they were silent and respectful, for our adventurers were not annoyed,
as before, by their impudent laughter. Really the Nomes had nothing to
laugh at, since the defeat of their King.
On the other side they found Ozma's golden chariot, standing as they had
left it. Soon the Lion and the Tiger were harnessed to the beautiful
chariot, in which was enough room for Ozma and the Queen and six of the
royal children.
Little Evring preferred to ride with Dorothy upon the Sawhorse, which
had a long back. The Prince had recovered from his shyness and had
become very fond of the girl who had rescued him, so they were fast
friends and chatted pleasantly together as they rode along. Billina was
also perched upon the head of the wooden steed, which seemed not to mind
the added weight in the least, and the boy was full of wonder that a hen
could talk, and say such sensible things.
When they came to the gulf, Ozma's magic carpet carried them all over in
safety; and now they began to pass the trees, in which birds were
singing; and the breeze that was wafted to them from the farms of Ev was
spicy with flowers and new-mown hay; and the sunshine fell full upon
them, to warm them and drive away from their bodies the chill and
dampness of the underground kingdom of the Nomes.
"I would be quite content," said the Scarecrow to Tiktok, "were only the
Tin Woodman with us. But it breaks my heart to leave him behind."
"He was a fine fel-low," replied Tiktok, "al-though his ma-ter-i-al was
not ve-ry du-ra-ble."
"Oh, tin is an excellent material," the Scarecrow hastened to say; "and
if anything ever happened to poor Nick Chopper he was always easily
soldered. Besides, he did not have to be wound up, and was not liable
to get out of order."
"I some-times wish," said Tiktok, "that I was stuffed with straw, as you
are. It is hard to be made of cop-per."
"I have no reason to complain of my lot," replied the Scarecrow. "A
little fresh straw, now and then, makes me as good as new. But I can
never be the polished gentleman that my poor departed friend, the Tin
Woodman, was."
You may be sure the royal children of Ev and their Queen mother were
delighted at seeing again their beloved country; and when the towers of
the palace of Ev came into view they could not forbear cheering at the
sight. Little Evring, riding in front of Dorothy, was so overjoyed that
he took a curious tin whistle from his pocket and blew a shrill blast
that made the Sawhorse leap and prance in sudden alarm.
"What is that?" asked Billina, who had been obliged to flutter her wings
in order to keep her seat upon the head of the frightened Sawhorse.
"That's my whistle," said Prince Evring, holding it out upon his hand.
It was in the shape of a little fat pig, made of tin and painted green.
The whistle was in the tail of the pig.
"Where did you get it?" asked the yellow hen, closely examining the toy
with her bright eyes.
"Why, I picked it up in the Nome King's palace, while Dorothy was making
her guesses, and I put it in my pocket," answered the little Prince.
[Illustration]
Billina laughed; or at least she made the peculiar cackle that served
her for a laugh.
"No wonder I couldn't find the Tin Woodman," she said; "and no wonder the
magic belt didn't make him appear, or the King couldn't find him,
either!"
"What do you mean?" questioned Dorothy.
"Why, the Prince had him in his pocket," cried Billina, cackling again.
"I did not!" protested little Evring. "I only took the whistle."
"Well, then, watch me," returned the hen, and reaching out a claw she
touched the whistle and said "Ev."
Swish!
"Good afternoon," said the Tin Woodman, taking off his funnel cap and
bowing to Dorothy and the Prince. "I think I must have been asleep for
the first time since I was made of tin, for I do not remember our
leaving the Nome King."
"You have been enchanted," answered the girl, throwing an arm around her
old friend and hugging him tight in her joy. "But it's all right, now."
"I want my whistle!" said the little Prince, beginning to cry.
"Hush!" cautioned Billina. "The whistle is lost, but you may have
another when you get home."
[Illustration: "YOUR FUTURE RULER, KING EVARDO FIFTEENTH"]
The Scarecrow had fairly thrown himself upon the bosom of his old
comrade, so surprised and delighted was he to see him again, and Tiktok
squeezed the Tin Woodman's hand so earnestly that he dented some of his
fingers. Then they had to make way for Ozma to welcome the tin man,
and the army caught sight of him and set up a cheer, and everybody was
delighted and happy.
For the Tin Woodman was a great favorite with all who knew him, and his
sudden recovery after they had thought he was lost to them forever was
indeed a pleasant surprise.
Before long, the cavalcade arrived at the royal palace, where a great
crowd of people had gathered to welcome their Queen and her ten
children. There was much shouting and cheering, and the people threw
flowers in their path, and every face wore a happy smile.
They found the Princess Langwidere in her mirrored chamber, where she
was admiring one of her handsomest heads--one with rich chestnut hair,
dreamy walnut eyes and a shapely hickorynut nose. She was very glad to
be relieved of her duties to the people of Ev, and the Queen graciously
permitted her to retain her rooms and her cabinet of heads as long as
she lived.
Then the Queen took her eldest son out upon a balcony that overlooked
the crowd of subjects gathered below, and said to them:
"Here is your future ruler, King Evardo Fifteenth. He is fifteen years
of age, has fifteen silver buckles on his jacket and is the fifteenth
Evardo to rule the land of Ev."
The people shouted their approval fifteen times, and even the Wheelers,
some of whom were present, loudly promised to obey the new King.
So the Queen placed a big crown of gold, set with rubies, upon Evardo's
head, and threw an ermine robe over his shoulders, and proclaimed him
King; and he bowed gratefully to all his subjects and then went away to
see if he could find any cake in the royal pantry.
Ozma of Oz and her people, as well as Dorothy, Tiktok and Billina, were
splendidly entertained by the Queen mother, who owed all her happiness
to their kind offices; and that evening the yellow hen was publicly
presented with a beautiful necklace of pearls and sapphires, as a token
of esteem from the new King.
[Illustration]
The Emerald City
[Illustration]
Dorothy decided to accept Ozma's invitation to return with her to the
Land of Oz. There was no greater chance of her getting home from Ev than
from Oz, and the little girl was anxious to see once more the country
where she had encountered such wonderful adventures. By this time Uncle
Henry would have reached Australia in his ship, and had probably given
her up for lost; so he couldn't worry any more than he did if she stayed
away from him a while longer. So she would go to Oz.
They bade good-bye to the people of Ev, and the King promised Ozma that
he would ever be grateful to her and render the Land of Oz any service
that might lie within his power.
And then they approached the edge of the dangerous desert, and Ozma
threw down the magic carpet, which at once unrolled far enough for all
of them to walk upon it without being crowded.
Tiktok, claiming to be Dorothy's faithful follower because he belonged
to her, had been permitted to join the party, and before they started
the girl wound up his machinery as far as possible, and the copper man
stepped off as briskly as any one of them.
Ozma also invited Billina to visit the Land of Oz, and the yellow hen
was glad enough to go where new sights and scenes awaited her.
They began the trip across the desert early in the morning, and as they
stopped only long enough for Billina to lay her daily egg, before sunset
they espied the green slopes and wooded hills of the beautiful Land of
Oz. They entered it in the Munchkin territory, and the King of the
Munchkins met them at the border and welcomed Ozma with great respect,
being very pleased by her safe return. For Ozma of Oz ruled the King of
the Munchkins, the King of the Winkies, the King of the Quadlings and
the King of the Gillikins just as those kings ruled their own people;
and this supreme ruler of the Land of Oz lived in a great town of her
own, called the Emerald City, which was in the exact center of the four
kingdoms of the Land of Oz.
The Munchkin king entertained them at his palace that night, and in the
morning they set out for the Emerald City, travelling over a road of
yellow brick that led straight to the jewel-studded gates. Everywhere
the people turned out to greet their beloved Ozma and to hail joyfully
the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion, who were popular
favorites. Dorothy, too, remembered some of the people, who had
befriended her on the occasion of her first visit to Oz, and they were
well pleased to see the little Kansas girl again, and showered her with
compliments and good wishes.
At one place, where they stopped to refresh themselves, Ozma accepted a
bowl of milk from the hands of a pretty dairy-maid. Then she looked at
the girl more closely, and exclaimed:
"Why, it's Jinjur--isn't it!"
"Yes, your Highness," was the reply, as Jinjur dropped a low curtsy. And
Dorothy looked wonderingly at this lively appearing person, who had once
assembled an army of women and driven the Scarecrow from the throne of
the Emerald City, and even fought a battle with the powerful army of
Glinda the Sorceress.
"I've married a man who owns nine cows," said Jinjur to Ozma, "and now I
am happy and contented and willing to lead a quiet life and mind my own
business."
[Illustration]
"Where is your husband?" asked Ozma.
"He is in the house, nursing a black eye," replied Jinjur, calmly. "The
foolish man would insist upon milking the red cow when I wanted him to
milk the white one; but he will know better next time, I am sure."
Then the party moved on again, and after crossing a broad river on a
ferry and passing many fine farm houses that were dome shaped and
painted a pretty green color, they came in sight of a large building
that was covered with flags and bunting.
"I don't remember that building," said Dorothy. "What is it?"
"That is the College of Art and Athletic Perfection," replied Ozma. "I
had it built quite recently, and the Woggle-Bug is its president. It
keeps him busy, and the young men who attend the college are no worse
off than they were before. You see, in this country are a number of
youths who do not like to work, and the college is an excellent place
for them."
And now they came in sight of the Emerald City, and the people flocked
out to greet their lovely ruler. There were several bands and many
officers and officials of the realm, and a crowd of citizens in their
holiday attire.
Thus the beautiful Ozma was escorted by a brilliant procession to her
royal city, and so great was the cheering that she was obliged to
constantly bow to the right and left to acknowledge the greetings of her
subjects.
[Illustration: "I PROMOTE YOU TO BE CAPTAIN-GENERAL"]
That evening there was a grand reception in the royal palace, attended
by the most important persons of Oz, and Jack Pumpkinhead, who was a
little over-ripe but still active, read an address congratulating Ozma
of Oz upon the success of her generous mission to rescue the royal
family of a neighboring kingdom.
Then magnificent gold medals set with precious stones were presented to
each of the twenty-six officers; and the Tin Woodman was given a new axe
studded with diamonds; and the Scarecrow received a silver jar of
complexion powder. Dorothy was presented with a pretty coronet and made
a Princess of Oz, and Tiktok received two bracelets set with eight rows
of very clear and sparkling emeralds.
Afterward they sat down to a splendid feast, and Ozma put Dorothy at her
right and Billina at her left, where the hen sat upon a golden roost and
ate from a jeweled platter. Then were placed the Scarecrow, the Tin
Woodman and Tiktok, with baskets of lovely flowers before them, because
they did not require food. The twenty-six officers were at the lower end
of the table, and the Lion and the Tiger also had seats, and were served
on golden platters, that held a half a bushel at one time.
The wealthiest and most important citizens of the Emerald City were
proud to wait upon these famous adventurers, and they were assisted by a
sprightly little maid named Jellia Jamb, whom the Scarecrow pinched upon
her rosy cheeks and seemed to know very well.
During the feast Ozma grew thoughtful, and suddenly she asked:
"Where is the private?"
"Oh, he is sweeping out the barracks," replied one of the generals, who
was busy eating a leg of a turkey. "But I have ordered him a dish of
bread and molasses to eat when his work is done."
"Let him be sent for," said the girl ruler.
While they waited for this command to be obeyed, she enquired:
"Have we any other privates in the armies?"
"Oh, yes," replied the Tin Woodman, "I believe there are three,
altogether."
The private now entered, saluting his officers and the royal Ozma very
respectfully.
"What is your name, my man?" asked the girl.
"Omby Amby," answered the private.
"Then, Omby Amby," said she, "I promote you to be Captain General of all
the armies of my kingdom, and especially to be Commander of my Body
Guard at the royal palace."
"It is very expensive to hold so many offices," said the private,
hesitating. "I have no money with which to buy uniforms."
"You shall be supplied from the royal treasury," said Ozma.
Then the private was given a seat at the table, where the other officers
welcomed him cordially, and the feasting and merriment were resumed.
Suddenly Jellia Jamb exclaimed:
"There is nothing more to eat! The Hungry Tiger has consumed
everything!"
"But that is not the worst of it," declared the Tiger, mournfully.
"Somewhere or somehow, I've actually lost my appetite!"
[Illustration]
Dorothy's Magic Belt
[Illustration]
Dorothy passed several very happy weeks in the Land of Oz as the guest
of the royal Ozma, who delighted to please and interest the little
Kansas girl. Many new acquaintances were formed and many old ones
renewed, and wherever she went Dorothy found herself among friends.
One day, however, as she sat in Ozma's private room, she noticed hanging
upon the wall a picture which constantly changed in appearance, at one
time showing a meadow and at another time a forest, a lake or a
village.
"How curious!" she exclaimed, after watching the shifting scenes for a
few moments.
"Yes," said Ozma, "that is really a wonderful invention in magic. If I
wish to see any part of the world or any person living, I need only
express the wish and it is shown in the picture."
"May I use it?" asked Dorothy, eagerly.
"Of course, my dear."
"Then I'd like to see the old Kansas farm, and Aunt Em," said the girl.
Instantly the well remembered farmhouse appeared in the picture, and
Aunt Em could be seen quite plainly. She was engaged in washing dishes
by the kitchen window and seemed quite well and contented. The hired men
and the teams were in the harvest fields behind the house, and the corn
and wheat seemed to the child to be in prime condition. On the side
porch Dorothy's pet dog, Toto, was lying fast asleep in the sun, and to
her surprise old Speckles was running around with a brood of twelve new
chickens trailing after her.
"Everything seems all right at home," said Dorothy, with a sigh of
relief. "Now I wonder what Uncle Henry is doing."
The scene in the picture at once shifted to Australia, where, in a
pleasant room in Sydney, Uncle Henry was seated in an easy chair,
solemnly smoking his briar pipe. He looked sad and lonely, and his hair
was now quite white and his hands and face thin and wasted.
"Oh!" cried Dorothy, in an anxious voice, "I'm sure Uncle Henry isn't
getting any better, and it's because he is worried about me. Ozma, dear,
I must go to him at once!"
"How can you?" asked Ozma.
"I don't know," replied Dorothy; "but let us go to Glinda the Good. I'm
sure she will help me, and advise me how to get to Uncle Henry."
Ozma readily agreed to this plan and caused the Sawhorse to be harnessed
to a pretty green and pink phaeton, and the two girls rode away to visit
the famous sorceress.
Glinda received them graciously, and listened to Dorothy's story with
attention.
"I have the magic belt, you know," said the little girl. "If I buckled
it around my waist and commanded it to take me to Uncle Henry, wouldn't
it do it?"
"I think so," replied Glinda, with a smile.
"And then," continued Dorothy, "if I ever wanted to come back here
again, the belt would bring me."
[Illustration: "THAT IS A WISE PLAN," REPLIED GLINDA]
"In that you are wrong," said the sorceress. "The belt has magical
powers only while it is in some fairy country, such as the Land of Oz,
or the Land of Ev. Indeed, my little friend, were you to wear it and
wish yourself in Australia, with your uncle, the wish would doubtless be
fulfilled, because it was made in fairyland. But you would not find the
magic belt around you when you arrived at your destination."
"What would become of it?" asked the girl.
"It would be lost, as were your silver shoes when you visited Oz before,
and no one would ever see it again. It seems too bad to destroy the use
of the magic belt in that way, doesn't it?"
"Then," said Dorothy, after a moment's thought, "I will give the magic
belt to Ozma, for she can use it in her own country. And she can wish me
transported to Uncle Henry without losing the belt."
"That is a wise plan," replied Glinda.
So they rode back to the Emerald City, and on the way it was arranged
that every Saturday morning Ozma would look at Dorothy in her magic
picture, wherever the little girl might chance to be. And, if she saw
Dorothy make a certain signal, then Ozma would know that the little
Kansas girl wanted to revisit the Land of Oz, and by means of the Nome
King's magic belt would wish that she might instantly return.
This having been agreed upon, Dorothy bade good-bye to all her friends.
Tiktok wanted to go to Australia, too; but Dorothy knew that the machine
man would never do for a servant in a civilized country, and the chances
were that his machinery wouldn't work at all. So she left him in Ozma's
care.
Billina, on the contrary, preferred the Land of Oz to any other country,
and refused to accompany Dorothy.
"The bugs and ants that I find here are the finest flavored in the
world," declared the yellow hen, "and there are plenty of them. So here
I shall end my days; and I must say, Dorothy, my dear, that you are very
foolish to go back into that stupid, humdrum world again."
"Uncle Henry needs me," said Dorothy, simply; and every one except
Billina thought it was right that she should go.
All Dorothy's friends of the Land of Oz--both old and new--gathered in a
group in front of the palace to bid her a sorrowful good-bye and to wish
her long life and happiness. After much hand shaking, Dorothy kissed
Ozma once more, and then handed her the Nome King's magic belt, saying:
"Now, dear Princess, when I wave my handkerchief, please wish me with
Uncle Henry. I'm aw'fly sorry to leave you--and the Scarecrow--and the
Tin Woodman--and the Cowardly Lion--and Tiktok--and--and everybody--but
I do want my Uncle Henry! So good-bye, all of you."
[Illustration]
Then the little girl stood on one of the big emeralds which decorated
the courtyard, and after looking once again at each of her friends,
waved her handkerchief.
* * * * *
"No," said Dorothy, "I wasn't drowned at all. And I've come to nurse you
and take care of you, Uncle Henry, and you must promise to get well as
soon as poss'ble."
Uncle Henry smiled and cuddled his little niece close in his lap.
"I'm better already, my darling," said he.
[Illustration]
* * * * *
Books by L. Frank Baum
Illustrated by John R. Neill
Each book handsomely bound in artistic pictorial cover. $1.25 per
volume.
THE LAND OF OZ
An account of the adventures of the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, Jack
Punpkinhead, the Animated Saw-Horse, the Highly Magnified Woggle-Bug,
the Gump and many other delightful characters.
Nearly 150 black-and-white illustrations and sixteen full-page
pictures in color.
OZMA OF OZ
The story tells "more about Dorothy," as well as those famous
characters, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion, and
something of several new creations equally delightful, including Tiktok
the machine man, the Yellow Hen, the Nome King and the Hungry Tiger.
Forty-one full-page colored pictures; twenty-two half pages in
color and fifty black-and-white text pictures.
DOROTHY AND THE WIZARD IN OZ
In this book Dorothy, with Zeb, a little boy friend, and Jim, the Cab
Horse, are swallowed up in an earthquake and reach a strange vegetable
land, whence they escape to the land of Oz, and meet all their old
friends. Among the new characters are Eureka, Dorothy's Pink Kitten, and
the Nine Tiny Piglets.
Gorgeously illustrated with sixteen full color pages and numerous
black-and-white pictures.
THE ROAD TO OZ
Tells how to reach the Magic City of Oz over a road leading through
lands of many colors, peopled with odd characters, surcharged with
adventure suitable for the minds and imaginations of young children. The
manufacture represents an entirely new idea--the paper used is of
various colors to indicate the several countries traversed by the road
leading to Oz and the Emerald City.
Unique and gorgeous Jacket in colors and gold.
THE EMERALD CITY OF OZ
In this story, the Nome King threatens to capture the Emerald City. Ozma
and Dorothy, with the help of Glinda the Good defeat his plan. All the
old characters and many new ones enliven this story.
16 full-page pictures in four colors and green bronze. 100
black-and-white illustrations. Jacket in four colors and aluminum
and green bronze.
THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ
In many ways the most successful of the Oz Books. A new and fascinating
character, the Patchwork Girl, and Ojo, a new boy, have adventures of
lively interest.
Over 100 full-page pictures in full color and in black and white.
Full-length chapter heads in full color. Jacket in four colors;
cover in four stampings.