl e s ay a nd h ea ri ng

w ha t t he y s ay a re e nt ir el y d if fe re nt m at te rs a nd t he m on ar ch o f M en an ky po o l on ge d f or t he s ou nd o f af ri en dl y v oi ce. E ven an u nf ri en dl y o ne w ou ld h av e b een w el co me. T here w er e n o m ag ic app li an ces i n t he

c as tl e a nd a ft er h e h ad e xa mi ne d a ll t he j ew el s a nd c ou nt ed a ll t he g ol d p ie ce s i n t he t re as ur y, t ri ed o n

e ac h o f h is r eg al r ob es a nd r ev ie we d t he Y el lo w G ua rd sm en a d oz en t im es a t l ea st , R ug ge do s an k d ow n

o n h is t hr one a nd y aw ni ng t er ri fi ca ll y w on de re d w ha t t o d o n ex t. W it h a ll t he r ic he s a nd r es ou rc es of

M en an ky po o a t h is d is po sa l i t s ee me d a s ha me t o s it s ti ll a nd d o n ot hi ng .

" Do y ou r eali ze t hat w it h an arm y l ik e o ur s, w e cou ld con qu er every k in gd om aro un d h er e?"

h e w ro te o n h is t ab le t o ne m or ni ng w he n h e a nd T ak a, t he f at c ha nc el lo r o f M en an ky po o, w er e

breakfasting in the garden.

" Ho w w ou ld y ou r M aj es ty l ik e t o t ak e a l it tl e w al k a lo ng t he s ea w al l? " T he G no me K ing ,

s pe ll in g o ut t hi s q ue st io n o n t he f at f or eh ea d o f h is c ha nc el lo r, s aw T ak a w in k a t K ap oo sa a nd m ak e a

slight pushing gesture.



7/75

" Ha h, i f I g ro w t ro ub le so me , t he y m ea n t o s ho ve m e i nt o t he s ea , a s t he y p ro ba bl y s ho ve d

t he ir f or me r r ul er ," t ho ug ht t he c ra ft y g no me , a nd s ha ki ng h is h ea d i n a v ig or ous ' No " a t T ak a, h e s ai d n o

m or e o f c on qu er in g. A ft er a ll , i t w as b et te r t o b e a d um b k in g i n M en an ky po o t ha n a d um b a nd d es pi se d

peddler in Oz. But every day the silence in the yellow castle grew more oppressive, and Ruggedo spent

m uch o f h is t im e w an deri ng alo ng t he s ea s ho re b y h im self t hi nk in g o f o ld t im es and b at tl es . O ne m or ni ng ,

a ft er a n unu sua ll y l ong w al k, he dr op pe d d own o n a b oul de r t o r es t. The c oa st a t t hi s p oi nt w asparticularly rough and rugged and back of him rose a sheer wall of irregular rocks. Looking idly at the

jagged mass, Ruggedo noticed a yellow cross on one of the stones. Tucking up his satin cloak, he

s cr am bl ed u pw ar d a nd d is co ve re d t ha t t he r oc k t hu s m ar ke d w as r ea ll y a d oo r. E xt re me ly i nt er es te d a nd

excit ed , R ug gedo p ress ed h is s ho ul der again st t he r ock and p us hed w it h all h is m ig ht . B ut all h is m ig ht

w as n ot v er y m ig ht y and t he d oo r r ef us ed t o b ud ge. T hen, s ud denl y r em em beri ng h is m ag ic, R ug gedo

pushed the rock right on the yellow cross. Instantly and noiselessly it swung inward and Ruggedo, not

exp ecti ng i t t o o pen s o q ui ck ly , p lu ng ed h eadl on g i nt o a d im , d am p cav er n. A y el lo w l an tern s us pend ed

by a chain from the ceiling cast a weird and wavering light over the rocky interior and under the lantern

hung a crooked yellow sign:

T HI S I S THE CAVE OF

K AD J T HE C O NJ U RE R.

R ug gedo , f ro m h is exceedi ng ly u ncom fo rt ab le p os it io n o n t he f lo or , h ad j us t s ucceed ed i n r eadi ng t he

s ig n w he n t he d oor , w it h a w hi rr a nd a b an g t ha t b le w ou t t he l an te rn , s la mm ed s hu t, l ea vi ng h im i n ut te r

darkness.

C HA PT ER 3

A B ri gh t I de a S tr ik es t he K in g

NOW gnomes, like cats and owls, can see in the dark, and Ruggedo's red eyes flashed

f ears om el y aro un d t he con ju rer' s cav e. H is f ir st g lance t ol d h im t hat K ad j w as n ot at h om e. P an ti ng w it h

r el ief, f or i t i s ext remely d an gero us t o b ur st u nawares u po n s tr an ge m ag icians , R ug gedo r os e and b eg an

t ip to ei ng cau ti ou sl y abo ut . T he s to ne f lo or w as cov er ed w it h h eavy r ug s, t he w al ls h un g w it h j ew el led

s wo rd s a nd d ag ge rs , m ys ti c m ap s a nd m ag ic c ha rt s, w hi le i n e ve ry c or ne r a nd a va il ab le s pa ce s to od

m on st ro us m et al c he st s s tu dd ed w it h g em s. T he re w er e n o c ha ir s n or t ab le s b ut s tr ew n a bo ut w er e

q uant it ies o f s of t cus hi on s, and a b ub bl in g g reen p oo l i n t he cen ter f il led t he air w it h s tr an ge, u neas y

m ur mu rs . A s t he G no me K in g r ea ch ed t he f ar th es t e nd o f t he r oc ky r oo m, a f ir e s pr an g u p i n t he g ra te ,

and b ur ni ng w it ho ut w oo d o r coal s en t i ts l on g, f li ck er in g b lu e and y el lo w l ig ht s i nt o every cor ner o f t he

cavern.

" If I can j us t s teal s om e m ag ic and g et o ff b ef or e t hi s f el lo w r et ur ns every th in g w il l b e f in e, "



8/75

d ec id ed R ug ge do , w it h a g re ed y g la nc e a t t he c on ju re r' s c he st s. R us hi ng o ve r t o t he n ea re st o ne h e t ri ed

t o l if t T he l id. B ut t he c he st w as l oc ke d by s ome m agi c a nd s ec re t p roc es s. So w er e t he y a ll , a nd a ft er

t ry in g each o ne i n t ur n t he g no me, i n f ur io us d is ap po in tm en t, j um ped f iv e t im es i nt o t he air and k icked a

r ed c us hi on i nt o t he f ir ep la ce . B ut t hi s d id n ot h el p m at te rs a nd o nl y f il le d t he c av e w it h s mo ke . S o,

q ui et in g d ow n, R ug ge do b eg an t o e xa mi ne t he w al ls f or s ec re t c up bo ar ds o r s he lv es a nd s oo n h e

d is co ve re d a s ma ll d oo r u nd er a b ri gh t p ie ce o f t ap es tr y.

S UR E C UR E F OR E VE RY TH IN G

s ai d a n ot ic e o n t he d oo r. W it ho ut a m om en t' s h es it at io n R ug ge do t ur ne d t he k no b.

" T here m ay b e s om et hi ng i n h er e t o r es to re m y s peech, " t ho ug ht t he excit ed l it tl e f el lo w,

t ug gi ng f rant ical ly at t he k no b. U nl ik e t he chest s, i t o pened q ui te eas il y and d ow n f el l a b lu nt axe, s tr ik in gR ugg ed o s uc h a b lo w o n t he f or eh ea d t ha t he s ai le d t hr oug h t he a ir a nd f el l w it h a t er ri fi c pl unk i nt o t he

g re en p on d. T hr ee t im es h e s an k u nd er t he b ub bl in g w av es , b ut t he t hi rd t im e u p h e m an ag ed t o g ra sp

t he r oc ky e dg e o f t he p oo l a nd p ul l h im se lf ou t.

"Blazes and bluing!" blubbered the monarch of Menankypoo through his chattering teeth.

" Wi ll yg oats and w il dcat s! I f I h ad t hat con ju rer I 'd w ri ng h is n eck- I' d- " H is v oi ce g rew l ou der and l ou der,

h ig her and h ig her, and f in al ly d ied away i n a f ri gh tened s qu eak. " Wh y, I 'm s ho ut in g o ut l ou d! " s pu tt er ed

t he s tart led g no me, h is eyes b ul gi ng w it h ast on is hm en t. " I can t al k! I can s in g! I can h ear m ys el f t hi nk !"

F li ng in g a wa y h is pe nc il Ru gge do be ga n t o l au gh, c he er a nd ye ll a t t he t op o f h is ne w f ou nd

v oi ce . Th er e w as a l ar ge l um p o n h is f or eh ea d f ro m t he a xe , a nd h e w as s ti ll w et a nd s hi ve ri ng f ro m hi splunge in the pool, but scarcely noticing these discomforts the delighted old elf ran shouting around the

c av e t il l h is b re at h a nd h is l eg s g av e o ut t og et he r a nd h e s an k d ow n e xh au st ed o n a h ea p o f c us hi on s.

T he re h e b ec am e c al me r. R ef le ct in g t ha t a ny m or e n oi se m ig ht b ri ng t he o wne r o f t he c av e h e s to pp ed

s ho ut in g, b ut h e cou ld n ot r ef rain f ro m w hi sp er in g h ap pi ly t o h im self j us t t o s ee w heth er t he enchant ment

of The s il enc e s to ne h ad r ea ll y b ee n di spe ll ed b y t he bl ow o f t he a xe a nd t he wa te rs o f t he gr ee n po ol .

H is v oi ce, n ot h eard f or f iv e l on g y ears , s eemed p er fect ly b eaut if ul t o h im and w e can no t b lame t he l it tl e

rascal for holding long and flowery conversations with himself.

F in al ly , f ul ly c on vi nc ed o f h is c ur e, R ug ge do h ur ri ed t o t he d oo r o f t he c av e. C le ve r a s K ad j

h ad p ro ve d h im se lf t o b e, t he G no me K in g d id n ot w is h t o r un t he r is k o f a ny m or e e nc ha nt me nt s a ndw as a nx io us t o l ea ve b ef or e t he c on ju re r' s r et ur n. H e h ad n ot d ec id ed u po n a ny p la n, b ut h av in g r eg ai ne d

h is s pe ec h h e f el t t ha t i t w as b ut a q ue st ion o f t im e b ef or e h e w ou ld r eg ai n h is o ld k in gdo m a nd r ev en ge

h im self u po n O zm a and h er cou ncil lo rs . B ut ent er in g t he con ju rer' s cav e w as o ne t hi ng , l eavi ng i t q ui te

ano th er ; and t ho ug h R ug gedo p us hed, p ul led and p ou nd ed , t ho ug h h e t ri ed l on g i ncan tati on s and

m ys te ri ous p as se s, t he r oc k d oo r r ef us ed t o o pe n. H or ror s! W ha t g oo d w as i t t o h ave h is s pe ec h

r es to re d i f he w as t o b e s ea le d up i n a hi dd en c ave rn a t t he m er cy o f a s tr an ge a nd p ow er ful s or ce re r? I n

a p an ic t he G no me K in g r ac ed r ou nd a nd r ou nd t he r oc ky p ri so n, b an gi ng i nt o T he g re at c he st s, k ic ki ng

the conjurer's cushions right and left and hammering frantically on the stony walls.

He ha d c ir cl ed t he c ave t wi ce i n hi s s ea rc h f or a hi dde n door or c re vi ce a nd wa s l ea ni ng

w eari ly again st t he p ai nt ed p an el b es id e t he f ir ep lace, w hen h e h eard a s harp and m ys teri ou s t icki ng . H e

put his ear inquiringly to The panel and as the ticking grew louder gave the panel a good hard push.

Immediately and noiselessly it moved aside, revealing a huge and singular looking person in yellow.



9/75

T hi nk in g i t w as K ad j h im se lf R ug ge do j um pe d b ac k a s f ar a s h e c ou ld a nd w it h c ha tt er in g k ne es s to od

l oo ki ng u p a t t he g re at f el lo w. H e w as d re ss ed i n t he s ta te ly m an ne r o f T he M en an ky po os , b ut h is h ea d

was of wood and his fac e was t he fa ce of a clock. As Rugge do continue d to ga ze up a t him t he Clock

M an , w it h a br oa d w in k, s te pp ed o ut o f t he na rr ow a pe rt ur e a nd wa lki ng o ve r t o t he m ir ro r a bov e t he

f ir e- pl ace r eg ar ded h im self l on g and cri ti call y. B y t hi s t im e R ug gedo 's cur io si ty h ad g ot t he b et ter o f h is

f ri gh t and p at teri ng aft er t he C lo ck M an h e t ug ged excit ed ly at h is clo ak .

" I s ee by yo ur d re ss a nd b ea ri ng t ha t y ou a re a s ubj ec t o f M en ank yp oo. I , f or t he pr es en t, a m

i ts ki ng , a nd a s we a re bot h c aug ht i n t hi s m is er abl e c ave l et u s p ut o ur he ads t og et he r a nd s ee wh at c an

be done." The Clock Man, who was polishing his glass face with a silk handkerchief, turned round at

R ug gedo 's q uest io n and s tu di ed t he g no me clo sely and cur io us ly . T hen h e s at d ow n u po n a n ear- by

c he st , p ut hi s f in ge r t ip s t og et he r a nd c lo se d h is e ye s. I t w as e xa ct ly f iv e m inu te s be fo re t we lv e b y h is

c lo ck f ac e, a nd R ug ge do , e xp ec ti ng h im t o s pe ak i n t he s am e s ig n l an gu ag e a s h is o th er s ub je ct s, w ai te d

anx io us ly f or h is f or eh ead t o l ig ht u p. B ut n ot hi ng o f t he k in d h ap pened and f ou r m in ut es t icked o ff i n

s il en ce. O nl y t he g reat s ize o f t he f el lo w k ep t R ug gedo f ro m j um pi ng o n h is f oo t o r k icki ng h im v io lent ly

i n t he s hi ns . P acin g i mp at ient ly u p and d ow n, t he t em pery l it tl e g no me f in al ly s pr an g u p o n a chest

opposite.

" Ar e y ou d eaf?" h e s cr eech ed ang ri ly . " Ar e y ou d um b? C an 't y ou even m ak e s ig ns ?"

At R ugg edo 's r ude c ri es t he C loc k M an s too d up a nd a l it tl e d oor i n h is f or ehe ad f le w ope n.

A y el lo w b ir d p er ch ed i n t he d oo rw ay g av e t we lv e s hr il l c uc ko os a nd t he n w it h a w hi rr a nd a b an g

w hi zzed s tr ai gh t at t he G no me K in g, s tr ik in g h im w it h s uch f or ce and s ud denn es s t hat h e f el l o ver l ik e a

t oy s ol di er s ho t w it h a c or k g un. B ou nd ing u p i n a f ur y, R ug ge do w as j us t i n t im e t o s ee t he y el lo w b ir d

d ar t b ac k t o i ts l it tl e c om pa rt me nt , t he d oo r s hu t, a nd t he C lo ck M an s ti fl e a w el l- br ed y aw n. N ot o nl y

w as he a Cl oc k M an, mi nd yo u, b ut a Cu ckoo C lo ck M an! Sn at ch ing o ff hi s c rown , R ugg edo w as on

t he poi nt of hur li ng it a t t he c re at ure 's he ad, w he n a s li p of ye ll ow pa pe r t he bi rd ha d le ft on t he c he st

att r acted h is att ent io n. M ut t er in g and s pu tt eri ng , R ug gedo p icked u p t he p ap er and r ead w hat w aswritten there.

" I a m C lo ck er , t he W is e M an o f M en an ky po o, b an is he d t o t he c on ju re r' s c av e f or p ut ti ng

bright ideas into the head of the former king. As my rescuer, I thank you, and will give you the same

g oo d c ou ns el I g av e t o m y f or me r m as te r. M y f ir st a dv ic e i s: ' Ho ld y ou r t on gu e! ' H ow d oe s t hi s s tr ik e

your Majesty?"

F or a m om en t R ug ge do s ta re d a t t he p ap er , t oo d um bf ou nd ed f or w or ds . T he n, t hr ow in g

c au ti on t o t he w in ds , h e r us he d a t t he C uc ko o C lo ck M an a nd b eg an t o t hu mp a nd h am me r h im w it h

both fists.

" Ho w d ar e Y ou a dd re ss m e i n t hi s o ut ra ge ou s f as hi on , y ou o ld f al se a la rm , y ou ? I 'l l h ave y ou

baked, boiled and beheaded for this!" shouted the enraged little gnome.

C lo ck er d id n ot s eem g reat ly alarm ed b y t hese d read fu l t hr eats , and g rasp in g R ug gedo b y t he col lar

h el d h im o ut a t a rm 's l en gt h. T he n, g iv in g hi m a c ou pl e o f g oo d s ha ke s, he d ro pp ed h im ha rd o n t he f lo or

a nd t aki ng a b oo k o ut o f hi s po cke t s at do wn on T he c he st a nd c al ml y be ga n t o r ea d. C on si de ra bl y

s ub du ed and b li nk in g f ro m t he s ho ck o f h is f al l, R ug gedo s at t ho ug ht fu ll y o n t he f lo or and f or s ev er al

m ome nt s t he re wa s n ot a s ound i n t he c av e e xc ep t t he w hi rr a nd t ic k o f t he W is e M an' s wo rks . " Af te r

all ," r ef lect ed R ug gedo at l as t, " no th in g i s t o b e g ai ned b y q uarr el li ng , esp eciall y w it h a f el lo w t hr ee t im es

m y s iz e. " So , r is in g s ti ff ly , h e p ut on h is c ro wn a nd s wa ll ow in g hi s a ng er b eg an t o a dd re ss t he W is e M an

in long wheedling sentences.



10/75

" As w e a re bot h pr is one rs i n t hi s wr etc he d c ave rn, l et us be f ri ends a nd t ry t o f in d s om e w ay

t o e sc ap e t og et he r, " b eg an t he G no me K in g i n a l ow v oi ce .

T he C uc ko o C lo ck M an l oo ke d i nq ui ri ng ly o ve r h is b oo k a nd t he n n od de d s o p le as an tl y t ha t

R ugg edo w en t o n t o t el l h im t he w ho le h is to ry o f h is l if e, h ow h e h ad l os t h is o wn k ing dom a nd h ad b ee n

banished and enchanted, how he had come to be monarch of Menankypoo, entered the conjurer's cave

and m ir acul ou sl y r eg ai ned h is s peech. N ow , con cl ud ed t he G no me K in g, h e w as n ot o nl y anx io us t or eg ai n h is o wn k in gd om bu t t o g ai n, a s w el l, a sc en da nc y o ve r t he w hol e L an d o f O z a nd r ev en ge hi ms el f

u po n O zm a a nd e ve ry on e i n t he E me ra ld C it y. T he f ir st t hi ng , n at ur al ly , w as t o e sc ap e f ro m t he c av e.

H ow , q ue ri ed t he w iz en ed l it tl e e lf , w er e t he y t o d o t ha t? R em em be ri ng t he s ho ck o f C lo ck er 's l as t

r et or t, R ug ge do s pr an g b eh in d a c he st a nd p ee re d a nx io us ly a ro un d t he c or ne r a t t he W is e M an .

Ru gg edo 's s to ry ha d t ake n s om e t im e t o t el l a nd i t w as no w a qu ar te r p as t t we lv e, s o, a lmo st

a s s oon a s t he gn om e p ut hi s qu es ti on , t he C lo ck M an s pok e, or r at he r s tr uc k a ga in . This time the

c uc ko o s cr ea me d o nl y o nc e a nd q ui te p ol it el y c ar ri ed t he y el lo w p ap er d ow n t o t he G no me K in g. A s

R ug ge do r ea d C lo ck er 's s ec on d m es sa ge , h is f ac e g re w r ed w it h a nn oy an ce , b ut a s h e w as a bs ol ut el y

d ep en de nt u po n t he W is e M an f or h el p, h e m ana ge d w it h a n e ff or t t o c on tr ol h im se lf .

" Ke ep yo ur t em pe r a nd I w il l h el p yo u," s ai d t he ye ll ow s li p, " an d t el l y ou m or e t ha n t he t im e.

U nl ik e m os t w is e m en , w ho t al k con ti nu ou sl y and s ay n ot hi ng , I s peak every f if teen m in ut es . F ir st , p ick

u p y ou r w ri ti ng p ad and p en ci l and , abo ve every th in g, h ol d y ou r t on gu e. I f t he M en an ky po os d is co ver

t ha t you c an s pe ak t he y wi ll t hr ow you i nt o t he s ea . If w e l ea ve the c av e tog et he r t he y wi ll t hr ow us bot h

i nt o t he s ea . Th er ef or e y ou mu st l ea ve t he c ave a lone a nd a ct e xa ct ly a s y ou di d be for e you c am e he re .

W he n yo u r ea ch t he c as tl e, c ol le ct a s mu ch of t he gol d a nd a s m any o f t he j ewe ls a s w e c an c ar ry a nd

hi de t he m i n a s af e pl ac e. I wi ll s ta y he re a nd t hi nk up s om e wa y f or u s t o l ea ve M ena nkyp oo a nd r ea ch

O z. K ad j i s a wa y v is it in g h is d au gh te r, C in de rb ut to n, t he w it ch , a nd w il l n ot r et ur n f or a m on th , a nd a s I

do not r equir e f ood I wi ll be qui te c om for ta bl e i n t he ca ve . On a hook by t he f ir epl ac e you wi ll f ind the

con ju rer' s es- cape. P ut o n t he cap e, j um p i nt o t he f ir e and y ou w il l i ns tant ly f in d y ou rs el f o ut si de. R et ur nt o- mo rr ow and I w il l h av e s om et hi ng i nt er es ti ng t o t el l y ou . B ut r em em ber, s peak o ne w or d, and all w il l

be lost!"

S it ti ng o n t he f lo or R ug ge do r ea d t he m es sa ge o ve r t wi ce . " A f ir e e sc ap e! " h e s hu dd er ed

une as il y. " Pe rha ps t hi s i s a t ri ck of t he Cl oc k Ma n t o ge t r id of me . P er ha ps I s ha ll b e bu rne d t o a c ri sp! "

B ut o n t he w ho le t he W is e M an 's a dv ic e s ee me d s en si bl e, a nd f in al ly d ec id in g t o t ak e a c ha nc e R ug ge do

c am e ou t f ro m be hi nd t he c he st , no dde d t o C loc ke r t o s ho w t ha t h e un de rs too d a nd b eg an t o l oo k

a ro un d f or h is t ab le t a nd p en ci l. W he n h e h ad f ou nd t he m h e s ho ok h an ds w it h T he W is e M an a nd

s te pp ed o ve r t o t he f ir ep la ce . T he re , s ur e e no ug h, w as a l on g r ed c ap e h an gi ng f ro m a h oo k b es id e t he

mantel. Wrapping himself in its voluminous folds and feeling exceedingly frightened, Ruggedo jumpedboldly into the fire. The last thing he saw in the Conjurer's Cave was the Wise Man of Menankypoo

looking at him warningly, his fingers to his lips.

Then, lightly as a balloon and without the slightest discomfort or inconvenience the Gnome

K ing f lo at ed u p T hr ou gh t he f la me s a nd i n l es s t ha n a s ec ond f oun d h im se lf o n t he r oc ks o ut si de . T he

c ap e i ts el f h ad v an is he d a nd w it h a g as p o f r el ie f R ug ge do r ea li ze d t ha t h e w as s af e a nd a ls o f re e a ga in .

Noting carefully the location of the cavern so that he could return again and resolved under no

c ir cu ms ta nc e t o u tt er a s ou nd , h e s ta rt ed o n a r un f or h is c as tl e. H al fw ay t he re , h ap pe ni ng t o g la nc e

cas uall y. . o ut t o s ea, h e f or go t all h is g oo d i nt en ti on s.

" Ru by at io n! " y el led t he g no me, clapp in g h is h an ds t o h is h ead. " Wh at d oes t hi s m ean?"

A g re at s hi p w it h r ed s ai ls w as b ea ri ng s wi ft ly d ow n u po n M en an ky po o a nd e ve n a t t ha t



11/75

d is ta nc e R ug ge do c ou ld s ee T ha t h er d ec ks s wa rm ed w it h a rm ed m en .

"P ir at es !" q uavered t he G no me K in g, j um pi ng b eh in d a r ock. " P- pi rates! " A nd f or o nce i n h is

wicked and wrong little life, Ruggedo was right.

C ha pt e r 4

T he F al l o f M en an ky po o

R UG GE DO 'S f ir st t ho ug ht s ho ul d h av e b een f or h is s ub ject s b ut as u su al R ug gedo w as

thinking of himself. Instead of hurrying off to warn the easy-going citizens of Menankypoo of this awfula nd i mp en di ng p er il , t he g no me c ow er ed b eh in d t he r oc ks a nd w at ch ed t he p ir at es l an d. T hi s t he y d id i n

q ui et and o rd er ly f as hi on i n t he s hi p' s s mall b oats , u nt il s ix ty o f t he v il lain ou s b ar el eg ged r as cals h ad l in ed

u p o n t he b each . T hen, g ri m and s il en t t hey m ov ed t ow ar d t he cit y, t heir s ci mi tars f lash in g w ickedl y i n t he

aft er no on s un sh in e. I t w as alm os t d ar k w hen t he p ir at es r eapp eared and t he G no me K in g, s ti ff and n um b

f ro m h is l on g w ai t b eh in d t he r ocks , s aw t hat t hey w er e d ri vi ng t he w ho le p op ul at io n o f M en an ky po o

before them. Guardsmen, courtiers, men, women and children, even the little Menankypoodles,

s ca mp er ed i n w il d c on fu si on b ef or e t he i nv ad er s o ut t o t he v er y e nd o f t he s ea w al l.

"Sixty against six hundred," marveled Ruggedo, shaking his head. "What fighters these fellows

m us t b e. B ri ne a nd b ri ms to ne ! T he re g oe s K ap oo sa !" A nd t he re , i nd ee d, w en t t he M aj or D um bo , d ow n

w it h a m ig ht y s pl as h i nt o t he s ea, w here h e s an k w it h w el l- br ed r es ig nati on and d ig ni ty t o t he b ot to m.W it h m or e i nt er es t t han s ym path y t he b ad l it tl e g no me w at ch ed t he p ir at es p us hi ng h is f or mer s ub ject s

i nt o t he w at er . " Serv es t hem r ig ht f or b ei ng s o d um b, " m ut tered R ug gedo i ll -n at ur ed ly , as t he l as t o f t he

Y el lo w G ua rd sm en s an k b en ea th t he w av es . " A g oo d s oa ki ng w il l b e g oo d f or t he l az y c re at ur es .

"N ow , w he th er o r n ot R ug ge do w as r ig ht i n h is c on je ct ur es I c an no t s ay , b ut t he w at er w ou ld

c er ta inl y do t he m n o ha rm, f or a s I s ai d a whi le ba ck, i t i s i mp os si bl e t o hur t or de st roy b ein gs a s

m ag ical ly con st ru ct ed as t he M en an ky po os . N ot k no wi ng h ow t o s wi m o r r is e t o t he s ur face, h ow ev er ,

t hey clu st er ed d um bl y t og et her at t he b ot to m o f t he s ea amo ng t he f is hes, d is cu ss in g anx io us ly t he s ud den

and d is as tr ou s cal am it y t hat h ad o vert ak en t hem. S oo n t he w av es f or m il es aro un d w er e l ig ht ed w it h t he

elect ri c f lash es f ro m t heir con vers at io n. F or a t im e t he p ir at es amu sed t hems el ves w at ch in g t he l ig ht s p layl ik e p ho sp ho rescen ce o n t op o f t he w at er ; t hen w it h b lo od cur dl in g y el ls and s cr eech es t hey j um ped

d ow n f ro m t he s ea w al l a nd s oo n t he s il en t C it y o f M en an ky po o r an g w it h t he s ho ut s; c he er s a nd r ev el ry

of i ts c onq ue ro rs . N ow , R ugg edo h ad no de si re t o s ha re t he f at e of hi s s ubj ec ts a nd wh il e a gno me

c ann ot be de st roy ed by w at er , he di d n ot i nt en d t o s pe nd h is t im e a t t he b ot to m o f t he N on es ti c O ce an .

"I've suffered enough," shuddered the Gnome King, coming cautiously out from his hiding

place and staring regretfully back at the comfortable castle of Menankypoo. Afraid to show himself or

v en tu re n ear t he cit y, R ug gedo g lo om il y con si dered t he p ro sp ect o f a n ig ht o n t he r ocks . T hen, s ud denl y

bethinking himself of Clocker and the Conjurer's cave, he slid like a small gray shadow along the

s eash or e. T he m oo n h ad com e u p b ri gh t and f ul l, and b y i ts w hi te, s il very r ay s, R ug gedo eas il y f ou nd t he

y el lo w c ro ss t ha t m ar ke d t he e nt ra nc e t o t he c av e. T he W is e M an w as s it ti ng b y t he f ir e r ea di ng a nd

l oo ked u p i n m il d s ur pr is e as R ug gedo b ur st i mp et uo us ly u po n h im .



12/75

" Pi rates! " p an ted t he G no me K in g, w av in g h is arm s w il dl y, and i n s ho rt , b reat hl es s s en tences

t ol d a ll t ha t h ad h ap pe ne d s in ce h e l ef t t he c av er n. T he W is e M an l is te ne d w it h c lo se a tt en ti on a nd w he n

R ug ge do d es cr ib ed t he w ay t he p ir at es h ad p us he d t he M en an ky po os i nt o t he s ea , h e p os it iv el y b ea me d

w it h p le as ur e, f or h e ha d on ly w he el s a nd w as he rs wh er e m os t of u s w ea r o ur h ea rt s. Pe rha ps , t oo , h e

f el t s li gh tl y r es en tf ul at h is l on g i mp ri so nm en t i n t he con ju rer' s cav e. A t any r at e h e s eemed t o f in d t he

whole story intensely amusing and his face behind its glass covering twinkled and twitched with

enjoyment.

"T he pi ra te s wi ll t ake a ll t he gol d a nd t re as ur e a nd le ave not hi ng f or us a t a ll . W ha t a re we t o

d o n ow ?" g ro an ed t he g no me , t hr ow in g h im se lf d ow n o n a h ea p o f c us hi on s o pp os it e C lo ck er . I t w as t en

m in ut es . p as t t en s o h e h ad t o w ai t f iv e l on g m in ut es b ef or e C lo ck er s po ke . B ut t he a ns we r w he n i t c am e

w as ast on is hi ng eno ug h and w el l w or th w ai ti ng f or . " We m us t aro us e t he i nt er es t and amb it io n o f t he

buccaneers, and with them to help us, conquer this Land of Oz about which you have told me," directed

t he p ap er t he c uc ko o d ro pp ed i nt o R ug ge do 's l ap . " Wh en w e h av e c on qu er ed O z a nd y ou r f or me r

k in gd om , w e w il l d es tr oy t he p ir at es and r ul e o ver all t hese cou nt ri es o ur selv es ."

" Bu t h ow ?" ga spe d t he G no me K in g, l oo ki ng u p i nt o t he s hi ni ng f ac e o f t he W is e M an of k yp oo. " If w e s o m uc h a s s how o ur n os es t he se p ir at es w il l s ho ve u s i nt o t he s ea ." W ri gg li ng w it h i mpa ti enc e he

w ai te d a no th er q ua rt er -h ou r f or C lo ck er t o e xp la in . T he C uc ko o C lo ck M an s ee me d t o s ha re R ug ge do 's

r es tl es sn es s a nd p ac ed n er vo us ly u p a nd d ow n t he c av er n u nt il i t w as t im e f or h im t o s tr ik e.

" We m us t coax, w heedl e and f latt er t hem, " cou ns el led C lo ck er , w hen at l as t t he cucko o s tr uck

t en t hi rt y. " We m us t p ro mi se t o l ea d t he m t o n ew a nd r ic h c ou nt ri es ; p re te nd w e a re w iz ar ds , a nd

c om e- - we mus t go now , whi le t he y a re i n a go od hum or f rom t he ir vi ct or y. Com e, a nd you ma y de pe nd

o n m e! " T he G no me K in g l oo ke d s om ew ha t d ou bt fu l a s h e r ea d t he W is e M an 's a dv ic e, b ut C lo ck er ,

w it ho ut w ai ti ng f or h is con sent , s natched R ug gedo b y t he arm and w rapp in g t he con ju rer' s clo ak aro un d

t he m b ot h, j um pe d i nt o t he f ir ep la ce . B ef or e t he W is e M an h ad t ic ke d t wi ce t he y w er e o ut si de a nd

s tr id in g alo ng t he b each t ow ar d t he cas tl e. T he m or e R ug gedo con si dered C lo ck er 's p lan t he w is er i ts ee me d t o h im a nd b y t he t im e t he y r ea ch ed t he c it y h is u su al a rr og an ce a nd a ss ur an ce h ad r et ur ne d.

H ur ry in g t hr ou gh t he cas tl e d oo rs w hi ch h ad car el es sl y b een l ef t o pen t hey t ramp ed b ol dl y i nt o t he d in in g

h al l. T he p ir at es w er e s it ti ng a ro un d t he t ab le s ho ut in g o ut a l us ty s ea s on g. St op pi ng i n t he m id dl e o f a

l in e t hey s tared i n s tu pefact io n at t he t wo f ig ur es i n t he d oo rw ay , f or t hey w er e con vi nced t hat every l iv in g

s ou l i n t he c it y ha d b ee n t os se d i nt o t he oc ea n.

"Hail, brave conquerors of Menankypoo!" began Ruggedo, springing nimbly upon a chair and taking

adv an tage o f t heir s ho rt ; s ho ck ed s il en ce. " I, R ug gedo t he R ou gh , f or mer K in g o f t he G no mes, and

C lo ck er , m y w is e m an a nd w iz ar d, h av e c om e t o h el p y ou t o f ur th er c on qu es ts a nd v ic to ri es . A tt en d, f or

I w ou ld s pe ak w it h t he c hi ef a nd c ap ta in o f t hi s b an d! " S o p ro ud ly a nd i mp er io us ly h ad t he G no me K in gs po ke n t ha t t he p ir at es w er e i mp re ss ed i n s pi te o f t he ms el ve s. T he re w er e a f ew m ut te rs a nd c al ls o f

"Toss t hem in the se a, ma tes," but no one ma de a move to do it.

" Le t' s h ea r w ha t t he y h av e t o s ay ," r oa re d a b la ck b ea rd ed b uc ca ne er , t hu mp in g o n t he t ab le

with his dagger.

" A ye ! A ye ! L et t he m s pe ak ," r as pe d a r ed -h ea de d r as ca l, j um pi ng t o h is f ee t. " We 'v e l ef t o ur

f or mer chi ef f or a s of t- hear ted l ub ber, " exp lain ed t he r ed -h ead, add ress in g h im self t o t he G no me K in g. " I

a m Pe ggo t he R ed; t he re s its Bi nx t he B ad, a nd One or t he oth er of us wi ll be c hie f be fo re mor ni ng.

P eg go p au se d, a nd s uc h a l oo k o f j ea lou sy a nd h at re d pa ss ed b et we en t he t wo s ea r obb er s t ha t

R ug ge do g av e a b ou nc e o f a la rm . A t t he s am e t im e a p er fe ct ly s pl en di d i de a p op pe d i nt o h is w ic ke d l it tl e

head.



13/75

" Le t m e b e yo ur c hi ef w hi le a sh or e, " p ro pos ed t he G no me K in g. " I k no w t hi s c oun tr y a nd a ll

abo ut l an d b at tl es . T he k in gd om s aro un d h er e are s mall and p oo r and n ot w or th y o f s uch v al iant f ig ht er s.

F ol lo w m e a nd I w il l l ea d y ou t o t he m ar ve lo us K in gd om o f O z w he re t he re a re m or e p ri nc es se s, m or e

jewels and magic treasures than you have seen in all your voyaging." Binx and Peggo exchanged a quick,

g reed y g lance and t hen s tared s us pi ci ou sl y at t he. u gl y o ld g no me. W hi le t hey w er e t ry in g t o m ak e u p

t he ir m in ds t he W is e M an o f M en an ky po o s tr uc k e le ve n. T he s ud de n o pe ni ng o f t he l it tl e d oo r i n

C lo ck er 's f or eh ead and t he p iercin g s cr eeches o f t he cucko o t hr ew t he com pany i nt o w il dest con fu si ona nd wh en t he woo de n bi rd d ar te d s tr ai gh t a t Pe ggo a nd pl ac ed a s li p o f p ape r i n hi s h and s t he

buccaneers cringed and grew pale beneath their whiskers.

" Do a s t he G no me K in g s ug ge st s, " r ea d P eg go , t he pa pe r t re mb li ng l ik e a l ea f i n h is s ha ki ng

f in gers . " Ru gg ed o i s b ot h b ol d and r el en tl es s. W it h h is h el p and m y cou ns el y ou can con qu er t he m ig ht y

K in gd om o f O z a nd b ec om e r ic h a nd p ow er fu l a s e mp er or s ! "

" W- e- ll s -s hall w e d o i t?" s tamm er ed P eg go , l oo ki ng u ncer tain ly d ow n at B in x.

" Ye s! " r oa re d B in x, t he f ir st o f t he p ir at es t o r ec ov er h is c om po su re , a nd w ho w as n owt ho ro ug hl y con vi nced t hat t he W is e M an w as a w izar d. " Let' s d o i t! " and j um pi ng u p h e w hi sp er ed l on g

a nd e ar ne st ly i n P eg go 's r ed e ar .

" I h av e h eard o f O z, " w heezed B in x excit ed ly .

" It i s i nde ed a s r ic h a nd w on de rf ul a s he s ays . W el l, t he n, l et t he se t wo h el p u s w it h t he ir m agi c u nt il w e

h av e c on qu er ed O z. T he n w e c an d o a wa y w it h t he m a nd k ee p e ve ry th in g f or o ur se lv es ." P eg go n od de d

g ri ml y. T hi s w ou ld s et tl e t he m at ter o f t heir l on g r iv al ry , t oo . I f n ei th er h e n or B in x w as chi ef , t here w ou ld

be no need for a quarrel. "After we have conquered Oz will be time enough for that," reflected Peggo.

O nc e t he c on qu es t o f O z w as a cc om pl is he d t he g re ed y p ir at e m ea nt n ot o nl y t o d es tr oy B in x b ut t he r es t

o f t he ba nd a s w el l. B ut n at ur al ly he s ai d n ot hi ng o f t hi s t o hi s c om ra de s.

" Al l i n f av or o f t he G no me K in g f or chi ef cry aye!" y el led P eg go , b an gi ng o n t he t ab le.

" Ay e! A ye !" s ho ut ed a ll t he p ir at es , t he ir . e ye s p op pi ng o ut a t t he p ro sp ec t o f s o m uc h r ic he s,

and d rawi ng R ug gedo and C lo ck er i nt o t heir m id st , t hey clamo red t o h ear. m or e abo ut t he w on derf ul

K in gd om o f O z. S o, t ak in g o ut h is t ab le t a nd p en ci l, t he G no me K in g d re w t he m a r ou gh m ap o f t ha t

o dd , o bl on g a nd e nc ha nt in g c ou nt ry r ul ed o ve r b y t he l it tl e p ri nc es s a nd f ai ry , O zm a o f O z. W it h t wo

l in es R ug gedo d iv id ed t he o bl on g i nt o t ri an gl es and i n each t ri an gl e p ri nt ed t he n am e o f t he cou nt ry i t

r ep -r es en te d. T he n or th l an d, h e t ol d t he m, w as t he p ur pl e

k in gd om o f t he G il li ki ns , t he eas tern t ri an gl e t he p ow er fu l y el lo w emp ir e o f t he W in ki es , t he r ed

s out hl an ds o f O z be lo nge d t o t he Q ua dl in gs , w hi le t o t he w es t l ay t he b lu e c ou nt ry o f t he M un ch ki ns . I n

t he e xa ct c en te r o f t he m ap , w he re a ll t he t ri an gl es m et R ug ge do d re w a c ir cl e t o s ho w t he l oc at io n o f t he

cap it al and t he g no me exp lain ed h ow O zm a r ul ed f ro m t he E merald C it y o ver all f ou r cou nt ri es o f O z.

T he v er y s ou nd o f t he E me ra ld C it y m ad e t he p ir at e' s p ri ck u p t he ir e ar s, a nd C lo ck er h ad s tr uc k f iv e

t im es b ef or e t he y h ad h ad e no ug h o f i t. W ar mi ng t o h is s ub je ct , t he M on ar ch o f M en an ky po o d es cr ib ed

i n g lo wi ng s en tences t he f ai ry cap it al w it h i ts emerald encru st ed s tr eets , b ui ld in gs and p al aces . H e t ol d

t he m a bo ut t he f am ou s S ca re cr ow o f O z, a l iv e m an o f s tr aw w ho se m ag ic b ra in s a nd s ur pr is ing

c le ve rn es s h ad r ai se d h im t o o ne o f t he h ig he st p os it io ns a t O zm a' s c ou rt ; a nd a bo ut t he T in W oo dm an ,

E mp er or o f t he W in ki es , w ho s pe nt m os t o f h is t im e i n t he E me ra ld C it y. T he a xe o f N ic k C ho pp er h ad

been enchanted and one at a time he had severed his arms, legs and finally his head. But after each

accid en t, N ick h ad h ad h im self r ep ai red b y a t in -s mi th and h ad f in al ly b ecom e a t in w oo dm an s o b ri gh t



14/75

a nd u nu su al t ha t O zm a h ad m ad e h im a n e mp er or . T he re w as T ik t ok , t oo , a c op pe r m ac hi ne m an , w ho ,

w he n w ou nd u p, c ou ld t al k, w al k a nd e ve n t hi nk . R ug ge do t ol d t he m a bo ut t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, a

mischievous maiden magically constructed and brought to life, who could make funnier verses than any of

t he p oe ts i n O z. T he C ow ar dl y L io n, t he H un gr y T ig er a nd t he I ff in w er e n ot f or go tt en , n or t he t hr ee l it tl e

m or ta l gi rl s, D or ot hy, B et ts y a nd T ro t, w ho h ad c om e t o l iv e w it h O zm a i n t he R oy al P al ac e. The gnom e

g re w e sp ec ia ll y b it te r a s h e t ol d t he m a bo ut D or ot hy , f or D or ot hy w as t he g ir l w ho h ad t ak en h is b el t i n

t he f ir st p la ce a nd c au se d h im m or e t ro ub le t ha n a ll t he r es t o f O zm a' s c ou nc il lo rs p ut t og et he r.

" But w ha t o f t he a rm y? " a sk ed B ir ix. " Ha s t hi s O zm a o f Oz a l ar ge , w el l t ra ine d f or ce o f f ig ht ing m en? "

Rugge do ha d t o l augh a t t he t hought of Oz ma 's a rm y, f or a s mos t of us we ll know i t c ons is ts of one

t remend ou sl y t al l s ol di er w it h g reen w hi sk er s, a s ol di er s o t im id h e h as n ev er b een k no wn t o f ir e o ff h is

g un . T he p ir at es r oa re d o ve r t he g ra nd a rm y o f O z b ut g re w m or e t ho ug ht fu l w he n R ug ge do t ol d a bo ut

t he W izar d and h is m an y m ag ical d ev ices .

" No t o nl y h as O zm a m y m ag ic b el t, w it h w hi ch s he c an t ra ns fo rm a ny bo dy i nt o a ny s ha pe s he

w is he s a nd t ra ns po rt h im a ny wh er e, b ut s he h as a w on de rf ul f an t ha t c an b lo w a wa y a n a rm y, a m ag ic

picture that tells her everything she wishes to know and so many wishing pills and thinking powders thatalmost nothing is too difficult for her to accomplish."

" Th en w hat' s t he u se o f t ry in g t o con qu er h er ?" w or ri ed P eg go . " We'l l o nl y g et o ur selv es enchant ed o r

destroyed."

" Ah -b ut -" R ug gedo w av ed m ys teri ou sl y at t he W is e M an o f M en an ky po o. " Yo u f or get t hat

we a re a ls o wi za rds . M y i de a i s t o s te al O zm a' s ma gi c a nd t he n s ei ze t he c api ta l. I t w oul d b e u se le ss t o

c ap tu re e ac h c ou nt ry o f O z s ep ar at el y, f or o nc e w e a re i n p os se ss io n o f t he E me ra ld C it y t he w ho le

kingdom will be ours."

"B ut I 'v e h ea rd t ha t O z i s s ur rou nd ed by a D ea dl y D es er t a nd t ha t o ne s te p o n i ts s an ds de st roy s o nef or ev er ," w en t o n P eg go . " Ho w a re w e t o c ro ss t ha t? "

" Yo u a re r ig ht ," a ns we re d R ug ge do , " bu t C lo ck er w il l f in d a w ay f or u s t o c ro ss t he D ea dl y

D es er t, w on 't y ou , o ld s hi ny f ac e? " T he W is e M an l oo ke d s ur pr is ed a nd a t ri fl e u ne as y b ut a s i t w as n ot

t im e f or h im t o s tr ik e, s ai d n ot hi ng . T ak in g t he m ap , R ug ge do a dd ed t he s tr ip o f D ea dl y D es er t

s ur ro un di ng O z a nd f ur th er e xp la in ed t ha t t o r ea ch t he d es er t t he y m us t c ro ss t he L an d o f t he W he el er s

and h is o wn o ld d om in io ns i n E v.

"Well," yawned Binx, scratching his head thought-fully with his scimitar, "I for one should like

t o s ee Oz, a nd a l ive ma n st uff ed wi th s tra w. I 'l l ha ve hi m f or my s la ve and he s ha ll pol ish my boot s anddaggers.

" I' ll t ak e t he T in W oo dm an ," w hi st le d P eg go , " an d t ho se g ir ls s ha ll c om e b ac k w it h us a nd d o

a ll t he c ook ing a nd s cr ubb ing o n t he Se a Li on, but i f we a re t o do a ll t hi s c onque ri ng we 'd be tt er ge t

some sleep."

"Aye! Aye!" agreed the pirates heartily, and nodding, grunting and whispering among

t hems el ves, t hey t ramp ed u p t he s tair . T hr ow in g t hems el ves f ul ly clo th ed and b oo ted u po n t he l ace and

s il ken cov er ed b ed s t hey s no red s o l ou dl y t hat t he v er y r af ters r at tl ed . R ug gedo h im self g ot l it tl e r es t, f or

C lo ck er , w ho i ns is ted o n s hari ng h is r oo m, s tr uck every q uar ter- ho ur and t he y el lo w b ir d k ep t t ap pi ng at

his head. Indeed, by morning, Ruggedo, waking from an uneasy slumber, found himself nearly buried

u nd er a m as s o f y el lo w p ap er s t he c uc ko o h ad d ro pp ed o n h im d ur in g t he n ig ht .



15/75

C HA PT ER 5

T he K in g o f t he O ct ag on I sl e

D RUM MI NG hi s f in ge rs i dl y on t he a rm s o f h is O ct ag on t hr one , K in g A to t he E ig ht h s at w it h

c lo se d e ye s l is te ni ng t o t he s on or ou s v oi ce o f t he R oy al R ea de r. H av in g a R oy al R ea de r s av ed h is

M aj es ty m uc h a nn oy an ce , s uc h a s w ea ri ng s pe cs , t ur ni ng t he p ag es o f b oo ks , a nd l os in g h is p la ce i n t he

m or ni ng p ap er . N o w on de r h e w as f on de r o f R og er t ha n o f a ny on e e ls e i n h is h ou se ho ld - I m ea n

c as tl eh ol d. N o w on de r R og er h ad a r ub y p er ch w it h g ol d t ri mm in gs a nd a d ia mon d c up f or h is m or ni ngo ra ng e j ui ce . A nd R og er , y ou m ay b e s ur pr is ed t o k no w, w as a R ea d B ir d, c le ve r e no ug h t o p ro no un ce

all t he w or ds i n t he K in g' s eig ht h un dr ed v ol um es and w is e eno ug h t o s ki p all t he u ni nt er es ti ng

d es cr ip ti on s. H ol di ng a f at b oo k i n o ne claw and b al an ci ng s ki ll fu ll y o n t he o th er l eg , h e w ou ld d ro ne o n

f or h ou rs , a nd a s A to l ov ed n ot hi ng s o w el l a s a l iv el y s to ry o r t al e o f a dv en tu re , h e t oo k R og er w he re ve r

h e w en t a nd t he t wo w er e w el l n ig h i ns ep ar ab le . I n a pp ea ra nc e R og er w as r at he r u nu su al , a bo ut t he s iz e

a nd c ol or in g o f a l ar ge p ar ro t b ut . w it h t he k in dl y f ac e o f a d uc k a nd w it h a d uc k' s b il l. H is e no rm ou s f an

t ai l t ha t c ou ld o pe n a nd s hu t w as l ik e n o o th er b ir d' s I c ou ld e ve r m en ti on , s pr ea di ng h ig h a bo ve h is h ea d,

and exceedi ng ly u sefu l t o h is M aj es ty i n s ul tr y w eath er . A dd t o t hi s a p leas an t and j ol ly d is po si ti on and

y ou can w el l u nd er st an d K in g A to 's aff ecti on f or h is R oy al R eader.

A s y ou m ay n ev er h av e v is it ed O ct ag on I sl an d o r c om e a cr os s i t i n a ny o f y ou r g eo gr ap hi es , Iw il l t el l y ou a t o nc e t ha t i t i s e ig ht m il es e as t of t he I sl e o f P in ga re e, i ts e igh t s an dy s ho re s w as he d b y t he

boisterous waves of the Nonestic Ocean. in the exact center of the island rises the eight sided castle of

K in g A to and at. s ui tabl e d is tances t he eig ht y d well in gs o f t he O ct ag on I sl an ders . T he K in g' s s ub ject s

n um bered o ne h un dr ed and eig ht y, t here b ei ng f or ty w om en , s ix ty chi ld ren and eig ht y m en . O f t he m en ,

eig ht w er e cou rt iers , eig ht w er e cou ncil lo rs , eig ht w er e s er vi to rs , eig ht w er e f ar mers , eig ht w er e

s ho pk eepers , eig ht w er e f is herm en , eig ht w er e s ai lo rs , eig ht W er e s ol di er s, eig ht w er e s ch ol ar s and

art is ts , and eig ht w er e m us icians , s o t hat t he aff ai rs o f t he i sl an d w er e n icel y b al an ced and every on e ate

w el l a nd o ft en . E xc ep t f or t he ir o ct ag on s ha pe d f ac es a nd h at s, t he e ig ht o ct ag on b ut to ns o n t he ir c oa ts

a nd t he e ig ht p oc ke ts i n t he ir s ui ts , t he O ct ag on I sl an de rs w er e q ui te l ik e u s, a nd l if e o n t he i sl an d w as

pleasant and uneventful. They had everything to make them happy and contented and good King Ato hadn o r easo n f or s up po si ng t hem o th er wi se t hat i s, u nt il t he b ri gh t p ar ti cu lar m or ni ng o f w hi ch I am t el li ng

y ou . D ro ws il y l is te n- . m g t o t he v oi ce o f t he R ea d B ir d, A to b ec am e s ud de nl y a wa re o f a g re at

c om mot ion i n t he c ou rt ya rd. N ex t a n e ar s pl it ti ng b an g o n t he o ct ag on dr um m ade h im s it u p w it h a

bounce. Then in through the octagon doors burst the eight musicians in their best uniforms followed by

t he eig ht s ol di er s, t he eig ht s ai lo rs , t he eig ht f ar mers , t he eig ht f is herm en , t he eig ht s ho pk eepers , t he eig ht

s ch ol ar s and art is ts , t he eig ht s er vi to rs , t he eig ht cou ncil lo rs and t he eig ht cou rt iers .

" Ah !" s ig hed t he K in g, s mi li ng w it h r el ief. " It 's y ou , i s i t? G oo d m or ni ng , m y d ear f el lo ws !" B ut

h is s ub je ct s w er e n ot t o b e p ut o ff w it h g oo d m or ni ng s. T he O ct ag on es e t ru mp et er b le w e ig ht f ie rc e

blasts upon his horn, the eight fishermen banged their fishing rods on the floor, the eight soldiers and

s ai lo rs p oi nt ed t heir g un s, t he eig ht s er vi to rs t hr ew d ow n t heir m op s and apr on s, t he eig ht s ch ol ar s and

a rt is ts t he ir b oo ks a nd b ru sh es , a nd t he e ig ht c ou nc il lo rs t an d c ou rt ie rs l et o ut s uc h a y el l t ha t t he R ea d

B ir d w as b lo wn o ff h is p er ch a nd t he K in g' s c ro wn f el l o ve r o ne e ar , " Wh at 's t hi s? " p an te d h is



16/75

M aj es ty , a s s oo n a s h e c ou ld m ak e h im se lf h ea rd a bo ve t he a wf ul . h ub -b ub . " Wh at 's t he m ea ni ng o f t hi s,

S ix en tw o?" S ix en tw o w as t he chi ef o f A to 's cou ncil lo rs and at t hi s q uest io n t he o ld w is e m an s tepp ed o ut

f ro m t he cr ow d.

"Insurrection, your Majesty!" explained Sixentwo calmly. "Rebellion, desertion, and departure.

In other words, farewell, forever!"

"Forever!" echoed Ato, straightening his crown. "what in cheesewax are you talking about?"

"A bo ut l eavi ng ," s ho ut ed S ev en an on e, L or d H ig h T hi s and T hat o f t he r ealm . " We r ef us e t o

s tay l on ger o n t hi s s tu ff y l it tl e i sl an d o r s er ve a K in g as t ir es om e and u nent er pr is in g as y ou rs el f. I n y ou r

w ho le r ei gn y ou h av e c on qu er ed n o o ne , m ad e n o n ew l aw s, v oy ag es , o r d is co ve ri es ."

" I t ol d you w e oug ht t o ha ve a wa r, " s igh ed R oge r, w ho h ad r ega ine d hi s pe rc h a nd wa s

e nd ea vo ri ng t o f in d t he p la ce i n h is b oo k.

" War?" r ep eated S ev en an on e, g lari ng f iercel y at R og er w hi le A to r uf fl ed u p t he o nl y eig ht h ai rsh e h ad o n h is h ea d. " Al l he c ar es a bou t i s l is te ni ng t o yo ur m is er ab le c roa ki ng A ll h e k now s i s no thi ng ,

a nd a ll he doe s is s le ep! "

"Treason!" shrieked Roger hurling his book at Sevenanone. "Down on your Octagonknees

a nd be g h is M aj es ty' s p ar don !" B ut t he e xc it ed I sl and er s p ai d n o h ee d t o A to 's pl ea s o r t he Re ad B ir d' s

scolding.

" We are t ak in g t he t reas ur e, t he cro ps , t he s hi p, every th in g b ut t he f ur ni sh in gs o f t he cas tl e! "

s ni ff ed F ou rand fo ur , T reas ur er o f t he I sl an d. " An d n ow , p er haps y ou w il l b es ti r y ou rs el f, o ld p ud di ng . A s

f or us , we go t o ope n up a ne w c ount ry, to f ind a ki ng w or thy of our m et tl e. "

" Hear! H ear! " app laud ed t he O ct ag on es i an s, and p icki ng u p t heir g un s, m op s, r od s and o th er

i mp lement s, t hey t ramp ed s co rn fu ll y f ro m t he r oy al p resence. R us hi ng t o t he w in do w, A to p resent ly s aw

t hem m ar ch in g d ow n t o h is s pl en di d s hi p t he O ct op us , h eavi ly l ad en w it h t he i sl an d' s cro ps and t reas ur e,

the women and children skipping joyfully behind.

" Dee- sert ed ! B y g in ger! " p uf fed h is E ig ht jest y, l im pi ng b ack t o t he t hr on e, f or t he coo k h ad

dr oppe d a n i ron f ryi ng p an on hi s f oot i n t he c our se o f t he e xc it eme nt . " De ar , de ar a nd de ar ! I hop e

t he y' ll not r un i nt o a ny s tor ms or hu rr ic ane s. And wha t a re w e t o do, my good Rog er ? W ha t of us ?"

W hi le t he K in g w as l oo ki ng o ut t he w in do w, t he R ea d B ir d h ad f lo wn t o t he t op s he lf o f t he b oo kc as e,

and com in g b ack w it h a h ug e g reen v ol um e b eg an h ur ri ed ly f li pp in g o ver t he p ag es . M ax im s f or M on ar ch s, w as t he t it le o f t he g re en b oo k.

" Wh en a ll i s l os t t he re i s n ot hi ng m or e t o l os e, n o n ee d f or w or ry a nd n ot hi ng t o b e d on e, "

read Roger impressively.

"V er y g oo d, " agr eed A to , f ol di ng h is h an ds r es ig nedl y o n h is s to mach . " Th en I s hall d o

n ot hi ng , m y d ear R og er , and w hi le I am d oi ng n ot hi ng , y ou m ay p ro ceed w it h t he s to ry ." B ot h p retend ed

not t o he ar t he r at tl e o f c ha ins a nd t he s ho ut s of t he r ebe ls a s t he Ki ng' s s hi p got un de r wa y. B ot h

pretended not to notice the silence that presently came creeping into the castle and smothering down

u po n t hem. T he t icki ng o f t he clo ck s eemed u nu su al ly l ou d and i ns is tent , and w it ho ut k no wi ng w hy ,

R og er l ow er ed h is v oi ce a lm os t t o a w hi sp er a nd t he K in g, w he n h e t ho ug ht t he R ea d B ir d w as n ot

l oo ki ng , s to le f requ en t and app rehens iv e. g lances o ut t he w in do w. P er haps an h ou r h ad p as sed i n t hi s

u ne as y f as hi on w he n, t o t he c on st er na ti on o f t he t wo c as ta wa ys , t he re c am e a t hu nd er ou s k no ck a t t he



17/75

c as tl e d oo r. T he R ea d B ir d d ro pp ed h is b oo k, a nd A to , b li nk in g h is e ye s, h al f r os e f ro m h is t hr on e.

" Th er e i s n ob od y o n t he i sl an d, and y et s om eb od y i s w it ho ut !" p uf fed A to n er vo us ly .

" Ye s, b ut i t i s n ot t he K in g' s p la ce t o a ns we r t he d oo r, " c ha tt er ed R og er , r eg ai ni ng h is b al an ce

w it h s om e d if fi cu lt y. " Rememb er , even t ho ug h y ou are d es er ted, y ou are s ti ll t he K in g! "

" Th at 's s o! " G reat ly r el ieved, A to s an k b ack amo ng h is cus hi on s. " Er -h ow d oes t he K in g

behave under such conditions?" he inquired tremulously, as the first knock was followed by a series of

blows, kicks and furious rattles. Before Roger could find the proper place or answer in Maxims for

M on ar ch s, t he d oo r g av e w ay w it h a g reat cr as h and s pl in teri ng o f t im bers and t remend ou s f oo ts teps

came thumping along the passageway.

" I- I alw ay s s ai d i f y ou l et m at ters alo ne t hey w ou ld s et tl e t hems el ves, " s tu tt er ed R og er ,

h op pi ng d ow n o n t he K in g' s s ho ul de r a nd t ry in g t o b id e b eh in d h is b ac k.

" V- very u ns et tl in g, I cal l t hi s, " cou gh ed A to , r each in g u p t o s tr ai gh ten h is cro wn . " Ki nd ly t ak eyour w ing out of my e ye s o I c an se e wha t's c omi ng."

"W ha t d o y ou s ee ?" q ua ve re d R og er , b ur ro wi ng d ee pe r i nt o t he K in g' s c lo ak . A to w as t oo

s ta rt le d t o a ns we r, a nd t ak in g a f ri gh te ne d p ee k, R og er s aw a m on st ro us s ea ma n s tr id in g t ow ar d t he

t hr one . A g us t of s al t w ind s ee me d t o m ove a lo ng w it h h im a nd hi s ve ry h ai r a nd c lo th es s ee me d a li ve

w it h i t. T he f el lo w' s s ki n w as r ed a nd r ou gh , h is be ar d a nd h ai r, s ho wi ng u nd er t he t ig ht ly b ou nd r ed

k er ch ief, w as b leached l ig ht y el lo w b y t he s un . H e w or e eno rm ou s g ol d ear ri ng s, h is b lu e eyes g li tt er ed ,

h is w hi te t ee th s ho ne , b ut f or a ll t ha t t he re w as s om et hi ng f re sh a nd h ea rt y a bou t h im t ha t t he c ut la ss

s wi ng in g f ro m h is b el t and t he b lu nd er bu ss h el d i n h is h an d cou ld n ot d is pel.

" Ha h! " r oa re d t he i nt ru de r i n a v oi ce t ha t s et t he c ur ta in s b lo wi ng . " Is t he re n o o ne t o a nn ou nc e m e?Must I br eak a fe w he ads a s we ll a s doors her e? Ha h! "

" Hah- hahn ou nce t he v is it or , R og er ," d ir ected A to i n a f ai nt w heeze.

" A p ir at e! " g ro an ed R og er l ea ni ng o ve r t o w hi sp er i n t he K in g' s e ar " I f ea re d t hi s. I f ea re d t hi s.

No honest traveller wears his handkerchief on his head." Then straightening up, Roger cried out in a voice

h e t ri ed t o k ee p s te ad y, " Na me , p le as e, a nd b us in es s, i f r es pe ct ab le !" R og er 's v oi ce w as a lm os t a s f ai nt

as t he K in g' s b ut h e m an ag ed an air o f i mp or tance and d ig ni ty n ev er th el es s.

" Salt ?' b oo med t he s eaman, " Sam- u- e-l S al t, t he p ir at e, an exceed in gl y i rat e p ir ate," h efinished, winking wickedly at the Read Bird.

" Sa lt , S am ue l S al t, y ou a re i n t he p re se nc e o f A to t he E ig ht h, K in g o f t he O ct ag on I sl e. A nd

h av e y ou c om e t o c al l, M as te r S al t? "

"To call?" exclaimed the pirate, slapping his thigh so that his scimitar rattled fearfully. "What

s hou ld I c al l? F is h, o ra ng es , s pi na ch or p ot at oe s? Do yo u t ake m e f or a p ed dl er ? H ah ! "

" Hah, h ah ! N o, i nd eed, " l au gh ed A to f eebl y.

" M ay I p re se nt R og er , m y R oy al R ea d B ir d, M as te r S al t? "

" Ro ge r? G oo d! " T he p ir at e s ta re d h ar d a t R og er w ho , i t m us t b e c on fe ss ed , w as t re mb li ng l ik e



18/75

a r ee d b y t hi s t im e. " Go od ! H e s ha ll f la p a t m y m as t h ea d b ef or e n ig ht . Ev er y pi ra te s hou ld h av e a j ol ly

R oge r. W ha t? N ow t he n, ma te s, t rot ou t yo ur m en a nd t re as ur e. I h ave c om e t o p il la ge a nd p lu nde r, t o

l oo t s ack, ens lave, and d es tr oy and t o k no ck eig ht b el ls o ut o f every bo dy . H ah !" W it h s ci mi tar u pl if ted

S am ue l S al t s tr od e n ea re r, a nd R og er , f al li ng u po n t he f at v ol um e o n t he f lo or b es id e t he t hr on e, b eg an

f rant ical ly t o t ur n t he p ag es . A s R og er con ti nu ed t o l oo k d es perately t hr ou gh M ax im s f or M on ar chs , A to

r os e a nd h ol di ng u p h is h an d i n a r ea ll y r eg al m an ne r, s po ke .

" St op !" com mand ed t he K in g i n a d ig ni fi ed v oi ce. " Yo u w il l f in d eig ht b el ls i n t he O ct ag on

t ow er , bu t I a m s or ry t o d is app oi nt you a bout t he r es t. T he re i s no one on t hi s i sl and but t hi s ho ne st bi rd

a nd m ys el f. M y s ub je ct s h av e d es er te d m e, C ap ta in S al t, a nd g on e o ff w it h m y s hi p a nd a ll t he t re as ur e. "

" Desert ed !" y el led t he p ir at e, i n s uch a s av ag e v oi ce t hat R og er s cr am bl ed u nd er t he t hr on e

a nd put hi s he ad under his wi ng. " We ll , I' m t he s on of a sun f is h if we bot h ar en' t in t he s ame j oll y boa t."

B ut t here i sn 't any b oat, " exp lain ed A to , s hu dd er in g s li gh tl y as t he p ir at e' s s ci mi tar t ou ch ed h is k nee.

C HA PT ER 6

T he S to ry o f S am ue l S al t

No boat!" cried the pirate hoarsely. "How do you suppose I reached this island, old Eighty

P at e? Lo ok y on de r! T he re l ie s m y s hi p, t he Cr es ce nt M oon , a s f ine a b oa t a s e ve r r am me d a s lo op o r

s an k a m er ch an tm an . M y s hi p a nd n ot a m an , m ou se o r b is cu it a bo ar d h er ," h e f in is he d, i n a d ep re ss edwhisper.

" Yo u m ea n y ou 'r e a lo ne ?" p ipe d t he r ea d B ir d, s ti ck ing o ut t he e nd o f h is b il l. T he p ir at e

n od ded g lo om il y, at w hi ch R og er s cu rr ied f ro m b en eath t he t hr on e and h op ped u p o n A to 's s ho ul der.

" Yo u gi ve h im a c lou t i n t he m idd le w hi le I d rop t hi s bo ok on h is h ea d, " u rge d t he R ea d B ir d

u nd er h is b reat h. " Co me o n n ow , all t og et her! "

" No , w ai t! " b eg ge d A to , w ho h ad b ee n e ye in g t he p ir at e w it h m or e i nt er es t t ha n a la rm . " I

believe he's going to tell us his story."

" St or y! " h is sed R og er f ur io us ly . " Can' t y ou t hi nk o f any th in g b ut s to ri es ? B et ter d o as I s ay o r

i t w il l be t he l as t s to ry y ou r M aj es ty w il l e ve r h ea r. " Th e p ir at e, l os t i n t ho ugh t, s ee me d n ot t o n ot ic e t hi s

whispered conversation, but as Roger, extremely displeased and ruffled, began to fan himself vigorously

w it h h is t ai l, S am uel S al t' l oo ked u p.

"I t h ap pe ne d o n a W ed ne sd ay ," h e b eg an m oo di ly . " We h ad j us t p ut i n a t E lb ow I sl an d. T ha t' s

wh er e I hi de m y t re as ur e a nd r es t be tw ee n voy age s. I wa s i n t he gr ee n c av er n s tudy ing ove r a m ap of

Oz ama la nd, w hi ch I me ant t o e xpl or e, w he n Pe ggo t he Re d, B inx t he Ba d, a nd a ll t he r es t of t he b and

c row de d i n o n m e a nd s ai d t he y w er e l ea vi ng ."

"Leaving?" Ato leaned forward, his eyes snapping with interest and sympathy. "How curious

A nd d id t hey r eall y l eave y ou ?"



19/75

" Fl at !" s ai d t he p ir at e g lu ml y. " I t hi nk i t w as B in x w ho ba ng ed m e w it h t he oa r. Bu t w he n

w ake d u p t he y we re g one , a ll t he t re as ur e w as go ne a ll t he f ood a nd s uppl ie s we re gon e a nd m y s ec ond

best ship, the Sea Lion was gone. Now, Elbow Island mates, is a barren reef where nothing grows but

r oc ks , a nd t he re be in g n oug ht t o e at a nd l it tl e w at er i n t he c as ks , I bo ar de d t he C re sc ent M oo n a nd

s ai le d e as t b y n or 'e as t t il l I s ig ht ed t hi s i sl an d H er e I m ea nt t o h el p m ys el f t o w ha t I n ee de d, s ei ze e no ug h

m en t o m an m y s hi p a nd g o a ft er t hos e t hi ev ing r as ca ls a nd br ing ' em b ac k i n i ron s. "

" Well ," q uest io ned A to b reat hl es sl y, f or h e w as m or e i nt er es ted i n t he p ir at e' s s to ry t han i n h is

o wn s af et y, " wh y d idn 't yo u? " T he p ir at e g az ed a t t he K in g f or a f ul l m om en t i n a s tun ne d s il enc e a nd t he n

burst into a hearty roar.

" Hah, h ah !" b oo med S am uel S al t h il ar io us ly , " Yo u' re a f in e K in g, ask in g m e w hy I d on 't s teal

y ou r t re as ur e a nd e ns la ve y ou r m en . B es id es d id n' t y ou j us t t el l m e y ou r s ub je ct s h ad g on e o ff w it h

e ve ry th in g o f v al ue ? T ha t' s w hy I s ai d w e w er e i n t he s am e b oa t, o ld f el lo w. Y ou 'v e b ee n r ob be d a nd

d es er te d. I 'v e b ee n r ob be d a nd d es er te d. S o, y ou s ee , w e' re s hi pm at es a nd I c ou ld n' t t re at y ou r ou gh i f I

w an te d t o, c ou ld I , n ow ?"

" No ," A to p ut h is f in gert ip s t og et her and r eg ar ded h is v is it or t ho ug ht fu ll y, " I s up po se n ot . B ut I

s us pe ct y ou o f h av in g a k in d h ea rt , C ap ta in S al t. " T he p ir at e w in ce d a nd t ur ne d r ed a s a n A ug us t m oo n.

" Ha h, ha h! Y ou 'r e a f in e p ir at e! " t ea se d t he R ea d B ir d, r oc ki ng b ac k a nd f or th o n h is p er ch .

" Wh y d id y ou r m en l eave y ou ?" q ueri ed t he K in g, s haki ng h is f in ger r ep ro vi ng ly at R og er .

"Well," admitted Samuel Salt shuffling his feet uncomfortably, "to tell the truth, they claimed I

w as n' t r o

Pirates in Oz - L. Frank Baum

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