The Purple Prince of Oz - L. Frank Baum

7/27/2019 The Purple Prince of Oz - L. Frank Baum

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The Purple Prince Of Oz Oz 26

L . F ra nk B au m

by RUTH PLUMLY THOMPSON

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D ear B oy s and G ir ls :

I hope you li ke t hi s ga y Oz a dve nt ur e. Tell me if you do!

I t a ll ha ppe ne d a bout t he t ime t he J une Bug c am e o ut of s tor ag e,

a nd j us t a bo ut t he t im e n ex t y ea r' s s no w b al ls a re r ip e,

I ' ll b e w ri ti ng y ou ano th er s to ry .

Oz Always,

R UT H P LU M LY T H OM PS ON

This book is cheerfully and affectionately dedicated to

Oliver Cromwell Curtis,

i n l es s s er io us m om en ts , m y B ig B ro th er T om . W el l t here i s n ot hi ng

s er io us a bo ut O z, s o c he er io , T om a nd m an y m er ry w is he s!

L IS T O F C HA PT ER S

1 SourGrapes

2 A S tr ang e S to ry

3 T he M is t T ree

4 InFollenshyForest

5 TheRiver Road

6 Torpedora, the Glorious

7 Stair Way.

8 Nandywog, the Little Giant

9 T he G ui de P os t M an



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10 Regalia

1 1 I n t he C as tl e of t he Re d J inn

12 The Grand Advizier Advises

13 The Red Jinn's Looking Glasses

14 King, King, Double King!

1 5 E scape f ro m D ou bl e U p

16 Meanwhile, in Pumperdink

17 Ozwoz the Wonderful

1 8 T he E legant E leph an t U ses H is H ead

19 More Mysteries

2 0 " Th e P ur pl e P ri nce H as E ar ned H is C ro wn !"

C HA PT ER 1

S ou r G r ap es

" WH O i s t hi s b oy ?" w heezed t he K in g o f P um perd in k

fretfully. "What has he done?

S pe ak u p, G ene ra l, c an 't y ou s ee I h av e a h ea da ch e? "

G ro an in g a l it tl e, f or h e h ad eat en t went y p ickl ed

eggs for breakfast and found them highly indigestible,

P om pu s s ta re d p et ul an tl y a t t he s ha bb y b oy w ho

ha d j us t b ee n d ra gg ed i nt o h is p re se nc e. " Wh o a re

You?" he demanded, pointing his fat finger crossly



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at t he cul pr it .

"A runaway!" panted the Royal Gardener, shaking

h is r ake.

" A t hi ef !" add ed G en er al Q uakes g ri ml y. " He h as

e at en a ll t he g ra pe s o n y ou r M aj es ty 's f av or it e g ra pe

vine.

" U gh !" w in ced t he K in g, f or t he v er y t ho ug ht o f

eating anything made him feel terribly terrible!

"Tell his Highness why you stole the grapes,"

or dered t he g en er al , g iv in g t he p ri so ner a l it tl e p ro d.

" Becaus e I w as h un gr y, " ans wered t he b oy , j er ki ng

away f ro m h is t wo cap to rs and s tari ng cal ml y

at t he K in g.

"Hungry?" Pompus, who was really extremely

s o ft - heart ed, l oo ked d is t res sed . " D ear , d ear , t h at

i s t oo b ad ! W el l, h ow d id y ou f in d t he m? "

"Sour," answered the prisoner shortly. "Very

sour."

"Sour? My imperial Pumperdinkian purple grapes

s our ? Di p hi m! Di p hi m i n th e we ll ! Ta ke hi m

away!" shouted Pompus, annoyed and insulted.

" Wh at 's all t hi s n oi se?" m ur mu red a s leep y v oi ce,

and K ab um po , t he E legant E leph an t, w ho h ad b een

enjoying his morning nap, thrust his huge head

t hr ou gh t he cur tain i n b ack o f t he K in g' s t hr on e.

"W hy all t hi s excit em en t s o ear ly i n t he d ay ?"



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"This miserable little runaway has eaten the

King's best grapes," explained General Quakes, rattling

his sword dangerously.

" No t o nl y t ha t. H e s ay s t he y a re s ou r! " f ro wn ed

P o mp us , b lo wi ng o ut h is cheek s and r ol li ng h is eyes

indignantly around at the Elegant Elephant.

" So ur g rapes! H o, h o! K er um ph !" r um bl ed

K ab um po , c om in g a ll t he w ay o ut . " To ld y ou s o

r ig ht t o y ou r f ac e? W el l, t he re 's c ou ra ge f or y ou .

W hat' s y ou r n am e, y ou ng o ne?"

"Randy," answered the prisoner, glancing curiously

u p at t he g or geou sl y cap ar is on ed eleph an t.

"Randy what?" yawned Kabumpo.

"Just Randy." Thrusting both hands in his

po cke ts , t he b oy , wh o wa s a bo ut t en wi th bl ac k h ai r

a nd e ye s, l oo ke d c om po se dl y a t h is c ap to rs .

"Well, I'll Randy him," fumed Pompus, clasping

hi s h an ds o n h is s to ma ch. " Di p hi m t hr ee t im es a nd

r et ur n h im t o h is f am il y at o nce! "

" Wh er e are y ou f r om ?" r oared G en er al Q uakes ,

s ei zi ng R an dy 's arm . B ut at t hi s, R an dy clo sed h is

m ou th t ig ht a nd r ef us ed t o s pe ak ; a nd t ho ug h t he

ga rde ne r o n on e s id e a nd t he g ene ra l o n t he ot he r

Co nt in ue d t o s ha ke a nd q ue st io n, n ot a w or d c ou ld

th ey ge t ou t o f hi m.



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"I saw him sneaking down the mountains

last evening," insisted the gardener testily. "He

mu st l iv e i n t he m ou nt ai ns . W here d o y ou b el on g

y o u l it tl e g rape eat er , y ou ?"

"Stop!" trumpeted Kabumpo indignantly, as Randy

wa s j er ke d f ir st b y on e a rm a nd t he n t he o the r. " Do

you wa nt t o pull the boy i n t wo? I , myse lf , wil l ta ke

t hi s l ad f or a n a tt en da nt . S pe zz le i s o ld a nd a nx io us

t o r et ir e, s o l et m e h ave t hi s boy , y ou r Ma je st y, a nd

I p ro mi se he s ha ll n eve r b ot he r y ou a ga in . W il l y ou

come with me a nd do exact ly as I s ay? " asked the

Elegant Elephant, squinting down his trunk at the

shabby little Gilliken. Randy looked dubiously up

into Kabumpo's snapping little eyes, but detecting

an unmistakable wink, thankfully nodded his head.

" Th en t ak e h im a wa y a t o nc e T ak e hi m a wa y! "

or dered P om pu s, clapp in g b ot h h an ds t o h is ach in g

m id dl e. " Can' t y ou s ee I 'm s uf feri ng ? G o away, all

of you!"

"How about the dipping?" sniffed the garden,

w ho f el t t ha t t he p ri so ne r w as g et ti ng of f f ar t oo

easily.

" I' ll att en d t o t hat" ans wered t he E legant E leph an t

haughtily, and picking Randy up in his trunk

h e t os sed h im l ig ht ly t o h is s ho ul der and s talk ed

w it h g reat d ig ni ty f ro m t he p ur pl e t hr on e r oo m.



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N ow P um pe rd in k, a s m an y o f y ou a lr ea dy k no w,

i s a n ol d- fa sh io ne d O z K in gdo m w ay u p i n t he no rt he rn

part of the Gilliken Country, its royal family

b ei ng o ne o f t he o ld es t a nd m os t i nt er es ti ng I n O z.

P om pu s, t he K in g, r ul es o ver h is s ub ject s w it h g reat

e as e a nd c le ve rn es s. A ll w ho o be y t he l aw s a re

r ew ar de d; a ll w ho b re ak t he l aw s a re p ro mp tl y

d ip pe d i n t he r oy al w el l. A s t he w el l w at er i t p ur pl e

and d yes o ff en ders as t ho ro ug hl y and eff ecti vely as

we dy e Ea st er Eg gs , a nd a s t he dy e s ti ck s f or a lm os t

tw o w eeks , t he P um per di nk ians are v er y car ef ul n ot

t o b re ak t he l aw s, s o t ha t r ev ol ut io ns o r u pr is in gs

are p ract ical ly u nk no wn i n t hat p leas an t and p eacefu l

v a ll ey . I t i s n ot of te n t ha t P om pus l os es h is

t em per, eit her- on ly w hen h e eat s p ickl ed egg s. U su al ly

h e i s t he k in de st a nd m os t c on si de ra te o f m on ar ch s.

I nd ee d, P om pu s a nd P oz y P in k, h is Q ue en ,

a re f am ed f ar a nd w id e f or t he ir c he er fu ln es s a nd

generosity.

A s f or P om pa do re , t he K in g' s s on , a nd h is P ri nc es s,

P eg A my , and t heir l it tl e d au gh ter P aj on ia

t hey m ak e l if e i n t he p ur pl e cas tl e s o d el ig ht fu ll y

i nt er es ti ng and j ol ly t hat I can t hi nk o f n o h ap pi er

p la ce t o l iv e o r v is it . N o w on de r K ab um po p re fe rs

P um perd in k t o any o th er k in gd om i n t he r ealm . A nd



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s pe ak in g o f K ab um po I h ad b et te r e xp la in a t o nc e

t hat t he E legant E leph an t w as g iv en t o P om pu s

s im pl y O z a ge s a go b y a f am ou s B lu e E mp er or . A nd

Kabu mp o h as s ho wn h im self s o w is e and s ag acio us

h as l en t s uc h s ty le a nd e le ga nc e t o t he C ou rt t ha t

h e h as b ee n m ad e a m em be r o f t he r oy al f am il y w it h

t he r an k o f P ri nce and C hancell or .

Th e K in g con fers w it h K ab um po o n every o ccas io n

a nd m at te r o f i mp or ta nc e a nd w ou ld n ot t hi nk o f

undertaking a journey or war without first consulting

his Elegant Elephant. Which, of course, only

p ro ve s t ha t K ab um po i s n o o rd in ar y p ac hy de rm . N o

K ab um po i s t he l ar ge st e le ph an t i n O z a nd i n t ha t

strange and exciting country where animals can talk

a s w el l a nd s om et im es b et te r t ha n t he ir m as te rs , I t

I s no s ma ll honor t o be t he gre at es t a ni ma l of a ll .

Ka bum po s ee s a nd doe s t hi ngs i n a bi g w ay a nd

i f h e i s a b it h au gh ty a nd p ro ud w it h l es se r f ol k,

w ho c an b la me h im ? H is he ar t, w he n y ou g et r igh t

do wn t o i t, i s in e xa ct ly t he r ight pl ac e a nd be at s

w ar ml y and l oy al ly f or h is K in g and cou nt ry . I t w as

t hi s s am e b ig h eart t hat p ro mp ted t he E legant E leph an t

to c ome to the aid of the mountain boy, and he

ha d n o i nt ent ion a t a ll o f d ipp in g R an dy i n t he pu rp le

w el l. O nc e b ac k i n h is h ug e a nd c om fo rt ab le

a pa rt me nt o n t he f ir st f lo or o f t he p al ac e, K ab um po



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g av e h im f oo d, n ew c lo th es a nd a l on g l ec tu re o n

c ou rt e ti qu et te . B ut t he l ec tu re w as s o m ix ed w it h

j ok es a nd f un ny s tor ie s t ha t R an dy d id n ot m in d i t

at all and b y eveni ng w as b eg in ni ng t o f eel p er fect ly

a t e as e a nd a t hom e i n t he gr and a nd s ump tuou s

q uart er s o f t he E legant E leph an t o f O z.

" As good a p la ce a s a ny t o be gi n," h e s igh ed,

snuggling comfortably down in the soft bed Kabumpo

h ad o rd er ed t he p al ac e s er va nt s t o p la ce i n t he

en or mo us d re ss in g r oo m. " As g oo d a p la ce a s a ny .

H o, h um , I w ond er h ow l on g i t w il l t ake m e! "

C HA PT ER 2

A S tr an ge S to ry

THE Elegant Elephant was dressing for dinner.

K ab um po al ways d ress ed f or d in ner , w ear in g

his costliest jewels and most elaborately embroidered

r ob es o f s ta te a s b ec am e a m em be r o f t he r oya le st

f am il y i n O z. A s h e s ur veyed h im self cal ml y and

l ei su rely i n t he g lass , K ab um po w as t ur ni ng o ver

i n h is m in d s om e s to ri es t hat m ig ht amu se l it tl e

P ri nc es s P aj on ia a nd k ee p h er q ui et a nd h ap py d ur in g

the long tedious dinner hour.



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"I 'l l t el l h er t he t al e o f t he p in k g oa t, " d ec id ed t he

E legant E leph an t, t ak in g u p a s mall m ir ro r i n h is

trunk and examining himself critically from all sides.

" Jus t pu ll t ha t r obe a bi t t o t he r ight , Ra ndy , a nd

s ee t hat t he b uckl e i s cau gh t, w il l y ou ?" R an dy ,

p er che d o n a t al l l ad de r be si de K abu mp o, ga ve a

little sniff of impatience, but carefully straightened

t he v el ve t r ob e, f as te ne d t he j ew el ed b uc kl e a nd

t hen, r es ti ng h is elb ow s o n h is k nees , s tared g lo om il y

i nt o t he l on g m ir ro r " Th at 's i t, " app ro ved K ab um po ,

paying no attention to Randy's sulky expression.

" Y ou g ro w h an di er e ve ry d ay , m y b oy . W hy , s oo n

y ou 'l l b e t he h an di es t a tt en da nt I e ve r h av e h ad ."

Randy said nothing,, but sniffed again, this time

quite audibly.

"Now what's the matter?" grunted Kabumpo, looking

at h im s ha rp ly . " Ma ny a l ad wo ul d t hi nk i t a n

h on or t o w ai t u po n t he E le ga nt E le ph an t o f O z.

Ha ve you not a f ine be d, ne w c lot he s a nd a ll yo u

w ant t o e at ? Ha ve n' t I t ake n you r idi ng w he n n o

o ne w as a bo ut a nd a ll ow ed y ou t o p la y m ar bl es w it h

my b es t e ar ri ng s? A nd wh o wa s i t pr ay , w ho s av ed

y ou f ro m b ei ng s en t h om e i n d is gr ac e? W ho m ad e

a p la ce f or y ou i n t he K in g' s h ou se ho ld s o y ou c ou ld

s ee s om et hi ng o f h ig h l if e? A nd n ow y ou s it t here

and s ni ff at m e. H em ! H o! K er um ph !" S no rt in g



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w i th d is pl eas ur e, K ab um po g lared at R an dy , and

Randy without explanation or apology glared back.

B ut f or all h is i nd ep en dence and s au ci ness , t here w as

something extremely likeable about this little Gilliken

a nd t ho ug h h e s ho we d n o p ro pe r d ef er en ce o r

r es pect f or K ab um po 's r an k and p os i ti on , t he E legant

Elephant already felt an unaccountable liking

and affection for him. Still, it was unthinkable that

an y o ne f or tu nate eno ug h t o ass ociate w it h an eleph an t

as i mp or tant and g rand as h im self s ho ul d b e

discontented or unhappy. Kabumpo just couldn't

understand it.

" Y ou o ug ht t o b e ash am ed o f y ou rs el f, " h e g ru mb led,

shaking his trunk sternly at his little attendant.

"What's the matter with you, anyway?"

"Oh, nothing," sighed Randy, running nimbly down

t he l ad der. " No th in g' s t he m at ter. T hat' s j us t i t.

Nothing! Nothing ever happens here." Folding his

arm s R an dy l oo ked s co rn fu ll y o ut o ver t he q ui et and

s er en e g ar de ns o f t he c as tl e.

"Nothing ever happens here!" exclaimed Kabumpo,

com in g r ou nd w it h o ne m aj es ti c s weep . " Ho w d o y ou

k no w n ot hi ng h ap pens ? Y ou 'v e b een h er e o nl y

a w ee k. L et m e t el l y ou , m y l ad , t hi ng s h av e h ap pe ne d

i n P um perd in k t hat w ou ld m ak e y ou r ear s



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f lap and y ou r chi n q ui ver. T hi ng s t hat w ou ld cur l

u p y ou r k ne es a nd y ou r n os e, y ou ng o ne !"

"Really!" Randy tried to speak indifferently but

c ou ld n ot k ee p t he i nt er es t o ut o f h is v oi ce ; K ab um po ,

p ul li ng an eno rm ou s g ol d w at ch f ro m a p ocket i n

h is r ob e a nd s ee ing t ha t t he re w as s ti ll h al f a n h our

before dinner, demanded mysteriously:

" Have y ou ever h eard o f s cr ol l m ag ic?"

R and y s lo wl y s ho ok h is h ead.

" Ha , I t ho ug ht no t. W el l, R an dy , i f i t h ad n ot

b een f or s cr ol l m ag ic, P ri nce P om pado re w ou ld n ev er

h av e m ar ri ed , P ri nc es s P eg A my w ou ld s ti ll b e a

w oo de n d ol l a nd I s ho ul d n ev er h av e v is it ed t he

Em er al d Ci ty of O z. I t be ga n on j us t s uc h a da y

as this," confessed the Elegant Elephant, looking

u ne as il y o ut o f t he w in do w, " ju st s uc h a d ay a s t hi s.

Po mp a' s bi rt hd ay i t w as , t oo, a nd w he n we bl ew ou t

th e c an dl es o n t he b ir th da y c ak e, t he c ak e i ts el f

e xp lo de d a nd k no ck ed u s a ll a bo ut . A nd w he n w e

p icked o ur selv es u p, t here w as t hi s s cr ol l s ay in g t hat

i f P ri nc e P om pa do re d id n ot m ar ry a p ro pe r p ri nc es s

i n a p ro pe r s pa n o f t im e, P um pe rd in k w ou ld

d is ap pear f or ev er , and even l on ger, f ro m t he G il li ken

C oun tr y o f O z. T hi nk o f t ha t m y b oy !"

Without much enthusiasm Randy thought of that

an d K ab um po , w ar mi ng t o h is t al e, h ur ri ed o n:



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We ll a ft er t he f ir st s ho ck o f t he s cr ol l t he K in g

a nd t he P ri me Pu mpe r d ec ide d t o m ar ry P om pa t o

P al ee ro , w ho h ap pe ns t o b e t he o nl y p ri nc es s a ro un d

here."

"That old witch we saw gathering faggots yesterday?"

g a sp ed R an dy i n a s ho ck ed v oi ce . " Wh y, s he 's

a s o ld a s S to ne M ou nt ai n! "

"Older!" rasped Kabumpo, shaking his head angrily

a t t he me re m em or y o f t he t hi ng . " An d, y ou

kno w, t he K ing a nd Pu mp er we re s o s et o n s avi ng

t he Ki ngdom a t o nc e t ha t I h ad t o r un of f wi th Pom pa

t o r es cu e h im f ro m t he awf ul o ld creat ur e. "

"Well, what happened then?" asked Randy, edging

cl os er and b eg in ni ng t o p lay w it h t he f ri ng e o n

K ab u mp o 's r o be.

Pl-enty!," rumbled the Elegant Elephant, shifting

f ro m o ne f oo t t o t he o th er . " Po mp a a nd I t ra ve li ng

a ll o ve r Oz t o f ind a p ro pe r pr inc es s a nd n ot

only found her and saved Pumperdink from disappearing

b ut r es cu ed O zm a a nd h er c ou rt ie rs f ro m

a gi ant a s w el l. " Th e E le ga nt E le pha nt t ri ed t o l oo k

mo de st a s he ma de t hi s s ta te me nt , but he d id no t

s uc ce ed ve ry w el l a nd, a s R an dy w as n ow a ll e ar s,

h e t ol d w it h g reat ear nest ness and enj oy ment t he

wh ol e s to ry o f P eg A my 's enchant ment and P ri nce



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Pompadore's strange adventures and marriage.

" It a ll b eg an w he n a n ol d w iz ar d n am ed Gl eg g

f el l i n l ov e w it h t he y ou ng and b eaut if ul P ri nces s o f

S un T op M ou nt ai n, " exp lain ed K ab um po , w it h a

huge sigh. "Consulting his book of the future, Glegg

d is co ve re d t ha t t he p ri nc es s w as t o m ar ry P ri nc e

P om pado re o f P um perd in k. T o p revent t hi s h e s en t

the threatening scroll, hoping to frighten Pompa

i nt o a m ar ri ag e w it h s om e o th er p ri nces s. S ee?"

R and y n od ded q ui ck ly . " Bu t w hen G legg ask ed t he

p r in ce ss t o m ar ry h im , o f c ou rs e s he r ef us ed , a nd

in a f it of anger he turned her i nto a l itt le tr ee in

O zm a' s g ar den. B el ievi ng s he w ou ld t ir e o f t hi s

enchantment and finally consent to marry him, Glegg

hi d hi s box of ma gi c i n a c ave under O zm a's c as tl e

an d s et h im se lf t o w ai t f or t he p ri nc es s t o c ha ng e

h er m in d. B ut w hat h ap pened?" K ab um po l if ted h is

trunk scornfully. "Cap'n Bill, an old sailor who lives

in t he E merald C it y, w is hi ng t o s ur pr is e T ro t, a l it tl e

m or ta l gi rl w ho l iv es w it h O zm a, c ut d ow n t he t re e

a nd c ar ve d a w oo de n d ol l f ro m t he wo od. T ro t, n ev er

k no wi ng h er d ol l h ad b ee n a p ri nc es s, c al le d h er P eg

A my a nd dr es se d h er a nd l ove d h er a nd c ar ri ed he r

e ve ry p la ce s he w en t. T he n, R ug ge do , t he o ld

G no me K in g, w ho h ad b ee n b an is he d f ro m h is o wn

dominions, took refuge in Glegg's cave, found his



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bo x o f m ix ed m ag ic and alm os t d es tr oy ed t he E merald C it y. "

"B ut w hat abo ut t he w oo den d ol l?" b eg ged R an dy ,

T ry in g t o p iece all t hese s tr an ge i ncid en ts t og et her.

" Tu t, t ut ! I 'm com in g t o t hat, " p uf fed K ab um po ,

glancing hurriedly at his watch. "Ruggedo stole

the dol l, my boy, a nd took he r to hi s ca ve . He wa nt ed

s om eb od y t o s co ld a nd s ha ke . H e h ad a lr ea dy h ir ed

a r ab bi t, na me d W ag, t o w ai t upon hi m but Wa g

w ou ld n ot a ll ow t he G nom e K in g e ve n t o b ox h is

e ar s, s o R ug ge do s ho ok a nd s co ld ed P eg t o h is

h ear t' s con tent , p ret en di ng s he w as K al i ko , h is o ld

s te wa rd . F or tu na te ly P eg c ou ld n ot f ee l a nd W ag ,

the r abbi t, t ook a s good c ar e of he r a s he c oul d.

N ow , s oo n aft er s teal in g P eg , R ug gedo f ou nd G legg 's

box of magic containing Spike's hair strengthener,

expanding fluid, reanimating rays, some trick tea,

and m an y o th er p ow er fu l s al ves and app li an ces.

W is hi ng t o b e a s s tr on g a s p os si bl e, R ug ge do p ou re d

t h e h ai r s tr en gt hener o n h is h ead. I t i ns tant ly

turned his hair into long iron spikes. Then, wishing

to t ry t he e xp an di ng f lu id , h e p ou re d a l it tl e o n W ag ,

t he r ab bi t w hi le h e wa s a sl ee p, a nd on t he w oo de n

d ol l. I mm ed ia te ly t he y g re w a s l ar ge a s y ou a re a nd

w he n h e t ri ed t he r ea ni ma ti ng r ay s o n P eg s he c am e

to l if e a nd c ha se d R ug a ll o ve r t he c av er n. "



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" Well , g oo d f or h er !" exclaim ed R an dy . " Di d s he

catch him?"

"No," admitted Kabumpo ruefully, "for Ruggedo,

a fr ai d P eg w oul d p ay h im b ac k f or a ll t he s ha ki ngs ,

p ou red all t he r es t o f t he exp an di ng f lu id o ver h im self .

F ir st h e e xp an de d e as t a nd w es t t il l h e f il le d

t he whole cavern and next he shot up as tal l as a

g iant , b ur st in g t hr ou gh t he t op o f t he cav e. T hen,

w it h O zm a' s c as tl e c au gh t o n t he s pi ke s o f h is h ea d

l ike a c ro wn , t he G nom e K ing s te ppe d out of t he

c a ve , t ra mpe d o ff t o Ev a nd s at dow n on a m oun ta in.

a nd h er e' s w he re w e c om e i n, " a nn ou nc ed K ab um po

i mp ress iv el y. " I h ad abo ut d ecid ed t hat O zm a w as

th e p ro pe r p ri nc es s f or P om pa t o m ar ry , a nd r ig ht

aft er R ug gedo d is app ear ed w it h t he cast l e, w e arr i ved

in the Emerald City. Almost immediately we

me t W ag a nd P eg . T he y ha d e sc ap ed f rom t he c av e

a nd w it h G le gg 's bo x of m ix ed m agi c w er e on t he ir

w ay t o f ind t he G no me K ing , w ho t he y f el t s ur e

m ea nt t o d es tr oy O zm a a nd h er c ou rt ie rs . W e n at ur al ly

d et er mi ned t o g o w it h t hem and t ho ug h t he

woo de n d ol l d id no t k now s he w as a p ri nc es s a nd

we did not know it e ither, we liked her a t onc e and

g re w f on de r o f h er a ll t he t im e. W el l- " K ab um po ,

taking another look at his watch, hurriedly continued

the story, "-after some breath-taking adventures



17/198

w e f ina ll y r ea che d E v a nd w it h t he h el p of

G le gg 's m ag ic , f or ce d R ug ge do t o m ar ch b ac k t o

t he E merald C it y. O nce t here, h e r es um ed h is n at ur al

s i ze a nd s ha pe ; t he c as tl e w as r es to re d t o i ts

foundations and the Gnome King himself was banished

to a l on el y i sl an d i n t he N on es ti c O ce an . B ut

O zm a r ef us ed t o m ar ry P ri nc e P om pa do re a nd w he n

w e a sk ed G le gg 's q ue st io n b ox w ho w as t he p ro pe r

pr inc es s i t t ol d us t o go t o Su n T op M ount ai n. S o,

w eary and d is cou raged t ho ug h w e w er e, w e t ravel ed

on t o Su n Top Mou nt ain , t aki ng Wa g a nd P eg Am y

a lo ng . W he n w e r ea ch ed t he c as tl e, t he p ri nc es s, o f

cou rs e, w as no t t he re , b ut n o s oo ne r ha d Pe g A my

cro ss ed t he t hr es ho ld , t han t he enchant ment o f

G le gg w as b ro ke n, a nd s he b ec am e h er o wn c ha rm in g

s el f. A s s he a nd P om pa do re w er e v er y m uc h i n

l ov e t he y w er e m ar ri ed o n t he s po t. T he n w e a ll r et ur ne d

to P um pe rd in k a nd h av e b ee n h er e e ve r

si nce; l it tl e P ri nces s P aj on ia w as b or n f ou r y ears

a go l as t F eb ru ar y. I s i t a ll c le ar n ow ?"

" Ab ou t as clear as cus tard ," s ni ff ed R an dy . " An d

has nothing happened since, sir?"

"Well, nothing so exciting as all that" admitted

K ab um po s lo wl y, " bu t o ne n ev er can t el l, o ne n ev er

can tell when something will happen again." The



18/198

E legant E leph an t w as ext remely p leas ed t o h av e

Ra ndy a dd re ss h im a s " si r. " I t w as t he f ir st t im e

the boy ha d do ne s o.

"He'll do!" chuckled Kabumpo delightedly, under

h is b re at h. " He 'l l d o! H ow w ou ld y ou l ik e t o g o

t o d in ne r w it h m e? " h e a dd ed a lo ud , a nd b ef or e

R an dy cou ld ans wer, t os sed h im l ig ht ly t o h is s ho ul der.

"Now for haysake," he cautioned gruffly, "for

h ay sa ke , s pe ak w he n y ou a re s po ke n t o a nd t ry t o

re me mb er y ou a re i n t he p re se nc e a nd o n t he b ac k

of Royalty." Randy, seated comfortably on Kabumpo's

b ro ad b ac k, s mo th er ed h is c hu ck le s i n t he

elegant Elephant's velvet robe and Kabumpo billowed

slowly and majestically down the gold-paved

h al lw ay t o t he r oy al b an qu et h al l o f t he K in g.

C HA PT ER 3

T he M is t T re e

N ow R an dy h ad n ot s ee n t he r oy al f am il y of

P um perd in k s in ce h e h ad b een cau gh t b y

G en er al Q ua ke s a nd d ra gg ed i nt o t he t hr on e r oo m,

and as K ab um po s wept g rand ly i nt o t he g reat d in in g

h al l t he b oy f el t ext remely n er vo us and u neas y.

He was not sure that t he Ki ng would be ple as ed to

s ee hi m a ga in , s o h e m ad e hi ms el f a s s ma ll a s p os si bl e



19/198

and peered inquisitively and anxiously over the

Elegant Elephant's left ear.

" Oy ez ! O ye z! W ay f or t he E le ga nt E le ph an t o f O z,

T hr ee b ow s a nd t hr ee b um ps f or K ab um po !"

cri ed t he P ri me P um per o f t he R ealm , p ou nd in g

t hr ee t im es o n t he f lo or w it h h is go ld en s ta ff . A t

t hi s, all t he cou rt iers b ow ed t heir h eads t hr ee t im es

a nd t ap pe d t hr ee t im es o n t he t ab le w it h t he ir

k ni ve s. T he r oy al f am il y d id n ot b ow b ut n od de d

g raci ou sl y as t he E legant E leph an t t oo k h is p lace

b eh in d t he K in g' s chair . T he b ab y p ri nces s cl ap ped

h er h an ds w it h g lee and P om pa i mm ed iately l eaned

ove r t o whi spe r t o Ka bum po a j oke he ha d j us t he ar d

f ro m t he g ar dener. T he l on g t ab le t wi nk led w it h

cand les i n g ol den h ol ders and g li tt er ed w it h g ol d and

silver dishes. Twenty footmen in white wigs and

p ur pl e s at in u ni fo rm s s er ved a s uccess io n o f s av or y

v iand s t o t he b ri ll iant ly clad and r oy al com pany and

n o o ne n ot ic ed R an dy a t a ll .

E very th in g, i n f act, w as s o car ef ree and j ol ly t hat

he s to pp ed w or ry in g and b eg an t o enj oy h im self .

I t w as h ar d t o b el ie ve t ha t t he l ov el y P ri nc es s o f

P um pe rd in k h ad o nc e b ee n a w oo de n d ol l, a nd r eg ar di ng

h er s ol em nl y R an dy t ri ed t o i magi ne h ow

s he m us t h av e l oo ked and f el t d ur in g t hat s tr an ge



20/198

enchantment. The Queen of Pumperdink was lovely,

t o o, a nd s ee me d s ca rc el y o ld e nou gh t o ha ve a s on

a s t al l a s P om pa do re . T he P ri nc e, o n h is pa rt , l oo ke d

exact ly as R an dy w is hed t o l oo k h im self w hen h e

was g ro wn , and aft er a l on g app ro vi ng s cr ut in y-

d ur in g w hi ch he d ec id ed t o b e a s n ea rl y l ike h im a s

p os si bl e, t o m ar ry a p ri nc es s a s l ov el y a s P eg A my

a nd h av e a l it tl e d au gh te r a s p re tt y a s P aj on ia -

he t ur ne d h is a tt en ti on t o t he o th er m em be rs o f t he

King's family and household.

P om pu s, v er y f at and g or geou s i n p earl - st ud ded

v el ve t, w as s ea te d a t t he h ea d of t he t ab le . Be si de

h i m w as a t hi n, s ly -l oo ki ng f el lo w w ho m h e add ress ed

as K et ty wi g. R an dy w as j us t w on deri ng w ho h e

mi gh t b e w hen K ab um po , w ho h ad b een t el li ng

P aj on ia a s to ry , cal led o ut i n h is b oo mi ng v oi ce:

"Well, Brother Kettywig, how are you enjoying

y ou r s tay i n o ur cas tl e and k in gd om ?"

"'Brother'!" gasped Kettywig, throwing down his

n ap ki n and t ur ni ng ang ri ly t o t he K in g. " Ar e y ou

g oi ng t o s it t he re a nd a ll ow t ha t g re at be as t t o c al l

me 'brother'?"

" Oh , b os h and b ot her , n ow , w hat 's t he d if fer en ce?'

m ut tered P om pu s, p op pi ng a w ho le b is cu it i nt o h is

m ou th . " Yo u are m y b ro th er , aren' t y ou ? W el l

Ka bu mp o w an ts t o ma ke y ou f ee l a t h om e. I t' s j us t



21/198

his little joking way, you know."

"Little joking way!" sputtered Kettywig. "There's

n ot hi ng l it tl e abo ut t he creat ur e b ut h is w it s. M ak e

m e f ee l a t home , i nde ed! How c oul d I f ee l a t home

i n a cou nt ry w here an eleph an t cal ls m e ' br ot her' ?"

Choking with indignation, Kettywig seized a goblet

of w at er a nd s wa ll owe d i t do wn a t one gu lp.

" Yo u w ou ld n' t f eel at h om e any wh er e b ut a p ickl e

factory," sniffed the Elegant Elephant, taking a

p latt er o f h ot chi ck en f ro m a f oo tm an and cal ml y

pa ss in g i t b ac k t o R an dy . " Or i n a m us ta rd m in e! "

he finished scornfully. "Hah!" Randy almost held

h is b re at h a t s uc h a ud ac it y, b ut t he K in g, a ft er a

w i nk at h is f av or it e, w en t q ui et ly o n w it h h is d in ner,

leav in g K et ty wi g t o r ecov er h im self as b es t h e cou ld .

T he r oy al o rchest ra h ad m eanw hi le s tr uck u p a l iv el y

tune so that further conversation was impossible

a n d R an dy , m ak in g s ho rt w or k o f t he c hi ck en a nd

can di ed f ru it K ab um po p as sed h im f ro m t im e t o

t im e, s et tl ed b ac k w it h a l it tl e s ig h of c on te nt . A nd

w he n, a f ew mo me nt s l at er , a pa ge r an i n t o a nno unc e

that a traveling magician was without and

d es ir ed t o ent er tain t he com pany , R an dy 's i nt er es t

and s at is facti on k new n o b ou nd s.

"And what is he without, pray?" inquired



22/198

Kabumpo, as the King thoughtfully rubbed his chin.

" He s ay s h e i s w it ho ut a p ee r, s ir ," s tu tt er ed t he

p ag e, cas ti ng u neas y g lances o ver h is s ho ul der.

" Ho w c an a m ag ic ia n w it ho ut a p ee r a pp ea r? "

demanded Kabumpo argumentatively.

"What nonsense!" roared Pompus setting down

h is t um bl er . " Tell t he f el lo w t o com e i n, P an tl eg . I ,

f or one , woul d l ike t o s ee a m agi ci an w it hout a pe er

appear." Hearing Pompus' command and without

w ai ti ng t o b e ann ou nced , t he m ag ician, w it h a l on g,

lightning-like slide, shot into the banquet hall, coming

t o a ne at s to p be si de t he K in g' s c ha ir .

"Nishibis, the Wiz-ard!" piped Pantleg, jumping

b eh in d a p il lar. A s N is hi bi s b ow ed d eepl y r ig ht and

l ef t, Ra nd y s too d u p t o ge t a be tt er l ook a t t he f el low .

H e w as t hi n, s hr ive le d up a nd u gl y, h is f ac e a lm os t

h id de n b y d ar k s pe ct ac le s a nd a p ea ke d c ap . O ve r

h is s ho ul de r he c ar ri ed a bl ue ba g of t ri cks , a nd hi s

v oi ce w hen h e s po ke w as h ig h and i rr it at in g.

" No w, w he re h av e I h ea rd t ha t v oi ce b ef or e? "

t ho ug ht R an dy , as N is hi bi s d rew a y el lo w s carf f ro m

h is s ack and w it h s tr an ge m um bl es and s cr eech es

began t wi rl in g i t aro un d h is h ead. A t t he t hi rd t wi rl ,

t he s ca rf b ec am e a s ma ll d ra go n. S pr ea di ng i ts

w in gs i t f lew s tr ai gh t f or l it tl e P ri nces s P aj on ia, and

as s he dr ew ba ck in a la rm i t me lte d i nt o a s ma ll



23/198

y el lo w k it ten t hat n es tl ed cozil y i n h er arm s.

" Br av o! B ravo !" cri ed K et ty wi g, and even K ab um po

l oo ked p leas ed and cur i ou s. N ex t t he m ag ician

p ul le d a b un dl e of t wi gs f rom t he ba g. Ta ki ng

a c and le f rom t he t ab le he s et t he m a fi re a nd t os se d

t he m h ig h i n t he a ir . A pl ea sa nt b lu e s mo ke f lo at ed

t hr ou gh t he b an qu et h al l and p resent ly t he s pi rals

fo rm ed i nt o a t al l bl ue m is t t re e t ha t h un g i n t he

ai r d ir ectl y b ef or e t he K in g.

" A m ag ic f lo wer f or h is M aj es ty and h is M aj es ty 's

family," announced Nishibis. And sure enough, five

f ie ry r ed r os es w er e b lo om in g o n t he w iz ar d' s t re e.

"You have forgotten me!" snorted Kabumpo indignantly.

" Is y ou r m ag ic n ot s tr on g eno ug h t o t el l

y ou t ha t I , t oo , a m a m em be r o f t he K in g' s f am il y? "

" A r os e f or a n e le ph an t! H a, h a! " j ee re d K et ty wi g.

" Ma ke i t a c ab ba ge , m y g oo d w iz ar d. " W hi le

K abu mp o g l ar ed an d P om pu s l o ok ed em bar ras sed,

Nishibis shrugged his shoulders.

" My m ag ic g ro ws r os es o nl y f or R oy al ty ," h e exp lain ed

insolently. "And if your Highnesses will

p lu ck t hese f lo wers , a g reat g oo d f or tu ne w il l b ef al l. "

"Probably scorch our fingers," observed Prince

P om pado re, w ho d id n ot car e m uch f or m ag ic, h av in g

h ad s om e d is ag reeab le exp er iences w it h i t.



24/198

" Oh , c om e o n, l et 's p ic k t he m, " b eg ge d P eg A my

e ag er ly , a nd a s t he K in g a nd Q ue en w er e e qu al ly

cur io us t o k no w w hat w ou ld h ap pen, t hey all l eaned

f or wa rd a nd e ac h p ic ke d a r os e, e ve n l it tl e P ri nc es s

P aj on ia . A s t he f iv e s te ms s na pp ed , t he re w er e f iv e

s harp exp lo si on s and R an dy , l eapi ng t o h is f eet, s aw

t he m is t t ree d is so lv in g i nt o a t hi ck b lack clo ud . B ut

o f t he K in g and h is f am il y h e s aw n ot hi ng . T hey

h ad v an is hed w it h t he w izar d' s r os es , and con fr on ted

b y f iv e emp ty chair s, t he cou rt iers o f P um perd in k

gasped with fright and consternation.

" A g re at g oo d f or tu ne h as b ef al le n. H a, h a!

H a, h a! " cro ak ed t he m ag ician, and w hi rl in g r ou nd

a nd r ound he s wung hi s bl ue ba g ov er hi s he ad.

" Go od f or tu ne? G oo d f or tu ne? F or w ho m?"

s cr eeched K ab um po , l as hi ng h is t ru nk b ack and

f or th a nd s wa yi ng l ik e a s hi p i n a s to rm .

"For Kettywig!" shouted Nishibis, pointing to

P o mp us ' b ro th er , w ho h ad r is en a nd w as f ac in g t he

company with great composure. "Kettywig is next

i n s uc ce ss io n. K et ty i s K IN G! T he K in g i s d ea d,

long live the King!"

"Nothing of the kind!" trumpeted Kabumpo. "The

K in g h as o nl y d is ap pe ar ed . B ri ng h im b ac k a t o nc e,

you miserable, meddling, magic-working monster!

Treason! Treeson-mist treeson!" boomed the Elegant



25/198

E le ph an t a t t he t op o f hi s t ru nk . A t hi s m igh ty

c ri es , G en er al Q ua ke s a nd t he r oy al g ua rd s b ur st

t hr ou gh t he d oo rw ay , all t he cou rt iers j um ped t o

t he ir f ee t a nd a s ce ne o f t he u tm os t c on fu si on e ns ue d.

Only Kettywig remained calm. As the guards, moving

forward none too willingly, attempted to seize

the wizard, Kettywig spoke:

"Stop!" commanded the King's brother, in a commanding

v oi ce . " I a m n ow y ou r r ul er . F ro m n ow

o n y ou t ak e o rd er s f ro m m e. U nd er st an d? "

" Oy ez! O yez! I h er eb y p ro no un ce K et ty wi g K in g

of P um perd in k, " q uavered t he P ri me P um per i n a

feeble voice.

" Oy ez ! O ye z, yo u w ou ld s ay t ha t t o s av e yo ur s il ly

n eck. " S natchi ng t he o ld s tatesm an i nt o t he air

K ab um po s ho ok h im v io lent ly t o and f ro . " Ho w d ar e

you call this pitiful plotter King?" Turning to the

cow er in g cou rt iers h e r oared i n a l ou d v oi ce: " Ri se

u p! R is e u p, a nd f or ce t he se i mp os to rs t o r es to re

our rightful rulers!"

" Th e f ir st o ne w ho t ou ch es m e s hall v an is h! "

warned Nishibis, showing his yellow teeth and scowling

s o h or ri bl y t ha t t he g ua rd s f el l b ac k i n h or ro r;

and when Kabumpo himself lunged forward, Randy

tugged him frantically by the ear.



26/198

" B e car ef ul ! B e car ef ul !" b eg ged t he l it tl e b oy i n

a n e ar ne st v oi ce . " If y ou d is ap pe ar , w ho i s t o h el p

the King?"

"Remove that elephant!" commanded Kettywig,

p ou nd in g o n t he t ab le w it h h is f is t. " Remo ve h im ,

d i p h im , p ut hi m i n i ro ns !"

" I' ll a tt en d t o hi m, " h is se d t he w iz ar d, a nd a s

t he g uard s m ad e a h al f- hear ted m ot io n t ow ar d t heir

o l d f r iend , K ab um po , N is hi bi s s natched a s eco nd

b un dl e o f t wi gs f ro m h is s ack and l ig ht in g t hem

hurled the blazing circlet straight at the Elegant

E l ep ha nt 's h ea d. B ut h e h ad n ot c ou nt ed o n R an dy .

Leaning forward the little Gilliken neatly caught the

b lazi ng b un dl e and b ef or e t hey cou ld t ak e eff ect

h ur led t hem s tr ai gh t b ack. N ow R an dy h ad aim ed

at N is hi bi s, b ut i n t he ext reme h ur ry and excit em en t

o f t he m om en t h e o ve rs ho t h is m ar k a nd t he

hissing, crackling bundle fell straight upon the head

o f P um per, w ho m el ted away b ef or e t heir eyes, l eavi ng

n ot hi ng b ut h is g ol d s taff and s pect acles. Y es ,

t he Ki ng 's c hi ef a dv is er wa s no w a s gone a s t he

King of Pumperdink himself.

B ef or e t he com pany r eco ver ed f r om t he s ho ck ,

b ef or e t he g ua rd s c ou ld t ak e a no th er s te p, t he E le ga nt

E le ph an t t hr ew u p h is t ru nk a nd w it h a b el lo w

o f r ag e t hat b lew o ut all t he can dl es charg ed f ur io us ly



27/198

f ro m t he b an qu et h al l, n ev er s to pp in g t il l h e

r eached h is o wn apar tm en t. T he g uard sm en , u rg ed

i nt o act io n b y d is hes, cup s, p lates and s po on s f lu ng

b y K et ty wi g, w er e n ot f ar b eh in d a nd a s K ab um po

r us he d i nt o h is o wn q ua rt er s R an dy h ea rd t he d oo r

s la m a nd t wo i ro n b ol ts s li p i nt o p la ce . N ex t a ll t he

s hu tt er s w er e b an ge d t o f ro m t he o ut si de a nd h ea vy

f ee t p ou nd ed u p a nd d ow n t he p as sa ge wa ys .

"Well !" panted the Elegant Elephant, leaning

w eari ly again st t he w al l, " I s up po se n ow , m y b oy ,

you are satisfied. Something has happened, something

h as h ap pe ne d a t l as t. U gh ! A hh h! W hy d id n' t

I di sa ppe ar a nd go out wit h t he pe opl e I ca re f or

instead of staying here with these frightened fools

and cowards?"

" Don 't yo u l ike m e a t a ll ?" a sk ed Ra nd y i n a s ma ll

voice. Kabumpo, suddenly recollecting Randy's

bravery, cleared his throat apologetically.

" Of cou rs e I l ik e y ou ," h e ans wered g ru ff ly . " I

l ik e y ou a l ot . D id n' t y ou s av e m e f ro m v an is hi ng ?

B ut w ha t go od w il l i t d o? " h e g ul pe d i n t he n ext

b re at h. " My w ho le f am il y h as b ee n w ip ed ou t a nd

t he t hr on e s to le n b y a c ou pl e o f p lo tt in g r as ca ls .

W ha t c an I d o a ga in st m ag ic ?"

"Well, you did something before," Randy reminded



28/198

him quickly. "You saved the whole kingdom from

disappearing.

"B ut l as t t im e w e w er e o nl y t hr eatened. T hi s t im e

everybody has actually vanished."

"You haven't," persisted Randy, shuddering a little

a s a l ou d s cr ea m e ch oe d a lo ng t he c or ri do r.

"That's so!" mused Kabumpo thoughtfully.

" T ha t' s s o. !" H is e ye s b eg an t o t wi nk le a nd s na p

w it h excit em en t. " I' m s ti ll h er e and I 'l l f oo l t hem

y et . I d id s om et hi ng b ef or e a nd I 'l l d o i t a ga in .

W e' ll g et ou t o f t he c ou nt ry a t o nc e, f in d s om e m ag ic

a nd r et ur n, a nd t he n l et K in g K et ty wi g s ee w ho i s

strongest!"

"But we're locked in," whispered Randy anxiously.

"Are we?" Sniffing scornfully, Kabumpo lifted

Ra nd y t o t he f lo or a nd b eg an t o m ak e h as ty p re pa ra ti on s

fo r d ep ar tu re . I nt o a s ma ll l ea th er b ag h e

p ut t he l ar ge st a nd m os t v al ua bl e o f h is j ew el s a nd

d o nn ed h is d ar kest and s tu rd iest r ob e. G iv in g R an dy

a s ma ll j ew el ed s wo rd t ha t h ad o nc e b ee n P ri nc e

Pom pa 's , he ba de hi m l ie d own a nd ge t a l it tl e r es t.

R an dy bu ckl ed on t he s wo rd bu t w as f ar t oo e xc it ed

t o s le ep . T he c as tl e w as g ro wi ng q ui et er a nd a s t he

g re at c lo ck i n t he t ow er t ol le d o ne , K ab um po t ou ch ed

R an dy o n t he s ho ul de r. T he b oy w on de re d h ow

t hey w ou ld g et o ut w it ho ut w ak in g t he g uard s, b ut



29/198

he d id n ot w on de r l on g. Ka bu mp o, a ft er a f ew

whispered instructions, lifted Randy up to the glass

t rans om o ver t he d oo r. W hi le t he E legant E leph an t

h e ld h im b y t he h ee ls h e c le ve rl y s li pp ed b ac k t he

bolts. Then, without a sound and without encountering

a s in gl e g ua rd , K ab um po t ro d s of tl y d ow n t he

g ol den h al lw ay s and s li pp ed o ut t hr ou gh a s id e d oo r

o f t he c as tl e.

C HA PT ER 4

In Foliensby Forest

T he n ig ht w as d ar k a nd m oo nl es s a nd K ab um po

s ped l ik e a f ly in g clo ud t hr ou gh t he s il en t cit y

and sleeping villages of Pumperdink. Then, leaving

t he K in g' s H ig hw ay , h e t ur ned eas t i nt o t he t an gl ed

f or es t d om ai n o f F al eero , t he o ld and u gl y p ri nces s

w ho m P om pa h ad s o n ea rl y b ee n f or ce d t o m ar ry .

I n t he c en te r o f t he f or es t t he E le ga nt E le ph an t

s top pe d, a nd wr ap pi ng R an dy i n a n o ld r obe he h ad

b ro ug ht a lo ng f or t he p ur po se u rg ed h im t o s le ep

until morning.

" No o ne w il l l oo k f or u s h er e, " y aw ne d K ab um po ,

l eani ng w eari ly again st a g iant o ak , and b ef or e t he



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boy h ad t im e t o a ns we r h e w as a sl ee p a nd s no ri ng

s o t remend ou sl y t hat l eaves f el l i n p er fect s ho wers

u po n R an dy 's u pt ur ned f ace and a f am il y o f s qu ir rels

i n t he h ol lo w t ru nk f led f or t heir l iv es . F or n earl y

an h ou r t he b oy l ay t hi nk in g o f t he s tr an ge h ap peni ng s

in Pumperdink. He wondered curiously

ho w i t f el t t o d is app ea r a nd w he re h e ha d h ea rd t he

m ag ician' s v oi ce b ef or e. W hi le h e w as t ry in g t o r em em ber

h e, t oo, f el l a sl ee p a nd dr ea me d he w as

f ly in g o n a y el low d ra gon t o t he Em er al d C it y of O z.

A g reat r us tl e and s pl as h w ak en ed h im n ex t m or ni ng ,

a nd r ol li ng o ut o f K ab um po 's o ld r ob e h e s aw

the Elegant Elephant vigorously bathing in a shallow

f or es t s tr eam. T he s un w as s hi ni ng s om ew here

u p a bo ve , b ut t he t re es w er e s o c los e t og et he r t ha t

o nl y a p al e g reen l ig ht cam e f li ck er in g d ow n i nt o

t h e f or est .

"Want a shower?" inquired Kabumpo cheerfully,

a nd a s R andy j oi ne d h im he s ent a s pr ay o f w at er

h ig h i nt o t he air .

"No thank you, sir." Shivering a little, Randy,

wh o w as n o f on de r o f w as hi ng t ha n m os t b oy s,

da she d a l it tle wa te r on the t ip of hi s no se a nd di ppi ng

h is f in gers i nt o t he i cy w at er h as ti ly w ip ed t hem

on his handkerchief.

" No w, d on 't cal l m e ' si r' ," b lu st er ed K ab um po , g iv in g



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h im self a s hake t hat s en t w at er s pr ay in g i n

every d ir ecti on . " We'r e j us t com rades f ro m n ow o n,

m y b oy , com rades i n m is fo rt un e. A ny on e b rave

e no ug h t o c at ch a w iz ar d' s b un dl e o f t ri ck s, n ee dn 't

cal l any on e ' si r. ' H ah ! " E xp el li ng h is b reat h i n a

g reat w hi st l e, K ab um po b eamed o n R an dy , and

R an dy , b lu sh in g w it h p leas ur e at s uch p rais e, b eamed

back.

" Do y ou r ea ll y t hi nk I a m b ra ve ?" a sk ed t he b oy .

K ab um po n od ded v ig or ou sl y. " Bu t w hy d o y ou

ask m e t hat?" h e w en t o n con vers at io nall y. " Do y ou

es peci all y w an t t o b e b rave?"

" It 's awf ul ly i mp or tant t o b e b rave," ans wered

R an dy , b ru sh in g b ack h is t hi ck h ai r. " Do n' t y ou

t hi nk s o, K ab um po ? "

"Well," mused Kabumpo, rubbing himself briskly

w it h a b un ch o f l ea ve s, " if yo u a re a n i mp or ta nt

pe rs on y ou ou gh t t o be b ra ve , b ut i f yo u' re n ot , I

c an' t s ee t ha t i t m ake s m uc h di ff er enc e. B ut I do

think," the Elegant Elephant stopped rubbing and

l oo ke d s ha rp ly a t R an dy , " I d o t hi nk y ou s ho ul d t el l

me a bit more about yourself, and I am not at all

s ur e y ou s ho ul d a cc om pa ny m e o n t hi s j ou rn ey . N o

t el li ng w ha t m ay h ap pe n. An d a ft er a ll i t i s n ot

y our a ff ai r, b ut m in e, t o s ave t he K in gdo m o f



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Pumperdink."

" Oh , d on 't s ay t hat, " b eg ged R an dy , t hr ow in g h is

ar m ar ou nd K ab um po 's t r un k. " Yo u h el ped m e.

No w l et m e h el p y ou . P le as e! P le as e! "

"But what about your family?" demanded Kabumpo.

" Yo u r eall y s ho ul d g o h om e, y ou k no w. "

"N ot y et !. N ot y et !" p lead ed t he b oy , t ig ht en in g

h is h ol d on t he El eg an t E le ph ant 's t ru nk . " I w an t t o

se e al l of Oz be fore I do tha t."

"M-mmm!" mumbled the Elegant Elephant, beginning

t o we ake n. " We ll, it wi ll do you no ha rm t o

s ee a l it tl e of t he c ou ntr y, but i t' s my gue ss you a re

n o com mo n m ou nt ai n b oy , u sed t o g oat s and g oat herd s.

Y ou h ave t oo m uc h s ty le f or t ha t. " R an dy

g ri nn ed a l it tl e a t t hi s, a nd , a s K ab um po h ad f in is he d

dr yi ng h im self , h e cli mb ed i nt o a t ree and h el ped

h im adj us t h is g rey v el vet t raveli ng clo ak . T hen, as

th ey w er e b ot h b y t hi s t im e t er ri bl y h ol lo w, t hey

b eg an t o l oo k a ro un d f or s om et hi ng t o e at . T he E le ga nt

Elephant breakfasted quite comfortably on several

b ar rels o f l eaves, b ut R an dy h ad t o s at is fy h im self

wi th a c ak e o f c ho co la te K ab um po h ad s li pp ed

i nt o h is p ocket t he n ig ht b ef or e.

" Wh er e a re w e go in g f ir st ?" i nq ui re d t he b oy a s

K ab um po , h av in g eat en all t he l eaves h e cou ld h ol d,

lifted him carefully aloft.



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"I-don't--know-," admitted Kabumpo, picking

hi s w ay cleverl y b et ween t he t al l t rees . " I t ho ug ht

o f g oi ng s tr ai gh t t o t he E merald C it y and app eali ng

to Oz ma a nd t he Wi za rd o f Oz f or he lp . T he pr ac ti ce

of ma gi c, a s you k now, i s f or bi dde n i n Oz , a nd

Ozma would not only punish this meddling magician

b ut f or ce h im t o r es tor e t he K in g a nd h is f am il y a t

on ce. O n t he o th er t ru nk ," t he E legant E leph an t

clear ed h is t hr oat s el f con scio us ly , " I' d m uch r at her

rescue the royal family myself."

" Oh , s o s ho ul d I !" agr eed R an dy , w it h an u nd er st an di ng

no d. " Bu t how a re we goi ng t o do i t? "

"Search me!" Kabumpo flapped his ears, crushing

t wi gs and b ranches w rath fu ll y u nd er h is f eet. " I

n ev er l ik ed K et ty wi g f ro m t he m om en t h e s et f oo t

i n t he p al ac e. H e m us t h av e p la nn ed t o s te al P om pu s'

t hr on e f ro m t he v er y b eg in ni ng , a nd s -a -y h ow I

wish you'd caught that villain with his own magic,

t hou gh p ut ti ng P um pe r o ut of t he w ay w as a b ig

h el p. T he v er y i dea o f h im cal li ng K et ty wi g ' Ki ng '

ju st t o s av e h is o wn s il ly n ec k. T he v er y i de a! "

" I w on der w hat h e' s d oi ng n ow ," cal led R an dy ,

l yi ng f la t o n K ab um po 's b ac k t o e sc ap e t he s cr at ch in g

of the overhanging twigs and branches.

"Pretending to be King," sniffed the Elegant Elephant,



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lifting his trunk with huge scorn. "He's just

a p retend er p retend in g t o h is b us in es s . H ah ! W ai t

ti ll I g et m y t ru nk o n t he f el lo w! " I ncreas in g h is

pace, Kabumpo went crashing through the underbrush,

t oo ang ry f or f ur th er s peech , and p res en tl y

t he y c am e t o a n i rr eg ul ar c le ar ing i n t he f or es t. A t

t h e f ur th es t end s to od a s mall , m ean- lo ok in g h ut .

"Who lives here?" inquired Randy, sitting up curiously

a s Ka bump o c am e t o a s udde n s top.

"Faleero!" answered Kabumpo, speaking quietly

o ut o f t he c or ne r o f h is m ou th . " Th e F ai ry P ri nc es s

o f F ol le ns hy F or es t. S ha ll w e d ro p i n a nd p ay o ur

r es pects , m y b oy ?"

" No t u nl es s y ou w an t t o, " chu ck led R an dy , f or t he

l as t t im e t he y h ad s ee n F al ee ro s he h ad n ot o nl y t ri ed

t o hit t hem wit h a bundle of net tle s, but had

s creech ed s o l ou d and f ears om el y t hat t he E legant

E le ph an t h ad t ak en t o h is h ee ls .

"Well," snickered Kabumpo, "I, myself, have no

d es ir e t o s ee h er h id eo us o ld H ig hn es s, b ut i f s he i s

o ut , w e m ig ht f in d s om e f oo d i n t he r oy al h ov el . A ny way

l et 's h ave a l ook. " I n s pi te of hi s gr ea t s iz e

Kabu mp o cou ld m ov e w it ho ut a s ou nd , and s tepp in g

s of tl y t o t he b ac k wi nd ow , he a nd R an dy p ee re d i n.

"Why, there's Nishibis!" shuddered Randy, grasping

h i s s wo rd .



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"Sh-hh!" warned Kabumpo, pressing closer to

t he w in do w. I t w as s tr an ge e nou gh t o f in d t he r as ca ll y

m a gi ci an i n F al ee ro 's h ut , b ut a s t he t wo l oo ke d

anxiously through the glass an even stranger thing

h ap pened. S nat ch in g o ff h is p eaked h at and s pectacles

and clapping his bony hands together, Nishibis

gave three piercing screeches. Immediately three

b en t o ld c ro ne s h ob bl ed b ri sk ly i nt o t he r oo m. T he

f ir st t oo k t he w iz ar d' s c lo ak , t he s ec on d p ul le d o ff

th e w iz ar d' s b ea rd , t he t hi rd t os se d h is b lu e b ag

i nt o t he c or ne r, a nd t he w iz ar d, n o l on ge r a w iz ar d

b ut a w iz en ed a nd a nc ie nt o ld l ad y, b eg an t o h op ,

s ki p a nd p ra nc e i n c ra zy c ir cl es , y el li ng a t t he t op o f

h er cr acked and d is agr eeabl e v oi ce:

" Dr in k t o m y h ap pi ness , d ri nk , o h, d ri nk ,

F or I 'm t o b e Q ue en o f P um pe rdi nk !

D a nc e t o m y h ap pi ne ss , d an ce a nd j ig ;

Faleero shall marry King Kettywig !"

"Faleero!" gulped Kabumpo, clapping his trunk

to h is f or eh ea d a s t he f ou r o ld w it ch es c on ti nu ed t o

d an ce and cap er abo ut i n t he f ir el ig ht .

"N o w on der I k new t hat w izar d' s v oi ce," exclaim ed

R an dy . " Re me mb er t he d ay s he c ha se d u s, K ab um po ?



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W hy , s he j us t p re te nd ed t o b e a m ag ic ia n! "

" Bu t s he cer tain ly k no ws h er m ag ic! G reat

G ru mp ! J us t l oo k a t t he o ld f ur y! S he a nd K et ty wi g

m us t h av e p lann ed t hi s f ro m t he v er y f ir st . W el l,

I wi sh hi m j oy of his ba rgai n. W ha t a que en! Wha t

a ki ng ! W ha t a m ix- up! "

" Wh o are t ho se o th er o ld w om en ?" q ueri ed R an dy ,

p ress in g h is n os e again st t he g lass .

" Ladi es i n w ai ti ng t o h er M aj es ty ," ans wered

Kabumpo, with a little sniff.

"T he y l ook a s i f t he y h ad b ee n w ai ti ng a l on g

time," said Randy, lowering his head cautiously.

" Ar e w e g oi ng i n?"

" No t i n, on ," s ai d K abu mp o gr im ly , " on a nd o n

and-on, till we're entirely out of this mischievous

f or es t. N o u se t ackl in g F al eero w it ho ut any m ag ic,"

and swinging noiselessly away from the Royal Hut

K ab um po p lu ng ed again i nt o t he d eep and i mp en et rabl e f or es t.

" Faleer o' s b een f ur io us ever s in ce P om pa m ar ri ed

Peg Amy," confided the Elegant Elephant, shouldering

h is w ay t hr ou gh a d ens e t an gl e o f v ine s a nd

u nd er br us h. " Bu t I n ev er t ho ug ht s he w ou ld d o u s

a ny a ct ua l h ar m. I t el l y ou , m y b oy , i t' s a d an ge ro us

t hi ng t o o ff en d a f ai ry , esp eciall y an o ld f ai ry ."

" Sh e d oe sn 't s ee m m uc h l ik e a f ai ry t o m e, " s ig he d

Randy, settling himself comfortably between the



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El eg an t E leph an t' s ear s. " Bu t t hen, I s up po se t here

a re b ad f ai ri es a s w el l a s go od on es ." Ka bu mpo

mournfully agreed that there were. Then, lifting

h is t ru nk , h e s ud denl y cam e t o a com pl et e s tand st il l.

"Someone's coming," he announced uneasily.

Ra nd y c oul d no t he ar a s oun d a nd w as a bou t t o t el l

K ab um po h e m us t s ur el y b e m is ta ke n, w he n a t al l

w ei rd f ig ur e i n a d ar k c lo ak s pr an g o ut o f t he g lo om .

" So ot h! S oo th ! S oo th !" cri ed t he s tr ang er , i n a

loud and challenging voice. "Sooth! Sooth! Sooth!"

"W hy d o y ou cry ' so ot h' ?" r um bl ed t he E legant

Elephant irritably.

" Be ca us e I a m a s oo th sa ye r, " s ta te d t he f el lo w,

ex tend in g b ot h arm s. " So ot h! S oo th ! S oo th ! "

"Oh, bother such stuff and nonsense!" exclaimed

K ab um po , s wayi ng i rr it ab ly t o and f ro . " If y ou h av e

a ny th in g t o s oo th sa y, f or G ru mp 's s ak e s ay i t! W e

a re i n a hurr y, a gr ea t hurr y! "

" An eleph an t i s alw ay s g reat , w heth er h e h ur ri es

or not," replied the soothsayer soothingly. "And just

pe rm it m e t o ob se rve t ha t t he re i s no d oo r a g ol de n

k ey w il l n ot o pen. "

" Bu t t her e i sn 't any d oo r ar ou nd h er e," o bj ect ed

l eani ng o ver t o l oo k m or e clo sely at t he s oo th sayer.

K abu mp o, h ow ever , s eem ed t o u nd er s tan d



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p er fect ly w hat w as w an ted and w as alr eady f um bl in g

w it h his t runk i n t he poc ke t of his ro be .

"Here," he said, not ungraciously, holding out to

t he s oo th sayer a h ug e and g leam in g p earl . " Un lo ck

t h e d oo rs o f y ou r s oo th sayi ng m in d and t el l u s s om et hi ng

really useful."

"Ah !" smiled the stranger, greedily pocketing the

j e we l. " Yo u d ro p p ea rl s o f w is do m w he n y ou s pe ak .

T h en h ar ke n a nd h ea r y e:

"A p er so n o f h ig h r an k and ext reme i mp or tance

is t raveli ng t ow ar d t he E merald C it y o f O z. "

"Everyone around here knows me," muttered Kabumpo,

i n a p leased asi de t o R an dy . " Ev er yb od y! "

" I w as n ot r ef er ri ng t o y ou r r oy al s el f, " s ni ff ed

t he s o ot hs ayer , w ho h ad o ver heard K abu mp o' s

w hi sp er . W it h a p ro vo ki ng w in k at R an dy h e f ol ded

h is a rm s a nd be ga n t o b ac k a wa y i nt o t he f or es t,

an d b ef or e t he E legant E leph an t h ad r ecov er ed f ro m

h is s ho ck and d is pl eas ur e, h e s po ke agai n.

" In t he c as tl e o f t he Re d J inn y ou wi ll f ind w ha t

y ou s ee k. H e, a lo ne , c an h el p y ou ." A s K ab um po

a n d R an dy s ta re d a t h im i n ut te r a ma ze me nt h e

d is ap pe ar ed b et we en t he t re es b ut a ft er a s ho rt

s il en ce h is m ocki ng v oi ce cam e f lo at in g b ack t o t hem:

"St ep by s te p on e goe s a l ong w ay ."

" Oooh ! I wond er ho w l ong a w ay i t i s? " b re at he d



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R an dy , l oo ki ng a t t he s po t w he re t he s oo th sa ye r h ad

b ee n. " Oh , K ab um po , d o y ou s up po se t he K in g a nd

h is f am il y a re r ea ll y i n t he c as tl e of t he Re d J inn ?

Then a ll we ha ve t o do is f ind the Re d J inn."

" B ut w e d on 't e ve n k no w w he re h e i s, " b lu st er ed

t he E legant E leph an t, f or gett in g t hat h e h ad b een

i n su lt ed . " St il l, i f h e' s a R ed J in n- ." K ab um po b eg an

t o m ov e s wi ft ly i n t he d ir ecti on t he s oo th sayer

ha d t ake n. " If he 's a Re d J inn hi s c as tl e mus t

be i n t he Q ua dl in g C ou nt ry , f or t ha t i s t he r ed de st

K in gd om i n O z. E very th in g i s r ed t here, even t he

b lu es t b oo ks ." T ru mp et in g w it h p leas ur e at h is o wn

clevern es s, K ab um po f lu ng f or ward at s uch a p ace

that Randy ha d a ll he coul d do t o s ta y a boa rd a nd

no br ea th a t a ll t o a sk q ue st io ns .

" ' St ep b y s te p, ' d id h e s ay ?" K ab um po b el lo we d

g leef ul ly . " Well , h er e w e g o s tep b y s tepp in g! "

C HA PT ER 5

T he R iv er R oad

T HO UG H R an dy h ad n o b re at h t o s pe ak, h e w as

d oi ng a h ea p o f t hi nk in g a s K ab um po r us he d

recklessly through Follensby Forest. Like all the



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o th er b oy s i n t he w on de rf ul K in gd om o f O z h e h ad

s tu di ed h is g eo zi fy and h oztr y, as t hey cal l g eo gr ap hy

and h is to ry i n t hat m er ry and m ag ical cou nt ry . H e

k ne w t ha t O z w as r ul ed b y O zm a, a l ov el y g ir l f ai ry

in t he f am ou s E merald C it y. A nd alt ho ug h h e h ad

n ev er v is it ed t he cap it al h im self , h e k new t hat i t w as

i n t he e xa ct c en te r o f t he K in gd om j us t w he re t he

f ou r t ri an gu lar cou nt ri es o f t he r ealm m et . T he

n or th er nm os t cou nt ry o f O z, w here R an dy l iv ed , w as

the Gilliken or purple country, the western dominions

of Oz we re t he Bl ue L ands of t he M unc hki ns . To t he

e as t l ay t he y el lo w W in ki e K in gdo m a nd t o t he

s ou th t he r ed l an ds o f t he Q uadl in gs . A ll t hese cou nt ri es

h ave t heir o wn r ul er s b ut all f ou r s ov er ei gn s

a re s ubj ec t t o O zm a, w ho i s t he Su pr eme R ul er o f

t hem all . A s P um perd in k w as i n t he n or th cen tr al

p ar t o f t he G il li ken C ou nt ry , R an dy r eali zed t hat

th ey m us t t ravel s ou th t o r each t he Q uadl in g C ou nt ry

a nd i n t ha t g ay r ed K in gd om s ea rc h f or t he c as tl e

o f t he Re d J inn.

I t w as all v er y excit in g and m ys teri ou s, and R an dy

h eart il y h op ed ' th ey w ou ld p as s t hr ou gh t he E merald

C it y on t he ir w ay s out h a nd s ee t he Sc ar ec row , t he

T i n W oo dm an a nd s om e o f t he o th er f am ou s

cel eb ri ti es at O zm a' s cou rt . P er haps t hey w ou ld v is it

t he p al ac e o f G li nd a, t he G oo d S or ce re ss o f t he S ou th



41/198

and r ul er o f t he Q uadl in gs . G li nd a w ou ld s ur el y

k no w s om et hi ng o f t he R ed J in n. T he v er y s ou nd

of a Re d J inn f as ci na te d R and y, a nd j us t a s h e wa s

p ictu ri ng t o h im self h ow a J in n m ig ht l oo k, K ab um po

g av e a l it tl e e xt ra s pu rt o f s pe ed t ha t c ar ri ed t he m

e nt ir el y o ut o f t he d is ma l f or es t. F or a m om en t t he

s uns hi ne m ad e t he m b ot h bl ink , b ut a s t he y gr ew

m or e accus to med t o t he b ri gh tn es s t hey s aw t hat

t hey w er e s ti ll i n t he l an d o f t he G il li kens . T he f ield s

w er e t in ged w it h p ur pl e, p ur pl e f lags and v io lets

c lu st er ed a ro un d t he r oo ts o f t he t re es a nd g ra pe

ar bo rs and p l um o rchar ds w er e ever yw her e.

Panting a little from his tiring run, Kabumpo

m ov ed alo ng m or e s lo wl y, l oo ki ng t o t he r ig ht and

l ef t f or f am il iar l an dm ar ks . T here w er e n o t ow ns

o r v il la ge s i n s ig ht , bu t o n t he o th er s ide of a s ma ll

hill three roads branched off in different directions.

"Now, which road?" pondered the Elegant Elephant,

swaying uncertainly from side to side. "Which

road woul d be bes t? " As he did not ha ve hi s s pe cs

a nd a s t he s ig ns we re t oo l ow f or hi m t o r ea d a ny wa y,

h e s na tc he d t he f ir st s ig n o ut b y t he r oo ts

and he ld it up for Randy to rea d.

" Th is w ay t o t he r iv er ," r ead R an dy p ro mp tl y.

T h ro wi ng d ow n t he f ir st s ig n K ab um po s tepp ed o ver



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t o t he ne xt r oa d a nd j er ke d up t he s ec ond.

" Th at w ay t o t he r iv er ," r ea d R an dy i n s om e s ur pr is e,

a nd w he n K ab um po ha d t or n u p t he t hi rd

s ig n t hey b ot h f el t r at her p ro vo ked.

" Th e o the r w ay t o t he r iv er ," s ta te d t he t hi rd s ig n

contrarily.

" We ll , w ho w an ts t o g o t o t he r iv er ?" g ru mb le d

the Elegant Elephant discontentedly. "Still," he

flapped his ears thoughtfully, "rivers usually go some

p l ac e a nd i t wi ll be s om et hi ng t o d ri nk a nd w as h i n. "

"Yes," agreed Randy not very enthusiastically,

" bu t w hi ch w ay s ha ll w e g o, K ab um po , t hi s w ay ,

t ha t w ay , o r t he o th er w ay ?" K ab um po s qu in te d

u nc er ta in ly a t t he t hr ee r oa ds . T he n, a s t he y a ll

we nt i n a m or e o r l es s s ou th er ly d ir ec ti on , h e t os se d

u p R an dy 's s wo rd t o d ec id e t he m at te r.

" Po in t f or ' th is w ay ,' h il t f or ' th at w ay ,' a nd b la de

for 'the other'," announced Kabumpo, flinging the

j ew el ed w ea po n h ig h i nt o t he a ir . T he s wo rd e mb ed de d

i ts el f p oi nt do wn i n t he e xa ct c en te r o f " th is

w ay s o, r es to ri ng i t t o R an dy , t he E legant E leph an t

s tart ed cau ti ou sl y d ow n t he f ir st r oad. T here

w as n ot hi ng r em ar kabl e abo ut " th is w ay ," b ut aft er

t he d ar k, t an gl ed f or est , i t s eem ed v er y p leas ant

and i nt er es ti ng t o t he t wo t ravelers . T al ki ng o f o ne

thing and another, but mostly of the unexpected happenings



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in Pumperdink, they proceeded comfortably

e no ug h, R an dy s ta nd in g up n ow a nd t he n t o p lu ck

a pl um f rom t he t re es t ha t l ine d t he r oa dwa y, or t o

l oo k f or s ig ns o f a c as tl e o r c ot ta ge w he re t he y m ig ht

s to p f or l un ch . A bo ut n oo n t he y c am e t o a s ig n l ar ge

eno ug h f or even K ab um po t o r ead. " RI VE R R OA D"

s ai d t he s ig n i n s pl as hy p ur pl e l et ters .

" Ps haw! W e k new t hat alr eady ," s ni ff ed K ab um po .

" And i t' s a bout ti me we got t o t his r ive r, i f you a sk me ."

R an dy s ai d n ot hi ng , b ut l oo ki ng o ut o ver K ab um po 's

e ar s h e n ot ic ed t ha t t he r oa d h ad w id en ed

con si derabl y. I t s eemed t o t he G il li ken b oy t hat t he

r oad b ed w as m ov in g and chu rn in g abo ut , b ut t hi nk in g

i t w as t he r ef le ct ion o f t he s un on t he g le am ing

p u rp le s an ds , h e s ai d n ot hi ng , a nd w it h a w ea ry

sigh Kabumpo resignedly pushed forward. But

s ca rc el y h ad h e go ne s ix s te ps be for e he h ad s un k

t o h is s hou ld er s i n t he R ive r R oa d a nd n ext i ns ta nt

t he r oa d i n a g re at w av e r os e a nd r ol le d c om pl et el y

over them. Gasping and choking Randy clutched

Ka bu mp o' s j ew el ed c ol la r. A s h e d id s o K ab um po

g ot hi s he ad u p.

"The river!" coughed the Elegant Elephant, wrathfully

s pu rt in g o ut t he b ar re l o f w at er h e h ad s wa ll ow ed .

"Not a r oa d at al l! It 's a ri ve r road." And



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s o i t w as , a t um bl in g r us hi ng t or re nt o f p ur pl e w at er

t ha t s we pt t he gr ea t e le pha nt a long a s i f he ha d

b ee n a m at ch s ti ck. N o m at te r ho w ha rd h e t ri ed

t o s wi m t ow ar d t he s ho re h e w as i mm ed ia te ly c ar ri ed

out i nt o t he c en te r a nd a bou t a ll he c ou ld do

w as t o k ee p h is o wn h ea d a nd R an dy 's a bo ve w at er .

E very t im e K ab um po t ri ed t o t al k, g al lo ns o f r iv er

r us he d d ow n h is t hr oa t, s o he f in al ly ga ve u p t he

att em pt . H e h ad alr eady s wall ow ed s ev er al s mall

f is h a nd wh en h e t ho ugh t w ha t t he r iv er wa s d oi ng

t o hi s r obe s a nd w ha t a f igur e he wou ld c ut w he n he

g ot o ut , h e g ro an ed w it h d is may and w retchedn es s.

" Oh, w hy di dn 't w e go ' th at wa y' -o r ' the ot he r

w ay '- an y w ay b ut ' th is w ay '? " c ho ke d t he p oo r e le ph an t,

struggling grimly with the treacherous current

t ha t r ol le d h im a bo ut l ik e a l og . R an dy , a s w et

and m is er abl e as K ab um po , h un g o n d es perat el y,

bracing himself against the frequent duckings and

wo nd er in g h ow m uc h m or e h e c ou ld s ta nd . J us t a s h e

h ad d ec id ed t hi ng s w er e a s b ad a s t he y c ou ld p os si bl y

b e, t he y g re w t er ri bl y w or se . W ar ne d b y a t hu nd er ou s

r oa r t ha t t he re w er e r ap id s a he ad , b ut u na bl e

t o s to p o r h el p t he ms el ve s, R an dy a nd K ab um po

went hurling over a tremendous waterfall, down,

d ow n, d ow n, t il l t he re a ct ua ll y s ee me d n o e nd t o t he

d rop . H ow t he b oy ke pt h is h ol d on K ab um po 's



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c ol la r I c an not i ma gi ne , n or c ou ld he h av e t ol d y ou

himself, but when, bruised, battered and half drowning,

h e o pe ne d h is e ye s, h e a nd t he E le ga nt E le ph an t

were still together. Kabumpo, puffing and blowing

l ik e a p or po is e, w as d es perately f ig ht in g t he t reachero us r iv er .

But now it was a fight in the dark, for the river had

plunged underground and was carrying them

th ro ug h h ol lo w and ech oi ng cav er ns o f r ock and

cr ys ta l. I f y ou h av e e ve r b ee n i n a s ce ni c r ai lw ay

and s ho t s ud denl y i nt o i t s b lack, caver no us r ecess es,

yo u c an , i n a s ma ll w ay , i ma gi ne h ow R an dy f el t.

O nl y y ou w ou ld h av e t o m ul ti pl y t hat f eeli ng b y a

t ho us an d, f or w hi le s ceni c r ai lw ay s are s ur e t o end ,

t he E legant E leph an t and h is d renched l it tl e r id er

h ad n o i de a. a t a ll w he re t he u nd er gr ou nd r iv er w as

t ak in g t hem, o r w heth er t hey w ou ld ever s ee d ay li gh t

a ga in . I nd ee d, t he y w er e s o b re at hl es s a nd s ha ke n

b y t heir t um bl e d ow n t he w at er fall t hat t hey h ar dl y

n ot ic ed t ha t t he c ur re nt h ad g ro wn c al me r, a nd

K ab um po r ol le d a lo ng f or a lm os t a m il e be fo re h e

r eali zed t hat w it h a l it tl e eff or t h e cou ld eas il y r each

t h e s h or e.

T he n, t oo , a s t he ir e ye s g re w m or e a cc us to me d t o

t h e d im d ar kn es s o f t he u nd er -e ar th , t he y c ou ld s ee

t ha t i t w as n ot a bs ol ut el y b la ck , b ut a m is ty g re y.



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O v erh ead p oi nt ed s t al act it es o f cry st al and b as al t

t hr us t t heir d an ger ou s s pi kes d ow nw ar d. E ach s i de

of t he r iv er w as l in ed w it h t he s am e s ha rp c ry st al

r o cks . K ab um po , s pl as hi ng t ow ar d t he r ig ht b an k,

l oo ke d w or ri ed ly f or a p la ce w he re h e c ou ld l an d

without puncturing himself. At last he sighted a

s tr et ch o f s mo ot h b la ck r oc k a lm os t l ev el w it h t he

r iv er and w it h a h ug e g ru nt h oi st ed h im self u p and

out of the mischievous stream.

"Something to drink and wash in," shuddered

K abu mp o, g iv in g h im self a cau ti ou s s hake s o as

no t t o un se at R an dy. " I w as n ev er s o s ic k of wa te r,

ins ide and out, i n my l if e. I fe el l ike a s ponge a nd

an a qu ar iu m. E r- ra h! A f in e p la ce t hi s i s! W e

m ig ht j us t as w el l h av e d is ap pear ed w it h t he K in g.

B r- rah ! "

"I'm c-c-cold," shivered Randy, sliding down Kabumpo's

tr un k a nd t ry in g t o s qu ee ze t he w at er o ut o f h is c lo th es .

"Me too!" grunted the Elegant Elephant, trying

t o b ea t h im se lf i n t he c he st w it h h is t runk , " and i f

m y t us ks w er en 't s o f ar a pa rt t he y' d c ha tt er , a nd I 'm

h un gr y eno ug h t o eat m on key m eat. "

" El ep ha nt s d on 't e at m ea t. " R an dy h ad t o g ri n a t

Kabumpo's savage expression.

" No , t he y d on 't e at m ea t a nd t he y h at e m on ke ys ,

but I' m so s ta rved t ha t i f I sa w a monke y, I 'd e at



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i t l ik e t hat! " S napp in g h is t ru nk , K ab um po b eg an

t o r un a rou nd i n a c ir cl e, w it h R an dy r ig ht b eh in d

him.

A f te r t he t ent h r oun d t he y f el t a l it tl e be tt er a nd

be ga n t o e xa mi ne t he s tr an ge c av er n. T he r oc k o n

w hi ch t he y h ad l an de d w as t he o nl y s af e p la ce f or

Kabumpo t o t re ad, f or a s f ar as the y c ould se e i n

b ot h d ir ec ti on s t he r iv er w as e dg ed w it h t he s ha rp

a nd n ee dl e- po in te d c ry st al s. A t t he b ac k o f t he r oc k

a sheer wall of metal rose to the top of the long,

d im p as sageway. T ip to ei ng o ver t o t hi s w al l, R an dy

g av e i t an exp er im en tal t ap w it h h is k nu ck les and

fo un d t o h is s ur pr is e t ha t t he w al l w as q ui te h ot .

H e c al le d K ab um po a nd t he y b ot h p re ss ed a ga in st

it a s hard as they could in an endeavor t o get wa rm

an d d ry . I n f ac t, t he E le ga nt E le ph an t p re ss ed s o

h ar d t ha t t he wa ll , w it h a g re at gr ind a nd c re ak,

sw ay ed i nw ar d, and b ef or e y ou cou ld s ay O zm op ot amu s

R an dy a nd K ab um po t um bl ed o ve r o n t he

o t her s i de.

I t m us t h av e b ee n a d oo r! " e xc la im ed R an dy ,

j um pi ng up a s f as t a s h e c ou ld. K ab um po w as l yi ng

o n h is b ac k, h is f ou r f ee t s ti ck in g up i n t he a ir ,

grunting and sputtering with disgust.

"Doornation!" raged the Elegant Elephant, lurching



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to his fe et. As he did s o, the me tal door swung

b ac k i nt o p la ce a nd t he y f ou nd t he ms el ve s s hu t u p

i n a h ug e, i ro n- wa ll ed c ha mb er . I n t he c en te r o f

th e r oc k f lo or a f ir e f ou nt ai n t hr ew s pr ay s o f s pa rk s

i nt o t he a ir a nd t o t he t wo c ol d a nd s hi ve ri ng a dv en tu re rs

the warmth seemed perfectly delicious.

" Wh er ev er d o y ou s up po se w e a re , K ab um po ?"

whispered Randy, looking fearfully around the great,

grim, empty room.

"Ask me again in five minutes," wheezed the Elegant

Elephant, making for the fire fountain with

l on g energ et ic s tr id es . I 'm g oi ng t o g et w ar m and

d ry . T he n m ay be I c an t hi nk o f s om et hi ng. A t a ny

r at e, i t' s b et te r i n h er e t ha n o ut si de ."

R an dy w as n' t s o s ur e, b ut f ol lo wi ng K ab um po 's

example he began drying himself at the fire fountain.

T he y w er e b ot h s o b us y t ur ni ng r ou nd a nd r ou nd

t h at n ei th er n ot iced t he o peni ng o f f if ty r ou nd d oo rs

i n t he i ro n w al l. A nd n ex t i ns ta nt w it h a r oa r t ha t

s ou nd ed l ik e t he exp lo si on o f f if ty g un s, t he i n-

h ab it an ts o f t he cav er n h ur led t hems el ves at t he

intruders. Snatching Randy up in his trunk, Kabumpo,

trembling in every leg, saw fifty projectiles

s haped l ik e t or pedo es com in g s tr ai gh t at t hem.

Tu rn in g s id ew ay s and h ol di ng R an dy s o as t o

p ro te ct h im b y h is o wn h ug e b od y K ab um po s hu dd er ed



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a nd c lo se d h is e ye s. H e c ou ld a lm os t f ee l t he

horrid missiles piercing his elegant hide. This, then,

wa s t he e nd . W ho n ow w ou ld r es cu e t he r oy al f am il y

o f P um perd in k o r s av e t he u nh ap py k in gd om f ro m

t he m is ru le o f F al ee ro a nd K et ty wi g? T hi s a nd a

hundred other gloomy thoughts flashed through the

Elegant Elephant's mind as he awaited destruction.

H e w as a st on is he d a t t he t im e i t w as t ak in g t he t or pe do es

t o r each and r id dl e h im . F in al ly , u nabl e t o

b ea r t he s us pe ns e a ny l on ge r, h e o pe ne d o ne e ye

and glanced wildly over his shoulder.

C HA PT ER 6

Torpedora, the Glorious

I N a n ea t a nd p re ci se r ow , f if ty t or pe do es s to od

u p ri gh t b ef or e h im . N ot m er el y t or pedo es , b ut

t o r pedo men and w om en . T hey h ad s tr on g, s mo ot h

i ro n- cl ad b od ie s w it h n o l eg s o r f ee t, b ut t he ir f ir e

arm s w er e h el d clo se t o t heir cyl in dr ical s id es , and

their heads ended in sharp, dangerous-looking points.

Th ei r b lack and s hi ni ng f aces w er e n ei th er cru el n or

f er ocio us , and t aki ng h ear t, K ab um po s et R an dy

do wn be si de h im . A s h e di d s o, t he t or pe do i n t he



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ce nt er o f t he l in e h op pe d o ut .

"Speak!" commanded this curious being in a succession

of explosions and sulphurous sputters.

"Speak and explain yourselves before we simply

explode with laughter,"

"Don't explode!" begged the Elegant Elephant,

backing away hastily. "Don't explode and I'll explain

everything."

" Do y ou -exp lo de o ft en ?" as ked R an dy , as K ab um po

c ast about in hi s mind for a good way to

begin his explanations.

" On ly o nc e, " h is se d t he t or pe do ma n a t t he e nd o f

the line, looking at the boy meaningfully; and the

Elegant Elephant, fearing that Randy's youth and

inexperience might get them into serious trouble,

h ur ri ed ly t oo k t he con vers at io n i nt o h is o wn t ru nk .

" Wh om h av e I t he h on or of a dd re ss in g? " h e b eg an

im po rt an tl y w it h a g raci ou s n od t ow ar d t he l in e o f

torpedoes.

"Torpedora the Glorious of Torpedo Town!"

s ho ut ed t he i ro n m en s o l us ti ly t hat t heir b reat h

f i ll ed t he cav e w it h s mo ke and s ul ph ur .

"Ah-hhh!: choked Kabumpo, tears pouring down

b ot h c he ek s f ro m t he a cr id s mo ke . H e c ou ld j us t

m ake o ut t he i ro n p et ti co at and cro wn t hat d is ti ng ui sh ed

T or pedo r a f r om h er s ub jects . " We h er eby



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salute your Torpedojesty!" He raised his trunk impressively,

f or t he E legant E leph an t h ad h ad g reat

exp er ience w it h r oy al p er so nages. " We s al ut e y ou r

T o rp ed oj es ty and crave t he k in d i nd ul gence o f y ou r

attention and the hospitality of your court."

" Ha ve we a

The Purple Prince of Oz - L. Frank Baum

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